Newsletter

Summer 2000

 

Multimedia Projector - Millennium Garden - Mercy College Choir Brussels Trip February 2000 - "Cop On" - Transition Year Work Experience - Mercy College / Coolock-Artane Credit Union - C'mon Everybody – Review – Choir - SES Study Seminar - Hockey Notes – Adlerian Psychologist - Reminder - REPORT ON WORLD BOOK DAY – BASKETBALL - STUDENT COUNCIL - SCHOOL UNIFORM

 

 

 

Multimedia Projector

 

 

Last year's raffle, raised a sum of over £2000.  This was put towards the cost of a multimedia projector.  The projector allows the teacher's screen to be projected up to 40 inches across during computer classes.  This makes it much easier for students to follow the steps in the programmes.

 

The projector can also be linked up to a video recorder and the class can watch videos on the "big screen".

 

 

Millennium Garden

 

After much deliberation our school has finally decided on its Millennium Project.  We have agreed to install a water feature in our courtyard.  This will consist of a millstone resting on a bed of stones with water bubbling from the centre of the stone.

 

The inspiration for this comes from the fact that in 1998 a millstone was dug up in the Church of St. John the Evangelist, Tonlegee Road.  The church is the Coolock Parish Church for the Church of Ireland community.  We feel that there is a particular harmony in linking ourselves to this community at the beginning of the New Millennium.  The symbolism of the water and the bread produced by the mill wheel should not be lost.

 

The basic materials for this project, mill wheel, pump, reservoir and reservoir lid will be purchased at an approximate cost of £500.  It will also be necessary to prepare the site and a certain amount of brickwork will be required.  The courtyard will then be made available to Sixth Years as a tranquil area with seating and shrubbery.  So as to involve all students and staff in the project it is proposed that each person should bring along a potato-sized stone which will form part of the bed of stones on which the mill wheel will rest. The time for moving out some of the existing plants from our courtyard is fast approaching and we hope to make a start on our landscaping plans in the coming weeks.  If you would be prepared to help with the Millennium Garden Project through work or sponsorship, we would be delighted to hear from you.  Please contact any one of the following teachers:  Ms. Paula Downes, Ms. Phyllis Keogh, or Ms. Margaret Quinn.

 

 

Mercy College Choir - Brussels Trip February 2000

 

The Choir members have returned and recovered from their very successful trip to Brussels.  We had an action-packed visit which included: sightseeing, climbing up the Belfry in Bruges, climbing up the steep mount at Waterloo, visiting a chocolate factory, bowling, and of course, singing.  The highlight was singing at Mass on Sunday evening in the oldest (medieval) church in Brussels (St. Nicholas').  We were heartily welcomed by the congregation and invited back 'every Sunday'.  The girls received many compliments on their excellent behaviour abroad and proved to be great ambassadors for Mercy College and for Ireland.  Many thanks to parents Yvonne O'Brien and Marie Colgan who accompanied us on the trip.

 

Ms. Hogan and Ms. Daltún

 

 

Cop On

 

Transition Year students visited Mountjoy Jail to see at first hand the "rewards of crime".  The visit consisted of a lecture and a tour around the main jail and was both educational and thought-provoking.

 

Ms. Moran.

Transition Year Work Experience

 

Mercy College would like to take this opportunity to thank the many business and local organisations in the area for their continuous support.  Without their help our Work Experience Programme could not be so successful.  Transition Year students enjoy a total of four weeks in the real world of work, gaining experience in a variety of work-settings: schools, veterinary practices, shops, offices, factories, garages and crèches.

 

            Ms. Moran and Ms. Rooney

 

 

Mercy College / Coolock-Artane Credit Union

 

Coolock-Artane Credit Union, in association with Mercy College, is in the process of establishing a Mini Credit Union in the school, to open in September 2000.  The office will be run by a committee of nine present Transition Year students, and membership will be open to all students and staff in the school.  The main aims of the project are: extending the benefits of credit union membership to students, introducing students to the concept of saving, allowing students an opportunity to experience areas such as cash handling, data processing, decision-making and teamwork.

 

Interviews for Committee members were held in the school in February and the Board of Directors of Coolock-Artane Credit Union and the school appointed the following to the school committee:

 

Vivienne Bonney                       Lorraine Fedigan

Helen Cahill                  Anne-Marie Lyons

Tracy Conway              Karen O'Connor

Laura Cumiskey                       Veronica Ryan

Christine Talbot

 

Congratulations to the above students and sincere thanks to the large number of Transition Year students who applied for the committee.

 

 

C'mon Everybody

 

Mercy College has raised in excess of £2,500 for people in need.  This year there will be a "mega" fund-raising event held on Friday 5th May.  This usually takes the form of a sports day.  We thank you for your support in the past and hope that we will be able to raise more funds for deserving causes.  Anybody who wants to come along and support the event is very welcome.

 

 

Review

 

Leaving Certificate students attended the National Concert Hall on March 7th to hear a live performance of two Leaving Certificate Music set works.  The works performed were J. S. Bach's Cantata and Gerald Barry's piano quartet.  The concert was well presented with narration by Rhona Clarke.  The audience was invited to sing at the end of Bach's Cantata, which helped to involve the students with the concert.  It was an enjoyable show and well worth attending.

 

 

 

 

 

Choir

 

The Choir sang on March 6th at the Parish Mission.  They sang beautifully and represented the school very well.

 

 

the last two years have been a bit quiet but the present First and Second year teams are blazing a new success story.  Both teams finished first in their league and qualified for the Leinster Semi Finals with hopefully the finals to come.  The hard work and dedication of the players is

 

 

SES Study Seminar

 

The Student Enrichment Service (SES) was held on February 24th for Fifth Years.  It was £8 per person, but it was well worth it.

 

Some of the topics covered were:

 

1: Time management

2: Note taking

3: Goal setting

4: Study methods

5: SES study methods

 

* They showed us their method of studying.  We know now that studying can be made easy if we adopt the correct approach.

 

* They showed us how to space out our timetable and when to take breaks.

 

* We were able to communicate well with the speakers and they didn't act in a superior way to us, so we were able to relax.

 

Altogether, we found the suggestions given very helpful and easy to use.  We would recommend the SES study programme to anyone who might find it difficult to study.

 

Yvonne Carolan, Linda Donohoe. Laura Griffin, Janine Heffernan, Deirdre Whelan and Laura Creaner.

 

 

Hockey Notes

 

We are reaching the end of a very enjoyable hockey season, and whereas we have not been as successful as we had hoped, our teams have "Done us proud".  The Senior and Minor teams took part in the Leinster leagues.  Here are the results:

 

Senior Team's Results

 

Mercy College  0          Wesley College    1

Mercy College  0          Loreto Mullingar  2

Mercy College  2          Mt. Anville           1

Mercy College  5          Teresians               0

Mercy College  3          St. Raphael's         0

Mercy College  7          The High School   0

 

Loreto Mullingar went forward to the finals.

 

Minor Team's Results

 

Mercy College  1          Muckross Park       0

Mercy College  1          Wesley College     1

Mercy College  1          Our Lady's Terenure                1

Mercy College  0          Loreto Bray           3

Mercy College  0          Mt. Anville            1

 

The Senior, Minor, and Beginners teams took part in the Northside League.  Mount Temple were the only school to beat our Seniors, and they went through to the final.

The Minor team were unfortunate to be beaten by St. Wolstan's, by a very narrow margin.  Again it was the only match they lost.  The Beginners were "pipped at the post" for the final by Mt. Sackville, who were only one point ahead.

 

 

Better luck next season girls!

We hope to run a mixed grade 7-a-side school tournament before the end of the school year.  We would like to see as many girls as possible taking part, even those not on a team before now.

 

 

 

Adlerian Psychologist

 

A parent support group has been running over 10 weeks in the Parents' Room.  The group facilitator is Mr. Vincent Byrne, an Adlerian Psychologist.  He works with parents with a view to helping them to develop their parenting skills and to acquire a deeper understanding of young people's behaviour.  This has been a very successful venture, with parents and young people reporting that they have both enjoyed and benefited from the group sessions.  It is hoped to offer this service again next year.

 

The Coolock Harmonstown Artane (C.H.A.) forum will hold its A.G.M. in St. Brendan's Boys' National School hall on Tuesday, May 16th at 8 p.m.   All residents of the area are encouraged to attend to hear a report on the present committee's work and to offer comments, ideas and suggestions.  There are exciting developments in the pipeline which need your support.  You may indeed be interested in going forward to serve on the incoming committee.  Representatives from Northside Partnership, Dublin Corporation and other statutory and voluntary bodies will attend, as well as School Principals, Home-School-Community Liaison Co-ordinators and local clergy.

 

Reminder

 

Don't forget that Phyllis Keogh, the Home-School-Community Liaison Co-ordinator, will be delighted to meet with any parent on request, either in school or in their own home.  If a parent has any concerns about a child's education or behaviour, she/he should not hesitate to phone the school to make arrangements to meet with the Co-ordinator.

 

 

REPORT ON WORLD BOOK DAY

 

On Friday 19th March the students from Mercy College were exposed to poetry and the world of books for the day because it was World Book Day.  The day was organised by Ms. Boyle and the Second Year students from Room 12.  At the beginning of the day, students and teachers received stickers with the slogans, "Celebrate Libraries" and "Celebrate Books".  These stickers were worn by all the staff and students alike.  A book fair, lasting the whole day, was held in the school hall.  In turn, each Year group was called to the hall where books of every category were on sale.  Students had time to peruse and buy the books of their choice.

 

Throughout the day both students and teachers gave poetry recitals and readings of favourite extracts from stories and novels.  Several of these pieces were read out during classes over the intercom.  Classes were spiced up and laced with a rendering of poems and extracts.  Poems from Roger McGough, Seamus Heaney, W. B. Yeats, Boland, Hilaire Belloc and works by several more authors were read out by students and teachers.

 

Due to the organisation of Ms. Boyle and the students from Room 12, and also the co-operation of all the students and teachers, the day went smoothly.  The day itself was a huge success and was greatly enjoyed by all.  It had much of interest for everyone.  I feel it has opened our minds to the world of literature.

 

                        Máire Barry (6th Year)

 

 

BASKETBALL

 

Our First and Second Year basketball teams have both had excellent seasons.  Both teams won Leinster Titles, our First Years beating Dominican, Cabra 32-18, and our Juniors beating Mount Temple 42-26.

 

The girls then moved into the All-Ireland play-offs.  The Juniors played in Gort, where they won their group but lost their semi-final in a close encounter against Galway.  The team had a great weekend of basketball and won the Bronze Medal in the All-Ireland series.

 

The following weekend our First Years pitted their wits against teams from Kerry, Donegal and Tipperary.  This time with home advantage we were successful in our semi final with a thrilling win over Killybegs 36-34.  The team now go on to the All Ireland Final in the National Basketball Arena on Thursday, 4th May.

 

First Year Team:

 

Anne Marie Butler, (Captain), Laura Richardson, Denise Donoghue, Sarah Quinn, Orla Desmond, Sinéad Keogh, Aoife Keogh, Sarah Lee, Emma Curry, Michelle Regan and Lisa McDonnell.

 

Junior Team:

 

Mandy Hunt (Captain), Sarah O'Connor, Amy Moore, Lise Moore, Hazel Troy, Fiona McNamee, Michelle Murray, Ciara Lee, Laura Richardson, Sarah Lee, Anne Marie Butler, Niamh Tansey and Paula Kelleher.

 

Special thanks to the following girls for their work at the tournament:

 

Clare Moreau, Lisa Clancy, Helen Cahill, Nora Cashe, Tara Knepper, Lucia Harrison and Jennifer Wall.

 

 

STUDENT COUNCIL

 

The introduction of the Student Council has been a great success over the last few months.  Our achievements so far have made an extremely positive impact on the school and students alike. 

 

The results of the litter campaign have shown a noticeable improvement in combating litter around the school.  Each day two students worked on a certain area within the school grounds and gathered a huge volume of litter with the aid of the litter pincers provided.  We look forward to maintaining and enjoying a clean environment.

 

The Student Council has also worked for the introduction of a drinks machine in the school hall.  It arrived on Tuesday, 11th April.  It has a wide variety of delicious drinks, each costing 30p.

 

The Student Council lobbied for a change of uniform to commemorate the New Millennium.  So far the gabardine has been replaced by a navy reversible fleece, and the PE uniform has been changed to a navy wrap-around skirt for September 2000.  A navy tracksuit may also be bought.

 

The Student Council is also eager to stamp out smoking on the premises.  Thanks to Mrs. Mooney, work has begun on putting in place a new sophisticated smoke detection system called "Air Sampling".  We look forward to working in Mercy College as a smoke-free zone.

 

All the members of the Student Council have enjoyed the time they have spent working on the Council.  Their sense of responsibility for the school has grown, as has their pride in Mercy College.

 

Christine Byrne, Head Girl

Kellie Dunne, Deputy Head Girl

 

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

 

Having consulted parents, pupils, the Board of Management and teachers, the decisions on changes of uniform for next September are as follows:

 

New Jacket available in McAloons @ £40. 

New tracksuit available from the school at £35.

Present students may purchase the new jacket and new tracksuit if they wish.  No other decisions regarding uniform changes have been made at this point.

 

Many thanks to all who contributed to the consultation process.

 

Mrs. Mooney (Principal)

 

 

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