St. Mary's College, Arklow

This newsletter is from last year (2008-2009)

Assembly

School principal Sr. Sior and Deputy principal Mrs. Byrne welcomed students to the start of a new term at the annual Assembly held each year on Mercy Day Sept. 24th. Students who perform various duties in the school were presented with their badges. The Sr. M. Regis award was presented to Grace Moloney for the best Leaving Cert results in St Mary's. Gifted at languages, Grace addressed the assembly in English and Irish. She has begun a degree course in Actuarial and Financial Studies in UCD. We wish her well in her studies.
Meanwhile, TY student Angela Sheehy was the recipient of the Joan Dowling award for the best Junior Cert result. She is now enjoying the school's successful Transition Year programme.

CEIST (Catholic Education an Irish Schools Trust) is a newly formed organisation consisting of a group of religious orders, including the Sisters of Mercy, which was set up to pass on their educational heritage to lay colleagues. To mark this significant occasion, Oana Gaftoi, Form 6, was selected to undertake a large painting that would symbolise the spirit of CEIST. Her painting is now on display on the main corridor and is greatly admired. Many thanks to Oana for all her beautiful work.

Leave no Trace Day

Five transition year pupils were part of a group of 40 students from eight second level schools in Co. Wicklow who took part in the Leave no Trace day. This education programme was designed to promote the responsible use of outdoor environments. Students were able to explore the impact they can have on the environment through a range of fun activities. The activity day took place in Glendalough and the girls who participated were: Niamh Arthur, Amy Cody, Fay Gough, Jennifer Murphy and Becky O' Brien.

Ecology Trip

As part of the Leaving Cert Biology course over eighty students from Form 5 travelled to Knocksink Woods on an ecology trip. The students studied the interaction between the woodlands ecosystem and the flora and fauna in their natural habitats. Knocksink Wood in Enniskerry is one of the last conserved woodlands in the country with an Education Centre catering for all levels of students.

Maths Week

St. Mary's held its own Maths Week in conjunction with National Maths Week from 12th - 17th October. During the week maths problems were read out over the intercom before break. Later students gave their answers to a group of T Y students who were helping with the project. The response was terrific as there was a fun element to the activity. Our school is registered to sit a national competition called The Prism Challenge, organised by NUI Galway. All TY students took part in the hour-long challenge, which is also an MCQ examination.

Table quiz winners:

Niamh Dillon - Form 1
Amy Cody, Meghan Gilroy and Stephanie Bell - Form 4 (TY) Melissa Keane - Form 5 (Maths challenge winner)

Response Day

All Form 5 students took part in a Response Education Day on Oct.15th. This was organised by the R.E. Dept and consisted of information and discussion on various aspects of relationships and sexuality for adolescents. Barbara Doran and Anne McGuinness, who both have lots of expertise in this area, facilitated the day. They dealt with issues that young people encounter, endure and witness.

Information Night

We held our information night for first years on Wed. Oct. 8th. The night began with an enjoyable PowerPoint presentation compiled by TY students Kim Sweeney, Caoimhe O' Reilly and Niamh O' Connor. Sr. Síor welcomed the parents and a panel of speakers gave an input on the various programmes and activities in St. Mary's.

School Library

St. Mary's is fortunate to have a wonderful library, which is well stocked with a wide range of books and research material. To compliment this an enthusiastic group of students who form the Library Council ensure its smooth running. Members: Claire Cosgrave - Chairperson; Aine Brennan - Vice Chairperson; Holly Wolohan - Secretary; Roisín Clear -Vice Secretary Morgan Bonney - PRO; Cathy Rice - Vice PRO; Niamh Dixon - Treasurer; Emma Byrne Vice Treasurer; Cataloguers - Cliona Barnes, Corey Burke, Aoife Casey, Aoife Kelly, Rowna Kenny, Sinéad Keogh, Aoife Molloy, Kathy Ann Murphy, Julieann O' Connell and Ricki-Leigh Smith.

Italian Trip

Fifty-two students travelled to northern Italy on the annual school tour over the Halloween break. They enjoyed the regions leading attractions visiting Lake Garda, Milan, Verona and Venice. A full day in Gardaland Theme park was a real winner for everyone. For many students seeing Leonardo da Vinci's "mLast Supper" in Milan, was one of the highlights of the trip. In Verona they had the opportunity of visiting the location of Romeo and Juliet's balcony. Students were intrigued with the beautiful city of Venice where they travelled on the vaporetto (waterbus) along the Grand Canal, seeing many of the city's famous palaces. A lengthy walking tour afforded the opportunity of exploring many other sights such as the Rialto market, St. Mark's Basilica and Campanile, the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. They visited the nearby island of Murano, which is famous for its glass making. The trip was a huge success leaving the girls with many happy memories.

TY Beauty Care

Beauty - Care students welcomed a very special guest to their class recently.
Stacey Brennan is a make-up artist to stars like Paris Hilton, Nicole Kidman and Sarah Jessica Parker. She fascinated everyone with a professional demonstration of her skills. Kristina Delahunt was the lucky model on whom Stacey created the very popular smokey eyed look. Students are looking forward to practicing the techniques learned from the demonstration

Art Tour

Thirty-two Form 6 art students travelled to Dublin for a full day of art appreciation on Nov. 20th. The girls visited the National Gallery on Merrion Square, where they had an informative lecture tour on a range of aspects relating to their Leaving Cert course. Areas covered included, Caravaggio and the Baroque School, the Renaissance, Jack B. Yeats exhibition, and Irish Art. This was followed by a visit to Trinity College to view the Book of Kells and many other ancient manuscripts. In the afternoon, they went to see the RHA Exhibition (Royal Hibernian Academy).

Drug Awareness Winners

Well done to all our students who took part in the recent Drug Awareness Competition. Art: Under 16 - Lauren O' Sullivan, 1st prize; Diewerke De Zwarte, 2nd, Michelle King, 3rd. Under 14 - Josetta Martin, 2nd . Highly commended-Tanya Swayne. Poetry: Rachel Harte, 2nd under 14; Georgina Stapleton, 2nd under 16. Lauren O' Sullivan was the overall winner.

Positive Discipline Trip

The Form 3 classes had a very enjoyable day in Dublin as part of our positive discipline code. In the morning, one group did a tour of the National Museum while the second visited Collins Barracks. Both visits were very interesting especially in relation to the Junior Cert history course.
During the afternoon, both groups joined up for a busy and energetic session ice-skating at Christmas on Ice at the RDS.

Camogie

We have camogie training every Thursday after school with Mr. Kieron Barron. There is great enthusiasm amongst the many students who turn out each week. The senior team played their first game against Avondale Community College. This was a cracking encounter in which St. Mary's showed great spirit but lost out to a physically stronger Avondale side. The team is now looking forward to the next game.

University Entrance Awards

Congratulations to Grace Moloney and Fiona Nolan who were the recipients of Entrance Awards at UCD. These awards honour students who have achieved exceptional results in the Leaving Cert. Also congratulations to Aislinn Cullen who received an entrance scholarship from NUI Maynooth. We wish them every success in their future studies.

Retreats

Recently, Arklow Parish/East Wicklow Youth Service invited the NET Ministries team to conduct retreats in local secondary schools. This non-profit making Catholic organisation is committed to challenging young Catholics to embrace the life of Christ. The team consisted of ten young men and women from Canada, USA, Australia and Ireland. During the retreat day in St. Mary's they shared personal stories of God's importance in their lives and talked about some fundamental beliefs of the Catholic Church and led the students in prayer. The response from the students was very positive.

Late Great Breakfast

There was great bustle in St. Mary's during Activity Week in September. The week is part of the school's Health Promoting Schools programme. One of the highlights was the annual Late Great Breakfast . This was just one event in a week of activities organised to promote healthy lifestyles, healthy eating habits and foster good school spirit. Over 500 students and 40 teachers enjoyed a delicious breakfast fresh fruit, cereal, yogurts and brown bread Other events held included - aerobics, fun quizzes, a jersey day in aid of Gambia, dance etc. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions the eagerly awaited teachers v students soccer match had to be postponed.
Each day in conjunction with the schools Green Schools Programme students were encouraged to use sustainable modes of travel and walk or cycle to school.

Green School

The Green School Committee would like to wish both students and staff a very Happy Christmas. Don't forget to recycle all those empty cardboard boxes and paper wrapping, not to mention cans that mount up over the festive season. Thank you for your co-operation over the last few freezing weeks by closing doors around the school to keep our precious heat in.
P.S. If any student been fortunate enough to get a bicycle from Santa Claus, we would look forward to seeing it in out Bike Shed on January 7th.

Geography Trip

As part of the Senior Geography Programme Form 5 students recently visited the Copper Coast Geo Park in Co. Waterford. The aim of the Fieldtrip was to introduce students to fieldwork, observational skills, coastal features, rock types, geological structures and illustrations of geology principles studied in the classroom. The students thoroughly enjoyed the practical application of the subject as they visited Kilfarrasy, Benvoy, Kilmurrin, Bunmahon and Ballydwane beaches in glorious sunshine. Well done to the students for their enthusiastic participation on the day.

Gaelic Football

St. Mary's Gaelic footballers had a very successful run in their competitions. The juniors got to the county semi-final where they lost to Gaelcholaiste na Mara. The panel: D. Brauders, M. O' Connor, G. Mellon, J. Davis, A. Walsh, A. McNally, A. Jones, H. Jones, S. Kennedy, A. Devereux, J. McGarry, G. Doyle, S. McDonald,E. Byrne, J. Hurley, W. Roche.
The senior team made it to the county final, which will be played in the New Year. The team: C. Kavanagh, O. Byrne, R. Byrne, K. Riley, M. Keane, K. O Toole, S. Redmond, N. Arthur, S. Tyrell, D. Brauders, H. Tew, S. Kennedy, A. Devereux, M. O' Connor, G. Mellon.

Debating

The Concern Debating Team had their first round debate on Oct. 21st. Captain Aine O' Sullivan led her team of Cathy Rice, Eimear O' Grady and Sophie Cairns against Presentation Bray. The girls were narrowly defeated but look forward to opposing the motion 'The Bebo Generation cares little for the developing world' on Nov. 26th.
Back at school, the Debating Society held the first round of our Form 3 debating competition. All the first-time speakers impressed their audience greatly. Tanya Swayne and Amy Thompson were victorious and went on to debate in the Wicklow Environmental competition, with their captain Aoife Casey. The team was successful in overcoming East Glendalough and are now through to the third round. Aislinn Mythen is this year's debating society's secretary. She leads a strong force of researchers who have been busily supporting the speakers to date.

Basketball

The Senior A team cruised to victory in the South East Regional final against Stella Maris, Tramore on a score line of 60-32. In a great team performance, St. Mary's dominated the game and went on to capture the title for the second time in consecutive years. On the way to the final they beat Bagnelstown, Bunclody, Carnew, as well as Presentation Wexford in the quarter-final and OLOL Rosbercon in the semi-final. They now progress to the All Ireland play-offs in Limerick on the 17th January.
The Cadette A team also participated in the South East League and got off to a great start with a comprehensive wins over Bagnelstown and Carnew and finished top of their pool. They were unlucky to be beaten by Loreto Wexford in the south East quarter-final.
The Senior and Cadette B teams participate in the Wicklow League. In two closely fought games the seniors beat St. David's and the cadettes had a great victory over Gorey Community School. They were unfortunate to loose to East Glendalough and Avondale.
Eimear Flannery is this year's basketball captain with Suzanne Tyrell as vice captain.
The first and second years continue to train hard and show much promise. Their league will commence in January. Any students wishing to still join can come to training on Mondays.

Farewell

Tributes were flowing for legendary maths teacher, Sadie Sheehy at her retirement dinner in Marlfield House, Gorey recently. Sadie has given long and outstanding service to St. Mary's College where she has worked since 1974. While she will be remembered primarily as a brilliant honours maths teacher, she also taught geography with great success. For many years she actively promoted care for the earth with an emphasis on our immediate environment. She was also heavily involved in the ASTI. She played a vital role in its Central Executive Committee (CEC).

A total of fifty-two fellow teachers and former colleagues gathered for this special occasion.
Eloquent and witty speeches were delivered over the course of the evening outlining Sadie's immense contribution to St. Mary's. She was wished well by all and will be dearly missed from school life.
Sadie was educated by the Mercy Sisters in her native Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. She later attended University College, Galway and Trinity College. Dublin.