Newsletter, February 2010

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J.U.S.T. videos (YouTube)

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Cultural Activities

February/March/April 2010

check out forthcoming productions at:

1. Gate Theatre
2. Abbey Theatre
3. National Concert Hall
4. The Helix
5. Axis
6. National Gallery of Ireland

If you are interested in any of these cultural events please contact a member of the Student Support Team (Frank, Maeve, Teresa) at 862 2695

If enough people are interested, we can arrange block bookings (with discounts).

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All Hallows College (DCU), Drumcondra

Adult Learning B.A.

for Personal and Professional Development

• A new, part-time, flexible, modular BA that the student designs according to their own interests and goals.
• Open to all adult learners (+23 years).
• Credits given for existing skills, knowledge or experience, quickening route to degree.
• Based in convenient central location with ample free parking and comfortable facilities for adults.
• Enhances job or promotional opportunities.
• Based on an internationally recognised model of Adult Education.
• Very competitively priced with fees at €1,500 per annum.

Information Evenings are due to be held on Thursday 25^th February 2010

and on Thursday 25^th March 2010, both 7.30pm to 9pm in

the Coffee Dock, All Hallows College

If interested, contact JUST at: 862 2695

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Students Reflect …

Answers and questions (Anita Cooney)

Broken bones, that are blinded by I love you
smile trough tears, another slap to laugh through
keep your head down, don’t look too long
once more answer who is strong?

Walk trough the crowd with head firmly down
slowly I die, in my own tears I drown,
this is just a chorus of a film, a song
once more answer who is strong?

A door, a wall, a press or even a car,
surprising how many excuses there are
I knew the question, but once more the answer is wrong
once more I say, its you that is strong…

MY WORLD (Mandie Carter)

Stuck in an emotion
without devotion

Its an ocean of evolution
running wild with
catalytic solution

Definition lost in translation
Finally hoping with fervent
prayer transfusion

Emulation of consternation
within these walls of self
preservation

Waiting (Mandie Carter)

To be released from institution
that demands false constitutions

Verify my lost condition
With dead certification

Raise me from the dead
in paralization
So that I can continue
this legend of transformation

Even though I want quiet
life expectations
With occasional and brief
happy vacations

Always too much argumentation
to leave me in solitude

Eyes seem dim with too much dilation
Feeling less of life and loves exhilaration

Too much reality becomes my
homes nightmarish invasion
And to find the truth requests too
much political evasion

So I shall ponder philosophy of
humanity’s damnation
Think of my life’s meaning
with great consideration

Find my own hopes and new
resolutions
Escaping in finality of
these darkened faithless
situations

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Newsletter, December 2009

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DECEMBER EVENT FOR STUDENTS

Date:   10^th December 2009, 7.30 – 9.30 p.m.

Place:  AXIS, Main Street  Ballymun

Theme:          A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR STUDENTS

JUST let students speak for themselves

Content:    Three postgraduate students share what study has done for them

Group sharing on two questions:

1. What is education doing for you?

2. What are your hopes and dreams for the future?

The evening will end with mulled wine and mince pies

(to which students’ partners are invited).

Update:

Some images from the December 10 get-together

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J.U.S.T. Get-Together

by Sabrina Ginesi

Ballymun hasn’t had it easy. Stigmatised nationally, and with poor social conditions, it is no wonder hope was rare. In recent years, the people of Ballymun have had the privilege to be part of a developing new town with many new possibilities and lots of growing organisations designed to provide services and opportunities to anyone who chooses to take them, both vocationally and educationally as well as many other support groups facilitating areas in life, where people meet difficulty.

I had the fortunate experience myself of having the help and assistance from one of them, JUST. I decided to chase a career and study what I always wanted to do, counselling and psychotherapy and can thankfully say I have had great help along the way from JUST.

Since I started with JUST I am happy to report that the student numbers and interest in the programme are growing each year. Figures show members have increased from 20 to over 100 in the four years JUST has been running. To mark this progress and encourage more students to join, the JUST team organised an evening of light beverages and snacks on 17^th September 09, with inputs from the director, Fr. Kevin O’Higgins and a former student, Brian Kenny.

Almost 50 students, old and new turned up as well as the whole JUST team to mix and exchange college experience. Fr. Kevin O’Higgins gave a welcoming speech which provided students with information and encouragement about starting third level education. Aiming at newer students, Fr. Kevin provided excellent advice on student rights which often go unsaid in big colleges or institutes. I found this refreshing myself as a third year student and was able to apply some of the tips to my situation in college, which made it that bit easier for me.

Former JUST member Brian Kenny, who also contributes to JUST from a professional level now was there to share his experience with JUST when he was a student, lost in the academic chaos which too often scares students into making the choice to further their education. Providing his personal struggles with college, Brian was a true display of the success which can be achieved once a student applies themselves to college and reaches out for the help they require along the way. Brian was very grateful for the personal help he gained from JUST and was very encouraging to students walking in his shoes at present.

Brian Kenny, with his daughter Sandra (also a graduate)

Following the speeches students were invited to sit at various tables, set up so students with more experience could talk to students about to start college and bring various experiences together so everyone could learn and encourage each other along, while the JUST team joined in to show their support.

I was delighted to accept an invitation from the team and share my personal experience I am having with JUST. Speaking to new students and students thinking about college, I was able to give back to the community what JUST had given me, encouragement. I was able to report that JUST was not only about academic help but social support also, as this night was just one of the events organised for students to break the monotony of studies and develop mutual moral encouragement.

Throughout the academic year, JUST invite students along to events organised by the team to encourage socializing amidst the pressure of college. This I find to be a great opportunity to break away from the routines and timetables in order to have some fun. The importance of taking time out for relaxation was emphasised with students during the get-together.

The evening went very well indeed, and marks another successful year for the JUST team, allowing them to see what they have developed through their hard work and dedication to the people of Ballymun. I look forward to completing my studies with their help, and hope to contribute as much to their organisation and the people of Ballymun as they did to my college experience.

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CULTURAL EVENTS

November 2009 – January 2010

Gaiety Theatre, South King Street, Dublin 2

OPERA   -  MACBETH

November 14, 16^, 18, 22, 8.00 p.m.    …   Tickets €20…. €10 for JUST STUDENTS

Gate Theatre, 1 Cavendish Row, Dublin 1

BIRDS

By Conor McPherson

November 5^th –21^st and 27^th – 30^th, 8.00 p.m.  …  Tickets €27….€15 for JUST STUDENTS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Charles Dickens….Adapted by John Mortimer

November 26^th – January 23^rd, 8.00 p.m.  …   Tickets €20  …  €10 for JUST STUDENTS

The Helix , DCU, Collins Avenue, Dublin 9

SWAN LAKE    …  BALLET (Tchaikovsky)

November 26^th, 27^th, 7.30 p.m. …   Tickets €29  …  €15  for JUST STUDENTS

MESSIAH (Handel)

December 5^th, 8.00 p.m.  … Tickets €15  …   €7 for JUST STUDENTS

Axis Gallery, Main street, Ballymun

NEW HORIZONS      …        Art Exhibition

2^nd December – 16^th January   …   Admission Free

If you are interested in any of these cultural events please contact a member of the Student Support Team (Frank, Maeve, Teresa) at 862 2695