Soroptimist Speaking Competition, Agri-Aware Innovation Challenge, Gold and Bronze in Feis, Ulster Bank Visit

27th February 2012

Students in Southern Regional Final of Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition

Andrea Foley and Abigail de Souza, Ard Scoil na nDéise finalists in the Southern Regional Final of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition held in Cork, photographed with their English teacher, Mrs Evelyn Simons.

On Saturday February 25th Ard Scoil na nDéise students Abigail de Souza and Andrea Foley, who had been selected as the Waterford finalists of the Soroptimist Public Speaking Competition, travelled to Cork for the Southern Regional final of the competition.  The event was attended by the Mayor of Cork who welcomed all competitors, adjudicators, Soroptimists and guests.  Firstly, each girl delivered her speech on her chosen topic.  Abigail’s topic was “Nature provides a free lunch, but only if we curb our appetites”, a quotation from William Ruckelhous, 1990.  Andrea had selected “Education is simply the soul of society as it passes from one generation to another”, a quotation from G.K. Chesterton. 

The second part of the competition was the very challenging impromptu speech section.  Each competitor was given a topic and allowed just two minutes to prepare an impromptu speech which had to last two minutes, not an easy task!!  Both our students performed excellently, with great use of humour in their impromptu speeches.  We then enjoyed delicious refreshments while the adjudicators concluded their deliberations. To our delight Abigail was selected to proceed to the national final which will be held in Clonmel on Saturday, March 3rd and Andrea (who is currently in the middle of her Pre Leaving exams!) was singled out by the adjudicators for special commendation on her very witty impromptu speech. 

Well done to both girls, many thanks to the members of Dungarvan Soroptimists who travelled to Cork to support the students in the event, and a special thank you to Mrs Simons and Mr Veale who helped, encouraged and supported Abigail, Andrea and all our students who recently participated in our school public speaking competition.   We wish Abigail the very best of luck as she represents Ard Scoil na nDéise in the national final next week.

Dorothy Hughes, Principal, Maura White, Dungarvan Soroptimist, Abigail de Souza, Andrea Foley, Ard Scoil na nDéise finalists, Evelyn Simons, English teacher, Sheila Curran, Dungarvan Soroptimist at the Southern Regional Final of the Soroptimist International Public Speaking Competition in Cork. 

Agri-Aware Green Dragon Secondary Schools Innovation Challenge.

Two Ard Scoil second year students were the only Waterford pupils chosen to compete in the national heat of the Green Dragon Secondary Schools Innovation Challenge. Their business teacher, Ms. Anne Gleeson, said the girls did most of the work on their own outside of school time. Cliona Ryan and Emily Power travelled to Athlone last week for the heat and Cliona wrote about their experience.

Cliona Ryan and Emily Power at the Agri-Aware Innovation Challenge.

“My friend Emily and I went to Athlone to the National heat of the “Green Dragon” competition. We were very well prepared for this as we got help from many of the teachers as well as working outside of school hours. This competition encouraged young students to come up with a new business idea. Our idea was to turn rainwater into electricity. We learned how we would build, advertise and sell this product..

When we got to the five star hotel in Athlone, we felt quite daunted looking around as we were one of the youngest teams there. We just smiled and got our five minute presentation ready. We were nervous going into a room with just us and two judges but the time flew once we got started. We did our best and answered all the judges’ questions. We were very happy with how the day went ads it was an excellent experience and good practise for the future. We would like to thank everyone who gave us so much help on our journey. It was a memorable and beneficial experience and I will certainly never forget that day.”

Emma Casey takes Gold and Bronze in Feis Matthew.

T.Y. student, Emma Casey, competed in Feis Matthew in Cork last week. She came first in the age 16 + Prose reading competition and came third and was commended in the Gloria Joy poetry competition. Emma has represented the school in poetry and public speaking competitions and is now one of the cast rehearsing their roles in the forthcoming Ard Scoil production of Shakespeare’s “Much Ado about Nothing.” Well done Emma.

Visit from the Ulster Bank.

The first year students recently had a visit from Marie and Siobhan of the Ulster Bank and Shauna Young of 1.2 wrote this account of the experience.

Marie and Siobhan of Ulster Bank speak to pupils

"Today, two very kind ladies, Marie and Siobhan, from Ulster Bank came into our class to talk to us about money and banking, for instance how you pay for goods with cash,cheques,laser card or debit card. They also explained the difference between direct debit and a standing order. We were also shown how to use an ATM machine and how to make the correct transaction. We then saw the differences between a false card and a real one and how old you have to be to use an ATM card (12+), Debit card (16+) and a credit card (18+).

We watched a DVD on the working of the bank and then we had a quiz. Whoever answered correctly got a prize, a cool mouse mat and then Urte and Sarah answered bonus questions and Hannah and Tara won blow up plastic chairs. We all got “freebies”, mousemats and very nice pencils. I thought that Marie and Siobhan’s presentation was very interesting and educational."

Teacher Anne Gleeson with Marie and Siobhan of Ulster Bank and Ard Scoil Pupils

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