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Ard Scoil na nDéise "Reaching our Potential with Respect, Care and Friendship" |
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Cross Country, Irish Guide Dogs, Public Speaking Project, Carol Service 12th December 2011 Waterford Schools Cross Country Results. Mrs. Ashe and her athletes had a very successful outing recently at the Waterford Schools Cross Country Championships with all teams doing very well. Ard Scoil tied for the All Round Cup with the Ursuline, Waterford and St. Augustines. Well done girls!
Visit of Irish Guide Dogs.
Last Tuesday our school had a visit from two representatives of Irish Guide Dogs Association, Jill and Kate and their dogs, Ocean and Lacey. Lacey works as a fundraising dog while Ocean is a fully trained guide dog for Jill who is visually impaired. Kate spoke of her work as a volunteer and the work of puppy walkers. She told us of the different jobs the dogs are trained for. As well as guide dogs for the Blind, the centre in Cork is now the only place in Europe to train assistance dogs and companion dogs. They do wonderful work and rely on voluntary subscriptions to fund it.
Jill spoke of the difference to her life since she got Ocean who has given her confidence to move about freely outside her home.
We hope to continue fundraising for this terrific cause and hopefully meet both the women and their dogs in the near future. This Christmas, our school will be selling Guide Dog Christmas cards and calendars to help raise funds for this worthy cause.
Eleanor Walsh, Emma de Paor and Tara Healy. Mental Health Ireland Public Speaking Project. Last Wednesday, the Ard Scoil hosted a preliminary round of Mental Health Ireland’ public speaking project. We welcomed members of M.H. Ireland who chaired and adjudicated the event and a very experienced team from the Presentation, Waterford.
Three of our T.Y. students, Chloe Keane, Emma Casey and Ellen Power returned from work experience two weeks ago to face into schoolwork and their involvement in the Panto. With just a few days to prepare, all three wrote excellent essays on their chosen topics which each delivered in their own unique style. The judges commented on each girl’s speech and complimented them on both the content and the delivery. However, on the day, the team from Presentation was chosen to go forward to the next stage of the project. Members of Mental Health encouraged the girls to continue to take part in public speaking events and I’ve no doubt we’ll see them shine again in the future as all staff and students who heard them speak were very impressed. Well done girls. Carol Service At noon, on Wednesday,December7th,we all went to the Friary Church for our annual carol service, celebrated by Fr. Flor O’Callaghan and Fr.Paul Waldron. Following words of welcome from 6th year student, Sophie Curran, Fr, Waldron spoke of the meaning of Advent and 1st year pupils, Chloe Jordan, Tara Keeley and Shannon K. Fitzgerald explained the advent wreath and its four candles. The Second Year choir sang “Do you hear what I hear”, followed by Jessica O’Brien who delivered the first reading from the prophet Isaiah. Aisling Hayes, Rachel French and Jenny Hurley read from the Holy Gospel according to Luke 1;26-38. Edel Power and the 3rd year choir sang “O Holy Night”. Prayers of the Faithful were read by Dervla Kearns, Caitriona Slevin, Spanish student Racquel, Roísín Claffey, Erin Morrissay and U.S. student Brona Campbell. The Reflection was delivered by Aisling Foley and then Principal, Mrs. Hughes addressed the congregation before we ended the service by singing “Silent Night” A big thank you to Fr. Flor and Fr.Paul, to religion teachers Mrs. Lucey, Ms. Cotter and Ms. O’Shea and to music teachers Mrs. Lucey and Ms Fahey. Thank you to the wonderful choirs and musicians who certainly brought the Christmas spirit to life! |
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