Dominican College

WELCOME BACK

Welcome back to all our students we hope that a good summer break was had by all and we look forward to another successful year in DCW. A big ‘cead mile failte’ is extended to all our international students who have now arrived and settled into life in DCW. Some of the girls are here for just five weeks, others a full term while some will stay with us for the full year. We hope that they will learn plenty of English and have a great experience here in Wicklow.

FIRST YEARS

A very special welcome is extended to all our new first year students who arrived in on August 25 from all the local schools. The first year Induction Day was a great success. Prefects, mentors and ember leaders helped organise and run the day. First years continued their fun with a bonding day on Monday the 28th a great day was had by all bowling and with lots of group activities. Many thanks to all the students and staff involved.

NEW STAFF

We would like to welcome our new staff members our new Deputy Principal Mr Neal Martin, Mr Glen Doyle (Business, CSPE) and Mr Philip Bergin (English, Geography). We wish them all well here in DCW.

LEAVING CERTIFICATE

Congratulations to all our Leaving Certificate students who received their long awaited results on August 16 you did us proud. Well done and we wish you all every success in your chosen paths. You are always welcome to drop into us for advice or just to let us know how you are getting on best of luck girls.

DEBS BALL

Congratulations also to the class of 2017 who had their Debs Ball on Monday, August 21. The girls in all their finery started their evening with a reception in Fatima Hall. They then headed off to Kildare for a fun filled evening. Word has it that a very good night was had by all.

HIGHER OPTIONS

Senior students will attend the Higher Options Conference held in Simmonscourt, RDS, Dublin on Thursday, September 14. Higher Options is an annual event that aims to provide a forum where second level students are helped in making decisions about their studies by meeting directly with representatives from universities, colleges and education institutions from Ireland, the UK, Europe and beyond.

YOUNG SCIENTIST

Calling all young scientists. Do you want to get involved in something you will remember for the rest of your lives? Heading into its 54th year the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition is much more than a competition, it is an unforgetable experience for all those involved.

This year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition takes place on January 10 till the 13th. Dominican College Wicklow hopes to have record breaking numbers of students qualify for the exhibition yet again. This time of the year all interested students must register their interest with Mr O’Brien. Any ideas for projects from students, parents, grandparents (or anyone really) can be emailed to Mr O’Brien at johnobrien@dominicanwicklow.com all suggestions gratefully received.

SPORTS

All sporting activites are now up and running. Hockey and basketball training will resume next week and is available to all years. Please see Ms Carthy or Ms Kelly for details on any of our sporting options. A running club will be starting shortly after school for all years with Ms Wadden. This club is to prepare for the cross country competitions. The club is looking forward to having a successful year to follow on from their last year successes.

PARENTS ASSOCIATION

The parents’ association AGM will be held on Tuesday, September 19, at 7.30 p.m. All parents of students in the school are encouraged to attend. The parents’ association carries out valuable work for the school including fundraising which is much appreciated by all.

JUNIOR CERTIFICATE

Best of luck to all our TY students with their Junior Cert. results on Wednesday, September 13.

HOSPICE COFFEE

The TY annual Hospice coffee morning fundraiser will take place on Friday, September 15, in Fatima Hall. All parents and friends of DCW are invited to drop in from 11 a.m. And enjoy the fine array of baked goods and have a cuppa.

BIOLOGY FIELDTRIPS

On Thursday and Friday, September 7 and eight, the sixth year biology students went to Glendalough National Park to carry out their ecology field study. The field study is a mandatory part of the course and is always one that the students always enjoy. The girls got to study the plants, animals and factors affecting their study sites in Glendalough. They carried out both frequency surveys and percentage cover surveys and will get to analyse their results back in the classroom.

TRANSITION YEAR NEWS

Transition year students started their year with a ‘bonding day’ in Glendalough National Park on August 30 the girls had a great hike around the park, enjoying a picnic on route. A fun day was had by all. It was a great way to start the year.

The TY students are now fully immersed in all their subjects including some new subjects this year including ‘Driver’s Ed’, Mandarin, Photography and First Aid’.

TY’s are busy designing their outfits for this ‘Junk Kouture’ fashion competition to be held in January 2018.

The TY Enterprise students have set up a ‘tuck shop’ which will be open at break time and lunchtime for the duration of the canteen being closed.

MUSICAL

Rehearsals have started for this year’s TY musical production of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. Belle is being played by Kate Keaney and the ‘Beast’ is being played by Emily Bateman. The musical will be on in Fatima Hall from 14th to December 16.

LEAVING CERT RESULTS

The class of 2017 received their Leaving Certificate results in August. The results were excellent, and more importantly the students have overwhelmingly achieved their goals and gone to college where they wanted.

95% of the year group have gone on to third Level, with 75% going straight into degree courses. We wish them and their families all the very best for the future.

It was lovely to spend some time with the students at the Grand Hotel on August 24 as they headed off to their debs.

NEW STAFF AND STUDENTS

It has been our pleasure to welcome several new staff to the School in recent weeks – Ms Flynn, Ms Roberts, Ms O’Donovan and Mr Martin have all taken up teaching positions in the School. Similarly, it has been great to welcome our new students – 60 first Years and a handful of older students – to the School. Their excitement and enthusiasm is infectious.

BUILDING WORKS

Over the course of the summer, the School has undertaken remedial works on the roof to fix some of the leaks over the classrooms. The long-overdue staffroom extension has also been ongoing, and is now nearing completion: finally the School will have a room all of the staff can occupy at the same time.

TRANSITION YEARS

A note to say that the TY group are eagerly awaiting their JC results this Wednesday, they’ll be going on a hill walk the following day to celebrate and next Tuesday, 19th, they are going to the Ploughing Championships. All modules are up and running and everyone has made a very positive start.

EGS HOCKEY

Training Times 2017/18: Mon-