Welcome to Newsletter #14. It has been a fantastic few weeks in the school as restrictions loosened and we got back to normal school life. Our students are working extremely hard in their classes, their behaviour is exemplary and we are proud of each and every one of them for their efforts each day in the school. It has been a tough couple of years for young people and they have shown tremendous resilience and adaptability. We hope that the newsletter will keep you up to date with the range of activities taking place in the school to support the development of each girl. Our canteen and breakfast club will open from Monday indicating another important milestone.
Rowing
First Year students have been active on the Liffey in conjunction with Rowing Ireland in an initiative called Get Going…Get Rowing. Rowing Ireland brought rowing machines to the school and provided a fully trained Community Coach as part of PE class. The classes were structured but fun and included rowing whilst also teaching the Olympic values (respect, dignity, fairplay. As part of the initiative the students experienced one session of rowing on the Liffey.
Soccer
Well done and congratulations to the members of our soccer team who recently beat Santa Sabina 2-0. Thanks to Mr Mc Grath and Mr Mc Kinley for coaching the girls throughout the year and to the team members for their commitment to training.
Rugby
Transition Year students participated in Rugby qualification with the support of coach Ray McCabe. Thanks to Clontarf Rugby Club for the use of their facilities.
International Women's Day
Thanks to Dublin City Council for popping into our PE classes on IWD to promote girls getting active in Sports.
The girls loved their goodie bags!
Transition Year
On Tuesday the TY students went on 'A Survival day' with Ms Thakarar They really enjoyed learning the basics of living in the wilderness and fending for themselves. The girls were very lucky with the weather and the sun truly shone on their efforts.
On Thursday 24th the students linked up with other Dublin schools for a virtual YSI speak out. Their video on 'The causes of Homelessness' was shown to a very interested student audience , it was highly praised for its strong message, excellent singing, and great editing skills. We were all very proud to be part of such a worthwhile exercise
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Bhí tráth na gCeist agus ceilí mór iontach sa scoil le haghaidh seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhí na cailíní ar dóigh!
Aspire 2
20 students in fifth year will visit the offices of DPS Global at the Citywest Business campus on Thursday, April 7th. They will meet their mentors and discuss course and career pathways.
The Youth Advisory Panels will travel to Cork to participate in a Unique National Youth Event with Leargas on 17th May.
Applications were sought this week from fifth year students for attendance at the Maynooth Summer School which takes place from June 13th. Participating students will have an opportunity to sample life as an undergraduate at Maynooth University for up to a week. The will attend lectures and take part in student-led activities, meet new people, get to know our campus and discover more about the degrees on offer at Maynooth University.
Green Schools: World Water Day
A successful World Water Day took place on March 22nd as part of our Green Schools participation and in order to maintain our green flag. The theme of water featured strongly in lots of activities across our curriculum.
- 'Wear blue to school day' was organised by the Green School student leaders with proceeds going to the Red Cross's Ukraine appeal).
- Poetry/art competitions on the theme of valuing/conserving water-thanks to the enthusiastic English Department and Ms McCormack.
- Cross Curricular water themed classes .
Jigsaw One Good School Update
St. Mary’s HFK continues to be part of Jigsaw's One Good School programme. The preparation of, and introduction to the programme is done in this academic year – 2021/22 and the full implementation of the programme is completed by the end of the next academic year – 2022/23.
Some aspects of the programme have already taken place this year, for example, Transition Year Peer Educators, trained by Jigsaw, have delivered the ‘Let’s Start Talking’ module to First Year classes.
The ONE GOOD SCHOOL TEAM, comprising of school management, staff representatives, parent representatives and student representatives have already met to begin the groundwork to kickstart the programme.
The ONE GOOD SCHOOL TEAM are currently designing surveys which will be carried out online to ascertain the needs of the school regarding all Mental health needs, but particularly those in relation to our students.
· Staff members, parents or students who would like their views or suggestions to be discussed by the ONE GOOD SCHOOL TEAM, please send them by email to mburke@hfk.ie .
· Links to helpful Jigsaw resources will be posted whenever they are available on the school’s website and Facebook page.
Ukraine
We are so proud of our students for showing such care, compassion and support for the people of Ukraine.
On Tuesday, Mary 22nd, students wore blue and yellow to raise money for the humanitarian efforts of the Red Cross in Ukraine.
On Friday, March 25th, students hosted a cake sale to add to their fundraising. We would like to thank everyone who donated cakes and also those who purchased on the day for this worth cause.
Leaving Certificate Orals and Practical Examinations
Oral and Practical examinations will take place in the school during the first week of the Easter holidays. We wish the students every success in their preparations.
School Retrofit
Commencing June 2022. We are absolutely delighted to have been selected for a major investment in our school building which will provide for new insulation throughout, new windows, new heating, new lighting and a fully automated and integrated 100% fresh air ventilation system. The works will transform the 1967 building into a modern energy efficient and comfortable space to learn and to teach. We are delighted that the school will benefit from such an extensive and comprehensive retrofit and that students in the school can look forward to a superb learning environment as a result of the multi-million-euro upgrades.
Calendar
Friday 8th April - Final Day of Term
Monday 11th April to Friday 22nd April inclusive - School Closed for Easter Holidays.
The school calendar can be accessed at this link http://holyfaith.ie/Calendar.
Friendship Week
Friendship Week takes place from 4th-8th of April. The targeted week will focus on inclusion, kindness, mental health and anti-bullying. A range of initiatives will take place during the week and the school will partner with Jigsaw youth Mental Health and Dublin City University FUSE programme which is an evidence based anti-bullying programme targeted at second year students.
3rd Year Practical Home Economics
3rd Year students are reminded to practise their dishes at home in advance of the upcoming practical examinations. Practice makes perfect.
Creative Writing
Check out these podcasts from Near FM of our students' creative writing which was showcased on the radio narrated by 5th year student Emily Tierney Kinsella.
Podcast Link Week 1:
https://nearfm.ie/podcast/the-word-episode-1/
Podcast Link Week 2:
https://nearfm.ie/podcast/the-word-episode-2/
Podcast Link Week 3:
https://nearfm.ie/podcast/the-word-episode-3/