AlexPress May 2025
Principal's Update
Dear Students, Parents, and Staff,
As we reach the close of another remarkable school year, we pause to reflect on the achievements, growth, and memories we have shared as a community. This year has been filled with challenges and triumphs, and none of it would have been possible without the dedication, support, and enthusiasm of our staff, the encouragement and partnership of our parents, and the hard work and spirit of our students. Thank you all for your invaluable contributions and for making our school a place of learning, kindness, and inspiration.
As we look forward to the summer break, we hope you find time to rest, recharge, and enjoy special moments with family and friends. Whether you are travelling, exploring new hobbies, or simply relaxing, may your summer be filled with joy and discovery.
We leave you with the words of Michelle Obama: “Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. And trust your instincts—good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don’t hurt.”
Wishing you all a safe, happy, and rejuvenating summer!
Return of Yondr Pouches
All students should have returned their Yondr pouches by this afternoon; if any student has not yet returned their Yondr, they should return it to Reception ASAP. Please note that there is a €25 charge for any unreturned Yondr pouches at the end of the academic year.
Lockers
A reminder that students’ lockers must be completely clean, empty, and left open for inspection by the following dates:
- 1st, 2nd, and 5th Years: 12 pm on Friday 30 May
- 3rd Years: 4 pm on Friday 13 June
- TYs: 4 pm on Friday 23 May
- 6th Years: 5 pm on Tuesday 24 June
Students should plan to take all their books and belongings home or back to Res over the coming weeks, and ensure that they keep their lock for next year. Students will be assigned a new locker when they return in September.
Seeing Red: Menstruation and Media - Thrive Podcast
In this episode of our student podcast Thrive, we unpack how menstruation is portrayed in the media – from horror films like Carrie to the "lady problems" jokes in Mean Girls, and even the way period product advertisements often emphasise discreetness over openness.
Why is something as natural as a period still treated like a secret? Why do brands use blue liquid and whisper about pads being “invisible”? How do pop culture moments reinforce or challenge menstrual stigma?
This is an honest, student-led conversation aimed at exploring how media shapes the way society views menstruation.
International Student Ambassador 2025/2026
Hello everyone,
My name is Lena Schultheiss, and I am honoured to be the new International Student Ambassador for the academic year 2025/2026.
I was born and raised in Germany and joined Alex in my 4th Year. It’s been an amazing experience so far, and I’m really looking forward to helping other international students feel just as welcome and supported as I did when I arrived.
My goal is to be here for you, whether you’re facing challenges or just need someone to talk to. We can’t wait to welcome our new international students after the summer, and we’re also really happy to have our current international students back. I hope you all get to make the most of your time here and truly enjoy the experience.
We have also planned some bonding activities that allow international students to get to know each other better.
Lastly, a big thank you to Yihan for all the fantastic work she did over the past year.
Community News
Junior School News
This month's Junior School News features Sports Day 2025, our Parent/Guardian STEM talks, and more!
End of Year School Trip to Emerald Park
To mark the end of a busy academic year, 3rd Years were treated to a well-deserved day out at Emerald Park. This special trip was a reward for their dedication, hard work, and perseverance throughout the year—a chance to unwind and enjoy some time together before the upcoming exams. We were fortunate to have glorious weather on the day, and spirits were high from the moment the buses arrived. The girls made the most of every moment, from adrenaline-filled rollercoaster rides to gentler attractions and everything in between. Laughter echoed throughout the park, and it was wonderful to see them relaxing and having fun as a group. As we head into exam season, we want to wish all the girls the very best of luck. We know how much effort they have put in, and we are confident they will do themselves proud.
ATI Competition
Together as our Italian class of five, we worked together as a group to make a presentation for the ATI (Association of Italian Teachers of Ireland) competition. We designed a trip for our class to travel through Italy, starting in Verona to Bologna to Florence and then ending in Pisa. We researched flights, accommodation and planned what we would do day to day on our week long trip. To celebrate our first place win in the competition, we had a pizza party with the 4th Years, we played games and listened Italian music.
Hermione Headlines
This month's edition of the Hermione Headlines features our new Res Prefects, a trip to Zero Latency, and more!
Hermione Exhibition 2025
The Hermione Art Exhibition took place from the 9th May to the 18th May. It offered the opportunity for artists around Ireland to present their work. It also offered the students of Alex a chance to show and sell their work as well. I was one of the students that got chosen for the exhibition along with many others. The exhibition was an amazing way to view a diverse range of art from around Ireland and was a great way for me to explore different styles and mediums other than my own. I really enjoyed the exhibition and I encourage everyone to enter into the competition next year.
Gaelbhratach Award 2025
Well done to the Coiste Gaeilge, who were awarded their 12th consecutive flag for the promotion of the Irish language in the College earlier this month! They also raised €275 during Seachtain na Gaeilge this year in aid of the Riley Project - well done to all involved!
Hope Foundation Immersion Project 2025
On behalf of all the students and teachers who travelled to Kolkata in March we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who supported us and made such generous donations towards our trip to Kolkata with the Hope Foundation.
Throughout the week we spent in Kolkata, we got to meet the most amazing people and see all the positive work the Hope Foundation does. We felt so lucky to be able to witness first hand the projects that have been funded by so many generous donations and how these projects make such a difference to the lives of the people in Kolkata. Our days in Kolkata were packed from early morning right until sunset, meeting new people, visiting different projects such as homework clubs, protection centres, girls and boys homes, schools and crèches and seeing everything that the Hope Foundation has built. Every day was full of learning, laughter, and connection. But honestly, nothing prepares you for the feeling you have at the end of each day. It was a mixture of complete fullness, happiness, sadness and gratitude, all at once. Visiting the different projects, we didn’t just see hardship. We saw courage and we saw strength. The Hope Foundation is the reason why these children have somewhere safe to turn to, somewhere they are cared for, supported, and given real chances to build a brighter future.
This experience has opened our eyes in ways we’ll carry with us forever. It has taught us about gratitude, about kindness, and about how powerful hope really is. We had an unforgettable experience and made memories for life at every project we visited.
One of the most inspiring parts of our trip to Kolkata was seeing the pure joy in the face of every single child we met, despite everything they’ve been through. Their happiness, their energy, and their kindness were so real, and it stayed with all of us. It really made us realise how much we take for granted, and that true happiness isn’t about what you have rather about the people around you, and the support you feel.
We are incredibly grateful for all the donations we received this year, and can honestly say that all your donations really do make an incredible difference to so many children and families supported by the Hope Foundation.
Below are a few photos from our time in Kolkata!
Thank you all again for your continuous support.
3rd Year Visit to Dáil Éireann
On the 22nd of May, we were lucky to get a chance to visit the Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann. However, before going to the Dáil, we had to learn a brief history of the Dáil.
The Dáil is referred to as the Lower House of the Houses of the Oireachtas and is elected by the people of Ireland. The First Dáil was convened form 1919 to 1921 and was the first meeting of the unicameral parliament of the Irish Republic, In the infamous 1918 election, the Irish republicanism party Sinn Féin won a landslide victory in Ireland, and in line with their manifestos its MOs refused to take their seats. On the 2nd of January, 1919, they founded the Dáil Éireann, which translates to the Assembly of Ireland. We are now at the 34th Dáil, and it has 174 members repressing 43 various constituencies. We learned of the different ministers and how they are referred to as Deputy.
We first arrived at Dawson Luas station, around 09:50, and walked to Dáil, where we were greeted by Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour Party and Alex alumna. We then met our wonderful tour guide, Sláine who took us into the main building. Our form group were enticed by what Deputy Mary Lou McDonald reported, that “Ireland has, by comparison with our European partners, one of the highest levels of public expenditure for housing, yet one of the poorest outcomes." Why is that the case? It is because the Government decided to pass the State's responsibility for housing people to private landlords. Last week, I referred to the €3 billion the Government is forking over to wealthy property funds to lease homes that neither the State nor the tenants will ever own. In one case, the Government is coughing up close to €1 million leasing one property in Dublin that goes back to the fund after 25 years. That is incredible incompetence. However, there is even worse.”
Unfortunately, we had to leave quickly. We walked through the building and soon then reached the Seanad Éireann, the Upper House of the Oireachtas. The Seanad was in the middle of debating key issues like housing, healthcare, and EU affairs. A major focus was the Planning and Development Bill, which aims to reform Ireland’s planning system. Senators from all parties examined amendments closely, showing the Seanad’s role in refining laws. Although less prominent than the Dáil, we learned that the Seanad plays a crucial part in Ireland’s democracy, offering expert scrutiny and holding the government to account. Seeing it in action gave us a real insight into how legislation is shaped.
Soon our trip came to an end. Overall it was an amazing experience. This trip provided valuable insight into Ireland’s democratic process, from Deputy Mary Lou McDonald's address in the Dáil to the Seanad’s legislative review, which has taught all of us the importance of diverse perspectives in government.
May Sports Update
Swimming
Best of luck to Rebekah Friel (6J), who has been selected to represent Ireland for the 10km event at the European Aquatics Junior Open Water Swimming Championships in Portugal in June! Well done, Rebekah, on this great accomplishment.
Football
Minors lost their league Regional Final in sudden death penalties against St Colmcilles
1st Years won their league final 5-0 against Presentation Wexford
Athletics
East Leinsters - we had 13 individual medalists and 3 relay medals
Leinsters - 8 students made the Leinster finals, and our minor relay team came 2nd qualifying for All-Ireland's
The Citizen Science EnderScope Community Project
I met Niamh Burke, a Ph.D. student from UCD, at the Dublin Maker 2024 and was introduced to the EnderScope scanning microscope. The EnderScope was initially designed for the purpose of detecting microplastics in filtered seawater samples, but it can be used for viewing anything.
Much to my delight and that of my TY science class, Niamh and the other members of the EnderScope Community Project based in UCD subsequently donated one of the 3D printer-based microscopes to the College. With Niamh’s help and advice, my TY class completed its assembly. We hope to put it to good use in the years to come.
I would like to extend my particular thanks to Niamh and the other members of the UCD team for the generous gift of the microscope.
Alex Film Festival and Oscar Ceremony
The Film Festival took place on the 12th and 13th May, the TY Filmmaking students and the Film Societys’ short films were screened in the Lecture Theatre during lunchtime. This year we added the film society to the festival, they are a group of students from 1st to 5th Year who meet once a week to write, shoot and direct a short film, it is fantastic to see how this society has grown in its first year! The society is overseen by Ms Rycraft, and student-led by Catherine Cannon (5L) who attended the filmmaking classes in TY.
It was great to see the Lecture Theatre filled with very enthusiastic audience members. A special thanks to our wonderful teacher and student judges who were present at each of the screenings so that there was a consistent number of votes for the Oscar Awards. Our teacher judges were Ms. Crowley, Ms. McDonald, Ms. Luskin, and Mr. Murphy. The student judges were Audrina C (1S), Laura H (2S), Evanna M (3S), and Thinh Ann Ward (5M).
Well done to all the Filmmaking students on the fantastic range of films they produced this year. Many thanks to Mr O’ Farrell, Ms. Biondi, Ms Visocchi, Mr. Keane, Mr. Warren, Mr. McDermott and Ms Duffy for helping to present the Oscar awards and for opening the very important gold envelope to reveal our winners. And the Oscar goes to......
The Oscar Awards 2025
Best Cinematography: Blink
Best Script: Grief
Best Actress: Charli G (4J) - disconnected
Best Director: Bianca B (4J) and Niamh C (4J) - disconnected
Best Soundtrack: Changes
Best Editor: Catherine Cannon (5L)
Best Short Film: Checkmate
Nominees: Grief, Checkmate, Memory Lane, Between the Lines
Best Music Video: disconnected
Nominees: Blink, disconnected, Changes, Roaming
The Audience Award: Checkmate
Choir End of Year Review
The College Choir took part in the Wesley Interschools Choral Festival in March 2025. They were up against some tough competition in the SSAA 4 part girls competition and were placed 2nd out of 13 choirs - fantastic achievement.
The Intermediate Choir took part in both the Wesley and Navan Choral Festivals this year. The girls sang beautifully and were placed 1st at the Navan Festival.
My thanks to all the girls for their commitment, patience, fantastic voices and great fun throughout the year.
TY Philosophy Trip to Gonzaga College
This term some of the TY RE classes have learnt about philosophy and ethics, focusing on Aristotle's ethics. As part of this module, on 2 April, a collection of TY students visited Gonzaga College to engage in philosophical debate and socratic circles with a class of 5th Year students.
The students were put into groups and given topical ethical questions to discuss. There was particular encouragement on how to engage in dialogue, listen to others, respect opinions and also convey their own opinions. The students debated a range of topics such as "Is violence acceptable to protest occupying forces?" to "What are the ethics surrounding use of beauty filters online?"
Thank you to the students who got involved with something outside of their comfort zone and to Ms. O'Brien-Quinn in Gonzaga for helping to organise the event.
