Presentation Brothers College School Library Report – January-February 2023

The start of the year saw the library in full swing, preparing for World Book Day as well as starting a Writing Club for students with an interest in writing. The library also opened new channels on Microsoft Teams for both the Book Club and Writing Club, with the  aim of sharing book reviews, pieces of creative writing, and letting students know about writing competitions or literary events that might interest them.

Book Club

After the Book Club read and discussed George Orwell’s Animal Farm , all members voted on what to read next. Howl’sMoving Castle  by Diana Wynne Jones, a classic fantasy novel, was the unanimous winner. Many students were familiar with Studio  Ghibli’s film adaptation, and some were completely unaware that the film was adapted from a book in the first place. As a result, many students were eager to revisit their childhoods and to explore  a familiar fantasy world – and others were just looking to lighten the mood after Animal Farm.

Writing Club

In early February, the library’s Writing Club was founded, as several students had expressed interest in the idea of a group si milar to the established Book Club, but with the aim of sharing their creative writing  with fellow students .

Meeting every Thursday in the library, writing club members discuss their writing over lunch, complete small writing challenges and  share their opinions on their favourite writers  and books.  Their writing ranges from poetry and essays to fantasy fictionand screenplays. Members share their work and gave hel pful feedback, and can read about writing competitions, workshops and challenges through the clubs official Teams channel.

Just as the library’s Book Club gives students an opportunity to discuss their favourite books in a more r elaxed and casual setting, the Writing Club’s aim is to let students have a bit more creative freedom in their writing . In this way, we can encourage a natural enthusiasm for writing,  while still retaining a structured, familiar environment and making use of the library’s resources. For the month of February, the focus was on  simply introducing members through asking them to share their favourite pieces of writing, and to discuss what they like about their favourite authors. 

Microsoft Teams

With study, exams and transition year placements occupying a lot of the time that students would otherwise be able to spend in the library, both Book Club and Writing C lub have set up Teams channels to access digital content and chat with members. 

For the Book Club channel, members will be able to suggest new titles to read, and to share more of their thoughts on the chosen book of the month . The channel will also host news about literary events in the school and in Cork, and students will be able to write short reviews on new books to share with other members. 

The Writing Club channel, meanwhile, will focus on allowing students to upload their writing and receive casual feedback, but will also keep members updated on local writing competitions and workshops for young people, and will share interviews and writing advice from famous authors.

World Book Day

World Book Day falls on 2nd March this year, and the library is preparing a week of literary events to celebrate. The main event with be on World Book Day itself, with novelist, poet, and William Trevor Laureate Tina Pisco holding a talk in the school aimed at junior students, featuring a reading from her recently published short story collection, a discussion of her path to becoming a published author, and a Q&A session at the end for curious students.

For students who won’t be able to make it to the talk, the library is also planning to hold a book-themed quiz, and there will also be opportunities for students to play Scrabble and other word games.

Sophie McKenzie, PBC Librarian.

TY Biology and Agricultural Science students had a  wonderful tour at UCC today. A talk by Maria McNamara, Professor of Palaeontology,  and Frank Buckley,  Professor of Agricultural Science, at the School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences at UCC was followed by a tour of the facilities (including labs and glasshouse).  We then went on a walking tour of UCC's internationally accredited arboretum.  A huge thanks to Dr. Barbara Doyle Prestwich and the team who hosted our trip and gave us a very interesting insight into the importance of plants in our lives.

Well done to the 5th Year students who passed the French DELF A1 examination organised in PBC by Ms McGonnell. They received their parchment from the French Ministry of Education this week.

This year, 4th Year students of French will be sitting the DELF examination on 25th April.

It was a productive day in Pfizer's Ringaskiddy for 5th Year Chemistry students today as they had the opportunity to get an insight into the pharmaceutical industry, from the laboratories all the way to the processing line aswell as explore the various career pathways available in STEM.

Pfizer is one of Ireland's leading employers and the largest pharmaceutical sector investor and employer. Pfizer has over approximately 5,000 colleague across 5 locations based in Cork, Dublin, and Kildare. Total capital investment by the company in Ireland exceeds $9 billion. Pfizer's business interests in Ireland are diverse which include manufacturing, shared services, R&D, treasury and commercial operations. 

Ireland is a leading manufacturing base for Pfizer globally, exporting to global markets. There is a manufacturing presence in Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Solid Dose Pharmaceuticals, Sterile Injectables, Vaccines and Biopharmaceuticals. Many of Pfizer's leading and newest medicines are manufactured for global export from Irish sites.