Galway Advertiser 2005/2005_08_25/GA_2508_E1_010.pdf 

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10 N E W S

Galway Advertiser

August 25 2005

One in four Leaving Cert students has a part-time job
Guided Suck Valley walk this weekend
BY UNA SINNOTT A guided nature walk will take place along the Suck Valley way-marked walking route this weekend. Elaine O'Riordan, an ecologist and guide from the Suck Valley, will lead the walk to explore some of the wildlife of the area. Walkers can learn more about trees and flowers, and keep an eye out for birds and other animals along the route. Using nets and pooters, a minibeast safari will take place to investigate the creepycrawlies of the woods near Ballygar. The walk, which will take place on Sunday, is open to everyone. Walkers should congregate at Ballygar Community Centre at 3pm. A free bus is available from the angling centre in Athleague at 2.30pm. The route for the walk will follow the Suck Valley way-marked walk between Ballygar and Athleague, a distance of approximately 10 kilometres through fields, woods, bogs, and roads. Walkers may come along all or part of the way as the bus will follow the route to collect those who would prefer a shorter walk. The bus will also drop walkers back to Ballygar after the walk. The angling centre will be open for refreshments on the day. Participants should remember to bring sturdy waterproof footwear, drinking water, and sun screen if necessary. The walk is sponsored by the People and Nature project and the Suck Valley Development Co-op. BY MARY O'CONNOR One in four male Leaving Certificate students in Galway has a part-time job, the highest rate for sixth year boys in Ireland. The statistic is described as worrying by Student Enrichment Services, the company which carried out the nationwide study and which teaches study skills courses in more than 300 schools throughout the country. Tommy Casserly, its local spokesperson says it is "frightening" to see the amount of time students allocate to part-time jobs while attempting to do well in their exams. "Part-time jobs appear to be increasing in popularity. Our results nationwide show that 20 per cent of Leaving Cert boys had a part-time job and 24 per cent of Leaving Cert girls. Eight hours was the average number of hours worked per week although a few students were working over 20 hours per week. Slightly over 35 per cent of fifth years had a part-time job. Part-time jobs were most popular with Dublin girls and Galway boys." Local Leaving Cert boys were on par with students in Dublin and Limerick when it came to study, spending six hours per week poring over their books. Cork boys were the most deligent setting aside eight hours for study. Leaving Cert girls in Galway studied for eight hours per week, sharing joint second with Dublin. Cork and Limerick girls held the study record with nine hours. The survey revealed that 64 per cent of local Leaving Cert girls get grinds compared to 69 per cent of Cork and 68 per cent of Dublin girls respectively. Some 60 per cent of Galway Leaving Cert boys avail of this extra tuition, putting them at second place, after Dublin and Cork students who hold joint first place. Some 48 per cent of Junior Cert boys in Galway get grinds compared to 55 per cent in Cork and 54 per cent in Dublin. A total of 52 per cent of local Junior Cert girls avail of grinds. Local Leaving Cert boys spend five hours playing computer games and surfing the net each week - the lowest for their group in the country. Dublin, Limerick and Cork students top this poll. Sixth year boys here spend twice as much time per week as girls on organised sports. Boys spend six hours, the second highest in the country. Regarding reforming the State examination system, 92 per cent of the 1,000 students surveyed believed that a continuous assessment system would be more equitable than the present external exam system. More than 70 per cent of students rated the majority of their teachers as excellent. They were also asked to describe the characteristics they would attribute to a good teacher. In addition to an ability to impart subject knowledge effectively, they cited fairness, being a good motivator and being humorous, caring and dedicated as top attributes. Commenting on the survey, Tommy Casserly of SES says it is "astonishing" how full second level students' lives are. "It is hard to believe that they can find any time at all to set fashion trends and maintain a decent social life. However, despite the growing pressure that is on the student of today, it is satisfying to see that 85 per cent of those surveyed appear to be happy at school." Student Enrichment Services is holding a study skills seminar at NUI Galway for all year levels on Sept 10 and 11. For further details telephone (01) 4947175. Additional information on the second-level survey is available on the SES
website www.studentenrichment.ie

Sports and parish day barbecue
St Thomas's GAA sports day will take place on Sunday September 4 in the local GAA pitch. This year the newly formed parish team of Peterswell, Kilchreest, and Castledaly have set a task to come on board with St Thomas's GAA and sports committee to bring about a parish fun day. The event commences at 1pm with Mass in the field followed by the various categories of races which are closed to the parish. Other novelty events will include tug of war, sheaf throwing, timber baggie, throwing the horseshoe, etc. A barbecue will be accompanied by entertainment from the local musical talents of Ronan Mulkern and friends and the Gavin School of Dancing. Although the races are closed to the parish, the fun day is open to all, and all are welcome.

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival 2005
2nd - 4th September
1
Friday 2nd September

2
Saturday 3rd September

3
Saturday 3rd September

4
Sunday 4th September

Festival Marquee, 9pm, with

Welcome to the Festival

Festival Marquee, 1pm, with The Garda Band, The Jive Aces, Pyramid
Ticket includes: Usual complimentary bar & Seafood Chowder, Oysters, Smoked Salmon, Seafood Platter, Wine, Dessert, Tea / Coffee

Oyster Gala Celebration

Festival Barbecue
Festival Marquee, 9.30pm, with

Sunday Jamboree
Festival Marquee, 12.30pm, with

All Star Jazz, The American Drifters
20.00

Calle Latina, The Glitter Bugs
Ticket includes: BBQ Steak, Salmon and Chicken

The Oyster Boys, Mickey Harte
Ticket includes: Seafood Chowder and Irish Coffee

40.00

15.00

95.00

In association with and
Clarinbridge Court Hotel

Ail Ruin Design Centre and Q Beauty
C o n t a c t D e t a i l s : C l a r e n b r i d g e O y s t e r Fe s t i v a l , Ti c ke t O f f i c e , S t r a d b a l l y, C l a r e n b r i d g e . P h o n e ( 0 9 1 ) 7 9 6 7 6 6 . Web: www.clarenbridge.com