PRINCIPAL S MESSAGE Our aim in Mercy College is to help each girl reach 21 display day and workshop on 8th May in the key role in preparing the food and attending to the her full potential. We emphasise values such as Science Gallery, Trinity College. refreshments on the night. kindness and respect and hope that our students are well prepared to take their place in society as A series of talks on internet safety for parents, 4th year Transition Year students marked the responsible and compassionate human beings, with and for 2nd and 3rd year students was held at the completion of their years’ work and activities with a a sense of fun and a positive outlook on life. Since I start of May. The talk by Garda Sergeant Jim Clavin Mass for students, parents and staff. Once again, Fr. last wrote to you at Christmas, those qualities have and Microsoft’s Darren Dunwoody was highly John Hand celebrated the liturgy. Thanks to all staff again been in evidence in the many events and informative both in relation to technical and legal involved – Ms. Rooney, Ms.Doherty, Ms. Dunwoody, activities that have taken place, a flavour of which issues related to the internet and provided a great Ms. Quinn, Monica and to Rosemarie who made is captured here. deal of food for thought, as well as tips for parents such fabulous cakes for both events. At the end of on managing teenagers’ use of smart devices and the Mass, each student received a folder containing The success of any school depends on the ensuring the girls stay safe. the certificates she had achieved throughout the involvement and enthusiasm of so many people. We year. The activities and skills included First Aid, are so lucky in Mercy College to have a wonderful Students across all year groups have raised funds Drive Safe 4 Life, Zumba Dancing, Kick-boxing, team of teachers, support staff, as well as active for a wide range of charities this year, including YSI and a range of subject specific certs. Students members of our Board of Management, Student DSPCA, the Irish Wheelchair Association, Cystic also were awarded the Department of Education Council and Parents’ Association, each of whom Fibrosis Ireland, CRC and Child Vision. TY students and Skills school certificate at Distinction, Merit or plays an essential role in school life. reached the final of YSI with their project on Pass level, related to their achievements, level of Disability and Integration. They also reached the involvement, work rate and attendance. The contribution of the Parents’ Association to the YSI Dragon’s Den and received €200 for their school is greatly appreciated. We are fortunate that Textile Book project, which they donated to Child Each end-of-year brings changes to a school the association has become very active in recent Vision. environment. Four of our teachers are departing months. Members now (among other things) Mercy College this year. Mr. Noel Young has facilitate the celebrations which are held to mark The school received its 1st Green Flag at a worked here since 1995 as a Mathematics teacher, the 6th Year graduation, represent the parents on ceremony in Croke Park. We also reached the Neat History teacher and teacher of I.T. During those all policy committees, raise funds and participate Streets final in the Mansion House. In recognition years he has been our I.T. co-ordinator, always in adult education courses organised by our Home of her work in YSI, Ms. Mary Scully was awarded willing to give advice and help to those of us less School Community Liaison Co-ordinator Ms. Anna a certificate by Lord Mayor Naoise O’ Muirí and Sr. able in technological matters! Mr Robert Hogan Dunwoody. This work brings the parents, pupils Stanislaus Kennedy at a ceremony in the Mansion came to Mercy College in 1978 as a French and and staff closer together and such a vibrant and House last month. English teacher. In more recent years he was enthusiastic association is a testament to the strong appointed as an Assistant Principal and served as on-going support for the school among parents. Mercy Melodies and Sports Day allowed the girls Year Head and form teacher, as well as writing a to put more of their talents on show – thanks to all Leaving Certificate revision book used by students The student council is a very valuable body which who made both events so enjoyable and successful. throughout the country. is elected directly by all of the pupils, conducts its own meetings under the guidance of Ms. Conneely, Our annual Awards Ceremony took place on Ms. Anne Casey came to Mercy College in 1981, who passes on the ideas and suggestions of the Monday May 20th, allowing us the opportunity to planning to stay in Dublin for 3 years. Little did council in order to ensure that pupils have the mark the achievements and contribution of our she realise that she would be here 32 years later. opportunity to contribute to school planning and students in so many parts of school life – the She has taught Maths and Irish to countless girls processes. Arts, Sports, Community and Academic. We were during those years, always conducting her classes delighted to welcome back past pupil Aisling in a skilful and good-humoured manner. Mercy welcomed many guests again this year. In Keenan, now a Staff Editor with U magazine, as March, we had a visit of students, teachers and our keynote speaker. In addition, Louise Wade Ms. Edel Walsh began her career at the school their principal from Norway. In April, we welcomed of Office Depot, our Business in the Community in 1990 and taught Gaeilge, a lifelong passion, a delegation of Turkish educators, along with link company, was on hand to present the LCVP and French. She served regularly as a Form members of the Council of Europe. The group awards. Former colleagues Deirdre Teeling and Teacher, looking after the pastoral care needs spent a morning with us, visiting one CSPE class Maedhbh Daltun presented awards for the Best of a class group. She co-ordinated Seachtain na and listening to several presentations from staff Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate results Gaeilge events for all the girls to enjoy each year and students in relation to work being done in the of 2012, while Mr. Young presented the Sr. Mary and ensured that those students keen to visit the school around citizenship, student leadership and Gonzales trophy for Mathematics. In addition, the Gaeltacht were supported to do so. democracy. efforts and achievements of numerous students were acknowledged during the ceremony. We wish each of them the very best in the future Mercy College students did some visiting of their and thank them for their enormous contribution to own with 1st year students visiting Ferrycarrig The school also used the occasion to acknowledge the school. National Heritage Park in Wexford. 2nd year the contribution of our outgoing Education Welfare students visited Glasnevin Cemetry and went Officer Joanne Rafferty, who has worked so May I also take this opportunity to congratulate Ms, bowling to mark the end of the school year and hard with us to ensure that students in danger of Siobhán Cassidy on the birth of the newest member 3rd year students also visited Glasnevin Cemetry dropping out of school do not do so. Joanne will of the extended Mercy family, her son Theo. as part of the History curriculum. 3rd years also take up a new appointment in Donegal during the visited Powerscourt as part of their Geography summer. I would like to thank all members of staff for studies, while 5th year Biology students carried providing such enriching opportunities for the out some of their ecology studies in the Zoo in We marked the end of the Leaving Certificate students of the school, and to congratulate the May. TY students participated in the 3 day outdoor students’ time with us with a beautiful graduation students on being so involved and so successful adventure trip to Carlingford and visited Causey Mass, followed by distribution of graduation in many different areas of school and community Farm. certificates and a light buffet. We are extremely life. I wish our state examinations candidates grateful to all involved in making it such a lovely every success and thank our outgoing Leaving 1st year students completed their Trinity College/ occasion – Fr. John Hand and the parish of St. Certificates for all they have contributed to Mercy Bridge 21 projects, with Ms. Byrne’s Maths class Brendan’s, the Mercy College staff involved in College over their 5 or 6 year journey with us. I making oral and video presentations on numeracy. preparing the liturgy, the music and the food, and hope that each member of our school community Mr. O’Mahony and Ms. Quinn attended the Bridge the Parents’ Association, whose members had a has an enjoyable and relaxing summer. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING PARENTS, PAST PUPILS AND MEMBERS OF THE WIDER MERCY COLLEGE COMMUNITY AT THE MANY EVENTS TO MARK OUR 50 YEARS, WHICH WILL TAKE PLACE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER AND DECEMBER 2013. The strength of any organisation lies in its people, those involved on a day-to-day basis and those who make up the wider school community. Mercy College lost one of its greatest advocates and contributors in December with the passing of Mrs. Frances Campbell. Frances first became involved in Mercy College life as a member of the Parents’ Association when her own daughters Úna and Susan were pupils of the school.