The Wesley Update
Wesley Artist of the Year 2026
The Wesley Artist of the Year 2026 was a huge success, attracting over 150 entries from talented students across the school. The exceptionally high standard of work made the judging process a challenging one.
Our main judges brought their individual expertise to the task: artist and storyteller, Helen McNulty, and former Wesley student and architecture student, Laura Scott, spent over two hours carefully deliberating before selecting the winners. We are very grateful for the time, care and thought they dedicated to the process.
Special prizes were also awarded by members of the Parent Teacher Association, Debbie McGowan and Ian Somerford, whose support of the arts in the school is much appreciated.
We are delighted to congratulate the Wesley Artist of the Year, Matthew Foley, with ‘Self Portrait’, our cover image for this edition, and Junior Wesley Artist of the Year, Cici Zhang, with ‘Stone Steps’ (on our back cover).
Well done to everyone who entered this year’s competition: the creativity and skill on display were outstanding. A special thank‑you to our judges and to the Parent Teacher Association for their continued support.
By Ms Fromholz and Ms Maher
In this issue:
College News (pages 2-3)
Department News (pages 4-7)
Geography (page 5)
Music (pages 6-7)
Art (page 4)
MFL (page 7)
Themed Days & Weeks (pages 8-13)
Think Languages Day (page 8)
Future Awareness Week (page 9)
Book Week (page 10-11)
Extracurricular Notice Board (pages 12-13)
Green Schools Feature (page 13)
Sports News (pages 14-19)
Rugby (pages 14-16)
Hockey (page 17)
Basketball (page 18)
Badminton, Athletics (page 19)
On Friday 30th January we bade farewell to Ms Krystyna Uhlik from the Housekeeping Department. Ms Uhlik (pictured here with colleague, Ms Svetlana Seredych) has been a valued and much loved member of the Wesley College staff for 20 years. We wish her the very best in her retirement.
Festive Music and Songs at Annual Carol Service
In our final week of term we held our Carol Services. There was something very special about sitting in the middle of the hall, surrounded by the Wesley community and listening to Scripture being read, choirs singing, or a musical piece filling the air with harmony. I have to admit I wasn’t really sure what to expect, but Carol Services are always a favourite of mine and Wesley did not disappoint.
We reflected on God’s love for everyone through John 3:16, and on the sacrifice Jesus made for us. During the reflection, representatives from different parts of the Wesley community lit candles. This invited us to think about those we have lost, and those missing from our tables at Christmas, and to remember that Christmas is not always a joyful time for everyone.
A huge thank you to all who contributed to the offering. We raised over €2000 for the Methodist Child Care Society who help out families in financial difficulties. I know some of the families who have benefited over the years and this money quite literally means they can put food on the table or buy a new pair of school shoes. So from them I say thank you.
By Rev Mathews
Photos by Jason Gilsenan
The Myles Hall was filled with music and song on the night of Tuesday 15th December for the College’s annual Carol Service. Thank you to the talented students who participated in this special event. Music from this event can be found on the Wesley College Sound Cloud:
https://soundcloud.com/user-175152317/sets/ wesley-college-carol-services-2025
Congratulations to Syrus Chan, Sam McMullin and Gracie Gilmartin of the Class of 2025 who were awarded Trinity Exhibition Awards. Congratulations also to Ella Walshe, Jack Murphy and Liam Mulvey who received UCD Entrance Scholar Awards, and to Toby Jones for his Choral Scholar award. These entrance awards recognise these students’ exceptional academic achievements.
Congratulations to 3A6 who won the 3rd Year Christmas Quiz. In the individual teams competition, the winners were from 3A4 and consisted of Jessica Barrett, James Crawford, Peter Horan and Ellie MacDonald (pictured above, with Mr Harte). The runners-up were from 3A6 (Daniel Carthy, Jack Fox, Oscar Martin and Zac Thompson). In 3rd place was a team from 3A1 (Grace Campbell, Josh Flynn, Elsa Monaghan, Tali Neill and Sahana Rajaemmanuel). Many thanks to the PTA for providing the prizes.
By Mr Harte
done
Thank you to Dogs for the Disabled who visited our Transition Years in November. Everyone enjoyed a cuddle with Xena, puppy in training!
Well
to Mr Murphy’s tutor class (5A2), who chose LauraLynn for their Christmas charity collection this year. The total amount donated was €360.
A tale as old as time...
This past November, our Senior Musical production of Beauty and the Beast proved once again to be one of the highlights of the school year. Bringing together students from 4th to 6th Year, the show was a true celebration of talent and teamwork showcased over three wonderful performances, and enjoyed by packed audiences each night. One of the most special aspects of the Senior Musical is how it draws students from every corner of school life. This year’s cast and crew included students more commonly seen on the rugby and hockey pitches, at MUN conferences, and in the choir, all coming together to create something truly magical.
Beauty and the Beast
On stage, the performances were outstanding. Juliette Carroll Breen as Belle and Jacob Fry as the Beast captivated audiences with their warmth and stage presence, while the comedic pairing of Benjamin Fry as Gaston and Cian Sexton as Lefou had the crowd laughing throughout. Toby Moran as Cogsworth and Kian Lee as Lumière brought charm and energy, becoming firm favourites with audiences of all ages. The feedback from those who attended was overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the show as one of the best school productions in recent years! The work behind the scenes was just as impressive as what the audience saw under
Remembering Together: Wesley College at Home and at St Patrick’s Cathedral
the lights. Our dedicated backstage crew, light and sound teams, hair, make up and costume groups, and set painters worked tirelessly to bring the world of the story to life. The dazzling lighting and amazing rented costumes added a professional polish that elevated the entire production. As director, it is both a pleasure and a privilege to work with such dedicated and passionate young people. I am incredibly proud of every student involved, on stage and behind the scenes, for what was an extraordinarily successful and memorable show!
By Ms Reynolds
On Friday 7th November, Rev Mathews led a beautiful Remembrance Service in the College. Music played a central role, with the Male Voice Choir performing a moving rendition of ‘The Parting Glass’. Kian Lee and friends also contributed to the occasion with a performance of ‘Someone You Loved’ by Lewis Capaldi. The service provided a reflective and fitting opportunity for students and staff to pause and remember together.
Later that weekend, on Sunday 9th November, students from Wesley College attended the Remembrance Service in St Patrick’s Cathedral. The service was attended by dignitaries, members of the Defence Forces, other students, members of the public and Uachtarán na hÉireann Michael D Higgins as he concluded his two terms in office. It was a beautiful and dignified occasion, and we were honoured to represent Wesley College at such an important national commemoration.
Far left: Wesley’s Male Voice Choir during our Remembrance Service.
Near left: Wesley College representatives at the St Patrick’s Cathedral Remembrance Service: Anna Sandall (Head of Epworth House), Hannah Ritchie (Head Girl), Isaac Reid (Head Boy), Rhys Dixon (Head of Embury House) and Rev Ruth Mathews (Chaplain). Photo by Patrick Hugh Lynch.
AIB Young Portrait Prize
In addition to being selected as the Wesley Artist of the Year 2026, 6th Year Art student Matthew Foley’s portrait (right) was shortlisted for The AIB Young Portrait Prize competition in the National Gallery. Matthew’s portrait was part of his 5th Year Art class project. The AIB Young Portrait Artist Prize is a prestigious national competition, and to be shortlisted in the final five in his age group is a great achievement. Matthew’s work is currently on exhibition at the National Gallery. Matthew Foley, speaking about his portrait, said: “In this self portrait I aimed to create a dark and moody atmosphere. I first took a reference photo with dramatic lighting to cast shadows on my face. Inspired by having recently studied the Impressionists in school, I used no black paint in my palette, so all the darkest areas are really just mixed to be very dark browns and blue.”
By Ms Fromholz
“The Earth has music for those who listen.”
A selection of stunning clay relief tiles from 2nd Year Art students. The students explored atmospheric perspective beforehand and combined that with various types of relief and texture to produce these amazing results. Special mention to Faye O’Hora, Lihann de Wet, Eleanor Moore, Sarah Scully, Remi McGovern, Bella McCann, Zoe Nyhan and Giulia Pasquali whose work features here. By Ms Maher
Transition Year Art students collaborated on this mural for the Music Department. Pictured, right, with the mural are Evelyn Heffelfinger, Michaela O’Loughlin and Amy Ryan.
Geography
The period just after the Christmas exams is a good time to try out some project work. 1A1 had a go at building earthquake proof buildings using the best of building materials marshmallows and cocktail sticks! Some of the designs were intricate. But simple turned out to be the best with Team 1 led by Emily Glass (Photo 03), whose building remained standing after our improvised earthquake not too tall, and a wide base was key.
By Mr Lydon
Volcanoes, Tsunamis
Earthquakes Earthquake-Proof Buildings
&
Ms Savage’s 1A6 Geography class created some fantastic 3D models as part of their recent project. The work included impressive volcanoes, tsunamis, and earthquakes, with several students also showcasing the Earth’s layers. A wide variety of materials were used, and some students even created edible models in the form of cakes!
By Ms Savage
Music
Students at NYO Winter Course
Congratulations to the Wesley students who participated in the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland’s winter course in January. The students performed in The Helix with a programme of Rachmaninov and Gribbin, along with soloist Natalie Clein. We are especially proud of Kian Lee, who is the Leader (Concertmaster) of the NYOI this year. The Wesley students involved were: Kian Lee, Iona Wu, Junhyung Kang, Eileen Fan, Joshua Hennessey, Sean Lee, Louis Wang and Siyao Zhao. By Ms Dowzard
Girls Choir & Gospel Choir at Dundrum Methodist Church
Girls Choir and Gospel Choir had a wonderful evening at Dundrum Methodist Church Carol Service on Sunday, 14th December. They performed the songs ‘Here Comes Heaven’ and ‘Mary Had a Baby’ and finished the evening with some delicious mince pies after the service.
By Ms Farrelly
6th Years visit ‘Music in the Classroom at National Concert Hall
The 6th Year music classes visited ‘Music in the Classroom’ in the National Concert Hall on 25th November to hear some of ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ played by the National Symphony Orchestra with extracts presented by Jessie Grimes (NCH Artist in Residence). It was a thoroughly enjoyable concert for all and a great way to revise one of their Leaving Cert set works.
By Ms Dowzard
Trad Band at Dublin Airport
On Thursday 11th December the Trad Band, led by Mr O’Riordain, had the pleasure of playing at T2 Arrivals in Dublin Airport. Interaction with the passengers and people waiting was good, but nothing compared to how good the group itself was. Their passion for music shone through every key, every string, every whistle and every tap on the bodhrán. From the first note, they enraptured their audience, with the youngest listener (just three weeks old) even falling asleep to their melodies! At one point, a listener joined them in song and encouraged the students to keep up the good work. Another onlooker was shocked to hear that some members of the band were only in 1st Year; he said they sounded like they’d been playing together for years. The students represented themselves, the College and indeed their country very well. Well done to one and all. By
Rev Mathews
Junior Choral Group
Taney Advent Service
A wonderful morning of carols, blessings and fellowship was had in Taney Parish when members of the Junior Choral Group joined the Taney Parish choir and congregation for their Family Gift Service on Sunday, 14th December. There was Christmas spirit in abundance with beautiful carols and readings, and a church bedecked with Poinsettias into which three children were baptised. Junior Choral Group joined forces with the Taney choir for a beautiful rendition of the 14th century Irish carol ‘Angelus ad Virginem’ as well as performing their own version of ‘O Holy Night’ which was very moving and absolutely stunning.
Sligo Choral Festival
Junior Choral Group headed to Sligo for their first performance of the season. Exceptional commitment to additional rehearsals from all members really paid off as the choir gave wonderfully polished and musical performances of two contrasting pieces. They earned high praise from the panel of adjudicators and picked up 2nd Prize on the day, which was fantastic. The adjudicators enjoyed the beautiful sound, calm vocal timbre and excellent diction achieved in Andy Beck’s ‘The Moon’ and were very impressed by their infectiously passionate singing throughout their energetic performance of the great gospel song ‘Down By the Riverside’. A special mention to Rian Ni, official accompanist on the day, who played brilliantly and was singled out for special mention by the adjudicators. In contrast to our quiet, early morning journey to Sligo, our return journey was filled with high spirits and karaoke! The Junior Choral Group are pictured (right) performing at the festival.
Modern Foreign Languages
German
Many congratulations to the German debate team of 2025 who were very narrowly defeated by St Kilian’s German school in the annual event. This year, the debate was held in St Kilian’s and the topic for debate was whether single sex schools should be abolished. The students delivered their speeches remarkably well and were able to refute arguments from the other team spontaneously in German. This is an amazing accomplishment. Many thanks to Evelyn Arheit (Captain), Hannah Ritchie, Eva McCraith and Ella Rowe. Many thanks too to all the supporters who travelled to watch the debate.
Every year in German classes, we celebrate Sankt Nikolaus. This is when St Nikolaus visits the homes of German speaking children and leaves small gifts and chocolate in their shoes and boots by the door. German students left their shoes outside C28 while they were learning about these Christmas traditions. Es hat sehr viel Spaß gemacht!
By Ms Hegarty Owens
Lyric FM Recording & Broadcast
The choir followed up their Sligo success with a recording session for Lyric FM’s annual Choirs for Christmas competitions. In a reworking of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ with new Christmassy lyrics written by Yi Lu, the choir were joined by Wesley’s wonderful string players (Andrei Trif, Iona Wu, Siyao Zhao, Junhyung Kang and Jasmine Hennessy, with Rian Ni on piano. The people at Lyric FM were so impressed with the Junior Choral Group, that they broadcast their entry on Weekend Classics with Claudia Boyle.
Junior Choral Group articles by Dr Doyle
Recently, some of our 5th Year students enjoyed a unique learning experience during class time. Our language assistant, Marta Teba, organised a video call with another language assistant based in Ireland. Both assistants held a conversation in Spanish about their Halloween break, using everyday expressions and authentic language. This real life exchange became a listening comprehension activity for the students, who carefully followed the conversation and answered questions. It was a fantastic way for them to engage with Spanish in a natural and meaningful context!
By Ms Rodriguez
Think Languages Day
On Wednesday, 19th November, Wesley College proudly celebrated #ThinkLanguages Day, joining schools across Ireland in recognising the value of languages and cultural diversity. The day formed part of the national #ThinkLanguages Week initiative and offered students an engaging opportunity to experience languages beyond the classroom.
The celebrations began with a student led assembly entitled “The Power of Hello”. Students shared greetings from a range of languages spoken within the Wesley College community, highlighting how a simple word can create connection, welcome and understanding.
Following the assembly, students enjoyed a full day of interactive and immersive activities. These included a lively Salsa workshop, a dynamic Capoeira session, an energetic percussion workshop, online language games, and Queimada, a Brazilian version of dodgeball. Each activity combined movement, fun and cultural learning, allowing students to engage with languages in a memorable and meaningful way. Many students particularly enjoyed the Salsa session. Transition Year student Edward McCall commented, “I quite enjoyed it, truth be told; however, at some points, it got very difficult.”
The Queimada session also proved to be a highlight of the day. Andrew Molloy described it as “very enjoyable”, adding that “it was a good way to interact with Portuguese, as phrases in Portuguese were used. It was also a welcome twist to what we would all recognise as dodgeball.” This blend of language and physical activity helped students see how languages can be used in practical, enjoyable contexts.
At breaktime, students sampled international snacks and took selfies with international props such as French berets, Spanish fans, Flamenco outfits and masks, further adding to the festival atmosphere around the school.
The aim of the #ThinkLanguages is to promote the importance of learning foreign languages and to highlight the cultural, social and career benefits that multilingualism can offer. Each year, thousands of Transition Year students across Ireland take part, discovering how languages can open doors to new opportunities, friendships and global experiences.
Wesley College’s celebration was a clear reflection of these aims, reminding students that languages are not just subjects, but powerful tools for connection in an increasingly global world.
By Ms Elliott
Future Awareness Week took place from Monday 10th November to Friday 14th November. The week is an initiative designed to help junior students explore the wide range of opportunities available to them after school and to begin thinking about their future pathways. It aims to show the benefits of further and higher education, while also helping students to understand the experiences college life can offer.
A number of events were organised for different year groups:
Preps enjoyed a full day Trinity College Dublin campus tour, giving them a taste of what college life is like along with a bit of history!
2nd Year students took part in Careers Speed Dating, where they met Wesley College alumni, as well as members of the local community with different careers, and got to ask questions in a fun, interactive format.
3rd Year students attended a CAO Demonstration Workshop helping them to focus on how to research college courses and future options.
Transition Year students attended a talk from UCD, learning about the wide range of courses and opportunities available at third level.
Future Awareness Week plays an important role in supporting students as they begin to think about life
1st Year Bonding Day
Future Awareness Week
beyond Wesley. By encouraging curiosity, informed decision making, and long term planning, the week helped students develop realistic expectations and confidence about their future educational journeys.
By Ms Chandler
As a part of settling into school, all of first year went on a school trip to Russborough on Tuesday, 9th September. We departed right after assembly at around 9am, putting the boarders’ packed lunches and everyone’s bags into the back of the coaches. We were with our tutor groups on the way there and back, but while we were at the adventure centre we were split into 12 different groups. There were many interesting and fun activities there, such as wall climbing, zip lining, obstacle courses, blindfold tag, canoeing, creating shelters, making fires and toasting marshmallows. There was even a little dog there called “Sunny”! It was great fun meeting new people, building teamwork skills, learning new things and participating in the activities. We all really enjoyed the day.
By Eileen Fan, 1A3
Book Week
This year’s Book Week was a joyful celebration of reading across the school, and it was wonderful to see students and staff engaging so enthusiastically with the wide range of events on offer!
The week began with a strong focus on the power of books and reading. At the senior assembly on Monday, students were treated to a thoughtful and engaging talk from Mr Ronaldson, while 6th Year students enjoyed an inspiring talk from author Lisa Harding. Competitive spirit was very much alive during Book Week as students across all year groups from Preps to 6th Year took part in their English and library classes, including literary treasure hunts, Family Fortunes and Drop Everything and Read time. Students also enjoyed a lively literary quiz hosted by the Head Boy and Head Girl on Tuesday and Wednesday. Golden tickets were hidden each day during assemblies, adding excitement and anticipation, with lucky winners receiving books to encourage further reading.
Friday marked a fitting and memorable finale to the week. The school came alive with colour and imagination during the literary character dress up day, with staff and 6th Year students embracing the opportunity to step into the shoes of their favourite characters. A particular highlight was the staff reading challenge. It initially featured Mr Egan and Mr Toye, only for the school to be delighted (and slightly shocked) when our Deputy Principal, Mr Garland made a surprise appearance as a third challenger! Another standout was an epic rap video created by the Transition Year Communications class. Friday also included an author visit with YA author Clara Kumagai for our Transition Year students, as well as a spelling bee competition for 3rd Year. Across the entire week, the pop up book swap shop was set up in the concourse, encouraging students and staff to share books and discover something new. Book Week would not have been possible without the enthusiasm and support of the whole school community. It was a pleasure to see stories bringing us together once again.
Ms Reynolds
Book Week in the Library
The Wilson Library was buzzing throughout Book Week, with students queuing at the circulation desk before school and during breaks. A steady stream of borrowers filled the library each day as teachers built reading classes and ‘Drop Everything and Read’ sessions into their lessons. By the end of the week, students had borrowed just under 500 books, making this our busiest week since September. A huge well done to 3A3, who borrowed the most books during Book Week.
Our annual bookmark competition also proved very popular, with some fantastic entries submitted. The winners will be announced in the next edition of the Wesley Update. We also hosted a slightly belated Library Escape Room for our Preps, which was met with great enthusiasm. Congratulations to the Blue team, Lucy, Isla, James, Oliver and Finn, who cracked the clues and codes first.
Thank you to all Wesley students for making the library such a lively and book filled place during Book Week.
By Ms Dickson
There’s Something For Everyone! Extracurricular Notice Board
With
Wesley’s annual international Model United Nations conference will take place on February 27th 28th , and planning is in full swing! We will welcome students from across Ireland and Europe for a weekend of debate and fun. We invite all Wesley students to take part. Volunteers can sign up in the concourse!
By Ms Sharkey
Music Tech club takes place after school on Mondays in L3. There, you can learn music production and sound design using Ableton Live and Reaper in a fun and informal setting. You can also learn how to program synthesisers with Syntorial. Everyone is free to experiment and collaborate on their projects, with as much or as little guidance as they want.
By Mr McCabe
On Tuesday, 3rd February, a team of 1st Year students from Wesley will represent the College at the Lego League competition in UCD. They have designed and built a Lego Robot which will complete a series of missions at the event. The competition will also have an innovation project, where the students will identify a solution to a real world problem.
By Ms Breen
Economics Club
Economics Club illustrates an understanding of the forces that underpin economies worldwide using current affairs, economic principles, and other activities. The club has gained popularity over recent months. It is now open to students from all year groups and takes place every Tuesday from 4.15 to 5.30 in C18.
By Mr Wiseman
Model United Nations
Lego Club
Music Tech Club
thanks to Ms Walsh
Green
Schools
Walkability Audit Tidy Towns Leaf Mould Cages
On 16th December, the members of the Green Schools Committee and Julianne, our Green Schools Officer from Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council, went on a walkability audit to scout the area for possible barriers that would prevent people from walking to school. A walkability audit is a survey of the school grounds and local area to see how Wesley students could be affected on their walk to school.
We went around the area taking notes on any problems that could be leading to fewer students deciding to walk. We came up with reasons such as the blind spot directly outside the main entrance, which prevents parents from being able to see children as they cross the road; the Centra in front of Wesley having a random strip of cycle path in front of it that appears out of nowhere; and the footpath near Ballinteer Avenue being very narrow, with a large section of muddy grass between it and the road.
We decided to do the audit because we wanted to see why people were not walking to school very often, and by doing the audit it highlighted the barriers for people walking and how we could fix them. We are putting forward the barriers we found to the council in the hope that they will be able to change some of them and help make the area more pedestrian friendly.
By Mia Priestman and Olivia Heaney, 1st Year
In December, Green Schools went on a school trip to Dundrum Library to learn about their leaf mould cages. A leaf mould cage is when fallen, wet, deciduous leaves are used to break down and become fertiliser for plants. It takes around two years for the leaves to decompose into leaf mould, but after one year it can be used as leaf mulch.
We helped to gather leaves for the cages from the back garden of the library. When we had collected the leaves into a pile, we sorted through them to make sure there was no plastic or evergreen leaves
included. After that, we put all the leaves into the cages and watered them to keep them moist and help them start breaking down.
This contributes to helping our environment because we are being sustainable with old leaves instead of letting them go to waste. It also helps to gather up single use plastic around the area while collecting leaves. Green Schools thoroughly enjoyed the trip and are looking forward to going back to help again.
By Sophie Kane, Fourth Year
No Idling Campaign
Throughout the first term of the school year, Green Schools was hard at work on our “No Idling” campaign. This encourages parents to turn off their engines when collecting and dropping off their children, to reduce the amount of unnecessary fumes their cars produce while stationary. This aligns with our Sustainable Travel and Global Citizenship Flag. Idling is when a car engine is running for more than 10–20 seconds while the car is not moving. We are asking you to stop idling for a number of reasons. Idling creates air pollution and makes the air quality around the school bad for us. Young people are at greater risk of the health impacts of air pollution because our lungs are still developing. Idling creates worse emissions than driving, which
contributes to global warming. When cars are idling outside a school, it is harder for students to hear cars that are actually moving, which may be hidden behind idling cars. More than 10 seconds of idling uses more fuel than restarting the engine. It can make your engine dirtier and can reduce the operating life of engine oil by 75%. It wastes the fuel you are paying for.
We wrote a letter to all parents in November, created posters, and gave an assembly about our campaign. We hope that this effort will make the air cleaner and healthier for students and save parents money.
“A simple rule, no idling at school.”
By Sophia Hanley, Fourth Year
Rugby
Senior Rugby Leinster League 1A Winners
For the first time since 2000, bridging a 25 year gap, the Senior 1st XV produced an excellent performance in the league final, beating Newbridge College 19–17 in a game that went down to the last kick. Tries on the day came from Nathan Heatley, Thibault Campbell, and Matthew Wystepek, with Johnny Woods kicking two conversions.
A real squad effort across the campaign was needed, winning four knockout games in a row, beating Pres Bray away, then Kilkenny at home in the quarter final, followed by Gonzaga in the semi final, the winners of the league for the last five years, and finishing by producing arguably their best performance in the first half of the final against a motivated Newbridge side.
The squad now builds towards a rematch against Newbridge College in the first round of the cup on the 23rd of January and hopes to see the whole school and rugby community out in force again to support the team. Photo above and to the right taken from Leinster Rugby.
By Mr. Ronaldson
Senior Rugby Trip to Fota Island
The Senior Boys’ rugby squad enjoyed a training camp at the Fota Island Resort on the 2nd and 3rd of January, just before school resumed after the Christmas holidays. The camp provided the squad with an ideal opportunity to refocus after the break and begin their preparations for the upcoming Senior Cup campaign. The players experienced excellent training facilities and professional standard pitches, which allowed for high quality training sessions across both days. Alongside the on field work, the trip also served as a valuable team bonding experience, helping to strengthen relationships within the squad. Overall, the camp proved to be an enjoyable and productive start to the new year for the squad as they continue their preparations for the season ahead. By Mr. Ronaldson
To
Wildish Hat-Trick Powers Wesley College JCT Past Newpark
Graeme Wildish enjoyed a day to remember as his hat trick carried Wesley College past Newpark Comprehensive School and into the second round of the Leinster Schools Fr Godfrey Junior Cup at Energia Park. Newpark began with real intent, looking to raise the tempo and stretch the defence by bringing backs Jack McDonnell and Max Lennon into play early. Wesley, however, were content to play the long game, holding firm in defence under the leadership of captain Wildish and waiting patiently for opportunities to strike.
Our first visit to the Newpark 22 proved decisive. From a powerful maul in the ninth minute, number eight Wildish drove over at the back to open the scoring. Wesley quickly showed our intentions at set piece. From our next chance, we returned to the maul, with second row Jacob Hanna cleanly taking Rory Mulhall’s throw. Mulhall stayed at the front of the drive to finish the move himself in the 19th minute, doubling the advantage. The lineout combination of Mulhall and Hanna continued to cause problems, supplying pristine ball that allowed Wildish to surge from the 40 metre line on a one man crusade for his second try. James Clinch added the conversion to send Wesley into the break with a commanding 17 0 lead. Newpark tightened up defensively after the restart and managed to halt one five metre maul, but they had no answer to Wildish at full tilt. The Wesley skipper brushed aside multiple tackles to complete his hat trick, again converted by Clinch. Harry Popplewell showed great tenacity and aggression to put a stop to numerous Newpark attacks throughout the day. To their credit, Newpark continued to fight, with McAdams prominent for his relentless carries and work at the breakdown. However, Wesley’s all round composure and skill told. Clinch added a try and conversion in the 53rd minute to underline their dominance.
Despite a never say die attitude and sustained defensive effort, Newpark struggled to find the creativity needed to breach a vigilant and well organised Wesley defence, as we closed out a deserved victory.
Greene Secures Wesley College a Place in the Fr Godfrey Cup Semi-Final
A late, decisive try from Harry Greene was the defining moment in a performance full of resilience and tenacity as Wesley College refused to yield and battled their way into the Fr Godfrey Cup semi final. Wesley set the tone early with strong defensive intensity and smart territorial play. Luke Hamilton was secure at the back, while Zac Collins’ energy around the breakdown and a key blocked kick helped keep pressure on the opposition. Out half James Clinch dictated play intelligently, mixing his running game with well judged kicks and bringing the outside backs into contention, including Teddy Mitchell on the right wing. The opening score arrived in the 11th minute after sustained pressure close to the line. From a five metre lineout, Jacob Hanna claimed clean ball and the pack surged forward, allowing hooker Rory Mulhall to drive over for the first try. We continued to assert ourselves through the set piece, with the maul proving a major weapon. Hanna again rose to take possession, and Mulhall showed real determination to force his way over for a second try, which Clinch converted to reward our dominance. After the break, we were tested for long periods and had to dig deep as momentum swung away from us. Ben Roche finished the try for CBC Monkstown, for Mahon to convert to close the gap to 12 7 in the 35th minute. CBC Monkstown then levelled things 12 all in the 52nd minute. Our defence held firm under pressure, with collective effort and work rate keeping us in the contest during a demanding second half. CBC showed determination to take the lead, leaving the scoreboard 15 12. Despite their momentum, we never lost belief. That belief was rewarded in dramatic fashion. A crucial scrum opportunity gave us the platform we needed, and from there Graham Wildish exploded through midfield with a powerful 30 metre break. Quick recycling and composure in the final phases created the opening for Greene, who finished calmly out wide with the clock in the red to seal the win. It was a performance built on togetherness, physicality and a refusal to accept defeat, with key contributions throughout from Mulhall, Hanna, Collins, Clinch, Hamilton, Wildish and Greene. Wesley now turn our focus to the Fr Godfrey Cup semi final, where we look forward to the challenge of facing Catholic University School.
By Mr.Walsh
Tries from Graeme Wildish, James Clinch and Harry Greene powered Wesley College into the final after a controlled, hard fought victory over Catholic University School in difficult, rain soaked conditions. CUS showed early attacking intent, without half Olly McQuade’s chip over the top briefly unsettling the Wesley defence. Openside flanker Jude Murphy reacted sharply to a loose ball to sustain pressure, but our set piece resilience soon told. Second row Jacob Hanna disrupted Ethan Li’s throw on the five metre line to halt a promising spell of possession. Pinned largely in our own half, Wesley relied on disciplined defence, with Wildish, Rory Mulhall and Darragh Larkin prominent. Even when Harry Greene made elusive breaks of 20 metres or more, CUS’s breakdown work ensured they remained on the front foot. Hanna continued to dominate the lineout on both throws, while second row Henry Shackleton’s ruck work earned Wesley our first meaningful territory inside the CUS 22. That breakthrough proved decisive. Hanna’s clean take set the platform for number eight and captain Wildish to surge over for the opening try, converted by Clinch in the 26th minute. A powerful blindside break from Wildish off the base of a scrum soon followed, though handling errors in midfield denied further reward. Clinch, however, struck again just before the break, emerging from behind the first receiver to exploit a gap and cross for Wesley’s second converted try, giving us a 14–0 half time lead. Persistent rain made handling increasingly hazardous in the second half as we sought to widen the gap through Teddy Mitchell and Harry Popplewell. The territorial stalemate suited Wesley, with Clinch pulling the strings expertly to keep CUS at arm’s length. A towering kick from Dan Wheatley and a thunderous tackle by tight head Finn Mullarkey briefly ignited the CUS challenge, while centre Oisin Keogh sliced through the gain line to bring play inside the Wesley 22. Yet, once again, a disciplined defence held firm. The decisive moment arrived in the 52nd minute. Wildish exploded down the left touchline, taking play deep into the 22, and from the ensuing lineout Wesley mauled efficiently for Greene to finish neatly in the corner. Wesley saw out the closing stages comfortably to secure a deserved 19–0 victory and book our place in the final. We look forward to the challenge against St. Andrew’s College. Photo taken from Leinster Rugby.
By Mr. Walsh
Girls Rugby Wesley College 49 - 24 De La Salle
The Junior Girls produced a thrilling, high energy performance in an exciting and competitive clash against a brave De La Salle side. Wesley ran in some fantastic tries, with Georgia Carroll, Sasha Williams, and Michelle Adinga all getting on the scoresheet, topped off by an absolute cracker from Izzy Roulston. Powerful carries in attack from Tali Neil set the tone throughout the game and were matched by some superb, hard hitting tackles in the midfield. Played in great spirit from start to finish, it was a brilliant contest, and once again, rugby was the real winner! Best of luck to the Junior Girls’ Rugby Squad as they continue their cup campaign and take on Kilkenny College in Round 2 of the BOI Junior Cup! Go well, girls, we’re right behind you! A huge congratulations also to the six Wesley College girls selected to attend the Leinster Metro trials last Monday! An incredible achievement, best of luck to you all as you progress through the selection process. We’re cheering you on every step of the way! Georgia Carroll, Michelle Adinga, Faith
By Ms. Savage
Wesley College JCT 19-0 Catholic University School
Agar, Talitha Neil, Sasha Williams and Izzy Roulston.
Hockey
The Senior 1st girls beat Kilkenny 2–1 in the semi final of the cup at Three Rock Rovers on Thursday the 22nd of January, producing a superb performance to book their place in the final. Wesley made a strong start to the match and went ahead in the first quarter through a neatly worked short corner, which was calmly finished off by Evelyn Kwik.Kilkenny responded well and managed to draw level before half time, setting up a tense and closely contested second half. Wesley were forced to soak up a lot of sustained Kilkenny pressure but remained well organised defensively and always looked dangerous on the counter attack. With just three minutes remaining, Evelyn chased down a long ball before it could run out over the sideline and drove purposefully into the circle. She then fired an audacious shot from near the baseline high into the far corner, a sublime finish that proved to be the match winner and sparked huge celebrations among the Wesley supporters. Wesley will now play Rathdown School in the final on Monday the 2nd of February at Three Rock Rovers.
By Mr. Blennerhassett
Wesley Christmas Hockey Blitz 2025
On Thursday the 18th of December, the annual Wesley Christmas Hockey Blitz took place. Over 220 students, boys and girls from all year groups, from Prep to 6th Year, took to the pitches. The rain poured down; however, this did not stop anyone. There were 20 teams, mixing all age groups, boys and girls, with 6th Year students appointed as captains. The teams ranged from the Mistletoes, Christmas Puddings, Mince Pies, Snowflakes, Stars, and other similar Christmas themes. There was great energy, enthusiasm, skill, and fun on the pitches, with the older students ensuring that their younger players enjoyed the occasion and the chance to play with their peers. There were some great Christmas outfits on display, adding to the fun and spirit of the blitz. This is the one and only time of the year that we can get all year groups’ boys and girls out on the pitches together. It is a special occasion which students and coaches love to take part in. Each team played five 15 minute matches, no prizes, just some sweets and lots of smiles, sending everyone off in good spirits as they headed into the Christmas holidays. By Mrs. Henderson
Kwik Double fires Senior 1st Girls into Cup Final
18 Wesley Update Sports News
Basketball
U19 Boys Basketball
The third league game took place against Ballinteer CS. Immediately, you could sense it was going to be a tight game, with score after score being traded. Eventually, it came down to the last quarter, where every play mattered. Wesley’s defence got on top and kept Ballinteer to only three points in the final quarter. Wesley came out on top with a scoreline of 45–40. This meant Wesley topped the group and earned themselves a home quarter final.
The quarter final took place on the 4th of November against St Cillian’s CS in Wesley. The game got off to a frantic start, with both teams showing their quality. Kane Marnell showed his leadership with some hugely impressive baskets. After two quarters, the game was finely poised. However, in the third and fourth quarters, St Cillian’s showed their class and pushed ahead. The Wesley boys never gave up and fought until the end. Final score: 50–31.
Overall, it was a good season for the U19s. There is some disappointment that they didn’t make it further, but they will take a lot from the season. The players have improved hugely since they were U16, and it is great to see. Next year should be an interesting one for the team, with only one player overage. With continued hard work and the leadership of Kane Marnell, the team has a very good chance of doing better next year.
U16 Boys Basketball
Match vs Ballinteer CS – 20/10/25. The second game of the year proved to be an entertaining contest, with Wesley producing a strong team performance to secure a deserved win. Wesley made a bright start and took an early lead in the first quarter thanks to some excellent teamwork between Archie Dempsey, Louis Cui, and Christian Basse.
Ballinteer responded well in the second and third quarters, scoring strongly and keeping the game competitive, which made it an enjoyable match for the neutral supporter. However, Wesley finished the game in impressive fashion, pushing on in the final quarter with some great scores from Jacob Ellis, Luca Roberts, and William Brereton Luan. Overall, it was a very good team performance.
Final result: Wesley 48, Ballinteer CS 21.
Quarter-Final vs Coláiste Chraobh Abhann 05/11/25
A win against Ballinteer CS left Wesley in a quarter final against Coláiste Chraobh Abhann. This game had all the signs of being a thriller from the start, with Wesley having their full squad available. The game started a bit nervy for Wesley, with Coláiste Chraobh Abhann building up a 10 point lead after four minutes. It took a brilliant individual score by Jacob Ellis to get the Wesley boys going. Throughout the game, both teams traded score for score, and the standard of basketball was excellent.
Coming into the last quarter, the Wesley boys battled hard; however, the early lead was enough to get Coláiste Chraobh Abhann through to the semi final. David Carta, Jacob Ellis, and Clifford Tan showed great resilience throughout the game.
Final result: Wesley 28, Coláiste Chraobh Abhann 39.
Overall, it was a good year for the U16s. They have improved greatly and will come back stronger next year.
By Mr. O’Neill & Mr. Toye
The Senior Girls Basketball final, played in the Oblate Basketball Hall just before the Christmas break, was a memorable showcase of commitment and teamwork. The team stepped onto the court with pride and determination, displaying the skills and hard work they had developed throughout their season. With a busload of supporters and staff in attendance from school, the atmosphere inside the hall was electric. Nerves were high but quickly settled as
captain Clíona Matthews gave many words of encouragement to hype up her team.
From the opening whistle, with Alice Gardiner going for the jump, Wesley were quick to respond. Strong defence, smart decision making, and relentless effort were evident throughout the game from Philippa Mueller von Blumencron, Aoibheann Barry, and Ciara MacDonncha. Key shooting at crucial moments kept the contest competitive, with Iona Wu and Mia Sorohan leading the way.
While the final result didn’t go their way, having come up against a stronger side from St Paul’s Greenhills, their resilience, sportsmanship, and dedication made Wesley College — and themselves — proud. This was an amazing achievement for a team who only began basketball a few years ago, reaching a league final.
“Ní neart go cur le chéile.”
Junior Girls Basketball
Our Junior Girls basketball team, consisting of 2nd Years, kicked off their league with a great win at home. The scoreline finished at 24–4 in favour of Wesley against Blackrock ETSS. The girls showed great enthusiasm and effort throughout the game, with high numbers on the team cheering on eagerly from the side. Top shooting from Abby Hay, Aoibhinn Kingston, and Sadhbh Gleeson, combined with strong defence from Ciara Fredericks, Amelie Magennis, and Sadie Orton, secured our lead throughout the game. For many of the girls, this was their first of many basketball games representing Wesley College. We look forward to the season ahead, with our early morning training sessions and continuing to build our skills and communication as a team. By Ms. Murphy
Senior Girls Basketball League Final
Badminton
It has been a fantastic few weeks for the Wesley Badminton Club. Here are the results so far:
The Boys’ U19A team played three matches, beating Sandford and Oatlands College, and drawing in a rare tie against Templeogue. They qualified for the DSB semi final against Sandford Park and were narrowly beaten. It was a very tight game that went all the way to the wire. Congratulations to the team, Joowon Park, Yitian Chen, Lucas Strong, and Sam Cockerill, on a terrific season.
The Boys’ U19B team played one game, losing to Sandford Park.
The Girls’ U19 team have played three fixtures, losing narrowly to St Joseph of Cluny and Edmund Rice, but beating Sion Hill.
Congratulations to the Boys’ U16A team, who have reached the DSB semi final by winning all five league games. They have beaten Mt Temple, Oatlands, Gonzaga, The High School, and Belvedere. The semi final is on Monday the 26th against Mt Temple. Best of luck to the team, Luke Somerville, Toby Crossan, Yiyu (Ivan) Zhang, and William Brereton Luan.
The Girls’ U16 team have played two games and were unfortunately beaten by Mount Sackville and Holy Faith Clontarf.
The Boys’ U14A team have played three games and have won them all, beating Ard Scoil Rís, Terenure College, and Sutton Park.
The Girls’ U14A team have played three games and unfortunately lost to Nord Anglia, Loreto Foxrock, and Our Lady’s Terenure.
The Boys’ U14B team have beaten Gonzaga and Oatlands in their two matches so far.
The Boys’ U14C team have beaten Holy Child in their only game so far.
Congratulations to all the players and coaching staff on a very busy few weeks.
By Ms. Walsh
East Leinster Athletics
On Wednesday the 21st, 43 students represented the college at the East Leinster Cross Country event, held in the Phoenix Park in what can only be described as horrific conditions! Lots of personal bests (PBs) were achieved, and both Ben and Max Graham have successfully qualified for the Leinster Championship next week.
In addition, Hannah Rusike, Iris Roulston, and Charlotte André came 3rd in the B Team event. By Mr. Collins
Student
Staff contributors: Mr Blennerhassett, Ms Breen, Ms Chandler, Mr Collins, Ms Dowzard, Dr Doyle, Ms Duffy, Ms Elliott, Ms Farrelly, Ms Fromholz, Mr Harte, Ms Hegarty-Owens, Mr Henderson, Mr Lydon, Ms Maher, Rev Mathews, Mr McCabe, Ms B Murphy, Mr Murphy, Mr O’Neill, Ms Reynolds, Ms Rodriguez, Mr Ronaldson, Mr Ryan, Ms Savage, Ms Sharkey, Mr Toye, Mr Walsh, Ms Walsh, Mr Wiseman.
Photographers: Jason Gilsenan, Patrick Hugh Lynch, Student Photographers.
With thanks to the Wesley College Office Staff, to David Deering and Print Tender Ltd, to Ms Jeena Doherty and to Mr Enda O’Rourke.
Editor: Ms Katie Dickson
Sports Editor: Ms Victoria Love
contributors: Eileen Fan, Sophia Hanley, Olivia Heaney, Sophie Kane, Mia Priestman.