From the Principal’s Desk……

Happy New Year!

On behalf of the school community I’d like to welcome our new staff and students to St. Laurence. We hope 2006-7 will be a happy and productive year for everyone.

We have almost a thousand parents associated with the College and I would also like to welcome you, our new parents and guardians, to the club! We often forget to mention grandparents so if you’re lucky enough to have such wonderful people in your life – welcome to your lovely grannies & grand-dads too.

I don’t think there has ever been a more challenging time for parents) or grandparents). The young people in our care need the same love and teaching and encouragement we did but there are other worries. You don’t need the list – it runs through your mind every time you hear the door close behind them. If there were simple answers to the threats out children face we would have found them already so we must use all our skills (and learn new ones) to cope.

They say your children bring you back to God – if only for backup! Many are finding great challenges in the area of formal religion and yet the structures, the prayer, the sacraments and the community aspect of our faith are a great loss if we throw out the baby with the bathwater. This is where Mary, the mother of Jesus comes in.

When she was challenged, she said ‘Yes’ to God. We can also say ‘Yes’.

When the time came, she brought Christ into the world. So can we.

But most of all, Mary understands parents.

Everyone needs backup.

Home Economics

The refurnishing and refurbishing of the Home Economics (B8) room is well on its way. Water, electricity and gas are in as well as the new ceiling and floor.

At present new kitchen furniture is being installed.

New 7th Year Guidance office

During the summer Mr. Ted Doherty and Mr. Alan Kelly constructed a new office in the school’s lobby. It looks wonderful lads!!!

New Corridor Floors

During the summer the old corridor tiles were removed and a new vinyl floor was laid. Nice, new and clean.

First Year Religion Classes to the “Barleys”

The First Year R.E. classes were taken to the Barley fields by Tully church. There they saw Tully church and the east and west-facing high crosses of Tully. Blackberry picking and eating was also the order of the day. This is all in preparation for the First Year class Masses at the Brothers’ house later this month. More on this next time.

Junior Certificate Results

Brilliant Junior Cert. Results!!

As in the last few years, we are delighted to share the news that everyone passed their Junior Certificate Examination at St. Laurence College in 2006. This is a great tribute not only to the students themselves but also their to teachers and families

150th Anniversary

On 17th of September, 2006 there was a special Mass in the church of St Alphonsus and Columba to celebrate its 150 th Anniversary. Fr. Neville invited Liam Kearns (Head Boy) and Laura Meegan (Prefect) to attend to represent St. Laurence. Many other important people – including the Archbishop of Dublin and Minister for Education Mary Hanafin were present.

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GAELIC FOOTBALL

The Under-14 Gaelic football season is about to start. Any students interested in signing up should see Mr. O’Neill.

The first game will take place way to Tallaght Community School on Wednesday 4th October, 2006 _______________________________________________

Parents' Evenings -
HomeSchool Community Liaison

Tues 17th of Oct- Parents Association A.G.M at 7.30 pm
Speaker Geoffrey Corry- “Disarming Your Teenager”

This talk will examine the roots of conflict and practical skills to improve family communication. Geoffrey Corry is a specialist in conflict resolution, mediation for interpersonal workplace disputes, marital separation/divorce agreements and political dialogue workshops. His understanding of the nature of conflict brings us simple and practical insights into how we communicate with each other. All parents of St. Laurence College are members of the parents association. We are always interested in new members at committee level. We meet once a month.

Tues 14th of Nov at 8 pm Speaker - Mr. John Lonergan – Governor of Mountjoy Prison.
Talk - “Modern Ireland - New Challenges for Homes, Schools and Communities”

John Lonergan is an inspirational speaker and his views highlight the fast-changing nature of society and how we have lost many of our traditional values of family and community. 

Transition Trip

The transition years went on a 3-day adventure trip to Killary. On the trip they took part in team bonding and general mayhem. They got to see their first frogs and bogs.

They had a remarkable time and represented the school with great honour. Thanks to Mr. Rowe, Mr. Coffey, Ms. McCarthy and Ms. Kearns.

MASS FOR OPENING OF THE SCHOOL YEAR

On September 19th, the whole school gathered in the Church of The Apostles for the annual Mass for the Opening of the School Year.

The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Neville O’Donohue a member of the Marianist community who teaches in the school.

The Church was full to capacity as we all came together to ask God’s blessing for the whole school now that we are beginning the new academic year.

Sr. Ann, our chaplain, welcomed everyone especially new students and staff.

We were reminded that, as a school community, we came from many different countries and through this rich diversity we could all learn from one another. Flags of different countries were brought up in procession at the beginning of Mass, from Ireland , South Africa , Romania , New Zealand , Spain , Mexico , United Kingdom , Hong Kong , Poland , France , Japan , Italy , Ukraine , Philippines and the U.S.A.

Br. Gerry was also celebrating his Silver Jubilee as a Marianist Brother and during the Mass renewed his Vows.

In his homily Fr. Neville spoke about listening to God’s call in our lives and how we need to make time to do this. He linked this to the first reading which was about the call of Samuel and how it took Samuel a long time to really listen. We were invited to use this year as a time to listen, listen to where God calls and the choices He is asking us to make in our lives.

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On 21st and 22nd of Sept Fr. Tim Kenny, Director of Education for the Marianists in the USA visited the College continuing the links the school has with the 17 USA Schools in the Marianist consortium. _________________________________________________

7th Year

Congratulations to last years 7th years on their excellent results. There were many success stories among this group of 93 but the student who was voted student of the year by his peers, Steven McKenna, was also the student who improved the most. We wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

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 Evening Study

Evening Study started very successfully on Sept 4th. We would really like to see more 5th & 6th years taking part. Ask Ms. Coughlan.