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Rachel Connolly

Rachel is currently teaching Business, Geography and Maths. She studied an Honours B.A. degree in Business Management and Geography in Maynooth University and then went on to complete her PME in DCU.

Rachel has a keen interest in using technology in the classroom to enhance student learning and inclusion. She completed her thesis on how digital technologies can promote student learning. She has a passion for her subjects and aims to bring topics to life in the classroom for all students.

In her spare time, Rachel enjoys swimming. Having worked as a beach lifeguard on many Dublin beaches, Rachel has learned the importance of water safety and now volunteers to teach water safety with Water Safety Ireland and is an active member of the Boyne Fishermen Rescue and Recovery Service. When she is not swimming Rachel can be found walking her dog or hiking.

Ciara Doherty

Ciara is a Spanish and Irish teacher. She studied Irish and Spanish in DCU. Ciara has shown a massive interest in languages from a young age. Ciara attended the Gaeltacht for 6 years in Coláiste Árainn Mhóir in Donegal. She also took part in 3 Spanish exchanges in which she lived in Spain each summer for a period of time. She is hoping to enlighten the students by spreading the love that she has for these languages and is eager to open every opportunity for the students. Ciara ensures that her classroom is a place in which all students feel safe, enthusiastic and driven whilst enjoying learning languages. 

Ciara enjoys attending the gym and also participating in yoga classes. She also enjoys going on long walks and reading interesting books. She is delighted to be a part of the team here in Belmayne ETSS.

Bronagh James

Bronagh is a history, geography and learning support teacher at Belmayne ETSS. She graduated from Dublin City University with a BA in Humanities (History and Geography). She then went on to complete her PME degree in DCU as well.

An important aspect of Bronagh’s class is getting student feedback and encouraging student voice in class. Bronagh loves her subjects so much she can be found using google earth, which she uses in class, and reading historical books in her free time.

Bronagh enjoys swimming, playing badminton and volunteering with Alzheimer Society of Ireland, whom she is a committee member for in the Drogheda branch. She is an avid dog-lover who can be found spending most of her time with her dog, Daisy. 

Olwyn Bourke

Olwyn currently teaches Science, Biology and Home Economics in Belmayne ETSS. She studied Food Innovation in TUD Cathal Brugha street were she covered a wide range of modules from nutrition, sensory analysis, microbiology, chemistry, shelf life management etc. She also just completed her Post Masters of Education in Trinity College Dublin this year and is an enthusiastic newly qualified teacher.

She also holds a certificate in Soil Science from Trinity College School of Botany and is undergoing microcredits from NUIG surrounding sustainability and climate action.

Olwyn is a member of a small local gym in Killester were she participates in classes 3-4 days a week including Yoga practice. Olwyn is aware of the importance of health and fitness and thinks that it is important to find an outlet even if you do not consider yourself a sporty person. As well as the gym she also enjoys keeping up with popular movies and TV series.

Ploughing Championships

In September the transition years went to the national ploughing championships. They watched different national ploughing teams race to see who could ploughs the best field, they then entered the main area where they passed Leo veradkar. There were lots of stalls selling a range of items including tractors, farming equipment, food, drinks and more. There was also a fun fare with loads of games and rides.

Winter Concert by Elliot

Coming up to the winter break some students held a concert for the Peter McVerry trust, the group was made up of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. The event was organised by Sinéad and Andrew. They played classics such as driving home for Christmas, this Christmas and don’t they know it’s Christmas.

They raised 335 euro for the Peter McVerry trust. “It was a great success and the parents really enjoyed it.” Jack Winkles, 4th year student.

Fire Fighters visit

The 1st year students had an amazing visit from the Kilbarrack fire station. The fire fighters arrive in their fire truck with the sirens blaring!

We couldn’t believe our eyes when it pulled up into our yard, and the fireman went all kitted our in their uniforms and they even got Ashling, our principal, to dress up in all the equipment!! She had to put on the overalls, boots and even air mask too! she said it felt like walking on the moon when she walked their uniform!

We received a talk from the fireman about what the do and who they reduce, when they going a building on fire they must work in teams and always keep the left hand side on the wall as they walk and use their other hand and foot to feel around for stairs and wholes in the floor! I learnt so much about their job and what it entails to be a firefighter.

The fireman also let us look at the equipment they use for a road accident to cut open a car roof and I can tell you it is very heavy and very powerful!

Thank you so much to the firefighters from Kilbarrack fire station!

ICE SKATING by Rudra Jith

On 13th January 2023, our Transition Year students had a fabulous trip to the ice rink in Swords On Ice. They were accompanied byDermot, Lorna and Cillian. It was a great experience for everyone.

A lot the students have amazing ice skating skills and were able to stand but steady on their feet, however I did notice that there were one or two people who were a bit wobbly and need the assistance of a trusty penguin 😀

TY Winter Market Fair by Rudra Jith

On Friday, December 16th, Belmayne ETSS Transition Year students hosted a Winter Fair in school from 1.30 – 3 pm. We invited all parents, guardians, and grandparents to attend and shop from all of the companies that our 4th Year students have set up.

Our event showcased all of the hard work and commitment that the students have put into the Enterprise module this year. Each group had their own shop space so they could showcase their products. And we are really glad to say that our event was a huge success.

Everyone who attended our fair was really happy and proud to see our Transition Year student’s hard work. Well done to our fabulous TYs today who organised a winter fair as part of their Enterprise class. Thanks to all the staff who helped make this happen today……

Dragon’s Den Pitch by Rudra Jith

On 12th December 2022, Belmayne ETSS TY students attended a ‘ Dragon’s Den Pitch ‘. Each enterprise mini company made a business pitch to Ciaran and a representative judge from the Fingal Enterprise Awards Competition that we have entered into. Each group was called to the classroom and they got their chance to present their business pitch. Each pitch lasted approximately 5-7 minutes including Q&A from the ‘Dragons’. Each group consisted approximately of 3-4 members. Our TY group did a fantastic job in representing their pitch. Each pitch was assessed and used as an indicator in deciding who advances to the next stage in the competition.

Hilton Hotel visit by Rudra Jith

On 5th December 2022, our TY group attended a careers fair set up and organised by the Hilton Hotel, Northern Cross. 

We were able to ask questions to the representatives of each department and we learned about all of the different departments from Sales, Marketing, Reception, HR to the Kitchen with the Hilton Hotel. 

We got an opportunity to test out our skills, the TY group was divided into two groups and had different types of competitions, like bed making and bartending, and the winners were given prizes. It was an amazing experience for our TY group. We got to learn more about hotel management. 

Maths Week by Timur Ciparsons

On the 7/10/22 Maths Week started with a blast In Belmayne ETSS! 

The students were given maths problems at the start of the day to solve with their classmates this was an enjoyable and fun way to get everyone to use their maths brains and work together to figure out the answers!

There was also an amazing baking competition.

Everyone tried their very best to show the judges that they were worthy for first place

All the desserts looked amazing and tasted good too.

And a special  shout out to the winners of the competition, there was 5 overall winners are the judges just couldn’t choose one!

Sarah Clarke Byrne

Olivia Stewart

Jorja Matthews

Tadgh Butler

Azim Floro Ali

‘Trick or Treat’ for CHI Hospitals by Caitlin White

On the last day before our October midterm break we supported ‘Trick or Treat’ for Children’s Health Ireland.

It was an amazing end to our 1st term as staff & students dressed up in their best Halloween outfits and donated €2 to the charity.

During the assembly each tutor group got up and walked down the catwalk to Halloween Music but the teachers stole the show as they strutted their stuff down the catwalk.

There were prizes for best costume and best performance on the catwalk.

There was many amazing costumes and it was very fun to see them while you walked to classes.

By Caitlin White

Athletics day in national stadium

Today was the first ever national Educate together second level athletics competition as 17 ET secondary schools from all across Ireland met in Santry to compete in the athletics event. Our own Belmayne ETSS athletes did brilliantly with medals for the mixed relay team, Ciaran in the 800m, Tristan in the 100m, Dain in the shot put and javelin and Marianne in the high jump.

The day ultimately belonged to Cellbridge who took home the overall trophy but Belmayne are going to get to their training and we’ll be back next year.

Model United Nations 2022 takes place

Last week Belmayne ETSS took part in the Model U.N organised by Wicklow ETSS. First year
students took part in it to represent Germany, Brazil and Palestine and 6 committees and
debated topics from cyber warfare, space security, nuclear power and climate change,
learning a lot with others’ perspectives.


3 training sessions were held, and after a lot of research and hard work the final meeting
happened and the students splendidly and respectfully shared their thoughts and ideas as
delegates from different countries.