7th Nov 2025
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. As we celebrate Stand Up Week this week from the 3rd – 7th November, in this edition, we hear from TJ O’ Brien in 1st year.
Name: TJ O’Brien
Age: 12
Class: 1.2
Home: Wexford Town
Favourite Food: Pizza
Favourite TV Show: I’m a big fan of horror films. I’ve just finished watching ‘The Conjuring’ films
Favourite Subjects:
English & Geography
Favourite Hobby:
Skateboarding. Min Ryan has a good park for this.
What I Like about School:
I like that everyone is accepting of me. Everyone is kind and caring.
Inclusion Committee:
I joined this committee because I saw that it was promoting the idea of accepting everyone, regardless of our differences. I like the idea of working with a group of people to spread positive messages. It’s not just LGTBQ, I like the idea of taking part in Multicultural Week too. My dad loves History and my siblings, and I go on ‘Mystery History’ tours with him. He shows me how he loves me for who I am, and, on these trips, I see that he accepts others too, regardless of their race, gender, or beliefs. Once, we went to Belfast and even though he is a Catholic from the Republic of Ireland, he still sees both sides and respects people from the Protestant community in the North too. He is not against anyone, and he has instilled this value in me too.
I’ve found that Wexford is a very inclusive community from my experience. When I was little, I went to basketball in the town and all my friends and coaches there never questioned my freedom of expression.
Aspect of Inclusion:
The area I’m most interested in is equal rights for members of the LGBTQ+ community. I am a member of the trans community. My pronouns are he/him. When my mother contacted the school to tell them, they were completely fine with it. It wasn’t seen as a strange or unusual request. My teachers call out ‘TJ’ on the roll, not ‘Erin’. This makes me feel happy and comfortable. My friends were a bit shocked at first, but it was more to do with my name change than being trans, to be honest. Everyone is completely fine with it. It’s not a big deal. This is important to me. The only questions my classmates asked were what my pronouns are and what I wanted them to call me. Life is good!
FDYS:
This youth group helped me so much. I used to go once a week. I haven’t been for a while because I’ve been busy training with the Order of Malta. In FDYS, I had the chance to talk about my feelings around being transgender. They advised me to talk to my mam about it, which I hadn’t done. They encouraged me to chat with her and when I did, everything was completely fine. I had been too nervous to tell her before going to FDYS, but they helped me realise that there was no need to feel this way. Mam is like my best friend now. I know I can tell her anything and she will always support me.
Stand Up Week, Monday 3rd November to Friday 7th November 2025:
I’m excited about this week. I’m going to help out by doing the face painting on Friday morning in the GP Area and by donating baked goods to the Rainbow Bake Sale which is on at break time on Friday too. I hope everyone comes along to show their support. This year we have a QR code as well as a float, so people can buy the goods with their Revolut card if they don’t have change. People can also donate to ‘Belong To’ using the QR code below:
My Message LGBTQ+:
Don’t judge anybody before getting to know who they actually are. Some people think LGBTQ people are ‘weird’ but we’re all just people, not aliens or anyone to be afraid of!
Free webinar for parents: In Their Corner – A Parent’s Guide to Study and Motivation
Have questions about how to help your child get exam-ready? Worried about where to start? Join our webinar where Studyclix CEO Luke Saunders will be in conversation with author, columnist and family psychotherapist Dr. Richard Hogan to answer parents’ questions on how to help students get started with study and to motivate them throughout the year.
Monday November 10th at 7pm
Limited spaces – register today
For more information and to register, follow this link: https://www.studyclix.ie/parent-webinar
School Attendance
New data published by Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) shows that one in five children in primary and post-primary school are missing a month or more of their school year. The 2023/24 report indicates that while non-attendance is decreasing it is still significantly greater than pre-pandemic levels.
A new support page has been developed in collaboration with key stakeholders and is available for parents and schools at www.gov.ie/schoolattendance with helpful guidance on many issues affecting school attendance.
A collaboration between Wexford CYPSC, Barnardos, CAMHS, CFSN, FDYS, HSE, IPPN, NAPD, NEPS, SCP, TESS, WxCCC, WWETB & YNR have also produced a resource pack for parents who are concerned about school avoidance. This pack can be found here
Early detection is vitally important, so if you are concerned please don’t hesitate to contact the relevant Class teacher, Year Head or Deputy Principal
Parent Information Evening- 2nd and 5th Year.
Thank you to those who attended the parent information evenings recently for second and fifth year parents. For those who couldn’t make it, please see slides below.
2nd Year Slides and 5th Year Slides
Equestrian
Well done to Isabelle, Hannah Rose and Anna who travelled to Waterford over the break for the Open equestrian team competition. After a tightly contested class, they came first against the clock. Well done to all involved.
Past Pupils Union
Calling all past pupils of Loreto Wexford!
We’d love to see you this Saturday, November 8th, for a cup of coffee, a chat and a tour of our new school.
Drop in anytime between 11am and 1pm — we can’t wait to reconnect and share what’s new.
Please see the attached poster for more information.
Student of the Month – October
Well done to our Junior Student of the Month recipients who received their certificates this week for their overall behaviour and contribution to school life.
1st Year: Kaishori Crosbie (1.1)
2nd Year: Freya Barry (2.4)
3rd year: Abbie Kelly (3.2)
School library
The library will reopen from Monday next. The pictures show a selection of the new books now in stock. Books can be borrowed before school and at lunchtime. Listen out for Mr. Murphy’s announcement which will have further details. We encourage all students to visit and enjoy reading.
Paired Reading
Paired Reading is now under way. Transition Year volunteers read with first years 2-3 times per week at lunch time and / or after school in our beautiful library. If you are in first year and would like to join, please let Ms Jordan know at michellejordan@loretowexford.com
Green Schools
Don’t forget, Green Schools meets every Wednesday at 13:15 in St Catherine’s. New members are always welcome, feel free pop in and join us! Let’s build a greener future together.
Traditional Music Group
Join our school’s Traditional Music Group and celebrate Irish music and culture. Open to all ability levels. Sheet music will be provided in advance so we can practise before we come together to play as a group. Whether you’re just starting out or already experienced, this is a relaxed, enjoyable space to share music and develop your skills. They will meet in Music room 1 every second Thursday at 1.20. More detals from Mr Cash
Geography
1.1 and 1.2 Geography completed amazing storyboards teaching young people about what happened during the Mt St Helens volcanic eruption. The standard of work was exceptional, making it almost impossible to select a winner. Well done to Ms Johns’ first-year classes for working so hard.
Our third years have also been busy designing their own islands and choosing suitable sites for settlements. These projects were presented to the class with fantastic creativity and effort shown by all. More images available on our Facebook page.
Junior Camogie
Well done to our Junior Camogie team! The girls put in a fantastic performance on Tuesday, securing a great win over a tough Gorey Community School side. The panel also took part in a 7-a-side blitz, showing brilliant skill and teamwork throughout.
Two wins from two in the group stages means the they now progress to a Leinster Semi-Final! Huge congratulations to all players and mentors involved — your hard work is really paying off!
Glendalough Trip TY
On Wednesday and Thursday our Transition Year students enjoyed an overnight stay in beautiful Glendalough, County Wicklow. Yesterday, as part of their Gaisce award, they hiked an impressive 18 kilometres through the mountains and despite the misty conditions, everyone had a fantastic time. Today’s adventure was a shorter hike around the stunning lakes. Well done to all involved!
Senior Home Economics Trip
The Fifth- and Sixth-Year Home Economics students have arrived in Rome! Beautiful sunshine and blue skies greeted the group as they began their Italian adventure. Next stop — Sorrento! Getting ready for an exciting Day Two ahead!
Le Chéile
Yesterday marked the fifth week of our Le Chéile initiative in TY helping the elderly. Participants were very busy making Christmas decorations that they will decorate in the coming weeks as well as learning to play card games. Thank you to all who volunteered and attended.
Forthcoming Events/Dates to Note:
Mon 10 Nov: Hockey Matches v Ursuline Waterford, Senior Camogie Match vs Pres. Wexford @ Home
Tues 11 Nov: Senior Soccer Match Vs Templecarrig @ home, Study Skills Talk- 6th years
Wed 12 Nov: 3rd year Parent-Teacher Meeting (16:15-18:45)TY CATs – 4.1 & 4.2, 1st Year Garda Talks- Internet Safety
Thur 13 Nov: Future Leaders Event, Parent Talk Online Safety – Garda (18:00-19:30), Senior Soccer Vs Gorey Community School Away, TY CATs 4.3 & 4.4
Fri 14 Nov: LCPE 6th year trip, Remainder CATs for TY
Mon 17 Nov– College Awareness Week,
Wed 19 Nov: Info Meeting 3rd Year Parents- Senior Cycle Options,
Thur 20 Nov: Senior Career Fair (18:30)
