There can be few people who would not be impressed by the many outstanding achievements and events – be it at local, provincial or indeed national level – that are highlighted in this edition of our Summer Newsletter. It is wonderful to see so many students and staff willingly giving up their time, on a voluntary basis, organising and participating in such a wide range of activities. Extra curricular activities are an essential and important aspect of life within the High School and for this reason it is only right and proper that we would acknowledge and celebrate them. As principal, I thank all those who have represented the school and in so doing have brought great credit to themselves, their families and their town. I especially thank the staff for the amount of time and energy given by them to the overall development of the students. I also thank all those parents who have helped and supported the school in the promotion of extra curricular activities throughout the school year. I also acknowledge and appreciate the vital support and sponsorship that we have received from so many sources during the school year
Michael O’Donoghue retires from the staff of the High School this August after 38 years of distinguished teaching service. Michael has made a significant contribution to the High School at a huge number of levels and the legacy he leaves behind is truly remarkable. On behalf of the whole school community I would like to thank him for his dedication, enthusiasm, loyalty and friendship. We wish him a long and happy retirement. We also bid farewell to Pat Power who leaves to take over as principal in St Brigid’s Secondary School Callan. Pat has been on the staff for the last 24 years serving as a teacher, deputy principal and acting principal. His contribution to the High School, both as a teacher and administrator, has been immense and we wish him well, safe in the knowledge that he will be equally successful in the new role which he now undertakes. Last but not least, we extend our best wishes to Michael O’Shea who has decided to return to his native “Kingdom” to teach. We thank him for his excellent work within the school and hope that the fruits of all his efforts with the Gaelic football teams will come back to haunt him in the years to come!
I wish all our students sitting the State Examinations the very best of luck and I hope you all do well. Remember to stay calm and do your best!
To the Leaving Certificate students of 2005 I wish you well with your future lives and careers and I thank you most sincerely for all that you have contributed to the High School. I hope that you will keep in touch and that you will always be proud of your alma mater.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank staff, students and parents for all the support and encouragement that I have received during this school year and I hope you all have a very enjoyable summer break.
Séamas Bannon
Principal
Message from the Board of Management
Another year has passed. Clonmel high School is now 106 years old. The challenges that the school faces today have changed but the means of facing those challenges remains the same: goodwill and co-operation between pupils, teachers and parents.
Thank you to the Parents’ Council and members of the Board of Management for their enthusiasm and commitment.
Best wishes to our exam classes, particularly the boys in Leaving Cert whom we wish well as they venture into the brave new world beyond Kickham Street .
Thank you to our wonderful staff and a fond farewell Pat Power, who leaves to take over at Chelsea , sorry Callan, Michael O’Donoghue who transfers to the West End and also to Damien Cooke and Mike O’Shea.
Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo aris.
Johnny Walshe
Chairperson
“Buy a Boat” Campaign
On Wednesday, May 4 th 2005, C.B.S. High School , Clonmel was honoured by the visit of Dr. Aelred Samarakoon, the Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka. Dr. Samarakoon was invited to the school to accept a cheque on behalf of the Sri Lankan Trust Fund. In response to the events of December 27 th , when images of the devastation caused by the Tsunami in South East Asia shocked the world, the students of the High School decided to undertake a fund raising drive to support the Sri Lankan Trust’s “Buy a Boat” project. Two C.S.P.E. classes, 2A2 and 1A3, undertook the work. All students were asked to donate some pocket/lunch money for a week and a daily collection was made. The Student Leadership Group also organised a non-uniform day in support of the campaign.
As a result of the generosity of students and staff, the target of €3,000 was quickly reached. Dr. Samarakoon was delighted to accept the cheque on behalf of the Sri Lankan Trust which ensures that the money goes directly to the communities in need. A boat will be bought and called “Ardscoil na mBráithre”, a name chosen by the students. The boat will be used by the Sri Lankan fishing community as they endeavour to rebuild their lives after the Tsunami disaster. Dr. Samarakoon reminded everyone of the old Chinese proverb “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. He received an overwhelming reception from student, teachers, staff and distinguished guests including Mr. Séan Nyhan, acting Mayor of Clonmel, Mr. Mattie McGrath, Chairperson of Tipperary County Council and other local representatives.
Dr. Samarakoon expressed his gratitude to the students and staff for their generosity.
Inaugural South Tipperary Entrepreneurial Awards
The cream of the county’s enterprise culture came to the top in April when the inaugural South Tipperary Entrepreneurial Awards were presented. The Awards Ceremony was held in the Bru Boru Centre in Cashel and the event was the brainchild of the South Tipperary Enterprise Forum. The Entrepreneurial School Award went to the High School and the Principal along with Martina O’Reilly (Teacher) were delighted to accept such a prestigious award on behalf of the school. There was an initial application process and three schools were shortlisted, the High School being one. Two students Conor Morrissey (6 th Year) and Eoin Cass (TYO) were chosen along with Ms. O’Reilly to attend an interview in the Nano Nagle Community Resource Centre in Carrick-on-Suir. Both students captured the judges attention with their entrepreneurial spirit. Conor continues to have huge success with his German Grammar Book “Kein Problem” which is still for sale in Easons nationwide. As a Transition Year student he received the Best Company of the Year 2003 Award at the National Junior Achievement Final. Eoin, along with fellow classmates designed a footrest for people working at a desk all day long and explained in great detail how it was made from start to finish.
The school has a long tradition of entrepreneurship and has been involved in the Young Entrepreneur Scheme for the past 15 years. Mr. Denis Ryan (Business Teacher) put the school, Clonmel and the County on the map with a calendar produced by young artistic students in 1990 which won 2 nd place at the National Finals. The High School staff take a very pro-active approach in encouraging students to be creative and imaginative when it comes to entrepreneurship. As a result the school is very proud to be the first recipient of such a prestigious award and is already looking forward to a new year of great achievements.
Young Entrepreneur Awards
High School students represented the school in all three categories this year at the Young Entrepreneur County Final. Ten awards in total were presented and the students were delighted to bring five back to the school. In the Junior Category Emmet Ryan (1 st Year) produced beautiful walking sticks made from blackthorn. Emmet has made quite a big profit from his thriving business and continues to sell these handmade walking sticks both in the school and in local shops. The two judges, Ms. Sharon Kenny and Mr. Barry Henderson (AIB) were so overwhelmed by Emmet’s entrepreneurial skills that they had no choice but to present him with first prize.
Conor Dolan (2 nd Year) really researched his educational aid for students with a learning difficulty. He produced an arithmetic card that would help students who have difficulties with maths. After a lot of research he discovered that dyslexic students find black and white print difficult to read so he used blue and yellow instead as these are colours that are user friendly. Local Primary Schools were very interested in his product and Conor continues to make a lot of money. He received 2 nd prize in the intermediate category. All the Transition Year students had a very busy entrepreneurial year. The class decided to make various products – first aid flip charts, footstools, and holders for parking tickets. As a result there were two stands at the County Final . Rory Sheehan lead his team with his product Trendy Tickets and was delighted to receive the Best Innovation Award. The product is very simple as it is made out of Perspex and can hold up to 60 tickets thus having a dual purpose of displaying the parking ticket and also being environmentally friendly. Peter Heverin and his team received 2 nd overall with their footstool. It is beautifully designed and the students got a lot of orders from local companies such as Merck Sharp & Dohme and Guidant Ireland. There was also a business quiz held on the day which was organised by the South Riding Enterprise Board. All schools from the County participated but the school to come out tops was the High School. Teachers Mr. Chris Allen and Ms. Martina O’Reilly were delighted to return to the school after a very successful County Final.
AIB Build a School Bank Challenge
In October Ms. Tara Lonergan (Youth Marketing Officer, AIB) interviewed Transition Year students for six positions in the school bank. The successful applicants were: Rory Sheehan (Manager), Donal Lynch (Assistant Manager), Rory O’Hanrahan (Auditor), Eoin Cass (Marketing Manager), Anthony Sweeney (Teller) and Adam Clooney (Teller). They invited Declan Brown (past pupil) to officially open the bank which was the start of a long road of success. Each week they opened for business two days at lunchtime and ran many school competitions. They motivated students to save and register for 24 hour banking. Ms. Sharon Kenny (AIB) was always present during their opening times and two teachers, Ms. Olivia Corcoran and Ms. Martina O’Reilly supervised the business side of things.
The school bank was part of the AIB Build a School Bank Challenge and the first round of the competition required the submission of two written assignments. The team choose Quality of Service and Setting up a School Bank and were delighted to win top place in the first round. The assignments were corrected by the Institute of Bankers and Mr. Pat Clifford (Registrar) was amazed at the high standard of their work. There were 55 other schools in the area final and the students attended an award ceremony in Thurles to receive the first place prize. They were now through to the Munster Final and had to prepare a 10 minute Powerpoint presentation. The standard at the final in the Rochestown Park Hotel was extremely high but once again the team came first. The 6 students each received a portable DVD player and trophy for the school. The All-Ireland beckoned and only 9 schools were left in the country.
Tension was high and the team were busy preparing. Finally the day arrived and the team, along with the two teachers headed for Galway . A very high profile panel of judges was present including Michael O’Leary, Louise Holden (Irish Times) Michael O’Farrell (General Manager AIB), Emma Kavanagh (Skools.ie), Pat Clifford (Institute of Bankers). On the day the students gave a fantastic presentation and handled the questions and answers very well. They came 3 rd in the final and returned home very happy each with a TV, €50 text top-up and €200. They then received an e-mail from the 24hour banking department in Naas congratulating the team on their production of an original and unique DVD regarding internet banking registration. AIB is so impressed with this unique and creative idea that they are presenting the team with a special award and hope to use the DVD nationwide shortly. The 6 students are waiting eagerly to find out what this special award will be and hopefully they will be laughing all the way to the bank – (AIB of course!).
Team Maths Success
The Hamilton Institute, T.C.D. and the Irish Mathematics Teachers Association organised a national Team Mathematics competition. Two hundred and forty nine teams nationwide signed up to the competition which is based on the Leaving Certificate Higher Level Maths syllabus. The format was a table quiz with eight rounds. The regional finals took place in Thurles Vocational School on Friday 16 th February. Five teams from the High School competed. Aidan Casey, Gerard Cunningham, David Lonergan and Eoghan Twohig combined to come third, while Stephen Britton, Neil Houlihan, Conor Morrissey and Conor Slattery came first and went on to represent the region in the final. The final took place in Trinity College on Saturday 5 th March 2005. Stephen, Neil, Conor Morrissey and Conor Slattery and substitute Eoghan Twohig faced stiff competition on the day. The Hamilton Trophy went to Donegal in the north-west. Team members and runners-up received the “Sean O’Tuama Medals” named in the memory of our former High School maths teacher who was a particularly active member and one time secretary of the Irish Mathematics Teachers Association. It was especially appropriate that Mr Twomey’s former students should represent their region in this first final. Our representatives did us proud. It was a wonderful achievement to compete in the national final.
School Library
This year several Transition Year students, with the help of Mrs Mc Dermott took it upon themselves to set up the High School Library. We would like to thank Marie from the Clonmel library who helped us greatly in the setting up of the library. A huge amount of work was undertaken to build the 1,500 strong collection of books which is still growing, due to the generous donation of books from staff and students. We are still looking for good quality used books; so if you have finished with a book and would like to donate it to the library we would be delighted to accept your offer. The Library is located upstairs across from the audio-visual room. Students can avail of books along with a selection of magazines, reference books and information leaflets. Other resources include D.V.D. and video equipment.
Library and Information services are important learning resources to support your studies, so why not pay a visit to our library which is open Thursdays 1:15p.m.-1:45p.m.
Project on Animal Welfare
On returning to school after the Christmas break Class 1A set themselves the task of choosing a topic for their Civic, Social and Political Education project. The fact that most of them are concerned pet owners combined with the knowledge that many young people had received animals as Christmas presents encouraged them to settle on the topic of animal welfare with an emphasis on domestic pets. The students began by researching the topic in text books and on the internet. They then contacted the ISPCA and following that they invited local vet., Dr. Folke Rohrssen to speak to the class. Dr. Rohrssen’s visit was a big hit with students and staff as he brought along a guest of his own, a six week old orphaned puppy. Thankfully the puppy has since gone to a loving home. The students took the opportunity to ask all the pressing questions about proper animal care and Dr. Rohrssen has agreed to edit a leaflet on the subject, which the class are currently preparing, for the benefit of all students in their year.
They were shocked to hear about cruelty to animals, which has taken place here in their own locality and decided to raise funds for the Tipperary Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They did this by running a Prize Pets Competition, which proved very popular with their fellow students. The many tasks involved in the overall project kept everybody quite busy but all agree that, if their work has improved quality of life for even one animal, then it was well worth the effort.
Waste management in the High School
Fellow students and readers the class of 2A1 are in the middle of a class project on the subject of rubbish and waste management in the school.
We have being working diligently on this project, e.g. a spokesperson from the county council gave a lecture informing us how we can make our school a rubbish free school. We organised ourselves into certain groups and we all worked on different aspects of the project. Many ideas have come to light on how we can battle our problem with rubbish and we all hope it comes in to action because it would be better for the school and the environment. The only thing about this project is that our class can’t just do it on our own so it is up to the whole school to join in and help us.
I have really enjoyed working on this project and I hope something actually comes out of this because it would be nice to know that we cleaned up the school by teamwork
Fifth year Peer Ministry – A Facilitator’s Perspective
When I was first invited to participate in the Peer Ministry programme I really didn’t know what to expect. The concept of ‘Faith development’ incorporating training in leadership skills had me curious. When I heard the group consisted of twelve lads I thought it quite fitting as it confirmed my preconceived ideas of the twelve Apostles!! This idea didn’t last .. It was obvious from the beginning that there were no stereotypes. Twelve lads with their own unique gifts and ideas formed the group.
Voices and opinions became stronger as the weeks went by. Friendships developed; fun was had; the foundation stone was set. While preparing for Confirmation Retreats, individual talents quickly emerged – talents that came to the fore at their own Retreat in Grace Dieu. It was a wonderful experience to see how they had come together as a team and had the confidence to present their own projects to each other. Luckily, lack of sleep over a few days didn’t affect their enthusiasm!
Back to the grindstone now in preparation for the First Year’s Retreat in September. I have no doubt that they will once again do themselves proud.
Twelve Apostles. perhaps not; creative, enthusiastic, fun, energetic. most definitely.
By Sheila Ryan
Public Speaking
In January a public speaking team comprising of David Carroll (6 th year), Philip Bannon (6 th year) and Diarmuid Bolger (5 th year) began their participation in The Mental Health Ireland Public Speaking Project. Run by Mental Health Ireland , it aims to raise awareness amongst young people of issues relating to mental health.
The students brought home a beautiful crystal cup after their first evening of oration. On this occasion they chose the title, ‘Everybody hurts-sometimes’. Long hours were spent in preparation as Diarmuid developed his belief that we are more susceptible today than ever before to mental health problems due to increasing pressures to get ahead combined with modern technology, which can be very alienating. David spoke about the difficulties around bereavement and separation and how they can be tackled while Philip focused on the need to educate young and old in a bid to banish the stigma associated with mental illness and allow people to seek out and find the help we all need at some point in our lives.
Having progressed to the next stage of the project the team began researching the topic, ‘The Reservoir of Mental Health is Fed by Many Streams’. David looked at the tributaries to mental health such as high self esteem and physical health, Diarmuid gave examples of well known personalities who have been an example to us all as they called on their reservoirs of mental health in times of need and Philip finished on a salutary note as he cautioned against those things which may pollute our reservoir of mental health. These included an imbalance between work and play, a tendency to accept media hype and stereotypes as fact and reliance on drugs and alcohol. While the students acquitted themselves very well against Dungarvan CBS and Boherbui Comprehensive, Mallow, it was the latter who went on to represent Munster at national level. The team and their teacher, Ms. McNamara wished them every success.
Prison Visit
On Wednesday and Thursday 13 th and 14 th of April fifty fifth year students travelled to Portlaoise to visit the high security prison on the Dublin Road . The topic of Justice was covered in their Religion classes and all fifth years completed a project on the issues arising. Based on the effort and quality of these submissions the fifty students were given this unique opportunity to see life from a different perspective.
Guided by prison officer Willie Stack who was completing his last day of work in the prison following thirty years service, the pupils were brought through the new security entrance. There they were frisked and searched. Students were given a run down on the procedure that occurs as a new prisoner arrives at the prison. They also saw some prisoners as they made their daily excursion to the exercise yard.
Students were not allowed into the kitchen as in other years because of new health and safety rules but managed to see the visiting rooms and realised the lack of privacy given to the prisoner as the officer is present at all stages of the visit.
Ollie Stack held the attention of the students as he recounted occasions when visitors attempted to smuggle in alcohol to their family members in latex gloves and hoover bags!
Students were surprised to realise all the cells have televisions but are monitored by the prison officers outside. The lads were further startled to discover the inmates even have a video channel and a film is selected for them on specific nights. Ross Moroney of course asked if they had ever shown them “The Shawshank Redemption’!! A new definition of cruelty I hear you say!
Overall the lads had a sobering day and were given a strict message by the prison officers that it is very simple to get in trouble with the law and ultimately most people in Portlaoise prison have a drug problem so avoidance is definitely the way to a happy and successful life. Thanks to all teachers who accompanied the students and to Miss Byrne who organised it.
Edmund Rice Awards
On Tuesday 12 th April sixteen High School pupils received Edmind Rice awards having completed projects on their community work. The lads headed down to The Strand Hotel in Limerick and set up their projects along with the other schools that participated. Three students made speeches outlining their good work over the year. The Peer Ministry group, the Friendship club and two second years Tony Murray and David Fallon were presented certificates on the day. Well done to the Peer Ministry group. They include: Diarmiud Bolger, Keith Power, Lance O Meara, Gavin Roche, Stephen Phelan, Padraic Burke, Michael Mulvihill, Thomas McCarthy, Thomas O’Dea, David McGrath and Paul O’Connor.
Well done to The Friendship Club who are David Foley, Ciarain Burke, Stephen Carthy and Michael Mulvihill. Students were assisted in their preparation by Marise Carr(Edmund Rice Awards) and Ann Byrne(teacher).
Damian Cooke
When the young Damian Cooke left Belfast to join the High School teaching staff in September 1973, things were a lot different.
Ireland had just joined the EU. Fianna Fail had just lost the general election, and we had a new Fine Gael/Labour coalition government. Ian Paisley (already a MP in the UK parliament since 1970) had just been elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The main High School building had just been officially opened. Five of the teachers were Christian Brothers (including the principal Bro. G.P. O’Neill), and they still wore the long black soutanes.
The teachers were all very young. Not a grey hair could be found on the noble heads of people like Brendan Granville, Michael O’Donoghue or John Keane. In Dublin a second-year pupil called Shay Bannon had learned a bit about Clonmel in geography class, and he knew that it was much nearer to the Equator than Finglas was. Jerry Shanahan had just gone into first year in the old Christian Brothers’ school in Cashel. He had actually heard of the High School, and knew that they were useless at hurling.
Of course, Damian had more than just an academic interest in coming to Clonmel, as he had already met his future wife Brigid, who was a native of the town.
In his initial years Damian taught Mathematics and Religious Education, but later went on to teach Science, Applied Maths and Computer Studies. He was always a dedicated teacher, and was highly regarded by both his students and colleagues. He took a keen interest in his subjects, and was an active member of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association (ISTA) and the Irish Mathematics Teachers’ Association (IMTA).
He gave in-service courses to teachers of applied maths during the summer schools organised by the IMTA and the Dept. of Education and Science. When the revised syllabus in Junior Cert Maths was introduced, he conducted in-service courses for maths teachers. Every year he organised the very popular maths quiz for Leaving Cert students in the schools in South Tipperary .
In 2000 Damian was awarded the Victor Graham Perpetual Trophy for Achievement In Applied Mathematics by the Institute for Numerical Computation and Analysis. The Trophy is accompanied by a vellum scroll bearing the names of the winners
Damian played a full part in the management of the High School. For nine years he was elected by his colleagues as one of the two teacher representatives on the school Board of Management.
He also participated in many of the school’s extra-curricular activities. He was on the editorial board for the school magazine. This magazine won first prize in the A4 category in a national competition, organised by BIC Ireland.
Damian was a member of the School Tour Committee, and helped to organise many educational visits to places such as London , Paris , Rome , Prague and the Rhineland . These tours have always been a highlight of the school year, and teachers and students alike have benefited from them.
Damian was very much an educational innovator, and was an active member of the Thurles Education Centre, which organises in-service courses for teachers. He, along with other High School colleagues, provided courses in Computer Studies for teachers in the South-East region. Through his contacts with the Digital Computer Corporation he was instrumental in setting up the computer room in the High School.
From the very start of his teaching career Damian took a particular interest in the improvement of teachers’ salaries and working conditions. This interest was manifested in his active involvement in the ASTI , the secondary teachers’ trade union. At school level he represented the teachers as ASTI school steward, and he was at various times chairman, secretary and organiser of the local Tipperary Branch. In 1999 he was honoured by being elected as the representative of the Kilkenny, Roscrea and Tipperary branches on the national Standing Committee of the ASTI . He held this important position until he left the teaching profession in 2004.
Damian held various official posts of responsibility in the High School. He was in charge of science laboratory stock and equipment, and also of computer lab organisation. In later years he was promoted to the post of Assistant Principal, serving as a Year Head.
When he announced in the summer of 2004 that he had been offered a full-time position with the prestigious State Examinations Commission, there was universal regret among his colleagues that the school was to lose such a talented academic. However, the High School’s loss is the SEC’s gain, and it is a relief for serving teachers to know that such an experienced and sensible teacher as Damian will have a major input into the organisation of the State Examinations.
We wish him many happy and fruitful years in his new job
Tom Dunne
Tom died last April 10 th at the early age of 48. His death came as a dreadful shock to those of us on the staff, who knew him. He came to the High School in 1980 as a teacher of science, and took early retirement for health reasons ten years later.
Tom was an enthusiastic and dedicated teacher, popular with both students and staff members, and highly regarded by management and parents. His interest in High School activities was not limited to the classroom. He participated in most of the school tours during his time with us, and the organising committee could always rely on his common sense during times of crisis. Back in those days games of football and hurling were held from time to time between staff and students, and Tom would always be in the thick of these contests.
For most of the 1980s he was elected annually by the teaching staff as ASTI school steward. As our trade union representative, he was involved in many important negotiations concerning the working conditions of teachers, and he carried out his duties meticulously. Many local teachers have good reason to be grateful to Tom for his help in solving various employment problems.
Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dilis
Elliot McCormack – An appreciation
The sense of loss and sadness felt by the staff, students and parents of the High School, when the news broke of Elliot McCormack’s tragic death on Monday 7 th February last, was immeasurable and once again left us searching for explanations and answers as to how and why such a tragedy could happen.
The reaction to Elliot’s death indicated that he was a well liked young man who touched many of us during his brief time within the High School. This fact was well demonstrated by the large turnout of classmates and friends at his funeral mass.
There is no doubt that Elliot was unique and that he made an impact within the High School, since his arrival in September 2003. He was popular with his classmates and related very well with his fellow students. Indeed, his classmates describe him as being “a great friend” and “one of the lads”. Elliot enjoyed coming to school in order to have “a laugh with his friends”. He was also a young man who enjoyed doing his own thing particularly drawing and playing games.
It was an experience to have had Elliot as a student in the High School and the staff and myself, thank his parents, John and Esther, for allowing us to have had the opportunity of getting to know him. We will treasure the memories that we have of him and will remember him as an exuberant, playful and energetic young man who enjoyed his short life to the full.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
A Message from Mr Power
“There were stepping stones across a stream
Part of my life was there, the happiest part”
Patrick Kavanagh
As you all know I have spent the last few months in the “Stony Grey Soil” of Patrick Kavanagh country in county Monaghan . Away from Clonmel, I had time to think and reflect on my time in the High School. Distance often lends clarity and helps you realise the true value of what you have perhaps taken for granted.
Stepping stones are safe and solid, like the friendships I have built up during my time in the High School and like the young men we send out year after year to become the college students, the apprentices, the workers, the citizens of Clonmel and our feeder parishes. Young men who will become the husbands, the fathers, the sportsmen, the entrepreneurs; the back bone of our town and community. As a staff member of the High School I have shared the privilege of being part of their lives.
I have worked with and for the whole school community, as Teacher, Deputy Principal and Principal over the last 24 years. It has been an enriching experience for me, both personally and professionally. It has influenced me greatly and no doubt the experience I have gained in the High School will stand me in good stead.
Over time there have been many changes in the school. The High School has shown a willingness to grow, to take on new ideas, to embrace new tasks and responsibilities, to change as times change. The school has substance, principles, values, standards and expectations. While having a belief that there are new things to learn, it has stuck to its valued traditions. These steadfast personal attributes include loyalty, dignity, professionalism, respect for all, sharing with colleagues, love of and enthusiasm for one’s subject matter and profession. There is a sense of spirit, engendering a sense of belonging, mutual support and togetherness that is the foundation of the school. It’s not the job, it’s the people that make the place.
The High School has contributed greatly to my life and I hope in some small way, I have reciprocated.
I have no doubt that the school will continue to grow and change in the future, and continue to strive for excellence in teaching and learning as it has always done.
Thanks for the friendship, memories and support that being part of the school has given me. I would like to extend every good wish to the whole school community, Board of Management, Teachers, Parents, Students and Trustees. As you travel the road of life, I wish you good health, people to love and times to enjoy.
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven”
Thank you for the times and memories in the school and most of all thank you for the friendships.
Yours sincerely,
Pat Power
A Letter from Elodie
Chers tous, L’année scolaire s’achève et je dois avouer que le temps a filé à toute allure!
Ces 8 mois passés à CBS ont vraiment été riches en émotions et m’ont surtout confortée dans l’idée que travailler dans l’éducation constitue l’un des plus beaux métiers du monde.
Ces moments partagés avec les étudiants resteront plus que jamais quelque chose d’unique et d’inoubliable. Je pense cependant qu’un an est court et je regrette de ne pas avoir eu plus de temps pour les connaître un peu mieux.
Mais restons positif, aujourd’hui, je suis fière de pouvoir affirmer que je connais les prénoms de certains d’entre-eux. Ah…l’uniforme!!
D’un point de vue plus général, mon séjour en Irlande m’a permis de m’ouvrir encore plus l’esprit en visitant des endroits formidables mais surtout en rencontrant des gens exceptionnels aussi bien au sein du personnel du lycée qu’à l’extérieur.
C’est pourquoi je suis vraiment heureuse d’avoir fait le choix de venir ici. Tous le gens, tous les moments, et tous les souvenirs que je vais ramener chez moi resteront inoubliables, les bons comme les mauvais…mais surtout les bons.
Merci à tous pour cette année et j’espère vraiment pouvoir revenir en vacances ici et vous rendre une petite visite l’année prochaine.
Take care
Élodie
Transition Year
Our second term in Transition year began brightly with a two-week foray into the working world. This two-week period of work experience in which career selections varied from aviation to veterinary proved to be one of the most enjoyable and beneficial aspects of the year. After work experience we began our first aid course which, in addition to our recent qualification in C.P.R. should see us ready for any crisis!
Throughout the year we worked on our projects for the Y.E.S. competition and the Junior Achiever. We made six initial products, which we eventually cut down to two. Everyone in the class was involved and our hard work and effort paid off when we achieved second place in the senior category of the student enterprise awards in Cahir. During this time the school bank continued to go from strength to strength, having made it to the all Ireland Final of their competition.
In February we went to Mondello Park in Kildare. We were given a chance to get behind the wheel of a car, which was enjoyed by all.
The next week we had our much-anticipated Law day where a Barrister spoke to the class about the legal system. The day finished with a mock trial that held everyone’s attention and possibly established future legal careers?
During April we had one-week community involvement, which differed from work experience, as we were there to help rather than to learn. This was done in pleas ranging from primary schools to play schools to Charity shops.
Throughout the year we had many other visits including Croke Park , The Four Courts, The Army barracks, a trip to the Gaeltacht and an end of year activity trip to Oakwood.
Our Graduation night on May 30 th will be the end of what has been for most of us, an enjoyable, hectic and worthwhile year.
Public Speaking and Effective Communication
Congratulations to pupils who sat their Public Speaking and Effective Communication exams, set by the Leinster School of Music and Drama, in May. These exams have proved successful through the years and have encouraged students to express themselves clearly and confidently. Shane Hickey, John Burke, Darrell Slattery, Kelvin Power, Craig Todd, Connor Lonergan, Scott Ahearne, Micheal Corcoran, Christopher Gregory, Gregory Carroll, Mark Clancy, Andrew Heffernan, James Drake, David O’Dea, Brendan Flynn, Bryan Keeley, Keith O’Shea, Jason Fallon and Gerald Bannon were all awarded certificates.
A special word of congratulations to 5 th Year student Padraic Burke who was awarded 95 marks in both the Public Speaking and Effective Communication final exams – a first for the High School.
Well done everyone.
School Tour to Germany
Bavaria was the destination for this year’s High School tour and it turned out to be an excellent choice, with a good mix of history, culture, interesting places to go and things to do and enjoy. The forty nine students and their teachers certainly enjoyed the full itinerary planned by tour leader, Mr Shanahan. We were kept going from dawn until long after dusk each day.
We were based in Munich , the capital city of Bavaria , noted for its architecture which successfully blends both modern and historical buildings into a harmonious whole. The various King Ludwigs who ruled in Bavaria during the middle ages were avid builders and were responsible for most of what is much admired in present day Munich . Much of the city was destroyed by Allied forces during World War Two, but the Allies deliberately did not target historical buildings, concentrating on military and commercial targets. The city was rebuilt tastefully and the absence of high-rise structures is notable. One particular exception to this is the tower in the Olympic Village which houses a museum, a revolving restaurant and viewing area high above the city. The Olympic village itself was built to host the1972 Olympics and is a major feat of architecture and engineering- the ‘teccies’ amongst the group were in their element amongst the hyperbolic paraboloid shell roofed structures laid out like a group of tent-like structures housing arenas, swimming pools, gymnasia etc.
We arrived in Munich on Good Friday evening and or tor properly started on Saturday morning with guided tour of Munich . In the afternoon we visited Dachau concentration camp which was a sobering experience. The evening was rounded off with the lads strutting their stuff at the hotel disco – the ladies didn’t seem very impressed however. The teachers treated the lads to an exhibition match on the Pool table where Mr Delahunty’s youth and enthusism was no match for his colleague’s guile and patience.
On Sunday morning we were on the road again at 8.00a.m. the change to Summer time coupled with the fact that we had lost an hour on Irish time meant that we had a very sleepy bunch on board. However no mercy was shown and we made our way to Zugpitze, the highest peak in the German Alps. This proved to be an amazing experience. We really saw “how the other half lived” with families out skiing, snow boarders doing their thing, travel on cog wheel trains and cable cars, wonderful countryside and brilliant scenery.
After another sumptuous lunch in Mc Donalds we proceeded to fairytale Neuschwanstein castle, built by a reputedly mad King Ludwig who seemed to have a lot more money than sense. The wood carving in his bed chamber took four years to complete with eight highly skilled carvers working full time on the project – no wonder the project was never completed.
Back to base for dinner and a walk (or was it a trot) to the Olympic swimming pool – Mr Shanahan found a short cut, or so he claimed. The swimming pool, where Mark Spitz collected his record breaking seven gold medals, was shunned by the lads who took to the diving boards. We were treated to some virtuoso performances where the degree of difficulty of the dives seemed alarmingly high at times. Mr Shanahan was the judging panel and had his own private pool (the Jacuzzi) swimming several laps with great poise (not a hair out of place). Ms Lonergan was graceful as ever doing the back somersault with remarkable ease while Mr Maher was poetry in motion as he knifed into the depths doing the ‘pencil’dive!
Back to the hotel disco to see if any new talent had checked in. Pickings were scarce indeed and with the herding instinct breaking out in the teachers their ‘lambs’ were soon rounded up into their various pens. Mr Shanahan displayed skill worthy of the World championship sheepdog trials when ho sought out and rounded up one particularly ‘lost’ sheep. Surprisingly it was the sheep who had the ‘hangdog’ expression on his visage as he headed into his pen.
Up early again on Sunday morning as we headed for Salsburg across the border in Austria . It is supposed to be a beautiful place but as we were encountering our first (and only) rain of the tour we couldn’t be sure. Our itinery promised that we were going to do some shopping, but there was a small problem, the shops appeared to be all closed on Easter Sunday. However, as we cruised the rain sodden streets, Mr Delahunty, who had the advantage of having studied German at school, spotted an open shopping centre so our spirits were uplifted and we dismissed the bus driver to go shopping, but alas, Mr Delahunty’s shopping centre turned out to be an almost deserted train station. We did find a restaurant that was up to our very high standards- Burger King.
After shakey start to the day we were apprehensive as we headed for the world famous salt mines in Salsburg but we were pleasantly surprised from the moment the tour started and we were plummeting at speed deep into the bowels of the earth on a narrow gauge open train. Back to the hotel and by popular demand the Olympic pool again.
On Sunday we used the ‘underground’ to get to and from the town centre where the shopaholics amongst us were again in their element buying last minute pressies for their ‘loved ones’ back home.
The tour was most enjoyable, the group was lively but extremely well behaved, everything went more or less to plan and we are left with good memories.
Pat Power – A tribute (of sorts)
How the years have flown. It hardly feels like 24 years since the “Boherlahan Rocket” began his teaching career in the High School, yes it’s hard to believe but he was fast back then, despite non-aerodynamic hair. Little did the pupils of Ardscoil na mBráithre know then of the valuable insights into the worlds of Maths and History they were to gain under Pat’s tutelage in the years ahead. Pat attended Cashel C.B.S. having come from Boherlahan Primary School . Here he excelled academically and on the hurling field. Wins in Croke, Kinane, Fitzgerald and Corn Phadraig School competitions together with starring for Boherlahan made him a vital part of the 1976 All-Ireland winning Tipperary Minor Team. Pat later played with U.C.D. and narrowly missed out on a Fitzgibbon medal. He also played with Tipperary Seniors during the 80’s. It was however, a source of regret for Pat that his beloved Boherlahan didn’t win a County Senior title during his time with the club.
When Pat’s hurling days came to a close he began playing squash and became Clonmel’s no.1 player for a number of years. After squash Pat began to play regular 5-a-side indoor soccer – it was generally agreed that he was good going forward but was totally unfamiliar with the concept of tracking back. Golf is Pats’ latest sport – the question that begs itself here – is there a natural progression to slower sports and if so, is bowling next?
Another aspect of Pats life in Clonmel High School was the many years he spent as a hurling coach. Hurling was revived in the school with his timely intervention in the early 80’s. The fact that the High School can now stand toe to toe with many of the more traditional school hurling powers of Tipperary can in part be attributed to Pat’s contribution through the years.
Pat’s recent years in the High School were as Principal and Deputy Principal. These again were roles he fulfilled with great energy, enthusiasm and success. He has spent the last year in Carrickmacross and will take up his new position as Principal in Callan in the coming academic year. Pat will be greatly missed from the High School by pupils, parents and teachers. He will of course continue to live in Clonmel and it is my earnest wish that he “won’t be a stranger” to the staff room in the years ahead. Finally, as someone who has known Pat since secondary school (although he’s much older); I’d like to extend my best wishes for the future and my thanks for all the advice and friendship in the past.
Jerry Shanahan
Student Leadership Group
This year certainly has been a busy one for the Student Leadership Group. Over the last nine months we have been working to improve student life at the Highschool. The committee elected at the end of the last school year consisted of David Lonergan (Chairman), Diarmuid Bolger (Secretary), Paddy Kelly (Treasurer), Michael Feeney (PRO), Scott Ahearne, Colm Ryan, Eoghan Twohig, Lee Morrissey, Eric Fitzgerald, Ronan Nyhan, Michael Mulvihill and Shane Guiry. To begin the year we decided to learn the views of the students and to do so we distributed questionnaires. As there was great support for the reconvening of a Battle of the Bands we chose go ahead with this idea and held a most successful night in March. For the month leading up to the event the group worked tirelessly on covering every possible angle and ensuring all attendees would enjoy the experience. We must thank our sponsors the school bank and premier music for their help in deferring the financial costs and providing equipment. The evening ended with Funk n’ Wagnells as the victors after a landslide victory in the vote. As is the tradition in the now well established Student Leadership Group new officers were elected post Battle of the Bands resulting in Diarmuid Bolger as Chairman, Eric Fitzgerald as Secretary, Paddy Kelly remaining as most able Treasurer and Lee Morrissey as PRO. The group showed its charitable steak, being instrumental in the raising of €3000 for the “Buy a Boat” campaign presenting a cheque to the Sri Lankan consul. We also contributed to a fund towards reducing the costs of students who will be attending the “World Youth Day” in the summer. The group then set about organizing activities for students at lunch time which there is a noticeable lack of. We chose to screen episodes of “Father Ted” at lunch time for the remaining weeks of school which proved to be quite popular. At present the group has many projects in the pipeline which should come to fruition by next September. The amount of effort given by each member of the group cannot be underestimated which included the surrender of lunch break almost every week. During the year we endeavored to highlight areas of the school which could be improved upon and tried to act with the interests of the students at heart. Those in the group feel that it was indeed an honour to serve and represent the students of the Highschool and we believe we have done ourselves justice in that regard. Finally we cannot praise enough Ms. O’ Mahoney, Ms. Hickey and Ms. Byrne for helping the group get off the ground and the positive functioning of the group.
Diarmuid Bolger
Chairman
High School Clothing Co. goes from strength to strength
As part of our course work we, the L.C.V.P. class, set up a mini-company which we call: ‘The High School Clothing Co.’. The aim of the company is to provide quality High School clothing to meet the needs of students and parents. The company surveyed students to find out what these needs were. One of the issues that arose was the difficulty that students and parents have when it comes to finding a jacket that is acceptable to parents and students while complying with the school rules.
We investigated different jackets that are available from different sources. With consideration of such factors as cost, quality, style and suitability we identified two jackets as being acceptable in all categories. We then showed the jackets to five students from each year group. These students were asked to vote on their favourite jacket. The clear winner was a jacket provided by The Outdoor Clothing Co.
The High School logo will appear on the fleece side of the collar. This was the preferred option of the majority of students.
The jacket will be sold to students for €60 and will be available in the school only. This represents good value for a jacket whose retail price would probably exceed €70.
The jacket is being made an official part of the school uniform, as agreed by the Board of Management and the Parents’ Council. This will be phased in over the next three years and from September 2005 will be compulsory for First and Fifth years. The jacket will also be available to any other students who wish to purchase it.
German Success for Donal
Donal Lynch, a Transition Year student recently won a National German Essay Competition. His prize is a two-week trip to Austria , where he will study the German language with fellow European winners. The title of the essay was “Weh dem, der Lügt” (Woe he who lies). His use of metaphors, creative images and a poem captured the judges attention.
The competition is organised by the Irish-Austrian Society and this year there were over 200 entries from various schools around the country. The judges are University lecturers and native speakers. Donal has been invited along with his parents and teacher Ms. Martina O’Reilly to attend an award ceremony at the Austrian Embassy in Dublin . It is the sixth year in a row that a High School student has won the scholarship. Previous winners really enjoyed the trip and returned to Ireland with great confidence in speaking the language.
No doubt Donal will make the most of this fantastic opportunity when he travels to Salzburg in June. Viel Spaß und Gute Reise!
A German Trip of a Lifetime
Eric Fitzgerald, a 5 th year student received one of the highest results in the Junior Certificate German State Examination. He received a letter from the Department of Education in January informing him of this achievement and invited him to attend an interview in Dublin . The interview took place in the Goethe Institute and was conducted in the German language for 30 minutes. There were five people on the interviewing board and three were native speakers.
Eric was delighted to hear a few weeks later that his fluency and standard of German won him the most sought after scholarship to Germany . He will travel to the country for 4 weeks with all expenses paid. For the first two weeks he will attend a German school and experience first hand the German school system. This will be a bit of a culture shock to Eric as all schools are mixed, there is no uniform and school starts at 8am and finishes at 1pm. He will then travel to Cologne , Bonn and Munich where he will spend 5 days in each place enjoying the sights and learning some of the “Landeskunde”. He has been well warned that no english is to be spoken and that he is to return to the High School full of enthusiasm for his Leaving Certificate Year. Wir wünschen Eric eine sehr gute Reise, viel Spaß und viel Erfahrung. Wer weißt, vielleicht kommt er mit einem hübschen deutschen Mädchen zurück. Komm gut nach Hause!
Young Scientist
A Clonmel High School student who came up with a new way to make the internet secure was awarded a prize for the way his project was displayed at the Young Scientist’s Exhibition, last week. Fifth year student, Colin O’Keeffe, from Clonmel, did his project in the technology category and it was called ‘PHP session security.’ Many of the high-tech projects brought to the Young Scientist’s exhibition are a bit complicated for people to understand, but Colin explains that his project involves making websites, that use a username and password, more secure. Examples of these websites would be Hotmail e-mail or a bank website if you were using on-line banking. Not only did Colin have the advanced skill to design his project, but he also did a good job of presenting and explaining the process on his stand at the exhibition and it was for this that he received his award, in the highly competitive senior individual project category. The stand was fitted out with diagrams explaining what he did, security threats on the Internet and the results of his project. He also used a computer presentation to further explain the project, making it easy to understand, and catching peoples’ eyes. This is the first time Colin has entered the Young Scientists competition. It was an achievement alone to be selected for the final stages of the competition, where only 400 projects from the 1,000 entered were displayed.
The project was displayed from Friday to Saturday and Colin said the experience was good fun. The days were a bit long because he couldn’t leave the stand and he had to talk to the public over and over about the project. “It was a good experience and I’ll definitely do it again next year,” Colin said. He already has an idea for a project for next year but he’s not saying what that is!
C.P.R. Training
The Transition Year class and a number of teachers took part in a very worthwhile course in CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) and AED (Automated External Defibrillation) in January in St Anthony’s Unit of South Tipperary General Hospital.
The course is very we4ll structured and presented using pre-course material, video presentation, excellent instruction, hands on practice and post-course assessment. This ensured that each participant was well versed in the theory and practice of this vital life saving procedure. Putting on the course in the school was the brainchild of Ms Liz Ryan (Resuscitation Training Officer), Ms O’Reilly and Ms O’Mahony. Each of the course presenters, Liz, Donal and Kate, are to be complimented for their professionalism and dedication. They ensured that complex course material and procedures were presented in a very easily understood format that was easy to remember. It is particularly important that the participants remember accurately the procedure to be followed, should they be required to intervene, in a life-threatening situation. For this reason participants will undergo refresher courses every four to six months.
The school are thankful to Liz, Donal and Kate and to South Tipperary General Hospital for equipping us with these invaluable life saving skills which will make the school and community a safer place to work and study in. The next step has to be the procurement of a defibrillator for the school and plans are being hatched to make this possible next school year.
Class Reunion
1964 Leaving Certificate Class
Forty years have past; forty summers with the length
Of forty long winters! And again I hear
The Ragwell waters rolling from their mountain springs
With a soft inland murmur.
With apologies to William Wordworth’s “Tintern Abbey”.
On Easter Sunday night March 26 th after a lapse of over forty years 16 of the stalwarts gathered in Raheen House, Clonmel. Our guests of honour were former teachers Mr. Oliver Doyle and Mr. Tom Ambrose. The night opened with a prayer for deceased classmates and parents. The roll was called and the room re-echoed to the sounds of former days with “Anseo” and “As lathair”. Glowing tributes were paid to the Christian Brothers who provided the young men of Clonmel with secondary education when the State was either unable or unwilling to do so in the past century.
Conversation revolved around memorable football matches, athletics meetings, basketball, clandestine rugby games, soccer in Dowd’s Lane and spats with teachers and Christian Brothers. Many memories of the “Machi” Br. Collins were recounted from the classroom, the football pitch, his love of life, republicanism and the Gaeilge. The general consensus was that the High School, its teachers and ethos gave us a great start to life.
Music of the 60’s namely the Beetle’s, Elvis, Cliff Richard, and the Showband era was provided by Mick Collins and some past pupils of our former High School Music teacher, the late Nellie Reilly. It was also nice to see many partners present.
Comments were that our class was a bit like “Noah’s Ark” in that there was two of every species in our group: -two doctors, two Bookmakers; two Gardai, two Principals; two Aer Lingus Executives, two Engineers, two Vets, two Blackguards, two Priests, two Army Officers, two Higher Executive Officers, two Agricultural Inspectors, two Council Officials and a Christian Brother. Sadly four members of the High School are deceased. R.I.P.
An enjoyable get together was held on Easter Sunday for Brunch in Carey’s Bar, Irishtown. Our thanks to Dr. John Carey and Tom O’Connor for their organisation of this very memorable event.
On to the 50 th in 2014.
The class were Tom O’Connor, John Carey, Larry Kiely, P.J.O’Brien, Frank Fenton, Brendan Dunne, Tommy O’Neill, David Holden, J.J. Gahan, Paddy Purcell, William Purcell, William Robinson, Noel Stapleton, Brian Byrne, Paddy O’Brien R.I.P., Seamus O’Keeffe, Tom Fennessey, Philip Carroll, Michael Malone, Rodger O’Donoghue, Paul Murphy, Sean Melody, Frank Burke, Bill Butler, Muiris Dromey R.I.P., Dermot Watchorn, Martin O’Gorman, Joe Flynn, Noel Barry, Ted Boyle, Frank Hallinan R.I.P., Anthony Lonergan, Billy Munnelly, Michael McCann, Liam Burke R.I.P., Hillary Collins and John Hunt.
Ad Multos Annos to all.
Tom Fennessey