Loreto Crest Loreto Secondary School   
Spawell Road, Wexford.   
Telephone: 053 9142783     Fax: 053 9147773
   


 


Current News

ARCHIVE

2 February 2010

The Heineken Cup Visits Loreto Wexford

   
   

 

 

27 January 2010

Transition Year Archaeology Workshop

On Wednesday 27th of January, Paul Field, an expert in fossils and pre-history came into the fourth years for a workshop.

His workshop started with a brush up on our knowledge of history when he explained the different eras of human history.  He mainly showed us the weapons and tools that were made and used during the stone age.

He then gathered us around a display table and showed us examples of different historical weapons like arrows, scrapers and spears.  He showed us some examples made from different stone from different areas of the world.  Then the real fun began.  He split us into groups and showed us how to make our own weapons using flint stone and deer antlers.  This was a very enjoyable exercise and it showed us the effort that was involved in making these tools and weapons. 

Then, when we were finished our lesson in stone age protection, he casually lifted a black bag to the middle of the floor.  He opened it to reveal a dead pig!  This was a surprise for everyone involved and most of us cowered to the walls.  Paul showed us how effective the tools we had made were by slicing through the flesh of the pig.

This was a very interesting and surprising workshop that all had the opportunity to  participate in and all thoroughly enjoyed. 

Riona O' Connell

   
   
   

 

6th Year Show, 18 December 2009,

in aid of St Vincent de Paul

The 6th years had a busy time coming up to Christmas staging a variety show in aid of St Vincent de Paul.  The show was performed for all staff and students and raised some much needed funds for this very worthy cause.  Thanks to all who participated and to all staff members for their support and co-operation.

   
   
   
   
   
   
   

For more photos see Photo Gallery

 

Thursday, 17 December 2009

The HSE has informed the school that the swine flu vaccination will be offered to all students and staff in the school on Tuesday, 19 January 2010. The necessary consent forms will be posted to all homes on Thursday, 7 January 2010.

The decision as to whether or not to receive the vaccination is a matter for the individual student, her parents and medical professionals. The school has no role to play in making this decision.

 

Fiddler on the Roof, Wexford Opera House, December 8 to 10

Congratulations to the students and staff of St. Peter's College and Loreto Secondary School on their wonderful performance of Fiddler on the Roof in the Wexford Opera House last week. 

   
   
   
   
   

For more photos of Fiddler on the Roof Click Here

Wednesday, 25th November 2009

The school is pleased to announce that, in co-operation with the students and staff of St. Peter's College, it will be staging the popular musical, Fiddler on the Roof, in the Wexford Opera House from 8 to 10 December inclusive.

The 2nd year parent-teacher meeting originally fixed for Thursday, 3 December has been re-scheduled for Thursday, 28 January. This change is necessitated by the uncertainty surrounding possible industrial action on 3 December.

Operation Christmas Child

Operation Christmas Child has been very popular and well supported again by First Years and other students in Loreto.  Brightly wrapped shoeboxes filled with gifts are now on their way to a needy child somewhere in Armenia, Belarus, Burundi, Croatia, Lesotho, Moldova, Mozambique, Nepal, Romania, Swaziland, Ukraine or Zimbabwe! We would like to thank Kate Roche's dad for transporting our shoeboxes to the Wexford depot.

Cáit Sheil Class 1.4

 

Friday, 13 November 2009

 

Dear parents/guardians and students, 

I write at this time to keep you informed about a number of important school matters, as follows: 

Swine flu 

Parents/guardians are asked to inform Sr. Carmel if their daughter gets swine flu. I make this important request so that we can monitor the situation in the school on an ongoing basis in the interests of all students and staff, particularly those with existing health concerns. 

Students who are suffering from flu-like symptoms are strongly requested to stay at home until they have recovered. 

Students are reminded again of the need to wash hands frequently and to dispose of tissues after use. 

The school looks forward to co-operating fully with the H.S.E. when it offers the swine flu vaccination to all students later in the month. 

E-portal 

The school is presently installing a new software system intended to give all families instant access to a range of information relating to their daughters i.e. attendance, timetable, reports, special notices. The software is called e-portal and is expected to be operational by Christmas. All families will be issued with their unique username and password that will allow them to access this information on a “24/7” basis from anywhere in the world. As a result, school communications will be greatly-enhanced and there will be a considerable financial saving to the school in terms of postage and stationery. 

To avail of this facility, parents/guardians and students will need internet/broadband access. If this is a problem, you are asked to complete the form attached to this letter and return it to me on or by Friday, 27 November 2009. We will continue to send all correspondence in paper format as normal to these families. 

Voluntary Contribution Scheme 

The school is very grateful to the many families who have already supported this year’s Voluntary Contribution Scheme.  

Like many of you in these very difficult times, the school is struggling to balance its books especially in light of education cut-backs and the ongoing high costs of maintaining such an old building. It is also very difficult for me to remind you of this matter with Christmas only 6 weeks away.

Nevertheless, if you have not done so already and are now in a position to contribute to this scheme, we would welcome your donation at this time. The request for 2009/2010 is as follows: 

€160 for one student              €250 for two students             €270 for three students 

Payments can be made to the School Secretary, Noeleen Goggin, in full or in three equal instalments, one per term. All monies received will be duly receipted.  

Day of protest – Tuesday, 24 November 2009 

As I write this letter, there is every indication that members of the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (A.S.T.I.) will join their colleagues in other public sector unions in withdrawing their labour on Tuesday, 24 November 2009. In this eventuality, the school will be closed to students as the Board of Management will not be able to guarantee their safety in the absence of teachers. When the situation has been clarified, I shall send a text message to all parents/guardians. 

School show 2009 – Fiddler on the Roof 

Once again we are joining forces with our good friends in St. Peter’s College to produce a school show, Fiddler on the Roof. I draw your attention to the enclosed letter about this major event.  

Tickets for the show are now available from the Wexford Opera House. Additionally, if you complete the enclosed booking form and return it to Mr. Gunning or Mr. Murphy, you will be able to obtain your tickets through the school. 

Hot lunches 

Through the good work of the Parents’ Association and in co-operation with Taste Restaurant, hot lunches continue to be available to students in the lunchroom on a daily basis. 

School website 

You are asked to check our school website – www.loretowexford.com – on an ongoing basis to keep your self up-to-date with school news and policies. 

School Development Planning Group 

The School Development Planning Group is representative of staff, students, parents and management and meets on a regular basis to review school policies. The particular policy that is under review at this time is the inclusion of students with special educational needs. 

Any member of the school community who might wish to make a submission on this policy, written or oral, is warmly invited to contact me over the next few weeks.  

I shall write to you again in February 2010 with further information on school business.

Yours faithfully, 

Billy O’ Shea,

Principal.

 

Concern Debates 2009

Well done to the TY Debate Team who drew against Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy on Wednesday 11th November on what was obviously a very close and exciting debate.

Loreto proposed the motion 'Rising unemployment at home is too high a price to pay for Aid to the Developing World.'  Ríona O' Connell captained the team as they discussed the rising number of people on the live register, remittances, Irish debt and homelessness on our streets.  Michael Doorley from Concern applauded both teams for their convincing arguments and declared a draw.  Both teams receive 1.5 points and have two debates remaining in this league phase.

The Loreto team members were Ríona O' Connell, Siobhán O' Regan, Orlaith Farrell who stepped in at the last minute as Ciara was ill.  Orlaith did a fantastic job!  Well done also to Clíona Ryan who chaired the debate and to all the girls who helped out with tea and refreshments.

The next debate will be held in Enniscorthy Vocational College in Monday 23rd November.  All support welcome!

Ms. Jordan
 

On Wednesday November 4th the Loreto Transition Year team debated against St. Mary's College Arklow in an exciting and close contest.  While the team, Ciara Moran, Siobhán O' Regan, Ríona O' Connell and Heather Mullins did not emerge victorious, they represented the school excellently and spoke very eloquently and the motion 'The E.U. is failing Africa!'  Well done girls!  Well done also to the other members of the team involved in setting up the room and preparing refreshments afterwards.  These girls were very organised and the debates could not take place without them.  A warm thank you is extended to our caretaker Martin for all his help and to Orlaith Farrell for chairing the debate.
The team will debate against Coláiste Bríde Enniscorthy on Wednesday November 11th at 7pm in the Geography room proposing the motion 'Rising unemployment at home is too high a price to pay for Aid to the Developing World.'  Again, all support on the night is welcomed.  Best of luck girls!

Ms. Jordan

 

 

Ploughing Match 2009

It was an early start for fourth years on the 22nd of September but it was worth it!  We set off at 7:30 am and enjoyed a two and a half hour journey to Athy, filled with singing and fun.

   

We were accompanied this year by Mr. Cummins, Mr. O' Sullivan, Ms. Brennan and Ms. Curran.  Once we got our stickers we entered the ploughing match in style on a tractor and trailer ride.

   

Everyone spread out in groups in search of some of the best stalls and freebies.  Some of the best fun was found in the amusements, the cow milking competitions and the ploughing match itself.  Freebies could be found at the Farmers' Journal stall and the Food Village.

   

Throughout the ploughing match we met some interesting people from all corners of Ireland and found ourselves growing closer and bonding with our classmates and friends.

   

We definitely recommend a visit to the ploughing match in the future.  It was fun-filled and action packed.  We would like to thank our teachers for accompanying us and organising the event.

See Photo Gallery for more photos of our day.
 


 

Transition Year Substance Abuse Seminar

Counsellor Tony O' Carroll came to our school to give a talk on alcohol and drugs.  First he showed us a video about a girl going out drinking.  At the end of the video it showed her covered in vomit, lying on the floor beside the toilet.  We think this made a huge impact on us fourth years as it showed us that binge drinking is not cool.  He also made a few presentations on drugs.  He showed us a video about the life of a heroin addict and how her life is being destroyed by her addiction.  She weighed under four stone, was very pale and had black rings under her eyes.  Her addiction also made it very hard on her mother.  This video also made a huge impact on us fourth years.  He then talked about legal drugs and the effects they have on people.  Adrian, a former drug addict, spoke to us about about her experiences and how her addiction changed her life.  This was very effective as it was a true story and it allowed us to see what she went through.  We then watched a video created by fourth years in Cork about self-harm.  On behalf of all fourth years we would like to thank Tony O' Carroll and Adrian for giving us the talk.  Hopefully with his talks in schools it will help to reduce the number of addicts in Ireland.

 

First Year Retreat

All first years went on a retreat to Ballyvaloo Retreat Centre this week.  The religion teachers, Fr. Jim Fegan and our Meitheal Leaders came with us.  We were delighted when Sr. Carmel and Ms. Young joined us for the afternoon.  During the day we meditated, learned about the values of Mary Ward, played fun games with our Meitheal Leaders and played a trust game.  The day ended with mass celebrated by Fr. Jim.  All first years thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was truly a day to remember.

Elaine Cooney and Shauna Corrigan 1.1

 

Wednesday, 23 September 2009

The entire school community gathered together in Rowe St. Church to officially open our new school year with a celebration of mass.  Mass was celebrated by our chaplain Fr. Jim Fegan.  Music was provided by Mr. Kavanagh's 4th year choir.  The psalm was sung by four 6th year students Lorraine Byrne, Gráinne Waters, Emma Furlong and Rebecca Jenkins.  Four 1st year students reflected on the work and support of their Meitheal Leaders and how helpful they have been in their first few weeks in Loreto.  Our newly appointed Head Girl, Sarah Wade and Deputy Head Girl, Katie Flynn formally addressed the school community for the first time and passed on some words of wisdom to their fellow pupils.  The newly appointed Head Girl, Deputy Head Girl, Prefects, Vice-Prefects, Student's Council members and Meitheal Leaders received their badges of office.  Many thanks to all involved in the preparation of the liturgy.

 

 

 

Tuesday, 22 September 2009

A reminder to all members of the school community that the school will be closed on Monday, 28 September 2009 in accordance with our published calendar.

A reminder also of the Parents' AGM - Monday, 5 October 2009 at 8 .00 p.m. in the Concert Hall.

 

Tuesday, 15 September 2009

Dear parents/guardians and students,

I write at the start of the 2009/2010 academic year to bring you up to date with a number of important matters relating to our school, as follows:

Staff changes

Over the summer months we said goodbye to three members of our teaching staff who have each given great service to Loreto, Wexford in their careers of varying lengths – Ms. Gahan (retiring), Ms. MacGonagle (retiring) and Mr. Boyd (new position in Loreto, Clonmel). We wish all three every success and happiness for the future.

New to our staff this year is Ms. L. Jordan who will teach Religion and History. We hope that she will enjoy her time in our school.

Summer developments

A lot of work has either been completed over the summer or is nearing completion at this time, as follows:

  • New car park for staff, students and visitors to the school
  • Re-surfacing of the area around the St. Joseph’s block as well as the re-painting of this area, internally and externally
  • Fitting of new external windows in the St. Joseph’s classrooms
  • Fitting of new floors in 6 classrooms plus the staff area
  • Re-painting of the Concert Hall, lunch room, corridors, office and 5 classrooms
  • Installation of 3 interactive whiteboards, large screen in the Concert Hall and information screens in the foyer and outside the Concert Hall
  • Purchase of additional projectors and laptops for different subject departments
  • The commissioning of the new fire escape and internal emergency lighting and smoke detectors

The combined cost of all of this work to the school’s Board of Management will be €138,000 over a two year period. In addition to this, the Department of Education and Science grant-aided the emergency fire safety works to the tune of €140,000.

Swine Flu

The school has implemented the various measures recommended to it in an attempt to reduce the possible impact of swine flu i.e. liquid soap dispensers and paper towels in all toilet areas, instruction in “respiratory etiquette”, increased daily cleaning of the premises, alcohol-based hand rub stations in main corridors. Please note that the school will remain open as scheduled unless otherwise directed by the health authorities, in which case a letter will be sent home to you.

Parents’ Association

The Annual General Meeting of the Parents’ Association will be held in the Concert Hall on Monday, 5 October 2009 beginning at 8.00 p.m. This meeting is open to all parents and guardians of current Loreto pupils. We would like to encourage as many of you as possible to attend as it is an excellent opportunity to meet other parents/guardians and also offers a platform to air and exchange views.

We very much look forward to seeing you at the A.G.M.

Voluntary Contribution Scheme

Given the very considerable expenditure incurred by the Board in improving school facilities, as outlined above, it is vitally important that as many families as possible would support this year’s Voluntary Contribution Scheme.

The request for 2009/2010 is as follows:

€160 for one student          €250 for two students        €270 for three students

Payments can be made to the School Secretary, Noeleen Goggin, in full or in three equal instalments, one per term. All monies received will be duly receipted. Contributions are now being received.

The school acknowledges the generosity of so many families in supporting this voluntary contribution in the past. It is our hope that the same level of generosity will apply once again this year even though the financial pressures on most families are considerable.

Attendance

I ask your help as parents/guardians to ensure that your daughter attends school with a very high degree of regularity. Such attendance is linked closely with improved academic performance. Any absence must be explained in writing by you in the student’s diary. The Deputy Principal, Sr. Carmel, will send a text message each morning to the parents/guardians of students who fail to register their attendance in school.

Absence should only occur in the event of genuine illness, particular family events e.g. communions, weddings etc. or medical appointments. Indeed, every effort should be made to have such appointments outside of school hours.

Students have been asked by me to remember that once a class is missed the material covered by the teacher will not be taught again for the benefit of any absentee.

School website

Your attention is drawn once again to the school’s official website – www.loretowexford.com. This facility has been further upgraded over the summer and is used increasingly by the school to communicate with all families as well as the general public. Please log onto it on a regular basis. I refer you in particular to the Current News and Career Guidance sections.

School mass

The start-of-year school mass will be held in Rowe Street Church on the afternoon of Wednesday, 23 September. Students will be accompanied to and from Rowe Street by their class teachers.

Please contact me if you need clarification on any of the above items.

I shall write to you again in November 2009 with further information on school business.

Billy O’ Shea,

Principal.

 

 

 

8 September 2009

 Loreto Class of 2009 Graduation Ball, Riverbank House Hotel

 

 

 



 

 

Concern Tanzania Challenge 2009

Katie Flynn 6th year writes:

On Friday 26th June 2009 I met with 17 others in Dublin Airport to board a flight bound for Tanzania.  This was my chance to take part in my first Trekking Challenge for the charity Concern. I had spent the last 6 months working hard to raise the €5000 I needed to fund my trip.  I knew the trek that awaited me would not be an easy one, yet the sheer mental, physical and emotional 10 days that I experienced have been the best of my life!

That day after a 14 hour journey we finally arrived into the beautiful country that is Tanzania.  Although we did not get to bed until after midnight that night we were in for an early wakeup call at 6am the next morning where we were transferred by four-wheel drive to Ngorongoro National Park.  That day we were in for the first of many surprises when we had a drive around the National Park and saw Zebra, Wilder beast, Elephants, Hippos and Cheetah to name just a few.  After lunch we headed to a school in the Maasai village of Nainokanoka (the Massai people are indigenous to Africa and are among the most well known ethnic group in Africa).  We had a wonderful experience that morning visiting a local school and having the chance to meet some local school children and their teachers.  It was from there that the real trekking started with a warm up of 10km!  That night we arrived at our campsite to spend our first night in tented accommodation.  Fun was had as our guides lit campfires and we sat around getting to know each other.

Over the next nine days, we struggled, yet managed to trek approximately 60 kilometres!  At times we all had our own personal demons to face yet by working as a team and giving each other the support and encouragement that was needed, we all succeeded!  I was astonished how just in that first day of getting to know each other we all immediately clicked and became the friends and family that we all needed at times.  I owe them all so much and I know now that I have made friends that will last a lifetime.  I can never thank them enough for their constant support and friendship and the many laughs along the way.

All in all I have to say that although my journey to Tanzania was one of the hardest of my life it was definitely worth the months of hard work fundraising.  I want to say a huge thank you to my beautiful friends who were there behind me 100% helping me to organize Hot D8th and Rock 4 Concern.

I want to add to all of you reading this that I didn't think I could do it, but I did.  I hope in time that you will learn not to worry that you can't or won't succeed because with a little bit of effort, a whole lot of heart and the right people behind you, anything is possible.

To all of you who maybe offered your support by sponsoring me, or maybe you turned up at one of the events, or even wished me good luck in the corridors...No matter what part you played be it big or small, I could not have done this without you.  So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
 

 
 
 

 

 

Counting since 8th March 2006