St Paul's Newsletter - Summer 2024

School Newsletter

St Paul’s Secondary School, Greenhills

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM ST PAUL’S!

A message from Ms Troy

I am writing to you as we finish another year in St Paul’s Secondary School. It has been a very busy year, with many highlights during the course of the year.

Students and teachers have worked hard to prepare for state examinations and house examinations. The extracurricular timetable has been particularly busy, with lots of opportunities for the girls to get involved in a variety of activities and clubs.

I hope this newsletter will give you a sense of all that happens in St Paul’s every day. Please take the time to read it and see all that is available to your daughter here in St Paul’s. If they get involved in a variety of activities,

MUSICAL BIG REVEAL!!!

Following the outstanding performances of Hairspray, only one question remains - what’s next? See inside to find out…

INCLUSION

Read inside to see the many ways we celebrate Diversity in St Paul’s

CONGRATULATIONS

Well Done to the Class of 2024 and to our Junior Cycle students on completing their Examinations - we are so proud of you all and wish you a lovely summer! continued overleaf

they will reap the benefits and build positive memories of school. We officially opened our first class for students with autism in May, having completed the building works during the year. We will open another class next September, and that class is already full. We have many successes this year, having been awarded the Schools of Distinction Innovation Award, the BelongTo Quality Mark for Inclusion, the Cineáltas Flag, and the Worldwise Global Schools Diplomatic Passport Award. We had three visits from the Inspectorate this year and were very pleased with the report from the Inspector following each inspection.

I hope you will enjoy some rest and relaxation during the summer months, and we will welcome the girls back in late August.

Best wishes,

Geraldine Troy (Principal)

FEAST OF ST PAUL - SCHOOL FEAST DAY

On the 25th of January, each year, we gather as a school community to celebrate our patron saint. The feast of St. Paul mass was celebrated by Fr. Michael Kilkenny in the Church of the Holy Spirit, Greenhills. It is a wonderful opportunity for the whole school to come together as a community.

This year we welcomed Sr. Kathleen Neenan, Sisters of St Paul the Apostle, and she regaled everyone gathered with wise stories and words of encouragement and inspiration. The celebration ended with a presentation of the Ethos award to this year’s winner - Saoirse McDonald.

St Paul’s selected for Library Award from Children’s Books Ireland

This year our school was chosen as one of 15 schools nationwide to receive a Robert Dunbar Memorial Library through the ‘Everyone a Reader’ programme organised by Children’s Books Ireland.

This news was greatly received as it was confirmation and reward for our commitment to, and promotion of reading and literacy in our school. The application process included highlighting initiatives our school had already run such as our Valentine’s Day ‘Blind Date with a Book’ event and World Book Day events to promote reading for pleasure.

As a result of our selection, our school received a library of over 250 new books, reading materials, staff training and workshops from a Champion of Reading. The Champion of Reading assigned to our school was author of young adult novels C.G. Moore who offered 12 hours of creative writing workshops to our transition year students. This was hugely beneficial to them as they enter into senior cycle next year. C.G. Moore has published three novels to date, ‘Gut Feelings’, ‘Fall Out’ and

‘Trigger’ and is currently teaching on the MA in Publishing programme at the University of Central Lancashire in England. Chris was a very energetic and enthusiastic facilitator, and the students enjoyed the workshops immensely, producing some fantastic pieces of work.

The transition year students involved in the project helped to add the new books to our library system and to prepare for the launch of our gifted books which happened at the beginning of April. The new books have been very popular and many of the books have been borrowed in recent weeks. We are very grateful to Children’s Books Ireland for affording us this opportunity to promote and share a love of reading in our school as we know that the benefits of reading are far reaching.

MESSAGES FROM OUR YEARHEADS

1ST YEAR YEARHEAD - MS STACEY

Congratulations to all the first years on completing your first year in Secondary school, you have come a long way since your first day here last August where you were worried about opening your lockers, finding the classrooms, bringing the correct books etc. I am delighted that you all met the challenges and coped so well during the year. You have achieved so much in both your academic studies and in all the extra curricular activities, It was great to see so many students involved in all the different school events- too many to list here!

A very big thank you to the form teachers, Ms Creggy, Ms Kemple and Mr McLoughlin who helped and guided you through this year and looked after you so well. Many thanks to the parents and guardians for their support and cooperation.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer holiday, have a well deserved break, enjoy your free time and make the most of it with your family and friends.

See you all in August as 2nd years!

Mrs Stacey

2ND YEAR YEARHEAD - MS SKELLY

I would like to congratulate students in Rang Eadaoin and Rang Eimear on the successful completion of Second Year. On completing their classroom-based assessments, I hope all gained valuable knowledge and skills which will benefit them in Senior Cycle. Among other things, students had to manage deadlines; develop an understanding of the requirements for success (the descriptors); and learn how to take responsibility for their own learning. I would also like to commend those students involved in extra-curricular activities which are not merely enjoyable but also very important for making friends, building confidence, creativity, teamwork & school spirit. They include Sport clubs, the Folk Group, School Choir, Christmas Trade Fair, and Green Schools (to name but a few!). I would like to congratulate Zion Osawe & Caoimhe Scally (National Boccia Champion) on their sporting achievements throughout the year, Sienna McDermott for her many successes in dancing, Katie Leonard for her artistic creativity, Moya May Kelly’s ‘way with words’ in her excellent Podcasts and short drama production, Joudy Ahmed, Louise Tynan, Michelle Ali, & Lucy Hyland for their excellent video production to help others understand and celebrate neurodiversity in our school. I am also very proud of the students' endeavours this year to promote climate action by caring for creation both in school and our local community. All actively participated in the Holy Spirit Rewilding Project and a smaller cohort volunteered to work towards the completion of our school’s sensory garden under the leadership of Ann Furlong. I would like to acknowledge & praise Sophie Donegan & Katie Leonards contribution as ambassadors for our school at the Bishops’ Conference in November, and Beibhinn O’Rourke for all her hard work during National Tree Week.

MESSAGES FROM OUR YEARHEADS

Second years also participated in numerous educational outings, trip to the cinema (Seachtain na Gaeilge), Life Lab, and Trinity College. St. Pauls Secondary School has an excellent progression rate of Leaving Certificate students to Third Level education. Visiting Trinity College, touring the campus and experiencing college life enhances students’ expectations and the desire to pursue further & higher education. Our school is also fortunate to be partnered with Amazon Web Services as part of ‘The Business in the Community Programme’. This year, second year students had the opportunity of being mentored by Amazon employees about their careers, college pathways, sustainability and new technologies. They also visited the AWS Head Office where they delivered their own presentation on what they had learned throughout the programme.

I would like to thank the second year Form Tutors Ms. Weldon and Ms. O’Toole for their all their care of the students daily, as well as the class captains, vice-captains and student council representatives for their class and year group ‘student voice’. Finally, I would like to thank second year parents / guardians for their continued support – ensuring that your daughters take responsibility for their behaviour & homework / study, attend school regularly, on time and in full school uniform.

Wishing you all an enjoyable and safe summer.

Ms Skelly

3RD YEAR YEARHEAD - MS DENEHAN

Congratulations, third years, on reaching this significant milestone! As you approach the final stretch of your junior cycle and the impending State Examinations, let's take a moment to reflect on the past year. We've enjoyed numerous highlights, from the enchanting Christmas concert and a variety of sports and extracurricular activities to the exhilarating trip to JumpZone and the triumphant Sports Day, where Rang Deirdre clinched the overall junior class title. These events have filled our year with memorable moments and remarkable achievements.

I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to those students who generously volunteered their free time for various school events. Your invaluable assistance during open day, bag packing at Dunnes Stores, and the clothes and Christmas hamper collections has not gone unnoticed.

A special thank you goes to the third-year teachers for their unwavering dedication to guiding, inspiring, and believing in your potential. I also wish to acknowledge Mr. Devlin, Mr. Brett, and Ms. Lynch for their steadfast support of their tutor groups, always prioritizing the students' best interests.

As you prepare for your exams, remember the challenges you’ve overcome and have confidence in your hard work. It’s never too late to start studying and preparing. Best of luck to each of you!

Ms Denehan

MESSAGES FROM OUR YEARHEADS

TRANSITION YEAR YEARHEAD - MS COLLETON

Congratulations TY students on a magnificent year, a year full of growth, exploration and discovery! You took on the challenge of ‘stepping outside your comfort zones’, embraced all that was offered with positivity and fun.

It has been a year full of opportunities, from community volunteering to work experience, from skiing in Austria to day trips to Glasnevin, Shine Festival, St Patrick’s Cathedral, cinema trips, ice skating, Emerald Park, bringing Baltimore to Greenhills for Hairspray, the musical, Maynooth University-Microsoft STEM passport programme, driving school, screen writing, Trinity Law, creative writing, Architects in School, badminton, rowing, bowls and mountain biking - this list goes on! As we close yet another chapter on your time in St. Pauls, I hope you feel more confident, resilient and ready for the next step – senior cycle.

Many thanks to parents and guardians for your support throughout the year. To Mr. Patton, TY Co-ordinator, for hosting a superb Transition Year programme, to our TY tutors, Ms. Amara, Ms. Mooney and Mr. O’Toole for their continuous support and guidance. Enjoy the summer break ladies, it’s well deserved!

Ms Colleton

FIFTH YEAR YEARHEAD - MS KING

Five years complete now in St Paul’s and it is hard to believe you all will begin your final year in September. After all the events and experiences in TY you all settled quickly into 5th year and focused on the Leaving Certificate programme.

So many of you have flourished this year taking part in extra-curricular activities such as the Folk group, the Chamber choir, many sport teams and sport events, the Ember team, mentoring with employees of CNP Santander team, being mentors to 2nd year students, Student Council, Active flag and Global schools.

Lots of hard work and study was completed this year too. I would like to congratulate our newly elected Head Girl Tanya Perera and Depuy Head Girl Romy Quinlan, and I wish them well in these roles in the next school year. Congratulations also to the successful team of students taking on the role of Prefect in September.

I would like to thank your form tutors Ms Byrne, Ms Farrell and Mr Carroll for all their hard work in guiding and looking after you this year. I would also like to thank your parents / guardians for their support and cooperation throughout the year.

Finally, I hope you all relax and enjoy the long summer days ahead. See you all in September! Ms King

SIXTH YEAR YEARHEAD - MS O’NEILL

Dear Sixth Years,

It is hard to believe how quickly your 5/6 years has flown by for you 6th years. Most of you joined us in 2018, others of you joined us along the way and it was great to see how you all settled in so quickly. I still remember your entrance exam in January of 2018, how tiny, innocent and nervous you all looked!!

Your time in St Pauls has been upset by Covid in 2nd and 3rd year and most of you didn’t get to sit you Junior Cert, so now is your time to shine and prove how good you all are! It has been my pleasure to be your Year Head for the 6 years, I have loved seeing how you all have changed, matured and become more resilient over the years.

Thank you for all your beautiful cards and presents, they meant a lot.

I wish you all the very best of luck in your Leaving Cert, you all deserve to do well. Keep in touch!

Ms O’Neill

CAREER GUIDANCE UPDATE

· CAO Change of Mind: Change of Mind is currently open for 6th Years CAO applications, whereby you can change the order of your course choices, add new courses or delete some course choices from your application. Closing date is 1st July 2024

· SUSI Grant: The SUSI Grant is open for applications and the closing date is the 11th July.

· REACH+: Well done to the Transition Years on completing the REACH+ programme. This programme helps students in making informed career decisions through understanding themselves, the world of education and the world of work.

· 2023/2024 was another busy year. Students visited college information fairs, attended college campuses, attended STEM events such as CuriosiTY in UCD, and speakers from colleges of both higher and further education spoke to students about courses and opportunities available to them.

· Best of luck to the 5th year students taking part in the UCD Residential Summer School from the 10th to 13th June. An amazing opportunity to experience college life while staying on campus.

· Leaving Certificate: Best of luck to all our 6th year students with the Leaving Certificate. Ms King and Ms Fleming hope you will all be very happy with your offers of college courses and will contact you in September.

ST PAUL’S CELEBRATES DIVERSITY - MULTICULTURAL DAY

Multicultural Day took place this year in St Paul's on the 19th of April, the event was even bigger and better than ever. Multicultural Day is an opportunity to learn about different cultures from around the world, meet new people, and engage in conversations with native speakers of other languages. It is a day to sample diverse foods and drinks, enjoy various cultural experiences, and have a joyful time. The Global Schools team also remind us of the Sustainable Development Goals and when our Multicultural Fair is over, we had a whole school Kahoot on the SDGs. Below, Anna Furman from 3rd year and Lakshmi Manojkumar from TY give their accounts of Multicultural Day 2024:

Hello! I am an Ukrainian student in St. Paul’s Secondary School, and I want to share my experience of the Multicultural Day here. The first thing I want to tell you about is the preparations for Multicultural Day. Each country designed tables

and got a chance to share with the rest of the school more information about their second home! Each year groups and staff got a chance to go to all the tables, sample some of their delicious food items and even get groovy with some songs. This year our school also got award the Global Passport: Diplomatic Passport from WorldWise Ireland for our commitment to global issues like Sustainability, Human rights and more. As I write this, I get to relive the amazing experience. Participating this year was even better than last year. It is amazing to see and hear about everyone’s different culture and heritage - getting to celebrate your roots with your friends and peers is always the highlight of every year. I was representing India with my peers, with a variety of food , ethnic jewellery , clothes and even dancing along to some of our songs. It was very informative as I got to understand more about my fellow students in St Paul’s. Everyone represented their country but dressing up in their traditional clothes and is easily one of those core memories of school life so far. We encourage everyone to participate each year and make Multicultural day in St Pauls better every time. Lakshmi

ST PAUL’S SHOWS RACISM THE RED CARD

The Student Council organised Show Racism the Red Card Day in St Paul’s on Thursday 21st March. They put posters around the school in four different languages, showing Racism The Red Card. They cut out red cards for the school community and handed these out to each student as they arrived to school that morning. There was an Instagram board for selfies that morning with students holding their red cards.

The Student Council had organised an interview with students from 20 different countries about their countries of origin and heritage. Along with the Creative Schools Team, they made a twenty minute video that was shown to the school community that day.

It was a great success and a wonderful example of the Student Council raising awareness about an important issue. We also organised an aerial video of students showing racism the Red Card in the Quad. This was a great way to celebrate the diversity that enriches our school community every day.

ST PAUL’S AMONG FIRST SCHOOLS IN IRELAND AWARDED FOR LGBTQ+ INCLUSION

St Paul’s Secondary School has been recognised by BelongTo, for their ongoing work in creating a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students.

The LGBTQ+ Quality Mark initiative is a holistic approach to LGBTQ+ inclusion in post-primary schools that involves the whole school community. We, in St Paul's Secondary School, joined the Quality Mark programme as the quality mark aligns fully with our core values of Care, Inclusion and Respect.

Over the course of the past eighteen months, the school community of St Paul’s worked in implementing evidence-based actions across a number of key areas, which research shows improves the wellbeing and safety of LGBTQ+ students. This included ensuring all school policies are inclusive of LGBTQ+ students, staff and their families; surveying all members of our school community and launching an action plan based on the feedback.

We are thrilled to receive the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark Award in recognition of our work over the past eighteen months to ensure that our school is a safe and supportive space for all and in celebration of our diverse school community.

During the initiative, the newest club in our school was launched and has become a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ students and their allies. We were delighted that some of our members attended the wonderful accreditation event held in the Foundry at Google Headquarters. The club meets every second Tuesday and most recently was involved in judging a school wide competition.

A competition was held recently for students to create a new logo for the club. Alanah Mc Kenzie in fifth year submitted the winning entry. The club would like to wish its outgoing members in sixth

CHINATOWN IN ST PAUL'S!

2024 has been quite the year for our Chinese Club, whose members worked tremendously hard during Chinese Week in April. With the return of our three dragons, as well as a brand new one designed by Rang Genevieve. A highlight for many was the annual Staff Room Dragon Dance which took place at break time.

Chinatown opened to staff, students, and primary school students. In Chinatown, students and staff learned how to write the Chinese phrase “Nǐ hǎo, nǐ jiào shénme? (你好 你叫什么)” entirely in Chinese characters. Our TY Media Team took the reins of our @stpaulsgchinese Instagram page, posting regular updates to Chinatown and created TikToks on our official school account @stpaulsgreenhills to promote Chinese Week. This was hugely effective, as a result we hit a new milestone on our Instagram page. For the first time in Chinatown, we had many TY helpers on hand to promote Chinese in St. Paul’s and to assist younger students with their displays.

The Great St. Paul’s Chinese Kahoot returned after a two-year hiatus. We have since come to realise why it is such a popular way to end Chinese Week - our students thrive off competition, and the buzz of competing against the whole school is second to none.

We couldn’t close off the academic year without a special mention to our first ever Chinese Student of the Year. This award was presented to Alister Salmon, who was an integral part to the creative aspect of Chinese week. He directed and designed our infamous Puppet Show, Chinese opera mask display and this year presented his newest instalment, Chinese fashion. We don’t doubt that Alister will have a huge, creative future ahead of him and we wish him the very best of luck.

On behalf of our Chinese Club, I wish you all a restful summer holiday and we look forward to welcoming new club members in September.

T. O’Reilly Coordinator of Chinese Language & Culture

ST PAUL’S RESPONDS TO CLIMATE CHANGE - HOLY SPIRIT

PARISH REWILDING / RESTORATION PROJECT

In the context of the alarming impact of Climate Change, first, second and transition year students in St. Paul’s took commendable action to actively Care for Creation this year. They exercised their role and duty as custodians of the planet earth to protect it for future generations, by undertaking various initiatives both in school and in our local community.

In response to Pope Francis' encyclical, our students responded with great enthusiasm to an invitation by the Parish Council to volunteer to help with the Holy Spirit Church rewilding / restoration project. In October, students weeded, cleaned and planted 3000 bulbs on the Church grounds. Students were taught about the importance of biodiversity; enhanced their understanding and appreciation of nature; and had the opportunity to meet and greet local parishioners. However, the outstanding contribution of three students in particular must be acknowledged. Those students represented our school (one of only two schools invited) to showcase our work on creating a greener future at a conference hosted by the Archdiocese of Dublin in conjunction with Trocaire in the Crown Plaza Hotel in November. Ali Baitson (First Year) was our Green Schools ambassador, and Sophie Donegan & Katie Leonard (Second Year) showcased our involvement in the Holy Spirit Church Rewilding Project and associated Artwork.

During National Tree Week in March, students planted, ‘gifted’ and distributed 300 tree saplings at school and in our local community. Additionally, second year students and Rang Genevieve designed and worked with Ann (one of our schools cleaning Lady’s) to create a school sensory garden. To celebrate their success to-date students concluded their work for this year with a Pizza Party. Congratulations to all involved and special thanks to Ann.

THE ARTISTS’ ANGLE - ART DEPARTMENT UPDATE

Architects in School Programme

During this 12 hour workshop students worked with Architect Richard Arnold and focused on the theme of ‘Home’. They began their design journey focusing on the meaning of ‘Home’ questioning the spaces in which we live in. After the initial discussion & design stage, students began to re-imagine their dream home, sketching their ideas onto a floorplan layout before moving onto the creation of some wonderful 3D forms.

This is the second year that St. Pauls has been offered a place on this programme, students were delighted to get an opportunity to work with Richard, learning to problem solve, design and appreciate our built environment. Some of the feedback received from the students include:

“What a wonderful experience to be a part of - I loved getting a chance to work with Richard & learned so much from him”.

“Participating in this programme has inspired me to think about pursuing architecture as a career”.

“I enjoyed the workshops because we got to explore the theme of home, it was personal, so it was meaningful”.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the Architect in School Programme workshops, it was such a fun and educational experience”.

Art Competitions

The Art Department was delighted to announce that Alanah McKenzie (5th year) won first prize in an art competition run by the Columban Missionaries on the subject of ‘Biodiversity Matters’. Alanah’s work is featured, along with others winners, in the Far East magazine.

Fr David of the Columban Missionaries came to St Paul’s to present a plaque and a cheque to Alanah, where he paid tribute to the very high standard of the artwork in the competition.

School Musical - ‘Hairspray’

On behalf of Ms. Colleton and Ms. Gough we would like to say a huge thank you to all the TY students who worked on the stage set. The team had an enormous job this year, it was a demanding set to re-create, with many scene changes, but the students took this challenge on and excelled. They worked outside of school hours, giving up their time to create a set we are very proud of!

CHAMBER CHOIR FILLS NATIONAL AIRWAVES

St. Paul’s Chamber Choir comprises a small group of 20 singers who all share a love and passion for choral music, enjoy regular rehearsals as well as the challenges of harmony singing. Rehearsals take place at lunchtimes weekly where the girls prepare for various events throughout the school year, including School Masses, Christmas Carol Services and Lunchtime Concerts. All senior members starred in our fantastic school musical last year, ‘The Sound of Music’ and in January many of our members starred in our brilliant production ‘Hairspray’.

The Chamber Choir loves to perform and celebrate the positive effects singing and music-making, as a group, has on our mental health and wellbeing, as well as the warmth and friendship associated with being part of a choir.

The 2023/2024 school year included many performances from our talented singers; school masses in the Church of The Holy Spirit, where the acoustics so beautifully suited the Chamber Choir’s liturgical repertoire, our very successful Sing Ireland National Singing Week Concert celebrating World Mental Health Day in October uplifting all who attended with the fantastic display of musical talent, our annual Carol Service where soaring descants and harmonies could be heard in the beautiful ‘O Holy Night’ and our final performance last week at Prizegiving Ceremony with the hauntingly beautiful rendition of Lord of the Rings piece ‘May it Be’. What a stunning performance the girls gave on that night. They really sang their hearts out!

The highlight of this school year for Ms Duffy and her dedicated and talented singers had to be the Chamber Choir’s very exciting news last December when they were chosen as one of the finalists in Choirs for Christmas on Lyric Fm’s Weekend Drive show and their recording of ‘Balulalow’ from Benjamin Britten’s ‘A Ceremony of Carols’ was played on air.

Ms Duffy wishes to again congratulate the talented, musical and dedicated Chamber Choir members and to commend and thank them for their great commitment and interest! What a successful year it has been! We can’t wait to hear what exciting performances lie ahead next year for the Chamber Choir!

A VERY BUSY TERM FOR THE EMBER TEAM

The Ember team has had a very busy and fulfilling term, marked by numerous events and activities that have enriched both our school and the wider community.

In January, the team attended Ember Renewal Day at DCU, a significant event that allowed them to reconnect with teams they had met during their training at Ovoca Manor in September. This day was not only a reunion but also an opportunity to learn from other teams and share experiences.

The team also participated in Le Chéile Day, celebrating the theme of gratitude. Each student in our school were invited to take time to write down what they were grateful for, fostering a sense of thankfulness and community spirit.

During Catholic Schools Week, the Ember team led daily reflections and prayers over the intercom, embracing the theme of service within our community.

In addition, the team played a pivotal role in assisting the RE department with the annual Feast of St. Paul Mass. Their dedication and support were invaluable to the success of this event.

To mark the Lenten period, the Ember team organized a prayer service followed by an Easter egg hunt for 1st year students. This brought joy and a time for are school community to reflection.

One of the many highlights of the term was the team's visit to the local primary school, Holy Spirit Primary School. They visited both the second and sixth-year classes to prepare them for their Confirmation and to help them reflect on their First Holy Communion. This meaningful engagement strengthened our connection with the local primary school.

At the start of May, the Ember team proudly graduated at DCU, a testament to their hard work and dedication throughout the year. As they move into sixth year, we wish each member of the team all the best and extend our heartfelt thanks for their leadership, help, and commitment to

TEACHING AND LEARNING WEEK 2024

Teaching and Learning Week 2024 ran from Tuesday 19th of March until Friday 22nd of March alongside Creative Schools Week. Great events took place across the school community linked to both initiatives.

The Teaching and Learning focus chosen by staff who attended Teach Meets was Homework and Active Participation in class.

The St. Paul’s staff were given special stickers to be distributed during Teaching and Learning Week to students that had completed a great example of homework. All students who received a sticker were entered into a prize draw at the end of the week. The lucky winners were Emma Jo Leonard (Rang Beibhinn), Ava Martin (Rang Grainne), Ella Boylan (Rang Grainne) and Emily Quinn (Rang Eadaoin).

The Teaching and Learning noticeboard was decorated especially for Teaching and Learning Week and teachers submitted examples of homework from a wide variety of subjects to be displayed. This created an opportunity to commend those students who put great effort into their homework. Active Participants in class did not go unnoticed during Teaching and Learning week. A surprise visitor popped into two random classes every day and asked the subject teacher to choose the student who had participated most actively in that lesson. The following students were chosen by their teachers: Niamh Hickey (Rang Fiona), Avah Mc Cann (Rang Eimear), Ella O’ Neill (Rang Dearbhla), Malak El Mir (Rang Grainne), Hannah Pham (Rang Grainne) and Ava Mooney (Rang Brid). All of them received a spot prize.

Finally, the teachers in our school had a great opportunity to meet and collaborate during the three Teach Meets that took place at lunchtime on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. The great attendance at these meetings is a testament to the teachers in our school and their commitment to willingly give of their free time to meet and discuss the needs of our students.

SENIOR

CYCLE HISTORY IS “ALIVE ALIVE OH” WITH THE MOLLY MALONERS IN ST. PAUL’S!

It’s been a great term for the Molly Maloners Senior History Club. We were fortunate enough to host a visit from Cathy Skuffill: Dublin City Council Historian in Residence and a regular contributor to programmes like the RTE History Show.

Cathy treated us to a master class in history research by demonstrating how one chance photographic source can yield links to the trenches of WW1, the 1916 Rising, a booming local industry, the early years of the Irish Free State and the commemoration of key figures such as Padraig Pearse. It was an invaluable insight into the behind-the-scenes reality of studying History. It is very easy to pick up a “ready -made” textbook and read; it is a far more authentic experience to roll up your sleeves and piece the evidence together for yourself. We’re immensely grateful to Cathy for her advice which will stand our girls in good stead when it is their turn to produce a History Research Topic for their Leaving Cert.

To that end, the “Mollies” won’t be short of ideas for research topics. This term we focussed on the female experience of growing up in 20th century Dublin. We explored what was life was like for the thousands who worked “in-service” and the lives of the “Factory Girls” who were lucky enough to secure a job in one of Dublin’s few industries such as Jacobs or Players and Wills. We also explored the social and economic factors which led to Dublin’s “Monto” being Europe’s largest red light district in late 19th and early 20th century. We finished out the term with the topic “Pride in our City” where we explored the emergence of gay civil rights and the Pride Parade in Dublin. We have lots more to look forward to next year, and we hope to lace up our shoes for a few walking tours to delve into the history living in the nooks and crannies of our capital.

Watch out for the “Molly Maloners” stand during clubs sign-up day, or see Ms. J.O’ Neill.

ST PAUL’S GETS CREATIVE!

The school applied for funding through the Arts council last year and were delighted to be awarded €4,000 and the opportunity to work with a Creative Associate, Ciara Power. All students were surveyed about what they felt creativity meant to them and a core team of students were elected by their peers as the first Creative Schools Team within the school. The team set a goal of enhancing student voice throughout the school using Digital technology and highlighted the creation of a Creative hub, the purchase of more digital technology, and establishing a Creative Schools Week. We purchased microphones, a podcast station, green-screen and teleprompter and focused on setting up the school's first podcast channel which you can find on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ 6ybApA4Uj0VLMvaEZQptI7?si=73b7e4167653406a

The team documented many of the various initiatives going on throughout the year and our first Creative Schools Week in April included a Mindfulness Workshop, Dance Workshop as well as a Karaoke Day for all students. These activities were all suggested by the students in the school and run by the Creative Schools team.

We would like to send a huge thank you to our wonderful Creative Schools Associate, Ciara Power, who made every session with the students fun and innovative, and we endeavour to continue the great work done by the committee in the future.

PI DAY QUIZ

Eight 3rd Year Students from St Pauls Secondary school attended the Dublin annual Pi Quiz in Coláiste Éanna on the 14th March.

The Irish Maths Teachers Association hold this quiz in 36 venues throughout Ireland, to celebrate Annual Pi Day (14 March = 3 / 14) They participated against 23 teams and came in the top 5! Well, done girls!

‘ENGINEERING' CAREERS IN STEM!

Thank you to The Dornan Group for sponsoring our school during Engineering week this year and purchasing a huge supply of maths games for the Maths and Science departments. We really do see the importance of promoting women in stem, since currently the percentage of female engineers in only 14% worldwide. "Board games based on numbers, like Monopoly, Othello and Chutes and Ladders, make children better at math, according to a comprehensive review of research published on the topic over the last 23 years." Taylor & Francis Group July 7, 2023.

OUR SHOES

The RE department decided to get involved again this year with the wonderful Irish charity Our Shoes. The TY RE class Rang Ciara took on the job of advertising and organising the collection of used sports shoes in our school.

Over a number of weeks, the class created posters that were displayed throughout the school, and they also visited form classes to outline the work that this charity does with children living in the townships of South Africa. Rang Ciara were very proud to have collected over a hundred pairs of trainers and football boots that were collected on 18th of May.

HSCL / PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION UPDATE

The Parents’ Association have been very busy fundraising to assist our school with the additional costs associated with our new special class for students with Autism which opened in September. The following events have helped in our fundraising efforts:

Easter Raffle

The Parents’ Association organised fantastic prizes from local businesses for our Easter Raffle which took place on 21st March. Tickets were sold in the school and were also available to purchase online via idonate.ie. This raffle raised €1,671. There were over 20 hampers won and we are very grateful for all your support.

Liberty Recycling

The Parents’ Association were involved in two collections of recyclable clothing this year. In total, both collections raised €1,221. Thanks to all parents, staff and students who helped with this initiative. A special thanks to our caretaker Fergus who helped to store all the bags as they arrived each day at reception.

Bag Packing in Dunnes Stores, The Square

On the weekend of the 19th and 20th April, students and parents helped fundraise for the school bag packing in Dunnes Stores. Thank you to all students who signed up to help and gave willingly of their free time to support this fundraiser. €791 was raised over the weekend. Students were rewarded with a pizza party from Domino’s Pizza which went down a treat! The management in Dunnes Stores commented that the students from St. Paul’s were respectful, helpful and courteous at all times.

HSCL / PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION UPDATE

There have been many other activities organised by HSCL for our Parents and Guardians throughout the year. Some of which include:

Classes for Parents

Our parents/guardians enjoyed water colour painting classes, Cooking classes, Yoga classes and Latin and Ballroom classes. We also had a weekly Friday Fitness class with Sean Behan. There was great energy from the parents who participated so enthusiastically in all these classes. We hope to run more classes in the new term and encourage parents/guardians to come along!

Parent Night with Dr Mary O’Kane!

Our parents/guardians enjoyed a most informative talk delivered by Dr Mary O’Kane on 15th April about how to support anxious children and teens. Dr Mary O’Kane is a lecturer in Psychology and Early Childhood Education. She provided some invaluable tips to parents as they navigate the teenage years with their daughters.

Parents on Tour!

Our annual trip for parents/guardians took place on Friday 17th May. We enjoyed a most engaging guided tour that transported us from the grand Georgian beginnings to the tenement dwellings of its later years. It was a fantastic opportunity to experience the house, hear its stories and discover the layers of Dublin history within its walls. Some of us enjoyed it so much, there are plans to return again this summer!

Thank You!

Lastly, a very heartfelt THANK YOU to the Parents’ Association for your hard work and support. A special word of thanks to our outstanding chairperson Denise Ferns who has led our PA with such spirit, energy and commitment. We also thank Caroline O’Brien who has been such a supportive member of our PA. We appreciate all the time, dedication and enthusiasm both of you have invested in the PA. You will be sincerely missed and will always be stitched into the fabric of our St. Paul’s community.

ST PAUL’S BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS DEVELOP

We are delighted that our students have the opportunity to experience the world of work and be mentored by Amazon Web Services, Davy Stockbrokers and CNP Santander. Thank you to Business in the Community Ireland for facilitating these partnerships and supporting our students.

2nd Years - Amazon Web Services

25 Second Year Students participated in 6 sessions with AWS this year. This World of Work Programme aims to introduce students to the opportunities that lie ahead for them in the workforce. The sessions are all delivered by AWS employees who share their college and career pathways with the students. One of the visits is a site visit where the students get to take a tour of AWS Head Office. This is a memorable experience for all. The final session is the Wrap programme where our students deliver the presentation. It was wonderful to see their confidence in presenting.

Transition Years - Davy Stockbrokers

This year five of out students were able to participate in the ‘Time to Grow’ Programme. They had three days work experience in Davy’s Stockbrokers. This was such a tremendous experience for our five accounting students.It gave them a first hand glimpse into a profession in this career.

5th Years - CNP Santander

Nine 5th Year students were selected to participate in a Mentoring Programme with CNP Santander. This runs throughout the year on Wednesday afernoons once a month, The student is matched with an employee of CNP who mentors them for the year. The students received guidance on exam technique, CAO choice, College options and pathways, Careers, CV Preparation, Interview Skills and skills for the workplace. The feedback from our students was super. be significantly bene cial and highly recommended being involved. the Mentoring session with a social event in the escape rooms and lunch in Town. hugely important in developing independence and con

DUBLIN CHAMPIONS

Well done to all our students who have participated in these partnerships.

Congratulations to 2nd Year student Selina Prah and her basketball club, Firhouse Notre Dame, who won the Dublin Ladies Basketball Cup 53:41, winning the Cup for the fi time in 20 years in the Club’s history.

Well done, Selina!

STUDENT COUNCIL UPDATES

First Year Easter Egg Hunt

This was organised by the Student Council as a fun activity for First Years. It was a great treat for First Years and it was lovely to see this student council led activity bring such joy! The Student Council funded this by running a tuck shop. They also did the tuck shop at the school play for three nights.

Autism Awareness Week

This year, we held our first ever Autism Awareness Week - which began on 29th April. To start the week the Student Council put Autism Awareness posters around the school. They then organised a bag of fidgets to give to every teacher to have in their classroom to support the learning needs of neuro diverse students. The fidgets were funded by a Student Council Ice-cream sale. This was an Autism Friendly Sale - space in the queue and noise levels kept to a minimum.

The Student Council made an announcement each day introducing the video of the day. The Student Council planned five videos, one for each day. The videos were shown to the whole school community each morning. The first video was an explanation of Autism. Day two was a tour of our Rang Genevieve classroom. This was to take away the unknown about the Autism Class. Day three was students answering questions about Autism and an interview with a student with Autism. Day four was a Vanish Ad highlighting the challenges for an Autistic girl in Secondary School. Day five was a video showing what sensory overload feels like.

We concluded the week by asking all Students to raise their hands and wave, as opposed to clapping, to celebrate the learning that had taken place this week, in a way preferred by the Autistic community. It was a wonderful week in St Paul’s.

Darkness Into Light Walk

Friday 10th May 5.45am. The Student Council supported this initiative by organising the refreshments for all students who completed our first Darkness into Light walk. It was amazing to see one hundred students join us at 5.45am. This was such a special and unique experience for all involved. Well done to all our walkers who came together to support those experiencing mental health challenges. Much needed funds were raised for Pieta House, but also it was a great sign of the layers of support and kindness that existboth within the walls and the hearts of the St Paul’s community.

Sports Day Ice-cream Sale

The Student Council led this and raised €425. Lucky for our Ice-cream sellers that the sun was shining, and the Student Council were rushed off their feet trying to keep up with the queue!

DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 2024

The TY Mini Company class organised our first ever school Darkness into Light walk on Friday 10th May. Students and teachers met in the school car park at 5:45am for a 5km walk in Tymon Park.

The Mini Company class promoted the event by visiting classes and making announcements on the intercom. The class and the student council organised breakfast in the sports pavilion for the students who took part in the walk, they had cookies, pancakes, hot chocolate along with other treats for the students and staff.

We raised €1,162 for Pieta House and the TY mini company were very pleased with how the walk and event went.

NEWS FROM RANG GENEVIEVE

The students of Rang Genevieve had a very busy term. We were delighted to move into our new classroom after Easter. We have our own Sensory Room in this space, and an outside swing area. The official opening of the classroom took place on 30th May and was a great celebration for everyone.

The students have been involved in some planting and gardening in the outside area. They have been supported by Second Year Students who under the guidance of Ms Skelly and Ann, one of our ancillary staff, this garden area is really beginning to bloom.

Rang Genevieve students have loved their fun filled, energetic, and joyful classes with Ms Shields. She has played an ‘instrumental’ part in their journey this year, and will be deeply missed as she retires.

Rang Genevieve have an Art corner in their classroom where they proudly display their creations from Ms Colleton’s Art Class. It is a joy to behold. Another highlight this term was Rang Genevieve making a Chinese dragon for Chinese Week with Mr O’Reilly. Genevieve loved Sports Day and it was great to see them in the middle of all the action!

TRANSITION YEAR OUT AND ABOUT!

Our TYs have been very busy over the last few months. Here you can read about some of the various activities and trips the TY students have had the opportunity to participate in over the last termyou’ll see they definitely haven’t been idle - all while performing in the magnificent ‘Hairspray’ - a truly outstanding production worthy of Broadway and beyond!

Work Experience

Our wonderful TYs got out into the world of work with our students experiencing a wide variety of careers and workplacesfrom the Laura Lynn foundation and working in the Childrens’ Hospice to dog grooming and everything in between. The students were delighted to experience the real world 9 to 5 with many reporting that they had found their future career! The feedback received from employers was glowing and it was clear that the students of St Paul’s made quite an impression!

Lighthouse Cinema Trip

The whole TY group hightailed it to Smithfield for a day of popcorn, friendship and retro movies. The 00s classic retelling of Shakespeare’s the Taming of the Shrew : “10 Things I Hate About You” was on the silver screen and the girls loved it! Showing us all that the classic stories still remain as poignant as ever.

School Summit Careers Event

The careers department were delighted to be able to whisk the TYs off to Blanchardstown to take part in the annual careers event . Stalls and speakers from all walks of life were present and the girls came away with some great goody bags and even better advice on their future life direction.

Rowing

This April, saw St.Paul’s enter their first ever team in the Grand Canal rowing blitz. This came as a result from in school training sessions with Rowing Ireland, where many of our students showed great potential. The team consisted of Lucia Howlett, Isabelle O’Melia, Hannah Quinn and Mya O’Connor Canning - they represented the school extremely well and won a bronze medal overall. This is hopefully the start of future teams entering this annual blitz and representing St.Paul’s. Well done to the girls again!

Bowls

Transition year students in tandem with Colaiste Mhuire and Templeogue College, participated in an outdoor bowls tournament in Greenhills community centre. This consisted of a two week training session and then a fi This was a totally new sport for all students involved and a fantastic learning experience. Huge Congratulations to the St. Paul’s Bowls team who came second on the day! A big thanks also to Richie and all the volunteers for their help and guidance with the girls.

Mountain Biking

In May, 20 of our transition year students were fortunate to have the opportunity to take part in a mountain biking session in the Ticknock, Dublin Mountains in conjunction with Active South Dublin and ‘Her Moves’. The girls had a fantastic day maneuvering around the mountain terrain and for the majority of the girls it was their first-time mountain biking. This was a fantastic opportunity and hopefully more students will enjoy this experience in the coming years. A huge thank you to biking.ie for their support in organizing and providing this free trip for the girls.

Emerald Park

The TY year hit new highs as the TY students headed to Emerald Park for what turned out to be a glorious day of team building and class bonding in the sun. The laughter was heard from near and far as the girls pushed each other onto higher and higher rides and even convinced a few teachers to take a spin on a rollercoaster!

GOOD MORNING, BALTIMORE GREENHILLS!

A huge and all the staff who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our school musical. 'Hairspray' took place over three nights to great acclaim. The school musical is a highlight of our calendar each year in St Paul's (see below for the big reveal for next year’s show!) and is the perfect opportunity to display the wealth of talent of our students. A huge who played a part in making this show the success it was - from set design and construction to costumes and props, from choreography, acting and music to ticket and poster design, from stunning stage performances to a well coordinated backstage team. Take a well deserved bow - you brought Baltimore to Greenhills but could easily bring it to Broadway and

SKI TRIP AUSTRIA

2024: AN UNFORGETTABLE

ADVENTURE!

This year’s TY ski trip was nothing short of spectacular, offering students a perfect blend of adventure and learning. Our destination was the picturesque ski resort of Ehrwald in the Austrian Alps. Known for its stunning slopes and vibrant atmosphere, Ehrwald did not disappoint.

Students were treated to breathtaking views, crisp mountain air, and perfect skiing conditions. Beginners started with the basics, learning how to navigate the slopes safely with the help of experienced instructors. Although it did take a few days for the students and teachers to get the hang of the skiing, by the end of the week they had really mastered the sport. A highlight of the week was the students going to the Zugspitze glacier on the last day to ski and the thrill of gliding down the snow-covered mountains brought smiles and cheers from everyone involved.

While skiing was the main focus, the trip offered a variety of activities to ensure everyone had a memorable experience. Evenings were filled with fun events such as karaoke, disco bowling, a silent disco and a very famous Ms Stacey quiz night! The students also got the opportunity to walk down to the local village to go to the shop.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the trip was the strong sense of friendship that developed among the students. Sharing new experiences and challenges helped build lasting friendships. Whether it was helping each other on the slopes, sharing lunches, or laughing during evening activities, the bond among the group grew stronger each day. Beyond the physical skills gained from skiing, students learned valuable lessons in resilience, teamwork, and independence. The trip encouraged everyone to step out of their comfort zones, try new things, and support each other, fostering personal growth and confidence.

A huge thank you to the Ms Stacey, Ms Kemple, Mr Devlin, Mr Brett and Mr McLoughlin who organised and supervised the trip, ensuring it was safe, smooth, and enjoyable for all. Their dedication and hard work made this adventure possible. We also extend our gratitude to the parents for their support and trust. The TY ski trip was an incredible journey that provided unforgettable experiences and memories that will be cherished for years to come. As we return to our regular school routine, we carry with us the excitement and joy of this adventure, already looking forward to next year's trip! Until next time, happy skiing!

Sporting St Paul’s

It has been a very active and exciting summer term for sport within St Paul’s. Well done to all the girls who are giving of their time, energy and skills on the various teams in St Paul’s.

Junior Soccer

Our Junior soccer team training took place after school on Wednesdays on the all-weather pitch. It is great to see so many first years involved in their first year in the school and making new friends. The girls played two games in the group stage, the first was against a very good St Mac Dara’s team, the girls performed excellently but unfortunately they lost. The second game was against St Colmcille’s and this was a great game - it finished 4-4 which meant the girls qualified for the quarter finals. The quarter final was played beside Tallaght Stadium against Old Bawn Community College, it was a very competitive game, Old Bawn came out on top with a scoreline of 4-3. The girls had a great year following their return to the football pitch and they are looking forward to playing next year.

The journey to the East Leinster Athletics competitions was filled with dedication and hard work. Our athletes trained tirelessly, balancing their academic commitments with rigorous training sessions across their respective sports. Their efforts paid off as they competed fiercely against athletes from other schools across the region.

One standout performance came from Zion, who clinched the gold medal in the High Jump event with a remarkable jump of 1.50 meters. This outstanding feat earned Zion a top spot on the podium and secured a place in the All-Ireland Finals, where Zion proudly wore the St. Paul’s vest in Tullamore.

Athletics

During the Athletics competitions in May, 15 talented students from St. Paul’s School proudly represented us at the East Leinster Athletics competitions at Morton Stadium. The students participated in various events, the High Jump, Long Jump, Shotput, Relays and 100m and 200m sprints, showcasing their athletic skills and determination. Among them, four students qualified for the prestigious Leinster Championships: Zion Osawe in the High Jump and the 75m hurdles, Selina Prah in the Shot Putt, Joanna Shodipo in the 100m sprint.

Zion competed valiantly in the All-Ireland finals and jumped the second highest height on the day, finishing in a superb fourth place overall. A fantastic achievement and a testament to Zion and her commitment, resilience and skill.

The achievements in Athletics this year reflect both: the wonderful PE department along with the range of extracurricular sports available at St. Paul’s led by our dedicated teachers and supportive staff. Participating in such highlevel competitions boosts the students' confidence and inspires their peers to strive for excellence in sports and academics.

SPORTS DAY 2024 - WORTH WAITING FOR THE WEATHER!!

The famous St Paul’s Sports Day finally returned on Monday 20th May. It had to be postponed due to rain the previous week, but it was definitely worth the wait. It was fantastic to see the whole school together again and to see such great participation by all students throughout the day.

Year groups were given different colours and the students really did show their colours on the day. Form classes competed against one another in a number of events, these included shot putt, 100m and 200m sprint, long jump, long kick and the famous wellie throw. Then came the novelty events, the sack race, egg and spoon, wheelbarrow and three-legged race always gets that competitive streak flowing! Form classes then competed in the tug of war against each other before the points were added up.

While this was happening the teachers vs. 6th year student’s rounders match took place where the teachers came out on top after a very close encounter. Our most famous event then took place, the Ms Petit relay, 6th year form classes had to make a relay team made up of a student from their class, a 1st year student, another student from a different year and a teacher, we have never seen such a close race but well done to Ms Mooney and Rang Fiadh on taking home the trophy and getting their name in the history books. All that was left was to announce the winners and the winners of the best 1st year class was Rang Gemma and the overall winning class was Rang Déarbhla in 3rd year.

SIXTH YEAR GRADUATION AND PRIZE-GIVING 2024

On Thursday, 16th May we held our annual Prize-Giving Ceremony. This was a very special event recognising our students’ Academic Excellence, Commitment to Studies, Merit Cup, Arts Award, Leadership Awards, Sporting Awards and Student of the Year to name but a few.

The following Wednesday, 22nd May we marked the graduation of our Class of 2024. Our sixth year students and their families, our staff and Board of Management gathered in the school hall for a very special ceremony as we celebrated the hard work, commitment and dedication of our students. We were delighted to welcome Fr Michael Kilkenny to celebrate our Graduation Mass, which included a very moving Ceremony of Light. Mass was followed with an address from Ms Troy. Bronagh Farrell and Shauna Fox, Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl, then brought everyone gathered on a journey through the past six years in a engaging and heartfelt speech. This was followed with a handing over of the reins to our Incoming Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl, Tanya Perera and Romy Quinlan.

Congratulations to our Class of 2024 and to all our award winners. Both our graduation and prize-giving committees deserve a huge thank you for two exceptionally well-organised and beautiful celebrations.

SIXTH YEAR GRADUATION AND PRIZE-GIVING 2024

SIXTH YEAR GRADUATION AND PRIZE-GIVING 2024

T Y GRADUATION AND OPENING OF RANG GENEVIEVE

Following the completion of their summer exams, on Wednesday 29th May, our Transition Year students celebrated all of their accomplishments in a wonderful ceremony led by Mr Patton, Ms Colleton, Ms Amara, Ms Mooney and Mr O’Toole.

The following day, Thursday 30th May, saw the celebrations continue for Rang Genevieve as we officially opened their redesigned and equipped new classroom and outdoor play area. Thank you to Fr Michael for blessing the classroom and the parents and guests for attending such a special and momentous occasion!

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

ce is closed from Friday, 28th June for holidays and will re-open on Tuesday, 6th of August.

Friday 23rd August: 2nd and 5th Year Induction, 1st Year Orientation

- Monday 26th August: 1st and 6th Year Induction

- Tuesday 27th August: 3rd Year and TY Induction

- Wednesday 28th August: Normal

School Day for all students

Wishing you and your family a very safe, relaxing and well-deserved summer break!