All Ireland Success
After an intense day of competition, our Ruby 7’s team were crowned Leinster and All – Ireland champions on Wednesday, 26 April. After defeating three different schools, the title was secured by beating Mercy Convent, Roscommon by one try. Huge credit is due to all members of the squad on this outstanding success. We thank Mr. Crowdle and Ms. Dee for accompanying the group.
Green School Committee – report by Ms. A. Culleton
The Green Schools Committee are having a busy year, working towards the shared goal of reducing the amount of waste in the school and increasing student knowledge around recycling.
Before Easter, members of the committee visited classrooms and delivered a presentation on the importance of recycling and demonstrated the correct way to recycle. At this point, every Junior Cycle and TY student now knows the correct way to recycle. A survey will be run later in the year to assess student knowledge.
The committee was also visited by Cliona Connolly from Wexford County Council, who shared ideas with us. She has also kindly shared many resources, funding and ideas with the committee. A huge thanks to Cliona for her support.
Loreto’s Climate Action Festival will be taking place from May 2nd – May 5th. Keep an eye out on social media and around the school for updates and for a chance to win some amazing prizes! Ms. Culleton would like to say a huge thank you to all members of the Green School Committee for all their hard work so far this year.
Fifth Year Retreat – report by Orla Banville
On Friday the 31st of March, the day before the long-awaited Easter holidays, fifth year students escaped classes for a much-needed wellness retreat to the Parable Garden in Ballinesker, Curracloe along with Ms. Culleton and Mr. Gunning. The theme of our retreat was ‘The Inner Journey of Self Discovery’ and the day served as a chance to reflect and to relax amidst the stresses and pressures of fifth year.
Upon our arrival at the idyllic walled garden, we were gifted bags containing incense, a tea-light, a notebook, a pen and some sweets. In our notebooks, we were instructed to write two positive intentions: one for the day and one for the remainder of fifth year. Our first activity involved unleashing our inner child for some clay moulding. Working with clay, a natural material, allowed us to get in touch with the earth. Subsequently, we meditated, guided by Mr. Gunning, this meditation ensured that we were filled with positive energy for the day.
Afterwards, guided by Mr. Gunning, we embarked on an adventure through the forest entitled ‘the hero’s journey’. The tranquillity and peace of the forest really allowed us to contemplate our individual paths. After completing our walk through the forest, we returned to the retreat centre for lunch.
After lunch, we met Niamh Boggan, a health practitioner based in Wexford. Niamh spoke to us and asked us to reflect on ourselves and how we have changed and developed throughout the years.
To conclude our retreat, we experienced a sound bath, a form of meditation in which you are ‘bathed’ in the sounds of various instruments. The object of the sound bath is to soothe and to relax the body and the mind. Each student that participated found the sound bath to be tremendously therapeutic.
Our fifth-year retreat was an invaluable experience. The day allowed us to bond with our peers, to connect with nature and most importantly, to unwind from our academic school environment. The meditative practices that we learned will be immensely beneficial in the next school year as we face into the dreaded Leaving Cert.
Thank you to the Religion Department for organising this most essential and rewarding retreat.
Guidance Inspection
This week, an Inspector from the Department of Education and Skills visited the school. The focus of this inspection was the provision of Guidance. I wish to thank Ms. Kelly, Ms. Foley and Mr. O’ Sullivan for their superb work in this area and this will be highlighted in the coming months with the publication of the final report. Thanks also to all students who were inspected as part of this evaluation. The Inspector commented on the impeccable behaviour of all students, and she noted the superb contribution made by those who were selected as part of the focus groups.
Forthcoming Events
- Down Syndrome Awareness Day, led by Sophie and Katie Ennis and the Inclusion Committee – Friday, 28 April.
- Monday, 1 May – school closed (Bank Holiday).
- Wednesday, 3 May – LCVP Exam