April 25th 2005
European Youth Parliament – National Finals
Two students from St. Ailbe’s School, Mary
McDonnell and Pat Noonan, participated in the National Finals of the European
Youth Parliament in U.C.D. from Friday 15th – Sunday 17th
April, having previously advanced from the Munster Final last February. The European Youth Parliament is part funded
by the European Parliament and it replicates procedures that take place in Brussels and Strasbourg. The students select, in advance, a relevant
topic that is debated in the Parliament in Brussels. Students are allocated to a
committee and this working group must then agree on a resolution. This resolution is then put to the general
assembly of the European Youth Parliament and is voted upon.
Mary
McDonnell’s committee had Agriculture & Food as its topic. Mary has special
interest in genetically modified food and through research she was very well
informed on this issue. Pat Noonan’s
committee had Foreign Affairs and Pat has a particular interest in the
expansion of the Union to the East and
incorporating a Muslim country through further E.U. enlargement.
The social
and educational advantages of the European Youth Parliament afford students the
opportunity to make friends with students from all over the Country while
acquiring research, analytical, presentation, debating and critical thinking
skills. The winners of this weekend’s final will be announced in the next few
weeks and they will represent Ireland
in an international final on mainland Europe
during the summer.
In 2000,
Caoimhe Ni Raghallaigh, a past pupil of St. Ailbe’s, represented Ireland at the International finals in Oxford and Slovenia.
Caoimhe is now pursuing post graduate studies in University College Dublin.
April 18th 2005
St. Ailbe's in Rome
Rome and the Olympic Stadium were the
locations for St. Ailbe’s annual soccer trip this March. Previous years have
seen the school make this journey to Elland road, St. Jame’s Park, Goodison Park and Old Trafford, all proving to be
very enjoyable experiences.
So when it came to a decision for this year, it was decided something with a continental
flavour would be required for students and staff who had developed a taste for
quality soccer. An opportunity to travel to Rome presented itself to see one of the
biggest games in ‘Serie A’, the clash between Roma and Italian League leaders,
Juventus, at the ‘Stadio Olympico’.
The match
itself proved to be very entertaining, with Juve edging out Roma by a scoreline
of 2:1. It was a fantastic experience for everyone involved, to witness the
atmosphere and see players of the calibre of Buffon, Thuram, Emerson, Del
Piero, Totti, Casano compete against each other. A very good nights entertainment for all
involved.
Though thematch was the main attraction for most, it turned out to be only one of the
many highlights. Trips to the Coloseum,
the Forum, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Piazza Navona,
the Vatican, all added tremendous enjoyment and a sense of culture to the whole
experience. Plans are underway for next
years trip already.
(At the Coloseum)
March 16th 2005
Munster Public Speaking Final
Congratulations to Fourth Year Students
Brian Fox, Denise Bradshaw and Patrick Noonan who were victorious in the
recent Munster Public Speaking Final, organised by the National Forum on
Europe. The topic – A New Constitution for Europe- was keenly contested by
Ard Scoil na nDeise Dungarvan, Presentation College Mardyke Cork and St.
Ailbe's Tipperary Town at Minella Hotel, Clonmel on 2nd March. The
Fourth Year group was short listed on the basis of a newsletter which
was submitted by Pat Noonan, Cian O' Reilly, Raymond Roche and
Siobhan Daly, based on the above topic. The Public Speaking team will
now represent St. Ailbe's and Munster in the All Ireland Final. This
will take place in St Patrick's Hall, Dublin Castle on the 4th April in
the presence of the Minister for Education & Science, Ms Mary Hanafin
T.D.
South Tipperary County Enterprise Finals
Three Enterprise
teams from Fourth Year represented St. Ailbe's in Cahir House Hotel on Friday
11th April: The Build a Bank Challenge, The Seasonal Company, and the Gifted
Company. While at their exhibition stands, the students enjoyed the
interaction with
adjudicators and many students from other schools.
Congratulations to the Seasonal Company, managed by Cian O'Reilly, who won
third prize for their Enterprise Project in the Senior Category.
Schools’ Hunter Trials
2005
St. Ailbe’s
student Stephen Crowe riding Misty at the All Ireland Inter-Schools’ Hunter
Trials held at Ballyhyland Equestrian Centre, Timahoe on Saturday March 12th.
January 14th 2005
School Refurbishment
Even though we are on mid-term this week, St.
Ailbe's is still a hive of industry as the school's ongoing
interior refurbishment reaches the culmination of it's current phase. Those who
have recently visited St. Ailbe's have complimented the
transformation, the result of months of planning and hard work, culminating in a
very fresh, new look to the school. Well done to all concerned.
School Trip
In less than three weeks, a large group of students
and teachers from St. Ailbe's will travel to Rome for one of the biggest matches
in 'Serie A' - Roma and Juventus in the Olympic Stadium. In addition to the
soccer, the group will also visit many of the cultural features of the Eternal
city, including the Coliseum, the pantheon, the Roman Forum etc along with an
organised visit to the Catacombs under the Vatican. More on this trip will be
posted following the trip.
Paris will be the major high point for the fourth
year students this coming May. As a climax to a very productive year in St.
Ailbe's, it is planned for all the class to travel to the French capital. More
details to follow.
School Bank
The school's 'Build a Bank' competition took
another step forward this week when it was officially opened by John Leahy. Many
thanks to John who has been very obliging over the years when called
upon.
Sports
The under fifteen footballers had a very productive
run out against Kanturk in Mitchelstown last week. As part of the preparation
for upcoming competitions, St. Ailbe's had very good performances from Colin
Power, Tristan Greaney, Alan Hayes, Daniel Fowler, Wayne Barry, Michael Barry
and Ricky Barry. Training continues on the Monday after mid-term.
Pre-Exams
Best of luck to all the third and sixth years in
their upcoming pre junior and leaving cert exams.
Open Night
A reminder to all parents and students that they
are welcome to the open night which takes place on Thursday, 24th February.
January 12th 2005
Esat BT Young Scientist
Congratulations
to our three students, Kayleigh Ryan, Louise Withero and Amy Flynn who
presented projects at this year’s exhibition. The girls really enjoyed the
experience and all the hard work was rewarded when one of the projects was
given a ‘highly commended’ award. Work on projects for the 2006 competition has
already commenced.
Skiing trip
On the 28th
of February our first years will travel to Kilternan with Mr. Fitzpatrick to
test their skills on the dry ski slopes there.
4thYears at U.C.C
On 2nd
of February our 4th years visited U.C.C. They were met by Michelle
Nelson (Deputy Admissions Officer) who gave a talk about the degree programmes
on offer at the University. This was followed by a tour of the campus. The
students had the good fortune to bump into a past pupil of St. Ailbe’s, Alannah
Landers who regaled them with stories of campus life. Alannah has become an
active participant in the Philosophical Society in the college.
Abbey Theatre Visit
A large group of
our students went to the Abbey Theatre recently to see the much acclaimed play
‘The Shaughraun’. The students were accompanied by a number of parents and
teachers. The outing was finished off with a visit to the
Museum of Modern Art
Student Council
St. Ailbe’s has
a very proactive Student Council which makes a significant contribution to the
smooth running of the school. The council members recently attended a training
day organized by the Tipperary Regional Youth Services. The event was held in
the Enterprise Centre in Tipperary Town. The students found
the day very informative and are looking forward to applying their training to
the workings of the council.
Parent/Teacher meeting 11th Feb
The parents of 4th/5th
and 5th year LCA students are invited to a parent/teacher meeting on
Thursday 11th February. The meeting will start at 4.15 pm.
Open Night
The open night
will be held on Thursday 24th February commencing at 7.30 pm.
Prospective students and their parents are invited to come along on the night
to see the facilities available, meet the staff and students. The night
promises to be very interesting with many exciting displays.
Sports
The
Inter-vocational Schools 1st and 2nd year Hurling and
Football leagues are commencing shortly. A large group of students can be seen
every lunch time training for these very important competitions. We wish them
luck and hope that their efforts will be rewarded. The boys’ basketball team
competed very well in a recent tournament at the Canon Hayes Complex. Having
lead for most of the Shield Final, they were pipped by a point in the final
seconds. Well done to Mr. Devitt and the lads who displayed tremendous
commitment on the day. Well done also to Linda Kelly for the professional
manner in which the tournament was organized.
January 10th 2005
School Refurbishment
A new year has arrived and the pupils of St. Ailbe’s were suitably impressed when they
returned for the Hilary term with the interior refurbishment of the school.
Many of the classrooms have been totally overhauled in a very tasteful manner,
including the two new computer rooms. Well done to everybody involved.
Esat Young Scientists
Three students from St. Ailbe’s are competing this
week in this year’s Esat young scientist competition. The students, Amy Flynn,
Louise Withero and Kayleigh Ryan, have been selected from over one thousand
entrants and have a very strong chance of success with their projects. Best of
luck to the students and their teachers, Mr. O’Dwyer and Ms. Flynn.
Tsunami fund raising
A special
fund raising drive to support the victims of the tsunami disaster will take place
in St. Ailbe’s over the coming weeks. The school intends to raise three
thousand euro to help a fishing family gain back their livelihood. This will
enable a boat, outboard motor and fishing nets to be purchased. We are asking
members of the wider community to support us in these worthwhile efforts, by
making a donation to St. Ailbe’s tsunami appeal.
Environment Policy
The School Environment Committee is currently undertaking the task of qualifying for
‘Green Flag’ status. This will involve the school reducing heating and lighting
costs as well as setting up recycling and waste management programmes.
Sports
Training for all competitions will resume this week. After a very good run in all
competitions in the first term, culminating in a very unfortunate one point
defeat by Kildare in the All-Ireland final, we hope to build on the this
success in all forthcoming hurling, soccer, rugby, football, basketball and
athletic events.
Also students
are reminded that the saving scheme for the trip to Rome to see Roma play Juventus has
recommenced this week. The A.I.B. ‘Build a Bank’, organised by the fourth years,
are helping to organise this scheme.
Academic Awards
The academic awards will take place this Friday in the study hall. A list of the
very deserving recipients will be printed in next week’s paper.
December 20th 2004
The Tipperary vocational
schools’ team were pipped at the post by a very strong Kildare outfit in the
All Ireland football final in Portarlington last Sunday. In an epic final,
Kildare scored in the last minute of extra time to win by a score line of 2:16
to 3:12. Well done to Brian fox who had an outstanding display in the backs.
Well done
to the students and staff at St. Ailbe’s for
their achievement in finishing in the top two hundred schools in the country. A
marvellous accomplishment indeed.
St. Ailbe’s
are currently planning a school trip to Rome
in march. The trip involves visits to many of the historical sites in the
Eternal city, culminating with the group travelling to the Olympic stadium on
the Sunday to watch one of the biggest soccer matches of the year in ‘serie A’-
the clash between Roma and Juventus. Saving for the trip is organised through
the school bank, which is managed by the students of fourth year. More about
this trip will be published early in the new year.
Finally,
the school would like to wish everybody in the community a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
December 19th 2004
Congratulations to the staff and
students at St. Ailbe’s whose tremendous work has seen the school feature in
the “top 200 schools” in the Country this year.
Well done also to Kayleigh Ryan, Louise
Withero and Amy Flynn, whose projects have been selected from 1,064 entries to
compete in the finals of the Esat Young Scientist Competition. Best of luck to all 3 students involved over
the coming weeks.
The Munster Vocational Schools Hurling
semi-final against Nenagh has been put back for a week. The most likely date will be Wednesday 8th
December in Dr. Morris Park, Thurles.
Best of luck to Brian Fox, Ned Lowry
and the entire Vocational Schools Football team who play Kildare in the
All-Ireland semi-final this weekend. Victory in this game would mean an All-Ireland final appearance against
Sligo or Leitrim on December 19th. Unfortunately, Stephen Quinn who broke his arm in the U/16 County Final,
will miss out on this competition. Best
wish to Stephen from all at St. Ailbe’s.
Finally, congratulations to Arravale Rovers on their achievement in completing the set of County Finals.
A very unique accomplishment.
November 1st 2004
Several students from the school were involved in a recent Introductory Course in Debating & Public Speaking. After an intensive two days,
the students held a hotly contested debate over 'Crime in
Ireland'. Well done to Mary McDonnell, Kayleigh Ryan, Amy Flynn, Susan Harding
and Suzanne Murphy for their diligence and to Brid McGrath for her
expertise. The school will now compete in forthcoming debating and public
speaking competitions.
A group of students travelled to Toulouse in France on a
recent School Cultural Exchange. The trip was very beneficial and
enjoyable for all concerned and we are busily preparing for the return visit
of our French hosts early next year.
In sport, St. Ailbe's are into the second round of the
Munster vocational schools Hurling & Football Championships. In a wet and
windy Knocklong the footballers put in a very committed and skillful
performance to overcome Dromcolliher by a scoreline of 5-13 to 2-4. Best
for St. Ailbe's School were Pat Noonan, Darren McCarthy, Willie O'Neill,
Brian Fox, Rory Carroll, Ned Lowry, Donagh Heffernan, Kevin Fox and man of the
match Stephen Quinn.
In the Munster Vocational Schools' Hurling an
understrength St. Ailbe's team emerged victorious after a tough encounter with
Askeaton Community College by a scoreline of 2-4 to 1-1. A great individual
goal by Ned Lowry added to by a goal from Brian Fox, three points from
Kevin Fox and one from Willie Casey, ensured a well earned victory for the
school. Aside from those mentioned there were excellent displays from
Christopher O'Connor, Tony Lowry, and Eoin Kennedy. The second rounds
in both competitions will be played in the coming weeks.
On the playing fields this week, St. Ailbe's U-17 Hurlers
take on Colaiste Dun Iascaigh, Cahir, in the Fitzgerald Shield and the U-15
Hurlers play Thurles C.B.S., in the Hennessy Cup. Best wishes to both
teams.
The St. Ailbe's Girls Basketball teams put in good
performances in a recent Basketball Blitz in the Loreto Convent Clonmel. Well done
to the girls involved.
October 2004
St.Ailbes has been participating in a
school exchange with Collège Léonard de Vinci in the suburbs of Toulouse since
1994. it has been very successful and fortunately proved no exception. On the 26
September last, 18 students accompanied by two French teachers, Ms Laaksonen and
Ms. Scally, embarked upon a 10 day ‘Toulousain’ experience.
In Toulouse airport, the group received a warm welcome
both in terms of sunshine and the host families friendly reception.The following
10 days were spent visiting Toulouse and its environs. Along with the
entertainment value, the excursions were organised from a geographical,
historical and scientific prespective.
We were fortunate to visit the fortified city and
castle of Carcassonne, the 1200 metre trek to the summit of Montségur Castle,
the caves at Labouiche, the Cité de l’Espace- which provided a fascinating
insight into space travel. It also boasts the Ariane rocket. We also journeyed
around La Vie Rose, Toulouse on a tourist train, and took a pleasurable boat
ride along the city’s river, the Haute Garonne.
The students availed of the opportunity to experience both school
life and French culture. On the days they attended school with their
correspondents, students participated in class. At lunchtime they enjoyed
savouring lunch in the canteen, which consisted of a nutritious 3 course meal.
In fact, what proved entertaining were the students’ attempts to decipher the
menu and discover what they were eating.
The interim weekend was spent with the host families.
Many students were treated to excursions to the Pyrenees and Lourdes. The
families made a conscientious effort to encourage the students to sample local
cuisine and French favourites. Those with an adventurous palate sampled such
fancies as rabbit, Toulouse sausage, Cassoulet and escargots.
Overall the students found the experience beneficial
both culturally and linguistically. On the bus from Dublin airport back to St. Ailbes, the most frequently asked question was when the next French exchange
would take place. I must admit the rain and cold weather did put a slight
dampner on our return. Then again, all good things must come to an end. C’est la
vie!
September 2004
Prepartions are underway in St. Ailbe's for the forthcoming
Aer Lingus Young Scientists competition. Mr. O' Dwyer and Ms. Flynn are
assisting the students with their research and great dedication is being shown
by all concerned. Hopefully the team can bring a prize back to to Tipp.
On the careers front, Mr. Carroll is bringing a large group
of students to the Higher Options exhibition in University College Cork this
Tuesday. These exhibitions are of tremendous benefit to students in making
their choices for further education
On the playing fields last week, St. Ailbe's lost out
narrowly to Colaiste Dun Iascaigh of Cahir in the under sixteen and a half
Munster Junior fooball championship. The scoreline of 2:4 to 0:5 did little
justice to a very entertaining game of gaelic. Best for St. Ailbe's were Cian
O' Raghallaigh, Raymond Roche, Pat Noonan, Ned Lowry, Wayne Barry, Rory
Carroll, Brian and Kevin Fox. The team will now play Dromcollogher in the
'backdoor' system next Friday, so all 4th year students out on work experience
please take note.
Also this week, St. Ailbe's play Scoil Mhuire from Carrick
on Suir in the Ladies football championship; whilst the under eighteen boys
team take on Fethard away in the MacGabhann shield on Wednesday. Best of luck
to all teams involved.
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