The NCP Summer edition 2021

MAY 2021 "ISSUE 4 VOLUME 18" THE NCP

Contents A note from the editors- Sophia Deasy, Sophie Byrne and Aoibhín Dunleavy School systems Rebus puzzles Summer 2021 - Bucket list 6th Year Interviews Being a sixth year Wellness corner

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A note from the editors Hi, Sophie, Sophia and Aoibhín here. This is our very last issue of the paper for this year and we would just like to say, thank you all so much. It has been a difficult year but everyone has been so amazing. We would like to thank everyone who submitted work for this years final issue. We loved reading through all the submissions and were so surprised with the effort put into the work by all students. We are so happy that we are able to share all the amazing writing that students have to offer and wouldn't be able to do any f this without the hard work of those in the school.

Each and every contribution is invaluable to us and we have been so lucky to receive so many amazing essays, articles and photographs over this past year. This school year has been particularly difficult for a lot of people and we would like to commend everyone for their amazing spirit during this time.

We would also like to thank all of the readers of this issue and we hope that you will enjoy this issue. We hugely appreciate all the support this following year and have felt so fortunate to have to experience.

This past uear has been an incredible experience and we are so happy that we were given the opportunity to put togethr these issues. We really hope you enjoy reading all the amazing work submitted and have a brilliant summer!

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How the school system kills creativity: The Irish education system needs to modernise. We as students need to be allowed to ‘think outside the box’ says Sir Ken Robinson, but the Irish education system does not allow for students to do this. Put this situation into perspective- a student is sitting in class and voices their opinion, in most cases giving your own opinion is looked down on or you are told ‘no that’s wrong’. Another example where schools kill creativity is that we have to write certain assignments but it can only be a certain length and only include certain information, this is not letting students be creative and in my opinion this is why the education system needs to modernise in order to let students be more creative.

Some of you may be pondering why and how you can kill creativity without even noticing. Students are put into restricted situations where they HAVE to do that they are told or else there will be consequences, by discharging this, you can build up a lack of courage, lack of confidence and even avoidance of failure in students.

What are the positives of being in a creative environment? You can learn new things and become good communicators which can prepare you for the outside world. Creativity is free thinking and schools and governments think that they are more important than students originality. They don’t want anyone to think for themselves, clash or be better than them.

School in Finland Teachers in Finland spend fewer hours at school each day and spend less time in classrooms than any other teachers. Teachers use the extra time to build curriculums and assess their students. Children spend far more time playing outside, even in the depths of winter.

In conclusion “Children learn better when they are ready. This is where our Irish government should be taking notes from, in my view this is far better because it sets you for life and can teach you how to be better at taking measures.

Sophia Deasy

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Summer 2021 Bucket List I think it is safe to say we have all had enough lockdowns for one lifetime. With the numbers going down and vaccine rollouts, life is finally beginning to return to something familiar. However, the recent pandemic is no excuse for not making the most of this summer. So, if you are stuck for some fun ideas here is some tried and tested plans you can do to keep yourself busy this summer.

Travel to the Beach to Watch the Sunrise Regardless of whether you are more of a self-described ‘morning person’ or ‘night owl’, this is an incredible experience for any person. Though the average sunrise time in Ireland is around 4am-6am, depending on the time of year, this trip is definitely worth the loss of sleep. Seeing the change in the sky and scenery as the sun rises over the ocean is a miraculous sight that is more than worth experiencing at some point in your life.

Go on a Hike Whether it is with your family or your friends there is nothing quite like the satisfaction of completing a mountain hike.

Whether it’s for the views or the exercise it is an enjoyable experience all round. You will have the opportunity to see Irish landscape from a whole new perspective. It is definitely worth your time to make a day trip up to some of the gorgeous locations Ireland has to offer. Some of our favourites include, Ballycotton Cliff Walk in Cork, Glendalough and the Spinc cliffs in Wicklow and Carrauntoohil Hike in Kerry.

Host a themed Party Whether it’s stealing your parents old clothes or shopping for costumes, we all love to get dressed up. During the summer gather some of your closest friends or family and have a themed party. The themes can be based on your favourite interests or simply something random. Some common themes include decades such as the 60s, 70s and 90s, movie themes, location

Have an Outdoor Projector Movie Night If you happen to have a projector and white sheet at home, then this activity is for you. You can set up a simple outdoor movie theater in your garden, with just some simple chairs, lights, cushions, and blankets.

Invite some friends or family over and sit out to watch your favorite movie.It is a very simple but enjoyable way to spend time with the people you care about. (It’s also Covid friendly) Of course, if you don’t own a projector, a laptop or tv would do the job just fine!

Go Camping While always a risk in Ireland with our very temperamental weather, camping can be an incredible experience. It is cheap and easy, and Ireland has such an amazing range of camping locations. And of course, if rugged camping isn’t your style, there is always glamping! Some of our favourite camping and glamping spots in Ireland include, Ocean View Park, The Apple Camping and Caravan Park, Boutique Camping, and Glendalough Glamping.

Make Tie-Die T-shirts with Your Friends This is one of the easiest ways to spend time with your friends while also having something to show for it afterwards. It is simple and cost effective. All you need is some simple white t-shirts, and a basic tiedyeing kit that can be found in most shops and online on websites such as Amazon and eBay. The instructions are easy to follow and it always an enjoyable experience.

So, there you have it! Regardless of what’s going on in the world, there is always the possibility for improvement, enjoyment, and relaxation. Of course, if none of our suggestions spark your interest there is endless other possibilities of what you can do this summer. Here is a list of 100 other ideas that may inspire you this summer!

-Sophie Byrne

A REBUS is a picture representation of a name, work, or phrase. Each "rebus" puzzle box below portrays a common word or phrase. Can you work them out?

Answers on page 15.

My, haven’t they grown!

In August 2015 our current sixth years were bright eyed and bushy tailed, full of hope, optimism and enthusiasm (not the broken shells of their former selves who wander the corridors like extras from an episode of “The Walking Dead”). The College Press (now NCP) nabbed four of these youngsters for an interview for our first issue in 2015. Now, six years later, we posed the same questions, to see how things have changed.

Interview with 1st years

No matter what year you’re in we all remember those first few weeks of first year. The towering sixth years, impossible locker combinations and thoughts of ‘Nope, that’s it, I’m never going to find my way around!’.

Well, here at The College Press, we decided to catch up with four of these new additions to the Newbridge college community and see how their first weeks have been. These four are Ciara, Eve, Eoin and Leo. The all-important question, who’s your favourite teacher so far?

Ciara: Ms. Masterson Eoin: Ms. Scully Eve: Mr. Cash Leo: Mr. Mullaney Favourite subjects?

Ciara: Woodwork, I love the practical subjects Eoin: English, because I have Ms. Scully (awww) Eve: I’m the same as Ciara I love Woodwork Leo: P.E. We don’t have to do any work (good thinking)

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What’s your favourite aspect of the school so far?

Ciara: Everyone’s so happy and friendly. I love my buddy Rachel Byrne as well.

Eoin: Fionn O’Sullivan, no probably rugby (Fionn wasn’t impressed with the change of heart) Eve: The camp was great fun, and I’ve the same buddy as Ciara she’s so nice Leo: I really like the long lunches Important question, favourite food in the Ref? Ciara: Oh definitely a chicken roll Eoin: Yep, chicken roll Eve: Chicken roll Leo: Sausage rolls If you could swap lives with anyone on the planet, who would you pick?

Ciara: Zoella, I love her!

Eoin: Fionn O’Sullivan (Fionn’s happiness has been restored) Eve: Taylor Swift Leo: Pele If you could give one piece of advice to somebody coming here next year, what would it be?

Ciara: Don’t be afraid to talk to people in your year, everyone wants to make new friends Eoin: Just be yourself Eve: Don’t be afraid. Talk to everyone you can!

We want to thank the four First years for being so polite and for giving up some of their lunch (sorry Leo, we know you love lunch time) to talk to us! Your answers were great, and we hope you guys have an amazing time here in Newbridge.

-Megan Hoare

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Leo Brannock Favourite teacher: Mr Doyle (*Leo didn’t specify which one) Favourite subjects: Geography because I’m decent at it What’s your favourite aspect of the school so far: playing football or basketball at lunchtime Favourite food in the ref: breakfast roll with hashbrowns and sausages.

If you could swap lives with anyone on the planet who would you pick?

Messi Advice to new students: Offense sells tickets, defence wins games What will you miss most about Newbridge College? Playing sport at lunchtime

Eve Cash My favourite teacher so far: Ms Storey.

Favourite subjects: Art as everything I do it my own ideas and biology, I think it’s interesting.

My favourite aspect of the school so far: being able to be with my friends every day and also growing up with my year as a whole.

Favourite food in the ref: still a chicken roll.

Any subjects you’ve changed your mind on: I was excited to pick construction for the Leaving Cert but I didn’t realise how time consuming the project was.

If I could swap lives with anyone on the planet who would it be: my first year self for one day.

One piece of advice to somebody coming here next year: don’t take things to seriously try your best to make friends and talk to everyone you can.

What will I miss most about Newbridge College: being around my friends every day, and being part of the school community.

Eoin Crehan Favourite teacher: all of them, especially the ones you give me H1s and Shirley “Mr. Sherlock” for making me a better more behaved man.

Favourite subject: Chemistry, some may say I’m a prodigy What’s your favourite aspect of the school so far: The friendships with peers and teachers and the school’s willingness to go above and beyond for their students.

Your favourite food in the ref: The same as young Eoin, he was a man of great taste.

Subject you change your mind about: Chemistry, I despised but then Miss Davies made it fun (when she wasn’t angry with me).

If you could swap lives with anyone on the planet who would you pick? Same as young Ciara, Zoella sounds fun.

One piece of ice to somebody coming next year: Young Eoin’s wise words, same goes, also don’t give embarrassing answers to “The College Press.”

What will you miss most about Newbridge College? The fun, be it in class or at break.

Ciara Gobbett Favourite teacher: Definitely could not pick just one !!

Favourite subject : Biology My favourite aspect of the school: It's the same six years on !! The happy and friendly people u meet on every corridor.

Favourite food in the ref: Definitely the cookies 😊 What will you miss most about Newbridge College? There's nothing really I won't miss about the school. It's such a nice place to be all the time. The atmosphere is so lovely. The teachers are so helpful and make such an effort to form good relationships with the students. The friendships I've made in the school are for a lifetime. I think it's evident from how sad we all are that it's coming to an end how much we all love the place and the people in it. Of course it goes without saying POB is the man that will be missed the most.

Being a Sixth Year It is safe to say that sixth year has irrevocably been the best year of my life so far. Never in the past have I felt such joy coming into school and spending almost twelve hours with my classmates each day. Once you get into sixth year there is an ever-looming sense of finality that with each day grows bigger, and this finality allows us to savour each day. Bonds are firmly grown between us, those savoured days becoming memories that will always tie us together.

There’s an unexplainable authority that comes with being a sixth year, and I’ve honestly been surprised with the amount of respect we hold in the school. There’s almost a sense of group suffering within our year, we are all in the process of being traumatised by the impending doom, trying not to think about our future. This is something that contributes to everyone trying their best to live in the present moment and making the most of the last days that we spend together.

There has been a lack of small talk this year – no need for it – a unique thing amongst a large group of people. Acquaintanceships are a waste of time. This, for me, mirrors the public situation with Covid. We don’t carry any need for small talk or any arbitrary wastes of time.

The fragility of life has been aggressively presented to us more than ever. I like the feeling of a community, and that is what has grown within our year. There’s a space for everyone here.

Our time in school is ending on a high and that’s reflective of our year.

The -Ciara Munnelly NCP

Kindness I shall pass through this world but once, if therefore there be any kindness I can show, any good deed I can do, let me do it now – let me not neglect it or defer it – for I shall not pass through this world again.

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The NCP

Answers 1. “one thing after another” 2. “broken heart or heart broken” 3. “but on second thought” 4. “last but not least” 5. “one in a million” 6. “fooling around” 7. “history repeats itself” 8. “musically inclined” 9. “the beginning of the end” 10. “scatter brain” 11. “line up in single file” 12. “pacing back and forth” 13. “a backwards glance” 14. “a thin line between love and hate” 15. “all things great and small"

Well we finally got there.... it has been a long year but we made it. A huge Thank you to all the staff and students whose dedication and hardwork made the year possible. Wishing everyone a wonderful well-deserved break.

THE NCP TEAM

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