It can strike anybody at any stage of life. Multiple Sclerosis affects around 100,000 people in the UK. It is the result of damage to the myelin, a protective sheath surrounding the nerve fibres of the central nervous system. It has a terrible effect on people’s lives.
At assembly we were asked to raise as much money as we could and to participate in a sponsored walk in Tollymore forest park in Newcastle. After the assembly we were given sponsor booklets so that we could record who sponsored us and how much they gave. I failed miserably in this challenge to raise money for such a good cause. I fell ill the next day with a bad cold, running a high temperature and a cough a barking dog would be proud of, I was put to bed for days. I felt a bit guilty as my minor illness was stopping me from raising funds for such a terrible illness. I managed to raise a few pounds from family members the day before the walk when I eventually returned to school but hid my guilt well as others produced their filled sponsor cards and passed over their large sums of money.
Finally the day of the sponsored walk came. I woke up more excited than I had expected to. Why was I looking forward to spending a whole day walking? We were only missing the classes until lunchtime! I calmed myself down and got ready for school. My mother reminding me of my resent illness, told me to “wrap up warm, don’t forget your coat, have you plenty of tissues? What about a drink?”
When the bus started to move, everybody was on a high. We were getting away from school, even if it was only until lunchtime. We were allowed to sit on the bus using our phones and I-pods for half an hour there and another half hour back! When realising this, I knew why I was excited. I sat beside Mark on the bus. We spent the whole thirty minutes listening to Metallica songs and talking about music.
As luck would have it the weather was mild and unnoticeable in an ideal way for a long forest walk. We set off in groups or packs all setting off in the same direct and to the inaudible instructions coming from the teachers as their voices were lost in the branches of the trees. The walk itself was uneventful until Miss Clarke passed by us in a golf buggy after we spent ages walking! The vision was so sublime and ridiculous I’m still not sure if it actually happened, a teacher riding a golf buggy in a forest park while her subjects trampled through the undergrowth. What a terrible thing! Unfortunately there were no bears to jump out and scare the life out of someone or a rampant rabid squirrel to break up the monotony of the track.
The bus journey home was much like to journey to Tollymore. I sat beside Mark and as we tried to listen to our music we were constantly interrupted by an annoying year 9 pupil who insisted on reclining his chair, continually annoying Mark and I as his seat thumped our knees. All I can say is I was proud of my patience.
To say the day and the walk was uneventful is not strictly true because we achieved our aim and that St Louis pupils rose to the challenge and raised a significant amount of money that will hopefully make a deference to someone who is living with this destructive disease known as Multiple Sclerosis. After all that’s what the day was about.
Ciarán Mulholland 10D
Action MS Colecting and Walk by Caitlin Rooney
I was wondering about in my house. “Where is my booklet?” I roared out so everyone could hear. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Luckily I later found it wedged down between books in my school bag. Then I set off to start collecting money.
I walked outside deciding that I would go to my neighbour Lily’s house first. “Lily is nice,” I thought aloud “She will give me some sort of money” I walked up to her door. I was so nervous. What if she said no! But in the end I knocked at the door and waited for the reply. Shortly after she opened the door, surprised to see me.
“Hello Dear” she said.
I calmly replied “Hello, would you like to sponsor me for MS” “Of course” was the response I got and Lily went away rummaging through her olden time purse. Finally when she gave me two pounds, I thanked her then walked on to my next house.
From the next house I received another two pounds. I was pleased with myself: four pounds I had raised in 15 mins. I was amazed. I went home then, suddenly tired of collecting. “I will go again tomorrow”, I told my family.
Tomorrow came soon enough and I was out collecting again and this time I raised ten pounds! My family and friends gave me sixteen pounds, so altogether I had raised thirty pounds! I had raised more than I ever thought I would and I’m glad it was for charity.
I had done a great thing for charity and now all I had to do was the walk. We all loaded on to the bus excited about going on the walk. We had done it last year, so we knew it would be hard but we were still excited. We all wanted to succeed and finish the walk.
We started the walk. We had all received stickers and were ready to go. The walk was easy. Evan though some people were complaining! My friend fell at the start of the walk so she got a lift in the cart the whole way to the end of the walk! We were all walking and chatting at the same time. We were walking for what seemed like ages. Everyone was feeling tired at the very end. Then we had to walk up the steepest hill I had every seen in my life. Eventually we had completed the walk. Everyone was exhausted but had a great day.
By Caitlin Rooney
Action MS Walk by Dearbhla Sloane
A month ago we were given a sponsor card to raise money for Action MS. We had to raise as much money as possible for the charity. I approached my aunties and uncles and raised £80 in total. I was very pleased with myself.
When all the money was collected and counted, the school added up all the money from each class. We were all very pleased with the overall sum of money that was raised.
The next stage was a walk in Tollymore Forest Park. This was arranged for Friday the 2nd October. On that day five buses had arrived at the school. When we were on the bus we were given a sticker with a number on it.
It was wet and windy in Tollymore Forest. We arrived at about 10.30am. The organisers had a quick word with us about the rules of the park and then we began the walk.
It was cold and the leaves lying on the ground in the forest were slippy. It was fun walking through the scattered acorns on the ground. The trees were swaying in the wind. It started to rain so I put on my raincoat. I was freezing but as we walked faster I began to warm up. The route we were taking was over a bridge it was lovely looking over at the water flowing in the river. Then we went up a long and tiring hill. I looked over to my left and saw the most amazing view of mountains. We walked for about ten minutes up hill. It was very tiring. Eventually we had a break to catch our breath.
We had a sit down for five minutes and then we began to walk down hill. All together we had walked for one hour when we arrived back at our starting point. Everyone was tried and weak. We were all given a drink of orange juice. Then the organisers picked out ten stickers and stuck them on the van who ever held the matching sticker got a prize. Unfortunately I didn’t win. The prize was a lovely wallet.
The day was really enjoyable and it was really good to raise money for such a good cause and have fun at the same.
By Dearbhla Sloan
Collecting Money For MS – by Katie Sloan
“Oh Sugar!” I said. It was 5 O’clock on Thursday evening and I was to due to hand in my Action Ms sponsor book. I quickly put on my coat and ventured outdoors at dusk.
When I knocked on the first door that I came across, an old man with a hunched back, no hair on his head and appeared to have one tooth answered it.
“Good evening sir,” I greeted him in my politest manner.
“Good evening youngster,” he replied in his old man’s voice.
I reached for my sponsor book and pen and handed it to his shaky wrinkled up hands. He sighed, he wrote his name William, and he grumbled and pulled out one shiny pound from his pocket. He shut the door with out saying a word.
I then walked on down the road where I got to my next ‘victim’. I knocked on their cold hard red door; a tall figured man opened it.
“Good evening, “I said.
“I am sorry, I have no change. Come back later perhaps,” he said.
And then the red door was literally slammed in my face.
I then moved on to the next house. They didn’t even bother answering the door. This wasn’t turning out the way I had planned it! I went to my auntie’s house way up the road who gave me a generous two pounds. I felt happy knowing someone was generous.
I then walked on down the road. It was getting kind of dark and I couldn’t feel the tops of my fingertips anymore. When I knocked on the door a nice cheery happy face answered the door.
“Hello,” I said with a smile.
I explained all about why I was collecting money.
She went in to get her purse and gave me a generous four pounds and said,
“Here you go dear,”
“Thank you Miss, Good night then.”
The door was then shut.
I then had the stroke of luck; almost every door equalled a pound or so. Things were going great as I gathered in the last couple of pounds and was walking down the road. I was happy I had raised money for a great charity. I was proud of myself for even raising anything.
So next time I will remember sooner I have to collect money for charity.
Six teaspoons of walking Rory,
Mixing up with a wooden spoon of Nicole, Etain and Aisling,
Sprinkle in a dash of sweets, chocolate and one too many ice-creams,
Then add an ounce some lovely birthday cakes,
Mix in well my fav TV show on a Saturday morning,
Roll out some late-nights coming home at twenty past one,
A dash of climbing trees,
Watching the stars in the sky as it cools so nicely,
Then spread the icing of a fireworks,
Last add some sprinkles of family fun,
And then you’re all done.
- Brin Dundas
An ounce of Longstone`s sea-views,
A bowl full of Camogie
Mix up well
A pinch of Hannah
A sprinkle of Laughter
And into the oven the football goes
With a squeeze of friends and family
Half a cup of sleeping
A large tablespoon of my laptop
A dash of football
Add in some late nights
Pour in days out
Stir in a bit of music too
Whisk it all together and have some fun
That’s my happiness recipe done.
Kelsie Rogers
An ounce of T.V.
A cup of getting changed
A sprinkle of football
A litre of scratching my dog
Half a cup of going to sleep
A table spoon of playing the Playstation
A small cup of going on my quads
500 ml of playing with my brother
Stir in a bit of doing tricks on my bike
A dash of going down the town
Add in some of my friends
Pour In some of my houses view
Add a bowl full of eating my dinner
And to top it all off going home to see my loving family.
When we arrived in Strangford, I got off the bus and could smell the sweet scent of seaweed. I could see all the boats, just sitting as still as could be.
I heard a loud horn and could see the ferry coming. “Yes!” I thought, “Not long now until we get to Exploris.” It was so exciting. When we got onto the ferry, we were on the top deck. It was so cool just looking at all the boats bouncing over the waves. We could see lots of birds on the water. It was such a fantastic sight. Five minutes passed and we had now arrived in Portaferry. We got off the ferry and walked round the corner. “Yes. We have finally arrived!”
We walked inside, were split up into four groups, were given a leader and went to explore. Our leader showed us loads of different fish tanks but the one that most caught my attention was The Seahorse. It was such a fantastic shape and was just floating around with not a care in the world. It was amazing.
Our leader took us to look at the seals in the Seal Hospital. There were five of them just rolling around in their open-top containers. They were so adorable.
We moved onto a big pool where you could touch the sea animals. There were starfish, rays and some other sea animals. There was a scallop which you had to keep in the water or it would squirt you. The day was brilliant.
Posted by tbrown353 on Apr 9, 2009 in Whole School
St. Louis Students Visit Old Trafford and Anfield
The students of St. Louis Grammar School, Kilkeel recently embarked on their annual trip to England to watch a Premiership soccer match. In conjunction with Ulsterbus Educational Tours, the students would travel by Irish Ferries from Dublin to Holyhead and experience two nights in a hotel to facilitate their attendance at a top flight match. The most popular choice of venue in the planning stage again proved to be the ‘Theatre of Dreams’- Old Trafford, home of the current European and World Club Champions, Manchester United.
A party of 44 students, accompanied by 5 teachers, led by Mr. McVeigh and Mrs. Lynch, set out for the Manchester United game against Premiership rivals Aston Villa. The St. Louis party could not have chosen a more thrilling game as the ‘Reds’ eventually ran out 3-2 winners. They even got two Ronaldo goals to savour.
However, the game was but one event in a fantastic weekend adventure. The group also spent time shopping at the Cheshire Oaks Retail Park and the Trafford Centre and watched the recent blockbuster animation ‘Monsters v Aliens (3-D)’ at the cinema. The St. Louis party also spent a morning at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, which proved to be a big hit with the students who thoroughly enjoyed the hands on, interactive nature of the Museum.
An unexpected addition to the itinerary was the visit to Anfield for a ground and Museum tour. Due to the Champions League game v Porto, Old Trafford could not be accessed for a ground a museum tour. However, Ulsterbus Educational Tours quickly rearranged a tour of rivals Liverpool F.C.
The trip proved to be a resounding success, with the students gaining a vast array of new experiences, many of which will provide lifelong memories.
On Thursday 2nd April 2009 our school St. Louis Grammar School had a Spring Concert to raise money for the four year 14 pupils who are going to Zambia.
The show was packed with 2 hours of wonderful talent. There was a fashion show, orchestras, singing, rock bands, music from the 50s to the present day, Irish dancing and much more!
Rehearsals
The rehearsals were fun as you got to see other performers. When it was my turn to go on the stage (I was in the Junior Choir) I didn’t feel as nervous as there were not many people there. I never realised how many organization is required in getting ready. There were sound checks, dress rehearsals, the tuning of instruments, it was CHAOS!!
Waiting for my turn
When the night came I started to feel more nervous, you could hear it in my voice when I practised before going on stage but then I realised I needed to relax and enjoy myself. We all waited in the Home Economies room for the concert to start, you could hear the noise from the hall, it sounded like there could be a full house… and there was! The concert was completely sold out. Now everyone knew that we had to give an amazing performance. As time went by we could all see how nervous everyone was. One of the staff members came up to us and told us to go to the back of the stage. We waited behind the stage quietly for a few minutes and then it was our turn. We got partnered off and as I slowly came through the curtains I glanced at all the adults and children, it was packed with people. I took a deep breath, slowly the words streamed out of my mouth…
I had to sing with everyone at the end of the concert. It didn’t take long before I knew it was time, we rushed to the stage. We stood waiting for our queue to go on then everyone gathered around the stage singing the wonderful song “Hero”. It was so beautiful having everyone doing it. The performance was amazing! I wanted to do it again, but I couldn’t
This year’s concert was truly a great experience!
By Robyn O’ Hare 9C
Here are the latest pictures from the Spring Concert, staged on Thursday 2nd April.
On Friday the 26th of September our school held the annual European day of Languages.
Everyone lined up outside the entrance of the assembly hall. Excitement was buzzing all around as we were told earlier that week that all the Y10`s would be competing against each other (in groups of four) in a language quiz. The bell then rang as everyone ploughed through the doors to get a table. Everyone settled down as our teacher Miss Carr told us about what events would take place later that day and went through the instructions for the quiz. We were told there were six rounds, with every round based on a different topic, e.g. politics, history etc..
The first round then began (General Knowledge), the second round was history which consisted of questions like, who won the battle of waterloo? The third round was on politics with questions for instance like, who is the president of France? And who is the president of Ireland? By half time the points from the first three rounds had been counted, by that time some tables had 19 points while other tables had scores of around 4 and 7!
The next round focused mainly sport and we got the occasional easy question like, what is the tour de France? And who won the senior all-Ireland football match? Mrs Dunne then handed out the sheets for round 5 which was a picture round. We had about 5 minutes to write the names of about 12 different flags, e.g. Scotland and Lithuania. Then finally we started round six which was the language round. We had to spell word correctly either in Spanish, Irish or French, e.g. what is the French for `happy birthday`?
At the end the scores were as follows,
1st place – table 14
2nd place – table 1(my table)
3rd place – table 8
All the winners won a prize and got pictures taken. Then our new Spanish assistant preformed a dance for us. We were then told there was going to be a céilí. We all had to learn Tonnaí Thorraí where the boys were at one side and the girls were at the other side. Overall it was really good craic and a brilliant way to end the week!
The rain was pouring down on the 5th September but that did not dampen the spirits of year 14. After weeks of preparation and excitement, and many gallons of fake tan and buckets of hair gel, the time had come for the St Louis formal.
Much fun was had by all and one of the highlights of the night was a nostalgic look back at what we once were, with the baby photos that were shown, and who we are now, with statements read out which were ‘kindly’ written by our friends who definitely did not put us in our best light.
The evening proceeded with the presentation of awards which was amazingly well organised and only went wrong throughout the whole thing (thanks to Mr Brown for messing it up)! Some of the coveted categories were ‘Best Catchphrase’, rather deservedly won by Mr McKinney and Mr Sloan. And the award for biggest poser? We’ll let you guess which pupil won that one.
After the awards the ‘dancing’ started. All care for expensive dresses left our minds as ‘Rock the boat’ was blasted out of the speakers and teachers and pupils took to the dance floor. S Club 7 turned everyone back into 10 year olds again and surprisingly most remembered the dance routines. As the pupils filed out into the rain for the after formal party it was agreed that a fantastic night was had by all.
We are launching a new blog spot which will be written by any number of students or staff identifiable by Mr Brown and Ms King but not by students.