Nagle Rice Secondary School is always delighted to hear from its past pupils, and the latest in the series is Nollaig Hallihan who completed her Leaving Certificate in 1999.

Nollaig started first year in Nagle Rice in 1993 and writes "what a first year and introduction to secondary school, mixed classes, fun, a great variety of subjects to choose from and a fabulous beginning to six great years".

"Yes, even with my father being the school principal, this didn't put me off doing Transition Year and looking back now this year was great. I was a year older and more sensible when I finished school, but it also gave me an insight into real life through work experience and some of the life-lesson classes that we did, such as running a business".

One of the things Nollaig remembers most is the encouragement she received from all the teachers, including for progressing with her love of basketball.

"Many an evening after school was spent in the gym training and practicing which led to me being selected to represent Cork for two years at U15 level and one year at U18".

Nollaig's first choice of career was to follow in the footsteps of her father and become a teacher, with Home Economics in Sligo being the subject of her choice.

"Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in getting a place on this course, but I did get my second choice, Environmental Health in the Dublin Institute of Technology, the only place to study for this profession. Again this was quite apt, as with Hallihan's Bakery I had first-hand experience of this job, and Nagle Rice Secondary School also set me up well for this".

Nollaig says that Environmental Health was a hard course with long hours of lectures and labs and "the dreaded Technical Drawing but again Nagle Rice prepared me well for a future of hard work and study and challenging myself to do well away from home".

On graduating with an Honours Degree in Environmental Health, Nollaig was successful in getting a job immediately and began her career as a Health Inspector in Limerick before moving back to Cork city in 2004.

In 2005, she decided to broaden her horizons and moved to London to work for Westminster City Council, which is home to a number of famous landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square, to mention but a few.

Nollaig writes, "Environmental Health is London is very interesting and every day is different. I have been successful here and was promoted to manager in 2010 and now have responsibility for food safety in one of the largest cities in Europe".

Paying tribute to her former school, Nollaig says, "I have a lot to be thankful to Nagle Rice for, including a good grounding and common sense, but mostly the ability to work hard and strive for the best by challenging myself and others around me. The Nagle Rice experience and my education and time there have given me great prospects and opportunities for the future".

Nagle Rice are very proud of Nollaig's achievements to date and wish her all the best for the future. If you are a past-pupil of Nagle Rice, please drop us a line at info@nrss.ie and let us know how you are getting on!

SURF'S UP FOR NAGLE RICE TRANSITION YEARS

One of the highlights of the Transition Year Course in Nagle Rice Secondary School each year is the overnight trip to Co Clare. This trip is a great adventure for the students; rather than simply focusing on outdoor pursuits' activities, it blends a unique combination of History, Geography, Culture and Sporting Pursuits.

The TYs got to examine the Karst Landscape of the Burren during a Guided Walk, including the Poulnabrone Dolmen, as well as visit the world famous Cliffs of Moher. Much banter was had at the Michael Cusack GAA museum as the locals offered to teach the Cork students about hurling! One of the real highlights of the trip itself was surfing at Lahinch beach, a first for most of the students.

TRANSITION YEARS PART OF HISTORIC KNOCK YOUTH GATHERING

October 4th saw thousands of Transition Year students from all corners of Ireland descending on the National Marian Shrine at Knock for a special ‘Gathering’, organised by the Knock Youth Gathering Committee. 28 TYs from Nagle Rice started out at 7.30am to be part of this unique event. For many it was their first time ever in Knock.

The MC for the event was Youth 2000 national leader, James Mahon, and the students were also treated to great testimonies from Ger Hanley, Galway United and former Ireland goalie at underage level. Ger himself had a conversion at a retreat held in Knock when he was a teenager. Sr Anna of the Missionaries of Charity, a native of Poland but now based in Liverpool, spoke of her experiences, including meeting with Mother Teresa as a young novice.

The highlight of the day was Mass celebrated by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Browne, who spoke to the students about the importance of being 'Ambassadors for Christ'. Each student received a gift of a free YouCat (Catechism of the Catholic Church presented for young people) and a Rosary beads. Although it was a long day, the Nagle Rice students thoroughly enjoyed their pilgrimage!

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