AlexPress December 2024
Principal's Update
As we approach a very welcome Christmas break may I take this opportunity to offer my best wishes for the festive season.
I also share my thanks and admiration for the collective efforts of all members of our community: Council and Board members, teachers, support staff, and students for the contributions they have made to our wonderful College over the Autumn term.
To our 6th Years, I send especially warm words. You will be experiencing many milestones over the coming months - from your last Carol Service, to your mocks, to your last bell and graduation - savour every moment and take this Christmas break to relax and spend time with your families and friends.
I send my best wishes to all those in our community during this Christmas season.
A few upcoming events in January for your diary:
1st Year Parent Teacher Meeting
Thursday 16 January 4:15 pm - 6:45 pm
The 1st Year Parent Teacher Meeting will take place on Thursday 16 January from 4:15 pm - 6:45 pm in the Concourse. The Parent Teacher Meeting is an important opportunity for you to meet with your daughter’s teachers to discuss her academic progress to date. Your daughter’s Form Tutor will also be available on the evening. We encourage the guardians of our boarding students to attend the Parent Teacher Meeting, should internationally-based parents be unable to join us.
TY Information Evening for 3rd Years
We invite 3rd Year parents and students to join us for our TY Information Meeting on Tuesday 21 January at 7 pm to give you an overview of what the Transition Year programme involves. Our TY Coordinators, Chiara Biondi and Kevin Manning, will share more about our programme, optional modules and activities, and answer any queries you may have.
Hope Concert Update
![Hope Concert 2024]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_6/v1732877207/alexandracollegeeu/krwe8q5va1ldwbxuizng/IMG_9605copy.jpg","width":2200}])
The Alexandra College community came together on Thursday 21 November in support of the Hope Foundation and our 5th Year students travelling to Kolkata in March. It was a fantastic evening of music and drama from both Junior and Senior School as well as our Alex Voices parent choir. Funding from the Alex community over the years has supported educational initiatives and medical care, as well as the Ashar Alo Home for teenage girls in Kolkata.
We are delighted to share an update on our fundraising - this year, we raised an incredible €5546 - thanks to all in our community for their support!
Art Pack Drive
In 4T, a few weeks ago we started organizing a collection of school supplies. On Friday, December 13th, we went to the Refuge Center to deliver everything we had collected. In the bag we carried, there were pens, paints, markers, scissors, pencils and many other things that will now be used by the women and children who need them at the Refuge Centre.
When we arrived, we were greeted by a very nice woman, she told us a little about her work there, she also showed us the wall painted by the TYs from last year. To announce this collection, two girls from the form spoke at assembly in front of the whole school. In addition, we went to some classes so that people would not forget and bring all the possible things to help people in need. This made us realize that we are very lucky and we lack nothing, on the other hand there are people who do need help and fortunately we can help them.
Junior School News
This month's Junior School News features our Christmas shows, a visit from a zookeeper, and more!
Student Council Corner
Hi everyone! The student council is excited to share an update on what we’ve been working on this month. Although it’s been a quieter month, we’ve still made some great progress.
Weekly Meetings Drive Progress and Future Plans
The student council has been meeting every week to plan and discuss future initiatives that will benefit everyone. Stay tuned for some exciting updates in the coming months!
Introducing Our New Chairperson: Nicola Molloy
We are delighted to announce that Nicola Molloy (5L) is now the official chairperson of the student council. Nicola will lead our upcoming efforts and make sure your voices are heard.
Christmas Jumper Day
On December 13th, the Student Council hosted our annual Christmas Jumper Day, and it was fantastic to see so many unique and creative Christmas jumpers on display! Everyone’s personalities truly shone through, making the day even more special.
Student Council members gathered at the school entrances to collect donations from those wearing their festive jumpers. The atmosphere was filled with joy, smiles, and a great sense of community, and we were lucky enough to see some truly amazing jumpers.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our peers and staff, we raised just over €575 that will go towards part of our period poverty initiative of providing Riley period products for another school. A huge thank you to everyone who donated, participated, and helped spread Christmas cheer.
A special shout-out to all the teachers whose festive jumpers brought even more smiles to our faces!
DLR Library Cards Are Here – Don’t Miss Out
DLR Library cards have been handed out! If you have applied for one and haven’t received yours yet, please get in touch with your student council representative as soon as possible.
Thank you for your continued support, and don’t hesitate to reach out with ideas or concerns!
Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season!
Self Care at Christmas - Thrive Podcast
How to Take Care of Ourselves During the Christmas Season
The holiday season is a time for joy and connection, but it can also be overwhelming with the stress of gifts, gatherings, and endless to-do lists. In this episode, the Alexandra College school nurse shares practical self-care tips to help you prioritise your well-being during the festive period. We cover:
- Setting boundaries and avoiding burnout
- Simple ways to recharge your energy
- Managing holiday stress and emotions
- Finding time for yourself amidst the chaos
Whether you're a student, parent, or just trying to get through the season with your sanity intact, this episode is packed with advice to help you mind yourself and make the most of Christmas without sacrificing your peace.
Hermione Headlines
This month's edition of the Hermione Headlines features the annual Res Christmas Dinner and more!
Köln Christmas Market Trip
This month from the 8th to the 10th, our TY Deutsch class along with a few 5th Years went on a fun yet educational school trip to Köln with our lovely German teachers Frau Phelan and Frau Maxwell.
Early in the morning on Sunday, we all assembled at the airport. Once we landed in Dusseldorf, we got a chance to have a look around the German shops in the airport for refreshments while we waited for our pre-booked rental coach to arrive. Once it had arrived, we were kindly greeted by the driver and shortly brought to the hotel to store our luggage until later.
After storing our luggage, we walked a short distance into the main town part of Cologne, where there was a Christmas market, a shopping district and multiple industrialised streets filled with the warmth of German culture. We then had time to go around and have some lunch. There were a lot of appetising options to choose from. Afterwards, we went for a guided tour of the Köln cathedral, the Rhine river and nearby surroundings. The architecture and scenery there were enchanting, and the guide was very knowledgeable. Following the tour, we went to a festive Christmas market. There were tons of delightful German specialties to purchase there; such as currywurst, potato pancakes, Kinderpunsch, hand-crafted jewellery and so much more.
On the second day, we got up nice and early for a tasty German breakfast at the hotel. There were mostly brötchen (bread), käse (cheese), wurst (sausages) but also other local foods. We visited the inside of Cologne Cathedral which was bombed 84 times in World War II but remained standing. We then climbed 533 steps up the viewing tower and on our way up, we heard St. Peter’s bell that was ringing out over the city. When we reached the top, we experienced a beautiful panoramic view over the city centre of Cologne and the Rhine. Later, we went to another Christmas market to go ice-skating and to try more yummy specialties of Deutschland. The atmosphere was so cosy and festive, I loved it. Then we walked to the Lindt chocolate museum close by, where there were tons of engaging activities to experience inside regarding the history and creation of different chocolates. It was very fascinating and we got to taste test some limited edition free chocolate.
On the last day, we were allocated time in the morning to go shopping for German souvenirs and any other products that our hearts desired. After a few hours of going around the shopping district and Christmas markets in the area, we headed towards a 3D glowing rooms arena to play mini-golf. The arena was painted beautifully and the activity was fun with a hint of competitiveness. Finally, we made our way to our final Christmas market, which was filled with tons of charming stalls, really captivating the authenticity of German customs.
The trip was overall a great experience and I truly loved every moment of it.
Fresh Film Festival Showcase
Last Thursday we were invited to the IFI (Irish Film Institute) for the Fresh Young Filmmaker of the Year Showcase. Our film ‘Rumours’ (by Isobel Johnston (5M) and Laura O’Doherty (5L), starring Catherine Cannon (5L), Tara Lennon (5J) and Phoebe Boylan (5K)) was screened at the showcase for winning the first ever Sustainability Award.
We made our film last year in the Transition Year filmmaking class. The showcase was a screening of the winning films and we were also asked to take part in a Q&A along with the other winning directors. We were honoured to have our film shown and it was an amazing experience seeing all the other films and hearing from the directors.
Wishing the TY filmmaking students the best of luck with their Fresh Film Festival entry in January.
End of Term Sports Report
Hockey
Our Senior 1s have wrapped up for Christmas with 3 consecutive wins in the league without conceding a goal; a 2-0 win over Foxrock was followed up with a 1-0 home win over Dalkey and finished with a 3-0 win over High School on Monday. The Senior 1s sit 3rd in their league heading into Christmas. Senior 2s finished up last week with an excellent 2-0 win over Kilkenny College, and our Senior 3s beat Holy Child 3-2 in a thriller to leave them second in their league pool.
Our Junior 1s had a very credible draw away to Wesley and look forward to their cup campaign starting after Christmas. It was a mixed bag for our Junior 2s and 3s with resounding wins over Loreto Dalkey (6-1) and Loreto Stephens Green (3-0) but defeats to Templecarrig left them mid-table going into the Christmas break.
Minors 1s had a narrow defeat away to Wesley in the league and most recently drew 1-1 to Rathdown in the league. They are currently second in their league pool with two more games left in their section after Christmas. Minor 2s fell to a 2-0 defeat to Loreto Beaufort at home, leaving them 3rd in their league section. A big win away at East Glendalough has left the Minor 3s sitting second in their league section at the break. Big wins over Loreto Stephens Green and Santa Maria leaves our Minor 4s top of the league at Christmas having won all their games.
1st Year 8v8 leagues have wrapped up, and we will now move to the 11v11 league and cup after Christmas.
Soccer
- Juniors lost 5-4 in the last 16 of the cup against Tallaght CS
- Minors won their cup match against Blessington CC 6-0
- Seniors won their league match against St Raphaela's 5-0
- 1st Years lost in the last 16 of the cup 1-0 against Loreto Beaufort
- 2nd Years won 4-1 against Rockford Manor
- Juniors won their league match 4-0 against Stratford College
Well done to our Seniors, who have finished first in their league group and qualified into division 1 of the knockouts.
GAA
Well done to Ava L (1H), Freya F (1R), and Meabh O’K (2S) who were selected for the Dublin county GAA team, and Sarah S (3S) who was selected for the Kildare county GAA team!
TY Hamper Initiative
Well done to everyone’s great team effort and dedication. Together we managed to make a total of 50 hampers. I would like to thank everyone for their contribution—without the collective effort, we probably wouldn’t have been able to achieve this record-breaking number. All of the hampers were sent to Vincent de Paul and Alex Women Charity ladies. It’s the small acts of kindness that truly make a difference and can brighten someone’s day.
Modern European Council
On Tuesday 10th December, six of our students participated in the inaugural Model European Council event, hosted by St. Kilian's German School and the Lycée Français International in Clonskeagh. The students were in delegations of 3, representing the countries of Cyprus and Spain and worked on negotiating, building alliances, and discussing EU policy issues with their peers in a collaborative and competitive environment. This was a great opportunity for the students to receive first-hand exposure to European politics, hear from professionals working in the EU and Irish politics, and allow them to experience how it feels to be the leader of a European nation.
Well done to Amy C. T. (3H), Savannah Gordon (5L), Zoe P. (4R), Jasmine Z. (3B), Maryam K. (3R) and Cici C. (3B) for getting involved and representing Alex to a high standard. A special thank you to Mr. O'Connell for his support with the event.
3rd Year Trip to It's a Wonderful Life and Gingerbread Decorating
Last week, 3rd Years had the chance to experience a heart-warming trip to Dundrum cinema, where they watched the classic Christmas film It’s a Wonderful Life. The film, set in a small town, follows George Bailey, a man who learns the true value of his life with the help of a kind-hearted angel. It reminds us that every life has profound meaning, and that the love we give to others makes a difference.
After the film, they enjoyed a creative gingerbread designing workshop in the canteen. Armed with icing, candy, and plenty of festive cheer, the girls crafted their own gingerbread masterpiece, including one group who managed to make an igloo out of marshmallows! The day was a perfect blend of heart-warming lessons and holiday fun, leaving everyone with a deeper sense of gratitude and joy. Special thanks to Pat, John, and all the canteen staff for making the day special.
A Day in the Life of a Drama Rep
Hi I’m Cara, the Drama Reps are responsible for helping the drama department with our many events throughout the year from drama exams with the Junior and senior school, the Junior school Christmas shows, our DramSoc performances and rehearsals and finally DramFest which takes place in March.
A number of the drama reps helped with the JS Christmas shows. Some of us helped out behind the scenes by making the props for the play and doing the lighting, while others were helping organise the children - a cast of 73!
It’s not every day you can get out of maths to make a giant magic mirror for Cinderella!
Hi, I’m Bianca, and I was doing the lighting for the shows along with Alex and Margot. We met with the lighting man Paul Macken at the start of the week and he showed us how to use all the equipment. From that point on, the three of us were fully in charge of the lighting. It was a great experience and we learnt lots of valuable skills from it, such as how to use a lighting desk and what it’s like to be responsible for a show. We were in charge of turning on and off the house lights for the performances, making sure the stage was well lit, and that the colour matched the mood of the scene or song.
