Loreto Secondary School

Economic Success

Congratulations to TY student Malavika Manoj on securing the gold medal at the final of the Young Economist competition, held recently in UCD. Her project, entitled ‘An alarming comparison between now and the famine – how has our relationship with the Irish economy changed?’, was selected from hundreds of entries. We commend Anna Benson, Rebecca Hennessey-Corrigan, Robyn Carty and Kate Harpur on their silver medal award. We thank Mr. Murphy and Mr. Grace for their hard work with the students.

Down Syndrome Awareness Day – report by Ms. M. Jordan

Loreto Wexford marked Down Syndrome Awareness Day on Friday 28^th of April. The day was led by Sophie & Katie Ennis (6.2 & 2.2) and the Inclusion Committee. Students showed their support by wearing odd socks and blue & yellow accessories. Members of the Inclusion Committee painted faces in the GPA in the morning and a bake sale was held at 10.45 and lunchtime.

Undoubtedly the stars of the day were our guests Ella Ennis and Aidan Gannon. Katie & Sophie’s sister Ella has Down Syndrome and will soon turn two. Her parents Mark & Nicole and brother Kyle also joined her. Mark delivered a powerful presentation to 2nd years, TYs and 6th years on Ella’s wonderful life so far and the obstacles she has overcome. Mark encouraged all students to embrace diversity and not limit our expectations of people with special needs, pointing out the successes of TV presenter George Webster and model Ellie Goldstein both of whom have Down Syndrome.

Ella won all our hearts here in Loreto as she clapped and blew kisses throughout her father’s talk, making her way over to the students to interact and engage. It was a joy and a pleasure to have her.

In the afternoon, David Gannon former PE teacher here in Loreto, father to the adorable Aidan and representative of the Wexford Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland visited to explain where the money raised would go. David encouraged students to stand up to injustice in society and strive to make our world a better place for all, quoting wise words from our former principal Mr. O’ Shea; in a world of hot water, don’t be the carrot that goes soft or the egg that goes hard, be the coffee bean that changes the water!

We were delighted to present David with €491.65 for Down Syndrome Ireland.

If you would like to see more of the beautiful Ella Ennis, you can follow her on her Instagram page @the_secret_life_ella