DIGITAL NEWSLETTER
Celebrating students’learning and achievement
25/26 Pg 2
● Applied Technology Pg 3
● Art Pg 4-6
● Business Pg 7
● Climate Action Pg 8
● Coding/ Computer Science Pg 9
● Creative Media Pg 10
● CSPE Pg 11
● Engineering Pg 12
● English Pg 13
● Gaeilge Pg 14
● Geography Pg 15
● History Pg 16-18
● Home Economics Pg 19
● Modern Foreign Languages Pg 20-21
● Music Pg 22-23
● Science Pg 24
● SPHE Pg 25
● Sustainability Pg 26
● T4 Pg 27
● Hub Pg 28-29
● Wellbeing Pg 30-31
● LETSS Awards Ceremony Pg 32-33
● Careers Fair Pg 34
● Sports Day Pg 35-36
● 6th Year Graduation Pg 37-38
● Clubs & Socs. Pg 39
● Extra Curricular/ Events Pg 40-51
As we reflect on another busy and rewarding period in our school year, I am delighted to share some of the many achievements, experiences and opportunities that have enriched life at Limerick Educate Together Secondary School. This edition highlights the incrediblecommitmentofourstudentsandstaffacrossawiderange of academic, sporting, cultural and community activities.Our school continues to thrive because of the enthusiasm, kindness and determination shown by our students every day. Whether representing the school in competitions, engaging in creative projects, supporting charitable initiatives, or simply striving to do theirbestintheclassroom,theyconsistentlydemonstratethevalues thatmakeourschoolcommunitysospecial.
Iwouldliketoextendmysincerethankstoourdedicatedstaff,whose hard work and passion create the supportive learning environment that our students enjoy. I also wish to thank parents/carers for your continued partnership and encouragement, which play such an importantroleinthesuccessandwellbeingofouryoungpeople.
Asyoureadthroughthisnewsletter,Ihopeyouenjoycelebratingthe manyaccomplishmentsandmemorablemomentscapturedwithinits pages. Together, these stories reflect a vibrant, inclusive and ambitiousschoolcommunitythatcontinuestogrowandflourish.
Warmregards,
EoinShinners Principal
25/26 WHAT A YEAR!
This school year saw many victories both big and small. Our first years embarked on the start of their secondary school journey. Our second years completed many CBA projects and some, even spoke in front of a group for the very first time. Our third years honed in their study skills and attended a live performance of their studied play ‘The Merchant of Venice’. OurTYs developed their social and interpersonal skills by attending many off-campus trips and work experience. Our fifth years got back to business and learned what the leaving certificate exams entailed and our sixth years found themselves towards the end of their secondary school journey,
Many events occurred along the way from a fantastic sold-out school musical, to victory once again, for the debate team. We saw our students attend two ski trips, a trip to La Reunion island and also a second year trip to Barcelona.All the while students were developing their skills and independence both inside and outside the classroom.Thank you to everyone who has supported our school community throughout the year and we look forward to discover what next year will bring!
Applied Technology
The 1st yearAppliedTechnology class recently completed a fun and engaging project by designing and creating their own steady hand games.Throughout the project, students developed important practical skills, including accurate measuring, shaping materials, and creating finger joints to assemble their designs.
They were also introduced to the basics of Electronics, learning how electrical circuits work by wiring buzzers and power supplies into their games.The project encouraged creativity and problem-solving, while giving students valuable hands-on experience in both woodworking and electronic systems.
Art Art Student Spotlight
Fiadh Browne is a 3rd yearArt student who contributed to this year’s school musical ‘The Wizard of Oz’in a huge way. While performing a role in this year’s show, Fiadh also designed and worked on the set backdrop. Fiadh’s creativity and vision came to life on stage which helped immerse the audience in the story. Well done.
Art
FirstYear Self Portraits
First yearArt students completed self portraits inspired by the artist Chuck Close.
TYGraduationArt Display
Art
5thYearArt Students enjoyed a day out at Dublin’s Irish Museum of ModernArt on 6th May 2026.
Students got to spend time in the museum, drawing and sketching some of the fantastic artwork that was on display.
Business
1stYear Business Studies class recently took part in the JuniorAchievement Ireland Program.The class worked closely with Michael and Martina from NorthernTrust who took the students through the JAI Finance Park.
The JAI Finance Park helps students build a foundation for making intelligent, life-long personal financial decisions, including issues related to income, spending, saving and credit. It is aligned with government guidelines on financial education as outlined in the National Financial Literacy Strategy 2025.
Avery enjoyable couple of weeks for 1stYear Business students!
Students took part in a real life simulation board game which allowed them to make financial decisions on whether it is a good idea to make purchases in cash or on credit and the implications of making these purchases and how it may affect their daily cash flow..
Climate Action
5thYear students travelled to the Ecovillage at Cloughjordan, Co.Tipperary to see what steps this innovative community is taking to
The tour also brought students to the ecovillage farm shop, where food that is grown can be purchased by all who live in Cloughjordan, as well as interviewing members of the community to gain an insight into what life is like for those who have chosen to live there.
Coding/Computer Science
Micro:bit Games
This week our Junior Cycle coding students were learning how to code games on the micro:bit.The micro:bit is a small computer than can be powered by battery.
You don’t even need to have micro:bit to try coding some games for it.There is an on screen virtual micro:bit (called an emulator).
The platform is free to use so why not give it a go - https://makecode.microbit.org/
Leaving Cert Computer Science Exam -All Done!
Did you know that Leaving Cert Computer Science students have already finished their leaving certificate exam?The LCCS exam took place on the 20th May across the country. Students completed a 1.5 hour theory paper, took a half hour break and took on a tricky 1 hour programming challenge.
As part of their studies the students learn techniques to solve logical problems. Here is one from this year’s paper. Have a go.The solution will appear in the next newsletter!
Creative Media (TY)
B!G Success @ B!GFest
The B!G Idea is an award-winning programme that empowers students to tackle real-world challenges like Climate Action, Mental Health, andAI for Humanity.
Through hands-on, project-based learning, students develop essential skills in creative thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving. Students work with mentors from industry and third level.
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Teams must produce a poster and video promoting their big idea.Three teams from LETSS were shortlisted for the finals and attended the event in Dublin. For each category, there are two highly commended teams and one overall winner.
Team C.R.A.D.D. won the ‘Mental Health’category, receiving €500 and a trophy.
TeamThe Plastics won the SSE ‘Climate Change’category, also receiving €500 and a trophy.
Team OJC Recovery Crew was highly commended in the ‘Achieving Equality’category and won a €50 voucher.
CSPE
As part of their Environment andAnimal Rights PBL, first year students ran a very successful bake sale and awareness campaign in Spring.They raised over €300 for LimerickAnimal Welfare! Well done to all involved and thank you for your generous donations!
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Engineering
The 5thYear Engineering students recently visited theTechnological University of the Shannon (TUS) campus to explore the exciting world of Engineering. During the visit, students had the opportunity to learn about the many different branches of Engineering through workshop visits, demonstrations, and talks from experienced lecturers.
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The trip provided students a chance to discover the wide range of pathways Engineering can offer for the future.
English
Bon Voyage Louis!
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First year classYeats had a fantastic year with their new class member Louis who joined us all the way from France. We had an incredible year in English class creating short films, film posters, reading novels and learning poetry. It is clear he will return to France with 25 new friends whom he will keep forever!
Tu vas nous manquer à tous!
Gaeilge
Sa Rang Ciara, Bhí na daltaí i 3ú bliain ag scríobh faoi Katfish (an gearrscéal saT.S) agus bhí siad ag dul siar a nótaí chomh maith. Bhí siad ag obair le chéile chun críoch eile a scríobh. Bhain siad taitneamh as an tasc seo.
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Bhí na daltaí ag cleachtadh na gceisteanna scrúdaithe dá dTeastas Sóisearach i mbliana. Bhí siad ag obair i ngrúpaí agus bhí spraoi acu ag an am céanna.
Geography
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Our 2ndYear Geography students investigated how cumulus clouds hold water during this engaging practical lesson.
Working in groups, students used cotton wool, water and pipettes to model how clouds store moisture and what happens when they become saturated.
History
Classes Meehan andYeats completed their 1st year History coursework by showcasing projects in a classroom-based learning carousel.All work demonstrated a deep understanding of topics ranging fromAncient Rome to the Renaissance.
The majority of students chose to show off their digital presentation skills, while other students opted for a more hands-on approach. Well done to all!!
History
History
Below is a wonderful selection of CBAprojects from class De Valera in second year. Students explored some really interesting topics under the heading The Past in My Place - including the history of the Markets Field, the Great Wall of China andThe Velvet Revolution, to name just a few!
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Home Economics
This term has been especially busy in the Home Economics department as students prepared for both the Junior Cycle Home Economics practicals and the Hotel, Catering &Tourism practical examinations.There was a fantastic atmosphere of teamwork, creativity, and hard work in the kitchens and textiles rooms throughout the term.
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Students showed great skill and dedication while planning, preparing, and presenting their work, and we are very proud of the effort and enthusiasm shown by everyone involved.
Here are some highlights from the practicals!
MFL
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Congratulations to Kristina Georgieva and VictoriaApina from class 2 McAleese on their outstanding success in the Italian Language National Competition.The competition was organised by the Association ofTeachers of Italian of Ireland, the Italian Embassy in Dublin, and the Italian Institute of Culture in Dublin. Both students attended the awards ceremony at the Italian Institute of Culture in April to celebrate their achievement and were presented with their awards by the ItalianAmbassador Nicola Faganello.
This marks the second consecutive year that LETSS students have won this prestigious competition, following the introduction of Italian to the school just two years ago. We are incredibly proud of Kristina and Victoria for their dedication and excellence!
MFL
Coming up to the Summer Exams, 1stYear Meehan practiced some retrieval strategies to review material from throughout the year. ¡Bien hecho!
Amassive congratulations to our Modern Foreign LanguagesAward Winners:
Senior Cycle: Nell O’Grady (Spanish) and RubyAmarteifio (French).
Junior Cycle:AntoniAndryszewski (Spanish), Sarah Corrigan (French) Adrian Jedinak (German) andAusten Hitze (Italian). Well done to all of you for your continuous hard work and commitment.
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Music
It’s been a very busy term for music here at LETSS. Here is a snippet from our performances ofThe Wizard of OZ,Awards Day, and ourTYand 6th year graduation ceremonies…
Some musical snippets!
Music
Science
Our 2ndYear students became ecologists for the day while exploring the world around them through practical ecology activities.
Our 5thYear Biology class carried out heart dissections to investigate the chambers, valves and blood vessels of the heart.
Positive Vibes
Some classes finished their SPHEYear by writing positive messages to their classmates on the outline of a hand. This is a lovely exercise that encourages empathy and sharing among students in a class group
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SPHE
Reflection
Reflection is an important part of SPHE, and we finished up our last term by reflecting on the year gone by and the things we learned about ourselves and others
Sustainability
Not only were we awarded our latest Green Schools flag, we were also delighted to accept the award for National School of theYear for Biodiversity.The hard work of 46 students and 12 teachers was rewarded by the judges who were blown away with the work carried out.
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Here are a few examples of the work completed over the past 2 years. Well done to all the green fingers involved!
Leaving Cert Construction
Another busy year wrapped up in T4. Our leaving and junior certificate projects are complete and it’s fantastic to see all the pieces of furniture and models in the woodwork room. Well done to all the students and staff for their hard work and hours put in!
Junior Cert Woodwork
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HUB
It’s not all fun and games, the gang at the hub were busy preparing for a whole-school bake sale celebrating neurodiversity week.
The Hub students were invited to an inclusive BLITZ in Mungret Community College where we met others, mixed, chatted and played with their teams. We enjoyed treats to eat and games on the bus too!
The Hub day out was a great hit, with a trip to a local restaurant and a group trip to the movies!
Agreat effort at teamwork was enjoyed at this years Hub Mini-Olympics!The teams enjoyed cornhole and an intense Bocce match where we needed a ruler to be sure of the winning team!
Wellbeing
Wellbeing Week: 1stYear Healthy Eating Initiative and Healthy treats in the staffroom!
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Wellbeing Week 2026 whole school token to remind us to put our wellbeing first!
Wellbeing
We were delighted to welcome Lucy Wolfe to our School onThursday the 14th of May.
Lucy Wolfe is one of Ireland’s leading sleep experts, an author, educator, and regular media contributor who specialises in healthy sleep habits and wellbeing for children, teenagers and families. She is well known for her regular television and radio appearances, including on RTÉ’s The Today Show, Ireland AM, national radio programmes and podcasts, where she shares expert advice on sleep, wellbeing and healthy routines.
Her visit was a wonderful opportunity for our school community as part of our 2026 LETSS wellbeing initiative, “LETSS Get Great Sleep”, which aimed to support positive sleep habits, student and staff wellbeing, focus, mental health and overall school wellness.
School Awards
OutstandingAchievement & CreativeArts
OutstandingAchievement - Grace Geary
Special Rec inAthletics - Marin Fruger (ABS)
JC School Spirit - Molly Canty
SC School Spirit - Dylan Kett
KindnessAward - Levi Gaughran
JC CreativeArts - Breesha Shinners
SC CreativeArts - DarraghTuite
-Adam Hall
Student of the Year Awards
1stYear -Adrian Jedinak
2ndYear - Rowan Gavin
3rdYear - Zara Khan
TY- Sean O’Gorman
5thYear -Alejandra Puente
6thYear-Nell O’Grady(ABS)
LCA- Darragh Mulqueen
JC Hub - Frank O’Regan
SC Hub - Jack Fitzgerald
Careers Fair
LETSS Careers Fair took place in our gymnasium on Friday the 15th of May. The event was held in order to give students optimum choice when choosing their future career/educational pathways. This year saw 30 exhibitors from various colleges and businesses from all over Ireland attend the event. As the ‘Change of Mind’ has now opened it is the perfect opportunity for 6th year students to rethink their choices and make informed decisions if they are unsure before they sit their Leaving Certificate in June. It also gave 5th,TY, 3rd and 2nd years a chance to start researching their future options (and gain some free merch)!
Sports Day 2026!
Sports Day 2026 was a huge success, with students proudly dressing in their house colours as they competed to earn points for their teams. After a fantastic day of competition and school spirit, the GreenTeam emerged victorious. Well done to all students who took part and contributed to such an enjoyable day.
Students participated in a wide range of activities including basketball, soccer, sprint races and obstacle courses, while others enjoyed time relaxing in the Zen Zone.The day concluded with tug of war, ice cream, and the always highly anticipated traditional Staff vsTYbasketball match.
Sports Day 2026!
After a very close and competitive match, the teachers emerged victorious against theTYstudents in the traditional Staff vsTYbasketball game. Maybe next yearTYs!
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6th Year Graduation
Congratulations to the Class of 2026 on their SixthYear Graduation.This is a fantastic achievement, and you should be proud of all your hard work, effort, and growth throughout your time in school. We wish you every success and happiness in your future endeavours, whether that is college, work, travel, or other exciting opportunities. Best of luck in the next chapter!
6th Year Graduation
Clubs & Socs.
We are very fortunate here in LETSS to have so many wonderful clubs and societies up and running, such as…..
Art
Songwriting
Badminton
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Soccer Tennis Camogie
Gaelic
Proud Together
Ladies
European
Video
Golf Multicultural
Active Schools
Debating
Green Schools Hurling
Creative Crafts
Extra Curricular/Events
All-Ireland Debate Champions!
We are officially ETSS Junior Debating Champions for two years in a row! We were victorious against Clogher Road Community College. Congratulations to the hard working team of Lilliana Casey Nehrig,Adrian Jedinak, Or Razin and Mia Reddan.These were assisted by senior members of the Debating Society and their coach Janette Madigan.Thank you to Gillian who provided all the beautiful food, Dave who provided the acoustics, Niamh who collected the medals, Dermot who laid out the library and all the LETSS community who supported us today and all through the competition!
Extra Curricular/Events
School Musical - The Wizard of Oz
Our fantastic school musical took place in-house for the first time this year! It was nothing short of a breathtaking performance!The show ran from 29th-1st of May including two matinees. Well done to our dedicated and talented students along with our hardworking staff and extended crew who worked tirelessly to bring the show to light and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who attended. Looking forward to next year’s show already…
Extra Curricular/Events
More stills captured from the amazing shows!
Extra Curricular/Events
2nd Year Barcelona Trip
Some of our 2ndYear students enjoyed an unforgettable trip to Barcelona inApril. During their stay, students took part in a walking tour of Barcelona, where they explored the city’s famous streets, landmarks and history including visiting La Sagrada Família.The group also enjoyed a tour of the RCDE Stadium, home of Espanyol FC and a day trip to the PortAventuraTheme Park. Students also visited the Cosmocaixa Museum, Circolo Romano andAmphitheater inTarragona.To finish the trip, students completed a scenic cycle from Cambrils to Salou, enjoying the coastal views.The trip was a fantastic experience for everyone involved!
Erasmus+
The Erasmus+ programme had an exciting year, with many opportunities for students to experience different cultures and build international friendships.This year saw the introduction of long-term mobilities, where we welcomed students from Pessac, France and Castellón, Spain to our school community. We also hosted students from Castellón and La Réunion as part of a short-term mobility programme, giving students the chance to share language, culture and school life together. One of the highlights of the year was our unforgettable trip to La Réunion, where students experienced the island’s unique culture and natural beauty.Activities included a hike through the Mafate region, snorkelling in the coral reefs of the Indian Ocean, and attending school with local students to experience daily life in La Réunion.The Erasmus+ programme in LETSS continues to provide students with incredible experiences, lasting memories and valuable opportunities for personal growth.
PBL Showcase
JJ Rhatigan/ LETSS PBLShowcase
Well done to all our 5th year students who took part in the the JJR/ LETSS PBLShowcase thisApril. It was a fantastic event and a culmination of 6 months of hard work from students and teachers alike.
Many thanks toAaron Eisberg from NeeTech Centre for Excellence Napa, who was working closely with the students and teachers. It was brilliant to have industry partners present for the showcase and to get their input and feedback regarding the project.
TY Trip to Ballyhass
TYstudents had an amazing few days in BallyhassAdventure Centre for their final trip before their graduation. Well done
Extra Curricular/Events
JuniorAchievementAward
6th year LCAstudents had the opportunity to participate in a new partnership at LETSS with NorthernTrust.
NorthernTrust's partnership with Junior Achievement Ireland (JAI) is a community outreach and corporate social responsibility initiative.Through this programme, Diane Real was our volunteer to mentor students, helping them develop crucial skills in finance, career success, and entrepreneurship.
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The collaboration is structured around several key initiatives to prepare young people for the future of work. We look forward to continuing this partnership for many years to come.
Extra Curricular/Events
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Wear Red Day
2nd year Class de Valera
As part of their SPHE CBA, class 2 de Valera organised a whole school awareness campaign in solidarity with the national campaign spearheaded by the Immigrant Council. On the 20th March schools and communities nationwide were invited to wear red to celebrate diversity and take a definitive stand against racism.
Well done to Jessica who coordinated the Wear Red Day events in school and demonstrated fantastic leadership skills throughout. Special thanks to Miko andAva who ensured that the raffle ticket sales were seamless with help fromAnika. Monies raised totaled €100. Activities included a student and staff raffle, posters which included information in different languages, information about the national campaign shared with staff and a student survey. Well done to all involved!
Extra Curricular/Events
LETSS Celebrate Our Culture DayThe Wellbeing Committee and Schools of Sanctuary collaborated on our wonderful celebration on Monday the 18th of May!
Extra Curricular/Events
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2026 marked the second year of our parent led PEDLworkshops in partnership with theTechnological University, Dublin.
The aim of the programme is to offer parents practical experience with the tools students use most, such as Google Classroom, and other school-specific applications.The rationale of the workshops is to enhance parental involvement, build digital skills within the school community, and strengthen positive connections between home and school.This years group was comprised of parents/carers of incoming 1st years. Special thanks to our parent facilitator Rachael and Conor, ITCoordinator for tech support.
