Loreto Secondary School Wexford

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22 May 2008

Ms.Griffin reports on Prize-Giving:

The school prize giving ceremony was held on Tuesday, 20 May, in Rowe Street Church. A prayer was incorporated into the service of thanksgiving, as part of the event. The whole school was in attendance. Fr Jim Fegan, our chaplain, led the prayer service. Sr. Carmel Swords announced the prizes and they were presented by Mr. O' Shea.

The service began with presentations bring made to Prefects and Vice-Prefects, Students Council Members, Sports Captains, Vice-Captains, Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl. The Student Achievement Awards were presented to students for their positive contribution to school life. These students had been nominated by both teachers and students. Special sports awards were presented to students to recognise their excellent performances in various sports. The Junior Camogie Team received their Junior All Ireland Schools Camogie Final medals and their Leinster Championship medals. E.C.D.L. certificates were presented to Roisin Furlong and Emily Wallace. The Sr. Mary Walshe Perpetual Music Cup was presented to Laura Murphy, for her exceptional contribution to music in Loreto during her six years in the school. The Una Hickey English Cup was awarded to Christina Murphy for her enthusiasm, consistency and amazing insight into the subject. Deirdre Hopkins, sixth year, received the Principal's Award. Fifty four students receive certificates to recognise their good attendance during the year.

This year the Loreto Parents' Council sponsored the plaques which were presented to the Students' Council members. We would like to thank the Parents' Council for their contribution.

At intervals during the ceremony, Prefects representing each year group gave excellent speeches informing us of their year group's achievements and happenings during the year.

Lorraine Byrne reports on the Transition Year Show:

On the 8^th and 9^th of May, our transition year group staged a variety performance for the parents, students and teachers of our school. The performance was broken into four categories: dance, drama, music and production. Everybody worked extremely hard to ensure the success of the show.

All of our hard work and dedication paid off as the show was a huge success. Everyone was really happy with their contribution and thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.

Thanks to Mr. Kavanagh, Ms. Roche and Ms. Lordan-Lohier for producing the show and a special thanks to Suzanne O' Leary for choreography and The Gaiety School of Acting for dramatic direction.

15 May 2008

Incoming 1st year meeting

An audience of 350 attended the meeting for incoming 1st year students and their parents/guardians on Monday, 12 May. The meeting was addressed by Mr. O' Shea (Principal), Sr. Carmel (Deputy Principal), Ms. Bolger (teaching staff) as well as Clodagh Rochford and Claire Farrell, Head and Deputy Head Girls respectively. The meeting also saw the launch of the school's new and updated Prospectus which was very well received by those present.

Eucharistic Ministers

Bishop Denis Brennan formally commissioned 68 6th year students as Ministers of the Eucharist at a special ceremony in the school on Wednesday, 14 May. Fellow clergy also in attendance were Frs. Jim Fegan, David Murphy and Sean Gorman. Guest of honour on the day was Sr. Carmel O' Brien, organiser of the Eucharistic Ministers programme in the school, who was rejoining us for the first time since her recent illness.

Subject options published

2nd and 5th year subject groupings for September 2008 were published today. Any alterations to allocations will be dealt with by Mr. O' Shea directly with the students involved.

9 May 2008

4th year show a great success

Congratulations to all involved in the 4th year Talent Show which proved to be a most enjoyable event and a wonderful showcase for the wealth of musical, acting and dancing talent among the 104 students. Special thanks are extended to the teachers who helped with the production - Ms. Roche, Ms. Lordan-Lohier and Mr. Kavanagh.

Gratuliere! – German Success!

Congratulations go out to Jane Breen (5^th year) and Lisa Bolger (4^th year) who achieved great success in their Junior Cert. German Exam. Both girls were recently acknowledged as being amongst the top 70 students in the country which is a wonderful achievement and a sign of the hard work put in by both students. Well done girls.

Following this success both girls were invited to attend for interview by the German Embassy and the Goethe Institute, Dublin. Sincere congratulations to Jane who as a result was awarded one of the few scholarships to go to Germany during the coming summer. We wish Jane a very enjoyable trip to Germany. Gute Reise!

Safe and enjoyable field trips

5th year students were accompanied by their teachers on their annual Ecology and Geography field trips this week. The sun shone brightly on all and both trips were deemed to be of immense educational benefit.

State examinations update

Well done to all 3rd and 6th year students who this week completed their LCVP and Art examinations and who submitted their course work in CSPE, Religion, History and Geography. We thank the teachers involved for ensuring strict compliance with all deadlines.

2 April 2008

Ladies Football News - Mr. Cummins reporting

The Ladies footballers of Loreto Wexford competed admirably in the Leinster Under 16 and Senior Championships this year, despite falling short of the final in both competitions.

At Under 16 Level Loreto were placed in a very strong group with St. Mary’s Arklow, St. Leo’s, Carlow and Presentation, Portlaoise. An early victory over St Mary’s was followed by a defeat to St. Leo’s, paving the way for a knockout match against the Portlaoise girls. In a game played in Tinryland in Carlow the girls put in one their best performances of the year to comfortably qualify for the Leinster semi-final. The semi final was played in mid January in Thomas Davis’ GAA Grounds in Dublin, with Scoil Mhuire , Longford providing the opposition. In what proved to be a classic encounter Loreto led for long stages of the match before succumbing to a late onslaught from their opponents to lose on a score-line of 5-7 to 3-9.

While there was obvious disappointment at not reaching the final many of the Loreto girls are eligible for this grade again next year. This team will contain the bulk of last years Leinster under 14 finalists and will no doubt be competing for provincial glory again.

This year's Under 16 panel included:

Lill Roche, Clara Donnelly, Grace Cardiff, Hazel Redmond, Ciara Codd. Zoe Codd, Kate O’Gorman, Roisin Moran, Emma Shanley, Siobhan Cloake, Majella Byrne, Kate Caulfield, Rachel O Brien, Niamh Boggan, Roisin Murphy (captain), Aoife Dunne (vice captain), Tara Whitty, Caroline Curran, Eimear Dunne, Michelle Harding, Grainne Waters, Aoife Sheil and Mary Hayes.

The Senior Footballer Team competed in the ‘B’ competition this year. Despite fielding a relatively young team, that included a number of the Under 16 squad Loreto competed very well and were unlucky not to go all the way.

In the group stages the girls recorded comprehensive victories over Gorey C.S and Loreto, Bray before suffering a narrow defeat to Coláiste Bhríde, Enniscorthy. A Quarter-final encounter against Heywood C.S from Laois followed and a wonderful performance saw Loreto pull through on a 2-12 to 3-8 score-line.

The Semi-final against Moate C.S proved to be Loreto’s downfall. Played at Ballylinan, Co. Laois during the first week of January, the girls never really recovered from a poor start that saw them concede two early goals and eventually were defeated on a 2-11 to 1-5 score-line. The fact that Moate were allowed play a considerably older team (many of whom will be 20 this year), that included a number of PLC students certainly did nothing to aid Loreto’s cause. Moate later comfortably won the Leinster Final over Loreto, Navan.

Well done to all the girls for the efforts this year and hopefully next year will see many of them finally win a Leinster title. For some however, next year is not an option and a special word must go to the 5 sixth years who won’t be with us next year. So to Madeleine Byrne, Susan Cardiff, Clara Whelan, Aoife Waters and Emma Hore, all the best with your future careers both on and off the field and thanks for your great efforts in the red and black jersey over the past few years.

The senior Football panel included the following:

Caroline Curran, Clodagh Burrell, Liz Leacy, Grainne Waters, Susan Cardiff (Co Captain), Maire Caulfield, Madeleine Byrne, Aoife Waters (Co Captain), Eimear Dunne, Roisin Murphy, Emma Hore, Aoife Morrisey , Mary Hayes , Roisin Doyle, Lynn Bradley,Clara Donnelly, Kate Caulfield, Grainne Murphy, Eimear O’Gorman, Amy Codd, Aoife Dunne, Tara Whitty, Karen Meyler, Sarah Nolan, Michelle Harding, Grace Cardiff and Clara Whelan.

The attentions of the school’s footballing fraternity have now turned to the Under 14 squad. The growing interest in ladies football was illustrated by the fact that over fifty First Years competed this year in a an internal First Year League. As well as this, several trials and practice matches were played before a final Under 14 squad could be settled upon. The squad, which consists of many of last year’s Under 14 pane that qualified for the Leinster Final hopes to do very well in the Leinster Championship again this year. This group has already defeated Coláiste Bhríde, Enniscorthy and Presentation, Wexford in practice matches as well as defeating a strong St. Brigid’s, Callan outfit in the first round of the Leinster Championship on a scoreline of 5-15 to 6-8. We now await a quarter final against, as of yet, unknown opposition.

Best of luck to all involved.

The squad includes:

Ellie Carley, Aine Leacy, Siobhan Cloake, Lill Roche, Andrea Furlong, Shannon Mc Grath, Laura Warren, Roisin Doyle, Majella Byrne, Niamh Boggan, Julie Coakley, Laura Ross, Marie Claire Morrisey, Fiona Bennett, Roisin Kavanagh, Niamh Crosbie, Shauna Murphy, Katie Lillis, Hannah Duggan, Ali Murphy, Megan Smith, Niamh O’Gorman, Chloe Whitty, Clodagh Kent, Leanne Moore, Danielle Kehoe, Niamh Cullen, Caitriona Power and Aine Wright.

28 February 2008

Good luck to our senior camogie squad in the replay of the All-Ireland semi-final on Saturday next in Glynn Barntown at 12.00 p.m. We hope that there will be a large following for the team to help them make it over the line into the All-Ireland final.

Well done to the senior hockey team that overcame a very strong Loreto, Kilkenny outfit in yesterday's South East A final on a narrow 1.0 scoreline, Eanna Horan being our scorer. We will now compete in the Kate Russell Interprovincial Tournament in Dublin on 13 and 14 March 2008.

27 FEBRUARY 2008

Mr. O' Sullivan and Ms. Dudley say ‘thank you’

BAG PACKING IN DUNNES STORES: Thanks to the fourth years, the parents council, the parents of the players and the players themselves who bag packed in Dunnes Stores from Thursday, 24^th January to Saturday, 26^th January. Thanks to everyone’s help, we raised €2,720.25 which will go a long way towards paying for our trip to St. Killian’s, New Inn, Galway for the All Ireland camogie semi-final.

MS. GAHAN WRITES:

Good luck to Senior Hockey Team who are paying Loreto, Kilkenny in South East Final.

Well done to our Junior Badminton Team who played in the Leinster Championship recently and have qualified for the All Ireland on the 12^th March in Gormanstown. Team members: Ciara Dunne, Eimear Dunne, Clodagh Kent, Kate O’Gorman, Shannorn McGrath.

Well done to girls who competed in Leinster Athletics Cross Country Finals on Wednesday, 22^nd February. Team members: Ciara Wilson, Helen Wallace, Emily Mahon, Roisin Kavanagh, Sinead Rowe.

TY students: Becky Jenkins and Emma Lynch report on survey:

Our 4^th Year French class conducted a survey about the consumption of alcohol. We asked students in the Senior Cycle questions concerning their knowledge of the legal age to buy alcohol and whether or not they drink etc.

In the survey we found:

1. That 74% knew the legal age to purchase alcohol.

2. The majority of students had their first drink before they turned 15!

3. The majority of girls had their first drink with their family!

4. The most popular drinks were spirits and also-pops!

Thanks to Ms. Sills for her help with the making of the survey and to Ms. Maddock for kindly allowing us computer access.

FOURTH YEAR GUEST SPEAKERS:

1. BODY IMAGE – DIANNE FLETCHER

Fourth Years took part in a Body Image Workshop on Wednesday, February 6^th. The workshop lasted for one hour. Ms. Fletcher provided information on Healthy Eating, Self Esteem, Eating Disorders and maintaining a positive Body Image. Classes worked in groups of four, answering quizzes and offering their own opinions and questions on the topic which were then shared with the entire group by the elected group leader. The informal atmosphere ensured that everybody felt comfortable enough to contribute or ask questions.

Free information leaflets on all the topics discussed containing the relevant contact details were available at the end of the talk. Ms. Fletcher was also available to all members of the school community on Wednesday, February 27^th when she presided over an information stall in the reception area. Again, information leaflets were available to all students as they made their way to class. If anybody would like to receive more copies of these leaflets, please contact Ms. Jordan.

2. ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AWARENESS – TONY O’CARROLL

Tony O’Carroll and his assistant, Adrian addressed all Fourth Years on Monday, 18^th February regarding Alcohol and Substance misuse. The presentation was extremely insightful as students watched clips of how people suffering from addiction have damaged their appearance and general health and destroyed many lives. The content of the presentation was both frightening and shocking and the damaging and destructive effects of substance abuse were clearly conveyed.

There was plenty of time for questions at the end as students had the chance to share their own views.

Tony and Adrian also addressed First Year students using the same format. Feedback in general was extremely positive and pupils are hopefully now fully aware of the potentially fatal effects of drugs and alcohol.

Brigid Blackburn 4.1 reports on Film Studies: Moving Image Module

Our 4.1 class got the opportunity to watch and review three films: Mean Creek, Garage and Tsotsi. We saw each one in the Screen Cinema, Enniscorthy.

Ifelt there was a good variety as each film belonged to a different classification: Block buster, Irish Film and Foreign Film. This opened our eyes to different types of film. The whole class enjoyed our three trips to the cinema.

We also did film studies in class and watched different genres. I particularly liked the film: Donnie Darko. It is one of my favourites.

Our film studies module allowed students to discuss the issues in these film like bullying, mental illness and physical disability. It also gave students an opportunity to look at the other sides of film making such as camera work, lighting, sound and production.

Overall, I found this section of Drama to be one of the more enjoyable.

TEAM MATHS COMPETITION 2008 - Ms. Cotter reports:

On 25^th January, 2008, Loreto was represented by four teams in the Annual Team Maths Competition that is run by the Wexford Branch of the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association. This quiz is for students who are studying Leaving Certificate Higher Level Maths.

All teams performed very well on the night. The team consisting of Aine Doyle, Marie Doyle, Sarah Ebrill and Fiona Scallan came in Second place and the team consisting of Katie Berney, Ciara Daly, Julie Molloy, Gemma Riordan came in fourth place. Eva Browne, Coco Cullinan, Aoife Fleming, Clare Fortune, Deirdre Kelly, Clare Nagle, Fiona O’Brien and Stephanie Quinn also competed in the competition.

Well done girls!

18 January 2008

CHRISTMAS CAROL SERVICE: Ms. O’Donoghue reports:

The entire school community gathered together in Rowe St. Church on 21^st December for our annual Carol Service. We were treated to beautiful music and carols from our school choirs and soloists under the expert direction of Ms. Walton. Our chaplain, Fr. Jim, displayed his many talents by conducting the choir as well as facilitating the Service. Sorcha O’Connor and Rochelle Carr performed a moving Liturgical Dance to The First Noel.

The Christmas story was told by our very talented First Year students.

Many thanks to all involved for a truly memorable occasion.

6^th Year Charity Show: Ms. O’Donoghue reports:

The Sixth Year students held our annual Charity Christmas Show on 19^th December in the Concert Hall. This year’s show was “The Rose of Loreto”! Similar to the Rose of Tralee, twelve students showcased their talents to win the prestigious title of LORETO ROSE. While all girls gave outstanding performances, Sophie Bonheim took the crown. She gave us an interesting insight into her idea of the perfect date and her wish for the future.

The audience were treated to some very special performances during the interval. Ten teachers displayed their talent for dancing dressed as Santa along with our principal, Mr. O’Shea, while Sr. Carmel, our deputy-principal, and Fr. Jim performed a scene from the musical “Grease”. The show was presented by two well known “talents”: Mr. Gunning and Mr. Murphy. Well done to all involved. Over €3,000 was raised for the St. Vincent de Paul.

5^TH Year Art Project display :  Ms. Byrne writes:

“Feeling into Action” is what I call this Exhibition! Students used a variety of art materials and creative expression as a means of making an inner journey to the self, emphasis being on process as well as on product.

The art work consisted of personal diaries, wall hangings, paintings, 3D construction pieces, canvas, printing and embroidery work etc.

Choice of materials was important to the student as it created no boundaries in terms of expression. The art of making a piece of art-work in this way triggered internal activity that contributed to emotional healing.

It helped students who were struggling with personal issues or just in search of personal growth.

The exhibition was a tremendous success. It showed wonderful skill, colour, talent, self-expression and certainly brightened up the foyer on some of those very wet days.

Congratulations and well done to all the 5^th Year girls involved.

Ms. Gahan writes on Hockey, Athletics and Equestrian:

Well done to Sara Shovlin and Catriona Corcoran who were successful in the National Athletics multi-events in Nenagh on Sunday, 13^th January. Catriona won a silver medal and Sara a bronze in the heptathlon event.

Good luck to the Senior Hockey Team who play Newtown School, Waterford in the Cup semi-final on Wednesday, 23^rd January in Kilkenny.

Natasha Quigley has been selected on to the Irish Under 16 Hockey Team and will travel to Manchester soon to play her First International. Well done Natasha!

Equestrian and Athletics Cross/Country Teams are being picked now and girls are looking forward to their respective competitions. The South Leinster Athletics Competition will be run in Carlow on Wednesday, 6^th February. The Equestrian Cross/Country is hosted by Borris VEC to be held at Bagenalstown on Saturday, 15^th March.

CAMOGIE: Ms. Dudley reports:

Well done to our junior camogie team who reached the Leinster Final following a dramatic victory over old rivals, Borris V.E.C.

Loreto got off to a fantastic start with a great goal from Aoife Shiel. Lisa Bolger led the way from midfield, scoring six points while Clara McGuinness and Marie Doran were rock solid in defence.

With time just up we were a point behind when Laura Warren collected possession 65 yards out. She put the head down and soloed straight for goal before sending a bullet to the back of the net to seal victory.

We now play Presentation Kilkenny in the Final.

Thanks to Joe O’Donoghue and Glynn Barntown for the use of their facilities.

20 December 2007

FOOTBALL:

Mr. Cummins writes,

     Loreto Ladies through to Semi Final

Loreto, Wexford 2-12 Heywood C.S, Laois 3-08

The senior ladies footballers of Loreto Secondary School, Wexford qualified for the Semi-final of the Leinster Championship with a hard fought win over Laois opposition on Thursday last, 29^th November. In a game played at Carlow Town Hurling Club the Wexford girls started brightly and looked to be comfortable when leading 1-2 to no score after ten minutes, the goal coming from corner forward Mary Hayes. However a fortuitous goal, quickly followed by a point, brought the Laois girls back in contention. The Wexford girls dominated the remainder of the first half exchanges and were deserving leaders at half time on a scoreline of 1-5 to 1-1.

At that stage no one could have predicted the drama that was to follow. As the second half unfolded the teams were to be level on no fewer than three occasions with goal-mouth action aplenty. In fact both sides were to hit the wood-work on three occasions as Heywood really put it up to the Wexford girls who had been so dominant in the first half. An early goal and a point brought Heywood back into match and they were level by the third minute of the second period. Loreto replied admirably with points from Emma Hore and Aoife Morrisey and an expertly taken goal from full forward Roisin Doyle. This put them five clear, but again Heywood responded and within minutes a goal and two points had drawn them level. The last ten minutes were extremely tense as the teams exchanged points, with Loreto never letting their opponents get ahead of them. This was due to the great forward and mid field play of Lynn Bradley, Roisin Murphy, Kate Caulfield, Clara Donnelly, Eimear Dunne and Aoife Waters, as well the tenacious defending of the Loreto backs and goalkeeper who included Caroline Curran, Grainne Waters, Liz Leacy, Clodagh Burrell, Susan Cardiff, Maire Caulfield and Madeleine Byrne.

In the end Loreto hung on to win by a point and now face the prospect of playing either Colaiste Bhride, Enniscorthy or Moate in a Leinster semi final.

The Loreto team and panel was as follows:

Caroline Curran, Clodagh Burrell, Liz Leacy, Grainne Waters, Susan Cardiff, Maire Caulfield, Madeleine Byrne, Aoife Waters, Eimear Dunne (0-1), Roisin Murphy, Emma Hore (0-7, 3f), Aoife Morrisey (0-2), Mary Hayes (1-0), Roisin Doyle (1-2), Lynn Bradley.

Clara Donnelly for Bradley, Kate Caulfield for Hayes, Grainne Murphy, Eimear O’Gorman, Amy Codd, Aoife Dunne, Tara Whitty, Karen Meyler, Sarah Nolan, Michelle Harding, Grace Cardiff, Clara Whelan.

CAMOGIE

Mr. O’Sullivan reports:

LORETO V MOUNTRATH ON 23.11.O7

Loreto 4 – 10 Mountrath 1 – 02

Loreto Wexford advanced to the Final of the Leinster Senior B Final after a hard fought victory over Mountrath of Laois in Wexford Park on Friday last.

The early exchanges were fierce and hardy with no quarter asked or given. Wexford senior star, Katrina Parrock started with a flurry, scoring five points to Mountrath’s solitary point. However, it was her sister Sinear who stole the show in the first half when she bravely out-jumped two defenders and doubled to the net. It was the goal that set Loreto on their way and they never looked back. Mary Hayes and Linda Bolger added two more points to leave the half time score: Loreto 1 – 07, Mountrath 0 – 02.

The Parrock show continued into the second half when Sinead set up Katrina for 1 – 01. From there on Loreto went into cruise control with Aisling O’Connor setting up Lisa Bolger and Mary Hayes for two more goals. Defensively, Loreto were simply fantastic with Roisin Doyle giving a ‘player of the match’ performance from centre back while Catriona Curran made four outstanding saves between the posts.

The Final took place on 1.12.07

WEXFORD ECHO PUBLISHED THE FOLLOWING REPORT OF THE MATCH BETWEEN LORETO AND St. Brendan’s, Birr.

1/12/07

Scintillating Parrock fires Loreto to glory
by Ronan Fagan (Wexford Echo)

Loreto, Wexford 5-12
St. Brendan’s, Birr 2-4

The potential of young Katrina Parrock has been well signposted, and the 17-year-old provided further evidence of her sporting prowess when leading Loreto, Wexford back to the throne of the Leinster Post-Primary Schools senior ‘B’ camogie championship when firing a personal salvo of 3-7 in last Saturday afternoon’s final win over St. Brendan’s Community School, Birr at Dr. Cullen Park in Carlow.

The St. Martin’s ace, who helped Wexford reclaim the All-Ireland senior championship last September, was a real thorn in Birr’s side throughout, and her three first-half goals and four points had the scales tipped firmly in favour of this superbly well drilled Loreto outfit at halftime (4-6 to 0-4) as they sought to win back this particular title for the first time since 1996, when current Wexford aces Michelle Hearne and Kate Kelly featured.

Birr shook Loreto’s timbers when grabbing a couple of goals within the space of a minute early in the second-half, as they narrowed the gap to 5-8 to 2-4. However, the great composure with which the Wexford girls responded to such blows bore testament to the diligent and immaculate preparation undertaken by selectors Enda O’Sullivan (Nenagh Eire Og, Tipperary) and Kim Dudley (Naomh Eoin, Carlow), whose forces subsequently shut out Birr as they completed a fully deserved and very enthusiastically celebrated victory.

While Parrock was the undoubted headlinewinner, there is quite an amount of quality about this Loreto team. Indeed, centre-back Roisin Doyle was certainly hot on Parrock’s heels in the player-ofthematch stakes, while full-back Liz Leacy, midfielder and captain Rita Carroll, together with the Bolger twins, Linda and Lisa in the wing-forward berths also contributed in rich measure.

The Loreto girls, who are trained by Wexford legend George O’Connor, entered Saturday’s match with a certain psychological advantage, having accounted for the same opposition in the under-16 provincial decider of 2005, a season which also saw the school capture under14 and under-18 honours, as the tremendous work of manager O’Sullivan began to bear real fruit.

This breakthrough to the All-Ireland senior semi-finals – where Loreto are due to face the Connacht champions – is another crucial step along the road to the sort of greatness enjoyed by Colaiste Bride of Enniscorthy during the first half of this decade, and with such a young squad at its disposal, there’s every possibility that the Loreto can achieve similar glory.

Amid wintry conditions they settled well against a very game Birr outfit, and good work inside by Laura Rowe led to Katrina Parrock putting away the first goal after five minutes, the same player having earlier pointed a free. The opposition responded with a couple of points before Parrock demonstrated her class to devastating effect as she put good daylight between the sides.

The centre-forward tagged on a second personal point before finishing a cross from the right by Rowe to the dressing-room end net in the eleventh minute. A couple of further points from Parrock, including one free, had extended the margin to 2-4 to 0-2 after 16 minutes.

Loreto were now playing with real confidence, and the ball was brilliantly worked across the edge of the small square by Linda Bolger and Rita Carroll for Lisa Bolger on the left to embellish the lead with a neat goal on 20 minutes.

The sides exchanged points, before the small but vociferous Wexford support were given further reason to exercise their vocal chords when Parrock hand-passed the ball over the ‘keeper’s head and to the net on 29 minutes. Linda Bolger tagged on an injury-time point, to help leave Loreto firmly in the driving seat at the turn (4-6 to 0-4).

The Slaneysiders simply wouldn’t rest on their laurels as they resumed in quite purposeful fashion – points from Lisa Bolger and Katrina Parrock sandwiching a third minute goal from Laura Rowe, who poked the sliotar over the ‘line when latching onto a ground stroke by Parrock (5-8 to 0-4).

A short while later Birr gained some hope as Emma Dunne and Bebhinn Kennedy each hand-passed to the net. Although the midlanders challenged strongly for a time, their best efforts were snuffed out by a well marshalled Loreto defence. At the other end, meanwhile, points from Mary Hayes, Parrock (2 frees) and Lisa Bolger in addition to a number of near goal misses – rounded-off a memorable day for these brilliant girls and their keenly focussed management team.

They all posed happily even in the increasingly poor conditions for photographs after captain Rita Carroll had received the senior ‘B’ Cup from Colm O Cathain, Secretary of the Leinster Schools.

CROSS COUNTRY ATHLETICS: Ms. Gahan writes:

Our Cross Country Athletics teams are training hard at the moment in preparation for the Schools and Colleges Competition in February. The teams had a pre-Christmas Friendly Competition with St. Peter’s College on Tuesday, 11^th December in Piercestown. Training commences again on the first Tuesday after Christmas holidays. Ciara Wilson, 5^th Year, a Senior Athlete, competed in the Under-19 All-Ireland this month.

SILVER GAISCE - PRESIDENT’S AWARD:   MS. GRIFFIN REPORTS:

Emily Wallace, in Sixth Year, was presented with her Silver Gaisce – President’s Award in TRINITY COLLEGE, DUBLIN ON Wednesday, 28^th November. Many of our Transition Year students participate in the BRONZE GAISCE – PRESIDENT’S AWARD. Over the last year, Emily has completed challenges in the four sections of the Silver Award. The four sections are the same as for the Bronze Award: Pursue a skill, participate in one form of community service, choose a physical recreation, plan and carry out an expedition of a minimum of three days. However, at Silver Level, one is required to set more demanding challenges and carry them out for a longer period. For her venture, Emily came through a selection process and spent a week sailing on the ASGARD 11, THE Irish State sail training vessel. Emily sailed from Inverness in Scotland to Dublin. During the voyage, she took part in basic seamanship and shipboard duties, such as steering and handling sail. CONGRATULATIONS EMILY.

SPHE: GUEST SPEAKERS      Ms. Jordan reports:

1. Interactive Drugs Talk:

Garda Dunne and his colleagues visited the school recently to address Second Year students on the issue of Drug Abuse in Wexford. Students were shown samples of drugs such as heroin and cocaine and were briefed on exactly what the law states regarding these issues. There was time at the end for questions and answers which proved to be very useful and informative also. The second year students would like to thank the Gardai for taking the time to visit the school.

2. Pioneer Talk:

First Year students recently received a talk from the Pioneer Association. The benefits of abstaining from alcohol during the formative years were outlined.

First Year students who wish to receive the Young Pioneer Badge and certificate are reminded to fill in the Application Form and return it to your SPHE teacher with €4.50.

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL:

The school has renewed its membership for the year with Amnesty and there is currently a group operating in the school and taking action on many Human Rights issues from around the globe. All new members are welcome.

Contact peson: Hannah Corboy in 5^th Year.

HEALTHY EATING WEEK: 26–30 November.    Ms. Oliver reports:

The school hosted its first HEALTHY EATING WEEK during the last week of November.

A selection of fresh fruit, muesli, yogurts and fruit juices were made available to the students in the school at both break times. Fresh soup was provided during lunch break on the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The soup was prepared by chef Aidan O’Halloran of Mother Hubbard’s Catering 4 U! This was a great success. The Healthy Eating Committee would like to thank Mr. O’Halloran for his continued help and support.

A creative lunch lox was launched during the week. Students were encouraged to formulate a healthy lunch, giving valid reasons for their choices. Prizes included a hand bag from GOSSIP and a voucher for €30. Winners to be announced!

A big thank you to all the parents who gave willingly of their time to prepare and sell fruit each day and also to serve the soup. Healthy Eating Week would not have been such a success without this help and dedication. Thank you also to the following sponsors: Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Pettits, Supervalue, Ballycross Apple Farm, Gossip, Kates Farmshop, Only Natural, Killowen Yogurts and Stable Diet.

C.S.P.E      2.4 class; Teacher: Ms. Jordan: Nickola Whitty and Saoirse Wadden-Hayes report:

Last week, our class of 2.4 donated €375 to Our Lady’s Hospital for Sick Children, Crumlin. This money was raised from the fun day we all had on the 26^th October. The 1^st Year students had a real fun time at it. Our class put a lot of hard work into preparing this fun day which was for a good cause. We would like to thank the following people: The teachers for allowing their First Year students to go, our Principal, Mr. O’Shea, our caretakers, Martin and Jim, Bridget’s Hair Salon, Court St., Enniscorthy for the lovely raffle prize that they donated. We thank Ms. Jordan, our C.S.P.E. teacher for organizing this great event. This was a Junior Cert. C.S.P.E. Action Project.

Reports on two important events not yet to hand: 1. The School Show which took place on Tuesday, 18^th Dec., and The Annual Carol Service which will take place on Thursday, 20^th December.

As a result of the School Show and a No Uniform Day €3,000 will be presented to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at the Carol Service.

11 December 2007

Report submitted by Shauna Watson, 4th year student

On Tuesday, 20 November the Big Ballot count was on in Dublin City Hall.

The Big Ballot was run by the Ombudsman for Children’s Office who visited over 70 schools in Ireland for children and young people’s voices to be heard. The topic that was to be voted on was “What matters most to young people in Ireland?”. The subjects of the ballot that young people could vote on included: Education; Health, Wealth and Material well-being; Play, Leisure and Re-creation; having your voice heard and Family and Care. The outstanding winner was Family and Care.

Emily Logan, the Ombudsman for Children, was there welcoming over 200 people from different schools around Ireland. Miriam O’ Callaghan was also there to host the event. The YAP team (Youth Advisory Panel) for the Ombudsman for Children’s Office were given the job as ambassadors for each county. I was lucky enough to get my home county Wexford and I was looking after 2 teachers and 8 second year students from the FCJ Bunclody. The day was a great experience for everyone there and the results were that Family and Care was voted as what matters most to young people in Ireland.

Well, everyone does need tlc!

28 November 2007

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT:

PHILADELPHIA HERE I COME: Eva Browne reports and reviews:

All 6th year students travelled to the Helix in DCU on Thursday, 8^th November, accompanied by their teachers to see Philadelphia Here I Come.

Philadelphia here I come is a story about 25 year old Gar O’Donnell and the emotional rollercoaster ride on the night before his departure to America. Gar’s main problem is the lack of communication between him and his father, which he tries to resolve, and we as teenagers can fully empathise with his plight, misunderstood beings as we are!

Having read the play, it was an exciting experience going to see it. It was a day off school for one thing! As I entered the theatre, my excitement over the wonderful set had me giggling like a schoolgirl, (which I am), perfect, down to every last Virgin Mary statue!

By the time the play began you would think that I would be in hysterics but I quieted myself and my eyes were opened to a new world of the story as it unfolded before me as if in real life. I had enjoyed reading the play in class but this made it so much more enjoyable as every move, every mannerism, every look of frustration, disappointment and happiness appeared instantaneously before my eyes. The experience of being shown, rather than told, of Gar’s expression of sadness, of Gar Private’s tone of bitterness, of the rowdiness and bravado of “the boys” was so much richer than I ever thought it would be!

On stage, the accents, emotion and tiniest mannerisms of the characters came alive and transformed the play from a story to a real life, heartbreakingly humorous event. This transformation from paper to stage could not have happened without the excellent acting of the characters who, especially in the case of Gar Public and Private, seemed as if they were created for their respective roles! (Of course it didn’t hurt that they were good looking, ay girls??!) Private blended seamlessly into the scenes, with all ignoring him perfectly except for Public – you couldn’t help but think that he felt a bit left out.

This play was a thorough joy and an incredibly rich experience. It was well worth the four-hour bus ride there and back. I would recommend anyone and everyone to go to see this play – even if you really, really don’t like English!!

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD: Madeleine O’Carroll, 1.3 :

The Samaritan’s Purse is an international Christian relief and development agency, meeting the critical needs of victims of war, poverty, famine, disease and natural disaster, whilst sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

Samaritan’s Purse Ireland brings care, hope and God’s love to people in real need in 30 countries with projects such as OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD. The simple act of generosity gives hope to children caught in the midst of wars and natural disasters and shows them that they have not been forgotten.

Whilst sending small gifts of non-essential items, like woolly caps and scarves, sweets and small toys, wrapped in beautifully coloured shoe boxes cannot be construed to meeting a “critical need” it is guaranteed to light up a little person’s life this Christmas. The girls in First Year and other pupils have had the privilege to make this happen. This project is such a simple idea and for a country as rich as Ireland is an effective way to remind us how well off we are and encourages us to share our bounty.

We thank Mrs. Rossiter, mother of Fianna, 1.4 for taking the boxes to the local centre for collection by Operation Christmas Child.

SPORT - Mrs. Gahan writes:

Well done to Eanna Horan, Julie Molloy, Steffi Bowe and Amy Rossiter who represented Loreto Wexford and South East Province in an Interprovincial Hockey Tournament in Belfast on the 10 and 11^th November.

Good luck to Amy Rossiter, Steffi Bowe, Natasha Quigley, Jean Devoy and Zoe Codd who will play in Galway on the 1^st and 2^nd December in their hockey tournament.

The Athletics Cross Country Season is now well under way and girls who are involved in this sport are training hard and have their first Competition between St. Peter’s College, Holy Faith, New Ross and Good Counsel, New Ross.

Loreto Wexford/St. Peter’s will compete against the Holy Faith/Good Counsel team.

Mr. O’Sullivan reports on CAMOGIE:

Junior B camogie: Loreto 1 – 10, Bunclody 0 – 00.

Despite missing a number of players due to the GPA strike, Loreto beat Bunclody in the Final Group game of the Leinster Championship.

It was not as easy as the scoreline suggests with victory not secure until well into the second half.

The girls now play Borris in the semi-final.

Senior Camogie:   Loreto 5 – 14; Ballyhale 1 – 0.

Despite missing a large number of players, Loreto enjoyed a comfortable win over their Kilkenny rivals in the final group game of the Leinster Championship.

Roisin Barnes set us on our way with a goal inside the first minute and it was plain sailing after that.

Thanks to Liam Morrissey for taking charge of the game and Faythe Harriers for the use of their facilities.

O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar have been confirmed as the new sponsors for the camogie teams. The girls were delighted when they heard the news and thanks to Deirdre Hopkins, Sinead Parrock and Roisin Barnes who negotiated the deal.

Thanks to George O’Connor who trained the team for over an hour on Wednesday. It was a highly enjoyable experience with the girls gaining great insight into modern day hurling.

26 October 2007

SCHOOL MUSICAL - Mr. Kavanagh writes:

Rehearsals are well under way for this year’s musical OKLAHOMA! in conjunction with St. Peter’s College. This show will be on in the Dun Mhuire Theatre from 21 to 24 November. Once again, we are delighted with the level of talent and commitment from the students involved. Details on how to purchase tickets for the show will appear in later updates.

Ms. Jordan reports on CONCERN DEBATE:

Congratulations to the 4^th Year Debating Team who defeated Colaiste Bhride, Carnew in the First Round of the Concern Debating Competition on Thursday, 17 October.

The motion was OVERSEAS DEVELOPMENT AID IS A WASTE OF MONEY. Loreto proposed the motion. The team was captained by Katie Flynn who defined the motion excellently while also concluding the debate with a very convincing summation. Other team members were: Rachel Creane, Sarah Noonan and Brid Blackburn who all spoke confidently and clearly.

The next debate will be held in St. Mary’s College, Arklow. The motion is CELEBRITY LED CAMPAIGNS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY. Loreto will be opposing the motion. St. Mary’s will propose. The debate starts at 8 p.m. All supporters are welcome. If anyone would like to travel to the debate by bus please contact Ms. Jordan.

MS. ROCHE REPORTS ON TY NEWS:

On Thursday, 20 September, Nicky Bailey came to the school to conduct workshops on percussion with all Transition Year groups. Each student had the opportunity to try a wide variety of percussion instruments and the group created a samba rhythm together.

On Wednesday, 19 September, 4.1 and 4.2 classes travelled to Dublin to attend a theatre production of the Dublin Fringe Festival. They also enjoyed a guided tour of the National Gallery as part of their Arts Trip.

On Friday, 21 September, 4.3 and 4.4 classes followed a similar programme.

Graffiti Theatre from Cork presented their play : CLOSED CIRCUIT TO Transition Year groups on Thursday, 11 October. This was a lively play which dealt with topical issues such as teenage drinking and violence, ever increasing surveillance, peer pressure and other matters of interest to young people.

In Art, TY students have begun a huge project. They are creating a design for a large Applique Tapestry for the new school building. The work on this project will continue for the next few years.

These events have been organised as part of the Drama and Art programmes.

THIRD YEAR EVENT - Ruth Murphy reports:

The third year students had a “Body Image” talk on Monday, 15 October for two hours. The talk was given by Diann Fletcher – a psychiatric nurse who suffered from anorexia herself for 12 years from the age of 17 to 29. She is also a professional counsellor for people with eating disorders.

During our SPHE classes, prior to the talk, we discussed the topic of ‘Body Image’ and compiled our own questions about healthy eating. She picked 30 of our questions and answered them throughout the talk.

Ms. Fletcher began by telling us about a famous experiment that was carried out on a group of men in the 1950s. They were all closely observed for three months – their habits/personalities, likes/dislikes etc. Then they were put on a diet for 3 months which halved their calorie intake. After this dieting period, the effects on the men were disastrous. They had become obsessed with food. Many of them had mental health problems and eating disorders. They constantly talked about food and food scared some of them. All in all, their mental and physical health was badly damaged. It took some years to recover from this three month experiment.

The main message of this example was not to diet – it will only lead to more serious issues like eating disorders. Foods she suggested we stay away from were sugary cereals like Special K (believe it or not!) and Coco Pops as these will only give a temporary sugar rush that will leave you tired later in the day. We should all make sure to eat food that is rich in minerals and vitamins, such as green vegetables, to help us concentrate in class. She suggested humus as an excellent spread on crackers or bread for lunch.

Ms. Fletcher also talked about the influence of the media on us and the pressure to be skinny. She also provided us with details of support services available regarding these issues.

We would like to thank all our SPHE teachers and Ms. Diann Fletcher for providing us with this talk.

CAMOGIE - Mr. O’Sullivan reports:

On 2 October, Loreto played their opening game of the LEINSTER CHAMPIONSHIP against Portmarnock. Loreto girls won a hard fought victory with two goals coming from Katrina Parrock.

Caroline Curran had a great game in goal, saving us on a number of occasions, while Katrina Sinnott had a great game at wing back.

Others who played well were: Sinead Parrock, Roisin Barnes and the Bolger sisters, Linda and Lisa.

Congratulations to Rita Carroll who was elected captain of the team for the second year running and to Katrina Parrock who was elected vice captain. Final score:   Loreto 2 – 10;    Portmarnock 2 – 07.

On 11 October, Loreto played Colaiste Bride, Enniscorthy in a Challenge Match. We sent out an experimental side with a number of juniors making their senior debuts. It was a good workout for the girls and we wish Colaiste Bride the very best in their upcoming Leinster Final. Final score:   Loreto 2 – 08;   Colaiste Bride   1 – 07.

On 19 October, Loreto played Bagenalstown in the LEINSTER JUNIOR B CHAMPIONSHIP. Loreto had an easy victory over their Carlow rivals.

It was a great performance from the entire panel from goal keeper: Maire Claire Morrissey to the goal machine at full forward, Susie McGovern. Final Score: Loreto 4 – 17; Bagenalstown 1 – 01.

They now play FCJ Bunclody to see who tops the group. It is very important to win this game to ensure a home venue in the semi-final. Good luck to all.

BASKETBALL - Ms. O’Gorman reports:

The U-16 A Basketball Team defeated Presentation, Wexford 28 - 24 in a very exciting encounter. Loreto trailed until the last 4 minutes when Anna Berry scored the equaliser. Then Ruth Hannon scored 2 very good baskets, leaving Loreto the victors.

Team: Lorraine Byrne (capt) (4 pts), Rachel Moran (2), Ciara O’Donnell, Charlotte O’Dwyer, Anna Barry (2), Sinead Doyle (4), Gemma McGuire, Emma Jane Maher, Siobhan O’Reagan, Ruth Hannon (14).

The U-19A Basketball Team had a very impressive victory over Presentation, Wexford: 50 - 14.

Team: Deirdre Kelly (capt.), Katrina Sinnott (26), Sarah Ebrill (6), Emer O’Gorman, Fiona Scallon (6), Aoife Walshe, Victoria O’Malley Moore, Liz Leacy (4), Staphanie Curtis.

SPANISH STUDENTS WRITE ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCE IN Ireland and Loreto.

‘Being in Ireland’ by Begona:

My name is Begona. I’m 14 years old. I’m from Spain but I have been in Ireland for four weeks. The family I have been staying with is really nice. I have had a great time with them. We went to an Irish Football Match. It was very different from the Spanish football. Also we went to the Ploughing Match. I learned many things about farms because in Spain there aren’t many.

In the school, Loreto school, I have known many girls. All of them are lovely. The teachers are very nice too. Some of the classes are different from Spain so I have learned new things. I have had a really good time and improved my English at the same time and now I don’t want to go back home!

I have really enjoyed it. Begona Ortiz.

‘Irish Experience’ by Leticia:

My name is Leticia and I’m 14. I’m a Spanish student and I’ve been learning English for a month in the Loreto School of Wexford, Ireland.

The first day I came to school I was scared because I didn’t know what to do but all the girls were so nice and helped me a lot. My family is lovely and I have done many things with them, like going to a football match in Dublin, going shopping to Wexford town.

Irish people are very kind and all of them have been very nice to me. I wouldn’t mind to stay here longer because I have known very nice people and I have had a great time learning English and having fun. Leticia Knoeu.

‘My Stay in Ireland’ by Irene:

My stay here, in Ireland, was really good: the school, the town, the country, the people. Everybody was really kind to me. School was very nice. It’s a little bit different than mine in Spain but the difference hasn’t made it worse. I think the best thing in school was the playground because it was very big and green, but perhaps in winter it’s not used a lot because of the cold. The weather was really different: one person told me that here you can have the four seasons in the same day. In general, it is colder than the weather we have in Spain, especially in my town, because I’m from the South. I think I have been very lucky because it has not rained a lot.

About the town, I really like it, all this country is very green. Maybe the best thing I’ve seen here is the type of houses you have here. They are nice and big. I also have to say that the beach is lovely; both the beach and the water are clean and this is very important because it makes the landscape and the view better.

Dublin is also very nice. We went there for a weekend and we did a tour of the city, visiting the most important places and monuments, like Christchurch, Trinity College, Dublinia, St. Stephen’s Green, Dundrum Shopping Centre...

In short: this is an experience that I’m never going to forget because I’ve had a good time and I found all the people very nice. Irene Zarco Soto.

19 October 2007

TRANSITION YEAR NEWS

Eighty students are taking part in the President’s Award Challenge which is Ireland’s most respected Individual Award Programme.

The girls will be aiming for a Bronze Award and hopefully, at a later stage, some of them will undertake the challenges to gain Silver and Gold Awards.

Each student will participate in an activity in each of the areas of Skills, Community, Physical and Adventure.

Good luck to each and all.

SPORT IN GENERAL

Jennifer McGuire 2.4 has competed in the Scottish National Tae Kwando Competition in May this year. She is now training and hoping to be awarded a Black Belt in her sport.

Ciara Whelan 5.5 and Hannah Barrett 3.1 will travel to the Netherlands on 20 October to compete on an International Sports Acro Team. They will be joined by Gymnasts from other clubs in Ireland. We wish them good luck.

Sarah Shovlin TY has been selected to compete for Ireland at an International Athletics Multi-Event competition in Glasgow on 1 December.

Siobhan Cloake 2.1 won the Club County Cross Country Final on 7 October. All our Cross Country Athletes are now training for the Schools and Colleges Competition in February.

FOOTBALL

Both the U-16 and Senior teams made good starts to their Leinster campaign. The U-16 team defeated St. Mary’s, Arklow by 4 – 10 to 4 – 3 while the Senior Team were victorious over Gorey Community School on a 9 – 11 to 2 – 2 scoreline.

ART

Junior Cert. Examination Project work was displayed in the Foyer for a week. It consisted of a variety of Art Media ranging from Drawing, Painting, 3D Construction and Craft. Words alone cannot convey the wonder and awe expressed by the many visitors, parents, teachers and students as they gazed at the result of the gifts the students possess and expressed in the various pieces.

Congratulations to all.

1 October 2007

SCHOOL MASS

All members of the school community gathered for the Beginning of Year School Mass on Wednesday afternoon, September 26^th. The theme of the Mass was “New Beginnings”. The celebrant was our school chaplain: Fr. Jim Fegan. First Year students played an important role in the Mass. Four first year representatives set the tone at the start of Mass by sharing their first impressions of school life in Loreto and their hopes and ambitions for the future. The occasion was greatly enhanced by the beautiful music and singing under the direction of Mr. Kavanagh.

Prefects, vice-prefects and Meitheal leaders received their badges and we wish them the best of luck in the important roles that they will fulfil over the course of the year. Katrina Parrock and Aoife Egan received special mention for their wonderful performances in the All Ireland Senior Camogie Final and All-Ireland Intermediate Football Final respectively. Mr. O’Shea presented them with tokens of the school’s appreciation of their great efforts to the sound of rapturous applause.

Thanks to all students and teachers who helped in the preparation and participated in the school Mass.

MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST COURSE

Good luck to the 85 Leaving Certificate students who have volunteered to attend a Spirituality Course each week with a view to being commissioned as Ministers of the Eucharist at the end of the year.

SPORT

CAMOGIE: Hearty congratulations to Katrina Parrock on her great performance in the All Ireland Camogie Final against Cork. The Wexford team, which included past pupils Margaret Darcy, Kate and Mag Kelly, Michelle Hearne and Noleen Lambert, brought great pride to Loreto and to the County by their success. In particular, we appreciate the hard work put in by the team during the season to become Irish Champions.

What excitement when the Cup arrived in the school! Katrina Parrock and Mags Darcy held the cup aloft in the school grounds to the mighty cheers of the students and staff. Both girls gave heartfelt speeches. According to Claire Farrell and Irene Brophy, the pride was palpable in Mr. O’Shea’s speech!

FOOTBALL: Playing in the All Ireland Football Final against Leitrim were present pupil, Aoife Waters and past pupils: Fiona Rochford, Julie Kelly, Tara Moloney, Laura Corrigan, Deirdre Fox, and Naoimi Fogarty.

On the Home Front: Teams in all sports are training hard in preparation for their various leagues.

YOGA: The Sixth years have started their Yoga Class with Eileen Rowe on Mondays and their Workout with Ms. O’Connor on Tuesdays and many of them can be seen zipping around the block on the other school days. Well done!

TAG RUGBY: The Fourth years are playing Tag Rugby with Noel Ferguson and are looking forward to their competition later in the season.

LEINSTER SCHOOLS MULTI-EVENTS: The Leinster Schools multi-events took place in Morton Stadium, Dublin recently. Catherina Corcoran and Sarah Shovlin represented Loreto Wexford. Both girls completed in five events: Hurdles, Long Jump, High Jump, Shot Putt and Eight Hundred Metres. Catherina competed in the junior age group and finished first overall with a score of 2400 points. This was a very close competition with forty-one competitors but Catherina eventually won by just nine points. Her best events were High Jump and Long Jump.

Sarah competed in the Intermediate age group and finished in Third position. Her best events were High Jump and Hurdles.

THE GREEN COMMITTEE - Emma Fitzpatrick writes:

Following on from last year’s visit from Wexford County Council’s Environmental Officer, we hope to establish a GREEN Committee for the school. We have put recycling bins in every classroom in the school and we hope students and teachers will make good use of them. Our aim is to acquire a green flag for the school. So far, our project has been greeted with great enthusiasm. Two students from each class have volunteered to co-ordinate the project within their basic class. Fifth and sixth year students have taken on the challenge of organising the campaign. On behalf of the Green Committee, we would like to thank everyone for their co-operation so far and we hope everyone will continue to support us.

4^th YEAR TRIPS TO DUBLIN - Shauna Watson writes:

On Wednesday 19^th September, 4.1 and 4.2 travelled to Dublin accompanied by Ms. Roche and Ms. Bolger. When we arrived we went to the Dublin Theatre to see “Particularly in the Heartland”.   American actors in their twenties and thirties played the ten to fifteen year old characters. Even though the play was hard to follow and confusing at times, the acting made the play come to life. We also enjoyed Ms. Bolger and some of the audience throwing “eggs” at the main characters. The show was entertaining and energetic but most of us still don’t know what it was about!

We left the theatre and went to grab something to eat – but not enough time to shop! At three o’clock we all met up and went to the National Art Gallery. We had a guided tour of the 20^th century work of Irish artists. We saw the work of the talented painters and also some unusual works of art. We then hit the road back home to Wexford and arrived about 7.15 just in time to catch the rain!

4.3. and 4.4 trip to Dublin

A student writes:

On arriving in Dublin, after travelling upon the newly built bypass, we all enjoyed, as most girls do, two and a half hours of quality shopping in St. Stephen’s Green shopping centre.

Our next destination was a Theatre performance of “Grimm Jam” at the Fringe Festival. Students held differing views but all were surprised at its shortness.

Next we visited the National Arts Gallery where we had a guided tour of artists such as Jack Yeats and learned how they used different techniques to create movement and feeling in their paintings. I have no fear in saying that everyone enjoyed the trip and will be looking forward to their next trip together. We thank Ms. Cummings and Ms. Lordan Lohier for bringing us on this trip.

4^TH YEAR TRIPS TO SHEILBAGGAN - Michelle Drennan writes:

On Friday, 14^th September, 4.4 and 4.3 went to the Outdoor Pursuit Centre in Sheilbaggan. The morning was spent here. We learned how to pack our bags correctly while walking and camping. We also learned how to read maps and find the correct direction on the map. We then made a human map of Wexford.

In the afternoon, we went to Tintern Abbey where we got into groups and completed the orienteering course. Some of the girls, along with Mr. Gannon, beat the record that was previously held in Tintern Abbey. They completed the course in twenty minutes.

A fun day was had by all. Thank you to all at Sheilbaggan and to Ms. Brennan and Mr. Gannon.

On Friday, 21^st September, 4.1 and 4.2 set off for Sheilbaggan. The day turned out reasonably fine after an extremely wet morning which left the orienteering course fairly muddy. In the morning we learned about what to bring for trips to places to places like Glendalough and were made aware of the country code. After lunch we got to do a couple of things in the obstacle course like the spider’s web which tested our flexibility – or lack! The orienteering took up most of the afternoon. We took a few tumbles along the way but had a laugh all the same! Overall , we enjoyed the day. We all agreed that it was better then being in school!!

1 October 2007

To all members of the school community,

I wish to advise you that the school will be closed to students on Monday, 8 October 2007 due to staff inservice training.

Thank you,

Billy O’ Shea,

Principal.

26 September 2007

I am pleased to formally re-launch our school's website today following a refreshing make-over of the site in the last few weeks.

We have added a number of extra features to our new website including an extended list of contacts and many more school photos that will be regularly updated.

The full range of school policies continues to be available for viewing and downloading as required.

I encourage all members of the school community to visit our website on a frequent basis so as to be fully aware of all that is happening in our busy school.

On this day when we celebrate our start of year school mass in Rowe Street Church, I extend my very best wishes to everyone in Loreto, Wexford for a happy, healthy and successful year.

Billy O' Shea,

Principal.

Thursday, 31 May 2007

SIXTH YEAR GRADUATION MASS:
Ms. Jordan and Ms. O’Donoghue reporting:

Sixth Year students attended their Graduation Mass in Rowe Street Church on Thursday,
23 May with their families, teachers and friends. Mass was celebrated by the school chaplain,
Fr. Jim Fegan, who immediately set the students at ease. The theme of this year’s Mass was “The Threshold Experience”. The girls and their teachers had been preparing since Easter.
All the work that went into these preparations was most obvious on the night.
There was beautiful art work displayed around the church, including butterflies and quotes from poems, songs offering advice on the future and reflections on the past as well as photographs of the girls when they started school side by side with photos of them to-day. Poems and readings selected by the girls themselves encapsulated the theme of threshold experiences perfectly and these were printed in the beautiful Mass Booklet which was prepared by the Sixth Year students.
Many people commented on the talent of the musicians and singers who performed at stages throughout the night, led by Ms. Walton who has worked tirelessly with the Music group this year.

Mr. O’Shea’s homily evoked tears and laughter from the congregation as he reflected on the past five or six years while Head Girl Rachel Kumar and Deputy Head Girl Marie-Therese Power also struck a chord with their moving speech at the end of the Mass. Spirits soared once more after this when Rachel Kumar and her choir led the year group singing their rendition of “Oh Happy Day.”

Finally, the Mass ended with all members of the class of 2007 walking through the archway in the centre aisle of the Church that was decorated with ivy, lilies and white roses as they prepare for what will surely be a bright and prosperous future.

We extend every best wish and blessing for the future to the class of 2007!

MINISTERS OF THE EUCHARIST: COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
On Wednesday, 16 May, sixty three Leaving Certificate girls, who had completed a spirituality course which they attended since September, were commissioned as Ministers of the Eucharist by Bishop Denis Brennan. The girls will be able to administer Holy Communion when requested by their priests. They will also be able to bring Communion to the sick and house bound. Thanks to Ms. Walton for the lovely music. Thanks too to Fr. Jim Fegan, our chaplain and the other priests who attended. Congratulations to the girls and thank you for volunteering to do the course.

TRANSITION YEAR GRADUATION CEREMONY:
Ms. O’Donoghue reports:

Fourth Year students gathered in the Concert Hall on Monday night, 28 May to celebrate their graduation from the transition year programme. It was a wonderful occasion celebrated by our chaplain, Fr. Jim Fegan. The occasion was greatly enhanced by the 4^th year choir, under the direction of Mr. Fintan Kavanagh. The hall was beautifully decorated by students to reflect their many achievements throughout the year. The night concluded with an Awards Ceremony where the girls were presented with certificates for Self Defence, ECDL and the Gaisce Award, to name but a few. Thanks to all who helped in the preparation of this night.

END OF YEAR PRIZEGIVING CEREMONY:
Ms. Griffin reports:

The school prize giving ceremony was held on Tuesday, 15 May, in Rowe Street Church.
This involved incorporating a prayer service of thanksgiving, as part of the event.
The whole school was in attendance. Fr. Jim Fegan, our chaplain, led the prayer service.
Sr. Carmel Swords announced the prizes and they were presented by Mr. O’Shea.

The service began with the second year choir singing the “Ave Maria”. Presentations were made to Prefects and Vice-Prefects, Students’ Council Members, Sports Captains and
Vice-Captains, Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl.

The Student Achievement Awards were presented to students for their positive contribution to school life. The Sr. Mary Walshe Perpetual Music Cup was presented to Eithne O’Connor who also received an award for her success in winning the National Poetry Competition organised by the English Teachers of Ireland. Her poem titled: “Births, Deaths and Marriages” has been published twice.

An essay competition organised by the Law Faculty of U.C.C. was won by Saoirse McGarrigle. Saoirse received a prize. The Una Hickey English Cup was awarded to Bridget English.

Other awards included a prize to the L.C.V.P. group to recognise their Fund Raising for Friends of Wexford Daycare Unit Appeal. Michelle O’Brien and Sarah Jevens, sixth year, were awarded the Civic Spirit Prize.   Gemma Carroll, second year, received the Principal’s Award.
Thirty-seven students were given certificates to recognise their good attendance during the year. At intervals during the ceremony Prefects, representing each Year Group, gave excellent speeches informing us of the achievements and happenings of their Year Group during the year.

JUNIOR MATHS COMPETITION:
Ms. Cotter reports:

On 18 May, Loreto competed in the Wexford Final of the Irish Junior Maths Competition.
This competition is run by the Wexford Branch of the Irish Maths Teachers Association and is for First Year students. The following Loreto First Year students competed: Nicola Fleck, Grace Forde, Riona O’Connell, Siobhan O’Regan, Ciara O’Reilly, Emma Owens, Gemma Rothwell and Laura Warren. Loreto performed very well on the night. Siobhan O’Regan came in Second Place. This was a brilliant achievement. Congratulations to all.

JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP:
Hannah Corboy reports:

The Justice and Peace Group have been very busy these last few weeks. The senior members of the group recently took part in a peer teaching project. Each 1^st year class was taught a lesson on gender inequality. This involved quizzes, group work and discussions. The group is currently holding a poster competition with the theme: gender inequality, which should raise further awareness of this important theme among first year students. The closing date for applicants is Friday, 18 May.

HEALTHY EATING WEEK:
Ms. Lordan-Lohier reports:

Our third Healthy Eating Week took place from 14^th to 18^th May. The Parents’ Council sold fruit in the foyer and salads in the lunchroom. Wexford Creamery kindly provided milk and cheese which was free of charge. Killowen Yoghurts were also available. There was a competition open to all students called ’Name the Celebrity Chef.’   The prize was a €30 voucher for Villa and it was won by Ciara O’Donoghue, third year. A big thank you to all our sponsors throughout the year, especially Chef Aidan O’Hanlon who made the delicious soups and salads. Thank you also to the Parents’ Council and Students’ Council without whose help we couldn’t have done this.

STUDENTS PRESENT CHEQUE TO FRIENDS OF WEXFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL
Students from Loreto Secondary School’s LCVP class presented a cheque to Friends of Wexford General Hospital at the school on Thursday, 10 May. The cheque for €6,654 was raised at a Fashion Show which the students had held earlier this year in the Riverbank Hotel.
Dr. P. McKiernan and Ms. P. Hachett represented Friends of Wexford General Hospital at the presentation.

The organising committee for the Fashion Show were: Shelley Cullen, Shauna Doyle, Deirdre Hopkins, Denise Kirwan, Kellie Newport, Tara O’Brien, Sinead Roche, Ciara Sweeney, Clara Whelan and Ciara Wright. Clothes for the Fashion Show were supplied by Boston, Closet, Donna Anna, Fluert, Fitzgerals Menswear, Koyote, Lifstyle, London Milan, JJ Murphy, Octopus, Charles Pierce Menswear, Sasha, Sassy, Shoe Style and Vila. Accessories were provided by Cloud 9.

The committee extend their thanks to the Managers and Staff of all the shops and boutiques that took part. Thanks also to all sponsors, those who donated Raffle prizes, the management and staff of the Riverbank House Hotel, Bridget Kirwan, Fiona Whelan, Parents’ Council, staff and students of Loreto and to anybody who contributed in any way to the success of this
fund-raising venture.

TRANSITION YEAR POETRY WORKSHOP:
Amy Hayes and Emma Kelly 4.3 write:

Our poetry workshop with Mark Roper regretfully came to a close on 26 May.
We thank Ms. Jordan, Mr. O’Sullivan and Ms. Clarkin for their co-operation during the weeks and for giving us the chance to learn to write poetry from such a skilful poet. We would especially like to thank Mark for his guidance and patience with us. We learned a great deal about poetry and are very grateful to all those who gave us the chance.

As a closing exercise for our workshop, we put together a booklet of our own poems that we composed over the weeks. This was made available to view for the Transition Year students exclusively.

TRANSITION YEAR TRIP FOR WINNING MINI COMPANY:
Janelle Kelly, Ailbhe Porter, Aisling Healy and Sara Freeman report:
On 25^th – 27^th April, the mini company “Green Home” travelled on an all expenses paid trip to Delphi Adventure Centre, Mayo. When we were there, we took part in kayaking, pier jumping, rock climbing, archery and absailing. We spent two nights and one full day in Delphi.
Great fun was had by all.

TRANSITION YEAR STUDENTS :
Eanna Moran, Ailbhe Porter, Sarah Maher, Janelle Kelly, Sara Cosgrave, Roisin Furlong,
Amy Hayes, Aishling Staunton and Grainne Regan organised a “Winter Wonderland Ball” in the Talbot Hotel last January. They raised €3,000 which they presented to representatives of the charities: Outreach Moldova and Wexford Hospice Homecare.

RESULTS FROM ATHLETICS COMPETITIONS
Ms. Gahan writes:

Well done to all who took part in South Leinster Schools Meeting on 2^nd and 4^th May in Kilkenny, those who qualified for Leinster Finals in Dublin and the following Junior girls who will now seek All-Ireland honours in Tullamore on the 2^nd June:

Minor and Junior qualifiers for All Irelands:
Catriona Corcoran, 2^nd Yr.            1^st in Long Jump and 3^rd in High Jump
Ellen Duggan, 2^nd yr.                   2^nd in Long Jump
Aine Doyle, 5^th Yr.                       2^nd in Hundred Metres Hurdles
Clara McGuinness, 1^st Yr.              1^st in shot putt
Emma Owens, 1^st Yr.                   1^st in discus
(Junior Hurdle competitions are held on day one of Leinster Finals).

Monday, 30 April 2007

LORETO FASHION SHOW
Ms. McDonald reports:

The 5^th Year LCVP class of Loreto organized a Fashion Show in aid of Friends of Wexford Daycare Unit Appeal. It was held on 27^th and 28^th March in the Riverbank Hotel.
It was a wonderful success and raised more than €6,200.

Clothes for the Fashion Show were supplied by Boston, Closet, Donna Anna, Flert, Fitzgeralds Menswear, J2, Koyote, Lifestyle, London Milan, JJ Murphy, Octopus, Charles Pierce Menswear, Sasha, Sassy, Shoe Style and Vila. Accessories were provided by Cloud 9.

The models were students from the school. They thoroughly enjoyed the funky gear from the leading boutiques in Wexford. Many of them could give professional models a run for their money!

The Fashion Show had a number of special features. Fifteen teachers from the school strutted their stuff on the cat-walk to rapturous applause. They were dressed by Koyote, London Milan and Charles Pierce Menswear. Five mothers and daughters modelled clothes from Sasha and were a great hit. The ‘Grad Scene’ featured eight students from Loreto wearing beautiful dresses from London Milan suitable for a Debs Ball. They were accompanied by eight very dashing young men from St. Peter’s College wearing tuxedos from Fitzgeralds Menswear.
Five handsome young ‘men about town’ swaggered onto the ramp in clothes from J2,
Lifestyle and Octopus.

However, the highlight of the two nights was a ‘Make Over’ a la Trinny and Suzanna!

Two teachers, one per night, had their images revamped. Their hair was styled by Bridget Kirwan, Enniscorthy. Make-Up was by Fiona Whelan. Their outfits were supplied by Donna Anna and shoes by Shoe Style. The transformation was amazing and the audience showed their approval by their applause.

Staging, Production and Choreography was by Suzanne O’Leary, Wexford School of Ballet and Modern Dance. Music was by Lee Hynes. Lighting was provided by Mark Redmond.

Members of the organizing committee were Shelley Cullen, Shauna Doyle, Deirdre Hopkins, Denise Kirwan, Kellie Newport, Tara O’Brien, Sinead Roche, Ciara Sweeney, Clara Whelan and Ciara Wright. They extend their thanks to the Managers and Staff of all the shops and boutiques who took part. Thanks also to all sponsors, those who donated Raffle prizes, the Management and Staff of the Riverbank House Hotel, Bridget Kirwan, Fiona Whelan, Parents’ Council, staff and students of Loreto and to anybody who contributed in any way to the success of this fund-raising venture. Well done to all concerned who look forward to seeing the thermometer at the hospital entrance climb even further.

CSPE ACTION PROJECT: CLASS 2.3
Ms. Roche reports:

The second years held an Easter Fair on Monday, 26^th March to raise funds for the Hope Foundation, an organisation that helps the street children of Calcutta (Kolkata) and for
Sr. Winifred’s project with nursery children in Peru. Through many activities, including an egg and spoon race, fortune telling, cake sale etc., they raised almost €850 and presented a cheque for €660 to Teresa O’Sullivan from Hope when she visited the school as a guest speaker.

TRANSITION YEAR FASHION SHOW:
Ms. Roche reports:

Transition Year students presented their Fashion Show to 1^st, 2^nd and 5^th Year students on Monday, 26^th March. The second performance was also attended by the judges, including Frances White (Bui Bolg), Ms. Forde and two Leaving Certificate Art students. The winning costumes were: Niamh Cinn Or modelled by Elizabeth Lacey and Rainbow Fantasy en France modelled by Tara Farrell. The students would like to thank all teachers who helped their show, especially Mrs. Byrne and Ms. Roche and also Martin Carroll for his assistance on the day.

PER CENT FOR ART SCHEME
Ms. Roche writes:

As part of our new school building project, the school has been awarded funds by the Department of Education to commission a professional Art Project. A committee is being set up to oversee the project which is a major undertaking. The committee will include representatives of all school partners.

FACULTY OF LAW UCC ESSAY COMPETITION 2007

Congratulations to Saoirse McGarrigle whose essay entitled Protecting Minorities in Modern Ireland was selected as the winning essay in the UCC Faculty of Law Essay Competition 2007. Her fellow students and family were invited to attend the prize giving ceremony on
29^th March in University College, Cork.

BASKETBALL
Ms. O’Gorman reports on First Year Basketball:

The First Year Basketball team defeated St. Mary’s, Arklow in the South East semi-final after extra time. Loreto trailed Arklow throughout the game and managed to score the equalising basket on the buzzer. In extra time they outclassed Arklow and won 33 – 26. Their opponents in the South East Final are Stella Maris. Team members: Rhiana O’Connell (2), Fiona Brauneisen (4), Hannah Miller, Laura Warren, Rhian Foley (2), Clara McGuinness (4), Clara Murphy (1), Ruth Hannon (7), Siobhan O’Reagan (13), Ciara Moran, Laura Cardiff.

Mr. Gannon reports on his teams from 1^st and 2^nd Yr.

Congratulations to the second team in 1^st Yr. who had a wonderful victory in the Co. Wexford championships. In a tight game, they showed great skill and courage to win on a final score line of 16 – 14. This team has, unbelieveably, gone through the year undefeated. All players made huge contributions to the success of this team. The players have trained every Monday and Thursday at lunchtime since Christmas and have been well rewarded for their commitment. Hopefully, this team can go on and win this tournament in second year as well. Team members: Amy Walsh, Lill Roche, Cloe Beale, Laura Cardiff, Aibhe Cooney, Aoife Crosbie, Jenny Cleary, Hayley Connor, Niamh Boland and Susannah Boxwell.

Hard luck to the second year team who were very unfortunate to lose against Presentation, Wexford in the Co. Wexford semi-final. After a poor start to the campaign, this team improved massively to qualify for the semi-final. This improvement was due mainly to the commitment of the team, who worked hard in training after their first two losses. Unfortunately, they failed to reach their own high standards in this game. They battled extremely hard and made a great comeback in the final quarter only to lose by a couple of baskets. Hopefully, this team will keep up the good work and achieve the high standards they set themselves next year.

Team members: Emma Kavanagh, Jane O’Flaherty, Sarah Bermingham, Josephine Cleary,
Sarah Lacey, Clodagh Kelly, Siobhan Lillis, Becky Cuddihy, Amy Murray, Anna Culleton.

GENERAL SPORT
Ms. Gahan writes:

Good luck to the Schools Show Jumping teams who will compete in the Irish Inter Schools Competition on Saturday 28^th April in the Show Grounds in Enniscorthy .

Our Track and Field Athletics are looking forward to their Inter Schools Competition on Wednesday and Friday, 2^nd and 5^th May.

Well done to the Intermediate Hockey Team who won their League Final against Carlow on Tuesday, 24^th April. The final score was 3 – 1.

A Rounders, Soccer, and Tennis Tournament was organised for the First Years on Wednesday, 25^th April. The Transition Year students selected the teams, marked out the pitches, provided the equipment and refereed the games. Well done to all involved.

Friday, 23 March 2007

Lourdes Trip:
Emma Hore, 5.3, writes:

This year’s fundraising to send two fifth year pupils to Lourdes as helpers has been very successful. Over €1,000 was raised through various events such as Cake Sales at the Parent Teacher Meetings and a Cake Sale for the students. €400 of this sum was raised at our Ultimate Football Showdown which was a great success and a lot of fun.

Thank you very much to all who took part, especially Mr. Gannon who reported that it was one of the most challenging matches he had ever refereed.

Well done also to the enthusiastic cheerleaders whose intervention on the field ensured that the Loreto girls were victorious over St. Peter’s!

Funds left over from these various events will be donated to the support of school children in Peru where Sr. Winifred Doyle, IBVM (a Wexford woman), is carrying out wonderful work.

Congratulations to Jenna Keane and Susan Cardiff who are representing the school in Lourdes this year. The girls will make their trip from 17^th to 22^nd of May. Best of luck girls!

Poetry Ireland Workshop:
Roisin Furlong, 4.3, writes:

Twenty 4^th Year students are currently taking part in a Poetry Workshop with published poet, Mark Roper. The students are being given the chance to develop their poetry skills and write their own poems. Each workshop is an hour and a half long and will run every Friday afternoon from now until the end of the year. All those involved will be encouraged to read their poems aloud in order to become more confident in their own ability. The Fourth Year students would like to thank their English teachers for giving them the opportunity of working in such close proximity with a well-known poet like Mr. Roper.

Equestrian – Hunter Trials: Deirdre Kelly writes:

Well done to all those who competed in the All-Ireland Interschools Hunter Trials in Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny on Sunday, 18 March. That day, the weather in Ballyhale went through extremes of lashing rain to thundering hail stones!! Even under these inclement weather conditions, the spirit of the Loreto girls did not falter.

This was a technical course which tested a lot of the competitors. Congratulations to Michelle Kenny who came 2^nd in the Junior Singles Competition. Congratulations too to all of the Loreto students who competed. Well done girls!

Basketball: Ms. O’Gorman reports:

The First and Second Year basketball teams finished their League Pool Games on a high note by defeating Bridgetown V.C. on Wednesday afternoon last. This was the last occasion that Loreto have to play Bridgetown outdoors in Bridgetown as their new sports hall will be open next September. Hopefully, ours will follow in September, 2008.

The 1^st Year team won all of their games and have qualified for the South-East Semi-Final on the week beginning 20^th March. Hopefully, it will be played at a Wexford venue. In their final game they defeated Bridgetown 37 – 6.

Team and scorers: Ciara Moran (4), Siobhan O’Regan (6), Fiona Brauneisen, Majella Byrne,
Clara Murphy (2), Laura Warren (4), Ruth Hannon (10), Rhiana O’Connell, Laura Cardiff (2),
Kellie Flynn (4), Clara McGuinness (4), Hannah Miller (2).

The 2^nd Year Team played great games, trained very hard and were unlucky to lose two games which means they do not qualify for the knockout stage. However, well done to all the girls who were a great gang to work with.

Team: Ciara O’Donnell, Marie Dolan, Emma Jane Maher (capt.), Gemma McGuire (4),
Charlotte O’Dwyer, Hazel Redmond (2), Sinead Doyle (V.capt.), Mairead Sutton (9),
Lisa Sarsfield, Siobhan O’Reagan, Ciara Moran (2).

Monday, 12 March 2007

NOTICE: BBQ IN AID OF HOCKEY FUND: LUNCH TIME ON FRIDAY 16^TH MARCH.
Cost: €5 to include raffle, burger and soft drink.

Orders will be taken on Tuesday and Wednesday at 8.30 a.m.

NOTICE: Healthy Eating:

Our second Healthy Eating Week will take place from 12^th to 16^th March, 2007.

Fruit will be on sale in the Foyer during the 11 a.m. break. Soup will be sold in the lunchroom at lunchtime on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

A nutritionist from the South Eastern Health Board will give a talk to all First Years on Wednesday afternoon in the lunchroom.

Thank you for your support during the first Healthy Eating Week. Enjoy this one too!

NOTICE: FASHION SHOW

LCVP Fashion Show in aid of Friends of Wexford General Hospital Day Care Unit will be held in the Riverbank House Hotel on 27^th and 28^th March at 8 p.m.

Tickets: Adults €12,   Students/OAP €10

A great night’s entertainment promised. Please do support this worthy cause.

Basketball:
Ms. O’Gorman reports:

The First and Second Year Basketball teams enjoyed mixed fortunes when they played Presentation, Wexford. The first year team defeated Presentation: 26 – 08.

However, the Presentation 2^nd yrs. were very strong and Loreto lost 14 – 48.

First Year scorers: Ciara Moran (2), Ruth Hannon (10), Laura Warren (1), Clara McGuinness (2).

Second Year scorers: Emma Jane Maher (4), Ciara O’Donnell (4), Mairead Sutton (4),
Anna Berry (2).

Both teams will play Bridgetown V.C. next week. Good luck!

Football:
Mr. Murphy reports:

Well done to our U-14 footballers who made a very good start to their Leinster Championship campaign. This is a very talented group with many players part of the U-14 County Squad. The team have already scored two big wins against F.C.J. Bunclody and St. Mary’s, Arklow. The U-14 team reached the Leinster Final last year and with the proper commitment, this team has the potential to go one better.

Hockey:
Ms. Gahan reports:

Loreto have once again qualified to play in the Kate Russell inter-provincial tournament for the top hockey schools in Ireland.

This prestigious competition will take place on March 22-23 and the girls will battle it out against the winners from all four provinces. To qualify for the Finals, Loreto, Wexford beat Loreto, Kilkenny 1 – 0 in a very close encounter.

The team is captained by Maebh Horan, who has played on the Irish Schools team for the past four years, while she has also just competed a Test Series between Ireland and England in Dublin in the past week.

The remainder of the squad of 18 is as follows: Fiona Rochford, Grainne Meagher, Ashling Veale, Ailbhe Fitzpatrick, Stephanie Quinn, Aoife Waters, Julie Molloy, Fiona O’Brien, Irene Brophy, Maire Caulfield, Eanna Horan, Katrina Parrock and Sara Ebrill (goalkeeper).

The Junior Loreto girls who are also part of this panel are: Amy Rossiter, Natasha Quigley,
Steffi Bowe and Zoe Codd.

Some of these talented young girls will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of two Loreto Wexford players - Louisa Healy, who is now a goalkeeper on the Irish Senior hockey team and Linda Caufield, the current Ireland captain who has played over one hundred times for her country.

Tuesday, 27 February 2007

VISIT TO NATIONAL MUSEUM AND NATIONAL GALLERY
Report by: Natasha O’Malley Moore.

On Tuesday, 30^th January, the 6^th year Art students attended the Irish National Museum and the Irish National Gallery. This educational trip is part of the 6^th year Art Course.
Each year, 6^th Year students must attend an Art Exhibition.

In Irish Art, we saw the Ardagh Chalice and the Tara Brooch at the Museum as well as Early Bronze Age to Late Iron Age artefacts. In the National Gallery, we saw some wonderful paintings by both Irish and European Impressionists followed by 20^th century Modern Art, which was most interesting.

We were very lucky to catch the final day of the William Turner (19^th century painter) Exhibition. Here we saw some of his beautiful sketches and watercolours.

The trip was greatly enjoyed by all. Thank you to Ms. Byrne for organizing the trip and also thank you to Ms. Campbell for helping to supervise on the day.

MINI-COMPANIES THROUGH TO NEXT ROUND
Catherine Hooper and Ciara Wilson report:

On Wednesday, 14^th February, all of Loreto’s Fourth Year mini-companies’ efforts had come down to one point. Two judges from the Bank of Ireland came to our school and interviewed each mini-company. All of our hard work was put into five minutes of questions and answers. The process of interviewing eighteen mini-companies in front of their own stalls, with their own products on them, took approximately an hour and forty-five minutes.

Although every mini-company worked very hard and all deserved a prize for their efforts, only four could be picked to go through to the next round in Enniscorthy.

The winning teams are: Green Homes, Crazy Keyrings, Memoirs DVD and Hoods 4 U.
Well done and good luck ladies!

5^th Year students travel to Waterford
Ms. Keegan reports:

On Wednesday, 31^st January, the entire 5^th Year groups, accompanied by their teachers, travelled to Waterford. In the morning, the girls hit the shops and cleaned out the sales stock.!!!

After lunch, they attended a production of Othello which was directed by Alan Stanford.
A famous Shakespearian actor, Johnny Lee Davenport, came from the U.S. to play the part of Othello. Cassio was a particular ‘hit’ with the girls.

Basketball
Ms. O’Gorman reports:

The 1^st and 2^nd year basketball teams continued with their winning ways on Monday, 5^th February, defeating St. Mary’s, New Ross. The 1^st Yrs. defeated Mercy 32 – 16.
Scorers for Loreto were Laura Warren (6 pts.), Rhian Foley (2), Siobhan O’Reagan (10),
Clara McGuinness (4), Hannah Miller (2), Fiona Brauneisen (2), Majella Byrne (4).

The 2^nd Yrs. defeated St. Mary’s, New Ross: 26 – 20. Scorers: Mairead Sutton (18),
Emma Jane (6), Clara McGuinness (2).

All of the players on both teams played very well. Their next games are against Presentation, Wexford after the mid-term break.

The first year D league team had a magnificent victory over Presentation Wexford on Friday 16^th. The game wasn’t won until the last minute of extra time after the sides finished level with normal time up. The team pushed themselves extremely hard and were rewarded for their efforts in training with the final score coming from Cloe Byrne to win 14 points to 12.

Team: Hayley Connor, Jenny Cleary, Aoife Crosbie, Aibhe Cooney, Cloe Byrne, Lill Roche,
Laura Cardiff, Amy Walsh and Niamh Boland.

The second year team got off to a flying start and led ten points to two after the first quarter. However, Presentation upped the tempo from then on and defended superbly holding Loreto scoreless for the rest of the game. Presentation eventually won with a final minute score to win 12-10. Hopefully, the second years will win the return fixture against Presentation in a few weeks time.

Team: Jane O’Flatherty, Clodagh Kelly, Siuobhán Lillis, Amy Murray, Josephine Cleary,
Becky Cuddihy, Katrina Kinsella and Anna Culleton.

Athletics
Ms. Gahan writes:

Well done to our Schools Cross/Country Athletics teams who competed in the Leinster Finals on Wednesday, 31^st January.

Representing us on those teams were:
Senior Team:   Ciara Wilson, Lisa Bolger, Linda Bolger, Eve Kelly.
Junior Team:    Rachel Murphy, Eleanor Neville, Rachel O’Brien, Katie Caulfield.
The Minor Individual was Siobhan Cloake.

Equestrian Event
Ms. Gahan writes:

Good luck to the School Equestrian Team who will compete in the Cross Country Competition to be held on Sunday, 18^th March in Ballyhale, Co. Kilkenny. The teams are being picked at present. Names will be published in the next newsletter.

Badminton
Ms. Gahan reports:

The Loreto Badminton team: Eimear Dunne, Aoife Dunne, Mary Hayes and Lisa Tyghe played in the Leinster Finals of the Badminton Inter-Schools Competition in Baldoyle, Dublin on Thursday, 8^th February.

They beat Loreto, Kilkenny in the Quarter Finals and Glasnevin in the Semi-Finals. Unfortunately, they lost the Final 4 – 2 to a very strong team from Dundalk.

Well done to the girls for getting to the Final.

Monday, 5 February 2007

MARY WARD WEEK : JANUARY 22^ND – 26^th Ms. Bolger reports:

Loreto, Wexford changed course on Monday when all teachers took time out from the academic arena to explore the origins, vision and progress of the Loreto ethos with their students. Enthusiasm was rekindled and reborn. Such was the fervour for Mary Ward’s inspiration that a missionary role was established for the school.

Contact was made with Sr. Winifred (Betty Doyle, Ramsgrange) in Peru. Sr. Winifred taught History in this school in the late 1970s and has spent the last 20 years working with the poor of Peru. Each class agreed to sponsor one student (4 year old) in Peru - €90 per class of thirty. A photograph of this child will adorn the classroom walls and students will keep in touch with
Sr. Winifred and the sponsored children during the year.

It is hoped that Mary Ward Week will now be celebrated annually in the school and that the twinning with Peru will flourish in the years ahead.

The 400^th Anniversary of Mary Ward will be celebrated internationally in 2009. A commemorative book mark was presented to each student at a special Prayer Service on Friday.

MATHS QUIZ:
Ms. Storey writes:

Four girls: Kate Tyrell, Diane Rice, Bridget English and Ciara Morris represented the school in the regional Team Maths Quiz. The event took place in Coláiste Bríde last Friday. Thirteen teams competed. The girls came 4^th. Well done mathletes!

FOOTBALL:
Mr. Cummins reports:

On Thursday, 18^th January, the Under 14 footballers of 2005/06 were presented with their medals for reaching the Leinster Final. Mr. Murphy and Mr. O’Shea were on hand to congratulate the girls on a great season which saw them win six matches before finally falling at the final hurdle to Cnoc Mhuire, Granard. On route to the Final, Loreto defeated: Presentation, Wexford, Gorey C.S., St. Leo’s, Carlow, Coláiste Bhríde, Enniscorthy, Coolmine Community School and Coláiste Iosagáin, Stillorgan.Hopefully, 06/07 will see the girls go one better and win Leinster honours.

Panel members who received their medals: Caroline Curran, Michelle Power, Eimear Power, Grace Cardiff, Aine Foran, Emma Carroll, Tara Whitty, Aoife Dunne, Laura Rowe, Eimear Dunne, Michelle Harding, Roisin Murphy, Rachel Moran, Grainne Waters, Aoife Sheil, Emma Shanley, Eleanor Neville, Ciara Codd, Lisa Bolger, Zoe Codd, Mary Hayes, Linda Bolger, Clara Donnelly, Jean Devoy, Hazel Redmond and Kate O’Gorman.

BASKETBALL:
Ms. O’Gorman reports:

The 1^st and 2^nd Year Basketball Teams started their League Campaign with convincing wins over Coláiste Bríd, Enniscorthy.

The First Year team won their game 52 – 7 points. Team members: Majella Byrne, Clara Murphy, Ciara Moran, Fiona Brauneisen, Hannah Miller, Clare McGuinness (2), Rhiana O’Connell (2), Ruth Hannon (22), Siobhán Ó Reagan (18), Rhian Foley (4), Laura Warran (4), Kellie Flynn.

2^nd Year Team won 28 -14. Team members: Lisa Sarsfield, Ciara O’Donnell (6), Fiona Brauneisen, Mairead Sutton (6), Emma Jane Maher (6), Charlotte O’Dwyer, Hazel Redmond,
Anna Barry (2), Gemma McGuire (6), Sinead Doyle (2), Marie Doran, Ruth Hannon.

In December, eight girls from TY and Mr. David Gannon participated in a Grade Three Referee Course. All passed their Theory Test with flying colours and they will be doing their Practical Exam in May. The students were Aoife Morrissey, Feenagh Davey, Katrina Sinnott,
Emer O’Gorman, Victoria O’Malley Moore, Lynn Bradley, Liz Leacey, Sarah Nolan.

L.C.V.P. NOTICE
L.C.V.P FASHION SHOW
IN AID OF
FRIENDS OF WEXFORD GENERAL HOSPITAL
TO BUILD A
DAY CARE UNIT FOR CANCER PATIENTS
AT
RIVERBANK HOUSE HOTEL
27^TH AND 28^TH MARCH 2007
8 P.M. SHARP

Monday, 22 January 2007

CAROL SERVICE:
Ms. O’Donoghue reports:

On Wednesday, 20^th December, the school community gathered in Rowe St. Church for our annual Carol Service. The occasion was greatly enhanced by the music provided by the Loreto School Choir and the 5^th and 6^th Year musicians under the direction of Ms. Walton.
The true message of Christmas was conveyed by Martha O’Brien and Ciara Shiggins – 6^th Year students – with their version of the Nativity story. To complete the service, students were treated to a choral medley from the teaching staff under the direction of Mr. Kavanagh.
Thanks to all involved in making this a memorable occasion.

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS SHOW:
Julie O’Leary – 6^th YEAR reports:

The 6^th Years held the annual Christmas show on Monday, 18^th December. The show was in aid of St. Vincent de Paul. It was based on TV advertisements and shows, such as Lyons Tea, Sunkiss Fake Tan and “I’m a teacher – get me out of here.” There were special performances by “Ant and Dec” more widely known as Mr. Murphy and Mr. Kavanagh who together entertained us until we all were holding our sides in pain from laughing. There was also a most memorable performance from the rest of the staff who took part in “Jigs and Reels Factor.” They looked quite a picture in their wigs and we all want to know where Mr. Cummins bought the headband. (Maybe he was a dancer before his vocation caught up with him!!!) While not all the judges (e.g. Simon Cowell) were impressed, the student body certainly cheered their hearts out.
All in all, it was a show that we will not forget for a long time and we would like to thank all the girls and teachers who took part or helped to put the show together. The show raised €1208.

CHRISTMAS TRADE FAIR:
Emer O’Gorman and Ailbhe Porter, TY students, report:

The Annual Mini-Company Christmas Trade Fair took place on Tuesday, 19^th December in the Concert Hall. There was a wide range of products and plenty of food available. All involved enjoyed themselves and thought the Fair was a great success for their Companies. The girls in Transition Year would like to thank Mr. O’Sullivan and Ms. O’Farrell for their help in organizing the event.

Ms. Jordan reports on CONCERN DEBATES and JUSTICE AND PEACE GROUP

Concern Debate
The Transition Year Debating Team participated in a closely contested debate against Abbey Community College, Waterford on Tuesday, 16^th January in Loreto in the Knockout Phase of the National Concern Debates Competition. Team Captain: Grainne Regan opened the night’s proceedings by proposing the motion: “The West are committed to defeating the global AIDS pandemic.” A lively debate ensued as Roisin Furlong, Amy Hayes and Sara Freeman explored the motion in more detail with energy and spontaneity. Grainne summarised the debate with vigour including some shrewd rebuttals in the process. After the adjudicators retired, members of the audience actively particaped in an animated discussion of the moton in an ‘open forum.’ Afterwards, the Chief Adjudicator praised both teams for their worthy efforts.
Unfortunately, the motion was defeated. Nevertheless, Grainne, Roisin, Amy and Sara are to be congratulated on a great debate. Well done girls!

Justice and Peace Group:
The Justice and Peace Group held a Cake Sale on December 21^st in aid of OXFAM. The group raised €135 for the worthy charity through the sale of home made buns, biscuits, pancakes and waffles. Copies of the Irish CD “The Cake Sale” were also sold. Money raised will directly help families in developing countries to drill wells, buy livestock and improve their quality of life in general. The Justice and Peace Group would like to thank everyone who supported the Cake Sale.

FIRST AND SECOND YEAR ART DISPLAYS: Ms. Roche reports:

First Year students have pictures of landscape paintings on the walls in Teach Mhuire at present.

Recently, Second Years had a display of imaginative compositions, using oil pastels and creating wonderful, colourful pictures which were displayed on Teach Mhuire walls.

In the Foyer at present is a display of Second Year Project work on collage. They have produced 2-D and 3-D creations, using a great variety of materials based on themes!
We hope to have a photograph of this on the school website in the near future.

BASKETBALL:
Mr. Gannon reports on 1^st Year Basketball Blitz:

A group of First Years travelled to Presentation to play a Basketball blitz on Tuesday last.
Five schools, including Loreto took part in the competition. Many of the schools had first teams present and therefore, the Loreto team was under pressure in all their matches. The team had a great day and were unlucky not to make the semi-finals. They were very unlucky to lose to eventual winners: Presentation Wexford 8 – 4 after going 8 – 0 down early in the game and failed to make the Final. For many of the players, it was their first match in basketball and with training starting next Monday, the girls should improve as the season progresses.

Panel : Chloe Beale, Niamh Boland, Suzanna Boxwell, Laura Cardiff, Jennifer Cleary, Eva Cooney, Hayley Connor, Aoife Crosbie, Elizabeth Roche, Amy Walsh, Nicola Whitty.

HOCKEY:
Ms. Gahan reports:

The Senior Hockey Team are through to the South East Cup Final, having beaten Kilkenny College on Wednesday, 17^th January. They now meet the winners of the encounter between St. Leo’s, Carlow and Loreto, Kilkenny.

The Minor A Team also played and won their Cup Quarter Final with Newtown and now play
St. Declan’s from Kilmacthomas in the Semi-Final.

Well done to Maebh Horan who has been selected onto the Irish U.18 Hockey Team.
This is Maebh’s fourth year to play at International level. We acknowledge her commitment to training for her sport.