January Whole School Assembly 29/1/25

The fifth whole school assembly of the year took place on the 29th of January to bring the school community together and to celebrate Catholic schools week. The assembly began with an opening from our principal, Mr. Carey, followed by a prayer read by Deaglán O’Neill. After this, a few words were said by both the Head Boy Rían and the Head Girl Kate about the upcoming exams and the new after school homework club that will be taking place every Friday.

Next Ms. O’Sullivan came to the podium to congratulate a large number of students on various personal achievements. Each student was called out individually and applauded by the whole school body. They were then given a certificate of achievement by either vice principal Mr. Davies or Mr. Carey. This was closely followed by Ms. Ui Annaidh who awarded a number of 1st year students certificates of achievement for achieving high marks in a national maths competition.

After this Mr. Brady spoke about the sports programme. He began by acknowledging the impressive attendance and involvement in all the sports that the school offers. Then he gave congratulations to a number of students who had achieved various accomplishments in different sports. Finally he gave a huge congratulations to the senior boys soccer team who had made it to a huge final for the first time in the school’s history. The team captain Seán McLaughlin then came up to the podium to call up his teammates who were awarded medals from their manager Mr. Doyle. 

Once the senior team had finished Ms. Cronly and Ms. Gore took the stage to talk about the music and Arts programme. Ms. Cronly began by speaking about the great clubs that the school offers and encouraged everyone to show up to any club at any time. She also acknowledged the successful 09/12 photography competition that took place in December. Then Ms. Gore came to the podium to speak about the next whole school art installation which will celebrate the school's 120th anniversary. She outlined what the project was going to be and how it will be conducted. Finally, the two lead actors of this year's TY musical Doireann Purcell (Fiona) and James Ward (Shrek) took the spotlight and gave us all information about this year's Shrek the musical.

Next Mr. Davies and Mr. O’Dowd talked about the upcoming school exams and for the 3rd and 6th years their mocks. Mr. Davies outlined the logistics and wished everyone good luck. Then Mr. O’Dowd reminded students about the study lists and the study skills power pack which are on all of the google classrooms. He outlined the important and helpful study suggestions and techniques that the power pack offers to students.

Finally Mr. Carey mentioned that the school has been reviewing AI and how the school is going to deal with it going forward. He explained how conversations will be happening with randomly chosen students from each year and the 5th year prefects in the coming week to discuss the best way forward. 

Mr. Carey then concluded the assembly and everyone went back to class. Overall it was a very informative and successful assembly bringing hope for the rest of the academic year.

Reporter: Freddie Simpson

Photographer: Alannah Smith