Loreto Secondary School | 22 December 2023

Christmas Holidays

Today marks the beginning of the Christmas break. I extend my thanks to all staff, students and parents/guardians for their support since August. I hope all have a peaceful, safe and pleasant Christmas season.

Stand Up Week – report by Ms. M. Jordan

Stand Up Week was marked nationally and in our school from Monday the 6^th of November to Friday the 10^th of November. We carried out a number of awareness raising actions, such as creating a human rainbow where each year group wore a coloured jumper to show our support for the value of Pride. For the LGBTQ+ community this means representing solidarity, collectivity, and identity as well as resistance to discrimination and violence. An aerial photo was taken of Inclusion Committee members and Students’ Council and prefects to show our commitment to LGBTQ+ rights. Words and definitions were also scattered on walls and doors around the school to educate people on LGBTQ+ terminology.

One of the most positive messages to come from the week was this beautifully written poem by one of our students:

“Broken Tiles”

In a world full of pattern,

Where like tiles everything fits Seamlessly.

Perfectly.

Difference is terrifying.

like a broken Tile that won’t fit with the rest

no matter how much you force it

no matter how much you will it to Change

It’s Still its fragmented Self

Wishing not to be “broken”,

but the secret of some of the best art

is that it is made from that which is “broken”

think of mosaics Bursting with Colour and fragmented lines.

Sometimes it will do you good to remember

Some tiles were made for art, not the pattern.

And to the “broken” tiles in this mind-numbingly perfect world:

When you don’t fit the pattern

Make your own.

Transition Year Update – report by Nicole Lageu

On Monday, the 11th, our Transition Year students took part in a quiz with St. Peter’s.

They had a great time, thanks to Ms. Sweetman and our inter-schools committee. The committee consisted of Aoife McEldowney reading out the questions, Layla Stafford in charge of team sheets, Ella Martin, Izzy Wilde, and Phoebe Coman making the quiz teams, Caragh Ni Nualainn and Doireann Ni Mhaolain correcting, and our correctors: Orlaith Flynn, Gillian O’Gorman, Aine Fortune, Cadhla Quirke, Eppie Gainford, and Ava Whelan. The quiz comprised ten rounds, each with six questions, encompassing fantastic general knowledge. The winners of the quiz were Team Four: Shane Doyle, Ruairi Moore, Sophia Silva, and Cristabel Stamp.

Congratulations to our winners and everyone else who participated!

Also, on Tuesday, the 12th, our Transition Year students took to the ice! There were numerous slips and falls, but they were ultimately impressed by the fantastic skating demonstrated by Mr. Broderick. Students had an hour before skating for breakfast to boost their energy, but this didn’t prevent more students from being on the floor than on their feet while skating. Despite the mishaps, the Transition Year students had a brilliant time.

Transition Year Christmas Trade Fair 2023 – report by Izzy Wilde

On Monday, 18 December, our wonderful Transition Year students hosted the annual Mini-Company Trade Fair. The event was jam-packed with amazing mini-companies selling unique and high-quality products. Our Transition Year students have been working hard for the last few months to perfect and develop these products. Students from first to sixth year had the opportunity to support these mini-companies, and they certainly delivered. Each mini-company made successful sales, and the remaining students seized the chance for some last-minute Christmas shopping.

The Fair offered an incredible variety of products, ranging from cakes to candles and beautiful jewellery—there was truly something for everyone, including our teachers. After an enjoyable day of sales, the Transition Year students counted their earnings and headed to the sports hall to watch a Christmas movie, spreading the Christmas spirit throughout.