Catholic Schools Week

Catholic Schools Week 2023 was celebrated in schools and parishes across Ireland from Sunday 22nd January to Sunday 29th January 2023. During Catholic Schools Week families, parishes and schools are invited to participate in a week of celebration reflecting on the work of Catholic Schools, and on their contribution to the common good of society. Catholic Schools Week events showcase and celebrate the rich traditions and the incredible value of Catholic education on both a local and national level. This year’s theme for Catholic Schools Week 2023 is ‘Walking Together in Faith & Love’. On Tuesday 17th January last, 3 fifth year students; Carole Greene, Hazel Carty and Michaela Lohan, accompanied by their teachers Ms. Ann Fitzmaurice and Mr. James Wallace, travelled to Shannonside Radio station in Longford, where they recorded a special segment with Fr. Eamonn O’Connor (P.P. Strokestown) for the Sunday morning programme entitled ‘Side-by-Side, to mark the start of Catholic Schools Week, 2023. The students recorded readings, prayers and reflections which were accompanied by music prepared by some of the Second, Third, TY and Fifth year music students, together with their teachers Mr. James Wallace and Ms Siofra Byrne.

Thank you to all of the students who participated in this special liturgy for Shannonside Radio and to all of the teachers from the Religion and Music Department for preparing the students for this special radio production. Tune into the Side-by-Side podcast on Shannonside radio’s website from Sunday 22nd January to listen back to the girls.

Soccer Success

Well done to our senior soccer team who defeated Clarin College Athenry 7-1 in Athenry last week. The girls have now qualified for the Connachtt semi finals in a location to be confirmed. Aisling Hanly and Siofra Hession scored a hat trick each during the high-scoring game while Roisin Maher scored the other goal to make it lucky number seven for our side. Thanks to coach Mr Martin McManus and well done to you all. 

Cross Country South Connacht Regionals

Well done to our cross country runners across first to fifth year who travelled to Bushfield, Loughrea for the south Connacht regional final of the Schools’ Cross Country Championship. With students running in the Minor Girls, Junior Girls, Inter Girls and Senior Girls races our school was well represented at the regionals. Well done to Saoirse McNamara (first year) who qualified as an individual in the Minor Girls race, to Hazel Kelly (TY) who qualified as an individual in the Inter Girls race and to Hollie Kilroe (fifth year) who won the Senior Girls race outright.

All girls now progress to the Connacht stage of the championship. Well done to all the runners and to your coaches Mr McManus and Ms Byrne.

Knights of St Columbanus Public Speaking Competition 

Congratulations to our sixth year students who competed in the Knights of St. Columbanus Public Speaking Competition which was held in Donamon Castle on Tuesday 24th January.

We had two teams in the competition, Team 1: Amy Gallagher, Eva Greene and Mary Kate Miller who spoke on the topic of the ‘Death Penalty’ . Team 2: Kelly Lackey, Antonina Plinszka and Lauren McTiernan who spoke on the topic of ‘Climate Change’.

The girls gave a wonderful display of oratory skill and will now progress to the next heat of the competition.