< Previous© November 2018 The Meath Coaster20Loreto Secondary School BalbrigganLoreto Balbriggan is one of a world-wide network of Loreto schools. The schools span the five continents, the most recently established being a ten-year-old school in Rumbek, South Sudan. The pre-sent principal of this school in Rumbek visited the students in Loreto Balbriggan to fill them in on life as a secondary school student in South Sudan. The stu-dents learnt that life as a schoolgirl in The whole school spell out the name of their sister school in Rumbek, South SudanFirst years in the pink during School Spirit Day© November 2018 The Meath Coaster21South Sudan is very difficult and money is scarce. This visit was followed by a fund-raising bonanza on 26th October when dur-ing School Spirit Day many activities and fun events were enjoyed by all students. The school raised thousands of euro for this very worthy cause.Apart from this event, school life and extra-curricular endeavours continued apace. A number of students participated in French and Irish debating as well as a wide range of sports. In the sciences, six Drumming workshop during music week. Students display their work at the school’s 23rd annual art exhibition041 98 444 98 041 98 111 98086 838 4444www.eastcoastcabs.comEAST COAST CABSEAST COAST CABS SERVICING MEATH COAST & DROGHEDA REGIONS CABS - 4, 6 & 8 SEATERSNEW RANGE OF MINI-VANSCOACHES - 16, 24, 36 & 54 SEATERS AVAILABLEof our entries qualified to go through to the BT Yong scientist’s exhibition in January. A number of 5th year students received the Order of Merit awards at a prize giving ceremony for the John Hooper Statistics Medal in The National Concert Hall. The Central Statistics Office runs this compe-tition and the award ceremony coincides with maths week. The school ran a very busy maths week with competitions and displays encouraging all to engage in © November 2018 The Meath Coaster22mathematical thinking. Music week had a very different vibe al-together where pop up concerts in tradi-tional music, the ukulele group, the senior and junior choirs and a series of drum-ming and song writing workshops kept the student body entertained each day. A forensics workshop was enjoyed by all 4th year students as was a visit from the RSA during a road safety talk as part of the road safety module. Thanks too to the 4th years who stay back after school to help a A pop up trad concert during music weekAfter school homework club for first yearsnumber of the teachers run the homework club for first years. Another club which is proving successful is the early morning learning club held in the school library. Many students exhibited their work at the annual art exhibition on October 2nd. The school continuously endeavours to pro-mote Art as a subject and is the highest feeder school for NCAD in the country. The students are very proud of the 70% of Junior Certificate Art students who achieved an A grade in their Junior Cert exam. Our careers fair is due to be hosted this month with people from a wide vari-ety of professions coming into the school along with all the major universities, col-leges and institutes. It promises to be an informative and interesting evening for the 4th 5th and 6th year students and their parents. §© November 2018 The Meath Coaster23St. Vincent de Paul AppealDear FriendsIt is now the time of year when we make a sincere appeal to you for funds for Christmas. Our only source of fundraising in this area of Laytown, Bettystown, Mornington and Donacarney is through you; from our monthly church collections and our ap-peal letter at this time of year.We are a local conference taking care of the lonely, poor and disadvantaged. We visit families living below the breadline who are marginalised and finding it so hard to cope in these difficult times. We, as a group, in the name of the com-munity, strive to the best of our ability and within our limited means to help those among us who find themselves in genuine need.If we succeeded in some way during the years, it is because of the loyal and contin-ued support which we have received from you, our benefactors, over the years. For this we thank you most sincerely.Christmas is the busiest time of year for us. The festive season is a joyous time for many - is also a time of greatest hardship for those in need. We do our best to bring a little cheer by providing financial and per-sonal help which comes from you, our benefactors in the community.We would appreciate your donation, no matter how small. Donations can be giv-en to any member on our list, or at our church gate collection on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December.Save Someone From A Life of Poverty.(‘It is in giving that we receive’)Yours sincerely,Conference President & MembersStar of the Sea ConferenceLaytown, Bettystown, Mornington & Donacarney Society of St. Vincent de Paul – Freefone No. 1800 677 777B & S Training ServicesMark Brodigan 087 633 3086Warren Stott 086 364 2204Email: bstrainingservicesleinster@gmail.comLocal company, offering • First Aid• Manual Handling• Fire Warden Training • Paediatric First AidPHECC Registered, Garda VettedCompetitive pricing and group rates availableKeep an eye on our Facebook page for upcoming courses and follow us on Instagram© November 2018 The Meath Coaster24Council Update By Cllr. Stephen McKeeNew Secondary School For East MeathThe Department of Education has announced that a new 600 pupil Secondary School to serve the region will be built in the East Meath coastal area. The exact loca-tion is to be confirmed. The school will be expandable in time to a 1,000 pupil school to meet the expected population demands of this area. The Minister for Education had said that the new school would open in September 2019 but this date is looking highly unlikely. The Government needs to provide clarity so that families can prop-erly plan ahead and prepare.New Footpath Between Donacarney National Schools And Bettystown CrossI have been informed by Meath County Council that tender documents have been completed and the Council have gone to tender for the design of the footpath & associated works that will be put in place between Donacarney National Schools and Bettystown Cross. As a past-pupil of the school, this issue has been a priority for me over the last few years and I have lobbied hard on it, so I am pleased that this project will shortly commence. It is vital that the work is done as soon as possible to ensure that children can get to school safely and that residents of Donacarney can safely access Bettystown by foot or bicycle also. I am working with the Coun-cil to ensure this project moves quickly.Meeting With Garda Superintendent Fergus DwyerI was delighted to recently meet with our new Superintendent Fer-gus Dwyer to discuss crime, Garda numbers and resources and other issues affecting the East Meath area. There are a number of residents' concerns in the area that I was able to directly raise with Superin-tendent Dwyer at our recent Council meeting. These include traffic management and road safety issues on the Beamore Road, Colpe, Eastham Road, Tower Road Mornington, Julianstown and through Donacarney and also in local housing estates. We also discussed Garda numbers and the need for additional resources for the area. Superintendent Dwyer has given me an assurance that he will do all he can to address the issues discussed, working with Meath County Council and our Road Safety Officer. I wish him well in his new role and I look forward to working along-side him for the benefit of residents in East Meath.© November 2018 The Meath Coaster25Footpath / Cycle Path To Local Schools / Road Safety At ColpeFollowing a recent planning approval by Meath County Council in Colpe, I am pleased to say that provision is being made for a footpath and a cycle path from Grange Rath to serve the local schools on the Mill Road; Gaelscoil An Bhradáin Feasa, Le Chéile Educate Together and Drogheda Grammar School. The road down to the Mill Road will be made safer and the works will also include public lighting. Separately, Meath County Council have given me a commitment that they will carry out road safety measures at Colpe/Southgate. I have consistently highlighted the serious road safety issues on the Colpe Road, the fact that there is currently no footpath down to the Primary and Second-ary Schools on the Mill Road and the high costs associated with school transport for families. I look forward to these issues finally bring addressed for residents of Grange Rath, Colpe and Deepforde.Boyneside Trail - Drogheda To MorningtonI have been told by Meath County Coun-cil that following an ecological review, the preliminary design drawings have been updated in advance of a consulta-tion meeting with the National Parks and Wildlife Services at the end of the month. There is no indication yet as to when a planning submission will be made to An Bord Pleanála.Road Safety In Housing EstatesAny housing estate in the area that has been taken in charge can apply to Meath County Council to have special 30 km/hr speed limit signage put in place and the Council will also consider any request for speed ramps subject to funding. If any Residents Associations or concerned resi-dents are interested, please get in touch with me and I will liaise with the Council on your behalf.Road Signage Into Laytown/BettystownAdditional road signs have been erected by Meath County Council highlighting the low bridges on the approach roads into Laytown and Bettystown.Get In Touch!If I can be of help to you or your family, please contact me on 086 0432760, by email at stephenmckeeff@gmail.com or through Facebook at Cllr Stephen McKee. Thank you. §It was a privilege to recently meet some of the children and families of the St.Colmcille's 'GAA for All' programme. I am delighted to support this brilliant initiative by the Club.© November 2018 The Meath Coaster26Drogheda Grammar SchoolAnti-bullying weekThe last week of term was our annual anti-bullying week. Our theme this year was respect and there was a broad range of activities challenging students to reflect on their understanding of respect and encouraging them to act in a decent and kindly manner to others. Many thanks to Ms Maguire who put together the pro-gramme for the week.Danish University visitIt was great to welcome student teachers from University College Nordjylland to the school and observe our teaching and learning. It was great to share experiences ,broaden our horizons and able to share best practice from our school with the Scandinavian teachers. In the next term we are hosting 3 trainee teachers who will shadow our staff and teach some classes as we build links with this university.Maths weekMathemusicality, the work of William Rowan Hamilton and Pachabel's Canon were the themes of our assembly to be-gin this year’s maths week. Follwing on from our STEM conference it was great to highlight the importance on Maths in everyday life. With daily puzzles, the leg-endary family maths quiz and a great dis-play in the front hall the whole school had the chance to spend the week thinking all things Maths. Thanks to the maths depart-ment for all their hard work.Art Workshop.Drogheda Grammar school’s Leaving Cert art students attended an art workshop with the artist Nuala Early. The workshop and exhibition was held in the Droichead Arts Centre. She delivered an excellent workshop about stone carving through sculpture reduction techniques and explained her process in the making of the exhibition "Labour of Love" and our students got to work with her for the morning.German tripOur overseas programme continued this term with 44 students and 4 teachers spending 4 days in Berlin. They visited many of the tourist attractions ( Potsdam, Checkpoint Charlie, Museum Island etc) . Many thanks to Ms Doherty and her team for organising this. Children’s Ombudsman2nd year students were invited to attend a workshop in the Children’s Ombudsman Office .The purpose of the workshop was to give feedback on new GDPR literature © November 2018 The Meath Coaster27086/1733396086/3673406Mullenandsons1@gmail.comwww.Mullenandsons.ieAlan Mullen & Sons Builders LtdFifth Generation Irish BuildersFor All Your Building NeedsNew Builds - Extensions - Renovations Attic Conversions Fully Insured and RegisteredPrice Promise GUARANTEEtel. 087 091 7990 info@bestpol.iewww.bestpol.ie-10% local discount with this leafletAll types of blinds manufactured at our premises to your own specification.aimed at young people today. A primary school, secondary and 3rd level college were involved. We were the secondary school representatives chosen for the country.John Hooper Order of MeritWell done to Pearse Quinn, Liam Har-mon and Ross Fitzgerald Lyons who were awarded an order of merit from the CSO for their statistical analysis and poster based on Social Media terms and condi-tions.Politics:Thomas Byrne TD (and FF education spokesperson) visited our Politics and So-ciety students where he spoke about his life on the opposition benches and many of the current education issues in Ireland today. Many thanks to Thomas for giving up his time and coming to our school.Sports Results:All recent sports results, fixtures and school news are available on our school twitter feed www.twitter.com/DroghedaGrammar . Please follow to hear about the recent vic-tories for our rugby, hockey football and basket abll teams, along with other news about the school. §Pearse, Liam and Ross receiving their Order of Merit award at the recent CSO awards ceremony© November 2018 The Meath Coaster28Scoil Oilibhéir Naofa CongratulationsTo our Principal Mrs White on receiv-ing her Advanced Diploma in Law & Education from the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. Also to one of our Teachers in Loughcrew Ms Lally on receiving her Post Graduate Diploma in Special Educa-tional Needs – ASD. Well DoneGAA BlitzOur four 2nd classes attended a blitz at Col-mcille’s, Piltown. Thank you to Níall, the Sports Development Officer from Colm-cille’s for encouraging our talented pupils to take part in sport.Our Healthy School Flag Raising Ceremonytook place on Thurs 25th Oct at our Spooky Hal-loween As-sembly. We are extremely proud to be the first school in East Meath to ob-tain the Health Promoting School Flag. We will continue to prioritise physi-cal, emotional & mental wellbeing for all. We look forward to our Wellness Week in November and Active Week in May where there will be a special em-phasis on being active.Autumn Har-vestOur 18 Classes had the op-portunity of growing and harvesting Call us on 041 9886545 for an appointment.Email: bettystowndental@gmail.comWeb: www.bettystowndental.ieTriton Road, Bettystown, Co. Meath (between Funtasia & Tesco)Extended PRSI Scheme Dental exam and clean only €15 for qualified patients. To check eligibility contact us on 0419886545Private, PRSI and Medical Card Patients WelcomeDr Matthew Crinion B.D.S. (NUI) Corns, Callouses, Verrucae, Ingrown Toenails, nail surgery and other treatmentsState of the art Gaitscan analysis pressure plate used in the assessment of foot, back and leg pain.Orthotics prescribed to stabilise foot function and rehabilitationOpening hours 9.00-6.00Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: Saturday 10.00-1.00Niamh Tully, BSc (Hons) Pod. MCh.S. S.R.ChMain Street, Laytown, Tel: 041 9888492Chiropodist / Podiatrist(State registered)The Foot Clinictheir own class pumpkins in our school garden. Thank you to our volunteer green fingered gardeners.Loughcrew StaffThis year our Loughcrew Super heros turned into Princesses. Well done girls. §Assessment and Treatment provided for the following:• Dyspraxia • Hypermobility Syndrome• Physical / lntellectual Disabilities • Autism • Sensory Processing Disorders • ADD • Torticollis • Developmental Delay • Flat Head Syndrome • Delayed WalkingFor Occupational Therapy queriesMichelle Ni Ghráinne BSc. (Hons) OT AOTISenior Occupational Therapist T. 087 973 8870michellenighrainneot@gmail.comFor Physiotherapy queriesShamsa Doyle BSc (Hons) Physio MlSCPSenior Physiotherapist T. 085 100 1741shamsaduffy@hotmail.comContact DetailsClinic appointments also available in BodyRight Physiotherapy Clinic, 27 Fair Street, DroghedaHome and School Visits availableNext >