8 March 2024:
Multicultural Week:
Now very much an annual event, Multiucltural week was celebrated between 26 February and 1 March 2024. We thank Ms. M. Jordan and the Inclusion Committee for coordinating the event and the numerous students who took part in the various activities. A full report of the week can be found below:
Last week we held our first Multicultural Week as a Champion School of Sanctuary and the week certainly lived up to champion status.
Multicultural Volunteers representing 23 different cultures started their work in early January attending numerous Inclusion Committee meetings after school and researching tirelessly to find the perfect outfit for the Fashion Show and the most interesting items for their cultural stands. They each represented their culture excellently and are to be commended for their dedication and commitment:
| Culture | Students |
| Syria | Yosra El Hussein, Nissrine El Hussein, Hanin Al Kasem |
| Turkey | Ilayda Emen, Veda Hanley O’ Leary |
| Greece | Helena & Sophia Mullarney, Aine Mooney, Erin Kehoe |
| Zimbabwe | Zinzile Mtetwa, Kirsty Nyadenga Maenzanise, Kristy Asante Maenzanise |
| Mexico | Hannah Tribak, Emma Siggins |
| Pakistan | Auj & Rayan Khan |
| Angola & Cape Verde | Sabrina Torres |
| Spain | Elia Verge, Martina Balencea, Martina Juanilla, Julia Diaz |
| Nigeria | Alicia Omo |
| Germany | Sophia Mullarney |
| Sri Lanka | Charline Siriwardane |
| India | Sreeda Radhakrishnan, Isha Praveen Kumar, Avril Allwin |
| Ireland | Emily Connors, Orlaith Roche, Sophia Grennell, Katie Ennis, Vivienne Moran, Roisin Moran, Aoife Byrne, Ciara O’ Farrell, Erin Thomas, Grace O’ Leary |
| Poland | Jagoda Szelagowska, Kinga Godula, Gabriela Zborowska |
| Sudan | Joud Saad, Raghad Elhassan |
| 16. School of Sanctuary | Alisha Sheppard, Yosra El Hussein, Mairead Doyle, Abbie O’ Brien |
| 17. Romania | Sarah Fofiu, Miriam Agrigoroei, and Olga Galushchenko |
| 18. Italy | Nadia Barron, Sofia Barron, Aileen Mazzei Rizza, Francesca Miolo |
| 19. Ukraine | Sonya Briukhovetska, Sofy Unychenko, Daryna Mushtaieva, Valeriia Bondarenko, Veronica Tuz, Anastasiia Doronina, Viktoria Zavizion, Nadiia Zavizion. |
| 20. USA | Rylee Milliken, Muireann Drumm |
| 21. South Africa | Akira Rose, Saheli Moodley |
| 22. Lithuania | Ieva Sniezkaite |
| 23. Georgia | Nana Zhgenti |
Our classroom initiative this year focused on ‘The Refugee Story’ which tied in with our theme of celebrating sanctuary and the Schools of Sanctuary ‘Open Book Day’. Yosra El Hussein and Sonya Briukhovetska designed a lesson plan, PowerPoint and worksheet that they taught to all junior cycle students. The aim of the lesson was to share their own personal stories and teach students the difference between a refugee, migrant and asylum seeker. Teacher and students gave really positive feedback and Yosra & Sonya are to be commended for their bravery and honesty in sharing their stories.
The school community enjoyed music from around the world as songs chosen by our volunteers were played over the intercom each evening at the end of the school day. There were also posters and flags displayed all over our GP Area so that students gathering there were immersed in the riot of colour and fascinating facts about cultures from around the world.
Garda Anne Quirke, our community liaison garda, kindly visited First Years to explain to them the importance of human rights and diversity. Anne encouraged all 1st years to use Multicultural Week as an opportunity to learn more about a culture other than their own and to show respect when visiting the multicultural stands.
First Years also enjoyed experiencing sports from around the world when the entire year group participated in a taster session of Jiu Jitsu. Josephine iLunga in 5th year observed the session with her classmates and kindly wrote this report:
Although its origins can arguably be traced back to Buddhist monks, Jiu Jitsu in its modern form originated in Japan and was adapted in Brazil. It is a form of martial arts based on grappling ground fighting and submission holds. Jiu-Jitsu translates as ‘gentle / yielding art’. The First Years enjoyed practising the holds on each other after the instructors from ‘Silverback Gym’ demonstrated what to do. There was plenty of laughing and good fun as the students learned how to defend themselves in tricky situation. This workshop was important for Multicultural Week as it shows once again how there is much to learn from the wonderfully diverse cultures in our world.
As always, the highlight of our week was the Multicultural Fashion Show & Stands. This year we were delighted to welcome students from the Presentation Secondary School here in Wexford and students from St. Mary’s Secondary School in New Ross as well as proud parents to help us celebrate diversity. The day is always enjoyable for teachers, students and visitors alike with the vibrant photos below being the best method of conveying the joyful and celebratory atmosphere.
We were delighted to welcome back Homayoon Shirzad, one of the School of Sanctuary ambassadors, to speak to all TYs and members of the Inclusion Committee about the importance of sanctuary. Homayoon shared his own story and gave students insightful pieces of information about the challenges facing those who are displaced.
Multicultural Week is a key event on our school calendar, but it is important to note that celebrating diversity goes to the heart of our school ethos all year long. As a school community, we are committed to ensuring all students feel valued and respected. This week of celebrations is just one of many ways to ensure this. If you would like to join the Inclusion Committee and share your ideas, new members are always welcome.
Junk Kouture Finalists:
We extend our bst wishes to Aoife Walsh and Maria Coone following their selction as one of six designs to represent the Southeast at the All-Ireland finals of Junk Kouture. Their design, Fast and Fiery represents the power of women in sport and was created used sustainable materials. In addition, the girls spoke confidently about the ethos and origins of their design, impressing the judging panel. We look forward to the big event in the 3 Arena in May!
Sporting Updates:
We are in the midst of an incredibly busy time for sport. Some recent results include:
- A 4 – 6 to 3 – 7 victory over Coláiste Bríde, Ennsicorthy in the first round of the Wexford 1st year football competition
- A second consecutive victory for our U-14 football team, defeating Creagh College, Gorey
- A comprehensive 36 – 5 victory over St. Andrew’s College (Dublin) for our rugby team, qualifying for the final of the Leinster Schools Senior Cup. The final will be against Loreto College, Mullingar.
- Congratulations to Cara Kelly, Aoife Walsh and Maria Coone on their participation in the Leinster indoor athletics last weekend. Maria won gold in the 3 km walk and she also ran in the 1500m. Aoife ran in the 400m and came second whilst finishing third in the 800m. Cara ran in the 400m and placed third. She also completed in the 800m and placed second. Well done to all three students.
We congratulate all teams/individuals on their recent results and thank them for representing the school so proudly.
TY Work Experience:
We extend our best wishes to all TY students as they begin a two-week block of work experience.
Forthcoming Events/Dates to Note:
- Monday, 11 March – U – 14 football vs Presentation, Wexford (home)
- Tuesday, 12 March – Senior soccer and hockey
- Wednesday, 13 March – U – 14 camoige vs Gorey Community School (away)
- Monday, 18 March – school closed
