Camille O’Sullivan, guest of honour at Ashton School Prize Day, seen here with Mr John Deane, Head Boy Mark Sampson, Head Girl Eleanor O’Meara and Mr Adrian Landen

Open Day 2018
On the afternoon of Friday 21 September, the school opened its doors to the public and to prospective pupils and their families. Around 200 families were guided around the school by prefects and Transition Year students who were happy to talk about aspects of life here. Members of staff were on hand to answer questions on a wide range of interests relating to the curriculum, ethos and extracurricular activities.

Visit of Bishop Colton to Ashton
Bishop Paul Colton addressed the school at assembly recently. He was accompanied by Rev. Simon Douglas, Rev. Julia Cody who later spoke to variously classes in the school. The theme of the Bishop’s address was to recognise the potential in ourselves and others and to work to enable that potential.

Prize Day
Mr John Deane, Chairperson of the Board of Management, welcomed Mr Pat McKelvey, Co-patron of Ashton School, invited guests, parents as well as past and present pupils to this year’s award ceremony. The Guest of Honour was past pupil Camille O’Sullivan. Mr Adrian Landen reported on the activities and achievements of the past year across all areas of the school programme.

Camille O’Sullivan presented the prizes. She later addressed the audience praising the school for giving her the opportunities throughout her time there to explore a wide range of interests that have stayed with her all her life. She concluded by singing the final few lines from ‘Anthem’ by Leonard Cohen:

Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That’s how the light gets in…

Mr Deane then inducted Camille O’Sullivan into the Ashton School of Fame citing her outstanding career first as an architect and then her critically acclaimed and continuing contributions to the performing arts in Ireland and internationally.

Connemara: Transition Year Outdoor Pursuits
On the 1st of October, 84 Ashton TY students and 4 teachers set off on the annual Transition Year outdoor pursuits trip to Recess, Co. Galway. Various activities included a surfing trip to Achill, rock-climbing, abseiling, kayaking, hiking, orienteering and bivouacking. Students also embraced a ‘digital detox’ leaving free time for socialising. For many, the trip to Connemara is regarded as the highlight of Transition Year if not of the whole time spent by students in Ashton. This year’s trip looks to be no exception.

Talks
Dr Maureen Edel Griffin presented a course On line Safety and Behaviour to 1st, 2nd & 3rd Year pupils.

A speaker from the organisation AWARE gave a talk to all Transition Year students on mental health and wellbeing.

Condolences
The entire school community extends condolences to Caroline Burke and her family on the recent death on of her father Mr Joe Curtin

Auditions
Auditions for “Alice in Wonderland”, this year’s musical offering by TY Ashton Players, are underway. The play is to be directed by Mr Drew Ruttle and scheduled for performance in the New Year.

Dance
Our 5th Year student Kate Sampson, together with Mia Dunne danced “Breaking Pointe” on culture night at the Firkin Crane. The event was organised by the Cork School of Dance.

Hockey Results:
Minor Boys 3 Newtown 0; White Side Trophy: Senior Boys A 1 St Andrews 3; Senior Boys have qualified for the Irish Schools Boys Championship to be held in Ulster later this term.

Senior Girls 1 Regina Mundi 2; Senior C Girls squad scored an impressive victory over Midleton at Garryduff; Juniors 2 Scoil Mhuire 4

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