Dominican College Wicklow

TRANSITION YEAR BANK

Well done to all the Transition Year students who interviewed for the positions in this year’s school bank. All students acquitted themselves very well according to the very positive feedback from the bank representative.

Congratulations in particular to Ava Frazer, who was appointed the Branch Manager and Ava Vickers, who was appointed the Assistant Manager. Operations and Audit will be looked after by Emma Kristiansen and Lauren Vickers. Eva Phelan and Naoise O’Reilly hold the positions of Sales and Marketing while Ayesha McCourtney and Sophie Porter are the Customer Advisors. The bank launch took place on February 6 and we now wish the girls every success in their endeavour to build their clientele.

FINANCIAL LITERACY

In conjunction with the opening of the school bank a representative from the bank of Ireland came into the school to talk to the Transition Year students about financial literacy. Ciara Johnston from four Bronze gives a report of the talk.

On Tuesday, February 5, we met with Cian Doyle from the bank of Ireland for a talk on financial literacy. We learned how to manage our bank accounts, plan for the future and spend maturely. We were given information on how much interest loans can really cost you without you really knowing. Keeping a good credit rating is essential for the future if we want to apply for a mortgage or a loan. We were advised to spend our money maturely and to think and save for our purchases and not spend money that we don’t have. It was a very informative talk and I feel that I learned many life skills that will help me to be financially independent in the future.

LIFE SKILLS

On Thursday, February 7, the Transition Year students had an important talk from a Sales and Marketing team member from the bank of Ireland regarding Curriculum Vitae. The importance of good references was highlighted and they were informed on how best to structure their CV One point that was of significant interest to the girls was the fact that employers can look at their social media accounts investigating their behaviour to see if they will be suitable representatives for the particular company. Something for all of us to remember. The girls agreed that the talk was very relevant and we wish to express our thanks to the bank of Ireland for all their interaction with the Transition Year students this week.

RAINBOW DAY

This year the annual rainbow day took place on February 1 This event is organised by the Student Council as a fundraiser for the school. This is a non-uniform day where all the students and staff dress in their brightest clothes. Well done in particular to the sixth years who definitely stole the show. The event raised over €600 and will now be used to improve student facilities around the school. Thanks to Ms Fallon and all the members of the student council for all their hard work and positive input into school life.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK

Catholic Schools Week began on Sunday, February 27, and concluded on Sunday, February 3, As part of Catholic Schools Week, the Liturgical Choir from DCW sang at the 10 a.m. Mass in St Patrick’s Church on February 3.

The Liturgical Choir are a very dedicated and talented group who meet with Ms Gaffney after school every Thursday to prepare for such events. As always, the singing was of the highest standard and really enhanced the celebration of the Mass.

Other students brought up vari- ous symbols to the altar which represented the ethos of the school. These included a picture of the school crest, Veritas, which means truth, and the school jumper which represented the students of DCW the readings were prepared and read by the Head Girl and Deputy Head Girl and other members of the school community. It was a lovely celebration and we wish to thank all the students for their involvement.

FIRST YEAR HOCKEY

On Wednesday, February 6, the First year hockey players travelled to Loreto Abbey Dalkey for their penultimate game of the season. The A team played a great attacking game but unfortunately failed to capitalise on their many scoring opportunities. This was to be their downfall, as in the last minute of the game, totally against the run of play Loreto Abbey Dalkey scored the winning goal. Nevertheless, the girls were gracious in defeat and their coaches Ms Stafford and Ms Cremin were very proud of them.

The B team had a very tough game but played brilliantly in defence. They too were unfortunate to lose the game. Next week DCW play host to Loreto Foxrock for the final games of the season. Hopefully the girls will have a little more luck at their home venue.

This week’s activities and challenges were kick started with ‘A No Mobile Monday’. Students and teachers were encouraged to hand over their phones to management at 8.50 a.m. on Monday morning only to have them returned at the end of the school day, not an easy task for many. The student response was very good and there was a noticeable increase in positive social interaction at break-time and lunch-time.

Junior students increased their step count on Tuesday lunchtime as they participated in a fun scavenger hunt around the school grounds. This proved to be a popular physical and mental challenge as students competed to complete the quiz in the fastest possible time.

Unfortunately the Samba session planned for Wednesday had to be postponed but we look forward to getting into the groove next week.

Trampoline proved to be a very popular activity last week and was on offer for the junior students at lunchtime on Friday. Many thanks to the gymnastic club for volunteering their expertise.

Ms Gaffney’s mindfulness session over the intercom was greatly appreciated on Friday after a busy week. There is one more week to go in the Healthy School Challenge so do get involved and earn tokens for your class group to win that ‘Fun Prize’.

TABLE QUIZ

A fun night was had by all at the Lions Club table quiz held in Whistlers Bar on February 6 in aid of Dominican College and the Sea Scouts. The management of Dominican College would like to thank the Lions Club and all the parents who supported on the night. Thanks also to the parents’ association for all their efforts to publicise the event. Hopefully we will have even more tables in support of the school next year.

ISPCC

On February 7 two representatives from the ISPCC came into the school to give a talk to all our second year students. The talk was centred around the positive and negative uses of mobile phones and how our students can stay safe while using their phones. Sexting has become a popular term but not all students are aware of its meaning or the full implications of such behaviour.

The talk discussed particular case studies with which students could identify with. Through these case studies the legal implications and the very negative personal consequences were highlighted and discussed. Other negative aspects of mobile phones such as cyber-bullying and sedentary lifestyles were also debated. In order to deliver a balanced view of mobile usage the positives of such technology were also discussed.

The final message of the day was that you should never trust anyone but your parents with your mobile phone. Many thanks to the representatives from the ISPCC for taking the time to deliver their presentation today.

CROSS COUNTRY

The very best of luck to our first year athletes, Alex, Lily, Kayleigh, Grace, Katie and Sophie and our third year athletes Ellen, Georgia and Alice as they represent the school and East Leinster in the Leinster Cross Country Finals on February 13 the finals take place in