Author: John Hurley

MAYFIELD STUDENTS AWARDED AT GRADAM 2016

There were proud scenes in Mayfield Community School recently when students, past and present, received awards in recognition of academic achievement.

Along with awards for academic excellence in each year group, special awards were presented for English literature, Science, Sport, Engineering, Music, History, Business and Enterprise. Transition year students were honoured for their Gaisce achievements.

Aaron Walsh O’ Reagan, now studying Chemical and Process Engineering in UCC and Natasha Cronin, studying Beauty Therapy in Cork School of Commerce were awarded bursaries form AIB while David O’ Gorman and Luke O Driscoll, studying for a Bachelor of Commerce (UCC)   and Bachelor of Design and Manufacturing (UL)  respectively were awarded Credit Union bursaries.

Representatives from UCC and CIT presented awards to Séan Murphy Phelan for excellent educational attainment and Darragh O’ Donovan for his achievement at third level educational.

Courtney Carroll received the prestigious Garda Community Award for her work in the community during transition year. Courtney continues to volunteer with Special Olympics Ireland and is a wonderful ambassador for Mayfield Community School.

Special Guest speaker Dr Kevin Cahill, School of Education in UCC, acknowledged the dedication and hard work of students and their teachers in Mayfield Community School. He congratulated the many award winners and their parents on the evening.

Commenting on the awards, Principal Kieran Golden said that “the school is exceptionally proud of the students who received their awards. In Mayfield Community School we pride ourselves on academic achievement and I think that this evening underpins the hard work and commitment shown by our students and staff.”

(click on the photo below to view the slideshow)

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”24″ gal_title=”Gradam 2016″]

For Science Week 2016

• A group of First Year students and a small group of LCA students built Bug Hotels
• The idea of bug hotels is to provide shelter and a source of food for insects over the winter and into the spring
• Insects such as Solitary bees and ladybirds are very important in nature as they can help native plant species to thrive.
• Mayfield Community School is hoping to encourage these insects and others to take up residence in the grounds of the school
• We would hope the bug hotels would contribute to improving the natural environment around MCS
• The bug hotels were constructed using recycled materials including bricks,tiles,wood and chicken wire.
• We constructed a large bug hotel in the garden at the back of the school
• The smaller bug hotels in the garden pots will be placed in various locations around the school
• Bird Feeders have been placed around the school grounds and it is hoped we will encourage the smaller birds such as robins,blue tits and chaffinches to appear more often around the school grounds.

(written by Adam Cunningham and Tyrone Meade of TY)

Students in Mayfield Community School were spoiled for choice during Science week. First year  and LCA students built an insect hotel and put up bird feeders in the school grounds as part of a biodiversity project. Science teacher Ms Callanan said “First year student recycled old pots, twigs, rolled up cardboard, red bricks and chicken wire to create a safe haven for insects and learned the importance of protecting our native species by providing suitable habitats over the winter”.

Students enjoyed a plant tour of Biopharma Education Centre where they learned of the processes and conditions required in a pharmaceutical factory setup. Students also learned about career paths in the pharmaceutical sector.

Students had a unique opportunity to visit the Stardome set up in the hall of the school’s sports complex by Blackrock Observatory. Science teacher Mr Begley said “students gained a new perspective on the night skies in Ireland.” Students were excited to explore the possibility of travel to Mars and learned of the difficulties such a journey would entail. Science teachers in Mayfield Community School were delighted to host this exciting event as it links directly to topics on  the new Junior Cycle syllabus.

Students and staff of Mayfield Community School took part in Gaeilge 24, a nationwide challenge, run by Conradh na Gaeilge.

Mayfield Community School saw over 75 staff and students, all of whom wore green t-shirts supplied by Conrad na Gaeilge, participate in this initiative, however, each and every member of the school community made a huge joint effort in speaking and promoting the use of the Irish language both inside and outside the classroom. Different activities ‘as Gaeilge’ were held throughout the school day.

1^st years participated in a Gaelic football blitz while 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th year students enjoyed a ‘Tráth ns gCeist’, or Table Quiz as most of us know it.

Irish teacher Ms Clíona O’Callaghan coordinated this event and said “Gaeilge 24 was a huge success and wonderful way for students to speak Irish outside of the classroom. We look forward to many other similar initiatives”

From early morning, a fantastic atmosphere was palpable all over the school. Both staff and students alike thoroughly enjoyed the day and the countdown to next year has already begun.

Click on the image below to view the slideshow

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”23″ gal_title=”2016 Gaeilge”]

Following is a letter from the Board of Management of Mayfield Community School to all parents:

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

ASTI withdrawal from Supervision and Substitution

As you are aware from the media, the ASTI has directed its members to withdraw from supervision and substitution duties with effect from 7th November 2016. Our school has a number of teachers who are members of the ASTI.

Health and Safety legislation and the in loco parentis principle place a duty of care on school management to ensure the safety, health and welfare of pupils. School management have assessed the supervision and substitution needs of the school and have put in place arrangements for the provision of supervision of pupils for Monday 7th November. These arrangements were ratified by our school’s Board of Management.

Consequently the Board of Management are pleased to inform you that Mayfield Community School will be open for all students on Monday 7th November.

ASTI Strike Day November 8th

The ASTI has also notified the Board of Management of a Strike Day on November

8th. If this strike day goes ahead as planned the Board of Management will not be in a position to discharge its responsibility with regard to the care of students in its charge. The Board reluctantly decided that it cannot guarantee the health and safety of students on the school premises on that day.

The Board of Management is therefore requesting you not to send your son/daughter to school on Tuesday November 8th.

The Board of Management will notify parents of arrangements regarding any further strike dates as they arise.

The Board of Management wishes to assure you that it will continue to make every effort to provide education and care for our pupils and values your support in this endeavour.

The Board of Management regrets this course of action is necessary.

Yours sincerely,

_________________________.

Secretary of the Board of Management