ENVIRONMENTAL LIFE

INSECT HOTEL

A new ‘hotel’ was constructed this year at Clongowes to offer a welcoming home to insects and to give students a focus for their investigations into the biodiversity of our woodland. Thanks to our Facilities Team for building this 5-star ‘insect hotel’ in our pollinator zone!

ART INSTALLATION

Our Elements Art class created a wonderful art installation amongst the trees using the theme of the Tuatha De Danann (early Irish pagan Gods) and asked the question: Were they fairies or aliens?!

The students constructed a woven tapestry ‘portal’ with lights to allow us to step into the world of the De Danann, a fantasy world where anything is possible! The installation used sustainable materials such as fabric recycled from old curtains.

Students hung the portal outside in daylight and as the day progressed and the light changed, it became brighter and was visible from the forest during rugby training. Some boys came to investigate and stepped through, some watched it from their dorm windows overlooking the grounds.

CHINESE NEW YEAR

Here at Clongowes we celebrated Chinese New Year with a whole range of activities in school organised by Mr Li and his students. The fun included: tasting Chinese snacks, Chinese chess and Go-Chess, a ping pong tournament, Chinese calligraphy, Lucky Red Packet Draw and a tasty Chinese themed menu in the Refectory that was enjoyed by all!.

DUBLIN ZOO TRIP

Elements had a great time at Dublin Zoo learning about biodiversity, wildlife management and lots more! Thanks to our science teachers for making the trip so interesting and fun!

MR SPICEBAG

Elements were fortunate to have been visited by author, Freddie Alexander, who’s book, Mr Spicebag, is a firm favourite in our James Joyce Library. Mr Spicebag tells the story of a town addicted to the tasty, takeaway ‘spicebags’. Mr Spicebag knowingly adds an addictive mix of spices. His customers love the taste, eating them becomes their focus to the detriment of their lives. George, the ten-year-old vegetarian protagonist avoids this nasty food but becomes aware of the magic in the spice mix and the story unfolds. The boys interacted from the outset of the session. Alexander noted that a number of the questions were particularly interesting, such as ‘Were you disappointed that you had to remove some of your original writing? If the book was made into a film, who would you like to play ‘Mr Spicebag?’ Well done to David Lannen and Godswill Ukaga who each won a signed copy of Mr Spicebag. They were the first to answer questions correctly based on the session.

GREEN FLAG

We were delighted and proud to receive our first Green Schools Flag this year! Well done to the Green Schools Committee and all involved in supporting this great initiative.

CLIMATE ACTION WEEK

As part of Green-Schools Climate Action Week, five native pollinator trees were planted in The Pleasure Grounds. Each tree represents the key stakeholders in the College: the Jesuit Community, students, staff, parents and Old Clongownians. Ms Elisabeth Clarke, Director of Ethos, emphasised that as we deepen our commitment to care for Creation it is important that we do this together as a whole school community. “As global citizens we all have a responsibility to care for our common home and each of us has an important role to play.” Caring for the Common Home is one of the pillars of our Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preferences so is a crucial part of our mission. Joey Kennedy from our Green Schools Committee was delighted to present our Green Flag to Headmaster, Mr Lumb at the ceremony.

DEBATING

Poetry students taking part in a ‘hat’ debate on whether space exploration is worthwhile and whether online schooling is a valid route forward for education.

NIALL DE BURCA

Elements and Rudiments were enthralled and captivated by storyteller Niall de Búrca during his visit to the school. De Búrca’s gift is truly shown in his ability to engross young digital natives. Niall activated their imaginations with his voice and movement alone, teleporting them to ancient times and foreign lands. A guardian of our rich storytelling heritage, his gift of memory and delivery through performance is a unique and enriching experience for the boys.

DROP EVERYTHING AND READ

On Wednesday 9th of March our annual D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything And Read) event took place. This event encourages the whole school to deviate from their schedule for half an hour to read a book of their own choosing. The simple idea promotes the importance of literacy and to spread the joy of reading for pleasure by having as many people as possible read at the same time on the same day. (Photo Credit: Ms O’Louglin)

FORDHAM PREP EXCHANGE PROGRAMME

A number of Transition Year boys took part in our exchange programme with Fordham Prep SJ, our sister school in New York this year. The first stage of the programme was a visit to Clongowes from Fordham Prep students. The exchange students took part in classes, attended sporting events, visited some famous Dublin landmarks and engaged in other activities such as clay pigeon shooting.

Then it was time for the Clongowes exchange partners to travel to New York to visit the homes of their ‘exchange brothers’. The Clongowes boys were offered a very warm welcome by their hosts and got to enjoy school life in Fordham as well as seeing the sights of the Big Apple. The boys tell us that the highlight of their trip was a visit to a basketball game in Madison Square Garden where they got to go out on court “throw some hoops” after the game - definitely a once in a lifetime experience!

TRAD GROUP

The Clongowes Trad Group were back in action this year following a pause due to Covid restrictions. The group made up of boys and teachers once again played a live gig in nearby Connolly’s Pub in May.

PHILADELPHIA HERE I COME!

It was a welcome return to the stage this year for the actors in our school community. The production of Brian Friel’s “Philadelphia, Here I Come!” was performed at Clongowes by an ensemble cast of Poetry students and was directed by our own Mr. Carroll.