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First Term Newsletter - 2007
Academic Success Acknowledged
Maths and Science
Vicky Whitty, Aoife Cowman and Suzanne Burns who sat their Junior Cert examinations in June 2007 received news in October that they were among the top performers in Maths and Science nationally. The girls were placed in the top 150 in the country in Maths and Science. Vicky was invited to D.C.U. to compete for selection for the Junior Science Olympiad in Taiwan. Unfortunately Suzanne and Aoife had just passed the age requirement for entry. Vicky was awarded a certificate for participation. All three were also invited to take part in the Maths Olympiad. Both Vicky and Aoife attended. All three students will be invited back to D.C.U. when they are in sixth year for further competitions.
Business
Heather Butler, Clara McDonald, Stephanie O Kuma, Eimear Tyrell, Suzanne Burns, Vicky Witty, Lily Brennan and Seána O’Brien were awarded a certificate of excellence in Junior Certificate Business Studies, at Waterford Institute of Technology on Wednesday 7th November, 2007. This recognises their achievements in obtaining a Grade A in the Higher Level Business Studies Exam in June, 2007.
Subjects News
Career Guidance
A very busy calendar of events has taken place this term. Senior students have had numerous talks and speakers in school from a wide variety of colleges and career areas. They also had an opportunity to attend Open Days at many of the 3rd level colleges. By mid-Jan sixth years will have completed their CAO applications with the majority of students availing of the opportunity to make their applications on-line in school. The PLC application process will begin after Christmas; all local PLC colleges will be invited into school to talk with students. The Guidance Dept has a full list of all activities on the school web-site (www.preswex.com). Fifth year students can look forward to a number of additional Career Guidance Events after Christmas. A homework and study skills day and an extensive Interview Training Programme run by a Recruitment and Training Consultant. Fifth years need to book early to secure their place on each of these programmes. Third years completed their DATS aptitude tests before Christmas and the results will be available to students in the next term.
Religious Education
In November the sixth year students visited Grace Dieu Retreat Centre in Waterford. This proved to be a positive experience for all concerned.
Our Chaplain Fr. Dalton will visit the School on December 18th to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
Sport
Basketball
The Under 16 and Under 19 teams have recently completed all their matches.
Unfortunately they did not qualify from their group, despite their excellent
Commitment to training. The First and Second Year teams are now training
for their games in the New Year. With some very promising talent on all teams we
hope to do very well.
Lauren Lawlor, Second Year was chosen for the Under 14 South-East Future Stars team. She was one of twelve students from all the schools in the South-East to be chosen for this team. She competed in the Inter-Regional Competition on 26th and 27th November, in which the South-East team reached the semi-finals. Well done Lauren!
A Basketball Skill Camp will take place for First and Second Years on Friday, 4th January, 2008. It will run from 11a.m. to 3p.m. Guest Coaches will be present on the day and the cost is just €5.00 per player. It is an excellent opportunity for the players to develop their skills.
Junior Football
The school junior team played a flowing style of football throughout the campaign. We drew with Mercy, New Ross, and beat Gorey comfortably but it was a narrow one-point defeat to Ramsgrange that cost us qualification in the knock-out stages. No doubt the girls will present a strong challenge next year with the majority of players still eligible for the age group next year.
Golf
The school is very proud of the achievements of Tara Dunne, sixth year and Emma Murphy, Second Year in winning the Midlands School Golf Competition. The girls have now qualified for the All-Ireland’s in the New Year. We wish them all the best in their quest for glory!
Hockey
The hockey club currently has three teams involved in South East Leagues.
Junior B- U 16 Minor B & Minor C (Second Years)
Junior B’s drew 1-1 with Abbey Community School, Waterford and lost to Loreto, Kilkenny, 0-2. The girls beat Kilkenny College 2-0 away on astro turf. They have one match to play versus Loreto, Wexford. Quote from Gráinne Keeling and Rasha Ibrahim – Junior C Captains:
“On behalf of the Junior B Hockey team we would like to thank our coaches for their effort and time. We have made a lot of progress this year and hopefully the support and teamwork will continue to strengthen”.
Minor B’s have finished top of their group with victories against Ursuline 2-0, F.C.J., Bunclody 2-1, St. Leo’s, Carlow, 3-0 and a draw with Loreto, Kilkenny 1-1. The final will be played early in the New Year. We wish them the best of luck. Quote from Ciara McIntosh and Dearbhla Daly, Minor B Captains:
“The Minor B team has done really well this term. Our skills have improved a lot and the teamwork and support between us is great. The club has also helped to improve our fitness and to make new friends. Well done to the Minor B team and all the other teams and good luck to everyone in the New Year”.
Minor C’s have had very tough competitive matches and have been helped hugely by first year players when panel numbers have been low. This team won against F.C.J., Bunclody 1-0, lost to Loreto, Kilkenny 0-2 and won against Kilkenny College. This team still has to play Loreto, Wexford in the New Year. Quote from Jessie Maher and Deirdre Kenny, Minor C Captains:
“The game’s not over until the final whistle blows”.
First Year
Over 30 first year students have been involved in lunch time hockey training and have played developmental matches v St. Leo’s, Carlow and won all. All the first years travelled to Waterford to play Ursuline in full 11-a-side games. One team drew 1-1 and the other lost 0-1 with the goal coming in the last few seconds of the game. There will be more first year matches in the New Year in preparation for South East Leagues in second year. Well done to all those who have attended regular training and who have been the stalwarts of all panels.
Learning Support
The Learning Support and Resource teaching in our school is designed to facilitate students who need additional support to access the curriculum. At Junior Cycle, Learning Support and Resource teaching focuses on skills which are important for secondary school such as organisation, dealing with people, reading, writing and mathematical skills. Subject support is offered approaching public examinations. At Senior Cycle, these skills are developed and additional subject support is offered as appropriate. The main emphasis is on developing self-esteem and coping skills. Learning is supported through small group work, individual tuition and through the use of computer software and online resources.
Transition Year
In September the girls enjoyed a bonding day in Sheilbaggan, started their work experience and had a song writing session with singer Luan Parle.
In October the students travelled to Kilkenny to complete their Gaisce adventure trip. They undertook a 25km walk and stayed in Foulksrath Castle overnight. They had a Personal Development Workshop and held a board game afternoon for our first years.
In November the girls had a workshop on disability given by the Wheelchair Association and sold Angel faces downtown to raise money for same. They were involved in Matrix days (training to “think outside the box”). They enjoyed a “Kieran McEvoy” music workshop and were involved in an Art Project for Mental Health Ireland. All of the girls have completed a six week Drug Awareness Programme in conjunction with F.D.Y.S.
In December the girls put on a very successful play “A Wake in the West” by Michael Joe Ginley. Many thanks to the Gaiety School of acting for their workshop as this helped greatly to boost the girl’s stage confidence. Thanks also to all the students, teachers and parents who supported the play, all who helped out backstage, provided props, and everyone involved in making the production such a great success.
The girls are now looking forward to their exchange to Spain or the Irish trip to Carlingford early in the New Year.
Presentation Girls support the Charities
Concern – Save lives fast campaign 2007
Once again we are proud of our students, who have at the time of going to press raised over €5,500 in the recent fast. Students gave freely of their time, worked hard to collect sponsorship money, got into the whole spirit of giving at Christmas. Well done to each and every one of you.
Shoe Box Appeal
1A2 organised the Shoe Box Appeal in C.S.P.E class and collected well over 100 shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse. Well done to all involved and thanks to everyone who prepared a shoe box.
St. Vincent DePaul
Our Annual St. Vincent DePaul (S.V.P.) collection is in full swing! We would like to thank all who contributed donations to make their annual appeal such a great success. Kitty Hynes of S.V.P. is delighted with this year’s response and knows it will make such a difference to lots of families in Wexford this Christmas.
Bóthar
1A1 organised a raffle and school cake sale to raise money to send to the developing world. The girls raised €528.50 in total and have decided to send a goat, hens, bees and rabbits to a family through Bóthar. Thanks to everyone who donated prizes, bought tickets or baked cakes. Well done to the class on a great success.
Stars in Your Eyes Talent Competition
The Stars in your Eyes contest is due to take place on Monday 4th February at 8p.m. in the Presentation School Concert Hall. The organisers include JW Productions and Miss Lee. This show promises a great night of entertainment with acts including famous celebrities such as Rihanna, Dolly Parton, Avril Lavigne, Whitney Houston and Bonnie Tyler. Students from every year will participate. All students, teachers, parents, friends and family are invited to go. The winner and the runner up will be chosen through an audience vote along with the Stars in your Eyes coordinators. Both winners will be put through to the next round where they will compete against other Leinster schools. Tickets are €8.00 and will be on sale from Miss Lee after Christmas.
Students' Council
We the student council would like to let you know that since our election in May the Student Council is now up and running. On Thursday the 6th September we attended a training course where our officers were elected. These are as follows:
* Chairperson: Rachel Harron
* Deputy Chairperson: Enya Barron
* Secretaries: Grace Cowman & Fiona Murphy
* Treasurers: Louise Kelly & Ann-Marie Kehoe
* Public Relations Officers: Sarah Sherlock, Rasha Ibrahim
Adrianne O’Connor & Nicola Walsh
Since the beginning of this school year we have had four monthly meetings. During this period we have had two new Student Council notice boards installed in the school. We are currently organising dance classes to be taught as a lunchtime activity. In the future we are looking into the possibility of:-
* Additional seating in the school grounds
* A competition to find a Student Council logo
* Reviewing the Constitution
Presentation Meitheal leaders- a very successful term’s work.
During the summer holidays, fourteen sixth year students were involved in a training programme to become Meitheal leaders.
Since September, they have worked tirelessly and with great commitment to help first year students settle into school life in Presentation. Currently they are very busy planning a preparing a Christmas fun afternoon for the first years at the end of the term.
The first years really appreciate the work and effort of our Meitheal leaders.
This years Meitheal Leaders are:-
Emma Boggan Lorna Kelly Meave Boland
Lauren Mahoney Kimberley Brennan Helen McDonnell
Sarah Curtis Fiona Murphy Amy Farrell
Hannah Roche Daniele Furlong Olivia Timmins
Rachel Harren Keira Waters
Upcoming Events for 2nd. Term
Race night 1st. February 2008
Transition Year Exchange 31st. January – 7th. February
French Exchange 18th. February – 23rd. February
Mock Exams 18th. – 29th. February
Parents’ Council
Officers for 2007/2008
Chairperson: Ms Marie Waters
Vice Chairperson: Ms Ruth Williams
Secretary: Ms Teresa LaRoche
Treasurer: Ms Mairead Heeney
Any of the officers can be contacted by phoning the school for details.
Race Night: To raise funds towards the development of the School Pitch.
The Parents’ Council are working very hard at present organising a Race Night for the night of 1st. February 2008 to support the financial cost of developing the school pitch. Local businesses and school suppliers have been very generous in sponsoring the races but the event will only be successful if all families support by buying a horse or horses. Please encourage as many members of the family as possible to buy a horse at a cost of €20 per horse. Horses can still be bought during the first week of term after Christmas.
Please also support by attending the Race night on 1st. February 2008 in the Whitford Hotel at 9pm. It will be a fun night out and all are welcome.
From the Principal
Development of the School Playing Pitch
It is planned to have the pitch in full use from September 2008. We are relying on your generous support of the Parents’ Council Race Night to see this plan to completion. Please support by buying the horses €20 each and by coming along to the Whitford Hotel on 1st. February 2008.
In the last two years the school has been able to add a state of the art sports hall with additional teaching rooms, a new entrance lobby, new windows and a new roof to the existing building. This has only been possible with the financial support of the Presentation Trustees and the Department of Education. We were very pleased to complete this work without calling on families for financial support.
The Pitch will be the last of the big development projects which will see the school and grounds in perfect condition to cater for the all round education of its students. Please support!
Regular School Attendance
Daily attendance at school from the first day in first year to the last day in sixth year is absolutely necessary for success. It is important to cultivate a climate in the home where only genuine illness keeps a student out of school. The benefits of a good education last a lifetime!
Supervised Evening Study
Supervised study affords students the necessary quiet space to stay focused and keep on top of the work. It is a facility which should be considered by all students from second year onwards. Details from Mr. Gilshinan.