Principal's NEWS UPDATE December, 2016
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Seasons Greetings to all our Loreto Foxrock parents and guardians. We wish you all a very joyful, peaceful Christmas.
With the first term of the academic year drawing to a close, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all members of the school community for making this a vibrant and wonderful time at Loreto College, Foxrock. The staff and students have worked very hard and deserve a well-earned break over the holidays.
Christmas allows us the opportunity to celebrate and to give. The array of talent on display at our Christmas concert was amazing. The individual talents of our musicians, singers, drama group and choirs were stunning. They were a joy to behold. These events are only possible with the hard work behind the scenes in preparation. Well done to all involved, especially Ms. O’Shea and Ms. Cashman from our music department and Ms. Halpenny, our drama teacher. We hope to further enjoy the annual carol service and the 6th year talent show in school this week.
Christmas is also a time for giving. Our VDP group has been busy fundraising and all of the tutor classes are preparing hampers, which will be donated on Tuesday, 20th December, 2016. Our Carol singers were also busy last week, singing on Grafton Street. The generosity of spirit in the school at this time of year is very uplifting. Thank you to all who have helped.
I would like to wish all of our school community a very happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
‘To become artists of charity and builders of mercy, this is how to invest…..in the love of the Father.’ Pope Francis
Warmest regards,
Is mise le meas
Bernadette Prendiville
Principal
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Christmas Concert
Pictured above are members of the LCF Drama Club cast performing in front of a full-house at the Annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday last.
Thrilling and heart-warming performances of musical, choral and drama were on display over the course of the evening featuring compositions and styles from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. We were treated to a huge variety of musical performances, from canons, to traditional seasonal carols to flute and string ensembles and rock music. Members of the 6th Year music class showcased their remarkable talents with piano, harp, violin and flute solos.
Both the First Year Choir and the main School Choir impressed with harmonies in dulcet tones as they kindled our festive spirits with charming carols.
Big 'shout outs' are deserved by our 3rd Year Rock Band and our all ages Trad Group who raised the roof, while the Glee Club, newly formed this year, braved an audience for the first time, with their musical offerings.
All involved in this concert have had a very busy term. Congratulations on all the hard work. The evening was ably assisted by accompanist, Ronan Murray.
Thank you to all involved for the uplifting gifts of music and drama with special thanks to teachers, Leonora O'Shea, Barbara Cashman and Emer Halpenny.
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Ho! Ho! Ho! on Grafton St.
Members of our school choir bringing on the Yuletide & raising funds for our chosen charities, last Tuesday. Merry Christmas, everyone.
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Doodle 4 Google
Art teacher Pauline Norton is submitting six entries into this year's Google Art Competition. Sixth years helped to choose the in-house finalists. Only six can go forward to represent each school. We’d like to wish the students involved the very best of luck in this prestigious competition.
The six students are:
Eimear Sullivan 5th year,
Beth Fuller 5th year,
Alanna Drury 5th year,
Ciara Duffy TY,
Emer Cullen 2nd year,
Anna Fitzpatrick 2nd year.
This years's theme is ..... If I could create anything it would be ......
Online Voting will start on February 7th 2017. Save the date and support our Loreto Foxrock entries in February!
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Over the past few weeks the SVP conference in LCF led Showing Racism the Red Card. On Friday, November 25th, we greeted all the students and staff at the front door with a red ribbon to wear in their hair or around their wrist. Many staff members also wore red on the day. The purpose of sporting red was to show that, as a community, Loreto Foxrock are showing Racism the 'Red Card'. In return, we asked for a €0.50 donation from each member of the school community. We donated this money to www.theredcard.ie an organisation designed to challenge racism by providing educational resources and intercultural activity supporting integration. Thank you and well done to everyone who supported this activity.
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Ni Hao, that means ‘Hello’ in Chinese, for the uninitiated......
Class 4L were the first group of 2016 – 2017 to complete the Transition Year Chinese module. Throughout these six weeks, we learned many Chinese phrases in relation to hobbies, food and we even learned a rap of Chinese numbers. We visited UCD where we attended a calligraphy workshop, which was a surprisingly relaxing and fun activity, where we learned how to draw bamboo shoots and a panda, using Chinese pens and ink.
We visited a Chinese restaurant where we had to tell our teacher what we had ordered, using the language we had learned. We also played a game of Chinese bingo during this trip. During one of the lessons, we learned how to use chopsticks. We then had a competition to see which team could pick up the most amount of skittles using chopsticks. It’s a lot harder than it sounds! This was a really fun module which gave us a great insight into the Chinese language and culture.
Xiė Xiė Yang Lǎoshī he Campbell Lǎoshī.
4L
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L-R: Laura Fenn, Maria O'Connor, Isabel O'Keeffe, Aimee O'Neill, Andrea Crowe and Suzanne Cullen.
December Debating Update
- Trials for Loreto College Foxrock Junior teams came to a conclusion with the final two teams featuring Maria O’Connor and Isobel O’Keeffe (2nd Year) and Laura Fenn, (2nd Year) and Aimée O’Neill, (1st Year). These two teams competed in the Inter-Loreto Junior Mace in Loreto Crumlin on Monday, December 12th. Both teams performed really well on the day. Congratulations to Maria O’Connor and Isobel O’Keeffe who are through to the semi-finals of the competition which will take place in March 2017.
- Trials to select Loreto College Foxrock Senior teams continue this month. Two teams will be selected in early January to represent the school at the Inter-Loreto Senior Mace which will take place in Loreto Abbey Dalkey in the New Year.
- In the meantime, Seniors have been very busy competing in the Leinster Schools’ Debates. Congratulations to Aoife Colleran and Laura Egan who are through to the quarter finals of the competition.
- The annual PhilSpeaks Mace competition will take place on the 20th and 21st of January, 2017. Three of our teams will be representing the school – this will be the first occasion our new TY debaters will have competed and we wish them the best of luck.
- Our annual Christmas party will take place in Room A1 on Tuesday the 20th of December – we look forward to celebrating with all our debaters from 1st to 6th Year.
We’re looking forward to continued success in 2017 and welcome new members who would like to come along and join us!
Wishing all our debaters a very happy Christmas.
Suzanne Lea
Debates Coordinator
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Pictured above is our 'Well Read' Noticeboard featuring our book-related Christmas Wishlist from staff and students.
The ‘Well Read National Award’ is a nationwide initiative designed and organised by the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). It's aim is to create heightened awareness about the importance of creating a culture of reading in school communities, for our young people, as part of their personal and academic development.
This initiative seeks to involve all relevant stakeholders who impact on student learning including students, teachers, ancillary staff, parents, board of management and wider community in a range of reading and associated activities.
It is envisaged that this national award will explicitly foster and nurture a reading culture in our schools and will bring about an overall improvement in students' literacy skills in a fun and engaging way.
PDST For further information Click HERE
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Fr. Frank PP and the Ember team had a busy term preparing for a 'birth-day' celebration. Activities included mass on the 8th of December, the blessing of the school crib and our annual Carol Service.
To read more about the Ember programme CLICK HERE including what we are about and how we support and develop the Loreto ethos and culture in our school. |
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This year, Advent began on Sunday, 27th November. We sourced and delivered Advent calendars featuring Nativity scenes, to all tutor classes. During each day of Advent, one student from each tutor class opens a door on their advent calendar. We also discovered an online advent calendar so please share and enjoy our advent journey by viewing the calendar at: http://www.catholicbishops.ie/advent-calendar/
Prayer Guided Retreats
In the last week of November, many of our sixth years attended one period of guided prayer every day for one week. This wonderful experience is organised and prepared annually by the Loreto Order. The guided prayer, led by Collette Mc Carthy, was held in the Room of Prayer and Reflection. This time allows students the mental space to reflect. Students are very appreciative of the opportunity to have this special, prayerful time out from a demanding year in their lives.
“The guided prayer was an excellent experience for us. It allowed us to take time out of our school day and realise what is truly important in life. We really enjoyed the opportunity to explore our faith and we would like to thank the RE teachers for arranging it. I would definitely recommend others to try it.”
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MUSIC UPDATES
Congratulations to members of 'Loreto College Foxrock Junior Choir' pictured below, for placing 1st in the U14 two-part choir competition at Kilcoole Music Festival 2016.
A round of applause also to Maria O'Connor, 2nd Year, who achieved 2nd place in the U14 English solo competition at Kilcoole.
Congratulations to the following students who have recently completed their Royal Irish Academy of Music Piano Exams
- Róisín Downey - 5th Year RIAM Grade 7
- Emma Dunne - 5th Year RIAM Grade 6
- Maria O'Connor - 2nd Year RIAM Grade 6
- Nicole Tracey - 3rd Year RIAN Grade 5
- Trina Yang Yu - 2nd Year Grade 7
Best of luck to Niamh Daly, 6th Year, who is completing her grade 7 violin exam in December.
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SCIENCE WEEK snap-shot
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A big 'thank you' to the 5th Year science prefects and the science teachers who helped make this such a fun and fascinating week at our school.
During Science Week, November 14th -18th last, second years took part in an egg-stremley egg-citing Great Egg Drop. Students were invited to design and make a launcher for an egg, (not a hard-boiled one – that would be too easy!) that could withstand being dropped from a variety of heights. Well done to Aisling Dunleavy, Lauren O’Sullivan and Emma Nolan. Their clever construction ensured that their eggs survived the highest falls of the afternoon, as the science prefects dropped each one out of a 2nd floor window. If only these students had been around in Humpty Dumpty’s time… a great 18th Century catastrophe might have been averted!
First Year’s Science Club got to try Flame Tests using metal salts. They really enjoyed all the amazing colours that the flames turned as the salts were added. They sure had some flame-tastic moments! First Years also took part in a science treasure hunt at lunchtime. Questions and science jokes were posted all around the school and it was very competitive to see who would win those coveted Science Week prizes! Well done to all those who participated.
Next up were our annual Deadly Dissections. All were welcome to come along and see some fascinating surgeries. Among these were a sheep’s eyeball, a cow’s heart and a rat! Not for the faint-hearted...
Some third years had great fun at Hovercraft Hijinks. They enjoyed sitting on a board as it moved around, above the ground, without friction. Their study wasn’t dragging them down that day!
Friday was the highlight of the week for the senior students with The Senior Science Quiz at lunchtime. We had a huge attendance and everyone gave it their all. There were plenty of prizes to be won, including loads of spot prizes! We even had an impromptu performance of The Big Bang Theory theme tune.
Throughout the week, TY students attended a series of science lectures in D.I.T., where they were able to show off their cool Loreto Science Week stickers, designed by students from a variety of year groups.
What a week!
- By Rachel O’Keeffe & Aoife Colleran
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Our Annual Christmas Fair took place on Tuesday, December 13th in the school canteen. There was a brilliant buzz of excitement as all TY mini companies had been working hard in preparation to showcase their wide range of home-made Christmas gifts and treats. Raffle tickets were
on sale for a range of vouchers, prizes, freshly baked treats, Christmas decorations and cards for the festive season. Needless to say, business was booming raising - funds for Charity.
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Career Guidance focus during December included:
- A STEM (Science,Technology, Engineering and Maths) exhibition in the National Concert Hall
- LCF Past Pupils returned to school to brief current TY, Fifth & Sixth year students, about their current College experiences
- UCD Quinn School of Business, Adam Baker, visited Loreto Foxrock, delivering an informative presentation to senior students
- CAO preparation continues apace
- Jan 2017 – Our Fifth Years will be invited to our Careers Talk Series
Fifth and Sixth year students, accompanied by Ms. O’Malley, attended STEM at the National Concert Hall. Organised by the Professional Women’s Network, (PWN), this event centred on a panel of notable women, who have pursued STEM careers, addressing an audience of two thousand female students from all over Ireland. Complimenting this, there was an exhibition area promoting STEM careers and courses, supported by Smart Futures (Science Foundation Ireland). The students were addressed by women working in a range of sectors including Deloitte, Alexion, ESB Networks and Deutsche Bank. Speeches were followed by a moderated panel on the realities, opportunities and challenges for women in STEM sectors and concluded with a Q&A session from the floor. The event further enhanced our students understanding of the opportunities open to them in STEM sector.
Recent Past-Pupils share their College experience
- We were delighted to welcome back Ciara Clarke, a past pupil who is studying hotel management at Shannon College. Ciara has just spent her second year of college on placement at a five-star hotel in Tenerife. Ciara spoke with Fifth Years on her college experience to date.
- Ciara O'Donnell, another past pupil, came to speak with senior students on preparing for the HPAT exam – part of the entry requirement for medicine. Ciara is currently studying First Year Medicine at UCD.
- Sixth Year students had the opportunity to attend Choices 2017, a career and college fair. They spoke with various staff, current students and graduates from a very broad range of colleges and careers.
- CAO Information Evening for Students & Parents was held in November. Ms O’Malley gave an overview of the application process, the new Leaving Cert grading system and changes to the points system.
Career Talks Series
- Adam Baker, UCD Quinn School of Business presented the range of business courses on offer at UCD to sixth Years. Ronald Davies, UCD Professor of Economics spoke animatedly to our senior students about successfully transitioning to College, Professor and Tutor communications and the practice of independent learning in the first year of your undergraduate degree.
Our Career Talk Series will continue in the New Year when Fifth year students will be invited to attend.
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TY students
Our TY students have been busy with auditions and call backs for their TY Musical, Hairspray, which will take place in April '17, in partnership with CBC Monkstown.
Ger Carey’s comedy performance in the Pavilion Theatre in Dun Laoghaire was enjoyed on Monday, 5th December. This hilarious stand-up comedy show for transition year students in which Carey nails it by secretly observing his subjects in their natural habitat......enjoyed enormously by Loreto Foxrock TYs. This was followed by an afternoon of ice skating beside Dun Laoghaire library. At first, some girls were a bit hesitant about skating, warily holding on to the side of the rink. Soon however, they were skating around the rink as if it were second nature to them. It was clear everybody had a great time and really got into the Christmas spirit.
The TY Charity 10km walk for Pieta House, took place on Friday 9th December in Cabinteely Park. Students took their minds off the rain and cold by wearing Santa hats, singing and chatting with friends as they completed their 10km. More events like this will be organised in the new year to raise much needed funds for this worthwhile charity.
TY students have also been performing a range of Christmas good deeds this December, including helping to decorate the Christmas trees in Foxrock Parish centre, carol singing and supermarket bag-packing, to name but a few. It truly warms the cockles to see such active citizenship and commitment to the community.
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