Success in maths quiz and visit to adventure centre

Success in Maths Pi Quiz 2025

Well done to our 16 Junior Cert students who competed in the regional round of the Irish Maths Teachers Association annual Maths Pi Quiz on Thursday, March 13. The Maths Pi Quiz consists of eight rounds of questions based on the three year Junior Cycle Maths course.

Three of our teams - Alina Guzun, Muireann Sheahan, Lily Brennan and Andrea Bourke; Sophie Hourigan, Nika Setikaite, Gemma Mulcahy and Roisin Galvin; Zarah Corcoran, Gemma Brady, Abby Ryan and Irianne Hassett - performed very well on the day. Our fourth team Hazel Connolly, Tara Gunning, Laylyn Reid and Martyna Kondziolka taking the competition right to a tie break question to decide the winner and narrowly lost out to take second place. Congratulations Hazel, Martyna, Tara and Laylyn.

Well done everyone, it was a fantastic display of their skills and knowledge gained in St Marys over the last three years.

Lilliput Outdoor Adventure Centre

On Tuesday, September 24, all of the TYs and a few teachers went to Lilliput Adventure Centre on Lough Ennell in County Westmeath. When we got there we met our leaders and then we split into six groups for the first activity. The first activity we did was orienteering. Orienteering is a timed race that involves navigation to a series of checkpoint (controls) using a detailed map. We all got put in groups and given a sheet we then had to run and try to find the checkpoints. This took us around an hour and the winners got slushies. Our next activity was in the forest. We were split into three groups and we then had an hour to build a fort out of branches and anything we could find in the forest.

After lunch we stayed into our three groups for the next activities, which included rock climbing. It was really fun but it was hard. Some students played trampoline basketball. After that we went bog-hopping. This is when you walk through a bog that is up to your neck. When it was our turn we walked down to where it was and we saw the big pool of mud, we all got the chance to jump in if we wanted to. Just when we thought the muck was over we had to walk through a pool trail of water and muck.

Our last activity of the day was paddle boarding which took place on the lake. We had to try and stand up on the boards, but we all fell.

Benefits of Zumba

As a part of transition year, we participated in five classes of Zumba, every Monday morning from 9am until 10.20 am with Christine Nevan. We really enjoyed these classes. Zumba offers a wide range of benefits, physical and mental, making it an enjoyable and effective fitness routine. It's a high energy dance workout and it helps improve cardiovascular health by increasing heart rate and promoting better circulation. The combination of dance moves and aerobic exercise helps with your coordination, flexibility, and balance, while building strength and endurance as well. Zumba is also an excellent calorie-burning activity, supporting weight loss and fitness goals. There are not only physical benefits though, but it also promotes mental wellbeing by reducing stress and boosting mood through the release of endorphins. The fun, upbeat vibe of Zumba makes it easy to stay motivated, providing you with a positive social experience while also offering an effective workout!