The summer holidays are coming up for thousands of primary school children all over Sligo and Sligo VEC Family Learning Project is teaming up with Cairde Festival to help parents find free and fun ways to entertain the youngest generation over the coming months. Fun Things to do with Kids is a course for parents or carers of young children within the family and it will begin in Sligo VEC, Quay Street, on the 16^th June next. The first session will be held for parents, but there will be plenty of opportunity for children to participate throughout the course. As part of the project, there will be a model boat building workshop on Saturday 25^th June and participants will be able to enter their creations in the Cairde Festival’s Shelley River Boat Race that takes place on the Garavogue River on Sunday 3^rd July.

Sligo VEC Family Learning Project recognises parents, grandparents and carers as the child’s first and most important educators. The aim is to develop a positive experience of learning across generations and community, to build confidence and links between the home and school, and to explore opportunities for supporting the development of literacy, numeracy and learning skills through everyday activities within the family. Family Learning initiatives include cookery courses and preparing for school.

If you would like to take part in Fun Things to do with Kids you must be a parent or carer of children within your family. To find out more about Sligo VEC Family Learning Project please contact Catherine Tansey or Fionnuala Carter on 071-9138304 or e-mail fcarter@sligovec.ie

A year in the planning, it is time once again for the students of Art and Design at Sligo VEC, Quay Street, to put their creative talents on display. The exhibition opens at the Yeats Gallery on Wednesday 18^th May at 6pm and runs until Sunday 22^nd May from 9am to 5pm daily.

Work consists of a selection of pieces from the 22 students between the ages of 18 and 55 on this year’s PLC. The class spent the year exploring various styles and mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpture, print and design.

Of students who have participated in Sligo VEC’s Art and Design PLC in the past, approximately ninety percent have proceeded to take up degree courses in areas such as fine art, fashion and design. A number of past students have been awarded maximum credits for their portfolios by such illustrious Art colleges as Limerick, Dun Laoghaire, NCAD and Galway.

There is sure to be something to everyone’s tastes, so come on down to the Yeats Gallery before Sunday and celebrate the talents of this year’s Art & Design class.

On 3rd April, eight students and three teachers went on a trip to Hungary, as part of the Comenius programme, to meet with Hungarian and German students, who had visited our school last September. On arriving in Budapest, we visited Hero Square, which pays tribute to legends of Hungary. Later, we met the German students and travelled with them by train to Bekescava.

On a wet Tuesday morning, we went to the school to meet our Hungarian counterparts. The school choir welcomed us in song, with a concert. Then we got our itinerary for the rest of the week. The remainder of that day was spent sightseeing. The following morning, we met at the school and taught the Hungarians and Germans mini-bridge. They, in turn, taught us Schoolopoly. We all went swimming in a waterpark and to a spa in Gyula. Next day, we visited a historical building where the Mayor lived and we watched a video on Bekescava. There was more sightseeing around the area on a small train. That evening, in the school, they showed us their traditional folk dances. On Friday, we returned to Budapest by train. While we were there, we saw an Irish Government delegation, who were there on official business. We visited St. Stephens Cathedral where we saw the 1000 year old mummified hand of the saint. We went on a funicular train for more sightseeing and visited the labyrinth of Budova which were underground caves under the city of Buda. On Sunday morning we went to the local market to sample some homemade breads and sausage. Then we went to the House of Terror, a historical museum, where we saw a piece of the Berlin Wall. It was then time to say goodbye to the German students and leave for the airport to return home, with many happy and lasting memories. Thanks to Ms. Naughton, Ms. Frazer and Mr. Scanlon who were our wonderful guides for the week.

Ministers Visit

On Monday 11th April, Mr. John Perry, Junior Minister for Small Businesses visited the school to speak to the 1st and 2nd year students, on the invitation of the CSPE class. He spoke to them on a wide range of topics, beginning with his interest and involvement in Community Development from an early age, which lead him into politics and to his election in 1997.He spoke of his hopes to re-establish the trust of the public, in politicians and to support the creation of small businesses, which are the backbone of the country. He encouraged the students to avail of the educational opportunities that are available to them and the importance of giving something back to their schools and communities. He emphasised the importance for young people to be interested in and understand the political system. He was then brought on a tour of the school by Mr. Carolan, Principal and Ms.Frazer, Deputy Principal.

Basketball

On 15th April, the Senior Boys basketball team took part in a blitz in Sligo Grammar School. There were three teams playing, St. Marys Ballisodare, Sligo Grammar and Ballinode. Each team played two matches. Ballinode’s first match was against St. Marys, which Ballinode won but we lost our next match against the Grammar School by 3 points. There was only a difference of 5 points at the end, with Ballisodare the winners. Thanks to Sligo Grammar School for hosting the event and to Anthony Flores for refereeing on the day.

Gaisce News

The 4th years are busy planning their adventure to Lough Allen Outdoor Pursuits Centre where they plan to go camping on an island as part of their adventure for their Gaisce Awards.

Gaeltacht Scholarships

Congratulations to 1st year students Savannah Gorman and Aimee McCallion who were the winners of the VEC scholarships to the Gaeltacht this year. They are going to Coláiste Camus in July for three weeks.

Faith Celebration

Some 4th year students attended a Pre-Leaving Cert Celebration of Faith and Life on the 8th April in Four-Mile-House community centre. They joined with over 400 other young people from all over the diocese, at the event which was organised by the Director of Youth Ministry. Bishop Jones welcomed the young people and advised them to seek happiness not only in material wealth but in relationships with God and with their families and their communities. Fr. Benny McHale gave an inspiring talk which touched everyone present. He talked about coping with disappointments in life and the importance of developing a friendship with Jesus. A young woman shared her personal story of her recovery from alcohol addiction. Leading the gathering in music and praise was Elation Ministries, who got an enthusiastic reception and added great joy to the day.

Youth Sport West

Good luck to all the 2nd years who are soon to go to Donegal Adventure Centre, where they will team up with two second level schools from Northern Ireland, to enjoy a day of activities, which will include surfing and archery.

French Soirée

A very enjoyable French evening took place in the Iruna Café on Tuesday, 10th May. Fourth year students of French from Ballinode, Grange, Coola and Ballymote ,met with some young French students who are visiting Sligo. The main part of the night was a French quiz, which tested our knowledge of France, French language and culture. Each team consisted of students from each of the schools and a person from France. We were served some beautiful food and drinks while we chatted en francais. Representing Ballinode were Tristan McKenna, Thomas Feehily, Adam Balogh, Alex Savage and Jason Scanlon. It was a very close contest and medals were presented to the winners.

Big Brother Big Sister

To mark the end of this years’ Big Brother Big Sister mentoring programme, the 1st years and their mentors had a table quiz on Wednesday last. On the winning team were Thomas Feehily, Brandon Beatty, Jason McLoughlin and Koray McGowan.

Speech and Drama

First years are currently taking part in Speech and Drama classes with Ms. Vanessa Byrne. Second years have completed their sessions of public speaking.

Graduation

Students from Ballinode Community College on a Comenius trip to Budapest in Horoes Square Budapest: A Tucker, D McLoughlin, A Farrell, A Savage, T McKenna, N Gethins, K Kennoy and K Kelly.

As the end of year approaches, Leaving Certs are busy preparing for their graduation and awards ceremony which takes place in the school on Thursday,26th May. On Tuesday 31st May, there will be an Awards Ceremony in the Clarion Hotel for all the other classes. Best wishes to all our exam classes as they prepare for Junior and Leaving Cert.

VEC School of Rock Air Band Challenge will be held in Johnston’s Court from 4pm to 7pm on Friday 8th April as part of Love:Live Music Day.

Dust down your air guitar and grab your roadies for what promises to be a fun packed evening of music and craic.

Prizes are up for quality air rockers of all ages and tastes!

This event is proudly supported by McGarrigle’s, Source, The Four Lanterns, Abrakebabra, O’Brien’s Sweets,Costa, Café Fleur and McHugh’s.

Events kick off as Túcan energise the workplace at VEC HQ in Quay Street at 1pm with their inimitable blending of sounds, described as “some kind of fairytale colossus spewing out metal, flamenco and jazz stained compositions that raise their guitar necks to Tool, Django and Daft Punk”.

Students will then be taking to the town to perform in both Quayside and Johnson’s Court shopping centres as Sligo VEC Bandcamp gets under way at 4pm. Secondary school students from across the county will be providing a mix of music, from rock bands, drumming and guitar, to traditional music. Come along for the chance to catch a glimpse of the stars of the future! There will even be a cheerleading troupe to get the action going.

Stalls will be manned by each school with plenty of fun and interaction for students, staff and public. Spot prizes will be up for skills displayed on Guitar Hero. The inaugural VEC Air Band Championship will be held on the day, so dust down your air guitar and grab your roadies for what promises to be a fun packed evening of music and craic.   

If you have any queries about courses or initiatives at Co. Sligo VEC, contact us on 071-9145025, e-mail sligovec@sligovec.ie or visit us on facebook.

For more information on Sir Ken’s work visit: http://www.sirkenrobinson.com

Dragon's Den 2011

County Sligo VEC is running a Dragon’s Den competition for students with innovative business ideas.  The final of the competition will be held in IT Sligo on Tuesday the 1^st of March at 7 pm.

The competition will be judged by a panel of leading local business people including; Patricia Molloy – Marketing & Sales Manager with SF Engineering, Mike McGrath – MD of Rebasoft, and Declan Walsh – Financial Controller of Lotus and Chairman of Chartered Accountants NW Society.

The competition is sponsored by Co. Sligo Enterprise Board and Sligo Credit Union.

This is an open event being held as part of Enterprise & Innovation week at IT Sligo.

After the success of last year’s competition, Sligo VEC would like to encourage people to attend and see what creative and innovative ideas the students have come up with. 

This is just one of our innovative initiatives to encourage entrepreneurship at Co Sligo VEC. To find out more about what is happening at Co Sligo VEC email sligovec@sligovec.ie or follow us on Facebook.