SciFest@College 2020 Regional STEM Fair
.
Congratulations to students Tiarnan ClarkeMacMahon, Owen Bagnell and Luke Seery who won an SFI Best Project Award at the SciFest@College 2020 Regional STEM Fair for their project 'Fighting for Breath: Is the School Drop-off Harmful to Students' Health?'. With over 430 project entries this is a great achievement. The prize consists of Dublin Crystal trophy, One-4-All gift tokens, and a SciFest certificate. Moreover, their project has qualified to participate as a finalist in the SciFest 2020 National Final, taking place virtually in November.
.
.
.
Mercy Secondary School Kilbeggan - Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation
.
Well done to Ms. Daly and to all student and teacher contributors who made the Class of 2020 Virtual Graduation an occasion to remember. It provided a walk down memory lane for the Class of 2020 which was both tear jerking and uplifting. It also highlighted the bright future that lies ahead.  
.
.
.
School Calendar for Academic Year 2020-2021
.
.
Amber Flag Initiative
We are delighted to announce that our school has been awarded the Amber Flag from Pieta House for the 2019/2020 academic year. The Amber Flag initiative involves promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in the school community. Our school undertook a wide variety of activities throughout the year to promote positivity. 
.
A huge "Thank You" to the Amber Flag Committee and all our school community for their commitment and dedication to promoting positive mental health in our school this year. We look forward to continuing the initiative next year. 
.
25th May 2020 -  Essential Information for 6th Years Re: Calculated Grades 2020
ASD Class - Frontline Workers Recognition Project
As part of a wider project to recognise the immense work undertaken by Ireland's frontline workers, students from our ASD class completed these artistic "thank you's" as a small gesture of all our appreciation for their invaluable work.
TY Student Enterprise Regional Finals
On March 12th three of our TY groups attended the Student Enterprise Regional Finals in Athlone. The Mercy Kilbeggan company Arbor Bracelets went on to win best display in the senior category. Well done to all groups involved.
All-Ireland Minor Girls XC Triumph
On March 7th our Minor Girls Athletics Team consisting of 1st Year students Morgan Corcoran, Adele Geoghegan, Emma O’Brien, Leah Geoghegan, Emma Murphy and Ellen Daly were crowned All-Ireland Minor Girls Team champions. This added to their earlier Leinster Team Championship success.  What a remarkable achievement for this talented group of athletes. Their hard work has really paid off and everybody associated with our school is extremely proud of them. Well done girls. 
Girls Rugby
Congratulations to our U16 Girls Rugby team who were crowned champions at their most recent blitz in Mullingar on March 5th. Our team played some excellent rugby and went through the entire competition unbeaten. Well done to the girls and to coach Mr. Corrigan and assisting teacher Ms. Corcoran. Our U19 Girls Rugby team also played well at the blitz, finishing with a 50% record, winning two of their four games. 
Junk Kouture Regional Final
Pictured below are some of our TY students at the Junk Kouture Regional Final in Castlebar on March 5th. Laura Murphy and Sarah Costello modeled the creations on behalf of their respective teams. Team 1 - Sarah Costello, Geri O'Brien, and Megan Quinn. Team 2  - Fiona Dixon and Laura Murphy. Both of our teams were supported on the night by some of their close friends and their guiding teachers.
Second Year CSPE Trips
On March 3rd, all 2nd Year students went on specific CSPE class trips accompanied by their respective CSPE teachers. These trips provided our students with insights into aspects contained within CSPE curricula and have provided a basis for future project work.
La Chandeleur
On February 27th our Transition Year students served our 1st Year French students crepes for La Chandeleur and Mardi-Gras. Transition Year students took all orders in French, where 1st Years ordered their crepes and toppings using French vocabulary.
Karneval and Fasching

Our German students celebrated Karneval and Fasching in German classes from February 24th to 27th.

Fifth Year A.g Science Trip

On February 26th our 5th Year A.g Science Class, accompanied by Ms. Relihan and Mr. Cox, visited Coorevin Farm in co. Tipperary, where focus is placed on beef and sheep enterprise.

TY Forensic Science Workshop

On February 25th our Transition Year students participated in a Forensic Science Workshop. They tried to figure out who committed a crime by searching for clues, studying documentation, and through analysing the evidence. Thanks to Alison who facilitated the event. 

DCU Guest Speaker

On February 24th DCU Ambassador and Dublin Footballer Johnny Cooper, pictured below with Mr. Donnelly, visited our school and spoke to our 6th Year students. Johnny provided key information about courses and college life at DCU. We would like to thank Johnny for his time and insights, they have provided great clarity for some of our students.

School Sport Update
  • On February 27th our 1st Year Boys Basketball Team were beaten 39-15 by St. Finians Mullingar
  • On February 27th our 2nd Year Boys Basketball Team were beaten 25-24 in a fantastic game by St. Finians Mullingar
  • On February 24th our U14 Girls Football Team had a comprehensive win away to Athlone Community College.
  • On February 24th our 1st Year Boys Basketball Team defeated Ard Scoil Phadraig Granard 15-11
  • On February 24th our 2nd Year Boys Basketball Team were beaten 25-13 by Ard Scoil Phadraig Granard
Bray to Greystones and JumpZone Sandyford
On February 13th our Transition Year students went on a Physical Education trip where they walked from Bray to Greystones via the spectacular cliff walk and then visited JumpZone Sandyford for some trampolining. Our students were also given the opportunity to do some shopping between the two activities at Dundrum Town Centre. The weather was perfect for the occasion and each student really enjoyed their activity-filled day out. 
School Sport Update
On February 12th our Athletics Team participated in the Leinster XC Championships at Santry Demense. Congratulations to our 1st Year Girls Team consisting of members Morgan Corcoran, Adele Geoghegan, Ellen Daly, Leah Geoghegan, Emma Murphy and Emma O'Brien who are now Leinster Team Cross-Country Champions. What a performance from the girls,what a huge achievement.
School Sport Update

Our 1st Year Boys Basketball Team and our 2nd Year Boys Basketball Team were victorious in their respective season opening games on February 5th. Our 1st Year Team beat Templemichael College 25-12, while our 2nd Year Team beat Templemichael College 25-18, both games were held in Mucklagh Community Centre. Well done boys on a great start to the season. 

Kaffee und Kuchen

On February 3rd all 2nd Year German students had 'Kaffee und Kuchen' which was organised by our German Department teachers. They enjoyed traditional German delicacies such as Schwarzwalderkirschtorte, Marmorkuchen and Herrentorte. Lots of fun was had by all.

TY English Trip

On February 3rd all Transition Year students went to Moate to attend a comedy show in the Tuar Árd, performed by stand-up comedian Ger Carey. There were plenty of laughs on the day and thanks to Ger for the great entertainment. 

School Sport Update

Well done to the U15 Girls soccer team who had a fantastic win over Columba College, Killucan on Monday February 3rd. The girls won on a comprehensive scoreline. Our team has completed all their matches and must now wait to see if they have made the divisional play-offs.

School Sport Update

Congratulations to our Junior Girls Football Team who have progressed to the semi-final of the North Leinster Championship after defeating Scoil Chríost Rí, Portlaoise by one point on January 30th. The scoreline was 2-10 to 2-09. This is our team's third consecutive win by a one point margin which illustrates their commitment and will to win. Well done again to Ms. Daly, Mr. McGauran and the team.

French Theatre

On January 30th, all Senior and Junior French students had the opportunity to attend French workshops in our school canteen. These workshops were organised by our French Department teachers. These highly entertaining events provided our students with the opportunity to develop their linguistic ability in a fun and unique setting, whereby our students were assigned various roles to play and tasks to achieve by the leaders of the workshops.

Holocaust Education Trust Ireland Talk

On January 29th Tom Hanley from the HETI delivered a talk to all our TY and 5th Year students on the Holocaust Narrative. This talk coincides with the 75th memorial of the liberation of Auschwitz and Birkenau. Thanks very much to Tom for this informative talk. 

School Sport Update
  • On January 24th our U14 Girls Football Team (Panel 1) played Our Lady's Bower of Athlone in a trial match. It is great to see the huge number of girls that we have playing Gaelic Football at this age bracket. We have two separate panels at the moment. Well done to Ms. Daly and the girls.

  • On January 23rd our Athletics Team attended the North Leinster XC at Papal Cross. We had great success with Amy Geoghegan finishing 5th in the Intermediate Girls and Michael Murphy finishing 7th in the Senior Boys. Both have comfortably qualified for the Leinster Championships. Our First Year Girls Team consisting of members Morgan Corcoran, Adele Geoghegan, Ellen Daly, Leah Geoghegan, Emma Murphy and Emma O'Brien done exceptionally well and finished with a Silver medal in their Team Event.

 

  • Some photos of our U16 and U19 Girls Rugby Team at their Blitz on January 23rd
IMTA Maths Competition

On January 23rd our school sent three teams to an IMTA Junior Problem Solving Maths quiz held in Athlone Community College. Well done to each of our teams, especially to the team of Patrick Iskra, Odhran Gavigan, Barbara Ziarnowska, and Peter Clarke who finished in joint 3rd overall, and to the team of Brian Egan, Ella Casey, Alan Farrell, and Erin Guilfoyle who finished 4th overall.

TY Face The Phoenix
Congratulations to TY student Jason Fitzgerald who won the regional final of TY Face the Phoenix on January 22nd. Jason's business 'Happy Hooves' impressed the judges with its creativity, and Jason impressed with his effort and attention to detail. Jason received a trophy and won €500 for the school. Well done to Jason and to guiding teachers within our Business Department Ms. Stenson and Mr. O'Meara.
First Year Science
Pictured below are some of the 1 Green Science class with their class mascot, a cactus, which was kindly donated by a member of the class. The students have been tasked with the upkeep of the plant.
TY Student Enterprise
On Tuesday January 21st our TY Student groups attended a presentation delivered by Tom O'Donnell from Student Enterprise Ireland, informing them and supporting them in the creation of their mini-companies. Thanks a lot to Tom for his expertise.
Bank of Ireland Money Smarts Challenge
On Tuesday January 21st, two 5th Year teams and one TY team represented our school at the 'Bank of Ireland Money Smarts Challenge' within the Westmeath/Longford region. The event was held at the Mullingar Park Hotel and our students performed very well on the day.
School Sport Update
  • Our Senior Boys Football Team were beaten 4-14 to 3-12 away to Boyne C.S. Trim in the North Leinster Championship on January 20th. We need to wait for other results to learn our faith.

 

  • Hard luck to our U17 Boys Soccer Team who were beaten in their League Semi-Final 3-1 on January 17th by St. Finian's Mullingar. The boys put in strong effort this year under the guidance of Mr. Donnelly and Mr. Duffy, it just was not to be on the day.

 

  • Congratulations to our Junior Girls Football Team and coaches Ms. Daly and Mr. McGauran after they defeated Oldcastle of Meath in the qualifying round of the North Leinster Championship on January 16th. Our girls won on a scoreline of 4-09 to 5-05. We now progress to the North Leinster quarter final.

 

  • Well done to the students who represented our school at the Westmeath U16 Badminton Championships at Wilsons Hospital Multyfarnham on January 16th. Thanks a lot to Ms. Mulligan and Mr. Minnock who accompanied our team. 
  • Hard luck to our U15 Boys Soccer Team who lost their League Semi-Final 3-1 on January 15th. We went 3-0 down in the first half against a strong breeze and just couldn't pull it back in the second. Our boys played well, with Josh Conroy netting our only goal of the game. We had further chances in the second half, the most notable of which saw Ryan Dennigan strike the crossbar. We were unlucky on the day, but all in all it was a decent campaign in a difficult division. Well done to Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Quinn, and the boys.

 

  • Commiserations to our U15 Girls Soccer Team who lost 3-0 to a strong Sacred Heart, Tullamore team on January 14th. A great effort was made by all.

 

  • Hark luck to our Junior Boys Hurling Team who were beaten in the North Leinster Championship Final by six points at the hands of Gallen C.S Ferbane on January 14th. The boys hurled well but the goals came at crucial times for Gallen. The boys have had a great year and have improved considerably thanks to the efforts of coaches Mr. Doyle and Mr. Minnock.
Petit-déjeuner français
On Thursday January 9th, Second Year French students enjoyed a French breakfast together in the canteen. This consisted of croissants, pain au chocolat, hot chocolate and orange juice, and students ordered their breakfast en français to practice vocabulary learned from studying French food.

BT Young Scientist 2020 

Well done to each student group and their teachers who represented our school at the 2020 BT Young Scientist Exhibition at the RDS from January 8th to 11th. It was a highly eventful and exciting few days for our students and their projects received great recognition. Some of our students featured on RTÉ and Virgin Media news, on Facebook live broadcasts, and were pictured with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin.

Students: Lisa Ennis & Erin Heeney

Project Title: NCCA vs Students: Where is the Change?

Teacher: Ms. Daly

 

Student: Orna Kelly

Project Title: Goodbye Documentation, Hello Dramatisation

Teacher: Ms. S. Clarke

 

Students: Tiarnan Clarke MacMahon, Luke Seery & Owen Bagnall

Project Title: Fighting for Breath; Is the School Drop off Harmful to Student Health?

Teacher: Ms. S. Clarke