Rice College NewsThird Term • 2011-2012Issue 57 • May

Michael RabbetteSchool Principal

Au revoir Pierre

Congratulations to Colin Campbell on achieving second place in Technical Graphics Ordinary Level, Junior Cert 2011. The awards are in recognition of the students who obtained the highest possible marks in Technology subjects in both the Junior and Leaving Certificate examinations. Over 300 students, parents, teachers, Principals and Deputy Principals were present on the day, with 42 awards presented. It is a remarkable achievement to receive an award in recognition of coming first, second or third in Ireland in that subject at that level.

Colin Campbell - 2nd place in Ireland in Technical Graphics

Colin Campbell receiving his award at the annual Techno Teachers Association National Students Awards in GMIT recentlyPictured L-R: Minister for Training and Skills, Ciaran Cannon T.D., Mr. Patrick McNamara, Teacher of Technical Graphics at Rice College,Colin Campbell, award winning student and Pádraig Cawley, Chairperson, Techno Teachers Association

“Student of the Year” 2012

Congratulations to Keith Geraghty, son of Ann and Seamus Geraghty, Kilmeena, who was presented with the “Student of the Year” 2012 award at the Graduation ceremony in the college.Pictured L-R: Mr. Martin Connolly, Year Head; Mr. Michael Rabbette, School Principal; Mr. Seamus Geraghty, Keith Geraghty, Ms. Ann Geraghty and Mr. John G. Davin, Chairperson Board of Management

“Sportsperson of the Year” 2012

Congratulations to Brian McDermott, son of Mary and the late David McDermott, Knockranny, who was presented with the “Sportsperson of the Year” 2012 award at the Graduation ceremony in the college.Pictured L-R: Mr. Michael Rabbette, School Principal; Mr. Martin Connolly, Year Head and P.E. Teacher; Anna McDermott, Brian McDermott, “Sportsperson of the Year”; Ms. Mary McDermott, Grace McDermott, Mr. John G. Davin, Chairperson Board of Management

Excellent Attendance award 2012

Congratulations to Michael O’Malley, son of Helen and James O’Malley, Ardah, Newport, who was presented with the “Excellent Attendance” award 2012 at the Graduation ceremony in the college.Pictured L-R: Mr. Michael Rabbette, School Principal; Ms. Helen O’Malley, Michael O’Malley, James O’Malley, Mr. John G. Davin, Chairperson of Board of Management

Collecting our 4th Green Flag !Paula Behan, James McDermott, and Niamh Hoban receiving the fourth green flag on behalf of Rice College Greenschools committee at awards ceremony in Athlone. Included in the photo is Eva Gannon Greenschools co-ordinator.

A heartfelt thank you is wished to all who participated in our Graduation ceremony. There are far too many of you to name individually but I would especially like to thank our very talented musicians and singers who made the night extra special. Pete Ryder, Finn Gannon, Conor

Geraghty, Frank O’Malley and Conor Mooney- your talents far out-weigh any compliment I can ever give to you. To the Class of 2012, remember as you leave this stage of your lives behind and move in to the future- ‘There are No Strangers, Only Friends you haven’t Met Yet’.Wishing you all the very best both now and in the Future.

Leaving Cert Graduation 2012By Ms. Susan Mannion RE Co-ordinator

Frank O’Malley gave the homily

RICE COLLEGE NEWS 1st Yr. Soccer - Connacht Champions

Back Row L-R: Christopher Henue, Peter Corcoran, Oisín McLoughlin, Pat Joyce, Brian O’Malley, Patrick O’Malley, Paul Doyle, Colm Moran, Stephen O’Malley, Alan KennedyFront L-R: Sean Tierney, Michael O’Brien, Paul Lambert, Killian Kilkelly (Capt), Cian Dunne, Eoin Conway, Jack Murphy, Mark Reilly

Colleran Cup Finalists 2012

Rice College 1 - 08 St. Nathys 4 - 15Back L-R: William Reilly, Tom McHale, Michael Grady, Ciarán Keane, Aaron Dunne, Paddy Glavey, Gerard Sheridan, Conor McManamon, Enda Kelly. Kieran Coughlan, Shane Conway (Joint Manager).Front L-R: Henry Newham, Adam McDonnell, Zak O’Toole, Ian Duggan, Conor Burke, James Dowd, Darren Keaveney, Raymond Nugent, Sean Barrett, Keith Moon, Martin Connolly (Joint Manager).

The Galway boys opened the scoring after five minutes. We were getting the opportunities but not putting them away. To add to our woes, our captain Killian Kilkelly had to be replaced due to injury. Peter Corcoran stepped in with immediate impact. On the stroke of half-time, Paul Doyle’ shot was met with a powerful header from Oisín McLoughlin to level the match. Rice College took the game to the home side in the 2nd half and within 10 minutes Stephen O’Malley put the ball in the bottom left corner. The game had turned around. Paul Lambert, Colm Moran, Brian O’Malley and Mikey O’Brien were outstanding in defence. Cian Dunne and Paul Doyle did great work in midfield, while Oisín McLoughlin, Peter Corcoran, Stephen O’Malley and Eoin Conway linked up well in attack. Our Keeper Patrick O’Malley proved equal to a powerful shot 2 minutes from the end. We dethroned the All-Ireland champions.

Rice College 2St. Josephs Galway 1

1st Yrs - Mayo Champions 2012 Gaelic Football

Rice College 5 - 14 St Muiredachs 2 - 05Back Row L-R; Martin Gill, Joint Manager; Peter Spellman, Andrew Ferson, Dara McNulty, Stephen O’Malley, Chris Henue, Páraic O’Haire, Paul Doyle, Colm Moran, Peter Corcoran, Patrick O’Malley, Mark Reilly, Sean Cusack, Christopher Nevin, Dara Walsh, Oisín McLoughlin, David Blean, Westport GAA; Andrew Moran, Shane Conway, Joint Manager.Front Row L-R: Patrick Lennon, Sean Tierney, Eoin Conway, Richard O’Malley, James Brennan, Brian O’Malley, Daniel Barrett, Paul Lambert, Ben Doyle, Mikey O’Brien, Alan Kennedy Capt, Aidan Walsh, Aaron O’Flaherty, Michael Gallagher, Kevin Lavelle, Ross Mullin, Thomas Loftus

Rice College was short eleven of the squad that beat St. Geralds in the semi-final! This didn’t worry St. Nathy’s who controlled the match from start to finish and 2 late goals saw them run out winners on a 16 point margin. Rice College tried to stay in touch with scores from Darragh Keaveney, Adam McDonnell and Paddy Glavey, but were losing most of the individual battles.Scores for Rice College: Paddy Glavey (1-1), Adam McDonnell (0-1), Darragh Keaveney (0-4), James Dowd (0-1).

Paddy Glavey despatches the penalty

Rice College 3Crescent CC Limerick 1

All- Ireland Soccer Semi-Final

On course to lift the Umbro FAI Schools 1st Year title after seeing off the challenge of Crescent Comprehensive, Limerick in Salthill.There was a testing opening 10 minutes for Rice College when the Limerick school had 2 goals disallowed for offside and Patrick Murphy was called on to make a world-class save from a corner.Rice College soon began to exert themselves as they settled into the game and put Crescent under constant pressure. Breakthrough came when Jack Murphy delivered a low ball into the box. Cian Dunne skipped past a defender and placed the ball just inside the post leaving the keeper with no chance.Killian Kilkelly, who was forced to retire due to injury, was replaced by Peter Corcoran, with almost immediate effect, scoring our 2nd goal. We were sitting pretty at half-time.For goal number 3, Paul Doyle found Peter Corcoran, set up Stephen O’Malley who drew the keeper and scored with composure.The Crescent won one back from a corner kick. Final whistle, celebration and we march on.

An awesome performance by Rice College as they overpowered their opponents in every position on the field to win the Mayo 1st Year (A) championship.They moved the ball quickly and tackled with discipline and intensity.

Muredachs built up a good lead in the early minutes, but by the 9th minute Rice College had levelled the game. Muredachs goaled on 12 minutes. A fascinating battle was in prospect!Rice College continued to work the ball to the man in the best position and Stephen O’Malley fired over 2 points to level the

scores again. On the 21st minute, good combination between Colm Moran, Oisín McManamon and Alan Kennedy, sent Paul Doyle through the Muredach’s defence to crash the ball to the net. At half-time we were cruising 2-10 to 2-2. The second half continued in the same vein. Patrick O’Malley pulled off a fine save, while every player on the team played to form.Scores for Rice College: Chris Heanue (1-0), Darragh Walsh (0-1), Paul Doyle (1-0), Colm Moran (0-1), Alan Kennedy (0-7), Stephen O’Malley (3-5).Rice College complete a clean sweep of titles with the Connacht (B) League and Champiionship titles to go with this one. Well done boys.

Alan Kennedy Capt accepts the Mayo Colleges Cup from Robbie Reynolds

Umbro FAI Schools First Year Boys All Ireland Cup Runners-up 2012

Back Row L-R: Jack Murphy, Oisín McLoughlin, Christopher Henue, Pater Corcoran, Patrick O’Malley, Mark Reilly, Paul Doyle, Colm Moran, Stephen O’Malley, Alan Kennedy, Pat Joyce.Front Row L-R: Sean Tierney, Cian Dunne, Killian Kilkelly (Capt), Paul Lamberyt, Michael O’Brien, Brian O’Malley, Eoin Conway.

All-Ireland- Rice College V Lucan CBS

Captains and Officials

School Year 2012 - 2013 starts on Monday August 27th. 2012

We extend our best wishes to Peter O’Malley, Louisburgh, who has retired from the teaching profession after 38 years of dedicated service. We wish Peter, his wife Geraldine and family, health and happiness

in his retirement. Peter will be remembered for the major role he played in the twinning of Westport and Plougastel Daoulas in north western France in 1977 and his promotion of “Student Exchange” between the two towns. The language room in Rice College will forever carry the hallmark of one, Peter O’Malley, teacher of French.

It’s hard to comprehend another academic year has come to a close. We wish the 180 students who sit their Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate well. For them their holidays begin on 22nd June when the state examinations conclude. We completed our year with a number of Graduation Masses and award ceremonies. Well done and thank you to all who took part in these. Special congratulations to all who achieved “students of the year” honours and well done to all the many worthy nominees in each year group also. Congrats also to the “Sportspersons” in each year. We had a terrific year overall in sport with the 1st years doing remarkably well to achieve the success in G.A.A. and to reach an All-Ireland Soccer final was an unbelievable achievement. Some of these boys left with a major amount of silverware this year; Connaught League and Connaught Championship winners along with Mayo Schools Champions and Provincial winners in soccer. Well done and great to see that the future looks very bright. I want to thank the dedicated team who pushed on our 2012 Sports Capital Grant Programme this term, to further develop sports facilities around the school. If successful, we will be developing the Astro-Turf pitches towards the front of the school, to further enhance our student’s recreational time during lunchtime and throughout the school day. For schools to apply, they must do so jointly with a club. So Rice College (ERST) has jointly applied with Westport Youth Activities Club (WYAC). Again I want to extend my thanks to everyone who was involved over the Easter Holidays in helping out with our Computer Room refurbishment and installation of 28 new P.C.s. It’s great to have state of the art equipment for our students. We are currently working on the 100 Mbit/s High speed school broadband, no excuses then! In previous newsletters the departure of two educationalists from our school was documented. I want to wish Ms Mary Gibbons and Mr Peter O’Malley a long and happy retirement from the teaching profession. They were teachers of the highest calibre, most dedicated, conscientious and inspirational. Both of you will be sadly missed. Finally, thank you to all the members of our School Community who supported and helped our school in so many ways throughout the school year and may you all enjoy the summer holidays. Reminders LCA fifth and sixth year students work on a 4 day school week next year with one day dedicated to Work Experience. Students are to secure a number of placements over the holiday period. First Term next year starts on Monday, 27th August 2012 for first year and fifth year mentors. Returning to school information to follow in August 2012.

“A Short but busy last term”

RICE COLLEGE NEWS RICE COLLEGE NEWS

Leaving Cert Class 1970 enjoy their reunion in the Wyatt Hotel, (Sept 2011)

Front Row L-R: Charlie Keating, Cathal Cannon, Peter Kelly, Dermot Joyce, Pádraic Geraghty.Centre Row L-R: Michael Noel O’Malley, Francis Gavin, Michael McCormack, Pat Fadian, P. J. Walsh, Noel Greaney, Willie Horkan, Kevin Moran, Brian Spicer.Back Row L-R: Peter Hastings, Billy Sheridan, Don McGreevy, Paddy Geraghty, Harry Hughes, Gerard Scott, Michael Flanagan, Maurice O’Malley, Pat Hughes, Martin Halpin, John Kilgallon, Donal Horan.

“Adventure Islands” Westport and Portwest provide sponsorship for Rice College Team Racing (Sailing) team 2012

Mr. Michael Rabbette, Principal of Rice College Westport, gratefully appreciates the generous sponsorship from both “Adventure Islands” for providing sailing boats for training and Portwest of Softshell fleece Jackets, to the Rice College Team Racing (Sailing) team 2012. The team competed in the Irish Schools Team Racing championships in Schull, West Cork on 21st/22nd April. Twelve teams competed from Connacht, Leinster and Munster. Rice College boys did themselves and the school proud. West Cork schools took the first three places in the competition.Pictured L-R: Adrian Feerick, Manager Portwest store; Andrew Moran, Cian Mullee, Mr. Michael Rabbette, Principal; Conor Boylan, Thomas Staunton, Cathal Mac Reamoinn, Jim McNicholas, Ciaran Collins from “Adventure Islands”.

1st Year group visit GMIT Galway

Over the past 6 weeks we have participated in a programme for our 1A class during S.P.H.E. class in conjunction with Allergan and Junior Achievement Ireland, an organisation backed by the GMIT to promote career discussion and skills. Over the past number of weeks, a volunteer from Allergan has been taking our S.P.H.E. class and running through a dynamic and innovative enterprise programme, which helps students set realistic goals and encourages them to realise their full potential. The project hopes to encourage students to complete second level education and consider 3rd level courses, raise young people’s self-esteem and aspirations, set goals for the future and provide intensive training in life and business skills. Rice College is one of two Mayo schools that participated in the initiative. I would like to thank Ms. Clare O’Donnell from Allergan for teaching and co-ordinating the programme over the past number of weeks. Our class completed the programme with an excursion to GMIT where the students were led in discussion and analysis by two representatives from Hewlett Packard. They were then treated to a tour of the campus and refreshments. We believe that any initiative that marries together education and experience is a good thing, and will ultimately help to focus students and ground them for the future. The team, led by Ray Fogarty, was well organised and created a very positive experience for our students. I wish to thank all involved, as our students found the visit interesting and thought provoking.

By Ms. Sinéad McManus - Deputy Principal

The Junior Certificate Religious Education examination consists of two elements- a written examination worth 80% and a Journal work project worth 20% of overall marks which is completed during 2nd/3rd

year before the actual written examination in June. Each year the Department of Education issues twelve prescribed titles (two from each Section of the Syllabus) for this Journal Work and students are required to choose one. They are given the option to work as a group or individually with the favoured option of students being working as a group. Our present 3rd years have completed their Journal Work and enjoyed working on their title which was ‘An Examination of Two Symbols associated with the Sacrament of Baptism in a Christian denomination’. For this, students enjoyed a trip to our local church St. Mary’s, where they attended Mass, role-played a Baptism, observed the symbols associated with this sacrament and later welcomed guest speaker Fr. Charlie into the class room where they listened to and questioned him on the symbols associated with Baptism in the Catholic Church. They also focussed on the sacrament of Baptism within the Protestant tradition as both share the same beliefs and rituals as each other. Our 2nd years will be completing a title associated with the Major World Religion ‘Islam’. To date, all 2nd year students have visited the local Mosque in Ballyhaunis, where they were greeted by Mrs. Manar Cherbaji. They were enabled to interview her and observe the sacred text in Arabic, symbols, different movements- ra’ka, associated with prayer to name but a few. Each student was given the opportunity to ask Mrs. Cherbaji a question associated with her religion, Isalm. Students found this trip very interesting and enjoyable and for many it will be the only time that they will visit a sacred place of worship associated with a different major world religion, other than Christianity. At a later date our 2nd years will be visited by Mrs. Cherbaji in our school which will give them further opportunity to question/interview her on the Islamic faith and all the traditions, rituals, prayers etc that are associated with Islam before writing up their actual journal project. To conclude, the Junior Certificate Journal Project is an ideal opportunity for students to learn about topics from the syllabus other than through classroom work. It allows them to embrace an area of the course, truly experience it and learn from it.

Religious Education Journal Work Project Ms. Susan Mannion

RE Co-ordinator

2C class on visit to Mosque in Ballyhaunis

Retreats are a very important part of school-life and in December of this academic year we, at Rice College, were pleased to welcome Net Ministries to our community in Westport. The retreats, facilitated by 10 youth workers, were high-energy experiences using large group presentations, small group discussion, music, drama, personal faith sharings, one-on-one prayer, and the sacraments of Confession and Holy Eucharist. Since 1981, NET teams have conducted over 17,300 retreats and ministered to over one million young people in 11 countries. These retreats were supervised at all times by a member of the Religion Department from Rice College and Fr. Charlie our school chaplain. They took place in the Parish Centre and Carrowbeg House. Feedback from our students was extremely positive. All costs for the retreat were subsidised by both our school and parish and I would like to thank our Parish for their help in accommodating this week long event. I would also like to extend our gratitude, on behalf of the Religion Department to the members of the retreat team for facilitating these retreats so well. Finally, to our students I would like to extend a word of gratitude also, for remaining so energetic, enthusiastic and interested throughout. I hope that each of you has brought something positive away with you as a result of your retreat experiences.

Rice College RetreatsMs. Susan Mannion - RE Co-ordinator

Memorial Sewrvice

Bliain stairiúil í seo dona daltaí atá ag tabhairt faoin scrúdú Ardteistiméireachta Gaeilge mar don chéad uair riamh, tá daichead faoin gcéad de na marcanna ag dul don bhéalscrúdú. Bhí formhór ár ndaltaí ana-shásta leis an scrúdú cainte. Cé gur aontaigh siad go raibh an scrúdú níos dúshlánaí, ag an am céanna, cheap an tromlach go raibh sé nios éasca marcanna a ghnóthú mar go bhfuil ceithre chuid sa scrúdú agus an mharcáil neamhspleách i ngach rann. Rinneadh ceiliúradh ar Sheachtain na Gaeilge sa scoil le mion-imeachtaí agus comórtais sna ranganna. Thug urlabhraí as Coláiste Uisce cuairt ar Choláiste Rís agus labhair sí leis na daltaí faoi na cúrsaí éagsúla atá ar siúl agus na buntáistí a bhaineann le spórt trí Ghaeilge.Arís an samhradh seo, tá roinnt denar scoláirí ag tabhairt aghaidh ar na Gaeltachtaí éagsúla ar fud na tíre. Tá súil againn go mbeidh a saoire pléisiúrtha, fiúntach agus tairbheach.

Roinn na Gaeilge le Máire Uí Mhaolruaidh

TY - Paris Trip

By Martin Gill - TY Co-ordinator

In the early hours of Monday 31st April, the TY group embarked on their trip to Paris. We boarded the plane in Dublin for Beauvais airport. The first day of the trip was very busy. The students visited the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre museum and the Eiffel Tower. It was very busy but very enjoyable. The views across Paris were spectacular, for those who could brave the heights! On day two, the schedule took us on a very informative tour of Paris. All the major landmarks were visited and some interesting facts were issued by our tour guide. After that, we spent the afternoon in the Montmartre area. The Sacre Couer basilica was spectacular and the views from the top of the hill were amazing. The footballing skills on display from Iya Toure were unbelievable. Climbing up a street light while controlling a football, truly amazing. That evening we went on a river cruise. The weather was lovely and the lads tried to say hello and get a wave from everybody they encountered along the river bank. They had various levels of success over the duration of the cruise!The third day was spent in Euro Disney. Although the weather was poor, it didn’t seem to dampen the spirit of the group. All evening there were stories of how many times a particular ride was taken. That evening we went to planet Hollywood for dinner and spent some time in Disney village before heading back to the hotel. The next morning we headed for the Stade de France. We completed our tour just before Stade Francaise started their days training. We spent some time in the decathlon sport shop before we headed for Vald’Europe shopping centre. That evening we departed for the airport to make our flight back to Dublin. We arrived back at Rice College around 2.30am safe and sound with everybody accounted for. It was a very enjoyable trip and one I hope the lads enjoyed too.It has been a very busy year overall and I would just like to take this opportunity to thank all students for their participation during the year. I hope they enjoy the summer holidays before the grind of the leaving cert begins.

The Eiffel Tower, stands 984 ft. high. It was built in 1889 to celebrate the French Revolution 1789

2D CSPE class ran Soccer tournament and raised funds for Western Care

A soccer tournament for 2nd Yr students, raised €120 for Carrowbeg Enterprises (Western Care).Gregor Baluszek, Jack Carroll, Jack Halpin and Keith Hastings extend appreciation to the students who participated in the project and to the generous sponsors who provided the prizes.A group of students visited Carrowbeg Enterprises, a day centre for people with learning disability, where they were met by Ms. Jackie O’Grady-Dever, Manager of the Centre. Jackie showed the students the activity workshops available for the users of the Day Centre, such as a candle making workshop, their gym facility and kitchen.Jackie agreed to visit our CSPE class in Rice College. She was accompanied by Seamus and Michael who regularly attend the Day Centre. The students are now more appreciative of the importance of those facilities to people with disability.The Centre is run by a staff of twelve with the help of volunteers. The Westport Centre caters for 34 service users between the ages of 18 and 67 years. Every service user does at least 3 individual activities per week, chosing from swimming, soccer, candle making, home management, drama, bowling, attending country markets etc.The Centre is doing a wonderful job and is currently fundraising for a people carrier. We ask everybody to be generous in helping this appeal, because you will be helping those, less fortunate in our community.

The Soccer TournamentTen teams started out, the two best teams from each group got to the semi-finals. After a very keenly contested series of games, Holland and Germany got into the final, Holland going out winners on a scoreline 6-2. Holland, the winners , won soccer balls, plaques, and canteen vouchers. Germany, runners-up, took medals and Donolla vouchers, while England, in 3rd position walked away with a big bag of Giant buttons each.Prizes were sponsored by Elverys Sports, Danollas, Halpin Memorial Sculptures, Carrowbeg Stores and Ms. Tina Gorke.Well done to all. The good people in the Day Centre in Distillery Road, Westport are the true winners.

Ms. Gorke’s CSPE class present the proceeds from their soccer tournament to Ms. Jackie O’Grady-Dever, at their Centre in Distillery Road

Report By Ryan Moran and Brendan McLoughlin

“Holland” and “Germany” Finalists in the tournament

Friday the 11th of May 2012 marked the day for the Edmund Rice Memorial Service.

The feast of Edmund Rice occurs on the 5th of May each year so we incorporated both Edmund Rice Feast Day and the annual Rice College Memorial Service. This year is special for the school because 1st June 2012 is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Edmund Ignatius Rice. Fr. Charlie McDonnell celebrated the special Service with a wonderful solo performance from our second year student Josh Moran.Thanks to all who participated in making this service so special. It was a sombre occasion for all involved and a special thanks to Mr. Paul McAleer for placing a wreath on the schools Memorial Garden in memory of those who have gone before us. May their souls rest in peace.The prayerfulness and spirituality shared by the students, their parents and staff of Rice College during the Memorial Service has been true to Edmund Rice and let us hope that the new school year will bring wisdom, understanding and good health.“ No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.” Have a great summer everyone!

Riona PrendergastSchool Chaplain

Rice College participated with great distinction in the Mayo futsal tournament which was held in Davitt College. Rice College were narrowly beaten in the final following a thrilling final. Rice College fought back to equalise the match at 2 2 before losing to a solitary goal. The quality of the football on display was truly breathtaking. Well done lads. We’re very proud of you.

Umbro FAI Schools 1st Yr. boys All-Ireland Soccer Final

Teachers know that social media can be both friend and foeThe social media revolution is proving a double-edged sword in schools. On the one hand, it provides teachers with a new educational tool that students love. A good example, recently cited to the Irish Independent, involved giving students an exercise involving Twitter when they where studying the novel, ‘To Kill a Mocking Bird”. On the other hand, social media networks have put a powerful tool in the hands of all, one that can be used to cause lasting damage to reputations. Ferdia Kelly, general secretary of the Joint Managerial Body, representing over 400 secondary schools, said there were lots of positives, but schools were dealing with increasing incidences of cyber-bullying, more usually between students. Traditional forms of bullying, whether against other students or teachers, are no more acceptable, but at least they may be more easily erased and contained. Facebook has presented school communities with other challenges. Clive Byrne of the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals said it was best practice for teachers not to have students as a Facebook “friend”. The Association of Secondary Teachers of Ireland (ASTI) has advised members to check privacy settings on Facebook so that they know who can access their information. Education Minister, Mr. Ruairí Quinn and Minister for Children, Ms. Frances Fitzgerald, headed up new efforts to tackle bullying in schools, when they hosted a forum attended by students’ and parents’ representatives, school leaders, rights and anti-bullying activists. Mr. Quinn has also established a working group to tackle bullying which will receive a report from the forum. The report will lead to new anti-bullying guidelines for schools, the first since 1993.Katherine Donnelly, Irish Independent 18th May 2012

2nd Yr. Art work samples

2nd Yr. Art work samples

Coláiste Phádraig (CBS) Lucan 2 Rice College (CBS) Westport 1

This gallant Rice College team learned what sport is all about, when they lost this pulsating All-Ireland Final to Lucan CBS at the Athlone Town FC grounds, after extra time. Our boys were naturally disappointed, as were we all. This team has taken us on a wonderful sporting experience throughout the school year 2011/2012. You are all privileged to have experienced competition and defeat at the final hurdle. Very few have had your experienced. You can now look forward with confidence to the future! The quality of the game was excellent throughout. It was obvious from the early exchanges that this contest was going to go down to the wire. Chances came a - begging for both sides in the first half as the sides were deadlocked at the break. On the 43rd minute, Lucan made the breakthrough, the ball coming in from a free on the left hand side, was headed to the net, giving Lucan the advantage.Five minutes later parity was restored when Paul Doyle fought hard to win the ball back and Stephen O’Malley’s perfect pass to Jack Murphy, who delivered it on to the head of Peter Corcoran, who gave the Lucan keeper no chance. Rice College was in the ascendency, continuing to pressurize the Lucan side. There was to be no winning goal in normal time, or in the first half of extra time, which belonged to Rice College. It looked like this game was going to be decided by penalties. With less than 2 minutes remaining, a high cross from a corner was converted, despite the best efforts of Pat O’Malley. It was too late now, time was up. We had to come to terms with defeat and it was not easy! That is the nature of sport. Congratulations to the Joint Managers of this team, Pat Dunne and Brendan Clarke, who have done trojan work with the boys. Beidh lá eile ag an bpaorach!