2010-2011
The academic year 2010/11 again proved to be a very busy year for the JCSP in Desmond College. Our JCSP classes, with the help of their respective teachers took part in six different initiatives.
These initiatives varied from a chess initiative to a reading challenge which got all first year students reading books for six weeks.
Rang Aoghain (2nd year) took part in the annual JCSP “Make a Book” exhibition. Their book entitled “Who we are?” examined the backgrounds, hobbies and interests of the students from Rang Aoghain.
Animal Magic paid a visit to Desmond College and introduced our students to animals like lizards and giant rabbits.
J.C.S.P. Coordinator is Mr. Damien Culhane.
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Word Millionaire
All second year students took part in a new literacy initiative called “Word Millionaire”. This initiative was held over six weeks and collectively students were expected to read over a million words.
This initiative did not involve writing reports which added to the enjoyment for students.
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Number Millionaire
“Number Millionaire” was an initiative carried out by Ms. Helen Barry with her second year Maths class. This initiative is a mathematical take on the television programme “Who wants to be a Millionaire”.
Students were presented with problems and given multiple choice answers, if they were unsure of the correct answer they were able to avail of lifelines like 50:50 and ask a friend, etc.
This initiative made the Maths class very interesting and enjoyable for the students involved.
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Modern Languages
Ms. Delaney, who recently joined our French Department, carried out a French initiative with her second year group.
A class set of French magazines was bought and time was allocated each week for students to read and study the magazines. This was an interesting and enjoyable way for students to enhance their written and verbal French.
This initiative was a total success and much credit is due to Ms Delaney for her hard work and dedication.
Make a Book Exhibition
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On Thursday 7th April, students from Rang Aoghain accompanied by Bernie Flynn and Mr. Culhane embarked on a trip to Cork City for the 2011 JCSP “Make a Book Exhibition.”
Rang Aoghain produced a book but they also produced decorative foot stools in woodwork and two beautiful wall hangings in Home Economics.
This project all about the students themselves, who they are, where they came from and details of their backgrounds.
A lot of time and effort was put into the making of this book / project and the students who travelled to Cork had a really enjoyable day as they witnessed the fruits of their labour on display in City Hall, Cork.
Rang Aoghain are to be complimented for all the work they put into this project. Desmond College was well represented yet again.
I would like to thank the following teachers for all their help and dedication while this project has been produced: Ms. Dennison, Mr. Lowe and Ms. Aideen Collins.
The students who visited the exhibition also took part in the Make a Book Quiz, Patrick Madden was chosen as one of the lucky winners, he won an ipod nano for his efforts, CONGRATULATIONS PATRICK! Keep up the good work.
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Animal Magic
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On Thursday 9th of December Animal Magic paid a visit to Desmond College and in particular the students from Rang Bríd, Rang Aoghain and Rang Grace.
Yet again, Rosie from Animal Magic had students amazed with an array of animals, the students got to meet Frodo an Australian lizard, T-Rex an African lizard, Fiachra a Boa Constrictor snake, a giant Flemish Rabbit, a frog and a South American Hawk.
This was a very enjoyable and educational morning for all students involved.
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Reading Challenge
All first year students took part in this year’s Reading Challenge – no mean feat!
Students were expected to read one book per week for six weeks and they were also expected to write a short review on each book.
The reason for running this initiative was to encourage students to read more and to improve their literacy skills.
During the course of the initiative it was easy to see that students really got into it and enjoyed the class period they got each day to read their chosen book.
This initiative was a total success and students really benefited from it. A big thank you to the English department for all their help in implementing this initiative.
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Chess Initiative
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Mr. O’Rahilly our in-house chess expert carried out a chess initiative with first years, Rang Bríd. This was something very new and exciting for Rang Bríd.
Students got to learn how to play chess, compete against each other and a selection of students when on to represent Desmond College in a recent school tournament.
This initiative had a very positive effect on Rang Bríd and students gained a lifelong skill by taking part.
Well done to everybody involved.
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Book Review
Rang Aoghain, with the guidance of their class teacher, Mr. Goulding, took part in a Book Review initiative. This involved the students travelling down to the local book shop to buy their chosen book, students also visited the local cafe for refreshments!
Students read their new book along with five other books over a six week period and wrote a review on each book.
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Literacy in the Classroom
This was an initiative undertaken by Ms. Supple with first years, Rang Bríd. Ms. Supple introduced different strategies to make learning a lot more interesting and exciting for the class.
As a result of this the students from Rang Bríd improved their literacy skills and gained a lot more confidence in carrying out their course work.
The poetry contributions made to the yearbook are testament to the hard work of Rang Bríd and there wasn’t an Easter egg in sight!
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Paired Maths
Paired Maths is an initiative where Senior cycle students act as mentors to Junior cycle students in the Maths classroom.
Ms. Hannon carried out this initiative with Rang Bríd and the students from Transition Year acted as their mentors. This is a great way for first year students to improve their numeracy skills and also to get to know and build up a relationship with more senior students within the school.
Both class groups involved in this initiative really enjoyed the experience: Rang Bríd improved their numeracy skills and the Transition Year students improved their training mentoring skills.
Well done to all involved.
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Interactive Maths Initiative
Ms. Marie Ryan introduced Rang Aoghain to a new and exciting way to learn Maths.
Interactive maths software was bought and uploaded to the computers in the computer room.
For two class periods per week students got to interact with this software and improve their numeracy skills.
This was a new, fun and innovative way of improving numeracy skills and the students involved really enjoyed this practical approach to maths.