The College Press —————Friday, 29th May 2015 Issue 5 Volume 10—————
The Summer Issue
Jam pack ed with storie s College Press Awards and more! 1
College Press Editorial Team Editors: Amy Farrell Cara Mooney Laura Hannon
Student Contributors:
Meabh Breen Fergus Whyte Jenna brannock Megan Hoare Anna Kennedy Ellen Aeryest Sam Burke
Very Special Thanks To: Mr. Doyle Ms. R. Kelly Ms. NĂ Bheaglaoich Ms. Holmes
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Editorial Hi Guys :) Another year gone and hasn't it just flown by?! Its been a jam-packed year with musicals, trips, hockey and rugby matches. We wish the Junior Cert and Leaving Cert students the best of luck with their upcoming exams!! Sadly this our last issue as editors *sobs* but we know next year’s editors will do just as good a job! Congratulations to Sam who will be taking over the reigns next year!! Enjoy your summer and we’ll see you in September!! Amy, Cara and Laura :) x
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Anti-Bullying & Facebook On Tuesday the 28th of April a bus full of our excited AntiBullying Ambassadors set of for Facebook’s European headquarters in Dublin. We arrived to a lobby that was bubbling with excitement and promised a great day ahead. After receiving our name tags we entered into a large theatre like room that was full of, cameras, microphones, important looking people with headsets and the stage. We each found our assigned seats, Facebook goodies and the excitement started to build. It wasn’t long before the showcase began and we met the amazing leaders and guests that had come along to support the work of Anti-bullying Ambassadors across Ireland. These included, Tessy Ojo the CEO of the Diana award, Alex Holmes the head of the Anti-Bullying campaign, Sonia Flynn The managing director of Facebook Ireland, The lord mayor of Dublin, the mayor of Kildare, Dr James Reilly minister for children and youth affairs, Ronan Keating, Nadine Coyle, Marcus Butler, Bars and Melody, Fresh Re and Jedward. It was great to see people with such big followings and recognition in the public eye at the event showing their passion for the cause.The even commenced with a few speeches from some of the honoured guests and a video about the effects of bullying. A number of students from our school featured in this emotional video and it really brought the room to a standstill. We were then introduced by Marcus Butler, the YouTube vlogger who had helped us to film our video in March. He spoke about the filming day and how amazed he was at how much schools had changed since he was a student himself. He then introduced our video, which we were all very excited to see. There were a few mutters from the Newbridge College group such as “oh god did my hair really look like that?” and “my face does not need to be seen on a screen that big!”. After the shock of seeing our faces on a very (very) large screen we were thrown into yet another frenzy as unbeknownst to us we 4
had each won a Diana award. We were called onto the stage one by one and handed our certificate and Diana badge. We were in complete disbelief and we were so humbled to be given this award that we didn’t really know what else to do other than stand and smile at the cameras. We were all on a complete high and the rest of the day was a complete treat. We watched the students from another school, Parkhall Integrated college showcase their video and collect their awards. As it got later into the event we heard speeches from any other guests and even watched performances from Fresh Re, Bars and Melody and our very own Elliot Davis. When the amazing showcase came to a close with an amazing speech from Tessy Ojo, we were treated to some beverages and snacks while there was a photo opportunity with some of the guests. We had an amazing day at Facebook, full of surprises and inspirational speeches. We really felt so lucky to be involved with anti-bullying pro and the Diana award, we were so honoured to be given the chance to visit Facebook headquarters and meet some amazing people. We then began our voyage back to school with our Diana awards proudly in our hands. We were ecstatic to say the least and we would each like to thank Ms. Smythe, Mr. Sherlock and Ms. Lenehan for all their hard work this year. We have had so many amazing opportunities that would not have been possible without you. We can’t wait to get back next year and have another amazing year with our new ambassadors to help us along the way!
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An Scríbhneoir Ré Ó Laighléis ar Cuairt Thug an t-údar Ré Ó Laighléis cuairt ar ár scoil ar an 29 Aibreán. Dé Céadaoin a bhí ann agus chuaigh gach dalta sa dara bliain atá ag déanamh Gaeilge ag an ardleibhéal go dtí an amharclann. Bhí an amharclann dubh le daoine. Scríobh Ré Ó Laighléis a lán leabhar i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. Léigh na daltaí inár mbliain an leabhar ‘Osama, Obama, Ó a Mhama’ don Teastas Sóisearach. Is leabhar iontach é agus bhaineamar go léir taitneamh as. Níl an an t-úrscéal réadúil, áfach. Faigheann Naoise, an príomhcharachtar, fón póca nua dá bhreithlá. Seolann sé teachtaireachtaí chuig a chara Virgil atá ina chónaí i Meiriceá. Ní fhaigheann Virgil na teachtaireachtaí, áfach. Bhí an uimhir mhícheart ag Naoise do Virgil – is amhlaidh go raibh uimhir an CIA aige. Is é Osama an leasainm atá ar Naoise agus is é Obama an leasainm atá ar Virgil. Mar sin, ceapann an CIA go bhfuil an sceimhlitheoir Osama ag seoladh teachtaireachtaí chuig Obama. Ó a Mhama!! Téann míorúilt na teicneolaíochta go huile is go hiomlán ar strae! Mar atá ráite againn, níl an gearrscéal réadúil ach tá sé spéisiúil. Léigh Ré an gearrscéal ‘Ecstasy’ chomh maith; leath as Gaeilge agus leath as Béarla. Choimeád sé ar bís muid mar bhí sé fíorspéisiúil. Bhí Ré anchairdiúil agus suimiúil. Ag deireadh na cuairte, shínigh sé ár leabhair.
2014/2015 in review So yet another school year has come and gone, and while the third and sixth years finish off their last minute cramming, the first years brace themselves to go into second year and the TY’s plan do the exact same thing they’ve done all year, (ergo, nothing) I thought it’d 6
be a perfect time to take a look back over the end of 2014 and 2015 and see how our school year has fared for all of us. In the early moments of the year, several members of our school began working hard to put together this years musical, “Beauty and the Beast”. The cast worked together for over two months to put the show together and it combines the efforts of the production and direction of the teachers, the cast, backstage crew, lighting crew and the several talented art from the school who created the stunning backdrop, all together culminating in a well executed performance. Drifting into the world of Sport, our senior rugby team enjoyed an excellent season this year. Making it to the semi-final before being unfortunately beaten by St. Andrews, but not after an explosive first match and an equally impressive rematch. Commiserations also to our junior team, how fought bravely but were defeated in the first round of the junior cup league. Cheer up lads, there’s always next year. This year also saw the creation of “the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors”. The group was created, as the title implies, to act as a means of preventing bullying in the school. The team of TY student worked throughout the year to find ways of making everyone’s school going experience better and as a result of their work, they have gotten the school recognised by several organisations as the flag ship school for the anti-bullying program. More so, several other schools from across Ireland are now taking on the program after noticing that Newbridge College was the first school to use it. With all that said and done I think now is a good a time as any to 7
sign off and let you all go about the rest of your day, so to our first years going into second year, I hope you’ve had an enjoyable first year at the college. To our sixth years who are sadly leaving us, I bid you the very best of luck for the future. And for our Ty’s, I hope you remember how to study by the time September rolls around. Have an excellent summer and we hope to see you all back in September.
Sports Day
Rachel Thornton, Jack Farrell, Emily Blake, Mr. Evesson and Mr. Doyle at Eufolio conference in Dublin Castle. 8
Berlin MONTAG: Our trip began at 3:30 am when 47 Students and 6 teachers gathered (not so!) bright eyed and bushytailed outside Newbridge college. An early start but the prospect of a holiday with our friends combined with lots and lots of sugar kept us awake! Friends and soon to be friends gabbed excitedly about the coming days while our parents stressed and gave us loving but strict instructions as to how often we must text home. Highlights: DAY1: we boarded a bus where our tour guide gave us the general history of Berlin while we all stared out the window, in awe of the beautiful city and the unique and diverse artwork that seemed to be everywhere. Graffiti and sculptures were plentiful, including a massive 100 ft. sculpture that stood in the river Spree known as the Molecule Man, which depicted 3 men leaning against each other. One of the stops we all particularly enjoyed was the Berlin wall. It was very interesting to see such a famous landmark, which we had heard so much about. It put the east\west divide into perspective. The wall was very creatively decorated with powerful political messages from the public with ‘Newbridge College 2015’ making an appearance!
Group photo across from the remains of the Berlin Wall 9
DIENSTAG: Sachsenhausen concentration camp. It is safe to say that all of us felt the same about the concentration camp, it was extremely creepy and the bitterly cold weather and fog added to the deathly atmosphere. The experience was saddening and thought provoking but gave us all a great insight into life for the 200,000 victims who passed through the camp before 1945. MITTWOCH: We arrived at the Hauz der wannsee-konferenze with a headache but a smile. It was in a room in this magnificent Villa that a group of highranking Nazi officials met on January 20, 1942 to organise and implement the Final Solution to the Jewish Question. This museum showed the events leading up the holocaust along with a very disturbing exhibit that showed Hitler’s plan for the “perfect Race” and how he was going to achieve it. DEINSTAG: Checkpoint Charlie-the best-known Berlin Wall crossing point. This security hut even included fake SS guards being bombarded with camera wielding tourists. Ms. McDermott wanted in on the action and we taught her how to take the ultimate selfie complete with filters and the perfect angle-the next Kardashian we think! A huge thank you to all the teachers who took great care of us all and made the experience so enjoyable -we all really appreciate it. DANKE! Mr.Evesson, Mr.Sherlock, Ms.McDermott, Ms.Kelly, Ms.Murray and chief organizer, Ms. R. Kelly whose kindness and tremendous efforts made the whole trip a great success. Without her none of it would have been possible. Meabh Breen
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Winners of the DUBAI DUTY FREE 150th Irish Derby School’s Art competition Well done to our winners. Ms Holmes set the competition as a class project. Two groups of 2 nd years took part. Students had to design a poster to celebrate the 150 th anniversary of this event at the Curragh. The following students won the top prizes: 1st Place – Sinead Sexton (Top of the range art set) 2nd Place – Tilly Morris (50 euro voucher for Arts shop) 3rd Place – Ruth Orr (50 euro voucher for Arts shop) 4th Place – Ellen Ayerst (50 euro voucher for Arts shop) Each winning student has won family tickets to the races on 28 th June, for 2 adults and 2 children. The student’s art work will be put on exhibition at the Riverbank Theatre. Their work will illustrate the programme booklet on the day of the Derby. There will also be a presentation on Sunday 28 th June at the Curragh for the above winners. As part of the prize, Sinead’s class will enjoy a workshop with leading artist Cara Nagle together with a €500 voucher for art supplies and a variety of books for their school library.
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Miscellany Splash from the past My accompanying photos in this issue were taken on the 3rd June 2011, the last day of term before the summer holidays. It was a glorious sunny day and the water was lovely, so they said. I hope that your day is as nice and the water is cool!!!
To all L C Students – Good luck in your careers Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it. Life is a challenge, meet it. Life is a duty, complete it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a promise, fulfill it. Life is sorrow, overcome it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it. Life is a tragedy, confront it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is luck, make it. Life is life, fight for it.
Mother Teresa
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Exam pressure, what exam pressure? I’ve always had an interest in maths and I still dabble. It keeps the old grey matter between my ears in a healthy state, or so I’m told. At this stage I’m sure that you’ve been told by your teachers what to do and what not to do during an exam so I won’t go down that road. My tuppence worth is: read the question carefully before putting pen to paper and don’t panic. I came across a little gem recently which I thought might help alleviate some of the pressure. From a strictly mathematical viewpoint: what equals 100%? What does it mean to give 100%? How about achieving 100%? What equals 100% in life? Here’s a little mathematical formula that might help answer these questions. If: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z Is represented by: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Then: H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K is 8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98% And: K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E is 11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96% But: A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E is 1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100% Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that while HARDWORK and KNOWLEDGE will get you close, ATTITUDE will get you there. I think that there is a lesson in there somewhere.
To all of you; enjoy you holidays and for those doing exams - try your best, nobody can ask you to do more. Good luck.
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“Avengers age of Ultron” by Fergus Whyte Before we get started this will be a spoiler free review. When Tony Stark (aka Iron Man) jumpstarts a peacekeeping programme, things go horribly wrong and earth’s mightiest heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye are put to the test as they fight to save the planet from destruction at the hands of the evil ultron. The dialogue and the amount of action in this movie is absolutely outstanding. The dialogue is full of witty nitpicks and the action completely left me in awe. The special effects and visuals really gave the movie some wow factor and they really pop out the screen at you even if you’re not watching in 3D. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better. While the plot of the movie is pretty solid, I think it focused too much on the action rather than actual story which led to a less than satisfactory ending. If you don’t agree with me, I will be more than happy to hear your opinion. I give “Avengers age of Ultron” a 4 out of 5 star rating, mainly because of the ending which crashed and burned. But don’t fret, there are more than enough movies to be excited over such as: Jurrasic World, Ant Man, 007 Spectre, Star Wars: the force awakens, Mission Impossible 5, Batman v’s Superman: Dawn of Justice, Captain America etc. etc.
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COLLEGE
WHISPERS
Turbulent scenes unfolded today in the school ref when disgruntled fifth year student rose mayhem when she discovered the coffee machine had only given out half the expected product. The student in question Haura Lannon (fake name to protect student’s identity) was visually and audibly upset. One startled first year was so shocked by her display he almost dropped his chicken roll. When later interviewed by this publication, the first year in question is quoted as saying "I nearly wet my pants, there I was minding my own business, ready to tuck into the chicken goodness, when this mad one started screaming and punching the coffee machine, I never saw anything like it!!!" Other witnesses at the scene stated the hormonal fifth year in question punched the machine and shouted profanities before dramatically throwing her paper coffee cup on the ground. Luckily it was only half full so not too much of a mess was made. When our reporters eventually tracked down Haura, thankfully she had had time to cool down and reflect. "Maybe I did over-react slightly" said a sheepish Haura before adding "but seriously, I know it's a first world problem, but seriously full price for a half cup of coffee, it's daylight robbery" At which point our reporter quickly scarpered as Ms. Lannon was getting visibly angry again. Let’s hope this problem is quickly fixed before other stressed out students start losing the plot. Needless to say, in the meantime, the cup is definitely half full
In other news … Disgruntled 5th Year labels teacher who gave no-homework tick “minus craic.” 15
Student Awards!!!! First Year Cutest couple
Dan Shanahan and Abby Farrell
Most likely to be president
Aoibhinn Collins
Most beloved
Derbhla Leahy
PE fanatic
Matt Byrne
Tallest Hair
Alan Kelly
Curliest Hair
Bebhinn O’Neill
Heroes of the year↓
Second Year Cutest couple
Jamie Buckley and Kate Grant
Most likely to be president
Ellen Ayres
Most beloved
David Higgins
PE fanatic
Jack Doyle
Tallest Hair
Jordan Nolan
Curliest Hair
Aoife Ryan
The Senior rugby team and mentors!!!
Third Year Cutest couple
Ben Howlett and Jenny Kelly
Most likely to be president
Urara Kadava
Most beloved
Ruairi Finan
PE fanatic
Sarah Jennings
Tallest Hair
Bailey O’Rourke
aying ambass TY anti– bull a g the school dors—makin lace for every p t n sa a le p more als!!! u guys and g o y k n a th , e on
Senior Most Beloved
William Jennings
Most likely to marry royalty
Aoife Ruttledge
Biggest ego
Daniel Murphy
Prom King and Prom Queen
Jimmy O’Brien and Katie Berney
Biggest ‘Jimmy O’Brien’ fan
Tom Finn
Most annoying year
3rd year
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ress College P Editors!!