Our fifth year students were enthusiastic to take part in self defense classes as part of the Active Week.
On Friday 31st March, over 300 members of the Nenagh College community gathered at the school. Their purpose was two fold: to host a community event as part of attaining the Active School Flag and to raise money for Nenagh Special Summer Camp.
The response from the school’s partners including Knigh United soccer team, Kildangan hurling and camogie, Eire Óg, Nenagh Badminton, Nenagh Scouts, Nenagh Badminton , students ,staff, parents and representatives of the ETB Head Office, was staggering and more than €1,300 was raised for a local worthy cause.
Liam Heffernan, PE teacher at Nenagh College, who is coordinating the effort to attain the Active School Flag for the school, remarked on the volume of participants who, despite the odd shower, enjoyed the walk on the late spring evening.
The school will be holding a number of activities throughout this week which will include almost all staff and students. The school will have these activities validated by an independent adjudicator, after which, it is hoped, they will become a Blue Flag, Active School.
Well done to Nicola Kennedy who received a highly Commended certificate at the recent launch of Mental Health Ireland’s Art and Photography Competition 2017 at Dublin City Council. Pictured with artist Lisa Butterly and Martin Rogan CEO of Mental Health Ireland’s. Also pictured with her art teacher Edwina Knight.
On Thursday 9th March Nenagh College hosted an evening for the business community in Nenagh in recognition of the partnership between them and the school. With a wide range of second level programmes (LCA, LCVP and Transition Year) coupled with an extensive PLC Adult provision the school engages in almost 220 work experience placements each year.
The Principal, Damien Kennedy, in welcoming the business people acknowledged the strong partnership which is essential for the completion of each of the programmes and the generosity of the local business community in providing those places.He welcomed the Keynote Speaker for the evening, Ms. Rose Mary O Reilly and her colleague Pete Kennedy from First Data. Nenagh’s newest employers, who will be in partnership with Nenagh College for the provision of training for prospective employees with their company.
Lucinda Dillon, Coordinator of PLC at Nenagh College noted the increase in demand for places on PLC courses in Nenagh College, arising from the announced arrival of First Data, and the increase in enrolment at post primary level over the last number of years. Nenagh College now caters for over 500 learners each year. Lucinda introduced one of the current PLC students James Clifford. James outlined how he had benefited from having availed of work experience during Transition Year, LCVP and PLC and how he had honed the skills learned in the classroom through interaction with the wider community.
Deputy Alan Kelly, who was the driving force behind bringing First Data to Nenagh, congratulated the College on instigating the opportunity of a lifetime by forging links with First Data. He said that the school had shown great initiative and that such foresight was very impressive and that this will see the growth of PLC courses in Nenagh College. He thanked and congratulated Nenagh College and said it was admirable to see the College going from strength to strength. He said this partnership with First Data is a credit to the staff and BOM of Nenagh College.
Denis Finnerty, in his dual capacity as local business man and Chairperson of the Board of Management of Nenagh College spoke of the value of work experience programmes to the business community. He reflected on the fact that over half his employees have come to him through such initiatives. He said there is a vibrant, young staff in the school and that new relationships are being forged with First Data and with the Chamber of Commerce. This shows flexibility and agility and has been noted and appreciated by the wider community. First Data are a major employer and he wished them every success. He pointed out that it is very important to meet the needs of companies – and that it is great to see courses being set to meet the needs of business.
Ms. Eileen Condon, outlined her remit as Director of Further Education and Training with TETB which supports those coming back into education as adults. She said that there are over 10,000 people in the county availing of further education through Tipperary ETB. Full time and part time courses from Level 1 to Level 6 on the Qualifications Framework are being offered. She said that course provision has been implemented based on what employers are looking for and there has been a willingness to change by the course providers, and there has not been a clash or duplication of courses.
Our keynote speaker and VP for HR with First Data was Rose Mary O Reilly, she thanked the Principal and all the staff for inviting First Data to Nenagh College, she saw it as a wonderful opportunity to meet other business people in the area. She said a very big thank you to Deputy Alan Kelly and all the people of Tipperary for their welcome and support. She introduced her colleague, Pete Kennedy, who will be heading up the early stages of the project in Nenagh. She said that First Data is a No. 1 Global Service Company processing online transactions.
 First Data in numbers: