News

Principal\'s Report September 2008 to February 2009

Text: Principal’s Report September ’08 to October ‘08

• The School Mass for the opening of the School Year and the Academic Prizegiving took place on 17th September. Thank you to Fr. Peter McCarron, Ms Cronin and Ms Kennedy, the R.E. Dept, Ms Síofra Cox, the choir, soloists and Eucharistic Ministers who all contributed to ensure that the Mass was a lovely celebration. Congratulations to the students whoe were commissioned as ministers of the Eucharist – Orlagh Power, Katie O’Mahony, Siobhan Griffin and Clodagh Barnwall.
• Supervised study began on September 15th.
• 6th year students attended the Higher Options Conference on the 18th September and enjoyed it.
• A Business/Enterprise Bus was visited by this year’s and last year’s Transition years on 24th September.
• The Parents’ Association have bought a Defibrillator for the school and 6 people will receive training in the short-term. Thank you to the Association for its valuable contribution.
• A Welcome Mass was held for 1st year students and their parents on October 8th and was well attended.
• 2R visited the Four Courts as part of their CSPE programme on 8th & 9th October accompanied by their teachers
• 2nd year students went on an Outdoor Pursuits trip to Rostrevor from 13th to 15th October inclusive.
• The Parents’ Association held its Annual General Meeting on October 13th. Mr. Vincent Moloney was the guest speaker. The meeting was well attended. The Parents’ Association provided refreshments after the meeting. The talk from Mr Vicent Moloney ‘The Golden Rules Rearing Adolescents’ was very well received.
• The Random Selection Process for enrolment/admissions 2011 took place at 3 p.m. on Tuesday 14th October.
• Three representatives from the Student Council attended a Youth Mental Health Forum organised by the Office of Children and Youth Affairs.




Principal’s Report October 08 to November 08

• Spanish students went on a tour to Seville from 18 – 21 October inclusive. It was very successful and greatly enjoyed.
• Following the recommendation and planning of the Student Council, hot food is being provided by a company called ‘Lunchpack’ on two days per week, Monday and Tuesday.
• Ms Betty Cronin and Ms Charlene Piggott of the Christmas Child Campaign have begun the Shoe Box Pre-Christmas drive.
• Transition Years went to Rostrevor Adventure Centre from 22 to 24 October inclusive. A great time was had by all.
• The 6th Year Art Class visited Newgrange and enjoyed it very much.
• Fundraising week took place from 3 to 7 November inclusive. Thanks to Ms Theresa Sheelan, TY Students and many other teachers and students it was a very successful week with many events taking place – car wash, cake sales, concerts, basketball etc.
• Mr John Wills of Aware gave presentations to parents and students on ‘Beating the Blues’ which were very well received.
• Ms Siobhan Kinsella of Swords Rotary Club interviewed six students from 5th Year regarding the Leadership in Young People competition. This is a competition we have had great success in, in previous years.
• 2nd Years attended a dance workshop on Monday, 10 November organised by Ms Donna Graham and Ms Sorcha Furlong, which they enjoyed very much, as part of their PE programme.

Principal’s Report November ’08 to December ‘08.

• Dr. Padraig Murphy of DCU presented a Nano Technology Seminar to approximately 30 5th Year students which they found interesting.
• The Fundraising Week Finale was a Mamma Mia concert at lunchtime on 13 November. Congratulations to the students who performed and to Ms Maria Horan and Ms Siofra Cox who prepared them. It was a most enjoyable occasion. Thank you to Ms Theresa Sheelan, Fundraising co-ordinator, the TY Class and other staff and students whose efforts for the week raised money for the two organisations Leukaemia Trust and Fighting Blindness.
• 2nd Year Students had a very enjoyable Dance Workshop on 14 November.
• 5th Year Art Students visited the Casino in Marino with Ms Ann O’Loughlin and found it very beneficial for their course.
• The Parents Gardening Group, set up after the Parents AGM met with Ms Betty Cronin, Ms Denise Sheehy, Mr Michael Behan and Mrs Veronica McDermott on Saturday, 15 November and planned its future work.
• TY Students attended a Road Safety Road Show on 19 November.
• Two students of the Leaving Certificate 2008 Class received Entrance Scholarships to UCD –Niamh Osborne and Niamh Murphy. Two students received Entrance Scholarships to Trinity College – Amy Ridge and Christine Buggle. Sincere congratulations to all concerned..
• A Fire Drill was held on 20 November. .
• Two Third Year classes attended a performance of the Merchant of Venice in the Helix. The students thoroughly enjoyed it.
• 6th Year students had a Retreat conducted by Mr Gerry Keegan on 26 November. The large number of 6th Years in attendance found it to be very worthwhile. 5th year students attended the Open Day in NUI Maynooth on November 28th .
• Some 6th year students attended a French film at Movie World Swords.
• The JPIC Group and Ms Theresa Sheelan organised some activities to highlight World Aids Day on December 1st.
• Friendship Week is taking place from 9 to 12 December inclusive. The week opened with a Mass Celebrating the theme and will end with a lunchtime concert on Friday.




Principal’s Report December ’08 to January ‘09


• A number of 6th year students visited Trinity College on December 10th accompanied by Ms Catriona Foley, Guidance Counseller.
• The Carol Service and refreshments organised by the Parents Association took place on 11th December and was well attended. Congratulations and thanks are due to the choir and participants.
• The German Department visited some of the feeder Primary Schools to give a short taster class in German.
• The Student Council had a celebratory party at the end of its term of office on 19th December. Congratulations are due to all members o f this first council which proved to be a great success.
• Ms Michael Denny (Loreto Education Development Officer) and Sr. Kathleen McLennan (Loreto International) gave a presentation to 5th year students on the Loreto Student Kenyan trip in June.
• A Ski-Trip to Switzerland took place from Monday 29th December to Sunday 4th January inclusive involving 55 students and 7 teachers. Great credit is due to Ms Geraldine Thompson who organised the trip and thank you to the other teachers for participating. The trip was very successful and they had a great time.
• 3rd year students had a retreat led by Mr Gerry Keegan on January 7th. They really enjoyed it.
• An information evening for Parents of Incoming First Years was held on 12th January and was very well attended.