Issue 9, Summer 2011

Niamh O’Brien . Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

In this issue... South Africa Reflection ...... 3 Debating ...... 5 Dissolving Boundaries Day, Crossing the Frontier, 26th May ...... 6 Poetry ...... 8 First Year Students Review of French ...... 9 Student Prize Giving ...... 10 Students Exhibit their Home Economics Work ...... 11 www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable Awards 2011 ...... 13 The Musical ...... 16 Westside Story ...... 17 Westside Story ...... 18 West Side Story Photos ...... 19 Westside Story ...... 20 PCS scoops top three prizes and the ‘Overall Drugs Media Award’ . . . . 21 Message from the Principal ...... 23

2 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. South Africa Reflection www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

I will never forget my trip to South Africa . It while also contributing something important to was one of the most amazing experiences of my the school and even to the students themselves . It life . We went to many different places such as; felt really good to know that our being there was the school in Flagstaff, crèches, a feeding centre . a benefit to the students and staff members and Port St . John, cape town, Robyn Island and the that something as simple as planting vegetables Nelson Mandela museum . and herbs would have an impact on their daily lives . Going to “Sacred Heart School” in Flagstaff was my favorite part of the whole trip . The students were just so lovely and kind . Every single one of them wanted to be our friend . The young students looked for high fives and hugs, while the older students shared their interests and asked about life in Ireland . Many different jobs and activities took place in the school, such as teaching guitar, Tin Whistle, Irish dancing, Hip-Hop, Maths, Science and Gardening . Construction and painting murals in the classrooms were also taking place . All of these activities allowed us to have fun and to communicate with the students

3 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

On our final day in the school, so much effort was put into our farewell concert, from www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable the music to the decorations, to the food and especially the performances . Some of the parents of the students in Sacred Heart preformed traditional dances and songs . We also took part and the school choir sang songs that were like nothing we’ve ever heard . We contributed to the concert by performing with the students all the music and dancing we had thought them during the week and a few skills we picked up ourselves along the way . (e .g . The traditional African dances) Many were upset to see us go and I now I was sad to say goodbye . I really loved South Africa and I hope I will go there again in the future . Emma Kielty 5th Year

4 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Debating

Debating in Portmarnock Community School Senior Debating has had many successes in the past . Its emphasis remains on participation in a fun manner . The Senior debaters this year took part in the Students enjoy expressing their opinions and annual Concern Debating Competition . They learn to refute their opponents arguments with competed in four rounds in which they proposed informed opinions of their own . and opposed topical motions regarding Europe, the developing world and the world . The team www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable was made up of: Evan Davis, Kristina Fitzsimons, Orla Geoghegan, Klara Stejskalova Daniel Rea, James Kinsella and Jack Mulligan . Well done to the team! Congratulations to Evan Davis who took part in both the Leinster Debates and Phil Speaks held in Trinity College . Well done also to Daniel Rea who took part in Phil Speaks . Ms. Saranne Kelleher

Well done to all the first years that took part in the Junior Debating competition held on Thursday 12th May . Four issues were debated by eight teams of two students per team . A team winner and individual speaker winners are to be announced . Since January first and second years have been introduced to different debating methods and styles . They have been privileged to gain extra knowledge and advice from past pupil, Catherine Healy . Ms . Kelleher and all the junior debaters would like to thank Catherine for coming into the school to help out .

5 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Dissolving Boundaries Day, Crossing the Frontier, 26th May.

DISSOLVING BOUNDARIES (DB) DAY – www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable Crossing the Frontier, Thursday 26 May To celebrate Dissolving Boundaries this year, all participating schools were invited to take part in a school-based event on Thursday 26 May . The event celebrated our school’s participation in a programme that now reaches 180 schools across the island of Ireland . The link up on the day was the largest digital link-up in the history of Ireland, North and South . At our school students, wearing their Dissolving Boundaries T-shirts, participated in a number of events . Students held a question and answer session in the cantine area . They spent time on-line communicating with their partners about the day in their respective schools . We undertook a video-conference with our partner

6 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable Gavin Fitzmaurice, Meg Fogarty and Nicole Dunne. school, St Mary’s College in Limavady, Co Derry OT and 2 OR) and her Third Tear class 3 OM http://www.stmaryslimavady.com Fifth year and to Ms Perrone’s Third Year French class who students, Ciaran Moloney and Niall O’Reilly were involved in Dissolving Boundaries in First were wonderful on Spanish guitar . Craig O’Brien Year . (5th Year) sang very well accompanied by Jamie Mc Cluskey (3rd Year) on guitar . Darragh Ms Freeman Reynolds rapped an original written by himself . Nadine Cannon (Third Year), a world champion Irish dancer, displayed her championship dancing skills to the students in Limavady . The Dissolving Boundaries team linked up, on the, in a videoconference from their respective universities, i .e . National University of Ireland, Maynooth and University of Ulster . Representatives from the Departments of Education, University leaders, staff from the Joint Business Council and ICT advisors were invited to join in the celebration . A large display screen showed all the online messages posted celebrating the work done in DB this year . A big thank you to all who helped make the day a success: thank you to School Management, to staff and to the performers . A particular word of thanks to Ms Freeman’s second year classes (2 Shane and Shane.

7 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Poetry

My Best Friend She cried with me when my nanna died

She’s a rock head and I am a I felt there was a huge lmp raver in my throat that day she loves my chemical and she helped me to fell romance better in some way I love dj Cammy in the mix She tells me her secrets

Everyone thinks she’s my and i tell her mine sister they are safe with me for she looks like me her hair is ever because the same style we are best friends but what a quinky dink www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable we are not sisters we are just best friends By Kim Murray

We have great fun practicising Written on 11th February 2008 our cha cha and jive we performed a surprise dance for my Father’s birthday For all his guests My Dad was scarlefide but he was happy at the end

8 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. First Year Students Review of French www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

My first think “wow, I want impression of the to speak French French language was as well as they do” “This is a very nice but I’m sure they language and sounds say the same about so beautiful” . When English . My first I began to learn the time hearing French language I had a few was when I went to difficulties with the prenonsiation of some words France with my family on holidays when I was but others just came out naturally . I did a small two years old . We went a few years later and that’s bit of French in primary school . I just learned the when I decided I would like to learn the French basics - days of the week, the months, greetings, language . numbers etc . Now we are onto the ER verbs, time, and much more details . I hope to continue speaking French for the next few years and hopefully learn a lot more and I enjoy doing speak it much more French in school and fluently . it is very interesting but sometimes Cliona complicated . When O’Connor you hear French 10N people speaking you

9 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Student Prize Giving

Sarah Hawlshaw 5th year Mark Nolan 3rd year www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

Lucy Archbold 1st year Rhiannon Curtis - Davis 2nd year

10 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Students Exhibit their Home Economics Work www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

Ms Maguire’s 1st Years showing the laundry bags which they embroidered and made as part of the textile component of Home Economics.

11 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

12 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Sport Awards 2011

Bhí cruinniú mór daoine i láthair ag ócáid Our annual ceremony held on Tuesday bronnta na ngradaim spóirt Dé Máirt an deichiú 10th May was well attended by students, parents lá de Bhealtaine anseo i bPobalscoil Phort and mentors . Our special guest was John Treacly Mearnóg . Fáisceadh le chéile saothar spóirt chief executive of the Irish Sports Council and na bliana ag cómóradh na ngaiscí lúth agus an former cross country world champion and churaidh mhír ansiúd le feiceáil ag feara agus mná marathon Olympic silver medallist in Los Angles Fáil . Tháinig an laoch John Treacy i láthair agus 1984 . The ceremony encapsulated the very ina óráid thrácht sé an mian croí a ghríosaigh é leis extensive range of sporting activities promoted an sméar mullaigh i gcúrsaí spóirt a chrochadh by PCS . The ceremony also gave a platform to leis i Los Angles 1984 . all recipients of awards and their mentors in acknowledgment to their contribution to sport Mr. Padraic Ó’Cearra in PCS .

Girls Basketball 1st Year Player of the Year: Sara Boyle Most Improved Player: Lee Ying Yeep Girls Basketball 2nd Year Player of the Year: Niamh O’Brien Most Improved Player: Hazel Reilly

www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable Girls Basketball U16 Player of the Year: Alex Daly Most Improved Player: Niamh Stanley Senior Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Megan Connolly Most Improved Player: Orla Keogh First Year Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Eoin O’Connor Most Improved Player: James Greene Second Year Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Ultan O’Moore Most Improved Player: Lorcan Holden Senior Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Ian Connolly Most Improved Player: Gavin Cusack Boys U16 Soccer Player of the Year: Philip Rusk Most Improved Player: Jordon Briggs Girls U18 Soccer Player of the Year: Katie Hanley Most Improved Player: Lyndsey Loftus Hockey Player of the Year: Janela Bumanglag Most Improved Player: Cara Mc Dowell U14 Gaelic Player of the Year: Colm Deasy Most Improved Player: Mark Kelly Senior Player of the Year: Karl Kiernan Most Improved Player: Mark Shaw

13 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

Boys U13 Soccer Player of the Year: David O’Neill Most Improved Player: Karl Brennan Boys U14 Soccer Player of the Year: Philip Rusk Most Improved Player: Kevin Peelo Boys U16 Soccer Player of the Year: Philip Rusk Most Improved Player: Jordon Briggs Boys U18 Soccer Player of the Year: Alan O’Shaughnessy Most Improved Player: Darren Craven Senior Boys Gaelic Player of the Year: Conor Mc Mahon Most Improved Player: Conor Chaney Golf Player of the Year: Caoileann Mulcahy/ Anna Courtney Most Improved Player: Ellen Rogan Junior Rugby Player of the Year: David Morrin Most Improved Player: Chris Derby Development Rugby Squad Player of the Year: Lee Byrne

First Year Player of the Year: Cian O’Brady Most Improved Player: Lee Byrne www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable U14 Gaelic Football Player of the Year: Colm Deasy Most Improved Player: Mark Kelly U16 Gaelic Football Player of the Year: Shane Carthy Most Improved Player: Brian O’Gorman Senior Boys Gaelic Football Player of the Year: Conor Mc Mahon Most Improved Player: Conor Chaney Spikeball Boys First Year Player of the Year: Karl Brennan Most Improved Player: James Greene Spikeball Girls First Years Player of the Year: Sara Boyle Most Improved Player: Rachel Bollard/ Caoimhe Kenny Spikeball Boys 2nd Year Player of the Year: Gregory Fitzsimmons Most Improved Player: Aodhán Browne Spikeball 2nd Girls Player of the Year: Leah Newport Most Improved Player: Jane Boland/ Ailbhe Twomey Senior Volleyball Boys Player of the Year: Darren Ryan Most Improved Player: Ryan Mc Rory/ Daniel Oso

14 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

Senior Girls Volleyball Player of the Year: Kim White Most Improved Player: Fiona Peppard/ Fiona Mc Guinness U16 Girls Volleyball Player of the Year: Kelly Forde Most Improved Player: Christina Fitzsimons Senior Player of the Year: Ruth Molloy/Rachel Boyle Most Improved Player: Kim White Girls Junior Cross Country of the Year: Megan Connolly Most Improved: Rachel Bollard Senior Girls Cross Country Athlete of the Year: Sarah Hawkins Most Improved: Kate Hawkins Junior Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year: James Watton Most Improved: Brian Gillen Senior Boys Cross Country Athlete of the Year: Eoin Sheils Most Improved: Fintan O’Connor Junior Girls Athletics Athlete of the Year: Alexandra Daly Most Improved: Lauren Grouse www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable Senior Girls Athletics Athlete of the Year: Aisling Drumgoole Most Improved: Caitlín Glover Junior Boys Athletics Athlete of the Year: Karl Murray Most Improved: Gregory Fitzsimons Senior Boys Athletics Athlete of the Year: Jordon Briggs Most Improved: Govan Jolliffe-Byrne Swimming Swimmer of the Year: Conor Coates Most Improved: Alex Daly

15 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. The Musical www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

The opening of the play was just to come on Being involved in the musical made everybody that Monday night . That was the night when forget the differences and helped us all become second, fourth and fifth year Portmarnock a really nice and united group of friends . Every students were about to show in a ‘four-night trip’, time we stood on that stage, the excitement and the results of lots of weeks of hard work . the aim of doing our best were definitely the main feelings . Moreover, at the end of every single of We had never imagined that what began as those nights, the feeling of deep happiness was endless rehearsals and lots of effort would end unreal . up as such an amazing experience, with West Side Story, as its name . Even though we first got From here, the school newsletter, we would into the rehearsals without knowing all the Irish like to thank the Irish students and the rest of the students, the warm and cozy atmosphere present cast for all the unique and unforgettable moments on that stage gave us a lot of confidence to make we shared together . good friends . This happened in between long evenings of rehearsals and boring breaks . It was Being part of the West Side Story cast will then we realized how kind, friendly and funny always remain within us . All and every single the Irish guys and girls were . person on it will too . There was no doubt all the members of the cast Cristina Lluch Serra and and the orchestra were enjoying that experience . Xavier Castellà Fontes, 5th year They also helped us feel like we were at home . students from Spain Definitely, all the effort we put in during several afternoons to the art of acting, singing and dancing was worth it!

16 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Westside Story www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

My time in the musical was great fun and the how they like it here and how it really became an experience I had from it talking to international adventure for them in the first place to decide to students and other students in our school . visit Ireland . When the musical started it was all different It is really interesting to see how two countries groups: people who hung around together and are so close but very different . Talking to them generally sat beside each other at rehearsals . about here in Ireland and the different parts of Then, when we were put into the two casting Spain was so much fun . They have really inspired groups “jets” and “sharks” it was easier to interact me to have an experience like this for myself with other students because you actually had someday and going over to Spain . I would really something to discuss like the dance steps or the consider doing it later in life . costumes . Really the musical hasn’t just been all about I started talking mostly to all the girls when choreography, singing and acting for me . Now, we were sorting out costumes because I had loads that the musical is over, I don’t extra so I lent them out to others . When the show know what to be doing with started, I was only in one scene so I spent most of my time but, at the end of the my time backstage with a few others . day, the hard work had turned out to make a sucessful and an Most nights we all just sat around listening to enjoyable show . music or doing our hair or make-up . Some nights I talked to a few of the Spanish girls about where Becky Bruen they live in spain, their culture, the language,

17 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Westside Story

All started as a joke, some of us wanted to take part, others weren’t sure, but in the end, most of the international fourth and fifth year students were there . At the beginning, you never saw the same people at rehearsals . Ms . Bury was teaching us the songs, but in the first meetings I never thought it could all end up in such a fantastic show . At the start, nobody seemed to take it seriously . I thought everyone took it as a game . But as the weeks passed, I saw the people getting more and more involved, more than I had considered . They wanted to www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable do their best and I realised a lot of people had talent . After Christmas, all the parts were given, and the hard work started . Lots of hours at the school with Ms . Bury, Diane and Gene The musical seems to be an important event in (without them, the musical PCS . Lots of students and teachers involved, lots wouldn’t have been possible) . Lots of rehearsing, of work to do, and unfortunately, not too much singing, dancing, acting . It was a really good time . experience for us . We shared a lot of our time For people like myself, an international with the Irish students, we got to know them student, it was very surprising to see how a school better, we worked together as part of the “gang” . I can be as involved as this one is in an event such ended up dreaming about the musical . Everyone as a musical . In my case, it was impossible to wanted it to be perfect, but time was against us . think that, in a regular school, a big show such as The first night, I couldn’t believe it . . We were West Side Story could be run, maybe because it is on stage . I didn’t have time to think about it something we are not used to in Spain, something when suddenly, it was Friday, and all was gone . I that we think only exists in American movies . don’t think people remember the small mistakes Maybe because it was something to do after that were made (the audience didn’t even notice school (I don’t think any of us thought it would most of them!) . People will remember an amazing take us that much time . . ), maybe because it was show where they were magically transported, for an experience we never had the opportunity to a while, to America in the 1950s . try, maybe because of that or because of any other reasons most of us decided to take part in it . Marta Pons Giralt, 40M

18 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. West Side Story Photos www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

19 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Westside Story

The musical was a lot of fun and turned it a lot easier for everyone to communicate with out to be a great success this year . It was a great each other . opportunity for all the Portmarnock students to get to know all the new students who came into By the end of the musical, everybody was the school from different countries at the start of getting along really well with the new students . It the year . is sad that they all have to go home right when we are all becoming good friends and we might not Right from the start, we all mixed and we get the chance to see them again . got along very well with the new students . Each and every one of them are really nice people and But at least, we have the memories of the fun great fun to be around . It was a huge surprise to times we had in the musical . everyone how good their English was and it made Niall Murphy, 4OM www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

20 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. PCS scoops top three prizes and the ‘Overall Drugs Media Award’

Recently, at the Media Awards Ireland 2011, were: “Prescription Drugs – Problem or www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable “prescription drugs, rehab and the real cost Solution?”, “Alcohol – is cost the only price?” and of alcohol” Portmarnock Community School “Drugs Rehabilitation – recovery is possible?” scoops top three prizes and the ‘Overall Drugs Media Award’ Organisers introduced new media formats around audio, film, animation and cartoon strips, Young secondary school students, age twelve in addition to the original newspaper article and over, aspiring journalists, reporters and category, which led to a record number of entries animators all gathered in Dublin’s Ashling Hotel this year . All the winning entries will now either for the presentation of the newly-expanded ‘Let’s be broadcast on City Channel or Phoenix FM or Talk About Drugs’ Media Awards, organised by published in the Northside and Southside People, the Greater Blanchardstown Response to Drugs over the coming weeks . (GBRD) http://www.gbrd.ie The big winners this year were students from Now in its fifth year, the competition was Portmarnock Community School in Dublin, originally set-up to trigger a wider discussion of who scooped three prizes and the ‘Overall Drugs drug-related issues by inviting secondary school Media Award’ for their work around animated students and aspiring journalists, reporters and features and cartoons . animators to create original media features about drugs . The three themes in this year’s competition Other winners included students from Fortlawn Community Centre, St . Mary’s Secondary School in Baldoyle, Target Youth Group in Clondalkin, Malahide Community School, Catholic University School and Baldoyle Youth Service . Winners also came from Notre Dame Secondary School, Dominican College on Griffith Avenue, Trinity College and the Institute of Education on Lower Leeson Street . Fortlawn Community Centre also took the ‘GBRD Spirit

21 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9.

County Dublin VEC and the Health Service Executive/ Drugs .ie . The three media partners, Dublin People Group of Newspapers, City Channel and Phoenix FM Community Radio, have all committed to publishing or broadcasting the winning entries, which will also be free to download from the G .B .R .D . website at www.gbrd.ie Award’ for their audio feature, along with their Well done to all the award winning students audio category prize . In the newspaper article from Portmarnock . A special congratulations to category for adults, Emer Halpenny from Stillorgan their Art teacher Ms Karen Tynan and the support took the top prize for the second year in-a-row, with of Mr Henry Maynes who initiated the set up of Tina Brescanu from Lucan coming second . the Friday Animation Club in the school . Phillip Keegan, Coordinator of the G .B .R .D . and the Media Awards, said: “For the first time in this competition, the winning entries will be seen by a much greater audience, through City Channel . Some of the points put forward in the winning entries around drug rehab, alcohol and prescription drugs will hopefully get communities and public representatives talking about the issues raised, and that’s what this competition is all about .” The ‘Let’s Talk About Drugs’ Media Awards are organised every year by G .B .R .D ., in partnership with the www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable

  

   Ciarán Nolan, 2nd Year, winner of the Storyboard Section.

22 Portmarnock Community School Newsletter, Summer 2011, Issue 9. Message from the Principal As I read through the final newsletter of the year I am struck by the changing nature of the articles. In addition to traditional accounts of activities relating to musicals and prowess in sporting activities I now read about the application of IT to cross border exchanges and students sweeping up prizes at a recent competition for their excellent animation films. PCS is proud of its capacity to combine the traditional with innovation. Our students participate at the highest level in debating at the podium in Trinity while others avail of the opportunity to discuss issues by video conferencing through the ‘Dissolving Boundaries’ project. Others display their artistic skills by providing beautiful pieces to adorn the school walls while others produce incredible photographic pieces which also enhance the physical environment of the www.portmarnockcommunityschool.ie from: Downloadable school. Academic achievement, in the widest sense, is recognized at the annual prize-givings and I take this opportunity to congratulate all those students who recently received awards. I also read, with a touch of sadness, the last reflection on our trip to South Africa, however, I am buoyed up by the fact that we will have a new challenge for next year as we shift our focus to Lesotho. Already, trojan work is under way in preparation for this exciting venture. To all the students who participate in these varied activities...thank you and to all the staff who make it all possible…thank you very much. Finally, and unfortunately for PCS, this will be the last newsletter edited by Ms Freeman, as she moves on to new pastures… the combining of tradition with innovation will be what we will remember of this teacher. I wish her well in her future career.

Pat O’Riordan

23