Wednesday 10th March 1999 was a National No Smoking Day. All year 8 pupils attended a talk on the "effects of smoking on the body" presented by the local health visitor Siobhan McDaid.
After the talk, prizes were presented to year 8 pupils who had entered a competition for 'No Smoking Day'. The competition was jointly organised by Magherafelt Health Visitors and Mrs McCann.
The prizewinners were -

Declan McElhone 8P.
Emma McIvor 8F.
Orla McErlean 8I.

The above photograph shows the winners with Siobhan McDaid (Health Visitor) and a student nurse from the University of Ulster.

On 16th October 1998, class 8n and their two Home Economics teachers Mrs Mc Cann, /Miss O' Neill visited Coyle's in Moortown, Co. Tyrone. Coyle's Cottage stands on the Lough Shore in the townland of Annaghmore. It is maintained in great order and contains many of the artifacts of a bygone age which we should not forget. The pupils learned a lot about how their ancestors lived and will remember their visit with much interest and affection. On their return to school, many of the pupils wrote about their visit and even composed some poetry. This visit coincided with National Poetry Week, and we thought that this was an appropriate task. Here is a poem composed by John Rooney 8n.

Coyle's Cottage

Beside Lough Neagh
we went one day to
see Coyles Cottage
from by gone days.

The old thatched roof
and white-washed walls,
Four tiny windows, and it's
green half door.

Inside we went and there
to see a way of life that
used to be.

Old pots and pans
a creamery can.
A butter churn kept
spick and span.

A spinning wheel
we dare to touch.
A mangle once was used
so much.

The old worn boots
had had their day.

But just incase were'nt
thrown away.

And last not least
I have to say.
The big brown trunk,
No more will stray.

By John Rooney 8N (1998)

An Italian Dish by Frances Cassidy and Lee Ann McDonnell 11i 1998

Every year , entry-forms are sent to Saint Pius from the L.M.C. (Livestock and Meat Commission), asking our pupils to compete in a cooking competition. Every year at least 15 pupils from our school take part in hope for success. Last year 2 pupils successfully arrived home from the finals in the Wellington Park Hotel, Belfast on Tuesday 28th April 1998 each with £50 worth of Boots tokens, the teacher Miss O'neill who brought the girls to their success , won £100 worth of Marks and Spencer tokens and the school won £250.
While the girls competed in the competition such judges like Jenny Bristow were marking them. The girls were runners-up and their prizes were presented to them from the L.M.C. Manager and Lord Dubbs.
Both girls Frances Cassidy and Lee-Anne Mc Donell had a great day out with their Home-Economics teacher Miss O'Neill. Miss O'Neill hopes to be back in Belfast to lift the crystal trophy, so to all the incoming pupils lets get cooking.

The Girls Winning Recipe was:

Tuscan Beef With Olives
(Served with Baked Potatoes)
500gms fast frying steak-chump-cut into cubes
30mls of vegetable oil
1 large onion
1 large clove of garlic
1 tbsp seasoned flour
1 glass of red wine
2 tbsp of tomato puree
250mls stock
(1 tin of plum tomatoes , 1 tin of Cannellini / butter bread , pinch herbs or 2 packs of St. Michael Tuscan Beans)
1 pack of St. Michael green olives
Bunch of water cress to garnish
To Serve:
4 large baking potatoes
Knobs of low fat butter
Sprigs of parsely

Method:
1) Heat oil in multi-cooker. Preheat gas oven gas mark 7 for baked potatoes.
Place serving dishes in upper oven to warm.
2) Toss cubed meat in seasoned flour. Sayte beef quickly until coloured on both sides.
3) Remove beef , add chopped onion and garlic to pan-fry gently-return beef to pan.
4) Add tomato puree , can of tomatoes , wine , stock and pinch of Italian herbs.
Simmer gently(30-35 mins)-check / stir frequently.
5) Add green olives and heat thoroughly. 10 mins before serving add beans and heat thoroughly. 5 mins before serving - check for readiness and serve.
6) Serve on preheated serving dish and garnish.

Baked Potatoes:
1) As soon as beef is cooking place scrubbed potatoes in microwave for 15-20 mins until tender.
2) Crisp for remaining length of time in gas oven.
3) Serve with knobs of butter / sprigs of parsley.

I am David Sands. I live in Magherafelt, my dad is a cook and my mum works too. One Friday in Home Economics my teacher said would I be interested in a cooking competition, I said I would do it. I told my dad and he said we will try to win. About two months after I got word that we had won £500 for the Home Economics department. I was given a picture with the award. My dish was made with the man's sausages. It was with a sauce and potatoes. The department got new equipment for winning.