Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
Newsletter Summer 2013
Posted on May 19, Posted by Administrator Category Newsletter
As another academic year draws to a close, we are delighted to update you on the numerous
activities that have taken place in Scoil Mhuire since January. It has been an incredibly busy
and rewarding time for all staff and students. I would like to take this opportunity to wish all third
and sixth year students every success in the June examinations and to congratulate everyone
involved in the wonderful achievements we have had this term. Padraig Nolan, Principal
Scoil Mhuire Wins John West Fantasy Short Story Writing Competition for
the Second Time
Voyage of the Nereus was the title of third year student, Tadhg White’s masterpiece that was
awarded overall winner in this year’s John West Fantasy Writing Competition. Tadhg’s story
was one of 11,000 en-trants, the highest amount of participants since the competition began
three years ago. Tadhg, along with his family and English teacher Ms. Earley, travelled to the
Mansion House in Dublin, on the 29th April, where the winner was announced. Tadhg’s story
embraced the theme for this year’s competition, Under the Sea, with his fantastic tale following
two convicts who are given an ultimatum, “be beheaded or risk your life on a wild goose chase”,
searching for the Lost City of Atlantis on a bronze craft named “Nereus.” Prizes included a
Tablet PC, a Kindle and a meeting with an Irish literary
agent plus a trip
for his English class to the nearest RNLI station. (Royal National Lifeboat Institution)
This is the second time the school has been represented in the competition and the second time
we have won the overall prize.. Tadgh is following in the footsteps of last year’s overall winner,
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Roisin Eyres. Will we make it three in a row at next year’s final? That’s for you to decide!
Click here to see RTE report of the event.
Debating Success
Scoil Mhuire debating teams have been busy researching, writing and delivering their speeches
in recent months, enjoying great success along the way in both the Junior Schools’ Debating
Competition in UCD and in the Aoife Begley Senior Debates in NUI Maynooth. The Junior
Schools’ Debating speakers include Harry Kelly, Rachel Jones, Petra Martinez-Cullen, Molly
Hackett, Aran Behan, Christopher Ryan, Aoife Fitzgerald and Harry McCann. The teams
travelled to UCD on three occasions, debating against several Leinster schools including
Belvedere College, Loreto, Alexandra College, Wesley College, Mount Sackville and Kilkenny
College.
Meanwhile our Senior Debaters have also done us proud in NUI Maynooth. Motions included T
hat this House Would Invade Gaza
and
That this House Would Ban International Boundaries.
Our debaters from TY and 5th Year are Ian Prendergast, Fiona Young, Niamh Crofton, Aoibhin
Sherwin, EvaBrennan, Lorraine Morrin, Niamh Gorman, Saoirse Hederman and Killian
Brennan. The four students who made it to the semi-finals of the competition were Alexandra
Cribbin, Zoe Jackson McGrath, Rachel Mulqueen and Aisling Glynn.
Senior Hurlers Crowned Leinster Champions
Scoil Mhuire, Clane clinched the Leinster title with a well-deserved two point win over Scoil
Chaitriona (Glasnevin) in Ó Raghaillaigh GAA grounds in Drogheda. Played on a surface not at
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
all conducive to good hurling - extremely heavy, with players finding it difficult to hold their feet
- it was a low scoring game with the sides level at 0-3 each at the break. Coming out to face the
strong wind in the second half, the Kildare boys showed great passion, great heart and great
determination to hold off the Dublin side, mainly due to a goal from Liam O’Brien in the 37
minute. Lots of stars, no more so than team captain and goalkeeper Paddy McKenna, along
with Seán O’Rourke, Seán Christensen; midfielders Tommy Cribbin and Andy Malone along
with top scorer Liam O’Brien. Final score: Scoil Mhuire 1-4 Scoil Chaitriona 0-5.
County Camogie Win for 1st and 2nd years.
The 1st and 2nd year camogie girls had a fantastic victory over their arch rivals St Mary’s Naas
in early March in Hawkfield. It was an excellent team performance all round, with the girls
getting off to the perfect start when they rushed into a 4-2 to 2 points lead at half time. The
Scoil Mhure forwards were on fire with Tegan D’Arcy and Annie Harpur causing mayhem for
the Naas backs. Tara Glynn and Lily Coady-Evans were battling hard at midfield. The girls hard
work and determination shone through and they prevailed to win 7-5 to 3-3. The girls were
delighted to watch their inspirational captain Katie Christansen lift the cup after their bitter
disappointment at losing at the same stage to St Mary’s last year. It is safe to say that the
future of camogie in Scoil Mhuire is very bright.
1st Year Soccer Win the Keating Cup
We had a great year in the u14 soccer in the school. We won the Keating Cup in the Mid
Leinster boys soccer league . We also contested the Leinster Final against Gorey and we were
narrowly beaten 1-0 on the day, however it was a great team performance.
Gaelic Football
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
All panel members showed great commitment and spirit throughout the year .
A big thank you goes to Luca Lehane in 5th year for his great coaching and all the students
and parents who supported us through the year.
The U14 girls have been training since January. The girls successfully partook in the Leinster
Blitz in Clane GAA club. The played Leixlip Confey, Wolstan’s and Leixlip Colaiste Chairain
and won all three games comprehensively. They then went on to the quarter finals but came
up against formidable Meath teams and although they played well, they weren’t successful at
getting past this stage. The girls have shown great commitment and determination and have
continued training since then. They have a few more challenge games to play before the end
of the year. They show great promise for next year. The senior girls reached a Leinster semi
final this year where they were narrowly beaten by Boyne CS.
U 16 Boy’s Basketball
A panel of 1st to 3rd yr students have been basketball training since September, working on
their skills and tactics.
Friendly games against Salesian College and Clongowes Wood College tested their strengths
and has encouraged them to continue. It is hoped they will enter the National League next
year. Training on Tuesdays 4-5pm and Thurs 1.20- Girls 1.50pm. New members still welcome.
See you on the court.
Athletics
It has been a very busy and successful year for the cross country team. We braved hail, rain
and snow on occasion. ~The team have literally travelled ‘Cross Country’ competing in Carlow,
Kildare, Dublin and Kilkenny. The minor boys proved particularly triumphant winning a total of
8 medals.
This week sees the beginning of the Track and Field events with over 30 students travelling to
Scanlon Park to take on long jump, high jump and a variety of track races.
Tag Rugby
Two teams of Transition year and Fifth year girls travelled to Clondalkin last week for a Leinster
Schools Tag Rugby blitz. The Red team won all four of their matches and the Green team were
successful in three games. Well done to all participants.
Felting
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
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Fairtrade
The Fairtrade shop is up and running on a weekly basis selling Fairtade chocolate and it is
proving to be very popular. The shop is run by a group of TY students interested in promoting
the cause. So far, we have given some profits from the shop to the Princess Leah fund and the
remainder will go to a nominated charity. Thank you to all the students for supporting it.
School Musical
All Shook Up The school rocked to the tunes of Elvis for three nights last week as first and
second year students took to the stage to perform All Shook Up, this years’ musical production.
Guided by Ms. Dunne, Mr. O’ Brien and Mr. Dempsey; a cast of 28 students displayed great
acting, singing and dancing talent and the fruits of many months of preparation and rehearsal.
They were assisted in stage design and make up by a host of 5th and Transition Year students.
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
School Choir
The school choir has grown from strength to strength since September. The choir has 60
student members from 1st to 6th year.
The students perform modern music from Adele to David Guetta and Emile Sande to name a
few. We are fortunate to have a soprano, alto and tenor line and will be heading to the Navan
Choral Festival on May 10th as well as performing at the award ceremonies at the end of May.
We wish the choir the best of success.
New Prefects
The prefects for 2013-14 are Jean McDonnell (Head), Des O’ Connor (Deputy Head), Keith
Nevin, Kyle O’ Rourke and Aisling Bonner (1st yr.), Niamh Travers (2nd Yr.), Conor Gordon (3rd
yr.), Michael O’ Reilly and Sinead Corbett (Sports) and Ailbhe Garry (Arts and Culture). We wish
the new team every success in carrying out their duties and thank the out-going group for their
diligence and professionalism this year.
Merits
The Merit Award System has been a huge success this year with over 10,000 merits awarded to
students since the beginning of the year. Students who work hard, are pleasant and
co-operative with others, who take part in extra-curricular activities and in general display a
positive attitude to the school and their own learning have all been recognised with merits from
their teachers. The students who have received the greatest amount of merits in each year will
be presented with the Bryan Sammon Merit Award at our Awards’ Days in at the end of May
and will also receive some brilliant prizes. Well done to all those who have received merits and
keep up the great work!
Fifth Year Fundraiser - €5,000 for Princess Leah Fund
Before Easter twenty fifth year students organised three events in the school with funds going to
the Princess Leah fund for local girl Leah Taffee. The events were the
student teacher soccer match, (attended by the largest crowd ever and won by the teachers
3-0), a Zumbathon for 6th year students and a concert performed by senior students for first
years. A total of €5,000 was raised for the fund. Thank you to everyone who donated to this
cause and we wish Leah well.
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
First year Student reaches National Final of Young Entrepreneur
Competition
First year student Sarah Beegan represented the school at the Enterprise Boards Young
Entrepreneur National Finals in Croke Park last month with her company SARAH’S Cards 2
Keep – handmade bespoke cards and paper gifts for all occasions. Sarah was selected from
15,000 entries and was in the final 23 representing Scoil Mhuire and Kildare. Well done to
Sarah and we wish her every success with her cards which go on sale in Bob ‘n Kates this
week.
Student Council
The Student Council organized an Easter Egg Hunt for first year students with funds of ?250
going to the Princess Leah foundation.
School Stars Final
We wish good luck to 5th year students Daniel Guy, Stephen Mangan and Adam Dillon and 1st
year Teigan D’Arcy who have reached the regional finals of the School Stars Talent Show which
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
takes place in The Fairways Hotel, Dundalk on May 15th.
School Tour
A hugely enjoyable trip to Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona took place over the Easter holidays.
Highlights include the Segovia aqueduct, the Madrid cable car tour, the Santiago Bernabeu
Stadium and of course the rides in Port Aventura especially the Dragon Khan. Many new
experiences were enjoyed from the snowcapped hills of Segovia to the brilliant sunshine of the
Valencian orange groves. Lots of wonderful memories for everyone. Thank you to teachers,
parents and guardians who participated in preparation and execution of the trip.
Horse Riding Initiative
Transition year students have been involved with an exciting new initiative this term – horse
riding with the disabled. Each week 6 students travelled to Kill Equestrian Centre to assist with
the riding for the disabled programme. In addition students Zoe Lennon and Amy Keegan
attended the Riding for the Disabled AGM in Abbeyleix and addressed the members about their
experiences – encouraging other Transition year students to get involved in similar
programmes. The girls also got to meet paralympian Helen, hear her story of Olympic
horse-riding success and see her medals.
CAO
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
CAO Statement of Application Record Statements will arrive to 6th year students soon. Please
ensure you check all personal and course details and inform CAO of any errors. CAO Change
of Mind facility (free of charge) is open from May 5th to July 1st if you wish to change course
choices. See www.cao.ie for details or refer to CAO handbook.
PLC
Any 6th year student who has been offered a PLC course place and intends to take it, please
make sure you accept the place and pay a deposit if required or the place will be offered to
another student.
State Examinations
Oral and practical examinations for both Junior and Leaving Certificate have been taking place
in the school in recent weeks. French, German and Irish orals and Music and Home Economics
practical exams and the LCVP examination have been completed and great application has
been displayed by students. Project work is nearing completion in many subjects this week
and the coming weeks further practical examinations take place. We wish all students well with
all of their work.
Knicks and Knacks Mini Company Success
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
Transition year creativity was rewarded again this year in the Mini Company competition. The
company ‘Knicks and Knacks’ who produced a portable can opener that can attach to key rings
were awarded Most Innovative Product Award at the County Final in Kilashee Hotel. They were
also interviewed by Clem Ryan at KFM about their product.
School Bank
Transition year students, Brendan Dowling, Eva Brennan, Mark McCraith, Ian Prendergast,
Lorraine Morrin and Niamh Gorman have been running the school bank this year as part of the
AIB ‘Build a Bank Challenge’ this year. The team reached the national finals in the RDS on 17th
April. Well done to the team for their hard work and success in reaching the finals.
Kare
Transition year students have worked with the Kare service users on Wednesday mornings
again this term on a variety of activities ranging from art to clay pieces to games. It has been a
most successful project and rewarding for both the service users and the students.
Transition Year Easter Trip
It was a cold and chilly trip to the UK with the Transition Year students this year but luck was
certainly on our side.
The days before our departure saw ferry cancellations and the closure of Alton Towers due to
snow, however, the theme park re-opened the day we were due there and thanks to the
adverse weather, crowds were sparse and students had the very rare opportunity of the run of
the park! Other highlights included a walking tour of Liverpool, bowling, a trip to Old Trafford,
where the teachers and students met Alex Ferguson (!) all rounded off with some retail therapy
in the very impressive Trafford Centre. While exhausted on return, it was a hugely successful,
thoroughly enjoyable trip and the students' behaviour was impeccable.
Thanks again to all teachers who came along.
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Newsletter Summer 2013Scoil Mhuire Clane
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