Ashton School News January 2024

Ashton school.

As we start a new year, we want to wish all our readers a very Happy New Year, and wish you all the blessings of peace, happiness, and most especially good health to you and yours throughout 2024!

Ashton has had a very busy term up to the end of the year. Kerrie Keane a student Teacher at Ashton recently won the Munster Championship in Irish Dancing at competitions in the INEC in Killarney. She is currently pursuing a B.Ed. in P.E. and History, mentored by Ms. Dennehy, Mr. O’Sullivan and Mr. Kirwan.

Transition Year students had an outstanding workshop with Bernard Casey, Comedian extraordinaire, who taught them improvisation, good teamwork, role play and much more in an exciting workshop which was thoroughly enjoyed by all students. An exciting, fun filled activity based day! Co-Ordinated by Ms. Dennehy. This was followed by students participation in the Concern Fast, where much needed funds are raised annually for this most worthy cause. Teachers facilitated this with good humour and great patience, including Ms. Savage who Co-Ordinated it, Ms. Manning, Ms. Stoutt, Ms. Dennehy and Mr. Casey. A busy schedule considering they had just returned from work experience in many varied and interesting locations, nationally and internationally for a few also. What marvellous opportunities arise in T.Y. They are all now attending rehearsals with Director Mr. Ruttle, as they prepare for the upcoming musical ‘Oliver’. ‘Consider yourself at home’ on Jan. 16th, 17th and 18th 2024. It’s a show that generates such lovely memories for so many! Timeless and relevant regardless of the era! What a treat to look forward to in January. Tickets may be purchased from the school office at 021 4966044. Don’t delay!

‘Curry Night’ with Chaplain Mr. Ruttle is such a lovely occasion, full of kindness, generosity of heart, mind and spirit. Always well attended by Christian Union members. Readings, songs, music, laugher, fun, and good food, cooked by students and presented by them to their peers at a shared table, is at the heart of it all. The essence of what we are about as empathic human beings. Congrats on a marvellous tradition.

Science Week involved a cross-curricular acitivity based week, in which everyone, including the Religion Department were involved in some way to highlight the importance of Science in all our lives. Quizes, Posters, Photos, Experiments, DVD clips, Question of the day, and more were kept in focus by our ‘resident MC’ ‘Boney M’ (aka the skeleton!!) who ‘greeted’ everyone at the main door! Sparks were flying at the 3^rd Year Magic Show where students learned about fireworks and sparklers along with much more.  Co-ordinated by Ms. Manning, Ms. Stoutt, Ms. O’Neill, Ms. Cole and Mr. Kelly in the Science Dept. Well done all.

In Soccer, 1 st Year Boys were unfortunate to lose to Colaiste Eamon Ris at Douglas in a hard fought contest. All players showed great determination and their skills and teamwork were a credit to all involved, coached by Mr. Gavin McCarthy.

In Hockey, training and preparation is ongoing with both the Girls and Boys teams, Junior and Senior, as they prepare for upcoming matches and events in the New Year, along with their coaches and mentors.

We wish all Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate students every success in their upcoming Pre-examinations, orals and practicals later on also.