Class Act: Convent of Mercy, Roscommon
The junior Gaelic football team at the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon.
Congratulations to Grace Campbell in Transition Year, whose poem ‘Emotions’ received third prize at the ‘Junior Bard of Connacht’ competition held as part of the recent Creggs Harvest Festival. Grace was awarded third prize from a field of over fifty entries, adjudicated by Poetry Ireland’s Poet Laureate for Strokestown Noelle Lynskey. Grace won a prize of €50 for herself and a prize of €150 for her English class, all of whom entered the competition under the direction of their teacher Ms Siofra Byrne. Congratulations also to Abbie Conneely whose poem ‘The Emotions of the Ocean’ was also shortlisted in the final ten entries. Many thanks to the Creggs Harvest Festival committee for organising this worthy literary event and especially to Mr Larry Kilcommins for his encouragement and support.
Last week the U-16 volleyball team travelled to Mountrath to play in the All-Ireland Quarter final. The girls started off their play strong against Mountrath Navy and Red teams, winning their first two games. In their final game they were unlucky against a very strong Portlaoise College side and unfortunately did not progress to the semi-finals. The girls put in a tremendous effort but despite a great match it was not to be on this occasion. The girls have had a great season of volleyball success. Thanks to coach Ms Saoirse MacCabe for training and accompanying the girls and well done to you all.
The junior Gaelic football team travelled to Tuam on Friday morning to continue with their Junior 'A' Championship campaign. The Convent of Mercy girls met a strong High Cross College outfit who got off to a flying start. Despite this setback, the girls showed great determination and fighting spirit throughout and put some good passages of play together.
Unfortunately it was not enough to win the game but it was a good learning experience for all involved.
Thank you to coaches Mr James McLoughlin and Ms Saoirse MacCabe for accompanying the girls to the game.
During the month of November (month of the Holy Souls) all Religious Education classes will hold a November Remembrance Liturgy to remember and pray for their deceased family members and friends. Each of the students have prepared a special symbol of a heart with the names of their loved ones written on it. The students are involved with the prayers and readings for the liturgy and it gives them the time and space to remember and appreciate family and friends who are no longer with us.
Congratulations to the senior camogie team who are through to the Connacht Final after defeating Ardscoil Mhuire Ballinasloe 2-9 to 7 points. The final will be played in December with a date yet to be finalised. Hard luck to the junior camogie team who have failed to qualify out of their group after their final group game on the same date. Well done on a great season girls and thanks to the coaches Ms Teresa Hession and Mr Martin McManus.
As part of Entrepreneurship Week, local businessman John Campbell called in to the school to visit Fifth Year LCVP and Business students. John is the founder of District Speciality Coffee Shop based on Abbey Street in Roscommon Town. John spoke to students about his background as an entrepreneur, the challenges faced in setting up a business as well as the rewards. Thanks to John for taking the time to come in to speak with the students and thanks to LCVP teacher Mr David O’Reilly for organising this informative talk.
Artists and writers have long been inspired by the beauty of Sligo so what better place to bring an eager group of senior art students. On Thursday, November 9th senior art students along with their teachers Ms Seymour and Ms Kilcommins set off in the rain to find inspiration in the Model Art Gallery in Sligo town. Hoping to inspire more female artists, the girls were brought to see “Her Back to the World” exhibition which brought together a survey of the changing themes and interests of Irish women artists over 100 years. The exhibition had work ranging from Mainie Jellett, Evie Hone, Mary Swanzy, Norah MacGuinness, Nano Reid, Alice Maher, Rita Duffy and Dorothy Cross who addressed social, political and feminist issues in their work.
A second exhibition was from another female artist from the UK called Emma Talbot with her work “The Age / L’Età” The girls’ attention was captured as the exhibition consisted of animation, free-hanging painted silk panels, 3D and drawings and commented on aging, power and governance, as well as attitudes towards nature.
One can't go to Sligo without going to see the work of Jack Butler Yeats as he is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed 20th century artists. The students were delighted to be able to see the progression of his style as The Niland collection comprises a large holding of his work across the many phases of his career.
The Exhibition was thoroughly enjoyed by both teachers and students as there was something there for everyone! The art room will be bursting with creativity after this trip and we would highly recommend a trip to the Model Gallery for any art lovers as you will not be disappointed. Thanks to Ms Kilcommins and Ms Seymour for organising this most enjoyable and educational trip.
