NEWSLETTER

From the Principal’s Desk……
This, our final newsletter of 2005/6, contains a snapshot of some recent events and achievements at the College. In terms of activity, St. Laurence must be the busiest school in the country!

An old saying about being busy goes: The honeybee is praised but the mosquito is swatted” and this tells us it might feel good to be busy but we should be careful about what kind of things are actually taking up our precious time. As we move into summer break, think about filling your time with good things – getting fit, learning a new sport, joining an activity or community group, volunteering your help, reading a few novels…you know what I mean. As Mr. Doherty says “the zapper button which turns on the television is the same one which turns it off”. Try it sometime – it’s true!!

It’s a bittersweet time for departing Leaving Certificate students who are naturally anxious to perform well in their finals, yet excited about the next phase in their lives. We wish them well and put them under the protection of Mary our Blessed Mother.

Our Junior Cert. students are also facing a big challenge and we hope their efforts and attendance are rewarded in June.

For the first time in many years, we have no teacher retiring from St. Laurence College this summer. This, of course is a reflection of the youthful vigour of our teaching staff and on your behalf I want to thank both teachers and support staff for yet another wonderful year's work.

Beannacht Dé ar an obair agus go d’té sibh slán sabháilte ar ais ag deireadh an tsamhraidh.

* * *

Transition Year News

The Transition Year musical took place in St. Brendan’s, Bray at the end of March. Following on the heels of last year's production of Oliver, the musical was once again a great success. Our girls and boys really excelled and special mention must be made of Niamh Richardson and Claire Kiernan who were excellent.

* * *

The Transition Year students attended a full day workshop given by Traffic School on learning to drive and road safety.

* * *

Students visited to Patrick Pearse Museum in St. Enda’s in Rathfarnham on this the 90th anniversary of the 1916 Rising.

* * *

Awards on 23rd May: a truly excellent finish to a full and exciting year which started with the 4th year trip to the Killary Adventure Centre in Co. Mayo. The theme of exercise and fun was continued at the Ice Skating Rink in the RDS in Dublin and maintaining the sporting line the 4th years visited the GAA Museum in Croke Park, Dublin . And now it's happy holidays.

* * *

Mountjoy Prison: On Friday 19th Mr. Doran, Home School Community Liaison teacher organised a visit to Mountjoy Prison for some parents and teachers. We were shown around both the male and female prisons. We were also shown the old gallows where some former prisoners met their deaths. Thankfully this is no longer in use. Apart from explaining the routine we discussed the reasons why people end up in prison in the first place. It was a very interesting and informative visit. Ms. Kelly.

* * *

On Wednesday 17th May a group of teachers from the Learning Support Department and its sixth year students had lunch in Roly’s Bistro, in Dun Laoghaire . There was a fantastic mood of celebration at the lunch. Students and teachers enjoyed the relaxed and friendly atmosphere while it poured rain outside.

We all enjoyed a wonderful meal and the afternoon flew by. Teachers are sad to see the sixth year students leaving but realise that it is their job to give them the confidence and ability to move on to adult life. We hope to make this an annual event and current fifth year students are looking forward to their turn!

* * *

Mr. O’Neill’s fifth year English class set out on an expedition to the birthplace of the poet Patrick Kavanagh in Co. Monaghan. The visited his local parish church where they saw his death mask and some of his personal letters.

After lunch the class toured the townland where Kavanagh was born and where he was inspired to write some of his best work. Our guide for the tour was a personal friend of Kavanagh’s and provided us with a wonderful insight into the poet’s life. We completed the tour with a visit to Kavanagh’s grave.

A special thanks to Mr. Pender for organizing this trip which will prove invaluable to these fifth year students who are studying Kavanagh for the Leaving Certificate.

* * *

Aoife Bergin
Michael Browne
Damien Byrne
Paul Corrigan
Lisa Derham
Liam Kearns
Des Kelly
Vincent Lacey
Samantha Mason
Laura Meegan
Melissa Reilly

* * *

All students sitting Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations this year must have a scientific calculator for mathematics. It is very important that students become familiar with their calculator before the examinations.  

STUDENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SHARE CALCULATORS IN THE EXAMINATIONS!

* * *

BASKETBALL

Congratulations to the Minor Girls' basketball team who reached the final of the South Dublin League. It was an extremely exciting final. The team played with heart and passion but unfortunately they were narrowly defeated. It was a great team effort with Captain Stacy Mulligan showing great leadership. Thank you to all who helped in the league this year especially to J.J. Mulligan who assisted in training the girls. Well done to all and roll on next year!

GIRLS SOCCER
The girls Under-18 team got to the league playoffs and lost to the Holy Faith, Killester.

The girls Under-14 team got to the league quarter final and lost on penalties to Our Lady’s, Templeogue.

ATHLETICS
Kevin Knight came 2nd in heat for the 80 metres in East Leinster but just missed a medal in the final.

TRACK AND FIELD
The Leinster Track and Field Competion was held at Santry Stadium. Jessica Scales represented St. Laurence College. She braved the ferocious weather and competed in the shot put. Jessica earned a fourth place and we are all very proud of her.

Robert Byrne Trophy

Congratulations to the senior soccer panel for their tremendous performance in torrid conditions as they re-captured the Robert Byrne Trophy from Holy Child, Sallynoggin.

Goals in the first half from James O’Shea and Barry Lightburn gave St. Laurence College a two goal lead, a comfortable position to dictate the game from.

St. Laurence College ran out 3-1 winners with a terrific team performance which was characterised by grit determination and stylish football, exemplified best by Man of the Match Eoin McMahon.

The game was played with tremendous spirit and a competitive edge. Congratulations to both schools that made it a great spectacle.

The St. Laurence College under-16 team beat our old rivals Cabinteely 7-2 in a very exciting match in dreadful weather conditions on Tuesday 16th May. Our boys controlled the game from the start. Jake Kelly scored four goals in the first half and showed Cabinteely who was in command. Cabinteely tried to fight back but it was already too late. Shane Byrne scored 2 adding insult to injury. Daniel Lynch scored the final goal that put Cabinteely to rest. Once again St. Laurence College triumphed.

Many thanks to the coaches Mr. Devine and Mr. Foy who braved the elements. Darren Flanagan.

Woody Woodpeckers & Class Glass
Auction

A very successful night was had on Saturday May 6th when Woody Woodpeckers and Class Glass had their exhibition of the work done during the year. The standard of finished items was outstanding, and well done to all.

The second part of the evening was the auction in aid of Sister Sue and the Massai Community in Tanzania when once again Mr. Alan Kelly donned the auctioneer’s hat. Due to his charm and undoubted auctioneering skills, when his final hammer fell, and after selling 200 items in three hours, we had raised €10, 085!! Thanks to all the class who contributed their time and energy to make this a successful night for a worthy cause. Thanks, too, to all who contributed on the night. Ted Doherty

Huge congratulations to all of 1A for their outstanding project work in Geography and History. They showed skills above and beyond their level and set a high standard for all first years. Some of the projects included crannogs, Stone Age weapons, Roman forum, exploding volcanoes, and models of soil creep, limestone caves and even a large scale map of Ireland !! Well done, Ms. Kidney.

Basketball
Our teachers played an entertaining basketball match against a student selection. The team of Mr. Rowe, Ms. Brassil, Mr. Fay, Mr. Colhoun, Mr. Collins and Ms. Brennan recorded a comfortable win with exceptional skill and fitness.
Soccer
The senior students played teachers in a lively soccer match. Displaying true grit and determination, our teachers went under on a 2-0 scoreline. An enjoyable time was had by all!!!

1st year Craig Flynn Shannon Rooney
2nd year Daniel Doyle Sinead Flynn
3rd year Roger Shealy
4th year Sarah Byrne
5th year Craig Spain
6th year James O’Shea
7th year Stephen Mc Kenna
Staff (male) Mr. Faye 

3 -A – Side Soccer
U-20’s Kyle Kelly, Jake Kelly, Luke Massey.
U-20’s Amy Prenter Kelly, Sarah Byrne, Lyndsey Delaney.
U-16’s Stephen Kennedy, Andrew Colley, Kevin Knight.

* * *

Bank of Ireland Award: Outstanding Student of the Year
Junior Award: Katie Derham
Senior Award: Daniel Murray

Bro. Leo Murray Award: Marianist Student of the Year
Craig Farrell

Parents Committee Award
Junior Award: Sinead Byrne
Senior Award: Ian Mahon

The David Mc Cully Award
Craig Farrell

The Principal’s Awards
Paul Ansbro
Nan Connors
Damien Corbett
Donna Delaney
Sharon Kelly

* * *

SOME IMPORTANT DATES

Thursday June 1st: End of Year Thanksgiving Liturgy
Fr. Neville will say this Mass in our Library at 11.10 am. All students must attend and will be allowed home at 12.00 approximately.
Term Ends on Friday June 2nd when students must return their books. Books will not be accepted at any other time.
Leaving and Junior Certificate Examinations begin on Wednesday June 7th.

 Return to School:
Aug. 28 Mon. School re-opens for 2nd & 3rd years. 10.00am – 12.00noon

Aug. 29 Tues. School re-opens for 1st & 4th years.
9.00am – 12.45approx

Aug. 30 Wed. School re-opens for 5th & 6th years.
9.00am – 12.00noon

Aug. 31 Thurs. First full day of classes

* * *

 Minister Hanafin with Mr. Michael Redmond, in the sixth year science class.

The Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin T.D., visited the College on Monday 22nd May to formally open our newly refurbished labs.

The Minister was greeted by the principal and deputy principal. Mr. Martin Duggan welcomed the Minister on behalf of the Board of Management and Ms. Susan Meegan represented the Parents Association. Ms. Morgan, head of the science department, introduced her to the architects and the contractor who worked on the refurbishment.

The Minister observed a sixth year and a first year class. Both classes made a presentation to the Minister. Fr. Neville O’Donohue, the College Chaplain blessed the labs. Minister Hanafin unveiled a commemorative plaque in the corridor before she joined the staff for coffee.

The labs and the college looked their best due to Herculean efforts by Brothers Fred, Gerry, Alan Kelly and all of Brother Fred’s workers.

As the Minister left the College she joked that her visits were becoming an annual event. We look forward to the next one!

* * *

Ms. Ahern’s fourth year class visited the War Memorial Gardens, in Dublin which is dedicated to the 49,400 Irish Soldiers who died between 1914 and 1918 in the First World War. The class saw uniforms, medals and photographs of the soldiers and the Book of Remembrance containing the names of all who died. The youngest to die was only fourteen years old. The students found the museum very interesting. The class were accompanied by Ms. Ahern, Ms. Foley and Mr. Doughan.