TY Newsletter 23rd - 27 April

Firstly, an apology. I had forgotten to welcome back all the boys from the Spanish Exchange last week - an experience that they all enjoyed...So, welcome back guys. (Also, wishing the TYs currently on exchange all the best with over the next few weeks too:)

Secondly, Wishing Yu 'Ronnie' Guan the best of luck with his new endeavours. The much beloved Ronnie is leaving St Michael's after 15 years. On behalf of all the TYs - Best Wishes.

You'll find the following below:

Spiritan Development Education Showcase & TY
TY Achill Island Adventure Trip - Payment Required
Tuesday Rotation Activities Highlights and Upcoming Schedule
TY Beach Volleyball
Gaisce Deadline
Upcoming Work Placement: 21st - 25th May (Groups 2 & 5)
Summer Term Sports Calendar 2018

Spiritan Development Education Showcase & TY

St Michael's was delighted to host Spiritan Development Education Showcase last Friday.

The Brazil Immersion Trip, TY Garden Classroom and the new arrival of the Green Schools Beehives (!) were all on show.

Well done to everyone on their hard work. More photos to follow but for now please find pictures of 4.3's handy work on turning the Pavilion Green into an outdoor garden classroom and social area.

In two days (and a lot of hard work) we managed to transform the space. We can now seat up to 60 people at one time.

Perfect for these welcome sunny evenings!

Also...some words from Mr Doolan in relation to the TY Brazil Trip and STMC Development Education:

“Nature is God’s first cathedral” - During our recent TY Immersion trip to Brazil, we were inspired by the people we met in a world very different to ours. The Cultural Centre set up by Fr. Pat Clarke in Favela Vila Prudente in the city of Sao Paulo in the 1980’s is the most unlikely solution, but here Fr. Pat has continued to offer the children in his care an alternative future to the ever-present realities of crime that exists around them daily. An alternative possibility that offers the children a right to the inheritance of music, art, drama. Its an action that he himself describes as ‘subversive’. His centre for culture has love at its core and embraces the arts as a medium for transformation in a harsh world. In short, the centre helps the children to become protagonists for peace.

The themes of our project attempts to reflect the values we witnessed in the Cultural Centre in Sao Paulo and while also staying in magnificent City of Angels retreat in the Atlantic Rainforest, where we made 4,000 eco-bricks. First, we focus on the transformative powers of the arts - ‘beauty will save the world’ said Dostoevsky. We examined our experience in the Cultural Centre and endeavoured to connect this truth with our potential as agents of change back home in Ireland. While staying in the Atlantic Rainforest we were also exposed to outstanding beauty that stood in stark contrast to the horrendous conditions of the favela where a single blade of grass cannot be found. Someone once said that we need space to become humanised, therefore, we have focused on the environment, particularly the effects of deforestation. With this in mind we adopted projects such as our school garden, tree planting and bee keeping. We also joined in solidarity with the campaign of the Great Green Wall in north Africa. Finally, we wished to share our incredible experiences, so we wrote to all the Irish Ministers telling them about our life changing experience. We eagerly await their responses."

Achill Island Adventure Trip

This is always a highlight of the year and a lovely way to end TY looking into the the beginning of the Leaving Cert!

This is a whole year trip that takes place 28th MAY - 1st JUNE.

Accommodation, transport and water sports activities are all included in a supplemental fee of €150 which can be paid via this link to the St Michael's College website from this Tuesday.

Please note that student mobile phones are available for use for 1 hour a day only.

There are no alternative activities planned for this week - work placements can be sought by those not be taking part in this week. Please let me know asap if your son will not be coming on this week.

DEADLINE to confirm places Thursday, MAY 10th

Tuesday Rotation Activities Highlights and Upcoming Schedule

The final week of a really enjoyable TY Rotations Module. Thanks to all the guys for their suggestions throughout the year that helped to shape the activities.

Please don't forget that if your on the Mystery Trip and Museum Visit you will need bus fare to town and if your in the Touch Rugby group you will need sports gear.

Beach Volleyball

St.Michael’s Volleyball team participated in a coaching and challenge match event organised by Beach Volleyball Assocaition of the VAI in Portmarnock Beach.

Gaisce Deadline

If TYs would like to receive their Gaisce Bronze Award medal on STMC Prize Day they must hand in a hard copy of their signed Gaisce Record Sheet to my office by May 11th.