Festival of Poetry & Drama 2017

March 8, 2017, 1:35 am

≪ Previous: Junior School News 3rd March

Welcome to our 12th festival of poetry and drama.

This festival was introduced to our busy drama year in 2004 as a way of giving the students an opportunity to perform in front of an audience. The many competitions also allow parents and friends to come and see what the girls have been working on. This is where we can see the progress they have made, since September for first years, and from year to year for the older students.

We celebrate all their successes as the week goes on, but the greatest pleasure for us, as teachers, is to see the quieter student who has had to overcome many more hurdles to stand up in front of that crowd in the library and in the lecture theatre. This is a success that can never be taken lightly.

This year we have a couple of new additions to the week. Firstly we have added a Poetry Writing competition, the winners of which were announced by RTE’s Rick O’Shea at our special assembly on Tuesday 7th March. We have also this year been endowed with a Perpetual Shield for Public speaking by The Leinster School of Music and Drama. This shield will be awarded at the Festival Showcase on Thursday night at 7.30pm.

Drama and Public Speaking do not just develop transferable skills of teamwork, communication, focus, presentation skills, problem solving, research, analysis, evaluation, self-control and confidence, but also, drama has a body of knowledge, practitioners, dramatists, and conventions going back over 3000 years. We believe it is one of the most important and vital things in the life of young people. We see this festival as a celebration of the wonderful work your daughters are capable of.

We hope you enjoy the week as much as we will.

Lynn Brehony, Clodagh Rycraft, Molly O’Cathain

The Festival Showcase takes place on Thursday night, at 7.30pm in the concourse. We will be presenting lots of big prizes that night and the Verse Speaking Choir will be performing too. Entry for adults is €5 and is free for students. We encourage all students, parents and members of the Alex community to attend.

Download Festival Timetable

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Junior School News 10th March

March 10, 2017, 3:12 am

≫ Next: Festival of Poetry & Drama 2017

≪ Previous: Festival of Poetry & Drama 2017

Dates for your Diary

March 13-16^th Seachtain na Gaeilge activities

Monday 13^th JACA Meeting 7.00pm

Monday 13^th Soccer League continues

Tuesday 14^th J2/J1 Swimming

Tuesday 14^th Ceilí Mór in Gym

Tuesday 14^th AIJS J6/J5 Swimming Gala – Castle Park -1.30-3.30pm

Wednesday 15^th AIJS Table Quiz 1.30pm in St. Gerard’s (J5/J6 – 2 teams)

Thursday 16^th 2017 Incoming First Year Meeting for parents and students 10-

Thursday 16^th 11.15am HWC (Current J6) Note: J6 to wear comfortable clothes to do activities in. Girls can all wear green item on head for the day.

Friday 17^th St. Patrick’s Day – School Closed (Boarding remains open)

From The Office

Thank you!

Thank you for the amazing support you gave to our annual Book Fair! €3800 worth of books were sold over the three days. We have now earned a fantastic €2280 in free books for our JS library. We really appreciate your support.

Book Your Seats for the NCH!

All of our girls in J5 and J6 will sing as special guests with The Three Tenors in the NCH on Thursday, March 23^rd at 8pm. The evening will feature Sibéal Ní Chasaide and the concert will include popular classic hits from Sinatra, The Dubliners, Pavarotti etc. Tickets are from €25.00 and can be booked at www.nch.ie or call 01 4170000.

From JACA

JACA Social Evening – Saturday, March 25^th in Westbury Hotel – tickets are on sale now – don’t miss out on this great evening! Contact your Class Rep for tickets.

How our Preschoolers “Feel”

We have really enjoyed our project talking about our feelings. We made a puppet about each feeling that we discussed. In Circle Time, we shared what makes us feel sad, happy, worried, scared, angry and surprised. We are learning to consider other people’s feelings too and not just our own. We loved presenting our puppets and singing our “Feelings” song in assembly. Superb performance, Preschoolers, well done!

Speech and Drama Results (J1-J3)

At last Friday’s assembly, Mrs. Ashmore was delighted to hand out certificates to her students who had recently done their exams with the Leinster School of Speech and Drama. All 60 girls from J1 -J4 obtained First Class Honours which is an excellent result. We were very proud of how hard the girls had worked and how well they had done and we wish the rest of the drama girls lots of luck when they do their exams at the start of April. Many thanks to Mrs. Ashmore for all the work she put into preparing the girls for their exams.

AIJS Poetry Competition Winners 2017

The students in Alexandra College Junior School performed really well in the AIJS poetry competition again this year. The theme for this year was “Water”. Congratulations to the following girls:

Senior Infants Category (KGUpper)

2^nd – Brooke Pearle

2^nd Class Category (J2)

2^nd – Niamh Carty

4th Class Category (J4)

2^nd – Lauren Kinsella

5th Class Category (J5)

1st – Elizabeth O’Reilly – Hyland

Highly Commended

Lara Willoughby – Bouchery

6^th Class Category (J6)

Highly Commended

Ailbhe Mooney

Sports Update

Tuesday, Mar. 14^th AIJS Swimming Gala for J5/J6 – leaving 12.30pm and returning

3.45pm in Castle Park, Dalkey

Tuesday, Mar. 28th^th AIJS Swimming Gala for J3/J4 – leaving 12.30pm and returning

3.45pm in Castle Park, Dalkey

Wed. March 29^th AIJS Basketball Tournament – (7 players from J6) Leaving

12.30pm and returning 4.30pm

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

JS Soccer League (J2-J6)

For the first time, the Junior School will hold a soccer league over the next few weeks. All the girls in J2-J6 have been divided into 12 teams and the matches started today. The girls are excited and many thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald and Ms. Tracey for all the work they have piu into planning this event. We will keep you updated on the scores as each round progresses. Each team will play two matches before moving on to quarter finals etc.

Any Mums for Tennis?

Why not join the Rusty Racket Group!

Every Wednesday morning in Bective Tennis Club, Donnybrook.

10am to 11.30am. Max Group 10, 4 spaces remaining.

Tennis, Fun & Coffee

If interested, contact : Mairead Wales at 087 4151590

↧

Festival of Poetry & Drama 2017

March 10, 2017, 3:49 am

≫ Next: Junior School News March 16th

≪ Previous: Junior School News 10th March

What a fantastic festival we have had over the last few days. Twenty-two hard-fought competitions, along with 204 entries and an incredible snapshot of the talent, commitment and hard work put in by the girls taking part. We want to thank you, the parents and friends, for the support that you have shown both the girls and ourselves, over the last three days.

A wonderful addition to this year’s festival was our Poetry Writing Competition and we were so lucky to have RTE’s Rick O’Shea in on Tuesday to announce the winners and present the prizes. You can read the winning poems below.

We extend a huge thanks to our brilliant adjudicators Maeve O’Donoghue and Audrey Behan, who were tasked with the difficult job of deciding who should be placed in each competition. The Festival Showcase last night was a wonderful ending to the festival with some spectacular performances from the girls who had come first in their respective categories during the week. There were so many other special performances that we would have loved to have put on as well, but time restrictions just didn’t allow for it.

We celebrate all the wonderful poetry and drama that we have been lucky enough to have experienced this week. It has been a complete joy.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the students who have given their time and energy to help out in this festival. They have checked people in, supervised younger classes whilst they wait to go on and have made themselves indispensable. Special thanks to Hannah Nuzum, who did a super job as our MC for the night. Thank you girls!

Lynn Brehony, Clodagh Rycraft, Molly O’Cathain

Full List of prize-winners from this year’s festival

The Junior Adjudicator’s Prize (1^st-3^rd yr)

Katherine McDermott

The Senior Adjudicator’s Prize (4^th-6^th yr)

Kate Lynch

The Poetry Prize

Carla Moran

The Leinster School of Music and Drama Public Speaking Shield

Ivy Manna

The Shakespeare Cup

Sarah Malone

The Patricia McHugh Cup for Most Promising Performer

Kate Lynch

1st Year Poetry Speaking Competition Group A

First Prize: Erin O’Neill Bailey

Second Prize: Abigail Cahill

Third Prize: Lily Nadir

1^st Year Poetry Speaking Competition Group B

First Prize: Maya McCullough Herz

Second Prize: Lola Schuster

Third Prize: Kate Byrne

Highly Commended: Nicole Reid

1^st Year Solo Drama Competition Group A

First Prize: Kate Byrne

Second Prize: Lauren Johnston

Third Prize: Pia McElligott

Highly Commended: Angelina Kanellos

1^st Year Solo Drama Competition Group B

First Prize: Lauren Finnerty

Second Prize: Annabelle Fitzgerald

Third Prize: Jill O’Brien

1^st Year Drama Duologue Competition Group A

First Prize: Kate Byrne & Jill O’Brien

Second Prize: Erin O’Neill Bailey & Nicole Reid

Third Prize: Clara Gibson & Itsesan Atsepoyi

1^st Year Drama Duologue Competition Group B

First Prize: Lauren Finnerty & Charlotte Aylmer

Second Prize: Susie Sheehan & Ruby McClusky

Third Prize: Rachel Malone & Lola Schuster

1^st Year Poetry Speaking (Public Speaking Students)

First Prize: Kate Byrne

Second Prize: Lara McCaughey, Maya McCullough Herz

Third Prize: Ana Doyle

1^st Year Prepared Speech Competition (Public Speaking Students)

First Prize: Lara McCaughey

Second Prize: Kate Byrne

Third Prize: Isabel Hume

2^nd Year Poetry Speaking Competition

First Prize: Carla Moran

Second Prize: Kayona Alhassan

Third Prize: Aine Sadlier

2^nd Year Solo Drama Competition

First Prize: Sarah Quinlan

Second Prize: Siofradh McEvoy, Sophia Mackeown

Third Prize: Ella Godsil

Highly Commended: Carla Moran

2^nd Year Drama Duologue Competition

First Prize: Sophie Murnaghan & Siofradh McEvoy

Second Prize: Maya Duncan & Aine Sadlier

2^nd Year Prepared Speech Competition (Public Speaking Students)

First Prize: Ivy Manna

2^nd Year Prose Speaking Competition (Public Speaking Students)

First Prize: Ella Walsh

Second Prize: Ivy Manna

Third Prize:

3^rd/4^th Year Poetry Speaking Competition

First Prize: Amy Cosgrove

Second Prize: Lizzie Cosgrove

Third Prize: Felicity Hurley

Highly Commended: Ailill Dorman

3^rd/4^th Year Solo Drama Competition

First Prize: Katherine McDermott

Second Prize: Felicity Hurley

Third Prize: Julie Phillips, Rachel O’Mahony

Highly Commended: Maria Byrne, Ruth Vallely

3^rd/4^th Year Drama Duologue Competition

First Prize: Julie Phillips & Ailill Dorman

Second Prize: Ava Barry & Lelia Moloney,

Rhian Meagher & Katie Gregg

Third Prize: Rachel Winckworth & Hannah Talbott

Junior Shakespeare Competition

First Prize: Katherine McDermott

Second Prize: Rebecca Hyland

Third Prize: Ava Barry

Eva McCartney

4^th Year Prepared Speech Competition (Public Speaking Students)

First Prize: Jessica Smyth

Second Prize: Eleanor Fitzpatrick

Third Prize: Yicen Zhao

5^th/6^th Year Poetry Speaking Competition

First Prize: Inga Bourke Mullaney

Second Prize: Ciara Fitzgerald

Third Prize: Eva Keane

5^th/6^th Year Solo Drama Competition

First Prize: Kate Lynch

Second Prize: Cara Godsil, Sarah Malone

Third Prize: Lorna Haydon

Highly Commended: Ashling Gallagher

5^th/6^th Year Drama Duologue Competition

First Prize: Hannah McKenna & Iseult Kneafsey

Second Prize: Victoria Phillips & Georgia Duffy

Third Prize: Sarah Malone & Inga Bourke Mullaney

Senior Shakespeare Competition

First Prize: Sarah Malone

Second Prize: Kate Lynch

Third Prize: Lorna Haydon

Poetry Writing Competiton 2017

Winning Entries

Home

There is home

And there is house.

There is home

With its crackling fire

Whose flames welcome you back

Like that of a lover’s embrace.

But there is house.

But there is house with

Its foreboding walls

And a front door

That is foreign to look at.

A this house, you smile

A plastic sheeted smile at

People who you pretend to know

And grip the sides of an armchair

Which you feel is trapping you.

But at home,

You recline in the blissful reassurance

Of a place you feel where you belong,

Where you feel drunk on

Your own being and happiness

And this, this is home.

Home is where you feel welcome.

Home is where you are welcome.

By Lara McCaughey 1^st Year

Family

Just a lovely, little girl,

Innocent of mind and heart,

Playing with her dearest dolls

As her family fell apart.

He was just a boy,

A mere thirteen years old,

Who listened as they hurled abuse

And ignored his heart of gold.

The constant clashing of two broken souls,

Fighting had become routine,

So he locked himself away in his room

To get away from the saddening scene.

She did not know why,

Her brother stayed with her at night.

Why he kept her Company

As they heard their parents fight.

Why he conjured tales

Of lands far and wide

And waited ‘til sundown when she slept

Before he left her bedside

For he did not want her to be troubled with

The brutal reality of growing up,

He wanted her to have the childhood

He had always dreamed of.

So he kept her company when they fought,

Which was every day and night,

And taught her that in every darkening gloom

There is a flicker of light.

By Kayona Alhassan 2^nd Year

Sonnet: Hope

Hope is a white light shining in the sky

A warm light in the dark guiding you home

A Moringa tree that will never die

It blesses the world like the church of Rome.

It crept into the homes of humanity

Intruding upon their secret conversation

As it listened to the hope of so many

Hoping God above would take some action.

Hoping for water, food, shelter and warmth

Even though that is human basic need

Thy shall not forget to fulfill thy oath

For thy people pray for thee on their knees.

Thy people will love, hope and pray for thee

But thy shall not ignore and let it be.

By Ally Yu 4^th Year

The Bird

Her eyes golden, as she stares into the past,

Sorrow in her heart, memories flash by so fast,

Kinsmen are shadowed, as she finally sees the light,

You reiterate the aphorism “Fight or Flight?”

Well she chooses combat, as she has before,

One lash two, as she falls to the floor,

The strength she shows when she’s down creates her,

Not again will one berate her.

Closing her eyes, reopening her heart,

No longer chained, eyes for a fresh start,

With no longer sorrow, she embraces her mistake,

As she shields herself from memories of heartache.

Work is her addiction, distracting from emotion,

Her vital plan finally set in motion,

Fighting for that goal she’s always desired

But put on the back burner now she’s inspired.

It’s taken a whilebut she can utter the word

“I’m free”, no longer lioness but now a bird.

By Saoirse Gaughran 5^th Year

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Junior School News March 16th

March 16, 2017, 2:49 am

≫ Next: Seachtain na Gaeilge 2017

≪ Previous: Festival of Poetry & Drama 2017

Dates for Your Diary

Friday 17^th St. Patrick’s Day – School Closed (Boarding remains open)

Tuesday 21^st J2/J1 Swimming

Wednesday 22^nd Author Jacquie Bourke visits J3 and J4

J5 attend author event in Mill Theatre

Thursday 23^rd J5/J6 concert in NCH with Three Tenors 8pm www.nch.ie

Friday 24^th Daffodil Day – support the Irish Cancer Society

Saturday 25^th JACA Dinner – Westbury Hotel 7pm

From the Office

Easter Camps at Alex:

Two groups from outside Alex will run the camps at Easter.

April 10-13^th Let’s Go (JS Gym) and Olympians (HWC)

April 17-20^th Olympians (HWC)

Please note: Olympians will take students from 4 years old, but Let’s Go will only take students from 5 years of age. Book a place for your daughter on their websites.

Reminder: Alexandra College – Nut Free Policy

It is important that our school community looks after all students in its care. Whilst an allergy to peanuts is still a relatively uncommon occurrence, we do have a growing number of students presenting with this condition. As a school, we would like to provide responsible support for children who have such allergies and suffer severe anaphylactic reactions that may be life-threatening.

To this end, we endeavour to ensure our school is a nut-free school and seek the school community’s co-operation in supporting the safety of all students at the school. This includes school camps and all other school-related activities.

The hot lunches served in the school are already nut-free. Parents and children need to be mindful of any products containing nuts when preparing packed lunches or snacks. This includes school camps and all other school-related activities.

J5/J6 – NCH

Daffodil Day! Friday March 24^th

We will have some of our girls in J5/J6 selling daffodils and other small items to support the Irish Cancer Society. Items are all €2 or €3.

From JACA

JACA Social Evening – Saturday, March 25^th in Westbury Hotel –– don’t miss out on this great evening! Contact your Class Rep for tickets.

Sports Update

Tuesday, Mar. 28th^th AIJS Swimming Gala for J3/J4 – leaving 12.30pm and returning

3.45pm in Castle Park, Dalkey

Wed. March 29^th AIJS Basketball Tournament – (7 players from J6) Leaving

12.30pm and returning 4.30pm

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

Seachtain na Gaeilge Activities in the Junior School
J2-J6 Tráth na gCeist: This is a very popular annual event and the girls all worked in their family groups. A special mention must go to Ailbhe Mooney in J6 for leading the quiz and to Ms. Stapleton and all the girls in J6 for helping to make the event run so smoothly.

Céilí Mór! There was great fun and laughter to be heard when the whole school all got together to dance the traditional dance, The Siege of Ennis. After a few practice runs, and some great demonstrations by the fabulous J3 girls, we all managed to make it through the dance. Many thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald and the J3 students for organising and leading this event. It was great fun!

JS Orchestra and SS Trad Group concert:

What a treat it was so hear all of our musicians perform at the Trad Concert! Our JS Orchestra went first, followed by the Trad musicians made up of students and teachers from the Senior School. Thank you to Ms. Fitzgerald and Ms. Kelly for preparing the girls so well. A special word of praise needs to go to our two harpists; Alessandra Paloni (J3) and Eva Murphy (J2) who both played solo pieces magnificently. We all really enjoyed the concert.

Special Seachtain na Gaeilge Assembly –

Each class performed a song, poem, short play or dance. It was really great to see the confidence of all the girls as they spoke as Gaeilge. We ended the event by all singing the national anthem, Amhrán na BhFiann.

AIJS Table Quiz 2017

Two teams from J5 and J6 took part in this event in St. Gerard’s Junior School in Bray.

Margaret Dunshee

Emily Holland

Kate Saunders

Lucy Power Smith

Eve Bailey

Alannah Whelehan

Carmel Deirdre Humphreys

Grace Kearn

The girls enjoyed the event and did well overall.

Sports News

Update on “Alex 150 Cup”

The girls from J2 to J6 have been taking part in a soccer tournament named the “Alex 150 Cup” to commemorate our recent anniversary. The cup itself will be presented to the winning team after a Grand Final in April or May. Our players have been very excited to take part as they play in mixed class teams, all named after some Pioneering Alexandrans such as Jellicoe and White. We have been really impressed by the skills on show and the level of respect shown to opponents, to our referees from 4^th Year and to Ms. Tracey who helps set up the field for the games. A big ‘Thank You’ to the girls for their enthusiasm and to the teachers and Ms. Lamplugh for their help. We continue to look forward to an exciting competition as it progresses from preliminaries to the knockout phase

E Fitzgerald

AIJS Swimming Gala 2017

We had a swim team go to Castle Park in Dalkey to represent Alex in this year’s AIJS Swimming Gala. The girls did well and placed fourth overall. Well done!

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, Mar. 28th^th AIJS Swimming Gala for J3/J4 – leaving 12.30pm and returning

3.45pm – Castle Park, Dalkey

Wed. March 29^th AIJS Basketball Tournament – (7 players from J6) Leaving

12.30pm and returning 4.30pm

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to everyone – enjoy the long weekend!

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Seachtain na Gaeilge 2017

March 16, 2017, 3:48 am

≫ Next: DramaSoc Performances

≪ Previous: Junior School News March 16th

Bhí an coláiste ag preabadh le Gaeilge le seachtain anuas. Gach bliain déantar an teanga ársa náisiúnta a cheiliúradh sa tréimhse roimh Lá Fhéile Pádraig. Ní hamháin go mbíonn ócáidí á reáchtáil ar fud na tíre le deiseanna a thabhairt do dhaoine an teanga a úsáid, bíonn imeachtaí á n-eagrú ar fud an domhain ag cairde na teanga. I ndáiríre anois tosaíonn ‘Seachtain’ na Gaeilge ag tús na míosa agus de ghnáth bíonn scoileanna páirteach inti ó 10 – 17 Márta.

The college has been buzzing with the sound of the Irish language for the last week. Every year the indigenous language is celebrated in the run up to St Patrick’s Day. Not alone are activities organised nationwide to encourage people to use the language, but events are held around the world by friends of the language. So full is the programme that in the last number of years Irish Language ‘Week’ has kicked off on 1 March, with schools participating from 10 – 17 March.

Dé Sathairn 11 Márta bhí Béaltriailacha na Gaeilge ar siúl do scoláirí na tríú bliana mar chuid den Teastas Sóisearach. Is fiú 40% den mharc iomlán é an scrúdú cainte seo, agus bhí na scrúdaitheoirí seachtracha anseo óna naoi ar maidin go dtí leathuair tar éis a ceathair. Bhí siad an-tógtha le hullmhúchán, iarracht agus le pearsantacht na gcailíní. Comhghairdeas libh, a chailíní!

Last Saturday saw the third Year students take their Junior Cert Oral Exam in the language, worth a huge 40% of their overall score. The external examiners began assessing at 9.00 and the last candidates finished at 4.30. It was a long day but the examiners’ job was made so much easier by the way the girls were so well prepared, confident and articulate. Well done girls!

Dé Luain nuair a tháinig pobal an choláiste le chéile d’obair na seachtaine bhí an halla tionóil maisithe rompu le bratacha na hÉireann agus na dtíortha idirCheilteacha go léir, le seamróga agus le réimse leathan póstaer ildaite bunaithe ar Sheanfhocail na Gaeilge (an Tríú Bliain), ar Naomh Pádraig (an Dara Bliain) agus ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge (an Chéad Bliain). Fógrófar ainmneacha bhuaiteoirí na gcomórtas seo amach anseo. Bhí bratach na hÉireann ar foluain go bródúil taobh amuigh i rith na seachtaine.

Monday saw the college community arrive into a colourfully decorated concourse festooned with Irish and InterCeltic flags, shamrocks and an array of posters based on the themes of Irish language proverbs (3rd Years), St Patrick (2nd Years and Irish Language Week (1st Years). Winners to be announced! Outside the national flag, presented to the college last year as part of the 1916 commerations, was flying n the central mast.

Bhí fonn ar George agus ar a fhoireann i mbialann an choláiste cabhrú le cur chun cinn na teanga freisin agus crochadh réimse fógraí as Gaeilge ar bhallaí an cheaintín. Rinne siad bliahlár na seachtaine a sholáthar go dhátheangach freisin. Nach maith iad!

George and his team in the canteen wished to play their part too in promoting the language and a selection of notices in Irish adorned the canteen walls and a bilingual daily menu was provided. Well done all!

Cuireadh tús le clár na seachtaine le fógraí úra teo ar Raidió Alex a chraol ar chóras idirchumarsáide an choláiste – as Gaeilge! Ba iad na scoláirí sinsearacha a chuir tús leis Dé Luain, agus bhí réalta raidió againn ó na blianta éagsúla ó lá go lá. Bhí comórtas ann freisin – Glór Gaeilge an Lae – áit a raibh ar na héisteoirí guth dhuine éigin ar fhoireann oibre na scoile (nach múinteoir Gaeilge é) a aithint.

The school week kicked off with breaking news on Raidió Alex, hosted initially by the senior students at the start of the week followed – as the days went by – by a range of student anouncers from the different year groups taking to the airwaves of the college intercom system with annoucements (in Irish) about the week’s news and schedule. Listeners were invited to identify a mystery voice from the college staff speaking in Irish.

Ó lá go lá sna ranganna Gaeilge rinneadh plé ar thábhacht na teanga d’fhéiniúlacht na hÉireann, féachadh ar ghearrscannáin faoin nGaeilge, agus eagraíodh cluichí teanga, ranganna céilí agus tráth na gceist do na cailíní

The week’s Irish classes revolved around discussions of the history of the language and its importance in the fabric of Irish identity, students looked at short films in and about Irish and the girls participated in language games, céilí classes and Irish language quizzes.

Maidin Dé Máirt bhí an lá mór Gaelach againn. Fuair na cailíní go léir san Idirbhliain cuireadh dul go Geandáil Gasta (Speed Dating!) as Gaeilge i scoil N Mícheál agus is cosúil go raibh a lán craic acu. Ag a deich a chlog tháinig an chuid eile den scoil le chéile sa Halla Tionóil le haghaidh An Gig Gaelach, buaicphointe na seachtaine. Anseo chuala siad fógraí ón gCoiste Gaeilge (scoláirí ón gCúigiú agus ón Séú Bliain), dánta á n-aithris ag daltaí ón Tríú agus ón Séú Bliain, réamhaisnéis na haimsire ón gCéad Bhliain, amhráin, ceol agus rince Gaelach. Bhí seisiún ceart Gaelach againn agus ba léir an taitneamh a bhain an lucht éisteachta as. Táimid go léir fíorbhuíoch de na múinteoirí i Roinn an Cheoil agus i Roinn na Gaeilge as a n-ionchur, agus as na scoláirí go léir a ghlac páirt ann os comhair na scoile. Táimid thar a bheith buíoch den nGrúpa Traid. Bhí cúpla seachtain thar a bheith gnóthach ag an nGrúpa Traid agus iad ag seinm ag coirmeacha ceoil lena gcairde ceolmhara ó bhunscoil N Lorcáin sna Solláin i gCill Dara. Agus Dé Céadaoin sheinn siad arís le ceoltóirí óga traid ón mbunscoil os comhair daltaí na bunscoile agus an naíonra i seanhalla spóirt na scoile. Ócáid álainn a bhí anseo.

Tuesday was the main Gaeilge Day. The TY girls were invited to a Speed Dating event in St Michaels’s College and all appear to have enjoyed the occassion. At 10.00 the rest of the senior school community assembled in the concourse for The Gaelic Gig, the high point of the week’s activities. Here they heard announcments from the Fifth and Sixth Year members of the college Gaeilge Committee, poems recited by Third and Sixth Year students, the latest weather updates from the wanna-be Teresa Mannions in First Year, songs, music and Irish dancing. Clearly the performances were enjoyed by all. We are indebted to the teachers in the Irish and Music departments for their input and to all the students who performed for the school community. In particular we are very grateful to the Trad Group. The Trad Group has had a very busy couple of weeks, performing a number of joint concerts with their trad buddies from St Laurence’s National School, Sallins, Co Kildare. And on Wednesday they played a concert with the Junior School Trad musicians before all the Junior School and Kindergareten pupils and their teachers in the old gym. This was a particularily lovely event.

Dé Máirt freisin i ndiaidh am scoile chuaigh suas le daichead cailín ón gCúigiú agus ón Séú Bliain go Coláiste Gonzaga le céilí a dhéanamh le buachaillí na scoile sin. D’fhág siad Alex de shiúl na gcos ag canadh as Gaeilge agus ag aithris fhilíocht na hArdteiste in ard a gcinn is a ngutha! Ní raibh aon ghá le cur in aithne anseo! Bhí go leor Gaeilge á labhairt le linn an chéilí féin freisin agus cleachtadh iontach a bhí ann do Bhéaltrialacha na hArdteiste a bheidh ar siúl ag tús an Aibreáin. Is fiú 40% den mharc iomlán sa Ghaeilge iad seo. Bhí sé go hiontach go raibh an-chuid de na cailíní cónaithe as tíortha thar lear inár measc freisin. Bhí a lán craic againn anseo.

Also on Tuesday and after school around forty of the Fifth and Sixth Year girls marched off to Gonzaga College to participate in a Céilí with the Gonzaga boys, singing pop songs in Irish as they went and reciting their Leaving Cert Irish poetry! The lads and lassies seemed to know each other quite well already and a lot of Gaeilge was in evidence during this fun event. This will stand to them as they take their Leaving Cert Oral Exams (worth 40% of their overall score in Irish) at the beginning of April It was great that we were joined by a good number of our overseas students too for this fun but useful event.

Cuireadh tús bríomhar leis an lá Dé Céadaoin le PreabGhaeltacht Alex. Seo Ciorcal Comhrá a eagraíonn scoláirí na Cúigiú Bliana do scoláirí uile an choláiste ar mhaithe le deis a thabhairt dóibh a scileanna labhartha sa Ghaeilge a fheabhsú. Is cosúil go raibh an Léachtlann ‘glas le Gaeilgeoirí’ agus go raibh an t-atmaisféar leictreach! Bíonn an Ciorcal Comhrá ar siúl gach maidin Dé Céadaoin ag 8.15. Leanamis ar aghaidh ag Gaeilgeoireacht in Alex go deireadh na bliana – agus go brách!!!

Wednesday got off to a lively start with our very own Pop-Up Gaeltacht! Every Wednesday beginning at 8.15 the Fifth Year students organize a Chat Group which enables all students improve their spoken Gaeilge skills. This week the lecture theatre was packed! Let’s keep Seachtain na Gaeilge going until the end of the school year – and beyond!!!

Cuireadh clabhsúr le clár na seachtaine leis An Lá Glas. Déardaoin bhí cead ag na cailíní a n-éide scoile a fhágáil sa bhaile agus teacht ar scoil gléasta in éadaí glasa. Ag an tionól rinneadh trófaí agus teastais a bhronnadh ar na cailíní ón Trí agus ón gCúigiú Bliain a ghlac páirt i gcomórtais Díospóireachta Ghael-Linn. D’éirigh leis an bhfoireann shóisearach, faoi stiúir Ms Swan dul chomh fada le leathchraobh na hÉireann i mbliana. Tréaslaímid go léir léi agus le baill na foirne sin .i. Lucy McDermott (captaen), Rachel Lee agus Katie Sheehy.

The week’s events came to a close with Green Day. On Thursday (no school on Friday!) the senior school students were allowed swop their brown uniforms for their greenest garments in celebration of our National Day. At assembly a trophy and certificates were presented to the debaters from Third and Fifth Year who took part in this year’s Gael-Linn Schools’ Debating competitions. The junior debating team under the guidance of Ms Swan made it as far as the national semi-finals – a fantastic achievement. Well done to Lucy McDermott (captain), Rachel Lee agus Katie Sheehy and to Ms Swan.

Deirtear gur glas iad na cnoic atá i bhfad uainn ach is cinnte go bhfuil an cnoc i mBaile an Mhuilinn ar a bhfuil Alex tógtha glas go smior freisin.

It is said that faraway hills are green – a proverb common to English and Irish. But clearly the hill in Milltown on which Alex is built is as green as any elsewhere in Ireland.

↧

DramaSoc Performances

March 16, 2017, 4:00 am

≫ Next: ‘This Changes Everything’– DramaSoc Performance (Video)

≪ Previous: Seachtain na Gaeilge 2017

Next week is another very exciting week for the drama department, with both the Junior Drama Society and the Intermediate Drama Society putting on two performances each of the exciting productions they have been working on.

On Tuesday 21^st, the first year students in the Junior DramSoc will be performing their devised play ‘The History of the Stapler and other Stationary’.

The play is set at bedtime in the dormitory of Miss Persnickety’s School for Precocious Girls. It’s after dark and the girls are telling stories…from the very secret book!

The first years, guided by their teacher Molly O’Cathain, have devised the play around the works of Roald Dahl. With appearances from The Grand High Witch and of course Charlie Bucket (among others), this production promises to be full of fun.

There are two performances on Tuesday next week, at 5pm and 7.30pm and it will take place in the Lecture Theatre.

On Tuesday 21^st, the first year students in the Junior DramSoc will be performing their devised play ‘The History of the Stapler and other Stationary’.

The play is set at bedtime in the dormitory of Miss Persnickety’s School for Precocious Girls. It’s after dark and the girls are telling stories…from the very secret book!

There are two performances on Tuesday next week, at 5pm and 7.30pm and it will take place in the Lecture Theatre.

↧

‘This Changes Everything’– DramaSoc Performance (Video)

March 24, 2017, 2:44 am

≫ Next: The Culture club Kick off on Thursday 16th March

≪ Previous: DramaSoc Performances

On Wednesday the 22 nd March, the Intermediate DramSoc made up of girls from second and third year performed a production of Joel Horwood’s play “This Changes Everything”. Part of the Tonic Theatre’s programme to address the imbalance of roles in plays for young adult females, this play is set on a platform at sea where a new community has been formed. A community solely made up of teenage girls. They are disillusioned with life and believe that they have found a better way of living in this new society they have started. The play poses the very important question of ‘How can you change the world if you have taken yourself out of it?’.

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The Culture club Kick off on Thursday 16th March

March 24, 2017, 2:49 am

≫ Next: London Branch, Alexandra Guild (1952-2017) 65th Anniversary Events and Dates – Please Hold the Dates

≪ Previous: ‘This Changes Everything’– DramaSoc Performance (Video)

It was all good vibes and wonderful atmosphere on the first Thursday of The Culture Club, which will take place every Thursday in the library at both lunch times for the girls of all years who are interested in improving their language skills and learning about new cultures and countries.

The number of different languages represented in Alex by girls from all over the world and by some very passionate language students is an immense treasure and the purpose of The Culture Club is to lead an exchange where girls can discover more about this variety. Not only are the main European languages represented, but we also had Arabic, Russian, Mandarin, Cantonese and many more.

The aim of the first session was for students to get and know one another in a comfortable & relaxing environment.The girls taught each other how to introduce themselves in Italian, Spanish, French, Afrikaans, Welsh and Arabic. It was thrilling to move around the table while listening to all these different languages being practiced. There was also very interesting questions raised, such as: “Where is Welsh spoken?” The girls were brilliant in answering these questions and showed great interest and pride in their native tongues.

Since it was Seachtain na Gaeilge, Ms Swan taught us some very useful vocabulary to use on St. Patrick’s day. Irish has a great tradition in Alex and is a great part of this exchange.

We’re looking forward to the next session where we will be learning all about food vocabulary and traditions and we also might even get to try some delicious treats from around the globe! And last but not least many thanks to Ms Dean for hosting us in the library.

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London Branch, Alexandra Guild (1952-2017) 65th Anniversary Events and Dates – Please Hold the Dates

March 24, 2017, 2:58 am

≫ Next: Junior School News 24th March

≪ Previous: The Culture club Kick off on Thursday 16th March

Event 1 Café Royal, Afternoon Tea

Date/Time: Saturday, 17th June 2017 at 2:00pm – details to be confirmed

Link: http://www.hotelcaferoyal.com/afternoontea

Venue: Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London W1B 4DY

RSVP: Lynda Soltysiak via email address lyndasoltysiak@me.com

RSVP date: Saturday, 20th May 2017

From “the Archives” – Point of Interest

The London Branch Alexandra College Guild held a “Centenary Dinner”

– Evening Dress Optional, to mark the Alexandra College Centenary, in the Louis Suite,

Café Royal, 68 Regent Street, London W1, on Saturday, 29^th October 1966.

Did you know…?

Oscar Wilde dined in Café Royal every day. Café Royal now have an Oscar Wilde Bar.

As we are marking a special anniversary this year, we thought we could visit Café Royal again – this time for Afternoon Tea!

Event 2 Handel House Museum

Date/Time: Saturday, 19th August at 2:00pm [school summer holidays]

Link: https://handelhendrix.org/

Venue: Handel House Museum, 25 Brook Street, Mayfair, London W1K 4HB

Group: Maximum number – 20 people

RSVP: Lynda Soltysiak via email address lyndasoltysiak@me.com

RSVP date: Saturday, 15th July 2017

Point of Interest

The first ever performance of Handel’s Messiah was in Dublin on 13^th April, 1742

[375 years ago].

Did you know…?

During the first London performance, King George II stood up at the beginning of

Hallelujah Chorus – which started the “tradition” of the entire audience standing up for this particular chorus. There is a rumour that says the king stood up to stretch his legs, although we don’t know for certain that this is true: however, when the Monarch stands, everyone else does too!

Event 3 Autumn Lunch and AGM – London Branch Alexandra Guild

Date/Time: Saturday, 21st October 2017 from 12:00 noon

Venue: Church Hall, Church of Scotland, Crown Court, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5EZ

RSVP: Eva Bangle via email address eva.bangle@lineone.net

RSVP date: Saturday, 14th October 2017

Optional Extra Event –

We are also considering Handel’s Messiah in November/December time

More details on this later in the year as potential dates become available!

Please note the RSVP dates and email contact – Handel Museum will be busy in summer months.

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Junior School News 24th March

March 24, 2017, 3:19 am

≫ Next: Special Effects Makeup Workshop

≪ Previous: London Branch, Alexandra Guild (1952-2017) 65th Anniversary Events and Dates – Please Hold the Dates

Dates for your Diary

Saturday 25^th JACA Dinner – Westbury Hotel 7pm

Tuesday 28^th J2/J1 Swimming

Tuesday 28^th AIJS J3/J4 Swimming Gala 1.30-3.30pm

Wednesday 29^th AIJS Girls Basketball tournament – Castle Park

Wednesday 29^th Eason Dublin County Spelling Bee Final – Good luck, Emily Holland!

Thursday 30^th J6 RC Class – Confirmation 11.30am

From the Office

Thank you for supporting Daffodil Day today in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.

Easter Cake Boxes: It is a tradition in Alex that the girls decorate a cake box with an Easter theme. The boxes will go home next Monday and the girls are asked to be returned by Tuesday, April 4^th. The boxes will be judged and a winner will be chosen from each class. This event is sponsored by JACA. The girls will take all the cake boxes home after April 4^th and hopefully will bring them back in on Friday with lots of cakes to sell! The annual Easter Cake Sale will take place on Friday, April 7^th at 1.30pm.

Easter Camps at Alex

Two groups from outside Alex will run the camps at Easter this year.

Week 1 : April 10-13^th Let’s Go (JS Gym) 9.30 -3.30pm and Olympians (HWC) 9.30-2.30pm

Week 2: April 17-20^th Olympians (HWC) 9.30am-2.30pm

Please note: Olympians will only take girls if they are 5 years old. Let’s Go will take girls if they are 4yrs old as long as they are in KGLower. Unfortunately, they will not take girls who are in preschool.

Important: Many of you are looking for supervision before and after the camp times. This would be from 8.00am-9.30am in the mornings and from 2.30-5.00pm in the afternoons. The cost is €5 per hour. The person in charge would take the girls to and from the camps.

We can only offer this service if we have sufficient numbers. If you are interested, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing Carol Higgins at jsinfo@alexandracollege.ie.

J4 – Orienteering Awards

Over the past few weeks, the girls in J4 have been working on their orienteering skills with Ms. Tracey and Ms. Richardson. Ms Tracey announced the winners at assembly today. Well done to the following girls:

Ist Place: Darcy Hutter, Izzy Baxter, and Freya Coveney

2^nd Place: Emily Keogh and Emily Mc Kenna

3^rd Place: Belle Moore and Mabel Farrell- Byrne

Special Award: Caoimhe Cassidy

J5 –River Dodder Project

On a beautiful sunny morning, all the girls in J5 wrapped up and headed off to do an ecology workshop along the Dodder River. Darragh Murphy, an Ecologist and Environmental Educator, who wanted the girls to heighten their appreciation of local nature, history and art, led them.

The girls explored the habitats and species that use the Dodder and the area around it.

They also looked at the wildlife of the river. They got to spend time identifying and understanding the plants and trees of the riverbank.

After a very interesting and enjoyable class wading in the river, Darragh guided the students through appreciating the significance of nature in their local areas, the species they found and the role each person has in maintaining, enhancing and enjoying our local ecosystems.

J5 Tales of Mystery and Adventure

As part of the Mountains to Sea Book Festival, the girls in J5 got the opportunity to go to meet some great authors at the Mill Theatre this week. Gráinne Clear chaired the event and the girls got to meet a number of different authors.

Author Jackie Bourke visits J3/J4

The author of the very popular books “The Secrets of Grindlewood” spent time with our students in J3 and J4 on Wednesday. She shared her love of reading and writing creative stories and explained that she got all her ideas from the things around her every day like walks in the woods, animals etc. Jackie read an extract from one of her latest books and the girls were hooked right away. It was clear that Jackie loves what she does and the girls really enjoyed her visit to Alexandra College.

J5/J6 at the NCH

Many of us were very fortunate to be in the NCH last night to enjoy a special musical evening. All of our girls in J5 and J6 sang as special guests with The Three Tenors in the NCH on Thursday evening. Our girls sang a great number, Humpty Dumpty, by Dave and Jean and then joined The Three Tenors for a song called, School Days Over. The evening also featured Sibéal Ní Chasaide and the concert included popular classic hits from Sinatra, The Dubliners, Pavarotti etc. Thank you to Ms. Fitzgerald for preparing the girls so well and to Ms. Errity for accompanying on the evening.

Sports Update

Tuesday, Mar. 28th^th AIJS Swimming Gala for J3/J4 – leaving 12.30pm and returning 3.45pm in Castle Park, Dalkey

Wed. March 29^th AIJS Basketball Tournament – (7 players from J6) Leaving 12.30pm and returning 4.30pm

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

Alex Cup – Soccer Update

The final round of group games in the Soccer League were played today. Some teams have already qualified for the quarter-finals. It has been an excellent tournament so far!

The final group fixtures were as follows:

Group A: Oldham V White

Group B: Jellicoe V Bennet

Group C: Somerville V Hull

Group D: Delap V Lynn

Go raibh mile maith agaibh!

E. Fitzgerald

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Special Effects Makeup Workshop

March 24, 2017, 3:38 am

≫ Next: My Fair Lady

≪ Previous: Junior School News 24th March

On Tuesday 21st of March a group of 4th years did a special effects makeup workshop with Celena from the Dublin Institute of Beauty who came in to share her knowledge about special effects makeup with us. We were shown how to use liquid latex , adhesive, fake blood and paint to make a big false wound on the skin. It was really informative and a really good insight into that career. The women get to work in all types of movies, videos, plays and musicals. Everyone really enjoyed it and I would definitely recommend it to other fourth year students.

Kate Cuthbert 4Y

↧

My Fair Lady

March 29, 2017, 1:22 am

≫ Next: Junior School News 31st March

≪ Previous: Special Effects Makeup Workshop

The Transition Year Show ‘My Fair Lady’ takes place in the HWC next week for just two nights only. Wednesday 5th April and Thursday 6th April at 7.30pm. This is Lerner and Loewe’s much loved musical based on George Bernard Shaw’s play ‘Pygmalion’. With renowned characters like Eliza and Alfred Doolittle and Professor Henry Higgns and much loved musical numbers such as ‘Get me to the Church’ and ‘I could Have Danced All Night’, this promises to be a most enjoyable show.

Tickets are on sale in school at both lunchtimes and cost 8 euros for a student and 10 euros for an adult. They will also be on sale on both nights, subject to availability.
Seating is allocated at the time of booking.

This will be a wonderful end to the Easter term and we hope to see everyone there.

↧

Junior School News 31st March

March 31, 2017, 12:51 am

≫ Next: Junior School News April 7th

≪ Previous: My Fair Lady

Dates for your Diary

Monday 3^rd Speech and Drama exams (J4-J6)

Monday 3^rd JACA Meeting 7.00pm

Tuesday 4^th J1/J2 – Fun Gala

Tuesday 4^th Talk J5/J6 – Life of a Vet 1.15pm

Tuesday 4^th Judging of Easter Cake Boxes

Wednesday 5^th J5 Hockey Blitz – leaving 2.30pm and returning 5.30pm

Wednesday 5^th Progress Reports (KGLr –J6) go home in school bags

Wednesday 5^th TY Musical – My Fair Lady in HWC All tickets €8

Thursday 6^th J6 visit Bodies Exhibition

Thursday 6^th TY Musical – My Fair Lady in HWC Tickets €10 and €8

Friday 7th Term ends 3.00pm. Easter Holidays. Aftercare open until 6.00pm

Friday 7th Easter Cake Sale 1.30pm All welcome.

From the Office

A big thank you to all those who attended the JACA Social evening last Saturday. Thank you also to those of you, who donated the amazing prizes, bought raffle tickets and bid successfully for auction items on the evening. As a result of your support, we have the funds now to set up the Junior School Library in Jellicoe and to bring the Accelerated Reader programme into the school in September. Every child in the school will benefit from these new developments. Special thanks to JACA Chairperson, Tanya McEnroe, and all the members of the JACA committee who ensured that the whole evening ran smoothly.

Daffodil Day

Thank you for supporting Daffodil Day in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. We raised over €700. I am very grateful to the J5 girls who helped to sell all the items.

After Care Invoices: They will go home next Monday, April 3^rd, and need to be paid as soon as possible.

Progress Reports and Updated Date list: These will go home in schoolbags on Wednesday, April 5^th. Please keep an eye on the JS section of the Alex Press each week as dates and times to events can change and the Alex Press will have the most updated information.

Easter Cake Boxes: It is a tradition in Alex that the girls decorate a cake box with an Easter theme. The boxes went home last Monday and the girls are asked to be returned by Tuesday, April 4^th. The boxes will be judged and a winner will be chosen from each class. This event is sponsored by JACA. The girls will take the cake boxes home after April 4^th and hopefully will bring them back in on Friday with lots of cakes/cupcakes/cookies to sell! The annual Easter Cake Sale will take place on Friday, April 7^th at 1.30pm.

TY Musical – My Fair Lady

You are all invited to go attend this year’s TY musical, “My Fair Lady” next week. The Junior School students and parents always give great support to events in the Senior School and many of our past students will be performing in the show.

Date: Wednesday, April 5th and Thursday April 6th

Time: 7.30pm

Place: HWC

Cost: Wednesday 5th: All tickets €8 and Thursday 6th : Adults €10 and students €8

Tickets are available in the JS office

Easter Camps at Alex

Two groups from outside Alex will run the camps at Easter this year.

Week 1: April 10-13^th Let’s Go (JS Gym) 9.30am -3.30pm and Olympians (HWC) 9.30-2.30pm

Week 2: April 17-20^th Olympians (HWC) 9.30am-2.30pm

Note: After Care is available in the JS from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30/3.30pm til 5pm. Please drop/pick up your daughter at the JS office. The cost is €5 per hour.

Feis Ceoil Cup Winner!

Congratulations to Eva Murphy in J3! She won First Place in the Under 12s competition playing her harp. Eva was presented with the Marion Kelly Cup. This is a huge achievement and we are all very proud of Eva.

Watch the video here.

Well done to Rana O’ Sullivan in J2 also. Rana came in 3rd place in the Junior Repertoire U11 piano competition. Again, this is a wonderful achievement.

Eason Spelling Bee – Dublin County Final

We are all very proud of Emily Holland in J6. She made it through seven tough rounds of very challenging spelling words at the Dublin County Spelling Bee on Wednesday. Emily made it to the last 12 out of 75 contestants. Well done, Emily!

Sports Update

Wed. April 5^th J5 Hockey Blitz – leaving 2.00pm and returning 5.30pm. Event starts at 3pm in St. Gerard’s in Bray

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

J3/J4 at AIJS Swimming Gala

Well done to all the swim team from J3 and J4 who came 3^rdoverall at the AIJS Swimming Gala in Castle Park on Wednesday. Rana O’ Sullivan from J2 took part in the gala too. The girls performed really well.

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Junior School News April 7th

April 7, 2017, 6:11 am

≫ Next: Transition Year musical ‘My Fair Lady’.

≪ Previous: Junior School News 31st March

Dates for Your Diary

Monday 24^th School re-opens at 8.45am

Tuesday 25^th J1/J2 Swimming

Wednesday 26^th AIJS Athletics Meeting – J4/5/6 – Irishtown Stadium 12 noon

Saturday 29^th AIJS Tennis Tournament 10-12pm

From the Office

Pancake Tuesday Breakfast: This was a very popular event and was enjoyed by everyone. It was great to see that €3,300 was raised. To put that in context, this money will take care of two ladies in the Guild for a whole year. Thank you again for the wonderful support.

After Care Invoices: They went home on Monday, April 3^rd, and need to be paid as soon as possible.

Progress Reports and Updated Date list: These went home in school bags on Wednesday, April 5^th. Please keep an eye on the JS section of the Alex Press each week as dates and times to events can change and the Alex Press will have the most updated information.

Easter Camps at Alex:

Two groups from outside Alex will run the camps at Easter this year.

Week 1: April 10-13^th Let’s Go (JS Gym) 9.30am -3.30pm and Olympians (HWC) 9.30-2.30pm

Week 2: April 17-20^th Olympians (HWC) 9.30am-2.30pm

Note: After Care is available in the JS from 8am to 9.30am and 2.30/3.30pm til 5pm. Please drop/pick up your daughter at the JS office. The cost is €5 per hour.

Easter Cake Winners

This is a very popular event in the school calendar and the entries were really amazing! Well done to everyone. Our judge had the very difficult job of choosing one winner from each class. Thank you to JACA for providing the cake boxes and prizes.

Class Winners:

Preschool: Julia Bowe

KGLr: Annabel mc Keown

KGUpr: Iris Fowler

J1: Emily Sexton

J2: Lucy Mc Feely

J3: Charlotte McEnroe

J4: Sophie Holland

J5: Julia Low

J6: Emily Holland

A Day in the Life of a Vet (J5/J6)

We were all very impressed with local vet Mark Heffernan as he gave a super talk on the life of a vet. Mark talked about how he operated on cats, dogs, rabbits and hamsters. He had super photos! Most days, his practice in Terenure deals with basic checkups of animals and with the vaccinating, neutering and microchipping of household pets. He talked about the good foods vs bad foods to give dogs- carrots and dog food being good, while chocolate, cooked chicken bones, raisins and grapes are to be avoided. Mark emphasised the importance of looking after our pets. Overall, it was a really interesting presentation and we look forward to Mark visiting the school again soon.

By Kate Saunders J5

Special Surprise for J6!

J6 had a fantastic surprise in assembly this week. JACA presented the girls with an early graduation gift of beautiful personalised sweatshirts. JACA would like to thank the girls for all their hard work over the years and especially this year with various events and helping out daily with our younger classes! Well done, girls, and good luck in the Senior School!

J6 Visit Bodies Exhibition

The girls in J6 had a very interesting day out on Thursday. They visited the amazing Bodies Exhibition at the Ambassador Theatre and also went into see the National Art Gallery. They all agreed that it was a wonderful day out.

J5 Assembly on Mindfulness

Many of our classes are using the mindfulness programme to help the girls to be less anxious and relax a little more. J5 shared their thoughts on the programme at assembly today. A key element of the programme teaches us all how to respond rather than react in difficult situations. The girls gave examples of times that they use mindfulness to help them eg. before tests, falling out with a friend etc.

Sports Update

Wed. April 26^th AIJS Athletics in Irishtown (J4/J5/J6 only) Starts at 12 noon.

Saturday 29^th AIJS Tennis Tournament 10-12pm

J5 Hockey Blitz

The girls enjoyed their afternoon in St. Gerard’s. They got to play a number of matches against other schools. This brought an end to the hockey season. Athletics and tennis start after the Easter break.

Have a lovely Easter Break, everyone!

↧

Transition Year musical ‘My Fair Lady’.

April 7, 2017, 7:25 am

≫ Next: Junior School News April 28th 2017

≪ Previous: Junior School News April 7th

What a wonderful week it has been for Transition Year as all their hard work and effort over the last few months came to a close with two stunning performances of ‘My Fair Lady’ that took place in the HWC. Every student in fourth year has had a part in this production, with girls being responsible for ticket sales, front of house, costume, make-up, set design and painting, props, backstage crew and of course our fantastic performers both on stage and in the band. Both shows were an incredible success and the talent these young women have is extraordinary.

In the course of getting this production off the ground, there have been many people who have given their help, expertise and time. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge their contribution.

Huge thanks to Franz Schutte and the other support staff who helped us out on so many occasions and a heartfelt thank you to Bryan O’Donoghue who built our wonderful set and who has been so helpful throughout.

Many, many thanks to all the staff members who gave their time as ‘cast nannies’, Front of House staff and especially to Katie Fanagan whose unfailing positivity and support kept us all going. Grateful thanks to our new teacher Molly O’Cathain for stepping in at the last minute to help with costumes, props and set.

To the parents who have fetched and collected their daughters and who also provided us with props and with sponsorship, we are so grateful.

We would like to thank everyone that came to see the show and bought raffle tickets, the proceeds of which went to Women’s Refuge in Rathmines.

Lastly, to the students, the ones who worked behind the scenes in wardrobe, backstage, on hair and makeup and the ones who gave up their weekend ‘sleep-ins’ to dance, sing and perform – Well done girls, we are all very proud of you.

Lynn Brehony

HEAD OF DRAMA

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Junior School News April 28th 2017

April 28, 2017, 3:56 am

≫ Next: New Prefect Assembly 2017

≪ Previous: Transition Year musical ‘My Fair Lady’.

Dates for your Diary

May

Monday 1st Public Holiday – School closed (Boarding remains open)

Tuesday 2^nd J2/J1 Swimming

Wednesday 3^rd Navan Music Festival – J5 and J6 will take part

Thursday 4^th J4 visit Butler’s Chocolate Factory

Saturday 6^th AIJS Tennis tournament (10.00am – 12.00pm) in Alex

From the Office

After Care Payments: There are still a few outstanding payments. Please settle your bill as soon as you can.

From JACA

Thank you for the fabulous support you all gave to the Easter Cake Sale again this year. This is always a very popular event for the girls and we really appreciate all the help from the girls in J6 and the teachers to make the afternoon run smoothly.

More Excellent Speech and Drama Results (J4-J6)

At Friday’s assembly, Mrs Ashmore was delighted to hand out certificates to her students who had recently done their exams with the Leinster School of Speech and Drama. All 50 girls obtained First Class Honours in their Grade, which is an excellent result. Special mention must be given to Sophie Buckley, Ailbhe Mooney, Rachel O’Sullivan, Sophia Kenny, Milly Gannon, Catriona Baxter, Emily Holland and Holly Foyle of J6 who were also awarded medals for their outstanding performances in their exams. We were very proud of how hard all the girls had worked and how well they have done.

J2 and J3 Dodder Walk

On Friday 28^th April, J2 and J3 went for a walk along the local route of the river Dodder. We started at Milltown Bridge and we crossed the Packhorse Bridge, which has a pedestrian refuge that dates back to the time in history when carts and horses were the main form of transport. Pedestrians who needed to step out of the way of oncoming carts used the refuge. We saw a terrace of mill worker’s houses and the weir. We walked to the tall red laundry tower and under the bridge at the Nine Arches. We looked for signs of stalactites hanging from the limestone and we listened to the echo of our voices. We saw Classon’s Bridge in the distance beside the Dropping Well. We enjoyed working together to learn about the local history and geography of Milltown and we look forward to constructing bridges together as part of our science curriculum. Thank you to Mr.Fitzgerald, Ms.Gorry and Ms.Stefancin who accompanied the classes on this trip.

Sports Update

AIJS Athletics (J4/5/6)

Well done to all of our athletes who took part in the AIJS Athletics at Irishtown on Wednesday afternoon. The team placed third overall, with many girls placing in the top three places. Well done, girls!

Upcoming Events

Saturday 6th AIJS Tennis Tournament 10-12pm

Monday 22^nd AIJS Golf Cup 2017 – Delgany Golf Club

Friday 26^th Junior School Sports Day (10.00am – 12.00pm)

The post Junior School News April 28th 2017 appeared first on Alexandra College.

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New Prefect Assembly 2017

April 28, 2017, 7:38 am

≫ Next: Junior School News May 5th 2017

≪ Previous: Junior School News April 28th 2017

The post New Prefect Assembly 2017 appeared first on Alexandra College.

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Junior School News May 5th 2017

May 5, 2017, 3:03 am

≫ Next: Alex Artisans Day 2017

≪ Previous: New Prefect Assembly 2017

Dates for your Diary
Saturday 6th: AIJS Tennis Tournament 10-12pm in Alex
Monday 8th: JACA Meeting 7.00pm
Tuesday 9th: J1/J2 Swimming
Wednesday 10th: AIJS Debating Competition in St. Conleth’s (group fromJ6)
Thursday 11th: J5 BizWorld programme (all day)
Friday 12th: J5 BizWorld programme (all day)

From the Office
Date List: See below for updated events in the Junior School. Other events have been added on.
School Day: Please make sure your daughter is in school on time every day. Ideally, all the girls should be in school by 8.30am to get ready for the school day and to be at assembly at 8.45am. It is very disruptive to the class when students arrive in late. We would appreciate your support on this matter.

Navan Feis (J5/J6)
On Wednesday, J5 and J6 set out for Navan to compete in the Navan Choral Festival. There were 12 choirs competing in our group, mostly from Dublin, but also fromTrim, Tullamore, Derry, and Clare. The standard was very high and it was a joy to hear so many great young choirs.

Alex sang two songs ‘Humpty Dumpty’ and ‘I Believe’. We were accompanied on piano by Sandra Ganly. The adjudicator (Shane Brennan) had some lovely things to say about our performance. He complimented us on our diction, dynamic contrast, and our actions (in Humpty Dumpty). He wrote that we had ‘a well blended choral sound’ and that we gave ‘a very musical performance’.
When the results were called out, it was no surprise that 1st place went to St. Patrick’s School, Derry- they were deserving winners and we all enjoyed their repeat performance at the end of the competition.
Thanks to Ms. Healy and Ms. Stapleton for accompanying us and huge congratulations to J5 and J6 for a wonderful performance. You were terrific, girls!

M. Fitzgerald (Head of Music)

Club Gaeilge
Bhí an-spraoi ag Club Gaeilge ag déanamh puipéid méara as fabraic. Nach bhfuil siad go hálainn!

Budding Engineers in J6!

The J6 girls enjoyed a lovely afternoon designing and creating buildings made out of spaghetti and marshmallows under the guidance of an engineer, Troy Bannon, who popped in to speak to the girls following the recent Engineer’s Week. Their aim was to build the highest, free-standing structure which proved challenging, but very enjoyable!

J4 Assembly

The J4 students have been learning about the Great Famine for the past few weeks. In assembly, they presented their reports on the famine timeline, potato blight, housing, landlords and eviction, relief schemes, soup kitchens, children in the famine, workhouses, disease and emigration. They put a huge amount of work into the project and have learnt a lot over the last few weeks. They presented their information in assembly this morning. Well done, very interesting work, girls!

Sports Update

Upcoming Events

Saturday 6th AIJS Tennis Tournament 10-12pm in Alex

Monday 22^nd AIJS Golf Cup 2017 – Delgany Golf Club

Friday 26^th Junior School Sports Day (10am-12pm)

Alex Cup Quarter Finals

These matches took place today so we will have results for you in next week’s Alex Press.

Updated Date List

May

Monday 8^th– JACA Meeting 7.00pm

Tuesday 9^th – J2/J1 Swimming

Wednesday 10^th– AIJS Debating Competition in St. Conleth’s

Thursday 11th – J5 Bizworld programme (all day)

Friday 12^th– J5 Bizworld programme (all day)

May 16/17/18^th– Drumcondra Tests (J2-J6)

Tuesday 16^th– J2/J1 Swimming

Wednesday 17^th– Summer Service (J4/J5/J6) 9.00am Sandford Church. Preschool Parent Meeting 7.30pm (Incoming Sept 2017)

Sunday 21^st– J2 RC class – First Communion 11.30am

Monday 22^nd– AIJS Golf Cup 2017 – Delgany Golf Club. J4 visit Butler’s Chocolate Factory

Tuesday 23^rd– J2/J1 Swimming

Friday 26^th– Junior School Sports Day (10am-12pm)

Tuesday 30^th – J2/J1 Swimming

June

Friday 2^nd– KGUpr/KGLr school trip. J1/J2 school trip (all day)

Monday 5^th– Public Holiday – School closed

Wednesday 7^th– KGLr End of Year Concert 9.10am

Thursday 8^th– J3/J4 School trip (all day)

June 7/8/9^th– Summer exams (J5/J6)

Friday 9^th*All extracurricular classes end this week. Prep/ Aftercare will continue until Thursday 15^th.

Friday 9^th – Preschool Aftercare will be from 1-3 pm only until Monday, June 26^th.

Monday 12^th – J5/J6 School trip (all day)

Tuesday 13^th– J1 End of Year Concert 9.10am

Wed. 14^th– KGUpr End of Year Concert 9.10am. Preschool End of Year Concert 1.15pm. Summer reports

Thursday 15^th– J6 End of year Assembly 1.00pm in the HWC

June 19^th-23^rd – “Preschool Activity Week”

Friday 16th – Terms ends for KgLr to J6 at 12.30pm (No After Care)

*Tuesday 27^th – Preschool term ends at 1.00pm.

The post Junior School News May 5th 2017 appeared first on Alexandra College.

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Alex Artisans Day 2017

May 11, 2017, 7:35 am

≫ Next: Junior School News 12th May

≪ Previous: Junior School News May 5th 2017

As Saturday the 6^th of May dawned, we all wished for sunshine but none was forthcoming. However, the grey clouds did not dampen the spirits of our fabulous Transition Year (TY) students who were ready to set up their Artisan Market.

The Taste Council and Bord Bia initiative ‘The Future is Food’ challenges the students to create an enterprise based on fresh food. They are asked to engage with local Artisans to acquire the necessary raw materials and to design innovative recipes so that they could hold their own Artisan food market. This year the Parents Association (ACA) gave generous funding in order that the pupils could present a very professional front to the public. Marquees were hired; equipment and presentation cases were found, while kitchens up and down the country were turned into food production hubs. Students embraced the challenge with real energy and creativity, while parents/guardians supported them every step of the way.

From late February the students researched artisan food production by visiting a variety of farmers markets and speaking to suppliers of vegetables, fruit, bread and a diverse range of food products. Despite their heavy workload, Easter holidays and many other commitments and outings, the students formed very good relationships with Artisan producers, negotiated with them, made deals and planned their delivery dates. In only a couple of weeks, they had organised a fantastic array of goods for sale.

On Saturday 6^th, the marquees were erected in the quadrangle in the early morning and the students prepared their stalls to be ‘customer-ready’ by eleven o’clock. The sun refused to appear but the girls’ worked tirelessly, smiling through it all. By two o’clock, the companies had sold all of their products and our judge, William Despard of Bretzel Bakery was deciding the prize categories.

All three companies (Abundance Bistro, Little Mexico and Elevenses) were winners in their own right of course but the final awards will be presented to the girls on graduation night 24^th May. Another date for the diary!

Each company donated 15% of their profits to a charity of their choice. This year Breast Cancer Ireland, The Simon Community and Make a Wish Foundation benefitted from the event.

Another fantastically successful Artisans day was over. Well done to all the girls.

The post Alex Artisans Day 2017 appeared first on Alexandra College.

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Junior School News 12th May

May 12, 2017, 2:45 am

≫ Next: Junior School News 19th May

≪ Previous: Alex Artisans Day 2017

Dates for your Diary

May 16/17/18^th Drumcondra Tests (J2-J6)

Tuesday 16^th J1/J2 Swimming

Wednesday 17^th Summer Service (J4/J5/J6) 9.00am Sandford Church

Preschool Parent Meeting 7.30pm (Incoming Sept 2017)

From the Office

Drumcondra Tests (J2-J6): Information has already been sent by email on these tests.

Summer Service J4/5/6: Students in J4/5/6 will attend this service in Sandford Church next Wednesday, May 17th at 9.00am. Students may be dropped off at the church for 9.00am or walk with their class group from the school at 8.30am. Brown uniform is to be worn by everyone.

AIJS Debating Winners Again!!

Over the past few weeks, a group of our J6 girls have been preparing for the annual AIJS Debating competition that takes place in St. Conleth’s. Once again, our Alex girls have come up tops! We are so proud of each of them and a special word of thanks must go to Ms.Stapleton for coaching the girls to success. This is the second year in a row that Alexandra College Junior School has won Best Overall School.

Team A: Emily Holland, Lily McAuley, Millie Gannon

Team B: Niamh Walker, Catriona Baxter, Sophia Kenny

Results:

Best Overall School: Alexandra College Junior School

Best Team Overall: Team A – Emily Holland, Millie Gannon and Lily McAuley

First Best Speaker Overall: Millie Gannon

Second Best Speaker Overall: Catriona Baxter

The motions were:

The voting age should be lowered to 16 years.
All Gardai should be armed.
Mace debates are a waste of time.
Anyone guilty of spreading fake news should be banned from social media.
People who vote in a national election should be offered a special tax break.
Should your child receive an acceptance letter to Hogwarts, you should accept.

We are SO proud of all of the girls!

Bizworld – J5 Entrepreneurs!

The J5 girls have been having a fabulous two days working together in small teams taking on the role of Directors in a company. They were jointly responsible for coming up with a new product or service, communicating its benefits and acquiring an investment in order to develop and market it. The J5 girls really got into the spirit of the programme and produced excellent products. Fitgo, Fit It, Kidbit, Lunchalot and Sampbe were the names of their creative and innovative products. They presented their projects to a group of business people this afternoon and looked for an investor to help them sell their products. I am pleased to report that all five groups were successful. When asked what they had thought of their Bizworld experience, the girls replied, “Fun, so enjoyable, realistic, real-life business, team work and amazing”. Thank you so much to Aileen and Kerry from Bank of Ireland for running this programme in the school. Special thanks also to Alan Hartley and Ben Rance from Bank of Ireland for being part of the Dragons’ Den Team. The judges gave very positive feedback to all the groups commenting in particular on their confidence in presenting their product, creativity, research and super ideas. Well done, girls!

Tales from Walt Disney – J3

J3 decided to base their assembly on the history of Walt Disney. Over the course of this and last term, I have been showing the girls Mickey Mouse cartoons from the late 1920’s and early 1930’s as a comparison between cartoons in the time of their grandparents and great-grandparents and the present day. This also links with SESE in showing change and indeed continuity, as Mickey Mouse is still a familiar character to children in the present day.

The girls were encouraged to research how long that Disney cartoons have been made, the groundbreaking work done by Walt Disney (Snow White was the first ever feature-length animation) and the global success of the brand as seen by how popular and large Disneyland has become.

The girls merged the history of Disney with its continued success in 2017 by singing a verse from the latest Disney animation, “Moana”.

Mr. Fitzgerald

Sports Update

AIJS Tennis Tournament:

Well done to all of our girls who represented Alex so well at the AIJS tennis tournament last Saturday. Lara Willoughby-Bouchery won Silver and Alice Kelly won Bronze in the singles. Katie Mullan and Penny Reynolds won Gold in the doubles. Well done! Many thanks to Ms Tracey and Mairead Wales for organising and running the event.

Alex 150 Cup – Update on Quarter Finals

With another round of games completed, we are getting ever closer to the day when the ALEX 150 Cup is presented to the winning team. We now know that that team will be Preston, White, Delap or Hull as they will face each other for a place in the Grand Final to be played at the end of this month.

After four thrilling quarterfinals, we are all excited by the prospect of more exciting games. Special mention should go to Jellicoe, who brought themselves back from 2-0 down, only to be beaten on Sudden Death Penalties. As we reach the conclusion of the tournament, míle buíochas goes to Ms Lamplugh, Ms Tracey, the TY referees and all of the teachers who gave up their time to allow the participating girls to leave class.

Go raibh maith agaibh!

Mr. Fitzgerald

Upcoming Dates

May 16/17/18^th Drumcondra Tests (J2-J6)

Tuesday 16^th J2/J1 Swimming

Wednesday 17^th

Summer Service (J4/J5/J6) 9.00am Sandford Church
Preschool Parent Meeting 7.30pm (Incoming Sept 2017)

Sunday 21^st J2 RC class – First Communion 11.30am

Monday 22^nd AIJS Golf Cup 2017 – Delgany Golf Club. J4 visit Butler’s Chocolate Factory

Tuesday 23^rd J2/J1 Swimming

Friday 26^th Junior School Sports Day (10am-12pm)

Tuesday 30^th J2/J1 Swimming

June

Friday 2^nd KGUpr/KGLr school trip. J1/J2 school trip (all day)

Monday 5^th Public Holiday – School closed

Wednesday 7^th KGLr End of Year Concert 9.10am

Thursday 8^th J3/J4 School trip (all day)

June 7/8/9^th Summer exams (J5/J6)

Friday 9^th

*All extracurricular classes end this week. Prep/ Aftercare will continue until Thursday15^th.
Preschool Aftercare will be from 1.00pm – 3.00pm only until Monday, June 26^th.

Monday 12^th J5/J6 School trip (all day)

Tuesday 13^th J1 End of Year Concert 9.10am

Wednesday 14^th

KGUpr End of Year Concert 9.10am.
Preschool End of Year Concert 1.15pm
Summer reports go home in schoolbags

Thursday 15^th J6 End of year Assembly 1.00pm in the HWC

June 19^th-23^rd “Preschool Activity Week”

Friday 16th Terms ends for KGLr to J6 at 12.30pm (No After Care)

*Tuesday 27^th Preschool term ends at 1.00pm.

The post Junior School News 12th May appeared first on Alexandra College.

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