Rice College NewsFirst Term • 2015-2016 Issue 67 • Dec

Edmund Rice Schools TrustIontaobhas Scoileanna Éamainn Rís

It is that time of year again as we get ready for Christmas, Exams done and results in the post. This term saw the Official Opening of our Astro-Turf Facility along with our new all-weather grass playing field beside our Gymnasium. These facilities are proving to be a phenomenal success for the health and wellbeing of students in our school. The official opening was performed by Minister Michael Ring, Martin Keating and Cathaoirleach Michael Holmes in warm sunshine. Thanks to everyone who attended and sincere thanks to all the members of the fundraising committee. Out of hours bookings can be made through Carrowbeg Stores (087) 7431733 (098) 25454. Our grass pitch still needs goal posts and ball stops to complete the project. These are ordered and should be erected soon. Our green schools committee was awarded our schools fifth green flag so we took this opportunity to raise the flag on the same day! Congratulations to all the teams who are still competing in a range of sporting competitions and many thanks to everyone involved in facilitating all the extra-curricular activities in and outside of our school. Well done to all the winning competitors and participants in the many quizzes and awards to date. It was brilliant to see the large number of students involved and presented with medals at the Gaisce and Pope John Paul 2 award ceremonies. The hugely enjoyable and successful Transition Year Musical entertained us in early October with the European debut of “Popstars The Musical”. The 180 cast of Transition Year Students involved, furthered the close collaboration between the secondary schools and followed up with a joint trip to Dublin. AXO Architects are working on plans for our new extension and we are hopeful we will be in a position to apply for Planning Permission early in 2016. Continuing to build on our IT infrastructure we have just ordered 24 new machines to meet the demands of our students studying Design and Communication Graphics DCG. This means we will have an extra suite of machines for use in school. Our Parents Council continues with its wonderful work and our annual Card Drive was once again successful.Change of Date: 1st Year PTM is now 20th January 2016. Thanks to everyone who contributes in so many different ways to develop our boys, academically, spiritually, physically and vocationally to become young men. Every good wish for the Christmas Holidays and 2016.

Michael RabbetteSchool Principal

Back Row L-R: Kevin Ryder, Robbie Harper, Emmet Rowley, Rory Brickenden, Stephen Loftus, Jordan Donnellan, Pat Lambert, Iarla Keane, Mark Moran, Cian Kennedy. Oisín Moran, Manus Smyth, Louis Hoban.Front Row L-R: Shane Conway, Joint Manager; Patrick Chambers, Keith Joyce, John McGlynn, Fintan McManamon Capt, Jack Carney, Gareth Jordan, Michael Brady, Kevin McGuire, Eoghan McLoughlin, Luca Ó Riain, Sean McGreal, Martin Connolly, Joint Manager.

Junior “A” Football V St. Jarlaths

Rice College 7-09, St. Jarlaths 1-08 Junior “A” League Semi-Final

“POPSTARS! - The 90’s Musical”It’s boyband V girlband in this fun filled musical. Packed with 1990’s favourites such as The Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, N*SYNC, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, MC Hammer and many more. The two bands enter a talent show but there is just one small problem ... the boys can’t dance and the girls can’t sing!Congratulations to all the Transition Year Students from Rice College and the Sacred Heart school on a fantastic collaborative production of ‘Popstars the 90s Musical’. Four weeks of hard graft came to a spectacular end with a series of matinee and evening performances. Well done to all involved. A special thank you to TY coordinators Mr. Martin Gill and Ms. Margaret Donnelly for all their leadership and praise throughout the rehearsals.This Musical has been a great learning experience for the TY students from both schools.. They learned to co-operate and work together in groups, helping them also to grow as individuals.

The CastShannon Kayla O’MalleyMark Andrew CurridPatrick John RyanVinnie Michael BradySteffi Niamh GunningShane Simon McDonnellTina Anna SammonSimon Austin Nabil El MassryPrincipal Thomas GannonCharlie Sadhbh HanksTerri Eleanor FoyDJ Prince Dylan RalphElla Sylvie Stafford-JohnsonCarrie Emma DoyleHost Darragh HunterChef Joey Oisín O’RourkeSports Coach Jonathan McGlynn

Rice College Celebrates European Languages Day

Our 1st Yr. students celebrated “European Languages Day” by viewing a French film in the plush surroundings of the Theatre in the New Town Hall, Westport. The students really enjoyed the film. A special word of thanks to Ms. Rosaleen Heraty, Manager of the Town Hall, and Ms. Lorella Errani, Secretary, who were most welcoming, ensuring a pleasant experience for the students.Our boys are pictured below assisting the Westport Committee in organizing boxes of Humanitarian Aid for the Cork 2 Calais Refugee shipment at the end of the film show.

Celebrating French Language/ Culture on European day of languages

By Ms. Geraldine Walsh, French teacher

The European day of languages, September 26th is an initiative organised by the Council of Europe to encourage language learning across Europe. To celebrate this day, and to promote learning French, a number of co- and cross curricular activities were organised in Rice College. The day began with a music celebration during the morning break. Students and teachers participated to the delight of the student body.

Principal’s Message

Official Opening of Astroturf pitches at Rice College- Sept 2015

Following a large fundraising effort and a spend to date of €355.000, the new Astroturf and separate large all-weather grass sports pitch facilities at Rice College Westport, were opened recently. Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Dept. of Tourism and Sport, who grant aided the project under the Sports Capital Programme, was at hand to cut the ribbon. He was joined by the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Michael Holmes; Mayo County Council’s Acting Director of Services for the area, Martin Keating, who provided a large contribution with the support of the now abolished Westport Town Council; Board of Management, Parents’ Council, Rice College Facilities Committee, teachers, students and School Principal, Mr. Michael Rabbette.

Joe and Annmarie Corcoran made a welcome contribution

Joe and Annmarie Corcoran from Westport Hotel Group made a presentation in support of the new facilities to Michael Rabbette, School Principal.Pictured L-R: Dr. Rossa Horgan, Neil O’Neill, Pitch Dev. Committee; Michael Rabbette, Principal; Joe and Annmarie Corcoran, Charlie Lambert, facilities development committee & Mayo Sports Partnership; Edel McAllister, Pitch Development Committee.

Back Row L-R: Claire Cunningham, Stephen Gallagher, (Westport Hurling Club), James Treacy, Pat Lambert, Niall McManamon, Paul Duffy, Stephen Walsh, Alan Mulroy, Sean O’Donnell, Iarla Kane, Stephen Loftus, Matt Horan, Alan McHale, Conal Sadler, Wetport Hurling Club. Front Row L-R: Gareth Jordan, Keith Hastings, Kealan Gallagher, Ben Doyle, Paul Lambert, Michael Gallagher, Michael Brady, Kevin Geraghty, James Gallagher, Rory Ward, Liam Doheny, Kevin Grogan.

Rice College Senior Hurling Team

1st Yr Hurling Team at Blitz in BallyvaryThis is a very accomplished hurling outfit. They easily outclassed all opposition on the day. Keep up the good work boys. Full credit to everybody associated with the team

Back Row L-R: Ms. Sandra Hall, Joint Manager; Alan Mulroy, Team coach; Eanna Geraghty, Ray Walsh, Padraig Murphy, Finn McKeown, Tommy Scahill, Conor Galvin, Conor Birmingham, Matt Horan, Ms. Niamh Hoban, Joint Manager.Front Row L-R: Liv Yi Chen, Lorcan Gannon, Kevin Gannon, Sean Óg O’Brien, Malcolm McEvilly, Jake Kelly, Rossa Horgan, Aaron Kitterick.

1St. Year Soccer V Garbally

Senior Football team 2015 -2016

Back L-R: Colin Guilfoyle, Joey Smyth, David Hanley, Darragh McNulty, Eoin Rowley, Patrick O’Malley, Niall McManamon, Kevin Lavelle, Fionn Quigley McDonagh, Stephen O’Malley, Richard O’Malley, Ryan Moran, Brian O’Malley, Paul Moran.Front L-R: Paul Lambert, Aidan Walsh, Donagh Walsh, John Ryan, Ben Doyle,Oisín McLaughlin, Chris Heanue, Conor Madden, Killian Kilkelly, Alan McHale, Alan Kennedy, Diarmuid McNulty, Colm Moran.

Rice College 2-12 Ballinrobe C.S. 0-02

Rice College 8; Garbally College 2

Back L-R: Aaron Mullarkey, Shane McGovern, Thomas Scahill, Ryan Askin, Adam Sheridan, Ms. Claire Cunningham, Joint Manager.Front L-R: Joseph Grady, Rossa McAllister, Oisín Ryall, Malcolm McEvilly, Michael Hastings, Mark Forrestal.

Rice College 3 - 11St. Gerald’s 2 - 07

Rice College went on to contest the Mayo Colleges Final against Ballyhaunis C.S. on November 10th in Bekan. Conditions were wet, cold and windy. Our boys with the help of Stephen Gallagher and Conal Sadler from Westport Hurling Club fought a gallant contest against a much stronger outfit, going down on a scoreline of 5- 15 to 2-4.

U19 Soccer V Pres College Headford Rice College 7; Pres. Headford 2

1st Yr Gaelic Football V St. Gerald’s Cian Coleman Commemorative Cup “A” Final

Back L-R; James Keane, Joe Cuddy, Coach; James Walsh, Ryan Askin, Luke Long, Padraig Murphy, Finn McKeown, Sean Mulchrone, Conal Muldoon, Ray Grady, Shane McGovern, Adam Sheridan, Joe Grady, Adam Ketterick, Eanna Geraghty, Patrick Kerrigan, Kevin McLoughlin, Manager.Front L-R: Joshua Lally, Oisín Ryall, Ethan Gannon, Darren Foy, Caoimhin Nolan, Dylan Galvin, Tommy Scahill, Ruairí McNea, Rossa McAllister, Sam Walsh, Malcolm McEvilly, Mark Forrestal, Ian Murphy.

Back L-R: P. J. Calvey, Coach; Paul Doyle, Cathal Chambers, Keith Carolan-Joyce, Peter Corcoran, Brendan Clarke, Manager; Claire Cunningham, Assistant; Front L-R: Eoin Conway, Jack Murphy, Mikey O’Brien, Capt; Cian Dunne, Cillian Kilkelly, Ciarán McGovern.

UCD Entrance Scholars Award

Congratulations to Sean Kitterick who was awarded an Entrance Scholars Award at the UCD Awards ceremony. UCD Entrance Scholars are first year students, recognised for their academic achievement in receiving 560 points or more in their Leaving Certificate 2015. Pictured L-R: Mr. Michael Rabbette, School Principal; Mr. Eamon Kitterick, Sean Kitterick, UCD Entrance Scholar and Ms. Catherine Kitterick.

It looked at half time that St. Gerald’s were on the way to an easy victory, leading 2-2 to 0-2 at the interval, but Rice College made St. Gerald’s battle all the way for victory. Our 2 points came from Rossa Horgan and Conal Muldoon. Tommy Scahill made some fine saves that kept us in the game. Early in the 2nd half, St. Gerald’s found the net with a long range effort that seemed to put Gerald’s in an unassailable position. We needed goals badly to stay in the game and we got them quickly, one from Joe Grady and 1-1 from Conal Muldoon. Gerald’s responded with a goal, which proved to be their last score. The final two scores came from Oisín Ryall (0-1) and a goal from Sean Mulchrone in the 58th minute.Cian Coleman was a former St. Coleman’s pupil, who died two years ago aged 16 years. The Final was a fitting tribute to Cian’s memory, which was warmly appreciated by his parents and family who were there to present the Cup to the winning captain.

St. Gerald’s: 4 - 4; Rice College: 3 -5

Sporting brothers Lee & Phil Keegan dropped in to visit the 1A boys and their mother, Dot, who is an SNA with the class. The All-Star and his talented brother chatted with the class and answered their many questions. We want to thank Dot for organising the visit and Lee and Phil for taking the time out to drop by. We wish youl every success in the future!

A surprise visit for 1A Class

An appreciative audience

Shane Conway’s detailed match stats

The Junior Certificate Religious Education examination consists of two elements – a written examination worth 80% and a Journal work project worth 20% of overall marks which is completed before the actual written examination in June. 3A students are currently completing a title associated with the Major World Religion ‘Islam’ for their Junior Certificate exam. In order for this to be completed, it is helpful for students to visit a Mosque and we are very lucky to have a Mosque close-by in Ballyhaunis. We arranged to visit the Mosque earlier this week & on arrival our students were greeted by Mrs. Manar Cherbaji a Muslim lady originally from Syria. Here they interviewed Manar and observed the sacred text in Arabic, symbols and different movements associated with the religion. Each student was given the opportunity to ask Mrs. Cherbaji a question associated with her religion Islam. On returning to school, they then completed written tasks associated with the trip before completing their official Journal Project work.Our students enjoyed their visit to the Mosque in Ballyhaunis & their fruitful experience of learning first-hand about another major world religion other than Christianity.

First Year students created innovative and colourful works of art and are commended for their hard work and creativity. The winners are: 1st: Oscar Dever, 2nd

Sean Lydon, 3rd Ronan Slattery, 4th Michael Mullarkey and 5th Evan Ralph. Congratulations to the winners and well done to all the participants. Also pictured: (L) Ms. Geraldine Walsh, French teacher and (R) Ms. Julie Kennedy, Art teacher.

Peadar Gardiner visited Rice College today and gave the students an interesting presentation about Mindspace Mayo. Mindspace Mayo is a free and confidential support service to promote young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Mindspace’s aim is to support young people, aged 15-25, who are going through a difficult time. For more information about Mindspace Mayo log onto their website www.mindspacemayo.ie or follow them on Facebook.

Friday, October 16th. was a very successful night for Rice College students at the inaugural Westport Credit Union quiz for secondary schools.1st. Place: Damien Doherty, Cian Dunne, Dale Friel and Cian Geraghty, while William Chambers, Ian Dennany, Daniel Moran and Niall Murray secured 3rd place.There was also success for Conor Birmingham, Dennis Kelly, Sean Lydon and Ronan Sheridan who had the best score for a 1st year team. Congratulations boys!Thanks to Westport Credit Union and the management and staff of Hotel Westport for a great evening and for looking after the boys so well.

Westport Credit Union Quiz for Secondary schools

By Elaine Ferguson

Student’s Council 2015 - 2016

Back Row: Dylan Ralph (TY), Daniel McGovern (TY), Ronan Price (5th Yr), Mr Rabbette, School Principal; Isaac Brikenden (6th Yr), Conor O’Hanlon (6th Yr), Damien Doherty (5th Yr),Front Row: Ms. Sandra Hall, Thomas Tunney (3rd Yr), Ryan Askin (1st Yr), Keith Joyce (2nd Yr), David Loftus (2nd Yr), Peter Joyce (3rd Yr), Raymond Walsh (1st Yr), Mrs. Ríona Lawless.

President’s Gaisce Awards 2015

Promoting French & Multiculturalism in Rice College through medium of Art

Back L-R: Robert Wallace, Aodh McGinley, Ben Doyle, Aaron O’Flaherty, Mickey O’Brien, Aidan Walsh, Ian Dennany, Rory Gannon, Sam Carroll, Centre L-R: Kevin McLoughlin (Teacher), Daragh Walsh, William Chambers, Padraig O’Haire, Stephen O’Malley, George Reid, Andrew Moran, Frank Shackleton, Mr. Michael Rabbette, Principal.Front L-R: Martin Gill (Teacher), Niall Murray, Mr. Hugh McConville (Gaisce), Lee Keegan, Damien Doherty (Silver medal), Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at Dept. of Sport and Tourism, Cian Geraghty, Mrs. Ríona Lawless (Gaisce Project), Daniel Horgan.

3A Students Visit local Mosque in BallyhaunisBy Ms. Susan Mannion- Religion Teacher

Aiden Mannion talks to Business ClassBy Colin McConway, Teacher of Business

Leaving Certificate Business students showed true entrepreneurial flair when they decided to invite Aiden Mannion to the school. After watching the ‘Better off Abroad’ show on RTE 1 presented by George Lee, their interest was piqued when they realised that one of the main contributors to the show was Aiden Mannion, a native of Ballyheane and brother of Miss Susan Mannion, a teacher here in Rice College.On the programme, he spoke about his work with the San Francisco 49ers American football team and his role in selling corporate seats at the Levi’s Stadium to companies as diverse as Google and Facebook to Philips Electrical. While this indeed can be a fast-paced, stressful and ultra-competitive work environment, Aiden enjoys his work and the Californian lifestyle. Considering he is presently living in San Francisco and is just an hour away from Las Vegas, who can blame him!During his talk with the students, Aiden shared some of his sales acumen ranging from dealing with targets, working with sales teams, managing clients, closing deals and the importance of building up strong business networks.However, having graduated with a Business degree from Dublin City University, he consistently put emphasis on education and adopting a strong work ethic to both their studies and ultimately their chosen careers.While Aiden has indeed worked hard, he is certainly reaping his just rewards now. This will help motivate our students to put in the effort and who knows, in a few years, George Lee may be wanting to hear their success story too. On behalf of all at Rice College, thanks for the visit Aiden. Go 49ers

Science Week at Rice College

Science Week 2015 saw the students at Rice College embracing and celebrating the world of Science. This year’s event aimed to motivate students from all year groups to engage with science at home, in the classroom and in their everyday lives. With this in mind, students were encouraged to participate in the Science Week Challenge and Science Week Poster competition. An excellent group of dedicated TY students put together a Science Magic Show which highlighted to students the everyday nature of Science and also the thrilling side to Science, as they carried out number of impressive demonstrations from ‘Magic Tea Bags’ to ‘Flaming Bubbles’ and ‘Money to Burn’, to name but a few.Well done to all students who embraced Science Week 2015. Congratulations to Caolan O’Brien (3rd Year) and William Chambers (5th Year) who were the winners of the Science Week Challenge. Also congratulations to Kieran Weston (1st Year), winner of Science week Poster competition.

By James Stephens, Science Teacher

Today LCA students presented a cheque for €557 to Colm Fagan from Aware. LCA and TY students recently bag packed in Tesco to raise the funds for Aware.5th year students participated in Aware’s Beat the Blues workshop today. Many thanks to Colm for coming to Rice College and presenting to our students.

Aware benefits from students’ work

Rice College Mentors 2015 - 2016

Front L-R: Daniel L. Moran, Alan Kennedy, Kevin Lavelle, Patrick O’Malley, Michael Gallagher, Pat Joyce.Centre L-R: Ms. Anne Donald-Joyce, Programme Co-ordinator; Chris Heanue, Peter Corcoran, Darragh Walsh, Damien Doherty, Dale Friel, Mrs. Ríona Lawless, Programme Co-ordinator.Back L-R: Oisín McLaughlin, Jack Murphy, Robert Wallace, Daniel Moran, Sean Tierney, Andrew Ferson, Patrick Brophy.

Front L-R: Ms. Elaine Ferguson, Teacher; Mr. Colm Fagan, Aware; Eoin O’Grady, Peter Spellman, Ms. Julie Kennedy, Teacher.Back L-R: Niall O’Malley, Oskar Borkowski and Conor Sweeney

Congratulations again to Damien Doherty, Dale Friel, Cian Dunne and Cian Geraghty who also won the Macra na Feirme quiz in The Welcome Inn recently.

Students visit Lough Key Forest ParkBy Ms. Tina Görke

In October, a large group of students from first, second and third year went to Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle for a day of team-building activities, accompanied by Mr. Padraic Hughes, Mr. Michael Hodges (SNA) and Ms. Tina Görke. We have been taking students to Lough Key for several years now, and it is always a fantastic and rewarding day out . Students could opt for the Boda Borg experience or the ever popular zip-lining. Boda Borg is an indoor questing experience, where participants in teams of 3-5 members attempt a variety of mental and physical challenges with no instructions, progressing through 47 rooms. It was a brilliant and fun-filled activity that our students thoroughly enjoyed! Students who were after the total adrenalin rush and who love extreme challenges, opted for zip-lining, given they had no fear of heights!! The zip-lining course at Lough Key is amazing: The 1.5 Km course includes a circuit of five different levels, something to suit every ability, the highest point on the blue circuit is 15 metres! It was impressive to see so many students brave enough to tackle the blue circuit – hats off to everyone, you did yourselves proud!

Raising our 5th Green Flag.

On September 15th the Rice College community with Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Dept. of Tourism and Sport and members of Westport Town Council, came together to raise our 5th Green Flag. It was a fantastic acknowledgement of all the hard work and effort put in by the Green Schools committee and all those involved.Rice College have now received the following Green Flags: litter and waste, energy, water, travel and biodiversity.Well done to all those involved.

By Ms. Paula Behan

Well done to our 36 students who were presented with their Pope John Paul II Award on Thursday night. Archbishop Michael Neary presented the medals to our boys in Our Lady’s Basilica, Knock. A special thanks to our singers, Daniel M. Moran, Conor Gibbons, Seán Tierney and Daniel L Moran, who represented our school so well during the ceremony. It was a fantastic night and would not have been possible without the dedication and support of their teachers Ms Riona Lawless (Award Organiser & Supervisor), Ms Niamh Hoban (Award Supervisor) and Mr Martin Gill (Transition Year Coordinator). Congratulations on this wonderful achievement!

Students receive Pope John Paul II medals from Archbishop Neary

Daniel L Moran, Conor Gibbons, Daniel C Moran and Sean Tierney on guitar represented our school during the ceremony in Knock. Well done.

Scenes from TY Musical

By Ms. Aoife Caffrey Project Organisor

Mindspace Mayo

The Homework Club is running again this year in Rice College. It is designed to assist first year students to complete their work in a structured environment and to develop good study habits. They have the assistance of their peers and teacher should they need it. It has proven very popular amongst our first year students. Homework club runs every Monday and Thursday for all first year students between 3.45 and 4.30 P.M.

First year history students in 1C have been working on a class project designed to create Rice College’s very own hoard of Bronze Age artefacts. Ireland was a leading nation in the creation of golden objects throughout the Bronze Age, indeed, we refer to the period as the ‘Golden Age of Irish Art’. The Bronze Age ‘beaker people’ were highly talented goldsmiths and created beautiful objects such as torcs, lunulae, gorgets, armlets and sun discs. 1C students gathered recyclable materials from home and school to create replicas of Ireland’s Bronze Age treasures.

By Ms. Niamh Hoban - History Teacher

Jack Houston shows off his flammable bubbles

James Keane 1st Yr. a happy volunteer

Nathan & Konstantin with “Money to Burn”

College entry requirements and the points system has come in for some scrutiny over the years and the new approach should be of interest to everyone.While the recent New Common Points Scale announced for College Entry 2017 does not affect current Leaving Certificate Students, it does have significance for 5th Year pupils and younger.The review of the older system highlighted a possible unfairness when it came to people selected for places at third level, when using the random selection process. It was decided to keep as close as possible to relative value of the ordinary level and higher level points scale in current use. We have been told that all students, irrespective of when they sat the Leaving Certificate, will be awarded points using the newly introduced scale, if applying for college from 2017 onwards.It is probably easier to consider the new approach to the points scale by accepting it in the revised format in which it has been presented to us as it will be from 2017. It consists of eight levels. There will be eight grade levels in each level awarded as follows: Higher and ordinary grades will range from H1/O1 at 90-100%marks, H2/O2 at 80<90, H3/O3 at 70<80, H4/O4 at 60 <70, H5/O5 at 50<60. H6/O6 at 40<50, H7/O7 at 30<40 and H8/O8 at 0<30. The revised points scale from 2017 for the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) will be as follows – Distinction 66 points, Merit 46 points and Pass will be awarded at 28 points.Those who are interested in comparing the older approach with the new one, and about the QQI (Quality and Qualifications Ireland) awards framework equivalences for Further Education and Training, will find such a table on www.transition.ie Two further points need to be noted from 2017 onwards - the first is that it has been decided to keep with the 25 bonus points in Higher Level Mathematics for H6 grade and above. The second relates to changes in the Matriculation Requirements for College Entry. If a requirement asks for 2 higher level C3 grades and 4 ordinary level D3 grades currently, under the new approach these will become 2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 in 2017.Where 5 ordinary level D3 grades are asked for, these will be at 5 O6/H7 grades. Under the older grade system where 3 higher level and 3 ordinary level D3 grades were the norm, these will be required at 3 H5 and 3 O6/H7 grades from 2017.

Changes To The Points Scale For College Entry 2017 By Ms. Anne Donald-Joyce (Guidance Counsellor)

The students of TY are planning to embark on a very interesting and exciting research project but we need your help! We hope to commemorate the centenary of the 1916 Rising by finding out the links between our current student and staff population with that period of Irish history. If you know of any relatives who were involved in the Rising or the War of Independence 1919-1921, we would greatly appreciate you sharing this knowledge with us. Or if you have any relatives who took part in World War 1 or World War 2 or any other conflict, we would like to honour them also. The TYs will be getting started on interviews early in the New Year so get researching and we’ll be in touch! Thank you from all in the History Dept.

Rice College TYs to remember 1916.

By Ms. Marianne Jordan History Teacher

The Golden Age of Irish Art

First Year students have been busy since September raising money for this year’s MS Read-a-thon. They have enjoyed reading lots of books in order to help out the charity, MS Ireland. Well done boys.

By Ms. Heather Coleman

1C students certainly have the Midas touch!