Fetac
Youthreach Naas has submitted a record number of modules for certification with Fetac. Cuan Prendergast (Fetac Co-ordinator) has reported that the number of modules put forward for certification this year is the highest yet. New subjects have been entered for certification from Youthreach Naas i.e. Workplace safety level 4, Catering level 4 and Ceramics level 3 and 4. Students will receive their full level 3 award and others have achieved their full level 4 award. Paul Hughes (Music instructor) delivered the level 5 sound engineering module to the students and reported great interest in the subject amongst them.
Photography was also a first this year for youthreach as a fetac module. A field trip included a day in Donadea earlier in the year to photograph nature. While Jonathan joined in the fun of the day on a makeshift swing.
Progression
Progression from Youthreach Naas has taken many different routes with some of the latest students opting for PLC. Other students are awaiting a place in college, while some others have been extremely fortunate in moving into full time employment. In this present economic climate, finding work is challenging for everyone as the number of unemployed persons on the live register rises weekly.
Volunteering
While this fact is acknowledged by staff, the students are encouraged to broaden their horizons and recognise how valuable a contribution they can make to society. The volunteering project run by Niamh Kelly (SEN co-ordinator) achieves this well and continues to be expanded and developed. The students have embraced these projects enthusiastically, and have shown great commitment to the projects.
Soccer league
The all-Ireland 5 a side indoor soccer league was held in Limerick this year and Jonathan McNab (co-ordinator) set off bright and early with the minibus humming with excitement and anticipation. Youthreach Naas were representing the eastern region. Unfortunately on the day, no medals were brought home but the coach said that the team played well.
Horticulture
With the beautiful fine weather of March and April, the horticulture program has begun to come into its own. Paul McCulla (horticulture instructor) has ensured every spare inch of soil is being utilized, with what was once a ditch, now converted into a tiered garden. This Tiered garden has a wild flower garden at one end and fruit shrubs and fruit trees at the other end. Dara Shortt (Catering resource person) is looking forward to the fruit and vegetables becoming ripe and ready for picking. Homemade jams, marmalades, chutneys and jellies are made throughout the year, according to what is in season. Students are taught and encouraged to make their own jams etc and bring a jar of it home with them. The fastest growing industry in Ireland at the moment is in small food production and Dara points out that there is a great opportunity for work in this area. To further encourage this, a trip is planned to a country market, to survey the industry and to generate business ideas amongst the students. Self employment is another very real possibility for the students.
Ceramics
Cian Mekitarian (Art instructor) has reported great success this year with the ceramic module. Students were brought to Newbridge to use the kiln, to fire their work. After the bisque firing, glazing and glaze firing processes the students’ finished pieces were proudly displayed for the assessment. These were some of the products produced by the students and included in the ceramics module.
Summertime is barbeque time!
As part of the catering level 4 Fetac module run by Dara, the students in youthreach Naas catered for the centre by cooking a barbeque on one of the sunnier days. Tomato and mozzarella salad for starters were followed by a meat feast, accompanied by a huge array of salads, and finished with a delightful strawberry and hazelnut meringue roulade.
