Our adventures in Carlingford

Last week was our class trip to Carlingford! We woke up early on Monday morning to get the bus, everyone was very sleepy but full of excitement. After a very sleepy hour and a half long drive we had arrived! Carlingford was beautiful it nestled between mountains and was right beside a little bay where we would be doing water sports later. The town itself was very cute and and everyone agreed that it seemed like something out of another world as it was all so perfect. 

Our first activity was kayaking. Everyone went down to the bay where we were told to put on wet suits! We weren't very happy about this as the wet suits were already wet, so grumpily we pulled them on and went down to get our paddles and get in the freezing cold water. I usually enjoy water sports but not so much this early in the morning. Myself, Sophie and Aoibhin got in a boat together and began to paddle. We weren't very successful however at keeping our boat straight and had a great laugh as we tried to keep up with everyone. Finally we finished up for lunch, we were all soaked but much more awake.

Our next activity was laser tag which we all loved! We spent about two hours chasing each other around the forest trying to shoot each other with the laser tag guns. By dinner time we were all exhausted. But there was not much time to rest as after dinner we went on a hike up the mountain. We killed time by singing songs with the adventure instructors. Finally we reached the top! It was pitch dark and we were slightly worried when we were handed blind folds and told to guide each other around the forest. In the end it was fun and we all couldn't stop laughing as we stumbled around the forest. Afterwards we set up our own disco back at the adventure center. Another school staying there joined in and we spent the next hour dancing and singing. Finally we fell into bed after an exhausting day. 

The next morning we were put early for our next activity, canoeing! This was definitely my favorite activity! We canoed to a trampoline in the middle of the bay and jumped off it! On the way back an instructor decided to throw us into the water which was both hilarious and freezing! Our last activity was team building games. Our team was very determine to win which we didn't but it was still fun. 

I really loved our few days in Carlingford and definitely want to return soon! Hope youv enjoyed reading about our adventures in Carlingford, until next time, 

Aisling x

Results!

I woke up with butterflies in my stomach early on Wednesday morning. It was about half six and for a moment i had completely forgotten why i felt so nervous and was very confused as to why i had woken so early. Then i realized that today was the day we had been waiting months for; we were about to receive our junior cert results! I shuddered at the thought of the junior cert and felt slightly excited to see what i have worked so hard for. My  mam was definitely more nervous then i was as i had spent the entire summer telling her that i had most definitely failed at least one subject for the reason that i didn't want to get her hopes up. I toke a few deep breaths before leaving the house that morning i was definitely ready to leave the junior cert behind- finally. When i reached the school every one was looking extremely anxious and a bit orange as we were all going out that night. We gathered in  our old class groups in the hall. Ms Barry told us that we should be very proud of ourselves and i felt slightly nervous hoping that i would feel proud of myself in a few minutes. My old tutor Ms Hughes gave us all our results. Ms Hughes was also my irish teacher last year and a shuddered as i thought of my Irish exam which i was convinced i had done terribly in. Mrs Hughes handed me my results in an envelope and shook my hand. I walked out of the school wondering when i should open them. A few of my friends waked up to me and we decided to open them together. I took another deep breath and opened the envelope. I was over all very happy with my results. I think all of us were. My mom was delighted that i hadn't failed and i felt very relieved to leave a very stressful year behind me and hopefully enjoy a stress free year in Ty. I was also looking forward to celebrating tonight!

Our first week in Ty

The beginning of our fairy tale  

My first week in transition year was quite an eventful experience. From learning our class names to attending workshops it certainly was not dull. We were put in our classes last Thursday and everyone seemed happy with the classes they were in. When our Ty coordinator Ms Leonard told us our class names we were even more thrilled. She told us that we were named after the princesses Ariel,Belle and Aurora. She explained that she chose  these names because we were to experience Ty as if it were a fairy tale and as we know all fairy tales lead to a happy ending which we will all hopefully have at the end of the year. Myself and my friends were put in class Aurora the princess from sleeping beauty. I was very excited to begin this fairy tale, it certainly felt like one when we weren't given any homework especially after third year.


We started our first full week on Monday. The next few days were spent getting used to our new class, new teachers,new subjects and having to do lots of projects. I especially enjoyed art which I hadn't done since first year and had forgotten how much I liked the subject.

On Wednesday we attended our first Ty workshops. We learned first aid, etiquette and how to live positive lives. The first workshop was first aid training. A man came in to teach us how to deal with emergency situations. He thought us CPR which he demonstrated used a manican some of us tried it afterwards. We also learnt how to put bandages and slings on correctly when someone has an injury and we learnt the Heimlich maneuver which is to be used when some one is choking. I found the class very interesting and think that all of the tips we were given will come in handy in the future.

After break we went back to the class room where we were greeted by two lady's who taught us about the importance of having a good body image and how to wear the correct under wear. We watched a very interesting documentary about how women have terrible self image and how every one is beautiful and shouldn't deprive themselves of food. I found this interesting because i believe that it applies to young girls my age as we often feel judged by each other when really we are our worst critics. We spent the last few minutes of the class learning to walk properly in heals which we were told to bring in. They told us that we should all walk tall and have good posture no matter how sore our feet are. They said they hoped that we would use these tips when we go out on results night next week.

Finally we went to the library where we had a 'positive party'. We spent the next hour singing, dancing and even trying laughing yoga which was hilarious!

Overall my first week in Ty was fun and definitely something completely different from third year.

Aisling x