e BelvedereSummer Edition 2018 | AMDG NEWS A WORD FROM THE HEADMASTER

hey say the secret of getting ahead is getting started and while some may think summer is a time when students and Tschool stops, that is a misconception. The summer is one of the busiest times and presents us with an opportunity to develop and grow in so many different ways. Summer is upon us and the fine weather is welcomed by all, except those sitting the Junior and Leaving Certificate! Hopefully all will have achieved their best results to date in these exams. Those students going into Sixth and Third year need to reflect on their summer results and do some study over the coming weeks. Developing the self-discipline to learn independently is an essential part of maturing as a student. The value of reading cannot be overstated and while no one can be forced to read – encouragement is required. As you leaf through this excellent production, I hope you get a In August I will update you on the newly appointed staff, who will sense of the diversity of achievement in the College. I want to thank no doubt bring their talent and energy to the classrooms in Belvedere. all the students, their parents and teachers, for creating the conditions I have written elsewhere (Development Update) about the building where striving to achieve your potential regardless of ability, is the developments and again I want to thank all who contribute to the norm. I also want to thank Joanne Ryan for producing this Newsletter, fundraising to make this all possible. In addition thank you to those which successfully attempts to give a snapshot of life at Belvedere. who contribute their time and talent to ensure the College is in a We will miss Joanne’s expertise in the Development Office which has position to achieve excellence in all it endeavours. We challenge successfully organised our fundraising campaigns. She was also a our students to do this in other educational experiences, so it is significant member of the Publications Committee which co-ordinates the standard we aspire towards in all we do. The Board, its Sub- our communications with the wider Belvedere Community. We wish Committees, the Parents and Ladies Committees, the Past Pupils and her every success in her new career. so many individuals, all give generously of their time and energy to Others too move on to the next chapter of their life. Mr Seamus ensure continued improvement in the educational experience of the Finegan, who is retiring in August, has shaped the educational students. Thank you to each and every one. experience of so many at Belvedere for 36 years. As I write, he We continue the process of School Self-Evaluation, using feedback is working relentlessly in organising the State examinations and from staff, students, parents and others as well as the evidence from preparing for the coming year. He has always been a dynamic force a variety of assessments of student achievement and engagement. in the College and he will be missed, but his legacy will continue for Thank you to all who complete the surveys, parent feedback forms and generations to come. other questionnaires. These are used in our review and planning and Mr John Connell, Mr Gerard Conran and Mr Ronan Jacob have given hopefully the ongoing improvements are noticeable from year to year. long-service and we wish them well as they open another chapter in I wish you a wonderful summer, filled with laughter, reading, some their careers as educators. Ms Audrey Geraghty is moving to a school time for reflection and some action to make life better for someone nearer to her home and she too has been an excellent member of the less fortunate. In the meantime the non-teaching staff, maintenance SEN department. Mr David O’Grady is embarking on a career break and many others will be very busy ensuring that the students and and moving to Brussels – we hope that he enjoys his new teaching teachers return to new and improved facilities in August. I want to role there. Mr David Dougherty has moved home to Belfast and we thank them for their hard work and dedication as well. him every success in his teaching career. After an outstanding career, Mr John Walsh is leaving us and he too has been an outstanding Gerry Foley, educationalist. We wish him every success in what will no doubt be an Headmaster active retirement. A.M.D.G.

In this issue: News & Faith & Belvedere Sport Music Achievements Services Union

p2 p6 p11 p14 p18 News & Achievements Junk Kouture Huge congratulations to Daniel Bisset whose creativity resulted in him being selected as a Dublin competitor in the Grand Final of Junk Project Newton Kouture, the recycled Belvedere Science Department has been taking fashion competition part in a Horizon2020 EU funded research project, for Irish secondary titled Project Newton. It is developing innovative schools. This was technology, enhanced science teaching and Belvedere’s first ever learning methods and tools, and investigating entry to Junk Kouture. their effectiveness when compared to traditional Daniel’s costume was methodologies. made from materials such as Mass leaflets, Our Second Year students have piloted a number of aluminium cans, these tools over the past two years and are hoping wire coat hangers to be part of a larger pilot next year. and coffee and he The College has partnered with DCU (the wanted to express a primary co-ordinators of the project). Stuart message of creativity Wheeler and David O’Grady have contributed with his design, taking to the development of these tools through the inspiration from implementation, follow up discussion of content, performers such as practicalities and goals of this cutting edge STEM RuPaul, Lady Gaga, and project. Björk. Gael Linn Irish Debating Debating Competition

This year we had two teams take part in the Gael Linn Irish Schools Debating Competition. Our Junior team lost out narrowly but our Seniors were victorious went on to the National Finals.

Back row: Cathal McGuinness, Luke Harmon, Dara McGrath. Front Row: Conall O’Briain and Oisin Keating McDermott with Headmaster Gerry Foley and Mr John Broderick. Missing from photo is Cathal Aherne, Junior Captain.

Congratulations to the Grammar Congratulations to Fiachra Nolan debaters for their success in the and David Boylan on an outstanding Junior Debating Final in UCD achievement and of course to Philip recently. Liam Keating and Lorcan Hogan for giving so generously of O’Brien from Third Year won Best his time, energy and talents to the Team. It is the first time in 14 years students. that Belvedere has won this title. Both truly remarkable Mark Heanue, took runner up in the achievements and it was great to see individual category. the events supported by so many of We are also delighted to inform the College’s debaters both present you that Belvedere College SJ took and past, a further testament to home the trophy at the Senior the great culture of debating that is Final of the L&H Debates in UCD. thriving in the College.

2 News & Achievements Belvo Spelling Bee The annual Spelling Bee took part this May with Talks visitors from Castleknock College, Gonzaga College, Loreto Foxrock, Loreto on the Green By Raj Upadhyaya (EF) and Stratford College but it was David Olowookere from King’s Hospital who took When I first heard of BelvoTalks, the trophy! I thought a good while of doing one on cricket, so I asked Ms Ivory if I could do it. It was approved and reserved for the 29th of January, 2018. When the date came along, I was confident in my notes everything seemed alright, until I saw the audience, it was filling the entire Library! Amazingly people were not allowed to enter the Library! I felt really nervous, until I started to go deeper, my confidence grew so much, and it felt so amazing to have been Pictured is our own the first student to have filled Evan Wyatt (EK) who the library and become the first was an excellent Elements student to have done participant and a future a BelvoTalk, and I was all in glee spelling bee champion! afterwards.

Mastermind Urban Farm We were thrilled to be part of RTÉ’s The black chair and spotlight “Big Week on the Farm” this year returned to the Library this year which showcased every type of with students showing a wealth farming nationwide. Our students of knowledge in a number of took part in a live show where they interesting and obscure subjects! shared the different types of projects Congratulations to Junior winner they have been working on, they Conal O’Brien (GK) and Senior were complete naturals! winner Eoin Walsh (SX). Fantastic Mr Fox The O’Reilly Theatre was turned into the woods near the farms of Boggis, Bunce, and Bean for this year’s Elements play. Featuring original music by our very own Daniel Bisset (SK) and Cathal Ahern (GL), the play went down a storm with every audience!

3 News & Achievements Elements Business Club Visit to CitiGroup

The Elements Business Club had their first to the trading floor by Paul O’Reilly OB outing of the year to CitiGroup in April. 1997 The Business Club, formed by Garret Molloy • Innovation lab - what they do, outputs (EX) is a group of students that meet each • Took a business case from the business work to discuss areas of interest they have group (phone case with an attached in the business world. This visit is the first in solar panel charger) and work it through, a series of planned activities they have. looking at cost, revenue, target market, output The day was a wonderful success with the boys gaining lots of experience and insight Thanks to Citi for their hospitality and to Ms into the world of Citi. The day involved: McCormack for accompanying the group • Tour of building and all her work this year with the Business • The boys got the chance to be brought Club.

Poetry Mock Interviews

Poetry students aced their Mock Interviews this year. On the run up to the interview evening, students spent time researching a college course of interest, preparing their CVs and cover letters and brushing up on their interview technique. The feedback from our Maynooth Award interviewers was overwhelmingly positive. Some wanted to start recruiting straight away - well done lads! The Business Studies Department was delighted to receive an Excellence in Junior Certificate Business Studies award from Maynooth University recently. The award was given to recognise the school’s contribution to teaching and promotion of excellence in the discipline, while also acknowledging all students who achieved an ‘A’ grade in their 2017 Higher Level Business Studies Junior Certificate exam.

The 12 students who achieved an A in Junior Cert Business this year were:

Ahzam Arain Brian Bolger Hugh Chambers Theodore Dempsey Euan Farquharson Benjamin McDonald Tom McGinnity Tim O’Grady Brendan Quinn Tom Rafter Darragh Schmidt Eóin Walsh

Pictured are Ms Norma Shanahan, Professor Michael Doherty, Head of Department of Law at Maynooth University and Syntax student Tom McGinnity who represented the above group.

4 News & Achievements Head for the hills! he first walk of the new a great day to spend a few hours out on T Hillwalking Club happened on the hills, everyone involved thoroughly Table Sunday 29th April. Mr Carey & Mr enjoyed it. We would be delighted if Keogh and 11 Fifth Year students climbed some more students and members of Maulin in the Wicklow Mountains. A nice staff wanted to come along on next gentle introduction to hillwalking. It was year’s walks. Tennis by Tom McBride (EK)

Climbing I’m not really a sporty person and I dislike a lot of sports but I really enjoy Table Tennis and look forward to Champs going every week. It’s a great escape for the stress of exams and classes, 15 students from Belvedere took and altogether great fun. It is also a part in the ‘Great Outdoors Irish good way to meet people and make Schools Climbing Competition’ at friends. Awesome Walls on Wednesday 7th March. One team took part in the Every Thursday I go to the lunch room Senior grade and three teams took and play with the 10 - 15 students part in the Junior grade and Belvedere that go there, and we have a mini came away with two podium finishes! tournament for an hour. It’s lots of In the Seniors ‘The Wingnuts’ came 3rd in fun and really enjoyable; some weeks the team category, competing against some well- I win a game against someone and established teams from all over the country. Team members: Luke Nolan, then suddenly the next week they Augustyn Tchorzewski, Vulcan Chertaraev and Morgan Comerford. In the Juniors, are beating me, which is a great Tim Kenny saw off some very stiff competition to take 1st place in the individuals. challenge each week! Congratulations to all 15 students involved as they did a sterling job in representing their school!

Chinese Cookery by Ben Whyte (Rhetoric Loyola)

Cooking with Miss Lu and the class was an unforgettable experience! I, along with two others, made Chinese dishes the native way. Rice paste stuck everywhere as we made delightful dumplings in the school’s Home Ec. Food Lab. Miss Lyons watched with fascination as we learned how to shape and stuff dumplings in various shapes. To complement our savoury snacks we made black bean paste dumplings, a sweet treat I couldn’t get enough of! Our guest chef was eager to show us the culinary side to China. It was a cultural experience as much as it was culinary and we learnt some nifty phrases too. It was a wonderful experience on the whole and one which I hope will be one of many cultural experiences between Belvedere and the Confucius Institute. Xièxie lăoshī Lu!

5 Sports Cross Country

elvedere Cross Country had two competitions in the first term. The First and Second Years raced the inaugural B Dublin Schools Cross Country with James Bolton (Elements) leading the team home to a 3rd place finish with a 3rd place finish of his own.

Clonliffe Invite DCU Invitational top three move on to the Leinster Schools held The venue for the first Cross Country race of the Belvedere competed at the DCU Invitational in Santry Demesne. John Fanning led home a season would be Santry Demesne, which hosted last Wednesday 17th January. On a bitterly cold the European Cross Country in 2009. The victorious Intermediate Boys’ team by finishing day, Belvedere had a fantastic day with three Clonliffe Harriers “Brother by your Side” Meet is in 3rd place. individual medalists James Bolton 3rd (First an invite-only meet which gathers schools from Year race) John Fanning 2nd in 3rd and Fourth all over Dublin and beyond. Students competed Leinster Schools Cross Country year Race and finally Ben Guiden 3rd in Senior to a very high standard against opposition Santry Demesne was the venue for the Leinster from as far afield as Belfast and Tipperary. This Category. Schools Cross Country in February. A very tough Our teams also went well finishing 4th (First competition is probably the most difficult of course was used this year and the standard of Years) 5th (Second Years), 3rd (Third and Fourth the year behind the Leinster and All-Ireland competition was higher than previous years. In Years) and 4th (Fifth and Sixth Years). competitions. While most of this year’s the intermediate race in particular the standard Belvedere contingent would be battle-hardened Belvedere’s International Cross Country was exceptional. harriers, we did manage to send quite a few first Runners The Minor (U14) boys were 6th only 14 points time runners. At the Clonliffe Invitational in Brian Fay (OB17) represented his country with from qualification with every place in the race Santry, Bolton repeated the trick finishing third distinction finishing 49th at the European Cross scoring a point with Belvedere scoring 136 and again in the individual race. Our Minor team was Country Championships in Slovakia. 3rd place with 125, it was a close run affair. 5th with our Juniors finishing 4th in their race. John Fanning (GX) followed in Brian’s Simon Barrett (Rudiments) was the first finisher James Bolton (EK) was first man home in 6th footsteps by representing the College at U17 in 11th. John Fanning (Grammar) was 2nd in the place and qualifies to go to Waterford for the level in the Antrim International Cross Country Inter race leading the team to a 6th place finish. All Ireland. The Juniors (U15) were an excellent held in Greenmount Antrim on Jan 6th. Finally Eoin O’Dwyer was 3rd in the Senior race, 10th while the Senior team were 6th. Ben captaining the team to a 3rd place finish. West Leinster Schools Cross Country Guiden (PA) qualifies individually in 15th place. The Papal Cross in the Phoenix Park was the The Inter team were resounding winners in the Williamstown Invite Inter (U17) category, winning by a whopping 35 On Wednesday the 8th of November, boys venue for the West Leinster Cross Country points, scoring 55 points with 2nd, 3rd and 4th competed in the Williamstown Invite hosted by Championships. Belvedere performed extremely scoring 91, 92, 93 points respectively. Blackrock College. The Minor Team were 1st. the well with the Minor team finishing 1st, Juniors Juniors 1st, the Intermediates were 3rd and the 3rd, Intermediate 1st and Senior 3rd! All the This is Belvedere’s second ever provincial Seniors also took the win. boys performed impeccably for their school in team title. The first was in 2001. An impressive bitterly cold conditions. Teams finishing in the display from our boys. All Ireland Schools Cross Country By Daniel Stone (Syntax Aylmer) On March 10th 2018 eight boys ran the could win in the sun of Santry Demesne. The would stop us. Intermediate race in Waterford IT ultimately race itself was a fast start, the team all moved We got out strong as a team, everyone racing winning gold for Belvedere. The College had up very well throughout the race. As the race that day must have been hurting, it was tough never before won gold at the All-Ireland Schools finished and the team were all coming across the but we persevered. The race was long and Cross Country Championships until this year. line one by one we weren’t sure if we had won. we were all moving up well through the large It was a huge achievement for Coach Ronan Luckily and to our surprise we had won by quite numbers. Everyone on the team left everything Duggan and the team. a large margin, everyone was delighted. out there on that course, we knew every place Many of the team had dreamed about winning Training had then resumed back, everyone mattered. Before we knew it, it was over and all gold, Mr Duggan and the team always knew we had their eyes set on one target, winning the All the pain was worth it. had the potential to win if we stayed committed Ireland Championships. We all wanted it and we The team performed great with John Fanning and believed. The team had a great friendly yet knew we had put the work in to perform well. leading the charge (6th) then, Daniel Stone competitive nature which always helped us strive As the race got closer and closer, nerves were (16th), Barney Kelly (34th), Ruairi Walsh (44th), to be bigger and better, one race at a time always high but we all knew we had what it took to do Stephen Fay (46th), Cathal Butler (58th), Aoghan looking at the end goal of winning. well. The day before the race everyone was just Hourican (62nd), Thomas Norton (70th). The qualifying process for the All-Irelands trying to keep calm and relaxed. Many of the The wait was long in the main hall to find out was a strong one for the team. The West-Leinster team travelled down early to the Waterford IT if we had won and sure enough we heard our race was the first of the school cross country race course for our biggest challenge yet to come. names being called as Champions, everyone was campaign, and it was a great start in the Phoenix Everyone greeted each other along with their delighted. We were presented with our individual Park on a biting cold early January morning. The parents, all the team were very relaxed, even medals and more importantly the All Ireland Boys dominated over the race ultimately winning more than the parents! We had set up near Cross Country Champion cup was on its way by a large margin with four of the team in the the course with Mr McCarthy and Mr O’Shea back to Belvedere, it was time to celebrate! It was top 10. alongside the team also. There was time to spare, a day we will always remember. Next on the agenda was the Leinster final, so the team went out to check the course out, to A huge thanks to coach Ronan Duggan as the quite a step up from the West region, we knew say it was like a very hilly mud bath would be an team would have never gotten this far without it was going to be tough but we all believed we understatement, but we didn’t complain, nothing his coaching all the way throughout the year.

6 Sports

Squash Star Alex Smith (RDF) is representing Belvedere incredibly well on the squash circuit both at home and abroad. Alex competed in Swiss Junior Open this year and will be ranked Number 2 in the European World rankings having played in four finals this year. We are very proud of his achievements and his dedication to his sport is an inspiration to his peers.

Darragh Lynch Swimmer Darragh Lynch swam representing in the Inter Pros this year. He represented Belvedere on the Leinster team. He came second in his 100m butterfly with a 2 second PB. His U15 relay team got first. A fantastic personal achievement. Leinster came second overall with Ulster beating them by a few points to first place. All of his hard work paid off.

Handball Heroes Two Belvederians, Stephen Fay and Fiach McGuinne representing Dublin in the Under 16A Leinster Championships in February.

Water Polo Wonders Belvedere Water Polo team has taken the title at the Ireland Water Polo Senior Schools competition. The teams faced the Methodist School of Belfast, Belfast Royal Academy, St Joseph’s Patrician College Galway and St Malachy’s of Belfast, before beating Wexford CBS in the final.

7 Sports

Soccer Success Fight Night 2018

ongratulations to Captain Charlie Smith and team who have taken the Joe McGrath Shield for the second year in a Huge congratulations to Grammar student Conor Millar for Crow. The students beat hosts Clongowes Wood 3-1 to take taking over the Belvo Fight Night reins from Steven Collins. the trophy back to Belvedere. Special congratulations to Man of Lots of work was put in to ensure the event continues to grow the Match Tyrick Reilly, who featured as the Herald’s Star of the in the College and a cheque for €2,885 was donated to VDP as Week. Thank you to the players, coaches and parents for their a result! dedication to soccer in Belvedere.

Badminton Tennis This year’s tennis leagues have gone superbly for our Belvedere Having won the Dublin League the Belvo Badminton team qualified players. Our Minor Team Division 1 was in the final with a for the Leinster Finals which were held at Baldoyle Badminton resounding result of 5-0 in Castleknock Tennis club in May. Centre. The boys played really well beating Patrician Secondary Congrats to Hugh Butler, Peter Barun, Lorcan Loughrey, Greg School Newbridge in the semi-final. They had to up their game to McKiernan, Dylan Flanagan, Daniel Roberts and James Egan - a beat a strong Blackrock College team in the final and take the U16 strong team with bright futures in the Leinster League in the Division 2 Title! years ahead.

Our Senior Team also made it to the final in Fitzwilliam Tennis Lawn Club in May, but unfortunately were not successful against a very strong St. Michael’s side. They played some class tennis, but were defeated 3-0. We also have some students who are performing incredibly well on a provincial and national level including Cathal and Hugh Butler, Peter Barun and Lorcan Loughrey, pictured here at the Templeogue Junior Open.

Congratulations to Kevin Kearney, Jack Martin, Shane Brennan and Gavin Brennan and thank you to everyone who supported them.

8 Sports

RUGBY

Well done to our JCT and SCT teams on their hard-fought campaigns this year. It wasn’t meant to be this year but both squads showed a huge amount of dedication, commitment and sportsmanship throughout. This was reflected both in their preparation (going so far as to sweep the snow off the pitch so they could train) to their conduct on the pitch. As SCT Captain David Hawkshaw put it “to have the good days you have to suffer the bad days as well”.

Elements Rugby To be honest Panel Three is the perfect Tennis place to start if you’re not familiar with rugby as it really gives you a chance to settle in. As a GAA man myself, I was new to the whole rugby concept in the school and I felt Panel Three was the place to start and I’m still playing for them and I’m enjoying it a lot. By Alex Snow (EF. Panel Three)

Before the school year started there was a rugby camp (like any other year) held in Cabra for the First and Second Years. For the people who had never played it was SCT Squad an easy introduction into rugby, while for the more advanced players, it was a way to show off and improve their skills. It was also Nutrition used as a way to meet new people. When the school year started, we all Evening started training in our class groups. From there we were split up into the class A’s and The SCT squad was given specific nutritional information in preparation B’s. After a few more weeks of training the for the first round Senior Rugby Cup clash with Gonzaga. Form Cup began with each class fighting to The players learned from the experts (who included the Leinster become the champions. In the end it was Rugby’s Performance Nutritionist, Arthur Dunne, our Home Economics a clear winner, Finlay, who easily surpassed teacher, Ms Tracy Kelly and our own HE students, Pascal Ryan Adam all of the competition. The end of season Maher and Gavin Murray) of the benefits of sticking to healthy diets and games were used to pick the strongest preparing good food. Not only did the players learn how to prepare and possible team vs the Second Years in the cook a variety of delicious meals they were also able to sample various Cooke Cup. We scored an early try from a healthy options. break by our 10 through the middle of the So interested were some players that they stayed to the end to help in pitch with an easily converted kick. After the clean up! It is believed that the JCT squad now wish to share in this half time it was a stalemate for a long time informative programme which highlights the variety of talent within the neither team giving an inch. Eventually the students and teachers of the College. Second Years went over again bringing the Thanks must go to Tracy Kelly and Michael Lawlor for their co-ordination game to a dramatic ending. The First Years of this type of event. held out and won a hard-fought match. by Christopher Hamill (EX, Panel One)

9 Exchange Lyon Exchange 2018 By Aidan McCullough (SX)

feel like I must open this French teenagers involving us, them I “brief” article by saying that and a piece of baguette during which in spite of what my personal we learned that it’s not possible to feelings about the exchange were break bread with everyone. We also in Third Year when the list of names learned that watching members of staff was released and many of my friends fall over while skiing is very entertaining were going to far off places i.e. not (provided they don’t injure themselves) Lyon, those two weeks in France and that it’s probably safer if some of us turned out to be two of the best maybe avoid skiing for our own benefit. weeks during my time in Belvedere We also learned that all the money so far. collected from fines had been used to It all began in Third Year when buy us all cakes which was a nice little we sat at home pouring over which trips to put down on the perk at the end of a tiring, but really enjoyable, two days. application and in which order. Based on what I had heard in After another weekend spent with our families we started into previous years, and the fact that I did want to improve my French, our second and final week in the beautiful French city. We found it was my number one choice and from there it started. We had out very quickly that with Ms. Curtin we needed to move quickly a few meetings before the exchange itself began and the fateful to keep to a tight schedule, and that much like the first week we day soon came when we discovered who our exchange students needed to run on one clock: Ms. Curtin’s clock. The second week would be. It was during those few days when we carefully crafted had a different feel to the first week, whether that was a good or messages on Facebook to try to find out more about our students a bad thing will vary on who you ask but in my view it was nice before jetting off to Lyon in February. to have a change of style half way through. The week started Over the course of those first few days our host families tried with a trip to Exalto Lyon and kind of trampoline a games centre to speak French to us (in some cases in vain) and swiftly realised which was really good, but after a morning of jumping around that our French was not to the same standard as their English but and throwing balls at each other we were all really tired. The week they still made the effort. That first weekend was great because it continued with a trip to Parc OL, the Croix Rousse food market really allowed us the opportunity to speak with our students and where a group of us bought a cooked rotisserie chicken because, with their respective families. why not? We visited more of Lyon, a trip to the Centre d’Histoire That Monday we were shown around the school and had a de la Résistance et de la Déportation being one of the most little French breakfast with our students, before going off for the interesting. The week in Lyon closed out with myself and two first day of activities. We were soon made aware that all time others having to give speeches in French to over 70 people which was dictated by Mr. Rogan’s watch and that lates would incur a was... an experience! €5 fine (which all turned out well for us all in the end). The first Onward to a cold and slushy Paris for a rapid two days of week went by with constant cries of “You won’t be going to walking around and seeing the touristy sights. Visiting the Taizé” coming every time anyone did anything. With visits to the Champs-Elysée, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Basilique de Fourvière, Vieux Lyon, the chocolate museum and Cathedral, Montmartre and a few more things that won’t get the confluence (with a brief trip home in the middle to take part listed because I don’t have space. in a debate) for me the highlight of the week was the trip into Honestly in my opinion, the two weeks I spent in Lyon were two the Alps to go skiing in Autrans. It was during that two day long of the best weeks I’ve had in the school so far and I would highly excursion that we had a brief but tense encounter with some recommend that people go on it in future.

We had another very successful Chinese Exchange this year, highlights being a very well-advertised soccer game and the confidence of Cillín Forrester who stood up & practiced his language skills in front of the whole of RDFZ School in China.

10 Music & Drama

A Letter from a First Year reflecting on his first year in choir Junior Choir sing By Matthew Nolan EX for Sir Anthony O’Reilly

The Junior Choir performed at Old Belvedere RFC on Saturday 21st April for a naming ceremony where Sir Anthony O’Reilly (OB 1954) was honoured. It was a most glorious day, clear blue skies and sun beating down. The boys sang their hearts out, behaved impeccably and did themselves and Belvedere proud!

ack in September of 2017, Fran called all the new Elements B students to the Lecture Theatre for a “trial run” at choir. She had us singing about bananas, kiwis and lots of other weird things, but it had us all laughing. From then, I knew I wanted to be in the choir. The first day was a bit strange, because no one knew anyone at all, and no one knew any of the songs. As the weeks went on people started to leave, but a group of about 37 of us stayed on and became great friends. My highlights of the year were definitely singing in the RDS and placing 2nd in the Feis Ceoil Junior Choir competition, singing for Sir Anthony O’Reilly, performing in the Musical Evening, and definitely all the treats that Fran made us during the year! If I had to choose one low point, it would have to be the time that Fran brought us all in cookies, and took them home again because we were being too noisy! Another big highlight was the last day of choir, when Ruaidhrí and Fran brought us bowling in Blanchardstown. It was such a fun way to end the year! Throughout the year, I have made so many friends and have made lots of memories through the choir, and I will definitely keep it up next year!

Musical Evening 2018 By Cuán Fullam (RDK)

The Musical Evening 2018 was a memorable event. The fact that swapped positions and instruments – we have some seriously the tickets sold out within an hour shows how eagerly awaited multi-talented people in Belvo! it was by our friends and families. We didn’t disappoint them - The full Choir returned with its competition pieces Lullaby Belvedere’s best musical talent was on display. and Good News. The evening kicked off with the Symphonic Band playing the The grand finale was the full Choir accompanied by the Universal Studios and Back to the Future themes. school orchestra conducted by Ms Curtin as we gave a The show continued with the Junior Choir singing ‘Five Eyes’ rousing performance of ‘This is Me’ from The Greatest and ‘Cantamos’ which we sang at Feis Ceoil. The Senior Choir Showman, conducted by Ruaidhri. Okay, so maybe it wasn’t then performed followed by the full Choir. a completely unbiased crowd, but we got a standing There was some fast footwork as soloists, musicians and MCs ovation!

11 Retirements Seamus Finegan Announces Retirement: A Letter from the Headmaster

Dear Belvedere Community, Dermot Ryder. Seamus has been a constant Sarah and Lauren, are looking forward to a source of support for many staff, including new phase in their life. There will be a formal I am writing to inform you that Mr. Seamus myself and has given hugely to the College function, in the next term to give people an Finegan, Deputy Headmaster, will retire from both in the classroom, in the area of co- opportunity to say thank you and good luck Belvedere College S.J. at the end of August curricular and as part of the Management of on the next stage of Seamus’ journey. He is 2018. Seamus’ contribution to the College is the College. He has worked tirelessly for and going to be missed by staff, students, parents, immeasurable, as a teacher, TY Co-ordinator, on behalf of the College. alumni and all who benefitted from his Assistant Deputy Headmaster and for the I am going to miss Seamus so much. He courteous professionalism, his genuine care of past fifteen years as Deputy Headmaster. His has been a great friend, wise counsellor, people and his ability to work with people. So, career in Belvedere College SJ commenced in meticulous administrator and a dynamic as Shakespeare said; “I can no answer make, November 1982 teaching English and History. educational leader. As each chapter of a story but, thanks and thanks.” Seamus became Transition Year Co- comes to an end, so a new chapter, full of ordinator in September 1996, Assistant Deputy promise and challenge begins. We wish him a Yours sincerely, Headmaster in 2000 and then became Deputy very active retirement and no doubt, his wife Mr. Gerry Foley Headmaster in 2003 on the retirement of Mr. Mary, his son Shane (OB 2011) and daughters Headmaster

Ger Conran & John Connell retirement By Seamus Finegan

Ger and John deserve recognition and celebration of their teach and to be of service. I can say with great confidence that for contribution to the College and, more importantly, the impact they them the privilege was to get to know the Belvedere students. have had on the lives and the future life paths of the graduates of John Connell and Ger Conran, I am honoured, on behalf of your Belvedere College SJ. colleagues in the College to congratulate you on the occasion of Both these men have made it very clear they do not want to be your retirement and to wish you, and your families, every best wish feted or celebrated for, quite simply, following their vocation to for the future.

12 Spotlight From Belvedere Vice-Captain to Students’ Union President By Niall Behan, OB 2013

It goes without saying that I already owe so much to Belvedere College SJ. Within the bricks and mortar on Great Denmark Street lies a constantly evolving bedrock which acts so tirelessly to shape and educate the youth within. The staff align so strongly to the mission and purpose of the College and without them I know I’d now have different outlooks, prospects and key strengths and abilities. Last year I was delighted to be elected President of the DCU Students’ Union after a hard fought campaign against four other pupils and staff who live to the mantra “Men journey was the lighting of a fire against candidates. I was immensely proud of this for Others” and “By Straight Paths” (Per inequality that hasn’t really shifted too far juncture as a personal goal however, it Vias Rectas). It is only when I moved on to from my thoughts ever since. did not come without key support from university could I see the power and impact This sort of thinking and attitude is what those around me. I can also attribute a of these bold statements and how rare such spurred me on to achieve certain milestones considerable amount of credit to a place a declaration can sometimes be to find in during my tenure so far. From pushing DCU which gave me the confidence and skills to the modern world. From “Soup Runs” to to become the first ‘Plastic-Free University’ achieve this venture. “Sleep Outs” I definitely gained the most by running a referendum for students, It was JFK who said “leadership and experience from the social justice and extra- to being asked to speak to students in learning are indispensable to each other” curricular activities that I took part in. True UMASS Boston about our successful and I know just how much Belvedere strives leadership was seen vividly in these selfless mental health week and organising a constantly to impart leadership attributes acts and encourages key characteristics akin protest against the unjust fee increases through holistic learning to students to a Jesuit education. in private accommodation providers distilling a complete, all-rounded education. I remember vividly teaching English (#ShanowenShakedown). It has been a As Vice-Captain of the school in my final in Calcutta in my Fifth Year in Belvo and brilliant year and a fantastic experience year (OB 2013) I was able to get a flavour the intense culture shock that came with speaking on behalf of 17,000 students on a of public speaking, managing relationships working in the slums of India. I came away national stage and one which will further my and began developing leadership attributes. from that experience realising that perhaps development tenfold. However, this wasn’t the first opportunity it is the Irish that need the fixing with our I’m delighted to have learned as a that was granted to me. society full of technology yet not always teenager that life is so much better when From the day you enter the school you love. The need to act and ask questions of you’re living outside of your comfort zone are surrounded by role models in the older “why is our world like this?” after the return and this is a lesson I’ll never soon forget. 13 Faith & Services Lenten Action Projects Mickey Harte Visits

his year’s sponsored football an activity that transcends culture, tournament in aid of Loyola High borders, race, religion and difference TSchool in Wao South Sudan was and is a sport that can help us reflect a great success. Now in its eighth year, on the things that unite us, the this event continues to be a part of our similarities rather than the differences Lenten action projects. The aim over and things that separate us. We call the the Lenten period is to have students tournament the African Nations and reflect on their life and what the Lenten each student is put into a five-a-side period means to our faith. In response, team representing each African nation. students are asked to take part in a This year the boys raised €4,116.93 sponsored football tournament and for Loyola High School. This will be sent a sponsored silence. The sponsored through the Irish Jesuit Mission Office silence happens for Elements students to support the needs of our fellow and is meant to help our students students in the Jesuit Network in Wao reflect the sometimes unheard voice of South Sudan. Thank you to the staff their fellow students of a Jesuit school and management and a big thank in South Sudan and give a voice to their you to all the boys and the people struggle from a place of solidarity. that supported them in their The football event symbolises fundraising. Elements VDP Fundraiser r Rogan organised a Table Fellowship M afternoon in Distillery Road in May for Elements students to raise Mickey Harte came to Belvedere College some funds for the VDP. A picnic and SJ on Monday April 16th as a collaborative some games of soccer were played event between the Parents’ Association and and as the weather was just perfect the Pastoral Department. Mickey spoke it was a very enjoyable event. These passionately about his faith and life journey, are the afternoons the students will including the tragic loss of his daughter remember. Michaela. In simple, down-to-earth language he spoke of how faith in God and prayer are a source of great consolation for him and his family. A large group of parents turned out to hear Mickey speak and many went away inspired by his leadership and witness to faith in a modern world. Thanks to David Crimmins, Chair of the PA, and Pádraig Swan, Director of Faith and Service Programmes, for organising the event. The talk was also organised as a preparation for the upcoming World Meeting of Families (WMOF) in August and the papal visit of Pope Francis. Parent, Fiona Owens, who works in the WMOF office, spoke at the end about the event and appealed for volunteers to get involved. More information at www.worldmeeting2018.ie.

14 Faith & Services Camino Peter McVerry Our Camino pilgrims Trust braved every type of weather on this year’s trip! Poetry student Thomas McCabe had raised Sincere thanks to the staff, money for the Zambia programme but parents and students who unfortunately he had to withdraw from the trip made this such a safe and for medical reasons, so with the agreement of successful event. his donors, they decided to donate some of the funds to the PMVT. A lovely gesture.

busy year as always for our A VDP group, with community activities, fundraising and weekly meetings keeping our volunteers active! The students attended a conference this year where they showcased the work they have been doing. Next year’s student President will be Tom Hegarty and he is very excited to lead his peers in their efforts next year.

Zambia Immersion Programme

Zambia 2018 Group 1 have arrived safely Day 1 included an induction tour of the teachers, travel to Chikuni from June 16th in the Jesuit mission in Chikuni, Zambia. mission ahead of two weeks teaching and to July 3rd. Group 1 are made up of 22 students and 3 interacting with local children, exchanging A full report of this project will feature teachers and they will be in Zambia from culture and humanity. in the Winter Edition of the Belvedere June 3rd to 19th. Group 2, consisting of 19 students and 3 News.

15 Theatre News

Theatre News

t has been a fantastic 2018 so In March we had both our busiest and far for the O’Reilly Theatre most exciting month of the year! We I and the arts community in started with two performances of the Belvedere! The O’Reilly has continued Irish National Opera’s ‘Powder Her Face’. to grow in both productions This 1990’s opera is a modern classic. The and reputation. We have hosted Irish National Opera have done a great international award winning job with rebranding the face of opera in and celebrated buildings. These have productions and fantastic Belvedere Ireland. It was easy to see the results with included the Lego House in Denmark talents. We are going from strength the large crowds and great responses for and the Serpentine Pavilion in London. to strength and it has been great to ‘Powder Her Face’. After the opera, we We had a full house for the event and have the support of staff, students and prepared for our biggest show of the year, Guinness kindly sponsored the free parents alike! ‘Grief is the thing with Feathers’. The beer afterwards. Right on the heels of January picked up where the 2017 Max Porter novel was adapted by Enda the IAF talk was the Musical Evening. semester left off. Right back into the Walsh and performed by Cillian Murphy. Tickets for the night sold out as fast as swing of things with the Senior Musical Each of the ten performances sold out in ‘Grief is the thing with Feathers’. The taking place in January. ‘Les Mis’ was the less than 20 minutes when put on sale in evening was stunning and a musical treat production everyone was waiting for - November. The excitement was palpable. for all in attendance. Big thanks to the and it didn’t disappoint! Packed houses The production was excellent; each Music Department for putting the night and standing ovations every night. The contributor to the project is outstanding together! Next on the agenda for May Drama Department continue to produce in their field. The projections and set was the International Literature Festival. fantastic performances that will go down designs were created by Jamie Vartan We held both masterclasses and literature in Belvedere history. and the original score was created by talks. The talks were from Oliver Jeffers February continued to be a busy time Teho Terdo. The piece not only brought - illustrator of ‘How to Catch a Star’, for the O’Reilly stage. Both Trinity SVDP visitors from all around the world but Ruby Wax in conversation with Miriam and Trinity Musical Society took over many famous faces as well. These famous O’Callaghan about her new book and the stage for separate performances. faces included President Michael D. a panel of authors celebrating the late Trinity SVDP performed ‘Pirates of the Higgins, Ronnie Wood, Daniel Day Lewis, William Trevor. Caribbean’ while the Musical Society Rhys Ifans, Stephen Rea, Louise O’Neill, Spring 2018 was also a jammed packed performed the award winning musical Cathy Belton and Domhnall Gleeson. Each semester for Belvedere House. We ‘Evita’. After the Trinity societies, we went performance was electric and one that hosted many book launches and musical straight into the Dublin Film Festival. will be remembered at the O’Reilly for numbers, including the ‘Drawing Room’ The O’Reilly held host to the acclaimed years to come! concerts and Fishamble’s 30th Birthday director Paul Schrader. Schrader is known After all the excitement we got back Tea-Party. An exciting festival to be part for his movies such as ‘Taxi Driver’ and into our regular routine in mid-April. of was the 5 Lamps Arts Festival. This ‘Raging Bull’. The whole interview was This year the First Year Play was the community spirited organisation had streamed live on the RTÉ Radio One show classic Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr. Fox’. their launch in Belvedere House, it was Arena. Following on swiftly from the The beautiful sets and the live Trad band attended by the current Minister for Schrader interview was the performance added to the fabulous production. Next Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, of ‘We Don’t Know What’s Buried Here’ up at the start of May was two big nights Josepha Madigan. by Theatre Club. The production had for the theatre. The Irish Architecture The O’Reilly had an extremely busy and travelled around many theatres in Dublin Foundation held a talk with famous fulfilling year all round. We cannot wait to and they decided to have closing night in Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. Ingels has do it all over again in the new term! Hope the O’Reilly. built many sustainable developments to see you all there!

16 Development Development News Dear All, As I write, our students are sitting the state exams in facilities provided by the generosity of parents and past pupils. The builders are working late into the evening to ensure that an excellent dining facility will be ready for our students in September. Cabra is benefitting from a complete refurbishment and the construction of new dressing rooms. None of this would be possible without your support. We recently passed the €6,000,000 mark in our fundraising campaign. This is an incredible achievement, made possible by your generosity, sacrifice and support. As many of you are aware, we are in the early stages of launching our new Masterplan for the College. It is exciting and challenging and the end result will be of great benefit to students. I cannot thank our supporters enough for the faith that you continue to show in the College. As I have written previously, without your financial support, the opportunities that are available to our students – and the opportunities that will be available to Belvedere students in the future – simply would not be possible. Similarly, without your support in other ways – by participating in our student-mentoring programme, by giving career talks to our classes, and by supporting our co-curricular programme, many of our students would miss out on wonderful opportunities to develop as students and as young men. I would also like to share with you the various opportunities that we have had to meet and engage with so many of our supporters, past pupils and friends over the last twelve months. Gathering together reminds us of our shared values and vision of education, and improves communication between the College and the wider Belvedere Community. Our past pupil reunions in Boston and New York were hugely successful, as were the many that were hosted at the College; in November, we hosted 400 OBs in the O’Reilly Theatre for An Evening €6,125,000 With Joe Schmidt; we were privileged to join in the celebrations of Total Pledged To Date the Belvedere Union Business Lunch and Annual Dinner; we also had (2013-Present) the pleasure of being guests at the very impressively attended annual Ladies Lunch (which generously yielded €15,500 for the Social Diversity 11 Programme); and, finally, we recently joined almost 40 of our UK Six-Figure Gifts based OBs for a Jesuit Schools Business Lunch in London. It is always a pleasure to learn more about what our former students are doing and achieving, and we look forward to more opportunities to engage with 319 you in the next year. Campaign Donors While the current school year is still on-going, I am already looking forward to the progress that we will make in 2018/19, and to updating Largest Donation to Date you further. Please do keep informed about events and opportunities €725,000 to engage with us. If you would like more information about any of the above, please €19,000 contact Jonathan Harvey on [email protected] Average Pledged Gift With warm regards, (€3,180 per year/6 years) Gerry Foley Headmaster Ladies Lunch 2018 The annual Belvedere Ladies Lunch was that playing different sports in the school held at the Intercontinental Hotel on helped to give him confidence with the Friday 13th April (Seasons) the Four academic side of the school. His talk was Seasons. This year we had a change of inspirational and the support of his family venue from the Shelbourne Hotel due to was very evident. Ger received a standing the demand. ovation from the ladies. The lunch was in aid of the Belvedere We had a great raffle on the day Social Diversity Programme. The support and thanks to all our contributors and was fantastic and we had nearly 500 ladies sponsors. The star prize was a clinic in attendance. with Ian Keatley to be held at Lansdowne The guest speaker was Ger Brennan Rugby Club plus a tour of the Aviva who had been through the Social Diversity Stadium for the boys and their parents. Programme and left Belvedere in 2004. It was a very successful day and Ger gave us an insight into his years in thoroughly enjoyed by the ladies. The Belvedere especially his first year and money raised was €15,500 which was a the settling in period. Ger has captained great tribute to everyone who supported Dublin on several occasions and also the lunch. played competitive schools rugby. He said 17 Belvedere Union

Union News Belvedere College

he Annual Union Dinner 2017, various class reunions in Belvedere House, the Union Ball TJoe Schmidt evening, the Sleep-Out collection, the Annual Past v Present Debate Once again the Belvedere College Union Ball Union Ball Committee which was expertly and and Rugby meant a very busy finish to 2017 for was a fantastic night and it was great to see energetically chaired by Catherine Ronayne and the Union. The start of 2018 was no different the Rhetoric 2017 reunited after graduating which included Kim Hayes, Sandra O’Casey, with the Belvedere Ball taking place in early last June. All proceeds raised on the night were Bernie Millar, Eithne O’Connor, Michelle Hanlon, January kick-starting the year. All of the kindly donated to the Belvedere Youth Club Margaret Flanagan, Fiona Gleeson, Anne Union events that have taken place keep Old which is celebrating its centenary this year. A Hawkshaw and Peter Birthistle for all their hard Belvederians connected with Belvedere and special thanks to the superb Belvedere College work in organising the Belvedere Ball in January. reinforce the vital part played by past pupils in the wider Belvedere community of students, their families, dedicated staff and the Jesuit community. OBRFC We, of course, remember fondly the late OBRFC were once again delighted to host Reggie Jackson (OB 1953) and Past President the Annual SCT Panel v Old Belvedere U20 of the Belvedere College Union in 1986-87 match took place under lights at who died recently and all others from the Anglesea Road just before Christmas. Due Belvedere community who have died and mainly to the efforts of Union committee who will be remembered at the Annual Union member Dan O’Grady (OB 1986), father Mass for deceased members of the Belvedere of two boys on the SCT, there was a Community on the first Sunday in November, fantastic turnout of parents from the 2018. College who were treated to a Plans are already being made by President- reception by James McCarthy, president Sir Tony O’Reilly OB 1954 as a room was elect Peter Birthistle (OB 1983) for the Union of OBRFC. dedicated in his honour. As you would Dinner 2018 on Friday, November 2nd at the During the year we have endeavoured expect, the speeches were witty and Mansion House. to strengthen the already strong ties entertaining and the Belvedere College If you are interested in mentoring other OBs, between the Union and Old Belvedere Junior Choir added to the occasion or indeed current students as they consider RFC. There was a huge turnout on a sunny enjoyed by many who had left the College future careers, please let us know and we will day in April at OBRFC to welcome back in the 1950’s. make appropriate arrangements. In addition, the Union assists the excellent Career Guidance at the College with their annual career’s night and mock interviews for Poetry students. If you Golf Society would like to get involved please let us know. The Golf Society hosted the Captain’s Prize on 19th April in Milltown Golf Club. Our Captain, Mark Finally the Belvedere College Union AGM Young, welcomed over 50 Belvederians on the day ranging from the 1950s all the way up to 2017. will take place on Monday 3rd of September in The fine conditions led to some very high scores on what was one of the most competitive outings Belvedere House so do please attend or if you played in the past several years. Winner was Bobby Gleeson with 47 points. Second place went to cannot attend please stay in touch with the Mark Young with 41 points. Union activities through our social media links Our next event is the President’s Prize which will take place in Royal Dublin Golf Course on 30th Twitter: @BelvedereUnion August. This outing will cost in the region of €85 each including prize giving dinner afterward. There Facebook: @belvedereunion will be a student rate of €50 available. The time-sheet will open in mid-July. Booking information will Linkedin: Belvedere College SJ Alumni be circulated at this time. For further information on our Golf Society please contact Colin Lynch at Email: [email protected] [email protected] or follow us on Twitter @Belvedere_Golf

Belvedere Belvedere Benevolent Association Business (BBA) Annual Dinner and AGM Lunch The 44th BBA Annual Dinner was held who may be experiencing ongoing or on 15th March in Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis temporary difficulties in their lives. It The annual Belvedere Club. The Event hosted by the President depends on the voluntary contributions Business Lunch took Elect and Chairperson of the BBA, Peter of OBs to carry out its work. All queries place in Fire Restaurant Birthistle, was well supported with 44 in and requests for support are dealt with on 11th May and was a attendance on the night. It was a very the upmost sensitivity and confidentiality great success. Over 220 enjoyable night. The event raised much and any request, no matter how small, past pupils and their needed funds to ensure that the work of may be made to the committee through guests attended. Our guest speaker this year the BBA could continue. If you would like to the secretary or directly to the Union to was Seamus Woulfe SC, Attorney General (OB provide support to the work of the BBA, a request contact to be made. 1980). The lunch raised significant funds for standing Order is available upon request. Belvedere Youth Club. Huge thanks to our Please do not hesitate to contact the BBA sponsors, Clinch Private Wealth who very The BBA is an active association which secretary at benevolent@belvedereunion. kindly sponsored the event again. provides ongoing practical, financial com should you have any queries or require and emotional support to past pupils any further information.

18 Belvedere Union Belvedere Junior Union Business Forum The Belvedere Business Forum chaired by Tom Wright (OB 1993) continues to go from strength to strength and so far this session we have speakers including, Pete Smythe (OB 1992) from Broadlake, Alan Walsh of IPL Plastics plc and Alan Coleman (OB 1992) from Britebill. We are encouraging any connections to be made to facilitate a mentoring programme which we hope to run in conjunction with the College. In the meantime, the Union has he Junior Union began the year with successive senior cups in 2016 and 2017, the supported CV reviews, Careers Evenings and a huge amount of young past pupils Junior Union decided to organise an exhibition mock interviews at the College. If you have any Tattending the annual Union Dinner in the match between the two sides for the John questions please contact BBF Chairman, Tom Mansion House. More and more of our younger McHugh Memorial Cup. The ‘Clash of the Cups’ Wright at [email protected] past pupils have begun to attend these dinners took place on April 13th in Old Belvedere Rugby in recent years and the 2017 Dinner was no club. The two teams could not be separated in different. From OB 2012 to OB 2017 the Junior what was a terrific game that ended in a 19-19 Past Presidents Unions member came out in force at the event. draw. It was an event which brought together The event allowed for many to reconnect with so many past pupils as well as current pupils Dinner friends they hadn’t seen since their days in on the night. The trophy was presented to On Thursday 12th April the Immediate Past school. It is an event many have pencilled into both captains, Brian Egan (OB 2016) and Max President, Eugene Bent, had the honour of their diary months in advance and is something Kearney (OB 2017), by the McHugh Family and hosting the 2018 Annual Past Presidents’ we encourage all our Junior Union members to Ollie Campbell. The event raised €6,450 for the Dinner. It was held again this year in the attend. Vincent de Paul Society in the school and mental welcoming surroundings of Belvedere Following on from last year’s successful health charity, Jigsaw. The two charities are very House and it was wonderful to welcome introduction of the Past Pupils Soup Run, we much in keeping with what the Junior Union 22 of the 28 living Past Presidents. have increased the frequency of the runs and does. The VDP is where we all first did a soup run Sadly since we last met, we lost Reggie organised four throughout the year. It is an in the school and is the reason we have the past Jackson during the year, may he rest in activity so many past pupils loved doing in pupils soup run. Jigsaw are currently helping us peace. Those in attendance included our school and the Junior Union believe that it is with our mental health initiative which is at its youngest President Cillian Murphy (OB very important that the social justice ethos of early stages but something we look forward to 1994) from 2015 and our Father of the the school is carried over into the Union. The growing next year. House, Padraig Murray who held the office relationships many have built with the home- The Junior Union has had a hugely successful in 1984, 34 years ago. less during their times in school are continued year. We have been delighted with our Guests for the evening were Father through the Past Pupils Soup Run. A huge thank committee’s dedication and commitment to all Paddy Green S.J. Rector, Headmaster Gerry you must go to our Soup Run coordinator, Conor the events and activities the Junior Union has Foley and the current president, Mr Brian Nevin (OB 2016) for all his help in ensuring the run. We have committee members from OB Dillon who updated the group on current soup run’s success. Thank you to the College 2008 all the way to OB 2017. They have always developments in the Union. also for allowing us to use the school for our been willing to get involved and come up with Thanks once again to Breda O’Dwyer preparations before the soup run. It really has new ideas to how the Junior Union can help its and her staff who provided the usual been a great success thus far and we are excited members. We would love to have new members high standard of food in the wonderful to continue this in to next year and beyond. like this and want as many past pupils as possible surroundings of Belvedere House and Our traditional tag rugby tournament the to get involved. If you are interested please do also thank you to Ciara Banks, the Union “Panda Cup” was slightly changed this year. Due contact us at [email protected]. secretary for organising the evening. to the rarity of two Belvedere Cup teams winning

Belvedere School Reunions Belvedere Youth We are always delighted to The Class of 1958 will celebrate Club (BYC) welcome past pupils back to their 60 year reunion in Belvedere the school for their milestone House on 8th June at 7pm. To Belvedere Youth Club members reunions. Please check our reserve your place please contact James Sharkey OB ’67 and Brendan website www.belvedereunion. Gerard Long at [email protected], O’Leary OB’68 jointly received the com to see if there are any mobile 0876686618. Union’s Social Justice Award. The reunions planned for your year. The class of 1983 will host an BYC celebrates its centenary this It was great to welcome back informal gathering in Toner’s year and many events are taking the class of 2008 for their ten Pub, Lower Baggot Street on 7th place to mark this momentous year reunion last February. September from 8pm onwards. achievement. Almost 70 lads showed up and a Class of 1978 will have their 40 A celebration mass will take great time was had by all. Over year reunion on 28th September. place later in the year and on 30 past pupils from the class of Class of 1998 will have their 20 Friday November 16th,2018 there 1953 celebrated their 65 year year reunion on 12th October. This is will be a BYC Centenary Dinner reunion in Belvedere House on 31st May. Class of available to book at www.belvedereunion.com. If you would like to learn more 1950 also met up for a reunion in Howth Yacht If you would like to plan a reunion for your year about the BYC and how you can Club on 1st June. we would be delighted to help you organise it. become involved let us know The following reunions will take place in Belvedere Please contact Ciara Banks at www.belvedereyouthclub.ie House this year: [email protected] for details. 19 Parents’ Association Parents’ Association – a note from the Chair The second half of the year has proven to be a very busy time for the Parent’s Association (PA). Most years the PA will attempt to use the money kindly donated by parents to purchase something for the boys which will last long beyond the year in question. In previous years the PA has made significant financial contributions towards the cashless payment system, bike racks etc. This year the Committee decided to support the College in its drive to become more environmentally friendly and will purchase all boys in the College in 2018/2019 a re-useable metal water bottle, branded with the College crest. In addition, the PA will fund the installation of several new water fountains around the College and the refurbishment of some existing fountains. As we have all seen in the press recently, the oceans are littered with plastic, so removing single-use water bottles is an important step in the College’s eco journey. We strongly believe that students will understand better how simple changes can have significant impacts with this initiative. This will be a multi-year project as we piggy-back the College refurbishment programme when adding in the new water fountains.

The second and third of the Parent Association everyone in the room, the number of people who talks were held in 2018. On the evening of told us they were moved by the simplicity and February 26th we had Jigsaw in to speak with strength of his beliefs was amazing. If we could parents. Violet Johnstone of Jigsaw, who is a all take a little of what Mickey has then I think the counselling psychologist, spoke on the night world would be a much better place. about mental health awareness for teenagers. The PA have undertaken a root and branch She gave great insights into the pressures our review of the Constitution, under which it children come under, with the use of social media operates. This was initiated after it became of particular concern. She was very clear in clear that elements of the Constitution are out her advice, not to judge or scold your child but of date and other elements are poorly crafted of a sound system and microwaves and also to listen in a non-judgemental manner and to and open to interpretation. No changes to the funding some PR for the Sleepout. The PA actually use social media ourselves so we have an Constitution can be made without the agreement also made representations to the College on insight into the world our children inhabit. of the members, the parents, so a full briefing behalf of parents who approached their year On the 16th of April we teamed up with will be given at the AGM in September where any representative. A sample of the issues raised Padraig Swan, Director of Faith and Service changes will only be made following a vote. were mobile phone policy, oral Irish for the Junior Programmes, so that Mickey Harte, Tyrone Can I take this opportunity to remind all Cert, the use of the school jackets and much football manager, would speak to parents about parents that each week the PA put all lost and more. The College were also very keen to gather his faith and life journey. The collaborative event found items of clothing on display for the boys to feedback from parents, via the Committee, on between the Parents’ Association and the Pastoral collect? The quantity of uniform and non-uniform a range of items including the current Parents Department took place in the school Chapel in clothing is staggering, some of them clearly Handbook. There is a very healthy dialogue conjunction with the upcoming World Meeting barely worn and including such expensive brand between the PA Committee and the College and of Families in August. I think everyone in Ireland names as Abercrombie, Hollister, North Face, I would encourage all parents to contact their came to know Mickey through the tragic murder SuperDry etc. Twice a year we bundle up all the year PA representative if they have any issues of his daughter, Michaela, on her honeymoon. non-uniform items and donate to SVP and once (outside of individual issues) or feedback they Mickey spoke about how his faith helped him deal a year, towards the end of the academic year, wish the College to be aware of. The full list of with this awful tragedy, he mentioned the battle we sell off uniform items and give any proceeds current year reps and PA Committee members is he had of two wolves (one of anger and revenge to the SVP. Can I reiterate to all parents to have listed below. This dialogue is enhanced because and one of love and compassion) inside him. The their son(s) come down to us and pick up their the College are fortunate to have Mr Foley at the wolf that won was the wolf he fed, he and his lost items? helm, who is always open and available to the PA. family chose to celebrate Michela’s life and to The PA also worked closely with the Student thank God for the blessing of having her in their Council, this year making a contribution towards David Crimmins, Chairperson lives for 27 years. Mickey was an inspiration for the upgrade of their common room, the purchase -Belvedere College Parents’ Association

Editor: Parents’ Association Committee 2017-2018 Joanne Ryan With Support From: Elements Dan Egan [email protected] Aileen Ivory Elements Treasurer Bairbre Higgins [email protected] Design & Print: Rudiments Chairperson David Crimmins [email protected] Outburstdesign.ie Rudiments Sharon Farrell [email protected] Photography: Grammar Secretary Bernice Rocca [email protected] Kindly contributed by Seamus Fearon, Syntax Joe Tunney [email protected] Fionán O’Connell and various staff and students Syntax Assistant Chairperson Ann Purtill-Kalk [email protected] A sincere thank you from the Newsletter Team to Poetry Evelyn Brennan [email protected] all who submitted articles and photography for this Poetry Fiona Owens fi[email protected] Summer Edition of the newsletter. Rhetoric Geraldine O'Neill [email protected] If you have any feedback, or would like to update your details or include an article in our next edition please Rhetoric David Daly [email protected] contact the Development Office on 01-8586633 or Board Representative (2016-2019) Donal Birthistle [email protected] email [email protected]. The Board Representative (2016-2019) Margaret Flanagan mgtfl[email protected] Belvedere News is also available to read online at www.belvederecollege.ie.