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.

Richard Bruton T .D.

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

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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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