Bunclody Beat

ALL-IRELAND AG SCIENCE QUIZ CHAMPS

FCJ Secondary School Bunclody claimed the title as all-Ireland IASTA Agricultural Science quiz winners 2019. The team consisted of four sixth year students; Bridin Dwyer, Ciara Carroll, James Byrne and Laura Bailey, which was closely mentored by their teacher Mrs Stephanie O’Dwyer. Over 30 teams from all over Ireland, including Galway, Cork and Dublin attended the quiz last Wednesday, March 20, in Kilkenny College. The team proudly won the George Mullen perpetual cup, along with four trophies and €200 in prize money. George Mullen was a highly acclaimed lecturer in Soil Science in university of Limerick.

The late Mr Mullen’s wife was present on the day and proudly presented the cup, alongside Deirdre O’Shea from Agri Aware and George Dennis, chairman of IASTA After eight rounds of questions, the team found themselves in joint first place with one of Kilkenny Colleges’ teams. The two teams tackled a tough tie breaker, to which FCJ won comprehensively. Second and third place was awarded to two Kilkenny College teams, who were the reigning champions for the previous three years.

FCJ beat off tough competition from schools like St Peter’s and Kieran College. FCJs second team of students unluckily missed out on a place on the day. The second team consisted of Ciara Kelly, Niall Hickey, Niall Murphy and Patrick O’Toole.

The quiz was sponsored by Devenish, Agri-Aware and IASTA. Ms Helen Carroll, the well-known presenter of the RTÉ show ‘Ear to the Ground’ was in attendance on the day as the Q the quiz questions were based on agricultural topics including ‘The Farmers Journal’, the agricultural science leaving cert course and biology and science topics.

BUNCLODY VOCATIONAL COLLEGE

The next Bunclody Vocational College split-the-pot draw takes place on Friday, April 12, Envelopes available in Bunclody Credit Union, Bunclody VC, Eurospar, Ken Rothwell, O’Reilly’s SuperValu and Steemers Newsagents. We thank you for your continued support.

A fashion show will be held in Bunclody Golf and fishing club on Friday, May 10, at 8 p.m. A great night is promised. Tickets cost €10 and are available through the school. Door prizes and raffle on the night.

A used clothes collection takes place in the school on Wednesday, May 22, A great way to de-clutter for summer. Those donating five or more bags will be entered into a draw to win a €100 voucher for the Ferrycarrig Hotel. BUNCLO

DYLIBRARY

Coming up in Bunclody Library – Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. – Parenting Event – Successful Transition from Preschool to Primary School. Join Brid Kennedy from the National parents’ council team as she discusses how to help your child transition to primary school, this will help your child have better outcomes socially, emotionally and educationally.

Thursday, April 11, at 7 p.m. – Yoga for adults with Catherine Callaghan – Join us for an amazing yoga session, you are never too tired or inflexible to start. Booking essential at 053 9375466.

Saturday, April 13, at 11 a.m. Autism: Lego therapy storytelling with Caroline Busher – Join our reader in residence Caroline Busher for a Lego therapy storytelling workshop. This workshop is aimed at children aged 6-12 with ASD and their families. Booking essential at 053 9375466.

Thursday, April 18, at 7 p.m. Floral Demo with Betty Cumiskey – Betty from the Wexford Flower and Garden Club will return to Bunclody Library for a wonderful Easter floral demo. All displays will be raffled at the end of the demo. Booking essential at 053 9375466.

Booking essential for all events. Tel: 053 9375466.

CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy’s Election Campaign will be launched by TD Dara Calleary, Deputy Leader Fianna Fáil on Thursday, April 11, at 8 p.m. in River’s Edge, Bunclody. There will be music and finder food. All are welcome to come along and enjoy the evening.

WALKING FOOTBALL

Walking Football takes place at Bunclody AFC every Thursday morning from 11 a.m. to midday. It is open to all ages, all genders and all fitness levels. It’s great fun and all are welcome.

WHIST

Whist takes place every Monday in St Mary’s Day Care Centre, Ryland Road, Bunclody. First deal at 8.45 p.m. New players always welcome.

BUNCLODY SWIMMING POOL DRAW

The next draw takes place in early April and your support to keep Bunclody Open Air Pool in tip top condition will be very much appreciated. Entry to the draw costs €10 per month or €40 for the remaining four months.

THE MONDAY CLUB

The Monday Club meets at St Mary’s Day Centre, Ryland Road on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

MODEL COUNTY DEVELOPMENT DRAW.

Be on the look-out for HalfWay-House \ Bunclody GAA Club members who are out selling tickets for the annual Model County Development Draw. Tickets are €50 for three draws or €20, €20 and €10. The first draw takes place on Wednesday, May 1. Top prize each month is a car. This is an important part of the club’s annual fundraising drive and your support will be appreciated.

BRIDGE

Results from Bunclody Bridge Club last week first Florence and Tony Jordan, second Aideen Breen and Ann Steemers, third Mary Cotter and Edith Tschofen.

Bridge continues on Wednesday evenings in Redmond’s, Main street.

MT. LEINSTER COMMUNITY EMPLOYMENT SCHEME

Mount Leinster Community Employment Scheme has the following vacancies: Day Care Assistant – Bunclody Day Care Job Reference – CES 2105682; Bunclody Tidy Towns – General Operative Bunclody Job Reference – CES 2105685. Closing date for both positions is Wednesday, April 10. Age limit 21 years upwards. Check your eligibility by contacting: DEAS.P Bridgepoint, Enniscorthy 053 9239300. Should you be eligible you will then be placed on a list of candidates to be interviewed. Garda vetting will apply.

BUNCLODY VC

Over the past number of weeks and for the next few months a music and wellness programme continues in Bunclody Vocational College. The programme is being rolled out with the aim of using music as a vehicle to improve school connectedness among selected students with a view to improving attendance and attainment.

The programme is being facilitated with the support of National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) doctorate researcher along with school management and staff. The programme looks at how pupil levels of school connectedness can improve and to see if it leads to an increase in positive feelings about school and enhances coping skills for pupils. Schools play a vital role in the promotion of positive mental health in young people and can also provide a safe and supportive environment for building life skills and resilience and a strong sense of connectedness to school. School connectedness has also been shown to be directly related to academic achievement. However, unlike reading, spelling and maths, there are not many commonly used measures for deciding if pupils feel a strong sense of belonging in their school environment.

The programme will be delivered via a musical experience which includes principles of nurture, delivered through regular music extracurricular activities and workshops. The activities and workshops include samba drumming, choreography and vocal workshops, ukulele workshop/ club, song writing and recording, musician visits, traditional Irish music ensemble, choral development and guitar club.

To date, the students have already enjoyed the experience of samba drumming workshops and a visit and fantastic performance from Liam Ó Maonlaí of the Hothouse Flowers. In the coming weeks, students can look forward to more workshops and musical experiences as part of the programme. ‘We believe that it is very important for a student to have a high level of connectedness to school to enhance their coping skills for life and to maintain a positive mental outlook’ said school principal James Murphy. ‘By including this unique music experience in our students’ daily lives at the moment, we are building a more supportive environment in which they are able to continue to thrive’, he stated.

FIBROMYALGIA SUPPORT GROUP

Carlow Fibromyalgia Support Group are holding a family information day on Sunday, April 7, in the Woodford Dolmen Hotel from 10 a.m. till 4.30 p.m. Admission €10. There will be a variety of guest speakers, Information tables and workshops on many aspects, aiming to give patients help in managing Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain.

BRING AND BUY COFFEE MORING

The annual St Mary’s Day Care Bring and Buy and coffee morning will take place on Holy Thursday, April 18, in the Day Care Centre, Ryland Road, Bunclody from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. There will be a raffle and coffee morning; Cake and Home Produce Stall; Crafts, jnitting, crochet and Jewellery;

Bags, belts, books, home baking and home produce accepted on Thursday morning from 9 a.m. Please drop in and support this local cause.