.Anto Cronin, left, who will take on the Ring of Kerry Cycle on his penny farthing, pictured with Kerry Mountain Rescue Team members, Gerry Christie Brendan Coffey and Ian O’Connell. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
A CBS The Green teacher will attempt to cycle 175km for this years annual Ring of Kerry Charity Cycle on his Penny Farthing bicycle in aid of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.
Killarney man Anto Cronin will take on the challenge at the annual charity cycle which will take place on Saturday, July 1, for its 41st year.
The Kerry Mountain Rescue Team are one of the beneficiaries for this years Cycle. To date the charity cycle has raised €1.26 million for 34 charities.
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The Kerry Mountain Rescue Team comprises of 38 volunteers from all walks of life who are available to respond to emergencies in the mountains at any hour of the day or night, and often in the harshest weather conditions.
The team is based in Killarney with an area of operation covering the mountains of the Iveragh, Dingle and Beara peninsulas. Team members train regularly in specialist rescue disciplines such as casualty care, technical ropework for casualty extraction, helicopter winching, search management, navigation, radio communication and 4WD techniques.
.Ryan Nix with Martin, Stephanie and Melissa at the Scoil Eoin sixth class graduation on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
IT was a glorious Thursday morning as the sixth class pupils of Scoil Eoin Balloonagh made their way to the school hall for a final farewell to their primary schooldays.
The 75 pupils celebrated their eight years at the school with a special graduation ceremony attended by their families and it proved an emotional experience for all.
A Mass celebrated by Fr Padraig Walsh was followed by an address from Principal Kieran O’Toole who congratulated them all and wished them well as they embark on another journey in secondary schools around the town.
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After a short break for refreshments, pipers led the students back in the hall where special presentations were made to them and their favourite memories of the years spent at the school were shared.
The students then concluded with their graduation song, ‘I’ll Always Remember You’ by Miley Cyrus and there were very few dry eyes in the house after that! Scroll down for photos…
Hannah Reidy with Vincent Reidy and Jennifer O’Carroll Reidy at the Scoil Eoin sixth class graduation on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Mr Kennelly’s sixth class pupils which were Ms O’Connor’s juniors back in 2015.Ms O’Connor’s junior infants back in 2015. Photo: Dermot Crean.Mr McSweeney’s sixth class pupils which were Ms Daly’s juniors back in 2015.Ms Daly’s junior infants back in 2015. Photo: Dermot Crean.Ms Foley’s sixth class pupils which were Ms Sheehan’s juniors back in 2015.Ms Sheehan’s junior infants back in 2015. Photo: Dermot Crean.Theo Wattam with aunt Pamela Hunt at the Scoil Eoin sixth class graduation on Thursday. Photo by Dermot CreanAmelie O’Sullivan with John Kinsella, Tina Kinsella, Elaine Kinsella and Cian O’Sullivan at the Scoil Eoin sixth class graduation on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean.Kelly Hayes with Rachel Hayes, Luke Stanley and Bernie Hayes at the Scoil Eoin sixth class graduation on Thursday. Photo by Dermot Crean
KERRY Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB) launched their Strategy Statement 2023-2027 and new brand during a special event held at the Tech Amergin Further Education and Training Centre in Waterville on June 22.
The strategy sets out the pathway for the organisation’s strategic development for the next five years, aiming to strengthen Kerry ETB’s position as a leader in education and training provision, focused on the highest quality of learning experiences for all learners across the county.
The Strategy Statement 2023-2027 encompasses five key objectives with the overall aim of enhancing the learner experience, reinforcing organisational cohesiveness and achieving excellence in education and training service delivery.
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The strategy will be monitored and reviewed, ensuring progress is documented and aligns with Kerry ETB’s commitment to maximising educational and training opportunities across the county.
Speaking at the launch event, Jim Finucane, Chairperson of the Board of Kerry ETB, emphasised the significance of the new strategy: “The Strategy Statement 2023-2027 outlines five ambitious strategic goals and related objectives for the next five years to establish Kerry ETB as a leader in education and training provision in the county. This strategy presents numerous opportunities for us to strengthen, expand, and further develop our education and training infrastructure across Co. Kerry.”
Launching the Strategy Statement 2023-2027 and the new brand identity marks an essential milestone for Kerry ETB as it builds on a decade of change, growth and development.
Colm McEvoy, CEO of Kerry ETB, addressed the organisation’s development over the past decade and its future aspirations, “Since our establishment in 2013, Kerry ETB has made good progress in developing the organisation in delivering education and training services across the county.
“We have experienced much change since our establishment in 2013, and the organisation has adapted very well to the ever-changing environment, including a pandemic in recent years. With this new strategy, we are focused on the continued development, expansion and refinement of our education and training service provision to meet the needs of learners, promoting the development of a lifelong and life-wide society in Co. Kerry.
“We are looking forward to implementing the strategy provision over the next five years with the focus on striving for excellence in all aspects of our service provision.”
.Representatives from Tralee at the ceremony this week. From left; Joan O’Regan (Team Bramble), Jean Foley of Kerry County Council, Martha Farrell (Tralee Tidy Towns) and Colm Nagle (Kerry County Council, Tralee MD). Photo: Julien Behal
EVERYONE involved in the Tralee Tidy Towns effort were delighted to see Tralee named among the best kept towns on the island of Ireland and attended the awards event in Farmleigh House on Tuesday.
Tralee was up against stiff competition, in the same category as Antrim, Derry City and Limerick City. The Best Large Urban Centre category award was won by Antrim town on the day, while Carrick on Shannon winning Ireland’s Best Small Town category and also took the overall Ireland’s Best Kept Town award.
Chair of Tralee Tidy Towns, Brendan O’Brien said: ‘We were delighted to be part of the team representing Tralee at the all-Ireland competition ‘Ireland’s Best Kept Town’ event at Farmleigh House.”
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“Tralee was one of four Large Urban Centres shortlisted and we were one of only 14 teams from the island of Ireland at the event today. It was a great occasion and a great acknowledgement of the work going on to make Tralee a better place to work in, live in and visit by the Kerry County Council Tralee MD, Friends of Able CE Scheme, Team Bramble, Tralee Chamber, our schools, businesses, MTU, our local media, the County Museum and our own great volunteers.”
“We will now continue our work toward improving our performance in the main Supervalu Tidy Towns competition, with adjudicators currently out assessing each town and village in the 26 counties and we invite anyone who would like help in Tralee’s effort to join us any Wednesday night from 7-8pm at Garvey’s Supervalu Car Park Tralee or Sunday mornings at 9am meeting at Lidl Car Park on the Castlemaine Road,” said Brendan.
The Department of Rural and Community Development and the Northern Ireland Amenity Council initiated the Ireland’s Best Kept Towns competition in 1995 to help raise the profile of both the SuperValu TidyTowns and Northern Ireland’s “Best Kept” competitions, and therefore help to improve the standard of towns and villages across the island of Ireland
The closing date of July 1st for CAO applicants to register a change of course choices is fast approaching. Guidance Counsellor Billy Ryle has some advice…
The state exams conclude next Tuesday, 27th June and the thoughts of exhausted candidates are no doubt turning to holidays, travel or summer jobs. But there is still one important task to be done.
The 83,697 applicants, who applied to Central Applications Office (CAO) by the late application deadline of 1st May, must now turn their attention to the CAO course change of mind facility.
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This provides each applicant a last chance, if s/he wishes, to register a change of course choices online by 5pm on Saturday, 1st July.
Not all applicants to CAO avail of the change of mind facility. Many applicants are happy with the course choices they submitted by 1st February.
On the other hand, others will have changed their minds about the courses they would like to study. Whatever your reason for submitting a change of mind form, make sure you know exactly what you are applying for.
Don’t list any courses which you haven’t researched. Don’t apply for any course which you know that you won’t accept if it’s offered to you.
Most important of all, never apply for a course in which you haven’t the slightest interest just because your friends are applying for it.
If you decide to submit a change of mind form, work calmly on your choices before going online. Start from scratch and write out your new list of courses.
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Don’t tinker with your original list while online as it’s very easy to make a mistake. Check the minimum and special requirements for each course you are including on the change of mind form.
When you are happy with your revised choices, open up your CAO account via the “My Application” facility.
To make changes to your existing course choices click on the ‘Change Level 8 Course Choices’ tab and/or the ‘Change Level 7/6 Course Choices’ tab.
If you haven’t entered any courses on your application up to this point this tab will be called ‘Add Level 8 Course Choices’ and/or ‘Add Level 7/6 Course Choices.’
Your current course choices are listed to the left and you are given a blank preference list, headed ‘New Choices,’ to the right.’
Enter all the courses that you wish to apply for in your order of preference on this list. Your existing choices are cancelled out.
The same process applies for the Level 7/6 list. Every choice is important so fill up all ten choices in each category.
Then click on ‘Continue with Course Changes’ to save the information. You will then be brought back to the screen containing the updated details CAO has on file for you.
Check that your course choices are listed in correct order and that the codes are correct.
The two course categories – Level 8 and Level 7/6 – are totally separate from each other for the purpose of submitting a change of mind form.
You may change one category and leave the second category unchanged or you may change both.
On the other hand, you may decide to stick with the choices you submitted by 1st February last.
If you change courses online, CAO will send an acknowledgement to your email address. Check that your courses have been updated by using the “My Application” facility by 5pm on 1st July.
You may change your course choices free of charge as often as you wish up to the closing date.
The final change of mind form that you submit is the one that will count for your CAO offers. So, be sure to check online before 1st July to make sure that all is in order.
After the 1st July you can make no further changes to your CAO application form. So, the remaining days provide you with a valuable window of opportunity.
Use the time to put some serious thought into your choice of college courses. With the state exams done and dusted, you can give your undivided attention to submitting a ‘change of mind’ form that truly contains your course interests.
It will be time well spent if you achieve your course of choice when the college offers are issued on the 30th August.
Checklist
• You have until 5pm on 1st July to avail of the CAO “Change of Mind” facility
• Not all applicants to CAO avail of the change of mind facility
• Don’t list any courses which you haven’t researched.
• Don’t apply for any course which you know that you won’t accept
• Never apply for a course in which you haven’t the slightest interest
• Work on your new list of course choices before going online
• Check the requirements for the courses you are including on the change of mind form
• The two course categories are separate from each other on a change of mind form
• The remaining days provide you with a valuable window of opportunity
• After the 1st July you can make no further changes to your CAO application form
• The Leaving Cert (LC) exam concludes on Tuesday, 27th June
• CAO ‘Change of Mind’ Form closes at 5pm on Saturday, 1st July
• Leaving Cert results will be published on Friday, 25th August
• CAO Round One offers will be available at 2pm on Wed., 30th August
Billy Ryle is a Career Guidance Counsellor and Educational Commentator
The closing date of July 1st for CAO applicants to register a change of course choices is fast approaching. Guidance Counsellor Billy Ryle has some advice…