Virtual Head Sets

As part of the Erasmus+ Science project students are currently finishing up working on their  virtual reality headset made from cardboard. After several attempts and prototypes the students have completed a working headset made simply from cardboard and binocular lenses.

Musical Celebration of Modern Drogheda

On Friday next 10th February in the St. Peter’s Church of Ireland Hall, Peter St, Drogheda at 7pm the Drogheda Civic Trust in conjunction with Irish Public Bodies Insurance Community Engagement Fund present the pupils of Sacred Heart School, and St. Joseph’s CBS, in an evening celebration of their musical cultural heritage. The concert will involve students from both schools celebrating their own musical heritage from a range of cultures and traditions culminating in a joint piece highlighting their shared Irish experiences here in Drogheda. The Drogheda Civic Trust welcomed the support of I.P.B. Insurance Community Engagement Fund. The purpose of the fund is to support projects rooted in the local area, led by local people and to improve the quality of life for those living in their community.

‘The involvement of the IPB has allowed us to further explore the issue of integration in our town which we first examined through our History of Religions in Drogheda project' said Civic Trust Chair Denis Cummins.

All Welcome

Friday 10th February 7pm, St.Peter’s Hall CoI, Peter St, Drogheda

Hot Boxes for sick animals - Ireland

Over the past two months, Mr. McDonaghs Transition Year Science class have been researching, designing and constructing hot boxes for sick animals. It is hoped these boxes will increase the body temperature of any young animal that is unwell. To do this, the box will need to retain the body heat produced from the young animal in the box. By keeping the animal warm it is hoped to speed up the young animal’s recovery. The boxes are made from Eco Slates and Sheep Wool Insulation. Eco Slates are made from recycled plastic, manufactured by the company Athy EcoSlate in Ireland (http://www.athyecoslate.com/). The slates are light, unbreakable, fire resistant and durable. The outside of the boxes are covered in sheep wool, produced by the company Sheep Wool Insulation Limited in Ireland (http://www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie/). It is 100% pure wool, which makes it an environmentally friendly and sustainable product. The students have three different types of hot box designed and all three designs will be tested for durability and fitness for purpose once completed.

Eco Briquettes

While some students were designing and creating hot boxes for sick animals, other students in Mr.McDonagh’s TY Science class were busy collecting old newspapers and shredded paper around the school to make the school more environmentally friendly. The paper and newspaper are soaked in water for one week and are then compressed into a briquette shape using a metal briquette maker. They are then left to dry. After testing in their homes the student’s concluded that once fully dry, the briquettes will burn for an hour to an hour and a half in the fire. This will reduce the need to burn fossil fuels for heat during the coming winter months and will also reduce the schools need for disposal of shredded paper.

National Ploughing Championships 2016

On Thursday 22nd September, 5th and 6th year Agricultural Science students, along with teachers Mr. McDonagh and Ms. McManus travelled to Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly to the National Ploughing Championships. It was another year of record breaking attendances for the championships, with 283,000 people in attendance over the three days. The students visited the many exhibitors present on the day and gained valuable knowledge on the numerous companies involved both directly and indirectly with modern agriculture.  

Philipe Saint André joins students at training camp

Philipe Saint André recently joined students from St Josephs at a pre Alps training day at The Curragh. Saint André is a former rugby union footballer who earned 69 test caps for France. After retiring, Saint-André found success as a rugby coach in both England and France. He was serving as director of rugby at Toulon before being announced as the successful candidate for head coach of France from 2011 to 2015. 25 students will travel to Tignes in the Alps on Sep 6th for 6 days for some pre season training at the PSA academy. Pictured above are L-R: Evan McGinn, Conor Sweeney, Maeve Hackett, Philipe Saint André, Niall McDonnell and Aaron Kierans.

Tricolour now proudly flies at St. Joseph's

The Tricolour now proudly flies at St. Joseph's Secondary School. Well done to teachers Mr Sharkey, Mr O Suilleabhain and TY student Ryan Sands for delivering a moving oration of the Proclamation in English and Irish and a short biography of Eamonn Ceannt.

New Rugby Kit Revealed for St Josephs

The junior rugby panel and coach Ms Hackett have been presented with the brand new St Josephs rugby kit co-sponsored by CTI Business Solutions and G Morgan and Sons furniture company. Come on ye boys in Blue! Check out some more photos below of our slick new jerseys.

Masterchef Cookery Compeition

We recently had a parents’ council fundraiser night at the school. It was a Masterchef Cookery Competition which incorporated a raffle for parents. Check out all the winners!

1. Nora Devin 2. Elaine Lennon 3. Niall McGinnity 4. Luke Mitchell 5. Jason Kavanagh 6. Nicola Reynolds 7. Lisa Dolan 8. Niall & Michelle Dunne 9. Aisling Coleman 10. Anne McClean

You can also download the winning-recipies here!!

6th Yr Ag. Science Field Trip

On Monday 29th February 2016 Mr. McDonagh’s 6th year Ag. Science class travelled to dairy farms in Duleek and Termonfeckin. These trips are part of their studies for the Ag. Science project, which is worth 25% of the leaving cert exam. We wish the students the best of luck with their studies.

U 16 Gaelic Footballers win North Leinster Final

St Joseph’s recorded back to back North Leinster wins with a comprehensive victory over St. Mary’s CBS, Portlaoise. The Joe’s took the game to the Laois side early on and recorded points from Ross Nally, Sean Birch, Ben McKenna and Ciaran Downey but it was a goal expertly taken by Nally that put the Drogheda side in complete control. The Joe’s direct football and running were causing all sorts of problems and from a lovely team move. Gerard Harding had a shot brilliantly saved but Birch slammed home the rebound. Points from Bannon, Harding and Downey increased the Joe’s advantage by half time. The second half was a scrappy affair as Joe’s defence including Fergal O Donoghoe, Luke Cormican and Ian Connor dominated proceedings. The Joe’s upped the game in the last ten minutes and pulled further away with a hat trick of cool penalties taken by the excellent Emmet Carolan. The Joe’s had some excellent performances from Nally, Jamie Kelly and Paul Mathews but Conor Farrell was a real leader on the day and collected the man of the match award.

Poster Competition Winner

Congratulations to 1st year student George Perry who won the art competition to design a poster to remind students not to use their mobile phones in school. George was presented with a €50 voucher by Deputy Principal Mr Savage in the presence of his art class and Art teacher Mr Kington. The poster will now be printed professionally and displayed in strategic locations arond the school.