NEWSLETTER 2004 Christmas

A MESSAGE FROM MRS DWYER - A TASTE OF WHERE OUR LEAVING CERT. CLASS OF 2004 ARE HEADING - BAND AID TRUST – BASKETBALL - BUSINESS STUDIES AND ACCOUNTING – CAREERS - COMHAIRLE NA NOG - CONGRATULATIONS ON ACADEMIC SUCCESS - FORM AND FUSION - GARDENING CLUB - JUMPING FOR JOY! - GEOGRAPHY INSPECTION - HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY LIAISON - ICE SKATING – ATTENDANCE - M.S.READATHON - PARENTS ASSOCIATION – SPORT - THE ADVENT SERVICES - THE ADVENT WREATH - THE DRAMA CLUB - TRANSITION YEAR _ NORTH DUBLIN ACCESS SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS - CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS  - Return to Contents page

A MESSAGE FROM MRS DWYER.

As the first term comes to a close I have great pleasure in sending you this newsletter.

Providing the girls with opportunities to display their talents and fulfil their potential is a key part of our work and the newsletter displays just some of the activities that our students have undertaken this school year, ably guided and encouraged by the staff here.

Finally, let me wish you and your family a very happy and healthy Christmas and every good wish for the New Year.

A TASTE OF WHERE OUR LEAVING CERT. CLASS OF 2004 ARE HEADING

UCD - Medicine

Trinity - Law

Trinity - Business Studies

DCU - communications

DCU - Accounting & Finance

DCU - Business

DCU - Journalism

St. Pat's - Primary Teaching

DCU / Beaumont - Nursing

Maynooth - Psychology

NCI - Business

DIT - Leisure Management

Social Care

Acting

Bio - Chemistry

& a host of other courses and careers

BAND AID TRUST.

While watching a documentary on the making of "Band Aid 2", I was really struck by the fact that there is still so much suffering in the world. I feel that the students in Mercy College would be willing to try to do some fund raising to help the "Band-Aid Trust".

I am appealing to all students to think of any ideas to try to raise some money to help the "BAND AID TRUST FUND".  Any ideas and all support are welcome. Hopefully we will be able to get going in the Spring.

SUZANNE BLAKE 5th Year.

BASKETBALL.

School Matches.

The basketball players in the school had a very successful term.

The Cadets played against Newbridge in October. Amanda Keogh and Leanne Kavanagh played tremendously well. Samantha Hatton and Caroline McDonnell ran the court getting rebounds and steals. The final score was Mercy College 46 - Newbridge 24. Well done!!

The Cadets also played a wonderful match against Cabra. Both sides played well and Cabra beat Mercy by just a couple of points.

Club Matches.

The Under 16's played a match against Raiders from Loughlinstown. It was a terrific game and our girls played very well - but unfortunately, the final score was Raiders 41, Mercy 27. Hard luck.

SAMANTHA HATTON 2nd Year.

A message from Mark Ingle.

The 1st and 2nd Year league begins on January 17th. There are still a few places left and I would like to encourage the students to come along and get involved in the team games.

The Mercy College Past Pupils team entered the Women's Super League for the first time. They are doing extremely well and are currently lying in 3rd place. Well done to all concerned.

MARK INGLE - Basketball Coach.

BUSINESS STUDIES AND ACCOUNTING.

Three students from the school were nominated for awards in the Dublin Institute of Technology. Rachel Jones and Maire Hallissey were nominated for outstanding achievement in Business Studies and Zowie O'Neil was nominated for outstanding achievement in Accounting.

The awards were made in October in D.I.T. Aungier Street. George Hook, the guest speaker presented the awards of E100 to each student.

RACHEL JONES - 6th Year.

CAREERS

Sixth years have had a busy time since September. The year kicked off with a visit to the  "HIGHER OPTIONS" in the R.D.S. The students attended talks, met faculty members and gathered information on various careers.

The Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown, the Dublin Institute of Technology, Marino College and An Garda Siochana gave careers talks in school.

The students also attended an Open Days in Maynooth College, Senior College, Dun Laoighre, D.C.U., St Pat's and Trinity College.

In the meantime, the sixth Years have been very busy completing their C.A.O. forms.

Wishing all the Leaving Cert. students good luck with their applications. May all your dreams come true.

EVELYN CONNEELY.

COMHAIRLE NA NOG.

On October 15th Danielle O'Brien, Aisling Keenan and Jayne Howard were chosen to attend a "Comhairle na nOg" meeting in the Marino Institute. A vote was held to elect representatives on the Comhairle na nOg committee for a year. Aisling Keenan and Jayne Howard were elected.

During the first meeting of the committee, each member spoke about what they would like to change about their area. The Lord mayor attended this meeting and listened to the ideas put across.

JAYNE HOWARD 5th Year.

CONGRATULATIONS ON ACADEMIC SUCCESS.

We would like to congratulate the following students

* Elaine Burke who got 580 points in her Leaving Cert. last June. Elaine is now studying in D.C.U.

* Caroline McCall and Leslie Brant who got over 500 points in their Leaving Cert.

* Tara Moran who got the best Junior Cert. Results in the school last year.

* Louise Costello who was recently awarded a scholarship to study in Trinity College.

* Lynn Dennany, a past pupil who was recently awarded a Ph.D. degree in chemistry in D.C.U.

Well done to all the past and current pupils

FORM AND FUSION

Fourth year students are entering (for the first time) the Coca Cola form and Fusion Award's (as seen on the late show) in 2005 and are looking for your help!

The competition involves designing costumes were entered from schools throughout the country in 2004 with the top 35 entries reaching the final in the Point Depot. We are excited that Mercy College has been chosen to host one of the heats in Feb.2005 (a week event). We would be grateful if you could collect the following items over the Christmas.

         .  Used stamps

         .  Bag handles

         .  Netting from fruit on other sources

         .  Plastic fruit

         .  The metal part from night-lights

         .  Sweet wrappers.

GARDENING CLUB.

A small but dedicated group of 1st and 2nd years make up the gardening club.  Since September, they have met on Thursdays at lunch time to help clear and plant part of the grounds of the school.  They have been developing fingers to match the uniform.  We had our difficulties with the weather of course - there were several Thursdays when even the hardiest wouldn't have gone outside!  Despite that, however, we can look forward to bulbs flourishing in the spring.  Hopefully by then we will be able to get outside every week.  Then again - this is Ireland!

JUMPING FOR JOY!

The students have been busy raising money for good causes again this year.  As usual they and their families have been very generous.  Our big fund-raiser this term was a combined effort for the Children's hospital in Crumlin and our own school. 

The 6th years did amazing work helping to organise our activity afternoon on December 1st.   Activities included Hip-Hop, walking, skipping, basketball, football and - my favourite - virtual badminton! 

Students and staff expended great energy and their efforts raised close to €5000.  Half of that money will go to the children's hospital and the rest to the school. 

The students' council has met to draw up a list of suggestions in relation to how it should be spent - we'll keep you posted!

The Irish Wheelchair Association and Concern have also benefited from fund-raising efforts this year.

M.QUINN

GEOGRAPHY INSPECTION.

Congratulations to all geography students who were a credit to the school and their families when a Geography inspector visited the classes. As usual, the students represented the school with excellent behaviour and a high degree of participation in the classes. The inspector was very impressed and he parted saying that "geography is in good hands" in Mercy College. That's official. Well done everyone.

PHYLLIS KEOGH.

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY LIAISON.

A Rainbows group has been set up again to help students bereaved by death or separation. This excellent work is facilitated by 2 parents, the Resource Centre co-ordinator and a member of the community. We are hoping to set up a Rainbows group for adults in the near future.

A variety of demonstrations were held for adults in the community. These covered a range of topics such as Christmas cakes, Christmas flower arranging. Gemma Juarez Doyle kindly facilitated a session on Spanish Christmas customs. One of the parents, Helen Finnerty, ran a Pilates class for teachers.

An art class, a health and beauty class and a Pilate's class will begin in January

The Local Committee organised 2 meetings for parents of special need students to help them explore their concerns about transferring their children into second level. Ms. Dunwoody attended the second meeting.

Adlerian Counselling for families is running every Wednesday afternoon and Adlerian techniques for families and for members of the community continue to run every Wednesday night in the Parents' Room.

Anyone who is interested in any of the above should contact MARIA SOMERS, Home School Community Co-ordinator at 8480888 during school hours.

MARIA SOMERS.

ICE SKATING

Room 11 went on a trip to ice skating on Monday 6th December. The teachers that went with us were Ms. Harrison and Ms. Cassidy.  We went to Christmas on ice in the R.D.S.  We had a great time.  Some people were brilliant at skating like Sarah Brunton, Lizzie Donovan, Amanda Ward and Amanda Keogh.  Some people fell about 11 times.  Despite some people falling every one had an exciting day.

By Lizzie Donovan and Amanda Ward 2nd year.

ATTENDANCE

Mr. Donal O'Mahony the new Vice Principal congratulates Sonia Turner 2nd Year for having full attendance.

M.S.READATHON.

A special mention, on behalf of M.S. to the following students for their participation in the Readathon"  - Blathnaid Martin, Katie Duff, Amy Delaney, Rebecca Gilligan. Their support was greatly appreciated.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION.

The Parents' Association has had a busy few months. At the beginning of the year Mark Grainger from the Sheaf O'Wheat offered to make a donation of E1,000 to the school if we held 3 table quizzes in the pub before the end of the year. We held one quiz in May; one in October and the final one was on December 7th. There was a good turn out at each one but because the last one was so near Christmas we decided that the questions would have a Christmas theme. Santa also made an appearance in the guise of ANNE HICKEY who donned the outfit for most of the evening and did a great job as M.C. Great fun was had by all. Once again we would like to thank all who supported these events. Finally may we wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

CATHERINE SADLIER - Secretary.

SPORT.

The sports department has bees busy as usual

Hockey - the Northside League starts in January.

Badminton - Training begins in January

Badminton - Training begins in January

Soccer - it is hoped that soccer training will begin and that the students can play in "in house" matches.

HOCKEY CLUB TRIP.

36 members of the Hockey Club and friends are going on a Skiing trip to Andorra from January 2nd to Jan 9th.  . We look forward to the photos.

THE ADVENT SERVICES.

On the 30th of November the teachers and each class attended advent services.         

Every year group went to the services.  The advent services remind us that we should prepare for Jesus' birth. During advent especially we should live out the gospel by treating everyone, the way we would like to be treated. 

KAREN O' CONNOR.

First year.

THE ADVENT WREATH.

On Tuesday 30th of November we had Advent services in room 13. The teachers said the prayers and lit the candles on the Advent Wreath. The wreath is round like a circle to remind us that God's love is like a circle because it has no beginning and no end. The wreath is decorated with evergreens to remind us that God is eternal. The four coloured candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Another candle id lit each week so that as Christmas gets nearer the light will increase. After the prayer service we listened to calming music until it was time to go to class.

LEANNE CULLEN 3rd Year.

THE DRAMA CLUB.

The Drama Club meets with Ms Niland every Wednesday between 4.00 and 5.00 in the Drama Room.  We do many different activities and we have loads of fun. This year we rehearsed for "Twas the Night Before Christmas". I would like to thank Ms.Niland and Mrs Dwyer for all the help and encouragement they have given us.

SARAH BRENNAN. 3rd year.

TRANSITION  YEAR.

DELPHI

On Wednesday 10th November last, 25 transition Year students embarked on a 3 day adventure trip to Delphi Adventure Centre in Co. Mayo. Over the course of the 3 days the girls participated in a number of activities such as abseiling, Jacob's Ladder, High Ropes, team tasks and the most popular of all, surfing. It was a tired but happy group that returned to Coolock on the Friday night.

COMPUTE T.Y.

In early Feb 2005, Transition Year students will be participating in a week long computer course in D.C.U. organised and run by the School of Computing there.  The course will replace the students' normal timetable for the week and is a wonderful opportunity for them to develop advanced computing skills and at the same time to experience life in a Third Level college. The main emphasis of the course will be on Web Page Design.

CO-OPERATION IRELAND - CIVIC LINK PROGRAMME.

9 of the Transition Year students, along with 9 from Chanel College are participating in a Civic Link Programme organised and funded by Co-operation Ireland. The programme involves linking our school with a school in Northern Ireland and together the students will research issues of conflict in both communities. Our partner school is Ballycastle High School Co. Antrim. The programme also includes 2 exchanges. In Nov. the students from Ballycastle came to Dublin and both groups spent 2 very enjoyable days in Glencree Reconciliation Centre, Co. Wicklow. In Feb 2005, our students will travel to Northern Ireland and spend 3 days in a residential centre in Co. Antrim.

MUSICAL.

Rehearsals are well under way for the Transition Year musical which will take place in early March in Chanel College. The musical includes excerpts from Les Miserables, Jesus Christ Superstar, Sister Act and Saturday Night Fever.

CREDIT UNION

Transition Years have set up a Junior Credit Union. Many students have already become members. Room 1 has been converted into the Credit Union Office. The official opening will take place in January.

KNITTING.

The students are "knitting up a storm" - creating lovely jumpers, scarves and hats. These will be sent to Belarus as part of the Chernobyl Children’s' Fund.

CHEMISTRY IN ACTION.

Transition year students sampled some experimental chemistry at Dublin City University. They talk and demonstration entitled "Everyday Chemistry" showed some important scientific principles with the aid of everyday materials..

K.MURPHY.

NORTH DUBLIN ACCESS SERVICE ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

Students from the 4th and 5th year were nominated by other students and teachers for the North Dublin Access Service Achievement Awards. There were about 15 chosen to receive awards for five different types of achievement, academic, arts, sport, community spirit and special nomination. Each award recipient received a E40 Hodges Figgis / HMV voucher and a DCU pack. There were 458 students from all over Dublin Present. The awards took place on Thursday 9th of December 2004 in the Mahoney Hall, Helix.

AISLING KEEGAN 5TH YEAR

CALLING ALL BOOK LOVERS

Would you have some time to spare in January to help out with a "Paired Reading Programme?" If you are interested or just curious to learn more please contact Paula Moran or Maria Somers at 8480888.