18 November 2022
Brief Updates
- Congratulations to our senior camogie team on an impressive victory against St Mary’s, New Ross.
- Both our junior and senior hockey teams recorded impressive victories this week, defeating Abbey Community College, Waterford in both games.
- Under the guidance of Mr. Cornejo, we commend Molly Holden, Ella Carley, Heidi Rowlands, Cáit Whitmore, Malavika Manoj, Grace Mc Cormack, Hari Parimkayala and Fiona Murphy for their participation in the Concern debates. Their next debate is on 6 December.
- Gaeilge 24 returned this year with Transition Year students organising a range of activities as Gaeilge, overseen by Ms. Shannon and Ms. Kelly. Well done to all involved.
- Despite a spirited performance, our junior footballers lost out to a strong Loreto, Navan side during the week.
- Our equestrian teams continue to progress under the coordination of Mr. Grace and Ms. Martin. Congratulations to our team of Aoife Crean, Ava Murphy, Leah Murphy, and Isabel Walsh who placed third and Sarah Cousins, Kate Jordan, Aoife Griffith and Sarah O’ Reilly who placed fourth in a recent Interschools event in Wexford.
The annual Loreto Swimming Gala took place on Thursday, 17 November at the National Aquatics Centre, Dublin. This is a major event in the Loreto network and Loreto, Wexford was represented with 8 students participating. Many congratulations to Roisin Lawless who took home gold, and to our relay team of Hannah Fitzpatrick, Elva Longergan, Eve O’ Hanlon and Roisin Lawless who won bronze.
Inclusion Committee – Report by Sophie Ennis
Diverse Voices
An important job of the Inclusion Committee is to give everyone a voice. Sometimes we might unintentionally overlook the voices of those from a minority group and miss a valuable chance to learn more about our wonderfully diverse school community. In this new regular feature, we hope to share the interesting stories of students from diverse backgrounds.
In this article, we hear from students Sophie & Katie and their lives with their beautiful baby sister Ella who has Down Syndrome. Later this year, Sophie & Katie hope to run an awareness campaign for Down Syndrome in school and raise some funds for Down Syndrome Ireland.
Down Syndrome Awareness
Hi everyone! My name is Sophie Ennis and I am in 6th year. I am writing this account along with my sister Katie in 2nd year on my experience with Down Syndrome. I personally had very little knowledge of Down Syndrome before my little sister Ella’s birth. I only knew it was caused by an extra chromosome in the DNA of the person with Down Syndrome, and I was completely unaware that there were actually different types of Down Syndrome and the health implications that come with it.
Our Sister Ella:
Ella was born in June of 2021, and although it can be tested by doctors to see if there are any signs during pregnancy, such as extra fluid at the back of the neck, Ella didn’t get her diagnosis until after she was born. Some of the immediate health implications she faced were 2 holes in her heart, meaning the deoxygenated blood was mixing with the blood that had already gotten oxygen from the lungs, and pulmonary hypertension, which means her lungs were also under pressure and made it very difficult for her to breathe. Some other babies with Down Syndrome have issues with their bowels and need operations. It is also common for babies to need an operation to close the holes in their heart, which Ella didn’t need as they closed up by themselves, which is very lucky! Children with Down Syndrome are also more likely to have vision and hearing impairments, Ella got her glasses a few weeks ago (and she HATES them 😂)
It’s not all doom and gloom though! Although Ella was described in her first few days of life as the sickest baby in Crumlin hospital and having almost run out of oxygen in the tank of the ambulance ventilator on the way up from Wexford, she is now in perfect health and is the happiest baby we know!!! She lets nothing stop her, and even though she’s a little slower meeting big milestone, she’s determined to do her best and makes us laugh every single day. She is super cheeky and likes to play with her food more than she eats it! Her favourite show at the minute has to be either ‘Paw Patrol’ or ‘Peppa Pig’, although the Pix and Leo theme tune gets her dancing like crazy! She always has a smile on her face, is constantly giggling and has more love in her heart for her family (especially her grandad’s) than any other child I’ve met!
Junior Certificate Results
After a long wait, our Transition Year students will be able to access their Junior Cycle results online on Wednesday, 23 November. As next week is their Volunteering Week, and students are based in different organisations throughout the county, provisional certificates will be issued on Monday, 28 November. We extend our best wishes to all students.
Stand Up Week
This week, 14 – 18 November, marks Stand Up Week. This initiative supports members of the LGBTQ+ community within our school. A range of activities took place throughout the week, culminating in students wearing a rainbow accessory to school.
November Exams
Best wishes to all 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th year students as they sit formal exams between Monday, 21 November and Thursday, 24 November. Reports in respect of these exams will be communicated home in the coming weeks.
