It has been another busy term with class trips, events and many extracurricular activities. This term we had Science Week, Teaching & Learning Week, the TY tour, International Day, Parent Teacher meetings, Christmas exams and our annual Christmas concert to namecheck just a few. Thanks to our tireless staff and energetic students for your endless enthusiasm this term.

As part of Science Week our TY’ s took part in our build a bridge competition for science week. Each class had to build a bridge from 100 straws to see which one would hold the most weights. In a fiercely competitive round of judging class 4I thought they had it won with 15 weights( 1.5kg), however our last class group to go were 4J and they pipped the title with 16weights( 1.6g).

This term we have rolled out our revised student reporting at MEC. Our learners now receive a detailed report with a focus on highlighting learner’ s strengths and weakness in their subjects after exams. Pictured are 3rd year students who took part in a focus group as part of the Forbairt initiative on reporting in MEC. Students have given teachers feedback on their recent exam reports which were written using the targeted detailed format. Assessment at junior cycle now places the student at the centre of the learning process allowing for new ways of learning and a broader range of reporting comments.

‘ Teaching and Learning’ week took place across MEC from 18th – 22nd of November. Our teachers opened their doors to their colleagues to observe their dynamic lessons and pick up new ideas & resources. Our students all took part in a class workshop to figure out their preferred learning styles using the VARK New Zealand learning questionnaire. Teachers also took part in the founding‘ Teach Meet’ to swap methodologies and resource ideas. Next term, MEC will roll out an innovative feedback stamp for all year groups. This unique stamp will label a variety of assessment for learning( AfL) methods such as peer assessment, self-assessment, teacher oral feedback etc. This will help our students record feedback to improve their learning.

Shoe Box Appeal

We are very proud of all our students and their families who have contributed to this wonderful cause. All in all, we have a whopping 170 🎁shiny shoebox gifts to go to deserved children across Africa and Eastern Europe.

The shoeboxes are given based on need alone and will bring joy and excitement to children living in very difficult situations this Christmas season.

Some heartfelt thanks for your kindness and generosity in contributing to our Team Hope charity appeal.

‘ Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change’

- Bob Kerrey 💞