The Alexandran: Alexandra College Yearbook 2009-2010 - Section 2 - Academics

SECTION II - ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTSSECTION II - ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Annual Prizegiving.......................................................................................51-52Jeannie Turpin Prize Essay...............................................................................58Honor Stuart Prize.....................................................................................58-61 E-Leathanach..........................................................................................................61 Elizabeth Perrin Essay.........................................................................................62 Eithne Ryan Lecture...........................................................................................64 English Debating............................................................................................65-66 French Debating...................................................................................................67 Irish Debating..................................................................................................67-68SciFest 2010.....................................................................................................69-70 ISPCC Youth Symposium................................................................................71 Applied Maths.......................................................................................................71Inter-School Library Quiz................................................................................72Joan Kearney Science Lecture......................................................................73

50 THE ALEXANDRAN 2009-2010

THE ALEXANDRAN 2009-2010

ANNUAL PRIZEGIVINGfor the academic year 2008-2009

51

PRINCIPAL’S FOREWORD

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to Alexandra College’s Prize Giving for the academic year 2008-2009. We warmly welcome our guest speaker Ms Emily O’Reilly, Ombudsman and Information Commissioner. Ms Emily O’Reilly was appointed Ireland’s third Ombudsman on 1st June2003 by the President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese.

Prior to her appointment, Ms O’Reilly was a journalist and author and had been a political correspondent for various media since 1989.

We consider the education of the whole person to be our primary concern. We rejoice with our students whose achievements we

in the knowledge that Alexandra College will continue to be at the forefront of women’s education in Ireland.

Le gach dea-ghuí

Principal


FIRST YEAR PRIZES

IBFirst Place Gleeson, AmberSecond Place O’Toole, EllenForm Prizes Kraus, Aisling -and-Gillespie, Freya

IHFirst Place Stafford Johnson NatalieSecond Place Feehan, RuthForm Prizes Brown, Holly -and-Byrne, Sadbh

ISFirst Place Winn, VanessaSecond Place Cosgrove, RachelForm Prizes Watters, Lorna -and-Asher, Niamh

IRFirst Place MacKeown, EmilieSecond Place Nannetti, SophieForm Prizes Sheil, Sadhbh -and-Bloom Teskey, Hannah

FIRST YEAR - SPECIAL SUBJECT PRIZES

THE ATTENDANCE PRIZE O’Meara, Leah -and-

Reilly, Fionnuala

THE KAPLIN PRIZE FOR SCIENCE Winn, Vanessa

THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PRIZE Gleeson, Amber

THE ART PRIZE Bloom Teskey, Hannah -and- Mescal, Leone

THE I.T. PRIZE Gillespie, Freya

THE GRACE BLAKENEY PRIZE Cronin Cusack, Rachel (awarded to the girl who has contributed the most to thewell being of her year)

SECOND YEAR PRIZES

IIBFirst Place Kenna, SallySecond Place Kneafsey, SianForm Prizes Pullen, Natalie -and-Smal, Tammy

IIHFirst Place Raethorne, BeckySecond Place Ryan, AmyForm Prizes McEvoy Bucholz, Ariane -and-McKenna, Elisa

IISFirst Place Purcell, BellaSecond Place McDonald, IsabelleForm Prizes Azhar, Mahrukh -and-McGowan, Meghan

IIRFirst Place Nichols, AnnaSecond Place Egan, AlixForm Prizes Adebayo Oke, Toni -and- Skelly, Emma

SECOND YEAR - SPECIAL SUBJECT PRIZES

THE ATTENDANCE PRIZE O’Donoghue, Zikka

THE PRIZE FOR SCIENCE Nichols, Anna

THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PRIZE Ryan, Amy

THE ART PRIZE Cowan, Lia -and- Carton, Eilis

THE I.T. PRIZE Morrin, Lisa

THE HONOR STUART PRIZE FOR

CREATIVE WRITING Raethorne, Becky

THIRD YEAR PRIZES

IIIBFirst Place Chow, LeonaSecond Place D’Alton, AnnaForm Prizes Stokes, Nicola -and- Turley, Joanna

IIIHFirst Place O’Reilly, NanciSecond Place Milofsky, Beth -and- Stapleton Doyle, SadhbhForm Prizes Duggan, Katie - and- Thornton,Emily

IIISFirst Place Walsh, HarrietSecond Place Healy, RachelForm Prizes Gallagher, Mollie AnnFalkiner, Kate

IIIRFirst Place Despard, ClaraSecond Place Clarke, YvonneForm Prizes McQuillan, Holly -and- McGinley, Alison

THIRD YEAR - SPECIAL SUBJECT PRIZES

GAMBLE PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

D’Alton, Anna

PFEIFFER PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Milofsky, Beth

ARDILAUN PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Despard, Clara

WILSON SUFFERN PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC

EXCELLENCE Healy, Rachel


THIRD YEAR - SPECIAL SUBJECT PRIZES (continued)

ATTENDANCE PRIZE White, Eleanor -and- Egan, CC -and-

Dagari, Iman

THE HELEN PRENTER PRIZE FOR ENGLISH

Chow, Leona

THE BRYAN GUINNESS PRIZE FOR FRENCH

O’Reilly, Nanci

THE JELLICOE MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR LATIN

O’Reilly, Nanci

THE ELIZABETH MOYNE PRIZE FOR SCIENCE

Chow, Leona

THE JEANIE TURPIN ESSAY PRIZE White, Eleanor

THE GEOGRAPHY PRIZE Walsh, Harriet

THE HISTORY PRIZE O’Reilly, Nanci

THE IRISH PRIZE Gallagher, Mollie Ann -and- Chow, Leona

THE HOME ECONOMICS PRIZE Egan, CC

THE MATHEMATICS PRIZE Despard, Clara

THE ART PRIZE Duggan, Katie -and- Raethorne, Amy

THE BUSINESS STUDIES PRIZE Chow, Leona

THE GERMAN PRIZE Farrelly, Clodagh

THE MUSIC PRIZE D’Alton, Anna

THE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PRIZE CC Egan

THE LEONARD ABRAHAMSON BOOK PRIZE

(FOR THE BEST JUNIOR CERTIFICATE RESULTS)

Chow, Leona - and- O’Reilly, Nanci

TRANSITION YEAR PRIZES

THE LOUISE CROSBIE MEMORIAL TROPHY (AWARDED TO THE STUDENTOF THE YEAR) O’Donnell, Kate

THE VIOLET MOLLAN CUP(FOR OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTIN FOURTH YEAR) Flanagan, Lauren

THE STANLEY SHIELD (FOR INTERESTAND EFFORT) Malone, Dervla

THE ATTENDANCE PRIZE IN TRANSITION YEARMcCarron, Eimear - and- Clarke, Pamela

GAISCE - THE PRESIDENT’S AWARD

The following girls earned the Bronze President’s Award:

Bourke, Aisling Haughton, Kate

Buckley, Amy Kenna, Annah

Bulger, Michelle Kennedy, Yvanne

Callan, Caitríona Maginn, Ciara

Coakley, Laura Malone, Dervla

Duncan, Ingrid Margetson, Alice

Fitzpatrick Rachel McCarron, Eimear

Flanagan, Lauren Nichols, Katie

Gray, Nicola O’Donnell, Kate

Han, Hyan-Jung Rowan, Michaela

Wolfson, Celestine

FIFTH YEAR PRIZES

THE 1ST ETHEL M GLORNEY TRUST PRIZE Carter, Eva

THE 2ND ETHEL M GLORNEY TRUST PRIZE Lenehan,

Leah

THE BIOLOGY PRIZE Carter, Eva

THE FLORENCE CONAN PRIZEFOR CHEMISTRYCarter, Eva

THE HISTORY PRIZE Harrison, Eve

THE GEOGRAPHY PRIZE Duffy, Aisling

THE MATHEMATICS PRIZE Courtney, Louise

THE HOME ECONOMICS PRIZE Butler, Ellen

THE ENGLISH PRIZE Swanwick, Elizabeth

THE IRISH PRIZE Carter, Eva

THE LATIN PRIZE O’Flynn, Katie

THE ITALIAN PRIZE Duffy, Aisling

THE FRENCH PRIZE Courtney, Louise

THE ART PRIZE MacCarthy, Sally -and-

McDermott, Stephanie

THE PHYSICS PRIZE O’Flynn, Katie

THE SPANISH PRIZE Cosgrove, Emma

THE APPLIED MATHS PRIZE Boyle, Niamh

THE ACCOUNTING PRIZE Carter, Eva

THE BUSINESS PRIZE Fitzpatrick, Emma

THE ECONOMICS PRIZE Duggan, Cherone

THE HANNAH BLANCHE LEWIS PRIZE (FORINTEREST AND EFFORT) Clayton, Catherine

THE VICTORIA, LADY HOLMPATRICK PRIZE(FOR INTEREST AND EFFORT) Natin, Carine

THE PRIZE FOR EFFORT IN 5TH YEAR Cameron, Katie

THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PRIZE Smyth, Emily

THE ELIZABETH PERRIN ESSAY PRIZE Duggan, Cherone

THE ATTENDANCE PRIZE Swanwick, Elizabeth

THE GERMAN PRIZE Swanwick, Elizabeth

THE SENIOR DEBATING PRIZE Gillespie, Iseult

THE GERRY COLEMAN PRIZE Harrison, Eve


SIXTH YEAR PRIZES

PRESIDENT OF THE PREFECTS D’Arcy, Aifric

THE 1ST ETHEL M GLORNEY TRUST PRIZE

Lynch, Fiona

THE 2ND ETHEL M GLORNEY TRUST PRIZE

Kenny, Grace

THE SAMPSON PRIZE FOR ENGLISH Kennedy, Catherine

THE MAY BROOKS PRIZE FOR MATHEMATICS

Stein, Lianne

THE MAUD CHERRY PRIZE FOR HISTORY

Tingle, Sally Ann

THE NORAH GOLDEN PRIZEFOR ORAL IRISH

Lynch, Fiona

THE THELMA MITCHELL PRIZE FOR FRENCH

Ní Bhrolcháin, Maude

THE HENRY S GUINNESS PRIZE FOR HOME ECONOMICS

Hollywood, Niamh

THE JESSOP PRIZE FOR CHEMISTRY Lynch, Fiona

THE ENDOWED PRIZE FOR BIOLOGY Kenny, Grace

THE WEBB CUP FOR GEOGRAPHY Mahony, Sabrina -and-

Barrett, Elaine

THE GLORNEY CUP FOR ART Stein, Lianne

THE IRISH PRIZE Quigley, Emilie

THE SPANISH PRIZE Clarke, Una -and- Hamilton, Eva

THE GERMAN PRIZE Burzlaff, Anna

THE PHYSICS PRIZE Kenny, Grace

THE APPLIED MATHEMATICS PRIZE Kennedy, Catherine

THE ACCOUNTING PRIZE Kilroy, Hannah

THE ECONOMICS PRIZE

THE ITALIAN PRIZE Lynch, Fiona -and-

Costelloe, Claire

THE EDITH HARRISON PRIZE FOR CITIZENSHIP

Paul, Aifric

LYSTER PRIZE FOR CLASSICS Mahony, Sabrina

THE ATTENDANCE PRIZE FOR 6TH YEAR

Leckie, Kate

THE AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE PRIZE Paul, Aifric

THE POWELL CUP AWARDED TO THE BEST ALL

ROUNDER IN 5TH OR 6TH YEAR

Costelloe, Claire

SYNOD PRIZES

Synod Prizes in Religious Education have been

awarded to:

Gleeson, Amber Schwartz, Hannah

Cosgrove, Rachel Levermore, Kirsten

Ryan, Amy O’Reilly, Nanci

Reihill, Alex

PAST SIXTH YEAR PRIZES

Ní Bhrolcháin, Maude 6R Maude is now studying Maths & Economics in T.C.D.

Mahony, Sabrina 6K Sabrina is now studying European Studies in T.C.D.

Kennedy, Catherine 6K Catherine in now studying Engineering in T.C.D.

D’Arcy, Aifric 6L Aifric is now studying Modern Irish and Philosophyin T.C.D.

Mackey, Lorna 6K Lorna is now studying Law in U.C.D.

Somerville, Julie 6R Julie is now studying Sociology and Social Policy in T.C.D.

Barrett, Elaine 6M Elaine is now studying General Nursing in T.C.D.

Crowley, Klara 6M Klara is now studying Geography, & Environmental Policy in U.C.D.

Wolfe, Hannah 6K Hannah is now studying Science in T.C.D.

Hughes, Emma 6W Emma is now studying English Lit.and Drama Studies in T.C.D

Finn, Aiveen 6L Aiveen is now studying Science in T.C.D.

McPhillips, Katherine 6J Katherine is now studying Journalism & Media in Bangor

University North Wales.

Daly, Clodagh 6W Clodagh is now studying Speech & Language Therapy

in U.C.P. Majon, Plymouth England

O’Donoghue, Jennifer 6J Jennifer is now studying in N.C.A.D.

Menzies, Emily 6W Emily is now studying Engineering in U.C.D.

Duke, Leanna 6J Leanna is now studying Social Science in U.C.D.

Kenny, Grace 6M Grace is now studying Medicine in U.C.D.

Lynch, Fiona 6K Fiona is now studying Medicine in U.C.D.

Tingle, Sallyann 6J Sallyann is now studying English Lit. and Psychology in T.C.D.

Ward, Alice 6J Alice is now studying Law in T.C.D.

Quigley, Emilie 6L Emilie is now studying Dance in London Studio Centre

Ryan, Harriet 6J Harriet is now studying Medicine in RCSI


PAST SIXTH YEAR PRIZES

Bergin, Grace 6J Grace is now studying Music in Cork School of Music

O’Keane, Aife 6K Aife is now studying French and Drama in T.C.D.

McEntee, Lisa 6L Lisa is now studying English and Drama in U.C.D.

Kearney, Lorna 6J Lorna is now studying Social Science in U.C.D.

Stein, Lianne 6W Lianne is now studing Civil Engineering in the University of

Nottingham

Slacke-Fitzpatrick, Jamie 6R Jamie is now studying Nursing in Greenhills College

Costello, Claire 6J Claire is now studying Social Studies in T.C.D.

de Burgh Whyte, Hannah 6R Hannah is now studying Climate and Earth Science in U.C.D.

6K Susan is now studying B.E.S.S. in T.C.D.

Farrell, Grace 6K Grace is now studying Classical Civilisation and Greek in T.C.D.

Ogeah, Uche 6L Uche is now studying Chemical Engineering in Aston University,

Birmingham

Burke, Heather 6K Heather is now studying Science in U.C.D.

Kilroy, Hannah 6W Hannah is now studying Engineering in T.C.D.

Hamilton, Eva

Coyne, Aisling 6R Aisling is now studying Philosophy and Politics in Queens Univer-

sity Belfast

O’Leary, Caitrin 6W Caitrin is now studying English Literature and Italian in T.C.D.

O’Byrne, Laura 6W Laura is now studying Economics and Sociology in T.C.D.

O’Donnell, Hayley 6J Hayley is now studying Law in T.C.D.

Rowland, Katie 6L Katie is now studying Philosophy and Science in T.C.D.

O’Brien, Jenny 6R Jenny is studying Speech & Language Therapy in T.C.D.

Clarke, Una 6R Una is now studying General Nursing in U.C.D.

Paul, Aifric 6K Aifric is now studying Medicine in McDaniel College, Budapest,

Hungary

MUSIC PRIZES

THE CULWICK MEMORIAL AWARD FOR PIANOFORTE

Kenny, Grace

THE MARGARET JOHNSTON AWARD FOR PIANOFORTE

O’Keane, Aife

THE VIOLIN PRIZE Malone, Dervla

THE VIOLA PRIZE Sheil, Caitriona

THE CELLO PRIZE Mackey, Lorna

THE GUITAR PRIZE Raethorne, Becky

THE FLUTE PRIZE Traynor, Robyn

THE OBOE PRIZE MacKeown, Emilie

THE SAXOPHONE PRIZE Ryan, Harriet -and- O’Leary,

Caitrin

THE RECORDER PRIZE Begley, Zoe

THE HARP PRIZE Ryan, Amy

THE PERCUSSION PRIZE Duke, Leanna

THE BRASS PRIZE Nichols, Katie

THE CLARINET PRIZE Murphy, Holly

GERALDINE TEMPLE LAING CUP FOR SOLO SINGING

Gibbons, Susie

THE JEAN DOLAN CUP FOR SOLO SINGING

Carron, Mella

THE GWLADYS JONES CUP FOR

SELF-TRAINED CHOIRS YR 4-6

Winners: 5th Year

Conductor: Sheil, Caitriona

THE CULWICK CUP FOR

SELF-TRAINED CHOIRS YR 1 - 3

Winners: 3B

Conductor: Levermore, Kirsten

THE ANNE CASSIDY AWARD FOR

BEST ACCOMPANIST YR 1 -3 IN

THE CULWICK COMPETITION

Duffy, Ellen

THE MOLLY DUNLOP CUP FORTHE BEST CONDUCTOR YR 4 - 6 INTHE CULWICK COMPETITIONLynch, Fiona

THE JACQUELINE POMEROY AWARD FOR THE BEST

ACCOMPANIST YR 4-6 IN THE CULWICK COMPETITION

Gibbons, Ciara- and - Courtney, Louise

THE ADJUDICATOR PRIZE IN THECULWICK COMPETITION Martinez, Pia

THE GLADYS RUDDOCK PRIZEFOR PRESENTATION YR 1 -3 ATTHE CULWICK COMPETITIONO’Donnell,Millie On behalf of: 1R

THE GLADYS RUDDOCK PRIZEFORPRESENTATION YR 4 - 6 ATTHE CULWICK COMPETITIONLynch, Fiona On behalf of: 6th Year

THE BRENDA WILKES AWARD FORTHE BEST CONDUCTOR YEARS 1-3IN THE CULWICK COMPETITIONO’Meara, Fiona

THE HARRY F. NORMAN AWARDFOR PIANO SIGHT READINGGibbons, Ciara


ROYAL IRISH ACADEMY AWARDS

Bronze Medal for Piano

Nicola Stokes Laoise Dennehy

Sinead Swan Dhara Vyas

Bronze Medal for Violin

Yvonne Clarke Nessa Coman

Millie O’Donnell Roisin Doody

Bronze Medal for Solo Singing

Niamh Claffey Naomi Agnew

Adrianna Murphy Laoise Dennehy

Hannah Watters Zara Dempsey O’Reilly

Emma Lawrie Emilie Quigley

Anna Stein Roisin Woods

Bronze Medal for Harp Anna D’Alton

Bronze Medal for Viola Aideen Cowhey

Bronze Medal for Flute

Zoe Cras Eva Hamilton

Jennifer Drea Charlotte Herron

Anna Muldowney

Bronze Medal for Recorder Zoe Begley

Silver Medal for Piano

Beibhinn Sheil Jessica McGurk

Amy Ryan

Silver Medal for Violin

Niamh Murray Bebhinn Sheil

Aifric D’Arcy Harriet Walsh

Ellen McKay

Silver Medal for Flute

Ellen Duffy Sarah Plunkett

Laura O’Byrne Alice Ward

Silver Medal for Solo Singing Kirsten Levermore

Gold Medal for Piano Hannah Wolfe

SENIOR GRADESGrade Six

PIANOFORTE Leona Chow

FLUTE Eve Brehony

Amy Buckley

Katie Nichols

CLARINET Holly Murphy

Anna Rose Charleton

Grade Seven

SAXOPHONE Greta Scanlon

Grade Eight

FLUTE Robyn Traynor

SAXOPHONE Caitrin O’Leary, Harriet Ryan

PIANOFORTE Holly Murphy

Distinctions

SOLO SINGING (GRADE 1) Aisling Kraus

SOLO SINGING (GRADE 2) Alex Hussain

SOLO SINGING (GRADE 5) Elizabeth Swanwick,

Hazel Conway, Susie Gibbons

MUSICAL THEATRE (GRADE 3)

Jenny Gilsenan

Kate Cosgrove


Sally McCarthy

Sarah Ridge

Ciara Gibbons

Kate Lenehan

Anna Rose Charleton


Myriam Mallon

Mella Carron

HARP (PRIMARY GRADE) Alison Haydon

HARP (GRADE 6) Amy Ryan

VIOLIN (GRADE 8) Dervla Malone

OBOE (GRADE 2) Emilie Mac Keown

PIANO (PRELIMINARY) Sorcha Kidney

PIANO (GRADE 7) Emilie Mac Keown

FLUTE (GRADE 1) Aisling Kraus

CLARINET (GRADE 4) Anna Nichols

TRUMPET (GRADE 3) Katie Nichols

PERCUSSION (GRADE 1) Kerrie Lyons

OTHER AWARDSSusie Gibbons is receiving a High Achiever Award 2009 from

the Royal Irish Academy of Music.

Wesley Feis AwardsEleanor McGovern was awarded the Sheehal Trophy for English

Solo Under 14

Eleanor Mc Govern and Hazel Conway were awarded the St. David’sCup and were placed 1st in the Under 15 Vocal duet.

Susie Gibbons was awarded the Brennan Perpetual Cup and wasplaced 1st in the Under 17 Classical Singing


SPEECH & DRAMA AWARDS

FIRST YEARSMedal for Grade 3 Speech and Drama& Medal for Grade 4 Effective CommunicationCarly Menton Blennerhassett, RachelNi Chonluain, Ceithleann

Medal for Grade 4 Effective CommunicationMurray, Ellen McCormack, KatieWatters, Lorna O’Malley, DeliaMartin, Cristiona Winn, VanessaFitzgerald, Laoise Cronin Cusack, RachelFeehan, Ruth

Medal for Grade 3 Speech and Drama Cosgrove, Rachel

Medal for Grade 4 Effective Communication& Medal in Grade 2 Solo Acting Hussein, Alex

SECOND YEARSMedal for Grade 2 Public SpeakingWhite, Emma Cowen, LiaHiggins, Tess Beattie, ClionaEpstein, Sara Kimura, Anna Livia

Medal for Grade 5 Speech and DramaO’Callaghan, Stephanie O’Donnell, MeganLyons, Kerri

Medal for Grade 6 Speech and Drama Dorman, Ceara

THIRD YEARSMedal for Grade 6 Speech and DramaBolger, Mary Reihill, AlexFarrell, Ruth Levermore, KirstenThornton, Emily Murphy, Georgia

FOURTH YEARSMedal for Grade 7 Speech and DramaFitzgerald, Erinne Rowan, MichaelaAbrahams, Indy Hollywood, AliciaKennedy, Yvanne

Edwards, Caroline Flanagan, Lauren

FIFTH YEARSMedal for Grade 9 Speech and DramaFitzgerald, Georgina Nix, AmyBourke, Aisling Duggan, Cherone

Medal for Grade 10 Speech and DramaO’Leary, Rachel Harrison, EveWatters, Hannah

Medal for Grades 9 and 10 Speech and Drama Natin, Carine

SIXTH YEARS

Costelloe, Claire McEntee, LisaTingle, Sallyann Rochford, HannahHughes, Emma O’Keane, AifeD’Arcy, Aifric

_______________

SPORTS PRIZES

THE OLD ALEXANDRA CUP u/16 Soccer TeamO’Donnell, Kate (capt.)

HOCKEYHEATHER BYRNE CUP Ward, AliceTHE HOCKEY 3RD & 4TH CUP Form: 3R Murphy, Georgia (capt.)THE MINOR HOCKEY PLAQUE McDermott, HannahTHE GOAL KEEPING AWARD Porter, LeighTHE HAZLETT SKILLS CUP Beatty, Emily

BASKETBALLTHE SENIOR BASKETBALL SKILLS SHIELD Conyngham, TamaraTHE JUNIOR BASKETBALL SKILLS CUP O’Byrne O’Reilly RebeccaTHE BASKETBALL CUP FOR 3RD AND 4TH YEARSForm: 3H Donnellan, Alison (capt.)

THE BASKETBALL CUP FOR2ND YEARS Form: 2S Varian, Katie (capt.)THE OUTSTANDING BASKETBALL PLAYER CUPMurphy, Georgia

TENNISTHE TENNANT CUP FOR 5TH YEAR TENNIS Fitzpatrick, EmmaTHE HAWTHORNE CUP FOR 4TH YEAR TENNIS Evans, Rebecca

THE MCCULLOUGH CUP FOR 3RD YEAR TENNISGibbons, AlisonTHE TENNIS CUP FOR 2ND YEAR Smal, TammyTHE TENNIS CUP FOR 1ST YEAR Martin, CristionaTHE PROFESSOR STEEN CUP FOR TENNIS Alexander, Alice

CRICKETTHE CRICKET ACHIEVEMENT CUP d e Burgh Whyte, HannahTHE CRICKET CUP (OVER 15S) Healy, MeganTHE CRICKET CUP (UNDER 15S) Ryan, AmyTHE CRICKET CUP (UNDER 14S) O’Donnell, Millie

BADMINTONTHE U18 BADMINTON CUP FitzGerald, GeorginaU16 BADMINTON CUP McHale, ClodaghU14 BADMINTON CUP Chow, Lorna

ATHLETICSTHE WEATHERALL CUP FOR ATHLETICS Healy, MeghanTHE HAZLETT CUP FOR ATHLETICS Healy, RachelTHE ATHLETICS CUP FOR 1ST AND 2ND YEARSMcDermott, HannahTHE BEWLEY CUP FOR ATHLETICS IN 3RD AND 4TH YEAR O’Donoghue, Lucy (on behalf of 4th Years)THE JUNIOR INTER CLASS ATHLETICS CUP McPhillips, Louise

SOCCERTHE SOCCER AWARD FOR 1ST YEAR Nugent, AislingTHE U/14 SOCCER AWARD Beatty, JulietTHE U/16 SOCCER AWARD Beatty, EmilyTHE U/18 SOCCER CUP Duke, Deirdre

SPECIAL AWARDSP.E. STUDENT OF THE YEAR de Burgh Whyte, HannahTHE IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR IN BADMINTON Azhar, MarukhMOST ORIGINAL DANCE CUP Guinness, FreyaTHE BEST OVERALL GROUP CUP IN THE DANCE COMPETITION Haine, Rebecca (capt.)THE BEST DANCER CUP O’Keeffe, Jodie


JEANNIE TURPIN ESSAY

Jeannie Turpin 3rd Year Essay Prizewinner

Teenagers aren’t what they used to be … I remember my teenage days so clearly. When I look back, it’s like I’m looking through a window at a ruby red rose garden. First love. First kiss. Laughter. Happiness. Bee Gees. Discos. The beginning of my independence. I thought it would be the same for her. Maybe it is. I didn’t realize the change before it was too late. I

mother is so hard,’ but I still feel guilty. I still feel respon-sible. I still blame myself.

Today she came home around 1a.m.An improvement. For a second I didn’t recognize her. Her skin was streaked orange. Her hair, drenched from the rain. Ink black tears streaming down her cheeks. She wore a shimmering black dress and was holding stilettos, both broken at the heels. She stared at me, not seeing. Tears leaked out of my eyes. “Cally?” I croaked, “Cally, where have you been?” An eerie laugh erupted from her sly grin, making me shudder. I looked at her, des-

Nothing. My arms were ready when she collapsed on top of me. I’d had enough practice. With a small, helpless moan, she emptied her bowels in my lap and lost conscious-ness. She was my daughter. She was fourteen.

Tammy Smal

HONOR STUART PRIZE

This is Ceithleann NíChonluain’s winning entry in the Honor Stuart Creative Writing Prize for 2nd Years. This prize requires students to submit a body of work.

She Holds Her Head High

She holds her head high as she walksSlowly though the streets of Monkstown,

A geranium catches her attention;She stops dead on the pathAnd leans in to smell its fragrance.Her over-sized hat tips over her serene face. You can only guess what she means when she mumbles to herself;“Oh no deary, I couldn’t!” or “Yes, quite the charmer indeed!”Her bright poncho is slipping off one shoulder.No one wears ponchos anymore.Her dyed black hair-styled to perfection- bounces with each stepShe takes in her clickity high heels. Everything about her is slightly bizarre;

Her scarlet red lipstick.

But I like her.

Haiku

The middle of MayStudents promise all day long

To start tomorrow

(Continued)


HONOR STUART PRIZE (continued)

Hating Marco Gregg

Iclenched into tight balls by my sides, the nails on my left hand were digging into my palm. But I couldn’t feel it. My eye-balls bulged out of their sockets and my teeth groaned as I ground them. I forced myself to look away from the mess that had been my dress for the following night. A bright red jam stain ran down the front, a strap had been pulled off and a long tear separated it into two pieces. I forced myself to turn away. Calm… I snapped. “Mu-um!!” Look what he did now! Ugghhh, I hate him! My God!” From the downstairs kitchen, I heard Mum sigh. “Coming, Lauren,” she said tiredly. I heard her heavy footsteps as she marched up the stairs. “Yes, Lauren?” she asked pleasantly as she walked through the archway into my pink room. I pointed harshly at the dress. “Oh no… how did that happen?” Mum asked, full of false sympathy. I wasn’t fooled. “How do you think?!” I lashed out. “It’s Marco! Oh my God, I could kill him…” “Now, now. Let’s not get carried away. I can easily sew that up and put it in the washing machine…”

how much that dress cost? !250 of my own money, that’s how much! You can’t just shove

a needle and thread, I swear…” Mum laughed. I mean, how could you laugh at a crisis like this? My life was ruined, possibly forever, and she was laughing? “Shhh…” she whispered. “Don’t you worry. I’ll sort Marco out and we’ll get you a new dress in time for tomorrow.”

“But every where’s going to be closed! I won’t be able to get anything nice! And I like this dress; I don’t want a different one…” Mum wasn’t listening anymore. She was picking up

Now, you’re probably getting the wrong impression of me. You probably think I’m a stuck-up, spoilt rotten, lazy teenager with a harmless little brother, yeah? You couldn’t be more wrong. Firstly, Marco was fourteen, same as me. We were in the same school, same year, and

even the same person. This party was my one chance to stand out a bit. Marco didn’t like

that dress, and so you can’t blame me for going a bit crazy when it was brutally savaged. Anyway, this wasn’t when I decided to kill my twin. The dress incident, I could put up with.

It actually started at the party. I got another dress, a cheap one from a local clothes shop.

did Marco. I wasn’t speaking to him and I certainly wasn’t ready to forgive. He, surprisingly, seemed to be ignoring me too. So I kept it like that. He would give in eventually, as he always did.

The party was a great one. Roger, the host, had organised for a DJ, he rented out a sports hall and decorated it with lights. There were over 200 people crammed into the tiny hall. Once we arrived, Marco disappeared into the crowd. I stayed with my friends, dancing in a big circle. I wasn’t going to let his moody attitude ruin my night. As the night went on, we had even more fun. The DJ had competitions and gave out prizes to the guests. It was one of the best nights of my life.

nervous. Under his left arm he was carrying a small... we craned our necks to see what was happening. He spoke to the DJ, and then beamed. He handed the DJ the small object, a memory stick. “Hey!” he shouted into the screaming crowd. “Hey!” They shouted back. “Em… I hope you’re all having a great night,” more screams. “I’m here to show you some-thing which will hopefully make it even better.” He jumped off the stage and the DJ pressed a button on his laptop. Marco jumped up again. “Lauren, I hope you don’t mind this too much…” and with that, the projector beamed up a huge photo against the back wall. My jaw dropped. It was the kind of thing you read about, an annoying little brother showing baby photos to your boyfriend. But this, this was worse. There I was, up on the wall. I remembered the photo, the one of me on the potty. I was only one, and I was concentrating quite hard… but Marco had projected this photo up on the wall for everyone to see. I gulped once. Then I passed out.

I never fully found out why he did it, but it didn’t matter any way. I was sick of the way he was treating me, and this random humiliation was one step too far. I didn’t shout. I didn’t cry. I didn’t roll around on the ground complaining about how life was unfair. No. Instead, I decided to permanently remove Marco Gregg from my life, and the world.

However reckless this decision, I wanted to be as rational as possible about my methods. I didn’t need him to be in any pain; just his absence would do it for me. Murder should be carried out as humanely as possible. Quick and painless. And so I researched. I used the internet, the local library, even looked up criminals’ methods. But nothing suited. There was nothing that would cover my tracks completely, nothing that would portray me as the innocent, grieving twin. So I knew I had to plan it myself. Originality was the key. Something the police would think was far too advanced for a fourteen year old girl. One night after dinner, I hit the jackpot.


“Lauren, could you please pass the ketchup?” We were eating burgers and chips, a once a month speciality. Marco was looking straight at me, but I didn’t look at him. “Lauren, can I have the ketchup?” I ignored him, and messed with a broken nail on my left hand. “Lauren, stop being a pain. Give Marco the ketchup.” Mum was within easy reach of the ketchup, she just wanted me to do it. “I’ll get it myself.” Marco frowned as he got out of his chair and walked around the table. “Lauren,” my mum sighed. “This has got to stop. Marco has apologized for what happened and I believe he is truly sorry. It was two whole months ago! There’s no point in ignoring, you might as well forgive him.” I pretended to be focusing on a piece of old nail varnish on my thumb. “Do you have anything to say to him?”

I looked up, and shook my head slowly. Marco had left the table. “Right. I can see there’s no point in discussing this, so…” Mum grabbed my plate and brought it to the dishwasher. “Well, you know what’s best, Lauren.” I stayed at the table, twiddling my thumbs in silence. “Mum,” Marco’s voice echoed from upstairs. “I’m low, can I have a Lucozade?” I stopped everything I was doing. Marco was diabetic. I remembered once when Marco was eight and he decided not to take his injection. His blood-sugar level went way up, and he had to go to the hospital. I knew I couldn’t stop Marco from taking his injection, but what would happen if he had too much insulin?

Marco had had Type One Diabetes all his life. This meant that he was used to lots of atten-tion when he had to get check-ups and all the rest. Personally, I didn’t mind. But the year we turned thirteen he changed. Suddenly, he was using diabetes as a way to impress people, especially girls. But as time went on, and as I got more popular, Marco became more desperate for attention. And the only way to get attention in his mind was to bring me

for all. An insulin overdose. It was perfect. Nothing to suggest me, nothing too painful. Sure, he would probably go into a coma for a few weeks, but he would eventually… well, just die. I’d have to act heartbroken, as if I’d lost my best friend in the whole world. I researched; the best place to inject the insulin was between two toes, it was almost impossible to detect. But, in the mean-time, I had to work on covering my tracks. I had to build up the bond between Marco and me.

poster of Tony Hawk on one wall. Marco lived for skateboarding. It was his one passion, he was completely hooked. “Marco?” I asked rather sheepishly. He couldn’t hear me with his headphones on, so I sat beside him on the bed. He jerked his head up at me, brown hair falling into his eyes. He swept it aside. “Oh, um… Lauren. Umm… are you like, talking again or what?” He said, politely. He was unsure of what to do, I could tell. “Yeah, I guess. So, what are you listening to?” I tried to break the ice. To be honest, I couldn’t care less what he was

Do you want to listen?” I shuddered. My Chemical Romance? “I’m ok, thanks. Do you want to umm…” I searched his room for something that might interest us both. “Do you want to go to Dundrum, or something? I dunno, just the two of us?” I didn’t need to go shopping, but maybe a whizz through some shops and a smoothie would make him think I had forgiven him. He fell for it. “Oh, yeah Lauren, that would be great. Yeah, I’d love to… but I’m going out with Jessie and Todd today, what about tomorrow?” “I’ve ballet.” “Oh, ok. Another time then. But Lauren,” He said as I got up to leave. “Thanks for forgiving me. I really am sorry, you know.” I nodded. “It’s cool. Don’t worry. Everyone will have forgotten about it soon enough.” As I left the room, a quick, sharp pain pierced my heart. Guilt.

I carried on with my plan regardless, and arranged for a date Marco and I could go into Dundrum. We went around slowly, talking like nothing had happened. Marco got a pair of shoes and I got a skirt, but besides that we just wandered aimlessly through the crowd. It was around this time I suggested to Marco we got some drink. “What? Oh, I dunno… If Mum found out she’d murder us.” Marco was afraid to, I could tell. “Yeah, but she doesn’t

annoying!” I pleaded. I didn’t want to get drunk; this was all part of my plan. “No, we really shouldn’t… and what about my diabetes?” Crap. “Don’t worry! Look, I’ll invite Ally. Maybe if she’s drunk she might say yes if you ask her out!” I was teasing him, and it was working. “Seriously though, what about my diabetes? I’ll come along but I won’t drink anything…” Bull’s eye. “Fine, we’ll get you some water then so you don’t pass out. You little freak…” This was working out perfectly. I’d get him drunk somehow, and then remind him of his insulin injections. I’d tell him he had to take four that day, and he hadn’t taken any yet. He’d inject

and the like, I’d cry and say I felt it was all my fault, blah blah blah. Mum would comfort me, Marco would go into a coma and die a few weeks later. Simple. Or so I thought.

Loads of people turned out at the park later on. I rang Mum, telling her we were going to Todd’s for tea, we’d be back later. Todd’s mum thought he was having tea at our house. Sorted. Ally was there, and Marco immediately started sucking up to her. He became more

-thing to drink?” Ally slurred. “Eh, yeah… Lauren, could you get me something to drink?” Marco was trying to impress her. “Sure, just a sec.” I went over and got a small can from one of the packs. “Here,” I threw it to him. “Enjoy.” “What about you, Lauren? Not having anything?” Ally shouted. “Um… yeah. I wasn’t going to… but…” I needed to stay sober. “Here, have this.” Marco handed me a bottle of water. I took it, and knocked it back. I didn’t even notice it had already been opened.

I watched Marco constantly for another hour or so. I was waiting for him to make a move, something to tell me he was drunk enough for my plan to work. Eventually, I saw him stagger. There was nothing huge, he just lost his footing and fell against the wall.


(continued)

But it was enough. “Marco, we better go home.” I dragged him to his feet. “Come on. Before Mum rings Todd’s mum. See ya, everyone.” Marco hiccupped, but didn’t protest. I steadied him, and, arm in arm, we walked slowly out of the park. I wasn’t drunk, and was able to guide him down the dark alley where I was going to kill him.Marco laughed, but I silenced him quickly. “Shut up,” I whispered. “Do you want the others to know we’re here?” Marco giggled slightly. “Here, take this. No, do it yourself, I don’t want to stick something in you!” I handed him his little bag with his diabetes equipment in it. “Mum says to take three, ok? Or four. Yeah, four injections.” “I already did

it, alright?” Marco laughed again, to him everything I said was hilarious. I looked away as he injected the needle into his tummy. “Ok, now another one. Keep going.” I urged him on. He took two more injections, and then he threw up. My stomach lurched. “Ok, it’s time we brought you home.” I said, as if talking to a young child. But Marco wouldn’t budge. I tried to pull him up, but a sharp pain in my right arm prevented me from getting anywhere. “Ouch!” Marco and I cried in unison. I looked at him. “What?” The pain came back, and I sucked in a deep breath just as Marco grimaced.

the same pain. Marco got sick again, and my belly rolled. “What the hell…” I asked, to no one in particular. “Lauren…” Marco spat. “I really, really, really, really need to tell you some-thing.” I nodded, and he carried on. “Do you know the water I gave you earlier on?” I nod-ded again. “You’re going to laugh, but I put something in it -” He got sick again, all over his top. “Wait, what do you mean? What?!” “I, eh… got some… I don’t know what it was, from that Head Shop in town, you’re going to die Lauren…” He slurred. I managed to laugh. “Seriously, I’m not joking. You have to go to the hosp-“ I took a step back, and leant against the wall. Through my muzzy senses, I thought about what he was saying. Marco had tried to kill me. My twin had tried to kill me. What had I done to him?! Nothing! How could I be related to someone so evil? He had tried to kill me! I laughed out loud, like a lunatic. We were meant to be almost one, always together, best friends. And he… Suddenly, I had a

hospital! Christ, what have I done?” Marco didn’t seem to understand, and he lay on the ground unmoving. “Get up! Just get up!” I shook him, but he didn’t respond. My throat was getting tighter, and I could hardly breathe. I just managed to take out my mobile when I noticed the darkness creeping in around me. It was as if my sight was failing. 9…9…9… I dropped the phone and fell to the ground with a light thud. All my bones turned to jelly.

“Marco, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” I croaked, my mouth feeling like sandpaper. He didn’t say

entwined, I heard something small rustling in the undergrowth beside us, and in the distance, the sound of a siren.

Ceithleann Ní Chonluain

ELIZABETH PERRIN ESSAY PRIZE

Researched Essay - “Modern Ireland”

Before this global crisis, one could argue that Ireland was like a land mine waiting to be stepped on. Hidden beneath a volatile layer of deceit, our nation’s overly greedy builders and self-important bankers were taking full advantage of the Celtic Tiger economy. Since then, we have been led to believe that the recession is dragging this country backwards. However, is it possible that our current circumstances could be the inspiration we need to drive ourselves into a more modern society? Well, as luck would have it, this is entirely possible. In this current situation, this country reminds me of something close to my own heart – a typical teenage girl.

Ireland’s new life as a prosperous country began on its accession into the EU in 1973. Ever since then, we have been growing both in open-mindedness and population. We were getting along well with everyone and had made a name for ourselves as a well-loved country with a generally likeable countenance. However, as with everything else on the planet, we had to grow up at some point. The Celtic Tiger economy came as a major shock to the system. As with puberty, when it initially arrived we were so overwhelmed we were unsure how to react. This lead us

to this turn of events, the general population developed something I like to think of as ADAD: American Dream Aspiration Disorder. We became obsessed with buying designer goods, fancy cars and enough fake tan to orangify the population of China.

Unfortunately, there was trouble stirring beneath the surface. Our case of ADAD became

developers sold buildings constructed with cheap, dire-quality materials for obscene amounts of money. They were laughing all the way to the bank, and the bankers were laughing all the way to their yachts in St Tropez. Suddenly, our blissful bubble of naive ignorance was burst when we realised it was necessary to give back what we had taken out; something which we had not previously considered.

debt of $613 billion. A ripple effect of epic proportions soon followed, with banks all over the world collapsing. This caused all of the questionable activities of the builders and bankers to be revealed, which turned out to be not only outrageous, but also highly illegal. As we began to realise how two-faced our nation’s most trusted and depended-upon citizens had turned out to

we had been taken in by promises of unimaginable wealth. Unfortunately, we realised far too late that our situation was not all that it seemed.

To make up for our overly-trusting attitude towards the banks, our government has been


forced to make drastic cuts to help make up for the !33

20% pay cut for public sector workers and the installation of water meters in over 1,500,000 homes across Ireland. The government cut-backs have resulted in a huge increase in unemployment rates, which are now at an all-time high of 13.4%, compared to an annual average of 6.3% in 2008.

public, with many people threatening to protest against the new economic realities. Anglo Irish Bank has been deemed a “Celtic Chernobyl” by economist Peter Bacon, due to its

e.

However, unlikely as it may seem, there is hope yet. The and has realised we need to get someone in from outside to help sort out our problems. Cue

to be taken with those who have broken the rules.

So, to sum up, I bet you are wondering to yourself “How can a recession be in any way a good thing” and “How does any of this relate to your typical teenage girl?”. Well, if you will be patient for a little bit longer, you will see why. Due to this recession, we have been forced to be honest

of this mess. Many of us have had to alter the way we get by to suit the cut-backs we have had to face. Many others, who have recently been made redundant, have gotten the opportunity to begin afresh and pursue something which they would never have had the courage to aspire to before. In short, through our current circumstances, we have had to learn from our mistakes.

changes in life – like this recession - have brought about. After dealing with people who are duplicitous and dishonest, we have learned to tell the truth and get on with each other to help

much needed wisdom and common sense. It may be too early to tell, but I think it is highly likely that this recession is the kick-start this youthful nation needed to start taking responsibility for its actions, and truly develop into a more modern and mature Ireland.

Aoife Madden

E-LEATHANACH

Is iris Ghaeilge ar an ríomhaire é ‘E-Leathnach’ do pháistí ó rang a cúig agus a sé ach go háirithe. Scríobhann daltaí ón Idirbliain i gColáiste Alexandra scéalta beaga nuachta gach deireadh seachtaine agus seolann siad le ríomhphost iad chu-ig an Máistir Ó Conluain. Ansin ceartaíonn sé an Ghaeilge agus cuireann sé ar aghaidh iad go Coláiste Oideachais Froebel. Cuireann léachtóir ansin pictiúir agus dathanna leis. Gach maidin Luain téann an t-eagrán is déanaí amach go 700 bunscoil in Éirinn agus go foghlaimeoirí eile ar fud an domhain. Bhuaigh ‘E-Leathanach’ duais mhór Eorpach in 2009, an “European Language Label” agus bhuaigh na scríbh-neoirí ón Idirbhliain in Alex “Junior Spider Award” in 2010 as an leas oideachasúil a bhainimid as an teicneolaíocht.

E-Leathanach is a computer based Irish language magazine aimed

by e-mail to An Máistir Ó Conluain. He corrects our Irish and sends them on to Froebel College of Education. There a lecturer edits them and adds images. Each Monday morning then the latest edition arrives in about 700 Primary Schools around Ireland and it is also being used by adult learner groups of Irish all around the world. ”E-Leathanach” won a major educational award in 2009 – The European Language Label – and in 2010

make of IT when researching for and compiling “E-Leathanach”. This year saw 25 editions of E-Leathanach.

You can read E-Leathanach on the college website: http://alexandracollege.eu/academic/gaeilge/eleathanach/


ARDILAUN LECTURE 2009Democracy Under Pressure: Europe Between the Wars

The 2009 Ardilaun Lecture was given by Professor John Horne, Professor of Modern European History at Trinity College Dublin, on Tuesday 8th December 2009.

The lecture considered not only why individual democracies found themselves threatened between the wars but also why the very principles of democracy came under attack from ideological opponents. Democracy was a relative newcomer in Europe as a

functioning system of government, despite having apparently triumphed in 1918-19, with the victory of Britian, France and the USA in the First World War and the Paris Peace Confernece setting up nominally democratic successor states in much of eastern Europe.

for success, as events were to show.

none of their relevance in our own day- how to handle economic crisis (the 1929 crash and the Great Depression), how to make ethnic multi-culturalism a basis for democracy rather than a sources of racial hatred ( a particular problem in the new states of eastern Europe) and how to overcome the political violence bequeathed by the trauma of the Great War. The second kind of tension was ideological, and was generated by those who opposed democracy because they saw the world in totally different terms (Fascists and Communists).

divergent paths of particular states ( France, Germany, Spain, Italy) and the origins of the Second World War.

Despite its demise with the domination of much of Europe by Nazi Germany in the Second World War and of eastern Europe by Soviet Russia from 1945 to 1989, interwar democracy was vibrant and inven-

democracies in the second half of the twentieth century.

We are very grateful to Professor Horne for giving us such an interesting and thought provoking lecture, enabling us to appreciate how central democracy was to the development of modern Europe and thefoundation of the European Union.

Prof. John Horne


“What are you rebelling against? Whaddoya got?” Culture and counter-culture in the Augustan poets.

The seventh annual Eithne Ryan Memorial Lecture in Classics took place in the Lecture Theatre on Thursday 26th November 2009.

the Augustan poets’, was given by Dr Martin Brady of UCD, who took a BA and MA from the University of Durham, followed by a PhD from the University of Bristol.

The lecture was very well attended. Teachers, students, parents and keen classicists alike attended the hour long lecture to

Wild One’. Dr Brady had used this quote to show how the Augustan poets had rebelled against many aspects of the rule of

autocracy of Emperor Augustus’ rule could be found in many poetic works of the time – both thinly veiled and open to all.

Dr Brady took his rapt audience through the works of some of Rome’s greatest and best-known poets (Catullus, Ovid, Horace and Virgil) as well

as some of the lesser known (such as Propertius and Tibullus), pointing out the various pieces of evidence of rebellion in each case.

he, who is in the direct patronage of Augustus, cannot write when told – he is inspired only by love, not by the orders of an Emperor), to

through bloodshed and wounds...’ - in other words, Augustus is enforcing the new age of religion through war), Dr Brady made several convincing arguments for the evidence of rebellion.

After a brief Q&A with the audience, all were invited to the school concourse for a short reception. Whilst snacking on hors d’oeuvres, provided by the canteen staff, attendees discussed the lecture, the school and Eithne Ryan, and many other aspects of the Classics and Latin courses.

A huge thank you must go to the entire Classics Department for organising the lecture, to the canteen staff for providing us with a wonderful reception and, of course, to Dr Brady for his enlightening lecture on culture and counter-culture in the Augustan poets.

Kirsten Levermore

Dr. Martin Brady, Dr. Renate Kurzmann, Dr. Michael Crudden

Molly Garvey, Rachel O’Leary, Irene Ho

EITHNE RYAN LECTURE 2009


The English Debating department had a very successful year as always.

Denny Leinster Schools’ Debating Competition. The team of Caitríona Sheil and Cherone Duggan debated on Thursday, January 28th in UCD and Iseult Gillespie and Chloë Horne debated on Monday, Feb-ruary 1st in Trinity College.

We congratulate them on their hard work and dedication to debating, especially as they

preparation to represent the College.

The Junior teams also enjoyed great success, with third years Iona Campbell and Tess

Schools Plate Competition.

Freya Gillespie and Hannah Bloom-Teskey

competition, as did Anna Nichols and Emma Skelly. Unfortunately Anna and Emma did

represented the College admirably.

English Debating

Senior DebatingBack Row: Rachel Fitzpatrick, Chloe Horne,

Louise Courtney, Caitríona SheilFront Row: Mary Catherine Durcan, Ciara Gibbons,

Ms O’Donovan, Cherone Duggan, Iseult Gillespie

Leinster Schools Debating Teams, Semi-Finalists

Chloe Horne, Iseult Gillespie

Junior Debating FinalistsFreya Gillespie, Ms O’Donovan,

Hannah Bloom Teskey


On Thursday 19th November 2009, three TY students – Meshkat Haque, Harriet Walsh and Kirsten Levermore – attended the Phil Speaks Debating Workshop in Trinity College.

The workshop, hosted by the Philosophy Department at TCD, was designed to give stu-dents an introduction to Senior Debating. Thestudents were taught about British Parliamentary Debating, Impromptu debating and overall presentation and speech writing.

The workshop, which took place in four differ-ent rooms on the TCD campus, was attended by almost 700 students from all over Ireland. The workshop was taken by fourth year TCD students, all of whom were studying Philosophy and an assortment of Economics, Science, His-

with all secondary school students not only learning more about debating, but also spend-ing a day at Trinity and getting a glimpse at what university is really like.

take part in the Phil Speaks Debating

Kirsten Levermore

Phil Speaks Debating Workshop

Junior Debating SocietyBack Row: Thea Lawlor, Tess Higgins, Iona Campbell, Ms O’Donovan, Rachel Blennerhassett, Caoilfhionn Duggan, Hannah Rose Manning

Front Row: Emma Skelly, Jane O’Connor, Hannah Bloom Teskey, Freya Gillespie, Anna Nichols, Toni Adebayo-Oke, Alexandra McDonnell, Kate O’Reilly

Junior Debating TeamsEmma Skelly, Freya Gillespie, Iona Campbell, Ms O’Donovan, Tess Higgins, Hannah Bloom

Teskey, Anna Nichols

Leinster Schools Debating TeamsRachel Fitzpatrick, Chloe Horne, Mary Catherine Durcan, Iseult

Gillespie, Cherone Duggan, Caitríona Sheil

Member of Irish Schools World Debating Team

Louise Courtney


This year, there was great success for the school’s French debating team. L’équipe, com-posed of 5th years Caitriona Callan, Leanne Ennis, Rachel Fitzpatrick, Rachel Lavelle and Lucy Kelly, entered in the Alliance Francaise “Joutes Oratoires” competition.

of the competition, having debated against many talented schools on such motions as “Notre systeme educatif nous prepare bien pour la vie”, “La telerealite nuit a la soci-ete” and “La publicite fait plus de bien que de mal”. Also, captain Rachel Fitzpatrick was awarded best speaker of the competition. It

enjoyed very much.

anyone interested in public speaking or improving their French take part in years to come. We would also like to thank Mrs. Leonard for her huge contribution to the team, providing constant support and help to us throughout the year.

French Debating ALEX I GCRAOBH NA HÉIREANN DE CHOMÓRTAS DÍOSPÓIREACHTA AN PHIARSAIGH GAEL LINN 2010

Lá corraitheach sa choláiste gan dabht, an 25 Márta 2010. Bhí ár bhfoireann shinsearach an-ghnóthach ag cleachtadh a gcuid argóintí don chraobh díospóireachta na hÉireann. . Comórtas é seo atá á reáchtáil go náisiúnta ag Gael Linn do scoileanna dara leibhéil ó 1960 i leith agus bhí os cionn 150 foireann páirteach ann i mbliana.

Captaen, Síofra Ní Mhaoilchiaráin, Anna Ní Chionnaith , Caitríona Ní Chathláin agus Rachel Nic Giolla Phádraig.Sular fhágamar an coláiste, rinneamar agallamh ar Raidió na Gaeltachta ag cur síos ar na rúin uilig a phléamar agus a bhuamar sna babhtaí eile sa chomórtas Ba thaithí iontach é dúinn freisin.

Sa díospóireacht seo bhí foirne ó Choláiste na Toirbhirte, An Mhairdíog, Corcaigh; Scoil Mhichíl Loreto, An

bhí tuairimí spéisiúla, spreagúla ag gach cainteoir !

Foireann ón gColáiste Cistéirseach, Ros Cré, Co. Thiobraid Árann a d’ardaigh an corn agus tuillte go hiomlán acu, bhí siad iontach snasta sa bhréagnú agus an-chumasach mar chainteoirí.

Ábhar mórtais dúinn, go háirithe, go rabhamar páirteach sa bhliain seo mar go bhfuil 50 bliain á cheiliúradh ag Gael linn. Comórtas Díospóireachta Gael Linn a chuireadh ar bun l ag cur le scileanna teanga an aosa óig bliain i ndiaidh bliana’.

Gan dabht ní dhéanfaimid dearmad go deo ar an taithí iontach seo.

Is liosta le háireamh na daoine móra le rá a ghlac páirt ó 1960 i leith i ndíospóireachtaí Gael Linn – ina measc,

hiriseoirí/craoltóirí Marian Finucane, Mary Kennedy, Evanne Ní Chuilinn agus Harry McGee; Iar-Uachtarán CLG Seosamh Mac Donncha, An Breitheamh Mary Laffoy, agus an fear grinn, Dara Ó Briain – agus níl aon dabht ach gur chabhraigh scil na díospóireachta leo siúd ar fad agus iad ag tabhairt faoina ngairmeacha !

Paula Swan

Irish Debating


This year was a very successful one for the Senior Irish Debating Team. “An Fhoireann”, composed of Caitriona Callan, Annah Kenna, Síofra Mulkerrin and Rachel Fitzpatrick entered the Gael Linn Comortas Diospoireachta an Phiarsaigh. We debated against almost every school in Dublin in many interesting, lively, even intense debates. We spoke for and against such motions as “Ta an iomarca airgead phoibli á chaitheamh ar chursai ealaine (too much public money is spent on the arts), “Ba cheart duinn tus aite a thabhairt dar mbochtain fein (we should give a priority to our own poor)” and “Ta ard-chaighdean iriseoireachta againn in Eirinn (Ireland has a high standard of journalism)”.

then both shocked and thrilled to have won and

ghearáin ag oibrithe na hearnála poiblí (The public sector workers have a reason to complain). Though

the team and the school. We would like to give a huge thanks to Ms. Swan for all her help throughout the year, we couldn’t have done it without her support! Being on the team this year was such a

recommend it. It is an opportunity to learn lots of Irish, improve your public speaking skills, make new friends and have great fun.

Rachel Fitzpatrick

Senior Irish Debating

Irish Debating FinalistsAnnah Kenna,

Rachel Fitzpatrick, Ms Swan,

Siofra Mulkerrin, Caitríona Callan

Junior Irish DebatingMs McGinley,

Hannah O’Connor, Tess Higgins,

Aisling O’Grady Walshe


On Thursday, April 15th, 2010, over 150 students gathered in DIT for the annual SciFest competition. Secondary school students travelled from all over Co. Dublin

-

crystal’.

In fourth year, Jenny Drea and I received both the prize for our category and the

project best demonstrates the link between Mathematics and Science, for our

Science in an Irish Institute of Technology’ in October 2010. A huge congratulations to all of the students who took part, and a special thank you to the entire Science department for all of their hard work and support. SciFest

-nity to interact with students from all over the county, were taken on a tour around the DIT campus and were given a wonderful platform on which they could showcase their passion for the Sciences.

Kirsten Levermore

SCIFEST 2010


Particpants in this Year’s SciFest Competition

SciFest overall maths winner and DIT commendation Dr Byrne, Kirsten LevermoreSCIFEST 2010

SciFest overall winners in the Junior Category Rachel Slattery, Ms Conway, Eva Kennedy, Hannah O’Reilly


Three transition years, Beth Milofsky, Kirsten Levemore and Hillelah Lawlor took part in a Youth Symposium as part of this years St. Patrick’s Days Celebration in association with the ISPCC.

Adrian Kennedy, the night time radio presenter chaired the event on the 15th of March. The topic in debate was the positive and negative effects of living in a borderless world. We were

positives.

-

obesity and the fact that the internet is a dangerous place for teenage girls like ourselves. It was a very stirring debate.

Thank you to Mr Redmond and Mr Mustafov for all of your help in preparing us for theSymposium.

Beth Milofsky

ISPCC Youth Symposium

Applied Maths TeamLiana Victory, Mr Burris,

Louise Courtney, Kate Haughton


Inter-School Library Quiz

Thome the Inter-School Library Quiz trophy beating High School in a tense tie-break at

Twenty Dublin schools took part this year so it was an unbelievably packed gym that had the privilege of having Ardal O’Hanlon as the quizmaster for the day. He totally entered into the spirit of the event and was a really entertaining host.

Our team of Erinne Fitzgerald, Susan Buckley, Siofra McNamee, Mary Catherine Durcan,


THE INAUGURAL JOAN KEARNEY SCIENCE LECTURE 2009

Fthe school concourse, attended by over 400 pupils, parents, teachers and members of Joan Kearney's

Pharmacology at the University of Pennsylvania (USA). Professor FitzGerald spoke about, amongst other things, how the rotation

the human body in many ways – from sleep/wake patterns to the body's

our bodies have internal systems that regulate bodily functions each day and night – systems that involve our eyes, our brains and our very genes – and that the process of regulating the functions keeps us healthy. The professor also spoke about not only what scientists do know, but also what they do not - the puzzles, he said, that maybe one day would be solved by one

The evening was rounded off by the

from the scientists and the labs at the University of Pennsylvania - an amazing opportunity!

Kirsten Levermore

DUnder the auspices of the Institute of Translational Medicine and Therapeutics, we worked under the guidance of the eminent Professor Garret Fitzgerald. During our

Science research and Academic Medicine has to offer.

based on application and interview back in February and busied ourselves preparing for this amazing opportunity since then. We stayed with host families in the Philadelphia suburbs and to say that this enhanced our trip would be the greatest understatement I have ever made in this yearbook.

We were brought to baseball games, to the mall, on trips to all the sights of Philadelphia and so much more. The academic side of our trip was surreal. From the

knew that this was going to be an amazing few weeks.

-dertaken. The level of knowledge everyone had was ridiculous, to say the least. Never ones to be left in the dust, we threw ourselves in at the deep end and asked our 20 questions ... every hour.

We moved from station to station every week and even though everyone was involved with their own research and had full schedules they couldn’t have been more helpful and forthcoming with anything and everything we needed or wanted to know.

Philadelphia was the trip of a lifetime and to say we would recommend it to all the girls coming up behind us would be like saying Ireland needs less rain. We would both like to take this opportunity to offer huge thanks to the Science staff for allowing us this brilliant chance. Most of all, we will be forever indebted to Mr. Brendan Kearney, our sponsor for this trip. Through the Joan Kearney Memorial Fund‚ Mr. Kearney

A beloved teacher on the Science staff for many years, Mrs. Kearney has been an

Mr. Kearney, we will be forever grateful and hope we were able to do you proud!

Yvanne Kennedy

Joan Kearney ScholarshipYvanne Kennedy, Maeve Jones-O’Connor

Documents

The Alexandran: Alexandra College Yearbook 2009-2010 - Section 2 - Academics