St. Mary’s Friendship Week is an annual event that celebrates the joys of friendship while promoting good spirit and new friendships in the school. First run in 2002, it is celebrated the week after midterm break. Each year a theme is selected and then presented in artwork, drama, competitions, activities and music throughout the week. Volunteers are invited from every year and are led by the school Prefects, supported by school staff, in producing the year’s events. This year the organising committee included 1^st, 2nd, TY, 5^th, and 6^th year students who did wonderful work for the school while having plenty fun doing it.

This year our theme is "Connections". Artwork and activities were developed using Dominoes to illustrate that we are all connected in some way. In PE this week all students took part in group challenges and activities that require good teamwork. Other events were happening during break times throughout the school. A new event this year, and one of the highlights was the "Connect 4 Championships" organised by the Prefects. We saw the return of annual favourites including the "Friendship Quiz" organised by 5^th year students and the "Blindfold Obstacle Course" organised by 1^st years. The school airways were filled once again with "Friendship FM" broadcasting over the school intercom at lunchtime and for the first time this year we had a breakfast show. TY students both presented and helped 1^st year students to prepare shows.

Our lasting memories from this year will be the art work made from Dominoes, organised by the 2nd years, which is proudly displayed in school, the "Kind Words" and of course the lollipops!! Our thanks to everyone who took part in the week, without you it could not have been a success.

Once again this year, juniors in the school are taking part in the Celtic Enterprises mini-company challenge. Students are setting up their own businesses providing goods and services and are hoping to make a profit along the way. The students have been busy setting up their companies since September – they came up with ideas for products, carried out market research, made product samples, undertaken various marketing activities and showcased their work at our recent open night. There is a great buzz around the mini-companies and the girls are gaining great insight into the world of business through their involvement in the project. Many hours of hard work have gone into making a success of their companies and all this work is done outside school hours. Well done to all involved. There will be a school market day on December 18^th where you will be able to come along and visit the girls at their stands and pick up some Christmas gifts.

Students from 1^st year have been very busy for the past number of weeks, reading books to raise funds for the Irish Multiple Sclerosis Society. As a result of their great effort a total of €904.20 was raised for this very worthy cause. This was a splendid and very commendable achievement. Well done to all concerned. The event was co-ordinated by Mrs. Kennedy along with the 1^st year English teachers, Mrs. Larkin and Ms Fennelly and Mr. Deavy.

The Junior and Senior Choir recently attended a Choral Workshop in the Helix, Dublin on Friday 17^th November. The Renowned Choral Conductor Peter Hunt presented the Workshop. Over seven Hundred students from around the Country attended the event and the Workshop added a new dimension to the students Choral Work. Ms Corbett and Ms Shannon accompanied the group

The Junior Football team continued with their recent success with another great victory, on this occasion beating Ramsgrange Community School. This win ensures the Junior team has progressed to the play-off stages of the competition, after finishing top of their group. The Match was played in appalling weather conditions in Ramsgrange. The team played with the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, building up a commanding lead, which Ramsgrange were unable to claw back. Our opponents in the next stage of the Competition are not yet known, well done to the Team and in particular to Leanne Murphy and Avril Mullery for all their hard work and dedication.

Detention will take place from 3.15 – 5.00 pm on a named Friday. Parents of students placed on Detention are required to take their daughter home at 5.00 pm. Detention results from the loss of 10 merits following infringements of our Code of Conduct.

We must emphasize that it is a serious matter to be placed on Detention and no Parent or Student should take it lightly. Parents of students placed on detention are asked to undertake to speak with their daughter about her conduct with a view to ensuring that from now on her behaviour will not result in valuable teaching and learning time being wasted. Our hope is that each student will be a source of good example to her fellow students. We celebrate any student who turns over a new leaf and makes a fresh start.

We trust that we can rely on the full cooperation of each and every Parent in this matter.

The Credit Union in the school reopened for business in November. The School Credit Union is run under the auspices of New Ross Credit Union. The main aim of the School Credit Union is to encourage Students to adopt a regular savings habit and thereby to sow the seeds of good financial management for the future. The School Credit Union is being run by three 6^th year students; Melanie Cleary, Caroline Foley, Suzanne Phelan and by three 5^th year students; Sinead Furlong, Fadzai Healy Magwa and Margaret Ann Kehoe. Their teacher Ms Colette Tinnelly assists the students in their role.

The Credit Union opens each Thursday in the Career Guidance room at 1.30 p.m. Students will be issued with Credit Union Account Books in their own names. A minimum of €7 is required to open the Account. Students may then save any amount per week from 50 cent upwards. During times when the Credit Union is not operating in school (e.g. holiday times) withdrawals and lodgements may be made in the offices of New Ross Credit Union in South Street.

We would like to thank our students for volunteering to run the Credit Union and a big thank you to Ms Aideen Doyle from New Ross Credit Union for all her support.

We welcome all new and existing members. Happy Christmas to all our members.

A fabulous ski trip is planned for 39 students and 5 teachers who are travelling to New Hampshire, via Boston on Dec 30^th. The teachers, girls and their parents attended an information meeting regarding their final plans for the tour on Wed.6^th Dec. Students travelling are from 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th years. They will be accompanied by Ms. Marie Winters, Ms. Mary Shannon, Mrs. Janet Kennedy, Ms. Colette Stafford, & Ms. Kathleen Woodcock. We hope that this is a successful and enjoyable tour and wish them well for the week.

The Provost of Trinity College recently honoured three of our students and their parents at a reception in Trinity College. These girls were singled out, not for merely securing a place in this prestigious university but for being among the top students in their classes based on their Leaving Certificate Results. The Provost presented Entrance Awards to:

Therese Grace, daughter of Eileen and Sean, from Ballyanne

Saoirse Kennedy, daughter of Janet and Denis, from Tullogher

Caroline Walsh, daughter of Ann and Dermot, from The Rower.

We extend sincere congratulations to these girls and their families on such a great achievement.

To mark the 150^th Anniversary of the foundation of University College Dublin the college awards a number of special scholarships. We are delighted that Emma Murphy was honoured by the UCD and awarded one of their 150^th Scholarships. In a very dignified ceremony Emma was presented with her award in the presence of her justifiably proud mother, Mary from Irishtown Heights. This is a tremendous achievement and a great source of encouragement to other students.

Imagine the excitement when an Assistant to Minister for Education and Science, Mrs

Mary Hannifin phoned the school to say that the Minister wished to speak to one of our students. Minister Hannifin wanted to congratulate personally Therese Grace from Ballyanne on being awarded one of the Easter Week 1916 Commemoration Scholarships for obtaining the highest results in the whole country in English, Irish and Accountancy.

In commemoration of each of the signatories of the 1916 Proclamation of Independence, the Minister for Education and Science awards seven third level scholarships to the students who obtain the highest result in particular groups of subjects in the Leaving Certificate. True to her word Minister Hannifin phoned Therese, who is a student of Business, Economics and Social Studies (BESS) in Trinity College and invited her to a special presentation in Marlborough House next January. She emphasised the wonderful achievement it is to obtain the highest results in Ireland in the combination of English, Irish and Accountancy. We are extremely blessed in the calibre of our teachers and Mr. Paul Deavy, Ms. Brid Fogarty and Ms. Colette Tinnelly are to be congratulated for their crucial roles in enabling Therese achieve her potential. Of course the last word has to go to Therese and to congratulate her and her parents, Sean and Eileen, on achieving such academic excellence.

As part of the Bronze Gaisce award the Transition Year students headed off to Co. Wicklow on the 10^th Nov. and stayed at the Glendalough International youth hostel. During their stay they had to walk approx. 24 kms. The weather was very wet on the Friday but it didn’t dampen their spirits. They participated with good humour in the walk and guided tour of the monastic site. On Friday night the girls put on a very entertaining "concert". There are many walks in this beautiful area and on Saturday our walk gave us a view across the lake of the reputed bed of St.Kevin.

The Transition Years visited the National Concert Hall, Dublin for a "Music in the Classroom" performance by the National Concert Orchestra under the baton of Gearóid Grant. In the afternoon they headed to Croke Park for a guided tour of the ground and its facilities. While we were there, floodlights were being installed to facilitate the use of Croke Park for International soccer and rugby matches. They were accompanied by T.Y’s from the Good Counsel College & Ms. Woodcock.

As part of the Science week, the girls travelled to Waterford I.T to hear the State Pathologist Dr. Máire Cassidy speak about her job and all that is entailed in the life of a pathologist. A very interesting morning for all. Ms. Fennelly and Ms. McNamara accompanied the girls.

The Transition Years students have recently returned from their work experience placement having had a "taste" of a variety of careers, ranging from laboratory work, horse training, veterinary work to primary school. Each girl got an insight into possible career paths through this very worthwhile venture.

11 of the Transition Year girls decided to enter the Soroptimists public speaking competition this year to represent the Wexford, Kilkenny and Tipperary region. As there were so many entries to the competition only 4 students per school were allowed to compete on the night. An in-school competition was held one night during work experience, which was graciously adjudicated, by Mrs. Geraldine Larkin and Mrs. Eva Kelly. Only 4 students could be chosen, these were Taragh O’ Connor, Caoimhe Doyle, Leanne Rowe and Jennifer Phelan. These girls represented the school very well at the competition but unfortunately were not among the two to qualify from the region. Congratulations to all the girls who participated.

On Tuesday 21^st November, 6^th year students along with their R.E teachers Mrs. Ward and Miss Walpole travelled to Wicklow where they took part in a Retreat day. The girls visited an Ecological and Spiritual farm where they spent the morning in reflection and doing activities. They spent the afternoon on the organic farm. The weather held up on the day and the girls greatly enjoyed themselves.

November is a month where we make an extra effort to remember those who have died. Fr. Joe McGrath celebrated a special mass of Remembrance on November 30^th. This mass was held at lunchtime and a huge number of both students and staff attended

We are now in a new Christian Year and are midway through the first season in the liturgical year- Advent. Advent is a time of preparation. While we are all busy preparing for Christmas, it is important to remember the story and the reason for our celebrations. Try to prepare both spiritually and physically for this wonderful occasion. An Advent wreath is lighting in the Religion Room during this season.

Our annual carol service takes place on the afternoon of Dec 15^th. This year’s service is based around the Jesse Tree. Ms. Tinnelly, Ms. Stafford and Mrs. Reidy are currently working very hard with the musicians and singers at lunchtimes to ensure the service will be a huge success. Ms. Corbett is also busy with her choir who will also sing on the day. Mrs. Ward and Ms. Walpole are preparing the Liturgy for the service. Many thanks to all the students who are working hard for the service.

Transition Year students will be having their retreat on Monday 18^th December in Mount Sion in Waterford. Their R.E teacher Miss Walpole will accompany the girls.

Miss Walpole’s 6.2 Religion class are organising and co-ordinating the collection of goods for our Christmas Hampers. This is a voluntary contribution from all the students of St. Mary’s and all products collected will be offered up during our Carol Service before being handed over to local groups including New Ross Meals on Wheels. Many thanks to everyone who donated food.

Rud nua atá sa scoil anois ná cúinne compordach gaelach thuas staighre sa cheaintín. Áit bheag dheas í a chuireann fáilte roimh daltaí a scíth a ligint agus Gaeilge a labhairt ag an am céanna. Fáilte roimh gach dalta agus bain triail as Gaeilge a labhairt ann!

Many 6^th year students took the opportunity to attend an exhibition of 3^rd level colleges in the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford on November 20^th. At this event they were able to speak to representatives of 37 different education and training providers on courses that might be of interest to them for next year.

On Dec 4^th, 6th year students will have the opportunity to attend a talk on careers in computers given by Mr TJ McDonald, Lecturer, WIT. With computers becoming more and more a part of our everyday lives it is worth considering a career in this area.

WIT Open Day was on Tuesday Dec 12^th and 43 6^th year students availed of a bus to the event organised by the school. Students were able to attend talks on all courses offered by the college and speak to lecturers and students at the many course stands that were on display.

In January 3^rd year students will be asked to make important choices about courses and subjects for Senior Cycle. To help support and advise students in these serious decisions the DATs (Differential Aptitude Tests) were held in school on Tues 5^th / Wed 6th December 2006. It is a tough day and we are very thankful to all 3^rd year students for their co-operation, hard work and good humour during the day. Over the coming weeks during class time the courses and options available will be explained to all students. In January each student will have an individual meeting with a Guidance Counsellor to discuss their choices and the results of their DATs and the Career Interest Inventory done on the test day.

For parents of 3^rd year students an information night to present and discuss Course/Subject Options was held on Wednesday, 13^th December, at 8pm.