AlexPress September 2025
Principal's Update
Welcome to the first edition of ‘AlexPress’ for this academic year 2025/26.
When ‘AlexPress’ first appeared in the 1990s, it was the creation of the late Dr Robert Kirkpatrick, an eminent Deputy Principal whose vision was to give Alexandra College a publication that reflected the daily life and spirit of the school. Back then, every Friday afternoon, as the last bell of the week approached, prefects would travel from classroom to classroom, arms stacked with freshly printed copies, handing each student their own edition. Each issue was printed on a different coloured sheet, and the burst of colour carried through the corridors became a small but welcome ritual that marked the week’s close.
Much has changed in the intervening decades: the format has evolved, our means of sharing have multiplied and become digitised, and yet the heart of ‘AlexPress’ remains the same. This publication continues to serve as a record of our shared community, celebrating achievements big and small, shining a spotlight on the talents of our students and staff, and keeping us connected to the vibrant pulse of school life. From musical triumphs to sporting victories, from classroom innovations to creative endeavours, ‘AlexPress’ is a chronicle of the energy, ambition, and imagination that define our College.
We are delighted to share this first edition of the year. May it both honour Dr Kirkpatrick’s founding vision and capture the unique spirit of today’s life at Alexandra College.
ACA AGM
The AGM of the Alexandra College Association, our parent-teacher association, will take place on Thursday 9 October at 7 pm in the Senior School Lecture Theatre. All parents and guardians are welcome to attend.
Flu Vaccine Service
The flu vaccine service, administered by pharmacists Alan and Sheena Mitchell from Milltown totalhealth Pharmacy, will take place over two days on Monday 29 September and Wednesday 1 October. If you have registered your child for the vaccine, please ensure that the advice below is followed on both days, as your daughter could be called for vaccination at any time.
Child needs:
- to be well
- wear a short-sleeved top
- to have eaten their breakfast/lunch before they attend
If you have any queries, please contact Alan and Sheena at milltown@totalhealth.ie.
Red History: Periods through Time - Thrive Podcast
In this episode of our school wellbeing podcast, we’re exploring how periods have been understood, misunderstood, and talked about (or not talked about) throughout history. From ancient beliefs to modern-day myths, we take a look at how attitudes have changed — and why period positivity matters today. We’re breaking down stigma, sharing facts, and having honest conversations about something that half the world experiences.
Film Society
Community News
Annual Prize Giving Ceremony 2025
Many thanks to all those who joined us on Thursday 18 September, for our Annual Prize Giving, and congratulations to all of our prize winners! We were honoured by the presence of our guest speaker, His Grace, the Most Reverend Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Glendalough, and Chairperson of the College Council, whose words brought both wisdom and warmth to the occasion. It was an inspiring evening filled with joy and pride as we celebrated the many achievements of our students.
Please find the programme from the evening linked below:
Junior School News
This month's Junior School News features J6's Trip to Carlingford, J5W's Day of Democracy, and more!
Alex Acts 2025
Alex Acts is officially up and running for another exciting year! We’re delighted to introduce our newly appointed leaders: Kate Buggy (5K), Poppy Conboy (5K), Katie May Fogarty (5M), Faye Geraghty (5K), Cara Holmes (5J), Jahan Mangat (5J), Sorcha Moran (5L), Kate Mowlds (5M), Caroline O'Beirne (5K), Nicole O'Beirne (5M), Angie Oehri (5M), and Lauren Rea (5L).
Our mission is simple but important: to ensure that everyone in the Alex community feels happy, supported, and truly welcome. Each week we hold meetings that combine friendly chats, fun games, and of course, some well-deserved treats! These gatherings give us the chance to check in with each other and build connections.
Looking ahead, we’ll also be hosting a series of events throughout the year, starting this October. We’ll also be running Kindness Week in November. These activities are designed to bring different year groups together, strengthen friendships, and celebrate the sense of community that makes Alex so special.
We’d like to take a moment to thank last year’s Alex Acts leaders for the incredible work they did. Their creativity and dedication set a wonderful example and gave us plenty of ideas to build on this year.
The new team is buzzing with enthusiasm and can’t wait to get to know everyone. We have plenty of exciting activities planned, and we hope to see as many of you as possible getting involved. Here’s to a fun-filled year with Alex Acts!
Student Leadership 2025/2026
We were delighted to present our student leaders with badges this week at Assembly! Well done to all our new Class Captains, Vice Captains, Student Council Representatives, and Alex Acts Ambassadors.
Res Round-Up
This month's edition of the Res Round-Up features our new Res Prefects, a trip to Dublin Zoo, and more!
Feis Ceoil Young Platform Concert
Last June, Ciara Halpin (5J) took part in the Feis Ceoil and was awarded first place in the Girls Vocal Solo (A). After the competition, Ciara was notified that she had achieved the overall highest mark in the U18 Vocal category in the Feis Ceoil. As a result of this wonderful achievement, Ciara was invited to perform in the Feis Ceoil Young Platform Concert in the National Concert Hall which took place on Monday 15 September. She performed two pieces: A Scythe Song by Hamilton Harty and The Calico Dress by C. Villiers Stanford. After her performance, Ciara was presented with the Junior Vocal Rosebowl. Ciara, accompanied by Mr Wilson, sang with conviction, sensitivity and a remarkable level of professionalism. We are all very proud of her.
6th Year Geography Trip to Glendalough
Last Friday the 6th Year Geography classes along with teachers Ms. Macken and Mr. McDermott went to Glendalough for the 6th Year Geography field trip. The purpose of the trip was to carry out field work and gather results for our Leaving Cert Geography project. We studied the upper and lower courses of the Lugduff Brook, Glendalough. It was great to see Geography in action, as well as having great fun together!
Start of Year Service
On Wednesday, 10 September, Alexandra College staff and students from 4th Class to 6th Year attended a start of school service in Sandford Parish Church. Reverend Gyles led a beautiful service to mark the beginning of the new school year and to bring the Alexandra College community back together after our summer break. During the service, both staff and students read prayers and readings, as well as a beautiful musical piece performed by Nina C (3S), Noeru Tsuge (6J), and Emer Z (2H). New and returning students and staff were welcomed by Reverend Gyles, and we were all reminded about the importance of community and creativity, especially through Reverend Gyles' retelling of the parable of 'The Pencil'! Thank you to all who made this service possible, and we look forward to more of these gatherings throughout the year.
This is Ourselves, Under Pressure
Congratulations to 1st Year Alex parent Emmet O'Reilly on the publication of his new book, This is Ourselves, Under Pressure in June!
It was the summer we learned to believe. In ourselves, in each other – and in what Ireland could be.
From the coal-scented streets of 1950s Dublin to the fevered roar of Italia ’90, This Is Ourselves, Under Pressure follows the Byrne family as they navigate a nation on the cusp of transformation. Jimmy and Joan come of age in a country caught between the comfort of old certainties and the excitement of new ambitions. But as their love deepens and their family grows, the values that shaped them collide with the realities of modern life. Faith is questioned. Loyalties are tested. Football becomes more than a game.
By the time the nation holds its breath in the summer of 1990, the Byrnes – and the country around them – have learned to look forward, not back.
Heartfelt, sweeping and sharply observed, this is the story of how one ordinary family reflects an extraordinary national journey – from survival to hope, from silence to song.
The book is available on Amazon linked below:
Drama News and Notices
September began with the wonderful news that Emily Mullen (3H) was the recipient of the overall Excellence Award from the Leinster School of Music and Drama. This is an incredible achievement for someone so young and we are so delighted for her well-deserved win.
For our first drama assembly of the month, we challenged our 6th Year drama students to have a bit of fun and entertain the packed concourse. As it was audition week for the TY musical, they used that as their inspiration for their improv. Much hilarity and many ‘surprising’ costumes later we realised that we definitely need to make this a new tradition. 5th Years: get thinking, only 12 months to go…
This week we announced our new Transition Year Drama Reps for the year. We had a lot of applications for these roles of responsibility, and it was a very difficult choice. This group of students will help with the many drama events and activities during the year, and we can’t wait to get them started. The successful students are: Genevieve D B (4R), Grace H (4T), Gracín M (4Y), Evanna M (4R), Beth M (4O), Zoe O'B (4J), Róisín O'C (4Y), Alexis R-N (4T), Emily S (4Y), Katie S (4O), Lauren T (4Y), and Jemima W (4T).
The Reps were presented with their badges at Tuesday’s assembly, after two of last year’s group (Zoe Pharithi (5L) and Honor FitzGerald (5K)) gave us a flavour of the sort of things that they had done last year.
Wonderful News
One of our brilliant past pupils, Caroline Menton, is soon to be seen in The Walsh Sisters on RTE. The six-part series is based on Marian Keyes' best-selling novels Rachel’s Holiday and Anybody Out There. It follows five sisters - Anna, Rachel, Claire, Maggie and Helen - as they navigate addiction, family crises, and the ties that hold them together. Having completed a Foundation year in RADA in London, Caroline went on to complete her degree with The Drama Centre. Caroline will play the part of Rachel in this new series (our favourite character, of course) and we are all just so proud of her. You can hear all about it at this clip from RTE’s Arena 22nd September:
September Sports Update
Hockey Results
Wednesday 10 September
- 1st Year Mixed Blitz v High School - 3 wins from 3
Thursday 11 September
- Senior 1 v Teresians 6-0 (W)
- Senior 3 v Teresians 3-0 (W)
Saturday 13 September
- Minor 1 v St Gerards 0-1 (L)
- Minor 2 v St Gerards 0-1 (L)
- Minor 3 v St Gerards 2-2 (D)
- Junior 1 v St Gerards 1-0 (W)
- Junior 2 v St Gerards 3-1 (W)
- Senior 2 v St Gerards 4-0 (W)
Wednesday 17 September
- Minor 1 v Newbridge 3-0 (W)
- 1st Year (2 Groups) 3 wins from 3 v Newbridge
Thursday 18 September
- Senior 1 v Mount Anville 1-3 (L)
Wednesday 24 September
- Senior Premier v Loreto Kilkenny 3-0 (W)
- Junior 1 Friendly v Muckross 0-1 (L)
Friday 26 September
1st Year Blitz v Muckross
- Group 1 6-0 (W)
- Group 2 4-0 (W)
- Group 3 4-2 (W)
- Group 4 1-1 (D)
Saturday 27 September
- Junior 3 League v Loreto Dalkey 1-2 (L)
- Junior 4 League v Loreto Dalkey 1-4 (L)
Soccer Results
Wednesday 17 September
- Minors won 8-0 against St. Kilians
Thursday 18 September
- Juniors lost 6-5 against St Kilians senior team
- 2nd Year's v Stratford College 7-0 win
Leinster Rugby
Well done to Matilda S (4J), who has been selected for the Leinster Rugby U17 metro squad! Best of luck, Matilda.
Tennis Update September 2025
Congratulations to Camellia R (3R) and her partner, who won the U14 doubles tennis final in the area Junior Club Championships, which were played at Carrickmines Tennis Club on Friday 29 August.
Congratulations to Alina O'C (1B), who was selected for her first international cap in U12 Tennis for the Junior Four Nations tournament in Nottingham last weekend. Alina and her teammates put on a historic performance as the first Irish team to win the Junior Four Nations in over a decade - well done all!
Alina also achieved a national ranking of number 2 this summer with a number of wins on the National Tour and finalist results on the European Tour. Well done Alina!
Leinster Hockey
Congratulations to Darcy C (4O), Annabel O’L (4O), Grace G (4O), and Emily S (4Y) on being selected for the Leinster U16 hockey panel to compete in the Inter-Provincial tournament in Cork from 5–7 September. This is a tremendous achievement, well done girls!
All-Ireland Golf
We are especially proud of Alannah Moran (5th Year), who was a key member of the Elm Park Golf Club team in the AIG Women’s Senior Foursomes All-Ireland Finals against Royal Tara GC. In a thrilling and hard-fought contest, Elm Park held their nerve to secure the title and become All-Ireland Champions. A fantastic achievement for Alannah and her team from Elm Park.
Leinster Cricket
Well done to Ursula O (4J), Lauren T (4Y) and Ella M (4J), who all made the Leinster provincial Under-15 cricket team this summer, playing in a number of inter-provincial fixtures against two Northern Irish provincial teams. Congratulations to all three on a great summer of sports.
Dublin GAA
Huge congrats to Ava L, Freya F & Méabh O'K on their Gold All-Ireland U14 success with Dublin GAA in June! Well done to all at Dublin GAA for their win over Kerry.
