Busy week for Coláiste Fionnchua students

Nd

It has been a busy week in Coláiste Fionnchua, Mitchelstown this week, as a number of cross-curricular and co-curricular events were organised.

A huge thank you to Garda John Hennessy, our local Community Garda, who took time out of his busy day to meet with our 2nd year class group. He spoke to our students on the importance of being tech savvy and passed on some hints and tips related to same.

He also emphasised the importance of being internet aware and focused on the dangers that can be found online and also the different ways one can protect themselves online. Garda Hennessy reminded students that there is no privacy once you post or send a picture on social media.

Garda Hennessy also spoke to our students about the dangers of vaping. Students were delighted with John’s visit and asked him plenty of questions. There was expressions of interest from a few students who might join the Garda force in the future!

DAIRYGOLD CASTLEFARM VISIT

Many thanks to all in Dairygold Castlefarm who facilitated our 5th year LCVP students with a very insightful presentation and tour of their site. Our students were delighted to be invited on site and experience a live working environment.

The welcome received by our students when they entered the canteen set the tone for the visit. Dairygold kindly provided plenty of refreshments for our students. After this, students got a presentation which detailed the workings of the plant and the many products they produce such as whole milk, skim milk, filled milk powders, casein, caseinate, lactose powders, whey powders and concentrates. Students also learned that Dairygold is Ireland’s largest co-operative with a long and storied history spanning 150 years and produces just under 1.5 billion litres of milk a year.

Following this, it was time to visit the processing plant. Students were provided with PPE equipment to allow them walk outside around the plant and see where the bulk tanks deliver the milk. Students also got the opportunity to enter the powder plant to see how milk powder is made. This, however, meant ‘gowning up’, where students wore protective equipment from head to toe to avoid contamination of products.

This was a hugely educational and enjoyable visit for our students. Thank you to all at Dairygold for your courtesy and kindness.

Community Garda John Hennessy with 2nd Year students Kevin O’Mahony, Ciara Vaughan, John Connolly Murphy, Michelle Mullins, Sarah Jane Nolan, Jack Prendergast and Michael O’Brien.

5th Year Coláiste Fionnchua LCVP students on a recent visit to the Dairygold Processing plant at Castlefarm.