Newsletter September 2001

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION - WINNERS OF THE RAFFLE 11TH APRIL 2001 - CAREER NEWS - DEBATING NEWS - JUNIOR CERTIFICATE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME BOOK LAUNCH - GLENDALOUGH - ROYAL BREFFNI CENTRE VISIT - MUSIC NEWS - FORTHCOMING MUSIC EVENTS - MERCY COLLEGE HOCKEY CLUB REPORT - HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR - AWARDS CEREMONY 2001 - EXAM RESULTS - VALENTINE’S RAFFLE

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

The Parents’ Association would like to thank all those who subscribed to our Envelope Collection.  Our thanks especially to those who gave us a donation in excess of the amount asked for this will help with costs towards Graduation Mass and teas.

Our Easter Raffle raised £1,600.  Our thanks to all who supported our efforts and congratulations to the winners.

Well done to our sellers of the most tickets – Leanne Byrne and Samantha Burke.

WINNERS OF THE RAFFLE 11TH APRIL 2001

1st Prize £250:  Tracey Conway                                                Mercy College

2nd Prize £125  Siobhan Kane                                                   Mercy College

3rd Prize £75     D. Moran, 76 Belcamp Gardens, Priorswood, Dublin 17

4th Prize £25:    Philip Foley, 4 Clonrosse Drive, Dublin 13.

5th Prize £25:    Miriam Downey, 2 Aulden Grange, Santry, Dublin 9.

CAREER NEWS

Good luck to all 6th years with their college applications.  C.A.O. applicants can change course choices up to 1st July 2001.  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 Unniversity (D.C.U.) shadowing Third Level students in various faculties. 

Parents are welcome to make appointments with either Guidance Counsellor at any time.

DEBATING NEWS

On April 3rd the Debating Society held the final of this years debating league.  The finalists - Caroline Brennan, Aisling Keenan, Lisa McDonnell, Nicola Fagan, Rachel Jones and Clare Cooke - debated the motion “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”.  Nicola, Rachel and Clare were selected winners, with Clare chosen as best speaker.  A special thanks to Mrs. Mooney who sponsored the prizes.

On Tuesday 15th May the Society held a teachers v students debate in aid of Cystic Fibrosis.  The students who spoke were Lisa Clancy, Deirdre Murphy, Louise Costello and Niamh Whyte.  The teachers involved were Ms. Moran, Ms. Downes, Mrs. McAlister and Ms. Daltún.  The motion for debate was, “The Youth Of Today Have It Easy”.  Thank you to all who participated and to the adjudicators Ms. Quinn, Rebecca Doyle and Karen Flynn.

Finally congratulations to Deirdre Murphy 6th Year who won this years school award for debating.  Deirdre has played an active role in the Society since first year and was this years chairperson.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME BOOK LAUNCH

Students participating in the Junior Certificate Schools Programme were invited to write a book and enter it in the “Make a Book Project”.

Room 31 wrote a book called “A Guide to Egypt” and room 33 did a book about Irish Music.

On Monday 9th April Room 31 and 32 went to Dublin Castle to view all the books entered for the project.  Certificates were presented by Damien McCall, from Den 2.

It was a very enjoyable day for both students and staff.

GLENDALOUGH

On 12th May 2001 four students from Mercy College and seven boys from Chanel College along with our Chaplain, Susan Robinson, Chanel College Chaplain, Jackie Whelan and her daughter Emma left for Glendalough at 8.30 a.m.  We arrived at a Youth Hostel and we had a look around.  Then we left the Hostel and set out on our tour of Glendalough.  We visited Kevin’s Well and the Monastic City.  We had our lunch and then headed back to the Hostel.  We then spent about an hour doing meditation after which we had an hour or two to spend as we wished.  Some of us spent the time sunbathing while the more adventurous ones went climbing the mountains.  At 8.00 p.m. we headed home and I think we all agreed that it was a very enjoyable day.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank Susan, Jackie and Ms. Quinn for organising the trip.

ROYAL BREFFNI CENTRE VISIT

On the 22nd May 2001 the five First Year classes went to the Royal Breffni Centre in Cavan.  We left at 9.00 a.m. and arrived at 11.00 a.m.  First we went on the Crystal Maze Advenbure.  This activity is a mental and physical challenge and was very much fun.  Afterwards we went to a cow shed which had an inflatable mattress with podiums which two people stand on and fight with giant sponges.  After lunch we went on a mountain hike which was tiring but was also fun.  At the top there was a view of six different counties.  Then we went back down, got back on the bus and went to a forest.  In the forest we followed a nature trail.  The highlight of this is when we all had a water fight in the paddling pool.  It was great fun and we all enjoyed it.  Mick’s team won and we got a trophy and some sweets.

MUSIC NEWS

After the success of their Christmas Concert with St. Mary’s Brass and Reed band, Maynooth, the school choirs have had busy Spring and Summer terms.

The Department of Education and Science Choir Exams took place directly after Easter.  Seven choirs from the school took part and were highly praised for their performances ranging from popular movie songs to more serious classical pieces.  Mr. John Fitzpatrick, director of the Cork International Choral Competition, acted as examiner on behalf of the Department of Education.  The choirs received excellent marks and many favourable comments in their reports.

The school choir were invited to sing choral evensong in Christ Church Cathedral on Saturday 19thMay.  On their arrival, the students received a very warm welcome from the cathedral staff and clergy.  They sang the entire service and received a special blessing and thanks from the Rev. Dermot Dunne, the Dean’s Vicar in the Cathedral.  The girls sand beautifully and were delighted to see many parents and friends in the congregation.  Thanks to all for their continued support!  The choir has been asked to return to the Cathedral next year.

The school choir also sang at the school awards ceremony on Monday 21st May and at the sixth-year Graduation mass at the end of the school year.

FORTHCOMING MUSIC EVENTS

The school choir is looking forward to singing in St. Brendan’s Church, Coolock for the annual Mass in honour of St. Therese.  The festival lasts for 3 days and the girls of Mercy College will sing on the closing night.  The choir is delighted to welcome Judith Gannon, a past pupil of Mercy College (2000) who will accompany them on the organ.

The Mass will take place on Wednesday 26th September at 7.30 p.m.  All are welcome.

The choir will sing Evensong at the Ecumenical Harvest Service in St. Doulagh’s Church, Malahide on Sunday 14th October at 7.00 p.m.  Come along and join in the hymns!

MERCY COLLEGE HOCKEY CLUB REPORT

This year has seen the number of members playing hockey increase.  The Junior team played in the Leinster League.  They were unfortunately pipped at the post for a place in the quarter finals.

After Christmas the Northside Leagues began.  Our First Years played two matches and drew both.  They played very well and show great promise for the future.  The Minor Team were going at a great pace when unfortunately all matches were cancelled due to the foot and mouth scare.  Never mind girls, there is always next year.  Our senior team never got to play any matches.  The school league was played over the past few weeks.  There were some very good matches.  We had to wait until the final match to decide 1st and 2nd places.

Congratulations to Angela Quinn’s team – the winners and to Melissa Hickey’s team – runners up.  A very exciting trip to Eurodisney Paris has been planned for October mid-term 2002.  There will be some places available to the incoming First Years.

At the suggestion of the Fourth Year hockey players a Testimonial Match was held in honour of Alison Gown Sixth Year.  A good time was had by all and we wish Alison and all the Sixth Years every success in the Leaving Certificate.  We would also like to wish all the Junior Certificate students the very best in their examinations. 

Lastly on behalf of the Hockey Club many thanks to Ms. Harrison for all her help this year.  Have a lovely summer holiday.

HOME SCHOOL COMMUNITY CO-ORDINATOR

My name is Maria Somers.  I am the newly appointed Home School Community Co-ordinator and hope to continue the excellent work carried out by Ms. Phyllis Keogh.  On September 21st Mercy College is hosting the Team Theatre Showcase production “Burning Dreams”.  Parents and teachers from the participating schools are invited to attend on that date.  We’d love if as many adults as possible would join us for this enjoyable production.  The performance starts at 9.30 a.m. and the showcase ends at 11.45 a.m. on September 21st.  There will be follow up workshops for some Fifth Year students.

“Creating Harmony in the Family” workshops will continue on Tuesday evenings between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. in the Parents’ Room, Mercy College.  These workshops are for adults interested in learning more about Adlerian theory.  Vincent Byrne is an Adlerian Psychologist who helps parents understand how the family works with particular emphasis on how to survive the teenager years.  He explains how each child’s place in the family i.e. the eldest, the youngest etc., affects how he/she copes with life and its challenges.  Vincent is always entertaining, informative and has been a great resource to parents and teachers.  Vincent is also available for parents to drop in to see him in Mercy College on Wednesday afternoons from 2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.  There is no charge for this service.

An Art class for adults will commence on Thursday September 20th between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 noon  I also hope to provide Basic First Aid and Math.

Please let me know what your needs are and I look forward to meeting you in the Parents Room.

AWARDS CEREMONY 2001

Congratulations to all students who won awards this year.  Pictured below are just some of the students who won awards.

1.  HEAD GIRL  ALISON GOWRAN

     DEPUTY HEAD GIRL  LOUISE

     HARNEY

2.  PREFECTS

ELAINE ADAMS

PAMELA BLAKE

LINDA BRESLIN

YVONNE CAROLAN

LISA CLANCY

ORLA COLGAN

CIARA GREGG

MICHELLE HARRIS

JANINE HEFFERNAN

MAIRE-CLAIRE HOYSTED

CLAIRE MOREAU

DEIRDRE MURPHY

JEAN MURPHY

ELAINE MCGAULEY

CAROLINE McNAMARA

EMER PRESTON

CAROL SWEENEY

THAI TRINH

3. BEST ACADEMIC STUDENT

FIRST YEAR

ANNE MADDEN R.5

JEMMA KIRBY R.6

AISLING KEENAN R.7

GEMMA HOGAN R.8

SECOND YEAR

RACHEL DOYLE R.20

SINEAD KEOGH R.10

EMMA FAGAN R.12

MICHELLE REGAN R.11

RACHEL JONES R.9

THIRD YEAR

CAROLINE MCCAUL R.21

TARA RYAN R.22

ELAINE BURKE R.23

LAURA REILLY R.24

WINNIE KANE R.31

FOURTH YEAR

ANGELA QUINN 4.1

AINE HALLISSEY 4.2

FIFTH YEAR

SUSAN TRAYNOR 5.1

CLAIRE SHERIDAN 5.2

YVONNE DOYLE 5.3

MELISSA HICKEY 5.4

ELAINE MCCANN R.32

SIXTH YEAR

LYNDSEY SMITH 6.1

ORLA COLGAN 6.2

LISA CLANCY 6.3

CAROL SWEENEY 6.4

4. SUPREME EFFORT AWARDS

FIRST YEAR

EMMA BUTT R.5

LAURA WALSH R.6

JAYNE HOWARD R.7

SUZANNE SHIELDS R.8

SECOND YEAR

SARAH TIPPING R.20

FRANCES CAFFREY R.9

JENNIFER COMISKEY R.10

GILLIAN BYRNE R.11

CLAIRE COOKE R.12

THIRD YEAR

SABRINA WOODS R.21

LOUISE MANGAN R.22

LESLEY BRANT R.23

PAMELA CARR R.24

STEPHANIE MARTIN R.31

FOURTH YEAR

JACQUELINE DANIEL 4.1

LORNA HOWARD 4.2

FIFTH YEAR

ORLA MITCHELL 5.1

SIOBHAN KAVANAGH 5.2

ANNE MARIE MURRAY 5.3

NIAMH O’CONNELL 5.4

JUNE CRUISE R.32

SIXTH YEAR

ALISON GOWRAN 6.1

MICHELLE KELLY 6.2

DEIRDRE MURPHY 6.3

TARA KNEPPER 6.4

5. FULL ATTENDANCE

SARAH TIPPING 2.1

CAROLINE MCCAUL 3.1

6. BEST LEAVING CERT STUDENT OF 2000

JUDITH GANNON

7. BEST JUNIOR CERT STUDENT OF 2000

SUSAN TRAYNOR

8.      BEST RESULT IN THE JUNIOR CERT IN EACH THIRD YEAR CLASS

3.1 JENNIFER KENT

3.2 GLENDA MORRIS

3.3 CLAIRE SHERIDAN

3.4 LINH THUY LUC

9.      STUDENT OF THE YEAR IN EACH YEAR GROUP (TROPHY)

1ST YEAR – AISLING KEENAN

2ND YEAR – CLAIRE COOKE

3RD YEAR – CAOIMHE PROCTOR

4TH YEAR – LORNA HOWARD

5TH YEAR – SUSAN TRAYNOR

6TH YEAR – CLAIRE MOREAU

10.  BEST STUDENT IN EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES (TROPHY)

ART

LUCIA HARRISON 6TH YEAR

JOANNE FERGUSON 6TH YEAR

DRAMA

ANGELA QUINN 4TH YEAR

MUSIC

ORLA COLGAN 6TH YEAR

DEBATING

DEIRDRE MURPHY 6TH YEAR

SPORT

MELISSA MCGUINNESS 6TH YEAR REPRESENTING IRELAND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

11.  SPECIAL CERTS FOR LIBRARIANS/SPORT/ROOM CERT/CHEERFUL PERSON AWARD

LIBRARIANS

TRACEY WADE 2ND YEAR

PAMELA WARD 2ND YEAR

SPORT

ZOWIE O’NEILL 1ST YEAR (REPRESENTING IRELAND IN EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP)

CHEERFUL PERSON OF THE YEAR AWARD

ANNE MARIE MURRAY 5TH YEAR

12.  SPECIAL CERT FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION FOR PREPARATION FOR 4TH YEAR

AINE HALLISSEY

JACQUELINE DANIEL

13.  CLEAN ENVIRONMENT AWARD

ROOM 30 BUSINESS ROOM

ROOM 4 MUSIC ROOM

ROOM 13 RELIGION ROOM

14.  BEST CLASS SPIRIT (SHIELD)

Room 5 FIRST YEAR

15.  OVERALL STUDENT OF THE YEAR

MARIE CLAIRE HOYSTED 6TH YEAR

INCOMING PREFECTS

CLARE BAKER

GRACE BIRCH

MARGARET BRADY

MARIE BURROWS

SINEAD CAROLAN

NORA CASHE

LAURA CHURCHYARD

MICHELLE DOYLE

YVONNE DOYLE

LORRAINE FEDIGAN

KATE FOLEY

MELISSA HICKEY

EDEL KELLY

REBECCA KEOGH

BELINDA MORAN

ANNE MARIE MURRAY

NIAMH O’CONNELL

NAOMI RINGWOOD

NIAMH RUANE

VERONICA RYAN

NIAMH WHYTE

DEPUTY HEAD GIRL

HELEN CAHILL

HEAD GIRL

KAREN O’CONNOR

EXAM RESULTS

 Leaving and Junior Certificate Examination results this year were spectacular as usual.  Congratulations to all of the girls.  Practically all of our Leaving Certificate pupils achieved their first preference courses in Colleges.  We wish you every success in your future studies.  A special word of thanks goes to all of their teachers and parents who supported the girls so faithfully.  Well done to one and all.

VALENTINE’S RAFFLE

Rooms 31 and 32 organised a St. Valentine’s raffle this year.  All the money raised was used to install an Internet Line in their classrooms.

It was a huge success, raising £400.

Many local businesses have also donated money for this Internet Line and we are very grateful for their support.

Many thanks to all students, teachers and staff who also supported us.

Congratulations to our Prizewinners:

1st        Therese Kellett

2nd        Emer Preston

3rd        Amy Preston

4th        Ms. O’Hanlon

5th        Caroline McCall

A special thanks to the Board of Management who have offered to contribute to the Internet fund on a regular basis.

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