Minister Séan Sherlock visited St. Mary’s Secondary School on Friday last to honour Junior Cert Maths and Science high achievers. Impressively, St. Mary’s had no less than ten students who received the highest possible grade in maths and/or science. Also present to award the Mallow girls with certificates of achievement was Michelle Starr from the University of Limerick. Both Minister Sherlock and Ms Starr spoke to the girls about the importance of studying maths and science in the context of future career opportunities. Indeed, Minister Sherlock noted that it was no surprise to him that so many students from St. Mary’s were thriving in their study of maths and science as the school has had a strong reputation for success in these areas going back to his own time as a secondary school student in Mallow. St. Mary’s Acting-Principal Úna Griffin commented that all the girls are now continuing their study of maths and science as part of the school’s transition year programme.
Macroom Food Festival Schools Cook-Off
Sinéad Murphy and Davina Dorney from St. Mary’s Secondary School were crowned winners of the Macroom Food Festival Schools Cook-Off Final on Sunday, 29th September. The competition, which is open to all Cork schools, gave the girls the opportunity to create a dish of their choice using local produce. Having progressed from the semi-final on Saturday, the St. Mary’s pair were pitted against St Aloysius, Cork City, Pobailscoil an Trionoide, Youghal, and Regina Mundi, Douglas, for Sunday’s final. Despite tough competition, the Mallow girls swayed the judges with a Neven Maguire-inspired individually layered raspberry and white chocolate cheesecake with handcrafted jammie dodger biscuits. The desert was then decorated with spun sugar baskets and sugar curls. Sinéad and Davina had to create their dish under pressure of time and windy outdoor conditions. To their credit, they were unfazed, producing an almost perfect dessert.
The two girls were presented with an Apple iPad Mini each and a wooden carved trophy in the shape of a chef’s hat. Both Sinéad and Davina commented afterwards that it was a truly fantastic experience. They were also very grateful for the support they received from teachers and fellow students in the run up to the final. They were especially grateful to their Home Economics teachers, Ms Colette Carr and Ms Anne Marie Buckley. Also, a number of businesses in Cork and Mallow supported the girls with sponsorship and display items. Sincere thanks to O’Conaill’s Chocolate, Issey’s Chocolate, The Chocolate Shop, Glenilen Farm, Longueville House, Coole Swan, Nibbles and The Fruit Farm.