Junior Drama - Career Moves

The first and second year drama group took to the stage with gusto on Thursday last under the dedicated and experienced guidance of Director Leslie Lalor. ‘Career Moves’ had music, comedy and romance in abundance. The entire production of this play was stunning and the set and costumes deserve particular mention.
The plot is concerned with the lack of free choice in relation to the destination of its inhabitants and the misery caused by such dictatorship. The Determinator played marvellously by Lorcan O’Byrne has control over the future of the land. The population of this land have to follow career paths determined by the powers that be. Laura Duggan was delightful as the ditzy Fairy Which Way confusing the plot by sending everyone in the wrong direction, whilst being absolutely positive she knows the way as she told us in her lovely song. Miss Demeanor (Hannah Olliffe); Malkiela (Megan Kilpatrick) and Orlando (Denis Casey) ably introduce us to the theme.
Fabian Mak gave a wonderful performance as Walter Woolf and practically met himself on stage as Boris the Bogey Man played by his alter ego, Bam Kifana. Lisa Doyle speaking backwards as Belinda Backwards, and Hazel McHugh, speaking in rhyme as the Countess Verse brought utter clarity and great fun to their characters, as did Emer Dixon playing Witch Wisterian and Laura Byrne as Little Bo-Peep whose singing was enchanting. As the opposing forces of good and evil Florence Bradish and Megan Kilpatrick were a great foil for each other with Florence quoting from two Shakeaspeare plays (The Merchant of Venice and Henry V) with great success – not an easy task.
And of course the star crossed lovers – Little Red Riding Hood, who refused to accept Walter Woolf’s smooth talking behaviour – until, of course Crystella sorted him out – was played so well by Katelyn Fagan, Our hero Orlando and Chloe Zoe Scarlett meet, but are parted by circumstances and misunderstandings. Their parts are played by Denis Casey and Lisa Sheerin. Both of thes young actors gave wonderful performances and sang beautifully.
Lorcan O'Byrne's scenes with his ‘partner in crime’ Miss Demeanor were among the highlights of the evening. As Miss Demeanor, Hannah Olliffe had us laughing one minute and bringing us to tears the next with her rendition of “Colours of the Wind”. Congratulations to all who took in the performing and setting up of this production. Praise and thanks are also due to the Assistant Director Niamh Hogan and Back Stage Hands Caitriona Spoor and Kate Hennessy.
T. Jones

Silkeborg wins national final

Congratulations to the members of the band Silkeborg - Tom Roseingrave, Sean Keating and Gareth Fallon (the fourth member is a pupil at Sandford Park) - who won the national final of the Blastbeat competition on Saturday evening. Their prize was the making and release of an album and also €5,000 worth of equipment sponsored by Walton's. Well done!

East Leinster Athletics Championships

Well done to all who participated in the championships at Irishtown Stadium. All High School athletes gave their best with some progressing into finals. The Junior Boys team was unlucky to finish outside the medals in 4th place. Congratulations to the following medal winners:
Leah Moore (Senior 100m gold), Conor Sexton (Junior 100m gold and Junior long jump gold), John Bradish (Junior 200m silver), Leanne McDonnell (Junior high jump silver).
In the Leinster finals, Leah Moore took silver in the 100m senior final and progresses to the All Ireland final. Good luck to our other qualifiers on Wednesday.

Some goodbyes

Mr L. McClure is retiring after 33 years of dedicated service to the school as an English teacher. Mr McClure acted as a Form Teacher, also coached rugby for many years and was in charge of boys tennis until recently. As an Assistant Principal he took charge of the administrative duties of Lost Property and Booklist compilation. We wish him the very best in the future.

Mrs B. Davin, who has been on career break for the last few years, is also retiring. Mrs Davin joined the staff in 1980 and taught Geography. She was involved in coaching swimming in her early years on the staff. As a Special Duties Teacher she took responsibility for the locker system until her career break. She also acted as a Form Teacher for many years. We wish her well in the future and with her continued travels.

We also extend our good wishes to Ms D. Fahey, Mr K. Barry, Ms A. Bridgeman, Ms W. Gilmore, Ms K. Smith and Ms R. Graydon who are moving on to new positions, and to Ms Levis who begins a career break in September.

Concert in Rathgar Methodist Church

Well done to all who participated in wonderful performances from the Choir and Orchestra in this fund-raising concert for Rathgar Methodist Church on Saturday evening.

Summer concert

The annual concert will take place on Tuesday 20 May (today) at 7.30 p.m. in the Reynolds Hall, admission free. Solo artists, choir and orchestra will perform in a variety of styles. Pupils, parents, staff, visitors welcome. This is usually a very enjoyable evening.

Library

All books must be returned by Friday 23 May at the latest. If a book has been lost a replacement must be provided.
V. King

Above - Members of the band Silkeborg

Below - Mr L. McClure, Ms B. Davin

Swimming

Six High School Pupils represented Templeogue Swimming Club on the May bank holiday weekend to compete in the Irish Long Course National swimming championships.
All swimmers achieved personal best times, some qualified for semi-Finals and B finals and some made the A finals.
Well done to Niamh Murphy, Dayna Clegg, Lisa Meehan, Laura Martin, John Martin, Dylan Farrell and best of luck to them all as they compete in the Irish Age Groups in June and July.

Very best of luck to Form 3 and 6 in the Certificate exams and to Form 6 in the big wide world! We loved having you with us!!