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AlexPress October 2025

Principal's Update

Principal's Update - 24 October 2025
Barbara Ennis, College Principal

As we reach the end of a lively and fulfilling first half of term, there’s a wonderful buzz around the College and plenty to celebrate before we break for midterm. From creative classroom work to co-curricular triumphs, it’s been a time of energy, collaboration, and community.

Our Transition Year students have returned full of stories and new perspectives after their recent trip to Carlingford, a highlight of the term for them that showcased their curiosity, teamwork, and sense of adventure. Meanwhile, preparations are well underway for our Halloween Day on Friday, promising plenty of festive fun, creative costumes, and school spirit to finish the half term on a high note. Add to this a host of musical, sporting, and artistic achievements across the school, and it’s clear that the term has been rich with talent and enthusiasm.

Thank you to students, staff, and families for making this half term so positive and productive. Wishing everyone a restful and enjoyable midterm break; you’ve earned it!  

SOCS Sports

We are delighted to be able to introduce you all to our new sports website, SOCS. On the public sports homepage you will soon be able to see all of the Senior School's sports fixtures and results, training schedules, sports news and more. 

We will use SOCS for all sports fixtures and news following the midterm break; parents and guardians are invited to explore the portal and create their accounts in advance, and fixtures will be available at the beginning of November.

SOCS SPORTS PORTAL

3rd Year Parent Teacher Meeting

Thursday 6 November, 4:15 pm - 6:45 pm

The 3rd Year Parent Teacher Meeting will take place on Thursday 6 November 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.

Following the success of last year's pilot, we will continue to use the SchoolCloud online booking system this year, which allows parents and guardians to make appointments to meet with their daughters’ teachers. 

Booking for the 3rd Year Parent Teacher Meeting will open on Wednesday 29 October at 7 pm, and will close on Friday 31 October at 2 pm. Details for access, including parent login codes, will be sent to 3rd Year parents next week prior to booking.

Scholarship Programmes 2025

Scholarship Programmes 2025

Scholarship Exam - Saturday 15 November 2025

We’re delighted to welcome applications for our five academic, boarding, and co-curricular scholarship programmes this year for students who may not have considered Alex as an option for financial reasons. Crucial to the Alex ethos is opening doors for ambitious, talented girls from all backgrounds; we hope that you will spread the word within your communities to any friends, family, or neighbours who you feel would benefit from an Alexandra College education.

With academic, boarding, and music scholarships for entry in 1st, 4th, or 5th Year, there are a wide range of options available. Application takes only a few minutes, and registration closes on Wednesday 12 November - for more information, please see our website:

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMMES

Orchestra Call - Calamity Jane

Calamity Jane Orchestra Call
Calamity Jane Orchestra Call
Dr Kalnins

We are looking for Trombone, Trumpet, Horn, Viola and Cello players to join our orchestra for the TY Musical, Calamity Jane. Minimum Grade 6 standard desired. The show dates are 27-29 January 2026. Those interested should contact the Music Director, Dr Kalnins.

St Philip's Art Sale

Staff Spotlight - Ninbe Markinez

Each month, we feature a member of our staff in our Staff Spotlight! This month, we spoke to Ninbe Markinez, PE teacher in the Senior School, about her teaching career.

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Junior School News

This month's Junior School News features our new Sports Captains, mini-hockey galore, and more!

Junior School News October 2025 

A group of young female hockey players, wearing matching uniforms, are gathered together on a sports field with cloudy skies in the background.

5th Year Biology Trip

5th Year Biology Trip
Ms Martina, Ms Cunningham, and Ms Grenham

5th Year Biology students visited ‘The Revolution in Cancer Care Exhibition’ in St.Stephen’s Green on Monday 13 October. The students got to explore cancer research and understand Cell Division in Mitosis a little further. It was an excellent exhibition and we were delighted to be able to bring our students to it!

The image depicts a museum or exhibition space focused on the revolution in cancer care. In the foreground, several people are examining displays or exhibits, while the background features a large green wall with text and graphics related to the topic.
A group of people standing in front of a large screen displaying the text %22The Revolution in Cancer Care%22.
The image shows a person in a beige coat interacting with another person at a display titled %22The Revolution in Cancer Care%22 in what appears to be a museum or exhibition space.
A crowded indoor space with a %22Cancer Revolution%22 sign, people in the foreground, and a ceiling with recessed lighting.
The image shows a crowded indoor space with a blue and white sign indicating a %22Cancer Revolution%22 event, and a group of people in winter coats standing in the foreground.

Thanks from the AWC

Thanks from the AWC
AWC

We just want to say thanks to all the Parents and Students who supported the uniform sale, raising over €10,000 for women in need!

Special thanks to our parent and TY volunteers who made this initiative possible.

If you would like to help with future charity initiatives with the AWC, please contact us at awc@alexandracollege.ie. 

Visit from NYU Admissions

Visit from NYU Admissions
Ms Earlie

Many thanks to Lisa Mortini, Senior Admissions Officer for New York University, for visiting the College on Monday 13 October! Lisa spoke with 6th Year students, sharing information about studying at NYU as well as in the US in general. 

Mental Health Matters Poster Competition

Mental Health Matters Poster Competition
Senior School

Well done to Lorna Quinn, Drama teacher in the Junior and Senior Schools, on her win in the National World Mental Health Day Poster Campaign. Lorna’s poster won in the Workplace Category - congratulations, Lorna! 

Art Riddler Exhibition

Art Riddler Exhibition 2025
Ms Clegg and Ms Lyons

We are delighted to announce that Saoirse B (2H) was invited to exhibit at the Art Riddler Exhibition at One Charlemont Square, Dublin 2, running from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th October. Saoirse is one of only 80 artists — and the only student — chosen to participate, following her impressive showing at the Hermione Art Exhibition last year.

A framed artwork featuring a bold, red and black graphic design with the text %22Bexate Ey%22 and %22On what level%22, along with abstract figures and shapes.
The image displays a collection of framed artworks, including an abstract painting with bold red and blue hues, a landscape depicting a coastal scene, and a framed poster with a vintage-style design.

Junior and Senior Debating

Junior and Senior Debating
Mr O'Connell

On Saturday 27th of September Ciara K (1H) and Molly O'F (1B) competed in the Clonkeen Mace hosted in Clonkeen College, Blackrock. They debated skillfully on topics such as 'this government would ban political advertisements on social media'. Schools from across the country were there and the level of competition was high. Well done to Ciara who achieved 11th best speaker out of 125.

Ruby W (3B), Samanvitha D (3B), Iseult H (3B), and Elsie S (3H) all competed in the UCD Junior Mace competition in UCD. While Astrid O'Kane (5K) and Alexandra O'Donnell (5K) debated in the UCD Senior Mace competition on Saturday the 18th of October.

Res Round-Up

This month's edition of the Res Round-Up features the annual Res Halloween Party, a trip to Kilmainham Gaol, and more!

Res Round-Up October 2025

A group of young women in white lab coats are gathered around a table, engaged in what appears to be a collaborative activity or discussion, with a modern, well-equipped laboratory setting visible in the background.

5th Year Art Trip to Sculpture in Context

5th Year Art Trip to Sculpture in Context
Ms Lyons

On Monday 6 October, 5th Year Art students spent a brilliant day at Sculpture in Context in the National Botanic Gardens. The exhibition, which features hundreds of sculptures by Irish and international artists, was the perfect setting for inspiration. Wandering through the gardens, students discovered artworks made from every kind of material imaginable — from bronze and glass to wood and recycled objects — all cleverly placed among the trees and glasshouses. The trip gave everyone new ideas for their own projects and showed how art can connect with nature in creative and unexpected ways.

A group of people, mostly young, stand in front of a large glass greenhouse structure, with various plants and structures visible in the background.
A large glass greenhouse structure with a domed roof stands in the background, while in the foreground, a woman in a blue jacket stands on a grassy area.
A group of people standing in front of a large glass greenhouse structure, with a decorative metal sculpture visible in the foreground.
Two young women with long hair are smiling and posing in front of a large, intricate wooden structure in the background.
A young woman with long brown hair is smiling and standing in the foreground, surrounded by a large, intricate structure made of intertwined branches in the background.
The image displays the word %22amore%22 written in stylized black letters, with a red heart shape incorporated into the design.
The image depicts the word %22Snellie%22 written in a stylized, dripping blue font against a light background.
A vibrant, striped background in shades of blue and white, with the word %22BISOUS%22 prominently displayed in red letters, surrounded by splatters of red paint.

Expressive Typography for Intercultural Day - TY Art

Expressive Typography for Intercultural Day - TY Art
Ms Lyons

To celebrate Intercultural Day, our Transition Year Art students created a typographic project exploring words from different languages around the world. After learning about expressive typography — the art of designing words so that their form reflects their meaning — students each chose a word. Using colour, shape, and creative lettering, they communicated the meanings visually. The final display showcased words in dozens of languages. The College community are invited to match the word to its meaning in the attached quiz.

MATCH THE WORD QUIZ

TY Footee

TY Footee Ireland
Freya H (4O)

On Wednesday the 24th of September, we TYs had the opportunity to take part in an exciting day at Footee. The day was packed with fun and energetic activities that pushed us out of our comfort zones and brought us closer together as a year group.

We were split into groups and rotated through different activities, each one being a different kind of challenge. We started things off with relay races, these races tested our team work as each team had to work together in order to succeed. Next, we moved on to laser tag, this was very high intensity. After that, we played dodgeball, which brought out everyone’s competitive side. There was lots of laughter,shouting and quick dodging. Finally, we ended the day with bubble football, which was both hilarious and chaotic, this was definitely a highlight of the day. The staff were so lovely and it definitely was an unforgettable experience.

Overall, the Footee trip was a brilliant way to bond as a year. The mix of physical activity, teamwork, and fun helped us get to know each other better.

A group of people in colorful uniforms are gathered on a grassy field, with a building and trees visible in the background.
A group of people in red and white uniforms are standing on an inflatable obstacle course in a grassy field surrounded by trees.
A group of people in colorful outfits are playing on large, abstract shapes on a grassy field surrounded by trees.

Drama Department News October 2025

Drama Department News October 2025
Ms Brehony

Important Reminder: Drama and Public Speaking exams for 1st – 5th Years will take place on Saturday 22nd November

It has been a very busy month for all of us in the drama department with lots of developments across the years.

Our Junior DramSoc have chosen their play for this term and have begun reading through scenes and exploring the different characters. The play is Robina Hood — full of fabulous roles such as ‘Lady Mascara’, ‘Omar Sheriff’, and ‘Vortex’. The performance will take place on Tuesday, 3rd March, and it’s definitely one to add to the diary!

Our FilmSoc is also up and running this year, led by our brilliant senior filmmakers — Catherine Cannon (6L), Bianca Busatto Balthazar (5L), and Niamh Carty (5L). They’ve been collaborating with our Intermediate DramSoc, helping them with the trailers they’ve started creating. This year, our 2nd and 3rd Year members are focusing on acting for camera, and with the new Leaving Certificate course in Drama, Film and Theatre Studies on the way, our young performers will be more than ready for it.

On Tuesday, we had our first formal performances at assembly, with some of our drama students sharing their exam poems with the rest of the school. Sofia G (1H) performed At the Theatre: To the Lady Behind Me by A.P. Herbert; Aisling C (2B) shared the beautiful poem Holding Hands by Michelle Yeo; and Honor FitzGerald (5K) performed her sonnet Life by Paul Hansford. It’s never easy to stand up in front of your peers, and they all did brilliantly.

Our Calamity Jane rehearsals are now in full swing, and we had our first Saturday rehearsal last weekend. We have the absolute best cast — so enthusiastic and full of energy (long may it last!). Romy J (4O) takes the lead as Calamity, with Lily-Anne F (4O) as Katie Brown and Orla O’D (4T) as Susan. Spoiler alert: there’s a triple wedding in this show — a first in all our productions — and we can’t wait! 

Last week, our TY Drama Reps organised a wonderful get together with their Junior School Drama Captain counterparts. The TYs organised lots of games and snacks and it really helped them all to get to know each other a little better. 

Reminder of Important Drama Dates

Saturday 22nd November 2025 -1st to 5th Year Drama and Public Speaking Exams

Tues 27th, Wed 28th, Thurs 29th January - ‘Calamity Jane’ in the HWC

Tuesday 3rd March 2026 - Junior DramSoc Production of ‘Robina Hood’

Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th April - DramFest 2026 - All Drama and Public Speaking students 1st to 6th Year

 

A crowded indoor space with a large audience seated in rows, surrounded by flags and decorations, with a stage and projection screen visible in the background.
Three young girls wearing school uniforms are standing in front of a gray curtain backdrop, smiling at the camera.
A young woman wearing a University of California, Berkeley sweatshirt is sitting on a bench, intently reading a document in her hands.
Two people, a woman and a man, are standing together and reading from papers in their hands in what appears to be an indoor setting with a window visible in the background.
A group of young people, some wearing hoodies with the letters %22IDA%22 printed on them, stand together in what appears to be a hallway or lobby.
A group of young women, dressed in casual clothing, stand together in what appears to be a city street or alleyway, with various signs and storefronts visible in the background.
A group of young people, some smiling and laughing, stand together in a hallway or corridor, dressed in casual clothing.
A group of young female athletes in red and white uniforms, standing together in what appears to be a sports facility or gymnasium.
A group of young people, wearing red and white uniforms, are gathered together in what appears to be a school or training facility, with large windows and a bright, open space in the background.

TY Zipit Trip

TY Zipit Trip
Lily-Anne F (4O)

For our first trip in fourth year we went to Zip It, an outdoor adventure park. We left the school at 8:45 and arrived at zip it around 9:15.When we arrived, we were given helmets and harnesses and then a  short safety briefing. We started on the lower courses to practise clipping in and balancing on the ropes.

Then we moved on to higher courses. The zip lines were the highlight of the whole trip. Everyone completed at least one of the bigger courses. Everybody was cheering for each other from below.

It was a tiring day, but a good chance to try something different with our year group. It was also a good bonding activity for our year group outside of a school setting.

A forest adventure park with various rope bridges, platforms, and people in red uniforms exploring the lush, green wooded environment.
Two people, a man and a woman, are sitting on a wooden platform attached to a tree in a forested area. The background is filled with lush greenery and branches.
A forest adventure park with various suspended walkways, platforms, and obstacles among the tall pine trees, providing an exciting outdoor experience for visitors.
A person in a red jacket is suspended from a platform high up in a tree, surrounded by a forested area with pine trees.

TY Simon Community Run

TY Simon Community Run
Molly O'R and Zoe O'B (4J)

On Saturday 11 October, We took part in the Simon Community Run! The Simon Community is an organization dedicated to helping people who are experiencing homelessness. They provide support, shelter, and resources to those in need, aiming to create a welcoming community where everyone can feel safe and cared for. Events like the 5K help raise awareness and funds to support all the work that they do!

We arrived there at 9.00 and the run started at 9.30. We had to go sign in and by the time we were finished it was time to start the run. The atmosphere was great. There were lots of people from secondary school students to older people who volunteered to run aswell. We finished the run after around 40 minutes. It was a great day and we would recommend others to parktake in a run for charity in their neighbourhood!

A group of runners are participating in a race, with trees and greenery visible in the background.
The image shows a finish line for a running event, with a large banner displaying %22FINISH%22 and %22HOME RUN%22 above a crowd of runners crossing the finish line. In the background, there are trees and a cloudy sky.
The image shows three women standing together on a grassy field, with trees and a paved path visible in the background.
Four young women in athletic clothing are posing together on a paved path surrounded by trees and greenery.
The image shows two young women standing together in a park-like setting, with a tent and other runners visible in the background.

TY GoQuest

TY GoQuest
Grace G (4O)

On Wednesday the day of our Junior Cycle results the whole of ty went to Go-Quest in the morning on the Luas. We were split into groups of fours and went into the escape rooms. We had to do lots of mental and physical problem solving , it was great fun. After we finished the escape rooms we went for lunch , after lunch we played group games and the egg drop test. We made capsules for our eggs and then dropped them from the to floor. The trip was a perfect distraction to forget about the the stress of our results. It was such a good day and we all are coming closer as a year group !

Two young women are holding up a large sign with the letters %22JK%22 written on it, smiling and appearing to be having fun.
A group of young people wearing white shirts with letters on them, standing in a room with a large screen display in the background.
A group of young women wearing white shirts with letters spelling out %22IMBABE%22 are posing together in a dimly lit room.
Two young girls with long hair are standing behind a metal gate or bars, wearing casual clothing.

October Sports Update

Hockey Midterm Report

Hockey Midterm Report
Mr Groves

Senior Hockey

A solid start for our Senior Section. Our Senior As have started their league campaign with a win, a draw and one narrow defeat from a tough run of games.

Senior 2s have kicked off with a win and a draw.

Senior 3s have 2 wins from 2 in their league section with a notable win over a Kings Hospital 2nd team.

Senior 4s have started with a convincing 5-0 win over Greystones CC.

Junior Hockey

Our Junior 1s will have to wait till after midterm to start their league and cup campaigns.

Junior 2s started their league off with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Muckross.

Our Junior 3s have opened up with a win and defeat from games against Loreto Foxrock and Loreto Dalkey.

Our Junior 4s started off with a defeat away to Loreto Dalkey but recovered to beat Loreto Beaufort 2-0 to leave them well placed in the league.

Soccer and Cross Country Report 2025

Soccer and Cross Country Report October 2025
Mr Collins and Ms Hourihan

Soccer

2nd Years have won 2, drew 1 and lost 1 match

Minors have won 3 matches including their cup match against Loreto Dalkey

Juniors won their cup match against Greystones CS and lost 1 match

1st Years have won 1, drew 1 and lost 1

Seniors won 1 match and lost 1 match. They lost in their cup match against Gorey CS. 

2nd Year Football World Cup

Winning team was Mexico. 

Captains were Anabelle J. (2S), María P. (2B) and Anais W. B. (2S)

Player of the tournament was Freya F. (2R)

Best attitude of the tournament was India F. (2R)

Cross Country

Lily Kate McCarthy (6L) came 2nd

Lorena B (1S) came in the top 10

A group of young female athletes in matching pink and red uniforms are standing together on a sports field, with buildings and structures visible in the background.
The image shows three female athletes standing on podiums, with a grassy field and trees in the background.
A large group of people, mostly young women and girls, are gathered on a sports field, wearing colorful uniforms and posing for a group photograph.
A large group of runners, wearing various athletic attire, are gathered on a grassy field surrounded by trees, with a banner visible in the background.
A group of people in colorful uniforms are playing a sport on a green field, with trees and buildings visible in the background.
A large group of runners, both men and women, are gathered at the starting line of what appears to be a cross-country or trail running event, with a wooded area and buildings visible in the background.