News - May 2007

HEADLINES:
* ATHLETICS NEWS
* GAELIC FOOTBALL NEWS
* SCHOOL TOUR TO COPENHAGEN
* FASHION SHOW
* NATIONAL MODEL EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
* BLASTBEAT COMPETITION
* SUMMER CONCERT
* INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD
* DEBATING NEWS
* TENNIS NEWS
* AIMS MUSIC COMPETITION

ATHLETICS NEWS (27th April 07)

Wicklow Schools Invitational Track and Field Championships.

Well done to all of the students who participated so well in the above event last week. A special word of congratulations to the following students who achieved a 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their respective events:

Ian Byrne
Steven Toal-Lennon
Danielle Maher
Brigid McKeown
Rachel Kenna
Madison Duffy
Katie Geoghegan
Adam Carroll
Alannah Fitzmaurice
Simon Wilson
Jack Williams
Alannah O Caoimh
David Cregan
Hugo Wojnar
Matthew McNamara

EAST LEINSTER ATHLETICS (3rd May 2007)

Well done to all of the students from 1st to 6th Year who competed in the East Leinster Athletics over the last three days. It is a joy to see so many students participating in Athletics in the last term during this fine weather and in particular I am most grateful to the large number of students who went forward for the East Leinsters.

A particular word of congratulations to the following students:

Discus Gold Medal: Simon Wilson 2nd Year
Long Jump: 1st Place - Ian Byrne 2nd Year
80 Metres: 3rd Place Ian Byrne 2nd Year
Relay Team Boys: 2nd Place – Ian Byrne, Hogu Wojnar (1st Yr)
Mark Freeney (2nd Yr) Jett Desmond (2nd Yr)
200 Metres: Stephen Toal Lennon – 3rd Year
Relay Team Girls: 1st Place - Brigid McKeown (3rd Year), Madison Duffy (3rd Yr), Rachel Kenna (3rd Yr) Katie Geoghegan (2nd Yr)
500 Metres B: 1st Place Shauna Roche (1st Yr)
HIGH JUMP: Joint 3rd Place: Lorcan Duff (6th Yr)

Well done and every good wish in the upcoming Leinsters Athletics finals.

GAELIC FOOTBALL (27TH APRIL 2007)

CONGRATULATIONS TO JORDAN EGAN OF 4TH YEAR WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED ON THE WICKLOW MINOR FOOTBALL TEAM FOR THE FORTHCOMING LEINSTER CHAMPTIONSHIPS.

CONGRATULATIONS DARREN GAMMELL OF 1ST YEAR WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PLAY ON THE COUNTY WICKLOW UNDER 14 TEAM WHO ARE CURRENTLY PLAYING IN THE LEINSTER UNDER 14 CHAMPIONSHIP.

WELL DONE ALSO TO PHILIP O’DONNELL OF 4TH YEAR WHO HAS BEEN SELECTED FROM HIS CLUB – CUALA - TO PLAY ON THE DUBLIN UNDER 16 CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.

SCHOOL TOUR TO COPENHAGEN (19TH – 22ND APRIL 2007)

A LARGE GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM 4TH AND 5TH YEAR TRAVELLED TO COPENHAGEN FOR FOUR DAYS, THE FOCUS POINT BEING THEIR VISIT TO THE UNICEF HEADQUARTERS IN COPENHAGEN ON THE FRIDAY.

THE TRIP WAS VERY MUCH BASED ON THE CULTURAL ELEMENTS OF THE CITY INVOLVING WALKING AND BUS TOURS INCLUDING VISITS TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM, THE NATIONAL GALLEERY, KRONBORG CASTLE, THE VIKING SHIP MUSEUM AND THE TIVOLI GARDENS.

THE REACTION OF THE STUDENTS HAS BEEN MOST POSITIVE. THE STUDENTS FOUND THE VISIT TO THE UNICEF HEADQUARTERS MOST INTERESTING AND STIMULATING.

A SINCERE WORD OF GRATITUDE TO MS. CIARA O’CONNELL WHO ORGANISED THE TOUR AND TO MS. JOAN DOBBYN, MS. LINDA WATERS AND MR. MÍCHEÁL MCMULLAN WHO ACCOMPANIED THE STUDENTS AND AFFORDED THE STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY OF SUCH AN EXPERIENCE.

FASHION SHOW 2007 (3rd May 2007)

Congratulations to Maria Caprani, Katie Conway, Eabha McMahon, Sharna McMullen and Nikki Ward on their excellent organisation and production of the Fashion show on Tuesday last in aid of the charity Sonas. They produced a most professional event that reflects well on the abilities of the girls involved and all the support they received from their friends and their families.

A sincere word of congratulations to all of the models who participated in the Show and who brought a great deal of cheer and good fun as well as a lot of class to the event.

To those who sponsored the event, thank you very much and we can be assured that the money is going to an excellent cause.

NATIONAL MODEL EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT (3rd May 2007)

Congratulations to the following Transition Year Students who participated in the Model European Parliament held from 27th April to 30th April.

Amy Farrar
Andrew Hozier-Byrne
Philip McCann
Ronan McCarthy
Jonathan Towers

The team did themselves and the school proud in debating very difficult topics in front of such a large crowd.

A special word of thanks to Ms. Joan Dobbyn for the hard work she put in to preparing this group for the event and facilitating the opportunity for them.

Special Congratulations to Etaoin Donovan (5th Year) on being chosen as a Committee President at the National Model European parliament. This is a distinguished honour for Etaoin and for the school.

Blastbeat Competition (8th May 2007)

Many congratulations to the school Band HOTSPOT consisting of Jake Bitove, James Tebbitt, Hugo Sherry and Andrew Keyes who won the National Finals of the Blastbeat Music Competition at the weekend.

This is an outstanding achievement by a most talented group. The prizes represent due reward for the students. The opportunity to tour and the opportunity to show your talents on a national and international stage is a once in a lifetime chance for the group and I know that they will grasp the opportunity with both hands.

Thanks must go to the Transition Year students of the Blastbeat Mini Company who initiated the competition here in the school that Hotspot won and who have promoted their Mini Company product so well throughout the year.

SUMMER CONCERT (8th May 2007)

What a fabulous evening! Many congratulations to all of the students who participated so wonderfully in the Summer Concert on Tuesday evening. You have set a very high standard for up-coming students to aspire to in the future.

The depth of talent here in the school was most evident through the variety of performances from the ever improving School Choir, the soloists, the talented A Capella Group, the fabulous dancing, the invigorating Traditional Group, the variety of vocal duets and solos as well as the multi-talented bands.

Everyone who performed owes a debt of gratitude to Ms. Diane Owens for her musical expertise for bringing such a varied programme together. Many thanks also to Ms. Paula Hillman and Cyrille Laurens for their enthusiasm in organising the event. Thank you too to the In House Committee for the refreshments at the interval.

The Summer Concert is here to stay. It will only get better from year to year. Well done

INTERNATIONAL MATHEMATICAL OLYMPIAD (17th May 2007)

Jamie Judd – 6th Year student – has for the 2nd year running been selected for the Irish Olympiad Team representing Ireland in the International Maths Olympiad which will take place in Hanoi, Vietnam in July. This is another outstanding achievement for Jamie.

DEBATING NEWS (18TH May 2007)

Commiserations to the Senior Debating team of Dearbhail O’Crowley, James Brankin, Gary Walker Ayers and Eabha MacMahon who debated so well in the final of the Bray Lions Debating Competition at St. Killian’s School on Thursday evening. They proposed the motion that “Trade Unions impede progress” and were most unfortunate to have been narrowly defeated.

Grateful thanks to Ms. Cathy McKean for once again facilitating the experience for the students.

TENNIS NEWS

Senior School Family Tennis (18th May 2007)

Many thanks to all the families and students who attended the Senior School Family Tennis evening on Thursday last in glorious sunshine. There was a wonderful atmosphere of fun and competition and no little talent on display.

Many congratulations to Alexandra Pickerill and her brother David who defeated Shane and Annette Deignan in the final.

Special thanks to Victor Drummy, Ken Jolly and Sarah Scott for putting so much work into the organisation of the event.

Grateful thanks, too, to the ladies of the In House committee for providing the Barbeque and refreshments on the night.

TENNIS (21ST May 2007)

Congratulations to the Minor Boys Tennis team on reaching the final of the Leinster Schools’ Tennis. In the semi final they defeated Gonzaga 3-2. The final is today Monday 21st May in Castleknock Tennis Club and we wish them the very best of luck.

Congratulations to the Junior Boys Tennis team on reaching the final of the Leinster Schools Tennis. In the semi final they beat St. Michael’s 3-2. The final is on Tuesday May 22nd in Templeogue Tennis Club.

And more congratulations are due to the Senior Boys Tennis Team on reaching the final of the Leinster Schools tennis. In the semi final they defeated Gormanstown 3-2. The final is on Thursday 24th May in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club.

Good luck to all teams.

ST. GERARD’S V GREYSTONES TENNIS CLUB (21st May 2007)

Well done to the thirty-six pupils who represented the school in this important fixture. St. Gerard’s won 11-7 in a very exciting match. This was an important result as it had been five years since we last were successful in this competition.

AIMS MUSIC COMPETITION - Amateur Irish Musical Societies (21st May 2007)

Congratulations and well done to Gary Walker Ayers on winning 1st Prize in the Boys Youth Solo section. Gary performed “Walking in Memphis” by Marc Cohen and “Silent Worship” by Handel. This is a tremendous achievement and we wish Gary every success in his future singing career.