Newpark Newsletter - May 2017

Newpark Newsletter

Issue number 51, 50 May November 2017 2016 Continued on page 9

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Mr Derek Lowry The school year 2016- 17 is approaching a conclusion and it is time to reflect on some of the different aspects of activity which have gone on during the year.

Since the end of the last school year the global environment has changed in some ways while some long-standing issues remain. We have had the vote of the UK to leave the European Union, the election of a new American President, the continuing migrant crisis across Europe, the ongoing Syrian crisis and issues of hunger and famine in sub-Saharan Africa. With the continued growth of the internet the volume of information around so many issues is enormous. How we decipher all that information leads us to make judgements about the situations and individuals involved. The term ‘fake news’ has now entered our everyday vocabulary. It is a very challenging term as what may be fake news to some is the truth to others.

This underpins the importance of educating students to carefully consider issues, to listen to differing opinions with respect and to be able to differentiate between fact, opinion and commentary. Also, we need to educate students that disagreement about issues can be genuinely held without resort to personal insult.

This is more important than ever in our challenging times.

In relation to that, it is very encouraging to see the number of students who were recently involved in the Model United Nations in the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire. This event has been a preserve of the private fee paying schools in the past so it was great to see how well the students from Newpark performed.

The school, through the voluntary contribution and the PTA, was delighted to be able to support Newpark participants especially as the initial initiative last year came from the students themselves. While the longterm funding may be an issue to look at, we very much hope that many more students will take part and develop their skills of research and debate over the coming years.

I want to thank the PTA for their continued support of so many aspects of school life. They are an incredibly committed group, who work tirelessly not just in a fund-raising capacity but also in providing support through relevant talks for parents. This year John Sharry, a psychologist working with families and columnist with the Irish Times, has given two very relevant talks on ‘Promoting Positive Self-esteem and confidence in children’ and ‘When worries take over: helping teenagers overcome anxiety’. The talks were informative and engaging: the task of parenting is never easy and there are no quick solutions to issues that may arise.

In relation to promoting self-esteem, it is important that as a school we try to offer as many students as 2 possible the opportunity to succeed in their areas of

strength. This is one of the most effective ways to build self-esteem. In the public arena, it is still the area of academic excellence in schools that has more kudos than any other attribute. We do not see the Leaving Certificate Applied student who received the highest number of credits nationally pictured on the front page of the newspaper or interviewed on the radio or TV. That student has achieved excellence in the course they have completed. They will have shown a high standard of interpersonal skills in their work during the two years. They will be able to go into the world of work with skills that employers value. These skills and talents need greater recognition.

As a school, we must continue to try to offer as broad a range of activities and experiences both inside and outside the classroom to give students opportunities to show their abilities and talents. As the changes in the new Junior Cycle programme are embedded there will be much greater recognition of the variety of talents demonstrated by students during the first three years in secondary school. An example of this was the superb range of talent exhibited by all those involved in the tenth anniversary performance of the Junior Plays.

This was a great example of collaboration between Senior and Junior students which produced five very different and very entertaining plays. For students in the new Junior Cycle, achievements not just in Drama but Sport, Music and other areas will now be formally recognised alongside the academic subjects in their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement.

Through all the various curricular and extra-curricular activities, students can develop knowledge, skills and relationships which improve their ability to cope and manage in an increasingly turbulent world. Teachers and SNAs are a key component of this. I want to thank all the teaching staff and SNAs for their constant commitment to providing such a broad and fulfilling experience for so many of our students.

It has been a very challenging year in terms of industrial relations within all secondary schools. It has been the aim of all staff in Newpark to manage this situation with as little impact on long term relationships as possible - any solutions reached will be worked out at a national level while all in the school must continue to work with each other. Through all the activities and events you read about in this newsletter, you will see the constant collaboration between staff, students and teachers with the ultimate aim of building the self-esteem among our students and helping them to achieve everything they can achieve.

I want to thank our nurses, maintenance, administrative and cleaning staff for their invaluable contribution to the day to day running of the school.

Finally I would like to wish all 6th and 3rd year students the best of luck and success in their state exams. In particular, I hope that all our 6th years will

fulfil their own ambitions in the years to come. To all other students, I hope that the summer exams will be successful and that you and your Parents/Guardians will have a very enjoyable summer.

Scifest@Newpark 2017 In January 2017, First Year students were involved in SciFest - the annual in-house science competition.

They spent four weeks hypothesising, planning experiments, collecting data and presenting the results.

On Tuesday 31st January, we held two exhibitions in the GPA where students displayed their work. Sheila Porter (SciFest CEO) attended the event to decide the winners of the competition and Oisín O’Sullivan 4AK

and Michael Hall 4MDY supported her on the judging panel. We had a wide variety of fascinating projects that investigated topics such as horticulture, the senses, energy conservation, forces and much more.

Well done to all of the First Year students on their involvement and for once again making the event a great success! The Science Department would also like to thank the PTA for their generous support for this initiative.

Ms Lynn Anderson I was in a group with Sonny and Matthew for SciFest.

We chose to do our science project on the question 'Does the temperature of the water affect the growth of a plant?'. We carried out the experiment over a few weeks and made a poster with the results we collected, which we displayed for the competition. On the day we presented to the SciFest judges, and afterwards our group was chosen as winners of our half of the year.

Oran O’Sullivan, First Year

Judging SciFest Two Transition Year students, Michael Hall and myself (Oisin O’Sullivan), were asked to judge the First Years’ SciFest projects with Sheila Porter (the creator of SciFest).

The competition was split into two halves, one during the morning classes and the second in the afternoon classes.

At the start of the day the first year students came down and set up their displays in the GPA. Then the judging began. With so many projects to judge, we split them up and took a group each. The standard was very good and there was some excellent projects, whose research and scientific method were top notch.

The whole judging process was quite enjoyable on my part seeing so many young scientists. I hope the first years had as much fun as I did. After viewing our groups, we gave the other judges a list of the stand-out ones from our groups. Afterwards the deliberation began, with prizes for first and second place and the best poster. Mr Lowry kindly presented the prizes and then we took everything down, ready to do it all again in the afternoon!

Many thanks to Ms Anderson who organised the SciFest for the school.

Oisin O’Sullivan, Transition Year

UCD Science Awards Five ex-Newpark students received academic medals for excellence from the UCD College of Science at an awards ceremony on April 19 this year.

Four students from the class of 2015 - Aaron McLaughlin, Conor Noonan, Christine O'Neill and Luan Riddell - first year awards. Four out of 46 first year awards is a pretty good strike rate for Newpark!

Charles Marchant (class of 2013) won the third year award for Chemistry with Environmental Chemistry.

Congratulations to all these students. It is great to hear of past Newpark students going on to excel in their chosen fields. Congratulations are also due to their inspirational teachers in the Newpark science department!

Eoin Norton, Guidance Counsellor

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Hockey 2016/17 Hockey this season has been hectic for many. From senior All Irelands, senior and junior cup and league, minor boys and girls both winning the B league final and 1st year league - we’ve had it all. This busy season ended with a flurry of matches, with players sometimes playing up to three matches a week.

First Year Girls

Minor Boys This year we have had a really successful end to our season as Newpark Minors. Within the space of two days we won the Minor B league and played in the semi-finals of the Cup. In the B league final, we played away to Kings Hospital. This was our second time playing them this year. The last time was near the start of the year when we drew 1-1. Over the season we had improved a lot as a team and we came back to beat them 1-0 this time. It was an extremely close game but we came out to win it thanks to the whole team playing 100%. Special credit goes to Adam Pearlman-Spencer who scored the winning goal just after half time.

In the Cup semi-final the following day, we played Kilkenny at home and lost 2-0. We were extremely unlucky to lose that game since we had beaten them 20 a week earlier to get into the finals of the League.

Hockey was a great experience for all the girls who took part. It helped us make friends and get used to the school. With coaching by Ms McCarthy and Ms Cameron, the A team made it to the 8-a-side Leinster final and won 5-1 against Mount Anville. We had really good fun and can’t wait to get back to hockey next year as Minors. Sophie McEvoy & Anna Shepherd, First Year

This year of hockey has been great and we have high hopes moving into Junior hockey next year. On behalf of the team, I’d like to thank our two coaches Simon Lowry and Mark Cullen and all of the coaches that have helped us throughout the year.

Luca Knight, Second Year

Minor Girls

This year Newpark First Year girls produced a very strong hockey team. We started the season very well.

After several matches we came out top of our league table and were put through to the quarter finals. In the quarter-final we played Mount Sackville and beat them 3–1.

Our semi-final and final were both played on the same day, Saturday 25th of March. The whole team were filled with nerves as the whistle blew to start our game against Holy Child Killiney. Around half-way through the first half, Newpark scored the one and only goal with the result staying the same for the rest of the match.

We were all so thrilled that we had gotten into the final, however we didn’t have long to rest as the next game started five minutes later. We were playing Mount Anville. Five minutes into the first half Newpark scored and then we scored again just before the half-time whistle blew. The final result was 5–1.

We were so pleased that we had won. We could not have done this without Ms Cameron, Ms McCarthy and all the Transition Year coaches. We are extremely grateful, thank you very much.

Lauren Moore and Erika Gallagher, First Year

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Under the expert coaching of Anna Richardson, the Newpark Minor girls have had a very successful season, winning the Leinster Division 1 League and the Southside League. Despite a number of injuries, we have pulled through and come out better than ever.

Next season we will be competing against higher level teams in the Premier Division.

Milly Lynch, Second Year

Junior Boys It has been an extremely successful season for boys’ junior hockey. For the first time in many years we

The juniors this season was very disjointed as many of the junior players train up with the senior team so we hadn’t played that much hockey together. However, the experience gained playing at Senior level showed in our performances. For a team that only really played in matches, we played incredibly well! We made it to league semi finals losing to High School 1-0 from a frankly dodgy short corner. It was a match where everyone left with smiles on their faces even though we lost. We played some amazing hockey and losing couldn’t take that away from any of us.

were able to put a junior B team into the Leinster leagues. Even with nine junior A players consistently training with the senior A squad we still had up to 22 players regularly training with the junior squads every Monday and Friday. The attendance and commitment to training was exceptional and this was reflected in the results of both squads.

The junior B team, ably captained by Mark Fahy, narrowly lost to Sandford A team in a keenly contested league final. The outcome was decided on penalty strokes following a remarkable comeback by Newpark, from two nil down with only seven minutes remaining on the clock, to force the tie into extra time at 2-2.

Newpark had the better exchanges in extra time but were unable to force a winning goal. Sandford edged the victory in penalty strokes. The junior B team remained unbeaten (in normal time) for the entire season, winning all other matches apart from an earlier 1-1 draw with Sandford A team.

The junior A team were also hugely successful this season reaching the A league finals. They were unfortunate to lose away to High School (the eventual league winners) in the semi-final by 1-0, in a very close match that could have gone either way. The junior A cup run was equally as impressive. The semi-final was played away to Wesley A team. Newpark scored first, with a great team goal converted by Adam Sheerin, to lead 1-0 at half time. Wesley pressed hard for an equaliser in the second half, but Newpark defended resolutely marshalled by Oisin O’Sullivan at centre back and David Murphy in goal. Agonisingly Wesley equalised with less than ten minutes left on the clock forcing the game into extra time. Newpark came closest to winning the match in extra time when Evan Rankin saw his reverse stick deflection whistle past the Wesley upright. The game was decided on penalty strokes with Wesley eventually winning out.

All in all the season has to be seen as extremely successful for both squads. The level of attendance and commitment was exemplary, leading to greater technical skill and tactical awareness throughout the junior section.

Mark P. Cullen, Coach

Then on Friday the 10th March, the Junior boys cup semi-final took place in Wesley. We had something to prove. We were a quality team competing with the best, yet not gaining any silverware. Within the first four minutes we had the lead, courtesy of Adam Sheeran converting from close range, Wesley were caught napping. It stayed 1-0 until the last ten minutes. Wesley converting from a short corner to equalise. It went to extra time and finally to strokes.

Wesley got lucky and won 3-1 on strokes. We were disappointed but so proud of the effort and teamwork we showed. Thanks to our coach Mark Cullen for the endless hours he puts in. Oisin O’Sullivan, Transition Year Junior girls The junior girls had a great season of hockey this year.

We finished second in our group in the league. That put us through to a semi-final against Our Lady’s Terenure, which unfortunately we lost 4-2. We were very unlucky to be drawn against a very strong team, Rathdown, in the first round of the plate. Thank you to our great coaches throughout the season: Ms Raynor, Ms Delaney, Katie Lowry and Martha Lynch. We are all really looking forward to playing senior hockey next year.

Ava Paul & Rachel Whelan, Transition Year Senior boys This season was quite mixed with lots of ups and downs throughout. The start of the season was fully geared towards qualifying for the All Irelands, something that was on everyone’s minds after being so close last year. When the time came for the qualifiers in Newpark everyone was prepared and it showed as the boys qualified after having to dig deep to beat Saint Columbus in the final game. As always the support in Newpark was great.

The All Irelands came quite quickly just a month later.

The All Ireland tournament was a great experience as no one on the team had played in it before. After an even game with Ashton on Wednesday finishing 0-0, everything was still to play for as we went into Thursday. After a team breakfast in the Meaghers’ house courtesy of Ivan, we got the team bus to Railway Union hockey club. Sadly we lost to Campbell College 1-0 due to a late goal meaning the dream of winning

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the All Irelands was gone. With nothing left but pride to play for, Newpark went and played the best hockey of the season beating the highly ranked Wallace 1-0 to end the tournament on a high.

Unfortunately after a great start to the season Newpark were unable to keep the momentum going, losing a crucial match to Mount Temple. After a great performance against Wesley College which we lost due to a Wesley goal at sudden death, Newpark stayed in third place and qualified for the B League semi finals.

On a wet day out in Columbus Newpark didn’t do enough and ended going out of the competition on penalty strokes after a 2-2 result at full time. The season ended on a flat note losing three games in a row, two of those in a knock out stage. It’s not how anyone wanted it but sometimes that’s sport.

After a season packed with great moments I would like to wish all the Sixth Years moving on from Newpark all the best.

Special thanks are due to our Coach Simon Lowry and our Physio Mark Cullen. Without their countless hours of extra work, none of the things we achieved as a team over the last two seasons would have been possible. Also thanks to Mr Cookman and Mr Lowry whose support has really helped hockey thrive in Newpark.

Ewan Ramsay, Fifth Year The Senior boys hockey season has been one both to remember and to forget. I scored my first senior goal and I’ve played game-losing passes. I have grown as a player so much. The growth of any player doesn’t happen without the commitment of Mr Breaden and all that he organises, as well as the coaches and the time they put in. So the real thank you must go to them.

As the season came to an end, match deadlines were approaching fast. Being knocked out of the B league semis was an unexpected blow so the team’s hopes turned to the Senior trophy. We played Kings Hospital in the quarter finals. We performed incredibly well and played some superb hockey. A very controversial penalty stroke was awarded by a ref and was converted, so we ended without a win.

In spite of a season where our potential was never truly reached, it was still thoroughly enjoyable and I loved every bit of it. A massive thank you must go to Simon Lowry, our coach, who has brought the Newpark senior team from strength to strength. We competed with some of the best teams in the country. Without Simon’s guidance, passion, enthusiasm and knowledge, we never would have done so well. Also a big thank you to Jonny Codd who coached us on Fridays and who also showed great passion and knowledge.

Oisin O’Sullivan, Transition Year

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Senior Girls Throughout my years in Newpark, hockey has always been a highlight for me. Since first year I have always looked forward to the season ahead and this year was no exception. I had the privilege of captaining the senior girls team this year and it allowed me to really make the most of my last year wearing the Newpark jersey. Every week the fourth, fifth and sixth year girls came together and needless to say we had a lot of fun at every training session.

We began our season in Division 1 with some great matches against schools such as Our Ladies School and Jesus and Mary College. We were unfortunate not to advance past the group stages this year despite a fantastic performance by the team in our final match against St. Killian’s German School. To finish off the season we teamed up with the junior girls and also the senior boys teams to play a few tournaments.

Over the course of the season we grew closer to one another and learned to work together as a unit. I know that the fourth and fifth years along with the upcoming third years will once again take on the Division 1 teams and continue to develop and improve next year.

The first and second year girls have also shown their talents this year, so I have no doubt that the future teams in Newpark will grow stronger and stronger.

My time playing Newpark hockey is a memory I will take with me, and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to play with this season. Aisling Grogan, Sixth Year Hockey Reunion On Saturday 20th May this year there will be a hockey reunion in Newpark in order to mark the twenty year anniversary of the 1997 hockey year. In 1996/7 the Senior boys team won the All Irelands (Tazmanian Shield), the Leinster Senior League and Cup as well as competing in the final of the Europeans in The Hague.

To remember and celebrate this achievement, as well as an opportunity to meet up with hockey players past and present the school is organising a reunion from 112pm on Sat 20th May. There will be a number of games played between 11 and 1 with refreshments being served in the school GPA at 1pm. There will be four teams playing: the current school senior boys team, an over 20s past players’ team (organised by Stefan Gallagher), the 1997 school team (organised by Douglas Keeley) and an over 40s past players’ team (organised by Mark P Cullen).

This is more than just a twenty year reunion. It is an opportunity for anyone who was involved with hockey in the school (players, coaches, parents, supporters) to meet up and reconnnect with the school.

If anyone is interested in attending, participating, watching or playing (we can potentially add more teams) please let me know. (carl.breaden@newparkschool.ie) Mr Carl Breaden

Junior Rugby

two points, then drew with Belvedere. That meant that when it came to playing CBC we had to beat them by 42 points to put ourselves ahead of Belvedere. We played and demolished CBC 62-0. Newpark and Gerard’s went through to the quarter finals.

Next we faced Kilkenny College. We got off to a bad start but came through in the end to win 24-15 with two tries from Eric Lysaght, one from Leon Gallagher and one from Oisín Linnane.

We played our semi-final against St Michael’s last Tuesday. We conceded a try early on in the game, but at half-time the score was 10-3 thanks to an Oliver Perrem penalty. This meant it was a one score game.

In the second half Newpark fought hard but conceded four or five tries. Late on Finn Tierney scored a consolation try, but it was too late to have an effect on the game. Unfortunately, that match was the end to a hard fought Junior season that didn’t quite go Newpark’s way.

On the 10th of January the Junior rugby team played Templeogue College in the Father Godfrey Cup. We won comfortably 29-8 with Finn Sunderman, Lennon Doyle, Leon Gallagher and Sam Turner each scoring a try, assisted by one Oliver Perrem penalty and three conversions.

We played Wesley College in the quarter-final, a well matched opposition for the Newpark boys. We fought

hard and played some of our best rugby all year, but unfortunately lost 22-8. The score-line did not reflect how Newpark played - on another day we could have been the winning side. Wesley went on to get to the final of the Father Godfrey Cup and to the second round of the Junior Cup. Newpark were just one win away from playing in the Junior Cup proper.

After that we qualified for the second’s league where we would encounter St Gerard’s, Belvedere College and CBC Monkstown. We had to win two or more of our games to qualify for the next round. With some key players missing we narrowly lost to Gerard’s by

Special thanks to Mr Adams, Mr Lennon and Mr Quigley for their commitment and work throughout the year.

Adam Faulkner, Third Year

Swim a Mile Since the beginning of this year, the swim a mile challenge has been running for all students. The TY games committee has been overseeing the challenge, awarding the students with vouchers once they have completed swimming a mile.

So far 34 people have taken part in this challenge, two students from First Year, Emily Hall and Julie O’Sullivan, have already completed four miles each. It is good to see so many students taking part in the challenge. Newpark Sports Centre is an award winning facility and it is encouraging to see students avail of this excellent amenity.

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A Year in Athletics After an 8th place finish in the All-Ireland Cross Country Championships in the U-16 category for my club Blackrock AC, I was selected for the Irish Cross Country team, which represented Ireland in the Celtic Games in Cardiff, Wales. This was a huge improvement from last year, when I came 63rd in Ireland.

Two panels of four from every age group (U17, U20, U23 and Senior) travelled to Wales in midJanuary. I ran the 5600m race in a time of 20:05. I came 13th and was sixth home out of the Irish athletes. The Irish had great success, with my team finishing second and the other Irish squad winning the team competition.

Next up was the East-Leinster Schools Championships. A Newpark team of athletes were sent out to do the school proud, and they certainly did, with great performances all round. A special mention to Sadbh O’Loan, who qualified for the Leinster Championships from an extremely tough field. I won gold in my race.

The Mile Challenge took place the next day. Each year the school makes a huge effort to encourage the Mile, which every Junior Cycle student takes part in. I managed to run the fastest time for boys in 1st–3rd year. Congratulations to the joint girl winners, Robyn Bolger and Iona Hamilton.

Athletics has a great profile in Newpark and I would particularly like to thank Ms Ormond, Ms Cameron,

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Mr O’Farrell and Ms Whooley, who have worked tirelessly to promote athletics and fitness in this school. Anyone interested in athletics or cross-country should speak to these teachers or join an athletics club.

Oisín Kelly, 3RS

Cross country – East Leinster Championships Cross country events are always fun to attend for the school team - even if you’re not that good at running.

You should always give it a go.

A few weeks ago I competed in the East Leinster event and … let’s just say it wasn’t my best race! I was running quite well but as I turned the last corner to turn and sprint, my shoe fell off! I picked it up and kept sprinting but went down a few places so I did not qualify for the Leinsters. I was quite sad when the race was over as if my shoe hadn’t fallen off I would’ve qualified … but that’s racing for you!

Cross-country is always a great experience no matter what and I still enjoyed my day with my team-mate Oisín Kelly actually winning his race. It was a great day out and I look forward to further races ahead of me.

Robyn Bolger, Second Year

Athletics at Abbotstown Congratulations to Transition Years Patrick Gilceava and John Nugent who entered the indoor schools competition held in the new athletics facility in Abbotstown.

Good Luck in Santry!

We wish our large and enthusiastic team of Newpark athletes the very best of luck in the Community and Comprehensive Schools Athletics competition in Santry on May 11th.

Auron Ski Trip 2017

Patrick Gilceava won an amazing seven gold medals in the U16 events and John Nugent took silver in the U18 High Jump with a personal best of 1. 84cm.

After a long day of travelling we arrived in Auron, France on Sunday 19th of February. The next morning, we explored the village and got fitted with our ski gear for the rest of the week. That afternoon we headed up the mountain to meet our ski instructors who would be with us for the duration of the trip. For the next five days, we skied in the morning and the afternoons, fuelled by Mme Julie’s homely cooking.

East Leinsters Congratulations to the Newpark athletes taking part in the East Leinsters on Tuesday 4th of May. Alex Ainsworth put in a great performance in the 100m sprint. Two of our athletes came away with gold m ed a ls : P at r ic k Gilceava in the Intermediate Shot Putt and John Nugent in the High Jump qualifying them for the Leinsters on the 17th and 20th of May. Sadhbh O’Loan (1500m) and Oisín Kelly (steeplechase) also qualified for the Leinster event. Best of luck to all.

Each evening there were different activities organised for us, such as movie nights, karaoke, a quiz night and a night ski. By the end of the week we had all learned the basics of skiing and were enjoying the incredibly scenic slopes of Auron.

On the final day, the entire group were given free time in the nearby city of Nice. The beautiful city gave us lots to do and made a fantastic end to an amazing trip.

Polly Paul, 5R

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Sporting Profiles

Tola Adebisi: Kickboxing

Dara Kiernan: Aikido

My name is Tola Adebisi. I’m 18 and I have been doing kickboxing for twelve years now.

Fifth Year student Dara Kiernan has been training in Aikido for four years at Newpark. She takes lessons in weapons training with Mr McCann who has a 4th degree black belt in Aikido. Dara was recently awarded 6th Kyu grading in Aikido and her new rank is officially recognised by Aikido World Headquarters in Tokyo. She is the first Newpark student to receive this rank and it is well-deserved.

Congratulations to Dara.

When I started kickboxing I never ever thought it would have the impact on my life that it does now. I currently hold ten Irish national titles. When I was young I did ballet, football, scouts, and more. As my kickboxing career expanded and I became an official elite, there just weren’t enough hours in the day for what I wanted to do. I made the choice to give up everything and focus on this.

Through my kickboxing journey I have travelled to many places around the world to compete in big and small tournaments and been successful and unsuccessful in different ones. At the stage in the sport I’m at now, things are getting harder and harder. I have now taken up hockey - a sport I always admired -so when things in kickboxing aren’t going to plan I have something to fall back on to keep my head.

Kickboxing isn’t just about stepping on the mat and fighting: it is probably one of the most physical and mentally draining sports there is. If I have taken anything from it, it is that motivation and hard work at absolutely anything will get you success. There is no better feeling than achieving that.

Tola Adebisi, 6th Year

10 Best of luck to Tola at the WAKO World Championships in August.

In a recent interview, Dara talked to Mr McCann about her experiences of Aikido.

Q: Dara, why did you take up this martial art of Aikido?

A: It makes me feel safe and proud of myself. When I walk around places I know I can defend myself. I don’t feel scared at all.

Q: What is it you like about weaponry?

A: I had my own sword [the aikido sword is called a Bokken] made and I feel it is something that belongs to me only. It’s made of wood not metal because that is what a bokken is. It’s for striking your opponent rather than cutting.

Q: Would you recommend Aikido to other students in the school?

A: Yes. A lot of Transition Years already do Aikido as a module, just like I did. It makes you feel relaxed and calm and it’s fun, too. There are so many techniques to learn.

Q: Thank you Dara and good luck in your future martial arts training.

Basketball 2016-2017

Double Basketball Finals

Well done to all the players and coaches involved in Basketball this year in Newpark. We played in two leagues this year: South Dublin Basketball League and The Basketball Ireland League. In total, we had ten teams playing in the two basketball leagues. Huge thanks to our tireless coaching team for all their hard work.

The 25th of January saw two amazing basketball finals for Newpark teams, the Senior Girls and the Junior Boys. What an impressive achievement for both teams to reach the finals.

First Year Girls and Boys: Ms Ruth O’ Farrell Second Year Girls and Under 16 Girls: Ms Siobhan Costello Senior Girls: Ms Rachel Steele and Ms Eavan Delaney Boys (Second–Sixth Year): Dean Rowe

All our teams played many games in both leagues. To our great delight, the majority made it to the quarterfinal stage or higher. Well done in particular to the senior boys’ team and the under 16 girls’ team who reached their respective league finals in the SDBL. The players, their coaches (Ms Costello and Dean Rowe) and their supporters had a great day in Shoreline Greystones.

Many thanks to all the teachers, players and supporters involved in basketball this year. We look forward to your continued support next year.

A special word of thanks and appreciation to Dean Rowe. Unfortunately, Dean is unavailable to coach the boys next year. Dean is a past pupil who took on the role of boys coach after Matt Kingsley left us. Dean slotted in perfectly and has worked extremely hard over the last few years with the boys. We would like to wish Dean the best of luck in his studies and professional career.

We hope the next season will be as exciting as this one!

Ms Siobhan Costello, Basketball Coordinator

This day at Shoreline in Greystones was filled with professional spirit and skill. It began with the Senior boys playing against very tough opposition, St. Andrew’s College. The first quarter started with both teams equally matched. Steven McCabe kept the score high for Newpark and created loads of difficulties for the opponents. The build up to every attack was brilliant with talented players such as Josh Jenkinson dribbling the ball past the opposition every time. St. Andrew’s were leading at the end of the quarter, but it was extremely close.

In the second quarter, Newpark’s game was shining brighter than the sun. Three points after three points, how was Charles Lagarta getting them all in? I couldn’t take my eyes off the court. Newpark without a doubt was on top.

The third quarter was quite unlucky for us. The Newpark defence was outstanding, block after block, but suddenly St. Andrew’s produced a magic run of scores. The Newpark boys in blue kept fighting, making the game extremely hard for the opposition.

Aido Mooney and Barat Anil made this difficult game look so easy.

In the fourth quarter, Newpark produced some outstanding team play, with players such as Cillian Murphy, making the ball think that the hoop was its home. Younger player Max Ryan (Third Year) showed with his skill in the game why he had been selected for the Senior Boys.

More time... we just needed more time. With a fifth 11

quarter, the game would n ot have ended with an Andrew’s win.

Throughout this very close g a m e Newpark played very professionally with every p l a y e r p u s h i n g themselves to their limits until the final buzzer went off. Teamwork is the beauty of basketball: five players working as one. This is exactly what

So much credit must be given to the wonderful coaches of both teams. The players are extremely lucky to have such experienced coaches who can unlock their potential and maximize their performance. Coaching is all about having someone believe in you, encourage you, about getting valuable feedback on the game and seeing things from new perspectives. A huge thanks to both coaches for their crucial part in leading their teams to the finals.

the Newpark team showed in this game.

The Junior Girls also faced extremely strong opponents, Rosemont. The first quarter of this close match started very well. Upcoming star of basketball, Angel Glynn, showed the opposition how talented she is. Both teams defended really well, with impressive communication and skill shown by players such as Teigan Reid and Rachel Fink.

In the second quarter, both sides struggled to get any points, but that just showed how well both teams defended. Without a doubt, Newpark was quite unlucky with some shots. Hannah Novak showed brilliant court vision, increasing Newpark’s possession of the ball.

The teamplay in the third quarter stood out for me as some of the best I have seen from Newpark. Talented players Sophie and Zara Drumm helped Newpark to keep the score tight. You could see the passion in all of the girls’ hearts for this outstanding game. Second Year Lucy West was a brilliant addition to the team. Laura Rotaru played a strong game too – dedication and practice really showed through.

I am extremely proud to say that Newpark Junior girls proved themselves one of the most difficult opponents in Dublin. My heart was beating so fast and everyone was off their seats as the game heated up until the very last second. Unfortunately, when the final whistle went, Rosemont ended up with a 24-19 win. However, the game showcased the dedication of this talented team who love and play basketball with their full hearts.

When things got tough, they just used it as motivation to push harder; they had a brilliant attitude and their success this year is well deserved.

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At the end of both finals, Newpark players showed brilliant attitude towards the players of the winning teams. Losing isn’t always the end, sometimes it becomes the beginning of something new.

Misha Vaganov, Transition Year

Senior Girls The Senior Girls Basketball team this year got to the quarter-finals of the league. Unfortunately we lost against Loreto Dalkey but it was evident that the team had improved massively since last year. A large number of girls from 4th, 5th and 6th year are currently part of the Senior Girls Basketball team that trains once a week with Ms Steel and Ms Delany. Since the start of the year, the focus has been on techniques, fitness and matches. The whole team has put in a lot of work and it has paid off.

The players get on very well with each other and the coaches so training is fun. It is a great stress relief and great to keep up during 6th year. Along with my fellow 6th years players, I will be sad to say goodbye to our team. For many of us, some of our best Newpark memories come from basketball.

We are always looking for new players so don’t hesitate to sign up: you won’t regret it.

Jade Gamble, Sixth Year

The National Concert Hall

Lastly, we heard Vivaldi’s Spring from the Four Seasons. Hearing and seeing this live really brought a fresh view to what some might say a dreary piece. The use of such a small orchestra, all strings, made it contrast greatly with the other pieces, as most of the instruments in the orchestra had not been developed by the Baroque era.

What I liked most about this experience was how it brought to life the pieces we have studied for the past three years, and made you really appreciate their musical value. It also gave me a better understanding of the pieces, and this will help me remember them better from now on.

I really enjoyed this trip and I’m glad we got to have the experience as I’m sure it will help us all greatly in the very near future.

Maya Baum, Third Year

Easter Reflection in the Meditation Room On the 31st January 2017, the two third year music classes went on a trip to the National Concert Hall.

The RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra were playing our Junior Cert. set works, as well as some of our choice works. Not only did they play the pieces through, we got explanations and breakdowns of the works to help us learn them for our exam.

First we heard the Overture from The Marriage of Figaro by Mozart. This piece was lively and full of energy, and really set the tone for the rest of the concert. We learnt that Mozart wrote this for his opera of the same name, which at the time was controversial, as it challenged the idea that the wealthy were better than people without money.

Next, we heard the second and fourth movements from the L’Arlesienne Suite by Georges Bizet. The full orchestra is used for both these movements, so it was amazing to hear it played live and see all the individual instruments playing. I especially liked hearing the saxophone in the second movement, which plays the solo melody in the middle section, as the saxophone isn’t really a regular member of the orchestra, and it sounded beautiful.

One of the highlights of the concert for me was hearing the celeste in Hedwig’s Flight by John Williams. The celeste is a keyboard instrument, most recognizable in the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy by Tchaikovsky; it isn’t a very common instrument so it was very cool to see it played.

Aoife and I also found the percussion section in Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra very inspiring and amusing. We have definitely chosen our destiny in slapstick and triangle playing!

Forgiveness Stones

The Meditation Room was set up during the weeks of Lent for Easter Reflection. It had a number of prayer stations where students and staff could pause, reflect, be quiet, pray or participate in a prayerful activity.

These prayer stations included Thankful T-shirts where people wrote down what they were most thankful for, Big Questions Board where people posted questions they would ask God over a cup of coffee, Prayers around the World where people could remember friends and relatives abroad, Forgiveness Stones where people could let go of hurts they had suffered and Hopes and Dreams where people could express their small dreams, medium dreams or big dreams.

The Easter Reflections were very well attended by staff and students and it was particularly helpful to the Junior Certificate RE students as their Journal topic this year is all about the importance of Prayers of Petition. Classes were encouraged to visit and experience the prayer stations for themselves and then use their experience in their Journal work write-ups.

Ms Suzanne Harris

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Green Flag for Energy Review On Friday the 3rd of February Dean Eaton, the Environmental Awareness Officer of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown, visited Newpark to assess our progress towards the Green Flag for Energy and give advice as to what we could do to optimize our chances of receiving the next green Flag.

With the gift of our new building we are limited on things we can do to make our modern school even more energy efficient than it already is, thus suggestions are very valued. We made it very clear to Dean that raising awareness around reducing our carbon footprint has been our main aim.

A small group of our committee greeted Dean and presented our overflowing noticeboard, displaying current projects such as the Algae-tecture project, and the work of second year’s Sci-Fest entries regarding renewable energy, alongside other green committee recent affairs and informative pieces. He was very impressed.

He then met with the whole committee to discuss the activities we’ve been organising, from stimulating SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authorities Ireland) workshops to the creative Fact of The Day competition which took place during Green Week.

The whole committee was then challenged to list a subject which had incorporated any environmental or green related issue. This was very intriguing as there were more than thirty students from across the years present and all had something interesting to say. We had art projects which fused ecology and art in context, upcycling materials in metalwork, language classes incorporating environmental vocabulary and a very impressive study of carbon emissions in Switzerland researched by European Section. There were references to music integrated with our present day environmental issues.

Of course CSPE teaches about stewardship while Science and Geography tackle the technical and scientific aspects like how pollution influences climate change and how greenhouse gases trap the heat in our atmosphere.

We received many excellent and constructive ideas from Dean Eaton as to how we could further improve our energy situation. For example, we had noted our building to be unsatisfactory at regulating temperatures - as students well know practical rooms are too hot, and lack air ducts for ventilation. Dean cleverly suggested we write letters to the Department of Education looking for school designs to be more temperature efficient by introducing air ducts. We should request a grant to make improvements, but at the very least warn them against making the same mistakes in other new school buildings.

Overall the review visit was a tremendous success. Dean was extremely impressed and said that he would definitely be recommending An Taisce to

grant us the Green Flag for Energy. He finished with an impromptu visit to Mr Lowry to whom he sang his praises of Ms Achari, the teachers for including so much in the classroom, and most especially to the very impressive and dedicated Green Schools Committee.

He said if he could recommend us for extra commendations he would.

Teresa Xu, 4SFH, Newpark Green Schools press officer

The Energy Flag is Ours!

I am so delighted to announce the receipt of the letter from An Taisce informing us of the success of our application for the international Green Flag award for Energy. And I quote “We at An Taisce were highly impressed by your programme and had no hesitation in granting the renewal of the award.” The awards ceremony will be held in May and four students will to be invited to represent Newpark and receive the flag on our behalf.

It is vital that I take the time here to stress the effort that has gone into this achievement and also to salute those who made it possible. This has been a two -year process, throughout which we have taken weekly energy readings and carried out analysis on our energy usage trends. We have conducted several temperature audits. We have launched several energy saving initiatives and educational drives. The highlight of the two years was definitely the whole school participation in the events and initiatives of Green Week last October.

There has been nothing easy about the organisation of all of the above. It has taken huge time, effort, passion and commitment, and there are people that must be congratulated for their outstanding effort. First of all, Bobby is integral to everything.

Second, Green Week was reliant on having a trusted partner and this was Ms O’ Dwyer. Thirdly, the teachers who brought their innovative ideas and expertise to Green Week, and subsequently in helping to fill out the cross-curricular efforts required in the substantial application process, have been vitally important. The support from Ms Johnston, Mr Kirwan and the newsletter team is essential too.

The Green Schools Committee members are obviously core, but there are three who deserve particular commendation: Teresa Xu, Daniel Hatter and Don Crowley. These students have given of their time tirelessly for four years now. Teresa was outstanding the day Dean Eaton of An Taisce came in to do the review of our actions for the Energy Flag.

She could readily take over the facilitation of such intense events. Their love for doing what is right for the planet is what helps drive me on. We simply need more students with a similar outlook to follow in their footsteps as we move forward to the next theme, Water.

We should all take more pride in and more ownership of our precious planet.

Ms Kim Achari

Young Environmentalists On the 28th of March four Transition year students took part in the semi-final of Young Environmentalist Award ECO Den. This is an annual national competition run by Eco Unesco. It is styled on Dragon’s Den with competitors pitching their projects at a panel of three expert judges.

We have been working on our project since the start of the year with Susan Adams. We came up with the idea of making oxygenators on our trip to Cloughjordan eco-village. We thought the idea was so good that we decided to continue working on it and enter it into the YEA competition. Our team consists of Don Crowley, Eoghan Funge, Teresa Xu, Daniel Hatter and myself—Moya Bracken.

Our project is an organic algae based oxygenator. We took inspiration from NASA’s research in the 1990s and made a mini ecosystem in a teapot. Our product makes oxygen, benefits your health and combats indoor air pollution. It’s home brewed oxygen! We were delighted that it was selected for the semi-finals in Europe House.

At the semi-finals, we were competing against other selected projects from schools throughout Leinster.

We are now waiting to hear whether we have made it to the national final in the Mansion House in May. We are confident in our project and our team’s abilities and can’t wait for the next round.

Moya Bracken, Transition Year

A Verdant Gem amid Black Coal Rocks Renewable energy is energy that comes from a source that will not deplete when used. On the other hand, all non-renewable energy sources such as crude oil, coal and natural gas are finite and damage our environment and our health. Renewable energy does not pollute and will never run out as it takes advantage of the natural world, for example solar, geothermal and hydro-power.

Total renewability is not just a concept of the future but an achievable reality as exhibited by Costa Rica with its two-month streaks of 100% renewable energy.

Costa Rica has taken advantage of its seasonal heavy rains by building hydroelectric dams that supply over 80% of national energy consumption. Geothermal, wind and solar energy provide most of the rest in that order. Fossil fuels only make up 1% of Costa Rica’s energy consumption.

Costa Rica ended 2016 impressively with over 250 days of pure renewable energy and a 110-day carbonfree electricity streak. This achievement sets a great example for renewability. Costa Rica has the advantage of being a small country and population of 4.9 million but with 4.5 million inhabitants and being an island nation, Ireland should have no excuse not to trump it.

Ireland has an abundance of renewable energy sources yet only a fraction of our energy consumption is carbon -free. Not even 25% of our gross energy usage comes from renewable sources at this point. We are way off track for our 2020 renewable energy goals whereas Sweden already surpassed its 50% clean energy goal by 2012.

We have the capability to double, triple or even better quadruple our renewability. Play your part: tell your friends and family and voice your concerns to the authorities. Insist that funding be provided for the research and infrastructure needed to make Ireland’s self-sustainability via renewable energy as real as Costa Rica’s.

Teresa Xu, 4SFH, Newpark Green Schools

Voyage À Paris Mars 2017: The 2nd year European section students went to Paris with Ms Tessier and Ms Farlow from the 3rd to the 10th of March as part of their French exchange.

Three lucky mainstream students were also part of the trip: Alabama, Dayi and Tadhg. This year, we set up a new exchange with the private school SaintCharles in Cormeilles-en-Parisis in the north west of Paris. All the students were very excited to go to France and their pen-pals were just as excited to welcome them.

During their stay, the Irish students visited the Versailles Castle, the town of Cormeilles, and Disneyland Paris. They attended some classes, including a cooking workshop, in the school too. We thank Saint-Charles for their warm welcome, Ms Charlemagne for the planning of the trip, the French parents for hosting our students and bringing them to Paris during the weekend and Mr Groult (principal of Saint-Charles) and Ms Jamet, (deputy principal) for their guided visit of Versailles and all the funny anecdotes about Louis XIV. All the students had a great time in Paris. Disneyland was definitely their highlight of the week. The next phase is to host their pen-pals and help them discover Dublin in the return visit. A big thank you to all the Irish families who kindly agreed to host the 27 French students. We hope that this new exchange will be a long lasting one and that the students will build up long lasting friendships.

Ms Laetitia Tessier Je m’appelle Alabama, et j’ai été l’une des étudiantes qui a participé au programme d’échange de la section européenne. Je ne suis pas dans la section européenne donc j’ai eu beaucoup de chance d’être choisie. Nous avons en plus eu la chance d’aller à Disneyland. Avec ma famille française, je suis allée au bowling. C’était vraiment sympa. J’ai aussi dîner avec ma famille et celle de Liadin, ma meilleure amie. Le mercredi, nous sommes allés à un parc à trampolines Urban Jump et j’ai perdu une dent. J’ai vraiment adoré le voyage et j’ai hâte de retourner en France en seconde.

Alabama Paschley, 2 DOF

En classe, nous sommes allés en France, à la ville Cormeilles-en-Parisis, près de Paris. Vendredi matin, 16

on est parti pour aller à l’aéroport. Le voyage nous a pris toute la journée, et le soir on a retrouvés nos correspondants français. Tout le monde était très sympa.

Notre classe est allée à Versailles et Disneyland, on est allés à un collège Français, et on a fait beaucoup de choses en dehors des classes avec nos amis français.

Après une semaine, on est revenue en Irlande… pour attendre les français qui revenaient chez nous! Je suis très contente d’avoir fait ce voyage, et je veux retourner en France bientôt!

Ellen Connolly 2 MOD

Club Gaelach An bhliain seo roimh na béaltrialacha i ngaeilge, thagadh grúpa de dhaltaí le chéile i G2 ar mhaithe le caint agus cupán caifé um lóin ar an aoine. Bhíodh go leor ábhair faoi chaibidil ag na daltaí agus bhain siad taitneamh as. Is beatha teanga í a labhairt mar a deireann an seanfhocal.

Seán Mac Cárthaigh

FIPA Film Festival, Biarritz Each year, FIPA offers thirteen high school students from around the European Union the opportunity to be part of the Young Europeans Jury. Under the stewardship of a well-known audio-visual personality, the young jury members watch programmes, engage in debate and come to an agreement as to which programme in the Reportage and Investigation category they will give their special award.

It’s an opportunity for them to have an intensely exciting experience at the very heart of an international festival, to meet professionals from around the world and to discuss their different perspectives and sensitivities with regards to demanding audio-visual works.

This year, our very own 5th year European Section student Maya-Lou Reddy was selected to represent Ireland and be part of this prestigious Jury. She spent four days in Biarritz last January as part of the festival, all paid by FIPA. So well done Maya!

passionnants. C’était comme si je faisais partie du festival de Cannes ou si j’avais une entrée pour les Oscars.

Durant notre séjour, nous avons rencontré des gens de l’audiovisuel et du cinéma, des journalistes, des professionnels avec une expérience de travail impressionnante. Nous avons aussi tissé des liens d’amitié entre nous et nous nous sommes promis de rester en contact et peut être d’organiser des échanges, ce qui serait fantastique.

En conclusion, je recommande à tous d’essayer de participer à FIPA l’année prochaine et les années d’après. Tout le monde était si gentil et l’ambiance était décontractée et amicale. C’est quelque chose que je n’oublierai jamais..

Maya-Lou Reddy, 5th year

To the Alliance Française!

Maya is hoping to pursue a career in the film industry so it was the perfect opportunity for her to gain experience but also to practice her French and connect with other young Europeans.

Ms Laetitia Tessier

Last November, the 3rd year European Section students went to the Alliance Française of Dublin as part of their French cookery course. Ms Bérangère Langlois kindly gave them a tour of the new French library (médiathèque). After that, we stopped at the French café Chez Max, in Baggot Street. We finished our school trip in La Cocotte, the café/restaurant of the Alliance Française, where all the students practiced ordering food in French and enjoyed a French lunch.

“J’ai eu la chance immense d’être choisie pour participer au 30eme FIPA à Biarritz cette année. FIPA est le festival international de programmes audiovisuels qui se déroulé à Biarritz chaque année et chaque année, un jury est sélectionné. Ce jury est composé de 13 jeunes européens. Ça a surement été l’une des expériences les plus époustouflantes et mémorables de ma vie.

The French library hosts a Cinéclub every first Thursday of the month at 7.30pm. €6/Free for premium members. .

Ms Laetitia Tessier

A Taste of France Back in Newpark, the ES 3rd years prepared a French goûter cooking a selection of traditional French delicacies.

L’organisation en charge du festival s’est occupée de notre vol, de la nourriture là-bas et de l’hôtel. Le vol avait un transfert à Paris où nous nous sommes rencontrés pour la première fois avant de voyager ensemble pour Biarritz. Nous avons eu l’occasion en tant que jeune jury de voir des documentaires exceptionnels sur des thèmes sérieux mais 17

Newpark Talent Show 2017 skills continued to amaze with Pablo de Juan and Liadh Blake both performing on piano while Lisa Murphy impressed hugely with her ability to tell a story in her vocal and piano number. More keyboard and vocals followed with a beautifully atmospheric piece from Misha Vaganov and Saoirse, Ella Slate and a couple of testing vocal pieces from Holly and Emma, both of whom have really fine voices.

Comic content came from a well-rehearsed and terrifically entertaining rap from Matthew and Milo ‘The Fresh Princes of Bel-air’ and a tight performance from Dan and Breno, both multitalented performers. The judges’ task was not an easy one with a wide variety and a lot of people to choose from. However, the verdict was well received with a lyrical contemporary dance and vocal Ed Sheeran number winning the day, brilliantly performed by Chloe and Erica with Toby, as skilled as ever in his piano accompaniment.

It was a super Newpark evening, very well organised by the by LCVP team. Congratulations to all the performers, I’m looking forward to the next one!

Mr Philip Hollwey

TALENT - it was there in spades in the theatre at the talent show! It takes a lot of nerve to stand up and perform, especially in front of friends and family, and the theatre was full of both. This made for a very attentive audience who supported and encouraged the performers from start to finish and helped create a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

There were lots of standout moments and plenty of variety, featuring students from first to sixth year with the staff band on their second only stage appearance bringing the evening to a belting finish.

It was particularly good to hear Tommy and Sean Neil’s bands both playing songs they had written themselves. Great fun was had with the second year band (they really need a stage name!) and a very strong performance from Sé Tar Éis. Guitars featured prominently with lively lead, bass and acoustic performances, amongst them Xochitl with ‘Route 66’, Ostap on lead guitar and Pablo and Evan giving us some electric guitar improv’. Quieter, more reflective moments were provided by Pamela Paus and Seamus Hurley. Displays of instrumental 18

The Organisers For Fifth Year Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme, our class broke into three groups to come up with business ideas. Our group decided to organise a talent show open to all Newpark students.

At first we thought that the talent show was going to be an easy business venture, but as we got further into the organising it became extremely tough.

Unexpected expenditures came into play, so money became an issue. However, this was sorted fairly quickly and in the end our biggest problem was time.

Far more students auditioned than we had expected and we wanted to give as many as possible the chance to take part. As a result, everything in the show

needed to run exactly on time.

The night of the talent show came at last. Everyone was nervous, the theatre was set up and the show was ready to begin. The first act was out promptly at 7.05 and every act from there ran so smoothly that the show even finished early. It was a great success.

Even though it was a lot of hard work, I’d say on behalf of the LCVP group and all the performers, it was well worthwhile. It would be great to see more talent shows in future years.

This was my first ever time playing a musical instrument in front of a crowd, and what a first time!

With a smile on my face towards the audience, I sat down, took a long deep breath and placed my fingers on the right keys. I looked up at Saoirse, and began our medley. We had worked on it so hard, trying to arrange the music, seeing how we could make it better, trying to figure out how the audience would like it and finally getting one of the most brilliant experiences in our lives.

Jordan Eccles, Fifth Year LCVP

Two minutes beforehand, I thought I had forgotten everything from our piece - how it begins, how beautifully it ends. But the second I started playing, it felt like someone had placed the notes right in front of me. The duration of our piece was three minutes, but no way did it feel like it. It seemed more like three seconds. I thought I had just started playing when it was already the ending.

Performing Standing back stage, listening to Liadh playing a breathtaking Nocturne op.9 No 2 by Chopin. Knowing that you are next, especially after such a brilliant performance by Liadh, makes your heart beat faster and faster. You start to panic, forget how to play your piece and your hands are slowly starting to shake. You forget everything when you take your first step on to the stage. The bright lights are blinding you; there’s no way of seeing anyone in the audience.

Saoirse finished singing, all the people in the audience started clapping, and that is when I felt the release.

Once backstage, I realised that all that work which we put into our medley, had just ended in those three minutes. I also realised how extremely lucky I was to work with a professional like Saoirse, an outstanding singer and talented musician.

This breathtaking experience will be kept in my mind for a long time. Thank you to the students of LCVP from fifth year, for giving us this memorable journey.

Misha Vaganov, Transition Year

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How about a Haiku?

First Year Haikus

Mary White, one of Newpark’s librarians, is a haiku writer. Her poems have been published in international journals and she helps run the organisation Haiku Ireland. She is currently working on a collection of haiku. I interviewed her in the library to find out more.

Some First Year classes also tried their hand at writing the three line haiku and its bigger relative, the five line tanka. Below are some of those by students in 1DL.

I write haiku and I’m involved in running events for Haiku Ireland; an organisation for haiku poets. I started about ten years ago - I find haiku to be a good medium for mindful thinking or as a form of meditation. Haiku are about being in the present and I find many of mine are inspired by observations around me, but also emotions and reactions to experiences.

Traditionally, haiku are about nature and the seasons and follow a three-line pattern. They’re traditionally seventeen syllables but that’s no longer necessarily the case. Haiku seem to be a very simple form but there can be a lot of thought in distilling the words. I often write Senryu, which are about human nature. The simple haiku form has a lot of rules (for example no alliteration, no metaphors…). They need to be succinct, with no repetition. I find it very good training for writing in general, actually.

One haiku sequence I wrote was after my granddaughter was born deaf. We performed it in sign language. I am also writing haiku to be included in a memoir of the life of Ann Kelly, the midwife. I write about birth and death and a lot in between.

Haiku Ireland organise events called Ginko, which are poetry walks in groups. In April, we will took part in Experience Japan, which is an event in Phoenix Park to celebrate Japanese culture. We read haiku under the cherry blossom trees or Sakura, which is a very important image in haiku and in Japanese culture. It was open to the public and lots of people came along.

[Mary White in interview with Sophia Finucane] Below is Mary’s haiku sequence for her granddaughter:

she is deaf— holding my grandchild’s gaze in silence

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Winter I smell the clean air.

Looking out the foggy glass The trees look quite bare The snow sits pale on the hill The trees coated in frost.

Claudia de Luca

The Beach Hot sand in summer Waves splish and splash against rocks Crabs skitter along.

Maud O’Connor

Fire Everything burns.

Fire turns empires to dust.

It lasts forever.

Matthew Sweeney

Rain The rain falls fast.

The birds sing beautifully As the puddles grow.

Abi Doyle

Summer There’s sand everywhere, I’m being melted by the sun, My book’s in my hand, I’m covered in sun-cream And that’s just when the rain starts.

Rhiannon O’Leary Murray

The Slopes The peace, the silence, The still, the joy, the cold, the snow It is beautiful.

The glisten of the snow, The crunch as you ride, The stoke of it.

her tiny new hand, barely disturbing the air

The snapping boards The joy on the faces.

Sweat dripping down

skin to skin, singing her a lullaby in her silent world

As you stumble off And the holiday begins.

Wish it never ends.

Danny Shaw

Spring Song At some point around February/March kind of time the harsh winds and tight grip of Winter begin to ease.

Slowly but surely, the world seems to awake from hibernation and Spring arrives.

She doesn’t come in with a bang however. In fact, if you weren’t looking closely enough you would miss her. She’s quiet yet observant, caring and calm. The once harsh winds quieten down, weaving among the branches of trees and whispering to the creatures of Spring. The birds and beasts sneak peeks out of their defences, which were built to withstand the reality of Winter but which can now be abandoned. They hear Spring’s melody, carried along by the warmer breeze and they are comforted and feel ready to explore the world again.

Thomas Morellie 5th Year

As a person, Spring is gentle and empathetic. The kind of girl who keeps her phone in her boot and her pencil behind her ear. Her piercing emerald eyes wouldn’t miss a thing, even in a large crowd. She draws nature towards her and encourages it to grow and prosper.

When she opens her mouth, her voice is sweet and melodic and her smile is genuine. Dirty blonde hair curls loosely at her shoulders, emphasising her natural beauty and complimenting the dusting of freckles on her face.

The modern world has become a busy place. In a world that is becoming increasingly distracted by the adventures of modern technology, we can miss the beauty of Spring. The shooting up of leaves and grass and the brave faces of the first flowers. We are, in my opinion, the only creatures who miss it however, mainly because we have made acquaintances with winter and his friends. We continue our lives and our heads are buried under books, stress and expectations. Most other creatures take a break for Winter, building their defences and staying under cover. They greet Spring as an old friend and come out to meet her under the reenergised sunlight.

Emily Keogh 3rd Year

Spring is happy and hopeful. She frolics in between the sheep and their new lambs, her toes gracefully brushing the dewy grass. She hangs out of trees, watching the world and noting every hopeful bud that appears on their branches, the suburban bushes and on the once dying plants in flowerbeds. Her brightly coloured nails change shade in the sun, embodying the millions of colours that the flowers will become. Even in the dark of night she almost shines, ready for another day.

Then, just like that, she is gone. Her work is done and the world has exploded with the growth of new things and return of the old things. She rests for the next time, and hands her joy to Summer to take care of. She trusts him and the world rests easy, knowing that she is not gone forever, just for now.

Maya Baum 3rd Year

Anna Porter, Sixth Year

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‘Let’s Clean Automobiles!’

As we are coming up to the Leaving Cert exams, I have found from conversations with those outside the LCA that an abundance of student regret joining the traditional LC. People often think that they want to go straight into college/university but in my experience over the past two years I have talked to fellow students that are struggling to get into a PLC let alone a college/university course.

Removing the “stigma” around the course and viewing a PLC as a foundation to future educational and job opportunities, I would highly recommend LCA to everyone who struggles with the conventional LC. Joel Troy-Barnes 6th year LCA

Irish Junior Mathematics Competition 2017

We, the savages of the Fifth Year LCA class, absolutely wiped up after we made the teachers cars look like they were rolling in bills. The creation of our business, ‘Let’s Clean Automobiles’ was for our Enterprise task. The task involved completing interviews for positions in the company, developing a sales and marketing strategy and competing for the coveted CEO role.

We washed numerous cars over the course of a week in March. Most of the teachers came on board - some of the teachers’ cars were mouldy but we adapted to the situation like the pure professionals we are. It went very well with us getting tips left right and centre and we raised over €550.

We were extremely fortunate to have the support of Ms Brennan and James Macklin who helped us to run our business with ultimate precision. James provided a quality control assurance like no other - no fleck of muck went unmissed.

Fifth Year LCA

Leaving Certificate Applied Sixth Year Joel Troy Barnes looks back over his experience in the Leaving Certificate Applied I started late in LCA and even though I’ve had to work hard to catch up with the rest of the class, I still feel it was the right move for me.

LCA is sometimes viewed as a course for students who are lazy or have learning disabilities but in fact it grants anyone the chance to have a more practical experience of the Leaving Cert. whilst having the opportunity of college entry through a one year PLC. 22

Congratulations to Julie O’Sullivan 1DL, Oran O’Sullivan 1LMY and Bonnie Wadman 1KC for being selected to compete in the final round of the Irish Junior Mathematics Competition! The final round will take place on the 12th of May in nineteen centres across the country. Julie, Oran and Bonnie will sit the exam at Oatlands College with other young mathematicians from south Dublin and Wicklow. We wish them the best of luck!

The Irish Junior Mathematics Competition is an annual event for First Year students. It is a national competition run by the Irish Maths Teachers’ Association. The first round at Newpark took place on the 1st of March. All First Year students sat the exam, which consisted of fifteen challenging questions testing problem-solving skills. First Year maths teachers all agreed that there was a very high standard this year.

Well done to all participants!

Ms Ellen Lawless Maths Puzzler There are forty-one marbles in a bag, each either red, green, blue or yellow. There are three more red marbles than green marbles, two fewer blue marbles than red marbles, and four more yellow marbles than blue marbles. How many green marbles are there?

The solution is on page 34 of this Newsletter. Try to work it out before you have a look! A detailed solution can be found on the maths notice board.

Exploring Gender Politics

On the 7th of February, Fifth Year Politics & Society classes got an opportunity not many students nationwide have experienced: a talk from a renowned key thinker. This is like bringing Quentin Tarantino into a film studies class.

Professor and Chair of Equality Studies, Kathleen Lynch of UCD, arguably one of the most prominent thinkers in her field, came into Newpark to discuss ‘Gender Order’ and ‘Social Class & Capitalism.’ Lynch works tirelessly to promote equality and social justice both nationally and internationally; she is a boardmember of many non-governmental organisations and a political force to be reckoned with.

Lynch opened by explaining that “sex is not gender”.

Our sex (male, female, etc.) is biological, but our gender is a socially defined part we play; it is how we identify ourselves and how others identify us. Society creates constricting gender roles, in regards to male and female and how masculinity and femininity are displayed. It was traditionally accepted that a male is strong and works, for example, whilst a female should simply look good in a dress and care for family.

However, these are historical gender roles and since Richard Goldschmidt coined the phrase ‘intersexuality’ in 1917, gender roles have become more fluid.

To further the hangman’s knot of gender roles, Lynch stated “Men are assumed heterosexual and dominant over women, gay men and other subordinate men (young, working class, black (if the dominant male is white)) and children.” I agree: white privilege is still a powerful force today with little challenge to its seemingly impregnable dominance on the horizon.

Some celebrities have opposed this, with many actresses protesting that male counterparts are paid substantially higher wage for equal work. In Ireland 86% of employers are men; only 3% of managing directors and 21% of senior managers are women.

These statistics shock, but while Lynch made these points, she did something I took pause with. Two gentlemen put up their hands to ask questions, but the Professor said that until a female asked a question, no further questions would be taken from men. Certainly this was a way of assigning gender equality to the room; however, to punish the male population for being genuinely interested seemed pointless and unfair.

This was reverse discrimination and left a sour taste in my mouth for the remainder of the talk. Perhaps she thought this was feminism in action, yet feminism should bring equality to the sexes, not silence men until women choose to speak. That was not feminism; that was gender bias.

On the subject of feminism, we were also told “Men’s rejection of feminism shows how many men fear it would challenge their power and status in the gender order.” I consider myself a liberal and a feminist equality is something I hold in highest regard, right behind free speech. Yet, I believe modern radical feminism is a darkened husk of its former self. While men have it better than women in the workplace, Lynch’s audience was on equal ground. Or perhaps, it wasn’t? The men in Lynch’s audience have it worse.

Why? These are young men (16 and 17 years old); at that age, females have the power. To put it in ‘romantic’ terms - as these are the years when ‘romantics’ are awakened from the depths of puberty women have a leg-up over men; figuratively not literally. Teenagers are stuck in stereotypes assigned them; one such stereotype is courting behaviour.

Teenage males are expected to make the first move, work out how to ask a female out and, above all else, put their self-esteem on the line waiting for a positive response when finally asking the question.

My argument coincides with Lynch’s. Men go through this because of the societal role assigned them. It is evident that the female populous in the school environment have power over men. So, when Professor Lynch silenced half her audience under the thin guise of ‘equality’, I have to argue: feminism is equality, not bias.

Fellow student, Maya-Lou Reddy, considered this talk an “amazing opportunity to meet a key thinker”; yet found the whole experience rushed. I agree; Lynch had no time to present ‘Social Class and Capitalism’ only squeezing in bullet points at the end. Concluding with an explanation of how patriarchy is challenged by feminist movements on social media, Lynch also talked about how autonomy over intimate relations (like contraception etc.) empowers women.

The Professor’s speech clarified many questions and intricacies around gender order. Ms Reddy said she left “without nearly as many questions” as she had before.

While Prof. Lynch’s approach made me question the validity of her claims, the fact that it kept me pondering makes it a victory for her as a speaker and certainly stirred my interest. Professor Lynch might conclude that I am showing signs of ‘victimised masculinity’. I believe I am airing an opinion. You can disagree with opinions but you can’t silence them …at least until a woman puts up a hand to air hers.

Benjamin May, Fifth Year

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Model United Nations

St Andrew’s have been hosting an annual international Model United Nations conference (SAIMUN) for many years – Newpark students participated for the first time last year. This year’s SAIMUN conference at the Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire hosted nearly 700 delegates from as far afield as South Africa, the Middle East and the USA. What is the Model United Nations?

lobby support for, debate and ultimately have passed a resolution on one of the topic areas within their committee. A resolution is the proposed solution to a problem and forms the main focus of the debate. The delegates aim is to represent the views of their country on the issue while at the same time making it as acceptable as possible to as many member states as possible. Those resolutions passed in committees are then further discussed in the General Assembly on the final day and a half of the conference.

At the conference, students come together and share their interest for international affairs, the art of diplomacy, and the principles of the United Nations.

Representing countries from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, they gather to discuss some of the most pressing and intriguing problems that confront the world today.

The MUN aims to be an authentic simulation of the United Nations – complete with Security Council, General Assembly, an ECOSOC committee as well as a wide range of other sub-committees, a Secretariat headed by the Secretary General, a Press Corp and of course the delegates.

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For the duration of a Model United Nations conference, every participant or ‘delegate’ represents a member state of the United Nations in one of the committees of the UN system. At SAIMUN there are committees dealing with issues such as health, politics, disarmament and the environment. Delegates representing the same state together form a ‘delegation’. In their individual committees, delegates engage in debate on a wide range of topics, relating to issues as diverse as international peace and security, economic cooperation and development, human rights or the protection of the environment.

Congratulations to the Newpark students on their exceptional participation and performance. Twenty five students from third to sixth year made up the four Newpark delegations representing Tunisia, Uganda, Belize and the Republic of Congo. Fifth years Polly Paul and Calvin Britz were given Outstanding Delegate awards and our Republic of Congo earned a Highly Commended Delegation putting them in the top 3-8 out 106 delegations taking part in the conference.

The ultimate objective of every delegate is to produce,

Contact Ms Odongo if you are interested in getting involved next year.

Polly Year

Paul,

Fifth

Having never been to an MUN conference, naturally I was both curious and a bit anxious going into SAIMUN. The first day was slightly overwhelming, what with the sheer number of other students (or delegates) also in attendance. However, with the help of a few m ore e xpe rie nc ed delegates I quickly gained confidence and began to participate and enjoy the debating.

The next few days were both tiring and enjoyable. The debates, while heated at times, contained moments of comedy, competition and friendship. Students from across the globe came to the Royal Marine Hotel for the conference; I found it amazing to meet so many people from different cultures and countries. To top off a memorable week I was awarded 'distinguished delegate' at the end of the week.

This is an experience that I benefited from and enjoyed and I would thoroughly recommend anyone who gets the chance to attend one to do so.

Ruán Ó Conluain, Sixth Year Last year, ten Newpark students took part in St Andrew’s International Model UN conference (SAIMUN), with absolutely no idea with what to expect. We really enjoyed debating topical world issues and meeting new people from all over the world, but none of us could have anticipated that only one year later, twenty-five Newpark students would represent four delegations at the same conference. In the short space of time since MUN has been in Newpark, we have

attended three Irish conferences, one English conference, won ten distinguished delegate awards, one highly commended delegation award and one outstanding delegation award.

Ever since my first time speaking at MUN- a question to Iran regarding their poor freedom of speech record to my last conference this year chairing the Disarmament and International Security Committee at SAIMUN, I have loved every moment. MUN gives students the opportunity to learn about the many injustices of the world, whilst also having fun and making friends. Yes, we are not really UN delegates and yes, the resolutions that pass are not going to change anything, but for four days we feel as though we are truly bettering the world.

Teachers, Mr Lowry, the Board of Management and the PTA have been incredibly supportive of the club, and we are extremely grateful for all that they have done for us. MUN would not be possible without the hard work, organisational skills and enthusiasm of Ms Odongo, our MUN director, who consistently gives her time and skills to us all to ensure we have enjoyable and beneficial experiences at the conferences.

Unfortunately, my MUN career has now ended, but myself and the other sixth years are optimistic that the club will continue to grow in the future, even after we have left.

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Back To The Movies – A Very Newpark Musical Building a Musical Just after Christmas this year, a strange metamorphosis took place in Newpark. The Blues Brothers car (having vanished from Loughlinstown) appeared on the outside wall at the back of the school.

The canteen tables disappeared and a massive stage was erected in the GPA (with borrowed and begged modular staging arriving from every corner of Dublin to contribute to our jigsaw). Ms Glancy applied her extraordinary logistical skills and vast network of connections to make up the required square metres, and the fantastic stage construction team led by Bobby Ryan and Coby Baker pieced it all together. At the 11th hour Tom and Sam Tormey built a plinth for the final missing piece (TT: It was no problem – we just took apart our garden shed for the wood…)

Every piece of black cloth in the stores of our theatre and music departments was put to use creating a black box theatre in the GPA. Mr O’Neill installed bars for the lighting rig that arrived along with multi storey stacks of speakers. Clara Sheridan Bryson created a musical archive exhibition. A theatre box was built for the muppets. A band pit was created for nineteen musicians. The many, many windows of the GPA were blacked out. Bobby wrestled with the logistics of persuading all of the school lights to stay off while the play was on. Costume workshops ran through the night. The music rooms became the wardrobe, backstage, props workshop, a programme assembly line. The Irish rooms transformed into hair and makeup stations. Finally, in spite of many setbacks and much incredulity, the deLorean came to Newpark and we were ready for the magic created by the blood, sweat and talent of our amazing singers, dancers, actors, musicians and all of their support crew.

There ensued four nights of musical movie madness in an unforgettable theatrical experience.

From the chilling song of the mockingjay, the upbeat delight of the Sister Act teacher-nuns, the dynamic Rocky shadow fight, Ghostbusting mayhem… every single act delighted packed audiences with the dawning realisation of the incredible breadth of Newpark talent .

Well done to all involved.

Ms Anna Johnston

Where it all began When are you going to do a musical? Why won’t you do a musical this year?

These are just some of the questions that hit me at the beginning of almost every music class and student chat this year. After many attempts at avoiding the issue, I thought it was time to put it to bed! I challenged the students to come to a meeting to convince me why I should put on a musical. My expectation of nine-ten students showing up was shattered when a whopping fifty-seven students appeared; no discussion needed, there was going to be a musical, but which one?

After much researching of rights and cost, it was in the middle of a casual conversation with Coby Baker that the brainwave hit and Back to the Movies concept was born! I prepared my rationale for why we needed to put on a musical and more importantly put together the case for the GPA as a possible venue. Mr Lowry was immediately enthusiastic and supportive, but with two conditions; one piece of music had to be

by Ennio Morricone and the second … well you’ll have to work that one out for yourself! As I left his office, the realization hit: doing the musical this way meant we had no line-up of music and no scores (vocal or instrumental). What would the plot look like? Everything would need to be written from scratch … After a lengthy conversation with Ms Murphy, it was time to mobilise the troops. The call was put out for pieces of music, musicians and actors to come forward. And so it began….

Ask yourself, how do you audition for a part/ character that doesn’t yet exist? As we watched and listened to over ninety auditions, I quickly realised the answer was in front of us. Rather than matching the students to a show, create the show around the strengths of the students. This philosophy was not only applied to the choice of music but to every note of music, which was written to the strength of each individual player in the orchestra. This resulted not only in a tight performance but a bunch of confident performers who for some was their very first experience of an orchestra pit! A possible seventeen pieces of music were now in the mix. Staff were also invited to suggest songs and get involved on the stage resulting in over forty members of staff coming on board, and the final two numbers for the set-list: Mr Byrne’s Rocky and Ms Devis’s Ghostbusters.

Arranging and compiling the music scores was a mammoth task not possible without the support of Ms Murphy, the MIDI skills of Coby Baker and the newly found Musescore skills of Toby Hudson Fowler. Both Ms Murphy and I very quickly realised we needed a third keyboardist to complement the overall sound we were designing and Toby agreed before we had finished asking the question.

The high quality musicianship and the professionalism he brought to every performance are testament to this excellent, talented musician – keep an ear on this space!

The Orchestra was rehearsed both individually and in sections, always supported by the inspirational speeches from Breno Keogh, Aoife Muttaqin and Pam Paus. Friends from the National Symphony Orchestra who came to see the show, commented on how much enjoyment they could see and hear coming from the pit and their absolute amazement at the number of musicians who would suddenly jump up out of the pit and reappear seconds later in costume on the stage. Guys, along with all the many voices on the stage, you absolutely put the MUSIC in musical!

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To all the students, we couldn’t have asked of more from you. Did we ever end up with the same cast at any stage throughout the process? No! but I’ve learnt that’s ok too! It was many things, but your bravery, enthusiasm, talents, creativity, hard work and dedication ended up creating the beautiful monstrosity that became Back to the Movies!

The cast of 87 students, 32 staff, two musical directors, 19 piece orchestra, two directors, two choreographers, costume designers, stage management team, props manager, backstage hair and make-up crews, two sound engineers, lights man, librarian, treasurer, ushers and usherettes, photographer, caretakers, front-of-house teams, traffic control teams and the PTA committee are testament to the commitment, talents, energy and skills of all the people that make Newpark a truly exceptional school.

A special shout-out to John O’Neill, Avril Crampton, Bobby Ryan, Laura Martin, Fiona Ní Fhaolain, Charis Rowan, Sinead Hanna, Freda O’Dea, Becky Jungmann, Niall Shortall, Cathy Devis and Anna Johnston. We know it is not possible to thank all of you individually. However, we appreciated and valued every second of everyone’s input and it just wouldn’t have happened without all of you playing your part. On behalf of Ms Murphy and myself, stand tall and be proud for each and every one of you gave your all. You were all truly amazing. Thank you!

Ms Ethel Glancy

Tying it together My part in the musical (along with a changing team of others) was to devise a script that would fit all the songs together and make a more comprehensive play.

We were basically given the running list of seventeen songs from different movies and told to make a story around them. Ms Murphy, Ms Glancy and the initial brainstorming team had decided on Doc and Marty (from the Back to the Future films) and the muppets Statler and Waldorf as narrator/characters … along with plenty of other ideas and suggestions.

We started off by getting some lines from the real muppets in order to add some class! It was then up in the air, until one day a group of students got together and brainstormed links between the scenes.

At the end of the day we had the large majority of the links done. However, we learnt that linking songs and writing scripts are two completely different entities.

The next step was to write up all the lines during rehearsals. We showed them to Ms Glancy and Ms Devis and kept on going but it was getting closer and closer to the performance and there was only a partial script. Ms Johnston came on board at a team meeting, pulled all our ideas together and got the first full draft done. From then on in, we tweaked some lines and added some extra bits when Ms Glancy had a brainwave.

When I was asked to write a script, in conjunction with my part as Waldorf, I never imagined it would be so difficult. Nor did I know it would be so rewarding. It’s not everyday you tell a joke you made 28

up and get laughs back from an audience. The scriptwriting was a team effort, with students and staff working together to get a script that worked and kept people entertained. It was an unseen part of the performance, but necessary to create four nights of sheer excellence.

Oisin O’Sullivan, Transition Year The Script Ms Glancy, Ms Murphy and the students got the ball rolling with character ideas and the links to each song in the diverse running list. The focus was on showcasing the amazing musical talent and we didn’t want to take away from that. The four actor/writers sat through many, many hours, days and weeks of rehearsals not really knowing what their role would be in the finished product.

This was a devising and writing relay! Ms Devis realised that for this script to work it needed to acknowledge and embrace its own absurd and spurious nature. Statler and Waldorf were given free reign not only to ridicule and criticise the songs in the show but also the script and the storyline they were part of. She also encouraged all the writers to embrace their inner cheesiness – no pun on the songs was too bad to include!

Until the full run-through in rehearsal, it was impossible to know how much dialogue was needed between the songs. We had to see who was coming on and off, how long it took to set up and how the mood changed from one piece to the next. We’re used to asking musicians to create transitions between scenes in a play, to set mood, tone and expectations, to keep the audience engaged and maintain the overall flow. This time the drama had to do those things.

I got involved in the last few weeks of the writing relay. It was great to see the incredible breadth of singing, dancing and musical talent on show in the end-game of an incredibly logistically challenging rehearsal schedule. It was so much fun pulling the final script together – we had room to develop a bit of dysfunctional time-travelling storyline, some sci-fi psychobabble and lots more sarky comments from the old muppets. Ms Devis choreographed two memorable and absurd comic duels during the James Bond and Clint Eastwood instrumentals. We were very excited to unleash Statler and Waldorf from their theatre box to dance in the Pulp Fiction scene – and what an incredible, hilarious and disturbing dance routine it became…

All four actors adeptly took on board the rapidly changing script as we adjusted, added and trimmed—there were three different endings until the day before the show. The muppets were a constant comic presence (even in character at the interval as they mingled with the crowd) linking the audience, the story line and the extraordinary dynamics of the individual musical pieces. Doc and Marty brought action, energy, humour and a deranged purpose to the narrative. It was an absolute pleasure working with this talented team.

Ms Anna Johnston

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Memories from the Musical “To say I enjoyed the musical is an understatement. The seemingly endless rehearsals, the constant sound of sweet harmony and the joyful laughter became a daily ritual for me over the course of a number of weeks and they were honestly some of the best weeks of my life” Tommie Tormey, Transition Year

“This musical was the third I have done in my six years; I’ve made so many amazing friends and memories I’ll never forget! Big thanks to Ms Glancy and Ms Murphy for making my last year a very special one.”

Erika McNerney, 6th Year

“Playing Madame Thernadier in Les Mis was so surreal, with an incomparable partner, and I will never forget all the amazing times that were had with everyone.”

Maya Baum, 3rd Year

“Right leg starts, keep the hands moving, then the left leg goes… don’t forget to look up after ten seconds! All of this was going through my head minutes before the Pulp Fiction dance. For weeks myself and Saoirse spent nearly every day after school trying our best to recreate the dance.

We synchronised the moves from our characters so much that it felt like every heartbeat and blink were the same. It will take me quite a while to forget every single Travolta move or this unbelievable experience.”

Misha Vaganov, Transition Year

“This year’s musical was amazing to take part in. From the first rehearsals to the closing night it’s safe to say many memories and friendships were made. It was truly unforgettable! Thank you to everyone involved, you will all be missed!”

Chloe O’Brien, 6th Year “Taking part in the musical has been a great experience.

To be given the chance to take part in a musical that is so amazing and unique was a journey I will never forget. To be able to play a role I've wanted to play since I was very young was an even bigger honour. The friends I made during this became more than friends, they became a family. Thank you all for a great time.”

Eoghan Funge, Transition Year

“What an experience! In six weeks we turned an idea into an incredible performance as well as a memory which I will keep with me for the rest of my life. I didn’t have to be at all the rehearsals but there was no way I was missing all that enjoyment, passion, and joy it provided me and all the others. It was a thrill of a lifetime.”

Oisín O’Sullivan, TransitionYear

“The musical was a very enjoyable experience. For me it felt welcoming because I’m a First Year and I met a lot of nice people in the process. I’m sad that it had to end that soon.”

Matthew Hogarty, 1st Year “When I first started at Newpark I was really happy, but I didn’t know that many people and I didn't feel like I had a place. In the musical I made so many friends and I felt like I was in a community. It was also the most fun thing ever and I was pretty upset when it was over, but I’m so lucky I got to be part of it and it was an amazing experience for my first year in Newpark!”

Rosa Gildea, 1st Year “The musical was a really fun experience because we got to know more people from different years and we all became a big family.”

Lucie Balay Chawke, 1st Year 30

H a v e y o u s e e n these people?

LGBT+ Club in Newpark

New Life Choir visits Newpark

Coming out was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Sitting my parents down and explaining bisexuality and how it related to me... I'm going to be honest, I had never been so terrified. Now, after I've gotten over that seemingly massive hurdle, I have realised that once you tell one person (your most trusted confidante), two people (your parents), a whole bunch of people (your classmates)... you realise that coming out is not a one time thing but a continuous process that gets easier and easier over time. And also more exasperating.

When Jordan and I decided to set this club up, I hadn’t expected the turnout it received. I didn’t think more than twenty people would show up – most of whom I’d know by face if not by name. However, I was utterly bowled over by the fact that over forty people showed up – many of which were (probably just curious) first and second years. The atmosphere was amazing and very positive, and I could see that this group might be more successful than I had initially anticipated.

The main purpose of the LGBT+ club is to support those who are still telling everybody they aren’t exactly straight or they aren’t the gender you think they are. It’s also to support those who haven’t come out yet for whatever reason (such as going through the tentative stages of self-acceptance, living in a homophobic environment) or are still figuring themselves out. And it’s for friends to come and support the community.

The LGBT+ club aims to be a place of sanctuary from homophobia, transphobia and bullying; a place of support and education for those who are still learning about the community; a way to promote awareness of the community’s presence in the school, and a place for people to make friends as well.

The LGBT+ club meets in Ms Keating’s room in M4 every Thursday at lunchtime. .

Isobel Hughes, 6LW

'I've never been happier in a classroom and I hope the group continues to grow and we get to help a bunch of people.'

Newpark was delighted to welcome the New Life Children’s Choir from Uganda for a fabulous concert in the GPA for First Years. The choir is made up of twenty children from different primary schools founded by ABANA in Uganda. They had come together to learn dances and songs and to perform for a three month long tour in Ireland and the UK. Their mission partner Gillian Murphy is a past pupil of Newpark.

The choir sang and danced and used lots of African drumming to bring a fantastic concert to the First Year students. They were very young, ranging in age from seven to fourteen years old. Everyone who saw the concert really enjoyed it and went away touched by their energy and joy while visiting our school.

Thank you ABANA for bringing them to visit us.

Here’s what our First Year pupils said: “They were very talented for such a young age” “They were extremely inspirational and adorably cute” “They were amazing and spectacular dancers” “It was a great occasion to see them in Newpark” “It was fantastic to see the different style of dancing, singing and drumming” “It was really lovely to have the interaction dancing – trying to learn their way of dancing with them was really funny” Mr Aaron Lamprecht

Sixth Year Religion Trip to the Mosque

Aoife O'Reilly, 5NG

'I hope for the LGBT club to be as positive an experience as it was for me, and I hope it will help people discover and accept themselves.'

Edona Tabaku, 3GC

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The Aran Trip 2017

In a longstanding Newpark tradition, a group of Second Year students headed to Inis Oirr (the smallest of the Aran islands) for a five day trip encompassing geography, history and a lot of fun. This year Mr Breaden, Ms Cloney, Ms Cameron, Ms O'Donnell and James Macklin took 39 students to investigate the limestone pavements, check out Dún Aenghus, test the temperature of the Atlantic and try out their cúpla focal. Adam Walsh and Shawn Lorenzo report back.

plane as usual, but on the positive side we got an extra day there. We met in the GPA at 9am on Wednesday 5th of April for a journey involving buses, trains and boats - luckily it wasn’t too rough so there was no puking.

We spent most of the first day travelling with some free time in Galway. As we arrived on Inis Oirr, the resident dolphin was swimming around our ferry.

When I first looked at the island all I could think of was the theme tune for Father Ted. We had lots of free time the next day. Not much happened apart from orientation and going swimming … on the plus side we found a dead seal.

On the third day, we went on a long walk around the island. Mr Breaden tried to make us learn about geography and stuff but we still managed to have fun.

About half way through the day it got really sunny so we went swimming again. Every evening a different group had to cook dinner at the hostel. Before this trip, I didn’t think it was possible to burn pasta so much that it melts, but somehow Isaac managed to prove me wrong that night. Dinner was delayed by half an hour or so: we were not happy with Isaac.

The next day we went to Dun Aenghus, the cliff-fort on Aran Mór. At the top we got to lie down and hang over the edge of the cliff while James and Mr Breaden held our legs. I was surprised no one was pushed over the edge. Maybe next time. We had lunch in the restaurant on Aran Mór and James Macklin convinced everyone it was Mr Breaden’s birthday.

Image courtesy of Luca Knight

The Aran trip was a bit different this year – unfortunately we didn’t get to travel to the island by 32

On the fifth day we left Inis Oirr for the last time and went back to the real world, tired but happy, having had an unforgettable trip.

Thanks to Mr Breaden, James Macklin, Ms Cloney, Ms Cameron and Ms O’Donnell for an absolutely brilliant trip

having known about the school’s presence for over 30 years. A few rules were put in place to immerse us into the daily lives of the islanders; an interesting one was the removal of mobile phones from the students. A bit frustrating for some, but necessary for this trip.

Things I learned on Aran: 1) It is possible to melt pasta 2) It is always Mr Breaden’s birthday on Aran Mor regardless of the date 3) James Macklin has enough energy to power the national grid 4) The alternative name for the Plassy has a good story behind it 5) Bird poo on a rock looks a lot like a fossil 6) According to Mr Breaden curry powder attracts the dolphin. This, and many of the things Mr Breaden said on Aran, I find hard to believe. But who knows?

Adam Walsh 2CBR

While Thursday was full of exploring, relaxing and a chilly dip in the freezing Atlantic, Friday was more on the educational side of things. From learning about the fishing industry of the Islands (using currachs/ small fishing boats), studying beaches and the coastline and buried churches and graveyards to gazing at the rusting wreck of the MV Plassy (featured in Father Ted, along with the rest of the island) and exploring its vast, karst landscape (similar to the landscape of the Burren) … the walk not only showed the hidden features of the island but also allowed us just take in the fresh air and incredible views. In return, the skies opened up and the seas gently calmed down, allowing most of the students to spend the rest of the afternoon rock jumping on the beach. Exhausting, but well worth the day’s hike.

On Saturday, we had to wake up quite early for the main highlight of the trip: the climb to Inis Mor and Dun Aengus (one of Ireland’s oldest promontory forts).

The trip was made even better by a couple of factors during the day: the excellent weather conditions (warm sun, almost clear skies, calm seas), the delicious lunch at The Bar and the opportunity to have a peek over the drop-off of the 100-metre cliff at the fort itself! It was amazing to think that last year we were looking at different types of forts in Ireland (including Dun Aengus) in history books. Now we have seen these extraordinary places up close and personal.

At the end of the five day trip, many people had formed new friends, joined new groups or managed to get to know people they wouldn’t usually talk to back in school. Personally, I think this trip was really influential to the developments of friendships for our time in Newpark.

Image courtesy of Luca Knight

The road to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, was a long and exhausting one. On the 5th April, 39 curious students, five intrepid staff and a heap load of luggage travelled from Heuston Station in Dublin to Galway. Luckily the staff gave the students an hour to explore Galway city centre before leaving for Ros a Mhil Port, deep inside the countryside.

The magnificent terrain of Western Ireland loomed over the horizon during this part of the journey.

Inis Oirr was truly an amazing place to stay. There was this sense of being abroad, even though we were still in Ireland. The environment was different compared to the hustle and bustle of Dublin: quiet, peaceful and full of scenic views everywhere you looked. The islanders were always welcoming of us,

The trip also showed the out-of-school side of the teachers: always funny, letting us enjoy our time on Inis Oirr and at the same time keeping a lookout for our safety across the five days. Another key feature of the trip were the responsibilities everyone had (making breakfast, lunch and dinner, keeping the rooms of the hostel in neat order, etc.) rewarded with more time outside and on our phones.

Finally, on behalf of the students who went on this (possibly) once in a lifetime trip, I wish to say thank you to the teachers who accompanied this intrepid group and to Mr Breaden, for making the big effort to organise this entire adventure for us. I highly recommend this tradition of the school for next year’s second years, and the following second years and … – this trip was just too good, and you have to experience it to believe it!

Shawn Lorenzo 2CBR 33

A Fair Deal In Education?

‘It just pisses me off, it really does.’

That’s a sentence I’ve heard from my mother many a time, particularly recently, so I’ve become quite desensitised.

However something about this interaction struck a chord with me. It was that she had tears in her eyes- and I can’t begin to emphasise how out of character that is.

She was talking, as is the norm lately, about work. My parents both work in Bray Adult Education Centre (not BIFFE); my dad is the principal and my mum teaches Communications. She was telling me about a woman who did a course at BAEC whose mother then came and studied there upon her recommendation. My mum made the point that this mother was probably never encouraged to continue her studies past the Junior Cert due to her financial situation and gender.

My mum said ‘If I had had a course available to me that I could have encouraged my mother to do, I would have - she did nothing but be a seamstress and raise children her whole life, because from her background she never got the chance. BAEC gave this woman that chance.’ Once it was contextualised in relation to my own family, it hit home.

She then went on to tell me about a man in his 60s who couldn’t read and came to BAEC. He would come in every morning from 8am as soon as the doors opened because he said it was the first place he’d ever felt welcome. Many cases like this end up at BAEC and many end up with a Leaving Cert and for the first time in their lives, options. Options I have. Options we all have because we’re attending a school in an affluent area of a developed country in 2017. It’s easy to forget that within the lifetimes of the population over fifty, leaving school at sixteen and before was commonplace.

Our economic development was so quick that within one generation we have increased the number of third level graduates tenfold. That’s brilliant, but does however mean that many of the older members of that era were left behind. Places like where my parents work are the only places where they can get their Leaving Cert or do a college course if they so wish.

As I write this I’m aware that I should be studying for the mocks if I want to get a head start at the points I want for the top course on my CAO. Perhaps that’s another reason why this particular conversation with my mother hit me, but the point of this article isn’t to make us feel guilty about having a good education and mentors who encourage us. In the past year, my dad has received many mixed messages about the college.

First it was that they had to vacate their building, but they would be relocated. Then that the new location was no longer available, but they still had to leave the premises because the new secondary school was moving in. Then that they would have some students still at the old location, using outdoor, portable toilets.

Students, many of whom had been disrespected throughout their lives, would have to now use the back 34

entrance of the building, as if being hidden from the world. Finally, they were told that they would indefinitely be in prefabs, with little to no facilities.

The new secondary school was sold as a success story in the local paper, without a mention of the fate of the BAEC students.

As my mum finished her slightly tearful story she mentioned a student she hadn’t seen in five years, who she saw today in Bray. She said ‘She looked so happy to see me, I think the people she met at BAEC may have been her only friends’.

It appears to be Department of Education policy that is the cause of all this. The group of learners that already had to settle for second best are now being short-changed again.

I'm proud to say my father treats his students as respectfully as they deserve to be treated. Without him and without the BAEC, they would have absolutely no one.

At the end of the day I’m writing this because I feel a bit hypocritical going around with this huge moral compass (if you know me, you know what I mean) and resenting having to do the Leaving Cert, whilst blatantly ignoring what’s making my parents so exhausted every day. It’s not even them I’m writing this for though. It’s the students. It’s the fact that the education system has, I think it’s fair to say, not done nearly enough for further education in these respects.

I don’t know if anyone reading could help the situation, but I suddenly felt as my mum was taking to me that I had to write about this and at least tell somebody that these people exist and that this is happening and that I now understand the sentiment at the top of this page.

Sophia Finucane, Sixth Year

Historians on Tour First year form groups 1KC and 1DL visited the National Museum of Ireland Archaeology and Dublinia. Tour guide Harry was fantastic at the National museum and the students particularly liked learning from him about the bog bodies and the Treasury.

They walked the streets of medieval Dublin on a lovely sunny day and interactive exhibits at Dublinia helped bring the History course to life. A great day for all!

The Red Brick Garden

Mr Byrne’s key focus was the square plaque that hangs above the garden on the side of the red brick building.

He wanted the plaque to be simple but effective. That particular wall faces south-east and as the day progresses the sunlight moves around the plaque. The plaque gets a range of different light and shade over the course of the day, so it plays with the sunlight depending on the time of day. Sometimes because of the direction of light, the plaque is hard to read. However, by around 2pm it is very clear and vivid. The curved surface of the plaque emphasises this use of sunlight. There is no frame as it is natural piece of stone architecture matching the window sills protruding from the building. For all these reasons Mr Byrne felt like the plaque belonged in that space. The wording was carefully chosen by a group of people including, Mr Byrne, Mr Hollwey and Ms Harris. They wanted to celebrate all involved with Newpark who have contributed in some way. There were purposely no dates put on the plaque to give off that universal feeling.

Before mid-term I interviewed Mr Byrne and Mr Hollwey about one of the newest features in the school grounds, the red brick garden. The garden is a square space next to the Red Brick building. It is surrounded by a soon-to-be hedge, and has a rectangular section where tulips, daffodils and other flowers have been planted. There are three wooden benches made by Alan Meredith around one edge of the garden and a fresh cherry blossom tree at the front. But this garden has a lot more meaning than it seems.

Mr Byrne and Mr Hollwey hope that the garden and plaque will remain as there will hopefully be no pressure on the space for the next century. The space will be allowed to mature for generations of students to enjoy! From time to time people will notice the plaque on the wall and maybe spare a thought for all the contributors to Newpark’s present. They are looking forward to it settling in and think maybe there’s a chance for more garden furniture to be added or human intervention in the future. It will surely grow to be a very special, tranquil space. A garden for relaxation and joy.

It is a garden of remembrance, to remember and celebrate students, staff and friends of Newpark, past and present. Mr Byrne said, “it’s for all the people who have added to Newpark over the years, those who have left for several reasons and who’ve passed away as well”. Some money was left by the family of former chemistry teacher Orna Lavin. The money contributed to the creation of the benches, landscaping and planting in the garden. Ms Lavin’s family specified they wanted planting in her name. The garden is also meant to reference back to when this area was originally a garden/vegetable patch (when Mr Hollwey was in the school). Now it has been recreated into a garden to celebrate everyone and look back.

With the new school building covering up less land then the old ones, it has freed up areas around the site, which Mr Byrne, Mr Hollwey and the committee wanted to make the most of. They felt like the school needed an open, green, natural space where students and staff could enjoy the outdoors. In brief, they wanted something to animate what could have been a plain outdoor space next to the car park. It will hopefully become a beautiful scene, especially when the hedges have grown; it will be a relaxed area, away from the courtyard.

Lucy Richards Smyrk, Sixth Year

Easter Egg Art On Friday the 7th of April, the German Club had an egg painting competition to celebrate Easter. Many thanks to all who took part and produced beautiful works of egg art.

Prizes were awarded by the President of the German Club, Harry Merton in 1st Year. Congratulations to the winners: 1st year - Nada Tabaku 1KC, 2nd year Zara O'Sullivan 2CBR, 3rd year - Maya Baum 3DMC

Maths Puzzler Solution 8 green marbles.

See detailed solution on maths notice board.

35

TY TIMES In Dublin Week From the 6thto the 10th of February, my form and I had In Dublin Week. After Gartan, I didn’t really think In Dublin Week would be very good. But my opinion has changed.

On the first day we met at Bray DART station. It was raining and very cold. We had planned to walk to Greystones but the wind was against us. Instead we took the DART to Greystones and walked back to Bray. It was a good way to start off the week. It was just a walk, it wasn’t too exciting but it was a nice walk. The rain did make it less enjoyable but it was still a good first day.

On Tuesday we went to the Criminal Courts. I thought this would be very boring, but it was actually one of the best days. We did our own mock trial which was a bit of fun and everyone had a good time. After that we got to go to some real court cases. My favourite one was a murder trial. A foreign man with little English was on trial for murder. The part we saw was the questioning of the policeman who entered the house and saw bloodstains on the walls. It was really interesting and like a movie. One of the defence barristers was amazing - he was in charge of that court room and the state barrister couldn’t get a word in (I found this really funny). Overall, it was a very enjoyable day.

felt weird not taking the Luas to town. I had high expectations for the last day. It was the selfie hunt.

They split us into three teams. At first our team thought we were doing well - we had taken all the selfies quickly. But then we got a call from Ms French saying we were really behind! From then on we actually went slower. Our motto was: “We will win on quality selfies”. We tried to take the funniest and best selfies. For one we went all out. I kissed David and everyone was laughing. We came last in funniest selfie.

I was so sad when I heard. Not because we came last, more because I kissed a guy for nothing. We did win “The Spirit of Dublin” selfie for a selfie outside Mattress Mick’s shop. We ended up tying second which wasn’t last so we were happy. This was definitely the best day and the highlight of my week.

This is a unique and enjoyable day.

I really enjoyed In Dublin Week. It wasn’t as good as Gartan but I don’t think anything can beat that. If I was to change anything it would be The GPO day - it just needs to be more exciting. I feel the whole week would have been better if it wasn’t so cold but that was just unlucky. I’m upset because I feel the best parts of Transition Year are over now.

Dan Hogarty 4SFH

Gartan

On Wednesday we went to the GPO and The Little Museum. Museums aren’t really my thing and I have already heard so much about the Easter Rising so this was the only time during the week where I could say I was bored. The GPO tour had some interesting parts, but I wasn’t engaged at all at The Little Museum.

On Thursday we went to Dublin Zoo. This was a fun day but it was absolutely freezing. My feet were numb and so were my hands. The tour was good but they skipped a lot of animals I wanted to see. Later we had an hour to do whatever we wanted so that was good. I just wanted to see the red pandas and I did. After that a group of us went to the restaurant because it was warm there. I had thought we were going to do a scavenger hunt type thing at the zoo but we just got a tour and walked around. All the birds were inside and hidden because bird flu was common at the time. I felt bad for some of the animals that were not endangered. The Lion looked very lonely and so did some others. I understand zoos keeping animals that are endangered but let the others be free. This was a fun day but it would have been so much better if it didn’t feel like we were in the arctic.

On the final day we met in the school at normal time. It 36

When you talk to someone who has left the school and ask “What was your favourite memory of your time in Newpark?” many people will say Gartan. For those of you who don’t know what Gartan is, it is an outdoor adventure centre located in the stunning Glenveagh national park in Donegal. You go with your form for five days and you bond with them as well as doing some super activities.

My form, 4AK, went to Gartan in November. On Monday we travelled up, did some team bonding and the nightline. I won’t tell you too much about this, but it involves a forest trail, rivers, lots of muck and you’re

blindfolded. Doesn’t sound like much … but trust me, it was.

Work Experience

Tuesday we went on a hike. This is where you visit Glenveagh castle and then trek over the hills back to the adventure centre with the instructors. The instructors really make the trip as good as it is. They are so friendly and fun, just more friends instead of instructors. Playing table tennis with Simon (one of the instructors) was one of my favourite memories, or having a tea break with Gerry (above). The same can be said for the teachers, you get to know them more and you get to know the people in your form the best.

For my work experience placement in February, I went to King's College in London. King’s College is a major university situated in central London. King’s College was founded in 1829, but King’s Medical School has been in operation since as early as 1561.

I was able to get this work experience in the medical school as my uncle is a professor in the physiology department. For the majority of the week I followed and observed my uncle’s PhD students around the Medical School. All of these students were postgraduates from different backgrounds of science.

On the Wednesday we started our water activities.

Gartan is beside a (freezing cold) lake. We did some canoeing with the whole form and then in the afternoon we did some archery and orienteering. On the Thursday we split in two groups and did climbing and kayaking.

I wasn’t exactly sure what I was going to be doing but it ended up being very interesting. I spent a large portion of the week in the lab. I observed different solutions being made and also the process of checking specimen samples for the LH Hormone which is linked to the metabolic rate. I also saw how they would multiply the DNA from the specimen blood to check the Messenger RNA samples.

I also had the opportunity to observe medical research using mice as test subjects. It’s undoubtedly a controversial topic but all of King’s research is in the field of medical research and none is cosmetics testing.

Friday dawned and it was time to pack up and leave. I was sad to leave: I would go back in an instant yet it was really an experience too special to repeat. The fact that it only happens once also means that it is always remembered. Something to be cherished. That is exactly what I will do, remember all the times I spent playing spit or table tennis or bonding with people and I have Gartan to thank for that and the teachers for taking us!

Oisín O’Sullivan 5AK

The most interesting day of the week was when I got to examine the cadavers. These are corpses of people who donate their bodies to science. Although it was a bit odd to see these bodies, it was thoroughly interesting and eye opening to see the human body and all of the different things inside of it in the flesh and not on video or in pictures. I would also like to add that I think a trip to the morgue for Leaving Cert.

Biology would be a great addition to the course that could really help students understand the anatomy of the human body.

All in all this was a week that I will likely never forget, not only due to the interesting aspects outlined above, but also due to the friendliness that all of the PhD students showed towards me. I think this week has proved beyond a doubt for me that medicine is the course I want to do when I leave school.

David O’Byrne 4AK

37

The Stratford Trip

45 Transition Year students went on a three day trip to Stratford Upon Avon at the end of April and it was amazing.

We started off at 6am Thursday morning outside the school. From there we went by coach to Dublin Port, took a ferry over to Holyhead, then drove to Chester. In Chester we stopped for food and an amazing tour learning all about the Roman history of the town. After our tour we drove to our hotel for dinner and that was the end of Day 1.

Day 2 was much busier and was so much fun. We woke up nice and early and after breakfast we travelled into Stratford Upon Avon to get an absolutely amazing backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company. We saw all the props and costumes that were being used in the plays as well as the two stages (The Swan and the main stage). There was also a really nice statue made of stars of Romeo from Romeo and Juliet.

After the backstage tour, we went to Shakespeare’s grave in the Church of the Holy Trinity followed by some free time for shopping and food in Stratford. Lots of us sat together and ate lunch beside the River Avon.

When our free time was over, we went on a tour of 38

Shakespeare’s birthplace and even saw the room where he was born.

After the tour there was a small performance outside called “Shakespeare Aloud!” Members of the audience would call out a play or sonnet written by Shakespeare and the actors would perform parts of the plays or the sonnet. The two actors we saw were fantastic. They did three performances for us: Romeo and Juliet, The Taming of The Shrew and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. They really got involved with us and interacted with the group. They also taught us a drinking song called “Clink Clink” and we all sang along with them.

After this, we went to Mary Arden’s farm where we saw her farmhouse, lots of animals and an amazing falconry display with an Eagle Owl called “Talia”. To end the day we had a lovely meal and then we saw a fantastic performance of Anthony and Cleopatra in the RSC. Every part of the play was brilliant, the stage design was fascinating and the use of trapdoors was really clever.

On day 3 we had another early start so we could get to Alton Towers. After a long drive to the amusement

park, we had all day to run around the park and go on all the roller coasters. Everyone had loads of fun there and went on some insane rides. Myself, Rosie, Ethan W, Ms Devis, Mr Lamprecht and Mark Ball went on a ride called “Oblivion” which was a ride that went 60 metres into the air followed by a vertical drop the whole way down. It was hilarious to watch the reactions of my classmates and teachers on the ride. A lot of us also went on Nemesis which is one of their main attractions. Nemesis was insanely fun. We also went on Rita which goes from 0-60 miles per hour in 2.5 seconds. It was insanely fast and incredibly cool.

ARTS WEEK Students explored the idea of human extensions, through costume, craft, music, creative writing and film making

After our long day in Alton Towers we went for food and bowling. Bowling was really fun too and a great way to end the trip. It was a nice relaxing time to spend time with friends in small teams - it also got slightly competitive.

The entire trip was amazing: the group of people were so much fun, the teachers were great to be around and the schedule was busy but fantastic. I loved every second and I wish I could go back again. On behalf of all the students who went on the trip, I would like to thank all the teachers who went: Mr Connell, Ms Keating, Mr Lamprecht, Ms Devis and Mark Ball.

Eoghan Funge 4MDY

Trinity Walton Club

Trinity Walton club is a maths, physics and technology club in Trinity College. I do it with Oisin O’Sullivan and Breno Keogh and it is amazing. We learn so much and have such good fun whilst we do it.

This wouldn’t be possible without the PTA paying for half of the fees. The club is quite expensive but thanks to the PTA we are able to go and learn some really useful and cool things.

(from top left— bottom Right) An extension to help you to meet people, an extension to help you avoid people, an extension to allow you to move like an animal, an extension to make you amphibious.

In the club we are taught by college PhD students and we learn a lot of really useful things that also help a lot in maths and science in school. It is also really fun and we get to meet lots of other people there and have fun whilst we learn.

I would like to thank the PTA again as this wouldn’t be possible without them.

Michael Hall 4MDY

39

A Taste of France

Pop Sonnet A Shakespearean sonnet is a poem expressive of thought, emotion or idea. It is 14 lines, usually organised into three quatrains, with a rhyming couplet for the last two lines. Each line must have five beats in its ten syllables and there is a very strict rhyming scheme (ababcdcdefefgg).

For module three of TY, a French Chef (Nathan Fleart) came in to the European Section class to teach us how to cook French dishes. Each week, Nathan goes through the process of cooking a typical French dish.

These vary from sweet and savoury and in levels of difficulty.

So far we’ve tackled simple dishes such as Quiche Lorraine, Galette de Pommes de terre (potato cakes) and Pain Perdu (French toast). By far the most difficult dish to cook has been Tarte Tatin. Essentially Tarte Tatin is a caramelised apple tart. Cooking the caramel without burning it was a bit tricky but Nathan got us through it.

We have two weeks left with Nathan and we all look forward to seeing what he’ll teach us next.

Check out Nathan’s YouTube cookery channel: FLEART Breno Keogh 4SFH

Sprechen sie Deutsch?

On the 1st of April TY German students had their A1 and A2 exams. These exams and certificates are part of the European framework of languages and they are more internationally recognised than a Junior or Leaving Cert. result. The French examination is called the Delf. The exams took place in Colaiste Iosagain. The system goes from A1 to C2 with A1 being the easiest. They are in sets of two for each letter.

The exam had the usual four parts: lesen (reading), schreiben (writing), hőren (listening) and sprechen (speaking). Out of the four sections, sprechen and hőren were the hardest. I don’t know if it’s just me but trying to speak a language in front of two native speakers is quite scary. In the Junior Cycle aural you hear the conversations at a slower pace but in the A2 exam it is at full conversational pace, which is quite difficult. The other sections were easy enough as they were more Junior Cycle standard. Overall it was an enjoyable experience.

Oisín O’Sullivan 4AK 40

Ms Keating’s TY English class studied a Shakespearean sonnet, as well as some “Pop Sonnets”. These are poems written by Erik Didriksen he reimagines famous pop songs into Shakespearean style sonnets. Students chose a song and then drafted and re-drafted their own sonnets; it is quite a task to undertake but this particular example only had one or two mistakes even in the first draft!

Can you identify the original song?!

The tolls upon success, the roads are steep, Yet I did each one faithfully remit.

I did each punitory sentence keep, Although I never did a crime commit.

Oh, I have missteps made – far more than one – For each, I’ve had sand punted in my face.

Despite it all, I still have vict’ry won And taken up the mantle of first place.

Yeah, triumph’s sweet, but tis not pure delight – No, I did not a life of leisure choose.

My battle rages on and I still fight For I have long resolved to never lose.

Our winning ways are o’er the world renowned: My friends, we have as champions been crowned!

Anonymous TY Student

Techsperts For two modules, a group of Transition Years have been helping Age Action and the Gardaí by teaching the elderly how to use modern technology like phones, computers and other devices. To begin, the TY students were given a brief overview of what was going to happen in the classes and were given advice on what the elderly people would be interested in learning.

At the first class everyone was paired up with a learner and we all sat down at tables and chatted for a while to get to know the learners. They all had different devices, going from old laptops to iPads and cool phones. Each learner had different knowledge of how to use their devices - some were just learning to turn their laptops on and off and others went straight to setting up email. Everyone got on well and the room had a good atmosphere. As the weeks went on, the learners became more and more comfortable with their student teachers and everyone was very productive.

Dan Hogarty: I was paired with a man called Eddie.

On the first day, I thought Eddie had a nice vibe.

Luckily I was paired with him and we got along well! I soon found out that he was very advanced in technology. I found it challenging to keep up with him as I thought he wouldn’t know so much. Over time, he became the teacher as he knew more than me. I was not able to complete some of the tasks he wanted me to do.

But by the end of it we were content with each other’s capabilities. I have enjoyed this experience and I am glad I took part.

Renée van der Grijn: My learner’s name was John.

From the very first day we got along really well with each other. He knew the basics about how to use his device so I just taught him a few extra tips and tricks to help him advance to a more experienced level. After the course he was more than capable of using his tablet independently. I am really glad I participated in the experience.

Algae-Tecture in a Teapot

TY Games Committee Every year a number of Transition Year students approach Ms Ormond to be part of the Games Committee for their Community Action. This year the TY committee did a lot of administrative work like recording and analysing Bleep Test results from the past few years. We also organised, recorded and delivered results for the annual school cross country mile challenge and provided posters and information on fitness and the principles of PE for the noticeboards.

Our main aim this year was to try to improve the level of fitness of Junior Cycle students in the school. To achieve this we decided to run different sports activities within the school such as a First Year indoor soccer tournament and the Swim-a-mile challenge and a unihoc tournament during Tuesday lunchtimes. We decided to give out prizes to all the winners of the different tournaments so we had had to write to Mr Lowry to ask for funds. We organised canteen vouchers as prizes after negotiating with the school caterers The Lunch Box..

In the spring term, we assisted in running the annual mile cross country challenge. This event involved us organising, running and recording the results for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students.

Towards the end of the year, we started assisting in high jump/long jump training. Each of us took on different warmups with the Junior Cycle at lunch times and then put away all the equipment after training ended.

Algae-Tecture is a group run by five Transition Year Students (Eoghan Funge, Don Crowley, Moya Bracken, Teresa Xu and Dan Hatter).

We really enjoyed being on the committee this year and would recommend it to the upcoming Transition Years.

Liviu Rotaru 4TC and Sadbh O Loan 4CB

The group’s intention is to use algae as a way to clean the air around us. Our original plan was to have algae on its own scrub the air and remove Co2 from your home or classroom, but instead we have had to develop the idea to become a self-sustaining ecosystem. We have used a teapot as our container for this ecosystem. Our slogan for the product is “Homebrewed oxygen” and “Clean Air, Clean Mind, Clean Future”.

The starting point for our project was from a trip to Cloughjordan Eco Village Co. Tipperary. We have since developed the idea and have entered into the Young Environmentalist Awards, in the hope of winning the competition.

Check out our Facebook page: Algae-Tecture!

Eoghan Funge 4MDY

Sadbh O Loan, Patrick Gilceava, Josh Osbourne, Finn Larsen, Liviu Rotaru, and additional volunteers for the Cross Country Mile challenge -Ethan Warnock and Oisín Keegan.

41

Reflections on Newpark With our time in school coming to an end, we thought that if we were to give anything back as thanks for our education, it would be to show others what Newpark is all about. This year’s Sixth Years spent roughly two years in the old building, two years in the prefabs, and two years in the new building, so an interview with Mr Lowry and Mr Cookman on the school in general seemed fitting, as opposed to writing simply from our perspectives.

Sophia Finucane and Fionn O’Sullivan, Sixth Year

Sophia— How long have you both been here?

Mark— Well…I came here the year after he did.

Derek— …It was a different place in many respects, but at the same time very similar.

S— What drew you to Newpark?

M— There weren’t a whole lot of jobs available, and I knew I’d be able to coach hockey.

D— I actually came in as a temporary teacher; I didn’t know I’d be staying.

S— When you became principal/vice principal did you miss teaching classes?

D— I only missed some classes…I missed teaching Leaving Cert Economics…now if you’d asked me if I missed a double period of Second Year Business I would’ve said not quite.

M— You miss the camaraderie: when you come into our position - you lose the social aspect of the job, which is very important.

D— Rapport wouldn’t be the same.

S— Do you find that’s the case with student rapport as well?

D— No, I just don’t get to see as many students as I’d like to see.

M— I suppose when you’re teaching in the classroom you get to know a small number of students very well, as you’re dealing with them every day and on all sorts of levels, social and academic. When we walk around we do still try to engage with students and say hello and treat them with respect and so on, but I’d miss the classroom quite a lot.

Fionn— Is there anything about the old school building that you didn’t realise you’d miss?

D— …I would say no, I was very glad to see it come down. I think that buildings are important, but it would be wrong to over-emphasise how important they actually are; it’s the people that are more important. I think that even though we had a very shoddy, horrible building, we always tried to work to maintain the atmosphere and the encouragement.

M— Like Derek said, it was a building you’d look back on with many memories, but it was not a building you’d look back on fondly. It was what happened in the building that was much more important. I remember somebody saying to me ‘That’s my childhood being knocked down’. That took me aback—the building really did mean something to a lot of people. It was fine 42

when there were a lot of people in it - the sights and smells and so on you could cope with, as it was a vibrant and energetic place to be in - but myself and Derek would’ve been working in there quite a lot during the holidays and it was a terrible building to work in… whereas this is a pleasant place to work in.

F— It certainly feels bigger, but do you think it feels more or less inclusive…the fact that it’s not so cramped?

D— I think that in the discussions we had with the architect, what he was trying to do with some of the spaces was to allow groups of people to congregate…to give people the chance to have their own space.

F— Yes, that was certainly a part of the old school.

S— Do you think people’s perception of the school has changed?

D— I think the outside perception of the building may have changed, but not the essence of what we’re about…in the sense that the talk we’d give to first years and first year parents, should be much the same regardless of the building. I think that it’s about utilising the benefits of the new building; the better science labs, the music and art rooms, are giving people an extra dimension to what they can do, but it’s still about encouraging people to be able to experience the academic as well as the creative.

F— Was that something you wanted to keep and build on with the move?

M— It was certainly one of the things we discussed when we were moving; we wanted to keep the atmosphere and the ethos. It’s difficult to explain what Newpark was in the old building, and we wanted to try to bring what was in the old building into the new one.

We have been asked by ex-students if the spirit of the school has changed and we would’ve replied that we didn’t think so. Yes, there have been changes in Newpark over the last thirty years, but I think that we’d be disappointed if we felt that two years into the new building the feeling was gone and it was a different type of Newpark. I hope it’s not, but really the only people who can answer that are the students.

F— What was school like for you guys, and is there anything that you’re glad has changed?

D— I went to an all-boys school, it was very “academic”… Every class was streamed and there was very little self-esteem to be gained unless you were either very academic or strong at rugby or soccer.

Things like drama and music hardly existed, so when I came to Newpark it was an entirely different world: I’m probably still trying to get used to it! No, I certainly had no problem with sending my children here and for them to be in a co-ed as well, due to my own experience of single-sex schools.

M— I went to a school in rural Donegal, in a very small town…it was a traditional education. I went through five years of school in a uniform, and when I came here there was no uniform; it was such a different type of school to what I’d experienced in Donegal.

F— Are you happy to keep the ethos as it is, or is there anything you wish to improve on?

D— The values that you have and putting them into

action don’t prevent you from making changes to what you’re doing, within the framework of existing ethos .

We tried to tweak systems to be more effective, but you have to do that while keeping as many people as happy as possible, and that’s always a challenge.

M— We’ve got to work within the bounds of the education system, and the fact it’s a Church of Ireland school. The Board also have a say in how we operate; it’s not up to us to decide whether it needs to be more diverse and inclusive, but I suppose that would be the type of philosophy and general outlook that we’d have.

We try within that framework to be as inclusive and diverse as possible, but you can’t get it right for everyone.

D— Every year we have 144 students coming in and the focus has to be on providing the opportunities for every one of them in their own, individual way. That is crucial to the range of subjects and options as it gives people more possibilities. I think at times we underestimate the life of a student who would sometimes find schoolwork challenging; if that’s the only focus that your school has, then living within that is very difficult. In essence we’re trying to provide in the six years an experience which allows the student to come out being able to make decisions for themselves, having challenging opinions and having their own minds. Teachers and parents alike can find it difficult, but hopefully the students come to realise that there are always different viewpoints that have to be challenged and argued about - but in a way that respects the individual.

S—What were your early impressions of our year…if you had any?

D— Do you want to answer that or…

M— No, you fire away…

D— That’s a question I’m often asked. There are always anecdotes you hear from staff about this year and that, but honestly I’ve no time for it. There’s no year group that doesn’t have students who’re academically very able, no year that doesn’t have students challenged with different issues or students that are good at sport… Yes, there are year groups with different attitudes, but I think the problem with generalising is that it’s very unfair to the majority in every year who are just trying to do their best.

Teachers’ perception is often based on the few difficult ones, rather than the majority. In many ways you’re different to other years, but in other ways you’re the same.

S— What memory of Newpark most stands out to you?

D— Out of recent things I think the Celebration Day was a very memorable occasion.

M— It’d have to be that day…it represented so many people from past years and generations. It was just such a nice time to be working in the school. It was really difficult going through the process of getting the new building and I think [that day] was very special.

S & F— Thank you so much.

M— No problem. Now when you turn the microphone off we’ll tell you what we really think…

The Spinning Heart

On Tuesday March 21, author Donal Ryan came in to speak to the Sixth Years about his novel ‘The Spinning Heart’. This proved to be an enjoyable and illuminating question and answer session with a highly engaging, frank and humorous speaker.

When I first mentioned to my mum that our year was studying the novel ‘The Spinning Heart’ by Donal Ryan, she casually mentioned that she knew Donal and thought that it might be possible for him to come in and talk to us. Much to my surprise, he replied briskly after we got in contact and agreed to travel up from Limerick for a day to discuss his life and career as a writer and most importantly for us, the novel.

The Comparative study is an important aspect of the Leaving Cert. English course and can be somewhat difficult to grasp at first. However, after hearing Donal’s inspiration for the novel, our year has gained a valuable insight as to what he was thinking at the time that he wrote it. Hopefully this will give us a slight edge for paper two in June!

Many thanks to Donal for coming to Newpark.

Elvira Guoimard Sixth Year

Apparently Donal Ryan is frequently questioned about the wellbeing of Bobby Mahon, one of the 21 narrators of his polyphonic novel. Bobby is left in a very sticky situation at the end of the novel and concerned readers want to know what happened to him afterwards – they ask about him as if he were a non-fictional person whose life has moved on. Ryan reported back that Bobby is fine now, doing well and not to worry!

Leona Wolfe, Sixth Year

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Tenth Birthday for the Junior Plays With this year’s Junior Plays celebrating the tenth anniversary of the longstanding show, it was safe to say that this year would not disappoint. Showcasing five original short plays and a stellar variety of young, ceaselessly enthusiastic actors, the plays thoroughly entertained all who came to watch.

Building Blocks (written by Karim Tamu, Liadh Blake and Oliver Flitcroft) was both entertaining and deeply emotive. Also shown this year were Dodge and Charger (Adelina Avram and Aoife O’Reilly), Loco-Motive (written and directed by Dylan Burns, Killian Ryan and Benjamin May), Expression (written by Jamil Bhaloo and directed by Marie Itan Arteaga and Alex Dolan), and finally our own production The Green Room (Lorcan Kelly and Sabrael Svoboda).

Over the course of our production process, we saw nothing but dedication and raw talent in our actors, unlike anything we have ever seen in students of their age. They continually surprised us in rehearsals with their attentiveness and maturity.

Lorcan Kelly (Co-Director of The Green Room)

Junior Plays 2017 Directing In Fourth Year, Killian Ryan, Dylan Burns and I made a pact. It wasn’t a blood pact (we ruled that out as dangerous early on) but it was a pact we took very seriously. We decided to write and direct a play together in Fifth Year. I figured it would be an exciting and, dare I say, fun exercise, yet not until we began writing the first draft of what would become LocoMotive did I realise how exhilarating the process was.

I recall the first time we got together to brainstorm. At first, our setting was a bowling alley; our story was non-existent. After much time spent wondering who would be enjoying the sordid atmosphere in “Gary’s Ten Pin Bowling & Bar”, a realisation dawned: We wouldn’t get anywhere with Gary, nor his bowling. It was unanimously decided to start from scratch.

Two days later, murder was on our minds. Somebody would die in our play; that was certain. But who would be the killer? That was a mystery to us, as we had no characters. We thought of the classic mystery films, Death on the Nile or Murder on the Orient Express that had some common themes. Death? Yes, but also modes of transport. Boats had been done, ditto trains… but had the old Dublin Area Rapid Transit ever featured in a tale of theatrical terror?

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So, we had an idea. Once we had characters established, we could work on the actual scenes. So, we just started talking about characters aloud. “We’ll need a policeman on board to catch the killer, the killer himself, a doctor (there are usually doctors in such things, aren’t there?), perhaps a nun or priest to get some religion jokes in…”

Soon we had characters and had completed the first scene, a hilarious altercation between our garda character and the nun. It was really rather brilliant and was cut from the finished product completely.

We finished the script before auditions began. Seeing those 2nd and 1st years perform something I helped write was a new experience and I took great pleasure from it. By the time auditions ended, we had an idea of who we wanted for each part. I for one was doubtful we’d get any of the actors we bookmarked as there were five plays being cast. Amazingly, we got them all.

Our characters now had actors to bring them to life; and from the first rehearsal to closing night they were fantastic.

Rehearsals are actually something I’ll miss terribly.

The warm ups, games (which I, as omnipotent director, did not have to partake in, Ha), run-throughs and getting to know our cast were wonderful and a lot of fun most of the time. There were occasions when we old and tired directors had to raise our voices to calm our endlessly energetic, enthusiastic actors; but we never resorted to physical violence. I swear.

Over the weeks, we beat the play into a scruffily handsome shape, but there was still something missing.

The actors were perfect, making each line their characters delivered spring to life; but still something wasn’t right. We couldn’t work it out. Ms. Devis and Sian figured it out within a (literal) second. Our staging was a mess, not a complete mess but a tad sloppy. It amazed me that they spotted the problem so quickly, but that was their dedication to their craft perhaps. They took the time to help each group realise their vision because they cared about the results.

We were on for two nights. Regrettably, I didn’t see the plays on opening night as I had to remain backstage, however, from the deafening applause, I’m positive everyone’s opening night went well. On the closing night, I finally saw the plays and they blew me away. From Jamil, Marie and Alex’s quirky and hilarious Expression, to Aoife and Adelina’s brilliant spy parody Dodge & Charger, to Liadh, Olly and Karim’s thought-provoking and excellent Building Blocks and finally to Lorcan and Sabrael’s fantastic and witty Green Room; each play was utterly astounding.

And then there was Loco-Motive… I thought the performances of our cast - Doc-Noc, Rhiannon, Isaac, Lily, Ellen, Ellen, Colin, Saul, Sunny and Oscar - were simply sensational. I was extraordinarily proud that night: proud to have the opportunity to work alongside so many great young actors and proud to be a part of a school that celebrates drama as the art form it is.

And the person to thank for this is Ms Devis who has nurtured student talent in Newpark for years by allowing people develop and showcase their theatrical abilities. With support from past pupil Sian, this year’s tenth anniversary of the junior plays was a resounding success, all thanks to their dedication and hard work.

Ben Maybury, Fifth Year

Acting Doing the Junior Plays was a brilliant experience. It was nice having directors closer to my age as well as having fun acting in the plays. I liked the play I was acting in and it was interesting watching other plays whilst in the making of one. It was quite refreshing to watch other people after going over our play over and over again!

Sunny Cooling, 1DL

I played Shortbread in the play Building Blocks. I got to know the amazing cast and directors from my play really well. Being in the Junior Plays is an amazing experience that I think everyone should try at least once. It’s a great opportunity to boost your confidence, try new things and eat some delicious pizza!

Helen Hatter, 1DL

Just – Back to the Start Ten years ago, when I was a fifth year student at Newpark, Cathy Devis and I hatched a plan for the first ever Junior Play. The idea was simple - we would take a one-act play from an established writer, and cast an ensemble of first and second year students as the actors, giving them a chance to perform centre-stage for the first time, and myself a chance to try out the role of director. The play we chose was Just by Ali Smith - a surrealist comedy that satirises the justice system, societal ideals of guilt and innocence, and which, most importantly, had a whole role dedicated to a human pot-plant.

Just was a great success, playing in the Hunter Theatre as well as at the East Glendalough One Act Junior Drama Festival, and thus the model for the Junior Plays was born.

Since 2007, the Junior Play format has really grown into its own, and developed in size, artistic ambition, and breadth of style and subject matter. This year, we have a record number of five Junior Plays, starring over 45 first and second year students, all of which have been written and devised by the students themselves. I can’t over-emphasise how impressive and valuable this element of the Junior Plays process is, and how delighted I was in returning ten years later to find not only a host of talented young directors at the helm of the projects, but talented

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many young people. That provision of art for so many is a generous and hugely radical act and the legacy of Junior Plays is really her legacy.

The Junior Plays are a testament to the creative community of Newpark and its student body, so here’s to another ten years of human pot plants, pug smuggling, secret agents, confetti, amateur bowling, feral cats, fake babies on trains, crawfish farming, Shakespeare, Charles Darwin, and of course, Mrs Dovis (are you sure it’s not Devis?)

Sian Ni Mhuiri, Visiting Director/Facilitator

writers, too. It is a real achievement to write and stage a play (any play, really -how many unfinished masterpieces are currently gathering dust in drawers...), and more extraordinary still to write a good one. The maturity and skill demonstrated by the fifth year students in the 2017 Junior Play programme was considerable, as was the charm, talent and bravery of our young actors, many performing publicly for the first time.

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Reflections on Drama My first experience with Newpark drama was the junior plays when I was in first year. As a terrified twelve year old, I was thrown into an absurd play directed by Gracie Mason and two other fifth years and forced to come out of my shell.

What sets Newpark Drama apart from most school drama groups I have visited as a facilitator is the unique creative trust Newpark places in its young people. Newpark does not indulge the unfortunately pervasive idea that the great, challenging texts of the dramatic canon are above its students’ intelligence, understanding and skill, nor does it doubt the maturity of its students to create work, with a unique voice and insight, in a self-directed environment. My experience of mentoring the Junior Play process this year has comprised mostly of watching from the sidelines as a group of very capable, confident theatre-makers executed their own vision. Everything the audience sees has come from the ensembles, with only a light guiding hand.

It’s safe to say I haven’t looked back since. I have been involved in as many plays and musicals as I possibly could, my favourite being when I was in Fifth year and finally got to write and direct my own play.

The second thing, of course, which sets Newpark Drama apart from most other school drama groups is Cathy Devis. Cathy has created a nurturing, inclusive community through Newpark Drama that has launched innumerable professional theatre careers, and provided expression, creativity and confidence for

Newpark Drama has been a major part of my life and I look forward to returning to the Hunter Theatre in the years to come.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, directed by past students Saoirse O’Coinín and Gracie Mason for the Newpark Theatre Company, was my last production in Newpark. I have gone full circle from first to sixth year and I’ve loved every minute spent in the Hunter Theatre. I look back on the friends I’ve made and how I transformed into unique characters like the wailing Ophelia in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern or a sarcastic and self loathing radio presenter in my first junior play 'Umlaut FM.'

Odette O’Byrne, Sixth Year

The One Act Theatre Festival businessman. Having never played a role akin to this before, I found it difficult at first. It was hard to concentrate without laughing at the suggestive interactions I had with Amanda (Liadh Blake) my mistress in the play. After weeks of intensive rehearsal, the entire cast came into their own and truly embraced their respective characters in their own ways.

A team of Fifth and Transition Year actors made the annual odyssey to St Andrew’s in February for the One Act Theatre Festival. The competition was broader than ever this year with plays presented by ten schools from around Ireland. Director Ms Devis and her talented team put together a fast-paced, hilarious production of Micheal Frayne’s challenging comedy Audience.

The festival itself was an incredible experience.

Having never produced anything outside of Newpark, I felt nervous about performing in front of an away audience. The play went off without a hitch, gaining incredible reception from the audience. The feedback from the judge was nearly all positive, and when she described my character as “revolting” and “repulsive” I knew I had done my job. Overall, an incredible experience for all of us Lorcan Kelly, Fifth Year The One Act was probably my toughest challenge as an actor, but I’d say it was the most rewarding as well.

The speed and focus that Michael Frayn’s Audience demanded seemed to be too much for us early on, and this caused some of us to lose faith in the play. It even got so bad at one point that Ms Devis wanted to cancel the performance! But we soldiered on and, eventually, that paid off. By the time the date of the competition rolled around, everything just clicked, and we put on a well-liked and successful play.

Congratulations on a magnificent ensemble performance, nominations in multiple categories and awards for Best Director and runner up Best Production. The play was reprised to a packed and delighted home audience in the Hunter Theatre at lunchtime on Friday 10th March.

Even the casting process for the One Act this year was slightly different from most productions, as the play that we would showcase had not yet been decided upon.

Shortly after the cast list went up, Ms Devis held a meeting and posed the question: “Do you want to win the festival, or do you want to have fun?” The consensus was the latter, so we chose the play Audience. It is an ensemble piece, meaning that there are no standout roles and lessening our chances of winning awards at the festival.

However, the play itself is brilliantly funny and entertaining. The wide array of wacky characters left a lot of room for us to do as we liked with the roles and just have fun. I played Charles, whom I decided to portray as a disgustingly perverted middle-aged

I loved the experience. There were plenty of ups and downs, but it taught me so much about teamwork and determination, and helped me improve my own skills too. I’d definitely recommend taking part if you’re an actor looking to push yourself.

Louis Toole 4AK

Drama Notes What a brilliant year we have had over in the Hunter Theatre. The Newpark Theatre Company started the year off with a bang. After the fantastic musical, we got straight to work on the One Act and the Junior Plays. The One Act was such a pleasure to work on, the cast and crew were completely committed and many of them were juggling directing the Junior Plays as well. We stole the show at St.Andrew’s and really demonstrated our unique ability to perform comedy.

The Junior Plays quickly followed and involved over 80 students from 1st to 5th year. This year we were very privileged to have Sian Ni Mhuiri mentoring the directors. The Transition Year Drama class have been great this year and have just performed their final piece of Drama which they wrote themselves. Plans are afoot for next year. Will something wicked this way come ? Or what light may break through yonder window? Watch this space.

Ms Cathy Devis 47

PTA News With Easter late this year, we seem to be heading for the end of the school year having hardly started the summer term! Transition Year is nearly over, house exams are looming and even the Leaving and Junior Cert. exams are feeling a little too real now.

We have had a very busy time in the PTA – looking back over it now it’s difficult to believe all that has been happening in the past six months.

The Christmas Fair in early December was another resounding success, making over 4000 euro between the Fair and the Raffle. We are hugely appreciative of the parents , students and friends of Newpark who supported this event , and of course the amazing Fundraising committee who masterminded organizing it.

We have hosted three parent talks this year, one in November on ‘Study Skills’ by Professor Aidan Moran, mainly aimed at Senior Cycle students and parents, but also attended by some keen 3rd years.

The other two meetings (January and April) were talks given by renowned Child and Family psychotherapist John Sharry on ‘Promoting Positive Self Esteem’ and’ Dealing with Anxiety in Teenagers’.

We are delighted that these meetings have been well attended and hope to continue to bring other interesting and informative speakers to the school.

We’d appreciate feedback from those who attended , and suggestions for future speakers/topics – emails to pta@newparkschool.ie The Annual Table Quiz on March 23rd was a great evening, raising over 2000 euro. It was also a rather poignant evening, as one of the key people involved in running the previous Table Quizzes was no longer with us. The sudden death of Mary Walsh at the end of January was a great sadness for the PTA committee and the wider school community. Mary had been on the PTA for the previous six years, the whole time her son had attended Newpark, and had served as both Secretary and Treasurer. She was an amazing person, for whom nothing was too much trouble, one of the quiet ‘do-ers’ of this world. She is greatly missed by all of us and we send our love and sympathy to her family on their devastating loss.

Various projects which have been supported by the PTA this year include funding towards: • •

Grand Piano Modular staging for the GPA

• • • •

Trinity Walton Science Club Model United Nations (MUN) Irish Dictionaries for all Irish Classrooms Royal Shakespeare Company Workshop (English/ Drama Teachers)

The list above only details a few of the ways in which the PTA tries to improve the school experience of all your children. I’d like to encourage any of you who are interested in getting involved in the PTA to come along to the AGM in September and join the committee – we’re always delighted to welcome new members.

Our final fundraising event of the year is the uniform sale which will be at the end of May, date to be confirmed. We would ask those of you whose children have outgrown their uniforms, or who will not require them next year ( this year’s 3rd years) to donate any uniform items which are still in good condition. The last day students will be required to wear their uniforms is Friday 19th May, so from Monday 22nd May donations of clean, good quality uniforms may be left to the school.

We would also like to remind the Junior Cert. and Leaving Cert. students that as they finish their exams, there will be collection boxes in the school for textbooks they may no longer require.

Finally best wishes to all the students in their upcoming exams, and I hope you all have a great summer!

Becky Johnston, PTA Chair

Support Newpark at Grandstand Sports Grandstand Sports, Patrick St Dun Laoghaire generously operate a loyalty scheme. When making a purchase all you need to do is inform Grandstand Sports of the name of your school or club and they will credit the relevant account with 10% of the value spent.

Credit built up can be redeemed by way of free sports equipment from Grandstand Sports to the value on the loyalty card. They carry a wide range of sports goods including training ladders, cones, hurdles, bibs and many other items. Another popular way to use credit is in the form of vouchers as prizes. Schools and clubs which constantly remind and encourage their members to avail of this loyalty scheme have been very successful in gaining large credits.

Newsletter produced by Kevin Kirwan, Anna Johnston and Aaron Lamprecht Newsletter team: Sophia Finucane, Fionn O’Sullivan, Oisín O’Sullivan, Eoghan Funge, Misha Vaganov, Benjamin May and Lucy Richards Smyrk Cover photo by Fionn O’Sullivan Thanks to all our contributors

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