December 2010, No. 24
Wearing the green for Ireland
I don’t think you can get much better than playing and representing your country in something you love doing and this is exactly what I did in October. I was chosen to play for the Irish U17 Women’s Soccer Team in the 2010 UEFA Campaign. It was truly an amazing experience—I loved every minute of it. It was my first time in a serious international tournament and it was held in Belfast. We played Northern Ireland in our first match on the 16th of October. They were hosting the tournament so they had loads of support. The atmosphere was pretty hostile but our managers told us just to play football. It was a really tough match, with tackles flying from every direction, but we scored in the last five minutes of the match and it was such a relief! We all went mad: the managers were jumping up and the subs were running around. It was great to have both my Mum and Dad there to watch the match. Our second match was against Macedonia on the 18th of October. Wwent into the game knowing that the Czech Republic had beaten them 8-0. We had watched videos of the game the night before so we were very confident going in. It wasn’t a great match though: they were so bad that it stopped us from playing well. We scored early on and the
second goal was a cracker, from a free kick just outside the box. It was a huge stadium so the atmosphere was great! Loads of Irish supporters, parents, friends and family were there to watch. There was a great atmosphere in the dressing rooms at half time—all positive comments. We scored early again in the second half. The last two goals came pretty soon after that. When the final whistle went, cheers came from the crowds and everyone involved was delighted with a 5-0 win. It wasn't as good as 8-0, but it was still a win. This meant that a win against the Czech Republic would qualify us for the Elite Stages next year. We played our final match against the Czech Republic on the 21st of October. The nerves were immense for this match. We knew we needed a win out of it and that we could get one too: it was just how we were going to get it! We had done everything: video analysis, prematch meal at 10am (strange experience eating a dinner at that time!), hydration tests, drug tests, fitness tests, physio - anything to give us the edge. All we could do was go out and play like we were told by our manager, Harry Kenny. The speeches in the dressing room before the match were great, and we were all up for it. The nerves really kicked in during the national anthems. Looking up at the crowd... all the important people from the WFAI there to watch… we all really wanted to win! Continued on page 6
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Mr Derek Lowry
Photo by Bob Ryan
During the recent severe weather we have tried keep the school open to the maximum extent taking into account all the health and safety considerations. Therefore I would like to acknowledge the great efforts of so many staff and students (with the help of their parents) to get to school on the days that we opened. Communication with such a large number of individuals is always difficult but the school website proved, for the most part, very effective for circulating updated information. The redesigned website has made updating quite straightforward: sincere thanks to all involved. As with any new design we welcome feedback on the new site. During this year website updates and the school texting system will become the norm for communication. Texting will operate during school hours and outside these times the website should be consulted for any breaking news! Reducing all aspects of school expenditure is essential and reduced paper use offers significant cost and environmental benefits. This year the school has received substantial funds from the Department of Education and Skills towards the provision of ICT infrastructure. The DES prioritises equipping general and practical classrooms with a computer, data projector, wireless mouse and keyboard. In spite of complications presented by the plans for a new school building, we want our current students to have access to this new equipment as soon as possible. We hope to begin the equipping of the classrooms immediately after the Christmas holidays. This has necessitated significant work since the summer on upgrading our broadband provision. The provision of new technology is not an end in itself but an aid to the teacher and student to 2
improve the quality of teaching and learning in the classroom. The first classrooms to be equipped will be the mathematics rooms so that the new Project Maths courses being taken by First and Fifth year can be implemented properly. The remaining classrooms will be progressively equipped as soon as possible. There continues to be a small minority of students who damage the reputation of the school with poor behaviour at local bus stops. Students should not use the first bus stop on Monkstown road but continue to the second stop just a short distance away. First to Fourth Year students must not use the 45 bus stop at Stradbrook road but the alternative stops either on the new ring road or at the bottom of Newtownpark avenue. Students behaviour can sometimes have a very negative impact on those living close by the bus stops and routes to and from school: we expect all students to behave appropriately and considerately. Thanks to everyone who organised and supported the PTA Christmas raffle. This important fundraiser contributes towards the costs of the salaries of the nurse, the school bus and other needs identified by the Student Council such as the water fountain and bicycle racks. We were delighted to hear recent news of three 2010 graduates—Ella Jordan, Peter Kingston and Nills Sundermann—who have been awarded Entrance exhibition scholarships to Trinity and UCD on the basis of their exceptional Leaving Certificate results. The carol service took place on Wednesday 15th December: many thanks to all involved in the wonderful service, music and refreshments. As we come towards the end of a very busy term, I wish you all a happy Christmas and a peaceful new year.
Believe in Zero
Walking the halls in Newpark has been a powerful trip down memory lane for me and it is reassuring to learn that so much of the school ethos that always made the school so special remains. I graduated from Newpark in 2001 and, after four years in university, took my first steps into a career in International Development and Humanitarian Relief in 2006. That first step, which now seems so long ago, was a six week internship in Zimbabwe. I worked with the World Food Programme and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) - the organisation I have now rejoined as Advocacy Officer here in my home city, Dublin.
It sometimes comes as a surprise to people that UNICEF has a presence here in Ireland, when in fact the vast majority of our work takes place in the developing world, but as an international organisation with a truly global mandate for children’s rights, UNICEF takes a firm stance on children’s issues here in Ireland. It was through one such advocacy campaign, Change the Future, that I recently came back into contact with Newpark and was reminded once more of the huge emphasis placed in the school ethos on social contribution, responsibility and action. It is a recurring theme amongst Newpark students past and present, and the school deserves huge credit for fostering such a positive and outward looking character—not to be underestimated at a time when Ireland, like so many parts of the world, is facing up to difficult changes. I have returned to Dublin this year after nearly three years working in Southern Africa with community based organisations and children that were attempting to address the huge burdens, strains and trauma placed upon them by HIV and AIDS. I was reminded yesterday, in commemorating World AIDS Day 2010, of the immense scale of the pandemic and the terrible toll that it has wrought across so many families throughout the world. It is challenging, when times are so difficult close to home, to extend the hand of friendship and concern as far as we would sometimes like, but
Newpark’s recent contribution to UNICEF’s Believe in Zero campaign to reduce child mortality from preventable illness served to remind me of Irish people’s huge generosity and compassion. I would like to thank everyone involved for their assistance in both Believe in Zero and Change the Future—staff, parents and students alike. Barney Sheils
Newpark Amnesty celebrates
“It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it” Aung San Suu Kyi
Newpark Amnesty International Group welcomes the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, Burmese pro-democracy campaigner and Nobel Prize winner. Kyi has been imprisoned for fifteen of the last twenty years and Newpark Amnesty Group has been part of a wider campaign calling for her release. This is extremely heartening news, but we must not forget that there are still more than 2,000 political prisoners being held in captivity by the military junta in Burma, and the overall political situation in the country remains unchanged. Three years ago, in response to pro-democracy demonstrations in Burma, the Newpark Amnesty International group organised a Red Day for Burma as a show of solidarity with the monks and demonstrators. In the school library we met Aung San Phyo, a Burmese man who was one of the '88 Generation Students who protested for democracy. Phyo told how he was a young university student at the time and went on a protest march with his student friend to call for democracy and free elections. When the army opened fire on them, Phyo’s friends on all sides were shot and killed. He was lucky to escape. On his way into exile however, he spent one night in hiding in his sister’s house. When the army came to look for him he had already left but his sister was so badly beaten that she was left paralysed and has been in a wheelchair ever since. Phyo escaped across the border into Thailand and came to Ireland where he sought asylum. He is now an Irish citizen but continues to work to raise awareness about the plight of his native homeland and people. On that day when Phyo visited, Newparkers showed their solidarity with the Burmese people by wearing red for the day. Although there is still a long way to go, it is a fitting moment to say a sincere thank you to everyone in Newpark who has supported Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma in the past. Cale Perrin 5MK
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Remembering Howard
Howard McCabe died on Wednesday November 24, a month short of his 76th birthday. He had retired as a teacher at Newpark in 2004, having been part of the school for over thirty years, so it’s unlikely that any of the present cohort of students knew him. However, his friends and colleagues and contemporaries remember him with deep affection and mourn his passing. The stylus had to be perfect. The speakers had to be equidistant The chair had to be dead centre Howard combined the precise logic of the mathematical genius with the dogged rationality of the northern protestant, with a Mediterranean joie de vivre, which encompassed good wine, good food and good company; Howard was a sociable man. Although he kept an immaculately-ordered home, he enjoyed sitting at hearth or table in the homes of his friends. He loved conversation and could talk for Ireland, sometimes totally oblivious of the world around him – missing children, burning pans, bubbling kettles, comings and goings. He talked about his hi-fi, his cooking, his holidays, religion, politics.... When he was on top form Howard was a superlative teacher. His logic, his clarity of expression, his patience, his revelling in the task brought enlightenment and inspiration to his students. He had a cohort of loyal followers, drawn from many different generations of students. In his final years at Newpark, with reduced energies, his classroom contribution was based more of his sense of life (rather like Hector in The History Boys). His students became listeners to a rich monologue, of less value to the points race than to the human race. It’s hard to do justice in writing to this complex and talented man. So, early in the new year, Howard’s friends hope to gather at the school to celebrate a life that was full of oddity and joy and has left so many of us with indelible, pleasurable memories. Derek West This article is an extract from an appreciation of Howard McCabe by Derek West. Full text online at www.newparkschool.ie
Candy cane for Crumlin
Sixth Year LCA are doing a fundraising event for Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin. We are selling candy canes from 13 17th December. There are approximately 100,000 children attending the hospital annually. It is the National Referral Centre for children who are suffering from serious illnesses such as cancer, leukaemia, spina bifida and cystic fibrosis. Any help which you can give 6th Year LCA is greatly appreciated as it will help the hospital to continue their ongoing care of for seriously ill children. Sean O ’ K elly 6th Year LCA
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Science week 2010
There was great excitement at Newpark for last month’s Science Week. Among other events a science quiz was held on Thursday in the library at lunch for Third Years. There were six science classes competing:
Third year science quiz finalists
Team 1: Simon O’Neill, Nathan Huggins, and Fiachra Kennedy. Team 2: James Costello, Conor Maher, Conor O’ Neil and Sam Cormaskey Team 3: James Carey, James Burrell, Cormaic Ryan and Matthew Sharp Team 4: Michael Gemmell, Eric Jordan, Kevin Burke and Niall Hickey Team 5: Julia Siwicka, Beatrice Ritzen, Josh Tracey and Niall Sherlock Team 6: Jack Cummins, Adam Boland and Colm Higgins. Victorious with a fantastic score of 37 was Team 6 (aka team Eugene) - they won €40. Second place was ‘Rory and the Lions’ (Team 1) with 34 points and third was Team 2. Congratulations to all who took Melissa Butler 3PCL part.
Winners of the senior quiz
Other events during our inaugural Science week included the Senior Quiz, Junior Poster competition, the Great Science Debate, Chemistry Magic Show and a microscopy demonstration. Congratulations to the winning senior team Brendan Meighan, Eoin O Connor, Odhran Duignan and Jakub Jadwisckzak Emilly Elliott Walsh of 1CG won the best poster prize and the Second Years (Méabh Hennelly ,, Isabel Horner and Alicia Reid) beat the First Years in their first ever debate! Méabh Hennelly 2MT was awarded best speaker. Many thanks to the 5th and 6th Year chemists who helped with the Chemistry Magic Show and to all who attended and participated in Science Week events. Claire Grant, Science Co-ordinator
In hospital
On Tuesday 16th November, a group of Transition, Fifth and Sixth Year students, accompanied by Mr Norton, attended a Careers Information Day at St Vincent's Hospital. In the morning there were speakers from the fields of speech and language therapy, nursing, medicine and physiotherapy. After the break there were talks about social work, radiography, biomedical science and occupational therapy. There was a different speaker for each area who told us what was involved in both the course and career and which universities offered the courses. They also told us how many Leaving Certificate points you need for a place in each course. Some of the speakers also told us about alternative ways to get into a course if you don’t get it straight out of school. We also learnt how all the disciplines are connected and how they often take a team approach to their work in hospitals. The day was really enjoyable and very interesting, and gave us lots of information about career opportunities in the health and allied health fields. Róisín Burrington 4SCO
Careers
Thanks to Róisín and the other students for representing Newpark so well at St Vincent’s. For anyone who missed out but who is interested in seeing the presentations made at the information day we will shortly be posting them on newparkschool.ie/ guidance. Newpark will also have the opportunity to attend St Vincent’s again in November 2011. Email en@newparkschool.ie if you are interested. These kind of out of school careers education opportunities come up all the time. Whilst we use the school announcements system and of course the guidance noticeboard on the mall, the best way to find out what’s going on is to follow us on facebook.com/ newparkguidance. You can become a fan or just periodically check in on the address if you’re not a facebook user. Our facebook page is for everyone, so parents/guardians please follow us too! Apart from keeping up to date with career news and events on the ‘Wall’, you can also read our ‘Notes’ section and follow the ‘Discussions’. Thanks to the past pupils of 2009 who have taken the time to give advice to current students on their discussion board. What do they know now that they wished they’d known then? It’s fascinating reading! If other past pupils would like to contribute please join the discussion too. In this issue of the newsletter you can also read about some past pupils’ career experiences. This time of year is a busy time for 6th years with their applications to UCAS and CAO. UCAS applications are being finalised (finally!) this week and then students will be expected to make their CAO applications, preferably by Christmas, but certainly by
mid January. This leaves time to focus on the mock examinations and then move on to FETAC/PLC applications in February and March. If parents/ guardians would like to get in touch please do so by phone or email (details on newparkschool.ie/guidance). Eoin Norton & Jenny Crampton
Bonne chance!
Transition Year and Fifth Year European Section students will sit the DELF exam on Wednesday 26th of January and Saturday 29th of January 2011. DELF stands for Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française, and is administered by the Ministry for Education in France. It is recognised worldwide. It allows students to have their level in French acknowledged wherever they are so it is a huge bonus within the European Union and beyond in terms of career opportunities. It is set against the Cadre Européen Commun de Référence—a linguistic benchmarking system in all languages devised by the European Council. The diploma is made up of four exams, each assessing the four basic linguistic competences: aural, reading, written and oral. In Transition Year, students will do the A2 level and in Fifth Year the B1. Our students are currently preparing for this challenging exam. Je leur souhaite bon courage et bonne chance. Mlle Daisy Berteloot
Maths Competition
Continuing a tradition of three years now, Ms Lawless is running regular mathematics competitions for Newpark students, designed to allow s t u de n t s to ap p ly th ei r knowledge from the classroom to solve fun and creative problems. Each competition includes a senior question, open to all Newpark student, a junior question for Years 1 to 4, and a question for First Years only. Correct answers to the questions are entered into a draw for cash prizes! There was great interest in the first competition of the year, with winning entries at First Year level submitted by Francis Bowie 1VM, Matthew Breen 1VM, Cameron Lynch 1VM, Robert Meagher 1EL, Claire Mullen 1VM, Darren Newell 1VM, Kirsty Nolan 1VM, Cillian O'Brien 1EL, and Callum Ramsey 1EL. Correct answers to the senior competition were submitted by Sean Bean 2SO, Reuben Collins 4CR, Seb Dungan 2JH, Niall Hickey 3GC, Simon Lowry 6LT, Toli Mooney 2SO, Paul Sharpe 1EL, and Leung Ho Yau 3GC. Well done to all, and special congratulations to the winners of the draw for the prizes: Cameron Lynch and Simon Lowry! The next competition is currently underway, with a deadline of Friday 17th December. Look out for posters around the school! Further competitions will take place in the new year. Everyone is encouraged to have a go! Ellen Lawless 5
Wearing the Green
Continued from page 1
We were definitely the better team in the first half which seemed to go on forever. We had so many chances: we hit the crossbar twice. The Czech Republic players were the biggest I’ve ever seen. Tall and stocky and they had no problem showing it! They put in some bad tackles, most weren’t noticed by the referee but we just got on with the game and created chances. Then we began to get tired and started giving away risky free kicks and corners. Before we knew it, they had taken a 1-0 lead from a ‘jammy’ corner and a mix-up in our defence. Despite the encouragement coming from the crowd we couldn’t get any more chances. It seemed like all of a sudden they had put on a new team but they hadn’t! They were running at us non-stop and creating loads of chances. They slipped in another messy goal and everyone was raging. With five minutes to go we knew we would have to work really hard to get two goals. There were no chances though; our heads dropped as we saw the Elite Stages moving further away from us. The final whistle went and we had lost 2-0. The Czechs were dancing and jumping around while we were in tears on the pitch. Family and friends came down and Irish flags were still waving. The few minutes we had in the dressing room were the worst. I’d never sat in so much silence in my life! We packed up all the gear and packed it into the team bus. We all knew this was the end of our 2010 European Campaign. Thankfully I’m young enough to go through it all again next year. Maybe with some better luck next Emily Cahill 4TC time...
Well done to the U16 girls’ basketball team who have won all games except one this year. We are waiting to see if we qualify for the semi-finals. Senior girls had a great win over Holy Child Killiney last Friday. They played with great determination, skill and team spirit. Keep up the good work girls and well done to coach Ms Steele. Boys’ basketball has been very successful this year. This would not be possible without the hard work, commitment and dedication of their coach Matt Kingsley. All of us at Newpark really appreciate it. U16 boys have reached the semi-final of the South Dublin Basketball League and we are waiting on results for U19. First and Second Year leagues start after Christmas, best of luck to all involved. All teams have been training since the beginning of the year. Thanks to Ms Cloney (First Year coach). Thanks to everyone involved in basketball in Newpark for your help, commitment and support. Merry Christmas and all the best for 2011. 6
Siobhán Costello
Hockey Interpros 2010
On the 19-21st November, Stefan Gallagher and I were part of the Leinster U18 team aiming to win back the title at the U18 Interprovincial tournament hosted by Newpark. We faced great opposition in Ulster and Munster and the standard of hockey was very high. Having beaten Ulster 3-2 in our first match, we were full of confidence. However, a 1-1 draw against Munster on a rainy Friday afternoon was a major turning point. With a comfortable 7-0 win against Munster on the Saturday, including a goal from myself and a second-half clean sheet from Stefan (our goalie), it all came down to the last match against Ulster on Sunday. In a true battle of skill and determination, Ulster came out as winners, scoring a goal in the last two minutes to make it 3-2. We missed out on the title by one point but the whole weekend (including three nights in the Burlington Hotel) was very enjoyable and a great experience for us both. Special thanks must go the Carl Breaden and Peter Agnew for the organisation of the event and to the crowds who supported us through all kinds of weather. Johnny Byrnes 6AMcC
Minor girls
On Saturday 6th November, the minor girls’ hockey team played their second league match away against Loreto Beaufort. We were missing Kate Whelan but Hannah Senior did an excellent job in defence and Christine O’Neil play brilliantly in left midfield. We were quick off the mark, creating a lot of excellent chances. In the last minute of the first half, Jasmine Rowden got the ball in the D with a shot that flew past the keeper making it 1-0 to Newpark. The second half was more evenly matched. Five minutes in, Beaufort made a break and managed to score. Minutes later, Newpark were caught by surprise when Loreto broke again and scored for 2-1. This was our first time going behind in a competitive match so we fought even harder. It paid off when Mollie O’Sullivan won a short corner. Siobhán Franks hit the ball past the defenders and into their goal making the final score 2-2 The third match was away against Loreto Dalkey. Newpark started by creating some excellent chances. Fifteen minutes in, an injured Anna Richardson was replaced by Katie Lowry who did a brilliant job. Dalkey put us under more pressure but our defenders kept them at bay until they scored from a questionable short corner. The match finished 1-0 to Dalkey, leaving us disappointed but all the more determined. Thanks to Ms Clark and coaches for all their help Team captain, Anna Richardson 2CKR
Senior girls
The Senior team is very focused with keen players from 4th-6th Year. We have a large squad for our dedicated coach Vicky Meredith to choose from. The commitment and enthusiasm is paying off with a constantly improving team. Juliet King Hall was a dynamo goal scorer for us in the our first cup match against Santa Sabina. Our focus is now on the Naomi Byrne 6AMCC Senior Plate.
Cross country
The An nu al Comm u nit y an d Comprehensive schools cross country meet was held in Phoenix Park on the 17th November 2010. It was the most incredible day with constant, biting cold and a ferocious wind. The Newpark competitors ran well. Congratulations and recognition should go to Third Years Sinead Malin, Rory Pang, John Cummins, Danielle Scales and Picabia La Hart. Several First Years ran extremely well with Ciara Grogan putting in a notably constant and steady performance. Second Year Robert Traynor represented Newpark with sheer determination and effort.
Each competitor must be recognised for their phenomenal efforts to race well in such difficult weather conditions. They remained positive throughout, especially in their support of the other members of the school team. Gormlaith Ormond, athletics co-ordinator
Swimming
Newpark swimming is back in business with training every morning at 8am. The Christmas gala has been postponed till January 12 and promises to be great fun for all involved. One of the highlights will be the fancy dress Sixth Years vs teachers relay— but be warned, only those taking part in the gala can watch! Any interested swimmers please contact Ms Devis ASAP. This year Newpark is hosting the Community and Comprehensive Schools’ gala which will be very exciting. The date has yet to be finalised.
Cathy Devis, swimming co-ordinator
Ever since Newpark crashed out of the McMullen cup last year against Naas, the quest has been on to bring back the cup to its rightful home. Leading up to the first cup game Newpark triumphed in four out of five warm-up matches and were given a buy to the quarter finals where they eventually met Dundalk Grammar. The temperatures at Balbriggan rugby club were low but Newpark’s hopes were high. With fifteen minutes on the clock Dundalk drew first blood by taking advantage of an uncharacteristic missed tackle by Newpark and waltzed in for a try and conversion. It didn’t take long for the blues to strike back with a slick move at the back of a scrum sending Odhran Duignan tearing up the wing. A well cleared-out ruck and quick handout let skipper Fergus Halpin dive over the line for his first try of the campaign. Minutes later Newpark's fly-half James Kelly added a further three points through a penalty: 8-7. Then with a well executed sidestep Samuel Crowe put his foot down and outpaced the Dundalk defence for over 70 metres and crossed the line. Newpark came storming back out after half time with Fergus Halpin and Sam Crowe each scoring a second try followed by conversions. Newpark attacked wave after wave but Dundalk only struck back with a penalty Fergus Halpin strolled in for his hat-trick with Kelly lashing home the conversion from a tight angle. Newpark ran out winners 36-10. Newpark relished the challenge of meeting Mount Temple in the semi-final. Newpark struck first with two penalties slotted over the bar by James Kelly—gifted by Temple’s disobedient defence. Newpark’s stronger scrum was excelling. Killian Sundermann (introduced as prop just a week prior to the fixture) was the talisman in the Newpark scrum. Mount Temple capitalised on their only penalty of the half and made the score 6-3, but Newpark were still firmly in control. Ten minutes from time James Kelly caught the ball from a poor clearance, spun out of the oncoming tackle and threw a looping pass out to Odhran Duignan. Duignan evaded two defenders in style to claim the first try and conversion of the match The next breakthrough came when Aubrey Marshall went barrelling over the line to put the blues 18-3 up. A Newpark penalty that came crashing back off the post ultimately led to Mount Temple’s only try. Newpark stayed composed and finished the game 18-8. The twice postponed final is against Skerries—the team is ready and waiting! Peter Collins 6DM 7
Musicians take a bow
Congratulations to Brendan Doherty who qualified against stiff international competition for a place on a new fulltime jazz course, the Berklee Track. Newpark Music Centre, a member of the Berklee International Network offered this course for the first time in September 2010. The two-year course prepares students for entry into the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston. Students who complete the programme are guaranteed entry into Berklee without the need for further audition and credits for the courses here are recognised and accepted by Berklee. Brendan has taken time out from Transition Year to participate in Berklee Track with talented musicians from round the world. We wish him every success and enjoyment. The National Concert Hall will stage Howard Blake’s Christmas masterpiece The Snowman Movie— Live Concert. The animated movie will play out on a large screen accompanied by the Orchestra of the National Concert Hall under the baton of Fergus Sheil. Congratulations to Mark Ball from Second Year who successfully got through the rigorous audition process. The show will run from the 12th-23rd December and we wish Mark every enjoyment. Congratulations to Matthew Breen in First Year who has being invited to perform at the Royal Irish Academy of Music Dublin High Achiever on Sunday 12th December in the Shelbourne Hotel. Matthew received this award for his excellent piano playing. Well done Matthew! Ethel Glancy
Newpark Music Department
An Roinn Ceoil na Páirce Nua
Comics Club
An enthusiastic and highly imaginative group have been meeting regularly at 1.10 pm on Monday in C5 for Comics Club. After a few weeks of drawing and ideas workshops, characters are developing and stories are taking shape. Some people are working in teams, some are pushing on
alone. All are exploring uncharted worlds that they are bringing into existence. It is great fun and you don't have to draw unless you want to. You just need to bring along an open mind. Hope to see you there! 8
Ciaran Byrne
Drama news
There is lots of excitement this week as record numbers of First and Second Years are auditioning for the Junior plays. There are going to be four short plays staged this year with four Fifth Year teams (Laura Boland and Aoife O’Ceallacháin, Naomi Kumar and Rachel Cooney, Alex Chisnall and Megan Jungmann, Tommy Cullen, Denis Stranjak and Hugh Mulhern) at the helm. In an exciting new development the Fifth Year directing teams are all writing and devising original pieces for the juniors. Last month senior students had the opportunity to audition for a film being produced in Ireland next summer. The director Danny Abrahamson and his casting team enjoyed their afternoon here and were highly impressed by the individuality and talent of our actors. Best of luck to all those who auditioned. On the 9th of April the Hunter Theatre is turning thirty. Our theatre has a rich heritage of different types of dramatic and musical productions, debates, fashion shows and many other interesting events - not to mention its use during the school week. It highlights and facilitates Newpark’s creativity and commitment to the arts. In April we are planning a series of events to celebrate this birthday. We would love to have all students, teachers, past pupils and parents involved (on, off or in front of the stage!). As part of the theatre’s birthday celebrations we are staging a hilarious farce Black Comedy with the newly formed Newpark Theatre Company for past pupils, teachers and parents. On the 30th December 2010, we are having a workshop/audition day to get the ball rolling. Anyone interested in getting involved in any way please contact Ms Devis via the school office or email at cathdevis@hotmail.com Cathy Devis
John Gabriel Borkman
A group of Transition and Fifth Years recently went to see a play, but not just any play! It was called John Gabriel Borkman. It is by Henrik Ibsen. It was on in the Abbey Theatre and Alan Rickman was in it! It was an excellent performance with a wonderful cast including Fiona Shaw and ‘Professor Snape’ himself. The play was beautifully written with a gripping storyline that reveals past events slowly and intriguingly. The dialogue was chilling and enthralling, and the set and special effects left you feeling like you were with the characters in the Scandinavian winter setting. Some of the members of our group had a chance to meet ‘Hans the German terrorist’ after the show, which made me extremely jealous that I had not thought of hanging around the stage door after the show. Maybe next time! Oisín Lyons 4CB
TY Sculpture project
NAPD (National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals) has notified us that our application to the Creative Engagement scheme for funding has been successful and our Transition Year sculpture project has been awarded a grant towards the running cost. This project is a collaboration between the Grainstore Youth Arts Centre Cabinteely and Newpark Comprehensive. I am working with a group of Transition Year students in Newpark creating lifesize self portraits. This work is to be shown in an exhibition in the Grainstore Youth Arts Centre in May 2011. The hanging, organisation and promotion of the exhibition will also be part of the student’s year long project.
The students will also work in small groups once a week at the Grainstore to create large-scale site-specific sculptures for buildings. The students will do sound workshops with Michael McLoughlin (Youth Arts Worker at the Grainstore) and we are hoping to include a dance workshop with Louise Costello as part of this multi-media project. Creative Engagement relies on participating schools to find matching funding so we are looking for sponsors to help us realise all the aspects of this exciting project. Please contact me at info@mrkellyclasses.com if you think you can help. As part of this project the students have also been on two field trips. In early October we went to the National Gallery to look at the portraits and in early December we went to the Irish Museum of Modern Art to look at sculptures. Owen Kelly, Art Department
Les Mains en l’air
European Section Transition Year students went to the IFI on Monday 22nd November, to see the French film Les Mains en l’air which deals movingly with the topic of immigration in France. It is set in 2062. Milena remembers her childhood as a young Chechen: the happy moments but also the deportation of some school friends and her own fight to avoid deportation. The film focuses on the children’s fight against injustice. Ms Laetitia Tessier
On tour to Tchaikovsky
On November 18th, students from the Fifth and Sixth Year music classes went to Griffith College to see and hear the Symphony Orchestra performing the Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture by Tchaikovsky. This was accompanied by an explanation highlighting features and important elements of this work. The musical themes we hear are related to the characters in Shakespeare’s play. They reflect the personalities, situations, relationships and feelings expressed in the play. Tchaikovsky uses a large orchestra for this work. In particular there is a large brass section and percussion section. The harp is also featured. This piece is a symphonic poem in sonata form sandwiched between an introduction and coda. The introduction starts with just four instruments, two clarinets and two bassoons. This represents Friar Lawrence, the priest who marries Romeo and Juliet. In the exposition the music becomes more violent as we hear the strife theme representing the ongoing feud between the Montagues and Capulets. This includes a reference to a sword fight. This theme is in B minor which then drops to a D flat major as the love theme starts. This is the theme representing the couples meeting and is played on the strings with a contrasting line by the horns. The strife theme returns again with more intensity. The strings play a lush hovering melody which is then taken over by the flute and oboe playing the love theme again, this time in D major. This moves onto the deaths of Romeo and Juliet with crashing cymbals symbolizing their final breaths. The coda is very calm and comprises of triplet timpani representing the funeral procession. Then we hear a chorale (German hymn tune) dominated by woodwind and horns using snippets from the love theme. The harp then links us to the final presentation of the love theme played on strings and gently accompanied by rising chords on the harp. The final bars conclude with a throwback to the mood of the strife theme. We hear syncopated B major chords in addition to the presence of the timpani underpinning the activity with a B pedal point. The movement ends with a hopeful sound finishing in the major key.
Newpark Arts
Maria Hogan 5
Are you interested in literature, dance, drama, music or visual art? Are you a Newpark parent, past pupil, member of staff or student? We are putting together an arts policy for the school and database of parents and alumni who are involved in the wider arts community. If you think you might like to help, get in touch with the Arts Committee at cb@newparkschool.ie to find out more.. The start-up meeting is planned for mid January. Ciaran Byrne
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Albanian Christmas
“What is it like for you having a child with disabilities in Albania?” This is the question I asked the group of mothers in front of me last June when I was last in Albania with the Way of Hope project that is trying to set up a daycare centre for children with special needs. Before me, mothers began to weep. Their children were playing next door with a group of Irish volunteers. This was the first time, perhaps for months, that they had had any respite from caring for them as the children receive no education or healthcare. For many, it was also the first time they had ever been asked that question. If Albania is the forgotten country of Europe then disabled children and their parents are the forgotten people of Albania. After a moment’s silence, the floodgates opened as mother after mother spoke of their loneliness, isolation, fears for their children and, for some, hope. Looking through the window to the beautiful children playing next door, most suffering with either cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome, autism or epilepsy, I knew the mothers considered it a joy to care for their precious children. All they asked for was some support. So that’s what we hope to provide when we return during the Christmas holidays. Naomi Byrne from Sixth Year and Shannen Barr from Fifth Year will return with me and four others from around the country from 2nd-9th January. We will bring out wheelchairs, crutches, toys and educational equipment and will staff the centre for that week while training local volunteers in basic massage and therapy techniques. Naomi and Shannen will run the arts and crafts room for the children. A massive thank you to the whole N e w p a r k community for your never ceasing support and generosity. Thank you for the wheelchairs. Thank you to Ms Harris and her friends for knitting the teddies—the kids will love them! Thank you to Bobby for the old Newpark hoodies—Albania is very cold and most people only have one warm jumper—Newpark ‘smurfs’ will now be found in Lushnje, Albania! Any donations can be given at the Newpark carol service. We appreciate your prayers for our safety while we are away. Happy Christmas and God Bless. Charis Rowan ( Newpark Christian Union )
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Please contact Ms Harris for the teddy pattern if you would like to knit for Albania!
See you in court
Our trip to the Four Courts was for our CSPE Junior Certificate action project. We formed committees to organise transport, to write for the newsletter, to hold a quiz, to arrange insurance and finance and to write a letter for our parents/guardians to sign. Each committee had special tasks to do before our trip. At the courts we had to go through security then one of the barristers told us the rules of the court and explained who sat where. Our teacher divided our classes between two different cases. One case was a murder trial and the other a bank robbery: they were both very interesting but also very sad. The courtrooms are very small and we were mixed in with family and others connected with the case. We all learned a lot about doing stuff for ourselves as everything was organised by us and the trip was a success! Anna McCarthy, Sheena McGuirk & Daisy Harte, 3GC
An amharclann
Chuaigh an 6ú bliain go dtí an Amharclann Axis i mBaile Munna chun ‘An Cearrbach Mac Caba’ agus ‘Fiche Bliain ag Fás’ a fheiceál. Thógamar an bus go dtí an amharclann go luath ar maidin. Bhí an turas fada ach bhí an dráma beagnach taitneamhach. Rinne na haisteoirí neart tagairtí don cultúr tóir, agus bhí sé greannmhar uair nó dhó. Tá siúl agam go tabharfaidh sé cabhair dúinn leis an Árdteist. Aoife Higgins 6
BT Young Scientist
Congratulations to Myles Butler Wolfe 4CB who has qualified for the BT Young Scientist exhibition. His project titled ‘On yer bike’ is a study of the efficiency of and public opinion on the Dublin bike scheme. The exhibition takes place in the RDS from the 12th-15th of January 2011. Best of luck from all at Newpark, Myles! Claire Grant, Science Co-ordinator
Into the forest
On Thursday, November 18th the Sixth Year LCA class visited Knocksink Education Centre in Wicklow. We were shown around by two guides called Seán and Maeve. We identified various plants and bugs using field guides called keys and checked for signs of mammals. We also did a quantitative study of the area. It was a freezing cold day but it was worth braving the weather because we learned a great deal and enjoyed it. 6LCA
Model citizens
Last week during TY lecture we were asked to work in groups to design an outfit made only from newspapers. Each group selected a model to show off their creation in a swiftly organised Fashion Show. Happy days! I was picked to be the model for my group and they designed a hilarious suit for me to wear. Once the outfit was made I had to parade up and down the school theatre to my group’s chosen song: Working 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton! There were about twenty contestants and I finished in the top five. I really enjoyed working with my group, designing an outfit and just being part of a fashion show. I was a little embarrassed and nervous at the start but once I got going, I really enjoyed myself. It involved teamwork and communication and was brilliant fun. Tigernan Power 4CB
Up for a fight?
For two recent Transition Year drama classes we experienced something a little different. A fight director called Olivia came in to do a stage combat workshop: it was absolutely brilliant. There is nothing like someone’s face when they come in to see someone being dragged (very loudly) along the ground by their hair. Of course, it was all fake. We learned how to slap, grab hair and ears, choke to death, punch and kick! Some of us have taken these new skills outside the classroom to stage a fight in public and watch people’s reactions: we have to be careful in case we are too realistic and we get ourselves into trouble! It was hard work and at times a little bit sore if you fell the wrong way or clapped too hard but it was one of the most fun things I have ever done. I would love to do more of it. The film class came in to make movies of our short fight scenes, which we hope to see soon! I can’t wait to see what else drama class brings. Madison Porter 4CR
Arts week: Burma Project
A general election was held in Burma on 7th November 2010. The United Nations and Western countries have condemned these elections as fraudulent. For their Arts Week photography project the Transition Year students took to the streets of Dun Laoghaire to support the pro-democracy students of Burma. These students have been imprisoned for campaigning peacefully for democracy. Out of this project a new Facebook page for Newpark Amnesty has been created to help gather support and raise awareness for this and other human rights campaigns. You can follow our campaign progress on http://www.facebook.com/pages/NewparkAmnesty/110033479063676?v=wall Owen Kelly, Art Department
Hairspray
On the 24th of November a bunch of very excited students headed off to the new Grand Canal Theatre. Hairspray is a musical set in the 60s about a girl who dreams of singing and dancing on TV. She sparks off a revolution along the way but of course gets her happy ending. The sets, lights and costumes were spectacular and by the end the whole theatre was up singing and Isla Hoe 4CD dancing along—even the teachers!
In Dublin Week
In Dublin Week began with a coastal walk around Bray Head to Greystones on Monday. Tuesday was fun at the zoo. In the Education centre we learnt that aspects of the zoo have changed from when it first opened. Principally the idea of zoos for entertainment was discredited and the conservation function became idolised. A host of animals were seen—from the big cats to wolves and zebras—as we were washed with showers of rain. Wednesday brought us to Croke Park and the GAA museum. Here we learnt of Ireland’s struggle to keep traditional Irish sports alive. This was followed by a tour of the stadium. On Thursday we went to a Georgian house restored into a museum. Glum faces spelt out the feeling. Trinity Science Gallery was next where we had to rate the “greenness” of products. This was done by giving a 1 to 5 scale on goals such as energy use, use of material etc. We met the Lord Mayor of Dublin, in the Mansion House on Friday. The mayor was alive in spirit when shaking our hands. However when I asked the question ‘What’s your function?’ his mind seemed to drift. He referred to seeing villages pull together, visiting local clubs and mentioned his job of turning the Christmas lights on. Next, the Natural History Museum. Boredom gripped us: too many stuffed animals. Museum exhibitions haven’t really changed for over a hundred years, but I think it’s about time they did! George Hannaford 4CD 11
A word from the PTA
The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) meets once a month. It is an energetic gathering of parents and teachers with a common goal: to assist in making Newpark school a good environment for our children to receive the best education possible. We share views, expertise and a vision for the future of the school. It is your help and support for the fundraising events that we hold throughout the year that enables us to fund PTA specific projects. We also liaise with the parent body and offer support by organising talks of interest and social gatherings for parents of each year-group. We are organising some parent social evenings at the moment so keep an eye out for those coming up shortly. To keep you informed of our ongoing events we need a cheap effective way of communicating. To send a letter by post to all parents costs €400. To send a group text to all parents costs €80. To send an email is free! The way forward is without doubt email but we really need all your email addresses for this to work. So, if we don't already have it, can you send your email address to newpark@newparkschool.ie letting us know name/s and year-group/s of your child/children. The new PTA committee has met twice since we started back in September. We’ve been busy planning the year ahead and running the regular annual events. One of these events is the Limited Draw. This is a monthly draw that costs €10 a month to enter. There is a limit of 250 tickets sold each month. There is a monthly cash prize and you could win up to €750 - and who doesn’t need that!! The more people who enter, the higher the winnings are so pop €10 in an envelope with your name and contact number on it and put it in the PTA box in the front foyer. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets on line through PayPal by going to: www.newparkschool.ie/day-today/pta/limited-draw/. The proceeds from this draw will go towards purchasing new books and software for the school library. We also ran a Christmas Raffle. Tickets were sent home with the children to sell amongst friends and family. The money raised will be spent in collaboration with the student council to meet some of their needs. Last year it was bike racks and water
fountains. What will it be this year??? We'll let you know! The Christmas Carol Service took place on Wednesday 15th December at 8pm in St Philips & St James Church in Booterstown. It was a lovely gathering followed by tea and mince pies and the Christmas Raffle draw. While checking out our wonderful new website www.newparkschool.ie click on ‘day to day’ and read about the tax refund scheme that we have on the PTA page. Please contact us at pta@newparkschool.ie if you would like to help with any events or if you have a specific skill or talent that we could use. Also contact us if you have something that you would like us to raise at our next committee meeting. After all, we represent you! A very Happy Christmas from the Aideen Jones Newpark PTA.
Newsflash!! Congratulation to the senior rugby team who beat Skerries 30-5 at Donnybrook today to win the McMullen Cup
Want to win €100?
You can win €100, help the Jack & Jill Foundation and Newpark too! Newpark is collecting old mobile phones (in any condition) to support the Jack & Jill Foundation and to get a free interactive whiteboard for the school. And you can win €100 in the process! Phones will be collected every Monday in A1 between 1:05 pm and 1:25 pm. When you deposit your phones your score will be registered and updated when you give in any further phones. The lucky winner will be announced when a total of 500 phones are collected. G. Cloney
December Newsletter: Anna Johnston, Mags Downes, Owen Kelly & Peggie Caldwell Thanks to all our contributors this month. Please email contributions for the next issue to newsletter@newparkschool.ie
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