Boarders weekend trips and activities. 

On Saturday, 4th. February at 17.00 four of our 7 day boarders went to Semple stadium after shopping in the Dunnes Stores Shopping Centre and LIDL to witness Tipperary’s demolition of Laois in the National Hurling League first round. Our overseas students, male and female, were intrigued by the intricate skills involved in hurling. On our return to the school we stopped off at McDonalds to eat. Hopefully, they will bring back some of the experience and knowledge gleaned and, who knows, maybe in time, set up internationals in our native sport. 

On Monday 6th. February, St. Brigid’s Day, we took a trip to Cork to the Mardyke complex and played pool and bowling, returning to Rockwell at 17.00, following a great day’s entertainment.* 

Monday, 16th. January was a Junior Cycle Cluster day where staff were involved in Junior Cycle in service. On this day, experienced staff member, Ray Merrigan, ran an archery day with 5 targets which allowed two students shooting at each target at a time. 

Previously, in December our boarders weekend trip involved ice skating in Fota Island, followed by Christmas shopping in Mahon Point to purchase items for their Kris Kindle. 

Earlier in first term our boarders went to Ballyhass adventure park near Mallow where they had fun on the water slides, high ropes and in the lake wearing wet suits. 

Back in September a barbeque was held in the Residence garden for 100+ boarders to help all new students integrate. This was a beautiful autumn night with music provided by the overseas students. 

Take a look at the full February Newsletter here! Download

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On Sunday, 11^th. December the boarding boys and girls of Rockwell College continued their programme of weekend activities with a trip to Cork. Ice skating in Fota was followed by a shopping trip to Mahon Shopping Centre. On return to the College they all enjoyed their Boarders' Christmas Dab. Our overseas boarders will be getting ready for a trip home at Christmas next week.

 

 

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Congratulations to the Junior Cycle class of 2022 who finally received their results on November 23rd. There was high excitement in anticipation of the results, which were distributed by the Principal at 9am on the day. The sense of achievement was palpable for all the candidates. It was a particularly special day for Anastasia Mazur and Paul T Maher, who were both awarded Distinctions in an incredible six subjects, with Higher Merits in four others. Congratulations to all our pupils on an excellent set of results. It was fitting recognition for all your hard work.

 

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The Student Representative Council has been busy this term since it first met at the end of September. After on-site training and election of Officers, the Council has been active in its role in supporting the College community under Chairperson Sam O'Sullivan. Now that COVID restrictions are eased, the regeneration of the Common Room was taken on by the outgoing and incoming SRCs.

During the summer, the Common Room was repainted thanks to a donation from the Rockwell College Union. The re-establishment of the vending machines was first on the list this year and the popularity of the machines is proof or their importance to the pupils! Next up, the television was installed - just in time for the World Cup too...

Council and Prefect representatives have met with the Parents' Association Committee and will continue to work to serve the needs of the pupils it represents.

 

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The last week of October marked Mental Health Awareness Week at Rockwell College. Events included movie nights for each year group as a break from Study, a Wellbeing wall on the Main Hall, pumpkin carving, music events and the highlighting of mental health in the classroom. Thanks to Chaplain Aishling Mulherin and Guidance Counsellor Edel O Callaghan, who were supported by the Prefects in organising the event. The week was topped off with a Fancy Dress day, which was embraced by both staff and pupils with gusto.. check out Instagram for some photos of that memorable day!

 

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In the middle of the joy surrounding this year’s Leaving Certificate results, one pupil had particular cause to celebrate. Donnacha Keeley, from Clonmel, achieved a staggering 8 H1 grades in his results on September 2^nd. It finished off an eventful summer for Donnacha, who also represented Ireland in the Home International Regatta in London last July. Commenting on his success, Principal Audrey O’Byrne said “Donnacha has been a dedicated and committed student throughout his years at Rockwell College. All the staff are delighted with this exceptional achievement and wish Donnacha the very best for the future.”

In addition to Donnacha’s success, the wider group of the Class of 2022 has many reasons to celebrate. Two other pupils, Taryn Kelly and Marco Tornambe, also achieved the maximum of 625 points and overall 11% of all candidates at Rockwell College achieved 600 points or higher. The Principal praised the staff of the school, noting “our teachers worked very hard to ensure that these pupils were not negatively impacted by the COVID closures while in 5^th year. Thanks to their dedication, this group had practically no loss of teaching time during the months of closure. This has in turn resulted in 47% of the group achieving in excess of 500 points today.” She also highlighted the work of the non-teaching staff across the College and boarding who support the pupils throughout the school year.

 

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In this year’s Leaving Certificate exams a remarkable 14 6^th Yearboarders exceeded 500 points. Four out of these were in excess of 600 points with one of them achieving the maximum of 625. One Rockwell student also obtained 8 H1’s this year. In the past five years three Rockwell students have achieved first place in Accounting, Business and Geography in Ireland out of over 50,000 sitting the Leaving Certificate each year.

When asked what they attributed these results to one said “I couldn’t have achieved this at home with all the distractions around me. The Residence at Rockwell allowed me to focus on my studies and I felt there was a very competitive environment which allowed me to surpass my wildest dreams”. The parent of one boarder commented “5 day boarding at Rockwell college offered our son great structure and consistency. Rockwell’s evening study schedule was hugely …. The teachers support and encourage students. We are happy that we chose Rockwell and would recommend it to other families considering boarding school.”

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Jack Ryan, a 6th year pupil at Rockwell College, has captained the Munster U18 schools' team to victory over both Leinster and Ulster in the Summer Interpro series. The match against Leinster in Energia Park was a close affair, with just two points in it at the final whistle. The following week Munster took the Kevin Kelleher Cup after their victory against Ulster in Thomond Park. Congrats to Jack and to classmate Ben Everard, also in the squad.

 

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Rockwell College’s presentation of The Little Mermaid on Tuesday and Wednesday last received rave reviews.

The large Rockwell College cast under the brilliant guidance of producer Suzanne Buttimer, choreographer Therese Maher of the Rockwell College Musical Academy and assistant producer Lena Hally brought Hans Christian Anderson’s novel to life in an action packed musical fantasy. This was expertly blended with some humorous light hearted moments and overall was a daring undertaking by Suzanne, but her casting of the characters was perfection itself.

The musical tells the story of a rebellious 16-year-old mermaid princess, Ariel (PhillipaHarold Barry), who is fascinated with, and dreams of life on land. On one of her visits to the surface, which are forbidden by her controlling father, King Triton, she falls for a human prince. Determined to be with her new love, Ariel makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch Ursula (Katelyn Hewitt) to become human for three days. But when plans go awry for the star-crossed lovers, the king must make the ultimate sacrifice for his daughter. Despite all the tribulations experienced by Ariel good eventually overcomes evil. Phillipa Harold Barry carried off the role of Ariel superbly, and, not to be outdone, Prince Eric (Henry Buttimer), Ursula (the evil witch), King Triton (Jamie Brown), Grimsby (Tadhg O’Donnell Jones), Sebastian (David Traas), Flounder (Mark Neville), Scuttle (Beth Buttimer), Gulls (Christina Longworth, Fennella Riordan, Patsy Culleton), Flotsam and Jetson (Grainne and Aisling Stembridge), Chef Louis (Michael Long), Carlotta (Aoibhe Gleeson) among the many other characters were brilliantly cast. That in itself was one of the chief successes of the show.

The outfits and props were stunning and the painstaking detail was clearly evident. The intricate detail on the mermaid wall was created by Marguerite Guidera, Lily Murphy, Rita Mackey, Mary Jenkins, Anne Dennehy, Lesley Lynch, Mary Fitzgerald, Ann Fitzgerald, Marie Hallinan, Fiona Rea and the T.Y. group. A huge gratitude also goes to musical director, Eoin O’ Keeffe, dialect coaches Nancy Farrell, Danna Davis and all the backstage crew who contributed to make this such a success. Unfortunately, Thursday’s show which was a sell-out had to be cancelled because of the present restrictions necessitated by the current health climate.

 

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