Summer Newsletter 2010
Coláiste Iognáid Debating Society
2009/2010 have seen the Coláiste Iognáid Debating Society maintain its dominant influence in regional and national debating. In addition to having met twenty-five times throughout the academic year, the several school debating teams reached finals in most national competitions and one major international.
Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone joined veteran debaters Cormac McGuinness and Jake Hansen-Shearer for the Denny’s All-Ireland Schools’ Debating Grand Final on April 24th in UCD. Supported by a busload of school supporters, our three ‘Jes’ speakers were narrowly defeated by Wesley College and Castleknock.
On an international level, Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone and Patrick Higgins were selected to represent Ireland in the International Competition for Young Debaters. They spoke in the Oxford Union on May 15th. The pair finished in a strong middle position in a field of 192 regional finalists from across the UK, Ireland and South Korea.
In addition to the society’s progress in the Denny’s, March saw success in a regional competition where all four debate teams entered in the NUIG ‘Mace’ broke to the final, and their equal scoring meant a draw for speaking position which allowed David Noone and Patrick Higgins propose in the championship round.
Sarah Healy, Katie Fallon and Sinead Heskin are also to be congratulated for their work enacting the role of the European Commission in leading a mock Council of Europe Meeting of European Ministers. Held at Dublin Castle in March, the event was chaired by Ruairi Quinn TD and televised. Thirty-two schools took part.
Transition Year pupils headed by David Noone, Chris McKeagney, Deidre Folan and Philipe Madec trained First Year pupils in the art of debating and organised the traditional First Year Debating Competition. Following three rounds of debates, finalists 1C and 1G fought a hard fight in front of the entire First Year on May 20th. The team from 1X consisting of Sile Lenihan, Bryan Carroll and Aiobhinn Cunningham led by captain Daragh McCarthy were the eventual victors, with Franc O’Neill from 1C winning Runner-up Best Speaker and Aiobhinn Cunningham from 1X with the top speaker’s award.
Finally, the staff team of Mr. Kilraine, Mr. Parkinson, Mr. Sherry and Mr. Harrison successfully proposed and passed the motion that ‘Parents Should be Punished for the Crimes of Their Children’. They were robustly opposed by Cormac McGuinness, Eddie Mullarkey, Owen Binchy and Jake Hansen-Shearer. The debate was attended by a significant number of the school and considerable monies were raised for Slí Éile.
In summary for the 2009/2010 school year:
o Concern TY Team (Cora Lenihan, Jessica Hannon, Dean Reidy, Naomi Lawless and Eoin Coughlan) enjoyed three rounds of the Concern Debate competition.
o Denny’s: Jake Hansen-Shearer and Cormac McGuinness (Jes A), Robert Fitzgerald-Belone and Andrew Forde (Jes C) broke to the National Quarter Finals in NUIG.
o Jake Hansen-Shearer, Cormac McGuinness and Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone broke to the Denny’s Grand Final in UCD.
o Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone and Patrick Higgins represented Ireland in the ICYD in the Oxford Union on May 15th.
o Cormac McGuiness: Irish Representative to The European Youth Parliament in Helsinki
o Jake Hansen-Shearer: Selected to National Schools’ Debate Team.
o Jamie Folan, Ruth McMorrow and Padraig Folan represented the school in the Gael Linn Debating competition. (Debate Coach: Ms. M. Ní Bheaglaoich)
o Sarah Healy, Katie Fallon and Sinead Heskin represented the school in the European Mock Council of Ministers meeting in Dublin Castle.
o Eavann Murphy, Katie Fallon and Aisling Hanohoe were representatives to the Irish National Session of the European Youth Parliament.
o TY pupils organised the First Year Debate Competition. The competition was won by 1X captained by Daragh McCarthy.
o The Staff v Student debate competition was held on May 19th. Mr L. Parkinson, Mr. P.Kilraine, Mr. N. Sherry and Mr. M. Harrison spoke against senior debaters Cormac McGuinness, Jake Hansen-Shearer, Eddie Mullarkey and Owen Binchy.
o The society function was held in Milano Restaurant on 19th May.
o The society met twenty-five times this year.
The society thank retiring auditor Cormac McGuinness for ensuring the success of school debating throughout the year. His enthusiasm and dedication to debating at the ‘Jes’ have ensured that the society maintains its position at the head of national schools’ debating. Cormac has enjoyed formidable success in schools’ debating during his time in the society. He is twice crowned Regional Schools’ debating champion, was Irish representative to the EYP in Helsinki, and in his transition year, he led the TY team to the quarter finals of the Concern debates. He has a long list of other national awards. Cormac has been involved in the running of a First Year debate competition, regularly coaches juniors, has adjudicated junior competitions and the society wish him the very best in the future.
The Society would also extend their thanks and best wishes to Jake Hansen-Shearer, who, partnering Cormac, is also twice crowned regional debating champion and a runner-up Champion in AIB Philspeaks 2008, a winner of the NUIG Schools’ Mace and member of the very successful 2008 Concern Debate team. He was also one of five pupils in Ireland to be selected to the National Debating Team of 2009/2010.
The society extends its best wishes to both Coláiste Iognáid graduates and expects to see them fighting their rhetorical corners with wit and determination wherever they are! It also thanks the parents who took the time to ferry pupils to all four corners of the UK and Ireland, as well as Mr. M. Spring for his considerable support and coaching over the year.
The incoming Auditor, Robert Fitzgerald-Bellone takes over the reins of this flourishing society and he is particularly keen to encourage debaters from junior years to attend the weekly debates. The school wish him well in his new post.
Understanding our Jesuit Heritage
Brendan McManus SJ
At the Sixth Year Graduation mass the unique 'Jes spirit or ethos' was mentioned several times. There is something special about the Jes that defines it, sets it out as different to other schools and which students love being part of. Rarely have I seen in other schools the devotion, passion and sheer happiness among Jes students. What is this rare and illusive commodity?
Others may be reluctant to name it as explicitly but I know that it is the Jesuit 'thing', that is the spirit, the ethos, the ‘zeitgeist’. The word ‘Jes’ is an abbreviation of Jesuit, and Jesuit is a nickname for ‘Society or companions of Jesus’. It is a huge worldwide network of schools involving literally millions of students across the world. People characterise the Jesuit ethos in terms of different things- a philosophy of education, a student centred system, “Finding God in all things”, the ability to reflect on experience, a holistic approach to education. It is these things and more. What is central though is a spiritual view of the human being, as being fundamentally good and created by God, and as having the choice to live out God’s personal plan for them or not. As St. Ignatius himself discovered, there is a certain feeling, mood or ‘movement of the spirit’ that goes with following God’s will, and this is what is evident in Jes students. Those actions that come from God are those that lead to student’s growth, to teamwork, to building others up, to making use of one’s potential, to challenging injustice etc. As St. Irenaeus said, “the Glory of God is the human being fully alive”. Becoming ‘people for others’ would be the Jesuit equivalent or becoming aware and reflective.
The class retreats are a good example of this Jesuit approach- every class takes time out in the retreat house in Inverin to reflect on where they are personally and collectively. The Kairos retreat in Fifth Year is a particularly concentrated form of that reflection. The retreat process, while challenging, is normally enormously enjoyable and life-giving, it allows people to grow and move. It reflects the image of a loving God that is intimately involved in students’ lives, who wants the best for them and who helps them develop. Retreats are a crucial part of the Jes education system.
Similarly, the Jes is concerned with educating the whole person, not just one dimension. This means understanding students as having multiple dimensions: the intellectual, social, physical, emotional and spiritual. This means that the school doesn't finish at 4pm, often there is a huge variety of co-curricular activities which has a place for all levels of ability and commitment. Again this is a key part of the Jesuit system, seeing the student in their entirety and developing all of their skills to the fullest.
A lot of the Jesuit approach can be boiled down to one thing: reflection, the ability to take time out, look back over different experiences and see what was good (God) about them, and make a commitment to live better and make better decisions in the future. This creation of time and space in the classroom, retreat house, and in the home is a crucial element of forming mature, well-balanced and independent your adults.
I would be keen that parents would get involved in this process that is so life-giving for their children. I would encourage parents to take part in retreats that are offered specifically for them: there is a Guided prayer week in March 2011, I hope to facilitate more parents’ retreats out in Inverin, and there are great Jesuit Vision Evenings run by the Ignatian Identity Group during the year (check school timetable). A lot of people find the Irish Jesuits on-line prayer site, www.sacredspace.ie, a very useful way to pray. Another useful resource is the free Jesuit weekly email newsletter, AMDG Express, on Jesuit activities. Register at: www.amdg.ie/amdg-express.
One very simple Jesuit reflection technique that I have been promoting with students during the year is the ‘Review of the Day’. This fundamental Jesuit prayer only takes about 10 minutes to do, normally at the end of the day. It is a way of looking at the highlights and lowlights of the day, giving thanks for all those good moments and things that come from God; and asking pardon for those ‘missed moments or opportunities’ where you were distracted or ‘tuned out’. It is all about being more aware of the preciousness of each day, how to get the most out of it, and to be fulfilled in doing what God wants of you. There are five simple steps to this technique:
1. Recall that you are in the presence of God: God is with us always and sometimes we are not with God.
2. Spend a moment looking over your day with gratitude for this day's gifts: being grateful allows us to re-read our experience in a positive but realistic light, appreciate all the little moments of the day: a smile, a quiet moment, remember what you received and what you gave.
3. Review Your Day for Personal Failings or Loss of Hope: There are always difficult moments that God can help us transform, viewing these events through the compassion of God and naming them help us to be free of them.
4. Ask for God's Healing, compassion, and Forgiveness: explicitly ask God to be free of any burdens or rancour that is with you; talk personally to God as one talks to a friend.
5. Resolve with Jesus to live better the next day: commit yourself to be more tuned in, move forward in action where appropriate. You might like to finish your time with the Our Father.
Transition Year Report
Throughout the school year transition year students have taken part in a wide variety of activities. Since Christmas, most of these projects have been coming to a close.
After their huge success fundraising throughout the year the foundation Nepal group were presented with the Mayors Award for Young Volunteers of the year in January. The same group went on to host a Nepalese culture night in Aras Na nGael in April.
Students in 4R spent four Tuesdays in St. Bridget’s Gardens leading groups from Tirellen National School around and teaching them about the animals and plants.
The Young Social Innovators group spent the last few months finishing their project and presenting it at the speakout in NUIG. Unfortunately, they did not make it through but the group travelled to Dublin to watch the final in Croke Park in May.
Students from 4G and 4C took part in the Youth Enterprise day in NUIG after an eight week course on the World of Work with Rotimi.
All through the year all four fourth year classes have been preparing for and taking their E.C.D.L tests and all four classes have now completed them.
All classes over two days took part in a Road Safety Course.
Many students took part in various work experiences including Ross Duggan who spent a week thatching houses and Marie Harlow and Freya Carroll spent a week in RTE, Dublin.
On the week of the 10th of May all transition year students took part in an Adventure Week. Beginning on Monday all four classes walked 25km along the ‘Western Way’ in Killary and on Tuesday and Wednesday went windsurfing and kayaking in Rusheen and surfing in Achill. Classes then went on their class retreats to Indreabhán with Fr.McManus until the following Tuesday.
Many students travelled abroad, mainly to Auray and Toulouse in France and also to Cologne in Germany in order to perfect their grasp on the French and German languages.
Fourth year classes also had members from The Domestic Violence sector of Cope to come in and speak to them about the awareness of domestic abuse in relationships.
Some of the social outreach groups involved with St. Josephs, Claddagh and Briarhill National Schools and Cope’s service for the elderly will continue to offer their services through June.
Fourth year has been a very rewarding and important year for most of the students in the Jes and Transition Year is definitely a year worth doing. F. Carroll
2010 Special Olympics Ireland Games
Special Olympics Ireland Games will be held in Limerick from the 9-13th of June. 1,900 Special Olympics athletes from throughout Ireland will spend 4 days in Limerick, participating in over 13 sports. Team Connaught comprising of 254 athletes and 125 coaches will participate at the 2010 games. One of the athletes participating is our very own Liam Hynes from 3rd year who will compete in the U18’s swimming competition.
Alongside studying for his Junior Certificate, Liam attended training sessions every week in preparation for the games. We want to congratulate Liam on all his hard work and dedication which has led him to compete at such a high level. All of the staff and students at Colaiste Iognaid are very proud of him; they wish him the best of luck and most importantly hope that Liam enjoys his time in Limerick.
(Just as we were going to print we received the great news that Liam won a Gold and Silver in his categories. Well done , you are a truly an inspirational student Liam! )
Hockey
Senior Hockey
Last year’s victory in the “Kate Russell” All Ireland Hockey final was a seminal sporting moment in the history of the school. 2010 saw us set out to defend our status as top school in Ireland. The competition brings together the provincial winners in a play off tournament to decide the champions of the year. The event is a highlight in the schools sporting year and is feverishly supported by staff, students and parents. We hosted the tournament this year and it was deemed a “superbly organised event” by the Irish Hockey Association.
Under the expert coaching from Imelda Brennan and managed by Rita Ryan, the girls prepared assiduously for this tournament. Darragh Leonard ensured their fitness levels were at razor sharp levels.
The pool stages of the event opened with a 3-0 win for the Jes over our sister school, Crescent Comprehensive of Limerick. This was followed by a 3-1 victory over Loreto Kilkenny in our second game.
We were set to meet St.Andrews of Dublin in the final. Unfortunately, lady luck was not smiling on the maroon and white that day. St Andrews ended a decade’s wait for the “Kate Russell” title as they produced a fine performance to end our reign as champions of schools hockey.
Even though we gained silver medals this year as runners up in the tournament a huge “well done” to all involved in the squad. Throughout the season the girls showed true Jes spirit, a lot of skill and played lovely flowing hockey which allowed them to be crowned 2010 “Connacht League and Cup Champions”
Just last week we were nominated and short- listed for “School of the Year” at the Irish Hockey Awards, held in Dublin. It was a great honour and a well deserved recognition of our consistency and performance on the Astro.
Good luck to our players who will continue with their international training during the summer. Best wishes to our girls who are doing their Junior Cert and Leaving Cert this summer
Junior Hockey
Many thanks to Emma Staunton and Ruth O’Brien who led the way to many fine performances by our U-15s and 1st years respectively. Ably assisted by the 4th year girls, who, as part of the Gaisce programme, helped with the Monday training sessions.
The U- 15’s put in many fine performances in what is a very tough competition at that level. As winners of the Blackmore Cup last year, they were intent on adding to their trophy collection. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be this year.
The First –Years showed great skill, commitment and passion from the first moment they donned their Jes jerseys back in September. Reaching the semi-finals this year, I’ve no doubt they will progress even further next year. They show great promise.
All in all it was a very successful year for Jes Hockey. Winning the U-16 Griffin Cup,the senior Heskin Cup, Thornton shield, Costelloe Cup and of course the coveted Palmer Cup proved once again we are the top school in Connaught. None of this success would be possible without parental support, ex-pupil and teacher commitment. So please, if you feel you can help in any way, contact the school and volunteer your services.
Rugby 2009/2010
While the ultimate prize of a Connacht cup title was not achieved this season the various squads performed with distinction and suggest that success may not be far away. The senior squad entered the cup campaign as holders having retained the trophy in 2009.
A pre-cup tour to Dublin helped to gel the squad with big wins against Gallen and a Belvedere selection followed by a trip to see Ireland play Italy. A hard fought game against Garbally in the quarter final proved good preparation for a big win in Summerhill in the semi-final.
Jes faced Sligo Grammar in the final, a repeat of the league final which Sligo had won 22-0 in a very comprehensive performance.
The hard work carried out on the training pitch with the help of Bernie Kelly and Shane Conneely meant that Jes were a different proposition this time. With Jes leading at half time by 11pts to 5 after a great first half performance, it was only in the final minutes that Sligo managed to pull away with a breakaway try from their line.
The squad looks forward to next season with real confidence as almost all players are returning and are planning a tour during October mid-term to a tournament in Gloucester which should help them to approach the cup season in good shape. Player of the year was Brian Dixon after inspiring form throughout the cup campaign. The achievements of Aaron Conneely and Rory Cunningham in making the Irish schools teams were also a real high point of the year.Our Junior (u-16) squad under the tutelage of Mr. Kilraine and with Terry O’ Donnell’s assistance were unfortunate to lose narrowly away to Clifden in the preliminary round of the cup but proved how close they could have been to honours by beating the Bish in a city cup semi final and then running the Connacht cup winners Oranmore very close in the final. Only losing by a penalty coming in the last minute they also proved that we could have much to look forward to in the younger age groups. Player of the year was James Kennedy after many storming displays.
The under 14 squad had a very active year under Mr McAodha guidance and proved very competitive. Forming the large part of the under 15 squad they reached the final of the Provincial blitz losing to the Bish. Player of the year was James Colohan and stalwarts of the team Conor Murphy, Finn McLaughlin and Cian Shaughnessy also deserve special mention for their massive contribution to both squads. The continued support of Riche Byrne is also much appreciated.
Another highlight of the year was our forty year reunion dinner which was held in the Ardilaun recently. Over 150 past players and invited guests enjoyed a wonderful evening reminiscing on the four decades passed since the 1970 team brought back Jes rugby with a bang when beating the Connnacht cup holders St Josephs in the first playing of the city cup. The captain on that day Mick Brennan was awarded the clubman of the year award in recognition of his contribution to rugby in the school since that day. The slide show shown on the night is available on the school website.
Finally, could we appeal to all parents and past pupils to support Connacht Provincial squads appeal for patrons to buy their season tickets. The fantastic displays of the province this year are encouragement enough but with past pupil Eric Elwood now at the helm and quite a few ex Jes players now coming through it would be a great way to support rugby in Connacht and give our young players something to aspire to. Some of the funds collected will go back to the school and we have been given an allocation. Full details online at Connacht Rugby . Please contact Mr. Kilraine or Mr. Parkinson if you are interested.
To conclude we would like to wish all our players, parents and supporters an enjoyable and restful summer and we look forward to seeing you all at out games in the coming season.
Basketball
It was another successful year for basketball in The Jes, with both Under-16 and Under-19 boys’ teams making it to the All-Irelands. The First Year and Second Year boys’ teams also competed well, while First Year and Second Year girls’ teams came very close to winning the regional titles.
Under-19 Boys
The Under-19 boys qualified for the All-Ireland playoffs after being crowned West Regional B winners. This gave them a great opportunity of playing in the National Basketball Arena in Dublin, where they took on St. Eunan’s Letterkenny (who went on to win the competition) and St. Patricks Dungannon.
For most of the players it was their first opportunity to play in the Arena and against a very strong St. Eunan’s team, The Jes lost out. This was despite a heroic effort from Drew Wilkinson and Dylan Costelloe. In the second game against St. Patricks The Jes got into their stride, with Conor Hynes and Diarmuid O hEocha doing very well. Unfortunately The Jes just lost out and therefore did not qualify for the semi-final, but it was a fine performance from a young team, where all the are young enough to play again next year to progress to the level.Under-16 Boys
The Under-16 boys also qualified for the All-Irelands last February. They travelled to Lisnaskea, Co. Fermanagh for their group. They came up against a strong St. Mary’s Belfast side. When these teams last met two years ago The Jes won with a narrow victory, however St. Mary’s had boosted their squad with new recruits. In a very disappointing performance by The Jes they lost out. This was despite a huge effort, where Jamie Kelly and John Daly fought for everything under the boards.
In their second match they took on St. Louis Kiltimagh (who went on to win the competition). It was a much better performance, where players played more to their potential. Dylan Costelloe did exceptionally well marking their Irish International, and also started to find his scoring touch once again. Darragh Connolly, Evan Wynne and Shane Garvey also started to play better and picked off some nice baskets.
Overall it was a very disappointing day, but with some key players unable to travel it was always going to be difficult. This team has put in a monumental effort over the last three years and were a credit to themselves and the school throughout. They are a wonderful group to work with, given their enthusiasm and good nature. They are a fantastic bunch and there is no doubt that during their next three years in the school they will continue to develop as players, as fantastic individuals and as a team that any coach would love to work with. These players will be going into Transition Year, where they will get an opportunity to break into the senior team, and also get the opportunity of coaching and officiating.1st and 2nd Year Boys
Both the First Year and Second Year teams competed well, but unfortunately neither could qualify for the All-Irelands. The first years gave a very good account of themselves, beating the Bish B comfortably, with William Finnerty, Kai McGlacken, Eoin Lally performing well. However St. Mary’s proved much too strong for them and the loss to St. Paul’s Oughterard, despite a stand out performance from Ciaran Murphy, at the start of the season came back to haunt them. Despite this, next season holds great hope for this team, with a number of players improving greatly over the course of the year.
The second years were coached by Ms. Barrett this year and they almost managed to qualify for the All-Irelands. It went down to their last match against St. Mary’s. Unfortunately it did not go well, even though Zane Wilkinson and Conor Lowndes put in a huge effort. Things did not go the way of The Jes and so they narrowly missed out. However, next year holds great promise for this team at Under-16 level, and some of them may even move up to the senior squad.1st and 2nd Year Girls
The first year girls had a very good season this year, winning 6 out of 7 matches. They lost out to Glenamaddy in the quarter final of the Regional Competition. They started the season beating Gort C.S. in a challenge. Gort are a division up from The Jes so the signs were good. The Jes then played their league matches against Carraroe, Carna and Clifden. These matches were won with excellent play from all the players, notably Eimear Kelly-Grealy, Katie Coughlan and Roisin Dunne. However, in the quarter final against Glenamaddy The Jes came up against the strongest defence they had faced and struggled to score. Despite excellent defence of their own and good offensive moves from Fiona Power and Aoibhinn Cunningham The Jes lost out by two points.
The second year team also did well under the guidance of Ms. Carter. They unfortunately failed to qualify from their group, after a narrow loss to Carraroe. Next year should see this team develop even further.
Dánta í 2G
Scríobhaidh na dánta seo í Rang 2 Gaeilge í mbliana. Guíonn muid gach rath ar Mhuireann Ní Bheaglaoich atá ag dul ag múineadh í mBaile Atha Cliath sa bhFómhar.
Grian agus Craic
An ghrian oráiste thuas sa spéir,
Nach rud friseáilte é an t-aer,
Mé ag siúl ar an ngaineamh bog is buí,
An chraic againn go léir ag spraoi,
Anseo ar an trá beidh craic agus ceol,
Bhuel caithfidh mé imeacht, slán go fóill.
Le Jack Niland
An Frog sa Ghairdín
Oíche Nollag dhorcha,
Sneachta agus sioc,
Daidí na Nollag ag teacht,
Ag teacht le frog anocht.
Learaí is ainm dó,
Uaine agus bán,
Dúirt sé liom go minic,
Gur mhaith leis a bheith i ndán.
Thug mé amach sa ghairdín é,
Thosaigh sé ag spraoi,
D’ith sé gach rud beo,
Agus chuir mé é ina shuí.
Le Cian Ó Seachnasaigh
Snámh
Ag snámh a théann mé,
Le mo chulaith snámha,
Ag ciceáil le mo chosa,
Ag scuabadh le mo lámha.
Cúig uair sa teachtain,
Isteach san uisce liom,
Is maith liom an tsaoirse,
San uisce, ní bhraithim trom.
Ag traenáil le mo chairde,
Spórt is craic is spraoi,
Ag snámh ag a sé ar maidin,
In ionad a bheith i mo luí.
Le Fiona Quirke
Wishing the Leaving Certificate class of 2010 a very happy and fulfilled life.
“Be yourself – but be your best self.
Dare to be different and to follow your own star”
Catherine Hickey
(Deputy Principal)