The first day of our trip, we woke up bright and early on that Thursday morning for a 4am meet-up in Dublin Airport. When we arrived in Germany, we got the S-Bahn to old Munich Town and got a rainy walking tour of the city. We settled into our rooms and had a nice pasta dish in the hotel.
The next morning, we got the train to Nuremberg and Court Room 600, where the Nuremberg trials were held. We then got the tram to the site of the Nuremberg rallies where we learnt about the buildings and how they were planned. Then we got the train back home and we had a meal at a burger restaurant.
On Saturday morning, the History students went to a museum about the German identity, the Brown House which was the former Nazi headquarters in Munich. After this we had our first free time, where we explored the city. In the evening, we went to a huge beer hall, where we ate traditional German food.
On our final day we visited a Jewish Museum in the centre of Munich and learned about the life of the Jewish minority living there. After this we had free time where we enjoyed the Fasching festival, celebrating the last Sunday before lent. We then made our way back to the airport and flew back home to Dublin. We all had a great trip and enjoyed the activities and learned so much.
By Emily Bruton, Lottie O’Conner and Sophie Bryce-Smith
Die Deutsch- und Geschichtsklassen der 5. Jahrgangsstufe erlebten eine unvergessliche Reise nach München in Deutschland. Von den Bierhallen bis zu den historischen Museen haben wir die Stadt München besichtigt.
Unser Ausflug war richtig toll. Wir haben uns wirklich über die Reise gefreut, und es war wunderbar. Am ersten Tag haben wir einen Stadtrundgang durch die Altstadt gemacht und viel über die Geschichte der Stadt gelernt. Es hat geregnet aber wir haben es trotzdem genossen. Am zweiten Tag sind wir mit dem Zug nach Nürnberg gefahren, um das Nürnberger Gerichtssaal zu besichtigen. Wir haben auch eine Führung um die Reichsparteitagsgelände gemacht. Am nächsten Tag war ich mit meinen Freunden im Deutschen Museum. Wir haben Deutsches Essen wie Schnitzel gegessen und Getränke getrunken.
Es hat richtig viel Spaß gemacht und deswegen habe ich viele schöne Erinnerungen gesammelt. Mein Lieblingsteil war wahrscheinlich die Freizeit, die wir genossen haben, um die Stadt zu sehen und einkaufen zu gehen.
Wir sagen ‚Vielen Dank‘ zu den Lehrern für eine tolle Klassenfahrt nach München. Wir haben deutsche Delikatessen wie MezzoMix and Spezi probiert. Ich glaube, dass ich sogar meine Deutschkenntnisse verbessert habe! Alles in allem war es eine tolle Klassenfahrt! Es ist eine echt schone Stadt und ich würde sie sehr gern wieder besuchen.
Von: Phoebe Harold-Barry, David Walshe, Alexander CreightonTwomey, Éabha Foy and Tracey Chen
History
In February, some of our 5th Year History students travelled to Munich and Nuremberg for an unforgettable learning experience that brought their course to life.
In Munich, students visited the NS-Dokumentationszentrum München, located on the site of the former Nazi Party headquarters (the Brown House). Here, they explored how propaganda, leadership and ideology shaped Germany in the 1930s. The guide was particularly impressed with their engagement and understanding. Students also enjoyed time in the city, taking in its medieval core around Marienplatz, visiting markets, and sharing a meal in a traditional beer hall during the lively Fasching season.
In Nuremberg, students stood on the historic Zeppelin Field, where vast Nazi rallies took place, helping them understand the power of spectacle and mass persuasion. A visit to Courtroom 600 brought them to the site of the Nuremberg Trials, where leading Nazis were held accountable after World War II. Students also had a chance to see the city’s impressive medieval walls and castle, linking earlier European history with their studies.
By sharing the trip with students from the 5th Year German class, both student groups were able to learn from each other and navigate their way together. This trip was a great opportunity to bring history to life beyond the classroom.
By Mr Shaw
5th Year Burren Trip
This year’s 5th Year trip took students to the Burren for unforgettable learning, adventure and fresh air on Ireland’s stunning west coast.
Each group had a tailored experience: Agricultural Science students visited Tola Goat Cheese Farm, where they saw the cheese-making process up close and got to sample the final product. Biology students spent time at Home Tree Nursery, completing fieldwork and planting trees to support biodiversity and reduce our carbon footprint. Geographers explored coastal landscapes, followed by a visit to Doolin Cave to witness Europe’s largest stalactite. Students not taking these subjects – fondly known as the “Erratic” group – enjoyed a ferry trip around the Cliffs of Moher.
As a whole year group, students also visited the iconic Cliffs of Moher and Ailwee Caves, and took in the Birds of Prey Show, with some brave volunteers stepping up to hold the birds themselves. The trip ended on a high, quite literally, with surfing in Lahinch, all under glorious spring sunshine.
A fantastic few days filled with practical learning, bonding, and a lot of laughs – definitely a highlight of the year.
Mr Mr Egan
The Geography group arrived bright and early to school at 6:45am, feeling alive, awake, alert, and enthusiastic. All nine of us, along with Ms Duffy and Ms Stewart, boarded our magnificent minibus and set off on our limestone adventure.
The first stop on the Geography cohort’s trip in the Burren was St Tola’s goat farm. We were safely deposited into the, relatively speaking, fresh air of the farmyard and headed into the sheds to see the goats. The goats varied greatly in size, from babies to pregnant mothers that seemed to defy the laws of gravity simply by managing to stay upright. We got the chance to see how goat farms operate, how goats are milked, and learn about the production of their infamous goat’s cheese (and have a taste!). We got back on the bus and headed to Ailwee Caves for a tour. We were taken through the cave and saw some beautiful examples of stalactites and stalagmites, as well as learning about the history of the cave and how it was discovered. Projections of prehistoric bears, ‘Mind your head’ signs that were perpetually swinging from repeated skull knocks, and the complete darkness that seemed to swallow us whole when the lights were turned off were just some of the highlights of the tour.
When we were finished in the cave, we walked down the slope to their bird sanctuary. We were treated to a display of some of their birds of prey and got to learn some really interesting information about the different breeds and how they hunt in the wild. The birds flew around the hill and overhead (a few feathers were ruffled when they got too close), and a few of us even got to hold them!
We then had another short bus ride on some very winding roads to see the Cliffs of Moher, with a short stopover to quell a certain someone’s nausea. As expected, it was very windy, though thankfully not windy enough to send anyone over the edge. The relief at a full headcount was palpable (just imagine the insurance paperwork). The cliffs were magnificent, and the cloud cover, broken by a single ray of sunshine, made the whole landscape look like a dramatised painting.
At this point, you must be wondering how we did all of this in one day. We were also wondering that, but to our great relief we
reached the end of our itinerary and returned to the hotel. After a quick collapse onto our beds, we had dinner and a dander on the beach.
On Thursday morning, the Geographers had to wake up earlier than everyone else to get on the road. The sleep deficit was made up by the lack of a breakfast queue, and the anticipation of our field study kept us awake on the bus. We then reached the culmination of our extensive Geography careers: the limestone pavement. We made some very scientifically accurate measurements of clints and grikes, along with some sketches (dis aplay in the National Gallery pending). Along with erratics and rare alpine flowers, we found some amazing fossils of plants and shells from millions of years ago on the beach.
Next stop was Doolin Cave to see Europe’s biggest free-standing stalactite. We all said a prayer of thanks to the inventor of the helmet every time we whacked our heads off the ceiling of the tunnel. The cavern itself was massive, and the stalactite was beautiful. We learned about how the cave was formed, its discovery, and why there is a large deposit of clay inside a limestone cave. We did our leg workout for the year, climbing the hundreds of steps back up to the surface, then collapsed onto the benches at the top.
Finally, we drove over to Lahinch to have lunch and ice cream before surfing. Waves were shredded and people were (temporarily) drowned. Thoroughly tired, we got back to the hotel to shower and have a quick power nap before dinner and another beach walk.
On Friday morning, we took a group photo at the hotel before loading back onto the buses for a final time. After some very winding roads, we pulled into Bunratty Castle for a stopover. We arrived back at Wesley at lunchtime and said a tearful goodbye to our little minibus: RIP, you served us well.
All in all, it was an amazing trip. We learned a lot and had loads of fun. Thank you so much to all of the teachers who organised our activities, especially Ms Duffy and Ms Stewart for taking such good care of us.
By Izzy Jackson
On the first day of our trip, the Agricultural Science class was able to visit St Tola goat’s cheese farm in Clare, about thirty minutes from the Burren. We saw a variety of Saanen and British Alpine goats and got a full tour of their milking parlour and facilities. We learned about the process of fermenting the milk to create cheese and ended up trying their St Tola Ash Log with crackers and seasonings. We got a glimpse of St Tola’s completely organic farming system, which helps create their artisan cheese and goat’s milk. Overall, we had a great learning experience that definitely benefited us in our Agricultural Science module.
By Henry Clarke and Rachel Fisher
Interschools Music Festival
The first weekend of March once again brought the Interschools Music Festival to life on the Wesley College campus. This year’s event was particularly special as we were marking an incredible milestone - the 50th anniversary of the festival, which has been held at Wesley since its founding by Frank Hughes in 1975. The event has grown from a visionary idea into one of Ireland’s most vibrant celebrations of young musical talent. The festival’s origins are as remarkable as its legacy. With the goal of purchasing a new organ for Wesley College, music teacher and musical pioneer Frank Hughes undertook an extraordinary 92 hour organ playing marathon, surpassing the previous Guinness World Record by 10 hours. His achievement earned him a silver cup and the funds that would ultimately launch the Interschools Music Festival. What began as a bold endeavour has since flourished into a national event featuring 53 competitions across an impressive range of musical genres
- from choirs and solo performances to traditional music, rock bands, vocal and instrumental categories, and much more. This year’s festival was blessed with sunshine, and the campus buzzed with energy as music drifted through the air. Nearly 3,000 participants from primary and secondary schools across the country took part, many visiting Wesley for the first time and many more returning to a familiar stage. The standard of performance was exceptional, and each competition was adjudicated by highly qualified experts who offered thoughtful, personalised feedback to every performer. It was a weekend filled with music, laughter, and lasting memories. Congratulations to all who took part - we already look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.
By Ms McCauley
Interschools Music Festival pictures by past pupil, Andriy Griffin.
1A1 Geography investigated different types of mass movement and produced a poster to explain each of their case studies. Each pair made a short presentation to the class and then posted their work on the class Geography Wall. One interesting finding was that some students found that AI did not recognise mass movement along motorways, mistaking it for the mass movement of cars! It turns out (but we knew that anyway!) that you need knowledge of a topic to be able to evaluate the quality of the answers AI provides on that topic.
By Mr Lydon
Legal Studies
25 Years of Legal Studies in Wesley
Legal Studies is a popular Personal Interest Module in Transition Year. The module provides a good introduction to key principles of law in Ireland, and students learn about the sources of law, personnel of the law, the structure of the courts, and criminal law. The module is peppered with video examples of cases. Students also participate in a mock trial, the outcome of which is never certain! The course follows Transition Unit I designed for the NCCA, and feedback from students on the course over the years was helpful when the Courts Service requested input when developing their education programme.
This school year marks the 25th anniversary of visits to the Courts - we began visits before formal court tours were being organised; the Court Service had only just been established. Students meet with a barrister - this year it was the excellent Darren Lalor - for an introduction to how the Criminal Courts of Justice work. Students then sit in on real cases. On our visit in December, students heard one case of theft in the District Court. The accused, a 19-year-old, was given a 4-year sentence. Where appropriate, students may sit in on more serious cases.
Overall, the module gives students a very good idea of what studying law is like. Several past pupils have gone on to follow careers in law.
By Mr Lydon
Interfaith Day for 2nd Years
The Imam, the Priest and the Rabbi walked into Wesley College, well, almost. In April, we held our Interfaith Day for 2nd Years. Speakers from Muslim, Christian, and Jewish faiths shared their beliefs, customs, and heritage, offering personal insights into their traditions. Students learned about practices such as pilgrimages to Mecca, the significance of artefacts like the Menorah, and what their faith means in daily life. In addition to the talks, students took part in a ten-minute session of centring, or contemplative, prayer. One student reflected that “it was a new way of prayer I had never heard and it was really nice and calming”.
To conclude the day, the year group gathered for a Q&A session with the speakers. Students asked thoughtful questions and heard how different faiths can offer both similar and contrasting perspectives. As one student noted, it was an opportunity to see how religions can share common themes while following different versions of a story. It was a valuable experience, giving students the chance to learn, reflect, and engage with different faiths in an open and respectful setting. By Rev Mathews
Art
Ceramic Envelopes
To mark the end of their three years in Visual Art, Ms Maher’s 3rd Years created these beautiful ceramic envelopes filled with positive messages. New staining techniques were explored; some pieces were glazed, while others were carefully painted with acrylic. Best wishes to all students in their exams in June. A selection of pieces by Kate MacLean, Aoibhinn Keogh, Ciara Gillanders, and Lile Bowling. By Ms Maher
Modern Foreign Languages
MFL Quiz
Transition Year students brought energy, enthusiasm, and a touch of international flair to the Myles Hall on Friday, 17 April for a lively Modern Foreign Languages quiz. Students were grouped into mixed-language teams, combining their knowledge of French, German, and Spanish in a fun setting. The quiz featured six engaging rounds, including French culture, German trivia, and Hispanic music, challenging teams to think quickly and work together. Between rounds, students competed in light-hearted activities to win bonus goodies, from paper basketball to dancing the Macarena, with plenty of laughter and friendly competition. Students also enjoyed themed snacks, including French brioche and Spanish Chupa Chups. After a closely contested quiz, one team emerged victorious, with each student receiving a €10 Dundrum gift voucher. A huge thank you to all Transition Year students for their fantastic participation, and to the Modern Foreign Languages teachers for organising such an enjoyable event.
By Ms Elliott
German
Many congratulations to past pupils (Class of 2025) Jamie Walsh and Jack Keown, who went head to head in a German debate on Tuesday 31 March. Formerly teammates on the Wesley German team, Jack captained the Trinity College team, while Jamie represented UCD as they debated the topic of a social media ban for teenagers in Ireland, in German. UCD emerged victorious. The debate was also attended by last year’s Best Speaker, Luke Barnard, also a past pupil of Wesley, as well as Frau Hegarty-Owens. Well done to all involved!
By Frau Hegarty-Owens
Spanish
Dear staff and students of Wesley College, As the end of the academic year approaches, so does my return to Spain. I’ve truly loved my experience as a Spanish language assistant at the school, and it has been such a pleasure getting to know you all. Thank you so much for welcoming me so warmly — you made me feel like part of the school from day one.
First of all, I want to congratulate the Languages Department for all the hard work and enthusiasm you put into teaching Spanish, French, and German. You are such a great team, and you organise so many fun and creative activities to encourage students to learn foreign languages. Thank you as well for letting me be part of all those events and for allowing me to contribute my own ideas — I really appreciated it.
And of course, how not to mention my lovely Spanish students! I will never forget all the oral exam practices with Fifth and Sixth Year, when you didn’t know how to say something during the interview and ended up inventing the most ridiculous Spanish words imaginable… only to burst out laughing the moment you saw my face. Or when we practised roleplays and tried to survive impossible words like Quijote, archivos or escaparate without twisting our tongues into knots. Or when I told you I was going to do a video call with a friend to practise listening skills, and you all looked at me in complete shock when you realised I was actually serious!
I will never forget the laughter from my First, Second, Third and Fourth Year students whenever I brought a new game or activity to Spanish class. From the famous Spanish snack break full of Cola Cao and biscuits to the TY quiz challenges and the grammar question auction, your faces were always a wonderful mix of surprise and
confusion — which somehow made the classes even more enjoyable and entertaining.
But what has made me happiest is seeing how our relationship changed throughout the year. At the beginning, many of you were shy and nervous, but little by little you became more confident speaking to me in class, asking me questions about Spain, saying hello in the corridors, or even demanding to know why I hadn’t come to your class that week and what game I had prepared next. I will remember you all very fondly, and I hope you’ll think of me too whenever you speak Spanish or visit Spain.
Honestly, I think Wesley College is a fantastic school full of hardworking, kind, and dedicated people. I know that whenever I look back on this year, I’ll remember my time here with a huge smile. I wish you all the very best for the future — and remember: if you can use ser and estar with no mistakes, you can do anything in this world! Best wishes,
Marta Teba Cabrera, Spanish FLA
18 Wesley College News
Physical Education Sports Day
The annual Wesley College Sports Day was held on 26 May. The primary emphasis was on participation and enjoyment. There were three competition zones for students from Preps to Year 3: the Games Zone, where students played Soccer or Basketball representing their tutor groups; the Athletics Zone, where representatives from each class competed in a range of events; and the Adventure Zone, where students enjoyed inflatable activities and novelty games. All participants gave their best and supported each other throughout the day. Sincere thanks to the PE staff and school coaches who organised and ran the events smoothly. We look forward to another successful Sports Day next year.
Athletics Zone
The Athletics Zone is the ‘purists’ element of Sports Day, focusing on Track and Field events. Athletes were drawn from each tutor group, representing their class in competition.
Points were awarded for both participation and performance. Students competed in events including the 100m, 4x100m relay, one lap walk, 60m hurdles, Shot Put, High Jump, Long Jump, and Wellie throw. The spirit of camaraderie and competition was evident throughout. A notable highlight was the 2nd Year girls, who all competed in at least one event.
The standard was excellent, with the 100m finals a particular highlight. Running down the track with the support of classmates, friends, and staff created a memorable atmosphere.
Points were totalled and the final overall winners are outlined below.
By Mr Collins, Mr Barry and the Athletics team
Adventure Zone
The Adventure Zone was a lively area of Sports Day, with a range of inflatable activities. Participants enjoyed challenges such as bubble soccer, bungee cord basketball, gladiator battles, and an obstacle course.
A novelty games area included three-legged races, sack races, and water cup relays, encouraging teamwork and friendly competition. With the hot weather, the water fights became a highlight.
Ms Brain and Ms Moffett
Games Zone
The Games Zone featured students playing Soccer or Basketball. Year 2 opened the events, setting a strong tone of competition and camaraderie. Year 3, Year 1, and the Preps followed, each bringing their own energy to the day.
There were some excellent goals in Soccer and baskets in Basketball, but above all, the focus was on enjoyment. Congratulations to the following teams who won the football tournament:
1st Year and Preps Boys: 1A1 (10 points)
1st Year and Preps Girls: Preps (12 points)
2nd Year Boys: 2A6 (13 points)
2nd Year Girls: 2A4 (15 points)
3rd Year Boys: 3A3 (11 points)
3rd Year Girls: 3A3 (15 points)
By Mr Ryan
Music Scholars
We are delighted to celebrate the success of our Music Scholars.
Olivia Vondrys (6th Year) has been awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, ranked fifth in the world for music. She will begin her Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Violin this September.
Tracy Luo (6th Year) has been awarded a full scholarship to attend the Luzerne Music Centre in New York this summer. She will take part in a four-week programme of advanced musical study, working closely with renowned faculty. Tracy is one of just two harpists selected internationally for the course.
Kian Lee (6th Year) recently made a guest appearance at Mark McCabe’s Maniac & Other Bangers show in the 3Olympia. He performed a section of Albinoni’s Adagio for Strings and sang Swedish House Mafia’s Don’t You Worry Child.
Rian Ni (1st Year) was a finalist in the TUD Junior Keyboard Bursary 2026 on 11th May in the National Concert Hall. Rian was one of four finalists, all of whom were older than him.
Congratulations to Olivia, Tracy, Kian, and Rian on these outstanding achievements.
By
Ms Dowzard
Cork International Choral Festival: 3rd Place for Senior Choir
Congratulations to the Senior Choir who travelled to Cork at the end of April for the prestigious International Choral Festival. After an early start, they competed in the Mixed Voice Post-Primary Schools competition, enjoyed a choral workshop, and had a tour of City Hall by the Lord Mayor of Cork himself. As always, they represented the College brilliantly with some lovely performances and secured 3rd place in a very high-scoring competition. A very special mention goes to our piano accompanist, 5th year Louis Wang. Well done to all involved. We look forward to returning to Cork again next year! By Dr Doyle
Feis Ceoil: Senior Choir
Congratulations to the Senior Choir on a great day of highquality choral singing at the Feis Ceoil in March. In their first competition of the day, they delivered a wonderful performance and took Second Prize in the Turner Huggard Memorial Cup against very tough competition. They followed this with a win in the Comórtas Larchet, where the Senior Choir gave a world premiere of a piece specially commissioned by the Feis on the occasion of the festival’s 130th anniversary. I gcomhpháirtíocht le Notre Dame Keough Naughton Institute for Irish Studies (In partnership with the Notre Dame Keough Naughton Institute for Irish Studies). Do chóir iarbhunscoile, trí nó ceithre pháirt, 16–60 amhránaí. (For three or four-part post-primary school choirs, 16–60 singers). The adjudicator praised the musicality of their performance and their ability to bring the Irish text to life. This win qualified them for the Choir of the Year final, where they delivered another fantastic performance. They proudly brought home the Corn Uí Chuinneagáin and a substantial cash prize to the College. Comhghairdeas! By Dr Doyle
Distinction for Junior Choral Group
Well done to all members of the Junior Choral Group on completing their Royal Irish Academy of Music Choral Singing exam earlier this month. They delivered brilliant performances for the visiting examiner. They were awarded a Distinction, the top result, with a mark of 93%. Congratulations to the JCG, a wonderful way to round off a very successful and busy year. By Dr Doyle
This year we celebrated a fantastic Health and Active Week, with students and staff embracing a wide variety of activities throughout the week. Students were encouraged to stay active by wearing their PE uniform each day and taking part in an exciting range of breaktime challenges, including the high jump, vertical jump on the mat, football shooting target, basketball free throw, as well as testing themselves on the rowing and SkiErg machines.
Lunchtimes were equally energetic, with students enjoying volleyball on the outdoor courts, while 1st Year students competed in the annual rounders tournament. Congratulations to 1A1, who emerged as this year’s winners after a brilliant competition.
During assemblies, students participated in fun Heads and Tails games and listened to presentations from their peers highlighting the importance of staying active and getting involved in sport during school life.
Staff members also got involved through a Strava competition, tracking the distances they covered through walking, running, cycling, and swimming over the course of the week. Congratulations to Ms Rutherford, Ms Brain, Mr Hosford, and Mr Ringland, who all won their respective categories. To round off the week, staff had the opportunity to take part in an early morning run before school on Friday.
Overall, the week was a hugely positive celebration of health, fitness, and community spirit across the entire school.
By Mr Ryan
I rith na seachtaine, ghlac daltaí na scoile páirt i líon mór imeachtaí trí mheán na Gaeilge. Déantar iarracht an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn ar fud na scoile agus an teanga a choimeád beo. Gan amhras, ba é Seachtain na Gaeilge buaicphointe na bliana do na daltaí agus na múinteoirí uilig!
During this week, every student took part in many events as Gaeilge. Every effort is made to promote the Irish Language throughout the school and undoubtedly Seachtain na Gaeilge is a highlight for both the pupils and teachers.
Imeachtaí i rith na seachtaine
Events throughout the week
Bhí seans ag gach dalta a scíth a ligean agus gearrscannán Gaeilge a fheiceáil leis an mbliain go léir san amharclann ‘GB Shaw’, agus bhí atmaisfeár taitneamhach ann.
Fuair na daltaí ón gcéad bhliain deis toraíocht taisce a imirt agus a scileanna ealaíne a thaispeáint chomh maith leis an gcomórtas póstaeir as Gaeilge. Dhear siad póstaeir a bhain leis na seanfhocail.
Chuir High Rock Productions an seó ‘Caith Amach é’ i láthair ar an 11ú Márta. Seó grinn den chéad scoth ab ea é, bunaithe ar na sraith pictiúr don Ardteistiméireacht. Clúdaíodh gach sraith i slí bhríomhar bharúil agus spreagúil, lán le stíleanna éagsúla drámaíochta, ceol, puipéid, idirghníomhacht agus aisteoireacht fhisiciúil. Tar éis na ceardlainne rinneadh cur i láthair idirghníomhach ar conas tabhairt faoin mbéaltriail. Bhain na daltaí idir thaitneamh agus thairbhe as an gceardlann de chuid ‘Caith Amach é’.
All of the pupils were treated to short movies in Irish with their year group all together in the GB Shaw Auditorium and there was such an enjoyable atmosphere there. Those in 1st Year participated in a treasure hunt using only Irish clues and also had to design a poster based on ten different Irish Proverbs.
High Rock Productions paid the College a visit with their brilliant show ‘Caith Amach É’. This is a very funny show based on the series of pictures required for the Irish Oral Exam in the Leaving Certificate. They cover the series of pictures in a very comprehensive and dramatic way making full use of music and puppets with their brilliant acting skills. This made such an impression on the 6th Years and prepared them for their Oral Exams in a very enjoyable manner.
TionóilAssemblies
Bhí clár ama an-ghnóthach ag na daltaí ar feadh na seachtaine! Labhair daltaí difriúla ag an tionól gach lá, ag taispeáint gur teanga bheo í an Ghaeilge. Bhí an t-ádh linn freisin go bhfuil banna traidisiúnta den scoth againn sa scoil agus bhí siad ag seinm ceoil draíochtúil iontach dúinn ag an tionól. Freisin bhí seisiún ceoil nó ‘pop-up’ ceolchoirm ag am lóin. Bhí deis againn éisteacht le ceoltóirí áille is tréitheacha ag seinm le fuinneamh agus paisean.
Chuir Rang 4A1, tús le seachtain na Gaeilge lena gcuid scannáin ghrinn ‘An Múinteoir Cróga’ a rinne siad i mbliana. Taispeánadh an scannán seo don scoil ar fad sa tionól. Labhair Haley Viana Smyth agus Erin Anthoni faoin deis a bhí acu a gcuid Gaeilge a úsáid i slí difriúil agus taitneamhach san idirbhliain. Léirítear dúinn gur bhain gach dalta sult as a bheith ina aisteoir agus ina stiúrthóir uaireanta agus bhí roinnt múinteoirí ag aisteoireacht sa scannán chomh maith. Bhí an Cumann Díospóireachta i láthair ag an tionól agus labhair Evelyn Arheit, Rachel Scott agus Ciara MacDonncha faoin gcraic agus spraoi a bhíonn acu sa chlub seo. Mhínigh siad gur fiú Gaeilge a úsáid chomh is minic agus is féidir libh cé go bhfuil sé dúshlánach ag an tús, tá feabhas mór tagtha anois ar a gcuid Gaeilge agus bhí rath mór acu i mbliana leis an gcumann díospóireachta.
Bhí an Cór Sinsearach ag canadh freisin sna tionóil, le caighdeán ard mar is gnáth. Chan siad amhrán álainn nuachumtha ‘Ag filleadh ar an gCathair’ don chéad uair riamh agus freisin an t-amhrán draíochtúil ‘Geantraí’. Chuir an cór muid faoi gheasa lena nguthanna áille. Níl aon ionadh mar sin gur bhuaigh an cór seo an chéad duais sa Chomórtas Larchet 2026!
The students all had a busy timetable throughout Irish week! Different pupils spoke in Irish in assembly every day, showing that Irish is very much alive. We were so lucky to have an excellent Trad Band in the school, and they played wonderful, magical music for us in assembly. They also had a music session, a ‘pop-up’ concert, at lunch time. We had the opportunity to listen to beautiful and accomplished musicians playing with energy and passion.
4A1 launched Irish Week with their comedic TY movie ‘The Brave Teacher’ which they made during the year. It was shown to the whole school in Assembly. Haley Viana Smyth and Erin Anthoni spoke about the opportunity they had to use their Irish in a different and enjoyable way in 4th Year. It was obvious that every student enjoyed being an actor and a director, and there were even a few teachers who took part also.
The Debating Club (as Gaeilge) members were present at assembly. Evelyn Arheit, Rachel Scott and Ciara MacDonnacha talked about the fun that they have in this club. They explained that while it is challenging at first, it is so worthwhile to use your Irish as much as you can because they have really improved their Irish and have had much success in the Debating club.
The Senior Choir were singing to their usual high standard in Assembly also. They sang a beautiful newly-composed song called ‘Ag filleadh ar an gCathair’ for the first time ever and also sang the beguiling song ‘Geantraí’. The Senior Choir spellbound us with their beautiful voices. It’s no surprise then that they won first prize in the Larchet Competition this year!
Ciorcal Comhrá
Circle of Conversation
Mar chuid de Sheachtain na Gaeilge, d’eagraigh Foireann Díospóireachta na scoile ciorcal comhrá Déardaoin ar an 19ú de Mhárta.
Ba dheis iontach í bualadh le chéile chun tae agus plé a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge. Cuireadh fáilte chroíúil roimh gach duine, ba chuma cén leibhéal Gaeilge a bhí acu. Bhí an-chraic i seomra G3 le linn an dá lón, buíochas le spiorad an tslua agus na málaí ‘Tayto’. Bhain chuile dhuine taitneamh as idirghníomhú as Gaeilge agus rinne gach duine an-iarracht. Bhí ceol gaelach ag seinm sa chúlra agus chuir sé seo go mór leis an ócáid.
Buíochas mór le Ms Sartini as é a eagrú. By Ms McKeon
As part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, the Irish Debating team organised a ciorcal comhrá on Thursday 19th of March. It was a lovely opportunity to meet and have a chat as Gaeilge as well as some delicious food. Everyone was welcome, no matter what level of Irish they had. There was a great atmosphere in G3 during both lunches, thanks to the enthusiasm of all who came along, as well as the supply of Tayto. Everyone enjoyed conversing in Irish and made a great effort. Irish music was playing in the background and this really added to the occasion. A huge thanks to Ms Sartini for organising the ‘Ciorcal Cainte’.
By Ms McKeon
Radhairc ón scannán ‘An Múinteoir Cróga’. Scríofa agus stiúrtha le Rang 4A1 2025/26. Scenes from the movie ‘The Brave Teacher’. Written and directed ‘as Gaeilge’ by 4A1 2025/26.
Biodiversity Assemblies Introduction
During Green Week, we were lucky to have 5th Year Axel Roulston and Mr Wallace’s Transition Year class create a video about biodiversity and beehives in our school, showcasing our farm and the variety of plants and animals on campus. The video was shown in both junior and senior assemblies. Afterwards, Aoife Moore and I interviewed Mr Toye about the beehives, the farm, and his favourite features of the garden. It was an educational and successful assembly, and we are very grateful to Axel, Mr Wallace, and Mr Toye for their support.
By Sophia Hanley, Transition Year
The theme for Green Week this year was our new Green Flag for Global Citizenship, Food and Biodiversity, focusing on topics such as food production. During Monday and Tuesday assemblies, we introduced the new flag and shared some baseline facts:
• One third of the food we buy ends up in the bin
• 25% of the world’s freshwater is used to grow food that is never eaten
• One third of Irish bee species are threatened with extinction
Both assemblies were informative and fun, even with my poor jokes about bees. They were a great start to our new flag.
By Callum Keatinge, Transition Year
Charity Bake & Plant Sale
During Green Week, Ciara MacDonncha and I (Rachel Scott) ran a bake sale to raise money for the Irish Bee Conservation Project, which works to protect Ireland’s native bee species and support pollinator conservation. We sold a variety of treats, including brownies and cookies, and raised €73.10.
A cactus sale also took place in the concourse, with plants kindly donated by Olivia Vondrys (6th Year). The sale was a great success, with strong support from students and staff. Overall, Green Week went very well, and we were delighted to support such a worthwhile cause.
By Rachel Scott, Transition Year
Swap Shop
The ‘Swap Shop’ is an annual Green Schools event promoting ways to reduce fast fashion, a major contributor to water use and carbon emissions. Before Green Week, students and staff donated clothes they no longer needed. These were organised in the concourse for students to swap throughout the week.
It was a great way to reuse clothes, encourage thrifting, and reduce waste. Remaining items were donated to charity shops. The Swap Shop was a clear success again this year, and we look forward to continuing it next year.
By Sofie Dingliana, Transition Year
Food Miles Contest
Activity Hub
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The Activity Hub returned for Green Week with a range of popular games linked to this year’s theme of biodiversity and food. Activities included Giant Jenga, Octopus Darts, Snakes and Ladders, and Spin the Wheel, with strong participation throughout lunch. Octopus Darts was the standout favourite. Prizes included Fairtrade chocolate, linking to the week’s theme. Alongside the games, a cactus sale took place, with each buyer receiving an adoption certificate. Overall, the Activity Hub was a great success and enjoyed by many.
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By Aoife Widdowson, 1st Year
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Poster Competition
This year, Green Schools focused on raising awareness of biodiversity through our annual poster competition.
Cycling Through Assembly
The theme was “Biodiverse, Save Our Universe”, encouraging students to showcase their creativity.
Many excellent entries were submitted, leading to lively discussion about the winners:
1st Prize: Leesha Gao, Second Year
2nd Prize: Hannah Wallace
3rd Prize: Eileen Fan
Runner Up: Audrey Stangel
Highly Commended: Olivia Heaney and Milly Cunningham
By Tadhg Sexton, Transition Year
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Guest Speaker
Travel-Themed Activity Hub
Lorax Video
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On Friday 22 March, past pupil Brian Meredith visited to speak about organic and sustainable farming. As a beef farmer, he explained how farmers can adopt practices that benefit the environment, including tree planting, solar energy, and avoiding chemical fertilisers.
He shared the benefits of going organic, including increased income, lower inputs, and greater resilience, as well as challenges such as increased labour and costs. After the assembly, Green Schools joined Mr Wallace’s Agricultural Science class for a Q&A session, where Brian answered further questions about his work.
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By Olivia Heaney, 1st Year
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During Green Week, we created and filmed our own version of The Lorax to show in assembly. Everyone contributed to the production, both filming and acting. The video focused on protecting trees and habitats, highlighting how deforestation affects ecosystems. We aimed to raise awareness within the school and encourage small changes, such as reducing paper use.
By Aoife Moore, 1st Year
Book Repair Workshops
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The School Library hosted book repair workshops on Monday and Tuesday of Green Week. From 12.40–2pm each day, a fully stocked repair station offered binding glue, book tape, bone folders, laminate and more, alongside a well-worn box of damaged library books ready for revival. Students dropped in to learn practical repair skills and put them straight into action on library stock and their own books. By the end of the workshops, a bundle of previously discarded volumes had been restored and returned to the shelves. Many thanks to all who took part.
WEEK
Our school community recently celebrated a vibrant and successful Pride Week 2026, which took place from Tuesday 5 May to Friday 8 May with the theme “Bloom with Pride.” Throughout the week, students and staff came together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, allyship, and the importance of creating a school environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. The week began on Tuesday with a colourful launch that encouraged positivity, kindness, and school spirit throughout the school. Rainbow displays, decorations, and a welcoming atmosphere helped mark the beginning of a meaningful and enjoyable week for the entire school community. During the Junior Assembly, Ms Holly Boylan addressed students and reminded them of the importance of respecting differences, supporting one another, and ensuring that everyone feels accepted for who
they are. Her message set a positive and reflective tone for the week ahead and reinforced the values of inclusion, kindness, and belonging within our school community.
On Wednesday, Mr Alan Walsh addressed senior students at assembly, where he reflected on his own time in Wesley and spoke thoughtfully about the importance of acceptance, kindness, and inclusion within the school community. His words encouraged students to continue supporting one another and highlighted the value of creating an environment where everyone feels respected and valued for who they are. First Year students took part in a Pride Treasure Hunt, where they worked together to follow clues, celebrate diversity, and compete for prizes. The activity created a fun and engaging atmosphere while also promoting teamwork, inclusion, and a strong sense of belonging among
students.
Thursday focused on student voice and allyship through ShoutOut workshops with Second Year students. These workshops encouraged important conversations around respect, inclusion, and celebrating individuality. Students engaged thoughtfully with the discussions and reflected on how everyone can contribute to a supportive and welcoming school environment. Friday brought the celebrations to a wonderful close with a lively and colourful Pride Parade in the concourse. Music filled the school as students and staff gathered together to celebrate Pride Week. A highlight of the parade was the arrival of the Garda Diversity Car, which helped lead the celebrations and added to the positive atmosphere on the day. We were also delighted to welcome the Emerald Warriors, who spoke with Transition Year students and shared
powerful messages around inclusion, identity, and belonging.
Throughout the week, students also engaged in a variety of ongoing activities. The school library hosted a special display of LGBTQ+ books and rainbow-themed displays, helping to highlight diverse voices and stories. Students contributed enthusiastically to the Collaborative Poster, which celebrated what Pride and inclusion meant within our school community.
Bracelet making took place throughout the week, allowing students to create and share colourful pride bracelets with friends. On Friday, students also enjoyed a rainbow-themed lunch in
the dining hall, kindly supported by the Sodexo staff, which added another fun and colourful element to the celebrations.
A huge amount of work took place behind the scenes to make Pride Week 2026 such a success, and tremendous credit must be given to the Pride Committee for their dedication, creativity, and enthusiasm throughout the planning process. From organising events and decorations to promoting inclusion and positivity across the school, the committee worked tirelessly to ensure the week was welcoming, meaningful, and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Their commitment to creating a school community where all students feel seen, valued, and accepted was evident in every aspect of the celebrations.
Pride Week 2026 was a hugely positive experience for our school community. It provided an opportunity to celebrate individuality, acceptance, and respect while reinforcing the importance of inclusion and allyship within our school. Most importantly, it reminded everyone that our differences should be celebrated and that every person deserves to feel proud of who they are.
By Ms Murphy
28 Wesley Update Sports News
Girls Tennis
Girls Tennis: Season 2026
The 2026 tennis season saw six teams competing across Minor, Junior and Senior Leinster leagues, with strong commitment and enthusiasm throughout.
The Minor teams delivered solid performances, with the Minor B team recording an impressive win over Teresians before narrowly losing to Mount Anville. The Junior A team defeated King’s Hospital to progress before losing to St Andrew’s. The Senior A team reached the league semi-final after a strong win over King’s Hospital, before narrowly missing out on a place in the final.
Led by 6th Years Alannah Crawford and Juliette Carroll-Breen, the Senior team showed great determination throughout the season.
Congratulations to all players on their commitment and sportsmanship, and a special thank you to the sixth years for their contribution to Wesley tennis, as well as to Ms Henderson, the coaching staff, and all teachers who supported the teams.
By Ms Moffett
Girls Tennis: School Championship
There was strong participation from Junior players in this year’s Wesley Tennis Championship, with closely contested matches across all levels.
In the First Year and Prep competitions, both tiers required tiebreaks to determine the winners. Aoife Widdowson and Milly Cunningham won the top tier after a closely fought final against Lola Fulton and Eloise Mitchell, while Olivia Heaney and Izzy Doyle won the second tier.
The Second Year winners were Suzie Allison and Lainey Harte. The Junior competition was completed despite challenging weather conditions, with Rebecca Lucy and Abbie Johnston finishing as overall winners, and Molly Bruton and Sadhbh Kingston as runners-up. Well done to all participants on a competitive and enjoyable championship.
By Ms Moffett
1st Year Tier 1 Runners Up: Eloise Mitchell and Lola Fulton
1st Year Tier 1 Winners: Aoife Widdowson and Milly Cunningham
1st Year Tier 2 Winners: Olivia Heaney and Izzy Doyle
2nd Year Winners: Suzie Allison and Lainey Harte
3rd Year Winners and Runners Up: Rebecca Lucy, Abbie Johnston, Molly Bruton and Sadhbh Kingston
Mia Priestman and Madeleine Ryan (both 1st Year), who too part in Tennis Ireland coaching morning
To
Boys Tennis
Boys Tennis: Season 2026
The boys’ tennis season began at the end of March, with strong enthusiasm and excellent attendance at training sessions. A total of five teams competed in Leinster competitions, with two Minor teams, two Junior teams, and one Senior team representing the school.
Throughout the season, the teams faced strong opposition from schools across Dublin and beyond, showing great commitment, teamwork, and determination. While none of the teams progressed beyond the group stages, the season was a positive one, with players gaining valuable experience and representing Wesley with pride.
Kian Lee (6th Year) was also recognised at the Arts and Sports Awards evening, receiving the Boys’ Tennis Award in recognition of his contribution to tennis in Wesley.
By Mr Ryan
Boys Tennis: School Championship
The annual boys’ doubles tennis championship was once again a highlight of the sporting calendar, with strong participation across all year groups. The standard of play was very high, resulting in a series of competitive and entertaining matches.
This year’s winners were James Lennon and Brody Molins (1st Year); John Forsyth and Joshua Kane (2nd Year); Jacob Ellis and Harry Leach (3rd Year); Axel Roulston and Conor Foody (Senior Doubles).
Congratulations to all winners and well done to all participants for contributing to a successful and enjoyable competition.
By Mr Ryan
Sailing
Strong Regatta Performance
The Wesley Sailing Team delivered an excellent performance at the Interschools Regatta on 6th May, finishing second overall after a day of competitive racing.
James Crawford secured 1st place in the single-handed fleet, while Sam Jones finished 2nd. Sam Smith also contributed to the team’s success by helming the boat that placed 2nd in the double-handed fleet. Well done to all involved on a fantastic achievement for Wesley sailing. By Ms Fogarty
Above: Senior Winners, Axel Roulston and Conor Foody. Below, left to right: 1st Year Winners, James Lennon and Brody Molins; 2nd Year Winners, John Forsyth and Joshua Kane; 3rd Year Winners, Jacob Ellis and Harry Leach.
30 Wesley Update Sports News
Girls Cricket
Seniors
The Senior 1sts played four games, winning one and losing three. Their best performance came in the win against Loreto on the Green, with Lucy Gibney and Ashleigh Clauson top-scoring with 34 and 31 respectively. Captain Anna Delany led the team well, consistently performing strongly with both bat and ball.
The Senior 2nds reached the semi-final stage, where they unfortunately lost to a strong Rathdown team. It was great to see so many students participate, with a total of 18 players representing the 2nds throughout the term.
Juniors
The Junior A girls finished their campaign as runners-up after a 70-run defeat to St Andrews in the league final. In the group stages, they recorded victories against KH and Alexandra College. Their best performance of the season came in the semi-final against Malahide, where they compiled 156 runs, with Lainey Harte scoring 43 not out. They went on to win the match by 92 runs.
The Junior B1s went unbeaten in the group stage with victories against St Andrews and The High School, but came undone in the semi-final against the Mt Anville A team.
The Junior B2s unfortunately only had one group game due to a withdrawal in their section. They lost that game against Alexandra College. Well done to all the 2nd and 3rd years who joined the training sessions and competed in league matches, as well as in a friendly against the 1st Year boys — a match in which we were victorious! Emma Deans even managed to get out her younger brother.
1st Years
With three teams entered into the 1st Year leagues, a total of 45 students had the opportunity to play competitive matches. While results meant that none of the three teams progressed to the playoff stage, it was a great opportunity for many students to be introduced to the sport, try it for the first time, and hopefully develop a desire to join a club over the summer months. Equally, there are some talented cricketers in the group who will no doubt continue to develop over the coming years.
By Mr. Blennerhassett & Mr. Abbott
Boys Cricket
Cup Final Success
The Junior Boys’ cricket team won their cup final against King’s Hospital, reaching 151 for 8 from 30 overs, with strong contributions from Keegan Shipp, Herbie Greasley, Matthew Kinch and Alfie Byrne. In reply, the King’s Hospital were bowled out for 86, giving Wesley a 65-run victory and their third title in four years.
The 1st Year team also enjoyed success, defeating St Joseph’s, Rush. After restricting their opponents to 61 all out, with Aaron Deans and Toby Gibney taking three wickets each and Nathan Barry claiming two, Wesley chased the target comfortably, with Brody Molins (24 not out) and Aaron Deans (26 not out) guiding the team to a 10-wicket win. Congratulations to all involved on two excellent performances.
By Mr Harte
Golf
Summer Golf Concludes with Jamestown Outing
Summer golf once again took place on campus, with excellent participation and many students taking up the game for the first time. Players focused on developing their short and mid-range games, with clear improvement evident week by week. Friendly internal competitions helped maintain focus and raise standards throughout the term.
Penny, Elsa, Hugo, and Robyn made particularly strong progress with their short games over the summer term. The season concluded with an enjoyable outing to Jamestown Par 3, where Andrew, Sebastian, Emmett, Finn, Paul, Bianca, Alex, Shane, Harry, Oscar, Wesley, Kristen and Killian put their skills into action in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
By Mr O’Rourke
Showjumping
The finals of this year’s showjumping league, which consisted of 27 legs, took place on 29 March. Emily Glass and her Connemara pony, Paddy Tom, took 4th place in the 80cm class. With only three riders making up the open team, they did very well to finish 4th on the day, securing 4th place overall in the league. For the second time in three years, the team was invited, as one of the top five schools in the south, to compete against the top five schools from north of the border at the Royal Ulster Agricultural Society Show at Balmoral in May.
This young team, comprising Amelia Henly (Kilpatrick ForgetMe-Not), Lulu Rose Mulhall (Luciano), and Emily Martin (Quo Vadis du Heritage Z) from Years I and II, was led out by their captain, Eva McCraith (Cluainín Robb), on the morning following her last day of classes in Wesley.
At an international show, with an impressive arena, all four riders held their nerve and rode well-judged rounds, all of which were timed, to take 4th place behind Omagh Academy, Ballymoney High School, and St Mary’s, New Ross, in a hotly contested class. Only four seconds separated the top eight teams. This was an incredible experience for these young riders, who relished the atmosphere and are looking forward to more opportunities like this in the future.
As for Eva, she will now begin her final preparations for the Leaving Cert. Thank you to Eva and her family, who have been great supporters of school showjumping.
By Mr Garland
Success at Balmoral
Basketball
Dublin League and Leinster Champions
It has been a fantastic season for the Wesley College 1st Year Boys’ Basketball team, who were crowned both Dublin League and Leinster champions.
The team secured the Dublin League title with a 47-17 victory over St McDara’s, pulling away in the second half through strong defence, teamwork, and composure. They then completed the double with a 36-26 win over Ardscoil Phádraig in a competitive Leinster Final, finishing strongly in the closing minutes to secure the title.
This was a full squad effort, with over 20 players contributing throughout the season, including organising their own training sessions over the Easter break. Thank you also to the parents and supporters whose encouragement helped make these occasions so special.
Congratulations to the entire squad on an outstanding achievement and a season to remember.
By Ms Chandler
Netball
Historic School Success
The Netball Ireland Schools League Finals took place in Gormanston Park last term, with Wesley College enjoying fantastic success.
A huge congratulations to the Junior A team, who won their Grand Final 27-12 against Drogheda Grammar in an outstanding performance, with Lainey Harte named Best on Court by both players and umpires.
Well done also to the Minor A team, who won their Bronze Medal Match 15-9 against Our Lady’s Grove, with Nitanje DeKlerk and Lainey Harte named Best on Court.
Congratulations to Lainey Harte (2nd Year) and Saoirse Tierney (4th Year), who were selected for the Netball Ireland U17 Development Team and recently represented Ireland at a tournament in the Isle of Man; Lainey was also voted Most Improved Player in the squad this season.
This marks the first Netball Ireland title for Wesley College, a fantastic achievement for all involved.
By Ms Brain
Girls Rugby
Metro Trials
This year, several Wesley College students were selected for the Leinster Metro U17 Rugby trials. Sasha Williams, Georgia Carroll, Izzy Roulston, Tali Neill, Faith Agar and Michelle Adinga all progressed through the first and second rounds, demonstrating excellent determination, teamwork and skill. Sasha, Tali, Georgia, and Izzy advanced to the final stage - an outstanding achievement. Ultimately, Sasha, Tali, and Georgia earned selection for the Leinster Metro U17 squad, reflecting their hard work and dedication both in and outside school. The trials provided a valuable opportunity to develop as players, compete at a higher level and build lasting friendships. Representing Wesley College at such a standard is a source of great pride for the school’s rugby community.
The continued success of girls’ rugby at Wesley highlights the programme’s strength and growing talent. With increasing participation and strong representation at elite levels, the future of girls’ rugby in the school is extremely promising. We are incredibly proud of all the players and look forward to their future achievements.
By Sasha Williams Junior Girls Rugby
Boys Rugby
Easter Representative Honours
Irish Schools U18 Six Nations Festival
Thibault Campbell
Johnny Woods
A massive congratulations to Thibault and Johnny, who were both selected to represent Irish Schools at the U18 Six Nations Festival in Vichy, France, over the Easter break. Both players played a key role in victories over England and Spain, as well as in a narrow defeat to France in the final match.
Leinster U19s vs Munster
Zach Sidebottom
Congratulations to Zach Sidebottom, who represented the Leinster U19s in their fixture against Munster over Easter.
Leinster U18 Schools Easter Camp
Sam Maguire
Malachy Ngawini
Reuben Neill
Congratulations to Sam, Malachy and Reuben, who were all selected to attend the Leinster Schools Easter Camp in Clongowes.
Boys Hockey
U14 - All-Ireland Champions
Huge congratulations to the U14A Boys’ Hockey squad on winning the John Waring Minor Boys’ All-Ireland title in Lisnagarvey. The boys played five matches, recording impressive victories over St Columba’s, Cookstown, Wallace, and Ashton, along with a draw against Ashton.
It was a superb performance from every member of the squad. Great credit also goes to their coaches, Ben Stewart and Mr Delany, for their hard work and dedication.
By Mrs Henderson
Leinster U17 Boys’ Trials
Graeme Wildish
Jacob Hanna
Fred Dick
Congratulations to Graeme, Jacob and Fred, who were all selected to attend the Leinster U17 boys’ trials over the Easter break.
By Mr Ronaldson
Gaelic Games
Students Triumph in Staff vs Students GAA Match
Congratulations to the 6th Year Girls on a fantastic victory in the annual Female Staff vs Students GAA match.
In a hugely entertaining contest, the students displayed great skill, teamwork and determination to come away with the win. The staff put up a brave fight, with excellent midfield play and some outstanding goalkeeping performances, but the students proved too strong in the end, securing victory by two points.
Final Score:
Staff: 2–11
Students: 5–04
By Ms Moffett
In addition to representing
was selected to represent Dublin
Seachtain na Gaeilge GAA Matches
Wesley College continued its proud tradition of celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge by showcasing one of Ireland’s most beloved national sports, Gaelic football. Students signed up in huge numbers to take part in this year’s events.
Our Senior Girls’ and Senior Boys’ teams faced East Glendalough on a bright Wednesday afternoon, while the Junior Boys and Girls competed in a highly enjoyable Wesley College GAA Blitz. The passion for Gaelic games in Wesley is clear, and we are proud to have more than 70 students involved across football, hurling and camogie. Many students represent their local clubs, while others compete at intercounty level.
Comhghairdeas to everyone who participated and displayed such impressive talent, enthusiasm and school spirit.
By Ms Ivers
Haley Viana Smyth
Dublin U16 Camogie (vice captain)
Haley had a great season as vicecaptain, winning the Leinster Championship and going on to play in the All-Irelands. Her team beat Limerick in the All Ireland final to win the championship.
Dublin
Anna had a great season with Dublin U16, reaching the Leinster final.
It is great to see so many of our girls with GAA county achievements for both camogie and football during 2026.
County Achievements
Anna Kellegher
U16 Football
Iona Wu
Dublin U18A Camogie Winner of Leinster Shield
Charlene Sone Lenou Dublin U20 Football
Dublin at Minor Level, Charlene
at U20 level.
The Wesley Update Issue 104, Summer 2026
Editor: Ms Katie Dickson
Sports Editor: Ms Victoria Love
Staff contributors: Mr Rob Abbott, Mr Stephen Barry, Mr Colm Blennerhassett, Ms Angela Brain, Ms Lucy Burgess, Ms Marta Cabrera, Ms Michelle Chandler, Mr Paddy Collins, Ms Paula Dowzard, Dr Helen Doyle, Ms Gwen Duffy, Mr Andrew Egan, Ms Kirsten Elliott, Ms Emma Fogarty, Mr Robert Garland, Ms Jennifer Hegarty-Owens, Ms Hilary Jackson, Mr Peter Lydon, Ms Eva Maher, Rev Ruth Mathews, Ms Jessica McCauley, Ms Geraldine McKeon, Ms Wendy Moffett, Ms Sarah Mulvey, Ms Heather Murphy, Mr Enda O’Rourke, Ms Jessica Reynolds, Ms Sandra Ringland, Ms Raquel Rodriguez, Ms Eve Rogers, Mr Craig Ronaldson, Mr Eoin Ryan, Ms Clare Savage, Ms Tara Sharkey, Mr Derek Shaw, Ms Mandy Swanwick.
Student contributors: Emily Bruton, Sophie Bryce-Smith, Tracey Chen, Anna Cobbe, Alexander Creighton-Twomey, Henry Clarke, Sofie Dingliana, Rachel Fisher, Éabha Foy, Sophia Hanley, Phoebe Harold-Barry, Olivia Heaney, Evelyn Heffelfinger, Isabelle Jackson, Aoife Moore, Lottie O’Connor, Mia Priestman, Amy Ryan, Rachel Scott, Tadhg Sexton, David Walshe, Aoife Widdowson, Sasha Williams.
Photography: Andriy Griffin, Andrew Towe (Parkway Photography), Wesley Student Photographers, staff and students. Front and back cover: Andriy Griffin
With thanks to Heather Boyle (Olympic Federation of Ireland) for permission to reproduce her article. Thanks also to the Wesley College Office Staff, to David Deering and Print Tender Ltd, to Ms Jeena Doherty and to Mr Enda O’Rourke.
