Newsletter Christmas 2000 Home-School-Community Liaison News - Irish Harp Concert- Third Year Music Trip- Fourth Year Students in Chanel College for West
Side Story- Debating: News- Special
Higher Level Awards for a Record Number of Leaving: Certificate 2000 Students - Transition Year Trio to Delphi - G.A.A.
Transition Year Coaching: - World Architecture Day 2000- Festive Cheer in Mercy! - Senior All Ireland Basketball Cup- Richard Bruton T .D- Red Cross Appeal- Basketball Results- Psychology Lectures- Showing: we Care- Parents' Representative
for the Board of Management - School Uniform Update- Mercy College Hockey Club- Aras An Uachtarain- Career News
Home-School-Community
Liaison News
"Creating Harmony
In The Family" an Open Night, facilitated by Adlerian Psychologist,
Vincent Byrne, was held in Mercy College on November 21 st The Parents’ Room
was bursting at the seams with eager parents and teachers from schools in the
Coolock area who came to hear Vincent's pearls of wisdom. They were not
disappointed. Vincent was both entertaining and very informative and a really
good night was enjoyed by everyone.
Vincent is available for parents to drop
in to see him in Mercy College on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 p.m.-4.00 p.m.
for the rest of the school year and on Tuesday evenings from 8.00 p.m.-l0.00
p.m. until December 12th. there is no charge for this service.
The "Safe Passage" Drugs
Education Programme for parents, held in Chanel College for parents from Mercy
College, Chanel, Scoil Chaitriona and St. Brendan's ran over five weeks and was
a great success. This was a joint venture between the Home- School-Community
Liaison Co-ordinators from these schools, continuing the collaborative process
begun last year. It was agreed at that time that it made sense for us to share
our thinking and pool our resources for the benefit of the parents in our
catchment area and we are very pleased with the results so far. Watch this
space for further developments aimed at helping parents to support their
children through the education process.
There are two Art classes for adults
running at present in Mercy College: one on Thursday mornings and the other on
Monday evenings. It is hoped to run these again next term. Computer classes for
adults have also been provided on Tuesday mornings in our state of the art
computer room. Again it is planned to hold these next term so don't forget to
watch out for the notices in your daughters' schoolbags.
Irish
Harp Concert
On Thursday the 2nd November 2000, the
Fifth Year music class and Ms. Daltún braved the rain and the cold to go to a
concert of two Irish Harps held in St. Ann's Church on Dawson Street. The
concert was given by Anne-Marie O'Farrell and Cormac de Barra. We heard a
collection of both traditional and classical pieces and it proved to be a very
enjoyable experience for all.
Third
Year Music Trip
On November
20th, Third Years along with Ms. Hogan and Ms. Daltún paid a visit to the
National Concert Hall.
The National Symphony Orchestra played under
the baton of Gear6id Grant.
Included in the varied programme were
excerpts from many well-known pieces and the set works for Junior Certificate.
It was a very enjoyable concert and we look forward to our next trip.
Fourth Year Students join Chanel College
for West Side Story
The Transition Year students of Mercy
College and Chanel College have come together to present
West Side Story in March 2001. The rehearsals have been under way since mid-September and are going well.
The story is a modem-day version of Romeo
and Juliet. It tells the story of two peoples' love and the obstacles that
stand in their way: they are from two rival gangs - the Jets and the Sharks.
Chanel College and Mercy College are
working well together on the dance routines, songs and on learning the script.
The production is coming on well and we are all looking forward to the
performances which will take place in March in Chanel College.
Don't make any plans for mid-March as
these will be three nights not to miss.
Debating
News
In early December our senior debating
team took part in the semi-finals of the public speaking competition organised
by The Mental Health Association of Ireland. Well done to the students
involved: Lisa Clancy (Sixth Year), Deirdre Murphy (Sixth Year), Niamh Whyte
(Fifth Year) and Louise Costello (Fourth Year).
In the New Year the Debating Society will
hold an inter class debating competition involving First and Second Year teams.
These debates will commence in January, taking place each Tuesday at 1.00 p.m.
in Room 30. All students are welcome to come along to listen to what these
teams have to say.
Special
Higher Level Awards for a Record Number of Leaving Certificate 2000 Students
Under the North
Dublin Access Programme the following Mercy College students have been granted
additional Bursary Awards of £ 1 ,000 for each year of their undergraduate
studies:-
Maria Bridgeman - Trinity College -
Business, Economics and Social Studies Degree.
Karen Gahan - Dublin City University -
Business Studies Degree.
Sinead Glynn - Dublin City University - Analytical Science Degree.
Sinead
Bermingham - Dublin Institute of Technology - Applied Science.
Eve O'Reilly - University College Dublin
- Arts Degree.
Elizabeth Tate - University College,
Dublin - Computer Science Degree.
Christine Byrne - Dublin City University-
Computer Applications Degree.
Congratulations to all of the Leaving
Certificate class of 2000 on their fantastic Leaving Certificate Results and
for their success in gaining places on a varied and exciting range of Higher
Education courses in Dublin, Maynooth, Dundalk and
further afield. Their talents, ambition
and courage, together with their openness to trying new training and
educational opportunities, are to be celebrated and admired.
,I
wish them success in their further studies and careers in the years ahead.
D. Teeling, Guidance
Counsellor
Transition Year Trip to Delphi
On 15th November, twenty -three students
and two teachers set off from Mercy College for three days' fun and adventure
in Delphi Adventure Centre, Galway. After a long trip to the West, the girls
found enough energy to participate in a number of exciting and challenging
sports: kayaking, surfing, rock climbing, abseiling, indoor wall climbing,
Jacob's ladder, power-boating and even managed a disco. A
wonderful time was had by all despite the
cold weather and even colder water. It was a tired but very happy group who
left Delphi on the Friday afternoon to return to Dublin.
G.A.A. Transition Year Coaching Programme
On 8th November, seventeen Fifth Year
students were presented with their Foundation Level Coaching Certificates at a
ceremony in Parnell Park. During the previous year the girls completed an
eight-hour football course - a combination of theoretical and outdoor practical
groundwork/problem solving. On completion of this school based module, students
then organised six coaching sessions in a local primary school or a local
G.A.A. club and organised to complete a Foundation Level Logbook. Mercy
College, Coolock was the most successful school in the Dublin area for the
second year running and many congratulations to the girls involved - Helen
Cahill,
Jacqueline Shiels, Clare Baker, Teresa
Clinch, Susan O'Neill, Ann-Marie Byrne,Laura Cumiskey,
Lorraine Fedigan, Margaret Brady, Karen O'Connor, Veronica ...
Ryan, Orla Mitchell, Amy Preston,
Jacqueline Kent, Nora Cashe, Karen Griffin and Caroline Brennan.
World Architecture Day 2000
Congratulations to Rachel Scott, Fourth
Year who was highly commended on her design and idea that was entered into the
World Architecture Day Competition 2000, held in association with the Royal
Institute of Architects of Ireland.
Rachel designed a public seat in the
shape of a pair of hands, incorporating both the themes of school and shelter
into her design.
The competition was open to Transition
Year Art Students from all around the country.
Festive Cheer in Mercy!
At the end of a busy year, Mercy College
Choir held a Christmas Concert on December 4th in the school hall. This year
they were fortunate enough to be joined by St. Mary's Brass and Reed Band from
Maynooth under the direction of Niall O'Connor.
The concert was held in aid of ARC House,
a cancer support service in Eccles Street, Dublin 7. The evening was a roaring
success with a full capacity audience. The choir sang pieces from musicals,
films and from the Christmas repertoire. They performed on their own and with
the band. The band also played some solo pieces such as "Tequila" and
"Copacabana".
The concert and the raffle which was held
on the same night, raised over £600 for the charity. Thanks to all parents,
friends and students who supported the event.
Due to the night's enormous success, the
choir was invited to perform with the band at their Christmas Concert in the
Aula Marima in Maynooth University on 8th December. They were warmly welcomed
in Maynooth and another great evening was had by all.
Congratulations to the choir on all they
have achieved in 2000. We look forward to an equally busy 2001.
Senior All Ireland Basketball Cup
Congratulations to Mark Ingle on coaching
Killester to a great win in the National Basketball Arena.
Eibhlin Mulroe, Schools Liaison Officer
for Fine Gael, hosted a workshop for Third Year students of CSPE entitled
"Democracy in Action", in October 2000.
Mr. Richard Bruton T.D. attended in the
afternoon and hosted an open question and answer session from the morning
workshop.
Red Cross Appeal
The nine schools which participated in
the Red Cross Appeal raised £10,172.60. £3,054.60 of that total was raised by
the students and staff of Mercy College.
Well Done.
Basketball Results
.
Mercy First Years 14 St. Joseph's, Cluny
31
Mercy Second Years 34 St. Joseph's, Cluny
26
Psychology Lectures
Two interesting lectures took place in Mercy
College during January and February. The topics (based on the psychology of
Alfred Adler) were entitled, "Soft is the Heart of a Child" and
"The Challenge of Adolescence!.
The lectures were presented by Vincent
Byrne, an Adlerian Practitioner with over 20 years experience working with
adolescents and families.
Since 1996, Vincent has worked
extensively in the Northside area of Dublin. He has been involved with several
primary and post-primary schools in the area, including Mercy College and
Chanel College. Vincent is available to meet parents on Wednesday afternoons at
2.00 p.m. in the Parents' Room, Mercy College.
Showing we Care
Once again, the students have done their
utmost to respond to the needs of the world's poorest people.
Earlier this
year, we watched the pictures of death and destruction caused by the ~ earthquake in India. We all felt a need to do something that
would make a difference to those who were suffering in the aftermath of the
disaster. The entire school got involved in our fundraising efforts - a
skipathon, sponsored clean-up and white ribbon day. Together we managed to
raise over £3,000 for the International Red Cross.
More recently, we have supported the
Trocaire Lenten Appeal through the sale of "Gracias Dolls" and the 24
hour fast. These events raised a grand total of £ 1,727.
The money will make a real difference in
the lives of many in developing countries. Weare proud of the generosity of
everyone in the school who got involved.
Parents'
Representative for the Board of Management
A new Board of Management takes up office
from 15th October 2001 for three years. Parents of pupils in the school at that
time are eligible for election. Nomination forms will be posted to all eligible
parents. Completed forms will be accepted in the school office on or before
Wednesday 25th April 2001. at 4.00 p.m. The election will be held in the school
hall on Monday 14 May at 8.00 p.m.
Parents are equal partners in education.
Please ensure your voice is heard.
School Uniform Update
Guineys in Talbot Street (opposite
O'Neill's Footwear) will supply the school uniform from next July. The new
school jacket is available now upstairs in Guineys. Prices:
34"-36" @ £36.95
Larger sizes £37.95
Only official school uniform may be worn
in school and to and from school. No other jackets are permissible. We are
grateful to parents and pupils for their co-operation in this and all other
matters.
Mercy College Hockey Club
To date the membership of the club has
been steadily growing. Maybe the planned trip to
Paris/EuroDisney has something to do with it !!
I
Due to the Northside league having to be
abandoned we did not get to play as many matches as we would have liked. In
Leinster League the Junior team missed the quarter finals by 1 point. They
played extremely well throughout the season. The minors were well on their way
in the Northside Leage; and the First Years drew their first two matches. Well
done to all the teams. On behalf of the Hockey Club we would like to wish the
exam students every success in June. The school hockey league has started and
will continue next term. New members to the club are always welcome.
Aras An Uachtarain
As we approached the Mansion we were
jumping with excitement. We were given a short tour around the visiting centre
and then watched a video of the history of the house and it's owners.
Afterwards we went back upstairs for some refreshments which were offered
kindly by staff. Then we lined up around the room ready to meet President
McAleese. Our hearts were pounding. She entered and there was silence. She
stopped to speak to each person. We introduced ourselves to her with a friendly
handshake and took lots of photographs. Then we had a further tour of the
important rooms. One had portraits of every president to live who lived in the
house and another room was where President Clinton sat on his visit to Ireland
in 2000. It was time to go home and as we got on the bus we felt tired but
proud.
Fiona Healy Room 5
Career News
Good luck to all 6th years with their
College applications. C.A.O. applicants can change course choices up to the I st July 200 I.
Many 6th years were eligible to apply to Third Level under the North Dublin
Access Programme (NDA). This scheme provides a further opportunity to gain
access to Third Level. Some Fifth Years had an exciting day at Dublin City
University (D.C.U.) "shadowing" Third level students in various
faculties. A great day was enjoyed by all. Parents are welcome to make
appointments with either Guidance Counsellors at any time.
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