School council 2005-06

Congratulations to the members of the school council who have been elected by the pupils of the school: Joshua Plunkett (President), Patrick O'Shea (Vice-President), Alison May (Secretary), Barbara Daly (Secretary), Form 1 - Sheila Brownlee, Geoff Gamble, Seraphim Dempsey, Eve Roseingrave, Mark Gaynor, Form 2 - Daniel Connell, Susan Kinlan, Aoife Gordon, Tom Roseingrave, Danyal Fox, Form 3 - Graham Young, Jack Kelly, Thomas Burke, Alan Day, James Barber, Form 4 - Sarah Corbin, Dermott Jewell, Stéphane Hanly, Miriam Kerr, Jack Hickey, Form 5 - Stephen Spoor, Alan McMurray, Fergal O'Connor, Eoin Silke, Barbara Daly, Form 6 - Sinéad Frizelle, Jill Harding, Derrick Denby, Sam Fitzpatrick, Joshua Plunkett, Patrick O'Shea. The Head Boy and Head Girl are also ex-officio members.
The council is elected by the pupils of the school and one of its purposes is to liaise with the school management about issues which are of concern to pupils in the daily and annual operation of the school. The regulations under which the school council operates include a stipulation that when an explanation has been given on an issue, that same issue may not be raised again for two years.

Support at sports fixtures

Support for matches is an important part of school life and teams welcome and appreciate genuine support. All of the major sports organisations demand that schools support at matches (e.g. cup and league fixtures) should be well-behaved and respectful of opposition players, supporters and match officials. This school expects its pupils to cooperate with that policy in the interests of genuine sportsmanship. Sport is about playing a fair game and respecting the skills of your opponents.
There is to be no invasion of pitches at half time, no mocking behaviour in front of opposition supporters on the other touchline, no throwing of anything on to pitches and no bad language or abusive comments in chanting. It should be noted that disciplinary action will be taken against pupils who contravene the above or behave badly in any other way at sports fixtures. Two pupils have been suspended from school during the last year in connection with invading the pitch at half time.

Library Christmas art competition

Congratulations to the winners from Forms 1 and 2, pictured right.  Mrs King would like to thank all those who entered the competition for their excellent work.

Mid-winter charity swim

On Tuesday 20 December 2005, 4S and 4L went out to Sandycove for our mid-winter charity swim to raise money for St. Luke’s Hospital. Ms Jones, Mr Gill, Mr Swan, Ms Levis and Mrs Kane all came along with us and they all had a swim too. On the day, everybody was nervous and excited leading up to the swim, but when we finally arrived some of the fearless ones just stripped off and dived right in (I believe Darragh Sweetnam was first). The majority of people swam, either by jumping in or walking down the steps while others watched or were in charge of taking photos.
The water was so icy that it knocked the breath right out of my lungs, and although some people jumped in a second time, most (myself included) just got out as quickly as possible and grabbed their towels!
After we all got dressed and warmed up (Mr Gill distributed the hot chocolate), we went around the corner to the Forty Foot to take some group photos. It was a great day out that raised €1603 for St. Luke’s as everybody who swam had been sponsored for at least €20. Thanks to all the teachers who brought us there and to all the parents and friends who kindly supported us with their generous contributions to St Lukes Hospital we all had a brilliant time! We would also like to express our thanks to Finnegans of Bray who provided their bus free of charge in aid of our fund raising.
Pauline Carney, 4S

David Benson

It is with great regret that we record the death of David Benson on 25 December 2005. Mr Benson was Bursar of the school and Registrar of the Erasmus Smith Trust from 1985 until 1997. Mr Benson had been ill for some time. At his own wish, his funeral was private. We extend our condolences to his family and friends.

Amnesty International

The junior and senior groups met towards the end of last term. Fionn Fitzmaurice was elected Chairperson of the senior group and larry O'Connell Secretary. Discussions involved the issue of Fair Trade, especially in relation to the present of a Nestle machine in the school, the use of Shannon by the US and the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
The juniors chose Eva Richardson McCrea as Chairperson and Sean Keating as Secretary. Issues discussed included the above as well as racism and the Irish Forces dispute. Both groups aim to become involved in one letter writing campaign per month. Anyone interested can come along to meetings which will be held on Tuesdays at senior lunch and on Wednesdays during junior break - both in A22.

Junior debating

The final of the competition took place in early December on the motion "The true spirit of Christmas has been spoiled by commercialism". Clare Cryan, Aidan Cowlard Joyce, Sadhbh Soper Ni Chafraidh, Tom Roseingrave and Julie Farrell competed. The judges were two fifth year "seasoned" debaters - Eoin Silke and Joelle Grogan. A large crowd turned up to hear the speeches and five very good performances took place. In the end there had to be only one winner and, after much deliberation, Sadhbh emerged victorious. Congratulations to Sadhbh and to all who took part.

Sport this week

Girls hockey
Jun B (L) Notre Dame Wed 11 Home 2.00
Jun C (L) Cross & Passion tba
Min A (L) Loreto Bray tba
Sen II Muckross Wed 11 Home 4.00
Sen I Jun A Wed 11 Home 3.00
Sen I (Cup) Alexandra Thurs 12 Home 3.00
Jun D (L) Mt Sackville Sat 14 Mt Sackville 10.30
Sen II (L) Mt Sackville Sat 14 Mt Sackville 11.30
Jun A (Cup) Loreto Foxrock tba
1st Yr A (L) Our Lady's Terenure tba
Check noticeboard for other matches

Rugby
SCT, 2nd Gonzaga Wed 11 Ranelagh 2.30
JCT A, B Gonzaga Wed 11 Home 2.30
U 14A, U 13A Castletroy Wed 11 Home 2.30
U 16 Sligo Sat 14 Home tbc
U 13 A Newpark Sat 14 Home 11.00
SCT (Cup) Mt Temple Mon 16 Templeville Rd 2.30

Girls basketball
Cadettes Muckross Thurs 12 UCD 3.30

School fleeces are now available from Mr Walker, sizes S,M,L,XL, €30

Marc Evans dives at the mid-winter swim