St Mary’s · They reached the regional finals of Junk Kouture, won the overall award at the...

St Mary’sNEWSLETTER

Welcometothe2018SummerEditionofStMary’sNewsletter.Thispublishededitioncanalsobe

accessedthroughourWebsiteandourSchoolApp.Ifyouhaven’talreadydonesowhynotdownloadourAppandlinkintoourTwitteraccount,bothofwhicharepackedwithdailynotificationsandnewsitemsthatareofinteresttothewholeschoolcommunityandwhichwillkeepyouuptodate,asdoesthisnewsletter,withthemanyacademic,sporting,cultural,religious,musical,artisticanddramatichighlightsofourschoolyear.Ithasbeenanothersensationalyearfor

sportinStMary’swithteamsreachingthefinalsinHockey,BasketballandofcourseCamogie.OurseniorandjuniorHockeyteamsonceagainmadeittothefinalsoftheNorthsideLeagueandfoughthardtoretaintheirtitles,onlylosingoutatthelastminuteandindeplorableweatherconditionsduringthepenaltyshootouts.Our2ndDivision1BasketballteamclaimedtheNorthDublintitleatthefinalsintheNationalBasketballArenainAprilandoneofourTYstudentsrepresentedusproudlyattheAllIrelandFinaloftheSchools’CrossCountryintheWITArena.TherehavebeenconsiderableaccomplishmentsinSoccer,GaelicFootball,Volleyball,TennisandTableTennisandwhilewewishallourteamscontinuedsuccessgoingforwardIwouldliketotakethisopportunitytocongratulateespeciallyourCamogieteamsandtheircoacheswhohavetrulyputusonthemapbybringinghomethreeDublintitlesatsenior,juniorandminorlevel.Wearesoproudofthisamazingachievementandgratefultothecoachesfortheirunstintingdedicationtoandbeliefintheirteams–whichculminatedineachplayerreceivingaDublinmedalfortheirgreateffortsthisseason!OurTYProgrammehasonceagainbeen

jam-packedasyouwillgatherfromthemanyreportstofollow.OurstudentsexcelledintheDCUUniTYMultimediaAwardsintheHelixtakinghometheawardsinthreeofthesixcategories.TYstudentswerealsoinvolvedintheWheelchairBasketballinitiative,Self-Defence,CircusSkillsandRowingandtheyrepresentedtheschoolintheYoungScientistandTechnologyExhibitionintheRDSandinthePExpowheretheybroughthomethetitleinthePsychologyofSportseniorcategory.TheyreachedtheregionalfinalsofJunkKouture,wontheoverallawardattheBusinessBootcampinColáisteEoinandnearlyallachievedBronzeGaiscemedals.Therehavebeentoomanyactivitiesandeventstolistthemallbutwewereparticularlyproudonthe17thMaywhenagroupofourTYsrepresentedusinÁrasanUachtaráinattheCeremonyofthePresentationofCredentialsbynewAmbassadorstoourPresident,MrMichaelD

Higgins.OurTYProgrammecontinuestogofromstrengthtostrengthandweareveryappreciativeoftheworkthatgoesintomakingitsovibrantandflourishing.Theculturaldimensionofourschool

continuestothrive.Creativeengagementopportunitiesaboundforallstudents.YouwillseethewonderfulMask-MakingprojectundertakenbysecondyearswhichwasshowcasedalongsidetheimmensemusicaltalentofourstudentsattheannualMusicalShowcaseinMay.EngagementwithpracticingartistsisahallmarkofourprogrammeandfifthyearArtstudentsworkedwithEleanorPhillipstoproducepiecesofartmakingcross-curricularlinkswithotherleavingcertsubjects,whiletheArchitectsinSchoolsInitiativeundertheguidanceofEvelynD’arcyculminatedthisyearinaproposalfromcollaboratorsinDITtocreateanoutdoorpavilionforstudentsasameetingandeatingspace.WearetrulygratefultoSimaandhertalentedcrewforthisgreatopportunity.OurScholaChoironceagainexcelledattheNavanChoralFestivalinMaywheretheycompetedtoaveryhighstandardandwerehighlycommendedbytheadjudicatorsfortheiroutstandingperformances.IntheculturalarenathelistgoesonwithnotableachievementsinDebating,PublicSpeaking,Drama,Mosaicsandfilmmakingtonamebutafew.Wellbeingisatthecoreofeverythingwedo

inthecurricularandextra-curricularpursuitoftheidealsofourMissionStatement.WearecommittedtoactivelyencouragesustainabilityasevidencedbytheongoingworkofourGreenSchoolscommittee,ournewerBiodiversityteamandourinvolvementintheGetUpAndGoalsProgramme.OurAmberteamwhichiscommittedtothepromotionofpositivementalhealthwaspresentedwiththeschool’sfirsteverAmberflagataceremonyinBallincolliginMay.ThisteamworkedhardtocreateawarenessthroughtheirfundraiserandAmberDayforPietaHouseandbyparticipatingintheDarknessIntoLighteventwhenagroupof30teachersandstudentsjoinedanother200,000supportersoutsidethePhoenixParktowalktheannualDIL5km.TheEmberTeamcontinuestobeabeaconoflightthroughouttheyearcontributinginaveryspecialwaytothespiritualcalendar,anditwasverygratifyingattheirGraduationCeremonytowatchthesixth-yearteamhandingoverthetorchoffaithdevelopmenttoourincomingteam–ignitingthesparkthatwillcontinuetoburnbrightthroughoutthecomingacademicyear.Withextra-curricularactivitiesflourishing

duetotheselflesscommitmentofteachersintheirowntime,itisgratifyingandinspiringtowitnessthehighstandardsofteachingand

learningthatcontinuetobethedistinguishingfeatureoftheacademiclifeofStMary’s.InthiscontextweareveryhappytobeoneofthefirstfortyschoolsinthecountrytoofferPoliticsandSocietyaspartofourseniorcyclecurriculum,andthisexcitingandinnovativenewsubjectwillbeexaminedforthefirsttimeintheLeavingCertificateinJune2018.Wewishourbuddingpoliticianstheverybestofluckastheydemonstratearangeofnewskillsthattheyhaveembracedanddevelopedoverthecourseofthelasttwoyears.Ourfirstyearshavesettledinwellandare

nowreadytogreetournewincomingfirstyearsandtosupportthemastheyweresupportedwiththegenuinewarmthoftheStMary’swelcome.AswelookforwardtothearrivalofournewcohortIwouldliketobidafondfarewelltooursixthyearswhograduatedon22ndMay.YouareatalentedandcreativebunchofyoungpeopleandIhopesincerelythatyouallachieveyouracademicandpersonalgoals,andIwishyouhappinessandhealthasyougoforward.Iwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothank

theschoolcommunity–BoardofManagement,staff,studentsandparents–forthecontinuedsupport,encouragementandcommitmenttoStMary’sthatsustainsourcommunity,andonbehalfofmyself,MsO’Donnell,MsDevaneyandallthestaff,IwouldliketowishourthirdandsixthyearstheverybestofluckastheyembarkontheirStateExaminationsinJune.Legachdea-ghuí,

BernadetteBourkePrincipal,June2018

MISSION STATEMENTSt.Mary’s follows the Holy Faith philosophy of creating aninclusive school community whose central purpose is thereligious, moral, intellectual, human, social and physical-

recreational education of the student. The education programme of the school is directed to the

growth of the whole person. It aims to form integrated andself-reliant Christian people who are eager to build a better

world.

A Message from the Principal

Summer2018

WewouldliketowishMsMahonandMrsHugheslongandhappyretirements.Youwillbothbedearlymissedbyallinourschoolcommunity.

Ontheoccasionoftheirretirements…

Sports Day 2018

StudentsandstaffinStMarysenjoyedajam-packedsportsdayonFriday18thofMay.Classescompetedineventssuchashockey,handball,benchball,sackrace,egg&spoonraceandmanymore.TYstudentsorganisedandrantheeventsontheday.Teachersandstudentsalikeenjoyedthenoveltyeventswhiletakingawell-deservedbreakfromtheaction.TheinflatableobstaclecourseandhumanfoosballprovidedgreatentertainmentwhiletheTYicecreamstandwasacrowdpleaser.SunsoakedStMary’swasahiveofactivityfromearlymorninguntilwetookashortbreaktowelcomeourspecialguestandapplaudthewinnersofourSportsAwards2018.Oncetheceremonycametoaclosethewholeschoolcommunitymadetheirwaytotheastroforthegameoftheyear;teachersvs6thyearsOlympichandball.Althoughtheteacherswerevictoriousonthedaythe6thyearsweretoughoppositionandplayedrightuntiltheend.Afunfilled,enjoyabledaywashadbyall.Ahugethankyoutoeveryonefortheirinvolvement,enthusiasmandenergy.

Health Week 2018

ThenewyeargotofftoanenergeticstartinJanuaryatStMary’s.TheHealthSquadof2018wasbusyplanningintheweeksleadinguptothisyear’sHealthWeek.AsusualeachdaykickedoffwithMsBoranandtheHealthSquadleadingstudentsinanactiveassembly.5thand6thyearstudentswereluckyenoughtogetsometopexerciseandnutritiontipsfromguestspeakers.Eachdaystaffandstudentsalikewerechallenged

togetinvolvedinthe“GameoftheDay”.Theserangedfrompopuptrailstotugofwars,fromkickandsticktobeatthebleep.Therewassomethingforeveryoneandeachdaysawanewchallenge.OnMonday1styearsweretestedontheirsportingknowledgewithaquizinthechoirhall.OnTuesday3rdyearswereluckyenoughtowelcomeanursefromtheMarieKeatingFoundation.Thisinsightfultalkwasinterestingforallinattendance.ThursdaymorningsawtheschoolcommunitypourontothecorridorsforDropEverythingandDance.Themusicblaredovertheintercomwhilethehealthsquadledtheschoolinacongaline.AnotheractiveassemblytookplaceonThursdayafternoonbutthistimetheHealthSquadgottheprimaryschoolstudentsfromStBrigid’smovinginthechoir

hall.Fridaywasahecticdaytofinishtheweekwithabang.3rdyearhockeyplayerswereinactionwhilethejuniorcamogieteamwerecrownedcountychampionsatlunchtime.TheHomeEconomicsdepartmenttreatedaluckygrouptoacookingdemoatlunchtimetotoptheweekoff.ThroughouttheweektheStMary’s

SchoolCommunitymanagedtowalktheirwayaroundIrelandwhiletryingtoguesshowmanystepsColintakesinanaverageschoolday.AlthoughnobodywasspotonwiththeirguessitbecameclearthatColinfarexceedstherecommendeddailystepsof10,000.AsalwaysHealthWeekwasbusybutbrilliant.AhugethankyouandwelldonetotheHealthSquad2018whohelpedmakeitallhappen.

PE DEPARTMENT

First Year Sports CompetitionOur1styearstudentsmustbecommendedfortheirdedicationtoourafter-schoolcompetitionthisyear.TenteamsfoughttothebitterendtoattainthewinningprizeofaMysteryTriptoCrokeParksSkylineTour.IntheendthewinningteamwasmadeupofhalfofclassSienna.ThewinnerswenttoCrokeParkonFridayMay11th.ThedaystartedwithastrolltoCrokeParkwheretheyweregreetedbytheirtourguide.ThegirlsweregearedupandbegantheclimbtothetopofCrokePark.Thiswasanamazingopportunityforthegirlstoseethecityfromabird’seyeview.AftertheSkylineTourthegirlsattendedthemuseumwheretheytestedtheirskillsontheGAAchallenges.Thegirlsthoroughlyenjoyedtheirdayandwerewelldeservingwinnersofthecompetition.

Galway TripOurannualTeamBuildingTriptoPetersburginGalwaywasasusualatriptoberemembered.OnabrightdayinSeptember,TYstudentssetoffacrossthecountrytofaceactivitiesthatwouldchallengeandexhilaratethembeyondanythingtheyhadexperiencedbefore.TheaimofthetripwastoworkonthecoreteambuildingskillspresentedtothestudentsduringPEclass.Onarrivalthesunbegantoshineasdidthegirlsenthusiasm.Theyweregreetedbythecentremanagerandtheyweredividedintotaskgroups.InthesegroupsthegirlsgottotakepartinactivitieslikeGorgeWalkingwherethegirlsdivedintotheicecoldwatersofthewest,Abseilingdownamassivesinkhole,Kayaking,ObstacleCourseandmanymore.Eveningactivitiesincludedmoonlightwalks,orienteering,campfires,charadesandsingsongs.Eachgroupwasalsoresponsibleforonemealduringtheday.Thisincludedsettingthetable,servingfoodanddrinks,washingupandcleaningupthecanteenafterwardsgivingeachstudentasenseofresponsibilitythroughoutthethreedaysofthetrip.Thesleepyheadsonthebushomesuggestedthatthetripwasaresoundingsuccessandwewouldliketosaywelldonetothegirlsfortheirenthusiasmandparticipation.Althoughwewereveryluckywiththesunnyweather,thewaterwasvery,verycold.

PExpo 2018 ThePExpoisacompetitionthatexaminesthesciencebehindsport.StudentsfromalloverthecountryenterprojectsfollowingresearchonawiderangeofPEandsportrelatedtopics.2017wasourfirstyeartoenterthiscompetitionwhichisheldinDCU.ThisyearhoweverthankstoanewTYsportssciencemoduletherewerefiveStMarysentries.StudentsfromclassLuimiereandRaphaelworkedveryhardontheirprojectsthroughouttheyear.• TaraMacken,SophieMcGraneandKatieKennedyexploredtheareaofrolemodelsinsportandthemedia’sinfluenceonthis.

• AmyWall,LilyConroy,TrishaMolloyandKateBradywiththeassistanceofSíleWardandMeliaMcEvoyconductedaveryinterestingstudyonhowexerciseeffectsperformanceinclass.

• NicolaWolnowksa,CorrineBetsayda,EiraTabaniagandCiaraTranilookedintotheareaofpeptalksandtheireffectivness.

• EveMcGrathTully,PhoebeSanDiagoandMeganRocheuncoveredthebenifitsofexerciseonmentalhealth.

• CiaraWhelan,LauraBerry,AlyaHannigan,KerriHannaandZaraMcGlynnexaminedthenewtrendoffitnesstrackers.Dotheyreallymotivatetheuserorisitalljustafad?

Schoolsfromalloverthecountrycompetedinthe7categories.

1. ICTandSportsPhotography2. PowerofSport–InclusionandCultural3. Well-being– Physical,MentalandSocial4. ComponentsofFitness–TheScienceBehindSport5. Nutrition6. GamesDevelopmentandTeachinggamesforUnderstanding7. SportsPsychology

ToourdelightCiara,Laura,Alya,KerriandZara’sprojectwaschosenastheseniorwinneroftheSportsPsychologySection.Thisisahugeachievementandoneweareextremelyproudof.Abigwelldonetoallthegroupsthatgotinvolved.

TY Rowing:AspartoftheGetGoing,GetRowinginitiative,whichencouragesfemalestotakeuprowing,top-leveltrainerscametoourschooltoteachthegirlstorow.Firstlytheytookpartintrainingsessionsonindoorergonomicrowers.Thisgavethemaninsightintothebasicskillsnecessaryforrowing.Thesecondpartoftheinitiativewasa

one-dayrowingcampthattookplaceonthewaterinNeptuneRowingClub.Thegirlswerereallyexcitedaboutgettingonthewater,andrealisedtherewasahugedifferencebetweenergonomicrowingandonthewaterrowing.Thefinaleventwasanonthewater

rowingblitz.Weentered7differentteamswhocompetedagainstvariousschoolsfromalloverIreland.Werowedextremelywellwithoneteammakingthefinals.Unfortunatelywedidnottakehomeanysilverware,butthegirlsdidthemselvesproudinasport,whichisrelativelynewtothem.

Basketball2ndYearWehadawonderfulseasonofbasketballwithourdivision1teamthisyear.AfterlosingourfirstmatchtoOurLady’sDroghedainNovemberwewentbacktothedrawingboard,communicatedasateamandreallypulledupoursocks!Afterdevotingmoretimetopractisingafterschoolandtrainingnearlyeveryavailablelunchtime,wewereunstoppablefortherestoftheseasongoingunbeatenintothefinalsattheNationalBasketballArenainTallaght.InAprilitwasallbacktowhereitfirststartedbetweenourselvesandDroghedaagainforthecup.Downtoteamwork,passion,communicationandskillitwasMary’swhoendedup2ndDivision1NorthDublinwinnersfor2018.Mary’sABU!CongratulationstoalltheteamwhoplayedbrilliantlyandaparticularmentiontoCaptainSarahO’ConnorwhowasjustexceptionalonthedaywhocameawaywithanadditionalaccoladeofMVP.Also,toourwonderfulandenthusiasticmascotAlannahDarcywhohadthecrowdontheirfeetwithherhalftimeshow.Whilewedidn’treachanyfinalthisyear

withour2ndyeardivision2teamitcannot

PE DEPARTMENT

The PExpo:

TheTY’senteredseveralprojectsundervariouscategoriesintothisyearsPEExpowhichtookplaceinDCU.WithschoolsfromalloverIrelandentering,therewasanextremelyhighlevelofcompetition.OneprojectinparticularfromStMary’scaughttheeyeofthejudges.Theprojecttitled‘FitnessTrackers–DoTheyReallyWork’wasenteredby:CiaraWhelan,LauraBerry,KerrHanna,ZaraMcGlynnandAlyaHannigan.Theytookfirstplaceinanextremelycompetitivecategory.LuckwasreallyonoursidethatdayasMs

WalshwonaspotprizeofanIrelandfootballjersey.

gounsaidthatwedidnothavefun!Wehaveinstilledapassionofthesportintotheteamwithadriveforsuccessfortheseasonnextyear.Withtheircontinuedenthusiasmanddedication,itwillnottakelongforthisteamtohavesilverware.Onbehalfofbothteams,thisseason

wouldnothavebeenassuccessfulwithoutthehelpandcontinuoussupport,encouragementandexpertiseofourTYassistantcoachesforthisyear.WewouldliketosaythankyoutoLauraBerry,HannahO’Brien,CiaraWhelan,AmyWallandKarlaConwayforeverythingthattheyhavedoneinmakingthisatrulymemorableseason.

Under16Basketball:Under16basketballwasextremelysuccessfulthisyearwithallthreeteamsreachingthesemi-finals;Premier,Division1andDivision2.OurDivision1teamgotthroughtothefinalandfoughtoffoldrivalsDroghedatotakethetitleinanexceptionallycompetitivegame.

EndofYearBasketballBlitz:Theannualendofyearbasketballblitzhadagreatturnoutwithrepresentativesfromeachyearpresent.Mixedabilityteamsweremadeupandpittedagainsteachotherinaroundrobintournament.Thelevelofbasketballwasextremelyhighwithsomegreatbasketballbeingplayed.

Basketball-ShootingtoSuccess!1styearsDivision2Semi-Finalist

FirstYearsDivision2semi-finalists

OurDivision21styearteamgotofftoaflyingstartwinningalloftheirgroupgamescomfortably.TheymetStRapheala’sinthequarterfinal.Althoughitwasatoughmatchthegirlsmanagedtopullthroughandmakeitthroughtothesemi-final.TheyplayedagainstMaryfieldinthesemi-finaloftheSSANorthDublinLeague.ItwasatoughMatchfromthebeginningwithbothsideswantingtobooktheirplaceintheFinalintheNationalArenathefollowingThursday.ThematchwasneckandneckuntilthelastfewminutesofthegamewhenMaryfieldpulledaway.TheFinalscorewas12-6.Thisteamhaveworkedsohardallseasonandnevermissedtraining.Welldonegirls!Youshouldbeveryproudofyourachievement.Wewillbackagainnextyearmoredeterminedthanever.

U-19PremierlevelSemi-FinalistsOurU-19premierteamreachedtheSemi-finaloftheSSADublinleague.TheteammetSantaSabinaintheSemiFinalanditwasanunbelievableperformancefromthewholeteam.Thegirlsgotofftoamazingstartandledafterthefirstquarterby5.SantaSabinafoughtbackandwetrailedbyonepointgoingintothelastQuarter.Unfortunately,inthelastquarterSantaSabinasteppeditupandpushedontowinthegame.TheteamwasledsuperblybyCaptainJulieMcEvoyandVice-captainKeirshaRoache.Theteam’sdeterminationandtalentwerecommendableonalllevels.Sadly,thisyearwesaygoodbyetoJulieandKeirshawhohavebeencommittedtobasketballsincetheywereinfirstyear.Ithasbeensuchanenjoyablejourneyoverthelast6years.Welldonegirls!Youdidyourschoolproudoverthelastsixyearsandyouwillbegreatlymissedontheteam.

PE DEPARTMENT

U-19Division2QuarterfinalistsOurU-19Division2reachedtheQuarter-finaloftheSSADublinleague.WithanumberofkeyplayersmissingduetoillnessitprovedatoughChallenge.Thegirlsfoughthardthroughoutthegame.HoweverStRaphaela’sprovedtoostrongonthedayandwentontowin.Thisisayoungteamandalmostalltheplayerswillbethereagainnextyear.Withsuchagoodteamspiritandamazingtalent,Ithinkthisistheteamtowatchoutfornextyear!Unfortunately,thisyearwesaygoodbye

toRebeccaRoyandMariaHordouanwhohavebeencommittedtobasketballsincetheywereinfirstyear.Welldonegirls!Youdidyourschoolproudoverthelast6yearsandyouwillbegreatlymissedontheteam.

Camogie ItwasanexcellentyearforcamogieatStMary’sin2018,themostsuccessfulyeartodate.Everystudentwholinedoutfortheschool,closesoutthisschoolyearasaDublincamogiechampion.Thegirlswereacredittotheirfamiliesandtheirclubsandwewouldliketothankthemforbeingsuchajoytoworkwiththisyear.Wearelookingforwardtocontinuedsuccessnextyearanditisourhopethatwewillhaveevenmoregirlsplaying,andenjoying,camogieintheschoolinthefuture.

SeniorCamogie

AseniorcamogieteamlinedoutforStMary’sforthefirsttimeinanumberofyearsthisyear.Theexperienceandtalentofthegirlswasevidentineverymatchtheyplayedthroughouttheyear.OpeningmatchesagainstLoretoSwordsandSantaSabinaleftthegirlsinagreatpositiontoqualifyfortheDublinSeniorFinal,withawinoverGoatstowninathrillingsemi-final.LoretoBeaufortwasnomatchforthe

girls’hardworkanddeterminationonthedayofthefinal.Despitegettingofftoashakystartandbeingtwogoalsdowninthe

openingtenminutes,theteamdisplayedgreatskillandstrengthtoeventuallytakecontrolofthegame.Theteampulledoffasuperbvictory,muchtothedelightoftheirsupporters.ThegirlsproudlyrepresentedDublinintheLeinsterquarterfinalinfrontofahomecrowdinErin’sIsle,afirstforcamogieintheschool.

JuniorCamogie

ThejuniorcamogieteambegantheirseasonwithwinsoverStLouis’RathminesandTrinityComprehensive.WithgreatdeterminationthegirlstookonLoretoBeaufortintheirsemi-final.Thesemi-finalwasquiteaclosematchbutthegirls’superiorskillandsuperbteamworksawthemqualifyforthefinal.Aweekafterwinningtheseniorfinal,the

thirdandfourthyearslinedoutagainstGaelscoilReachranninthehopesofdoingthedouble,whilethesecondyearshopedtogettheirfirsttasteofsuccess.Theconfidenceandwinningmentality,inspiredbytheseniorvictory,waseasytoseewithplayersalloverthefieldgivingphenomenaldisplays.AsDublinchampionstheJuniorteamqualifiedforanAll-IrelandquarterfinalagainstHaywoodinLaoisanddidtheirfamiliesandtheschoolproudwiththeirdisplayofplay.

MinorCamogie

Theminorcamogieteamfollowedinthefootstepsofthejuniorandseniorteamsthisyear.ThegirlsgotofftoadifficultstartinsnowyconditionsagainstStLouis’RathminesbutwentfromstrengthtostrengthwithemphaticwinsoverLoretoBeaufortandLoretoontheGreen.TheDublinMinorfinalbeckonedandthe

girlsrosetothechallengeandtrainedhard.Thegirlsplayedwellinthefirsthalfbutfoundthemselvesfourpointsdownathalf-time.Thededicationanddeterminationofthegirls,whichdefinescamogieinStMary’s,wasevidentinthesecondhalf.Followingpositionalswitchesandchanges,thegirlssettledbackintothematchandquicklydrewlevel.StMary’sdominatedforthelasttenminutesandranoutworthywinnersonascorelineof5-5of2-4.MsWalsh&MsO’Mahoney

St Mary’s Hockey HockeyNewsInSeptember,thenewfirstyearstookpartinasportsinductionprogramme.ThiswasafantasticsuccessandintroducedthenewfirstyearsstudentstothemanysportsandactivitiesthatStMary’shastooffer.ThepreparationforleaguematchescommencedinSeptember2017.Greatexcitementmountedasallteamspreparedfortheirfirsthockeymatches.ThegirlswerehighlyexcitedattheprospectofgettingbackintoplayingmatchesandasalwaystookgreatprideinrepresentingStMary’sinhockey.TheteamshadagreatstartintheirpracticematchesagainstMtTemple.ThefifthandsixthyearstudentscombinedtoformtheSeniorTeam.TheSeniorandJunior(TY)TeamssecuredaplaceintheNorthsideLeagueFinalsonWednesday14thMarch2018.

FirstYearHockeyWewelcomedsomeFirstyearstudentstohockeythisyear!Theywerecompletebeginnersinhockey.ThefirstyearstookpartintheHockeyIrelandSkillsChallenge.WeweredelightedtohaveKennyCarroll,HockeyIrelandDevelopmentOfficercoachingthebasichockeyskillstothem.Allthestudentsreceivedacertificateofcompletioninthehockeyskillschallenge.ThefirstyearsalsobenefitedfromourguestcoachTadghCunninghamwhoimpressedthegirlswithhishockeyskillsandputthemthroughtheirpaces.ThestudentsreallyenjoyedthesessionsbyTadgh.ThankyoutoMsCunninghamwhoassistedwithFirstyearhockeythisyear.

SecondYearHockeyThesecondyearteamstartedtheyearbyplayingfriendlymatchesagainstour3rdYearteamandMtTemple.Thematchesbuiltontheirskillsanddeterminationinpreparationfortheleague.ThesecondyearstookonStWolstan’sintheirfirstleaguematchandhadagreatwin,scoring2goals.ThiswinsetthemupnicelyfortheirnexttwomatchesagainstMalahideandLoretoBalbriggan.TheyhadaveryexcitingcloselycontestedmatchinMalahidewinning1-0attheveryend.However,LoretoBalbrigganprovedtobetoostrongforStMary’sandtheycouldnotgetthewinontheday.Unfortunately,theymissedoutonqualificationtothefinals.Theirgreatachievementsthisyearhasmadethemmoreeageranddeterminedfornextyear.

JuniorTeams–3rdYearandTYTherearetwoJuniorteamsthisyear,3rdyearteamandaTransitionYearteam.The3rdyearteamplayedafriendlymatch

againstMtTempletogetthembackintothespiritonhockey.Thematchbuiltontheirskillsanddeterminationinpreparationfortheleague.TheycommencedtheNorthsideLeaguematchesinJanuary2018,takingonCastleknock,winning3-2inaveryexcitingmatch.TheyalsoplayedManorHouseina

PE DEPARTMENT

closelycontestedmatchandsecuringa1-1draw.TheseresultskeptthemincontentionforaplaceinthefinalsinadvanceoftheirlastmatchagainstSuttonPark.However,SuttonParkprovedtobetoostrongforStMary’sandtheycouldnotgetthewinontheday.Itwasaverycloseresult,justlosingoutby2-3ontheday.Theteamwasdisappointedasthiswastheirfirstyeartoreallycomeclosetoqualifying.Unfortunately,theyalsomissedoutonqualificationtothefinals.However,theirgreatachievementsthisyearhasmadethemmoreeageranddeterminedfornextyear.

Senior&JuniorTYreachtheNorthsideLeagueFinalsCongratulationstotheSeniorandJunior(TY)HockeyteamsforreachingtheNorthsideLeagueFinals.TheseniorandjuniorTYteamsplayedsomegreathockeyandhadsomecloselycontestedmatchesintheirleagues.BothteamssecuredplacesintheNorthsideLeaguefinalsonWednesday14thMarch2018.Unfortunately,itwasnotStMary’sday.I

canonlycommendalltheplayersonafantasticperformanceinsomeoftheworstsportingweatherconditionsI’veeverexperienced.Wetrulydidweatherastormontheday!Theplayersbravedtheelements,slippingandslidingaroundthepitchbuttheynevergaveupandkeptgoingtothefinalwhistle!Bothmatcheswentintogoldengoalextratimeandtopenaltyshootouts.Unfortunately,bothteamswerenarrowlybeateninthepenaltyshoot-outs.TheJuniorteamtookonKing’sHospital

(KH)andplayedsomeexcellenthockey.Theystartedstrong,dominatingplayandwinningshortcorners.Theynarrowlymissedthetargetonseveraloccasions.Theyhadnumerousopportunitiesanditseemedonlyamatteroftimebeforetheywouldscore.AstheclockcounteddownthewinninggoalbecamemoreelusivewithTheKingsHospitalgoalkeeperkeepingtheoppositioninthegame.AgainsttherunofplayKHscoredfromashortcorner.StMary’sfinallyhitthetargetandthefinalscorewas1-1bringingthematchintoextratime.Again,inextratime,wenarrowlymissedthetargetandhadmostofthechancesinthegame.Thepenaltyshoot-outdidnotgoourway,butourgoalkeeperChaniceDolanmadesomeexcellentsaves.

TheseniorteamtookonSantaSabinaintheirfinal.TheyalsoplayedsomeexcellenthockeyandweredeterminedtotryandsavethedaywithawinforStMary’s.Bynow,theconditionshaddeterioratedevenmoreandtheyalsobattledtheelements.Theystartedstrongnarrowlymissingthetargetandwinningsomeshortcorners.TheSantaSabinagoalkeeperwastestedbyourforwardline.Thefinalscorewas0-0bringingthematchintoextratime.Again,inextratime,theynarrowlymissedthetargetandhadmostoftheopportunitiesinthegame.Thepenaltyshoot-outdidnotgoourwayagain,butsomeexcellentsavesfromChaniceDolantokeepusintherunning.Finalscore0-1.

Theplayersofbothteamscanholdtheirheadsuphigh.Itisapleasuretocoachtheseplayersandwelookforwardtonextseason!Itwasanexcellentachievementtoreachthefinalsandtheyarealreadysaying‘There’salwaysnextyear’!!Thankstoallsupportersontheday.ThankstoMsSWalshandMsAWalshfortheirassistance!ThankyoutoMrMcGillforumpiringmatchesduringtheyear.Aspecialthankstoallplayersfortheircommitmentandparticipation.SometimesyouWin,sometimesyou

Learn!Welookforwardtothenewhockeyseasonandnewplayersarealwayswelcome!Onwards&Upwards....MsBoran.

St Mary’s Gaelic Football

ThisyearwasaverysuccessfuloneforGaelicFootballhereatStMary’s,albeitwithoutanysilverware.Ourseniorsplayedsomeverytoughgamesowingtotheirsuccesslastyearinwinningtheirdivisionandgainingpromotion.Unfortunately,theydidnotprogressbeyondthegroupstagesalthoughtheyshowedgreatpassionandcommitmentthroughout.OurJuniorTeamreachedtheLeinster

QuarterFinal,agreatachievementforthemselvesandtheschool.Ultimately,homeadvantageworkedagainstusandaftertravellingtoplaytheLouthchampionsathome,wewereunabletomatchthehighexpectationsofthisverytalentedgroup.Finally,ourUnder14teamenjoyedthe

DublinBlitzinMalahidebutunfortunatelydidnotprogressontheday.ThefutureisbrightforGaelicFootballhereinStMary’sandI’msuresilverwarewillreturnonceagain.OnbehalfofMr.BeirneandMsMorgan,abigthankyoutoallthestudentswhoshowedgreatcommitmentanddedicationallyear.

Tennis Club

ThispastyearinStMary’sthetennisclubmeteveryMondayatlunchtimeintheGym.Theclubisopentoallschoolmembersregardlessofwhethertheyhaveplayedtennisbeforeornotsowhynotcomealongandseeiftenniscouldbethesportforyou!Itisafunenvironmentwherestudentslearnthebasicsoftennisbyrallyingandplayinggameswiththeirschoolmates.Wehavehadagreatturnoutinrecentweeksandhopetoseethiscontinuewhenwereturnfromtheholidays.TheSpringChampionshipssawplayerscompeteagainsteachotheroveranumberofweeksandthematcheswerebrillianttowatch!TheStMary’sTennisClubwouldliketowishallstudents,teachersandfamiliesanenjoyablesummerholiday.Enjoythebreak,

Mr.O’Connell.

PE DEPARTMENT

TY Multimedia studentsexcel in UniTY DCU awards

St.Mary’sgirlsswepttheboardbywinningthreeoutofthesixawardcategoriesattheUniTYDCUMultimediaawardsintheHelix.CompetitionwastoughasStMary’swascompetingagainststudentsfromeighteenotherschoolsinnorthDublin.MariaZubascu,CeriDoyleandMajaGrandzewska

wontheawardforthe“RoleModels”category;GwenPrizeman,KelseyDuggan,KatieRooneyandJamilaHanniganwontheawardforthe“#It’sYourRight”categoryandChristinaCrosby,KateHughes,NiamhFinneganandJulesDixonwontheprizeforthemostviewedvideo.CheckouttheirvideosandotherStMary’svideosonYoutubebysearchingforUniTYDCU2018.

TY Wheelchair BasketballChampionshipInassociationwithTheIrishWheelchairAssociationTheschoolsupportedtheIrish

WheelchairAssociationasoneofourchosencharitiesthisyear.TheTYstudentsraised€1,000forthecharitythroughtheannualfundraisingcampaign,‘Angels’.ThiswasthefirstyearoftheinitiativeandStMary’swasoneof50schoolsacrossthe

countrytotakepart.TenstudentstravelledtoGormanstownCollegeinMeathtotakepartintheregionalcompetitionsonthe8thofFebruary.ThestudentswereimmersedinthefastpacededgeofyourseatParalympicsportofWheelchairBasketball.Itprovidedanauthentic,first-hand,inclusiveexperienceofthisincrediblegame.AllteamsfortheeventweremixedforthematchessowewerejoinedwithStEunan’sCollegeinLetterkenny.Theteamworkdisplayedbetweenthenewlyformedteamswasamazingtowatch!OurteamconsistingofKarlaConway,TaraMacken,CatrionaComerford,NiamhFinneganandSophie

Morrissey,finishedthirdintheLeinsterfinalandprogressedontotheAll-IrelandFinalinTallaghtinMarch.TheTYstudentshadagreattimeattheFinals.Wewerefacedwithtoughcompetitionthroughouttheday.TheeventwasarealeyeopenerforthestudentsastheyplayedagainststudentsoftheirownagewhoplayWheelchairBasketballinclubsandonestudentinparticularshowedamazingstrength,speedandagility,despitehavingtwoamputatedlegs.Thishasreallyshownstudentsthatsportisforeveryoneandit’sreallymoreaboutabilitythandisability!

HardworkanddedicationsawStMary’sFirstYearSoccerteammakethefinaloftheLeinsterChampionshipsthisyear,wheretheywereunfortunatetofallatthefinalhurdle.ThematchtookplaceatHomeFarmFCagainstlocalrivalsDominicanCollegeandconcludedwiththelatterteamrunningoutvictorsontheday.Bothteams’achievementswerecelebratedafterthefinalwhistlewithamedalpresentationandafewwordsfromgoalscorerandcaptainforthedayKateWatsonwhoscoredineveryroundapartfromoneinthebuilduptothefinal.

Theirjourneytothefinalwasmeteoricasthegirlsswattedteamsasidewithscorelineslike5-0and5-1.Asthesuccessoftheteambuiltandechoedaroundthefirst-yearcohort,thesoccerteamgrewinpersonnelandsupportthroughouttheyearculminatinginapaneloftwentyplayers,eachofwhichplayedapartintheirjourneytothefinal.Welldoneagaintothesoccerteamwhohavesetthestandardfor

thefutureofsoccerinStMary’s.

First Year Soccer make Leinster Finals

TRANSITIONYEAR

Self-Defence (TY Module)Thisyear,eachgroupofTYstudentsundertookaten-weekself-defence

module.Themoduleconsistedoftheoryandpracticalelements.Throughoutthemodulestudentslearnedhowtounderstandthecriminalmind-setandpractisedreadingbodylanguagebeforeconflict.Theyalsolearnedhowtoverballyde-escalatepotentiallydangeroussituationsanddiscussedtheconceptofself-defenceandthelawinIreland.Studentsobserveddemonstrationsoftechniquesandthenpractisedsome

ofthesetechniquesundercarefulsupervisionandguidance.Studentslearnedaboutpre-emptivestrikes,howtoescapefrombearhugs,headlocks,assaultpositionsandstudiedavarietyofarmgrabs,collargrabsandreleases.Hereiswhat4Lumierehadtosayaboutthemodule:

“Selfdefencehelpedmebecomemoreforwardanddefensive.Ienjoyedthe

moduleandIreallythinkeveryoneshouldlearnhowtoproperlyprotectthemselves.”“WhatIenjoyedaboutself-defencewasthatwewereabletolearnwhattodoindangerous

situations.ItwasdefinitelyoneofmyfavouritesubjectsofTY.”

“Ireallyenjoyedpracticingthedifferentmoves,butthetheorybehindthemwasreallyhelpful

too.”

PE DEPARTMENT

BT Young Scientist and TechnologyExhibition 2018CongratulationstoLaurenMcGuinnessandSarahBradyfromTYwhowereselectedtotakepartintheRDSatthisyear’sBTYoungScientistandTechnologycompetition.Theproject‘Aninvestigationintoyoungattitudestowardsteleviseddrinkanddrugdrivingcampaigns’receivedwonderfulpositivefeedbackfromthejudgesandinterestformpoliticians,journalistsandacademicresearchers.Theybuiltandincorporatedavirtualdrivingexperienceattheirstandwhichallowedpeopletoexperiencehowdangerousitistodrivewhileundertheinfluenceofsubstances.Theyalsotestedtelevisedcampaignswithaudiencestoguageandmeasuretheirreactions.

TY Gaisce AwardGaiscewasprobablythebiggestpartofTransitionYearformeaswebeganitallthewaybackinSeptember.TherewerefourdifferentcomponentstoGaisce;communitywork,askill,asportandanadventurejourney.Communityworkinvolvedustakinganhourouteachweektohelpeitheranindividualpersonorgroupinourcommunity.Thisrangedfromcheckinginonaelderlyneighbourtovolunteeringinacharityshopinthearea.ThePersonalSkillinvolveduslearningsomethingnew,anexampleofwhichwas

knitting,learningtoplayaninstrumentordrawing.Thelistofpossibilitiesisendless.ThePhysicalRecreationisallaboutdevelopingahealthylifestylebycommittingatleastonehouraweektoasportsuchasgymwork,hikingorcycling.IpersonallyreallyenjoyedthispartofGaisceasIdidlearnalotofnewthings.Finally,Gaisceconcludedwithahikethatwasdifficultbutwasprobablymyfavouritepartofitall.Itbroughtusalltogetherevenmoreasateam.Let’sjustsaythatyes,thehikewashard,somecalledithell,butIreallyenjoyedit.AbbieJakes(4Schumann)

TY Circus Skills WorkshopTYstudentshadtheamazingopportunitytotakepartinacircusskillsworkshopthisyear.Thirtystudentsheadedto“TakingFlight”AerialandAcrobaticsCompanyinPhibsboroughonthe11thofMay,wheretheyengagedinnewskillssuchasplatespinning,jugglingandtrapeze.Thistripprovedtobeanexcellentteambuildingandbondingexperience.Thegirlsenjoyedeveryminuteofit!

Historic Visit To Áras an UachtaráinThursday17thMaywasaproudandhistoricdayforStMary’swhen28ofourTYstudentswerechosentobeinvitedguestsattheceremonyofthepresentationofCredentialsbynewAmbassadorsfromSaudiArabia,JamaicaandKazakhstantoourPresident,MichaelDHiggins,inÁrasanUachtaráin!Thestudents,accompaniedbyMsBoran,MrFarrellandtheir

YearHeadMsHughesweregivenatour,formedaGuardofHonourandwereseatedattheformalpresentationofcredentialsbythenewAmbassadors.WearehonouredtohavebeenchosenandareveryproudofthestudentsforthedignifiedwaytheyrepresentedthemselvesandtheirschoolatthisprestigiouseventintheÁras.Followingtheceremonyrefreshmentswereprovided.Thiswasa

trulyhistoricmomentforourstudents,onewhichtheywillhopefullyrememberproudlyforyearstocome.

TRANSITION YEAR

History SocietyThisyearinStMary’sahistorysocietywascreated.ThegroupmeeteveryWednesdayatlunchtimeinRoom26.Thereisalargerangeinthesocietywithstudentsfrom2nd,5thand6thYearandallnewmembersarealwayswelcome.Thesocietyallowsstudentstocometogethertodiscusstheirfavouriteareasofhistory.Studentschoseatopicindividuallywhichtheythenresearchedandpresentedtothesociety.Overthecourseoftheyearwehaveheardpresentationsfromthehistoryofwitchesandvampirestotheancientandmodernworldwithsomeexcellentdiscussionsarising.Inaddition,somemembersofthe

societyattendedthefirsteverpermanentexhibitionoftheIrishflagattheGPO.TheStMary’sHistorySocietywouldliketowishallstudents,teachersandfamiliesanenjoyablesummerholiday.Enjoythebreak,

Mr.O’Connell.

The End of a Successful andMemorable Academic Yearfor The History DepartmentThisacademicyearhasbeenamemorableyetbusyonefortheHistoryDepartment.ThisyearLeavingCertstudentsfromboth5thand6thyearwentonatriptoDerryandBelfastwiththeirHistoryteachersaspartoftheNorthernIrelandaspectoftheirLeavingCertcourse.ThisincludedvisitstotheDerryBloodySundayMemorialMuseum,theinfamousPeaceWallandatriptoStormontinBelfast.Thetripwasthoroughlyenjoyedbyall.TheHistoryDepartmentalsocelebratedwomen’shistorymonthinMarch

withawonderfuldisplaydedicatedtowomeninhistoryontheHistorynoticeboardaswellasadisplaybyourstaffroomcelebrating100yearsofvotesforwomen.Thedisplaywasbeautifullydecoratedby6thyearstudentsRiodhnaMackin,SabrinaLakatosandSophieLieghio.SomemembersoftheHistoryclubattendedthefirsteverpermanentexhibitionoftheIrishflagattheGPOWitnessHistoryVisitorCentrewithMrO’ConnellandMsDoyle.TheexhibitioninstalledbytheThomasMeagherFoundationwasdedicatedataceremonytocommemoratethe170thanniversaryofthefirstflyingoftheflag.We

Visit To Áras an Uachtaráin

Politics and Society WhilereflectingonthepasttwoyearsofstudyingPoliticsandSociety,IrememberallofthethingsthatmyclassandIhavelearnedascitizensoftheworld.OurclasswillbeoneofthefirsteverclassestositPoliticsandSocietyasaleavingcertexamwhichisexcitingbutalsoquitedaunting.WehavehadanamazingtwoyearsstudyingthisnewandinnovativesubjectwithouramazingteacherMs.Hayes.Ithasallowedeachandeveryoneofustoflourishnotonlyasstudents,butalsoaspeople.Bystudyingthissubject,wewereallowedtoformulateourownopinionsoncurrentsocialissuesandontopicsthatactuallymatterintheworld.Welearnedthataslongasyouhaveevidencetobackupyourargumentthenthisargumentisviable.Thisisaskillthateverysingleoneofuswilltakewithusintothefuture.Overthepasttwoyears,ourclasswas

luckyenoughtohavegoneonafewtripsandtohavehadafewguestspeakerstocomeinandtalktous.NoelRockTDcametoourclasstotakepartinadiscussion.Followingthisdiscussion,wewereinvitedtogototheDailforatour.Thiswasveryinteresting.WealsowenttoaWomeninPoliticsconferencewhichwasalsoveryinterestingandinspiring.AtthisconferencewemetLynnBoylanMEP.NottoolongagosheactuallycameintotalktoourclassabouteverythingEU.ThiswasaveryhelpfultalkthataidedusalotinlearningaboutwhattheEUactuallydo.(Whoknewthattheydosomuch!)WealsowentonagrouptriptoBelfastandDerrytolearnaboutthecomplexpoliticalsituationinNorthernIreland.Thistripwasanunforgettableexperiencethatwaseducationalandeyeopening,butalsoincrediblyfun.IthinkthatsumsupPoliticsandSocietyasasubject–unforgettable,educationalandeyeopening,

butalsogreatcraic.Overall,Iamsogratefulforbeinggiven

theopportunitytodothissubject.Don’tgetmewrong,itwasextremelyhardattimes(likewhenwehadtodoouractivecitizenshipprojectsfortheleavingcert…)butitwassoworthitintheend.WealsofounditdifficulttocometotermswithwhoaremembersofthemysteriousBoardofManagementbutafterawhilewefoundotherthingstodiscuss/debate.DoingthissubjectwasthebestdecisionthatIhaveevermade.IthashelpedmedecideonwhatIwanttodointhefutureandhowtoactuallygetthere.Iwillneverforgetourclassandhowmuchwehavegrowntogetheraspeople,Ilovethoseguys.Thanksforreading!

LeahRiordan,PoliticsandSocietyMentor.

HISTORYDEPARTMENT

TRANSITION YEAR

werealsoveryfortunatetohaveatalkbyTomiReichentalaHolocaustsurvivorwhovisitedtheschooltotalkto5thyearHistorystudentsaswellasourTY’s.HespoketotheassembledgroupabouthisexperienceoftheHolocaustasachild.Itwasatrulyeye-openingexperienceforall.Wewouldalsoliketowishour6thyearHistorystudents,thebestofluckintheirLeavingCertHistoryexamthisJuneandbestwishesfortheirfuture.ErikaByrneHistoryMentor,SixthYear

TheteachersoftheHistoryDepartmentwouldliketothankErikaforherworkthisyearinhelpingtopromotehistorywithintheschoolandwewishherallthebestforthefuture.ThanksErikaandbestof

luckinallyoudo!

TY Tomi Reichintal visit

WewereveryfortunatetohaveTomiReichental,aholocaustsurvivor,visittheschoolonThursday15thMarchtospeaktoTYHistoryandLeavingCertHistoryandGermanstudents.TomiReichentalwasbornin1935inSlovakia.HewasnineyearsoldwhentheNazisdeportedhimwithhismother,grandmother,aunt,cousinandbrothertoBergen-Belsenconcentrationcamp.Tomilostthirty-fivemembersofhisfamilyintheHolocaust.TomihaslivedinDublinsince1959andregularlytalksinIrishschoolsabouthiswartimeexperiences.WeweredelightedtobeabletoopenthiseventalsotointerestedparentsandareparticularlyindebtedtophotographerKeithDixonwhoattendedandtookthephotographsthataccompanythispiece.Tomispokeabouthisexperiences–bothharrowinganduplifting–toaraptaudienceforalmosttwohours,afterwhichhetookquestionsfromthefloor.AttheendofthetalktwoofourTYstudentspresentedTomiwithabeautifulplantedbasketasatokenofourgratitudeandappreciation.AftertheeventTomikindlystayedbehindtosigncopiesofhisbookforstudents,teachersandparents.

History Department -Guest Speaker

Thisterm,firstyearclasses1Sepiaand1CrimsonhadavisitfromDr.JulianaAdelmanwhoisalecturerinDCU’sSchoolofHistoryandGeography.StudentslearnedaboutdevelopmentsinmedicineinMedievalandRenaissanceEurope.TheyalsostudiedanddiscussedprimarysourcesontheplagueanddissectionsinRenaissanceEurope.Studentsfrom1Sepiafeltthatthetalkwas“veryinteresting”astheyhadtheopportunitytoexaminesourcesandengageingroupdiscussionthroughoutthetalk.WewouldliketothankDCU’sSchoolofHistoryandGeographyforhelpingfacilitatethistalk.MsDoyle

TY History QuizOnWednesdaythe28thofMarch,ourschoolhostedaninter-schoolshistoryquizforTransitionYearstudentswhichwasafundraiserfortheWorldMeetingofFamilies2018.Differentschoolswereinattendance

includingStVincent’sSecondarySchool(Glasnevin)andStRaphaela’sSecondarySchool(Stillorgan)amongstothers.Eachschoolenteredfourmembersperteam.Ourhistoryteachersorganisedavarietyofchallengingquestionsforthequizrangingfrom19thCenturyEuropetoaroundontheHistoryofSports.Aftereachround,membersofouryearhelpedcollecttheanswersheetsandcorrectedthemtotallythescores.Thecompetitionwasintense.Thescoresonthescoreboardwereconstantlychanging,itwashardtotellwhowouldwin!Intheend,StVincent’sSecondarySchoolwonthe1stplace

1st Year HistoryMedieval Role Play – 1 Azure Welldonetoclass1AzurewhoaspartofstudyingtheMedievalperiodpresentedaMedievalroleplaytotheclass.Thegirlsweredividedintothedifferentgroupsofthefeudalsystemandtheythencarriedoutresearchontheirrole.Togethertheywrotegreatscriptsandhadmanyfunfactsaboutlords,ladies,knights,monks,craftsmanandpeasants.

HISTORY DEPARTMENT

Dr.JulianaAdelmanofDCU’sSchoolofHistoryandGeography.

prizeof€100andStRaphaela’sSecondarySchoolfromStillorganwonthe2ndprizewhichconsistedoffourticketstoGlasnevinCemetery.StMary’sdidnotgohomeemptyhandedhoweverwithourveryownKateBrady,LilyConroy,HeatherDunneandAmyWalltakinghomethe3rdplaceprize.ThegirlseachreceivedacopyofTheHistoryofGlasnevinCemetery.WewouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankGlasnevinCemeteryforsponsoringour2ndand3rd

prize.OurTYgroupwouldliketosayaspecialthankstoMsBourke,MsO’DonnellandMsDevaneyforallowingustoholdthefundraiser.WewouldalsoliketothankMsDoyle,Mr.Farrell,MsMurrayandMs

O’Dohertyaswewouldnothavebeenabletohostsuchasuccessfuleventwithouttheirhelpandsupport.

CorinneBetsayda4Lumiére

TY SOCIOLOGY

RELIGIONDEPARTMENT

WelldonetoallTYstudentswhoparticipatedandcontributedsofullyinthisyear’ssociologymodule.Topicscoveredincluded

genderroles,stereotypesandexpectations,genderrepresentationinthemediaandexploringtheroleofwomeninsocietyandgrowthoffeministmovements.Studentsallreallyengagedwiththemodulewellanddroveexcellentdiscussionanddebateonallthedifferentissues.AspartofthemodulestudentsattendedtheCocoBrownFutureLeaderseventatJohnstownHouseHotel.ThegirlsgottolistentofourinspiringwomenincludingMarissaCarter,CEOofCocoBrown.ThedaywasreallymotivationalanditbecameclearthatwehavemanyfutureleadersinourcurrentTYgroup.

6th Year Reconciliation ServiceThefathersaid,‘youarealwayswithme,

andeverythingIhaveisyours.Luke15:31

DuringLentall6thyearstudentsattendedaLentenReconciliationServiceintheHolyFaithConventChapel.Thethemeofthisyears’servicewasbasedontheParableoftheProdigal Son. Students,staffandHolyFaithsistershadtheopportunitytoreceivetheSacramentofReconciliationduringtheservice.

HISTORY DEPARTMENT

SynagogueVisitsSecondyearclassesvisitedaJewishplaceofworshipaspartoftheirJuniorCycleprojectwhichcountsfor20%oftheiroverallmarknextJune.Thetitleoftheirprojectis:Aprofileofhowprayercanbeakey

featureinthedailylifeofmembersinoneofthefollowingworldreligions:Buddhism,Hinduism,IslamorJudaism.”Incompletingthisprojectstudentsare

remindedofHansKühgfamousquote:• “Nopeaceamongthenationswithoutpeaceamongthereligions.

• Nopeaceamongthereligionswithoutdialoguebetweenthereligions

• Nodialoguebetweenthereligionswithoutinvestigationofthefoundationofthereligions.”

Praying for themissing NigerianSchool girlsAspartoftheYoungSVPTYprogrammesomeTYstudentsraisedawarenessaboutthe110schoolgirlswhoweremissinginNigeria.Thegirlslitelevencandlestoprayforthesafereturnofthegirlstotheirfamilies.OnFebruary19th,armedinsurgents

attackedtheGovernmentScienceandTechnicalCollegeinthetownofDapchiinYobestate,Nigeria.TheNigeriangovernmentconfirmedthat

110girlsweremissingaftersuspectedBokoHarammilitantsattackedaschoolinthenortheastofthecountry.Thekidnappingbringsbackpainfulmemoriesofthe2014ChibokabductionwhenBokoHaramkidnapped276girlsfromtheirschool,aneventthatgarneredinternationalattentionwiththeworldwide#BringBackOurGirlscampaign.

Weasaschoolprayedforthesafereturnofthestudents.

Catholic Schools WeekAspartofCatholicSchoolsWeekonStBrigid’sday,class1IndigomadeStBrigid’scrosses.ThemanystrandsthatmakeupaSt

Brigid’scrossrepresentthedifferentstrandsofourownlives.Theypickuponourjoysandblessingsbutalsoonourstruggles,problemsanddifficulties.ForBrigidthecrosswasnotanendin

itselfbutpointedtoafirmandsurehopeinalovingGod.ForBrigidthislovingGodhelpsusto

makesenseofeverythingthat’sgoingoninourlives.Darkwinterdaysarenearlyoverandspringisjustaroundthecorner.‘ANaomhBríd,aMhuirenanGael,scar

orainndobhrat.ANaomhBríd,achroínaféile,stiúirsinnaranmbótharceart.’

MrFarrell

Pastoral Care – 6th YearMentoring ProgrammeSixthyearstudentswhosigneduptotheMentoringProgrammeinSeptemberhavehadanumberofmeetingswiththeirmentoroverthelastyear.Theprogrammesobjectivesare:1) Toencourageacademicsuccessfor6thyearstudents

2) Toensurethatstudentsarereceivingone-to-onesupport

3) Toensurethatstudentsareworkingtowardstheirgoals

4) Tofacilitatestudentstomakegooddecisionsabouttheirleavingcertyear.

Thisprogrammehashelpedencourageacademicsuccessforthestudentsasateachermetwiththemthroughouttheyearhelpingthestudentsettheirgoalsandensuringtheyarebeingrealisticinachievingthem.Ithasalsohelpedthestudentsinlearningvaluablestudytips.Thankstostaffandstudentswhohavesigneduptothisprogramme.MrFarrell

Icon Workshop

TwelveTYstudentsparticipatedinanIconworkshopinJanuary.IconistheGreekwordforanimage

(Eikon).IconsaregenerallyimagesofChrist,theVirgin,SaintsorscenesfromtheBible.ThisTYIconworkshopfollowedtheByzantinetraditionbyusingwoodenboardscoveredingesso(aformofplaster)withpaintsmadefromeggtempera(amixofpigment,egg-yolk,vinegarandwater)Thepracticeor‘writing’anicontakesmuchtimeandpatience.Thestudentsenjoyedtakingtimeoutto

createanIconforournewprayerroom.

MrFarrell

Faith Friends 2018OurFaithFriendsprogrammetookplacethisyearoverfourweeksfromthe25thofJanuarytothe22ndofFebruary.Twofifthyearclasses,5Coraland5Diamond,linkedinwithMsPhelan’sandMsMcGuigan’ssixthclassesinStBrigid’sNationalSchool.Thestudentsmetuponceaweekover

threeweeksandworkedtogetherontheprogramme.Our5thyearstudentsapproachedtheirroleasFaithFriendswithgreatinterestandenthusiasm.Theyenjoyedmeetingthe6thclassgirls,gettingtoknow

RELIGION DEPARTMENT

themandpassingontheirfaith,aswellastheirownexperienceofconfirmation.Duringthefourthweek,Ms

Phelan,MsMcGuiganandthe6thclassgirlswereinvitedtocometotheConventChapelforaPrayerServicetoconcludetheFaithFriendsProgrammewhichwasorganizedbysome5thyearstudents.Fr.RichardofficiatedatthePrayerService,whichwasattendedbyMsBurke,thePrincipalofStBrigid’sandourownPrincipal,MsBourke.Our5thyearsstudents

presentedthe6thclassstudentswithCertificatesofCompletionoftheProgrammeandtherewasgreatexcitementascardsandchocolatewereexchangedattheend.Aspecialthankstoallthose

whohelpedtomaketheprogrammesuchasuccessthisyearandinparticularthestudentsof5Coraland5Diamondwhoweregreatexamplesofthelivingfaithoftheschool.MsBohan&MrFarrell

Pay it Forward Day– St Mary’sEmmaO’ReillyandLaurenRussellwereourtwostudentswhorepresentedusattheLeChéileConference.Theyplannedagreat‘PayitForward’dayintheschool,wheretheymadethankyoucardsandgavethemtostaffandstudents.Overthecourseofthedayeveryonewasencouragedtowriteamessageofthanksandgiveittosomeoneatsomepointintheday.Theyalsohadathankfulnessboard,onwhichstudentscouldputupwhat/whotheyarethankfulfor.Aspartoftheday,twelveBlessingBagscontainingbasictoiletrieswillbegivenoutrandomlytostaffandstudents

togivetosomeoneinneed.Thiswayour‘PayitForward’initiativewentbeyondourschoolgatestohelpthehomeless.

ThankfulnessBoard

BlessingBags–giventostaffandstudents

Le Chéile Link upDay ForthepasttwoyearswehaveestablishedalinkwithanotherLeCheileSchool,StLouisRathmines.EachyearduringCatholicSchoolsweekweplanalinkupeventwherestudentsfrombothschoolscometogetherandjoininadayofworkshopsandeventsconcludinginaliturgythatthestudentslead.ThisyearitwasourturntovisitStLouis.Itwasanothergreatdayfullofinformationandfun,aswellasquiettimeduringtheliturgy.NextyearStMary’swillhostthiseventandwelookforwardtowelcomingthestudentsofStLouisbacktoStMary’s.TYstudentsfromStMary’s

andTYstudentsfromStLouisattheirlinkupday.

6th Year Graduation2018ThethemeofGraduationthisyearwas‘Thefuturebelongstothosewhobelieveinthebeautyoftheirdreams’.Inchoosingthistheme,thestudentswantedtofocusontheirfuturelives,theirambitions,hopes,goalsanddreams.Astheyleaveusandgooutintotheworldtheyhavethepotentialtoachievesomuch,tomakearealdifferenceintheirlivesandthelivesofothers.Eachclasscreatedalifesize

dream-catchertorepresentthedreamsoftheclass.Theyalsopaintedacanvasframewithsymbolsandimagesoftheirhopesanddreamsforthefuture.Thesewerehungaroundthewallsofthegymfortheirparentstosee.Thebanneralsodisplayedthethemeofthenight.ThisyeartheGraduation

Ceremonytooktheformofaliturgy,withprayers,readings,agospel,homilyandprayersofthefaithful.Itbeganwithacandleprocessionfollowedbyacandleceremonywithstudents,staffandparents.FrRichardpresidedovertheliturgyandwasinspirationalinhishomilytothegirlswherehefocusedon

thethemeofdreams,hopesandgoalsfortheirfuturelives.TheEmberTeamhandedovertothenewteaminaspiritualceremony.Interspersedwitheachofthesewereclasspresentationsofcertificatesandgiftstothestudents.TheMargaretAylwardAwardwaspresentedtotheworthyrecipient,SophieLieghio,asvotedforbythestudentsthemselves.MsBourkeaddressedthestudents,parentsandstaff.ThiswasfollowedbytheHeadGirlLaurynMcCauslandandDeputyHeadGirlRachelHogan’saddresstotheirfellowstudentscombinedwithapoignantfilmoftheirjourneythroughStMary’s.Asalways,thechoirwere

excellentandreallyenhancedtheevening,particularlyattheendwhentheyallsangthegraduationsongs.WeintheReligion

Departmentwouldliketothankeveryonewhohelpedussomuchwithgraduation.MsBourke,MsO’DonnellandMsDevaneyfortheirconstantsupport.FrRichardforalwaysmakingtheeveningsuchaspecial,spiritualoccasion.ColinandMrO’Connellforsettingupthegym.Liz,Jacinta,MichelleandDeniseforalloftheadministrativework.MsO’Rourke,MrCollandthechoirfortheirbeautifulsingingandplaying,whichalwaysenhancestheevening.TheParentsAssociationforprovidingrefreshmentsandparentsfortheirsupportoftheevent.Lastly,thestaffwhoattendinsuchnumbersandcontributesomuchtotheevening.MsBohan.

TYstudentsfromStMary’sandTYstudentsfromStLouisattheir

linkupday

RELIGION DEPARTMENT

Iceland TripDay1WearrivedinKeflavíkairportonOctober26th.FromtherewedrovetothevolcanicpeninsulaofReykjanes,anareaofgreatvolcanicactivitywithseveraldormantvolcanoesandmanyextensivelavafields.OnwardstoKrísuvíkGeothermalAreatowitnessamoonscapeofbubblingsulphuricmud-poolsandsteamvents.Thelaststopbeforewesettledintothehostel,wasthenewlyopenedLavaCentrewhichhadexcellentinteractivedisplaysexplainingthetectonichistoryofIceland.

Day2WestartedwithatouroftheSWofIcelandwhichincludedthreeofthebest-knownattractionsIcelandhastooffer.StartingwithGullfoss,TheGoldenWaterfall,oneofthemostimpressivewaterfallsinEurope,continuingwithTheGeysir Areawithnumeroushotsprings,fumerolesandgeysersandÞingvellir,aremarkablegeologicalsitewherewestoodbetweentheEurasianandNorthAmericanplates.OnthewaybackwestoppedoffatKeridCraterwherewewalkedtherimthendescendedintothecraterlake.

Day3BlueskiesandsunshinewerewithusforourhikeontheSólheimajökullglacier.InthebackgroundwecouldseethesnowshroudedHeklaandtheicecappedvolcanoEyjafjallajökull,whichwaslastactivein2010.WethencontinuedontothecoastaltownofVikforaspotofshopping.NextstopwasthefamousblacksandbeachofReynisfjarawithitstoweringbasaltcolumns.Wefinishedoffanamazingdaybywatchingthesunsetwhilewalkingbehindawaterfall.

Day4ThemorningwasspentexploringoneofIcelandmostbeautifullavacaves–Raufarhólshellir.ThewasfollowedbyahiketotheReykjadalurvalley;ageothermalareawithanaturallyheatedriverwhereyoucanbathe.Backtothehosteltopackupforthejourneyhomebutnotbeforeonefinaltrip–anighttimevisittotheworldfamousBlueLagoon.TheLagoonisauniqueformation;alagoonwithpleasantlywarmmineral-richgeothermalwaterinamiddleofablacklavafield.Thegirlswereabsolutelyfantasticand

embracedeverythingwithenthusiasm.Itwasapleasuretotravelwithyouall!Amassivethankstotheteacherswhogenerouslygaveoftheirtimetomakethishappen–itismuchappreciated,asareyourcardplayingskills!

6th Year Burren Trip6thyeargeographystudentsheadedofftotheBurrenforthefirstweekendoftheEasterholidays.WemadeabriefstopoffattheAilweecavesenroutetocheckouttheeffectsofcarbonationonaKarstlandscape.Saturdaywasjam-packedwithactivities.Westartedthemorningwithrockclimbingandabseiling;weweresoimpressedwithsomeofthegirlswhoovercametheirfearstomakeittouptherockwall.ThiswasfollowedbyaguidedhikeacrossthelimestonepavementwhereweobservedmayfeaturestypicaloftheBurren.ItwasabeautifuldayandtheAranIslandswerevisibleoffthecoast.WeroundedoffthedaywithatriptoLahinch.Wewerekittedoutwithwetsuitsandsurfboards,andwehitthewaves.Literally!Wehadatwo-hoursurflessonandalotoffun.OnSundaywe

GEOGRAPHYDEPARTMENT

5th YearOurcurrent5thyearstudentsrecentlywenttoBalscaddenBayinHowthtoconducttheirgeographicalinvestigationaspartoftheirseniorcyclegeographycourse.Thegirlsbecameactivegeographersbycarryingoutdifferentcoastaltestsandmethodstoinvestigateandanalyseprocessesthatarecurrentlyaffectingthebay’sformation.Byusingprimarydataresultsandsecondarysourcesofinformation,StMary’sstudentswereabletoidentifyactivecoastalprocesswhichhaveresultedinthebaytoretreatatanaveragerateof37msince1840.Wewereblessedtohavesuchwonderfulweatherthatreallyaddedtotheatmosphereofthedaywhichwefinishedoffwithice-creamdownonHowthPier.

visitedtheCliffsofMoherandwalkedalongthetopofthecliffs.WethensawthecliffsfromtheseaasweembarkedonaboattripfromDoolinPier.WemanagedtosqueezeinaquicktriptotheRockShop–amustseeforbuddinggeographers!Therewasstilltimetohikeup

Mullaghmorebeforegettingthebushome.Again,wecouldn’thaveaskedforabettergroupofstudentswhogotstuckintoeverythingwithgoodcheer!Manythankstotheteacherswhogaveupthefirstweekendoftheirholidays.

TY Geography ThegeographymodulethisyearplacedagreatemphasisonplatetectonicsresultingintheformationofVolcanoesandEarthquakes.Throughouttheirstudyoftheworld’smostfamousanddeadlyvolcanoes,studentsalsohadtogethandsonbyre-constructingtheirchosencasestudiesandrecreatingtheirdeadlyeruptionstotheirpeers.Withfireextinguishersathandmosteruptionsdidnotleadtoanylossoflifeastheburninglavawasdivertedalongdifferentpathways.

FRENCHDEPARTMENT

FrenchClubthisyearwasgreatfun.FrenchclubwasoneveryTuesdayatlunchtime.ThegoodthingaboutFrenchClubisthatyoudon’tneedtostudyFrenchtocomealong.WehadalotoffunplayingFrenchgamesandeatingdelicioussnackslikesbiscuits,croissantsandchocolate.WeplayedFrenchgameslikeSeptFamilles,BoulesandaFrenchcardgamecalledLoveLetters.SeptFamillesisagreatgamewhereweeachgetasetofcards.Theaimofthegameistofindawholefamilyset.Thepersonwhocompletesthemostamountofsetswins.AtfirstweplayedthisgamethroughEnglishbutbytheendoftheyear,wecouldplayitalmostentirelythroughFrenchbyaskingquestionslike‘As-tulacarterouge?’whichmeans‘Doyouhavetheredcard?’.Thegamecangetreallycompetitiveandisgreatfun.BoulesisalsoagreatFrenchgame.This

isagamethatyouseepeopleplayingthroughoutFrance.It’sgreatfuntoplay,especiallyoutsideonasunnyday.WeareverythankfultoMsMurrayforhostingthisyear’sFrenchClubandbringingusthewonderfultreatseveryTuesday.ByRaghadAchour(1Sienna)

TYstudentstookpartinamodernlanguageFashionshowandcontinentalbreakfast.StudentsmodelleddifferentoutfitsasanotherstudentdescribedtheiroutfitineitherFrench,GermanorSpanish.ThiswasfollowedbyadeliciousbreakfastofFrenchcheeses,GermanandSpanishmeatsandevensomeSpanishTortillaspreparedbyMr.Grace.Studentsthoroughlyenjoyedtryingthedifferenttypesoffood.

GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT

2 Lynn – CSPE ActionProject2Lynn’sActionProjectfocusesonthehomelesscrisisinDublinandhowwecanhelpaidthiscause.WeaskedstudentsinourschooltodonateitemsforaSimonCarePackagewhichwillbegiventotheSimonCommunityandthendistributedtothe

homelesspeoplewhoneedit.WearealsoraisingawarenessaroundtheschoolfortheSimonCommunityandtheexcellentworktheydotohelpwiththecurrenthomelessnesscrisis.

2 Sheehy2SheehyembodythecoreconceptsattheheartofCSPE!Upondecidingontheirfocusareaofstewardshipfortheiractionproject,theywantedtoensuretheyselectedanorganisationtoraiseawarenessandfundsfordemocratically.Afterresearchinganumberofpossibleorganisationsandcanvassingtotheclass,thevoteswerecounted– andtheISPCAweretheclearwinners!Thewholeclassworkedextremelyhard,helpingeachotherfantasticallyallthewaythroughthisproject.Welldone2SheehyonaverysuccessfulawarenessraisingcampaignandforraisingmuchneededfundsfortheISPCA!

CSPEDEPARTMENT

HOMEECONOMICS

DEPARTMENT

Breakfast ClubThisyearweweredelightedtointroducefreehealthybreakfaststoallstudentsinStMary’s.BreakfastClubrunsdailyfrom8.10am–8.40aminStMary’sKitchen.Thereisagreatchoiceofhealthyfoodstochoosefromincludingcerealandfruitpots,freshfruit,scones,oatbars,yogurt,softcheeseandlotsmore.FreebreakfastitemsarealsoavailableattheGlanmoreFoodStationduringbreaktime.Breakfastclubhasbeena

hugesuccess,givingstudentsanopportunitytostartofftheirdaywithahealthybreakfastwhilealsoallowingthemtomeetnewfriendsandchatbeforethestartofeachschoolday.Abigthankyoutoall

volunteersandteachershelpingouteachmorning!

Little Chef’sCookery Club

TheLittleChef’sCookeryClubwasahugesuccessthisyear.Firstandsecondyearstudentshaveenjoyedworkingwiththeirfriendsandhavegainedhugeconfidenceintheirculinaryskills.Thisyearthestudentshaveenjoyedmakingchocolatechipcookies,chickenfajitas,homemadepizza,chocolateandcaramelbrowniesaswellaschickengoujonsandspicypotatowedges.Welldonetoallthegirls

involved.MsMartin

Junior CertificatePractical CookeryExamsCongratulationstoallthethirdyearHomeEconomicsstudentswhorecentlyundertooktheirpracticalexamsincookery.The

dishesmadewereofaveryhighstandardthisyearandwerepresentedbeautifully.Thecraftworkprojectsandfolderswerealsopresentedandthegirlsdidafantasticjob.Welldone!

Health andWellbeing Week

HealthandWellbeingweektookplaceinJanuaryofthisyear.MsBoran,membersofthetransitionyearHealthSquadandthePEandHomeEconomicsdepartmentdidafantasticjobpromotingtheimportanceofagooddietandexercisetomembersoftheschoolcommunity.Someofthehealthyandtasty

snacksonofferduringtheweekincludedovernightoatswitharaspberrytopping,summerfruit/tropicalsmoothiesandpopcorn.Therewerealsoanumberof

guestspeakersduringtheweekwhospoketostudentsaboutnutritionandtheimportanceofhealthylifestylechoices.Specialthankstoallinvolved!

First Year and Second YearCookery & CraftsSecondyearHomeEconomicsstudentshavecommencedworkontheirJuniorCertificatecraftworkprojectswhichaccountfor15%oftheiroverallgradeinthesubject.MsMartin’sclassaremakingcolourfulcrossstitchpictures.MsMcCarthy’sclassaremakingbeautifulembroideredcushions.Bothclassesmustalsoputforwardsupportfolderswiththeirprojectstoexplainthedesignprocess.WelldonetoMsMartin’sfirstyearclass

oncompletingtheirpersonalisedgymbags.Studentsdevelopedhugeskillsinhandsewing,textilesanduseofthesewingmachine.Thestudentswereenthusiasticandworkedextremelyhard.

Fifth Year Food JournalsWewouldliketotakethisopportunitytowishourcurrentfifthyearstudentsthebestofluckastheycompletetheirLeavingCertificatefoodjournalworkwhichaccountsfor20%oftheiroverallgradeinthesubject.Theassignmentsarebasedonthefollowingtopics:

• Lowincomefamilies• Vegetarianism• Soufflés• Homemadepreserves• Sensoryanalysis

Theseassignmentsrequirestudentstoinvestigate,prepareandserveadishrelatingtotheabovetopics.Bestofluckgirls!

MsMartin,MsNoonanandMsMcCarthy.

DebatingThisterm,theSeniordebatingclubwasverybusywithboththeDennyAll-IrelandSchools’DebatingCompetitionandtheConcernDebates.Howevereverymemberoftheclubrosetothechallengeandworkedtogethertoensuregreatsuccesses,whethertravellingacrossDublintodebateordedicatingtimetoresearchingawidevarietyoftopicsandthemes.TheteamrepresentingStMary’sintheConcerndebatestackledsomeofthemostimportantissuesfacingtheworldtoday,suchastheAIDSepidemicandtheimportanceofeducationforwomen.Itwascleartotheaudiencethatourstudentswerehighlypassionateaboutthesetopicsandworkedveryhardindeliveringwellresearched,thoughtfularguments.WhiletheConcerndebatingteamwereexcellentineachoftheirdebatesandreceivedhighpraisefromtheadjudicators,theynarrowlymissedoutonprogressingtothenextroundofthecompetition.TheDennyAll-IrelandSchools’DebatingCompetitionalsocontinuedwithgreatsuccesswiththethird

roundtakingplaceinJanuarythisyear.KerryMcManus,AlanMasterson,SophieLieghioandRiodhnaMackinrepresentedStMary’sagainanddebatedanumberofcontroversialtopicsonTuesdayeveningsinbothTrinityCollegeDublinandUCD.ThequarterfinalstookplaceonTuesdaythe23rdJanuaryinUCD.SophieandRiodhnaopposedthemotionthatThishousebelievesdevelopingcountriesshouldputinplacepoliciesthatheavilydisincentiviseruraltourbanmigrationwhileAlanwasinfavour.Thestandardwasextremelyhighatthisstageofthecompetitionwhichledtoafieryeventwithparticipantsbattlingitouttoguaranteeawin!SophieandRiodhnawentontocompeteinthesemi-finalofthisprestigiouscompetitiononTuesdaythe

30thJanuaryinTrinityCollegeDublin.ThegirlsweredealingwiththeextremelydifficultandcontroversialtopicofreligiouswarfareinIranandcameupagainstanumberofverywell-establishedschoolswithinthedebatingcommunity.Despitethis,theteamspokewithgreatconfidenceandbeliefintheirpositiononthetopic.Unfortunately,theynarrowlymissedoutonaspotinthefinalofthecompetition.Thewholeschoolcommunitywasdelightedandveryproudthat,althoughthisteamwasnewtotheworld

ofcompetitivedebating,itwasstillanimmensesuccess.Thiswasduetothehardworkanddedicationofboththedebatersandresearchersalikeateverystepoftheway.Wehopetocontinuethesegreatsuccessesnextyearwithourseniorcycledebaterswhilealsowishingour6thyearseverysuccessintheirbrightfutureswithintheEnglish,dramaandartsdisciplines.MsMolloy,MsO’Flaherty,MsWarren

HOME ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT

TheMathsDepartmentandstudentshavehadanexciting2018sofar.ThefollowingeventstookplaceintheMathsDepartmentduringthisterm:

Maths Olympiad AftersuccessfullygettingthroughtothesecondroundoftheMathsOlympiad,MariaZubascuinTYparticipatedinthefourinitialtrainingclasseson27thJanuary,3th,10thand17thFebruary2018.OnSaturday24thFebruary2018therewasaselectiontestattheendofwhichthebest40studentswereinvitedformoreintensetraininginviewofprogressingtotheIrishMathOlympiad.Mariawassuccessfulandwaschosenforthis.Mariawas12thplaceinthecountryaftertheselectiontest.ThefinalroundtookplaceatanationallevelonSaturday12May2018.ThebestsixpupilsattheIrishMathOlympiadwillrepresentthecountryattheInternationalMathOlympiadwhichwilltakeplaceinRomaniainJuly2018.Mariaisawaitingtheresultstoseedidshegetthrough.Regardlessofwhethershegetsthroughornot,wearesoproudofMaria’sachievementsandwewishherthebestofluck!YouareasuperstarMaria

Maths Support CentreMsFarrellandMsDowlinghavebeenworkinghardinsettingupaMathsSupportCentrewhichhasbeenofgreathelptostudentswhoneedanytypeofextrahelpwithcertainmathstopics.

Lego League @DCUClass4RaphaeltookpartinaninitiativeinconjunctionwithLearnitandDCULegoEducationInnovationStudiowhichisbasedatStPatrick’sCampusinDrumcondra.Theleagueinvolvesaglobalscienceandtechnologychallengeforstudentstoencouragethemtohaveinterestinrealworldissuesofpivotalimportancetoaknowledge-basedsociety.Thechallengeincludesstudentsworkinginteams,exploringagiventopicwhichthisyearishydraulicsandthendesigning,buildingandprogramminganautonomousLegorobottosolveaseriesofmissions.Allthegirlsworkedsohardandwere

brilliant.Twooftheteamspickedupawards.WaterwarriorswontheawardforoveralldisplayofcorevaluesandDisneyDroidswontheawardforoverallbestrobotDesign.Welldonegirls!

TeamDisneyDroids:AbbieLeeper,HannahOBrien,TaraMacken,KatieKennedy,SophieMcGrane,andHeatherDunne

TeamWaterWarriors:AnnaMandzyuk,JoyStokes,AoifeRoche,CarlaWardandJuilaWysocka

Quiz ManiaFirstYearsOur1styearstudentstookpartintheannualFirstYearMathsquizinDCUonWednesday18thAprilatStPatsinDrumcondra.Thestudentswerecompetingwithotherstudentsfromneighbouringschools.WelldonetothestudentsinvolvedfromClassIndigo.Wehadtwoteamscompetingontheday.TheFabFourandTwoSquared.Bothteamscompetedtoahighstandardontheday.ImpressivelyTwoSquaredcameinthirdplacewithjustasinglepointseparatingeachofthetopteams.TheyreceivedaDCUtopeachastheirPrize.BetweeneachroundofthequiztherewasaKahootquizfortheaudience.ShaniahLlaneRollopickedupthetopprizeinoneofrounds.

TheFabFour:LtoRLeianVista,AnastasiaBerzoi,SophieBurkeandTaraSweeney.

TwoSquared:LtoRMsMurphy,JadeWhelan,CiaraAbragan,KatelynWardandVivienneUlugbek

SecondYearsAgroupoffoursecondyearsenteredtheannualDCU2ndYearMathsQuizonthe7thofMarchattheStPatricksCampusinDCU.Thegirlsdidexceptionallywellandmanagedtoclaimsecondplace!Welldonegirls!

SecondYearDCUMathsQuizParticipants(LtoR):AlinaBoldan,KaceyBoyd,EmmaWuYangandLaurenHammond

MATHSDEPARTMENT

Science DepartmentTheScienceDepartmentstartedoffthenewyearwithavisittotheBTYoungScientistExhibitionintheRDS.AgroupofscientificallymindedTYstudentsattendedtheexhibitionwiththeirteachersMsNolanandMsBrownetolendtheirsupporttoparticipatingstudentsLaurenMcGuinnessandSarahBradyandtheirteacherMsMulvey.Theirprojectentitled‘AnInvestigationintoTelevisedRoadSafetyCampaigns,toseeiftheyarehavingalastingimpactonYoungTeenagers’AttitudesTowardsDrinkandDrugDriving’gainedlotsofattentionfromthejudges,mediaandthepublicwiththegirlsbeinginterviewedforTheEveningHeraldnewspaper.EveryTuesdaythebuddingscientistsofSt

Mary’sputontheirlabcoatsandsafetygogglestogetstuckintofunandfascinatingformulationsatScienceclub.WiththeassistanceofMsByrnes,MsNolan,MsO’KeeffeandMsO’Donnell,thefuturescientistsandengineerscreatedcrystals,examinedelectricalcircuitsandformulatedfizzbombs.InAprilelevenStMary’sSciencestudents

(fourgroups)completedattheScifestfairinDCU.Forseveralmonthsbeforehandthestudentscarriedoutresearchandexperimentalworkandthenpresentedtheirhardworkatthefair.Thetopicsrangedfrompsychologytosportsscience.Thestudentsalsoenjoyedtheexhibitionofprojects,aprize-givingceremony,sciencetalks,sciencedemonstrationsinthecollegelaboratoriesandadviceoncareersinSTEMandcoursesavailableinthecollege.PicturedbelowisMollyO’Rourkeand

AlesiaDoyleexhibitingtheirproject‘WallofEmotions’whichexaminedtheeffectsofcolourandaprintrichclassroomonstudentslearning.ThroughoutthespringtimeTYstudents

withthehelpofMrMontagueandMsColemancollecteddatafortheGLOBEprogramme.ThisenvironmentalscienceprojectwasrunincollaborationwithAnTaisceandNASAandaimedtofoster‘CitizenScience’withschoolstudentsaroundtheglobe.ThestudentsmonitoredtheairqualityinthegardensofStMary’susingequipmentsuppliedbyAnTaisceandrecordedtheirobservationsofcloudcoverandweatherconditions.ThisinformationwasthenuploadedtotheNASAdatabase.

SCIENCEDEPARTMENT

Darkness into LightTheDarknessintoLightannualfundraisingflagshipandawarenesseventforPietaHousetookplaceonMay12ththisyear.Thisyearmarkedthe10-yearanniversaryfortheevent.TherewasaseaofyellowinthePhoenixParkwheretheeventembracedover14,000peopleastheywalkedalongthe5-kilometreroutethroughthecitypark.OvertwentystudentsfromStMary’sandsixstaffmemberswalkedtogetherasagroupwherewemetatComiskey’sat3.45amtobeginthewalkatChesterfieldAvenueat4.15am.Theeventbeganindarknessandwewalkedtogetherasdawnbrokeandthesunroseinthepark.Thesymbolic5kmwalkpromotes

awarenessofmentalhealthdifficultiesandraisesvitalfundsforthecharitythatworkstopreventsuicideandprovideservicesforthoseaffectedbysuicide.PietaHouse’svisionisofaworldwhere“suicide,self-harmandstigmahavebeenreplacedbyhope,self-careandacceptance.”

BUSINESSDEPARTMENT

ARTDEPARTMENT

Sweet Treats taste successat the Business BootcampBigcongratulationstoTYstudentsEricaCarrie,SarahBateson,ChaniceDolan,ChloeCahill,KarlaConway,HannahO’Brien,KatieKennedy,TaraMackenandAbbieLeeperontheirtriumphantperformanceintheBusinessBootcampcompetitionheldinColaisteEoin.Thegirlswhotookhomethe

topprizefortwooutofthreeeventsthisyearwiningadditionalawardsforbeststagepresentationandbestcompanyimagethroughoutthecompetition,whichprovedtobethebestentrepreneurialteamwiththeirculinaryinspiredselectionof‘SweetTreats’.

Whenthegirlsweren’twinningcompetitions,theywerereapingtherewardsfromtheirhardworkwithmultiplebakesalesintheschoolcappedoffbyasuccessfulScrumdiddly’sinspiredice-creamsaleonSportsDay.WelldoneSweetTreats!

Junk KoutureTYstudentsJamilaHannigan,SophieMorganFurphyandShannonFowleyrepresentedStMary’sinJunkKoutureatthisyear’sRegionalFinalintheHelix.FollowingonfromtheirwonderfulsuccessourremainingJunkKoutureentriesperformedatStMary’sMusicShowcaseinMay.

Junk Kouture (contd.)

National Architects inSchools Initiative 2018IrishArchitectsFoundation.ThisyearStMary’sTYstudentsworkedwith4thYearArchitecturestudentsfromDublinInstituteofTechnologydevelopingdesignideastoreimaginetheuseofopenspacesintheschool.UndertheguidanceandtuitionofarchitectEvelynD’Arcy,DITstudentsandstaff,ourstudentsrespondedtotheirbrief.Thecollaborationwasafantasticopportunityforthestudents,andthereareplanstomakeabeautifulwoodenpavilioninSeptemberthatwillbeinsituclosetotheentranceoftheschool.TheprojectwasondisplayattheIAF’sNationalArchitectsinSchoolsInitiativeExhibitionheldinWaterfordcity’snewpublicspace,theAppleMarketfrom18th–20thMay.

ART DEPARTMENT

First Year ArtFirstyearartstudentscreatedagraphicpiecewheretheyillustratedtheirownstoryinspiredbythesnowdays.Eachstudentthencreateda3Dmodelwhichhelpedtoanimatetheircharactersandbringlifetotheiruniqueindividualstories.TheirinspirationcamefromthewonderfulworkofBelfastborngraphicartistOliverJeffers.

2nd Year Creative EngagementProject – mask-making basedon the theme of identity2ndyearshadtheopportunitytoexploretheskillsindesigningandcreatingfunctionalmasks,basedontheirownoriginalideas,undertheguidanceofartistEleanorPhillipsandtheirteacherMsCunningham.Thisprojectbuiltontheirpreviousterm’swork,wheretheylearnedaboutportraiture.Studentstookcastsfromtheirfaceusingplasterbandageandusedavarietyofdifferenttechniquestobuildformandshape,beforeaddingtheirfinaldecorativefeatures.Studentspresentedtheirmaskstotheclassaspartoftheiroracysummertestandanumberofstudentsperformedatthemusicshowcasetothesong,‘ThisIsMe’,sungby6thyearGemmaReilly.ManythankstoGemmaforhergenerosityinsharingtheperformance.

Creative EngagementThisyear,StMary’sArtdepartmentembarkedontwonewCreativeEngagementprojects.ThefirstbeganinJanuary,wherethe5thyearsengagedinoriginalresearch,makingcross-curricularlinksbetweenoneoftheirLeavingCertsubjectsandaschooltriptoDublinPort.TheprojectwasledbyartistEleanorPhillipsandartteachersMsKavanaghandMsCunningham.Eachstudentwasrequiredto

createanartpiecefromtheLeavingCertcourseworkthatreflectedtheirresearch.Theprojectwasnotwithoutitschallenges,asitaskedstudentstoengagewithhigherlevelthinkingandtoworkinadisciplinedandself-motivatedmanner,undertheguidanceoftheirteachersandartist.Theprojectculminatedwithagroup-basedevaluationfacilitatedbyEleanorPhillips,whichenabledthestudentstoreflectontheirengagementintheprojectandthesuccessoftheirrealisedwork.We’reveryproudofthestudents’hardworkandlookforwardtoexhibitingitintheautumn.

ART DEPARTMENT

TY Craft and MediaIntermstwoandthree,theArt,CraftandMediamodulestudentshavecreatedindividualhand-builtceramicflowers.Theylearnedaboutthehistoryandskillsofworkingwithmosaicandputthesetothetestinaddingtothemosaicwall.Theirpersonalceramicpiecesweresurroundedbymirrorandtile.Notonlyhavetheylearnedthesetraditionalskills;theyhavealsoemployedtheirtechnologicalskillstorecordtheprocess,creatingashortdocumentary.

SundownonabusyweekintheSensoryGarden.Alliumsout,beans,peasandsunflowersplanted.TYmosaicwalladdedto.Weeding,wateringandtidyingcompleted.Anewedition,thebiodiversitybedsignlooksamazing.Weexploredgrowingfoodfromwaste,includingpotatoes,celeryandbutternutsquash.We’velinkedinwithWellbeingandall1styearclassesgottosowthespecialStMary’ssunflowerseeds.WelldonetoallofthestudentsthathelpedoutinthevariousprojectsandabigthankstoColin,ourcaretaker,forputtingupthesign.Thisgardenbelongstothestudents–thisisyourgardenandyouhavereallytakenownershipofitthisyear,particularlythosewhotookpartintheGardeningClub.

Sensory Garden

ART DEPARTMENT

Biodiversity gardenlaunched by Holy Faithsisters and Green SchoolscommitteeTheHolyFaithsisters,StMary’sGreenSchoolscommittee,somemembersofthepublicandcelebrityenvironmentalist,DuncanStewart,launchedanewbiodiversitygardenonSaturdayApril21st.Thisgardenwillbeinthefieldbesidethetenniscourts.ItwillcontainnativeIrishwildflowerswhichwillattractpollinatingbeesandbugswhichwillencouragemoreplantsandwildlifetoflourish.Thisisimportantforthefutureoflifeonearthandisoneofthegreatestchallengesfacinghumans.MembersoftheGreenSchoolscommitteeareholdingacompetitiontonamethiswildflowergardenandaluckywinnerwillbepickedsoon.

Biodiversity FlagSt.Mary’sGreenSchoolscommitteearegoingfortheirfifthgreenflagforbiodiversity.SofarStMary’shavegottheirflagsforrecycling,water,energyandtravel.Thisflagissoimportanttoraise

awarenessofhowwecanprotectthespeciesofplantsandanimalsthatareendangered.Canyouimagineawarmsummer’sdaywithoutthebuzzofabumblebee?Thisisentirelypossiblenow.Werelyonspecieslikethebumblebeetopollinateourplantstomovepollenfromoneflowertoanother–causingnewplantstogrow.

Withoutpollinatinginsects,theplantsonwhichwerelyforfoodsimplywon’tgrow!Somanyofthespeciesofplantsandanimalsonwhichwerelyonarenowextinct.Didyouknowthatsince197040%ofspeciesareextinct!Whatwillearthbelikein50yearsifthetrendskeepgoingthisway?

Followingourrecentbiodiversitysurvey,wewillbetakingstepstoprotectanddevelopthenativeplantsandanimalsonourcampussoon.Ifyoucareaboutthisjoinourcommittee

inthecomingterm.

STUDENT COUNCIL

TheMinisterforEmploymentAffairsandSocialProtectionReginaDohertyvisitedherAlmaMater,StMary’sonMonday26thFebruaryMembersoftheStudent

Council,classcaptainsandvice-captains,FifthYearPoliticsandSocietystudentsaswellasteachersfromtheHistoryDepartmentandthemanagementteamgreetedMinisterReginaDohertyat2pmonMonday26thFebruary.ShekindlyacceptedtheStudentCouncil’sinvitationtocometoherAlmaMatertocelebratewithstudentsthe‘RoadtoVotes’whichcelebrates100yearsofvotesforwomen.TheceremonywasfittinglyopenedwithHannahRyanMurphysinging‘Amhránna

bhFiann’.MembersoftheStudentCouncil–EmilyMcElroy,KarenLoma,RheanneRobles,EmilyDixonandEmilyGallagherparticipatedintheceremony.Emilytoldtheassembledgroupaboutthebackgroundofthe‘RoadtoVotes’whileKarengaveapottedhistoryofConstanceMarkiewicz.ThiswasfollowedbyLeannespeakingabouttheroleofwomeninIrishParliamentaryPoliticstoday.Afterthiswonderful

presentationMsBourkewelcomedtheministertothestagetospeakabouttheimportanceofwomeninleadershipandtoinspirethemtoseekoutleadershiproles.Theministerwelcomedquestionsfromtheaudienceafterher

insightfulspeech.TheclosingmusicfortheceremonywasfromourHeadGirlLaurynMcCauslandwhosangthehauntinglybeautifulballad‘Grace’.TwoofourFirstYears,EmilyDixonandEmilyGallagherpresentedtheministerwithaframedpictureoftheschoolsurroundedbyinspirationalquoteswhichwasdesignedbyMazzyHollerich.MsBourkeconcludedtheceremonyandthemembersofthestudentcouncilbroughttheministertothelibraryforrefreshments.Wethanktheministerformarkingthe‘RoadtoVotes’intheschool(andlatertweetingaboutit!)andalsotoMrFarrellfororganisingthisuniqueeventintheschoolcommunity.

Ministerial Visitor Urges Students to EmbraceLeadership Roles

The Student Council celebrated 100 years of Votes for Women with past student Minister Regina Doherty

1918wasthefirsttimeIrishwomenwerepermittedbyLawtovoteandstandinparliamentaryelections.OurStudentCouncilduringthemonthofFebruary2018celebratedthis

importantcentenarywhichinvolvedhostingaministerialvisit.

Picture courtesy ofBrianfitzpatrickphotography.com

MinisterforEmploymentAffairsandSocialProtectionRegina

Dohertybeingpresentedwithaframedpictureof

theschool

MUSIC DEPARTMENT

Navan ChoralFestival 2018TheScholaChoirenteredtheNavanChoralFestivalagainthisyear.Theycompetedinthe‘LiturgicalChoir’section.Theysangtwopiecesinthiscompetition,“StellaSplendens”byTonyAlonsoand‘EverythingIhaveisyours’composedbyMr.Coll.Theywereagainsteightotherchoirsandthestandardwasveryhigh.Thegirlshaveworkedreallyhardtodevelopthischoiranditismostcertainlyontheup.Theyreceivedoutstanding

commentsfromthejudgeandwerecomplementedfortheir“beautiful,heartfeltandrousingperformances

Emmanuel 2018St.Mary’swaswellrepresentedagainthisyearattheEmmanuelConcertintheHelix.Forty-fivestudentsrepresentedtheschoolattheannualEmmanuelConcertinTheHelixonMonday5thFebruary.SpecialcongratulationstoourthreesoloistsCaseyHarris,GemmaReillyandDianaButoc.ForCaseyandGemmaitwasanemotionaloccasion,as,being

6thyearsthiswastheirlastopportunitytoparticipateinthisgloriousyearlyevent.Dianaisin2ndyearsoshewillhavemanymoreopportunitiestotakepart.OnMondayDianawasoneofagroupoffourstudentsfromvariousschoolschosentosingMrColl’sowncomposition‘EverythingIhaveisYours.’Itisapiecethegirlsknowverywellaswehaveuseditmanytimesfordifferentcelebrations.Allstudentsenjoyedthe

experienceofsingingintheHelixandahugethankstoallthestudentsinthechoirwhoalwaysworksohardthroughouttheyearandarealwayssodedicated.

Music Practicals

IthasbeenabusytimeintheMusicDepartmentinpreparation fortheMusicpracticalexaminations.Allthegirlshaveworkedhardandbothexaminerscommentatedonthehighstandardofmusicperformed.Thestyleofpiecesperformedvaried,fromIrishtraditionalmusic,toclassicaland fromcontemporary musictorock.Wewishour3rdand6thyearseverysuccessintheirwritten examinations inJune.

The Annual StMary’s “ MusicShowcase” 2018TowardstheendofeveryyearthemusicaltalentofStMary’swasshowcasedinonenightofgreatentertainmentinStMary’schoirhall.PerformancesonthenightconsistedofstudentsfromtheJuniorandLeavingcertclassesperformingtheirpracticalpieces.Classperformancesfrom1st,2ndand5thyearmusicclasses,theTYmusicclassesandtheschoolchoiralsofeatured.Intotaltherewere37performanceswithcompereonthenight,MrMcGill.Some2ndYearArtstudentsworemaskstoaccompanyGemmaReilly’sperformance‘ThisisMe’andtheaudiencegottoviewthefabulousJunkKouturecostumesthatwerecreatedbyTYstudentswiththehelpofMsKavanagh.Itwasagreatnightofmusicandagreatwaytoendthemusicalactivitiesoftheyear.Wearelookingforwardto

moreexcitingmusicalprojectsnextyear.

MsO’Rourke&MrCollMusicDepartment

SoloistsfromStMary’s:CaseyHarris,GemmaReillyandDianaButuc

STUDENT COUNCIL

MusicalShowcasePracticewithMsDowling.

An Coiste Gaelbhratach

D’éirighgohiontachleisangCoisteGaelbhratachimbliana.BhíHannahRyanMurphy,OllieDorganHughes,ZaraMcGlynn,KlaudiaTyczko,AlannahDillon,JodieMoore,KellieJonesRyan,ChloeKingagusSarahAboudmarbhaillarangCoiste.Rinnenadaltaísár-iarrachtarsonnaGaeilge.Bhíceolchoirmacuagtúsnablainaagus

tháiniganArd-MhéaraMicheálMacDonnchachunárgcéadbrathaardú.Bhíceolagusamhránaíochtarsiúlaranlá.BhíbricféastaíGaelachaarsúilgachmhíagusd’eagraighnadaltaícártaívailintínathabhairtdomhuintiranchéadbhliainiMíFeabhra.RoimhnaBealtrialachabhítae,caifeaguscomhráeagraithedomhuintiranséúbliain.IrithSeachtainnaGaeilged’oibrighan

CoisteleisnamúinteoiríGaeilgechunTráthnagCeist,Céilí,Scannánaíochtagusimeachtaíeileaeagrú.ThuganCoistecuireadhdodhaltaíóScoilNaomhBhrídeteachtisteachchuncéilíadhéanamhagusbhítráthnónaiontachacu.Debharraniarrachtarinnesaid,

bronnadhandarabrathorthucúplaseachtainóshin.Comhghairdeaslibharfadagusgon-éiríant-adhlibhanbhliainseochugainn.MsO’Mahoney,MsSalmon,MsMorgan

Seachtain na GaeilgeSeachtaindenchéadscotchabhíannimbliana.Bhígachduinepáirteachagusbhaineamararfadantaitneamhas.Bhíatmaisféarfíorgaelachasascoilagusd’éirighgohíontachleisnahimeachtaíarfadabhíeagraithedontseachtain.ThosaíomararanLuanlecluichíinchinne

sarangteagaisc.RinnenadaltaíceanndóibhsiúdgachmaidinchungombeidhgachduineagsmaoineamhasGaeilge

láithreacharmaidin.AranMháirtbhítráthnagceistsahalla

cóiraguschabhraighanChoisteGaelbhratachgomórleseoaeagrúagusnafreagraíarfadacheartú.Bhíaniomaíochtgéaridirnafoirnearfad.ArangCeadaoinbhíscannáinasGaeilge

arsiúldonadaltaíagusbaléirgurbhainsiadantaitneamhastu.Picturlanngaelachabhíannsahallacóir!BhíláíontachagainnaranDeardaoin

nuairabhíanchéilímórarsiúl.Chabhraighnadaltaíónidirbhliainlinnchunnacéimeannaamhuineadhagusbhísultagusspraoíacuarfad.Comhmaithleseo,tháiningnadaltaíóbhunscoilNaomhBhrídechunCéilíabheithacu.Aríschabhraighanchoistegomórleseo.Cheapsiadgoraibhnapáistífíorgleoiteachbhísiadtuirseachtraochtaindiadhandamhsaamhuineadhdóibh!AranAoinebhíceolgaelachaarsiúlaran

idirchumagamlóinagusbhídíolacháncácaeagraitheagangcoiste.Freisin,labhairnamúinteoiríGaeilgefaoidulchuiganGaeltachtagusbhídeisagnadaltaíceisteannaachuraguseolasafháilfaoi.Bhíaniomaíochtgéararísidirna

rangannasachéadbhliainagusiadagcleachtadhdochomórtasnah-amhráinabhíarsiúldehAoinecomhmaith.D’fhoghlaimsiadarfadamhránasGaeilgeaguschansiadinárdagcinnisanguthaaranstáitse.Maithsibharfadbhísibharfheabhas.Nílaonamhrasachgurseachtainiontach

abhíann.Rinnegachduine–múinteoiríagusdaltaísanaireamhaonGhaeilgeabhíacuaúsáidsarangagustaomhamuigh.TáimidfíorbhrodúilasannGaeilgeasscoilagusbadeisiontachíSeachtainnaGaeilgeárdteangadhúchaisacheiliúradh.

Irish WeekWhatawonderfulweekitwasthisyear!Everyonetookpartandweallreallyenjoyedit.Alleventsplannedwereagreatsuccessandtherewasalovelyatmosphereintheschool.

WestartedoffonMondaywithpuzzlesandbrainteasers.ThestudentsdidtheseeverymorningwhichwasidealasitmeanttheywerethinkinginIrishfirstthinginthemorning!OnTuesdaytherewasatablequizforall

yeargroupsinthechoirhall.TheIrishLanguageFlagcommitteehelpedtoorganisethisandalsocorrectedalloftheanswers.Thecompetitionwasfiercebetweenallteams!OnWednesdaythestudentswatchedIrish

languagemovieswhichtheythoroughlyenjoyed.WehadourownIrishlanguagecinemainthechoirhall!Thursdaywasamajorhighlightwiththe

CéilíMór.ThankstotheTY’swhohelpedoutwiththisandtaughteveryonethesteps.Itwasgreatfun!AswellasthisthestudentscameoverfromStBridget’sprimaryschooltogetinvolvedinthefestivities!TheIrishcommitteehelpedthistimetoteachthedances.Theyreallyenjoyedworkingwiththechildrenandwereexhaustedwhentheyleft!OnFridaywehadIrishlanguagepop

songsovertheintercomandthecommitteeorganisedacakesalewhichwasagreatsuccess.Also,theIrishteachersspoketoeveryoneabouttheadvantagesofattendingtheGaeltachtandthestudentshadtheopportunitytoaskquestionsandgetinformationaboutthis.Thecompetitionwasfierceagain

betweenthe1styearclassesastheypracticedforthesongcompetitionwhichalsotookplaceonFriday.TheyalllearnedIrishlanguagepopsongsandtheysangatthetopoftheirlungsfromthestage.Welldonetoallinvolved.Thereisnodoubtthatitwasafantastic

week.Everyone–studentsandteachersalikemadeanefforttospeakwhateverIrishtheyhadbothinsideandoutsidetheclassroom.WearesoproudoftheIrishlanguageinourschoolandSeachtainnaGaeilgegivesusagreatopportunitytocelebrateournativetongue.CailínMorgan

IRISH DEPARTMENT

Literacy Week 2018!Thisterm,wecelebratedliteracyweekwithavarietyofeventsandactivities.Eachjunioryeargrouptookpartina‘DropEverythingandRead’ andvisitedthelibrarytogetlostinabookoftheirchoice.Firstyearstudentsalsocompletedapoetrycompetitionwhichallowedthemtodemonstratetheirwonderfultalentandcreativity.WelldonetoVivienneUlugbekfrom1Indigowhowasthedeservingwinner,havingpennedapoemontheprocessofwriting.

Studentswerealsoinvitedtoapop-upbookclubwhichwasheldinthelibrary.Eachstudentbroughtalonganovelthattheyhavereadorarecurrentlyreadingandsharedthiswiththegroup.Wehadsomeamazingrecommendationsrangingfrom‘TheCompleteWorksofWilliamShakespeare’,‘TheMazeRunner’byJamesDashner,‘TheChoice’byPhillyMcMahonandevensomemangacomics!AparticularthankstoMsMurraywhoalsoattendedthebookclubandsharedherbookofchoice‘DearWorld’byBanaAlabed,aboutasevenyearoldgirlgrowingupinwar-tornSyria.Itwasn’tjustthestudentswhogot

involvedinliteracyweekhowever.Ahugethankstoalloftheteacherswhocontributedtothe‘BookRecommendationWall’inthestaffroom.MsDoyle

McCarthy Award forCreative Writing TheMaryMcCarthyAwardisanannualawardgiventoa6thyearstudentwhohasexcelledincreativewriting.ItisawardedbytheEnglishDepartmentinhonourofamuchbelovedformerEnglishteacherinStMary’s.MaryMcCarthywasasuccessful,publishedauthorandnurturedthecreativetalentsofherstudentsduringhertimehereasateacher.Thisyear’srecipientisSophieLieghio,afoundingmemberoftheCreativeWritingClubandastudentwhohasconsistentlyimpressedwithherwritingskillsduringhertimehereasastudent.Sophiewaspresentedwithastatueatthe6thYearAwardsCeremonyongraduationday.WehavenodoubtthatwewillbeseeingSophie’snameinprintinthefuture!

English Department-Newsletter- Junior CycleCBAsThishasbeenabusylasttermforour

JuniorCyclestudentsasbothour2ndand3rdYearscompletedtheirClassroomBasedAssessments.Every2ndYearhadtomakeathree-

minutepresentationinfrontoftheirclass,comprisingofeitheraperformanceoraspeech.Thestudentshadtoresearchanddeveloptheirownideas,andwewitnessedafantasticvarietyoftopicsandperformances.InApril,our3rdYearsfinishedtheirportfoliooftexts,whichtheyhavebeencreatingforthelasttwoyears.Thisinvolvedcreatingpiecesofwriting,editingandthenredraftingintocompletedtexts.Thisinvolvedagreatdealofeffortandskillfromourstudents,andwe’resuretheseskillswillbeoftremendousvaluetotheminSeniorCycle.Onthe24thMaythe3rdyearsalso

completed10%oftheirfinalgrade,whentheysataclassroom-basedexam.Welldonetoallforcompletingthese

importantassessmentsaspartoftheirJuniorCycle.

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

GUIDANCE &COUNSELLING

1st YearIncomingFirstYearsTheentranceexamsforFirstYearstudentstookplaceonSaturday3rdFebruary.Tohelpfacilitatethetransitionfromprimarytosecondarywearevisitingtheprimaryschoolsandtalkingwiththe6thclassteachersaboutthestudents’progressandinterests.Therewasaverypositiveinformation

meetingwiththeparentsofincomingfirstyearson21stofMarchtoinitiateourlong-termpartnershipoverthenextfiveorsixyears.Thisisaninvaluableopportunityfortheparentsofthenew1styearcohortto

learnmoreaboutthedaytodayrunningofStMary’sincludingthejournal,codeofbehaviourandpastoralsysteminourschool.Tofurtherthispartnership,weareinvitinganyoftheincomingfirstyearparentstomakeanappointmentattheendofMayforaninformalinterviewwithamemberofGuidanceCounsellingdepartment.

2nd YearThisterm2ndyearstudentsreceivedaveryinformativetalkfromBodyWhysabouteatingdisorders,healthybodyimage,self-esteemandmediainfluence.JuniorDiscoverDCUisaninitiativeofthe

DCUAccessProgrammetargeting2ndyearstudents.IttakestheformofaworkshopforstudentswhohaveaninterestingoingtothirdleveloncetheycompletetheirLeavingCert.Theaimoftheworkshopistogiveinformation,allowstudentstoexploretheirfears,anxietiesandexpectationsabout

thirdlevel,offerguidanceandsupportaboutstudyingatDCUandseveralofourstudentsparticipatedintheprogramme.Thefollowing2ndyearstudentswerenominatedbyteacherstoattend:

LeahDevlin 2MarkieviczRoukayahMutoola 2MarkieviczKatieO’Reilly 2LynnMeaganPabualan 2LynnAmyO’Connor 2SheehyAoifeHughes 2SheehyEmmaFlynn 2GiffordAlannahDillon 2GiffordEmmaYuWang 2O’FarrellJeanineGrierosu 2O’Farrell

3rd Year InJanuary3rdyearstudentsreceivedtheresultsoftheCAT(CognitiveAbilityTest)theysatinDecember.Eachstudenthadanindividualsessionwithaguidancecounsellortolookattestresultandsubjectchoice.The3rdyearparenteveningtookplaceon

the7thMarch.Thiswasanopportunityforparentsandstudentstofindoutaboutleavingcertoptionssuchastransitionyear,5thyearandLCVP.Teachersfromeachoptionsubject(History,Geography,Art,Music,HomeEconomics,Physics,Chemisty,Biology,Business,Economics,AccountingandPolitics&Society)deliveredashortpresentationtoparentsandstudents.

TYstudentsattendedtheFutureSparksBusinessandEntrepreneurialFairintheRdson22ndMarch.Itwasaninspiringdaywherethegirlsattendedupliftingandmotivationaltalksfromcurrentbrightsparks!FourTYstudentsattendedextrawork

placementsfacilitatedbyDCU.MajaGrondzewskawenttoGoogleforoneweek.CiaraMcKenna,MariaZubascuandGeorgiaWalshallspentaweekatlegalfirmArthurCox.Thiswasafantasticopportunityforthestudentswhorepresentedusexcellently.On18thAprilTYsattendedacareersfair

atStMichael’sHolyFaith,Finglas.Thiswasajointventureorganisedbyseveralschoolsinthearea.Studentswereabletospeakwithrepresentativesfrommanycolleges.Itwasagreathelptotheirseniorcyclecollegeresearch.AspartoftheDCUUniTY programmeTY

studentshaveundertakenmodulesincludingSmartSkillsMultimedia,EmployabilityandStudentEmpowerment.ThisisthefirstyeartheUniTY programmehasruninStMary’s,culminatinginanawardsshowon25thApril.Ithasbeenagreatsuccesswithstudentswinningawardsinthreecategories.

Onthe1stMay,TYstudentsattendedtheDCUTransitionYearopenday,averyinformativeexperience.Studentsexperiencelecturesandreceivedcampustours.

5th YearFive5thyearstudents,HadeelAbbas,EishaMunir,BayanBasmage,KerryTynanandAmyBernardosparticipatedintheUFirstprogrammethisyearinconjunctionwithDCU.Thishasinvolvedattendingcareerworkshops,studyseminarsandattendingaDCUshadowingdaywheretheyattendedlectureswithaDCUmentor.Thestudentswillcontinuewiththe2ndyearofUfirstnextyear.

6th YearCAOapplicationsarenowwellandtrulyinandsomestudentswillbeplanningonreadjustingtheirchoicesontheirchangeofmindformwhichisaccessibleonlinefromMay5th-July1st.

FETAC ManyofthestudentsapplyingforFETAChavehadinterviewsandhavebeenofferedplacessubjecttotheirresultsintheLeavingCertificate.6thyearstudentshaveenjoyedavaried

scheduleofcollegetalksthisyear.Awiderangeofthirdlevelcolleges,universitiesaswellaspostleavingcertcollegeshavespokentothestudentsaboutoptionsafter6thyear.Agroupofpastpupilsfromseveral

differentcollegesandcourseshavealsospokentothe6thyearsaboutthetransitionfromStMary’stothirdlevel.ItwasgreattoseethepastpupilsdoingsowellinTrinity,DCUandColaisteDhulaighinadiverserangeofcourses.Theirvisitswereaparticularhighlightforcurrent6thyears.

Wewishallofour6thyearstudentseverysuccessintheirLeavingCertificateandlookforwardtolinkinginwiththeminmid-Augustfortheresults.MsSullivanwillbeavailableinAugusttosupportthestudentswhentheyreceivetheirresultsandlateronwhenoffersarebeingmade.

Breakfast ClubThisyearStMary’swelcomedanew

andimprovedbreakfastclubwhichrandailyfrom8:10am–8:40amthroughouttheacademicyearinStMary’skitchen.Thestudentsbenefitedgreatlyasnew

foodswereintroducedincludingaselectionofexoticfruits,cereals,cerealbars,yogurtsandweeklytreats.JuniorandLeavingcyclestudentsalikepoppedbytopickupabitetoeat,chatwithfellowstudentsandsupervisingteacherswhilepreparingthemselvesforthedayahead.Itwasahugesuccessandwelookforwardtowelcomingstudents,oldandnewinSeptember2018.

GUIDANCE & COUNSELLING

St Mary’s · They reached the regional finals of Junk Kouture, won the overall award at the...

Documents

Our Gaisce 2016

Coláiste Dún an Rí

History of Coláiste an Chreagáin

Coláiste Náithí Naofa Múineadh na Gaeilge 2015-2016 · 1 Coláiste Náithí Naofa Múineadh na Gaeilge 2015-2016 Ráiteas Misin Bunaíodh Coláiste Náithí Naofa mar lár-ionad

Coláiste Bhrídecbcarnew.ie/2015/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Christmas... · 2016. 12. 13. · Gaisce All Transition Year students are currently engaged in their Gaisce activities

Junk kouture 1

gold gaisce award portfolio thomas bruton november 2016

Coláiste Bríde, Clondalkin, Dublin, Ireland

Gaisce venture 2016

Kind regards, Marion Cummins, Principal. Noreen McManus ...colaistenanonagle.ie/shared_media/colaistenanonagle/media/docs/N… · Transition Year - Gaisce - Debating Gaisce There

Coláiste Bhríde

Gold Award Portfolio Guidelines - Gaisce

Coláiste Mhuire Johnstown PLC Brochure 2013

Policy - Adventure Journey 2016 - Gaisce · 2019. 11. 6. · Gaisce - The President’s Award Adventure Journey Policy Adventure Journey Requirements 1. The journey, with an agreed

What is Gaisce? Gaisce is a direct challenge from the President of Ireland to all young people between 15 and 25 years Gaisce is an opportunity for you

Coláiste Dhúlaigh Creative Review

TULLAMORE COLLEGE - COLÁISTE THULACH MHÓR

Parents Information Evening - St Colmcille's CS · 1 INTRODUCED IN1973 ... •Junk Kouture •Gaisce •Theatre visit •Drivers Ed •First Aid. 12

Coláiste na Coiribeƒ... · Junk Kouture. Cúram do Scoláirí Pastoral Care Tá Oide Ranga ar leith ag gach buíon scoláirí chun comhairle / treoir a chur ar scoláirí an ghrúpa

Gaisce Alumni Network Spring 2013