Work experience that includes an overnight stay in the Everglades!

Everglades Hotel porter Finian McKinney serves cocktails to St Cecilias College students Ann McGonagle and Emma Jane McLaughlin on their arrival at the hotel on a work experience visit that included an overnight stay on Thursday last. DER0816GS036

The pupils were there at the invitation of hotel manager Neil Devlin.

Niamh Desmond, Home Economics teacher explained that St. Cecilia’s College has a great relationship with the local hotel.

“We have been here for industry visits,” she explained. “And the staff from the Everglades have come into the school, even the gardener came in to educate us about local produce and how to grow our own.

St Cecilias College teachers Mrs Anna Scullion (seated left) and Mrs Niamh Desmond (seated right) with students from years 10, 11 and 12 on a work experience visit to the Everglades Hotel that included an overnight stay on Thursday last. Included in the picture are Neil Devlin hotel General Manager and Colman ODriscoll hotel Head Chef. DER0816GS038

“Hotel manager, Neil Devlin and head chef Colman O’Driscoll, have also been speaking to the girls.

“A busy schedule had beenplanned for us and we’re delighted to be a part of it.”

Last Thursday night’s event began when hotel staff welcomed the girls with a ‘mocktail.’ The pupils and teachers were then given a tour of the hotel, before they were given free time to relax and change before their three course meal in the hotel restaurant. The girls were then treated to a movie night before retiring to their rooms.

And they ended their stay with a full Irish breakfast on Friday morning.

St Cecilias College students Caitlin Toland (on the left) and Shona McLaughlin relax in their suite during a work experience visit to the Everglades Hotel that included an overnight stay on Thursday last. DER0816GS039

One of the girls who got to stay at the Everglades was junior headgirl Anna McGonagle.

“I’ve never stayed in the Everglades,” she said.

“We all got chosen after we did our Christmas exams and the girls who got the highest marks were selected to go.

“We had been placed into pairs in the rooms and we really enjoyed the experience.”

St Cecilias College students Sarah Archer and Chloe Ball check in on their arrival at the Everglades Hotel with Leanne Moore at the hotels reception. The students were among a group from the school on a work experience visit that included an overnight stay on Thursday last. DER0816GS037

Since January local pupils have ben involved in helping to prepare breakfast themed dishes for Open Day; been involved in the Dairy Council competition for year 9 and 11 pupils, learning about local and dairy produce and running their own restaurant in the school.