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The past half term has been replete with events and projects which have
enabled us to celebrate the Goal of „Community‟ in both traditional and
innovative ways.
The Debs‟ Ball, combining the reception in the school and the ball at
Leopardstown, brings together many strands of the Mount Anville community
– staff, students, parents, past pupils – in a dynamic process which makes
for special memories for all of the students involved. We would like to
express our appreciation to the members of the Past Pupils‟ Committee who
work tirelessly every year to ensure that no detail is overlooked and to the
Parents‟ Committee who went to such lengths in their organisation of the
welcome at the school.
Over recent years, the TY dinner in November has become very much a
Mount Anville institution in which the students discern the charity or charities
to be supported and, with the aid of staff and parents, assemble a
memorable evening combining dinner and entertainment.
This term, the Goal of Community has been promoted very significantly
through the extension and development of the „House‟ system and through
„Open Day‟. The four Houses – Dargan, Barat, Chadwick and Duchesne –
now extend from 1st to 6th Year and, through the leadership of the House
Prefects, have engaged in a wide range of community-creating events such
as lunch-time table quizzes, breakfasts and competitions with the aim of
enhancing the inclusion of all and transcending the boundaries of year
groups. Open Day provided a forum for the celebration of community as
students from all years took pride in welcoming large numbers of
prospective parents and pupils to the school, acting as guides and hosts,
performing and presenting in various locations around the school. Visitors
and staff alike were most impressed by the quality of their confidence and
immense pride in their school.
Volume 14, Issue 2
19 December 2012
Inside this issue:
Chaplain’s Reflections
2
Social Awareness
2
School Matters
2
Transition Year
3
Careers Update
4
Sports Review
4
Library News
4
At a liturgical level, both the November Service of Remembrance and the
Mass for the Immaculate Conception at which the Children of Mary are
commissioned, provide opportunities for staff, students and parents to join
together in reflection and prayer. The contribution of the Music Department
to liturgical and school events is central and very much appreciated. The
Christmas Whole School Assembly was, as always, an opportunity for staff
and students to join together as a community for carols and to prepare
hampers for SVP.
We wish all families in the Mount Anville community a happy, peaceful and
safe Christmas 2012 and look forward to welcoming students back in the
New Year. Patricia Bourden, Principal
Christmas Card Competition
1st Prize: Sarah McGee, Dargan 2
be blessed for your generosity and
Advent is a season which has become kindness.
somewhat „lost‟ in today‟s world as
Social Awareness
the focus on Christmas begins as early
as October or even September. So
Goal of Community
when Fr. John Bracken asked me if
As we approach the end of term and
some of our students would be
year, let us reflect on our lives and
interested in helping him with an
contemplate how we can improve
Advent Prayer Service in Mount
together. This Christmas let us try to
Merrion Church on Sunday, 16th
practise the Golden Rule Jesus gave
December, I saw it as a great
opportunity for uniting our school and us,: "Love one and other as I have
loved you."
parish communities together and
sharing knowledge of what this
Also, please look at the Sacred Heart
season is really about. Eight of our
School Blog created and update by
TY students, members of our St.
Anna Dunne C6.
Vincent de Paul (SVP) committee, got
together to share their thoughts on
Advent and the theme of “Hope” and
how we, through the work of SVP,
offer hope to those we meet both in
school and the wider community.
From the “Giving Tree” to the “Food
Hampers”, whether we are on the
Many thanks to those students who
receiving end or giving of our own
participated in the MS Readathon. As
time to help those in need, we all
well as raising €2320 for such a
experience the hope of creating
worthy cause, this literacy initiative
communities where love, respect, and has the additional benefit of
patience all come together in
increasing the reading habits of our
preparing for the „advent‟ of the
students. For example, students in
promise made to us on Christmas day. Dargan 1 read 229 books, students in
May we all take a little time this
Dargan 2 read 212 books and
Christmas to prepare a place in our
students in Chadwick 1 read 181
hearts where the love of Christ, born
books during the MS Readathon.
in us on Christmas morning, is nurtured
Many thanks to Ms Erwin and Ms
and protected for when we need it
most. May your Advent be prayerful Ambrose for coordinating this event.
and your Christmas be blessed.
The TY charity dinner in aid of the
Alzheimer's Cafe and Our Lady’s
Hospice Harold's Cross & Blackrock,
was a huge success. In just over two
weeks the school hall was transformed
into a „Charlie and the Chocolate
Factory‟ inspired setting by the girls
and Ms. Murphy.
Congratulations to the twenty seven
6th Year students who were
consecrated “Children of Mary” at
our Mass of the Immaculate
Conception in the school chapel on
Friday evening, 7th December. We
remember them in our prayers as they
begin their journey through life
following Mary‟s example of humility
and fortitude in all they do.
School Matters
Chaplain’s Reflections
In all, €16,000 approx. was raised
for these worthy charities. Well done
to all the 4th years who worked with
such enthusiasm to make the night so
incredible.
Thanks to all the parents who donated
and contributed to the night. Thanks
also to the Parents‟ Committee who
worked tirelessly for this event. A big
thank you must go to Agusto and
Brendan for all their assistance.
Finally, a special thanks to Ms
Murphy, Ms Mc Hale, Ms McCarthy,
Ms McWilliams and the supremo, Ms
Creaney, for all their hard work.
€
Fundraising Update
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Transition Year Charity Dinner
French Debating
Congratulations to the French
debaters who are through to the
quarter-finals of the Alliance
Française debates. Led by captain
Romy Lynch, Gemma Farmer, India
Healy O‟ Connor and Alexandra
Fierens will propose the motion that
‘Le droit de vote devrait être accordé
à 16 ans’ on January 24th. Loreto on
the Green will oppose the motion.
Best of luck and thanks to Ms.
Johnston and Ms Tempany for all their
coaching and support.
Tremendous thanks to all in our school
community who helped in making 92
Christmas food hampers for the work
of SVP. These hampers will be
distributed to families in need,
ensuring them a holiday season filled
with love and thanksgiving. May you
Page 2
for their year. To finish off the winter
term 1st, 2nd and 3rd years took
Irish debating was extremely
part in an Inter-House Carol
successful this term. Teams were
competition. The overall winners were
entered into the Comórtas
Dargan 3. Students from 1st to 4th
Díospóireachta Gael Linn. Both the
year had a Christmas House Lunch
Junior and Senior teams were
where the house prefects organised a
victorious in their opening rounds and Christmas table quiz with teams made
look forward to Round 2 after
up of girls from every class. The last
Christmas.
event in the House calendar will be
The Great Mount Anville Bake Off
The Junior team, Anna Smith,
organised by the House reps of TY.
Sadhbh McCarrick and Mary Rose
Inspired by the „Come Dine with Me‟
Counihan, debated against the
TV programme, each class will try to
motion 'Droch-chultúr is ea an
Popchultúr. The Senior team, Jessica impress the judges with their culinary
skills by producing a 3 course meal.
Murphy, Ally McCourt and Romy
Lynch debated for the motion 'Ba
Maths Matters
cheart go mbeadh cead ag
seanadóirí agus ag teachtaí dála a Congratulations to Fiona McCarthy
rogha éadaí a chaitheamh i dTithe who was awarded a gold medal by
an Oireachtais'. The debates were the IAMTA for her performance in the
extremely heated but the Mount
Leaving Certificate 2012 Applied
Anville girls were superb, stood their Mathematics examinations.
ground and took victory with ease!
Díospóireachtaí Gaeilge
ISTA Science Quiz
1st Place: R Giles & E Duddy
2nd Place: R Carr & G Farrell
These entries will go forward to the
national competition
Houses
TY students continue to have an
extremely busy term with lots of
positive feedback from employers on
their recent work experience.
Science Fair
The TY Science Fair took place on 16
November in the Concert Hall. All
students produced a very high
standard of work. The following
students produced the best work:
2nd - Eileen Collins, Rachel Burke,
Sarah Clarke - project on Magnets
(A) Jemma Farmer, Sarah Egan,
Julia O'Connell and (B) Mercy
Fleming , Romy Lynch, Jenny
Freeley
Doodles 4 Google
Transition Year
1st - Sorcha Lynch , Alison Halford,
Helena Plapp - project on Glow
sticks
Two teams entered this year's ISTA
Quiz held in Trinity on the 15 Nov.
The teams were:
Team (B) got through to the final
which was held on the 25 Nov in
Trinity and did very well. Well done
to both teams.
and all are welcome.
3rd - Kate Doherty, Lucy Thornton,
Helen Kirrane - project on
Resonance - Singing Wine Glasses
Orchestra
On the 10 November, the full
orchestra welcomed the return of last
year's 6th years to the Mount Anville
Debs. Music flowed through the
corridors and was much appreciated
by the girls, their parents and their
dates!
Student Council
Two meetings of the Student Council
were convened to deal specifically
with the drawing up of a Charter of
Behaviour for the school.
Each class had drawn up its own
behaviour charter. Each year group
The orchestra entertained the crowds got together to decide on three
positive types of behaviour and three
attending Mount Anville Open
negative types of behaviour. Their
Day. The repertoire was very
combination of ideas will result in a
varied, including Rock around the
Senior Charter of Behaviour and a
Clock, Vivaldi's Spring and the
Junior Charter of Behaviour which,
traditional favourite, The Irish
Washer Woman. The highlight of the along with the original Class Charter
of Behaviour, will be displayed in
day was when the Junior Choir
each classroom.
performed with the orchestra.
Each house now has its own crest
after an open competition run by the
House prefects. The 1st Years have
created positive „motos‟ for their
house notice boards. The 2nd Years
On 14 December, the orchestra
had a buddy breakfast with 6th
years while the 3rd Year House Reps. performed during the carol Service.
ran a House Dodge ball competition Rehearsals resume after Christmas
Page 3
As all the points come directly from
the students, their effectiveness in
preventing bullying behaviour should
be more potent.
Careers Update
The first week in November was
Study skills week organised by the
Guidance Counsellors. Year
appropriate Study Skills seminars
were held for 5th and 6th year
students aimed at reinforcing active
and informed study routines.
Lunchtime talks by the Guidance
Counsellors dealt with specific study
issues like Note taking, Memory
Techniques and Exam techniques.
These talks were voluntary, so not
everyone attended.
3rd years were given a series of
sessions, as a year group at first and
then in individual classes. The topics
covered were Study Planning, How to
Study and Study Techniques. Having
discovered their individual learning
styles the students were encouraged
to adapt study techniques which best
suit their individual learning needs.
Each teacher was given a list of the
learning styles of the students in her
or his class to assist in class planning.
Individual follow-up meetings were
arranged on request.
students were members of the Dublin
U18 Minor Ladies Football Team that
won the Division One Championship
Final. They are H Greer, J Freeley, L
Bedford, A Byrne and K McGrath.
Tag Rugby
The Cross Country event in Blackrock
was a very exciting event for our 1st
Years. Our more established runners
in the school lead the way across the
fields. S Mc Carrick came 3rd in the
Inter Girls 1500m race.
Congratulations to E Fennelly who
finished 4th in the Woodie's DIY /
Athletic Ireland Novice Juvenile Cross
Country Championships and finished
first in the team event.
Our 5th year girls made school
history when the Senior Tag team
played their first ever tag fixture
against Scoil Mhuire, Clane. The girls
won the first match 7-4 and drew the Well done everyone on all your
second 4-4.
achievements!
Hockey
Library News
Our Seniors 1 Hockey team begin
their Cup campaign on 19 December
V‟s Foxrock 3pm (Away) and our
Minors A began their Cup campaign
on 14 December by winning against
St. Andrews 4-0. Our Junior A hockey
team beat Alex A in their last League
fixture before the holidays winning
the match convincingly 3-0. Sadly the
girls lost to St Gerard's in Round 2 of
the Cup match. Some of our Minor A
hockey girls have been selected for
Leinster Development Training. They
are: K Ronan, S Murphy, C Cotter and
Homework management was
R Moore. Our 21 league hockey
explained to 1st years and more
teams are all faring well in their
lectures on this and related topics will respective Leagues and the 1st Year
be held in the coming months.
A and B squads will begin their
league campaigns after Christmas.
A very big thank you to all of the
recent past pupils who gave their
Basketball
time so generously to inform the
current 5th and 6th years on the ups In Basketball our U19 Senior Girls
reached the Semi Finals of the
and downs of college life and ,in
National Basketball League losing out
particular, of their courses. All who
attended the evening agreed it was to Mount Temple 33-19. The senior
U19 and U16 Basketball are coming
one of the most useful and
informative of the careers events they to the end of their leagues and the
2nd year and 1st year girls will
have attended to date.
begin their competitions in early
6th Years are busy finalising CAO
January.
and UCAS choices. Next up is FETAC
courses! Until then we wish all our
Badminton
students and their families and friends
The Junior A team has reached the
a very happy Christmas.
semi-finals of their competition and
will play St Colmcille. Both the Junior
Sports Review
B and C teams are playing Holy
Football
Faith, Clontarf in the quarter finals of
their leagues.
Our Junior GAA team has reached
the semi-finals of Leinster School Girls Cross Country
Football Championships. Five of our
Page 4
Flash Fiction Winners
We received 75 entries to our Horror
Flash Fiction Competition. Winning
entries can be viewed on
www.mountanville.ie/library.
Senior Cycle
Results
Katie Farrell C5
1st
Fionnuala Redmond D5
2nd
Junior Cycle - 2nd & 3rd
Ellen Walsh B2
1st
Ava Maher B2
2nd
Junior Cycle - 1st Year
Rachel Giles Du1
1st
Sadhbh O‟Leary Du 1
2nd
Book Clubs
Our two book clubs are up and
running, The 1st Year members have
just finished reading ‘Matched’ by
Ally Condie and give it an excellent
rating. 2nd Years had a lukewarm
response to ‘The Maze Runner’ by
James Dashner and have decided to
give dystopian fiction a miss for next
month. Instead they have chosen to
read ‘The Palace of Laughter’ by Jon
Berkeley. Please check out all our
book reviews here.