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In our Irish class, we have done two projects over the first one being about our Achill trip which I really wrote a lot about Achill in and I tried my best and the second project was about some celebrity. We look up to. I also really tried on that project and we had to present it in front of the class which I hope I did good on

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Today we had the JFK workshop it was so much fun we learned a lot about the different bullets and guns and positioning and so much about JFK and his enemies, and who were tried to kill him and all of that we seen it on the headsets and we learned about the fingerprints. We seen the guns and it was just a really enjoyable experience. I would love to do it again.

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Goal 1: Make decisions more easily.

Goal 2: Get a better understanding about workplaces and working life.

Goal 3: Become a more mature person.

Goal 4: Form a clearer picture of what I want to do after TY.

Goal 5: Learn more about myself.

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The Achill TY bonding trip was an unforgettable and once-in-a-lifetime trip that was so much fun. It starts off on the bus for five or six hours which was so much fun seeing everyone after summer and catching up when we arrived in our car we got our room sorted and then we got ready and went kayaking kayaking with so much fun because I was with Carla my best friend and we did various activities in the water with the kayaks the instructor for kayaking brought us over to a smaller lake where we jumped in and out of it. It was so much fun. When we got back we had dinner then we went back and we did pier, jumping peer jumping with so much fun but so cold, I would definitely do it again. It was such good laughs, but was. , so we ran into the shower and after we had tea and sat out beside the fire when tea was finished we went up to bed, and after such a tiring day, we went to sleep. We woke up the next day and got ready for our hike. The hike with so much fun. We just went up with all my friends on a nice walk some drama happened. It was quite interesting and then we got the bus back and got ready for surfing. No surfing out of all the activities was definitely my favourite Surfing was so good, it really gave me a whole new experience that I never did before and was really once-in-a-lifetime as I don’t think I will ever do it again. It was so much fun trying to catch a wave and being with the whole group, I would definitely do it again in a heartbeat once we got back from surfing, we hopped in the shower and then had dinner and went to the beach where we sat and watch the sunset in the waves crash into the sand while we took the night away. Once we got back for tea i talk to my parents and once again set off to bed where we all sat in my bunk for an hour and just talk the night away which was such a good bonding experience after we went straight to sleep and woke up the next day for a 40 km cycle now that was torture, I hated every single second of it my bum was sore my legs were killing me. I was so tired I was so happy to just get it over with. I felt so much determination and relive fun I finished it thank God i never to do that again after we went to the beach and again just watched the waves in the Sun but it was so cold so we came back straight away. Had the most interesting Tea and talked to everyone and really bonded with the whole of TY after we went back to the room where we got everything sorted for the morning, then sat in Carla’s bunk bed for so long, talking about the whole trip and how much we loved it in the morning we got on the bus back and we left which was so sad because I really really enjoyed the trip. I would love to do it again it was so amazing

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Today we had the cycling around the Phoenix Park for our Monday trip. It was such an enjoyable experience as the Sun was out and it was so hot all day and it was such a good day to go cycling. I really enjoyed the cycling as it was also a treasure hunt, and I got to work in my group which made it all so much fun with the different activities we got to do while cycling seen the different nature and the different parts of the Phoenix Park with such a whole other experience that I’ve never done before and I really enjoyed it

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For today’s trip, we got to do the secret walking tour around town, where we did it with these two older men that were so kind and so funny they made the experience so much more fun when they kept making us laugh and interacting with us as not many people would I really enjoyed walking round seeing the different things. You usually wouldn’t notice if you were in town. It was so good with my friends and after we got McDonald’s which just made it so much more better.

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For today is Monday trip we had such a great experience with first aid as it is something that you pay to do a course on, but we already did the course so we can help people in need. If they need us in any situation. I love the first aid because it really gave me such a such a reality check to see what could happen in a situation and how I could help and I really enjoyed everything about it as I can help anyone in need

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I really enjoyed Declan‘s workshop with the drama as he was such an outgoing and kind person. I love talking to him. He made me laugh so much and throughout the whole experience he was so kind and he really didn’t make us do anything that made us feel uncomfortable, but still got us out of their comfort zones to try different experiences, and bond more as a group

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Today we did breathing and future leaders and it was so much fun doing future leaders as me, Carla and Seb got in a group and have planned a whole PE class for the first years, and I can’t wait to carry it out and actually do it with them because I feel like it would be so much fun and we get to engage with new people. I also really enjoyed the breathing workshop as it showed me how to help with my anxiety and stress.

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For the musical so far we have sent in our auditions which got me out of my comfort zone a lot and made me do different things. I would never ever even think of doing before, but it was so much fun with my friends and we’ve also done our callbacks, which were so nerve racking, but once you do it, it’s not that bad, I also cannot wait to see the list of who gets what role and had a musical play out

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For my first maths project I really applied myself and put the work in getting me 92% for my final grade of the project which was about a New York trip where a family went and could spend 15 grand which I completed to the best of my ability getting me the best grade I possibly could which I’m so proud of myself for

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MARKETING MIX Product - bookmarks, made from card and laminated, multiple designs and customisable.Promotion - promotion was done via emails and notifications on Schoology. It was also done with advertisement posters placed around the school.Price - we deliberated after reviewing our market research and settled on a price of €2.00 for pre-made and €2.50 for customised bookmarks.Place - we sold our product in school at lunchtime for a day but our main income came from custom orders and the delivering the order to the buyer.￼PRODUCT The product that we made for our TY Business was bookmarks. These are handmade. The designs Andre and mix of hand drawn designs and designs made of a device. Personalised bookmarks were also available and these were made on a device. The bookmarks were printed in card, then a card back was put in them and then they were laminated.

IDEA GENERATION We started generating ideas for our business and Rachel said she did bookmarks in her primary school and would like to do them again. Our group which consisted of Jeffery, Killian, Rachel, Maeve, Aoife and Aria agreed to the idea and started working on some ideas and designs for our posters and bookmarks. We then decided how and what we would make, where we would sell it and how we could promote our bookmark business.

POSTERS We made posters to promote our business and tell all students about it. These posters were printed out and put all around the school. We also made a name and logo so people identify that they were our handmade bookmarks. The logo also helped pull people in, making them want to buy a bookmark. ￼￼￼SKILLS DEVELOPED I think that I developed lots of skills throughout this business module. I learned how to work with others better and I also learned lots about business and how business studies works in our school. We worked with money which I think is great as I have never worked with money before, so it was a skills that I think that I learnt. I also did a lot of drawing a creating of the bookmarks this is great as we learnt how to work well with others under pressure

MARKET RESEARCH For our market research we sent out a survey to our whole school. This helped us learn about who would like to buy the bookmarks, what designs they would buy and where and when they would buy them. This survey was really helpful and the results helped us to choose how to complete the bookmark business successfully.

LETTERERS OF PERMISSIONTo ask for permission to sell our bookmarks we emailed the deputy principal, Ms Kenny. We told her about our business, product and what we will be doing. She gave us a lovely reply giving us permission to sell our product.

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In English class we are studying the movie ladybird and we have watched it all so far which I really enjoyed the movie and we have done various amount of questions on the movie including cultural impact and identity. I really enjoyed the film and watching it. I’m doing questions on as I think it’s so intriguing.

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For journalism we have to do two different projects. The first one being a newsletter for our schools newsletter which I did a quick summary about a code for and our other project was a group project which I did with Carla, Ciara, Clara and myself. In this project, we did the news broadcasting and it was so fun to film and I really hope we get good credit on it. We did put a lot of work into it

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Do you know my crib learned a lot about the different cooking textiles and various other things which I thought were really helpful and very inquisitive. Enjoy doing homework as we cooked spice bags and baked scones and cookies, which I really had so much fun doing. I really enjoyed her met this term and I would love to do it again for 5th year and I think this really helped me with the decision of picking her back for 5th year

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In chemistry this term, we have done our big project so fast that I did the Clara which we did a test on different make-up products and brands to see how much bacteria grows on each Mr come and help us a lot with this and he was so happens to the teacher then we did another project on titration, which I thought was so cool, so fun to see the different things that happen when chemicals combined and then we did the flame test, which was so good that they allowed us to have a bit of independence by using the Bunsen burners, and seeing the different colours, the flames turn by the different chemicals, and then last really we learned about the different drugs and what happens with them it was really helpful and teaches me never to touch drugs

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After working with the primary schools for over four weeks, I really can’t say I love it so much it really makes me look forward to every single Friday I love going to my senior infants class and doing art, maths Irish and various different other activities with them. It really makes it so much fun as when I enter the class I hear. “Hi teacher Aria” which just warms my heart as I also would like to be a primary school teacher when I grow up. I really enjoy working with kids working in that environment and I think this program really makes me certain I want to do this when I grow up as it’s so much fun even with 30 screaming kids I still am so annoyed to leave at 10:30 every morning, as I would love to stay just a whole day with them as I just love it so much

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For our Monday trip we went to Croke park we’re we started off Walking through the players' tunnel was such a cool experience I could almost hear the roar of the crowd in my head. When we reached the pitch, it was huge! I couldn’t believe how massive the stadium looked from the inside.

We also visited the GAA Museum, which was full of amazing things like old jerseys, hurleys, and trophies. We even watched videos of some of the most famous matches in GAA history. It was really interesting to learn about the players and how important Gaelic games are to Ireland.

But the best part? The Skills Zone! We got to test our hurling and football skills, which was so much fun. I felt like a real athlete.

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Our school trip to the Laughter Lounge was so much fun! As soon as we walked in, the atmosphere was lively. The comedians were not funny, and I couldn’t stop laughing because it was so unfunny some of their jokes were so unrelatable! But It was great to see everyone, including the teachers, enjoying themselves.

The best part was how relaxed and happy the whole group felt by the end. It was such a different experience from a usual school day, and it brought us all closer together. Definitely a trip to remember!

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Our school trip for a treasure hunt around town was definitely one to remember—mostly because it rained the whole time! At first, we thought the weather might ruin it, but honestly, it just made everything more fun and chaotic.

We ran around with our maps and clues, dodging puddles and trying to keep the paper dry. Everyone was laughing as our group worked together to figure things out, even when we got a little lost. The rain actually made it feel like more of an adventure!

By the end, we were soaked but had so much fun. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it’s one we’ll all talk about for a long time.

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Our barista workshop was so much fun! We learned how to make all kinds of coffee—lattes, cappuccinos, and even how to froth milk properly. It felt so cool using the real machines, like a pro.

The best part was making coffee for our teachers at the end. Seeing their reactions when they tried what we made was amazing—some of them even said it was better than café coffee! It felt great to show off what we learned and make them smile. Definitely a day to remember!

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Our bowling trip was such a blast, and I’m still buzzing because I won! At first, I wasn’t sure how I’d do, but once I got the hang of it, I started hitting strikes and spares like a pro. The competition was tough—everyone was cheering each other on and having fun—but I managed to stay ahead.

When the final score popped up and I saw my name at the top, I couldn’t believe it! It felt amazing to win, but the best part was just spending the day with my friends, laughing and celebrating together. What a great trip!

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Our trip to Trinity College about religion was really interesting. We learned about different faiths and how they shape people’s lives, which gave me a new perspective. After that, we visited a temple, and while the food they gave us was nice, the place had a really strong smell that was hard to get used to!

Then we went to a mosque, which was so peaceful and calm. It was fascinating to see how each place of worship was so different, but all had a sense of community and meaning. Overall, it was a day full of new experiences and learning about different cultures and beliefs.

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I love primary schools which is really fun because I can see how much the students enjoy expressing themselves creatively. Sometimes we work on paintings, drawings, or simple crafts, and it’s great to see their ideas come to life.

Beyond just art, I help with other activities too, like organizing games or assisting with small tasks. It’s a really rewarding experience because I get to make a positive impact and build connections with the students while having fun

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I’ve really been enjoying my Irish subject over the past few months. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’ve learned so much already! I’ve picked up a lot of vocabulary, and it feels great to understand more of the language. We’ve also gone over basic grammar, like sentence structure and tenses, which has made me feel more confident when speaking and writing.

One of the things I really like is learning about Irish culture through the language, like traditional songs, stories, and proverbs. It’s fun to see how the language connects to Ireland’s history and traditions. Overall, I’m excited to keep improving and learning more!

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Being Michel in Sister Act has been such an amazing experience! I’ve really enjoyed getting into character and bringing the role to life. On top of that, I’ve been learning two dances for the show, which has been both challenging and fun. The choreography is lively and energetic, and it's been great practicing with the cast.

Every rehearsal feels like a new chance to improve, and it’s exciting to see how all the parts of the play are coming together. I’m looking forward to performing and sharing all the hard work with the audience!

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In English class, we've had some really interesting activities recently. We watched the movie Lady Bird, which I really enjoyed. It was such an emotional story about growing up, family, and finding yourself, and it gave us a lot to discuss in class. I liked how the film captured the ups and downs of being a teenager, and it was interesting to see how it compared to what we've learned in class.

We’re also doing a book review on The Summer I Turned Pretty, which has been fun. I’ve been reading it and reflecting on the characters and the themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Writing the review has made me think deeper about the story and its messages. It’s been a great way to connect what we're reading with personal experiences.

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In maths class, we’ve been focusing a lot on statistics, which has been both interesting and challenging. I’ve learned how to work with data, calculate averages, and interpret graphs. It’s definitely made me more comfortable with numbers and figuring out how to solve problems with real-life applications.

I recently got my Christmas exam results back, and I scored 60%. I’m happy with it, especially considering the difficulty of some of the topics. It gives me something to build on as I keep practicing and improving my skills in the new year.

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In French class, I’ve learned a lot over the past few months. We’ve been practicing grammar, which has really helped me improve my sentence structure and vocabulary. It’s been great to understand how the language works in more depth, especially when it comes to verb conjugations and word order.

We also watched a French show on interior designing, which was super interesting. It gave us a look at French culture and how people decorate their homes, all while helping me improve my listening skills. Watching the show in French really helped with understanding new vocabulary related to design and architecture, too. It’s been a fun mix of learning the language and getting a glimpse into French lifestyle.

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In religion class, I’ve been involved in some really interesting projects. My friends and I recently did a project on paganism, where we researched its history, beliefs, and practices. It was a great group effort, and we learned a lot about how different cultures view spirituality.

Right now, I’m working on a project about my own religion, which has been a really personal and meaningful experience. I’m exploring its teachings, rituals, and how it shapes the lives of its followers. It’s been a great way to dive deeper into my own beliefs and share that with the class.

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PE class has been so much fun lately! I’ve definitely seen improvement in basketball, especially with my shooting and passing. It’s been great practicing those skills and working with my teammates to improve as a group. I’ve also been getting better in the gym, pushing myself more during workouts and feeling stronger each time.

Aside from basketball and the gym, we do lots of other fun activities in PE, like team games and fitness challenges. It’s a great way to stay active, try new things, and enjoy being part of a team. Every class feels different, and I’m always excited to see what we’ll do next!

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Politics and Society class has been really engaging. We’ve had debates on tough topics like abortion, which have helped me think critically about different perspectives and how to argue a point respectfully. It’s interesting to hear everyone’s views and learn from the discussions.

We also did a project on fast fashion, where we looked into its environmental impact and the ethics behind it. It was eye-opening to see how much fast fashion affects the planet and the people involved in the industry. Overall, the class has been a great way to learn about important social issues and develop my own opinions.

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In my Future Leaders class, I’ve been focusing a lot on my GAA portfolio, which has been a great way to document my progress and skills in the sport. It’s really helped me reflect on what I’ve learned and how I can apply it in the future.

We’re also working on designing a mini-leagues basketball match for first years, which is super exciting! I’ve been involved in planning the event, organizing teams, and making sure everything runs smoothly. It’s a fun challenge, and it’s great to help the younger students get involved in basketball and have a positive experience.

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In my debating class, we've tackled some really intense and thought-provoking topics. One of the biggest debates I wrote about was whether trans people should be allowed to have gender-affirming surgery. It was a tough topic to approach, but I learned a lot about the different perspectives on the issue.

We’ve also debated things like whether AI should exist, whether men are more important than women (which is a really controversial and sensitive topic), and right now, we’re doing a big team debate about how the beauty industry destroys people's confidence. That one has been interesting because we’ve been able to explore how societal pressures affect people’s self-esteem and the way they view themselves.

Debating these topics has made me think a lot more critically about the world around me, and it’s challenging me to really consider the impact of these issues on others. It’s a lot to process, but it’s helping me grow in how I express my thoughts and listen to others.

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Our sleep out for homelessness was an unforgettable experience. We raised an incredible €20,000 for the cause, which felt amazing because we knew the money would go to people in need. The event had a real sense of community—there was food for everyone, and we had a sing-along which brought everyone together and made the night feel special.

When it came time to sleep, we all settled into our tents, but of course, no one actually slept! We spent the whole night laughing with our friends, talking, and just enjoying the moment. It was a fun night, but it also made me think about how important it is to support people who don’t have a safe place to sleep. It was a great mix of raising awareness, having fun, and making a difference.

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In the future, I’ll be doing work experience at my auntie's Montessori, and I’m really looking forward to it! I can’t wait to work with the kids and see how they learn and grow. It will be a great opportunity for me to learn a lot about childcare, especially since I want to pursue it as a career.

I’ll be helping with activities, games, and supporting the children’s development. I’m excited to learn from my aunt and the other staff and to get hands-on experience in the field. I’m sure this experience will help me prepare for my future career in childcare and give me the skills to make a positive impact on children’s lives.

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Looking back on the first half of the year, I’m so proud of everything I’ve experienced and achieved. From learning new skills in my classes to taking part in exciting school trips like the treasure hunt, Croke Park, and the Laughter Lounge, it’s been such a fun and rewarding time. I’ve grown in so many ways, whether it’s improving in sports during PE, building confidence in debates, or connecting with others through community care and my musical role in Sister Act.

One highlight was the sleep-out for homelessness—it felt amazing to raise €20,000 for a good cause while having fun and bonding with my friends.

in 2025 , I can’t wait to continue all these amazing activities and go on even more trips. I know the next part of the year will be full of opportunities to learn, grow, and make even more memories!

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I really enjoyed our bonding trip to achill. We left school at 8am and arrived at achill at 2 the trip there was very fun as it was spent with all my friends catching up after summer having a blast which I really enjoyed spending time with all my friends really made the drive go by fast

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Our Monday trip to the Christmas markets and ice skating was honestly such a perfect day! The second we got to the markets, it felt like Christmas with all the lights, decorations, and the smell of food everywhere. There were so many cute little stalls selling festive gifts, and just walking around with my friends, taking it all in, felt so cozy and fun.

Then we went ice skating, which was pure chaos in the best way possible! At first, I could barely stay on my feet, but after a while, I started getting the hang of it. Of course, there were plenty of falls (and even more laughing), but that just made it even better. The music, the cold air, and the whole Christmassy vibe

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Our Monday trip to Phoenix Park for orienteering was such a fun adventure! Running around the park, trying to find all the markers, was actually so much more exciting than I expected. The fresh air, the huge open spaces, and just being out of the classroom for the day made it such a nice break.

The best part, though, was when Carla and I made friends with a squirrel! We spotted it near one of the trees, and instead of running away, it actually came right up to us. We spent ages just watching it, trying to see how close we could get without scaring it off. It was so cute, and definitely not something that happens every day!

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Our best Monday trip was definitely go-karting at Kylemore! From the start, we were all so excited, even though we knew we weren’t the best drivers.

Once the race started, it was pure chaos! We were crashing into the sides, struggling to keep up with the boys, and just trying not to spin out. No matter how hard we tried, Mr. Kelly still ended up winning, which made it even funnier!

Even though we weren’t great at it, we had the best time. The whole day was full of laughs, and I’d love to do it again maybe next time we’ll actually win!

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Our Monday trip to the Howth Cliff Walk did not go as planned at all! After spending two hours traveling there, we were all excited to start only to find out it was completely blocked off because of storm damage. After all that effort, it was a bit disappointing, but at that point, we just had to laugh.

Since we couldn’t do the walk, we ended up just strolling around Howth for about an hour. The views were still nice, and it was fun messing around with friends, but it definitely wasn’t what we expected.

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I absolutely love working in primary schools it’s easily one of the best parts of my week. Over time, I’ve grown such a strong bond with the students, and I honestly don’t think I could ever leave because I enjoy it so much. Seeing their little faces light up when they learn something new or create something in art makes every moment so FUN.

Fridays have become my favorite day because I get to spend time with them, helping with art and other activities. It’s not just something I do it’s something I love, and I can’t imagine not doing it after TY

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The musical is getting so close, and I’m super excited but also kind of sad at the same time. I can’t wait to perform in front of everyone, to be on stage and show all the hard work we’ve put in. But honestly, I’m also feeling a little sad because it’s almost over.

I’ve had so much fun learning the dances and just hanging out with my friends. We’ve laughed so much during rehearsals, and it’s been such a great time together. It’s one of those things where you’re loving it so much that you don’t want it to end, but I know it’ll be a memory I’ll look back on fondly.

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I absolutely loved my work experience at the Montessori with the 2-3 year olds. It was such a great learning experience, and I had so much fun. Helping the little ones with art and other activities was honestly so rewarding. Seeing their faces light up when they created something or figured something out was the best feeling.

It really gave me a whole new perspective on how kids learn and grow, and it made me even more excited about pursuing a future in childcare. I learned so much about the patience and creativity it takes to work with kids, and it was amazing to get that hands-on experience. I’m so thankful for the opportunity, and it’s made me even more passionate about working with children in the future

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In photography class, we had so much fun learning different techniques. One of my favorites was macro photography, where we got really close to objects and captured tiny details like the texture of a leaf. It was cool how much beauty you could find in the little things!

We also tried Platon-style portraits, focusing on dramatic lighting to make the person stand out. It was fun to play with how the light changed the picture. The illusion photos were probably the best part. We experimented with angles to make things look completely different from what they were. Overall, it was just a really fun way to explore photography and be creative!

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In woodwork class, we’ve been working on some Easter-themed pieces for the Easter fair, and it’s been so much fun! We’ve been painting different wooden shapes like eggs, bunnies, and chicks, adding bright, colorful designs to them. It’s been nice to have a hands-on project like this, especially because it’s so creative.

I really enjoy the process of painting the pieces, picking out colors, and adding details to make each one unique. It feels great knowing that our work will be part of the Easter fair, and I’m excited to see how everything turns out. It’s been a fun and relaxing way to get ready for the fair while doing something creative with our hands

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History class has honestly been such a pain lately, especially with this huge project we have on the 1970s. We’re working on a 100-slide presentation, and it feels like it’s never going to end. The research is taking forever, and it's tough to narrow down what to include because there’s so much information

I hâte it

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I’ve been loving biology lately, especially because we’ve been learning all about the body and the heart. It’s so interesting to see how everything works together. On Friday, we actually dissected a lamb heart, and it was such an amazing experience! Seeing the inside of the heart up close, with all the different chambers and vessels, made everything we’ve been learning feel so much more real. It’s crazy to think about how similar our hearts are to animals’, and it was just so cool to see it in front of me instead of just reading about it. Definitely one of the highlights of the year so far! And I can’t wait to do it in leaving cert

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Sister Act was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. It was so much fun getting to dance with my friends and perform on stage. The rehearsals were a mix of hard work and laughter. We spent so much time practicing, perfecting every move, and supporting each other through it all. Even though it was tough sometimes, we always had each other to lean on, and that made everything so much better.

The best part was being on stage. When the music started and the lights were shining, it felt like everything came together. The excitement, the adrenaline, and the feeling of performing for an audience was incredible. I loved how we all worked so hard and got to share those moments together. Now that it’s over, I wish I could go back and do it all again. I miss the rehearsals, the dancing, and just having fun with my friends. It was such a special experience that I’ll never forget!