< Previous© October 2018 The Meath Coaster40Coláiste na hInseIrish runners. Congratulations to Aaron on an excellent achievement.Darragh Collins Secures Top Spot in Triathlon National Series2018 has been a great year for a new ris-ing star in Irish Triathlons. Coláiste na hInse Leaving Cert student Darragh Col-lins (16) has been doing triathlons for only one year and he has already secured the top spot in the National Series for Under 20’s in this challenging sport. The event itself includes a gruelling 750m open wa-ter swim, 20km cycle and 5km run, com-pleted in just over an hour.Darragh had a tricky start to the year, as he was nursing a fractured fibula until March. But once he was given the ‘thumbs up’ it was all systems go with training. He trains 25 hours a week, getting up at 5:45am to squeeze in a swim before school. Then each evening he also fits in a cycle and a run. Over a typical week, he swims for 11 hours, cycles for 6 ½ hours, runs for 5 ½ hours and spends 2 hours in the gym. Add showers, muscle care and eating (all that Celebrating Leaving Certificate ExamsThere have been plenty of celebrations in Coláiste na hInse as some dáltaí achieved outstanding results in both Jun-ior Cycle and Leaving Certificate exams. Results were once again above national averages, with a notable increase in stu-dents achieving over 500 points. Dáltaí Celebrate Junior Cert ResultsCelebrating excellent Leaving Certificate ResultsJunior Certificate dáltaí repeated the trend of excellent results, and as always we cel-ebrated their results as a clann with the dáltaí and their caomhnóirí travelling to Tayto Park to mark the day.Aaron Smith Represents Ireland at GlendaloughIdirbliain dálta Aaron Smith represented Ireland in cross country. On a challenging course in Glendalough, Aaron adapted to the conditions and finished third for the Celebrating excellent Leaving Certificate Results© October 2018 The Meath Coaster41activity needs a lot of fuel!) and you’d be excused for wondering how he fits anything else into life! Now the triathlon season is finished for the year however, Darragh will be focusing on his Leaving Certificate, as he has his eye on starting a Degree in the University of Limerick next year.For the 2019 triathlon season, Darragh will be competing at the Super Series lev-Aaron Smith Representing Ireland in GlendaloughDarragh Collins Running at Dublin Triathlon 2018© October 2018 The Meath Coaster42el, among the best handful of triathletes nationwide. Beyond that, this ambitious young athlete has Olympic dreams with the tenacity and talent to achieve them.Activities Club For First Year Girls Proving a Huge SuccessA recent Ladies GAA and Lidl Ireland study found that 50% of our 14 year old girls give up sports, most during their first year at secondary school. To combat that the Coláiste has launched an activities club for first year girls after school every Friday. Attendance up as far as midterm is mandatory and so far the students have tackled games, multi sports and two weeks of dance with former dalta Amy Brennan. We hope that we can 'buck the trend' and keep our daltaí fully involved in sport as lifelong participants. Thank you to the teachers who have given up their free time to support this wonderful initiative! Dáltaí Attend STEM event in Drogheda Grammar School20 first year girls attended a STEM event in the Grammar School. The event was aimed at promoting girls interest in science, tech-nology, engineering and maths careers.Sixth Year Dáltaí Attend Higher Op-tions at the RDSOn 13th September our 6ú bhliain daltaí at-tended Higher Options in the RDS. The Irish Times Higher Options is one of Ire-land’s biggest student events with over 170 colleges, universities and institutes of further education represented as well as their new apprenticeship hub. Our dal-taí had the opportunity to meet and speak directly with representatives from all the main Irish universities and colleges, as well as many from the UK, Europe and further afield. It was a fantastic start to 6ú bhliain and our career research is now in full swing!© October 2018 The Meath Coaster43Gradam Committee Rewarded with Trip to Dublin ZooIníon O’Donnell and Iníon Reilly took last year’s Student Dearfachas Team to Dublin Zoo. The trip was a reward for all the team’s incredible hard work through-out the year. It was a very enjoyable day and all the students had a wonderful time. Roll on Gradam 2019. #Dearfachas #Bród © October 2018 The Meath Coaster44Drumgoole Financial Services is regulated by The Central Bank of Irelandoran@drumgoolebrokerage.iewww.drumgoolebrokerage.iePension Update: AMRF and Potential Retirement OptionsWhen you retire you are usually giv-en several options for your pension savings. In most cases it involves a tax free lump sum and an option with the re-maining balance. This is normally an op-tion to buy a Pension/Annuity for life or alternatively to reinvest the balance into another pension vehicle called an ARF (Approved Retirement Fund) or an AMRF (Approved Minimum Retirement Fund). A new revenue update carried out in re-cent months may be very beneficial for anybody who has or will have an AMRF after drawing down their pension ben-efits. Previously pensioners who held an AMRF could not access their funds before they were 75 or unless they had a guar-anteed pension/annuity of €12,700 a year. This created problems for those who were on the full State pension but with no other income as the maximum they receive is €12,651 (€243.50 per week).As a result of this update, Revenue will now accept the Christmas Bonus pay-ments to those receiving payments from the Department of Social Protect ion. This means that some people who were origi-nally below the €12,700 annual income threshold are now eligible to deduct more income from their AMRF policy.AMRF holders currently on the maxi-mum rate of State pension should be able to access their funds in full in December this year after they receive the Christmas bonus on their State pension. Some peo-ple may not pay income tax over age 65 if their total income is less than €36,000 (married couple) or €18,000 (single per-son). A person/couple could use this as a strategic way to drawdown these pension benefits in a tax efficient manner.Over a period of years, a retiree may be able to completely withdraw their current AMRF tax-free. They could withdraw it faster but might pay some tax on the with-drawals. I would always suggest that the most prudent way of doing this is with the help of a qualified accountant who can help calculate the most tax efficient way for your personal circumstances.If you feel you may meet the €12,700 in-come criteria at this time, you can look to attain official documentation to confirm this. Some people do this by contacting the social welfare services office on 1890 500 000 and request a “Statement of So-cial Welfare Payments”. What is a Guaranteed Pension/Annuity?This is effectively a guaranteed Income for life and is taxable as income. The state pension, public service pension and private pensions are the main methods of building up such an income.Have questions or would like to chat about this topic? Contact Oran on 087 668 6624 or visit www.drumgoolebrokerage.ie for more information. §Mammy Day CareCrèche, Montessori & AfterschoolFull and part-time careECCE Free pre-school yearsAffordable childcare schemeAfter-school careLarge outdoor play area3 months to 12 years of age catered forStamullen, Co. MeathE: info@mammydaycare.com T: 01 690 5333/086 8286927We wish all our past Montessori children the best of luck in Big SchoolClasses Available InPiano, Keyboard, Ukuele, Guitar - Classical, Acoustic, Bass And Electric, Violin - Traditional / Classical, Viola, Tin Whistle, Piano Accordion, Drums, Singing - Voice Coaching - Classical And Musical TheatreJunior And Leaving Cert Music.Private one to one classes also availableTel Olive On 087 2603079 For DetailsEstablished Since 1990.Lessons Based In Drogheda Grammar School, Mornington Road, Drogheda. Toccata House Music School, Drogheda.Re-opening Aug 27th Bettystown AlterationsWedding Alterations and Evening WearPremises located behind the offices in McDonough Caravan Park on Triton Road (Opposite Tesco) Phone: 086 775 3 776Tues - Sat 10am - 5pm Lunch 1:30pm - 2:30pm Close Tue 2pmClothing Alterations•Wedding/Evening Wear • Leather/Suede Repairs •CurtainsSame Day ServiceAnam Cara TherapyHere for you.www.anamcaratherapy.comMary “Em” RyanCounsellor/PsychotherapistSound Healeranamcaratherapy@pm.me083.859.955127 Bettystown Park, Triton Road Bettystown, Co. MeathH.E.L.L.OGRINDS, ENGLISH, GRINDS Leaving/Junior Cert/ PrimaryReading Difficulties. All Levels(Dyslexia, Anxiety. Fear)NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS OF ENGLISH.Laytown. Tel. 0838448209Tusla inspected (part time place)Rural SettingGormanstonOpening Times:9am ·12pmWe offer ECCE From 2 Years and 8 monthsOur Montessori staff are qualified, dedicated to providing kind, warm, tentative and a satisfying learning experience to each child 086 2162872 lamhabeagaanmhi@gmail.com@eastmeathfrenchclub Julianstown Parish Rooms (St Mary's) Les samedis de 13h à 15h Pour les enfants de 5 à 12 ans CONTACTS: Céline: 083-3988014 Anne: 087-1207703 Justine: 087-7948043 eastmeathfrenchclub@outlook.com 041 98 444 98 041 98 111 98086 838 4444www.eastcoastcabs.comEAST COAST CABS(FORMERLY SULLIVAN CABS)EAST COAST CABS SERVICING MEATH COAST & DROGHEDA REGIONS CABS - 4, 6 & 8 SEATERSMINIBUSES AND COACHES - 16, 24, 36 & 54 SEATERS AVAILABLE© October 2018 The Meath Coaster46parents, teachers and patron bodies are be-ing asked to contribute. The findings will feed into the design and format of a changed Leaving Certificate with a 21st century ap-proach to learning and assessment.170 Transition Year students and headed off to Kippure for their annual three day outdoor pursuits trip last week. This is a great opportunity for the students to bond Loreto Balbriggan Students of Loreto Balbriggan had a very busy September with ongoing activities in many fields. A group of our science students went to the 30th EU Young Scientist Competition hosted in Dublin in the RDS. The students examined research carried out by second level students from around Europe and USA as well enjoying the science shows. They networked with past pupils who had volunteered to help out at the event.5th year and 3rd year students took part in the NCCA Senior Cycle Review. Loreto Balbriggan is one of 41 schools chosen to take part in this long awaited and very im-portant review of this exam. All parties in-volved in the process, including students, EU Young Scientist Competition, attracting pupils and past pupils alike.Outdoor adventure pursuits in Kippure© October 2018 The Meath Coaster47as a year group and to engage in healthy and active lifestyle habits. The AGM of the Parents Association was held on Tuesday 18th. The guest speaker was Dr Harry Barry, who gave an inter-esting and very relevant presentation on “The Anxious Adolescent”.As ever, the students of Loreto Balbriggan did themselves and the school proud at exam results time. Three students aced the exam with a full range of As or their equivalent while a significant number of students got 8 A s or more. Many others achieved won-derful results. Well done to each and every student who reached her personal best. We are delighted to announce that there will be a careers fair on Wednesday 7th No-vember 7pm-9pm. All the major universi-ties, colleges and institutes will be present on the night. With that in mind we are looking for people to help promote various careers. If you feel that you are in a posi-tion to help, please contact careersfair@loretobalbriggan.ie. Furthermore if you are a past pupil and would like to promote your career could you contact us at pastpupils@loretobalbriggan.ie. In the email could you please put the year you left the school. Many thanks in advance for your help. §© October 2018 The Meath Coaster48Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt na MaraDonacarney Boys` School AssemblyThe theme of the Assembly was all about getting off the year to a great start. As the Irish proverb says "Tús maith leath na hoibre"- a good start is half the work. Getting back into routines means working on good habits too so we remind-ed the boys of five really important habits:• Being kind to others• Eating healthily• Exercising• Cleaning up after themselves• Getting into a good homework routineIndividual awards were given to boys in every class. Ms Rice and Ms Egan`s class-es both won the Line Awards for being the best at lining up in the yard this month. And a new award was presented for excel-lence at assembly. This award recognizes the excellence in being respectful, respon-sible and safe in entering, leaving and dur-ing assembly. Well done to Fifth Classes for being the first winners of that award! Get Set Go© October 2018 The Meath Coaster49Mrs Martins Junior InfantsMs Rices Junior InfantsNext >