News from Ballinamore Community School

Amber Flag & DIL Launch
On Thursday, 27th April, we raised our Amber Flag at BCS and celebrated all the great work that the Amber Flag has achieved this year. Some of the actions led by the Amber Flag Committee and Ms Simpson included STAND UP week in November celebrating the huge diversity present in our school community and reminding us to be kind with our words and use language that heals not hurts.
In March, the Committee with the help of TY class organised a bake sale raising €400 for Acquired Brain Injury Ireland. Second years have been taking part in Pieta House’s resilience academy.
Walk for Wellness is also an activity some students are completing where students are encouraged to talk to other students, to listen to each other and let no one walk alone.
It was also the official launch of our Darkness into Light event happening this Saturday 6th May. You can still register for the walk through www.darknessintolight.ie

TY Cross Border Project
Over the course of this academic year, our TY’s have worked closely with a group of students from Enniskillen Royal Grammar School as part of the cross border Better Together Project.
Our students had 4 workshops at ERGS and 4 workshops at Ballinamore CS. The two groups of students got to know each other well over the year, while exploring issues around cultural and religious diversity and history, as well as the many issues affecting the everyday lives of young people today.
To conclude the programme, the group travelled to Dublin last week, where they had a tour of the National War Memorial Gardens, followed by a reception at the US Ambassador’s Residence in Phoenix Park.
Ambassador Claire Cronin was a superb host, showing the students around her home and fielding questions from our students. BCS and ERGS students were also given the opportunity to present their project to the Ambassador. Sincere thanks to Ballinamore Area Community Council who facilitated this IFI-funded project, to Michael Mullin, who coordinated this project and to Ann Donnelly who facilitated the workshops. Our students have gained so much from their involvement.

School Summit Event
Our 5th year students along with Ms Mannion and Mr Scanlon attended the School Summit Careers event at the Centre of Excellence in Bekan on Wednesday 26th April.
They got to experience a wide range of exhibitors to include ESB, HSE, An Garda Siochana, GRETB, Maynooth University, University of Limerick and many more. An enjoyable and informative trip.

School Sports
Well done to our 1st and 2nd year students who participated in the North Connacht Athletics Event at ATU in Sligo on Thursday 27th April and thanks to Mr McWeeney for accompanying students. Our 1st and 2nd year girls football team finished joint top in the Carrick blitz on Thursday, 27th April. Well done girls and coach Mr Kane. Mr McCaffrey presented students a set of new football jerseys on Friday, 28th April.