39587531-NewtownReview-2009-10

New

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eview 2009 - 2010

New

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SA Report

Newtown Review

2009-2010

Newtown Review 2009-2010

1

Throughout history, dis-tinctive periods of time are called eras; these are often created by the arrival or departure of notable fig-ures that undeniably leave their mark upon the greater environment in which they lived.

While the departure of Mr. Collins certainly signaled the end of one, the arrival of Mr. Lemon to the school com-munity heralded the beginning of another era in Newtown school and the continuation of school life post Mr. Collins. However, while this was certainly the years most defining feature, we also lost many long serving members of staff and how that will affect school life has yet to be seen. What is certainly noticeable, however, is the effect that Mr. Lemon has had upon the school community in his short time here. Arriving into our lives in September, he quickly made his own impact upon school life and soon made a distinctive and positive impression upon many people in the school. Going by his performance so far,

the future for school life bodes well indeed.

For me, this year was all about getting the Review finished and at times that began to seem as likely as Ireland qualifying for The World Cup. While un-fortunately Ireland did not

qualify, due to the actions of a certain Frenchman, the review did eventually begin to take shape and this year it’s in colour. This was thanks to the efforts of Ms. Kirwan and the many dedicated members of The Review Team. Special thanks must go to those who persevered to the end, even coming in during the summer holidays to en-sure its completion.

This was a year of change and adaptation. Next year will continue this theme and I’m sure many more changes will take place, however the school community and its new principal will take them all in their stride.

Robert Galvin. (Editor)

Student Editorial

ContentsStudent Editorial and contents 1Introducing Mr. Lemon 2Departures 3Gapper Interviews 10Diary of the School year 12Reviews 17Debating 24Old Scholar Interview - Martin Furey 25Girls’ Fashion 28Boys’ Fashion 296th Year Photos 303rd Year Art 323rd Year Sculpture 346th Year Art 35Art Trip 37Trip - Killary Adventure Centre 38Agricultural Science Trip 40Ski Trip 41Gaeltacht Trip 42Romania Trip 43Kayaking on the Barrow 47Mini Companies 48Work Experience 50Special Feature: Volunteering in Nigeria 52Glencree Trip 55Special Feature: Tall Ships 56Short Stories 58Poems 62Sport 66Clan Competition 66Sporting Achievement 66Time Table of Presentation 2009 67Cricket Report 67Clan Cross Country 68Athletics 69/70Swimming Gala 71Tennis 71

Hockey 72Gymnastics 75Rugby 76/79Orienteering 81Equestrian 81Golf 82Surfing in Tramore 82Badminton 83Spikeball 83Random Pics 84Music 85Who is most likely to be 91Recipes 92Staff Questionnaire 94Puzzle Page 95Special Feature: The Silva Method 96First Year Photo 97Newtown Review Team 2009-2010 98Old Scholars 99Presidents’ Report 99Reunion Weekend 100Nomzi 101Charlie Harrizon - Jewellery Designer 102Dorian van Braam 104NMFOSA 106The Eric De Courcy Scholarship 107Minutes of AGM 108Treasurers Report 109Old Foyonian News 110Reunion 2009 114NMFOSA Launches Facebook for Old Scholars 119Staff Mini Reunion 119Obituraries 120Class of 1959 124Class of 1969 124Class of 1979 124Class of 1984 125Class of 1989 127Class of 1994 127Class of 1999 128


2

Introducing Mr. LemonBy Octavian Fitzherbert and Robert Galvin

‘I arrived, and they were waiting for me...., very big shoes to fill.’

Our new Headmaster, Mr Lemon came down to us from Co. Wicklow, where he and his family lived within walking distance of the Irish Sea. They settled into their new Waterford home last summer. After that summer of heavy preparation, much long conversation, and the consumption of many fruit buns with the previous Headmaster, Mr Collins, Mr Lemon was prepared to tackle his new job. ‘There are many aspects of Newtown that I knew nothing of and they will take time to learn.’ He explained that it will take some time for students to get to know him, and for him to get to know the students.

We asked whether he knew of the school previously, ‘I’d known of Newtown for quite a long time, and I knew that I would like to work in Newtown- in some capacity someday.’ He also mentioned that he never had an ambition to be Principal of any school, but when the opportunity came to be Headmaster at Newtown, ‘that’s something I knew I wanted to do, for it fits in with my values and philosophy’. Asked if he was a Quaker, Mr Lemon said ‘I was brought up in the Church of Ireland - I am a Christian’, he said.

“Newtown is quite holistic and across the board, like I am.” His tastes in music and films illustrate this very clearly, ‘I used to listen to a lot of the Waterboys, a lot of rock, and plenty of the acoustic guitar type stuff.’ He found it difficult to pin down one film, as one does. So we have his three favourites: ‘Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid’, ‘Requiem for a dream’, and of course ‘Remember the Titans.’

To some people, Mr Lemon’s readings in collect seem

pretty strange. “Where do they come from?” He said that they’re very much Bible inspired, ‘the Bible isn’t just an historic, document but a living guide and you’ve got to make it relevant to today.’ - A fair point.

Naturally people expect change in one field or another. In the short term he said that day to day rules must be kept in order, ‘I don’t believe in working to half measures, if we have a rule, let’s stick to it. If it does not work, let’s look at the rule’.

Some people say that the general impression that Newtown gives is not an academic one. He said that he has heard that comment and disagrees, ‘I’m impressed’ he said, ‘by the amount of work students put in, and how they actually engage in learning’. He did highlight the importance of ‘working to 100%’ academically and in all that you do, but also the importance of free time and relaxation. ‘A balance should be found.’

For the long term, ‘I see Newtown building on our strengths’. He emphasized that Newtown ‘produces very mature, broadly educated and self thinking individuals.’ He says that he would like to see more facilities and activities, particularly for boarders, ‘the involvement of students is key’, he says. ‘I’d also like to look at maybe becoming a green school.’

‘It’s a step by step challenge, and it will continue to be so.....’ he ended.


3

How long have you worked in Newtown? 38 years.

Have you ever taught anywhere else? Yes, I was a junior master in a school in Dublin, called Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where U2 were educated. So I taught there when I was going through college in the late 1960’s.

Where are you from originally? Dublin.

Do you have any children that have been to Newtown? I have three children, two sons and one daughter, who all went through Newtown, and they all loved the place.

What do you think going to Newtown has given your children? Confidence is the main thing they got out of Newtown.

What has Newtown life brought to you personally?It has given me a quality of life that when I started teaching in 1972 I would only have dreamed of. It has given me a security, a love of teaching and I have made wonderful friends. It’s an endless list.

You now teach English, and Career Guidance, did you teach any subjects before this? Up to the early 1990’s, I taught history, but time didn’t allow me to carry on teaching it because English and Guidance took up most of my time. What was/is your favourite subject to teach? I enjoy teaching English, because I think you can make it very relevant to the world which we’re part of and you can simply enjoy the experience; discussions in class, arguments, they are all part of the parcel of teaching and education; people getting a chance to have their own opinions, and I love that part of teaching.

At what point did you start teaching Career Guidance? 1976.

What are the trends in terms of popular careers in times of recession? Naturally, people go for what they perceive as secure jobs. Teaching, nursing, but the world is changing now at such a rapid rate, I’m not too sure that what we thought were secure jobs are actually secure jobs anymore. There are many opportunities out there, especially if you have the confidence and the resourcefulness to make your own way in the world. There are many people creating their own jobs, which I think is the future.

What is your advice to students in terms of selecting a career?Well, if you think of your interests, and you go by your instincts, you won’t go too far wrong.

What are the options for students after leaving school? There’s so much out there, it’s actually very difficult to choose. There’s no set route or journey, there are loads of options. You have to take the student from where they are, and you build from there. You could label yourself for example I want to be an engineer. Don’t label yourself is another option. Follow a vocation like teaching or nursing. Take a gap year pursuing your interests and make the decision of a career later. Lastly you could become an apprentice. People can do anything if they have the will to do it.

What do you plan to do when you leave Newtown?I have a number of projects that I am involved in, and I plan to take on those challenges and develop them and see where they lead.

Do you see having an interest as being important?Very important. It keeps a balance with your work, if you have interests outside work, you can see the bigger picture as well as the smaller picture. I have a lot of interests that I have developed over the years.

What is your fondest memory at Newtown?There are hundreds of lovely memories. I suppose, the fondest memory, singular, would be 1980. We won the All Ireland Schools Senior Girls relay that year. That was a high point for me.

What is your favourite lunch?Sunday lunch, when I’m on duty. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding. Although I have to say, on a Thursday, we have apple crumble. I can’t resist it!

Who/what will you miss the most about life at Newtown?I’ll miss the banter in the staffroom and the friendships. The staff are not just colleagues, they are my friends. I have been teaching with them for years. They are all fantastic. I’ll miss them.

Has much changed in Newtown since you have started working here? All the new buildings like Foster and Webster have been a great improvement. There actually used to be two staff rooms before and now there is one so we have made progress.

What is your life motto?Well, I have always believed in ‘Carpe Diem’, which means seize the day.

Thank you very much. We will all miss you!

Departures Ken McCormickBy Rachel Morris.


4

How long have you worked in Newtown?Over 30 years, shall we say, well actually 35. Since 1975 or thereabouts.

How many headmasters have you had during your time here?Maurice Wigham, George Heslop, Roger Johnson, Tim Macey (acting principal), Henry Collins and Keith Lemon.

Did you teach anywhere else?The Masonic Girls School – which no longer exists, Holy Child Convent in Killiney, Catholic University School, Leeson Street, High School, Rathgar – as a substitute teacher, I was shared between The Dalton School and Stratford College (the Jewish school in Dublin). After that I spent a year in Longford teaching in a place called Newtown! And then I came here to Newtown.

Where are you from originally?That’s a good question. I was born in Dublin. My father was working in West Africa in the Gold Coast (now Ghana) so I spent some time there and when he was on holiday we went to Achill and apart from that I was in boarding schools. So I am never quite sure where I’m from!

What subjects have you taught during the years?In Newtown– chemistry, science, maths, applied maths, computing, personal development and most recently linguistics.Outside Newtown – botany, zoology, biology and geography and very briefly English Literature.

What is your favourite subject?It was always some branch of science or problem solving. Linguistics is the application of science to problems of languages. At the moment it is linguistics.

What changes have you seen throughout your years in Newtown?Well, quite a lot of the buildings have changed obviously. The feel of the place hasn’t changed that much because it is still very friendly. It has become larger since more dormitories were built.

What made you start linguistics in Newtown?Well before the competition started, we were already doing it. I was doing “Anybody can read Swedish”. I gave people a Swedish newspaper and told them to try and make sense of it. If they were feeling strong!

What is your interest in languages?Communicating with people, making connections and making sense of things. It links with my interest in the other subjects I’ve taught.

Have you won any linguistics competitions?No there weren’t any in my day. I wish there had been.

Which do you prefer linguistics or chemistry?

These days I’m more interested in linguistics.Did your children go to school in Newtown? Christopher, Neil and Mary went to Newtown Junior School and Senior School. Yes, I never regretted having them here, but maybe they regretted having me here! I taught them all chemistry at one time or another.

You are also interested in computers...?One of my achievements here was the introduction of computing. I was responsible for getting the first computer here in school. In those days it was fun. I’m not convinced that it’s fun these days – not in the same way. In those days it was up to us to make computers do things and these days it’s more how do you use a computer to produce this particular word document or that spreadsheet. In other words you’re being dictated to by the computer. Macs are still fun!What other things are you pleased about?There’s been a big change in the management of Newtown and the school committee. Along with Simon Harrison (the first non Quaker chairperson of the committee), I put a lot of work into trying to break down the barrier existing between the management and the staff here.

How has modern technology changed teaching?We’re obviously using a lot more in the way of technology, but there’s still a lot to be said for the old methods of teaching.

What do you plan on doing when you leave Newtown?Maybe you haven’t seen the last of me yet! I have an acre of land and that will take quite a bit of work. I’m going to carry on doing many of the things I already enjoy.

Have you any advice for the students?Learn what you can from anybody you can. Do what you enjoy and enjoy what you do.

Is it true that you are in the top 10 smartest men in Ireland? Rumour is a lying jade, so no comment!

Who would you like to succeed you as a fourth year tutor?I think Sinead (Maher). I think she’d be very nice, unless she has another group that would miss her.

If you were to be reincarnated what animal would you like to come back as?A cat because they are more dignified then dogs.

Thank You Friends!

Departures Hugh Dobbs By Sarah Galloway and Andrea Hemmingway


5

Where are you originally from?Dublin Tallaght before the development of the town when it was a little village. We lived out in the country.When did you start working in Newtown?I came in 1975.

You teach Spanish now, have you taught any other subjects throughout your career?I taught French for most of my career but I’ve always had an interest in Spanish. I moved to teaching Spanish because I wanted to visit Peru in South America, so I took extra classes to brush up on Spanish at lunch time which then developed into a full timetable of teaching.

What was your favourite subject to teach?Always Spanish, I have to admit.

Did you teach anywhere else or work abroad?I taught for a year in Dublin before Newtown and before that I did volunteer service abroad and I worked in the Gilbert Islands in the Pacific for 2 years. I did 6 months au pair in Spain and another 6 months in France. I also worked as a post man in New Zealand for 6 months. (I did my rounds on a bicycle!)

Do you think when learning a language that it is important to live or work abroad?I think it’s very important, just to get the feel of the atmosphere of the country. It’s about the culture, the food and the way people live in that country. The concept of spending a year abroad while doing a language degree for example the Erasmus programmes are fantastic. These sorts of programmes weren’t available when I was in college.

You are interested in horse riding, when did your love of horse riding start?I’ve always been interested in horses. My father was an extremely competent horse man. He was a member of the army equitation school, and I always wanted a pony but was never allowed! But when I was old enough to buy and look after my own horse I started riding.

How have you promoted this interest in horse riding in school?I organised interschool teams for show-jumping, eventing and cross country competitions. I’ve always encouraged students who wanted to learn to ride to take lessons on Wednesdays.

What have been the highlights of your time in Newtown?I’ve loved most of it. It was hard in the beginning, being in a new place I only thought I’d be here for a year but Newtown is like an extension of my living room now.

What is your advice to students who have an interest in languages?To take every opportunity you can. To get involved with the culture with a pen pal. If you get the chance to go abroad go and see how people live in different countries.

What are your plans for the future?Keep as active as I can, that’s the most important thing.

Has much changed in Newtown since you have started working here? When I first came here I was a junior mistress in dorms, which were very cramped and very small! Then we moved to the main buildings where I was senior mistress. There were 3 houses joined together and the girls lived in the different houses. I lived in dorms for 10 years.

Have you a motto you live your life by?I have but I don’t know if I live by it or not but I always say “Do onto others as you would have them do onto you”

Where were the language rooms before Foster was built?There was a smaller building where the music rooms are now, called La Poterne which meant the postern or back gate. That was where French was taught at that time.

Did the new buildings make a big change to your life?The new classrooms in Foster with internet access and overhead projectors and other facilities were a very welcome improvement. This area has now become a language centre with French, German, Spanish and Irish being taught there.

Departures Helen O’ByrneBy Robyn Mockler

Random Fact

1 in 5,000 north Atlantic lobsters are born bright

blue.


6

Basic Day at Newtown My day would start by sorting out the morning post. I then opened the post which was addressed to the Principal, date-stamped it and put it on his desk. During the early morning I would type the Daily Notice for distribution to various people. I also dealt with the day-to-day enquiries about the school be they e-mail or telephone conversations with interested people and arranged appointments for parents with the principal for a new or existing pupil.This is just a small extract of my working day.

Finishing in Newtown Since I retired in December 2009 I have found plenty of things to keep me occupied. I am obviously relaxing a bit more but I have an involvement in several organisations which I really enjoy. I have continued on with typing classes twice weekly during evening time which I have always enjoyed doing and it keeps me in touch with the pupils and the school.

3 words to describe Newtown?Interesting, different and very memorable.

How long have you worked at Newtown? I worked at Newtown School for over 30 years starting

in September 1979 and finishing in December 2009. Change in Newtown I enjoyed working in Newtown very much and I don’t think there is much to change.

Responsibilities in the Office I was employed as School secretary/ Secretary to the Principal whom I worked closely with. Amongst the various office duties, I was responsible for sending out school reports at the end of term, preparing for new pupil interviews, the scholarship day, Parent teacher meetings and sending out documentation to staff for the beginning and end of terms.

Favourite Member of Teaching StaffI really did not have a favourite teacher. I got on very well with all the members of the teaching staff over the years and always found them helpful.

Enjoy your retirement

Departures Mary O’HalloranBy James O’Halloran


7

Early in this school year Tony Kelly retired from his posi-tion in charge of the electrical and plumbing works at school. Happily for the School he continues to come in one day a week to attend to jobs that need to be done and to pass on his knowledge and expertise to others taking on aspects of his work. He, and only he, knows every pipe and cable, every switch and tap, every con-nection and fuse in the school.

Prior to taking up the job at Newtown School Tony Kelly had a key role with a major commercial and exporting company that ran an extensive horticultural enterprise on The Island here in Waterford. He had responsibil-ity for maintaining the plant and machinery in a vast greenhouse complex. The then bursar, Paddy Jolley, realised that in that role Tony Kelly had all the skills that were needed at the time at Newtown School so he head hunted him, offering him a corresponding position on the staff at Newtown School. The years since have confirmed the wisdom and the foresight of that appoint-ment.

The appointment coincided with the expansion of plant and associated support services at the school. Tony Kel-ly oversaw the installation and operation of new pumps and boilers. He provided full and proper maintenance. He advised on further extensions and developments. When he began there were two propane gas cylinders for the kitchen and many oil tanks for the heating. and now there are 16 boilers with everything being powered by natural gas. In more recent years Tony Kelly has been a valued member of the School’s Planning Com-mittee.

Throughout his career Tony Kelly’s primary objective has been to give scholars the best service possible within prevaling circumstances and resources. He strove to ensure maximum output. He would restore any equipment that broke down and would continue to do so to the nth degree. In an age of in-built obsoles-cence he delighted in restoring exhausted machinery

despite the contemporary inclination to dispose of old product and purchase anew. In his workshop anything that could conceivably be useful at another time was never thrown out. Each autumn term as the weather would become colder Tony Kelly increased the heat: when the weather improved the temperature was low-ered to conserve energy and keep costs down.

Residential staff members are especially grateful to Tony Kelly. Whenever a fault arose, the plumbing got blocked or the lights went off or a radiator leaked, Tony Kelly was the man to call. He was always on hand, morning, noon and night. Out-of-hours he would be back in immediately on receipt of a distress call.

Whenever a problem required specialist intervention Tony Kelly always knew which contractor should be contacted. Contractors working to Tony Kelly knew that the work had to be delivered promptly and had to be to the highest standard. They all had the highest respect for him.

Of course it is not just the work that Tony Kelly did, it is the way he did that work that is significant. Through everything Tony Kelly did, his personal qualities of integrity, loyalty and commitment to being helpful and supportive shone through. Tony Kelly has been a sig-nificant person within the staff. He upheld and practised the principles of the School Community.

Tony Kelly truly has given the School sterling service.

H.P.C.

Departures Tony Kelly

Random Fact

The elephant is the only animal with 4 knees

Random Fact

In Michigan, a man legally owns his wifeÕ s hair

Random Fact

Xenophobia is a fear of

Foreigners.

Random Fact

Odontophobia is the fear of

teeth.


8

How long have you been in Newtown? 19 years.

How long have you been matron?About 14 years. I was in charge of 1st year and 2nd year boys in link before becoming matron.

What did you do before you looked after the girls?I was looking after the junior boys in Link, which used to be called Paddington Station, because the wind would come in one end of the corridor and bang the door at the other end, they were always clattering!

What does your job entail?Well, my job entails mainly, supervising the boarder girls out of school hours, liaising with their parents about their general well-being and their travel arrangements, and organising accommodation for the overseas girls if they need it in Dublin or Waterford at long weekends, and that sort of thing.

What are your hobbies?Well I like gardening, hill walking in the Comeraghs and visiting art galleries. I enjoy Dutch art and classical music.

Do you grow your own vegetables?Yes, I just put down a few potatoes and herbs this year. You should see my vegetable patch!

And you have a gift for flower arranging!Well my parents always had flowers around the house. I think you just inherit a lot, it becomes a part you.Thanks for the flower arrangements in the main house. Any plans for the future?First I’d like to see more of Ireland, particularly Northern Ireland; I hear Belfast is quite a vibrant city, so I’d like to go there.

Have you enjoyed your time in Newtown?Very much, I’ve met lovely people, lovely girls, and have

been given tremendous support by the people who work here with me. So the years have flown!

What have been the main changes in dorms during your time here?Well, when I first came to Newtown, the boarder girls used to live in what were known as the Newtown buildings on the main Dunmore road, at the end of the grit and they used to come across every morning. Then it was decided to have a purpose built dormitory, so Annamaur was built, and all the girls were moved in here, which was a major change. The ghetto-blasters have been replaced by iPods, and the endless queues have gone from the phone boxes as people have mobiles now.

You went to boarding school yourself did you not?Yes, I went to boarding school in Wicklow a hundred years ago!

Do you think boarding is a good experience for students and why?I do, I think it’s very good, but I favour the co-educational boarding because I think boys and girls should grow up alongside one another. These growing years can’t be replicated at any later stage, so it’s a very special time. I think in boarding school they achieve independence and learn to map their lives. They have all the advantages of supervised study, sporting facilities and the lovely pool. They mix with other people from different parts of the world. Living with them and getting to know them is a very broadening experience and it’s one of the great advantages of boarding. The bonds go deep and generally last a lifetime.

You will be thoroughly missed by everyone. (Especially all your girls!)

Departures Trudy WalsheBy Brenna Traynor and Alice Bowring

Random Fact

In Cleveland, Ohio, it is illegal to

catch mice without a hunting license

Random Fact

The longest place name in Ireland is

Muckanaghederdauhaulia, in Co. Galway

Random Fact

Coca-Cola was originally

green.


9

Glen Deacon was at school in Newtown for six years. On leaving school he joined Mr. Hanlon’s team as student assistant looking after form 1 and form 2 boarder boys. While he was an assistant in dorms he pursued studies in Kildalton College and then went to WIT to study Con-struction Management and Engineering.

He was involved in taking prep., Saturday morning activi-ties, helping to run the pool, extra curricular activities and was a 1st year rugby coach. He was an Academy player with Waterpark Rugby Club for the first year after leav-ing school and progressed onto the Seniors’ Team for the last two years. He played on the Waterpark Rugby first fifteen for this season and played exceptionally well.

He is transferring to Midleton RFC for the 2010-2011 sea-son. They are an AIL division 2 club. He was on The Mun-ster Juniors’ Rugby Team 2009-2010.

He moved from being a stu-dent to having a supervisory role in the school seamlessly. He always had a down to earth approach. We will miss him and wish him the best of luck in his future rugby and career.

Departures Glen Deacon

Interview with Matthew Lester –Junior Housemaster.What did you think of Newtown?It’s a lot different to what I remember. You had blazers and school on Saturdays. I remember coming up on a Saturday for a hockey blitz and saying to my friends that they have school on Saturdays and how lucky we were we didn’t go here. When I came here this year I knew things have changed since then. It’s a good change; it works and it’s good for a lot of the students.

So you have been here for a whole year dealing with us lads would you do it again or take it back?No I don’t think I have any regrets, I tried to do every-thing I could. I did as many trips as I could, and as many activities with the different years as possible so in that perspective it was a very rewarding year for me. I got to try a lot of things in terms of the work side of things and I don’t think I would change any of it. In any job you have to expect that the first couple of weeks are going to be a bit difficult. But once you find your feet and know where you stand it all seems to race by.

So after having dinner here so many times what would be your favourite?Ohhh big list I love the food here I like the chicken tan-doori, the chicken pie; I like the chicken fricassee and I like the lasagne. What other dinners are there Adam?

So is it better then Bandon food then?I ate everything there too, but I would say the standard of food is better here but in Bandon there was a bigger rotation of dinners but the quality wasn’t as good.

So you went to school in Bandon but what did you do in college?I went to UCC and took an Arts degree in History, Ar-chaeology, Geography, and Philosophy. In second year I dropped philosophy and geography and stayed on to study archaeology and history. After my undergraduate I stayed on in UCC and did a Masters in Human Osteo-

archaeology, so basically digging up dead people.

In that what was the cool-est thing you have found while at a dig?Well I found an 8000 year old knife once which was a nice find. In terms of a whole feature we once excavated a manmade island. It was created by diverting water from a millrace to an open field site where it formed the boundaries of a small industrial area. The 6th Century Island was used for metal and glass production at an early ecclesiastical centre and so was very rewarding to excavate.

Favourite place to chill out in Newtown?I really like the grounds, walking around the grit pitch and around the walls of the school. There is a nice bit of space around the pitches and it doesn’t feel like the walls are coming in on you. Down on the rugby pitches teaching football and rugby would be my favourite place.

So after doing this what will you do? Yes definitely. I’m going back to UCC next year to do a Higher Diploma in Education. So after that I’ll starting a career in teaching with any luck.

Will we see you next year?I’ll pop my head in from time to time.

Final words?It’s been a fantastic year, I have a lot of great memories and it has far exceeded my expectations. I have had a lot of fun, Romania was incredible, Killary was great craic. I’ve had a lot of fun and no complaints.

Matthew Lester


10

Gapper

Gapper InterviewsDo you like the newspaper job?Ah, the newspaper job... walking from the office to the staff room carrying the news of the country. It is giving me killer biceps, and helps me maintain my arm wres-tling champion status.

Where do you come from?The land of moose, icicles, lumber jacks, elusive bea-vers and artists like Nickleback and Nelly Furtado. Mix it all up, add a bit of ‘eh’ to it and what do you have? Canada!

Where have you been in Europe?I have danced under the Tuscan sun ( to the best of my ability which if you have been looking outside of prep every so often you will know it’s not good at all), frolicked through the Mediterranean sea(on the French side) and ‘Como esta?’ed in Spain.

Is Ireland the ‘best’ country you’ve been too?Ireland for sure is the ‘best’ country. Though, Cuba I have to say was truly amazing. Go there and learn to salsa and swim in waterfalls. And I would highly recom-mend going to China, and trying the crazy delicacy of the century old egg. It was disgusting.

What building do you find most annoying in New-town?Link is pretty annoying; it’s the stairs for sure. That is why I avoid the top floor in Nest: stairs.

Do you prefer sleeping with sick kids or annoying kids?So long as they all live in a shoe and that shoe can be put out in the rain, I am fine with either.

How do you find getting around here?Oh my sweet pumpkin pie, you have no idea how easy it is. One end of the country to another in UNDER A DAY? And they say Leprechauns don’t exist....Fools.

Which is your favourite pub in Waterford?Dignity: as they have the best music and the nicest people. And to borrow a phrase (as a foreigner) the ‘best craic’ ever! Though in truth I don’t think it counts as a pub...Geoff’s: Because it’s like doing the time warp, stepping into history. And it makes me think a wee bit like I am going for a drink in a dark corner so that no one can hear the information about to be passed between myself

and Sherlock Holmes.Three Ships: Similarly to Geoff’s, a bit of a time warp but more Moulin Rouge like.

What is your favourite drink in the pub?Cough cough...water...cough

What is your favourite meal for lunch?Beans, chips and sau-sages. Take a little bit of each add a bit of ketchup and mayo and oh my God! Perfection.

How do you find the country amidst the epidemic?Massively chaotic. Everyone talks about recession, rugby and X Factor. Now I may come from a place where the national sport is people beating each other up amidst chasing a black flat thing on ice but I find all three of those things rather jarring on the mind.

Which jobs did you find the most tedious?Definitely talking to the students and the staff. It is a rough day in paradise when you have to deal with so many nice people, but somebody has to do it. Which teacher did you like the most?I would not be able to choose one. It would be like pick-ing your favourite child but....Glen: By the time this review is published you will prob-ably have succeeded in tossing me in the pool. You know I say this with a smile on my face. But thank you so much for the year. It was great fun to hang out with you.Mrs. Lennon: I fear the ringing phone now because of you. I hope you are happy and just for that I will abolish strawberry jam and declare raspberry jam as the only jam consumable. Mr. Lester: My breakfast partner in crime. This year would not have been as action packed or fantastically radical without you here. Thanks for tossing me in the bog, showing me around the country and being awe-some.Mr. Ronan: Thank you so much for taking the time to throw snow in my face, challenging me mentally, watch-ing movies and having the ‘craic’. I’m really going to miss you.

Ruby BlackBy Alice Bowring & Octavian Fitzherbert


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Gapper

Luke William Patrick ThorntonBy Fiona Carty and Hannah Cantopher

Where in Australia are you from?I am from Torquay, Victoria.

Why did you choose a gap year?I chose a gap year because I didn’t know what I wanted to do at university.

Why did you come to Ireland?I came to Ireland because half of my family are from here. You know Delaney. I didn’t know what I wanted to do at University so I thought a gap year would be perfect.

Name three things you like about Ireland.I like the weather even when it’s cold.I like the way Irish people party.I like Irish slang.

Name three things you like about Newtown- Everybody is awesome- I like all the ... like ... umm it’s real posh like.... posh and relaxed at the same time.- I like all the extra activities and sports.

Name three things you don’t like about Newtown.I don’t like the way there is no central heating in Nest.I don’t like early mornings.

What did you find most difficult on arrival to Newtown?How cool and happy everyone was (everyone’s cool in Australia just different cool).

What do you miss most about home?My friends and family definitely and Australia itself.

Do you have any brother or sisters? Describe them.I have three older sistersFirst is Tricia-Rose she’s 23 and the smartest out of all of us, if you can trust anybody it would be Tricia.Second is Catherine with a C. She’s just turned 21 and is studying to be a nurse. She’s very beautiful.Last is Emily Felix Proctor. She is 19 turning 20. She’s my best friend and the most fun to be around.

What’s the funniest/weirdest experience you have had here in Newtown?I flooded my room on my second day here. I didn’t do it on purpose but yeah it happened.

What sports do you play?My favourite sport is basketball but I also play tennis and football (AFL).

Do the Irish say any weird words?Yes you say Duvet for Douna and Flip Flops for Thongs.

What is your favourite fashion trend in NewtownI like how they mix the uniform...So everybody can still be individual.

Favourite school meal?The chicken pie is good, and the Sunday roast is delicious.

Biggest legend in the school?Ruby Black the Canadian Gapper.

Favourite food in the vendies?Skittles! Except they got rid of them pretty disappointing.

Why did the chicken cross the road?Because she saw a red rooster on the other side. (Red Rooster is a famous fast food shop in Australia).

If you couldn’t study teaching which is what you want to do, what would you do?I’d become a musician, or a PE teacher because I love both sport and music.

If you could be reincarnated what would you come back as? And why?A cheetah- they’ve always been my favourite big cat. They also are really fast and I like to run.

Jessica Hegarty - “What does one line two line ten

mean?”Mrs. McGettigan - “It’s the date.”

Sarah Galloway - “Who’s Chloride?”

Mr. Cox - “Give me an example of an N.G.O.”

Paul Porter- “Tanzania!”

Ms. O’Byrne - “Spanish people say ‘Jésus’ when they

sneeze.”Jessica Hegarty - “I thought Jésus was Madonna’s

boyfriend?”

Ms. Walshe - “What is all this noise girls, get int- oh

look at the lovely pink Christmas tree!”

Abi Hurley-Collins - “Let’s play Giraffes!”

Sarah Galloway - “You mean Charades?”

Quotable

Quotes


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SeptemberSept 2nd:A big thank you to Tony Kelly for his contribution to the school over the years. A presentation was made to him to mark his retirement.HAVE A GOOD YEAR AND DO YOUR BEST!

Sept 8th: “You cannot soar with the eagles if you hoot with the owls”. Get to bed early everyone!Congratulations to Daniel Pim who has been selected for the Leinster Rugby U 18 Youth Squad.

Sept 10th:Nine Newtown players have been selected to travel to Glenstal in the Munster “A” to play in a practise match.

Sept 15th:A supervised study during extended break. Not fair!

Sept 16th:Well done to Michael Chan who is travelling to Croatia as part of the Irish Kickboxing Team in the European Champions.

Sept 17th:The South East Relays for Orienteering will take place at Kennedy Park.

Sept 23rd:Well done to the U 16 rugby team on their 32-0 victory over Waterpark.

Sept 25th:Welcome to two visitors from Japan.Old scholar’s reunion this weekend.

Sept 26th:The Old Scholars mixed match hockey match took place today. The school put up a great performance but were unfortunate to lose 2-0. Well Done!

Sept 28th:Thank you to the fourth years that went on the Gealtacht trip for your excellent behaviour.

Sept 30th:Good luck to Tom O’Brien and Stephen Ennis who will travel with the Munster U 18 Hockey Squad.Also to Laura Power, Heidi McIlvenny ,Becky Barr and Ruth Harrison who will play for the South East in the inter- provincial tournament.Congratulations to Conor Bellew, member of the band MGRB who were the winners of the Irish Youth Music Awards.They will launch a CD, which they recorded during the summer at 1pm on Saturday, October 3rd.Good luck to the Munster “A” rugby players playing Leinster.

OctoberOct 1st:Students went to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Oct 2nd: Earthquake in East Sumatra, Indonesia measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale.

Oct 6th: “Ode to a Comfy Bed”Groans all around!!

Oct 7th:Congratulations to the Chamber Choir who were chosen to sing in the Regional Final “Co-operation Ireland School Choir of the Year” along with 4 other choirs

Oct 12th:Well done to the Show Jumping teams who took part in the Schools Championship and came 2nd and 4th out of 48 teams.

Diary of the School Year


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Oct 14th:First meeting of this year to announce the jobs for the Newtown Review Team!John O’Donoghue resigned today. It was the first ever resignation of a Ceann Comhairle.

Oct 20th:The Mayor visited the school. Students in fifth year who completed the President’s Award were awarded with certificates and a small bronze plaque.

Oct 30th:Halloween.

NovemberNov 2nd:Well done to the chamber choir whose performance on the RTE program ‘All Island Schools Choir’ was aired last night.We welcome Mrs. Jill Ryan and Ms. Jean O’Carroll who take over Mrs. Maher’s classes while she is on maternity leave.

Nov 3rd:Conner Bellew’s band ‘MGRB’ are featured in an article in this month’s ‘Hot Press’ magazine.

Nov 5th:Well done to the 1st year girls who won their match 4-0 against Ursuline yesterday.

Nov 9th:Last night Jedward preformed the infamous ‘Ghost Busters’ on the x-factor!We remember the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Nov 10th:‘Kind words are like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body’.Well done to Grace and Bertram Allen who represented Ireland at a show jumping competition in England. They both won medals.

Nov 12th:Transition year students deliver workshops to primary schools around the city today.

Nov 13th:Mr. Lemon urges us to ‘search for quality but accept our own shortcomings’.

Nov 17th:Congratulations to Sarah Petch and Oisin Brogan who were awarded scholarships to Trinity College Dublin and

to Sarah Yates who received a scholarship to UCD.Well done to the senior girls who won their match against the Waterford Ladies team 3-0 yesterday.Well done to Thea Johnson who made it through to the quarter-finals of the Munster Schools Debating Competition yesterday.

Nov 18th:Thierry Henry’s handball goal knocks Ireland out of the World Cup. Uproar all over Ireland.

Nov 20th: ‘New Moon’ out today. Girls dorms are filled with posters of Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner.

Nov 21st:Jedward leave the X-Factor tonight. Their names will go down in history!

Nov 23rd:Exams begin today for years 2, 3 and 5. Pupils look forward to strike day tomorrow!Well done to the junior boy’s badminton team of Jamie Petch, Sam Butler, Alex Hackett and Alan Jephson who won their league in Lismore on Friday.Severe floods across the country with Cork being one of the worst affected areas.

Nov 24th:School is closed for the day. Teachers all over the Country strike.

Nov 30th:New Pennys store opens in town today. Yay! Exams finish today for 2nd, 3rd and 5th years.

DecemberDec 1st:Congratulations to the 45 T.Y. students who completed level 2 kayaking certificate in freezing cold conditions (while the other years were doing exams so don’t expect any sympathy!)

Dec 3rd:Milk cartons arrive in lunch today.

Dec 4th:Good luck to Ruairi Finnegan who as part of the Irish Sailing Association National Optimist Squad will compete in Palma next week.


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Dec 7th:Well done to the show jumping team who came 2nd in Ballinamona on Saturday.Congratulations to Louise Kent who competed in the Munster Senior Schools Swimming Championships. Louise won 1 gold and 2 silver medals.

JanuaryJan 7th:Well done to everyone who got into school today!Mountmellick has had some water damage due to broken pipes, so it is out of bounds until it is fixed.

Jan 11th:We’re all snowed in!

Jan 12th:A catastrophic magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurred in Haiti.

Jan 13th:A big welcome to Luke Thornton from Australia who is our new gap student and will work alongside Ruby Black.

Jan 15th:“This morning we think of the people of Haiti and the devastation that is visited upon this poor country”.Good luck to Neil Dunne who will perform at the National Concert Hall tomorrow with the Dublin Youth Orchestra.

Jan 18th:Well done to the Senior Rugby Team on their draw with Enniscorthy.

Jan 19th:They’re back with a vengeance! The Mad for Milk Mini Company. Milk on sale today!

Jan 25th:Well done to the two Model UN teams who travelled to Cork at the weekend. Special mention to Heidi McIlvenny and Olivia Chambers who both won an award for the “most improved delegate” and to Sliabh Wells and Kaija Kennedy who received special mention for their excellent performances.

Jan 26th:Well done to all the Mini Companies last night who put on a great exhibition of their work.

Jan 27th:An earthquake measuring 8.8 in magnitude occurred in Chile today.

Jan 28th:Congratulations to the Senior Rugby Team on their 20-3 victory against Villiers.

Jan 29th:“Famous for not wanting to be famous” T.D. Salinger-who wrote Catcher in the Rye died today. Good luck to Transition years who go on work experience for the next two weeks. Also best wishes to all 2nd years that are going on the ski trip. A Primary School Spikeball Blitz will take place in the Foy Hall this morning.

FebruaryFeb 1st:Congratulations to the Junior Rugby Team who won their semi-final in Newcastle west by 40-0.Well done to the senior maths team who came 2nd in the Irish Maths Teachers Association quiz in Kilkenny.

Feb 8th:George Lee resigns from the Dáil and from Fine Gael, just nine months after his election.

Feb 11th:“Don’t just talk the talk, walk the walk”.

Feb 23rd:Trevor Sargent has resigned as Minister of State in the Department of Agriculture after accepting that he made ‘an error of judgement’ in contacting gardaí about a case involving a constituent. Feb 22nd: Congratulations to Jonathan Morris who gave a lunchtime recital in Christchurch Cathedral.National tree week begins today.

Feb 26th: “We should be decent and true in everything we do”.Congratulations to Ruah Bearney Pearson who won first place in a senior piano competition in Feis Maitiu Cork yesterday. Well done also to Lydia Thorpe on winning


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first place in a senior alto competition in Kilkenny this weekend.

MarchMar 1st: Well done to The Marvellous Magic Movie mini company who won the overall award at Waterford City Enterprise Awards. Well done also to Saga Waste Compacting, Top Tips 4 Girlz and Habitat for Humanity who all won commendations.National pig day.

Mar 2nd: New vending machines start arriving in legoland and the foyer bringing with them the return of the Freddo!

Mar 5th: World maths day.Seachtain na Gaelige starts today and lasts for two weeks!

Mar 8th: Congratulations to Rebecca Hoban who reached the National Gymnastics Final in 4 disciplines.International Women’s day

Well done to everyone who won medals at Waterford Schools orienteering last Thursday.Irish man Richard Baneham wins an Oscar for his work on visual effects on Avatar.

Mar 9th: Terrorists arrested in Waterford today accused of being involved in an alleged murder plot against Swedish cartoonist Lars Vilks.

Mar 11th: The premiere of ‘Dracula’ takes place tonight in Greyfriars Abbey.

Mar 16th: Best wishes to the Chamber Choir as they travel to Lisburn today to visit our sister school “Friends, Lisburn”.

Mar 17th: St. Patrick’s Day.

Mar 18th:Swine flu vaccinations take place today.

Mar 19th:A smile cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen, for it is something that is not value until it is given away. Some people are too tired to give you a smile. Give them one of yours, as none needs a smile so much as he who has no more to give. Anon.

Mar 23rd: Swimming Gala takes place today.

Mar 26th: Daffodil day in aid of Irish Cancer Society.

AprilApr 1st:International fun at work day.

Apr 12th:“Is heaven just an endless supply of chocolate?”Senior girls changing room has been fitted with a smoke alarm!Congratulations to the under 14 Girls tennis team who won their match against St. Flanan’s, Ennis.The Bear is back!

Apr 10th:A Russian plane crashed killing the Polish president, his wife and many other dignitaries as they travelled to Russia.

Apr 14th:An earthquake measuring 6.9 occurred in China.The Volcano, Eyjafjallajokull, erupted in Iceland.

Apr 15th: Congratulations to Dearbhaile Maclean, Hugh O’Farrell-Walsh and Paul Murray who were accepted into the Irish Youth Choir.Congratulations to Sam Butler, Alex Hackett, Alan Jephson and Barog Kennedy who beat St. Ann’s, Killaloe 3-0 in tennis.

Apr 16th:Well done to the first year girls’ hockey team who came second in their league.Also, well done to those who participated in the Irish Schools Orienteering Championships.

Apr 22nd:Congratulations to Ruadhan Treacy on coming first in the Japanese Language Teachers of Ireland Speech Contest.Earth Day.


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Apr 23rd:Well done to the 1st year girl’s team who beat the Abbey 1-0 and the Ursuline 6-0 in their tournament.5th year head off to UCC.

Apr 24th:Good luck to Briony Somers who competes in the final of the All-Ireland Schools Debating Competition.

Apr 26th:Well done to the under 15 girl’s hockey who drew 0-0 with Dungarvan.

Apr 27th:Best wishes to the Marvellous Magic Movie Mini Company who compete in the national Enterprise Awards at Croke Park.

Apr 29th:Transition Tear annual kayaking trip.Well done to all those who went to the Waterford Schools’ Athletics.

Apr 30th:Congratulations to the Chamber Choir who won their section at the Cork Choral Festival.

MayMay 3rd:Thank you to Ms. Jean O’Carroll for stepping in for Ms Maher, who has now back after maternity leave.Well done to the boy’s tennis team on winning the Munster Schools semi-final against Clonmel High School 3-0.

May 5th:Ash returns with a vengeance grounding many flights.

May 6th:“Don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own thing”.Congratulations to all who participated in the East Munster girls Athletics Competition.

May 10th:Bono is 50 today.

May 13th:The first year choir, senior choir and the chamber choir have their exams today.Well done to Nichola Fennell and Olivia Chambers who won the mixed Badminton Tournament in the Ursuline.

May 17th:Good luck to all those who will compete in the Inter Schools Competition in Cork.

May 19th:The traffic lights at the end of the drive are turned on today.

May 21st:

Former conjoined twins Hassan and Hussein return home to Cork today.

May 24th:Enterprise week.

May 25th:Good luck to all Associated Board exam candidates.Clan 1500m race today.

May 26th:National fish and chips day. Well done to the winners of the Old Scholar Short Story and Poetry Competition.

JuneJune 1st:Transition year evening showing all the ‘work’ done during the year.

June 3rd:Locker survey for everyone today!

June 4th:Sports day and country market. Clan colours everywhere!!

Newtown Association‘Fullfilling the needs of a parents association’

Newtown Association would like to thank every-body who sponsored and supported the Country Market on the last day of term. The day was a great success. We now have an email address

where you can contact us.Email : [email protected].


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Reviews GAMES

By Stephen Ennis

After all the hype a year ago at E3 (the years big game convention), square softs (a game designer) new game has finally hit the shelves. As a devoted fan of square enix/soft games I pre-ordered the game weeks ahead of release. The game sold 5 million plus copies in its first week of sales out selling modern warfare’s first week. My collection of Square enix (now square soft) is ever growing and as a result I have had the privilege of playing some of the best rpg (role playing games, where you live out the story of a particular character) games of the past 2 decades. Any self respecting rpg fan will have played Final Fantasy 7 and maybe even 8 and 9. For me Final fantasy games, although they don’t follow a common sto-ry progression, can only be measured against each other and the same is to be said about Final Fantasy 13. What has made Final Fantasy so special for me over the years has been the depth created in each game. Most games warrant almost 100 hours of game play without losing pace. The Final Fantasy games have consistently cre-ated both convincing, interesting characters and mystic, intricate plots. Thankfully Final Fantasy 13 has managed to get all this right. I have played 100 plus hours and there is still probably about 20 hours left and hopefully even some DLC (downloadable content) to come. The characters have yet to become dull and there are hints of even more revealing cut scenes to come even after completing the main story. Another trademark of the Fi-nal Fantasy games has been the cut scenes. Fans of Final Fantasy 7 will undoubtedly remember the almost DVD quality of the cut scene where Aries was returned to the lifestream. Cut scenes are not the only aspect of Final Fantasy games that have proven visually stunning. Although Square soft is not known for creating the most lifelike and visually convincing in game characters there has yet to be a release where the scenery both passive and active has failed to outperform the consoles. This holds true for Final Fantasy 13. The areas you will ex-plore in the game are the most stunning I have seen in a game so far. God of War 3 and Gears of War 2 dwarf in comparison to the scale and beauty of Final Fantasy’s landscapes.

Everything about the game has kept to square soft’s high standards of production but there have been some major

changes. The biggest of all was to the battle system and how one encounters enemies. Unlike before when run-ning around in a certain area gave you a random encoun-ter out of a set of enemies for that area you can now spot your foes lurking around. Get too close and they will most likely spot you and you will be thrown into battle. Sneak up without them noticing and you will gain the initiative and a sizeable advantage. To some this is a pleasant change. You now have some control over what battles you get involved in personally I still have mixed feelings about it. It takes away some of the work one used to have to do to find a particular enemy and it also removes some of excitement of not knowing what the next battle holds. To make up for this each battle is absolutely spectacu-lar square soft have really perfected the look of the en-emies their attacks and movement. In HD you will find yourself hunting for enemies just to watch them blow up, be slashed to colourful pieces and disappear under your might.

Finally I must highlight why this game has been met by fans of final fantasy and people new to the game with such mixed feeling. For the first time ever there is a Final Fantasy game that is based around a completely linear storyline as in if I play the game I will get the same expe-rience and storyline as everyone else. Unlike any of the other games there is absolutely no voluntary interaction with anyone else in the world. I’m serious the game has too much pace there is literally no way of controlling the story it is the definition of linear gaming. For me this is what turned the game away from the greatest I’ve ever played to a game with the greatest potential I have ever encountered. There is practically no time to just relax and explore an area to find people to talk to and interest-ing enemies to fight. The linear theme continues into the levelling up of characters there is no way of modifying defence speed or accuracy of characters which leads to a pretty uniform set of characters which takes the indi-vidual touch out of working with and improving certain characters. By making the game more linear it becomes more accessible but less fun for the fans.

I don’t want to reveal much of the story because I re-ally do want people to go out and experience the game for yourself despite its flaws it is wonderful, completely consuming and epic fun. The rest is for you to discov-er. A couple of tips don’t ignore or skip cut scenes as you will soon get lost as to what is happening also don’t lose heart some enemies can only be defeated later in the game if you start to get frustrated leave the game for a couple days check the web for possible solutions and come back later.There are 13 chapters to explore each one documents a significant progression in the plot. Overall the game gets a solid 9/10 so close to gaming heaven it just lacks that extra flexibility.


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Swine Flu

by Stephen Ennis

I contracted swine flu. I probably got it in school from a carrier who didn’t have symptoms. On a Saturday, two weeks before midterm, it came on at 3:30am. I awoke with an excruciating headache in a cold sweat. I got out of bed only to go temporarily blind from a rush of blood to the head and collapsed. My temperature was wavering between 40 C–42 C. Above this is within the threshold of brain damage. I was surprised to find out this isn’t uncommon in swine flu cases. The fight your immune system puts up at this point is enough to cause the fever and is a good reason why swine flu is dangerous. If you have an underlining condition (mine: history of asthma) it is the immune systems response that can be most damaging. Swine flu exacerbated the affect of asthma on my lungs by forcing them into overdrive. As my blood pressure spiked and I had to breathe heavily to give my body enough oxygen. The next day was hellish like a bad case of food poisoning, but with a rasping cough and a splitting headache. The fever at this early stage was causing visual hallucinations, loss of balance and made me believe I was freezing to death. I got the Tamiflu that evening. By morning I could eat a small breakfast although not much but my temperature had fallen all the way to 38.5C, above normal but comfortable in comparison. For me the Tamiflu worked wonders but it has been proven to be tempermental. From there on it was downhill. But I felt the effects of the swine flu for about four weeks. I had become imeno suppressed. My immune system put up such a fight that it needed to recover thus causing the sniffles and fatigue. My experience of swine flu was mild as I was in good health and probably didn’t catch enough of the virus for it to take a firm hold of my system. That said it was a nightmare of a week that I don’t want to repeat!

Random Pics

Tree Hugger

Superman

Quotable

Quotes

Chris Dowling – “That crow sounds like he

has a sore throat.”

Stephanie Garry – “Yeah, he should go to

nest.”

Stephanie Garry – “My copy ran out.”

Ms. Kirwan – “Where did it run to?”


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Bell X1 ReviewBy Clive Kennington

Bell X1 a pop-ular Irish rock band, played a gig in the Fo-rum Waterford on Saturday 12 December 2009, as part of their blue lights on the runway tour.

Playing a mix of songs from their previous & current al-bum (“flock” and “blue lights on the runway” respectively) as well as a few favourites, they produced a quality per-formance.

They came out on stage encouraging, everyone to come closer to the stage and opened with How Your Heart is Wired from their new album.”

The best songs on the night from flock would have to be, “Flame”, “Rocky Took a Lover”, and, “Bad Skin Day”. “The Great Defector” was definitely the best song from blue lights on the runway, and proved to be a real crowd pleaser.

The most impressive performances were “Tongue” and “My First Born for a Song,” which really came alive and sounded even better than the recorded versions; with an incredible mix of sound & furious playing, made all the more intense by the light effects.

A slightly unusual choice to finish on, they ended the night with “Alphabet Soup” including the characteristic banjo solo.

It’s a pity that there wasn’t a bigger turnout for the lads; although the gig was well supported the venue was by no means full. The supporting act “Oppenheimer” also de-serve a mention, a two piece band punching well above their weight, with electric effects and great energy.

All in all it was a great gig and well produced. I’d recom-mend it to anyone interested in Indie/Rock music.

JLS Concert Review.By Robyn and Rachel

We went to the JLS concert on the 27th of February 2010. The gates were supposed to open at 6:30. When we ar-rived at the O2, we were shocked to see that no one was there except for about 20 girls holding signs and wearing their JLS hoodies. We went up and asked a woman who worked there where everyone was, and she told us that there was a set seating plan so that no one had to wait in line, they just had to come in when the concert started

and get their seats. We felt embarrassed that we came so early and began walking into O’Connel St, when we saw a red tour bus with black tinted windows go past us, towards the O2. Naturally, we didn’t think much of it, until we saw that it was turning into the O2, and the few girls that were there started screaming. In shock, we ran back as fast as we could, only to see them coming out of their bus, towards us! Nearly fainting in happiness we got pictures with the band and a few hugs and kisses too! We were on a high for the rest of the day! After getting a bit to eat, we ventured back to the O2 and waited in the queue for about 10 minutes before getting to our seats. Unfortunately, we were not allowed to sit together. Then the lights went off and we watched the support acts, Fa-cebook, and DJ Steve Daly. Then everything went light again for a while, but then JLS came on with their open-ing song ‘Private’ and we both nearly cried with joy. They did their dancing and paid a tribute to Michael Jackson by singing four of his songs in the middle of the concert. They sang acapella for their song ‘Close to You’, except for the guitar line played by DJ Steve Daly. At the end of the concert, they said goodbye and the crowd went screamed for more, but they came back out and sang their final song ‘Everybody in Love’. To be honest, words cannot even attempt to describe what a great concert it was.

O EmperorBy Naomi Warren and Adam Torrie

From: WaterfordMembers: Paul Savage, Alan Comerford, Philip Christie,Brendan Fennessy and Richie WalshFamous for: Debut single ‘Po’ which was well received and a recent appearance on RTE’s Other Voices.Releases so far: Persephone EP, Reverie EP.Paul, singer and guitarist met the other four members in secondary school. They had all been friends since pri-mary school, and they all moved to Cork to attend col-lege. Four out of five lads studied Music Management and Sound Production courses, which is handy recording an album.

Critically acclaimed as “Nothing short of genius” by Hot Press it’s clear that this band is going to be real big in the future.

O Emperor has been compared to well known bans like Vaguely Fleet Foxes, Grizzly Bear and Radiohead. Their music is similar to 70’s slow burning, soft-core rock of The Band or Neil Young.

With a current EP out now and another just released the band is set to release their album this coming Septem-ber. They haven’t stopped working since releasing their EP. Recently they have been opening for “Ocean Colour Scene” and “Mumford and Sons”.

The cover for their recent EP was made by a past New-

concerts


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town student Steve O’Connell who did the art work and designed the cover.

Be sure to catch them at a venue or even at Oxygen and look out for their well waited album out in September!

The Arctic monkeysBy Adam Torrie

November 26th, the O2 Arena and the” Arctic Monkeys”, in what was the last show of their outstanding tour. What a night!

The “Eagles of Death Metal” opened the evening, warm-ing up the crowd and readying them for the “Monkeys” to take centre stage.

Darkness swept through the Arena, as the intensity built there were screams of excitement ringing through the arena. This promised to be a good night. The curtains opened, followed by billowing smoke. Out from the haze emerged the “Monkeys”. An hour and a half of our all time favourites and numbers from their fantastic new al-bum made for a memorable concert. It was truly one of their best shows to date.

Like all true entertainers they captured the attention of their audience. Cheeky jokes entertained the crowd and Jamie, believing ‘when in Rome’, drank Guinness throughout.

It can be rare to feel that you got value for your hard earned money nowadays, but that was the best €40 I have spent this year. So if you are looking for a night filled with a genuine ‘feel good night’, check out ‘The Arc-tic Monkeys” at a venue near you.

Hurt LockerBy James O’Halloran

This is an epic story about the bravery of bomb technicians in present day Iraq. The film follows a squad of combat engineers, whose long serving and well respected sergeant was killed in a bomb

strike. He is replaced by an amazingly skilled bomb technician. The rest of the squad have to put up with his wildcard and reckless behaviour.

This film is filled with “edge of your seat” tension and mind blowing explosions. You develop a sense of dependence and camaraderie as you get to know the squad and who trust one another through turbulent times. This movie will grab your attention and keep you in suspense until the end.

This is an incredible movie which appeals more to the male species, stuffed with macho moments and garnished with the psychological message of the horror of war. It’s no wonder that The Hurt Locker walked away with 7 Oscars.

New MoonBy Alice Bowring

Well, it’s finally out. The long anticipated second instalment in the hugely popular twilight series of films has arrived in cinemas (and by the time you read this is probably in the DVD section of Tesco!)

For those of you not yet in the know, New Moon is the second film adaptation of the bestselling Twilight series of “vampire romance” novels by Stephanie Meyer that have so far sold over 85 million copies.

New Moon follows on from the hugely popular Twilight and has itself grossed over 142 million dollars on its first weekend. This new movie however differs in terms of plot but keeps the same mix of fantasy, romance and teenage angst that made both the series and the film so popular. This new film continues the plot that centres on the relationship between mortal Bella (Kirsten Stewart) and eternally teenage, vampire, heartthrob Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson), in line with the second book in the series.

In this film we see Edward leave Bella and character Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner) comes to the fore. Bella is devastated when Edward and his family leave town promising never to be seen again. However, family friend Jacob is there to pick up the pieces and slowly bring Bella back to her own self. As their relationship grows, so does Jacob

films


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until one day he disappears. However, she soon finds out s o m e t h i n g strange is going on with Jacob Black and it is all linked with Edward and the rest of the Cullen family.

Overall, New Moon has a very impressive visual look to it- more so than the original film and improves

on many aspects. With strong acting, particularly from Pattinson, a strong plot and excellent production, this film is certainly a must see for all. With the next instalment, Eclipse already in production and set for release late next year the Twilight series seems set to go from strength to strength.

UPBy Glen Ruane

Up is the story of retired balloon salesman Carl Fredrickson who decides to fly his house (using millions of balloons) to South America, to live out his late wife’s dream. He soon discovers a stowaway in his flying house, Russell, an 8-year old scout. The film’s story is told in a different perspective than usual as it shows life through the eyes of a retired old man.

The pair soon set out on an adventure involving talking dogs, a blimp, and a giant bird named Kevin. There are sad moments in this film, as well as jokes but it’s a feel good movie to the end.

The gags may not come as often as in most Pixar films, but they’re always spot on. This movie is suitable for all ages and is very enjoyable.

The WolfmanBy Glen Ruane

This remake of the classic Universal horror film stars Benicio Del Toro as Lawrence Talbot, an actor who returns to London from America to solve his brother’s gruesome murder. During his investigation Lawrence is bitten by a werewolf and is cursed to turn into one during the full moon. Anthony Hopkins plays Lawrence’s father, and his performance is often scarier than the werewolf itself. However, poor acting and a heavy reliance on gore for scares hold this movie back. Because of this, I feel the Wolfman was a missed opportunity for a much better film.

AvatarBy Glen Ruane

Hyped as being the film that would change cinema forever, Avatar hit cinemas this year, bringing in the first live action film in 3D available in all cinemas. Directed by James Cameron (director of Titanic and Aliens), Avatar is set in the distant future, where humans have gone into space in search of land and materials. We follow Jake, a wheelchair-bound ex-marine, who is enlisted into the Avatar programme, where humans control alien bodies, to try and make peace with the native aliens, the Na Vi, on the planet Pandora. The main attraction of Avatar is the 3D and it doesn’t disappoint, from the spectacular fight scenes to the dense jungles, the effects are stunning.

Up In The AirThere is no better film to wrap up a (frankly) terrible decade (in terms of news events, unemployment, the economy, the media stronghold, technology, narcissism, vanity obsession, violence and hostility) than Up in the Air. The film, the best I’ve seen all year and one of the best of the decade, captures many of the factors that made this decade miserable. The 70’s may have been bad economically but hey, at least we had Bruce Springsteen and real music on the radio, women still seemed to like men and not only if the men were millionaires, we had thoughtful movies in the theater, and only five or so TV channels to pick from. Although I wasn’t around for that, the movies before my time did seem to give more creedence to the essence of storytelling. Up in the Air features George Clooney as a man with no “roots,” (that is, no wife, no kids, and his apartment in Omaha is about as furnished as a room at Embassy Suites), who fires people for a living because the companies who hire him are too cowardly to do it themselves. It is a juicy role for Clooney, who has made a career out of playing easy-talking charmers. The film sounds depressing and in many ways it is, but it is also witty, quietly hilarious at times, and full of pathos when it becomes a morality piece near the middle (and like the best morality pieces, it doesn’t shove its message down your throat). It reminded me in many ways of American Beauty, the masterpiece that capped off the 90’s. Clooney’s character slowly is stripped of the things he only cared about--including sporadic meetings with another constant traveller (we never know what exactly she does, and that’s not supposed to matter) played by Vera Farmiga, who may win an Oscar nomination for her mysterious, slightly passive 30 something character. The final important character is an eager young Cornell graduate (played by Anna Kendrick, from Twilight) who thinks that a career in firing people is a wise choice now, and in some respects she’s not that far off. Her character represents many of the Twitter-obsessed twentysomethings driven for money, money, money, who live for texting, and naive and even immature ideals of what makes a relationship work. But she too goes through a transformation. One of the most amazing things about this film is its use of real people in the “firing scenes;” people who have really


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musicalLittle Shop of Horrors Review!

By Naomi Warren

De La Salle College Musical Society celebrated their 30-year anniversary show in great style with a wonderful; production of Little Shop of Horrors at the College Hall.

A rock musical based on the 1960 American black com-edy film, written by Howard Ashman, it is based in a run-down florist’s shop on Skid Row.

In an attempt to boost sales, the hapless assistant at Mushnik’s Florists, Seymour Krelborne, produces an unusual house plant. Smitten by another sales assistant Audrey, Seymour names the strange plant Audrey II.

Instead of your usual common or garden plant food, Sey-mour discovers that’s the plant thrives best on blood. It soon develops a voracious appetite for human flesh and while the business thrives, the plant becomes a monster with its demands to “feed me “as it devours anyone un-lucky enough to come within striking distance of its gi-gantic Venus fly-trap like jaws.

Adam Phelan was comfortable in the role of Seymour with a pleasant vocal quality heard to effect in “Grow for me” and “Mushnik and Son” in which the orphan Sey-mour is adopted by the cynical Mushnik , superbly por-trayed by Glenn Murphy.

Anne O’Riordan as Audrey displayed the multiplicity of her acting and musical talents, and her duet, “Suddenly Seymour”, with Adam Phelan was a delight.

Andrew Cody showed a good sense of comedy was Orin the “mad dentist” and Audrey’s sadistic boyfriend.

Ray Collins and Paul Barry combined as the voice as Audrey II.

Overall the show was a great success and we are look-ing forward to next year’s show.

tv seriesGlee

By Alice Bowring

Fox has brought out a new musical teen comedy-drama called ‘Glee’. A way to describe it in short is as kind of ‘High School Musical’ with an edge. It is based around a young Spanish teacher who becomes the director of the high school ‘Glee Club’ trying to bring it back up to its glory days.

For anyone who doesn’t know what a Glee Club is, it’s a club in which students sing and dance to songs from musicals, movies and modern artist’s music.

After Mr. Schuester (the young Spanish teacher) con-vinces the star athlete on the football team (Finn) to join, the various different ‘cliques’ soon follow.

The big difference between the TV series and the tween (the in between age of being a child and a teenager) movie ‘High School Musical’ are the somewhat contro-vercial storylines.

Hit music artists such as Rihanna and Madonna are lin-ing up for their music to be covered in an episode.

Glee has been said that it is like a new version of ‘Fame’ a hit TV show from 1982, also based around music and drama in a performing arts school in New York. Fame was cancelled after its 6th season in 1987 where the young actors sank into the background and didn’t make much of a career for themselves; does this set a trend for the hopeful actors of Glee?

I would highly recommend watching an episode to see if it’s for you.

But don’t take my word for it just asks Mr. Butler the true avid fan!

TRUE BLOODBy Abi Hurley Collins and Hannah Cantopher

HBO’s Series “True Blood” was ahead of the current vampire phenomenon, before the success of “Twilight.” “True Blood” is a drama tinged with humour, set in the fictional town of Bon Temps, Louisiana. The series is based on the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris. Set in a world where vampires are now known to be real, True Blood’s creatures of the night survive on an artificial substance called True Blood. How society reacts and accepts these supposedly reformed bloodsuckers is a whole other story.

The main character Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin) began the series as a slightly ditzy waitress annoyed with her ability to hear people’s thoughts, but as the sea-son progressed she evolved into a more well-rounded character. With her firm resolution to treat vampires as equals, she brings trouble to her family, but she also be-

lost their jobs several weeks or months before being filmed. Director Jason Reitman combines scenes of these people being fired by Clooney and Kendrick, and their instant responses are wholly authentic. There are a few actors playing the “firees” as well, but they blend in with the real folks. I really can’t think of a better film to cap off this decade. This one will stay with you. Highly recommended.


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comes stronger and more independent.

One of our favourite characters from the start was Sook-ie’s grandmother (Lois Smith), a kindly old woman who thinks only the best of others. She’s a strong influence on both Sookie and Sookie’s brother; Jason (Ryan Kwant-en), a major development involving the grandmother af-fects the entire town.

In the first episode, a murderer hunts the townsfolk in their daily lives, targeting women who’ve had encoun-ters with vampire men. This puts Sookie at considerable risk after she befriends her new (yet very old) neighbour, vampire Bill Compton (Stephen Moyer).

One of the things that is always interesting to see is how different series twist vampire mythology. “True Blood” takes yet another stance on this. Do vampires have fangs? Yes, and they’re retractable. Are they affected by light? Yes, but it doesn’t always kill them. While many popular vampire myths are addressed in this series, not all are confirmed to be true.

The second series of True Blood has recently been aired on HBO and we are hoping it will live up to everyone’s expectations.

ENJOY!!!

Funny Random Pics

Staff

Christmas Dinner

Paul looking dangerous

Bottle Rocket


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As per the norm the season began with recruitment which ended around the 15th of September. By the end of the recruitment we had a small yet dedicat-

ed group of debaters. From the 30th on training for junior and Munster debating was in full swing. On the 14th of October round one of the Munster schools opened and saw Diarmaid Wingfield and Dahnan Spurling oppose a United Ireland and go straight through to the quarter finals. The very next day Thea Johnson and Georgia Doorley propose the banning of alternative medicine in round 1 of the Munster schools in UCC. The girls moved effortlessly on to round 2. On November the 2nd round 1 of Concern Debates against Presentation Waterford took place and included James O’Halloran, James Corcoran-Hodgins, Amy O’Loughlin and myself . Then on the November the 17th Thea and Georgia looking to “Abolish state funding for the arts” competed in the second round of Munster schools debates in UCC. Thea progressed through as an individual. The next day James O’Halloran and I travelled to Rockwell for round 2 of the Munster schools oppos-ing the abolishment of the Seanad. I went through as an individual. Those days turned out to be a busy three days of debating on the 19th of November James C., James , Becky Barr and myself competed in round 2 concern de-bate against the Ursuline . On the 8th of December after much preparation Dahnan, Diarmaid and I competed in the quarter finals of the Munster schools. Thea competed the following day and sadly none of us advanced through to the semi finals. On the 10th the junior debaters had their Christmas debate, “Has Christmas lost all meaning?” which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

Debating By Stephen EnnisWe hosted round 3 of the Con-cern debates on the 20th of Janu-ary. Concern motions are usually based around humanitarian issues concerning the entire international spectrum. The debate went very well and the visiting team com-mented on our hospitality, tea and biscuits. Then during the week-end of the 22nd 2 teams consist-ing of Becky Barr , Isabel English , Caroline Fitzgerald, Sliabh Wells , Alice Fortune , Olivia Cham-bers (all Fourth years ) , James O’Halloran, Kaija Kennedy , Heidi McIlvenny and I (Fifth years) trav-elled to Cork for the model UN in UCC . The fifth years along with

Sliabh represented The Democratic Republic of Congo and the fourth years represented Yemen. The model Un is pretty simple there are 5 councils Disarmament and International Security Committee or DISEC, The Security Council, The United Nations Environmental Programme or UNEP , The World Health organization (WHO) and The Ad Hoc Committee on Security Council Reform (or AHCSCR) . Once assigned a committee and a nation each delegate (participant) prepares and researches a stance on the upcoming issue to be discussed in ones respective council. During meetings which can be quite lengthy the delegates discuss the issue at hand and try to come to collectively write up a resolution that meets all the needs that the nations are concerned with. The end of the weekend is celebrated with a closing ceremony where prizes are rewarded to best delegates and best representative .The MUN event pretty much concluded the debating season. James and I have continued by holding workshops for the juniors from the 15th of April on. On the 24th of April Briony Somers after just return-ing to Newtown competed against the 12 top debaters in the country in the final of the Irish schools debating competition. The motion was “People should be free to do what they want provided it doesn’t cause direct harm to others”. The year ended with an in house junior debat-ing competition organised by James and I. The winners were Diarmaid Wingfield and Max O’Brien. On behalf of all those who took part in this year’s debating season I would like to sincerely thank Mrs. Lennon for her continu-ing guidance and endless patience. Thanks are also due to both the gappers Ruby and Luke who accompanied us to Cork for the Model U.N.


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Time at Newtown

You were a student in Newtown School. What dates were you here and were you a boarder or a day pu-pil?I would have been a “day dawg” from 1981 to 1986.

Coming to Newtown, with its strong musical herit-age, did you learn music here or sing in the choir?Yeah, in first year I did music with Mr. De Courcy, then in third year with Mrs. Nolan I did piano lessons, then after that I kind of got the message from her that it was basically down to how much practice you put in so I just went off in my own kind of way after learning about read-ing and writing music, which I don’t really do properly. So yeah Newtown was great for music, my sister Aine loved music in there too. She was two years ahead of me when I was at school.

Are there any teachers you would particularly re-member from your days here?All of them, for the right reasons, I absolutely loved New-town; I thought the teachers were….I mean I don’t have to suck up to anyone now but, I thought the teachers were just great man. Especially Joe Falvey when I think of what he did for Sinead O Connor, I just think that “out-side the box” thinking from the teachers was just kind of across the board really in Newtown.

Did Newtown have any particular influence on your music and would you have been interested in the kind of music you play now, while at school here?When I was at school I was just really interested in writ-

ing songs, lyrics mad, so I would have been very into English lit, which would have been Eddie Denniston he was a big influence. He was really into his lit, probably still is; I know he’s a poet now and I’ve read his E book on the web.

Influences and post Newtown

Growing up among the music of your father and oth-ers of his generation, would you have been strongly influenced by the style of music they played? And would what you saw growing up have prompted you to begin your own musical career? Yeah, I think the first time that I can remember that I ever heard rock music was a Status Quo album that I found in someone’s Fiat 127 that was staying in the house, I would have been 8,9 or 10 years of age. In the house we just had really old folk music. There wasn’t actually that much media. We didn’t have a TV until much later. I cer-tainly remember Dire Straits while in sixth year anyway, I wouldn’t say they were really an influence but I loved yer man’s guitar. Also Joni Mitchell- I liked her song writing and lyrics.

Following Newtown, you went to Trinity but soon left to go to Prince’s University Edinburgh to study Scot-tish literature and history. What prompted this move?Em…. Stupidity. I was doing ESS (economic and social studies),which didn’t suit me at all and I wanted to do English literature in Trinity, particularly the poetry, but I wasn’t accepted until the second round and I got accept-ed in Prince’s in the first so that’s how I ended up there. I was better off where I was (Scotland), I met my wife there and we’ve two kids now, my daughter is 19 and currently teaching English in Africa.

During your time in Edinburgh you had a band “Sam Harlet” with Al Den Holm, Robin Hurt and Greg Stew-art where you were more influenced by the post punk scene than traditional Irish balladeering. What influ-ence did this time and the greater Edinburgh Music scene have on you? I had shared a flat with a guy called Mickey Jacobs who was in a group called the Gin Goblins and I was with a group called The Exploited. We were a punk group, and I was coming in with my acoustic guitar in one end and he was coming in with his electric guitar in the other end, from two separate ends of the flat and gradually the music just got louder and louder, until eventually it met. Through him I met a whole pile of musicians. It wasn’t really like standard punk; it was very melodic and atmos-

Old ScholarInterviewMartin Furey

By Robert Galvin


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pheric. It was a loud kind of a sound. I just think it was kind of a natural reaction to all the acoustic music that I had been surrounded by up until that point, just to get it as loud as possible. I wanted to learn as much about all kinds of music as possible. It just happened to take that direction. When you only know three chords, punk is the easiest stuff to play. Coming back from Edinburgh in 1992 you were joined by your sister Aine and formed the band Bohinta why did you move back home to Ireland?Homesickness.

Bohinta and solo work

You seem to have enjoyed great success with “Bo-hinta”, with your first album “Sessions” doing very well throughout Europe and in America especially in France (going straight to number five in the album charts). What affect did all this success have on your life at the time? I got a big head. Being in a band that does well, it’s funny ‘cause everybody thinks initially, before you get your head around it, that it’s because of them. They start to think that it’s the individual. So what can happen is a band can get splits in it because egos get out of hand when people forget that it’s really the sum of the parts and that’s the hardest thing to keep sight of. Success really just brought to the fore aspects of everyone’s personality that needed to be ironed out. You just have to get used to the fact that the “high” is not really related to you, it’s just part of a big party with the audience and the band.

Following on from “sessions” your next album with Bohinta, “Belladonna” was recorded at Real World Studies, owned by Peter Gabriel and you worked with producer Stuart Bruce (who has produced al-bums for-among others- Bob Marley and Nick Ker-shaw). What was this experience like for you?Amazing yeah, he worked with lots of people who I’d re-ally like. He worked with Bob Marley and he worked with the band “Yes” who I’m liking more now than I did then. It was all very theatrical kind of music; he also did the “Feed The World” single. I just hung around and tried to learn as much as possible from him and he just told me basically, “put the microphone somewhere it sounds good” and it worked, that’s the theory of ages passed down through the….Stuartbruceness of life.

After The success with Bohinta you released your first solo album “Monkeys Wedding”, what was it like recording and performing as a solo artist after hav-ing played with Bohinta for so long?Em… really scary because in a band you depend upon other people for aspects of their talent, like rhythm. But on your own you have to really brush up on these things yourself. It was great, I mean in the end I was just playing somewhere for a good couple of hours. I’d move around just to make my “bread and butter”. Not so popular with the family but it had to be done.

The High Kings

As well as your solo work you’re also a member of Irish balladeering group “The High Kings”.When the opportunity arose to join this group were you reluctant at first or enthusiastic?Well I had been offered a deal for 10 thousand quid to sing ballads when I was 17 and I didn’t end up doing it at the time because it just wasn’t going to be done right. They’d just record the album. I’d be wearing a silly jump-er and be going to a couple of record shops and playing at bars and this all at 17 years of age. However when I was offered the “silly jumper” later in life I was 39 and at that time it was a good idea because not only was I go-ing to get a wage but also I wouldn’t have to organise all my own gigs; which is really hellish and hard work. Also they were going to put us in good hotels and the bus we had was massive. It was just done well, that was why I said yes to it and also because it wasn’t just going to stop at the “sell it to the yanks”, “make a few quid” kind of thing. We were basically told the group would gradually be handed over to us after it got going, and that’s why I joined it.

Would you have been aware of the other members of the group before The High Kings came along?I would have been aware of Darren (Holden) from Wa-terford from battle of the bands. Also I’d known Finbar (Clancy) for years before The High Kings.

With “The High Kings” and “Bohinta” you’ve toured all over Europe, America and Ireland, where is your favourite place to perform?Anywhere in Ireland. It’s usually a great place to play, great fun, but in terms of sheer rock and rollness it has to be the west coast of America, “California man“, there’s a really nice kind of atmosphere there. Also New York City, was amazing it really is very close to home reaction wise. We played in Radio City in New York, it holds between five and ten thousand people. There’s just something about that, and the whole New York thing.

The High Kings are as popular, if not more so, in Europe and America than they are in Ireland. What do you think the appeal of Celtic music is to those abroad? Well obviously the more you spend away from home the more you’re going to miss it. Also you have the likes of some American kid growing up who hears “The Rocky Road To Dublin” or “The Black Velvet Band” and there’s no stigma attached to it over there, so they’re just going to listen to the lyrics and the tune itself without any sort of cultural baggage. Also the lyrics are great, the melodies are great and that’s why they’ve stood the test of time; it’s just good quality material, I think that’s the appeal any-way.

Where do you see yourself going in the future, con-tinuing with The High Kings or returning more to solo work and playing with a band?Well I’m constantly doing my own solo work, as well as working with The High Kings and I’m currently working with a band called “Trans Global Underground”, we’re


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doing a project called the “Unite Project” about immigra-tion. Also, personally, I would love to be involved with The High Kings as long as they want me really. As long as they keep the creativeness in it, I’ll be interested.

When not making music of some form, what do you in your spare time?I wrestle with my dog. I used to play loads of golf in New-town though I’m not really interested in it anymore. I also loved hockey when I was at school, I went back to it for a while after, I used to be a goalie, no pads in those days. I like walking the dogs and surfing, well falling off the surf board anyway.

Personal You’re married with two children. As a family man do you find touring and travelling a difficult experience?No, because my father was in the business and I remem-ber him pointing out the various aspects of the business when I started off. It’s harder on Jane, my wife, than me to be honest, as she’s actually the one at home. I’m the one constantly getting to see different places.

What are your thoughts on downloading music tracks as opposed to buying a cd album, do you see it as the future? Or as a necessary evil for the time being? I don’t think it’s an evil at all, I think it’s great. I think what was evil was the monopolising of the music industry by major companies. Unfortunately what it also means is people like me earn less but to be honest I think it’s for the greater good. It pushes music back live, it keeps mu-sicians on their toes. Music available like that is the way it should be I think.

The Dreaded Dreadlocks

I have written this article for one reason – to explain what dreadlocks are. There are four main ways to get dreadlocks: 1. Backcombing, 2. Neglect, 3. Chemical formation and 4. The Twist and Rip method.Contrary to popular belief, dreadlocks are clean and can in fact be a much healthier hairstyle when they are properly maintained. And only if the wearer does not go for the neglect method.Backcombing involves the use of a very fine, metal comb and backcombing the hair and twisting, and rubbing it between your hands. This is by far the most painful way of getting dreads.Neglect is pretty self explanatory. The wearer simply doesn’t wash, comb or brush their hair. This method can take anything up to year to yield any kind of re-sult. The result, more often than not, ends up as one big lump of dirty, matted hair which smells and is aes-thetically displeasing. It is because of the method that dreads and people with dreads are given a bad name. Also not very many people use this method any more.Some people want instant dreads for the rest of their lives and who have a lot of spare change can pay a hairdresser to put a chemical into their hair which makes it frizz and knot. This can cost anywhere from 200-300 Euro. This is permanent! And I can’t begin to imagine what it does to your scalp.Lastly, there is the twist and rip method. This involves twisting the hair and then knotting it with a very small crochet needle, 0.6 or 0.75 are the best sizes.Now, I can see why some parents might look at a person with dreadlocks and say “I wonder what their parents are like”. It’s a hairstyle; it has nothing to do with the parents (especially if you’re a three-weekly boarder at Newtown). “We’ve all seen the movies where the teenager dresses up as a punk or a mod and goes out to gigs and stuff. But the parents are just normal people” – David Bowie If you’re still against dreadlocks it’s because you were around in the 70’s and 80’s when the only way to get dreads was neglect. But thanks to the 21st century chemicals industries, new residue-free shampoos and spray-on shampoos that don’t need water to clean hair are now available.Dreadlocks are coming back into fashion. One needs only to walk around Waterford or Kilkenny for an hour or two to see that this is true.

By Joe Dixon

Camilla Driver (to Fiona Carty) - “I can hear it in your

eyes!”

Paul Porter- “How far away is the baby Miss?”

Mrs. Maher (while pregnant) - “It’s right here Paul.”

Alice Bowring - “My 18th is in May”

Hannah Cantopher - “Wait, how old are you now?”

Ben Cross - “I’m doing my essay on Hugh Heffner.”

Gary Marshal - “Is that Aifric’s brother?”

Mrs. Davidson - “Where is your prep Jess?”

Jessica Hegarty - “I wrote it on my hand and it washed off.”

Quotable

Quotes


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What’s In Fashion?Ankle Cowboy bootsBlazers and Boyfriend CardigansSchool kilt6th year non uniform (forever!)Body con skirtsKeds in all coloursJersey ShoreGuidettesFloral PrintsPastel ColoursSurfing gearHigh TopsI PodsHeadbands/flower headbandsBig Bright ScarvesJeggingsPenneysSunglassesHats with BobblesDreadlocksBright Nails/ sugar coloursDecks/Dubes (Newtown Favourite)Maxi Dresses

What’s out?Leggings with a short topTaking the Boyfriend look too farHarem pantsOld school uniform!Matching velour tracksuits Not having sunglasses when it’s sunnyHaving sunglasses when it’s not sunnyColoured tightsDresses over baggy jeansBaggy jeansSlouchy beaniesStrict uniform4th Years getting stressed, it’s 4th year seriouslyNeon clothes

Girls’ Fashion for Newtown!


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In Fashion High top shoes

Low pantsSunglasses

JerseysTanning beds Surfer Gear

Tops under tops Jackets with the collars

ScarvesAnything CelticHeadphones Munster gear

Men’s FashionBecause of the recession boys have not being spending much on clothes. Ski jackets were seen a plenty during the big freeze. There has been a move into indie fashion with baggy shirts and skinny jeans worn with flat shoes. A lot of students have adopted the surfer look. Fringes are in with 2009 bringing fringes close to the eyebrows moving to the swept fringe in 2010.

Fashionable TV shows

Skins Jersey shoreCougar town

Not fashion Dyed black hair Leather vests

Rolled up cardigan sleeves

Sixth year sayings like “fairly”, “spose” and “dose”

School uniform

Top shops River IslandTop Shop

Sports SaversTK Maxx


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6th YearPhotos

Caoimhe Hahn Finbarr Conolly Austin Slevin Claire Buckley

Mark Power & Mark RichardsonPaul Murray Nicky Ryan

Shane Murphy George Walsh Hugh O’Farrell Walsh Eoin O’Conor

Lucia Brogan Marcella Flood Sarah McDonagh Peter Keogh


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Dearbhaile Maclean, Eimear Mullane & Katie Maguire

Johannes Proksch & Brendan Perkins

Thomas O’Brien

Patrick Kiersey, Emmett O’Shea & Conor Bellew

Alex Gurnee, Callum Chambers, & Andrew Heffernan

Aidan Devlin

Hillary Stack, Jasmine Patel-Bolger & Maeve Ryan

Elizabeta Kursakova

Sarah Kelly

Lorcan Doheny

Jonathan Morris

Phoebe Porter

Sunita Brazil

Daniel Pim & Chris Leslie

Caitriona Dooley


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3rd Year ArtCatherine McGrory

Olivia Power

Dahnan Spurling

Chloe Tsaoussis-MaddockThomas Sheridan

Rory Van Dokkum

John Mullins

Amy Kelly


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Serena Bifolchi Phoebe Moore Diarmaid Wingfield

Liadh Reilly

Max Marden-Wastenays

Rebecca Hoban

Geoffrey Graham

Emma Prendergast

Hannah Murray

Rosaleen Traynor


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3rd YearSculptures

Diarmaid Wingfield

Anna White

Serena Bifolchi

Phoebe Moore

Chloe Tsaoussis-Maddock

Christian Cullen

Max Marden-Wastenays

Holly Wells

Scarlett MacLachlan

Dean Whelan

Alice Lee


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6th Year Art

Caoimhe Hahn

Eimear MullaneJonathan Morris

Lorcan Doheny

Sunita Brazil Shane Murphy


36

Dearbhaile Maclean

Sarah McDonagh

Shane Murphy Conor Bellew

Chris Leslie - 1st place Art Endeavour Award Shane Murphy – 2nd place in The Art Endeavour Award


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The Art Endeavour

AwardThis year for the first time the Art Department is happy to announce the introduction of “The Art Endeavour Awards”. This award was kindly sponsored by The Newtown Association. The Association invited the 6th year art group to submit two pieces of classwork which was judged by three staff members.

The standard of the work was very high and I would like to thank 6th years for getting involved so enthu-siastically. There were two prizes awarded. Shane Murphy was awarded 2nd place receiving €100 and Christopher Leslie got 1st place of €200. The prizes were presented at The Leavers Tea by Mr. Lemon.

It is hoped that this competition will become an an-nual event and that the students’ work will be framed and displayed in a student gallery to establish a per-manent art collection of students’ work in Newtown School.

5th & 6th Year

Art Trip

The 5th and 6th year art classes went on a trip to Dublin on the 11th of March. We visited the National Gallery, the National Museum and the Douglas Hyde. We had a three hour bus journey there and back.

When we eventually arrived in Dublin we were split into two groups; 5th and 6th years. After this, we ate our lunch standing outside Trinity college.

We had a limited amount of time to view each gallery (roughly 45 minutes allotted to each gallery) so it was an action packed and pretty rushed day.

The first gallery we visited was the National Gallery. Here we had a guided tour around the different exhibi-tions and spaces. We were taken through the Renais-sance to the Baroque eras and finally ended the tour with a beautiful exhibition of Jack B. Yeats.

The second space we saw was the National Museum. Here we also had a tour guide to show us around. We viewed different stages of Irish art, learnt some Irish his-tory and were taught a little about our heritage. The main attractions of this tour were the Ardagh Chalice and the

Tara Brooch which to eve-ryone’s amaze-ment were tiny and exquisitely crafted.

Last but not least we attended (as one group) an exhibi-tion by a modern Irish painter called Ciaran Murphy in the Douglas Hyde gallery. This was extremely different to the last two galleries we visited. The Douglas Hyde is a large spacious gallery which shows modern art only. Ciaran Murphy’s work was very minimal and simplistic. His work was highly open to interpretation.

When we had Finished looking at all three galleries we were given an hour to ourselves. Most of us spent this in Starbucks or McDonald’s but a few went window shop-ping. After the hour was up we all congregated back at the bus with full tummies, tired brains and sore feet…

Overall, it was a very enjoyable and beneficial day. Thanks to Mrs. Dillon for organising the trip.

Abi Hurley Collins

Claire Dillon


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TripsKillary Adventure Centre

We left Newtown on a warm refreshing morning at the tender time of 7 am on the 17th of May. Despite the time we were all in good spirits as we had a six hour bus journey to look forward to. The day scholars and the boarder girls had the luxury of being seated in a fine large coach. Meanwhile the boarder boys’ expressions told a tale of horror as our not so flamboyant coach pulled up the driveway. Nevertheless we had great craic on the bus with the legendary driver Larry O’ Hara.

After stopping in Bunratty 4 hours into the bus journey we arrived in the scenic setting of Killary Harbour. The surrounding countryside was swarmed with impressive man-made walls and geographical features. We were introduced to the Killary adventure centre’s staff who seemed very friendly and well humoured before stretching our legs by playing an intense game of tip rugby outside.

The activities for our group (C) commenced that afternoon with Laser tagging. We were told to “expect our clothes to get destroyed” which wasn’t encouraging. For the next four hours our group had immense fun running around a field shooting each other with a little more than a hint of competitiveness. After that we headed back to the centre for a shower and some much welcomed dinner. This was to become a regular feature of our post afternoon activity routine.

The other school staying at the centre at the same time as us were all boys from Ballsbridge (St. Marrions).

For evening activities, both schools went outside to sit by a campfire. The sun continued to shine well into the evening and, taking advantage of it, the boys decided to play a game of football against St. Marrions on a stone pitch. It was a fiercely competitive game which Newtown, thankfully, won 10-5. Afterwards we returned inside for fun group games of eating cold beans, Wheatabix and drinking pints of water as fast as you can in order to beat the other group.

The following morning we were all woken at 8.30, a considerable lie-in compared to our school routine. Hiking was to be the day-long activity for Group C. We weren’t looking forward to it given the sudden wet conditions. The walk was in total 18kms. It turned out to be one of the most rewarding activities out of the week as we got to see some breathtaking views from the summits of the Connemara Mountains. We asked Saul (our instructor for the day, from Devonshire) what he made of the Connemara climate to which he replied “For me this is what Connemara is all about and I wouldn’t have it any other way”.

That evening representatives of both schools entered

Beth Rochford and Andrew Davis


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the notorious ‘Mr./Ms. Killary’. The competition required all willing boys to dress as girls and vice versa. One or two of the boys took it a little too seriously, you know who you are! The entrants then performed a short talent piece and answered questions from the host. Judged on their overall performance, a winner for both sections-girls and boys-was chosen. Alfredo Llorente and Freya Little were the respective Mr. and Ms. Killary. Both of the lucky winners received crowns.

Our group’s activities for Wednesday were kayaking and rock-climbing. After changing into the provided wetsuits, gathering our appropriate rock-climbing gear and collecting our kayaks-either double person kayaks or sea kayaks for the more adventurous-we set out into the fjord. Just over an hour’s kayaking later we reached the other side of the fjord and ‘docked’ our kayaks on the grassy hillside. Once we had changed into dry clothes again, we walked a short distance to a few cliffs that had been set up for rock-climbing. We spent the next few hours alternating between attempting the different climbs and abseiling down a nearby, rather steep, cliff. The abseiling looked to be a daunting task from where we started but it turned out to be a walk in the park. Andrew calmed his nerves by singing to the instructors on the way down! We then returned to our kayaks and left for the centre.

The subsequent morning, Group C’s activities were to be high-ropes, archery and The Big Swing. First off was high-ropes, which was, as the name suggests, different challenges with ropes and heights in general. We spent the morning climbing up tall wooden poles and standing on frighteningly small ledges while either attempting to jump onto a trapeze or supporting others while leaning back over the edge. The afternoon activities kicked off with archery, in which we took turns aiming for either the

bulls-eye or different prizes, such as a ten euro note. We left happy and Beth substantially richer. Next up was The Big Swing, a giant two-person seat that is raised 70 feet into the air and released. After we’d overcome the initial shock of the drop, we all quite enjoyed the thrill of the swing. Andrew’s expression was pure terror as he dropped from an upside down position alongside Mr. Lester.

Thursday evening was our last so first-off we were given the impossible task of attempting to clean the mess our rooms had become over the last few days. Five and a half hours later, we still weren’t finished but nevertheless we continued with our last evening group game, packaging an egg so well that it doesn’t break when thrown from a building. It was as fun as it sounds!

Friday was our final day and we spent the morning competing in the Killary Challenge, the details of which I can’t legally disclose. Perhaps the highlight of the trip in terms of laughs and fun was performing our traditional group’s made up songs and dance before jumping simultaneously into shoulder-deep bog. We washed ourselves off in the fjord before a quick shower and back on the bus. The ride home was longer than ever but everyone was glad to be going home to our own beds.

Overall we thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It was definitely a week to remember.Thanks to Mr.Lester, Ms.O’Carroll and Ruby for making the trip such fun. Thanks to Mr.Cox for arranging the trip also.


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TripsAg. ScienceBy Aifric Heffernan

On d’fairly warm morning of the 25th of February the 5th and 6th year Ag. Science students donned their wellies and paddy hats and set off for Kildalton college.

With a “Hup Hup!” from Jonesy we were herded onto the bus and away.

We were rounded up into groups and mixed with the local moseys. We had 12 stations to go to so we ploughed on.

We received a talk on soil matter from a real expert in the field. Then we had a stomach churning talk on the digestive sys-tem of ruminants. With a quick trot we were off to the horse stand where we all agreed it turned out to be a bit tacky. An interesting talk on barley planted the seeds of interest with some students. Gary and John in par-ticular really lit up between stands. ‘Twas a

bit of a drag at times.....

Everybody had a real splash at the milk-ing parlour with the heifers. There are two milking houses in Kildalton, one for milking and the udder one for milk storage. Safety became an issue at the slaughter house where the stakes were so high. The trip ended on a high note with a joke demon-stration of a castration and one mossy from the other school got to aid with the birth of a lamb. Hopefully the information we learned will crop up and the 6th years will bear the fruits of this trip in June. After a quick lunch of blaas and pink snacks we toodled it on home.

Thanks very much to Mr. Jones and Ruby for this trip.

The Vegetable PlotThe 5th year Agricultural Science class with their teacher, Mr.Jones, started digging in early spring, readying the ground for various crops. The plot measures 6x6 meters and consists of different sections of raised beds.

They have a test plot for growing barley. They sewed mainly potatoes (2nd earlies) called Orla (organic variety). Another section contains radish, garlic and onions. For the fruit lovers, some strawberries were planted. Sowing was later than nor-mal due to the severe frosty spell in early 2010.

A big thank you to the Newtown Association for funding this project which hopes to grow in the future.


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Trips Second Year Ski Trip By Emily Hermon

We got up at the crack of dawn (5.30 am!). At 6.00 am, we were all on the bus. None of us talked much, as it was so early but the bus journey was still fun!

We arrived at the airport, checked in our luggage and went shopping. While we were waiting to board we caused a bit of commotion. We accidentally set off the fire alarm in the boarding lounge!

The plane journey was great fun, so the three hour flight passed quickly. A Haut- Lac instructor met us at the air-port and we took a two hour bus ride to the hostel. We had never seen so much snow.

The first day of skiing was brilliant. Us beginners fell over a lot, but it was still great fun. Towards the end of the week, we had all gotten the hang of skiing, and were hav-ing a great laugh.

On the last day we had a slalom race in the morning. It was hilarious. The rest of the day was spent skiing at full speed down the slopes, with some quite spectacular

falls. People fell into ditches, skied into poles and were taken out by trees!

There were four house teams at the centre. Each school that came was split into the different house teams; Eagles, Raiders, Warriors and Sharks. Every night there was

a different activity, a chance to earn points for your team.

Another school from Belfast was at the centre too. At the end of the week the Sharks team (my team!) won be-cause we had earned the most points. We each got a mini toblerone as our prize.

Mr. Hanlon dislocating his shoulder and Jess getting a huge bruise on her arm were the only injuries on our trip. Mr. Hanlon dislocated his shoulder on the 3rd or 4th day. All we know is that he was skiing down a slope by himself and fell off the side! A helicopter took him off the slopes, to a hospital where it was confirmed his shoulder was dislo-cated. He is not allowed to raise his arm above shoulder height for the next four months. Despite the injuries, it was a brilliant trip!


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Day 1: 7:30: Everybody up and ready to leave early. We soon set off, only to realise 10 minutes into the journey that Sliabh had forgotten his bag so we had to turn around, go back and get it. 7:50: Finally we set off for the five hour bus journey to Kerry.1:30: We arrived in Dingle where Mr. O’Cuinn needed to stop for some batteries for his beloved torch. We then continued on our way.2:00: Arrived at Bean an Tí’s. All get off the bus and go to respective houses. Mr. O’Cuinn’s beloved torch is missing. He blames the boys.3:30: We walk to the beach for a quick swim before dinner.6:00: We all walk to the hall for a table quiz and talk on the Dingle Peninsula.9:00: We go back to Bean an Tí’s for scones and tea.

Day 2: 9:00: We wake up, get up and walk to the pier.10:30: We board our top class ship “The Blasket Princess” 11:30: We arrive on the Blasket Islands... Ms. Kirwan found the slipway a bit slippery but it was ok as James was there to lend a helping hand. We had a bit of a wander around the islands, investigated the houses and headed to the beach for lunch. 12:00: There were a lot of seals on the beach...2:00: Once again we boarded the Blasket Princess and headed back to the mainland.2:30: Everybody has fallen asleep on the boat. 3:00: We arrive back on dry land.6:00: We are told to go to the hall but we are not told why. We are shown to a small room upstairs where there are a few chairs surrounding a BLACKBOARD! It turns out we had been tricked into going to an Irish lesson! 9:30: We go back to Bean an Tí’s for bed.

Day 3: 9:00: We are woken by Mr. O’Cuinn who is very excited about the prospect of climbing Mount Eagle.10:30: We set off for our walk up Mount Eagle.11:00: We reach a sign saying “Mount Eagle, keep right” but Mr. O’Cuinn knew a “shortcut” so we went left. Eventually we reached a field. This confused Mr.O’Cuinn so we went into the field and kept going. Mr. O’Cuinn promised us that the road was somewhere around but we couldn’t find it so we just kept struggling through the gorse field in shorts. After about an hour we found the road and continued to the reservoir for a bit of a foot dip.13:00: We headed to the Dingle Peninsula Heritage Centre.6:00: We returned for dinner and the girls watched gossip girl with Stephen.

Day 4: 10:00: We got up late and headed for the beach.11:30: We headed into Dingle and went to the aquarium. 12:00: We wandered around Dingle for a while.6:00: We headed to the beach for a treasure hunt which we were too tired to go on so Mr. O’Cuinn had to bring the treasure to us! We played around on the beach for a while.

Day 5: We all packed and were ready to head home. Mr. O’Cuinn’s torch miraculously reappeared in the girls’ house... 1:00 We stopped for lunch. 3:00 We arrive back at school. Overall an it was an amazing trip!

Trips Gaeltacht


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Our idea to work with Habitat for Humanity in Ro-mania came about when we formed our Mini Com-pany ‘Helping Habitat’. In order to go, we had to raise €18,000 between us. As a team and as individuals we started on months of hard work and fundraising, successfully partaking in charity swims, bag packs, presentations and organising a charity dinner and auction. When we eventually raised the money, we couldn’t believe that the trip was going to happen and couldn’t wait!

Day One: We got on a three and a half hour plane to Bucharest, the capital of Romania! Despite the pilot mak-ing the mistake of talking about our destination as Bar-celona, it was a smooth ride and we arrived in Romania later that evening.

We were met by Christina, our host for the two weeks and impressed her with our knowledge of the Romani-an language (by saying “Nu vorbesc Romanesti” which means “I do not speak Romanian”).

We then had a five hour bus journey to our hotel. It was after midnight when we arrived at the Mario, our hotel in the town of Moinesti, where we would be staying for the duration of the trip.

We were given our room keys and had a very awkward journey up the stairs as they were really uneven, one step was huge the next was tiny!

Our rooms were basic enough but we did have a TV and a fancy jet shower!

We went straight to bed and slept like logs after the long

day of travelling.

Day Two: After breakfast, we had an orientation by Chris-tina where she explained what we could expect and she then took us to the site we would be working on. We met the foreman and the local builders who all seemed very nice and looked forward for us to start working with them.

We got a look at the three houses we would be working on. Each one had four apartments and so could house twelve families.

On the way back to the hotel, we took a drive around Moinesti. It is located in a valley so it was surrounded by masses of trees and woodland. Very scenic! We heard that bears are common around the area which set off the imagination of the boys, saying how they were going to kill a bear, with very detailed descriptions of how they were going to do it...

We all chilled out in Room 5, the girls’ room and then went for a Habitat dinner in the hotel where we met some of the Habitat organisers. We got our first taste of Roma-nian food. It was very meat based with lots of sausages! Amazing flavours!

We tried to get an early night as we had an early start in the morning for our first day as builders!

Day Three: We were all up for breakfast at 7:45am in our work clothes. Many people tried sheep brain ome-lette and really liked it! It was a case of ‘mind over matter’ as Mr. Lester put it.

We headed off to the site by bus! We met the builders who we would be working with, including Daniel, a man

Trips RomaniaCaroline Fitzgerald


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who was moving in with his family to one of the houses and was working on his 1500 hours sweat equity which was required to own a Habitat house (approx 180 days work.)

We were given our hard hats and goggles, put on our gloves and were given instructions for the day’s work.

All the girls (and Ben) spent the morning up on the scaf-folding painting three sides of one of the houses. Three coats of white paint were needed but some people had much too watery paint and so it took six or more coats before Constantin, the foreman, was happy!

The boys had the job of ‘re barring’. This was making the frame of the house for the cement to harden around it and involved bending pieces of metal over steel bars using a pliers to keep all the bars together. Every time one was completed, a chorus of ‘RE RE RE-BAR!’ was shouted as they carried the rebar to the pile. Very catchy.

Lunch was up next. We dived into chicken sandwiches as we were starving!

The atmosphere was great around the place with every-one laughing and joking and having such a good time!

We all swapped jobs after lunch. The girls did some re barring and the boys lifted 40kg bags of cement and then started digging the first of many holes!

We arrived back at the hotel with muddy shoes and paint-ed clothes and badly in need of a shower!

After cleaning up we went to visit some families who lived in poor conditions and who we were building houses for.

We met a boy called Yanut who lived with his mother, fa-ther and sister. Their ‘house’ consisted of one tiny room. It had no kitchen and they had to share a toilet with the whole apartment block. They had coke and biscuits for us which was so kind as they would never have treats like that. Only Yanut and his mother were present at the time and they told about how difficult their lives had been and how excited and thankful they were to us for helping build their new home. Yanut said “Thank you for not let-ting me live here anymore”.

We then went to visit Daniel’s family, the man who was working with us on his home. He lived with his wife, his mother and two gorgeous little children, Alex and Diana in a very small house with a small living room, tiny kitch-en and one other small room. They found it very hard to live like this with two children under three as there was no room for them to play. They also had refreshments for us which was lovely.

We went back to the hotel feeling even more empowered to work as hard as we could and finish the houses for the families.

We were exhausted from our exhilarating first day at work so sleep was easy!

Day Four: The sun was shining down on us today as we painted the last side of the house, singing songs the whole time. Locals would walk by and greet us, try and speak to us in Romanian and we would all shout “Nu vorbesc Romanesti!” Horse and carts went by regularly which was quite a strange sight for us!

Alice and I did some grouting in one of the houses which is filling in between the tiles. Vasile, the supervisor, kept coming in and just burst out laughing! The others did more digging and broke a few pick axes while they were at it! Benjamin was called “Dig” and Stephen was called “Dug”.

After work, we went to the local “Penny Market” where we stocked up on all things sweet and bought litres of water for the site. We headed back to the hotel and ate dinner there. A few people ordered stomach soup (com-plete with lumps of stomach floating on top). It was sur-prisingly tasty!

Day Five: Today the hard work began! We had to make pathways around the house and make sets of stairs up to the house so lots of cement had to be made. This in-volved shovelling large quantities of gravel, stones, water and cement powder into a mixer before pouring it into wheelbarrows, wheeling it off to where it’s needed, shov-elling it out for one of the builders to smooth and then bring the wheelbarrow back to the mixer for the whole process to start again. We started off quite slowly but and the end of the day we were really speeding up. Kate and I were doing the shovelling and found we hated the world ‘dos diech’ which means 20 in Romania as that meant we had to do 20 shovels! Patrica, one of the builders, kept filling the whole wheelbarrow up and when you tried to explain that it was much too heavy he would just lift up your arm and say ‘Big muscles’ and send you off with it!

We all worked as a team though and swapped jobs when someone became tired so it worked out well.

Meanwhile, a few of the boys were digging more holes. They started a ‘who can get the biggest rock’ competition and Stephen and Ben (aka Dig and Dug) dug out a real contender today!

After work, we went to visit a family who were living in their new Habitat house. It was so nice to see them so happy in their new home and they talked about how great everything was since Habitat came into their lives. The teenage girl said how brilliant it was to have her own room which we all take for granted here.

The visit gave us another boost to work hard and help make other families as happy as this family was now.

Day Six: Most of us woke up this morning with aching


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backs and arms after all the work yesterday! We were all quite shattered at breakfast so we were delighted when Ms.Coady told us she had a few surprises for us today!

Scaffolding had to be taken down today which felt good as it looked as if the whole house was coming together.

More holes were dug and John, Alice and I tried to keep up with Killian (who is a machine!) and Ruah as we dug trenches for the base of the stairs.

Today was Vick’s last day on site so the teachers bought sweets and coke for us to have at our morning break which was a real treat!

We were then told to get onto the bus and were confused until Ms.Coady told us that a bear had been sighted to-day and we were going to go see if we could find it! The excitement on the bus was something else but as we peered out the windows and time went by, we started feeling a little apprehensive as to if we would ever see the bear.

Luck wasn’t on our side today and we never found the bear but we did go to a local school on the way back to the site. There, they were painting eggs and we got to join in which was loads of fun! Habitat funds these kinds of activities so it was great to see!

When we were back on site, we worked for another few

hours and said our goodbyes to Vick. We also had straw-berry champagne! (non-alcoholic of course.)

Day Seven: Today we went to visit the Mayor of Comen-sti in the local town hall. He was a really nice man and we asked him questions and took pictures with him.

Afterwards, we went up the mountains and saw the view of Comensti which was amazing. We didn’t see the bear though!

Back on site after various jobs were done including mak-ing more cement, digging even more holes and wheel barrowing materials for cement.

Litres of water were drunk as the day was very hot again!

After lunch we cemented the stairs. “Material!” which means cement, was all you could hear from Pedro, an-other worker over the noise of the mixers.

Killian was having an ear ache for the past few days so the teachers decided to take him to hospital today. The doctor saw something in his ear and got it out with a hook. It was an earphone piece! Killian just said “Oh, I

was looking for that!”

Later we walked down to a nearby church for a Good Friday service. It wasn’t what we expected at all. With a duration of four hours, continuous singing and a ritual of going under a table and kissing the cross and Bible, it was much different to church at home! We enjoyed it though as it was a different experience. There was also a candle ceremony whereby everyone would walk around the church holding candles. We each got a candle but left long before the end so we missed it. We did watch it from our hotel though!

Day Eight: Today we only worked a half day. Unfortu-nately Freya was sick today so Kate and Denise stayed with her. Being short three people meant we had to work extra hard. We were all quite tired after five days of stren-uous work but we gave it one last push, knowing we were going to have great days off starting tomorrow.

More concrete was made and most stairs and pathways were finished. Holes were finished off and altogether it was a great day’s work!

We had lunch on site and then went to pick up the others. Thankfully Freya was feeling better. We then headed to the salt mines which were about half an hour away. Geo, one of the Habiteens (teenagers helping Habitat), came with us. The salt mines were so much fun! We expected to be wearing overalls and going into deep dark caves but instead we found huge caverns with the most random things inside such as two bouncy castles, swings and seesaws, a football pitch, table tennis, restaurant, shops and even a church and computers with the internet! It was hard to believe we were 3330 metres underground!

Some people decided to lick the walls which tasted of salt (go figures!)

After a few hours in the mines we headed back up to the normal world.

Day Nine: Today we got a much needed lie in and then headed down to breakfast. On our breakfast table, choc-olate bunnies and sweets were laid out for us and the teachers had organised a little Easter Egg Hunt which became very competitive! We really enjoyed it!!

After breakfast we went to visit a very scenic monastery up in the hills. The view was spectacular as we twined round and round the mountains through the trees. It was


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quite quaint and beautifully decorated inside and the grounds were amazing too, especially when taking a walk through the hills to a pond hidden in the trees.

It was another beautiful day so after lunch at a resort, we all sat outside and listened to the Habiteens play music on the grass, even joining in ourselves. They also taught us ‘The Penguin Dance’ which was hilarious!

Afterwards, we went to visit the nearby water springs. We were all planning to go swimming but unfortunately that was impossible! The setting here was also beautiful and we took a walk alongside the river.

We then went shopping at the nearby markets and bought some souvenirs. Some people tried out their hag-gling skills, which proved to be very good!

Day Ten: An early start today, having to wake up at half six!

We had a quick breakfast and then started a four hour bus ride to Peles castle. A very long game of eye spy and Jamie’s sing-ing made the time fly by.

Peles castle was incredible! It was like a fairytale castle set in acres of land. It was closed today which was unfortunate but we took lots of pictures and walked around the grounds.

We had a very interesting lunch at a restaurant. I think the dead lamb staring at us when we walked in put most people off but we ate anyway!

Dracula’s castle was next! After fetching the people who ran off up the secret stairway, we had a talk with the tour guide who told us the story of Dracula and showed us some places in the castle and told us lots of jokes too.

We then got to roam as we pleased around the castle. It was really cool, made up of lots of small rooms and many floors so getting lost was too easy! The secret stairway, where Dracula apparently used to go up into his guest’s room and suck their blood, was really creepy!

Afterwards, we all bought Dracula T- shirts and more souvenirs.

The scenery on the drive home was fabulous. As we drove through miles of vast, flat land, suddenly a moun-tain with snow on top would spring up! We also saw ea-gles flying around and huge birds perched on nests on top of telegraph poles.

Altogether it was a great two days off and a good rest!

Day Eleven: Back to work on site, refreshed and ready to give it our all!

It was great to see the cement mixers cleaned and put away, another job done after the final set of steps were built.

A huge trench of 10m long and 1m deep had to be build for a sewage pipe so a good few people started work on that. Others cleaned up the loose gravel on site.

Unfortunately, Alice had to go the hospital today as her chest was bothering her. She was told that she would not be able to work for the rest of the trip which was hard for everyone. She still helped, doing Habitats accounts and giving the rest of us support.

We had a relaxed dinner at the hotel and played cards before heading for bed.

Day Twelve:Today was our last full day on site.

We spent most of the day finishing the trench that was started yesterday so lots of pick axing and shovelling was done.

After the trench was finished, we started on the very last job; digging another trench from the sewage tank to the houses. We all teamed up to do this together and got a lot done.

After work we went to the Penny market one last time and then went back to the hotel.

We had our last dinner with all the builders, Habiteens and organisers of Habitat so there was lots of us! We or-dered basically everything on the menu and shared it all.

The music was blaring as usual so lots of dancing was enjoyed before final speeches of thanks were given.

Afterwards, we went back to our rooms and packed all our things before having our last night’s sleep in Romania.

Day Thirteen: Today we woke up to our very last day on site. We worked hard at the last trench.

Some of the boys were taken off on a van to deliver the scaffolding to a new site.

It was sad when it was time to finish up but when we were given our ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ awards, we felt so good when we realised all the work we had done.

We were also given little souvenirs and pictures of us on site which was a nice reminder of our time in Romania.

Constatin told us that we had majorly exceeded their expectations in finishing the houses. He didn’t think we would be the team to finish them so we were delighted!

We thanked everyone and said our final goodbyes and then hopped on the bus and went back to the hotel.Some of us bought Habitat Comensti T-shirts too. We then loaded our bags onto the bus and started the five hour bus ride to Bucharest airport.

The time flew by once again and soon enough we were back at Dublin airport.

We accomplished so much on our trip. We had SO MUCH FUN!! We learned so many skills, visited the most incredible places, met so many new people, experienced a new culture, food and country and did something so beyond what we believed we were capable of, making the lives of many families so much better.

Many thanks to Ms. Coady for organising the trip, and to Mr. Lester and Mr. Hourigan for accompanying us.


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Before going on this trip we completed our level 1 and 2 in Dunmore Adventure Centre. This gave us more experience. We split into 2 two groups, consisting of 20 people in each group. We were allicated a day, which was either Monday 25th or Thursday 29th of April. We got a bus to Clashganny. We got our wetsuits and equipment on and got our kayaks. We started kayaking down the river Barrow. We met a few difficult rapids which some people fell out and got dragged down the rapids. We can’t forget when Mr. Lester took a dip in the first few minutes. It was great fun and hilarious to watch if you were lucky enough not to fall out. Some people had double kayaks and some had single or closed. When the rapids past we kayaked a long straight to Graiguenamagh which was hard on the arms. We stopped for lunch and had a well deserved break. Then back into the river and on the rapids again. We all jumped into the river and had a great laugh. It was enjoyed by all.

Kayaking on the Barrow


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Mini Companies

The Marvellous Magic Movie Mini Company (Or MMMMC) is just one of the many mini company groups set up by this year’s Transition Year students.

The MMMMC planned and produced a 33 minute and 19 seconds long film based on the great novel Dracula by the Irish author Bram Stoker. The Mini Company is made up of several members led by our brilliant manager And-rea Harvey. We were each assigned a role in the making of the film.

• Andrea Harvey – Producer, Manager, First Assistant Director and Editor.

• Abi Wilkinson – Accountant, Clapper and Costume Designer.

• Becky Casey – Script Supervisor and Clapper.

• Nichola Fennell – Make Up Artist and Sound Mixer.• James Corcoran Hodgins – Lighting (Also starred in

the film).These five represented the MMMMC at the Regional and National Student Enterprise Competition Finals. The rest of the mini company members are:

• Jamie Smyth – Cinematographer.• Adam Carr – Boom Operator and Prop Master.• Jack Power – Score Composer.• Alex Clarke – Researcher.• Georgia Doorley – Director, Script Writer and Editor. We casted several aspiring actors from Transition Year to star in the film including Kevin O’Donnell as Harker and James Corcoran Hodgins as Dracula himself.

Beth Rochford and Ruth HarrisonWhen we started our enterprise business we were huge-ly indecisive about what to do. Coming up with a feasible idea was one thing, but coming up with one that others agreed on was a much harder prospect. We decided that the best way to decide on an idea was to set up a group with people who had similar interests. We discussed our new ideas, focusing on topics that we were familiar with and interested in. As we were an all female group, we decided to use that to our advantage. We started look-ing into fashion-based ideas and at first we were set on having a fashion show. However, after much research and discussion, we realised that the idea was a little out dated. We began to focus on having an online fashion website for teenage “girlz”, but when our research proved it to be too limited, we altered it so that the website’s topics were wider and included such things as beauty, entertainment and advice.

After much discussion we agreed on a name. However after researching it we found that a similar name was al-ready in use by a web site and so it had to be changed. A slightly altered name, Top Tips 4 Girlz, was agreed on and tt4girlz.com was picked as the domain name. Next we contacted a local web and graphic design company, Eagle Dreams, about designing our web site. Ronan Cleary was appointed the job and we arranged a meet-ing with him to discuss our plans. In order to purchase a domain name we needed to fundraise and we did so by having a bake sale in school and delivering candy canes before Christmas holidays. With the money raised we purchased our domain name. Next we contacted Ronan about a hosting site we had been looking into. However, upon his recommendations, we instead decided to use his site, Eagle Dreams as our host and had an “under construction” sign put up on the site.

The next thing we needed to focus on was the content of

the website. Due to copyright complications, we needed to photograph our own photos for use on the site. We held a fashion shoot in school and, using the members of the mini company and pupil volunteers as models, we photographed our own photos. Next we began work on the written content. After assigning different topics to each member, we finished the content and focused on applying it to the website.

After successfully completing the setup of the website, we finally launched it to the public on the 23rd February. So far, the website has received an extremely positive response and we hope to continue it on into the future. We decided to give all our profits Solas Centre.

Overall our experience of setting up a mini-company has been extremely enjoyable and I would recommend it to all future junior entrepreneurs.

The Marvellous Magic Movie Mini CompanyBy Becky Casey and Georgia Doorley.

Top Tips 4 Girlz


49

We shot on location at Waterford Castle and Christ Church Cathedral. We also shot a lot of the film in New-town School in the main house, and in the grounds for the crowd scene.

The staff at Waterford Youth Arts were very kind and leant us a camera after giving us two classes on film-making.

After about two weeks of filming we took a break for the Christmas holidays. Andrea and Georgia nearly drove themselves insane during the tedious, yet strangely ad-dictive process of editing the film.

We then screened Dracula in the lecture theatre, selling tickets to staff and students.

We displayed our work in Legoland, along with the other fantastic mini companies, to staff and parents. We were then thrilled to be told that we had qualified to take part in the Waterford City Student Enterprise competition.

The MMMMC, TT4Girlz Website, The Saga Mini Compa-ny and Habitat for Humanity all took part in the Waterford City round of the competition and all received prizes. But the Marvellous Magic Movie Mini Company was thrilled to find that we had qualified for the National Final of the competition.

At the National Final, it was easy to tell that everybody had put in so much effort and although we did not suc-ceed as we would have liked, we had a good day.

This was a great experience and thanks to everybody who supported us and took part in this project, to the peo-ple who made it happen. This was a great experience.

Japanese Speech ContestAfter taking part in two linguistics competitions in DCU Ruadhan Treacy decided to study Japanese on his own outside school for the Leaving Certificate. On the 6th of March he won 1st prize in the 8th Japanese Lan-guage Teachers of Ireland (JLTI) Speech Contest held in the Department of Education in Marlborough Street, Dublin. There were 13 competitors in his category for transition and 5th year students. He was presented with an eReader sponsored by Sony. All participants had to deliver a three minute speech in front of an au-dience and a panel of adjudicators which comprised of inter alia lecturers from UL and DCU as well as an official from the Japanese Embassy.

Ruadhan will be travelling to Japan to study Japanese intensively for 3 weeks during the summer. We com-mend him for his initiative and wish him well in his en-deavours. Many thanks must be attributed to Mr. Do-bbs for introducing the students to linguistics and for encouraging Ruadhan to pursue his interests in this area.

Linguistics Team2nd in Maths Competition

Ruadhan Treacy, Stephen Ennis, Abi Wilkinson, Thea Johnson and Ben Sleven represented the School in this years Linguistic Olympiad in Dublin in DCU on Wednesday 24th March. Ruadhan and Stephen were on last year’s AILLO-winning team (with Heidi McIlvenny adn Siobhán Glasheen) and went on to represent Ireland at the International Linguistic Olympiad in Wroclaw. This year they came first and eighth respectively (nationwide) in the first round. Abi, Thea and Ben scored in the 45%-55% range on the same questions, which is very encouraging.

All-Ireland Linguistics Olympiad


50

Work Experience Freya LittleLondon here I come!I went to London for my work experience. I worked with a fashion colour forecasting company called D.cipher for 4 days and after that I worked with the Head Fashion Buyer for the Limited Collection of Marks & Spencers for 5 days.

I loved working at D.cipher. It was a tight-knit company of 5 employees, who all chipped in when a deadline had to be made. I cut colour swatches, played around with Photoshop and made mood boards, I crossed checked colours, mailed colours books to customers and got ev-eryone tea! Christine Foden, the boss, was happy to let me make up the colour forecasting books which were sent off to their clients in places like Korea and America and also Awear in Dublin. I learned how each season’s colours are influenced, not only by couture and runway, but by people. When I finished working there, Christine asked if I would come back for more work experience for a couple of weeks in the summer. Hopefully I will be go-ing back this year.

The following week I was very lucky to work in the Marks and Spencers Head Office in Paddington, Lon-don.

Day 1 I was met by Emma the assistant buyer of the Limited Collection at the front desk, where I was given a pass card which you need to get in and out of the build-ing. I started off in Marks and Spencers with a Weekly Trade Meeting to show how each section was doing that week, I was shown the ‘cupboards’ where they store all the clothes they’re working on and the samples, I attend-ed a safety talk in case of an emergency, I talked to an assistant in design about her job, talked to the assistant buyer for ladies swimwear and I helped putting on press sample labels on clothes… a busy and tiring day.

Day2 I was in fittings all day where they had a perfect size 12 model which they fitted all their clothes on. They examined the item of clothing on the model and decided to make changes to it, send it back to get it redone or they would seal it, which meant that it would be ready to be sold in the stores. It was amazing to see how it worked and they even encouraged me to give my opinion.

Day 3 I went to the Marks and Spencers flagship store in Marble Arch were I was working upstairs with the press team, getting a room filled with their new collection ready for a Press Show. A press show is where they let maga-zines look at their collection to see which items will be liked and which won’t, so everyone was working hard to get everything finished on time. I was really happy to help out wherever I could!

College in London

On Wednesday we had arranged that I leave a little bit earlier to go and visit a Fashion Retail Academy which is a college in London that a couple if the girls in M&S had

gone to after school before joining the company as fash-ion buyers. So mom and I went to check it out and see if it would be a career I would be interested in pursuing. It was so amazing we were both blown away by it.

Day 4 I was in a Design Development Meeting first thing that morning, then straight to Fittings, followed by Suppli-er Sample Feed-Back and then back to Fittings. Fittings were my favourite because you got to see “him”- what they call the item of clothing- go through the different stages before it is sealed. Also a couple of times the clothes came back too small for the model so I got to try them on!

Day 5 A couple of us got a taxi and went back to Marble Arch to tidy up and sample check (make sure everything was there and accounted for) from the Press Show. We went back and Emma got me to do some market research, seeing what’s coming to fashion, and an on-line comp shop, where I went and compared pieces of clothing and their prices. As it was my last day and also my birthday, everyone in the office decided to surprise me with a few pieces from the collection not yet seen in stores and two invitations to come back for more work experience!

This was an amazing experience and I loved every mo-ment of it. With those 2 weeks of experience I have de-cided that the fashion industry is the career I would love to pursue. I will be going back to do more work experi-ence in Marks and Spencers which will help me get into the Fashion Retail Academy in 2 years time.

My Work ExperienceAs part of the transition year programme I, and the rest of fourth year, went on work experience. We were given two weeks to find work placement with a company or in a business that we were interested in. The aim of the two weeks was to give us an idea of what work in our chosen profession would be like.

For my work experience I travelled to London to work on the set of a film called ‘Burke and Hare’, a film that is due to be released in cinemas in October/November.

Each day that I was on set I spent working with a different department e.g. Camera, Editorial, Assistant directors.

Day 1- Ealing Studios

On my first day I worked with the production team. I helped in the organisation of the next day’s filming. I also spent a lot of time on set passing messages and helping with other small tasks.

Sliabh Wells


51

CSPEFor my Civics Action Project, I decided I wanted to do something different and something I was interested in, so, Serena Bifolchi and I decided to hold a ‘Vintage and Fashion Sale’ in school on the 9th of March. All proceeds were to go to a girl’s orphanage in Sri Lan-ka, the ‘Wexford Girls Home’, which my cousin had visited and told me about last year.

Once the mocks were over and the school was plastered in posters ad-vertising the event, I set about organ-izing rails, hangers, man-nequins, screens and most importantly the clothes and accessories! The clothes were sourced from our own wardrobes, thrift stores, friends and family and a local boutique ‘Muse’, who were extremely generous, kindly donating brand new clothes – not even on the rails yet! All the merchan-dise was from excellent brands such as: Kate Moss for Topshop, Topman, Abercrombie & Fitch, Cheap Monday, Odd Molly, 7 for all Mankind and River Is-land, all of which were priced between €1 - €15.

After we had dealt with the gruelling task of pricing all our stock, we were all set…

So the big day came (a lot of which was spent running around), and by lunchtime we had set up our very own pop-up vintage and fashion stall (with the much need-ed help from some of our enthusiastic classmates), complete with its own dressing room, full length mir-ror and music. I was amazed at the response we got and the amount people bought! Everyone from 1st to 6th years stopped by and bought something. When what had been a very busy but exciting lunch came to an end, we decided to do it again as we had some remaining stock and promise of new clothes. The second sale was held two days later on Thursday. By 10 past 1, it was time to wrap things up and we started counting the money we’d made. Initially, I’d hoped to maybe collect €100 or 200, so I was astounded to find we had actually made €764!! With a few more items sold outside of school, I was able to give the charity a total of €800, which they were ecstatic about.

I ’d really like to thank everyone who came and bought from us supported us and thank you so much to eve-ryone in my year who were such a fantastic help – without you it wouldn’t have been possible!

By Emma Prendergast

Day 2 Ealing Studios

Today I worked with the editorial department. I helped sync sound and audio clips from the parts of the e film that had already been filmed. I got a good insight into what the editors do and how they find their work.

Day 3- Ealing Studios

On my third day I worked with the art department. I worked designing and making props that were going to be used in the film. I found today really enjoyable be-cause it was really fun to see how all the props were made. Also because the film is set in the 1800s it was in-teresting to see how the designers researched and made props to fit this period.

Day 4- Hertfordshire

Today we filmed on location. The filming took place on a large estate about an hour outside of London. I spent the day working with the camera crew. I had a lot of interac-tion with the director, John Landis as I spent most of the day on set. I also spent some time in the camera trailer loading camera roll. After the four days I realized that the film industry was an interesting area to work in.

Mrs. Lennon - “My pine trees want to come and

attack your apple trees.”

Naomi Warren - “And make pineapples.”

Jessica Hegarty - “Why do they pick apples by

hand, why don’t they just use a Hoover?”

Mr. Denniston (reading out questions) - “What

did the Ghost demand? If people didn’t get that,

I’m going to lie down and cry.”

William O’Morchoe - “Have you ever worn a pair

of wellies?”

Jessica Hegarty - “Yea, but I took them off

again.”

Mr. Denniston - “In the summer, when I’m

correcting your Hamlet essays, if they are too

general I will be screaming in the margin.”

Mr. Lemon - “I’m building a space rocket in my

office.”

Ruadhan Tracy - “There’s different types of

sheep?!”

Quotable

Quotes


52

Volunteering in NigeriaOisín Brogan

I suppose I should start from the start.

Sometime in late 2007, I decided 14 years will be enough. After this year, it was time for a break, time for a change. Time to do something else with my life. The change I sought was away from the classroom. I was about to enter 6th year, and college was the obvious next step for someone in my shoes. Well, I decided, not for me. I wanted to try a different way of learning, another form of education. Get out, see the world and learn by doing.

You might think I was a bit young for such a change. Thankfully, my parents didn’t agree with you, and with their support I started to plan what was to become my “Sozialesjahr”. (Mum’s German.)

So, for the guts of nine months, I lived outside Ireland. Outside Europe. I bag-packed around Peru and Ecuador for three months from September until December with a group of North Americans, marveling at everything I saw.

These were a wonderful 12 weeks, but looking back now, they were training for the main event.

After Christmas with the family, I packed my bags again for Nigeria. (This proved to be my first mistake. I packed the same items as for South America, and let me tell you, volunteering requires different things then trekking) I was heading off with Experiment In Learning (EIL, for short),

whom I had found through an internet search of “volun-teer abroad”. I boarded my flight from Cork on January the 15th, at an ungodly hour of 6am. This plane took me to Heathrow, from which I continued until Lagos, Niger-ia’s former capital.

Why did I choose Nigeria? There were a number of dif-ferent reasons. I had always wanted to go to Africa, and when else would I get a better opportunity then this? The projects EIL offered in Nigeria also seemed more in my line of interest, which was working with children in a sort of play environment. More practically, I had spent weeks trying to learn Spanish in South American. I didn’t want to spend a similar time learning a native African language or worse, French.

I spent the plane journey over to Nigeria worrying. I was terrified. Not about a new country, or about the plane crashing or anything like that.

(Though I’ll never forget the burnt out planes left by La-gos Airport’s runway to greet people to Nigeria). No, I was desperately worried about volunteering. Or, more to the point, my preparation for my five months of work ahead. What had I done? I had a list of nursery rhymes, and a few games to play with kids. What was I going to do?

These feelings were given brief respite during orienta-


53

tion, when I had to deal with new sights, feelings and people. I was welcomed to the country by The Student and Youth Travel Organization, Nigeria, who gave me a week long orientation course. The people at SYTO did their job well, taking it easy on the facts and language course, knowing I’d still be getting used to everything. The city tour they arranged for me was spot on, giving a taste of what being out and about an Nigeria city was going to feel like, while still letting us “do the tourist” for awhile.

After a week, I was transferred to a small town called Ileasa, where I would live and work for the next five months. I was to work with Living Hope Care (LIHOC for short) who helped both people living with HIV/AIDS and the orphans and vulnerable children they left behind. I was to work with the side helping the children. However, once I got to my actual placement, the feelings of un-ease returned. Don’t get me wrong. The people of Ilesa and LIHOC were all wonderful and welcoming. Everyone went out of their way to try make my transition easier.

One of those kindnesses, however, was the thing that re-ally scared me. Ms. Fakande, both my host Mummy (as she was called by all her staff) and boss, sat me down on my first night in her home and outlined what LIHOC did, and how I might be able to help in those endeavors. Dur-ing the talk, she kept using phrases like “if you wanted you could ...” and “it’s up to you ...”

Unfortunately, this was exactly what I didn’t want to hear. Feeling ill prepared, I was hoping for a set task, laying out exactly what was expected of me, so I could learn and eventually (with luck) excel at that job.

Instead, Mummy told me I could help “in any way I can.” To make matters worse, LIHOC was very different from my expectations. In my mind’s eye I saw myself working in an orphanage. As Sanya, college and friend told me later, that’s not how things are done in Nigeria. LIHOC

acted more as a facilitator and service provider for the children they worked with, the children themselves stay-ing with surviving relatives. Feeling at a total loss, I smiled and went to bed.

Tossing and turning, I felt culture shock for the first time in my life. It was all too big, all too difficult, all too differ-ent. I longed for that classroom. At least I knew how to manage that.

A long story short, I managed to deal with that feeling. There were highs and lows along the way. For the first three weeks at LIHOC, I was left with little to do, not be-ing offered any long term job, as promised. Those three weeks, looking back, were just the right thing for me. At the time, I was frustrated and scared, that this would be how it would be for the rest of my stay. In reality, Ms. Fakande and LIHOC were giving me time to find my feet and my own way to go.

My breakthrough came in the form of Kidz Klub. This was a once a month meeting held in nine different sites across Osun state. It was one of the few times LIHOC staff had direct contact with the children, and involved skill building and informal learning, plus a few games. Over the five months, I ended up adopting the running of one of the Klubs, and took an interest in all of them. I was often, towards the end of my stay, jokingly referred to as the “KK adviser.”

Of course, once a month meetings aren’t enough to keep one occupied. With the date of the Klubs circled in my calender, I started to look for work around LIHOC.

I joined the Project Management Team, which oversaw all of LIHOC’s activities. This meant I knew all of what was going on, and even got to have a say in some of it. I became the local computer expert, which led to my later task of digitalising our database of the children. I gener-ally took up any work I thought I could handle, includ-ing interviewing caregivers of the children for microcredit


54

loans, among other things.

This “do work as it comes” attitude obviously leads to oc-casional lapses.

Some weeks were slow, some weeks flew by. I needed a daily job. This came in the form of a teaching assist-ant. I worked in Ife Oluwa (Love of the Lord in the local language, Yoruba) a local primary school as a general helper to the teacher of Primary Four (the equivalent of fourth class). I taught mostly Maths, but also dabbled in English, Home Economics, Science and even Religion, which I thought a bit ironic given my own views on the subject.

The people at the school were wonderful. Not only did this give me my chance for daily interaction with children, they were the most flexible employers imaginable. Work at the office took preference and, as I said, came and went. Sometimes I wouldn’t be able to come to school at all. When I returned, apologies ready, they wouldn’t even bat an eyelid. Merely ask what I had brought back from my travels for them.

As I’m starting to write too much, I guess I should write about the two most important things I found out in Niger-ia. One was about Nigeria, and one was about myself.

When I arrived to the country, I had a picture in my head what a 3rd world country should not only look like, but feel like. It should look dusty and run down, with lots of shanty towns and rusted iron. It should feel poor and hopeless, as though every day was a struggle. There should be lit-tle if any happiness and certainly no optimism.

However, that’s not what I found. In spite of my “geog-raphy textbook view” of the country, optimism was in abundance. I learned quickly not to call Nigeria a “poor country”. Acknowledging it had problems, that was okay. But no Nigerian I met accepted that Nigeria was poor. If only the government sorted itself out, everything would

be fine. It sounded like anything you heard back at home. Even the poorest of the poor, the kind that needed LIHOC’s help, didn’t regard their life as a struggle. They have problems, a malfunctioning health system, meeting fees to keep their children in bad schools, finding work. But still they had a spring in their step.

The eye opener for me was when I met Kuti, a farm lab-orer, interviewing her for a micro credit loan. I realised, halfway through the conversation, that she was one of the farmers you hear so much about through Fair Trade, trying to live on less than $1 a day. Yet she seemed so happy. She spoke positively about her planned catering business, telling us “school kids already came to her for kuli kuli.” After the interview, she even offered us some fruit she had picked while farming that day.

The self-discovery was a more gradual process. It dawned on me, towards the end of the trip, that I had occasionally, throughout my stay, taken the initiative on things. I had taken on the running of a Kidz Klub. I found-ed a soccer problem in the local primary school, (I had gone out of my way to visit people. Me! Visit people, with no invitation. Something I wouldn’t have thought of in Ire-land. I have never considered myself a go getter, as they say, someone to get up and do something. Set me a task, I’ll do that for you but taking the initiative was new for me.

Nigeria forced that out of me. Now, it wasn’t a complete turn around. I haven’t started my own NGO upon my re-turn to Ireland. But before I left for home, someone who did set up an NGO, commented that I had been “one of the most active volunteers who came to Ilesa.” Shows I’m making progress, at any rate.

And, when I did get home, to no summer job (again) I somehow ended up volunteering in an Enable Ireland charity shop.

Volunteering, it seems, is a hard thing to shake off.

Random Fact

I am.Ó is the shortest complete sentence in the English language

Random Fact

If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find

the letter Ò AÓ ?A. One thousand


55

Glencree TripSeptember 2009

Lydia Thorpe

Early on a Tuesday morning in late September, Becky Casey, Freya Little and myself left on the half seven train to Dublin. When we got to Heuston Station, we waited for a while, before deciding the other little groups of teenagers starting to appear must be going to Glencree as well.

We got a bus away from the station which brought us from the city, into the hills to the middle of nowhere! When we arrived, we were allocated dorms. Each dorm was named after a different country. Our room was Cuba.

After lunch there were some ice-breaker games. We made friends with people from different schools. In the afternoon we discussed issues like war and poverty. In the evening we watched a film called “Crash”. This was about racism and slave trade.

The next day was clear and sunny so we went on a na-

ture walk to a nearby lake. We had discussions about bullying when we arrived back.

We also got to watch a video about the Gaza strip, and discuss what was going on there.

Freya, Becky and I had to make a poster and a draw a map of our school to show to the other people from different schools. They all did the same. This was in-teresting to see how different the other schools are.

After a competition, to see which team could build the highest tower out of newspaper, we were told to make up raps about racism. Each group sent two people outside to find/make instruments. Our group ended up with a mop, a bucket, some tin cans, a hammer, rocks and sticks.

Everyone went outside to watch each other’s raps. This ended up being quite funny. That evening we played more games.

The next day we packed our bags and got on the bus. The trip had gone so fast. On our journey to the train station we even got to see Ryan Tubridy! (We were on the bus so we didn’t stop and talk.)

We managed to nearly miss our train, but we got there in the end. It was a good trip and great to make so many new friends.

Mr Ronan ready to fire!

ScienceRandom Fact

Bullet proof vests, fire escapes, laser printers and windshields all

have been invented by women

Mr Ronin ready to fire


56

When the summer holidays of 2009 began, I went straight from school to the tall ship “Tenacious”. Upon first sight of her, berthed by the quay in

Waterford, I was struck most by her size. She is current-ly the largest tall ship designed for a mixed ability crew in the world and has a hull displacement of around 714 tonnes (which is an awful lot). Measuring 36m from the waterline to the top of her mainmast she certainly quali-fies as a tall ship and although I have been on many a ferry in my time, some of which were longer, taller and wider than the Tenacious, there is nothing quite like see-ing a tall ship up close. When looking up from the deck, the masts gave the impression they went on forever and later, when viewing the deck from the top of the main mast, I remember seeing how small the deck looked from up there, the scale of it awed me. I have always loved tall ships and sailing (as well as pretty much anything to do with the sea that doesn’t involve an engine) so getting the opportunity to become part of the crew of a tall ship was a dream come true for me.

There was quite a large Newtown representation on board the Tenacious for the voyage as Stephen Ennis and Hannah Hermon accompanied me and we were also pleasantly surprised when we bumped into old scholar, David Murray. This led to much reminiscing. As it turned out, David and myself were to become a bad influence

on each other and eventually we seemed to regress to the mental age of about two. On one occasion, after a full dinner, we ate nine extra bowls of crumble and half a jug of custard between us after which, suffice to say, we resembled beach balls and could barely move. We had to roll down to berths and sleep it off.

I’ve already mentioned that the Tenacious is a mixed ability vessel, which means that half of her crew were disabled and the other able-bodied and as such she was designed with this in mind. Normally a ship of her type would be quite cramped but the Tenacious was nice and spacious with wide corridors and even lifts to allow for wheelchair bound crew members. However be they disa-bled or not, everyone had to pull their weight around and no one was ever excluded from any of the duties associ-ated with sailing a vessel of this type. The wheelchair bound crew members were hoisted up the mast so they could appreciate the view and a blind man even climbed to the top of the mainmast just for the feel of it. The sense of “yes we can” was infectious and everyone joined in.

From day one we were all assigned a task essential to the running of the ship. The crew was divided into watches, with the more experienced sailors as watch-leaders, and each watch was assigned an area of the ship to report to when raising the sails. This was an activity in which

Tall ShipsReport

By Loic Jacob


57

everyone was needed as there were no winches to as-sist. All ropes were also hauled up by hand by teams of up to ten sailors and every watch took their turn as “mess men”, which is another way of saying “galley slave”. This essentially involved doing whatever Hammie, the cook, told us to and this was mostly washing up.

The watches also took turns helming (steering the ship) and acting as lookouts, I particularly enjoyed the night watches as they were very peaceful. Although, I am told that once when Stephen tried to wake me up early one morning by tapping my face, I reacted by immediately hit-ting him, however I have no recollection whatsoever of this incident but I am notoriously hard to wake up.

Our voyage took us from Waterford to Dublin then all the way down to Kinsale, before heading back to Waterford again. We saw dolphins, cruise ships, other tall ships ( in Dublin for a tall ship gathering), fishing trawlers and pretty much every other water-dwelling animal or vessel that are commonly seen around the Irish coast. For me, however, the high of the lookout spotting had to be see-ing basking sharks. These massive creatures visited us twice as we lay becalmed and circled the ship for half an hour at a time, sometimes as many as three or four of them. The boson estimated that it was at least fifteen feet from the tip of their tails to their dorsal fins, which put their overall length at around twenty feet. They appeared slow and purposeful and a bit menacing but in reality are only gentle giants/

The voyage lasted eleven days in all, seven of which were spent at and we were blessed with sunny weather for most of this time. There were a couple of days of fog so thick that visibility was down to 150m and a lookout had to stay on the bow with a walkie talkie so as to warn the helmsmen of any approaching dangers i.e. rocks or other ships.

What I learnt from my time aboard the Tenacious was how to work as part as of a crew. This is different from playing a team sport because there was no competitive-ness, the goal was simply to get from A to B not to win and it didn’t matter how long it took as long as everyone had a good time. All those on board had equal opportuni-ties to participate, everyone had fun and left with a sense of trust both in themselves and in each other. That, for me anyway, was the best thing about the voyage. We had to trust each other completely otherwise nothing would work or get done so everyone was told what was needed doing and left it at that. It didn’t matter if you didn’t know how or felt you couldn’t do something as all you had to do was ask for help and it would be provided. I would do it again in a heartbeat and highly recommend to anyone with any interest in tall ships, sailing, the water or just having fun to get on to the Tenacious. Ability doesn’t matter and they accept all ages and levels of experience. I didn’t have a clue about how to sail a tall ship before I signed up but now I long to be back on the water, swinging from the rigging as the sails are set, it was one of the best times of my life.


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Ashtray by Nicky Ryan

He didn’t smoke. Every day, he went to the outside patio of the café, and sat with the sea breeze and salt blowing in his face. It wasn’t that he enjoyed

this. He never had any great love for the sea. It was an expanse that belonged to gulls and fish, the tiny sand-pipers who guard the edge of it, and heavy whales like the one that washed up on this natural border when he first moved there. He often saw fisherman haul in lob-ster pots, or prepare boxes of plaice and mackerel. This was only a tiny glimpse of what filled the sea. He did not stop to think about this. Instead, everyday, his attention and affections lay in front of him, always on two things, and not with any friends or acquaintances. One was his newspaper and the other was his ashtray.

The waiters there had learnt years before about his habit, and had stopped collecting the ashtray. Instead, as he spent his hours there, and drank cup after cup of tea, he piled the used teabags up in his ashtray. By closing time every day, he had a little mound. When he stood up to leave, always being the last one there, the waiters would glance at the pile. They saw it as the only insight they had into the man’s mind, each teabag like a little knot tied to a weight that fathomed his mind. The deeper or shallower the weight was, the more they assumed he was either troubled or at ease. As he left through the café, the soft lights glinting off his leg brace, they would say their farewells to him, worded according to their pre-diction.

This same ritual went on for more than three years af-ter his accident. His leg injury had not only given him re-dundancy, but also enough compensation to live out his days in this café. This was in a time when his face was not young, but his hair not thin, cracks not yet appearing on his skin or body. His town was not in the same stage of life as he was. Years of gales and storms from the sea had left the town cracked, mortar crumbling and window panes shaky. The café was stuck with this problem too. In the winter, the wind claimed tiles from the roof and let the salty water in and spread damp. In the summer, bouts of showers and heat in quick succession had left the pain peeling. This was all expected from the thirty-ninth building on Earl Street. It was a building that had escaped renovation in the sixties. As the town was swept by modern changes, like the new ferry port and shopping centres, this building was one the hungry new life of the

city could do without.“But” they whispered to each other during lulls in serv-

ice. “This place holds the charm the city once had! It holds what the city has been!”.

“The suits don’t care” another would reply, which said it all.

These suits came and went to the café, eyeing it up, as the man in the smoking area piled up his teabags.

He knew the café was just waiting to be swept away in the wave of changes in the city. He did not mind this modernisation. He watched everyday as the ferry crashed through the waves to the port, and brought new faces up the hill and into the town. Sometimes, he liked to think, they ended up in the café with him, and so he would try to spot familiar faces. He was in the middle of this one afternoon when a waiter interrupted him.

“Eh, well, hello” the waiter stuttered, aware he was in-terrupting a meditation.

“Yes?” replied the man, dropping his glasses from his eyes to his nose, and running a hand across his fringe.

“Em, well, sir, we wanted you to know something”. The waiter’s hands were clasped tightly in front of him, this thumbs playing with each other. “I know this is sudden, but we’ve sold the café, today is our last day serving cus-tomers.”

The man’s eyes rested on the waiter’s, before glancing down at the thumbs and then away to the sea. He stayed like this for maybe ten seconds before he spoke again.

“Well, it was expected, wasn’t it? We can’t stay in the past now can we?” He turned back to the waiter smiling but said nothing. The waiter paused before finding what to say.

“Your drinks today will be on the house. I will bring you your tea.” his hands dropped in almost a relieved way as he disappeared back inside, returning quite fast with the tea, milk and sugar.

The man had already turned his gaze back to the port. Immediately he was struck by a bright red dot leaving the ferry, which as it walked further up the hill, became a tall woman in a red dress. Before he could follow her any longer, she stepped around a corner and out of sight.

This red dot seemed to have been burnt onto this vi-sion as he relaxed back into reading his papers. As it faded, he began notice to notice a buzz around him. The café was filling up as word spread of its closure, the patio full of smokers enjoying one last drink here. He soon be-came aware that the other chair at his table was the only one left free. In all his time here, it had never been filled. He shuffled in his seat as he raised his paper.

A voice interrupted his reading. He lowered his pa-per and red filled his vision. A tall women with dark hair, green eyes edged by tiny crow’s feet, mouth surrounded

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by laughing lines stood in front of him, one hand already on the chair.

“Sorry”, she began, smiling, “is this seat taken?” The man’s mouth acted against his will and, with a quick re-ply, he allowed her to sit.

“I hate to disturb you, but I just had to stop into this place when I saw it from outside. It’s beautiful.” she said as the man folded his paper, trying to act as though cas-ual conversation was a regular occurrence for him.

“It’s a regular haunt of mine, to say the least” he said quietly.

“I can see why” she said again, and flashed another smile. With this she reached into her bag and took out a pack of cigarettes and lit one. She inhaled and blew smoke up into the sea air. The man knew what was soon to come, but tried to remain casual, and continued mak-ing small talk.

“‘Over on the ferry are you?” he blurted, as half way through she tapped ash into his ashtray. He sensed that she had noticed this, and tried to lean back in another attempt to look at ease.

“I am, but only for a couple of days, just trying to chase a story for the paper”.

For the length of her cigarette, they became en-tangled in conversation over their shared love of writing. They began holding eye contact as this went along. He began to have thoughts, but was aware that her cigarette was burning down, and his thoughts were tainted by what would happen when the cigarette was finished. Before the ash had reached the filter, she began her goodbye.

“Here, I really must go, but it’s been lovely talking to you. I’m free tomorrow around the same time, would you like to meet up again?”

“Same to you, I’d love to”“How about here?” As her words came out, the inevi-

table happened. He had no idea how to react, knowing she wouldn’t understand this invasion. Almost without a breath, he replied “Yeah sure”.

By the time he had recovered, and her words sunk in, she was gone. A flash of red from outside as her dress caught on the lights. Quickly, he jumped up, and tried to limp his way to her, his cane banging loudly off the tiles. By the time he had reached the front door, she was gone.

He did not return to get this paper, instead he contin-ued out the door, and home.

The waiters saw him leave, and looked at each other in surprise. As the door closed behind him, two went to his table, and saw a single teabag with a cigarette towering out of it.

The next morning he waited across the thin street from the tired old café. His eyes surveyed the building, all the cracks and stains of the years having finally been laid to rest. Crows perched on the building cawed down to him, but with a wave of his cane they flew away. They quietly came back, scuttling around the chimney as if eyeing it up for a nest. He watched them until the day grew long, the ferry came and went. People passed up and down the street, but no woman in a red dress. The only chance now was to walk down to the ferry port. His brace dug into him as he moved down the hill and once there, he sat, sighed and waited. Looking out to expanse that was the sea, and thinking of all that was contained within.

The Departure by Conor Bellew

Jamie and Kim lay idle in the front room. This was how they spent most of their time together, just lying there, watching each other and occasionally saying

something, perhaps about what’s on TV or what would be a better way to spend the day. They never could think of anything. It had been two days since they had last in-teracted with their other friends. Friday seemed so long ago now. They had been together since then; they loved each other’s company, relaxing together. It was perfect. Perfect in every way but one. Kim’s family was moving away to Dublin despite her huge protest when her par-ents, Mike and Liz, had informed her of their plans.

Jamie promised that it would work or at least it could work. When Jamie said this, Kim just smiled and nod-ded, hoping against all odds that it would. She felt it could work but, to her, working wasn’t enough. She needed to see him as much as possible. It would never be the same for them, everything would be rushed. Trying to cram it all into the small amount of time they were going to spend in the future.

Looking at each other today there was certain knowl-edge in both of them. A knowledge that they faced a struggle, that what lay ahead would hurt and that it was an uphill battle. Mike and Liz had always seemed hostile towards Jamie. He was Kim’s first boyfriend and at first they were okay with it but as things became more serious so did they. Jamie understood perfectly well that what they saw was their daughter, so happy and a nice young lad but he would somehow, no matter what, hurt her, he would break her heart.

Maybe this encouraged their decision to leave, get out now before they got too serious. ‘Too serious’ was a com-ment Jamie laughed at in his head if someone mentioned it. They had told each other that they loved one another, which was serious enough for him. Maybe Jamie was wrong, what if he had imagined the hostility?

What if they were, in general a quiet couple with faces that naturally rested in that ‘I’m angry’ position but they were happy inside. Or maybe he just read too much into it.

When Jamie’s friends found out about the departure they were somewhat pleased. It’s not that they didn’t like Kim; Jamie met Kim through his friends. It was more that they wanted their friend back. The old Jamie who went out every Friday and Saturday, who played football on Tuesday and Thursday and who could think of nothing better to do than chill with his friends was long gone for about 16 months now. What they didn’t realise was that the couple weren’t breaking up and if they did, Jamie would probably suffer from some form of depression.

Their actual opinion was; “Ditch her Jamie, you’ll find a new girl, she’s not worth the effort of travelling that far.“ That was what Paul had told him. Paul was the new lead-


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er of the group as Jamie was now otherwise engaged. To Jamie they just didn’t understand. They wouldn’t under-stand until they felt the same way about someone.

Kim was set to leave that evening. It was 4.30 now. She would probably be gone within two hours maybe even an hour and a half. “By 9 this evening I’ll be in my shiny new house on the outskirts of Dublin wondering what my new life will be like” she said. She would only have to wait one year, then she and Jamie could do as they please. Finished the leaving, they could spread their wings and flee the nest. Their plan was to go to Belfast, Queens together. Originally it was to go to Trinity but on hearing the news of her new house; Kim realised she wanted to get further away from her nagging mother, move out and start her own life.

It had been almost 20 minutes since either of them had spoken. That wasn’t going to change; there was nothing left to say. With previous girlfriends silence seemed awk-ward to Jamie. They had had nothing in common but with Kim it was different, there was nothing worth breaking their peaceful connection for.

There was a horn outside. Jamie woke to find Kim watching him. He was annoyed at having wasted their time together sleeping but she seemed happy so he had no complaints. They still said nothing. He walked her to the door, through the kitchen past his parents who wished her the best. A quick kiss, cuddle and I love you and off she went. Jamie stood watching her drive away with a fake smile. They waved.

When he went back inside, he shut the door, leaned back against it and took a deep breath. He felt his eyes watering. It will be ok he felt. Just then his parents came out to the hall to see him. “It will work itself out son” his mother said. “It will all work itself out” added his dad like a parrot.

Jamie suddenly felt more doubt than ever about this.

Memoriesby Liadh Reilly

When I awake, the night sky is black above me, not a star twinkling comfortingly. The only light comes from a street lamp, shining dimly, flick-

ering in rapid succession. I try to adjust my eyes to the deep blackness of the back alley that I am lying in and I heave myself up against a cold damp wall. Look around, wondering where I am. I try to remember if I have been here before. I can hear the faint sounds of a city from my empty corner in the ally, but try as I might, I can’t for the life of me remember the name of it.

I cannot remember anything past my twentieth birth-day and I know that I am much older than twenty. My hands are those of a grown man. They are work rough-ened hands, hands that are used for heavy lifting but can still be as gentle as a lamb. They are wrinkled with age, these hands have seen many years. I stand up too quick-ly it seems, for my knees almost buckle under the unex-pected weight of my body and I feel as though the whole

world is swaying from side to side. I put one hand against the wall to steady my shaky legs and wait for the feeling to pass. When it does, I gingerly test out my legs, and they hold my weight, they have become accustomed to it but I stay close to the wall as I make my way out of the alley. I do not want to push my luck just yet. I stand un-derneath the flickering street lamp and take in the night sounds of the city. I can hear a faint rumble under me and I know it comes from the subway, but I couldn’t tell you what a subway is if you’d asked me.

Large metal boxes with wheels pass me by every few minutes. I see tired looking people in these boxes, and I know that they are driving cars, but I have no recollec-tion of ever being in one before, let alone what to do with one. A person in one of these strange looking cars stops alongside me and opens a window on my side. “Do you need a lift?” he asks me. I can see sympathy in his face and a slight look of worry too. I know what he’s thinking only too well. I can see it easily. He’s wondering what I’m doing standing under a street lamp alone, in the middle of the night, at my age too.

“Actually,” I hear myself saying, “Yes, yes I do. Thank you young man.” He opens a door on the side of his car and pushes it open from the inside so that I can sit down easily. He is young, barely old enough to be driving I think and his eyes and dark and thoughtful.

“So where are you headed?” He asks. Of course I think he wants to bring me home. I don’t quite know how to answer, so I beat around the bush a little.

“Just wondering son, maybe you can help me out here,” I say, “But by any chance, would you happen to know where we are?” My question catches him off guard. He didn’t expect this at all.

“We’re in Chicago sir. Are you, uh,” he hesitates for a moment, wondering if I’m kidding around. “Are you seri-ous?” he asks. I don’t want to worry him, so I say “No.” He starts to pull away from the kerb and heads off down the street. We continue on in silence for a while. He’s nervous and doesn’t know what to say. Every so often I see him open his mouth to say something, but my ques-tion has confused him and has made him uncomfortable. I decide to put him out of this miserable awkward silence. “I’ll just head on with you sonny, until you get to wherever you’re going.” I reassure him. He isn’t quite sure what to say to this. When he offered me a lift he supposed that I would know where I was and where I wanted to go. ‘I’m not your conventional old guy.’ I think and smile to myself. We drive for a little while longer, maybe ten minutes and I am much more comfortable now, but my driver isn’t it’s easy to tell that from his posture and the tight grip that he has on the steering wheel. We pass by an old build-ing. It’s big. Very big. The lights are still on, straining out from the windows and the front porch. There is a police car out front and the lights are flashing blue, red, blue, red. Something in me recognises this house. I have been here before, been here many a time. “Stop!” I tell my driver, “This is it.” He slows to a halt and I open the door of his car. “Are you sure this is okay?” he asks me. The look of worry has not left his face since I met him. “It’s fine sonny.” I reply, “And thanks for the lift.”

He nods once and I turn into the driveway leading to the big house. I’m not sure what I will do once I reach the door, but I walk to it anyway and knock twice. The

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door swings open and slams against the wall to reveal a woman in her forties. She is tired looking and her eyes are red. She has been crying. I recognise her immedi-ately. “Nora, I think, my daughter.”

“Dad!” she cries and I hear chairs against the floor in the other room and hurried footsteps. “Where have you been?” Her voice is filled with relief. I hug her close to me and I remember, I remember everything. Two men came out from the kitchen and I see one of them breathe a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry officer,” Nora murmurs, “This happens quite often I know.” But Dad forgets where he is some-times and makes a run for it.

Miss Witchby Rory Van Dokkum

I started work as a teacher a few years ago. My first class was particularly fun. I was working as a science teacher, so I’d decided to do an experiment with some

explosive chemicals to start us off. Halfway through, someone started throwing spitballs.

It was annoying, because I kept getting distracted and didn’t particularly want to blow up.

So when I caught the guilty party, a small red-haired boy with freckles, in the act, I turned him into a rooster. I like chicken and I made a point of mentioning this aloud.

Afterwards the rest of the class was very well behaved.I soon made myself at home in the class: I gave the

plastic skeleton a black top hat and sunglasses to go with his suave voice. I covered the ceiling and parts of the walls with bulging green vines that moved by them-selves, and I added a big red eye to the front of my desk to watch the class when I had my back turned.

Most of the class soon got used to me, but there were a few who were determined not to have a witch for a science teacher. One boy, a bespectacled know-it-all who I’d never liked, said that all witches deserved to be burned. I turned him into a plate of cold chips and put him in the microwave for one minute to make a point.

Then there was a girl, tall, blond, pony-tailed, who was determined to show me who was boss. I ignored her most of the time, but one time she really got on my nerves: I’d decided to introduce some beautiful tropical frogs to the classroom, and as soon as the class came in she shrieked “Miss! There’re horrible slimy disgusting reptiles everywhere!”

Honestly, the cheek of some people! I introduced her to early amphibionhood.

Those were two of the main cases, and I had to deal with many others: bubble-gum chewers, paper aeroplane makers, catapulters, snitches, no-homeworkers, arguers and whiners. By the end of my second week, I’d realised that normal teachers must be made of pretty tough stuff to deal with this every single day and not break down into tears.

So I investigated. One day during a school break, I went into the staffroom to talk to several of the other teachers. My suspicions were confirmed: some of the teachers

were so tough, cannonballs would’ve bounced off them, and others were shaking, snivelling wrecks that you had to feel pity for. But it was the ones in between that I most admired: the ones with their feet dangling above mad-ness whilst their hands kept a firm grip on sanity.

They all, of course, wanted to know how I kept my class so well-mannered. My reply was always: “It’s like a crate of apples. You get rid of all the rotten ones, and the ones you have left will be perfect for the market.”

I went back to my classroom in a thoughtful mood, and was surprised to find someone waiting for me. A student.

He was medium height, medium age, pretty much me-dium everything. I remembered him vaguely as one of the average students who didn’t excel in class but weren’t at the bottom of the heap either. Someone who got at least 50% in their exams.

“Yes?” I asked.The boy turned to face me, and I saw something in

those eyes that most definitely was not average.“Miss, I was just wondering,” began the boy, “how easy

is it to learn witchcraft?”Ahhh…His name was Gabriel Thiefson. I was not at all sur-

prised when it turned out he was the seventh son of a seventh son. I invited him into the classroom, gave him a few basic lessons, and watched him closely. He was defi-nitely warlock-material, he had a calm, relaxed approach to magic, had the fiery imagination vital for good spells, and he even liked black cats and spiders. I asked him if he’d like to be an apprentice as soon as the lessons were over, and he said “yes,” without hesitation.

We arranged to meet every breaktime, and when the bell rang he went off to maths.

Later, when I heard the news from the maths’ teacher I felt so proud of Gabriel.

He’d already turned someone into a frog.

Mr. Lemon (pointing at Naomi Warren’s leg

warmers) - “They are not boots.”Mr. O’Cuinn (about the sheets for the parent

teacher meeting) - “Make sure your writing is

legible, your parents have to read these.”

Joe Dixon - “My dad can never read my writing,

even when it is typed.”Georgina Stapleton (about a test) - “What’s it

on? I don’t know what it’s on!”Mr. Cox - “Paper.”(Car hit a bump)Stephen Ennis – “Was that a rabbit?”

Mrs. Lennon –“I think so.”Stephen Ennis – “Rabbits don’t cross the road.”

James O’Halloran (laughing) – “That one

didn’t!”


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Poems PoemsFloatingSara Leslie, 4th Year

Floating, frolic through the floorOne step, two stepDainty pep

Ribbons too smile-why don’t you stay a while?The fire flimsy trails flitter behind their toesLike bubbles

Full of whim-a song?Dance, DanceFloating like bubblesDance

Cormack LangfordJessica Hegarty, 5th Year

You make me laugh though your not around,You picked me up off the ground,Though you may not be here,Your always with me,I will remember our memories,Quite fondly,Pictures hang on my bedroom wall,The happy times in between it all,You made me so happy,The good times were great,When you left,I began to slowly deflate,I hated life ,left my resentment unspoken,You were my gift ,And now I am broken,I still miss your joy, in every way,But I get through life, day by day,Though my thoughts may wonder,To and fro,You are always in them ,That I know.

ImitateNicky Ryan, 6th Year

Her mother never took a liking to me.Staring with beady eyes into mine,She put on a smileAnd babble the same kind words to my own motherAs she dropped me off home.

Her father stewed in a shirtWatching with beady eyes as me and his daughter played with tiny animals,Always tense in his study of us.

These tiny animals wore shirts,Lived in a quaint houses,With quaint décor,But they stayed quiet.

We have them voiceImitate what we thought it would be like To live out their quiet happy lives.It wouldn’t be long until we grew tired And I was taken home.

Invisible Box Danielle Lyne, 1st year Ever seen a mime?Where the person’s stuckInside an invisible box?I’ve seen it, real time.

We could not help her.She could not be convincedFor there were invisible locksOn her invisible box.

She was drowning in her sadness.Surrounded by total madness.She could not escape it.She was trapped in her invisible box.

Suddenly the invisible box died.She cried out, for she was inside.But she too was gone.Accompanied along by the invisible box.

Black WireNaomi Warren, 5th year

Hair like black wire,Eyes like elf fire.Skin pale as snow,Our love it grows.

I’ll wait down the street,To where lovers meet.Beneath the willow treeIs where you’ll find meWaiting for my love so fair.

A kiss is all it takesTo have love breakAs she kisses him soft on the lips.

Hair like black wire,Eyes like elf fire.Skin pale as snow,My regret of letting you go.

Random Fact

Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of unwanted people without killing them used to burn their

houses down -- hence the expression Ò to get

fired”

Random Fact

The king of hearts is the only king

without a moustache


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I looked upDaniel Pim, 6th Year

That was the first time I saw her.She was plain, nothing at first glance.It was her eyes that ,made me stare.They had energy.Her hair fell to below her shoulder,It tossed, twirled.

She glides across the room. Then, her laugh-Serene , quiet,dignified.Our eyes meet.I hold her gaze.She smiles.I blush.

The Finality Austin Slevin, 6th Year

A bedazzling ineptitudeOf untold miseryCovers up its attitudeWith serendipity

A coincidence of fortunesCan make a poor man richAnd mar itself much laterTo leave you in a ditch

A solemn bang of silenceCan louden left aloneBut covered by anotherMakes others feel at home

Live life in the presentLook future in the faceSee all that you want to seeBut leave it in its place

Remember the magicianLike a cat with a box of knivesShould he skewer an assistantHe has yet got eight more wives

The White Cliffs of DoverMax O’Brien, 3rd year

I’m tired, I’m sore; I just want to go homeHas it been days, weeks or even months?I’m not so sure anymore.As I sit on this young man’s fishing boatBobbing and dipping like a cork in a tub Bobbing and dipping like a cork in a tub.Just watching and waiting for my home to Appear.As I wait for a sign, my sign for home,Not a flag of sail or even a person On the horizon.No. My image of home Is the white cliffs of Dover,Majestic and beautiful coming up from the sea.The white cliffs of Dover mean home to me.The sound I’ve been waiting for longing for Hits my ears “land hoe” I hear and then I seeThe white cliffs of Dover calling out to me,The white cliffs of Dover calling out to me Over the choppy blue sea.,

Every yearBrenna Traynor, 5th year

Autumn winds blowThe leaves are rollingThe time to shiver has come again

We say goodbye toFlip-flops and ice creamTo our homes and our families,But mostly to our beds.

Autumn winds blowThe rain rolls downThe time to shiver has come again.

As the gates draw closerYour tummy nerves danceYou take comfort in the thoughtThat you are not a first year.You have done this before.

Autumn winds blowThe trees are baldingThe time to shiver has come again.

You have a bedYour parents leaveEveryone looks different,Exactly the same.

Autumn winds blow My socks are wetThe time to shiver has come again.

You have your friendsYou feel settled,No longer alone.

Autumn winds blowYou remember what you’d forgottenThe time to study has come again

The Devil’s Catrale(With thanks to Lewis Carroll)Rory Van Dokkum, 3rd year.

On a glumptious gliffig glangland day,With the womptious sun high in the sky,The demons of Hell came out to playAnd Old Nick himself came passing by.

Pigghuns doggled, chrismans mared, The Devil’s shadow burnt the groundAs he scoured the land for desperate prayers, Sniffing the air like a frenzied hound.

A child he found, a weeping wretchling, A pale as a raghump without a chance.The Devil did laugh at the sniffing fletchling,Held out his hand and said “let’s dance!”

The snuffzaps squealed, the kiffniffs wailedAs Devil ld child past tree and well.Others followed. Old Nick catraled,Leading them all through the doors of hell ....

It’s never the sameKate Moore 4th year

The triumph of climbing over the fence,Not dropping the steel potWas a smile on her face.

Stained grassy knees,On my new jeansWere eyes shot to the sky.

Fingers prickedFrom the thorns on the bushWas a quiet curse

Bruce’s purple stained mouthSurrounded by white furWas a moment of laughter

Pots of blackberriesFilled to the brimWas a watering mouth

Making the jamTo spread over the soda breadWas a tasty bite

The taste is blandIt’s never the sameShe’s not there.


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Summer EveningBen Turner, 5th year

Twilight drifts in my window, fashionably lateAs has become her custom, these last few days.

I greet her; an old friendShe knows I will forgive her absence.

She is always welcome, though her visits have become short lived.But I do not worry

And merely watch and smileAs she stretches, and shakes herself

Before joyfully wrapping herself around the roomLike a cat against an ever patient ankle.

Reaching out a shadowy hand, she carefully envelopesThe last rays of light inside her coat.

A passing breeze makes his way in, cheerily tips his capTo me and the lady in blackBefore carrying on his way.

He has left behind the scents of the night;Tales of sleeping wildflowers, the heady smell of wood smoke after

rain.I close my eyes.In the distance

I hear summer toss her head and laughCherry blossom hair spilling over onto meadow green shoulders

Her laugh reaches deep under the earthAnd explodes through my window.

Silence.Outside, June sleeps on.

RunningOlivia Chambers, 4th year

With the wind in her ears she can’t hear a thing;Not a car or a lorry or even the birds sing.Her feet pound to the beat of her heart;She’s tiring now so the panting begins to start.Just another mile until she is back;It’s all in preparation for running the track.The big day is near so she has to train;She’ll push herself through all the pain.Her eyes water as she picks up her pace;She’s imagining herself running the race,Around the track she will run;Under the order of the starters gun.But before that day she must prepare;Get out there and tie up her hair.With the wind in her ears she can’t hear a thing;Not a car or a lorry or even the birds sing.

Global Warming Triona Harvey, 1st Year

The world one day will disappearAnd we will all have to live elsewhere it could be on mars or Jupiter who knows?But we will all have to move, When the world finally blows. We use her fuels,We dig deep underground,But over what we have done,We still stand proud.I don’t know if we should, Keep going or not.After all the world is still getting more hot.The global warming is burning us to a crisp.I wonder is it worth Such a huge risk.

Take my thoughtsJames O’Halloran, 5th year

Take my thoughts, Take it allScattered thoughts, in a breezeTumbling, twisting like flowing leavesTake my thoughts and gather them upThen take them and leave them in a cup

If you need to see what I’m thinkingTake the cup and just start drinkingBe amazed at what you findNow you see, as you were blind

To what I think and thought and saidAnd saw the blue and green and redColours floating in the streamOf collections of all the things I’ve seen

My mind now open for you to roamMy home of thought is just my homeMy home of thinking, big and small

Just take my thoughts,Take it all.

Many thanks to the

Old Scholars for sponsoring the short

story/poetry competitionFiona Carty

& Rachel Morris


65

The Cross CountryJeananne Mulligan, 2nd Year

It starts at the trees,in Coolie Woods.Where the birds sing,to no words.

Stretching and jumping,hearts are pumping.The whistle blows,you’re on your toes.

Out of the woodsand onto the drive,Jogging fast,your spirit’s alive.

Past Annamaurand behind the courts.Now we have speedsof all sorts.

The walkers, the joggers,the sprinters too.Everyone’s here,what next to do?

Run a little further,down the trail.To the back gate,don’t forget to inhale.

Past Glynn,where classes are on.Just a bit more,not far to run.

Some hit the wall,a few just stop.Others keep goingright to the top.Around to the astroand the grit.Almost there,just the last bit.

Past the pitch,where the rugby is played.If you win,your dreams will be made.

The finish line’s in view,it’s oh so near.Everyone’s there,giving you a cheer.

You get a stickerto state your place.Thank God it’s over,you’ve won the race!

Rebecca Mullane (about the ski trip) - “OMG I

nearly had a heart attack, there was no salt!”

Ms. O’Byrne - “In what religion do they pray to

Allah?”Niall Walshe - “Morocco?”

Mr. Cox - “Where in Europe would you find

levees?”

Naomi Warren – “Africa.”

William O’Morchoe (points at some containers) –

“That’s U.C.C.”

Jessica Molloy – “Really?”

Mr. Cox – “This is a drumlin.”

Finn Troy – “Drum roll?” (Bangs the table.)

Mr. Cox – “Give me an example of a natural

hexagon.”

Finn Troy – “Pentagon.”

Quotable

Quotes

Jessica Hegarty (outside the math’s class-

rooms) - “Why is higher maths on the ordinary

floor? Shouldn’t it be upstairs?”Hannah Cantopher - “Who in this school lives

beside Mrs. Glasheen again?”Alice Bowring - “Síobhan.” (Glasheen)

Mr. Denniston – “I recommend you read your

own writing out loud. You can do it in your

head.”Ms. Kirwan (on receiving the first article for

the review.) – “One swallow doesn’t make a

summer.”Naomi Warren – “Ah, but a bird in the hand is

worth two in the bush.”

Quotable Quotes


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Sport Sport

Presentation of Trophies 2008/2009

Friday May 29th 12.30– 12.45 Foy Hall

Presentation of Certificates of Excellence and Participation: Clan Captains: Collect Thursday May 28th

Presentation of Trophies: Anne Goggin Outgoing Chair Newtown School Committee

Swimming GalaMinor Boys Champion: Liam Landy Minor Girls Champion: Megan Fitzgerald Junior Boys Champion: James Kavanagh Junior Girls Champion: Andrea Harvey Inter Boys Champion: Clive Hatton Inter Girls Champion: Louise Kent Senior Boys Champion: Callum Chambers Senior Girls Champion: Katie Quinn

Presentation of X-Country WinnersMinor Boys Champion: Liam Landy Minor Girls Champion: Charlotte Hackett Junior Boys Champion: Dean Whealan Junior Girls Champion: Andrea HarveyInter Boys Champion: Jamie Cross Inter Girls Champion: Louise Kent Senior Boys Champion: Alex Flynn Senior Girls Champion: Dervla Purcell

Presentation of Tennis WinnersMinor Boys Single Champion: Barog Kennedy Runner Up: Barry O’SullivanMinor Girls Singles Champion: Kelsey CunninghamRunner Up: Megan FitzgeraldJunior Boys Singles: Champion: Sam ButlerRunner Up: Ben O’KeefeJunior Girls Singles: Champion: Phoebe Moore Runner Up: Rebecca HobanInter Boys Singles: Champion: Jamie Cross Runner Up: Ben CrossInter Girls Singles: Champion: Eliza Gomez Runner Up: Aifric HeffernanSenior Boys Singles: Champion: Callum Chambers Runner Up: Arthur Dunne

Senior Girls Singles Champion: Sarah Yates Runner Up: Helena v Kockritz Open Mixed Doubles: Champions: Sarah Yates and Ben CrossRunners Up: Olivia Chambers and Callum Chambers

Presentation of 1500m WinnersMinor Boys Champion: Liam Landy Minor Girls Champion: Charlotte HackettJunior Boys Champion: James KavanaghJunior Girls Champion: Andrea HarveyInter Boys Champion: Stephen ScallanInter Girls Champion: Olivia ChambersSenior Boys Champion: Alex FlynnSenior Girls Champion: Sarah Rose

Athletics Competition

Presentation of Certificates of Excellence and Participation

Minor Boys Champion: Nigel Kennington Minor Girls Champion: Charlotte Hackett Junior Boys Champion: James Kavanagh Junior Girls Champion: Emma Prendergast Inter Boys Champion: Stephen Scallan Inter Girls Champion: Olivia Chambers Senior Boys Champion: Callum Chambers Senior Girls Champion: Rebecca Walsh George Fitzgerald Memorial Shield: Stephen ScallanContribution to Girl’s Hockey: Grace HeffernanClan Trophy: Red


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Cross-country

Blue

59

Green

69

Red

65

Yellow

72

Tennis 25

Plus Finals

28

Plus Finals

30

Plus Finals

37

Plus Finals

Swimming Gala 514 512 597 562

Athletics 732 598 795 757

TOTAL 1333

Plus Finals

1207

Plus Finals

1487

Plus Finals

1427

Plus Finals

Clan Competition 2008-09

Rugby Munster U18: Ben Cross, Eoin O’Conor, Patrick Kiersey, Emmett O’Shea, William O’Morochoe, Alex Gurnee and Brendan Perkins.

East Munster Rugby U17: Dean Whelan.

Leinster Youths Squad: Daniel Pim.

South East Development Squad: Andrew Walsh and Liam Walsh.

Boys Hockey Munster U18: Tom O’Brien and Stephen Ennis.

Girls Hockey South East U18/U21: Laura Power (Se-lected for Irish U18 Trials) and Heidi McIlvenny.

South East U16: Ruth Harrison and Becky Barr.

Waterford U15 Football: Jamie Cross and Christian Cullen.

Tennis Munster U16 Schools Finalists: Sam Butler, Alex Hackett, Alan Jephson and Barrog Kennedy.

Equestrian: Grace Allen, Bertram Allen, April Allen, Wil-liam Hickey, Hannah O’Shea and Anna Hickey.

Swimming: Meghan Fitzgerald and Louise Kent.

Gymnastics: Rebecca Hoban (2nd U15 Nationals).

Athletics: Clive Kennington (Ireland Regional Squad Training) and Andrew Heffernan.

Sailing Irish Optimist Development Squad: Ruairi Finnegan.

Cricket ReportHunter Maclachlan

Newtown vs. De la Salle In aid of” Missions Week”

On Wednesday the 28th of October Newtown played their first cricket match of the year. The Newtown team was a very inexperienced side consisting of 2nd through to 4th years, including a few players who had no experi-ence of the game at all. The game clashed with a Senior Rugby match.

Newtown batted first, Newtown experienced difficulty during batting and were bowled out within the set overs limit. There were great batting displays by Josh Kenny and Hugh O’Connor who claimed the majority of the runs and made a good batting partnership on field.

When fielding we played a lot better with good bowling from Will Troy and Hugh O’Connor. Hunter Maclachlan and Hugh O’Connor caught out a batter each, De la Salle reached the required target with only two outs.

Newtown performed well for a side that had no training before and were lacking in experience. We learnt a lot from the game and are improving. We look forward to more games and a summer of Cricket.

Team Batting OrderWill, Troy 1Daniel, Fenton 2John, M ullins 3Luke, Ryan 4Josh, Kenny 5Hunter, Maclaclan 6Hugh, O’Conor 7Neil, Dunne 8

Sporting Achievement 2009-2010


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Clan Cross CountryOn Monday the 21st of December 2009 the annual clan cross country took place. It was a frosty morning, and despite freezing conditions, there was a brave turn out. Clan colours were everywhere, all you could see was, blue, green, yellow and red.Both serious runners and “fun runners” participated. The number of fun runners was slightly down on previous years, due to the cold weather. Well done to everyone who took part and congratulations to all the winners. Warm showers were appreciated by all afterwards.A big thank you must go to all members of staff who helped to organise and run this event. A special thank you must go to Mr Butler. Also to the very colourful clan captains who came out and encouraged everybody to participate.

Clan X CountryIndividual Races

Minor Boys - 1st - Conor Buckley Yellow 2nd - James Kiersey Red 3rd - Ben Doyle RedMinor Girls - 1st - Charlotte Hackett Yellow 2nd - Trinoa Harvey Blue 3rd - Lucy Latta GreenJunior Boys - 1st - Liam Landy Red 2nd - Nigel Kennington Blue 3rd - Conor Vogelaar BlueJunior Girls - 1st - Emily Hermon Green 2nd - Sinead Doody Blue 3rd - Mia Falkenthal BlueInter Boys 1st - Jamie Cross Yellow 2nd - Alex Hackett Yellow 3rd - Andrew Walsh RedInter Girls 1st - Olivia Chambers Red 2nd - Louise Kent Red 3rd - Andrea Harvey BlueSenior Boys 1st - Callum Chambers Red 2nd- Aidan Devlin Green 3rd - Clive Kennington BlueSenior Girls 1st - Charlotte McCormack Green 2nd - Abi Hurley Collins Blue 3rd - Hannah Cantopher Red

1st Yellow 62pts2nd Red 61pts3rd Blue 54pts

3rd Green 54pts


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East Munster Schools’X-Country29th January 2010St Augustines Dungarvan

Phoebe Moore – Inter GirlsLiam Landy – Junior BoysLaura McDaid – Minor GirlsKate Cafferkey – Minor GirlsEve Heffernan – Minor GirlsDanille Lynne – Minor GirlsLucy Latta – Minor GirlsNicola Boyd – Minor GirlsTriona Harvey – Minor GirlsCongratulation to all the above who took part in the East Munster Schools X – Country.All results are on the Munster Schools web site.Congratulations to Liam Landy who qualified to run in the Munster Schools X- Country to be held in Cork CIT February 28th.

Waterford Schools’Athletics ResultsWednesday 28th April 2010

Ian. Cohen 1st High Jump – Minor Boys, 3rd in ShotPeter. Joyce 2nd Shot – Minor BoysConnor Vogelaar 1st High Jump – Junior BoysLiam Landy 1st 1500m – Junior Boys, 3rd in 800mWilliam Hickey 3rd High JumpNeil Dunne 3rd High JumpAlex Hackett 3rd 800m – Inter/Senior BoysClive Kennington 1st 100m – Inter/Senior BoysAndrew Walsh 3rd JavelinMinor Boys Relay 2ndJunior Boys Relay 3rdJunior Girls Relay 3rdAlso Competed: Minor Boys: Stuart Slevin, Daire McBride, Luis PettitJunior Boys: Ruari Finnegan, Nigel Finnegan, Nigel Kennington, Brian KennyInter/Senior: Andrew DavisJunior Girls: Charlotte Hackett, Kelsey CunninghamInter/ Senior Girls: Phoebe Moore, Becky Barr 3rd Javelin Congratulations to all Athletes who took part in a really successful athletics meeting..

AthleticsEast Munster BoysMinors: Ian Cohen 1st in 100m and 2nd in Relay Luis Pettit 2nd in Relay and ran in 100m Daire Mc Bride 2nd in Relay and ran in 800m Luke Kenny Shot Ruairi Finnegan Long Jump Ben Doyle 2nd in Relay Long Jump

Juniors: William Hickey Walk Connor Vogelaar Walk Nigel Kennington Long Jump and High Jump Liam Landy 1500m Brian Kenny 3rd in 200m

Inters: Neil Dunne Alex Hackett 2nd High JumpSeniors: Clive Kennington 1st in 100m and 2nd in 200m Sliabh Wells 3rd in Discus and ran in 400m Andrew Heffernan High Jump

East Munster Girls

Wednesday, May 5th 2010

Minor Girls Event ResultNikki Boyd 800m/Relay 4thTriona Harvey 800m/Relay 4thDanielle Lyne 100m/Relay 4thEve Heffernan 100mLaura McDaid LJ/Relay 4th

Junior Girls Event ResultCharlotte Hackett HJ/800m

Inter Girls Event ResultOlivia Chambers 1500m/Relay 4thAnna Hickey LJ/Relay 4thRuth Harrison Javelin/Relay 4thNichola Fennell LJ/Relay 4th Abi Wilkinson LJ/Relay 4th Andrea Harvey 800m/Relay 4thBecky Barr Javelin 3rd

Congratulations to all athletes.


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Clan 1500mMinor Boys- 1st Connor Buckley -Yellow 2nd Daire McBride - Red 3rd Luke Kenny - Yellow

Minor Girls- 1st Charlotte Hackett -Yellow 2nd Nikki Boyd -Green 3rd Laura McDaid -Red

Junior Boys- 1st Liam Landy -Red 2nd Brian Kenny -Blue 3rd Nigel Kennington -Blue

Junior Girls- 1st Emily Hermon -Green 2nd Amy Roche -Red 3rd Una Maya Kennedy -Red

Inter Boys- 1st Jamie Cross -Yellow 2nd Alex Hackett -Yellow 3rd James Kavanagh -Yellow

Inter Girls- 1st Olivia Chambers -Red 2nd Leah Strobelt -Red 3rd Andrea Harvey -Blue

Senior Boys- 1st Stephen Scallan -Blue 2nd Ollie Jay -Blue 3rd Adan Devlin -Green

Senior Girls- 1st Charlotte McCormack-Green

FinalsWednesday 26th May

800mMinor Boys Connor BuckleyMinor Girls Charlotte HackettJunior Boys Nigel KenningtonJunior Girls Emily HermonInter Boys James KavanaghInter Girls Olivia ChambersSenior Boys Clive KenningtonSenior Girls Yuki Omi

High JumpMinor Boys Peter Joyce Junior Boys Conor VogelaarInter Boys Alex HackettSenior Boys Andrew Heffernan

Long JumpMinor Girls Laura McDaid Junior Girls Katie GurneeInter Girls Anna HickeySenior Girls Yuki Omi

Thursday 27th May

400mMinor Boys Connor BuckleyMinor Girls Laura McDaidJunior Boys Nigel KenningtonJunior Girls Una Maya KennedyInter Boys James KavanaghInter Girls Olivia ChambersSenior Boys Clive KenningtonSenior Girls Charlotte McCormack

High JumpMinor Girls Eve Heffernan Junior Girls Rebecca HobanInter Girls Aifric HeffernanSenior Girls Charlotte McCormack

Long JumpMinor Boys Tom Prendergast Junior Boys Brian KennyInter Boys Alex HackettSenior Boys Stephen Scallan

Shot Minor Boys Hugh O’ConorMinor Girls Sarah- Anne BakkerJunior Boys Neil DunneJunior Girls Jean Ann MulliganInter Boys Andrew WalshInter Girls Sarah KeoghSenior Boys William O’MorochoeSenior Girls Charlotte McCormack

1500m Winners


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Swimming Gala 2009-10

The annual clan swimming gala was a great success. The pool was filled with eager swimmers and lots of en-thusiastic supporters. But the swimming wasn’t the only competition that day. There was some serious com-petitiveness between clan captains for the title of “Best Display”. After a lot of hard work by clan captains to set them up and some deliberation by the judges, Green clan came out on top.It was great to see the range of swimmers taking part in the gala. Everybody from the first to six years and from club swimmers to people just doing it to get the one point for their clan took part. As Mr. Butler says “It’s all about the participation”. But in every competition there has to be winners, and Yellow has come out strong as ever to win, followed by Green in second, Red in 3rd and Blue in 4th. There were also top class individual swimmers by Ian Cohen, Liam Landy and Meghan Fitzgerald, who all broke school records on the day. Thank you very much to Mr Butler, Ms. Coady and all staff members and gap students who helped on the day.Brid McNamara and Heidi McIlvenny.

Swimming Gala 2009-101st Yellow – 609pts2nd Green – 604pts3rd Red – 496pts4th Blue – 470pts

Minor Boys Champion: Luke Farrell (Green)Minor Girls Champion: Megan Fitzgerald (Blue) 6 out of 6 Junior Boys Champion: Liam Landy (Red) 6 out of 6Junior Girls Champion: Katie Gurnee (Green) Inter Boys Champion: Jamie Petch (Blue) Inter Girls Champion: Heidi McIlvenny (Yellow) 6 out of 6Senior Boys Champion: Andrew Heffernan (Yellow) Senior Girls Champion: Siobhan Glasheen (Blue)

Junior Girls’ TennisBy Kelsey Cunningham and Charlotte Hackett

In March we set up an under fourteen’s tennis team. The girls on the team were Kelsey Cunningham, Charlotte Hackett, Sarah Murray, Laura McDaid and Hannah Bren-nan. We started training in Saint Anne’s Tennis Club. On the 5th of April we competed in our first round against the Ursuline team, unfortunately they came out the strong-er team and won. Following that we were put into the shield, then on the 26th of March. We played Saint Flan-nans from Ennis. We won all three of our matches and therefore we went forward to the semi-final which was against the Ursuline from Blackrock, Cork. On Monday the 26th of April we travelled to Cork to play them. After playing three matches against them we were even and it came down to a tie-breaker from two doubles matches, Kelsey and Charlotte won their match, but unfortunately Hannah and Laura lost their match. From competing in the Munster Schools tennis we all improved so much and enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks to Ms. Ryan and Mr. Butler for taking us to training, giving up lunchtimes and also for taking us to the matches. Thanks for making this a wonderful experience.

Munster Schools’ TennisBy Sam Butler

The U-16 schools tennis team which included Sam But-ler, Alex Hackett, Alan Jephson and Baróg Kennedy en-tered the Munster U-16 schools tennis competition.In the first round we travelled to Carrigaline in Cork. We travelled down with the highest hopes of progressing to the next round. We were seeded and we started the game. Sam Butler won the 1st match 6-0, 6-0 in a very one-sided affair.Alex Hackett won the 2nd match 6-4, 4 -6, 6-3 in a very back and forth encounter.Alan Jephson and Baróg Kennedy lost their doubles match in a very tight game.At the halfway stage we led 2-1 and needed to win 1 more game to book a spot in the next round. We split into our doubles pairings and Alex Hackett and Alan Jephson clinched the game with a fine performance win-ning 6-3, 6-2. To win 3-1.

Swimming Gala Winners


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HockeyFirst Year Boys’ HockeyFirst year boys had a good season with plenty of matches and blitzes with mixed results. First was a blitz on Sep-tember 30th in Bandon, with mixed result. Good perform-ances all round.

Our next match was against Midleton, in Midleton. We had a defeat but the match was enjoyable. Good per-formances from Ian Cohen and Daire McBride.

We were meant to have a blitz in Ashton but it was post-poned due the bad weather at the time and the flooding.

We hadn’t had a match in months before our match against Villiers at home on December 9th. It was a tight match but due to a late goal to Villiers we lost. Ian Cohen and Luis Pettit had a great game.

We came back after our Christmas holidays to a blitz in Villiers on January 27th. Ian Cohen was ill so we didn’t have a forward. Also Daire McBride was injured with a broken arm so we were without our centre-back. We won one match, lost one and drew one.

Newtown hosted our last blitz of the season. It was against Bandon, Midleton and Ashton We were still with-out our injured players. 11 aside matches were enjoyed by.

It was coming to the end of our season and our very last match was against Bandon held at Bandon which we won.

Written by Peter Joyce and Luis Pettit.

Special thanks to Terry Butler and Steven Pim.

Squad: Conor Buckley, Daire McBride, Peter Joyce, Lu-kas Dwan, Fiachra Brogan, Ted Sanders, Stuart Slevin, Harry Sheridan, Evan Jacob, Devon Hartel, Bill Mitman, Luke Kenny, Sean Whelan, Hugh McEvoy, Jeffrey O’ Brien, Luis Pettit, Peter Murphy, Ian Cohen and James Kiersey.

Junior Boys’ HockeyThe Junior Hockey team had a fine year of hockey. The main highs of the season was beating Villiers twice and drawing with Middleton. We started the season deter-mined to win a game. We did so in the first blitz of the year in Villiers. It was a hard fought match with Sam But-ler scoring from the short corner. We won this match 1-0. In the same blitz we drew with Middleton 0-0. We then played in the cup against Bandon. This was a very hard match. We ended up losing this match but left with our heads held high after two fantastic goals from John Mul-lins and Jamie Petch. We had training every week with everyone turning up to each training session. The sea-son came to an end with a final blitz in Newtown.

We had good performances throughout the year from Sam Butler, Jamie Petch, Alex Hackett, John Mullins,

In the quarter final we played St Anne’s of Killaloe at home. We played with the same seedings and claimed a good victory.Sam Butler won the 1st match 6-0, 6-0.Alex Hackett won the 2nd match 6-0 , 6-0.Alan Jephson and Baróg Kennedy won the deciding match 6-3, 6-2 to wrap up a 3-0 victory.We travelled to Clonmel High School for the semi-final.We knew this would be a tough match. We played 3 hard fought games. We decided to change the seedings for this match, swapping Sam Butler to number 2 and Alex Hackett to number 1.Alex Hackett won the 1st match 6-4 , 6-2 in a difficult but exciting match.Sam Butler won the 2nd match 6-0, 6-4 in a long but at some stages boring match.Alan Jephson and Baróg Kennedy won to wrap up the match and book a place in the final. They won 6-0, 5-7, 6-3. To win 3-0.This was a fine victory for the team. Thanks to Luke for travelling and supporting the team.We are now in the final which is yet to be played.

MUNSTER SCHOOLS’ TENNISMAY 17TH 2010LIMERICK LAWN TENNIS CLUB

U16 BOYS CUP FINALA HACKETTS BUTLERA JEPHSONB KENNEDY

A HACKETT LOST (3 - 6, 0 – 6)S BUTLER WON (7 – 5, 6 - 0)A JEPHSON /B KENNEDY LOST (1 – 6, 2 – 6)A HACKETT/A JEPHSON LOST (3 – 6, 1 – 6)S BUTLER/B KENNEDY (NOT FINISHED)

Lost 3 – 1 to Colaiste Muire, Cobh, Co. Cork

U-16 schools tennis team


73

Sliabh Wells, and Geoff Graham. We hope most people can make the step up to seniors next year.

Squad: Goal keeper: Andrew Walsh. Defenders: Jack Joyce, Tom Rohan, Max Marden, Diarmaid Wingfield, John Mullins, Geoff Graham, Alfredo Llorente and Wil-liam Hickey Midfielders: Sliabh Wells, Alex Hackett, Alex Clarke, Sam Butler, John Boyd, Raoul O’Brien and Ben Doyle. Forwards: Max O’Brien and Jamie Petch.

Minor Boys’ HockeyBy Max O’Brien

Squad: M. O’Brien, T. Rohan, J. Mullins, G. Graham, D. Wingfield, D. Spurling, B. Doyle, R. O’Brien, W. Troy, N. Kennington, W. Hickey, M. Marden, B. Allen, D. McBride, R. Finnegan, T. Prendergast, B. Kennedy and I. Jackson

Results: Wins – 3, Draws - 1, Losses – 2

Overall the team had a good season, winning 3 out of 6 matches. The results got better as the season pro-gressed as the team started to train consistently, even still hockey needs to be taken more seriously if the team is to progress in the cup. The younger ones were quick learners and gained valuable experience this year that they will hopefully use next year.

Senior Boys’ HockeyBy Luke Bailey

The senior boys’ hockey team was put under a great deal of pressure this year. The first problem we faced was a lack of senior players. This lack of senior players was partly due to the rugby euphoria, which began this year as almost all of the senior boys wanted to get onto the senior boys rugby team to defend and retain the Mungret Cup won last year by a fantastic squad last year. The rugby boom left only a handful of senior boys to play on the senior boy’s hockey team. There were not sufficient senior players to make a full team so this led us to call upon the younger years to step it up a notch and com-pete at a higher and a much more physically demanding senior hockey level. The juniors were hesitant at the start finding the tempo, technicality and fitness almost over-whelming and demanding for their capability. Nonethe-less as time progressed the juniors grew in confidence and with the senior boys encouraging and passing on wisdom as well as Mr. Butler’s guidance and training by our Monday night coach Chris Thomas, they soon be-came senior hockey players worthy to perform and rep-resent our school. Our only sixth year and captain for the most part Thomas O’Brien led the squad training and we played hard, well-fought matches against the like of Bandon Grammar and Kilkenny College before the big snow at the Christmas break. Also before Christmas we were privileged to partake in a friendly match against a touring Scottish side by the name of Robert Gordon’s. This match was one which was taken seriously despite

its friendly status. Both teams battled hard to represent their country, using the peak of their games to penetrate each other’s defence. This game ended in a draw, one of which each and every player deserved. Thomas O’Brien sadly had to end his final year on the Newtown hockey team shortly after Christmas as he was injured which would later prove to diminish his hopes of returning to the squad. With Thomas gone captaincy passed to Gary Marshall. Also with the departure of Thomas in the cen-tre midfield this responsibility fell to John Boyd, one of our best.

We trained hard all year, we fought in our matches as a team, the defence holding off the opposition, and at the heart of the defence captain Gary Marshall stood tall and poised an immovable object in the backline. Meanwhile people such as John Boyd, Sam Butler and Sliabh Wells made breaks and great scoring opportunity upfront .de-spite great performances in matches, behind the scenes we struggled to fill gaps in the team, one of our main forwards Jamie Petch had obtained a severe ankle injury. Many of the junior players we trained had been called upon and taken by the JCT rugby team as they ploughed their way into their cup final. The team was in a state of panic as we scrambled to find suitable players to fill the gaps in our squad. However we were rescued by a hand-ful of enthusiastic senior rugby players who were more than happy to help out. These rugby players surprisingly proved more than coordinated with a hockey stick. With the rugby players opting to continue their hockey careers, we had a full team one more. We grew stronger and had more belief than ever before. We played our matches not just as hockey players but as good friends. Once we had a grasp of our ambitions we stormed through our last few games with a series of wins to end a long season on a high.

I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Butler and Chris Tho-mas on behalf of the whole team for their coaching and guidance all through the year.

THE HOCKEY TRIP TO WESLEY

By Luke Bailey

The Journey started with high spirits and enthusiasm up until about 2 hours later when the entire population of the bus needed both food and a break. One quick stop and a check of the map had us on the way and ready for kick-off. Lisburn, our sister Quaker school, has remained undefeated since the cup began back in 2007, which by the way we weren’t told. Coincidently Newtown choir were visiting Lisburn at the same time, nonetheless their hockey team was keen on retaining the cup and neither side planned on showing any mercy. Hopes were high in the Newtown bus for a win to conclude a difficult sea-son. Determined to win the cup the team was eager to start on arrival in Wesley. The Lisburn team disembarked from their bus and produced 30 rather expensive look-ing hockey bags leaving us in doubt of our chance. But Newtowners never to be discouraged from a challenge walked side by side confidently with the boys from the


74

north to the changing rooms. A quick change before a hearty warm up, then followed by the teams squaring up to each other and presently ready for the whistle. The match began with a high tempo and skilful play by both teams, unfortunately we were unlucky to concede an early goal. Ulster hockey was living up to its reputation. Spurred on by an early goal (from the opposition) we fought courageously to equalize. At half-time Newtown was still trailing with good performances from John Boyd and Sam Butler. The Lisburn side continued its assault on the Newtown defence who cheered on by our water girls stood almost impermeable for the second half. The team had struggled to create opportunities further up the pitch throughout the match, and despite the best efforts from our forwards we could not find the last touch to hit the backboard. The match ended in a “narrow defeat” but both sides congratulated each other on what was an enjoyable well fought match. Captain Sliabh Wells spoke on behalf of the Newtown lads. Both sides came together and posed for the annual photo. We return defeated but with heads high and looking forward to next year’s sea-son and an end to Lisburn’s reign.

We would like to sincerely thank Chris Doyle and Mr. But-ler for all their training and belief in us this year.

GIRLS’ HOCKEY REPORTFirst Year Girls’ HockeyThe first year girl’s hockey team finished 2nd overall in the league that we play in throughout the winter. We were, however, beaten 1-0 in the final but overall we had a great season with wins against the Ursuline, The Ab-bey, Colasite Bhríde, Loreto Wexford and Kilkenny Col-lege. To finish up the season we had a friendly tourna-ment against The Abbey and The Ursuline. We won both matches beating the Ursuline by six goals to nil and The Abbey by one goal to nil. We would like to thank Ms. Hill and Ms. O’Connor for coaching us throughout the sea-son.

Squad: Lucy Latta (Captain), Lara McDaid, Hannah Brennan (Goalie), Eve Heffernan, Nicki Boyd, Izzy Gra-ham, Sophie Crotty, lla Chapman, Kayleigh Newcomb, Atlanta Doherty Brophy, Rowan Keane, Grace Allen, and Triona Harvey.

Junior Girls’ Hockey TeamBy Andrea Harvey

The junior girls’ team had a great season. The first match came just over a month after playing together as a team. It was against Ursuline Juniors. We won 1:0. The goal was set up by Abi Wilkinson in a well planned short cor-ner.

The second match, the very next week was against Lo-reto Kilkenny. We came away with a draw 1:1. Serena Bifolchi scored an excellent goal from an almost impos-sible angle.

Our next match was against Loreto Wexford. We lost 0:1. The team played exceptionally well though, especially Scarlett Maclachlan as centre back and Sarah Murray as centre forward.

Our last match was against Kilkenny College. We were all nervous but the team pulled through and did as re-quested by Ms. Hill, we won 3:0. Rebecca Hoban had a fantastic game, as right back, scoring at least one of the goals. That was a great match to end the season.

The girls on the hockey team were amazing. Everybody was so enthusiastic at each game it was impossible not to enjoy playing with them. Thanks go to Ms. Hill for train-ing us every week throughout the season and keeping us motivated for all our matches! Thank you girls, good luck for next season!

Squad: Holly Wells, Becky Barr, Katie Gurnee, Rebecca Hoban (Vice Captain), Scarlett MacLachlan, Serena Bi-folchi, Sarah Murray, Amy Kelly, Emma Prendergast, Ro-saleen Traynor , Phoebe Moore, Hannah Murray, Lydia Thorpe, Ruah Berney Pearson, Sarah Keogh, Jane Mur-ray, Cathy McGrory , Abi Wilkinson and Andrea Harvey (Captain).

Minor Girls’ Hockey Report

By Emily Hermon

This year the minor hockey team had a reasonably good season. We had a fantastic new coach, Alison O’Connor, who was great fun and really good at helping us improve. She came to support us at most of our matches. We would like to thank her very much for all the time and ef-fort she put into the team.

The season began with a win over St. Declan’s school, the score being 3-0. Throughout the season we played a number of other matches, which brought out the best in all our players. A cup match ended our season, which we lost 1-0 to Loreto in Waterford.

The whole team had an excellent year of hockey. Players who had a particularly good year were Jessica Corrigan (sweeper), Katie Gurnee (goalie), Sarah Murray (mid-field) and Niamh Lynam (back). The team are all looking forward to playing again next year.

Squad; Emily Hermon, Kathie Gurnee, Jessica Corrigan, Clara Ffrench Davis, Megan Fitzgerald, Rebekah Mul-lane, Sarah Murray, Ellen O’Carroll, Charlotte Hackett, Ruth Cusack, Rosy Holman, Niamh Lynam, Una Maya Kennedy, Gillian Bond, Rachel Brady, Kelsey Cun-nigham, Jean Ann Mulligan, Sinead Doody and Ruth Bennet Coady,

Senior Girls’ HockeyBy Captain Charlotte McCormack

The senior girls had a great year, despite having such a young squad. We worked hard at training all year and


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came together well as a team. We played 6 matches in between our endless fitness sessions and reached the semi-final of the cup. Unfortunately we were just beaten by a strong Loreto Kilkenny side. Both the senior boys and girls squads travelled to Dublin to play Kings Hospi-tal in a friendly match. This was a great test for the teams and they preformed excellently! The girls played a fast, exiting game and drew nil all (0-0). It was a great day trip for the squads and we would like to thank Charlotte and Terry for arranging everything. We have improved greatly this year and we look forward to next season!

Squad: Charlotte Mc Cormack (Captain), Nicola Fennell, Heidi McIlvenny (V.captain), Olivia Chambers, Laura Power, Abi Wilkinson, Brid Mc Namera, Beth Rochford, Aifric Heffernan, Kate Moore, Erica Gurnee, Megan Byrne, Lea Stroblet and Hannah O’Shea

SOUTH EAST HOCKEYBy Charlotte Hill

For being a small school Newtown has always had good representation on the South East squad, which is a great achievement for those girls who make it. It involves a huge commitment at weekends and extra fitness train-ing done in their own time. Ruth Harrison and Becky Barr both played U16, while Heidi McIlvenny and Laura Power played U18 and also U21 this year. Laura Power achieved U18 Irish Hockey trials again this year as Goal Keeper but was very unlucky to miss out, but I’m sure it will only motivate her more for next season.

Thanks to Ms. Rellis who continued to do great work with the goal keepers and first year girls and also to Alison O’Connor who joined us on the coaching team from WIT to coach the minor girls this season.

Gymnastics By Rebecca Hoban

I started doing gymnastics when I was very small. My grandad used to teach me how to flip in the back garden. I started in Tralee Gymnastics Club when I was 7years old. When I became a boarder I trained with the Water-ford Crystal Gymnastics Club. I have been competing for them for 2 and a half years now. This year I was compet-ing at level 5 in the under 16 age category. In early April I went to the All – Irelands and was placed in the top 7 in all pieces (floor, beam, bars, vault)

This summer I am hoping to make the jump up to level 7 (Junior Code) where I can then compete at an Interna-tional level. Over the summer I am also going to a 1 week boarding camp in Belfast to train with some of Ireland’s best coaches. We will have to see how that goes.

Orienteering survival guide! While it is important to be able to read a map, it’s not strictly necessary.Compasses are unnecessary objects which you will most likely loseThe bus will be at least an hour late back (that is if it comes at all at the start). Half an hour late is early!Always check that the packed lunch is in otherwise you will starve as Coxer doesn’t believe in sharing.It is likely that at least one of the controls will be moved so remember to look up. Don’t forget that you have to click your dibber at the start and finish otherwise nothing will count.There’s a 98% chance that it’ll be raining on orienteering dayIt is guaranteed that you will come back covered in mudDon’t get lost or the bus WILL leave without youAnd finally REMEMBER it’s all for fun and fun for all! In the Waterford Schools event held at Tower Hill, Portlaw, the boys retained the Overall Boys Shield. Gold medals were won by the Junior Boys, Senior B, Senior Boys and Senior Girls teams. The Minor Girls won silver. Individual golds were won by Liam Landy, Mia Falkenthal, Evan Jacob, Niall McEvoy and Isabel English.

The Munster Schools were held in Colligan Wood, Dun-garvan. Best placed were the Senior Girls (Andrea Har-vey, Olivia Chambers, Anna Hickey and Georgia Door-ley) who were narrowly pipped by the Ursuline into silver medal position. The Junior Boys, Junior Girls and Minor Boys teams won bronze medals.

At the Irish Schools event held in Glengarra Wood near Cahir, Co. Tipperary, the Senior Boys (Niall McEvoy, Joe Dixon, Sliabh Wells and Ben Slevin) and the Minor Boys (Ted Saunders, Ian Cohen, Daire McBride, James Kier-sey) once again got 3rd team placing. Congrats to the Senior Girls who overturned the Munster placings to win Gold. Isabel English also won 3rd place individual lead home the team of Becky Barr, Anna Hickey and Andrea Hemmingway.


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JCTSt. Flannans’ (0) – Newtown (31)With a bye in the 1st round we were at the last 16 stage of the Mungret Shield. This match was played in Ennis, so a three and a half hour drive before a quick warm up was to do us no favours. Even so we ploughed straight into the match.

This team nearly matched us for size but certainly not for skill. The 1st period in the match was played up in their half if not their 22. With no possession, St.Flannans’ buckled under the pressure and conceded a penalty. Ben O’Keeffe calmly slotted over.

We continued this high tempo play knowing we needed to get the next score to put our mark on this game. After receiving clean ball from the pack and half backs, our first centre Andrew Walsh sliced their defence open for the game’s 1st try, converted by Alex Hackett.

With 10 minutes left of the first half Walsh again scored under the sticks after a barging run.With Flannans’ dejected we hoped to score early on in the second half to close the game off. We failed to do so and gave them hope. They couldn’t come close to breaching our defence. With possession regained we ran in two more well worked tries from Ben O’Keeffe and Alex Pim, converted by Alex Hackett. Final score 31-0.

Newtown (28) – CBS Sexton (12)We were drawn against CBS Sexton in the quarter finals. Luckily it was a home game. We started the game well with our out half Alex Hackett kicking two penalties over to give us an early 6 – 0 lead. From a scrum on their 22, we extended our lead with crash ball from centre Andrew Walsh. Alex Hackett converted. After a couple of phases we were once again in their 22. With heaps of pressure, we were awarded a penalty on their 5. A quick tap-and-go from our captain Alan Jephson who popped the ball to number 8 Hunter MacLachlan who scored a vital try close to the corner. At the break the score was 18 – 0.At the start of the second half we dropped our guard and gave them two easy tries. They were now back in the game with the scores at 18 – 12. Both teams fought hard to keep possession of the ball and soon enough our pa-tience paid off. With a well executed set play our fly half popped it to our centre Andrew Walsh who barged over for his second try.Later our fly half kicked over another penalty to put the game beyond reach and ending the game 28 – 12. This game was the hardest of our campaign and gave us great confidence going into our semi final.SMI (0) – Newtown (40)We had a long 3 hour drive to Newcastle West to play SMI. For the first 10 minutes the game was very tight. But soon enough we were bearing down on their try line. We were awarded a penalty on their 5. Ben Kavanagh took a quick tap, stepped one and dived over to score our first try. Alex Hackett converted.

Straight away SMI caught us of guard and put on a cou-ple of good attacks. Finding themselves in our 22 several times but didn’t take their opportunities to score. Once we got the ball we attacked straight away. Our winger Christian Cullen running down the left wing into their 22. As he was tackled into touch he kicked the ball in field, popping up to full back James Kavanagh who touched down under the posts. Conversion from Alex Hackett.As the second half started we pushed on further and scored again. With Andrew Walsh scoring. SMI looked down and out. We pushed on and scored a further 3 tries. Two tries came from James Kavanagh giving him his hat-trick. Dean Whelan was the other scorer. All 3 were con-verted by Alex Hackett. The game ended 40 – 0.


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The Mungret Shield Final

Middleton (10) - Newtown (3)

After a late change of venue, the match was to be played in Youghal R.F.C rather than Clonmel R.F.C. This didn’t help our nerves. The game was played on a soggy pitch which gave no team an advantage. We kicked off to be-gin the final.

The first 15 minutes Middleton had all the possession, leading to a penalty and duly 3 points.After this, possession was deeply contested in the centre of the field. After a couple of good phases Middleton were in our 22. An unfortunate slip from our winger gifted them a try in the corner. The conversion was made. This was a shock to the team and we responded well with some tight running plays and barging runs. Half time came.

We started the second half as we ended the first. We found ourselves down in their half for a majority of the second half. We failed to take the chances we had. We were given a penalty in front of the posts. We took the 3 points bringing the score to 10-3. We tried to take advan-tage of the time we spent in their half but Middleton be-came too strong to crack. They held on and took the win.

We would like to thank the support on the day and throughout the season. Also credit is due to our coaches, Mr. Keappock and Mr. Ashmore.

JCT Squad 2009/2010: Ian Jackson, Alan Jephson (Captain), Ben Kavanagh, Hugh O’Connor, Geoff Gra-ham, Liam Walshe, Dean Whelan, Hunter MacLach-lan, Alex Pim, Neil Dunne, Jack Tully, Josh Kenny, Alex Hackett, Andrew Walsh, Jamie Cross, Sam Butler, Ben O’Keeffe, Christian Cullen, James Kavanagh, Andrew Davis, Brian Kenny, Connor Vogelaar, Nigel Kennington and Ronan Sharpe.


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SCT Rugby Review 2009/10

By Clive Kennington and Octavian Fitzherbert Newtown started off the season with a series of friendlies against, C.B.S New Ross, Waterpark College, Mallow, Bandon Grammar, Midelton College, Rockwell College, St. Edwards and Glenstal Abbey. The real season began with Bandon in the Cup.

Wednesday 9th December: Newtown vs. Bandon Grammar: 6-23On a cloudy day in Newtown, we took on Bandon in the Avonmore Milk Schools Senior College Cup. Newtown went 0-3 down early, but responded well with the two Ben Cross penalties to go 6-3 ahead. Despite great defence by Alex Gurnee, George Walsh, and Ben Cross, Bandon managed a try on the stroke of half time. Our scrum was under pressure throughout. When we had the ball, we kicked territory very well via the boots of Patrick Kiersey and Emmett O’Shea. Bandon grabbed two tries in the second half, one right at the finish. We left the pitch dis-appointed with the results.

Saturday 16th January: Newtown vs. Enniscorthy U19 (friendly): 8-8Newtown competed well, against a large and very skilled Eniscorthy outfit. We opened the scoring with a Ben Cross penalty. Then, after a good build up in play Em-mett O’Shea went over in the corner. Ben Cross was very unlucky with the conversion, which hit the post. We led 8-3 at the break. Big defences from both sides in the 2nd half, and Newtown were unfortunate to concede. We had chances to win late on, but were unlucky.

Wednesday 27th January: Newtown vs. Villiers: 20-3In LIT, Newtown played the Mungret Cup Quarter Final. In average conditions Newtown had a tough encounter with a spirited Villiers’ side. We exchanged penalties early on, before Clive Kennington charged down a kick to score a try, which Ben Cross converted. We led 3-10 at the interval. Newtown’s strong defence from the 1st half continued in the second. We put together a good se-ries of moves, resulting in Daniel Pim going in under the posts and Ben Cross converted. The game could have done with a bit more shape, but Ben Cross scored a late penalty, to ensure progression in the cup.

Thursday 11th February: Newtown vs. SMI Newcastle West: 15-19 On a sunny day in Newtown, with good support we played SMI. It was now the Mungret Cup Semi Final. We started the match well with Conor Bellew scoring in the corner very early on. After a good phase of play, Patrick Kiersey chipped and gathered to score under the posts, and Ben Cross converted. We led 12-0 at the break. SMI scored 1st in the second half, with a try, but we hit back with a Ben Cross penalty. SMI pressed for another try, and took advantage of a sloppy Newtown defence. They scored another try late on to destroy Newtown’s Cup dreams and retaining the cup. Newtown exited the pitch gutted. This was a game Newtown shouldn’t have lost.

Wednesday 14th April: Newtown vs. Waterpark Col-lege: 13-23On a hot, sunny day in Ballinakill, we played Waterpark in the Daunt Cup. Newtown got off to a good start with Clive Kennington scoring an early try, which wasn’t con-verted. Newtown then seemed to lose their discipline giv-ing away a series of unnecessary penalties, two of which


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1st Year/2nd Year RugbyBy Barry O’Sullivan, David Kavanagh and

Daire McBride.

Our first match this year came away to Midleton. We started the game very nervously, conceded two quick tries and by half time we were losing by 12-0. In the second half we got an early try by Daire McBride. The conversion attempt by David Kavanagh just missed but determined to bounce back he scored a try which was converted by Daire McBride. As our hopes rose of a pos-sible win we lost focus again and began to get sloppy and conceded another converted try. In a very physical match Barry O’Sullivan got a tooth knocked out though carried on without telling anybody. Just before the end Conor Buckley got a good pass on the wing to score our third try. The match ended 19-17 to Midleton.

Our second match was at home to Wycliffe from Eng-land. Again after a slow start we lost three quick tries with two converted. Then we sorted ourselves out and scored 3 quick tries [2 by Devon Hartel and another by Luis Petit]. Barry O’Sullivan converted one and so did Daire McBride. More crazy rugby followed in the 2nd half , with Wycliffe grabbing the lead and then Devon Hartel scored another try [Barry O’Sullivan converted it] followed by a quick try by David Kavanagh and then a penalty by Daire finished the game 38-31 to Newtown.

Our third match was a very competitive game against Waterpark. We were down 14-0 in the first 10 minutes

and then we got two converted tries back by Daire and David [With conversions by Barry and Daire]. Our for-wards on the day had a phenomenal match. Unfortunate-ly Waterpark got a try in the last minute which was then converted to win the game 21-14.

Our last match was against a strong Waterpark U15 team and straight away they got two tries which were converted. We responded quickly with an unconverted try of our own. Waterpark struck back with two converted tries leaving the score at 31-5 late into the game. We then picked up our game and scored a converted try and a penalty then at the death they received a penalty and scored it leaving the game at 15-34 to Waterpark. The age difference on the day had a huge effect on the match. We’ll get them next year!

were kicked. We then hit back with a penalty of our own from Cross. Waterpark then broke our defensive line and scored a try before half time. We were 11-8 down at the interval. Newtown’s defence seemed rattled in the sec-ond half and we conceded two tries. Newtown failed to score again. This was a disappointing result considering we had a comfortable win against Waterpark earlier in the season.

Summary of the season: The rugby team this year lacked the necessary depth that was there in last year’s very successful team. It was always going to be a diffi-cult road for a new side. The route was made even more treacherous by injuries and forced changes in key posi-tions. At the end of the day we expected better results. The overall feeling in the squad was disappointment. The team put in a great effort and trained well. A big thank you must go to our coaches Emyr Jones and Hugh Lyons for all their effort over the year and to the players who trained hard all season.

SCT Squad: William O’Morchoe, Paul Murray, George Walsh, Theo Marden-Wasteneys, Alex Gurnee, Conor Bellew, Ben Cross, Daniel Pim(VC), Patrick Kiersey, Eoin O’Conor(C), Brendan Perkins, Emmett O’Shea, Stephen Scallan, Clive Kennington, Andrew Heffernan, Daniel Moloney, Jack Joyce, Daniel Bailey, Killian Kelly, Octavian Fitzherbert, Sliabh Wells, Oliver Jay, Finn Troy, Kyran Wallace and Stephen Ennis.


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The 1st and 2nd Year Blitz: On our last Wednesday after-noon of the rugby season we held a Sevens Blitz. Four teams competed over that after noon and after a few in-tense matches Green and Red made it to the final. In a fantastic game there was a lot of talent on show with the Red Team coming out victorious. Blitz awards: Best at-tacker: Brian Kenny, Best Defender: Raoul O’Brien

Try of the Year was awarded to Bill Mitman

Best Tackle: Will Troy on David Kavanagh,

Most Improved Player was given to Sean Whelan.

A big thank you must go to Mr. Ronan, Mr. Lester and Mr. Deacon for all their work throughout the year.

The Squad:

Ted Sanders, Luke Kenny, Devon Hartel, Bill Mitman, Luis Pettit, Tom O’Donnell, Barry O’Sullivan, Peter Joyce, Harry Sheridan, Lukas Dwan, Peter Murphy, Stuart Slevin, Fiachra Brogan, Ben O’Neill, Sam Ffrench Davis, George Morris, Barog Kennedy, James Kiersey, Daire McBride, William Hickey, Ian Cohen, David Kavanagh, Raoul O’Brien, Ben Doyle, Conor Buckley, Sean Whelan, Will Troy, Ruari Finnegan, Marcus Walshe, Evan Jacob, Jeffery O’Brien, Henry Dickinson & Hugh McEvoy.


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Hoofprints Interschools Show Jumping League

By Camilla Driver.

26-09-09 The team of Hannah O’Shea, Anna Hickey, Wil-liam Hickey and Bertram Allen travelled to Boswell. The team jumped clear and qualified for the jump-off. Anna and Bertram took part in the jump-off and gained four faults. The team finished sixth out of 33 teams competing on a total score of four faults, a good start to the league.

03-10-09 Once again the team of Bertram Allen, Hannah O’Shea and Anna and William Hickey represented the school, this time at Coilog Equestrian Centre, Kilmeague, Naas. Newtown was one of 33 teams competing. The team jumped clear, qualifying for the jump-off, in which Anna and Bertram rode. They added four faults to the team’s score of zero. The team was unfortunate not to be placed, but in the individual competition William Hickey took first place.

10-10-09 Two teams represented the school at Barnad-own Equestrian Centre, Newtown School Waterford Red Team (Hannah O’Shea, Anna Hickey, William Hickey and Bertram Allen), and Newtown School Waterford Pink Team (Grace Allen, Ruth Cusack, Nikki Boyd, Unamaya Kennedy).

Both teams qualified for the jump-off after both jumping clear rounds. Anna and William Hickey represented the Red Team in the jump-off and the Pink Team sent Grace Allen and Ruth Cusack into the jump-off. Anna and Wil-liam both jumped clear, as did Grace Allen (who had the fastest jump-off time of the day) but Ruth unfortunately gained four faults for the Pink Team. The Red Team fin-ished in second place with a total score of zero faults, and the Pink Team finished fourth, on a total score of four faults. 47 teams competed. Anna Hickey and Bertram Allen both rode in the individual speed derby, with Anna taking second place, and Bertram sixth place.

05-12-09 The team of Aifric Heffernan, Anna Hickey, Wil-liam Hickey and Hannah O’Shea and the team of Nikki Boyd, Unamaya Kennedy, Ruth Cusack and Grace Allen travelled to the local round of the interschool’s league in Ballinamona, Tramore, Co. Waterford to compete against 25 other teams.

Aifric, Anna, William and Hannah all jumped clear, quali-fying their team for the jump-off, as did Nikki, Unamaya, Ruth and Grace. Hannah and Anna went into the jump-off for their team, each having clear rounds and competi-tive times. Grace and Unamaya rode in the jump off for their team. Ruth jumped clear but Grace was unfortunate to have one fence down. The team of Aifric, Anna, Han-nah and William finished in second place and Nikki, Ruth, Unamaya and Grace’s team finished seventh, just out of the prizes.

12-12-09 Our school was represented at Broadmea-dows, Ashbourne, Co. Meath by Anna Hickey, Hannah O’Shea, William Hickey and Unamaya Kennedy. They all jumped clear, qualifying for the jump-off. Hannah and Anna rode in the jump-off. Both of them jumped clear. The team finished in second place.

Overall, Newtown School finished fifth place in the league, an excellent result.

Interschools Hunter Trial 13-3-10

Hannah O’Shea, Anna Hickey and William Hickey trav-elled to Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow, as a senior team, Aifric Heffernan as a senior individual and Unamaya Kennedy as a junior individual. All five went around the course successfully in their various classes.

Stonehaven Riding Lessons

By Fiona Carty

Over the last few years, horse riding lessons have been set up by the school. They take place on a Wednesday, in Stonehaven Equestrian Centre, Waterford, which has a large indoor arena with a viewing gallery and a cof-fee shop. It also has an outdoor arena and facilities for trekking and cross-country jumping. The lessons are an hour long. There is a large range of horses and ponies to choose from.

When the weather is fine, lessons can take place out-doors. We also use the cross-country course if the weather is fine. The lessons are aimed at the intermedi-ate rider, but anyone can take part, from a novice to an

advanced rider. This year we had a novice called Hannah Cantopher in a group of mainly intermedi-ate to advanced riders. She has improved immensely and has started cantering and jumping already.

Every few weeks, our in-structor changes. This is good as each instructor can see different faults in your riding and help you correct them, which helps you be-come a better rider.

The lessons are good fun.


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GOLFBy Luke Bailey

This year as always we had just a few golfers attend les-sons with our golf coach Colm Carew. Not many people know that there is golf in Newtown. For those who do attend golf lessons in Newtown, it occurs every Thurs-day. Early dinner is given to the golfers at five o’clock and ready to depart with Mr. O’Cuinn at 5:15. We ar-rive at Newtown driving range met each week with a jolly smile from Mr. Carew. He always says “Many people believe they can play golf just because they can swing the club. To be good at golf you must follow 5 simple steps.”

• First get your grip correct with your right hand overlapping your left thumb

• Then make a triangle, from your shoulders and your arms

• 3rd your stance, set your feet at shoulder width or slightly wider, and do not rock your hips when you swing, don’t lean forward as in picture 1

• 4th don’t bend your wrists, keep them solid ,move your arms and wrists together in one simultane-ous movement

• 5th swing back the club with left your arm and move your left shoulder to swing the club and follow through.

What Colm always tells us is to follow the five steps ex-plained above.The secret to golf is not to hit the ball, you do not try and hit it, you simply go through the five steps and make sure you move your left shoulder, and if you want to become better simply practice these steps with your left arm only. In following these steps you will hit the ball, so you use this system and the result is the striking of the golf ball.

In using these 5 steps everyone has drastically improved their golfing skills this year even Mr. O’Cuinn. To sum-marise this year’s golfing experience we are looking for-ward to playing an 18 hole golf course and putting our new skills to the test.

On behalf of all this year’s golf attendants I would like to sincerely thank Mr. O’Ciunn for organising all of our les-sons and to Mr. Colm Carew who through his teaching has made each of us a better golfer.

Waterford Schools Badminton Competition Friday 20th November, 2009

Congratulations to all who took part in the Waterford Schools Badminton Competition, held at Blackwater Community College. Outstanding result was the junior team who won their division. All games were played with enthusiasm and enjoyment and great pleasure was made of the day. Badminton is a great game and one that can be played in school and or in clubs. I hope this is just the start. Well done to all who took part.

Senior Girls: Nicola Fennell, Anna Hickey, Beth Rochford and Patricia Martinez

Final Newtown vs. Lismore Lost 1 – 5Senior Boys: Luke Bailey, Stephen Ennis, Alex Clarke and Andrew WalshFinal Newtown vs. Lismore Lost 0 – 6Junior Boys 1st overall: Alex Hackett, Sam Butler, Alan Jephson and Jamie Petch Round Robin Newtown vs. Lismore Won 4 – 2 Newtown vs. St. Declans Won 6 – 0Junior Boys: Max Marden, Joshua Kenny, Geoffrey Graham, and Roland WalsheFinal Newtown vs. Lismore Lost 1 – 5Junior Girls 3rd overall: Phoebe Moore, Catherine McGrory, Becky Barr, and Sarah MurrayRound Robin Newtown vs. Lismore Lost 0 – 6 Newtown vs. St. Declans Drew 3 – 3


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Surfing in Tramore!Abi Hurley Collins

Tramore is and has been linked to Newtown school for years in several different ways. TY students enjoy the wonderful beach atmosphere and learn to surf as part of their activities. Aside from this, there are a few surf crazy students who live and love to surf. Every chance we get (myself included) we are in the water be it hail or rain, sun or clouds. While we are away from our homes and our usual surf breaks, excursions to Tramore are a regular routine. Wednesday afternoons, Saturdays and Sundays there is nothing we like more than to be out in the chilly Atlantic Ocean with waves rearing overhead…Tramore beach has a wonderful atmosphere, two surf schools Oceanic Manoeuvers and T Bay (in a constant battle of “who’s more radical”) and an influx of tourists every time the sun decides to shine. Surfing in Tramore can be a dire business because the waves are seldom in existence. No surfer wants to go through the hassle of getting to the beach only to find that it’s flat, flat, flat! Get-ting to Tramore from school is hard work. The following are the necessary steps we must take to insure we get a surf under our belts:Getting letters of permission from parents who are sick to death of using the fax machine.Managing to secure a lift to Tramore, this always takes a bit of ‘Newtowners luck’.IF we’re lucky and there are waves, we get wetsuits on as quickly as humanly possible (I’m always the last one ready but I’m a girl!), run to the water’s edge and without thinking twice, plunge into the sea and begin the long paddle out.It is unfortunate that more people in school don’t surf, especially because we are so close to Tramore beach. There was a trip (set up by myself) last year, in which the school arranged for anyone who wanted to go surfing on a Sunday afternoon to do so. This arrangement unfortu-nately ended with the retirement of Mr. Collins.I love surfing. It’s a brilliant sport and until you try it you don’t know what you’re missing. There is nothing I like to do more than be out in the waves with friends. This is not something I get to do often during the school year but, when it comes to the summer holidays I’m a beach rat!I’m going to ask everyone reading this to please, give surfing a try this summer, I hear it’s gonna’ be a good one! PEACE OUT DUDES!

In November, along with fifteen other transition year girls, I completed an intensive training course to become a Spikeball Leader. The course was run by the Volleyball Association of Ireland (VAI) and took place over a two day period and organised as part of the Women in Sport Coaching Programme. The main aims were to promote the involvement of women in sport and raise awareness of the important role they play. The idea of the course was to introduce young women to the whole concept of participating fully and actively in all aspects of sport and our community. One way to do this was by coaching younger children in our local primary schools.

On the first day, Graham Torrence from the VAI arrived to be met by sixteen eager girls. Spikeball is a newly de-veloped sport and so we had no knowledge at the time of what the game entailed. Nevertheless, we were willing to learn, so the training course got underway quite quickly. Despite Spikeball being an adapted form of Volleyball, it was still a relatively new sport for all of us and took a bit of adjustin to. Throughout the first day, we were slowly introduced to the new rules, skills and ball handling. By the time Graham had finished with us, we all had a good understanding of Spikeball and our interest in the game was such that we looked forward to teaching it to others.

On the second day of coaching, Graham was joined by another VAI coach, Mary Lalor. The training for the day alternated from learning the game to teaching it to each other, and focusing on the coaching aspect of the course. We learned how to teach, referee and promote the game,

which we would come to do vigorously. As we were to teach the game to primary school children, we had the difficult task of trying to make learning the game fun, ei-ther by the way we interacted with the children or the way we introduced new skills. It was a long 6 hour day which required an awful lot of concentration on our part. Though we were all exhausted by the end of the course, we were excited about teaching the new game to others.

We were split into groups of twos and threes, given Spike-ball tee shirts and allocated different classes/schools. It was in these groups that we would teach Spikeball to our respective classes. We would be teaching fourth, fifth and sixth class from Christchurch NS, St John of Gods, Waterpark NS and Newtown JS. They were all local

SpikeballBeth Rochford


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schools so transportation to and from them over the fol-lowing weeks was easy.

We spent one hour each week for six consecutive weeks coaching the children. The new sport was met with much enthusiasm from pupils and teachers alike. After learning the rules and the different skills used in the game, every child could participate fully in the Spikeball games.

At the end of the six week period, the 29th January, we held a Blitz competition in the Foy Hall in school. Teams of enthusiastic players from each school arrived in New-

town, to be met by us, the equally enthusiastic organis-ers. At the end of the competition each child received a lollypop with the winners being awarded special prizes.

In the end, the whole course turned out to be a huge success. The local kids learned a new game, while we learned how to be diligently involved in our community and improve our participation in local sports programmes. By simply learning a new game we could, in turn, impart our knowledge to others and become active members of the community. It was a worthwhile and rewarding expe-rience. I would recommend it to anyone interested.

Random Pics

The Bear necessities - sunglasses and water

Ironing Choir uniforms

In pensive mood

Don’t forget your shovel if you want to go to work

Flower Power


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MusicMusic in Newtown

Music has always been a major (or minor, or dominant seventh) part of Newtown life for years, and is now more so than ever. Newtown has had many famous musicians pass through its gates over the years e.g. Sinead O’Connor, Karen Casey and Tara Blaise as well as Simon Crowe and Garry Roberts of the Boomtown Rats, to name but a few. Over the years, the music department has developed and students can now choose from a wide range of instruments from piano to drums and guitar and everything in between. This is possible due to the much appreci-ated work and dedication of Ms Anne Barry, director of music. This form of tuition is the kind sought after by most students. All grade examinations are arranged through the school by Ms Patricia Hogan. Newtown students have always prided themselves in scoring highly in these exams. This is not by accident, however. The continuing suc-cess of music at Newtown is due to the skills and dedication of the music staff, who, day in day out come in and give lessons on a one to one basis. This personalised tuition is the kind sought after by most students and the school is lucky to have them. Much of the staff are highly involved in music outside of school, playing in bands, recording, singing in choirs, performing and accompanying.

There have been many student bands over the years but this year none have survived long enough to come under our radar. There is one duo however that still plays and busks together regularly which comprises of the writers of this article. We have gone through many names but have settled on Benzoloroso which is a mixture of our stage names (Benzene and Joey Doloroso). Should any bands be formed, Newtown provides excellent facilities for them to grow and develop. Ms Barry’s classroom is available (at her discretion) for them to practice in, with a full sized drum kit and lots of space to jump around in and such. The classroom also houses the school recording equip-ment, which is free for anyone to use should inspiration strike!

As usual it has been a very busy year for music both in and out of school, with students partaking in Feises and recitals. Students have played in morning collect; this an opportunity for students to get to grips with performing in front of their peers and for the rest of the school to enjoy the variety of music happening at school. The Christmas concert this year was a great success as there were many students who played for the first time as well as students who are used to playing in front of large crowds. As usual the performances were of a very high standard. Again, well done to all involved and thank you to Mr. Murray for recording the entire event.

Rock on everybody!!!!

Ben Turner and Joe Dixon

The Chamber Choir perform at the Regional Final of the All-Island School Choir Competition.


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Music ReportJunior Choir:With Junior Choir back on the timetable this year, all of Form 1 piled into M2 and raised the roof with some wel-come exercises for young singers. It was quickly evident there were a number of great singers in he group and one thing they were not was shy!

In the opening term we worked on a selection of songs and settled on a Jackson Medley as our choice for Christ-mas. This featured three brave soloists in Sophie Crotty, Jeffrey O’Brien and Ian Cohen who sang A,B,C, I’ll be there and Ben respectively. What a great job they did and what a great start to the Christmas Concert the ju-niors made.

In the second term, some of our focus in class turned to sight-reading, tonic solfa and the singing hand signs. This group enjoyed the challenge this method presents. In their ‘x’ and ‘y’ class groupings, they learned very quickly to follow the hand patterns and could read up to an octave with ease in a short space of time. These were encouraging signs in advance of our choir exam towards the end of the year. On the day, despite a shaky dress re-hearsal, the choir sang with great conviction and volume! The examiner commented on their energy and their ex-cellent diction and he was most impressed by their sight-reading and theory – the latter receiving full marks. The choir was awarded 136/150 – a high distinction.

As I write, audition time for the Chamber Choir has come around again and I am delighted by the number of form 1 singers who have shown interest in giving auditions a shot. That’s the attitude – well done! I hope to see you next year in either the Senior or Chamber Choir.

Senior Choir:With the numbers looking very healthy again this year, the girls were instantly promoted back to a 3-part choir and we were able to work with more challenging reper-toire once again.

One of our ‘starter’ pieces in September ended up being one of the girl’s favourites and Allundé featured a number of times during the year. With a confident opening solo from Laura Power, this setting of a Swahili prayer talks about a mother protecting a newborn child and includes some African vocal effects which the girls enjoyed repli-cating.

To this we added Sahayta by Ben Allway which was com-posed by a group of students at a peace conference. The text represents many languages but highlights a unity in the search for peace. Ektaa is that ‘unity’. The ‘call and response’ style of singing in this piece also comes from the African tradition and this was ably led by four senior 1st sopranos – Sunita Brazil, Dearbhaile Maclean, Katie Maguire and Eimear Mullane,

Our third piece for the Christmas concert was the carol Hodie Christus Natus Est arranged by Michael Bedford. We had struggled with learning the words for this one for some reason, but it all came together on the night! It’s always lovely when the audience is oblivious to the potential ‘blips’!

In the next term we looked toward our exam and added to our Christmas ‘set’ with a complete contrast in John-son Boys. This involved some choreography which the girls grasped with ease. All they were missing were their stetsons! On the day of the exam, the girls gave this a rousing performance and the examiner commented on the ‘rhythmic energy’ they brought to this arrangement.

For three years in a row the girls were awarded 138/150 but they will be delighted to know that this year, they topped that result by a mark – 139/150 – only one mark away from the ‘Excellence’ division!

We have had a special bunch of girls from 6th form this year who stayed with the choir all the way to the end of the year. Your commitment and sense of fun during rehearsals and performances has added so much to the choir. A special thanks to Jasmine Bolger-Patel, Lucia Brogan, Hilary Stack, Sarah McDonagh, Catriona Dooley (Altos), Claire Buckley (2nd Soprano) and Sunita Brazil, Dearbhaile Maclean, Katie Maguire and Eimear Mullane (1st Sopranos). Be sure to keep up the singing next year girls. Any choir would be delighted to have you.

Chamber Choir:For new members coming into Chamber Choir it can be a daunting experience to begin but this year’s crew did not seem to be at all troubled and settled in with ease! We welcomed 1st soprano Lucy Walsh (Form 4), 2nd so-pranos Rebekah Mullane, Ellen O’Carroll (Form 2), and Eimear Mullane (Form 6), altos Jess Corrigan (Form 2) and Amy Kelly (Form 3), tenors George Morris and Cillian Jacob (Form 2) and basses Neil Dunne (Form 2), Jung Hur (Form 4) and Austin Slevin (Form 6),

The opportunity to take part in a new choral competition arose in September when an application for the All Is-land School Choir of the Year arrived. The requirement was to send a CD of the choir with two songs recorded in September. For this we chose The Long and Wind-ing Road and Feel the Spirit and a few weeks later we were informed that we qualified for the Regional Finals

Member of the Chamber Choir hold Chamber Choir trophy for the Cork International Choral Festival, Schools Competition. The choir was awarded 90% and a mark of Excellence.


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which took place at the Cork School of Music on Thurs-day, October 22. There we competed against four other schools, the event was recorded for RTE 1 television and, although we did not qualify for the finals, we had a great day. The programme was broadcast on Sunday November 1st and was accompanied by a very nice pro-file on the school.

In November we turned our attention to preparing for the WLR/Lions Club Christmas Hamper Appeal Concert. In addition to the usual carols that we join forces with oth-ers choirs to sing at this event, a fun arrangement of The 12 days of Christmas was amongst the repertoire. This incorporated a variety of styles including jazz, gospel, barber shop and opera. The concert was on December 12th and our own school concert followed on December 18th. In addition to our competition pieces we performed Estrella Brillante by Nancy Grundahl. One of the chal-lenges I set for the choir this year was to be able to sing mixed up and without being conducted and I was delight-ed when the choir did both, very capably, on that night.

On Dec 9th some senior students were also involved in a choral recital given by a number of school groups with the theme of diversity and integration. This took place at the Mount Sion Church and was a lovely start to the Christmas performances.

In the New Year we revised Duilleoga by our friend Br. Ben Hanlon and we also began a new and very chal-lenging spiritual by Paul Caldwell, Daniel in the Lion Den. The latter is mostly in 6 parts and though it took time to settle into this difficult piece, we got the notes together and could then begin putting some real shape on it.

On Thursday, March 18th we made the trip to Lisburn to Friends School. We spent a lovely day there singing for the school, rehearsing with their choir and later that evening, performing with them in St. Mark’s Church in Belfast. We sang some solo items and also joined the massed choir for the hymn singing in Stainer’s Crucifixus. After a busy day we said goodbye to our Lisburn friends and headed back to our hotel for a well earned rest!

On Friday we started the day with a tour of Queen’s Uni-

versity. There we were shown around the music depart-ment and the wonderful Sonic Arts Research Centre. Following this we had a workshop with James Davey, one of the UK’s leading choral directors. He got us into gear with some great warm ups and then worked on a selection of our pieces. Though the choir was tired they were very co-operative and attentive and gleaned a lot from James’s expertise.

That evening we shared a concert with the QUB Brass Band under the baton of Prof. Michael Alcorn. They were wonderful and treated us to a section of film and big band music which was a highlight for many on the trip. I am delighted to say that the band plans on paying us a visit in December and we’ll look forward to returning their kind hospitality.

Although that was the end of our official performances for the trip, it was not the end of the singing and our thanks go to James O’Halloran and Ben Turner who played gui-tars and accompanied the choir all the way home – 4

hours, almost non-stop playing – from Belfast to Water-ford! Well done guys!

Following the Easter holidays, we returned with three weeks to go to the Cork International Choral Festival. We worked hard and got our two pieces comfortably under our belts. Both Duilleoga and Daniel in the Lion Den were challenging, and ‘big’ sings, but we were encouraged by Br. Ben’s reaction to his piece when he came to visit a few days before the competition. He didn’t realize quite how difficult it was and was impressed by how the choir had ‘made it their own’ and, he felt, ‘turned it into a better piece than he had written’. Ever the humble composer, but I think we can safely say he was very pleased so we went to Cork hoping to give Duilleoga a worthy premiere and that we did. The ensemble rocked a little in our open-ing piece, Daniel in the Lion Den, but not enough to sway the judges’ decision. They awarded us first prize with a mark of 90 in each piece, a certificate of excellence and a beautiful ceramic trophy which marks the special cen-tenary of Prof. Aloys Fleischmann’s birth – founder of the festival. We were all very happy campers heading back to Waterford and, more than our win, we were particu-larly delighted to have won with Br. Ben’s great composi-tion. It transpired Br. Ben had 6 pieces performed at this

The Chamber Choir are warmly welcomed at Friends School, Lisburn

Chamber Choir girls at QUB Concert Hall.


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year’s festival. Two premieres, three winning choirs and two special awards and it was lovely to play a part in that success.

On May 13th we did our exam and it was a great, con-fident, relaxed and fun performance. For this we added Africa to our Cork programme and were awarded a very high, 143/150! Well done one and all. That evening we gave a recital at the local Cheshire Home which was much appreciated and we look forward to including that in our calendar for next year also.

Our last performance of the year was without question

the best performance of the year.

It was a fund raising concert for the Waterford members of the Irish Youth Choir and all of the local choirs who have IYC members performed. It was a great festival of singing and one in which the choir held their heads very high. It was great to end on such a high note – literally! – after what has been a very special year and I would like to say a very big thank you to all the choristers for your incredible commitment, your hard work and for taking on the challenging music I present for you with such cour-age and conviction!

I hope you have enjoyed the year as much as I have and you can be very proud of all you have achieved. Here’s to 2010 –2011.

The only sad part about Chamber Choir for Mrs. Keap-pock and I are the goodbyes every year. Often the 6th years have become the leaders and the inspiration for younger choir members and this year’s group is no ex-ception in that regard. They have been a terrific bunch and they will be greatly missed. Many have been in the choir since 2nd year and those who joined along the way equally showed their commitment and dedication. Thank you guys – you have been a pleasure to work with and I hope others choirs will benefit from your great talents

wherever you may be in the future. To Maeve, Dearbhaile, Claire, Eimear, Sarah, Paul, Jonathan, Hugh, Shane and Austin lots of luck for the future and keep singing! AB.

Irish Youth Choir:The Irish Youth Choir is a national choir of approximately 85 singers from all over the country. Newtown has had good representation in this group over the years, and this year is no exception. I am delighted to wish Dearb-haile Maclean (Soprano), Paul Murray (Tenor) and Hugh O’Farrell-Walsh (Bass) all the very best as they join the ranks of the IYC. They will have a wonderful opportunity to perform with the Irish Youth Orchestra, under the ba-ton of Greg Beardsall, and sing Brahm’s Requiem and Ive’s Prayers of Kirkagaard. Into the bargain they will get to perform at the West Cork Music Festival, the Wexford Opera House and at the National Concert Hall. I know it will be the start of something very special for them in their choral careers. Enjoy every moment!

Chamber Choir Trip To Belfast

By Ben Turner.

In the wee hours of Thursday morning, the 18th of March, the bleary eyed heads of the Chamber Choir made their way on to the bus headed for Friends’ School, Lisburn. Following much rearranging of seats, and running back and forth with forgotten bits and pieces, we set off. Un-usually for Newtown, the bus journey was uneventful, mostly because everyone was too tired to talk. And so, piloted by our cheery driver Jim, we arrived safely and on schedule at Friends’ School Lisburn.

On arrival, we were greeted by head of music Mr. Peter Hunter, who led us inside and kindly showed us to us a room to drop off our array of uniforms, bags, guitars and amps. After lunch in the school canteen, we met with some of the senior students, who led us through the many winding corridors to the school hall. After a quick rehearsal, the choir performed their first concert of the trip to the students of the senior and junior sections of the school, interspersed with some excellent impromptu performances from Jonathan, Paul and Dearbhaile.

Despite a shaky moment from the tenor line (myself in-cluded!) the first performance of the tour was a success, and was enjoyed by all. A quick break and a much need-ed glass of water later, we joined with the FSL choir for a rehearsal of Stainer’s Crucifixion. Not hindered by the task of rehearsing two choirs, the ever resourceful Ms. Barry swiftly took control and soon had both choirs work-ing well together. After rehearsal came what had been the cause of much debate that day; the dreaded ‘icebreak-ers.’ The junior members of the choir, each assigned a member of the FSL choir, headed off for tea with their respective hosts, while we seniors resigned ourselves to our uncertain fate! The icebreakers, however, turned out to be a series of games; harmless, yet deceptively chal-lenging. After one last heated round of ‘Smile’ (the details

Hugh O’Farrell-Walsh (bass), Dearbhaile Maclean (Soprano) and Paul Murray (Tenor) who have been selected by audition for the Irish Youth Choir which takes place from June 26th - July 4th. Well done and good luck!


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of which I shall not divulge here), peace was made once more, and we were then brought to the canteen for tea.

I wonder still where the endless stream of Domino’s piz-zas came from, but appear they did, and no one com-plained. With the pizza safely stowed in happy tum-mies, and awkward introductions over with, it was time to change for the night’s concert. After a second reshuffling of bags and gear onto the bus, we drove to St. Mark’s Church in Belfast where we met with the FSL choir and other adult choirs from Lisburn. Despite having had only a brief rehearsal, the chamber choir easily settled into their parts and mixed well with the other choirs. Both the adult choirs and the FSL choir produced wonderful performances, with some very impressive professional bass and tenor solos and a stunning rendition of ‘You Raise Me Up’ by FSL.

On Friday, after a wonderful breakfast set out for us by our hosts at the Premier Inn, the choir headed off into Belfast for the much anticipated tour of Queen’s Univer-sity. We were met by Claire who showed us to the music department. Here we were given an introduction by Dr.

Pearse Helliwell, Professor of composition, to life as a music student at Queen’s. With several choristers now rethinking their college choice, we were brought through the maze of the university to the sonic lab, a facility unique to Queen’s University. We were met by Dr. Gary Kendall, who explained the inner workings of the lab and played us a sound sample to show off its facilities; the choir were treated to music coming from the walls, the ceiling and even the floor beneath us! The choir were itching to fiddle with the various buttons on display, but it was time to go.

Next we were excited to receive a choral workshop from none other than James Davey, conductor of Chantage, BBC choir of the year. He quickly proved to be a wonder-ful teacher and did intensive work on pieces, tightening sections and offering advice. With this success the choir were eager to workshop more pieces, but unfortunately James had to catch a flight back to London (for a re-hearsal that afternoon!) A huge thank you to James for the great work he did!

After some shopping and sightseeing around Belfast, we returned to Queen’s where we were kindly hosted for tea by the staff there. That night we sang in a concert given by the Queen’s University Brass Band. Head of Music,

Prof. Michael Alcorn had kindly invited us to join in the concert, which was a lovely surprise and a huge privilege for the choir.

Amongst our repertoire for the evening, the choir were particularly delighted to have the chance to premiere a piece by Br. Ben Hanlon, choirmaster at De La Salle Col-lege, Waterford named Duilleoga. It is a hauntingly beau-tiful piece of music, and we were honoured to sing it, and to do so in such a great venue was a real bonus. We look forward to giving Duilleoga its premier in the republic at the Cork Choral Festival on April 30th, 2010.

Another highlight of the performance was our rendition of Africa by the band Toto for which we were joined by beat-box extraordinaire, Niall McEvoy. The performance was a huge success, and a real credit to the hard work of Ms. Barry and the choir. The concert was also a great oppor-tunity to hear some of the emerging talent from Queen’s, with some members of the Brass Band premiering pieces of their own. The concert was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and a huge thank you to Professor Alcorn for inviting us.

Thank you and well done!

Saturday morning came, and it was time to go. After a last delicious breakfast at the Premier Inn, we thanked the

Chamber Choir boys at QUB Concert Hall.

The Chamber Choir at Queen’s University, Belfast.

Chamber Choir members rest after a choral work-shop with James Davey.


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lovely staff and, after lots of running for forgotten bags, we finally set off. Compared to the way up, the journey home was never dull with music erupting at any moment silence seemed imminent. In keeping with the tradition of many a bus journey, guitars were produced from no-where and headed by James O’ Halloran, Loic Jacob and myself, the bus sang, yelled and clapped its way across the country, and after what seemed like no time at all, cruised through the gates of Newtown, right on time for lunch. Though tired out, we all stepped off the bus that afternoon with smiles on their faces, the last chorus of The Wild Rover ringing merrily in our ears.

The trip would not have been possible without the hard work of many people. Thank you to Ms Barry for her tire-less work with the choir, and .without whom we wouldn’t exist! To Mrs. Keappock for all her accompanying, to Mr. McCormick and Mr. Lester for travelling with the group and keeping us all in check, and last but not least, thank you to our cheery driver Jim without whom we wouldn’t have gotten anywhere. Thank you to everyone for a great trip, and well done! Vive la musique!

Piano ReportSiobhan Keappock.

Once in a lifetime, perhaps twice if one is very lucky, do you get the chance to brush with raw talent in the tru-est sense. Six years ago Jonathan Morris came into M3 accompanied with his parents and Mr. Collins. He had finished his school entrance interview and was on his ori-entation walk-about of the school. He had had some pi-ano lessons, he said, but forgot to bring any music books along with him to showcase his progress. Not to worry though...he could try sight reading a piece or two from the volume of Beethoven sonatas sitting on my piano. He did, and so my six years with Jonathan began. To say that Jonathan is an outstanding musician is an under-statement. He has a phenomenal capacity to read and memorise notation. He plays with a sense of time and space far beyond his years. His quality of touch is rich and lyrical, yet dexterous and nimble when necessary. How does he do it? He is gifted. And I know that there is a touch of ‘the harder I work, the better I get’, for he has worked incredibly hard and consistently over the years, but it is in addition to this that I say ...Jonathan Morris is gifted! This summer Jonathan will be taking up a two month residence as part of the Aspen summer music school. He will be partaking in master classes from world class teachers such as John O’Connor and Anton Nel. After this he moves to London to commence his four year music degree at the Guildhall ...on a full scholarship! I wish you the best of luck Jonathan; it’s been a pleasure to work with you.

I am very happy to report on a successful year at the feisenna across the country. Ruah Berney Pearson brought home 1st prize from Feis Maitiu, Cork in the un-der17 repertoire competition. Sarah Galloway and And-rea Hemmingway won the under 17 duet competition in Waterford and Jonathan won the concerto competition in Dublin.

As always we had candi-dates for each of the three examination periods of the Associated Board. Simon Quigley and Sarah Murray did well in the November session, with Beth Roch-ford and Killian Kelly both achieving their grade six theory exams. Jane and Hannah Murray, and Lydia Thorpe did very well in the March session. We had over 25 candidates for the sum-mer session and await the results.

The Leaving Certs all played beauti-fully in their Sunday evening collect per-formances on 21st march. I love this concert and each year it makes me proud yet sad that another batch is ready to fly the coup. This year was a particularly fond bunch...Sarah McDon-agh, Hilary Stack and Jonathan Morris. Best of luck to you all, and also to Scarlett MacLachlan and Danielle Lyne.

Alice Bowring - “I think I went blind for a

second!”

Ross Huet - “It’s called blinking.”

Luke Bailey - “Joe, what does your dad do

for a living?”

Joe Dixon - “He’s a carpenter.”

Luke Bailey - “He should go up to Galway.

He would get loads of work there, with the

floods. They’ll all need new carpets.”

Laura Power - “A cow magnet is a bull, isn’t

it?”

Paul Porter - “Do you think it will snow

Coxer?”Mr. Cox - “Snow chance.”

Mr. Jones – “What is after secondary?

Becky Casey – “I know! Thirdary, then

fourthary!”

Quotable

Quotes


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Who will … 1st year 2nd year 3rd year 4th year 5th year 6th year

Be a Farmer Ian Cohen William Hickey John Mullins Harry Milne Gary Marshall Mark Richardson

Become a Model Rowan Keene Kyra Burell Olivia Power Freya Little Naomi Warren Sarah McDonagh

Win the X-Factor Sophie Crotty Sarah Murray Amy Kelly Andrew Davis Jess Hegarty Dearbhaile Maclean

Be sportsperson of the year

Laura McDaid David Kavanagh

Christian Cullen

Stephen Scallan

Charlotte McCormack

Caoimhe Hahn

Win an Oscar Kate

Caffer key

Melaine Fitzgerald

Rosaleen Traynor

Alex Browne Rachel Morris Austin Slevin

Be a T.V Personality

Kate

Caffer key

Molly Fitzmaurice

Owen Chapman

Amy Corkery Jessica Molloy Shane Murphy

Be a stuntman/woman

Danielle Lyne Will Troy Phoebe Moore James Corcoran Hodgins

James O’Halloran

Andrew Heffernan

Break a World Record

Lucy Latta William Hickey Luke Ryan Ben Kavanagh Stephen Ennis Jonathan Morris

Be the Teacher’s Pet

Peter Murphy Rebekah Mullane

Liam Walshe Stephen Scallan

Laura Power/ Kaija Kennedy

George Walsh

Go down in history

Ella Chapman Una Maya Kennedy

John Mullins Jamie Petch Octavian Fitzherbert

Pixie Porter

Be a photographer

Chris Dowling Marcus Walsh Max O’Brien Hannah O’Shea

Seána O’Neil Nicky Ryan

Feed the world Grace Allen Bertram Allen April Allen Georgia Doorley

Alice Bowring Mark Power

Be on the news Devon Hartell Will Troy Jack Tully Stephen Scallan

Camilla Driver Eimear Mullane

Sail the world Nikki Boyd Ruairi Finegan Scarlett Maclachlan

Thea Johnsten Loic Jacob Aidan Devlin

Be a Ninja warrior

Hugh McEvoy Barry O’Sullivan

Michael Chan James Corcoran Hodgins

Yuki Omi Paul Murray

Who is Most likely to be...


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RECIPE PAGE!These recipes have been generously donated by members of the Newtown community. We would like to thank all recipe donors!

Anne Foley’s beloved Brown Bread

Ingredients:250g Plain white flour250g wholemeal flour2tbs pinhead oatmeal1/2 tsp salt1tsp bread soda (level)15ml buttermilk2tbs sunflower oil

Ms. Keogh’s Carrot, Sweet Potato, Red Pepper and Coconut Soup

Ingredients:1tbsp. Coconut oil or Olive oil½ red onion1 garlic clove1 large carrot1 large sweet potato1 cm root ginger¼ tsp. turmeric2 tsp marigold reduced salt vegetable bouillon powder½ red pepper75ml coconut milk

1. Peel and crush garlic 2. Peel and chop onion, carrot and sweet

potato 3. Peel and grate or chop ginger4. Remove seeds from pepper and dice.5. Heat oil in medium size saucepan and

gently sauté onion and garlic until they soften but do not turn brown (lid on).

6. Add the carrot, sweet potato, ginger turmeric and bouillon powder. Cover with boiling water and bring to the boil. Cover and simmer for 15 min or until the vegetables are soft.

7. Add the red and coconut milk and blend immediately until smooth and thick.

1. Preheat oven to 160 degrees.2. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl.3. Add sunflower oil and milk to the dry mix-

ture, stir with a wooden spoon.4. Pour into greased loaf tin.5. Bake for 45-60 min as ovens may vary.6. Remove from tin and leave to cool before

serving.


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Mrs. Denniston’s Tarte aux Tomates

Ingredients: 250g puff pastry3tbsp sun-dried tomato paste1tbsp olive oil750g cherry tomatoes1 small red onion, peeled and cut into wedges4 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole30g black olives, stoned75g fromage de chevre (goats cheese), soft or crum-bly1 small egg, beaten for glazing1 tart tinsea salt, freshly ground pepper, and basil leaves for garnishing

1. Preheat oven to its highest setting.2. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to a

30cm circle, and gently place in tart tin.3. Prick all over with a fork, leaving 2cm over the

edge.4. Spread tomato paste all over, except the un-

pricked edge.5. Baste cherry tomatoes with olive oil, and tightly

pack on top of tomato base. 6. Sneak in the onion, garlic and olives.7. Dot the goats cheese here and there.8. Season with salt and pepper before brushing pas-

try with the beaten egg.9. Place in oven for 20-25min, tomatoes will have

burst, browned and blistered.10. Serve with green salad.

Peter and Scott’s Lemon Cake (from Mrs. Keappock)Ingredients:8oz butter8oz white flour8oz sugar4 eggs2-3tsp baking powder1/2 jar good quality lemon curd1 lemon (juice and zest)3-4oz icing sugar

1. Beat butter and sugar together until stiff.2. Beat in the flour, eggs and baking powder until

creamed.

Mrs. Glasheen’s Easy Sticky Toffee Pudding

Ingredients: 100g dark muscavado sugar 200g dark muscavado sugar175g self-rising flour 25g chopped butter125ml milk 500ml boiling water1 egg1tsp vanilla extract50g unsalted butter, melted200g chopped rolled dates

1. Preheat oven to 190C and butter a 1.5 litre pudding dish.

2. Combine sugar and flour in a large mixing bowl. 3. Beat together the egg, milk and vanilla extract.4. Add melted butter and chopped dates.5. Scrape mixture into prepared pudding bowl.6. Sauce; sprinkle sugar and chopped butter on the

pudding mix.7. Pour in the boiling water.8. Bake for approx 45min.

The top of the pudding should be spongy and springy and the butter, sugar and water should have formed a rich sticky sauce underneath the pudding. Serve with ice-cream, crème fraiche or cream as you wish.


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Staff QuestionnaireWhat three things would you bring to a desert island?

Ms. Davidson 1.laptop2.books3.mobile phone

Mrs.Denniston 1. my husband 2. complete works of Jane Austen 3. sun tan lotion

Mr. Ashmore 1.a ball 2.Jamie Oliver3. 5th biology class

Mr. Ronan: That makes no sense why would I plan to go to a desert island? I know I often say I wish I could get some peace and quiet from the border boys but going to a desert island is a bit extreme. Where would I plug my playstation 3 in? Where would I store my books? Where would I get my fix of Fentiman’s Cu-riosity Cola? Is there an Ardkeen Superstore on the island? Therefore I feel it would be better if I sent all the kids there and just enjoyed the peace and quiet here in my flat. Oh and I’d send those stupid brothers Jedward there too.

What philosophy do you live your life by?

Ms. Davidson - Do onto others as you would like to have done onto yourself

Mr. Ashmore - Never grow up

Ms. Rellis - Hakuna Matata Ms. Rowe - Just do it

Mr. Cox – I seldom analyse my life if at all, I try to look at ways at which I can interact more positively with those I encounter daily.

Mr. Denniston – Small random, unexpected, insignifi-cant acts of kindness while keeping in mind that one is unique – just like everyone else

Mr. Ronan – When I get sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead. True story!

Ms. Barry – Life is not a dress rehearsal, enjoy every minute.

Which teacher would you most like to have taught you?

Mr. Cox – Henry Collins because he is statesman like and has an excellent grasp of his subject (history)

Mr. Denniston – That man in the gospels – Jesus, the teacher

Ms. O’Byrne – Mr. Denniston

Mrs. Denniston – Mr. O’Cuinn – he makes me laugh!

Mr. Ashmore – any home Ec. Teacher

Ms. Davidson – Mr. McCormick

Mr. Ronan – Fozzie Bear – he tells the best jokes in the world – EVER!

Ms. Rellis – Most have, so no comment!

Ms. Kirwan – “That van looks like it’s

coming through the window.

Peter Joyce – “It says on the van, ‘Granny

Castle’.”

Ms. Kirwan – “Well it’s not coming to get

me.”Another student – “Not yet!”

Ms. Kirwan – “It’s not a Freaky Friday this

Friday, it’s a half day.”

Danielle Lyne – “But it’s Friday the 13th, so

it is a Freaky Friday.”

Quotable

Quotes


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Puzzle page 2010


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In October 2009 I completed The Silva Method Basic Lecture Series in Dublin. I am now a Silva Gradu-ate. Doing the course was one of the best decisions I

have ever made, and I would like to share some of what I learned with you.The Silva Method of mind development is the first how-to program designed to help people function at alpha level frequencies (Brain waves). In this state of mind, you are able to use your best qualities of thinking; your creative side the right-brain hemisphere, together with the logical and rational perspective qualities of your left-brain hemi-sphere.The Silva Method was founded by Jose’ Silva (1944-1999) in Laredo, Texas. His initial aim was to help his children to improve their ability to concentrate and re-member lessons in school. As he found effective ways to help them, he expanded his research, leading to a glo-bal program practiced by millions of people in over 130 countries. There are two main reasons for this rapid growth: The Silva Method is the first and only fully-guaranteed programme known to effectively help people establish greater self-mind control as well as a more innovative way of thinking.The Silva Method is the only scientifically-researched program known to develop intuition. Meditation is a large part of the the Silva Method. Medi-tation describes a state of concentrated attention on some thought or object of awareness. Meditation is also known as; daydreaming, centering, deep relaxation, self-hypnosis, basic plane and alpha level. Controlled relaxa-tion is the basic state used in the Silva exercises. The first part of the programme is learning to relax at any time you choose. It is recommended that you relax properly for at least 15 minutes every day. Doing this strengthens your immune system and dissolves stress enzymes, improving your general health and happiness.Fractional relaxation is a method of releasing muscu-lar tension in one part of the body at a time. The Silva Method style begins by relaxing the head and ends with the toes. You can practice deepening exercises by count-ing backwards slowly from 100-1 or 25-1 breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus in one part of your body at a time starting with your scalp, then your forehead, then eyes, nose, cheeks, mouth, jaw, neck and so on down the body.Once you learn to relax, you will be able to carry out the techniques to help you achieve whatever you want! Whether it’s improving your grades at school, getting to sleep, losing weight, improving your memory or finding a solution to a problem, there’s a technique for everything!

Our consciousness needs information about what we want so it can give positive results. Positive thoughts pro-duce positive results, negative thoughts produce nega-tive results. Positive thinking is very important.Mental House-cleaning in an exercise used to filter out negative phrases such as: “It’s killing me” “I can’t remem-ber” “You’re giving me a headache” “I’m dying for...” and so on. There are three steps involved in Mental House-cleaning:Recognition- you must realize that the thought you are expressing is not to your benefit.Say ‘Cancel, Cancel’- you must cancel the negative thought/statement, take it back in other words............... And most importantly ...............Substitution- you must replace your thought with a posi-tive alternative.For example; “I can’t remember.” ---- “It doesn’t come to mind.”“I can’t afford...” --------“I choose to spend my money dif-ferently”If you struggle to find an alternative statement, just re-peat this affirmation; “Everyday in every way I am getting better and better.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Once you complete the 3 day course and become a graduate, you can repeat the course anywhere in the world for the rest of your life for free! The programme is so effective that a few of the exer-cises, like the three finger technique, are banned in some American high-schools during exams, where it is consid-ered ‘cheating’ simply as they improve your memory! It is seen as an unfair advantage over other scholars who don’t know the method!For more information about the Silva Method or for course dates, check out the website at www.SilvaMethod.comBooks and CD’s are also available to get you started.Seriously think about doing the course, it’s really worth it!!

The silva methodby Brenna Traynor

Random Fact

The word Ò nerdÓ was first coined

by Dr. Seuss in Ò If I Ran the ZooÓ

Random Fact

The youngest pope was 11 years old


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Firs

t Ye

ars


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Newtown Review TeamStaff Editor:BrideenKirwan.

Student Editor:RobertGalvin.Sub Editors:AndreaHemmingway,CamillaDriver,SarahGallowayandRachelMorris.

Collage:BrennaTraynorandRachelMorris.Photographers:FionaCarty,RachelMorris,AliceBowringandBrennaTraynor.

Diary:SarahGallowayandAndreaHemmingway.Fashion:NaoimiWarrenandAdamTorrie.

Front Cover:BrennaTraynor.Back Cover:CristopherLeslie(6thYear).

Quotable Quotes:CamillaDriver,HannahCantopherandRobynMockler.Music:JoeDixonandBenTurner.

Sport:CliveKennington,OctavianFitzherbert,LukeBaileyandStephenEnnis.Rest of the Team:AbiHurleyCollins,JessicaHegarty,JamesO’Halloran,GlenRuane,

HannahCantopherandRossHuet.Cartoonist:RoryVanDokkum(3rdYear).


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Particularly good to see members of all ages involved and it is hoped that more ‘mature’ old scholars might offer to help as their vast knowledge is invaluable when getting groups together and remembering classmates and their whereabouts.

Following the TerCentenary of Bishop foys, the revival of Foys Old Scholars is very welcome and it is hoped this will continue.

In these very challenging times for schools, it is good to remember the object of the NMFOSA which states:

The main object of the Association shall be the advancement of education, primarily education at Newtown School, Waterford. In pursuing this object, the main activity of the Association shall be to provide a means for past pupils and staff of Newtown, Mountmellick and Bishop Foy Schools to maintain their contact with The School, thus enabling them to support the educational objections and educational progress of the students.

These days when technology moves at an ever increasing pace, we understand the need to keep up with new methods of communication. To this end we have set up a Facebook page for Old Scholars. We are concsious that not everyone has accesss to this technology and so we would like to reassure you that we are always contactable by traditional snail mail and we do love to hear from Old Scholars with their news and updates of their whereabouts.

Comments, suggestions and ideas are always welcome, offers of help even more so. I do look forward to hearing

from you and to seeing many of you at the Reunion weekend on 25/26 September 2010 in Waterford.

Thanks to the hardworking committee who give their time and energy voluntarily on behalf of all Old Scholars.

Bob Burns

Presidents Report 2010

Thank you DebbieAfter 11 years as Secretary of the Newtown Mountmellick Foyonian Old Scholars Association, the committee would like to thank Debbie Bailey for her committment and hard work.

Debbie was presented with a lamp, made by Brian Ashmore (Class of 1959) and a voucher for two people to at-tend the Chelsea Flower Show in London this year. Debbie is now chairperson of the School Committee and has recently completed the first year of her horticulture studies at the National Botanic Gardens.

The Committee wish her well in her future ventures.

Back row: April Rellis, Donal Motherway, Nicky Johnson, Kevin Jephson, Keith Lemon, Andre Thompson, Ellen FitzmauriceFront row: Derek Dunne, Debbie Bailey, Oriel Woodbyrne, Bob Burns

Old Scholars Report 2010


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The Annual Newtown Mountmellick & FoyOld Scholars Reunion

Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th September 2010

All old Scholars welcome

Programme of Events

Saturday 25th September All Afternoon Archival Photo Display & Tea/Coffee in Legoland 3pm Hockey Old Scholars v School Players of all ages and levels welcome.

5pm AGM of Newtown, Mountmellick & Foy Old Scholars Association. To take place in the Study Hall (old Lecture Room).

7.30pm for 8pm REUNION DINNER at Woodlands Hotel, Dunmore Road, Waterford Ph: 051 304574 051 304574 Tickets : € 40 Available through Class Organizer. Must be booked and paid for in advance.

Sunday 26th September 11am Archival Photo Display & Tea/Coffee in Legoland

12pm Tree Planting and Group Photos in the Old Scholars garden in school

1pm Lunch in School Cost: € 10 Available from Class Organizer. Must be booked and paid for in advance.

Those who are attending with Class year groups must book Dinner and Lunch with your class co-ordinator (Below). All others please book with Jonathan Fletcher (Tel) 087 6476416 (Email) [email protected]

Class of 2000Kerrie Clarke, [email protected]

Class of 1995Ellen Fitzmaurice, [email protected]

Class of 1990Gillian Nicholson, [email protected]

Class of 1985Sarah Molony Cleary, [email protected]

Class of 1980Philip Hadden, 087 8168457 [email protected]

Class of 1970Kathy Dunne (nee Wallace) [email protected].

Class of 1960

BISHOP FOYSBob Burns, 021 4358191

Old Scholars Reunion 2010Class leaders


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I am proud to say that Nomzi Pre-School, which was established

in the remote Transkei area of South Africa, is proudly celebrating 10 years. With two full time locally trained teachers and a village school committee the whole project is finally reaching a stage where the community are completely responsible, this in my opinion should be the aim of these types of projects. The only outside influence therefore is the continuous financial support from the many generous donations, this covers teachers’ salaries, food medical supplies, teaching equipment and building upkeep costs. Having full control of the funds enables me to determine where all donations are spent.

Since my last article in the Review in 2004 we have had many improvements to the school, the most significant being the construction of a new building in 2007.

The original building (built in 1999) was constructed us-ing traditional methods of wattle and daub and was in desperate need of repair after serious weather damage.

I went back out to South Africa in July 2007 with a small but very enthusiastic team of volunteers including my fa-ther Jannes, Fawn Allen and three hard working friends, John, James and Trish. Our mission was to build a se-cure long-term concrete building for the children. On our arrival the local team who worked with us during our time there, had already demolished the original building and prepared the site.

Looking back now it is amazing to see what we achieved in just 15 days. Due to the remote-ness of the area we had no access to electricity or running water. The construction was extremely tough as there was no access road to the site, only a very steep grassy hill which was impossible to go up or down with transport when it rained. All con-crete and cement for foundations and brickwork was mixed by hand and water was collected by bucket from a river 15 minutes away and stored in tanks strapped in the back of the rental pickups. It was a four hour round trip if supplies were needed from town.

During those 15 days, foundations were laid, walls went up, windows and doors went in and the roof was

put on. On the last evening, with the aid of head torches and the pickups headlights we finished the drainpipes that collect rainwater into large 5000 l catchment tanks.

Due to the lack of rain dur-ing that dry season the vol-unteers didn’t get to shower for the two weeks we were there, however we did swim in the sea each evening to wash away the grime and

sweat that built up during the day! It wasn’t all work though, if we weren’t playing with the children or chal-lenging the locals to a game of football, when the sun went down at 6 we sat around the fire enjoying locally caught crayfish, mussels and oysters. There was lots of singing, numerous games of trivial pursuit and of course a few drinks all under the flicker of candlelight.

I can never sufficiently thank the team of volunteers who worked so hard, each returning home to Ireland with nu-merous blisters, and bar one, suffering a serious dose of tick bite fever which had us all shattered for weeks after our return. Most importantly I’d like to thank all of you who have donated and continue to donate, as none of this would be possible without you. I have had a lot of support from ex Newtowners. I would also like to extend my gratitude to those who have completed vari-ous challenges with a view to raising sponsorship and awareness for Nomzi Pre-school. This year my partner Steve is competing in the Norseman Ironman in Norway, described as the ‘hardest ironman in the world’ I can only thank him for his unrelenting support and hope we get as much sponsorship as possible.

We are always in need of volunteers, preferably with experience working with children, and with so many things hap-pening here in Ireland at the moment a challenge and change of scenery is just what many of us need. There is plenty to do with regards to the project apart from teaching and due to the remote-ness of the area, travelling with a friend or as a couple is ideal as you will have support and company.

For more info on volunteering please contact me.

Georgie [email protected]

Bank Details: TSB, WaterfordGeorgie Helmholt-Kneisel

– School Fund Acc No: 990631 -70851062

NomziOld Scholars Report 2010

Georgie with Jannes, John, James, Trish and their team taking a break from their work.

Children enjoying their new school


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Charlie Harrison left Newtown with the Class of 1999 and has been working as a Jeweller for the last 7 years. Newtown gave Charlie many opportunities to explore non academic area’s that interested her like pottery, stained glass and woodwork. Craft was something that she wanted to do more of when she left Newtown, so she studied at Grennan Mill Craft College in Thomastown. Here she worked on a va-riety of skills including batik, weaving and printing. When she fininshed in Thomastown, she knew jew-elry was the area she wanted to focus on. She then attended the Crafts Council of Ireland Jewellery Skills Course in Kilkenny. Charlie worked with Eoin Mc-Donnell, who was then, chairman of The Federation of Jewellery Manufacturers in Ireland, with whom she founded Moo Jewellery. After that Charlie spent a year abroad, where she worked with a re-nowned Jeweller, Trevor Scott, in New Zealand.

Throughout the years Charlie has entered the RDS Crafts Competition on three occassions. All three of her pieces that were entered were selected to be exhibited in the RDS National Craft Competition Ex-hibition. In 2005, a piece of Charlie’s Jewellery came first in the Jewellery category. She won first prize in the Company of Goldsmiths Award. Charlie also won a purchase prize from the Crafts Council of Ireland for her ‘Rainbow Swizzle’. She set up Charlie Harri-son Jewellery in 2004 and her work was shown to the trade at Showcase Ireland, an international trade fair, held yearly. Since then she has been making pieces that have been commissioned by numerous people, including a brooch that was presented to The Presi-dent of Ireland, Mary McAleese and a piece that was presented to the Tainaiste Mary Harney.

Charlie currently lives in Edinburgh where she is in her final six months of her degree in Mental Health Nursing. Once qualified, she plans to nurse part time and work on her jewelry for the rest of her time.

Prize winning jewelry designer


Charlie presenting President Mary MacAlesse with her a specially commissioned brooch

Charlie working in her studio

One of Charlie’s beautiful butterfly necklaces


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Born in England, Dorian’s family moved to Ireland when he was four and he attended Newtown

for his secondary education, finish-ing with the Class of 2004. He had an interest in sketching and design from a very early age, when detailed drawings of spaceships, aircraft carri-ers and formula one cars sparked his talent. During his school days, he ex-perimented with different forms, from portraits and charicatures to studies of The Sistine Chapel. Dorian would describe himself as being self taught through experimentation and private study of artistic techniques and movement.

On finishing school, he left Ireland and lived in Madrid for 16 months, executing private commissions while honing his techniques and experimenting with subject matter.

In February 2005 after returning to Ireland, he embarked on his first solo exhibition “Shedding light” in the Jones Gallery , Dungarvan Co. Waterford. Following the suc-cessful exhibition, Dorian renovated a pair of derelict out houses at the family home in Fiddown, Co. Kilkenny

where he now has a purpose built stu-dio and private gallery space. He used this space to show his second exhibition “Collection 2006” along with ongoing new and old works throughout the year.

2007 proved a very busy year for Do-rian. “Le Nu” was a retrospective of his past works which he showed in Febru-ary, while he exhibited a variety of piec-es at The Framing Studio in Waterford City in March. Alongside internationnally aclaimed artists such as Graham Knut-tel and local artists, Dorian was involved in the Waterford Fringe Festival where

he exhibited his works . Towards the end of 2007, Dorian exhibited “The Shape of Things to come” at the Greyfri-ars Municipal Gallery as part of the Imagine Arts Festival in Waterford City.

Returning to the Jones Gallery in 2008, he exhibited “Still” which was a different style to his usual figurative work. Here, he showed a collection of still lifes as well as a few other pieces. He took part in this exhibition along-side artists Ken O’Neill and Anthony Hayes.

Dorian decided that a move to Florence, Italy would be

From Waterford to Florence

Shifting emotions. oil on canvas by Dorian van Braam

Figure study for ‘Last Judgement’ 2008. Pencil on paper. By Dorian Van Braam

’Indifference’. oil on canvas



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the best move for him so that he could continue his de-velopment and help him be involved in the international market. His first international exhibition was as part of the “3 spazzi aperti” exhbition curated by Giovanni Laura Adreani at the Galleria Mentana in Florence city centre. This involvement lead to his first solo international exhi-bition at the same gallery titled “Abstractions from reality and other works”. Spending his time mainly painting, he has also branched into more surreal and abstract works .

At time of print, Dorian is continuing with exhibitions, teaching and hoping to move to London in the near fu-ture.

W A T E R F O R D

Working on ‘Last judgement’ in studio in Florence

’Twilight madonna’ oil on canvas

Working in studio in Ireland



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This year was the sixth year of the Pupils’ fund, we gave €1,270 to four different projects in the year. We are con-tinuing with this fund as we believe it to be a worthwhile and valuable fund helping pupils with varied activities and interests while increasing the awareness of the Old scholars’ association amongst the pupils.

€250 Poetry and Short story competition.We continued with funding the prize money for this com-petition as there is a great interest and level of participa-tion in this event.

€320 Caretakers Trip.This money was given to Andrea Hemingway and Sarah Galloway to help pay for their flights to attend the Care-

takers of the Environment conference which was held this year in Aberdeen, Scotland. This is an annual confer-ence for which pupils are selected and invited to attend.

€250 Young Scientists Competition.This money was given towards the participation of 6 stu-dents who entered in two different categories. Both en-tries were well received and achieved very good praise.

€450 Tenacious Sail Training.We helped 3 pupils ,Loic Jacob, Hannah Hermon and Stephen Ennis finance their trip from Waterford on an 8 day voyage with a mixed ability crew during their summer holidays .This proved to be a great learning experience for the students.

The Eric DeCourcy ScholarshipIn recent years, the Old Scholars Committee have set in motion, a music scholarship which will allow a student, who may not have otherwise had the opportunity, to study a musical instrument. This year, the committee have continued their efforts with the School and Music Department to make this Scholarship a reality.

For this year, to get the scholarship off the ground, it has been decided that The Scholarship will part fund three students who have been accepted to sing in The Irish Youth Choir. The Irish Youth Choir meet annually for an in-tensive week long rehearsal course during the Summer, where it brings together singers aged from 18-28 from all over Ireland. Under Artisitc Director, Greg Beardsell and a team of tutors and vocal coaches, the week culminates in a number of performances.

The Committee are currently in discussion with the school and the music department as to the best format for The Scholarship. If you would like to donate to this scholarship, please contact Oriel Woodbyrne at : [email protected]

NMFOSA Pupils’ Fund

Senior Choir 1964 - with Eric De Courcy: Back row: ---?---, Joe McKeever, Mervyn Hall, Piers Allott, Michael Hall, Trevor Myles, ---?---, Susan Luke, Adele Masse. 2nd back row: John Davey, Maurice Poole, Willie Hill, Keith Mosse, Rowena Fennell, Alwyn Gillespie, Judith Elmes, Rosemary Henderson. 2nd Row: Dahne Luce, Gabi Kneisel, Diane Turner, Ruth Sexton, Everild Allen, Karen Butterworth, Barbara-Ann Mazwell, Caroline Oldlum, Heather Williams. Front row: Alison Hill, Beatrice Trench, Aoileann Ní Eigeartaigh, Meriel Barrett, Judith Hitchmann, Pamela Bigger, Rosaleen Alexander, Penny Hill, Louise Maxwell.



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(C2)* Free Estimate* Emergency Call OutTel: 051 382 913Mobile: 087 773 6953BROOKLANDS, FAITHLEGG, CO. WATERFORDEmail:[email protected]

W a t e r f o r d


2011 Year of CraftThe Crafts Council of Ireland has designated 2011 as a year long celebration of craft.

Join us to celebrate craft at a multitude of special events across the country, including at Galway Arts Festival, Tall Ships Waterford, Kilkenny Arts Festival and many more.

And we are delighted to announce that the World Crafts Council will hold its annual congress in Dublin on June 8th and 9th.

Please e-mail us on [email protected]

to be included on our mailing list for the year.


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Present: Bob Burns, Kevin Jephson, Heather Stewart, Richard de Courcy, Anne Jeffrey, Ruth Coad, Derek Dunne, Jonathan Fletcher, Debbie Bailey, April Rellis, Roger Johnson, Joan Johnson, Ester Langley, Andre Thompson, Peter Pearce, Oriel Woodbyrne.

Apologies: Ken Murphy, Aidan Dunwoody, Ellen Fitzmaurice, Gordon Pyper, Matt Foley, Heather Coad, Ann Russell, Rena Bowers/harris Nicky Johnson

1. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, passed and signed by the President.

2. Treasurers Report Jonathon Fletcher read his report for the year 2008.

The audited accounts are printed in full in the review.

Bank monies have fallen considerably this year, with losses in all the stock and shares. In 2008, we contributed €2,800 to the pupils fund for 5 projects, and €1,100 on 4 projects for 2009. The Eric De Courcy Scholarship will hope to start in Jan 2010. We received a donation of €1000 from Jill Bailey for the pond and €100 from Myfanwy Ford. Kevin Jephson thanked Jonathon for all his work this year particularly with the down turn overall.

3. New Officers and Committee The following officers were proposed by Roger

Johnson and seconded by Ruth Coad for the year from Sept 2009 to Sept 2010:

President Bob BurnsVice-President Nicky Johnson Hon Treasurer Jonathan FletcherHon Secretary Oriel WoodbyrneHon Auditor Brian LittleEditor Ellen Fitzmaurice

The following committee members were proposed by Debbie Bailey and seconded by Derek Dunne for the year from Sept 2009 to Sept 2010: Andre

Thompson, Nicky Johnson. Ruth Coad & Derek Dunne have both agreed to stay on the committee.

Committee with dates due to retire:

Sept 2010 Sept 2011Derek Dunne Ruth Coad Ken MurphyKevin Jephson Aidan DunwoodyEllen Fitzmaurice April Rellis

4. A.O.B. Joan Johnson thanked Debbie Bailey for her

valuable work and that the growth of the old scholars was down to her continuous work over the last 11 years. Joan also asked for a photograph appeal for the Archives, old pictures and newspaper cuttings of old scholars.

Bob Burns also thanked Debbie for her years on the committee.

Kevin Jephson made a recommendation that Henry Collins be made an honorary member of the NFOSA and that this then be ratified. Proposed by Kevin Jephson and seconded by Joan Johnson & Bob Burns

Roger Johnson suggested that a letter of welcome be sent to Keith Lemon and his wife to welcome them to the school.

Andre Thompson asked the committee about any fundraising projects.

A book called A Jacob family will be launched on Sunday the 27th in Tramore Life boat house, all are welcome.

Derek Dunne asked that the committee acknowledge the passing of Edward James and send a card of sympathy to his wife Mildred.

The handover of the chain of office to incoming President, Bob Burns took place.

There being no further business, the meeting closed.

Minutes of AGMMINUTES OF THE A.G.M. OF THE NEWTOWN, MOUNTMELLICK & FOYONIAN

OLD SCHOLARS ASSOCIATION HELD AT NEWTOWN SCHOOL WATERFORD ON SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2009.



109

Newtown Mountmellick and Foy Old Scholars Association accounts for the year ended 31rst December 2009.

Auditors Report I have audited the financial statements and received all the information I found neces-sary .In my opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the associa-tion’s affairs at 31rst Dec 2009 and of its result for the year then ended.

Brian S.W. Little F.C.A.Hon Auditor.

6th May 2010.

Income and Expenditure Account for the year ended 31rst Dec 2009.

Income 2008 2009 Euro Euro

Income from investments 5,213 17,839Interest receivable 207Advertising revenue 2,400 2,900Profit (loss) on sale of ties -30 0Profit on annual reunion 800 808Donations 1,100 -------- --------- 9,482 21,754 ===== =====

Expenditure

Activities Caretakers of the Environment 320 640Poetry and Short story comp. 250 400Young scientists 250Tenacious sailing training 450Choir, trip to Italy 1,000Sarah Doorley, building a hospital in Africa 500Debating society 360 --------- --------- 1,270 2,900 Printing and stationery 1,436 3,424Postage 2,377 4,276Bank interest and charges 54 52Sundry 0 30 --------- --------- 5,137 10,682 ====== ======

Surplus (Deficit) for the year on normal activities

4,346 11,072New School pond 6,000 12,000Old Scholars garden 171 ---------- ---------- Surplus (deficit for the year) -1,826 -928 ======= ======

On behalf of the committee, Jonathan Fletcher Hon Treasurer

Balance sheet as at 31 December 2009 2008 Euro Euro Euro EuroInvestments (note 1)Balance at 1rst Jan 2009 192,340 122,281Purchases less sales during the year 123 70,059 ------------ ----------- 192,463 192,340Losses transferred to capital account -63,564 0 ------------ ------------ 128,899 192,340Goodbody dealing account 643 575 ----------- ----------- 129,542 192,915

Current AssetsStock 3,819 3,848Debtors 2,322 1,075 Bank of Ireland current a/c 8,483 7,091 Royal bank of Scotland ( E de Courcy) 41,000 Perm TSB 41,000 Cash on hands 39 39 ----------- ----------Current liabilities Creditors 38 ----------- ----------Net current assets 55,625 53,053 ----------- --------- 185,166 245,968 ======= ======

Financed by Capital accountBalance at 1rst Jan 2009 130,206 131,134Deficit for year ended 31rst Dec 2009 -1,826 -928Loss on investments -63,564 0 ----------- ----------- 64,816 130,206Life membership a/cBalance at 1rst Jan 2009 74,390 70,231Subscriptions received during the year 3,680 4,159 ----------- ----------- 78,070 74,390Eric de Courcy fundBalance 1rst Jan 2009 41,373 168Donations and interest received 907 41,205 ----------- ---------- 42,280 41,373 ---------- --------- 185,166 245,968 ====== ======

Note 1 to the account.Investments

At 1/1 09 Purchased/(Sold) at 31/12/09Bank of Ireland 5,480 5,480Allied Irish Bank 4,139 4,139Anglo Irish Bank Corp. 4,000 4,000Irish Life and Permanent 1,947 1,9477.5% AIB perpetual floating rate note Eur30,000 Eur30,000Grafton group 2,540 2,540Anglo Irish Capital 6% Eur 40,000 (-40,000) 0Aviva 2,700 2,700INM 17,400 (-17,400) 0Greencore group ord 7,950 7,950E on Ag NPV 470 470

Market value on 31/12/09 was 79,389 Euro (31/12/09 62,627)

Loss on Investments Purchased Sold LossAnglo Irish Cap UK 6% 40,200.00 10,800.00 29,400.00INM 34,796.00 2,075.00 32,721.00 ------------- ------------- ------------- 74,996.00 12,875.00 62,121.00 ======== ======== Shares written down to nil Anglo Irish Bank Corp. plc 1,443.34 ----------- 63,564.34 =======

On behalf of the committee Jonathan Fletcher Hon Treasurer.

TREASURERS REPORT FOR YEAR ENDED DEC 2009Old Scholars Report 2010


110

Old Foyonian Association Barbecue12th of June dawned lovely and sunny, a good omen for our barbecue. Before the meal, we had an inspiring communion service conducted by The very Revd Dean Philip Knowles at Cashel Cathedral. Lessons were read by Jane, Olive and Heather.

After the Service, we drove to the Deanery where the Dean had gone to alot of trouble getting everything ready for us all.

We sat our in the Deanery gardens in brilliant sunshine while Gerry O’Neill and Herbert Knowles saw to the bar-becuing. The ladies organised the rest of the food amidst much chat and laughter abliy assisted by some of the men.

The meal was delicous and the fellowship was enjoyed by us all.

People travelled from as far away as England, Lisburn, Cork, Waterford and Wexford. Everyone agreed it was a marvellous day. We look forward to getting together again at the Annual Dinner on Saturday 25th September.

A sincere word of thanks to Bob Burns and the Dean for all their hard work and to everyone who contributed to make the day such a success. Heather O’Neill

Old Foyonian News

Old Foyonian Association Lunch

Saturday 17th Mary dawned bright and sunny, a good omen for the O.F.A lunch reunion. We all met at Becketts Restaurant on the Dunmore Road, just outside Water-ford. Before lunch we sat outside in the brilliant sunchine sipping our glasses of wine and catching up with the last years news. Ddean Philip Knowles said Grace and we tucked into a delicous meal, yummy desserts and a cup of coffee. It was marvelous to see friends from Limerick, Wexford, Cork, Tipperary, Kilkenny and all over Water-ford.

Many thanks to Bobby Burns and Richard de Courcy for all their hard work to make this a successful day, helped by Marina Harris, Olive Daunt and Heather O’Neill.

WeddingThe marriage took place on Friday 21st May 2010 at Corbally Church, near Dunmore East, of Terry Crosbie (OFA) and Carmel Brophy-O’Regan, both of Tramore. Officiating at the ceremony were Dean Trevor Lestor and Mon-signor Shine. The bride was given away by her brother Michael Brophy and matron of honour ws Mary-Rose Brophy-Martin, sister of the bride. Best man was Sam Brabazon (OFA), a school friend of the bridegroom.

The bride wore an elegant fitted gown in ice-blue silk with contrasting bolero-style jacket and a matching head-dress of blue silk rose with contrasting bird’s eye feathers in royal purple.

A most enjoyable reception was held at the Haven Hotel, Dunmore East with the usual speeches and musical en-tertainment.

The honeymoon was spent touring Kerry in perfect weather.

Margaret Brabazon, Terry Crosbie, Carmel Crosbie (nee O’Grady)

Back row: Cyril Sherwood, Betty Burns, Edward Thompson, Wynston Boyle, Olive Lauwers, Helen Nicholson, Tom Lauwers, Noel Develon, Myra Develon, Jack Russell, Ann Russell, Max Nicholson, Irish Agar, Gerry O’Neill, Ida ScanlonFrom row: Richard de Courcy, Margaret Brabazon, Bob Burns, Olive Daunt, Heather O’Neill, Ann Meagher


Left to Right: Gerry O’Neill, Herbie Knowles, M/s M. Foley, Dean Philip Knowles, Bob Burns


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Mungret Shield and O’Brien Cup Winner – Standing: Ken McCormick, Paul Kenny, Nicky Johnson, Bobby Barr, Bas Van Dam, Colin Jephson, Stedman Sponton, Simon Kenny, Sean Donnelly. Sitting: Keith McCurtain, Alan Johnson, Newton Popplewell, Paul Kidd, Philip Hadden, Brian Dunne, Stephen Walker. On ground: Martin Gaedke, Andrew Bailey, Nicholas Popplewell, Nicky Bailey, Douglas Kidd.

Senior Rubgy 1979/1980

Upper and Lower Transition - 1959/60

Back row: George Ashmore, Hugh Gibson, Roger Bewley, Richard Gibson, Judith Elmes, David Cumming, Ruth Sexton, David Roberts, Ray Watson, David Webb, Willie Hill. 2nd back row: Rachel Jameson, Karen Butterworth, Mervyn Hall, Thelma Boyce, Gwen Draper, Kristin Jameson, David Grubb, Barbara Anne Maxwell, Diane Turner, Brian Whiteside, Roy Foster. Sitting: Anne Lester Smith, Leslie Matson, Elizabeth Burke, Belle Chapment, Liam Glynn, Edith Thompson, Donald Poole, Hilary Bateman. On Ground: Edward McBride, Gabi Kneisel, Rachel Wigham, Penny Hill, Adele Massé, John Kenny.



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Reunion 2009

Class of 1979 – (L to R) Back row; Niki Davies, Christian Zaska, Sean O’Connell, Colin Jephson, Tommy Driver. Middle row; Neil Fitzgerald, Martin Reid, Sean Mernagh, Kerry Fenn, Malcolm Pim, Ben Pearson, Darrell Boyd. Front row; Barbara Ellis, Primrose Duplessis, Kerry McGrath, Jenny Milne, Caroline Murphy, Hazel Perdue

Class of 1979 Tree Planting – Niki Davies, Caroline Murphy, Kerry Fenn, Primrose Duplessis, Hazel Perdue, Sean O’Connell, Neil Fitzgerald

Class of 1999 – Tree Planting L-R: Emily Allen, Annie Quinn, Gail Shannon, Holly Hunt, Sue Ryan, April Rellis, Ailbhe Wheeler, Maria CHo, Annie Barclay, Caragh Allen, Diana Guinness Taylor

Class of 99 – Back Row L-R: Emily Allen, James Good, Luke Curran, Andrew Maxwell, Patrick Guinness, Evin O’Neill, Annie Barclay. Middle Row L-R: Richard Kimpton, Maria Cho, Ailbhe Levingstone, Clare Flinders, Sara Mullally, Sue Ryan, Caroline Sutton, Jessica Cunningham. Front Row L-R: Barry Hilliard, Gail Shannon, April Rellis, Holly Hunt, Ailbhe Wheeler, Caragh Allen, Annie Quinn, Diana Guinness Taylor.


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Hockey Match – Back Row L-R: Terry Butler (staff), ?, ?, David Kiersey, John Boyd (school), Luke Bailey (school), Luke Curran, Carl Pallas, Annie Quinn, April Rellis, ?, Andrew Cox, Jonathan FletcherFront Row L-R: Yuki Omi, Laura Power, Zenya Henry, Megan Byrne, Robert Galvin, Daniel Bailey, James O’Halloran, Paul Murray, George Walsh, Brid McNamara, Heidi McIlvenny, Joe Dixon, Stephen Ennis (all school) Goalie lying in front: James Good (o.s)

Old Foyonians – Back Row (L to R) Leslie Bowers, Gordon Bowers, Richard de Courcy, John Gardiner, Rene Gardiner, Ronnie Scanlan. Front Row (L to R) Rachel Bowers, Helen Nicholson, Max Nicholson, Stanley Scanlan, Ida Scanlan, June Scanlan.


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Reunion 2009


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Class of 1989 (Tree planting)(L to R) Debbie Walsh , Tracy Kenny Benn, Ronan Murphy, Ciaran Kelly, Lorinda Wolfe Benn, Ruth Crampton Laverty, Fiona Checkett, Clarke Allen, Percy Kingston, Dara Scallan Carberry, Nell Wright.

Class of 1984Back row Gabrielle Sheridan, Ralph Bingham, Ed Crotty, Rob Milne, Julian Talbot-Brady Front rowDes Jackson, Clodagh Nicholson (Coad), Sarah Bean (Hill), Alasdair Pim, Gillian Stone

Class of 1989 (Dinner)Back Row (L to R) Lee Rothwell, Helen McNieve, Ronan Murphy, Tracy Kenny Benn, Debbie Walsh , Dara Scallan Carberry, Lorinda Wolfe Benn, Jillian Drury. Middle Row (L to R) Duncan McLoughlin, Pierre Fewer, Ciaran Kelly, Fiona Checkett, Ruth Crampton Laverty, Nell Wright, Liz Slazenger, Clarke Allen. Front Row (L to R) Heather Moffatt, Suzanne Connolly Brady, Caroline Pim, Percy Kingston, Lisa Ryan, Heather Shelly, Siobhan Dier.

Reunion 2009

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Class of 1969 (Tree planting)Back row: David Griffiths, John Clarke, Peter Johnson, Hugh McConnell, Brian Grubb, Norman Allott. Front row: Pamela Kelly, David Lilburn, Lynne Fitzgerald (Foster), Fiona Chin-Yee (Bodmin), Louie Kerr, Rosemary Hobday (Harper)

Class of 1959Zoltan Zinn; Brian Ashmore; Sally (Roberts) Popham; Uschi (Donat) Love; Heather (Grubb) Stewart; David McConnell; Clare Nuttall; John Clarke; Patricia (Watson) Davey.

Class of 1969 (Dinner)Back row: Brian Grubb, Owen Metcalfe, Sue MacAllister (Turner), John Clarke, Pamela Kelly, Dorothy Fennell, Norman Allott, Louie Kerr. Front row: Lynne Fitzgerald (Foster), Gillian Young, Fiona Chin-Yee (Bodmin), Rosemary Hobday (Harper), David Griffiths, Peter Johnson, David Lilburn.

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Reunion 2009


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NMFOSA Launches Groups for Old ScholarsOne of the primary difficulties the association faces is maintaining communication with its members as time passes and as old scholars move on and change ad-dresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. One thing that remains constant however is old scholars pro-files on internet based social networking sites and to take advantage of this the NMFOSA has launched its own Facebook groups, one for each of the three schools the association represents. The Newtown School old scholars’ group, titled “Newtown School Waterford Old Scholars”, has over 200 members already and more are joining all the time. The Association also operates a page for Bishop Foy old scholars entitled “Bishop Foy School Waterford Old Scholars” and a Mountmel-lick page entitled “Mountmellick School Old Scholars”. By using Facebook as a means of communication the NMFOSA has a quick and direct way of providing As-sociation and school news to old scholars as well as providing information about the old scholar’s weekend and about the activities of the Association itself. It also provides old scholars with a means of keeping in touch with the Association and each other. To find and join the Newtown School Facebook group, login to Facebook and type “Newtown School Waterford Old Scholars” in the search bar at the top of each Facebook page. When you join be sure and invite any of your Facebook friends who are also old scholars. We look forward to seeing you there.


Staff Mini-Reunion at Abbeyleix,

September, 2009

Left to right: Ruth Williams (Mrs. Seymour Kenny, 1960-1962, Leslie Matson, 1952 & 1959-1977, Mildred Adamson (Mrs. Theo Dillon), 1964-1971, Mary Hamilton (Mrs. Stanley Jackson), 1956-1968.


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Aphra Maunsal Earl 1922 – 2009

Aphra was born on 19 March 1992 in Dublin and moved with her family to Grantstown in Waterford (the origi-nal home of Bishop Foy’s School) in 1930. After attending Bishop Foy’s school, she then worked there also hav-ing qualified in catering in Waterford. She later served as President of the NM&FOSA and even organised func-tions for groups of Old Scholars in the

Dublin area. These were often held after International rugby matches.

As a young girl, she learnt to swim and was often seen swimming at Dunmore, Boatstrand and Woodstown. She carried on swimming throughout her life until just a few years before her death. Aphra moved to Dublin to work as Catering Manager in Wesley College in 1955 be-fore moving to Sandford Park School where she stayed until her retirement in 1987. She had great affection for the school and when the boys got a bit rowdy in the dining room, she used to use her ladle to restore order. She was also able to indulge her passion for gardening in Sandford Park well into her retirement and in later years looked after the flower arrangement in Brabazon House where she spent her final years very happily.

Bertha Turner (nee Vickery) (1922-2010)

Bertha Vickery was born in Bantry, Co Cork in 1922 where she went to school until she was 12 years old. She won a scholarship to Rochelle boarding school in Cork and spent the next six years there where her natural aptitude for Mathematics was nurtured and she took first place in Ireland in her Leaving Certificate examination.She furthered her studies in the Froebel method of kin-dergarten teaching at Alexander College, Dublin. During this period her friendship with Ted Turner from Blackrock in Cork was blossoming. Ted was transferred to Water-ford city, and following college graduation she applied to Newtown School for a job in order to be near him. Betty Foster also applied for the same post and to their joy, both were taken on by the school in the same year, and they became firm friends. Bertha loved the Quaker ethos in the school and admired the way in which the pupils were trusted to “do the right thing”. She never lost her interest in NSW and when she and Ted later had their two daughters, Dianne and Susan, they went to school there from age 4. When Ted retired in 1974, they moved to Tramore shortly after, and enjoyed life there together for many years until Ted’s passing in 1979. She continued living independently up until her unex-pected death in Cork on 29th April 2010 after a very short illness.

Joseph Bevan Braithwaite Lamb 1918 – 2010

Bevan Lamb, was born in 1918 in Dub-lin the only son of Wilfred and Anna (Whitney) Lamb. His father’s family, originally from Oxfordshire, had been Quaker since the mid-17th century; his mother’s parents had been medical-missionaries in Japan. His education at Rathgar Junior School, Newtown and Bootham School, York, left him with a

lifelong interest in science and a love of Quakerism and walking in the hills. As a young man he played hockey and cricket, and sang in the Culwick Choir

After studying food-chemistry in Manchester, he entered the family business of fruit-growing and jam-manufac-turing and settled in Rathfarnham with his wife, Marjorie Bottomley, whom he had met at university . They had four children Cathy, Peter, Jenny and Rachel. Bevan was an active Quaker who served on the committees of Rath-gar and Newtown schools, but his longest service (over 40 years) was to Drogheda Grammar School which, with a small Quaker committee, he helped to save from ex-tinction in the 1960s.This service was recognised by the school when the new sports building in 2005 was named the ‘Bevan Lamb Hall’.

Bevan’s love of mountains and hills had been stimu-lated at Newtown by Wilson Strangman, who took him tramping in the Kerry mountains, and by Leslie Gilbert at Bootham who took him to the Alps. He became very good at painting and photographing the scenery. Family holidays for Bevan’s children usually included ascents to the tops mountains from Kerry to Connemara. In middle life, Bevan and Marjorie acquired a house in Co Wicklow, where they explored the local hills and valleys on foot, tended their garden and Bevan became a bee-keeper. They spent their later holidays in Slovenia amid the flow-ering meadows of the Alps which they loved.

All his life Bevan followed a spiritual path, with regular practice of quiet retirement and study. He was a deep thinker and regularly ministered in Rathfarnham Meeting, which he had helped to establish in the 1950s. In his later life he provided a valuable service at Ireland Yearly Meet-ing with his Quaker bookstall, making available a supply of Quaker literature most of which he had already read and was happy to discuss. This was an aspect of his per-sonal out-reach in particular to new Friends.

Bevan died peacefully in Dublin on 20th March 2010.

Obituaries

The Association has been informed of the following deaths:Dr. Kinross Burke (Class of 1982), Patricia Ward (Class of 1943) and Cyrill Hall (Class of 1949).To all the families of these loved ones, the Association would like to extend their deepest sympathies. If you know of old scholars who have passed away, please inform the Association so as to pass on the news to others by:Email: [email protected]: NMFOSA Secretary, c/o Newtown School, Waterford



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Dick Fletcher (1923-2009)

Richard Henry Fletcher, widely known as Dick or Dickie, who died on Decem-ber 28th 2009, aged 86, was one of Newtown’s heartiest and most respect-ed Old Scholars. At his funeral in Wa-terford, many tributes and anecdotes at Meeting reflected a life which was often innovative and enterprising. His most successful venture was setting up the

Galley cruising restaurant in New Ross in 1971.Born in Cork on June 25th 1923, he was the second son of Robert Fletcher. In 1929 the family moved to Cross-haven. Here, their house had wonderful views of the har-bour where its constant activity was undoubtedly a factor in Dick’s future love of the sea, rivers and boats.Another major influence in his life was his education at Newtown, where he thrived. Among his contemporaries were Ivan and Myrtle (nee Hill) Allen, later of Ballymaloe renown. He stayed on to teach woodwork and PT and took Latin grinds to get into Trinity College, Dublin.At Trinity, he studied horticulture and gained his BA in 1946. On graduation, he went to work for Ivan Allen at Imokilly Orchards in Shanagarry, Co Cork, where he was assistant manager. In 1948, he started out on his own, growing mushrooms in Rathangan, Co Kildare. He also raised pigs and chickens. Due to disease, though, his mushroom crop was ruined, so he terminated this ele-ment of his career in 1956.He moved on to Henry Denny’s, the bacon and sausage processors, and mainly based in Dublin for 12 years, he became sales manager. But his heart was elsewhere. During this time he had enjoyed much leisure activity on the Shannon and on inland waterways and then switched his interest to Galway Hookers in the early 1960s. Of course, his greatest enterprise was the setting up of the Galley cruises. With unstinting and loyal support from his wife Valerie, he ran the business for 30 years until he sold it to the Minihan family from New Ross in 2000. Besides his life afloat, Dick was an enthusiastic sports follower through the activities of his family. During his time in Dublin he sang tenor in the Culwick Choral Soci-ety. A leading life member of the Newtown, Mountmellick and Foyonian Old Scholars Association, he was presi-dent in 1967 and served as hon treasurer from 1994 to 2001. Christian Science was a very significant part of his long and healthy life.He is survived by Valerie, whom he married in 1970; his son Jonathan, daughters Nikki (Ford) and Rachael (Guest) and five grandchildren.D.A. (reproduced from The IrishTimes with reflective ad-ditions)

EDWARD JAMES - First Bursar at Newtown School (1915-2009)

Edward James enjoyed a number of ca-reers before he took up the appointment as the first bursar at Newtown School. He trained and qualified to be a master brewer. He saw distinguished service as a Squadron Leader in the RAF dur-ing the Second World War. He became a marketing manager. He lectured in marketing at the business faculty of the

Institute of Technology.

Gardening was one of his abiding interests. He readily shared his enthusiasm with scholars of a horticultural in-clination, talking with them about the maintenance of the school grounds.

Edward James was a committed member of the Church of Ireland. He availed himself of every opportunity to pro-mote the cause of Newtown School within the councils of the church. He even applied for grants from church funds. As a diocesan reader he persuaded successive deans to allow him conduct a special morning service in the cathedral each year with choir, orchestra and readers from the school.

When Edward James finally retired he retained his inter-est in the school. Each year his successors as bursar received a marketing diary from him: the school librar-ian got an up-to-date Guinness Book of Records and the year’s editions of the National Geographic for the school library. In more recent times he was delighted when his granddaughter, Mikela, elected to transfer all the way from Donegal to be a boarder at Newtown School. He took great pleasure in writing the requisite letters of per-mission so that Mikela could get leave out at weekends, and oft times on weeknights in between, “to look after her grandparents.”

In the summer of 2005 Edward James was awarded the MBE. The then British Ambassador travelled to Water-ford to conduct the ceremony in the presence of civic dig-nitaries at Faithlegg House Hotel. The citation included acknowledgment of Edward James’s work as bursar at Newtown School together with his distinguished RAF ca-reer, his support of the British Legion and his local chari-table and social involvements

Edward James died on August 27th 2009 in his 94th year. His funeral took place in Christ Church Cathedral Waterford on the first school day of this school year. Pall-bearers included representatives from different aspects of Edward’s family and working life. The Most Revd John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, gave the address.

Edward James is remembered as a gracious adminis-trator and a true friend to scholars, staff and parents at Newtown School. Mildred James, his wife for sixty-three years and his lifelong support continues to live in Water-ford under the watchful eye of their daughter Liz. Mrs James is looking forward to celebrating a most significant birthday this coming winter and all old scholars who re-member her and Mr James from school will extend best wishes to her for that special occasion.

Note for Clarification:In last year’s Review, we noted the death of John Mitchell. This was John G. Mitchell, an Old Foyonian from Waterford.

John S.M. Mitchell, of Co. Limerick, Class of 1946 is still very much with us. We apologise for any confusion and upset this may have caused.



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Laura Breheny(1988 -2009)

It was with confusion and heartache that friends and family received the news of Laura’s death on the morning of the 22nd of December, the day which should have been the celebration party for her 21st birthday.

Laura packed far more into her 21 short years than any of us could ever hope

to fit into our life times. As well as being a phenomenal horse rider Laura loved all kinds of sports from rugby to hurling to skiing. She could try her hand at anything and within a few days master it. This was seen when her cousins brought her skiing in New York and as usual, Laura amazed.

Laura’s horse riding career started from a very young age when she got her first pony Suzanne. She progressed rapidly and in 2000, won the Minimus Individual National Pony Club title. This was the first time such an award was brought back to Waterford Pony Club. In 2001, Laura was not only a member of the team that won the National Junior Eventing Championship, but she also claimed the National Junior Combined Training title. In 2002, Laura’s mum Jo bought Laura’s pride and joy, Fin. Once again she displayed her extraordinary talent on her new pony by reclaiming the National Junior Combined Training title, winning her arena at the National Eventing Champion-ships and being a member of the team who finished in third place. Throughout these national, and later inter-national, pursuits, Laura always had time to compete for Newtown or help the team that was competing. It was Laura’s dream to win a medal for her country at Eventing and so the road to this began in 2003 when she was long listed by Eventing Ireland for a place on the Irish Pony Eventing team. Unfortunately, Fin trotted up lame at a test and Laura was denied the opportunity to represent her country on that occasion. However, Laura was al-ways philosophical about these things and her steely de-termination shone through. This was seen the following year where she got to realise her dream and represented Ireland on the Irish Pony Eventing team in Poland where she finished as individual 17th. Her passion for a medal for Ireland was seen again in 2006, after a transition to horses, when she won 5 classes out of 6 starts through-out the season. Due to this amazing performance, she of course, was selected to represent her country at the Junior European Eventing Championship which took place in Necarne Castle. Although Laura’s health began to deteriorate she never gave up her ambition of winning a medal for Ireland. For that reason, she purchased a top class horse in 2008 and this horse was to take her to Eu-ropean and Olympic success when her health improved, which it undoubtedly would have, if Laura’s road had not been cut short.

As well as reaching such a high level in Eventing, Laura always found the time for her friends. She was a fan-tastically loyal friend. She would be the person to text back straight away and the first person in line for a night

out. It’s amazing how many nights out Laura made it to with her very demanding training schedule. On finish-ing in Newtown with a brilliant Leaving Certificate result, Laura moved to University College Cork to study Early Childhood Studies with the aim of becoming a teacher. As usual, Laura put her all into the student life including her studies and the nightlife in Cork.

Laura is an inspiration to all of us. With her courage and talent she overcame all the odds to become a star and should not have been taken from us so early. She is deeply missed by her mum Jo, dad Neil, brothers Hugh and Chris, and her numerous friends in Newtown, Uni-versity College Cork and beyond.

Michael Vogelaar1964 – 2009

Michael Vogelaar a.k.a. Dutchy or Woody died sudden-ly and unexpectedly at home on 26th November 2009. Born in Waterford August 1964 to Kees and Anneke, Michael attended Newtown between 1969 and 1982, first in the Junior School following on to Newtown School. Many lifelong friendships were formed during his school days.

Michael studied business at U.L. and graduated in 1986. He left Ireland to work in London where he eventually found his way into the fruit trade. After eight years in England the lure of home was too great and he returned with his wife-to-be Jacinta. Michael built a very success-ful business in fresh produce giving him a lifestyle that was the envy of his wide circle of friends.

An expert skier on snow and water and a keen rugby supporter, Michael loved trips to follow Ireland and Mun-ster. Skiing trips with family and friends were also high on his social agenda.

He is survived by his wife Jacinta, sons Conor, Aaron, Finn and Niall, parents Kees and Anneke, brothers An-drew and Peter. His wit, friendship and bonhomie will be sadly missed by everyone.

Murrogh O’Brien (1919-2009)

Born in Parteen, Co. Clare, Murrogh was one of three children and Hugh MV and Margaret O’Brien. He was educat-ed at home until he was sent to New-town at the age of ten. When he fin-ished school, he took a year off to work as a stores clerk and timekeeper dur-ing the construction of the Foynes rein-forced concrete jetty in the mid 1930’s.

He then wen on to study Engineering at Trinity College Dublin, followed by a degree in mine geology and a BSc from the Royal School of Mines, London University.

He married his wife, Suzanne Karolyi in 1945 who he had met after returning to Ireland and starting work in the



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Avoca Mines, Wicklow. In 1952 he became director of the Geological Survey of Ireland. During his career, he was General Manager of Tara Exploration and Development and a journalist for the Evening Press.

He had a strong interest in ships and he drew a serious of ships over 30 years that docked in Foynes port. The 900 drawings are now in the National Library of Ireland. An honorary fellow of the Institution of Mining and Metallur-gy, he was also the founding member of the Irish Mining and Quarrying Society . Seen as a visionary geologist, he helped to develop the mining industry. He is survived by his wife Suzanne, son Stephen, daugh-ters Sylvia, Iseult and Charlotte and 12 grandchildren. His son Colm predeceased him.

Robert C Jephson1926 – 2010

Robbie Jephson passed away in the early morning of March 4th 2010, just a few weeks short of 84th birthday sur-rounded by his loving family to whom he had devoted his life.

Robbie’s dad was Assistant county en-gineer for Waterford and as his mother sadly died when Robbie was only ten, a strong bond was forger with his father

as he accompanied him on his engineering work through-out the county thus developing for himself a knowledge of the local road network, a knowledge that stay with him for his entire life.

Robbie went to Bishop Foy’s school where he proved to be, not only a competent pupil but a keen athlete as well. White at Trinity College in the 1940’s he won Irish titles in the 100 and 200 yards.

He married Pamela Fletcher in 1954 and set up home at Prospect on the Dunmore Road where they reared their four children. In the early years of setting up home, Robbie and Pam worked hard for their growing family. Pig rearing and fruit growing supplemented the family in-come during Robbie’s days at the Waterford Sack and Bag Company. In 1967 they embarked on a new en-terprise when they opened a shop and petrol station at Ardkeen. From day one it was very much a family busi-ness and through long hours and hard work the business grew and prospered to become the thriving complex it is today. Robbie had an inherent ability to innovate and a strong sense of self-reliance but it is fair to say that a key added ingredient to his success was a great talent and ability to get on with people, best epitomised by the sight of his familiar figure around the shop complete with cap.

Sailing was a life long passion, shared with family and friends and he was instrumental in the early development of Waterford Harbour Sailing Club.

As a proud Waterford man he had a life long interest in his native city and closely followed its development as it expanded and changed over the years. Robbie’s funeral service was held in Christ Church Cathedral and was at-

tended by a large congregation fo family, friends, staff and members of the wider Waterford community.

WILLIAM FREDRICK CHAPMAN (1937 - 2009)

William died on the 7th September, 2009 aged 72 years. He was only son of Frederick William B. Chapman & Beatrice Decima Chapman. The family lived at “Beech-mount”, Tramore where he grew up with his only sister Joy (now Simpson). William & Joy were educated at Newtown School and they travelled in and out each day either with their Dad or on the old narrow guage steam train which was the main mode of transport at the time. Willie served his apprenticeship to the grocery, tea, cof-fee & wine trade in Findlaters in Dublin and then came back to Chapman’s famous family grocers on the Quay in Waterford. Later Chapman’s opened a Cash & Carry business in Thomas Street, Waterford which prospered for many years.William later joined Sure Haul in Clonmel, Co. Tipperary where he worked until his illness.Willie married Rosemary Cassidy in 1968. They lived in their lovely old farmhouse near Annestown, Co. Wa-terford. William & Rosemary had four children, Fred, James, Annabel & Barrett. Willie was a great family man and he & Rosemary were so proud of their children.William was a larger than life character, he loved people and had a great memory for names & faces. He had many friends and loved a night out. One could always recognise his wonderful hearty laugh. He loved a good yarn and after hearing one he could always return an-other! Willie was a loyal supporter of the Friends Meeting in Tramore, until its closure, and in her later years would regularly provide transport for his good friend Carole Grubb on a Sunday morning. He served on the Newtown School Committee for a number of years. Willie had many hobbies. He was a member of Tramore Golf Club for a long number of years. Even if he did not play much golf of later years he would enjoy meeting many friends in the Club House. He also had a very keen interest in The Turf Club and was a keen race goer. He took up wood turning as a hobby and turned out some beautiful and useful pieces!! Willie always kept a herd of cattle on their land at Annestown. He also loved his mo-tor cars. Right from the early days, whatever car he had it always stood out and he kept them beautifully, he loved to see them shine.The last years of William’s life were a struggle for him. Shortly before he was due to retire he was struck down with his illness with which he coped with great courage. We all had great admiration for how he lived through this time. When one would call he would always greet you with a smile and a wave and would talk about past times and a good laugh was guaranteed.He was pre deceased by two sons Fred and James and survived by his wife Rosemary, his son Barrett and daughter Annabel.God Bless you Willie and many thanks for your friend-ship. He is greatly missed. G. C.



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Class of 1959DAVID McCONNELL (Year of 1959). A former Head of Finance at the Arts Council, David now works as an arts consultant, with a focus on providing financial services to arts organisations. He has been a church organist since he left Newtown and currently is responsible for the mu-sic in two churches in Rathgar, Dublin, where he lives with his life partner, David Soden.

Fiachra Trench has been a professional musician for over 40 years. From 1967 to 1991 he lived in England, working (mostly in London) as a composer/ arranger/music director/keyboard player/record producer. He has written music for films and orchestral arrangements for a wide gamut of artists, from (Joan) Armatrading to (Hans) Zimmer. He and his wife, the singer Carmel McCreagh, have been together 37 years. They have four children, Michael, Sarah, Oisín and Rían. In 1991 they and their two youngest moved from London to Delgany, Co. Wick-low. Fiachra continues to compose and arrange. Recent arranging projects have included Altan with the RTÉ Con-cert Orchestra, Paul Brady’s new album, Hooba Dooba, and a debut solo album from Sharon Corr.

Class of 1969Lesley Hayoun (Abrahamson) lives in Jerusalem and works as a teacher.

Norman Allott lives near Rathmines and works as a lec-turer in Trinity College Dublin.

Fiona Bodmin works as a health service manager in Nova Scotia.

Ann Christopherson is a nurse specialist in Portland, Oregon.

John Clarke lives near Bandon, Co. Cork.

Simon Crowe lives in Devon, England where he works as an architect and plays in one or more bands.

Elizabeth Thacker (Dyer) lives near Cheltenham, England.

Dorothy Fennell runs a kennels in Co. Carlow.

Lynne Fitzgerald (Foster) lives in Glenealy, Co. Wick-low where she works as an artist.

David Griffiths lives in Surbiton, Surrey and works as a quantity surveyor.

Brian Grubb lives in Clonlara, Co. Clare and has his own architectural practise.

Rosemary Hobday (Harper) lives in Southam, Warks and works as a physiotherapist.

Robert Jacob, Kinsale, Co. Cork is a designer of boats and other things.

Peter Johnson, is an artist and builder in Rath-gar.

Pamela Welch (Kelly) lives in Douglas, Cork and works in the Examiner.

Louie Kerr lives and works on the family farm near En-niscorthy.

David Lilburn lives in Limerick and works as graphic de-signer in UL and as an independent artist.

Hugh McConnell lives in Waterford where he and broth-er Bill run a Toyota dealership.

Owen Metcalfe lives in Dun Laoghaire and is assistant director of the Health Service Executive.

Barbara Cowtan (Pleass) lives in Worcester, England

Tessa Collier (Stokes) lives in Delgany, Co. Wicklow and is keen on horses.

Susan Spinks (Torrie) lives in Enfield, Middlesex, Eng-land.

Susan MacAllister (Turner) lives in Cork and works as a dental nurse.

Brian Watts lives in London and is a social worker work-ing with homeless persons.

Sheila Lyall (Williams) lives in Dun Laoghaire and works as a physiotherapist.

Gillian Alley (Young) lives near Rathdowney and works as a secretary/receptionist.

Sadly, the following are deceased: Felicity Grant, Susan Snipper, Frank Theil and Billy Warren

The class of 69 will meet again in 2014.

Class of 1979Nick Davies After an initial stint as a chef, tour guide and wedding photographer in the ‘80’s, I settled into a ca-reer in ATC and VIP handling before joining a company providing flight planning systems to the airline industry. I travel a lot, to the Gulf, S.Europe and N.Africa, and am about to graduate with a BSc in Aviation Management. Married to a beautiful Maltese girl, first child on the way (due Dec 2010!!), and teaching myself Italian ahead of a possible relocation to Sicily/Sardinia there in the future.

Neil Fitzgerald Living with family in ‘Glenbower’ in Wa-terford. Working in the gardening business. Got ECDL last month and now finishing an autocad course. Enjoys hill walking.

Gina Hensman Married to Tony. Still a restrateur at the very famous old plough much loved by the Irish racing fraternity when they venture to Newmarket!

Stuart Baxter Now living outside Oxford and working in London for Sony Pictures running their European distri-bution businesses. Married with 3 young kids and spend too much time traveling. Amusingly became Irish Real Tennis National Champion last year (seriously small niche) at the age of 48.



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Julie Pearson Merrey Is back in control of her life, almost. Returned to teaching to earn a crust, to educate and feed 3 bold but great teenage off springs. Living still on the north side, trying to keep fit and healthy, and enjoying playing poor golf, and the odd bottle of wine with friends!

Maurice O’Shea I was working in Private Banking on Jersey for nearly twenty years until 2004. I left the Is-land to work for the United Nations in Kenya with my now wife Susanna who comes from Barcelona. In 2006 we moved to New York and in 2007 Chloe Niamh O’Shea-Garcia was born. In 2008 we moved to Geneva. My wife is still working for the UN but I have returned to Private Banking and am trying to learn French at the same time. Not easy but our traveling days have now finished! Primrose Duplessis Living and working in Sussex as a Farm Conservation Advisor having returned to education to do a degree as an (extra) mature student! Married with 2 children and 3 step children aged between 18 and 27.

Caroline Murphy Living in Dublin with husband Frank Cruise. Working as Web Marketing Manager at Aviva. (No access to tickets, honest!) Competition organiser of the Irish Karting Club. Collects writing slopes (i.e. 18th century laptops)

Jenny Pim nee Milne Married Malcolm Pim and living in Co Wexford. They have three sons, Daniel born 1992, Alexander 1995 and Sebastian 1999. Managed Interior Design Company Odyssey Interiors 1996-2004. Quali-fied as Tai Chi Instructor in 2003. Currently breeding Connemara ponies under Dun an Oir prefix and teaching Tai Chi in Wexford.

Colin Jephson Colin lives in Waterford with wife Ann plus John (12) and Harry (10). Works in the family busi-ness - Ardkeen Quality Food Store - trying to get through the recession in one piece. Likes the odd game of tennis, cycling, coaching youth rugby, oh! and good food!”

Ceri McGrath Happily settled in Chester, UK. Single - no children or pets but plenty of godchildren who bring me a lot of joy but are very expensive! Working for Npower Renewables as Replant Manager trying to upgrade our older wind farm portfolio. My brother Mike lives close by and Mum is alive and well and still living in Waterford.

Hazel Perdue Alive and well and living in Tipperary. Breeding guinea pigs and ducks

Sean O’Connell Alive and well and dividing his time be-tween West Cork and Tipperary

Class of 1984RALPH BINGHAM Architect/Director in Murray O’Laoire Architects, Dublin, until recently and now looking forward to new challenges. Married to Hilary, 2 sons Max (8), and twins Harry and Adam (6).

ALISON CRANMER (NEE BOYD) Living in Norfolk pro-viding Farm Administration service to local farms. Mar-ried to Richard and has two girls Zoe (12) and Georgia (11).

YVONNE EARL Living in Dublin, married to Tom, work-ing as a channel manager for Eircom.

JILL FITZGERALD (NEE CANNING) 1992 Married An-drew FitzGerald - we run a dairy farm beside the sea near Tralee in Co. Kerry, I occasionally milk cows etc just to justify the “we” bit. We have 3 kids, Sarah 14, Lucy 11 and Mark 8, and except for the odd dabble in catering I’m at home full time. Launched new business www.ca-ketopperireland.com, featured on an RTE programme on up & coming entrepreneurs and in Irish Tatler magazine. Winner of the Best Wedding Industry Newcomer Award 2009!! Congratulations Jilly – what an inspiration!

SOPHIE CANTILLON After many years of fruitful study, awarded a scholarship at the Norwegian School of Man-agement to undertake a doctoral degree in Industrial Net-work Marketing and has learnt to speak Norwegian! Still as chirpy and energetic as ever!

ALAN COAD Telco industry, based in London but lots of travel! Still big into ‘huntin, shootin, fishin’ and sailin of course! Married Anna and has a son Toby who’s 6

CLODAGH NICHOLSON (NEE COAD) Married Darren, 4 children (between 5-18). Full-time Mum at home! Also teaching PE one day per week in Knockskeagh National School Clonakilty and some temporary substitute primary school teaching. Lots of outdoor activities continue from newtown days including swimming, skiing and canoeing; also hockey coaching, gardening & photography.

LUKE CROSBIE After a Law degree, moved into area of investments, Currently making investments for a family investment company, BHR.

Plays golf and hockey very badly! Married Niamh, has 3 daughters Emily (5) and twins of 1, which explains the poor golf standard!

ED CROTTY Engineering degree TCD, worked as engineer in London (5 years), back to TCD in 1994 to do an MBA (1 year), then back to London for fur-ther 3 years. Moved home to Dublin 1997, and cur-rently working in strategic business consultancy. Mar-ried to Sue, has 3 sons Patrick (7), Hugh (5), Sam (1) and a daughter Louise (3). Has been bitten by the Tri-athlon bug and is fitter than he’s ever been in his life!

PAUL DUFFIN Lots of various studies and jobs until moving to Dubai in 94 and starting The House of Cars in 98 followed by a number of other car related businesses. Currently running 4 different businesses across proper-ty, cars and coffee! Big horseracing and golf fan – why wouldn’t he be living out there? – married to Frances and has 4 children Emily (11), twins Patrick & Shona (5), new-est addition (2)

LIZ DUFFY Besotted by Horse Riding - Horse Racing - Interior Design – Gardening – and highlight was watching her racehorse win at Laytown in 2003! Lives with Robert in Wicklow, one stepdaughter Emma 21 and enjoys the company of all her nieces and nephews!

ALISON FANAGAN (nee Farrell) Partner with A & L Goodbody solicitors, specializing in litigation, and envi-ronmental and planning law. Married to Jody and has 3



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sons Hugo (11), Harry (10) and Stephen (7). Plays golf and swims, and runs after her boys!

JOHN FAULL B.SC in Marine Biology from UCG. Spent about 5 years working for an environmental consultancy company, in Galway, which involved going to sea and un-derwater photography etc. followed by 5 years in an Op-tics company in Galway (money better and job more se-cure). Then moved into web design (www.awd.ie) based in Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Highlight was spending a whole month at sea on a German research vessel off the coast of Alaska!! Married and has two girls 13 and 10.

SARAH BEAN (NEE HILL) BSc (Mgmt) from College of Marketing in Dublin; various marketing & commercial roles. Currently running a cosmetics & fragrances busi-ness (Coty Ireland) based in Dublin. Play too little golf, a little hockey and finds some time to swim, run & do yoga. Taking up the piano again after 25 years to ‘relax’! Mar-ried to Tom, 3 children Liam (10), Thomas & Lilly (twins of 5)

TIM JOHNSON Trained as a chef, lives in Abbeyleix and works in the Millrace Hotel in Bunclody. Still have 2 daughters (just:))

BEN JOHNSON Left Newtown in 84, straight into cheesemaking, set up a hon-ey co-op in the Burren farming 200 beehives, Had the opportunity to set up cheese factories in Sweden for the Harri Krishna movement, Ukraine for the cher-nobyl affected areas and South Africa the next step. Set up a boat building school and ran guitar making classes. Current venture goes right back to the early days of hawk flying at Newtown! Have set up the Bur-ren Bird of Prey Centre www.birdofpreycentre.com. Married in Kilfenora and have a son Robin.

SALLY COLE (NEE KINGSTON) Trained as a Nurse in the Adelaide Dublin. Theatre nurse training in St. Marys, London. 3 years traveling Asia, NZ & Australia. Cordix Scrub nurse Blackrock for about 5 years. Currently living in Naas, married to Alan & has 2 daughters Sasha (10) and Sophie (8). Still working out!

ROISIN LENNON (NEE KLANN) General nurse training in the Adelaide Hospital. Staffed there for a while & then off to Perth in Scotland to do midwifery. Now a midwife in Sligo General working with David Meade’s wife – small world! Latest qualifications are aromatherapy & reflexol-ogy, kids reckon she’s a witch! Married to Tom with 2 kids Eoin (14) and Emer (12)

GILLIAN LAZENBY (Nee Milne) Agricultural College in Hampshire and now running a Farm Office is doing everything from doing the accounts to sorting cattle out for market! Married to Rob and has a daughter Lucy (8) who’s also a keen rider. Last heard of was planting 10000 asparagus crowns and planning to acquire some sheep!

IAN LAZENBY Gurteen agricultural college after leaving Newtown then came home and have been farming ever since!

Played rugby for Gorey until 1991and then some bad-minton in Tinahely until an accident on the farm which took the wind out of me for a while. Married Nicolette in 2003

PAUL MCCARTHY Living in Cork; is a sax player and a singer songwritter about to start gigging. Divorced, four children all grown up, more or less, and new son recently born!

MIRANDA MARTIN Worked with horses for many years after school...and worked in racing in France, Italy, America and in the UK. Also qualified to teach riding..then moved to London where I have built up a small catering business, which is doing well!

Skiing, racing, hillwalking and gardening loves of my life, and my recently acquired husband of course!

DAVID MEADE Studied civil engineering in UCG 1984-1988. After a few years in London, now working as a resident engineer in the West of Ireland on the main Sli-go-Moscow highway. Soccer, swimming & hockey keep me fit & I do some hockey coaching with the Sligo ladies! Married to Mary & Conor was born in 2004.

ROBERT MILNE Farming in Co. Wexford. Three children Bill (11), Aoife (8), John (5). Graduated in Maths (I think?) with Open University – always a man of few words! Living with Hilary.

HELEN MOORE (DOYLE) BA in English & French, TCD followed by a raft of qualifications in marketing, account-ing, finance, French & interior design! Working in Eircom managing a telecoms service for customers with inter-national call centres. Wide variety of hobbies including wind-surfing, singing, astronomy and dance. Married to Tony & has a son of 6.

KEITH MURPHY Batchelor of Agricultural Science – UCD, then qualified as Chartered Accountant and moved to Warsaw working for Price Waterhouse, followed by Aventis in Strasbourg - Head of Corporate Functions Controlling. Married Agnieszka (Aga for short) in 1998. 2 kids, Adam (10) (I was never too worried about the Mile-nium Bug) and Ola (8) and thats enough for now.

GLENN O’NEILL Did a degree in Theology at Queens Belfast. Trained as a welder, opened a shop in Kilkenny for three years, Travelled with an African Children’s Choir through America and Canada, and laterally have been working for a Community Church in Navan www.calva-rycommunitychurch.info. Into cycling, wood carving and music. Married Gabi and have a daughter Tara (8)

AILEEN O’BEIRNE BA from UCG in 1989, LLB from UCG in 1992, qualifying as a solicitor in 1995. Later that year moved to Brussels with my husband Brendan, worked in various jobs, and joined the European Com-mission in 2001where she is still employed and has 2 daughters

DAVID O’BRIEN Degree in Production Engineering (Carlow Regional Technical College) then spent 4 years in Japan and onwards to Australia where he is still based. Love of his life is his skydiving, last count had done at least 2000 jumps and had a bronze national medal under his belt! He’s the ultimate Pepsi Max man – mountain biking, motorcycling, rockclimbing, skiing!

His most memorable moment? When he first got his knee down on the ground going around a corner on a motorbike !!



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GORMLAITH ORMOND Trained as a PE teacher in Stranmillis and taught hockey at Newtown before training as a Special Needs teacher and now works in Newpark Comprehensive Blackrock. Married to Louis and mum to Louis (13) and Celeste (10).

TIA WOOLER (DEIRDRE PIM) Trained as a Montessori teacher in Dublin and moved to New Zealand almost im-mediately after a year of travelling. Has been running her own Montessori school for many years. Married to Mark (artist, gardener, chef extraordinaire!) and has 3 beautiful children Cullen (16), Bree (13) and Carrie (10). Living in Warkworth North Island NZ with an amazing garden full of trees, animals and vegetables and very involved in the local community.

ALISTAIR PIM Agriculture degree but then, naturally, ended up auctioneering (thankfully horses, not houses) and working the stud farm in Mountmellick. Married to Gillian and has 3 children. As witty as ever, but unfortu-nately short on words for a more extensive update!

RICHARD POPPLEWELL Living in Manchester and dad to Lei. Self employed, his own boss!

GABRIELLE SHERIDAN Degree in social science from UCD, followed hdip in Business Ed in Thomond followed by a year in Italy, follwed by a year in Japan! Then a Grad Dep in Special Ed from UCD – spent a few years teaching in a number of different countries and has finally settled in Dublin! Married to Gerry, has 3 children Penny (6), Willow (5) and Gerry (2) and works part time in the family business Hertz.

AITHNE SYMES Living in Auckland, New Zealand with her 2 children Hannah (12) and Hamish (10) and too many animals! Recently divorced. Trained and has been working as a Montessori teacher and also tutors dyslex-ics

JULIAN TALBOT BRADY Architecture in UCD but after a number of years completed an MBA at Cranfield in the UK and now runs his own business consultancy in London. Married to Louise, living in London, and father to Tuscany (10), Gaia (7) and Noah (3)

ANDREW WALKER (ALIAS CHUCK!) TCD (History & Hockey), Kings Inns and Barrister since 1992 in Dub-lin. Much of spare time spent hockey coaching in Three Rock Rovers where he played for many years, and latest bug is Triathlons! Married to Meriel (of course! Class of 85 – proposed at our 10 year reunion apparently!) and has 3 boys James (12), Ben (10), Sam (8)

Class of 1989Jillian Drury is living in Bristol and working as a GP. Mar-ried to Giles, they have a 2 year old daughter called Orla.

Georgina Addison is living near Guildford in Surrey. Happily married to Sat for 10 years now. They have 2 little girls ages 7 & 5. Georgina works in a nursery school part time to fit around the girls school terms.

Liz Slazenger Lives in Buckinghamshire. Is happily married to Simon for 9 years now. They have 2 children,

8 and 6 years old.

Philip Boucher-Hayes wrote a book on food and farm-ing with his wife Suzanne (“Basket Case: What’s hap-pening Ireland’s food?”) which they finished on the day she went into labour with their first child, Anna. They live in North Wicklow. Still making documentaries in RTÉ TV and presenting/reporting on Radio. Always in the market for a good story or a bit of tittle tattle– [email protected]

Dara Carbery (nee Scallan) Living in Cork; married to Dermot; 3 children - Aoife, Billy & Aideen.

Lisa Ryan O’Sullivan is married to Patrick O’Sullivan, 2 kids Elizabeth and Eva, both 8. Currently living in Puerto Rico in the Caribbean having lived in Dubai for 7 years, possibly moving again soon! We travel back to Ireland most summers so hope to see a few more of the class having reconnected at the 20 year reunion.

Percy Kingston is married, living and farming near Wa-terford.

Ronan Murphy is living in Germany, working for Friesland-Campina dairy company. Married to Tina, their son Nicolas was born in November 2009.

Class of 1994Stuart Musgrave Stuart Musgrave - Living in Dublin running Onboard a surf, snow and sail store. Still reced-ing!

Dermot Daniel Conner - Living in Houston, TX. Came over in 2000, lured by NASA and marriage. Now doing something terribly tedious with computers for The Uni-versity of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (http://www.mdanderson.org/) Married (for a 2nd and final time, <hangs head>) one kid, another on the way. Looking for-ward to actually attending a reunion one of these days.

Mark Finnegan Living in Fuzhou, China. Creating online computer games. Hairier than ever.

Fiona Ní Mhulláin Living in Carlow with husband and daughter, working in Enniscorthy as a Regulatory Man-ager of a medical device company.

Mary Jo Logue Living in London and just completed my Law degree. Getting married this summer, so I’m hoping to become a grown-up soon!

Suzie Shorten Living in Dublin with my partner and 1 year old son Dylan and still working in the music industry for my sins.

Sarah Woodbury Living in a tiny village outside of Ed-inburgh with husband, 2 (and a half) year old daughter, two psychotic cats, four angry chickens and, apparently, some invisible but very naughty monkeys in the play-room. I was working as an addictions worker (mainly heroin and valium, but I dabbled in crack too) but having a child has made me soft and (almost) tolerant of people. So now I stay home and bake instead.

Alexandra Tyndale (nee Egan-Langley) Living in Lon-don helping disadvantaged families in social housing to



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access training and funding. Married, and currently on maternity leave with my 6 month old son. Luckily not yet receding.

RobandSan Corrigan Living in Co Kildare with wife Sandra and son Ben. Involved in commercial property consultancy in Dublin. Still busy with horses, in particular one-day-eventing.

Aura-lee Casey (nee O’Halloran) Living in waterford with my husband Jason. 17 year old james who is in 5th yr at newtown, and 3 year old daughter Mia. Im lecturing in beauty therapy at w.c.f.e and running my own beauty salon called Boudoir beauty.

Isobel Bailey-Baudu Loving living in Brittany, France with husband Yann & 2 daughters, Zoé & Sasha (aged 3 & 1), still teaching english & music in junior high school (collège). We get over to Ireland a couple of times a year usually & enjoy catching up with school friends & their kids! Great to be back in touch via Facebook!

Wietske van der Pol making wine for a winery in Nel-son, New Zealand - and living in sin with my man Cam, who is a computer geek....but now student pilot, and 2 doggies. Every once in a blue moon I work vintages in France, New York and most recently and most terrifiy-ingly, Moldova!!

Tim Stephen Hendy Just saw this now, thanks for the reminder! I’ve been working as an archaeologist in Cape Town, but living between there and Vancouver.

Class of 1999Caragh Allen - I am living in East Cork with my husband Peter and children Samson and Bella.

Celine Grant - Qualified as an engineer from Trinity in 2003. Travelled a few loops around the world and I’m now living in Australia and working for the government.

Andrew Maxwell - graduated from Trinity College, Dub-lin with first class honours and subsequently an MA. In the intervening 5 years Andrew, along with his younger brother Tom, has been developing a successful toy man-ufacturing and design business. In his spare time Andrew is to be found tinkering with classic British sports cars.

Sara Mullally - went to college in Dublin, studied and got a degree in Psychology. Went travelling for two yrs, then returned to Waterford, where I have been ever since. I now work for the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, as a network administrator for the Skillnet. This June I’ll be getting my blackbelt in kickboxing, yay!

Jessica Cunningham - After school I studied History and English at Trinity College Dublin and a few years af-ter graduating from that I did an M.A. in Design History at the National College of Art and Design. In between and since all that I’ve been working in different areas of the arts in administration, production and management – in publishing, dance, theatre, and now in the visual arts. I’m living in Dublin and also lecture part-time in theatre man-agement, design history and the decorative arts.

Melanie Dool - Completed my Diploma in Sports Ther-apy in Dublin, where I met my husband Owen. Studied

Business and now working the in the family business. New mother to son Noah, born January.

Clovisse Ferguson – Clovisse lives in Cork and works in the family business growing organic herbs and vegeta-bles which are used in Gubbeen Smokehouse products and are also sold to local cafes and restaurants. Likes to travel in the winter months when she leaves her pug and jack russell on the farm to eagerly await her return for spring planting.

Ailbhe Levingstone - After leaving Newtown in 1999, Ailbhe studied law in UCC and moved to Dublin in 2002 to begin her apprenticeship with O’Connor and Bergin Solicitors. Qualified as a Solicitor in 2005 and has been working and living in Dublin since.

April Rellis – Studied Science in Trinity, and then later completed her H.Dip. Ed. In Trinity also. Now a member of teaching and residential staff in Newtown.

Jenny Rothwell - Did a rainbow of courses ranging from computer game design to live sound engineering. Now working in property development around the UK and Ire-land. Living life to the full and loving every minute of it.

Sue Ryan - After medicine in College of Sur-geons worked in Dublin, Kilkenny Waterford and New Zealand. Now doing gp training in south east, and off to Malawi next year for part of it. Still playing hockey with Waterford, still singing at every opportunity and attempting my first triathalon under the capable supervision (!) of Carl and James in June and Oisin i suppose!

Gail Shannon - Working as a masseuse and recently started free range pig and geese farming, In my spare time I am involved with Macra na Feirme on the National Executive board and National Council Rep for County Wexford which involve lots of fun and frolics around the county, country and Europe - one of the highlights was being selected to represent Ireland at the European Youth Rally in Germany.

Caroline Sutton - After Newtown I went on to study Sci-ence at Trinity College, Dublin. I received my degree in Biochemistry in 2003 and continued on at Trinity to earn my PhD in Immunology in 2007. I am currently working as a post-doctoral researcher in Trinity, looking into the development of autoimmune diseases. I also recently got engaged to Brendan Murphy and am planning a Novem-ber wedding in Wexford.

Ailbhe Wheeler - live in Clare, teach English and am expecting a baby with my lovely-boyfriend-Brian in July.


Other Old Scholars NewsRebecca Hughes studied International Marketing and German at the University of Ulster, working in Germa-ny for a few years and had a great time working for the O’Reilly family dynasty in Dublin and at ARCON Mines in Co. Kilkenny. Married to Carl Bowe , they have a five and a half year old daughter Jennifer. They cur-rently live in Fiddown, Co. Kilkenny, they run the local Daybreak Shop.

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