18 December 2015
Loreto, Wexford’s junior footballers had a successful trip to Carlow on Monday last for their Leinster semi-final clash with Mercy, Navan, coming out on top by a scoreline of 7-4 to 0-7. Having beaten Enniscorthy’s Coláiste Bríd in the other semi-final, Moate Community College, Westmeath awaited the winners.
Conditions in Carlow were far from ideal, which made this a game where getting the basic skills spot on and being clinical in front of goal both became a must. This is exactly what Loreto did throughout against a strong Navan side.
It was Mercy who got the first score after some good movement down the right side lead to an opening point. That was to be the first and last time Mercy would hold the lead as Loreto took control from there on. Rachel Bennett responded with a goal and Wexford’s tally was doubled soon after as Emily Coakley found the net. St Martin’s Emma Codd got a 3rd goal sandwiched between two Coakley points leaving the scoreline 3-2 to 0-1. Mercy did finish the half stronger with two quick points but Ann-Maire Bennett raised the green flag just before the break to leave Loreto 4-2 to 0-3 up at the break.
Having being aided by a strong wind in the first half, the Loreto team was well aware Navan would throw everything at them. Not sitting back on the lead, Loreto continued to attack Mercy. Rachel Bennet soon added her second goal of the afternoon. Mercy did hit the crossbar soon after and Clodagh Jackman had to make a great goal line clearance as the young Glynn lady didn’t put a foot wrong all afternoon.
The midfield of Julia Dempsey and Emma Cousins stepped up their performance in the second half as they protected their backline and were the platform for any attacks Loreto started. Navan got some lovely points with the wind but that elusive goal never came as Volunteers’ Sally Walker had her second clean sheet in as many games. The final minutes belonged to Loreto as Emily Coakley hit another 1-1 while Rachel Bennett completed the scoring with her 3rd green flag of the game.
Loreto Wexford Team: 1. Sally Walker 2. Larah Campbell (vc) 3. Niamh Dunne 4. Clodagh Jackman 5. Caoimhe Neville 6. Aisling Halligan 7. Aoife Dwyer 8. Emma Cousins (0-1) 9. Julia Dempsey 10. Emma Codd (1-1) 11. Aishling Gouldson 12. Aishling Alouf 13. Rachel Bennett (3-0) 14. Emily Coakley (2-3) 15. Annmarie Bennett (1-0) 16. Clodagh Walsh (for E. Cousins) 17. Annie O’Gorman (for A. Dwyer) 18. Rebecca Banville (for L. Campbell) 19. Megan Carty 20. Sadbh McCarthy © 21. Clara O’Doherty 22. Sally Shortle 23. Becky Hamilton 24. Eve Hession 25. Eva Crean (for E. Codd) 26. Anna Mulligan (for A. Alouf)
15 Leaving Certificate students have received their Silver Gaisce Award. This award was presented in The Helix, DCU, on Monday, 30 November 2015.
To achieve this award the students had to complete 4 challenges: 26 weeks (1 hour per week) of Physical activity, 26 weeks (1 hour per week) to learn a new skill, 26 weeks (1 hour per week) of Voluntary work and they also had to complete an Adventure Challenge. For the Adventure Challenge, the students walked 57kms along the Wexford coast, over 3 days. They stayed overnight in the hostel in Carne and did their own catering. For many, this was the highlight of their Gaisce experience.
Congratulations to all involved.
They are pictured here during a school celebration to mark their achievement, with their President’s Award Leader, Bee McDonald. Included in the photo are Laura Bruen, Eimear Buckley, Ruth Cowman, Anne Daly, Amy Dee, Laura Doyle, Orfhlaith Gannon, Georgia Keane, Eva Law, Sarah McKenna, Carolyn McMorrow, Yvonne Power, Lucy Proctor and Emma Shannon. (Absent from the photo, Claire Cullen).
A truly historic day was celebrated on Monday, 14 December 2015 when the first sod was turned at the site of our new school at Pembroke Hill.
This task was performed by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin, T.D., who has been a central figure in the pursuit of a new school for many years past. The event was witnessed by a very happy audience made up of local clergy, politicians and representatives of staff, students, parents, Wexford County Council and Board of Management. Also in attendance were representatives of the National Development Finance Agency, Loreto Trust Board and Roadbridge Construction.
All guests then adjourned to the Talbot Hotel for a delightful lunch where traditional and festive background music was provided by our very talented students who are members of the Danescastle Music Group.
Work has now commenced by Roadbridge on preparing the greenfield site before construction of the new building begins in summer 2016.
Christmas Week is here, one of the highlights of life in Loreto, Wexford.
The first big event is the Trade Fair that took place yesterday morning. This allowed 4th year mini-companies the chance to display their goods or services to all year groups in the hope of capturing their fair share of the lucrative Christmas market.
Today sees three stagings of the 6th year show. The bar continues to be raised on this event every year when 6th year students, with no little help and mischief from staff, produce a fun-filled drama with music, song and hilarity, all in aid of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
One of the liturgical highlights of the year takes place on Monday afternoon, 21 December, when the entire school community assembles in Rowe Street Church for the annual Carol Service. Led by our chaplain, Fr. Jim Fegan, this event combines biblical readings, inspirational thoughts, traditional carol singing and a festive sing along to produce what is always a deeply-moving and enjoyable celebration of the real meaning of Christmas.
This year, the Carol Service will be preceded by the school’s first Academic Awards Ceremony in the course of which outstanding performances in the 2015 State Examinations and 2nd and 5th year Summer Examinations will be formally recognised by the school’s newly-established Academic Council.
Tuesday morning, 22 December, is reserved for Mr. Murphy’s Christmas Table Quiz when students’ general knowledge is tested by a series of challenging questions compiled by Mr. Murphy and his team of musical and not-so-musical elves!
Tuesday is also a No Uniform Day with the proceeds once again going towards our adopted charity at this time of the year, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
If we survive the above, we should all be ready for a well-deserved Christmas holiday beginning at about 12.00 on Tuesday.
It is my pleasure, as Principal, on behalf of the school’s Board of Management, to wish all members of the Loreto, Wexford school community – students, staff and parents – a very happy and meaningful Christmas and to express the hope that 2016 will be kind to one and all.
2016
The year in which the building of our new school at Pembroke Hill will commence – due for completion in late summer 2017
The year in which we will celebrate the school’s 150th anniversary
Billy O’ Shea,
Principal.
