From the Principal’s Desk……
We constantly remind ourselves that we, at St. Laurence College, try to work in a family spirit. Of course we’re bigger than most families (with 460 young people!) but we still experience some of the same pressures you deal with at home. In particular, I would like to mention two causes of anxiety.

Firstly, it’s not generally known that Voluntary Secondary Schools like ours are seriously under-funded when compared to schools in other sectors. The purchasing power of our grants is actually less than it was in the 1960’s. It costs well over half a million Euro to run St. Laurence for a year (apart from salaries) and our state grants fall far short of this figure. That’s why we must work doubly hard at increasing our income. While your Parents’ Association Committee is trying very hard to fundraise, the return from our sponsored walk was really disappointing. What’s really needed, however, is for the government to bring our grants up to the level of VECs and Community Schools and Colleges. Please discuss this with your local representatives at election time.

Our second worry is around student attendance. The law states that ‘parents cause their children to attend school’. The school itself has a responsibility to encourage good attendance, but it’s the responsibility of parents and guardians to make it happen. Please make a New Year’s Resolution to ‘talk school up’ at home and to have full attendance for 2007.

Finally, on behalf of the whole school community, I wish you and your family every blessing for Christmas and the New Year.

Christmas Exams
The Exam Timetable has been published and given to each student. Parents and guardians should read their son’s/daughter’s exam schedule. The exams will be held from Friday Dec. 15th to Fri. Dec. 22nd inclusive.

4th Years will have formal Christmas Tests and their Activity Programme is listed below.

Junior Certificate Results
On Thursday October 26th at a joint assembly of all 3rd and 4th Years the students who achieved the top places in the school in the Junior Certificate were honoured. The gift tokens were presented by Mr Ronan Coffey, the Year Head to last year’s 3rd Years. He urged all students to work hard at their studies and to opt for honours level papers when encouraged by teachers.

The students who achieved the three highest places were:
Katie Derham
Wendy Fox
Emma Byrne

The remaining 7 places were shared among the following students, listed alphabetically. As one of these positions was jointly shared, an eight name is listed.
Nicholas Blackmore
Lauren Browne
Alison Kelly
Kris Kelly
Demi Mitchell
JJ Mulligan
Daragh O’Connor
Chloe O’Keeffe
Congratulations to all these students!

Geography Field Trip

6th and 7th Year students braved the wind, the rain and floods to undertake their Field Trip for the Leaving Certificate last month. Water levels in the Glendasen River, Glendalough, charged from an average 25 cm on week one, to 65 cm the following week. Well done to all students who participated despite cold, wet wellies and gales. Many thanks to Ms Mullholland, Ms Redmond and Ms Kidney.

Web Site Update
www.stlaurencecollege.com continues to go from strength to strength. As well as new items under the Past Pupils’ heading, the news section includes some photos of items listed in this Newsletter.

Art Project to be Unveiled
On Wednesday December 13th at Loughlinstown Community Rooms at 8 p.m., a number of pieces of art by students from 3rd and 5th Years will be unveiled. The students have participated in a special project with others to create pieces of art representing the local environment. All Welcome.

Transition Year News October and November In 4th Years were busy with ‘Shared Reading’ at St. Cholmcille’s School and ‘Maths for Fun’, which also took place there.

A visit from UCD’s Maths Department regarding an interactive Maths Challenge was held and rehearsals continued at St. Brendan’s Bray for Juno and the Paycock and for Fiddler On The Roof – see below.

December - During the exam for other years
Traffic School Workshop on December 15th
PE outing December 18th for Groups B & C
PE outing December 19th for Group A
Skating on December 20th

January
A visit from the Minister of Education Mary Hannafin on Monday the 22nd to meet our Transition Year Students

Juno and the Paycock will be performed at St. Brendan’s College, Bray at 8 p.m. Wed. 24th, Thurs. 25th and Fri. 26th

March
Tues. 20th to Fri. 23rd the musical ‘Fiddler On The Roof’ involving our Transition Year students will be performed at the Mermaid Theatre, Bray Main Street.

WORK EXPERIENCE
Anne Marie Kelly, 4th Year, writes about her experience:

I worked in Venture Photography Studios in Dun Laoghaire for 2 weeks. I got this job because a few months ago, my mother went down to get a voucher for my aunt, and ever since then, I have wanted to work there. While there, I was able to sit in on a few photo sessions and some viewing sessions. In the photo sessions, the photos are taken, while in the viewing session, a person gets to see what the pictures are like after the photographer has edited them.

Everybody was really helpful and nice to me. No one left me out of anything – they brought me into the team meetings and other meetings also. There was one small problem – I ran out of clothes I could wear to work! I got a part-time job out of my work experience!

In November We Remember
On Thursday November 23rd, the College remembered the deceased of all those connected to the students and staff of the school. During the Mass, the School Memorial Book was brought to the altar. The book contains the names of the deceased who students have requested to be included. Names for this year must be submitted by the end of the term.

Retreating
Oct 23rd and 24th of October, 5th and 6th Year students had enjoyable and interesting retreats led by the Mustard Seed Team at the Brothers’ House.

On November 21st and 22nd, all 3rd Year students had an opportunity to participate in a retreat day organised by Sister Ann and team. The theme of the day was ‘Know Your Mask’ and Meet Your Mystery’.

Third Year Amy Merrigan wrote: We went on retreat in the Brothers’ House. I was in Ms Kelly’s group. We had a laugh with each other. We had games to start with, then we were asked to answer questions out loud and on paper and express our emotions by creating masks. The day ended with meditation and our being given angel cards. It was a good day.

Sports News
Senior Gaelic Footballers qualified for the Quarter Finals, following a 7-9 to 1-10 victory over St. Tiernan’s. Jake Kelly’s personal tally was an amazing 4 goals and 9 points.

U-16 Boys Gaelic Footballers have finished their 3 match campaign. Although they failed to qualify, many of the players will see more action with the Seniors. JJ Mulligan, Luke Connors, Glen Murphy, Ian Mahon, Ross Donnelly, Derek Mahon and goalkeeper, Kevin Knight (2nd Year) performed well in all their matches .

Young Scientists

2nd years Craig Flynn, Corey O’Neill, Craig Barnes and Daragh Hughes have qualified for the finals of the Young Scientist Exhibition in January with their project on Maths in Sport . There were over 1,200 entries, and just 500 made it to the final stages. Well done!

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