Coláiste Iognáid
Nuachtlitir Nollaig 2009
Principal’s Letter
Is gearr a bhíonn an t-am ag imeacht a deirtear. Airím féin an méid sin go mór agus muid ag bruachaireacht ar an Nollaig. In ainneoin ndúshlán go léir tá pobal na scoile láidir agus folláin agus muid ag tabhairt faoi na deacrachtaí náisiúnta agus logánta.
It seems that time has passed by very quickly in the school term as we now face into the Christmas season. It has been a most critical and traumatic year for the nation and the school has not escaped from the challenges of the day.
I would first like to keep the school community abreast of the standing of our building project. Our Design Team have been dealing with the D.E.S. Building Unit in Tullamore for some weeks now in attempting to get a final sign off on our monies to be allocated for the project. There is negotiation between the Design Team and the Department on what the final costing should be, given the fall in building prices because of the recession. The negotiations have been protracted but until there is a resolution to this critical issue we await the green light to enable the project be sent out for re-tender. You will appreciate the great frustration for all but having come so far in our efforts it is important to now maintain momentum.
On the academic front, this year sees our 3 rd years take their Mock Exams in early February (3 rd – 12 th). The 6 th years have been kept at the traditional Jes posting of pre-Christmas. We will review the 3 rd year change later in the year but teachers feel that this will be a very positive development for the younger cohort as they prepare for their first public examination. Guíonn muid Rath Dé ar obair acadúil na scoláir í uilig sa scoil.
In light of the cutbacks in education and the consequent difficulties for schools, our subject choices in 2 nd year for example will have to be monitored very carefully. Next year I believe that it will be very difficult to offer as wide a range of choice subjects to our First years in May.
Life in the school has been brought forward remarkably with the magnificent Hewlett Packard ‘Innovation in Education ‘ grant award which has seen teachers buying in to both our EPortal scheme for attendance and crucially the arrival of our new E classroom. Deputy Principal Catherine Hickey’s herculean efforts have to be rightly applauded for the capture of this worldwide award worth $100,000. Her industry, perseverance and keen sense of innovation has been richly rewarded. I commend also the teaching staff who are making the most serious efforts to utilise the E-classroom in the day to day work of teaching and learning. Many have availed of extra training in order to be comfortable with this technological innovation.
The Irish visit of the Jesuit Father General, Fr. Adolfo Nicolas S.J. in September gave a huge boost to the Order and both the depth of his vision and his affirmation for the work of the Irish Jesuit schools was an important landmark for all. Just like Crescent College, the Jes here approaches its 150 th birthday in 2011. The school Board of Management is preparing a Strategic Plan for 2010 -2015. The process has been given a great boost by the recent promise of the Irish Provincial Fr. John Dardis S. J. to commit himself personally to becoming involved with the plan. He intends to support the process and assist the partners with a visit in March. In order to facilitate his visit I propose to bring the proposed Staff Day (May 4 th) forward to Friday March 12 th. Mock examinations and mid-term have also had to be brought into the equation in choosing this date.
The industrial disquiet in the country has altered the timing of our parent-teachers meeting. Members of the A.S.T.I. have been instructed for some time not to partake in parent/teacher meetings outside of school hours. Hence the usual meetings that were held from 4.15pm must now be held between 2.00pm – 4.00pm. The dates for the 6 th, 2 nd and 5 th years parent/teacher meetings remain the same but the meetings must now take place after lunch. Post-budget 2009 we can expect other actions to be taken by the public service unions including the teachers’ unions.
Despite the difficulties at national level that have affected teacher morale I must pay tribute to the Jes staff who have been as resolute and wholehearted as ever in the promotion and delivery of the highest quality of co-curricular activities. The real flavour of that service was to be tasted in the 5 th year sparkling production of ‘Back to the Eighties’. The service of Claire Lohan, Paul Kilraine, Carl Hession has left a huge mark on the lives of the 5 th years. Their sense of well-being, self-esteem, achievement and real pride at a task wonderfully completed is still palpable. Moreover Geraldine King, Dee O Brien and Tony Bloomer alongside other colleagues who worked tirelessly to support the show have to be warmly applauded.
This term saw the revival of Cumann Iar-Dhaltaí Choláiste Iognáid. The Past Pupils Union re-emergence should see the notion of a Jes community strengthened further. The local launch was a most enjoyable evening when some wonderful presentations were made concerning life here through different eras. Past pupils in their seventies and others in their teens attended. Despite the atrocious weather conditions a sizable group gathered for the P.P.U’s Dublin night. Again past pupils who were taught here in the seventies mingled comfortably with those who had left in the past two years. I wish the P.P.U. the best in the months and years ahead. Go n-éirí Libh !
On the sports front there has been splendid activity as ever. The senior hockey girls prepare for the defence of their senior Irish crown. Preparations are well advanced for the huge task ahead. Rugby in the Jes got a wonderful endorsement in recent weeks with the following Jes players awarded the first ever Irish schools caps. Both Rory Cunningham (U19) and Aaron Conneely (U18) were capped whilst Eoin McKeown L.C.’09 was also an important member of that (U18) team. Indeed the selection of Jason Lyons on an Irish underage soccer squad is also a first for the school. The work of the girls Gaelic, boys soccer and boys basketball continues apace. As ever the Rowing Club is going from strength to strength and I applaud the work of the parents in their labours on the boat club.
The school community had a memorable evening with the Glórtha Dóchais night in late November. Fr. Cathal O Doherty S.J., teacher Eileen O Donohue and parent Mary McKeown O Donovan led a combined I.I.G. and school effort to bring us a night of prayer and reflection. For the 200 or so gathering the words of Padraig Lenihan, Padraig O Ceidigh and Michael D. Higgins T.D. delivered both hope and spiritual sustenance. It was a night in which the school sought to explore vision and offer a different perspective to the extraordinary pressures facing the country.
The Social Outreach programme, the Kairos retreat, the South Africa Challenge, the Jes class retreats schedule all give expression to our aim of developing pupils of compassionate commitment. The notion of developing pupil’s gifts, promoting excellence, demanding more of ourselves and responding to the needs of others is at the core of our service. One sees that through our own H-Dip students playing with our U14 basketball team after school on Friday afternoon. Whether it is in the Debating Society, or watching our First Year celebrate a win over the Bish in soccer, or whether it is in the delivery of another epic show one senses that the spirit of the school is in good health. That stated, we must prepare ourselves to ensure as much in the months and years ahead.
Bhí cigireacht déanta ar an nGaeilge mar ábhar sa scoil le déanaí agus tréaslaím leis an Roinn Gaeilge as ucht an bealach ar réitigh siad don teist seo. Léirigh said spiorad foirne sa Roinn agus moladh an cur-chuige gairmiúil acu. Aithníodh freisin an ról lárnach atá ag an nGaeilge sa scoil agus chomh tábhachtach agus atá sí sa gColáiste. Is maith liom go bhfuil muid ar ais í nDíospóireachtaí Gael-Linn arís le dhá bhliain agus an traidisiún seo á chothú i measc na scoláirí.
I wish to acknowledge the partnership roles taken by the Parents Council and the Ignatian Identity Groups in our development of the school. 2009 saw that wonderful salute by parents towards the teaching staff. The Parents Council again made another vital contribution during the time of the show. Glórtha Dóchais was a wonderful occasion in terms of the partnership between the school and the I.I.G. That group continues to go from strength to strength in its support for the Ignatian principles of the school.
Seeing the building project begin and ensuring its completion is the key task that awaits us at the Jes in 2010. Despite the economic gloom and the difficulties of our time, we must ensure that becomes a reality. The need for focused planning for the school is also high on our agenda and I trust that all the stakeholders will have an involvement with that process. As ever the importance of the academic focus of our work must always be continually addressed. Ensuring that the school’s ethos remains a vibrant aspect of Jes life is also an issue that must be to the forefront of our concerns.
Is mór liom féin tacaíocht Deputy Principal Catherine Hickey agus an fhoireann múinteoireachta san obair leanúnach go léir. Tá mé buíoch as cúnamh na nIosánach go háirithe Cathaoirleach an Bhoird Fr. John Humphreys S.J. agus an Séiplínéach Fr. Brendan McManus. Is pribhléid oibriú taobh leis an bhfoireann múinteoireachta gairmiúl atá againn. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil bóthar crua romhainn i 2010. Ina ainneoin sin tá mé muiníneach gur féidir linn na leibhéil chéanna a bhaint amach sna gnéithe uilig a chuireann scoth-oideachas ar fáil ar Bhóthar na Mara. Guím go mbeidh Nollaig Mhaith Mhór agaibh uilig sa bhaile an Nollaig seo. Rath agus Séan oraibh leis san Athbhliain.
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Bernie
Cherishing Your Child
The Cherishing your child programme has recently been completed by a group of parents of Coláiste Iognáid (“The Jes”) Galway. Cherishing your child is a programme that honors the relationship between parent and child. It is based on building the strongest bonds of relationships within this partnership. It supports both parent and child to develop a set of tools in communicating through mutual respect. It is not therapy, but a journey of communication which is based on love and respect where the uniqueness of the child’s needs and the parents’ needs are respected. As a parent of young children or teenagers, how can parents develop a strong bond of communication and still correct and guide without damaging the spirit of children?
The core of this programme is to support parents with skills to empower themselves, not to act out of a place of fear when difficulties arise, but to act from a place of skill. The programme promotes conditions for keeping the communication channels open within these vital relationships. In particular the teenage years can be both growth-full and challenging for both child and parents alike and can often be a time where resentments grow and relationships drift apart. The choice is ours as parents, whether to discipline out of a place of control and domination or from a place of love and respect, developing long and lasting relationships with our children.
If you would like to talk with one of the parents about this programme please contact : Sheila Lally: 087 9677737 email : sheilalally@eircom.net
Therese Allen – 087 2562195Bookings and enquiries to: Helen Smith: 087-2986308 / 061-353958
email: hello@turasnua.comNext Programme Commences: 22 nd February 2010.
Hewlett-Packard Innovation in Education Award
In May 2009 Coláiste Iognáid was selected from hundreds of schools worldwide as one of the winners of the HP Innovation in Education Grant Award.
As a result, the concept of a roaming e-classroom became a reality for Coláiste Iognáid in September 2009. It consists of a roaming computer suite comprising of 22 HP Elite Tablet pc’s, widescreen LCD Monitors, Wireless Printer and access points.
As we are living in a knowledge-based society it is hoped that this new technology in classrooms will provide innovative learning experiences for students and enhance student achievement. The Mathematics Department in NUIG are engaging with mathematics teachers in Coláiste Iognáid in providing assistance in using the new IT Facilities as a teaching tool in the classroom. Some students will participate with teachers in the classroom as part of the innovative ‘Maths Ambassador Programme’ and ‘Maths Education Degree Programme’ in January 2010.
These Elite Tablet pc’s are now being used in Biology classes to pilot the recently launched ‘3D Pocket-Heart’ ( www.pocketheart.com] initiative. They are also being used in Media Studies, in Applied Maths and in Irish classes. The tablets are particularly useful for subjects which require drawing or calculations as they have ‘touch screens’ which can be written or drawn upon.
Finally, I have been invited by Hewlett Packard and ISTE to attend a ’HP Innovations in Education Worldwide Summit’ in San Francisco in February 2010 to witness future trends in technology and to share experience and best practice in schools which may optimise the use of IT in Coláiste Iognáid.
Wishing you all a very happy and peaceful Christmas and Best Wishes for 2010.
Catherine Hickey - Deputy Principal
Astronomy
Congratulations to the Jes Astronomy team who were awarded a state of the art telescope in November 2009 for their work to date on the Faulkes Telescope Challenge. Their work involves micro-lensing for exoplanets, which in laymans terms means looking for planets outside our galaxy.
Their work has so far aroused international interest and communication from astronomers at the European Space Agency and other Scientists in South America. As no other school in Ireland, North or South, has done any work nearing the calibre of our young astronomy team, the organisation / sponsors of the challenge, have informed us that they are extending the competition deadline to May 2010 to see if any other school will step up to the plate. So watch this space and to see our teams work for yourself just google “jesastronomy” and enjoy their fascinating blog.
Club members: Ciaran Coen, David Mooney, Clara Sherry and Niamh Butler Thornton.
Basketball
Basketball is continuing to grow in the school with all age groups competing in boys’ basketball competitions this year. The Under-19 and Under-16 teams have both won the West Region B league,
which sees both teams qualify to compete in All-Ireland competitions in the New Year. The first and second Year teams have also performed well in challenge matches and tournaments and hopes are high that these teams can compete well in their league matches, starting in February.
Under 19 Boys
For the first time in three years the school had a senior boys’ basketball team. With a small group of teams competing in the league, every match was vital. The first match was against Galway Community College (Moneenageisha). For many players this was their first taste of competitive basketball and for the first few minutes this was very evident. However, with Mark O Maoláin and David Cunnane fighting for every rebound, and the experience of Drew Wilkinson and Dylan Costelloe to back them up, The Jes showed their superiority and went on to win the match comfortably.
The next opponents were Gort Community School, who proved to be much stronger opponents. Gort were shooting very well from the three-point line and were physically very strong under the basket. This was difficult for the inexperienced players to play against, but with good leadership from captain Drew Wilkinson, the team stuck together. Drew was marked very tightly in the second half, but Evan Wynne and Dylan Costelloe, the two youngest players, stepped up brilliantly to increase the speed and intensity of the match. The Jes finished 8 point winners. This guaranteed them a place in the All-Irelands, and it was decided to count the Gort match as the final.
Under 16 Boys
The under-16 boys’ team is made up of last year’s 2 nd year team, which narrowly lost out in the regional final. This year the determination was huge to win back the league title. After a long run-up to the final, including a 4 night trip to Paris, and an All-Ireland Schools Cup Qaurter Final (which was narrowly lost to Coláiste Inbhear Sceine from Kerry), the Under-16 team took on St. Paul’s Oughterard in a two-legged final.
The first match took place in Oughterard and The Jes struggled to break down a tough Oughterard zone defense. Trying to win the match The Jes put on a full court press. However this was beaten and Oughterard finished the game with an 8 point lead (46-38). This left a lot of work for the second leg, which was played in Maree. The first half of this match was similar to the first match, with both teams even and The Jes still struggling to break down the Oughterard defense, with only a handful of scores, coming from good play from Dylan Costelloe and Darragh Connolly. However in the second half everything clicked into place for The Jes. With fast breaks run from Timmy Molloy and Shane Garvey, shooting and driving from Dylan Costelloe and excellent post play from John Daly, Jamie Kelly and Mark Naughton, The Jes went into full stride demolishing the Oughterard team and ending up winning 64-46, with an impressive 33 points from captain Dylan Costelloe.
1st and 2nd Year Boys
The first year boys’ team is starting off with a lot of inexperienced players new to the game. They played in a first year blitz in NUIG Kingfisher. There they played three matches, with two impressive wins and a narrow loss to a strong St. Mary’s team.
The second year team has played one challenge match against St. Enda’s and won a very exciting match by one point. This has set them up nicely for their league campaign, which will begin in January.
1st and 2nd Year Girls
The 1st and 2nd year girls’ teams will be starting their league campaigns in January also and hopes are high for both teams. The second year team boasts a Connaught representative in Aine Gallagher. The first year team has many talented players, who are showing great promise and potential to win a girls regional title.
Hockey
As reigning all –Ireland Schools Hockey Champions; it didn’t take the Jes Seniors long to get back into the swing of a new season. Captained this year by Brenda Flannery, a new developing senior squad began their competitive matches back in September, defending the Heskin Cup. Beating the Bower 11-0 and Sligo Grammar 5-0, the Jes Girls saw off Seamount in the semi final, and came up against Taylor’s in the final. Victory was secured by a 3-0 scoreline.
The Costello Connacht League was next on the agenda. Winning all games against Salerno, Taylor’s, Grammar and Athlone, we finished in the top spot thus securing the Thornton shield yet again this year. The league semi finals and final are on in March 2010. Our sister school, the Crescent in Limerick, invited us down to play in a Hockey Tournament to mark their Sesquicentenary (150 years) back in September. It was a very exciting and competitive two day event. The Galway girls emerged eventual winners and travelled back west with the especially commissioned ‘Fr Murray ’ Cup in honour of the event. It was a great opportunity to showcase our talented players; we were pitted against the top schools from all the other provinces. Lynsey Trainor was our outstanding player of the Tournament.
Congratulations and well done to all the Jes Girls who represented their province this year in the Interprovincials held in Dublin last October. The girls who were on the u-16 Connacht Squad were: Hannah Gormley, Elaine Carey, Maeve Russell, Ailbhe Finnerty, Aisling Dunne, Grace O’Donnell, Niamh Callanan, Ciara Power and Clodagh Kennedy. The girls who were on the U-18 Connacht Squad were: Tara Melvin, Katie Cadyre, Eavan Murphy, Lynsey Trainor, Niamh Codyre, Aoife Cunningham, Alison Ryan, Michelle Carey, Ciara Treacy and Natasha Cooke.
Best wishes are extended from all in the Jes hockey club to the girls who are currently attending training for the Irish Squads. At U-16 level the Jes are represented by: Elaine Carey and Maeve Carey and Maeve Russell. At U-18 level Michelle Carey, Niamh Codyre, Alison Ryan, Tara Melvin, Lynsey Trainor, Katie Codyre and Natasha Cooke.
Best wishes are extended from all in the Jes hockey club to the girls who are currently attending training for the Irish Squads. At U-16 level the Jes are represented by: Elaine Carey and Maeve Russell. At U-18 level Michelle Carey, Niamh Codyre, Alison Ryan, Tara Melvin, Lynsey Trainor, Katie Codyre and Natasha Cooke.
Last years all Ireland winning team were recently honoured to receive the Galway Bay FM sports Award for Hockey. We has an enjoyable night in the Radisson on November 20 th. Last years Captain Orla Callanan, vice captain Brenda Flannery, Manager Rita Ryan and Coach Imelda Brennan, received the award on behalf of all the squad and those involved in our success at All-Ireland level.
Coláiste Iognáid`s under 16 Hockey team shined again this year. From the outset, all squad members worked very hard with their coach Ms. Clodagh Mitchell to ensure top performance and enjoyment. They had many successful encounters against many schools from Connaught and Athlone. Some of which were very memorable. For example, in the quarter finals, at one nil down to Taylors Hill at half time, the team showed their true strength and skill coming back in second half, winning 4-1. Performances like this occurred on many occasions. The team took the title of U.16 Champions this year, playing Salerno in the final. A good performance was shown by all, with a winning score of 2-0 for the Jesuits. Indeed the team showed great character and ability in all matches leading to them being unbeaten in last two years! Nine of this successful team were selected for the Connaught U.16 team, playing in the Inter provincial tournament in Dublin this year. Many of the U.16 team are also selected to play with our senior team, involved in the outstanding win of the All Ireland Schools in 2009 and presently in the keen pursuit of the crown again in 2010.
Under 16 Team Connaught Champions: Hannah Gormley, Natasha Cooke, Elaine Carey, Aisling Dunne (Captain), Clodagh Kennedy, Ciara Power, Kyra Hayes, Niamh Calannan, Ailbhe Finnerty, Ingrid Murphy, Maeve Russell, Clodagh Geraghty, Grace O Donnell, Ellen Burns, Aedín Hanahoe, Aoife Codyre, Rachel Bradley, Jean Holland and Orlaith McGuinness.
The U-15’s and first years have also begun training with the expected enthusiasm and commitment the juniors always take to the pitch. They were very lucky this year that Ruth O’Brien and Emma Staunton, ably assisted by the transition years, who are helping with the coaching as part of their 4 th year Gaisce award, took up the mantle of leading their charges. We wish them well in defence of the first year Blackmore Shield and the U-15 Lupton Cup. Both competitions begin in January.
Dates for your diary: Thursday 28 th January Palmer Cup quarter final: Jes v Seamount. Tuesday February 9 th Palmer Cup Semi Final: Jes? v Taylor’s. Wednesday 24 th Palmer Cup Final: Jes? v ? Kate Russell All –Ireland Schools will be held in Connacht on March 18 th & 19 th.
The Senior Cup squad can be viewed on the school website. Jes Hockey would not be as successful without the dedication and efforts from lots of people. A big thank you to Imelda Brenna, Rita Ryan, Clodagh Mitchell, Darragh Leonard, Ruth O’ Brien, Emma Staunton, Joe O’Toole and Brendan Melvin.
Rugby
As we approach the mid point in or season the full time squads (U-19,U-16,U-14) have been training and playing since early September. We hope to have some matches at U-17 and U-15 level later in the season.
The U-14 squad largely drawn from 1 st year and managed / coached by Tomás Mac Aodh and Richie Byrne have been working hard at that game and are starting to take shape. A heavy loss to Garbally College was put behind them in fine style by beating Sligo Grammar in Sligo.
All involved took great encouragement from the narrow win with Philip Murphy’s kicking sealing the game. The Junior U-16 squad have been very dedicated under Mr. Kilraine’s direction and also the support of Terry O’Donnell and several of last years senior squad.
The highlight of their season so far was trip to Dublin to play Belvedere College and to attend the Ireland vs Springboks International. Unfortunately they suffered a narrow loss away to Clifden in the preliminary round of the Junior Cup recently but look forward to renewing their efforts in pursuit of the City Cup.
Our Senior side has entered a re building phase with only 3 starters from last year’s side left. It is taking a while to blend the skills and personalities and the results have been inconsistent. However with the guidance of Mr Parkinson and Bernie Kelly they did go through group stages unbeaten and met Sligo Grammar in the final. Unfortunately a reality check in the form of a heavy defeat to a very mature and talented Sligo side gave cause for much analysis and debate.
This should prove fruitful in the search for a standard that might bring us to challenge Sligo again in the Cup and give a better account of ourselves. A trip to Dublin in early January should help to develop morale and teamwork. Drawn away to Garbally College in our first cup game in early February, we will have to perform to our potential if we are to advance and defend our title.
Finally the highlight of our season has to be the selection of Rory Cunningham U-19 and Aaron Conneely U-18 on the Irish schools squad for the Autumn Internationals. Both played versus Australian touring sides and hope to gain further selection in the six nation’s spring internationals. This is the first time the Jes has achieved this notable feat since the school re-introduced rugby in the early seventies. While credit is due mostly to Rory and Aaron and also to their clubs who played a big part in their development we hope that the rugby culture fostered in the school over recent decades played some part in their success.
Management, teachers and parents who have all contributed to the development of Rugby in the School are proud of how the lads have represented the school.
Finally, while recent silverware and representative honours are the icing on the cake it is the day to day experiences of training, journeys, defeats as well as victories and the companionship that comes from being part of a team over many years that all of us benefit from what ever the success.
Long may it last!!
Happy Christmas to all our players, parents Coaches and teachers from everyone involved in Jes Rugby.
Soccer
This September saw the “Jes Soccer club” enter a team competitively into every age level for the first time in many years. This is a positive step forward in the development of the club and it is thanks to the assistance of management, staff, parents and students that it is possible.
The soccer club has had some promising performances so far this year.
Mr. Lavelle’s and Mr. Grant’s 1st year squad have topped their group to qualify for the next stage of the competition with good performances, most noticeably beating the Bish in their opening game.
The U – 14’s coached by Fr. McManus and Mr. O’ Murchú finished third in a very tough, competitive group.
There was success at U15 Level when Mr. O Murchú’s seven a side team won a blitz hosted by Headford in October. The winning team was unbeaten during the group and went on to win both the semi – final and final by a score of 1 – 0.
Mr. Maughan’s senior side is still in competition with group games after Christmas as the severe flooding hampered fixtures at the U – 18 level.
This December also saw the Jes Soccer club enter both a boy’s and girl’s first year Futsal team into competition. This consisted of a 5 – a – side indoor soccer blitz, taking place over two days in Ballygar. The performances of both boys and girls teams were terrific as they narrowly missed out on the final having only lost to the eventual winners in both cases.
Girls U-14 Gaelic Football
Training began in early September and numbers increased with each passing week. The spirit has been very high within the club and this was clearly illustrated in the games we played. The season began with a close fought victory over Taylors Hill which was followed by 2 narrow loses to Convent of Mercy Roscommon and to Presentation College Oranmore.
The squad has continued its progress with a sense of heightened competitiveness and hopefully will carry this into next season. None of this would happen without the hard work of coaches Mr Sherry, Ms O Donoghue and Mr Leonard.
New Debaters welcomed to the West’s most successful debating society!
The 2009/2010 academic year is shaping up for another triumph for debating at Coláiste Iognáid. The society has already met sixteen times this term and has debated subjects from the legalisation of Euthanasia to whether animals should be used for entertainment purposes. Additionally, the several school debating teams are well advanced in all national competitions.
The Transition Year Concern team is a mixture of pupils new to debating and veterans of the circuit: 2008 NUIG Mace Competition winner Jessica Hannon and 2008 AIB Finalist Cora Lenihan partner Dean Reidy, Eoin Coughlan and Naomi Lawless in this year’s campaign. The team await their opportunity to progress through the tournament with their next competition in Portumna to complete.
Debate society members, Jamie Folan, Ruth McMorrow and Padraig Folan recently represented the school in the Gael Linn debating competition.
In the national premier debating competition, The Denny’s Irish Schools’ Debating Championship, it would seem that Coláiste Iognáid hold key cards: four pupils are through to the National Quarter Finals. Last year’s provincial champions, Jake Hansen-Shearer and Cormac McGuinness, are back in play as a team and they are accompanied by individual speakers Robert Fitzgerald Bellone and Andrew Forde. Robert, (who as a Second Year, made an enormous impression at Trinity last year in the AIB debating finals), and Andrew hold the record for the youngest debaters to have reached National Quarter Finals in this competition and the future looks very promising for this talented pair. The All-Ireland Quarter Finals will be held on January 13 th, 2010 in NUIG. Support welcomed!
Jake Hansen-Shearer distinguished himself as being selected for the DES sponsored Irish National Schools’ Debating Team: an honour afforded to only five pupils in the country, and his debate partner, Cormac McGuinness, represented Ireland in Helsinki over the October break as a member of the European Youth Parliament. Cormac, who is also auditor of the Debate Society, has recently represented the school’s interests in a new competition for Galway schools organised by the International Centre for Human Rights. This will take place on the 6 th of March, 2010.
The society’s members await further opportunities to hone their skills in the 2010 AIB ‘Phil Speaks’ competition, the UCD international Junior Mace, and the 2010 NUIG Mace.
The society meet every Tuesday in the Library at 4:15pm. All members of the school are automatically members of the society and are entitled to both observe and debate at these meetings. All new speakers and audience will be welcomed. Parents, please encourage your First Year barrack-room lawyer to hone their arguing skills at school!!! Coaching is available.
In summary:
Concern TY Team (Cora Lenihan, Jessica Hannon, Dean Reidy, Naomi Lawless and Eoin Coughlan) still engaged in first round competitions.
Denny’s: Jake Hansen-Shearer and Cormac McGuinness (Jes A), Robert Fitzgerald-Belone and Andrew Forde through the National Quarter Finals.
Cormac McGuiness: Irish Representative to European Youth Parliament
Jake Hansen-Shearer: Selected to National Debate Team.
Jamie Folan, Ruth McMorrow and Padraig Folan represented the school in the Gael Linn Debating competition.
The society met sixteen times this term
Rowing
The Coláiste Iognáid Rowing Club is now one of the largest in the country, with over 80 members. The addition of 30 first years to the club, the largest new contingent for many years, was a welcome boost to the membership. The senior members of the club have been helping the new rowers to get the hang of things, taking it in turns to go up the river with them.
The club’s reputation and standing have been enhanced by successes in the IARU events around Ireland, the national championships and the selection of Jes rowers for Irish teams competing in international events.
The Irish Rowing Championship – “The Champs” – were held on 10 th, 11 th, and 12 th July at the National Rowing Centre on Iniscarra Lake in Cork. The ‘Jes’ was very well represented, with 39 crews entered in 19 events. The highlight was Aifric Keogh and Zoe Mannion’s victory in the junior women’s coxless pair – a first for the Jes in this event. Thepair was coached by Redmond and Siobhán O’Brien.
Keith Duffy and Eddie Mullarkey won silver in the junior men’s coxless pairs. Keith Duffy and Eoghan Staunton won bronze in the junior men’s double and Eddie Mullarkey took bronze in the junior men’s single sculls, the best ever Jes performance in these two events.
The younger crews also did well, with Andrew Bell, Matthew Kelly, Robert Flynn and Reuben Cruise, coxed by Patrick Oliver, winning the men’s junior 15 quad and Eoghan Coughlan, Stephen Gilligan, Ian Murphy and Andrew Bell, coxed by Eoin Murphy, finished second in the men’s junior 16 quad. The Jes (Ian Murphy, Eoin Coughlan, Stephen Gilligan, Liam Mooney, David Noone, Andrew Bell, Matthew Kelly, Reuben Cruise and cox Pa Oliver) finished a credible 3 rd in the men’s junior 16 eight in a strong field, while Andrew Bell was second in the men’s junior 15 single sculls.
Several rowers from Coláiste Iognáid were selected to represent Ireland in international competitions in 2009. Aifric Keogh and Zoe Mannion competed in the pairs and the eights at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Vichy, France in July, winning silver in the junior pair. Eddie Mullarkey and Keith Duffy competed in the Home Internationals in Nottingham in July with Keith taking second in the coxless four. The Club entered crews in competitions all around Ireland in 2009. The Jes made their mark, bagging no fewer than 10 firsts and many credible placings. One of the more notable achievements was Eoghan Staunton’s performance at Neptune Regatta. Eoghan was required to race intermediate on the day and managed to beat two oarsmen who dwarfed him in physical size before losing out in the semi-final by two lengths against a very slick 25 year old Belfast sculler.
Finally, the clubhouse is undergoing major improvements. Work started in August ’09 to add a second floor inside the existing clubhouse. The new upstairs will house a spacious gym, a kitchen and a meeting space looking out over the river. The changing rooms will also move upstairs and additional storage space will be created. The renovation has beenplanned for some time and money has been earmarked for several years for this purpose. Funding has been gathered from generous sponsors. Even so, these improvements are only possible because of the work being done on a voluntary basis by parents who have generously donated their skills and time.