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Greg & Jack Take the Silverware for Villiers
TY students, Greg Hall & Jack Kearney, aka "Sum Yung Wans", became Limerick's Enterprise Students with their Indie-rock group. Beating stiff competition from almost 100 other Enterprise students Greg and Jack were awarded first prize by the City Enterprise Board. Their project involved recording tracks and marketing their indie-rock music. Guided by Enterprise teachers Mr. James Brown and Ms. Maeve O'Brien, these two enterprising young musicians utilised social media to market their debut album, with a website www.sumyungwans, facebook page entitled Sum Yung Wans and a variety of YouTube video links. Check out the links mentioned for more on Irelands' latest Indie-rock band.
TY students, Greg Hall & Jack Kearney, aka "Sum Yung Wans", became Limerick's Enterprise Students with their Indie-rock group. Beating stiff competition from almost 100 other Enterprise students Greg and Jack were awarded first prize by the City Enterprise Board. Their project involved recording tracks and marketing their indie-rock music. Guided by Enterprise teachers Mr. James Brown and Ms. Maeve O'Brien, these two enterprising young musicians utilised social media to market their debut album, with a website www.sumyungwans, facebook page entitled Sum Yung Wans and a variety of YouTube video links. Check out the links mentioned for more on Irelands' latest Indie-rock band.
Past Pupils defeat the Senior Boys
The annual past pupils hockey match began at 6.30pm on the 6th of April. There was a good turn out of both present and past pupils. The first half went very well with both teams playing excellent hockey, making it an enjoyable spectator experience for the students, parents and teachers.
The second half was tiring and exhausting as both sides were giving 100% in the sweltering heat. Late in the second half the past pupils scored an excellent goal from the goal line directly on to Peter Eacretts stick who made it 1-0 with 10 minutes to go.
The senior team then upped their game even further, throwing everything they could at the opposition making a few last minute substitutions. Despite the efforts made the senior team could not capitalize on a last minute short corner.
The finishing score was 1-0 and the day ended with a dinner in the café with speeches from Mr.Hardy and various past pupils.
The annual past pupils hockey match began at 6.30pm on the 6th of April. There was a good turn out of both present and past pupils. The first half went very well with both teams playing excellent hockey, making it an enjoyable spectator experience for the students, parents and teachers.
The second half was tiring and exhausting as both sides were giving 100% in the sweltering heat. Late in the second half the past pupils scored an excellent goal from the goal line directly on to Peter Eacretts stick who made it 1-0 with 10 minutes to go.
The senior team then upped their game even further, throwing everything they could at the opposition making a few last minute substitutions. Despite the efforts made the senior team could not capitalize on a last minute short corner.
The finishing score was 1-0 and the day ended with a dinner in the café with speeches from Mr.Hardy and various past pupils.
SENIOR GIRLS TAKE HOME THE CUP
Friday 8th April was a very successful day for Villiers girls. Having having already been beaten by Rockwell in a previous league game (3-1), it was obvious to all concerned that this final was going to be extremely tough.
Both teams started the game in a flurry but Rockwell really showed their strength by scoring a goal in the first five minutes. This early lead inspired Villiers to pick up the pace in retaliation. The forwards moved on Rockwells defence which caught them off guard and won us a short corner. Claire Casey showed true heart and determination and struck the ball sweetly from a lovely ball out by Anna Weik to level the sides.
Rockwell were determined that this would not be the end but fantastic defensive skills from the back four led by their 'queen', Tanya Powell, kept the sides level until half time. A slight restructuring of our midfield with Annabel Ayres dropping deeper than her centre forward role meant that Rockwell were left unguarded. Anna and Annabel put together some lovely passes which finished on the end of Rachel Brickendens stick who was free in the circle. A brilliant strike into the corner meant that Villiers went into the lead.
Friday 8th April was a very successful day for Villiers girls. Having having already been beaten by Rockwell in a previous league game (3-1), it was obvious to all concerned that this final was going to be extremely tough.
Both teams started the game in a flurry but Rockwell really showed their strength by scoring a goal in the first five minutes. This early lead inspired Villiers to pick up the pace in retaliation. The forwards moved on Rockwells defence which caught them off guard and won us a short corner. Claire Casey showed true heart and determination and struck the ball sweetly from a lovely ball out by Anna Weik to level the sides.
Rockwell were determined that this would not be the end but fantastic defensive skills from the back four led by their 'queen', Tanya Powell, kept the sides level until half time. A slight restructuring of our midfield with Annabel Ayres dropping deeper than her centre forward role meant that Rockwell were left unguarded. Anna and Annabel put together some lovely passes which finished on the end of Rachel Brickendens stick who was free in the circle. A brilliant strike into the corner meant that Villiers went into the lead.
Rockwell kept up the pressure for the rest of the game and excellent, tough defending all over the pitch denied them the space to run. Hearts were in mouths as the minutes ticked down and when Rockwell got 2 short corners in a row after the full time whistle, many felt that extra time was imminent. Strong tackles from Claire and fantastic saves from Tanya meant that Rockwell were denied the chance to level the game and Villiers walked away victorious again. Claire lifted the cup once again and dedicated it to her mother. Another season over after the most dramatic of endings. Congratulations to all.
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Prize Day 2011
Villiers annual Prize Day, to celebrate academic, social and cultural achievement, was held on Wednesday 30th March. This particular Prize Day was significant not just because of our Honours recipients but because it also marked the last Prize day of two names who are synonymous with Villiers, Headmaster, Thomas Hardy and Head of Board of Governors, Dean Maurice Sirr.
This year we were delighted to welcome guest speakers, Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Maria Byrne, and former student and now Presenter of TV3's Xpose, Aisling O' Loughlin. The ceremony was opened by Mr. Hardy, who spoke about the Villiers ethos of integration, academic achievement and personal achievement, all of which ensure that the Villiers student is enabled to attain his/her potential across all spheres. Special mention was made of Jamie Brislane, Leaving Cert student of 2010, who succeeded in attaining seven A1s and her peers Naomi Beard and Kevin Real who gained entrance scholarships. On the athletics field Amy O'Donoghue was also lauded for her outstanding achievements over the past year.
Prizes were then awarded by Aisling O'Loughlin to the students across all classes who had achieved exceptional academic results in the previous year. These included Special Academic Achievement Prizes for Andrew Sheppard and Eimear Scollard, The Barbara Hartigan Award, for excellence in the world of art, which was awarded to Clodagh Harrington and the O'Mahoney Prize, for superior academic success, which was awarded to Jamie Brislane. The inaugural award of the Sirr Trophy, presented by Dean Maurice Sirr and former Villiers Teacher Paddy Sirr to a student who has excelled and contributed to the world of music, was deservedly awarded to David Howes. Leaving Certificate students Clare Casey and Tanya Powell were respectively awarded the Schutz Cup, for comradeship, and the P.T.A Trophy, for personal achievement. Many other awards were also given including the Gwynne Memorial Prize, Eileen Fogerty Memorial Prize, Vere Wynne Jones Award and the Price Waterhouse Coopers Prize.
This year we were delighted to welcome guest speakers, Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Maria Byrne, and former student and now Presenter of TV3's Xpose, Aisling O' Loughlin. The ceremony was opened by Mr. Hardy, who spoke about the Villiers ethos of integration, academic achievement and personal achievement, all of which ensure that the Villiers student is enabled to attain his/her potential across all spheres. Special mention was made of Jamie Brislane, Leaving Cert student of 2010, who succeeded in attaining seven A1s and her peers Naomi Beard and Kevin Real who gained entrance scholarships. On the athletics field Amy O'Donoghue was also lauded for her outstanding achievements over the past year.
Prizes were then awarded by Aisling O'Loughlin to the students across all classes who had achieved exceptional academic results in the previous year. These included Special Academic Achievement Prizes for Andrew Sheppard and Eimear Scollard, The Barbara Hartigan Award, for excellence in the world of art, which was awarded to Clodagh Harrington and the O'Mahoney Prize, for superior academic success, which was awarded to Jamie Brislane. The inaugural award of the Sirr Trophy, presented by Dean Maurice Sirr and former Villiers Teacher Paddy Sirr to a student who has excelled and contributed to the world of music, was deservedly awarded to David Howes. Leaving Certificate students Clare Casey and Tanya Powell were respectively awarded the Schutz Cup, for comradeship, and the P.T.A Trophy, for personal achievement. Many other awards were also given including the Gwynne Memorial Prize, Eileen Fogerty Memorial Prize, Vere Wynne Jones Award and the Price Waterhouse Coopers Prize.
Earlier News Items
Inter Schools Sports - University of Limerick - Mon 16th May 2011
Villiers hosted the Inter Schools' Sports this year and for the first time in many years the games could be held in UL. The event took place on Monday 16th May. Six schools competed for two cups, one for overall girls and one for overall boys teams. The task for all athletes involved is to score as many points as possible for the team, decided by their finishing position in the event. Both Villiers teams showed very well. The boys team improved their overall position from the last few years to 4th. We look forward to developing a growing competitiveness in this group in the next year or so. The girls took second place which was a great display. The Under 14 girls won their section and no entry finished in worse than 2nd place. The Under 16 team, without 2 notable competitors were a very close 2nd and the Senior team suffered the loss of Amy O'Donoghue to an injury sustained the previous weekend in AAI competition and really damaged the point scoring potential of this age group. We congratulate Bandon Grammar who won the Girls' Cup and Ashton who won the Boys' Cup. Next year the event goes to Cork with Bandon as our hosts.
Congratulations to event winners, Ellen Larkin (U14 100m), Rebecca Donaldson (U14 Shot Putt), Roisin Harrison ( U16 100m and Long Jump), Mark Shone (Sen Boys Triple Jump) and the Junior Girls and Senior Boys relay teams. Roisin set a new event record in the Under 16 Girls 100m, all the more remarkable for the fact that she will be running in the same age group next year. The current group of girls are strong enough to win this event and here's hoping that next year the luck will hold and if selection, availability and performance go right we can bring this cup home.
Villiers hosted the Inter Schools' Sports this year and for the first time in many years the games could be held in UL. The event took place on Monday 16th May. Six schools competed for two cups, one for overall girls and one for overall boys teams. The task for all athletes involved is to score as many points as possible for the team, decided by their finishing position in the event. Both Villiers teams showed very well. The boys team improved their overall position from the last few years to 4th. We look forward to developing a growing competitiveness in this group in the next year or so. The girls took second place which was a great display. The Under 14 girls won their section and no entry finished in worse than 2nd place. The Under 16 team, without 2 notable competitors were a very close 2nd and the Senior team suffered the loss of Amy O'Donoghue to an injury sustained the previous weekend in AAI competition and really damaged the point scoring potential of this age group. We congratulate Bandon Grammar who won the Girls' Cup and Ashton who won the Boys' Cup. Next year the event goes to Cork with Bandon as our hosts.
Congratulations to event winners, Ellen Larkin (U14 100m), Rebecca Donaldson (U14 Shot Putt), Roisin Harrison ( U16 100m and Long Jump), Mark Shone (Sen Boys Triple Jump) and the Junior Girls and Senior Boys relay teams. Roisin set a new event record in the Under 16 Girls 100m, all the more remarkable for the fact that she will be running in the same age group next year. The current group of girls are strong enough to win this event and here's hoping that next year the luck will hold and if selection, availability and performance go right we can bring this cup home.
Summer Term 2011
In a short but busy term, we have seen more athletes than ever participate in the North Munster Schools' Championships. These championships were held on the 10th May in Castleisland and the12th May in UL. We had some notable successes, not just from the high profile athletes but from some newcomers as well. Seven athletes qualified in ten different individual events for the Munster Championships to be held on Saturday 21st May in Cork. They are joined by the Junior Girls 4x100m relay team.
Congratulations to Muhammad Dagari (Jun Boys High Jump), Michael Kelleher (Int Boys High Jump), Nicole Daly (Int Girls Shot Putt) and Romy O'Callaghan (Sen Girls Long Jump). The Junior Girls relay consists of Roisin Harrison, Holly Reddan, Kaitlyn Gibbons and Kylie O'Donoghue. The same Roisin was one of three athletes who qualified 'on the double' having won both 100m and 200m for Junior Girls. Mark Shone qualified in Sen Boys Long and Triple Jumps and Amy O'Donoghue followed suit in Sen Girls 800m and 1500m. We wish them all the best of luck in the upcoming competition to advance to the All Ireland Schools in Tullamore in June.
In a short but busy term, we have seen more athletes than ever participate in the North Munster Schools' Championships. These championships were held on the 10th May in Castleisland and the12th May in UL. We had some notable successes, not just from the high profile athletes but from some newcomers as well. Seven athletes qualified in ten different individual events for the Munster Championships to be held on Saturday 21st May in Cork. They are joined by the Junior Girls 4x100m relay team.
Congratulations to Muhammad Dagari (Jun Boys High Jump), Michael Kelleher (Int Boys High Jump), Nicole Daly (Int Girls Shot Putt) and Romy O'Callaghan (Sen Girls Long Jump). The Junior Girls relay consists of Roisin Harrison, Holly Reddan, Kaitlyn Gibbons and Kylie O'Donoghue. The same Roisin was one of three athletes who qualified 'on the double' having won both 100m and 200m for Junior Girls. Mark Shone qualified in Sen Boys Long and Triple Jumps and Amy O'Donoghue followed suit in Sen Girls 800m and 1500m. We wish them all the best of luck in the upcoming competition to advance to the All Ireland Schools in Tullamore in June.
Japan Aid Fundraiser
Villiers School hosted a Japanese Fair on Saturday May 7th 2011. After the devastating earthquake shook Japan earlier this year, a group of Japanese people living in Limerick got together and set up an organisation called Japanese Tsunami Aid Limerick to raise much needed funds for the victims of the disaster. They organised a Japanese Fair in the school which consisted of many displays of Japanese culture, history and geography. There was a children's play area, traditional Japanese games, video gaming, sumo wrestling, tea ceremony, Japanese music, flower arranging, massage corner and sale of Japanese food and goods. A minutes silence was held to remember the thousands of people who had lost their lives in the earthquake.
Over a thousand people attended the Fair and the organisers, including Chigusa O'Sullivan a teacher in Villiers School, would like to thank all of those who supported the event and those who helped out on the day.
Villiers School hosted a Japanese Fair on Saturday May 7th 2011. After the devastating earthquake shook Japan earlier this year, a group of Japanese people living in Limerick got together and set up an organisation called Japanese Tsunami Aid Limerick to raise much needed funds for the victims of the disaster. They organised a Japanese Fair in the school which consisted of many displays of Japanese culture, history and geography. There was a children's play area, traditional Japanese games, video gaming, sumo wrestling, tea ceremony, Japanese music, flower arranging, massage corner and sale of Japanese food and goods. A minutes silence was held to remember the thousands of people who had lost their lives in the earthquake.
Over a thousand people attended the Fair and the organisers, including Chigusa O'Sullivan a teacher in Villiers School, would like to thank all of those who supported the event and those who helped out on the day.
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Double Success in Athletics Finals for Villiers School
Amy O' Donoghue wins gold in the Senior 800m and 1500m in the All Ireland Schools Athletics Finals in Tullamore on Saturday June 4th 2011. Roisin Harrison also does the double by winning gold in the Junior 100m and 200m
Ms Jill Storey, newly appointed Headmistress of Villiers School, has set out her vision for the future of the School.
"Our aim is to be the leading School in the Midwestern region. We offer our students excellent opportunities, be they in the world of academics, on the sports field or in the world of music and the arts. We believe in nurturing every child and the high level of pastoral care in Villiers is fundamental to this."
The school is almost two hundred years old and blends educational traditions with modern principles. In order to keep the School at the forefront of educational endeavour Ms Storey has outlined two initiatives for the year ahead. The first of these is to fully update the School's IT facilities. "We already have good facilities," Ms Storey said, "but we want to set the exemplar for other schools to follow. The school has purchased ipads for staff and student use, we are introducing wifi to all areas within the school, we are updating our administration facilities and we are ensuring that each classroom is equipped with the most up to date technology. In doing all of this we are always mindful that we are working with our students to achieve academic success and therefore our IT system will operate in conjunction with maximising each student's potential in State Examinations."
The second initiative announced by Ms Storey is a new student support system "We believe we are the first second level school in the country to introduce PBIS (Positive Behaviour Intervention System). Our aim here is to ensure that every student, no matter what difficulties they experience is nurtured and affirmed during their time in Villiers." In addition to this Ms Storey and the Staff in Villiers are revising their reward systems. "We find that traditionally, schools only award the students who achieve academic success by coming first in their form or subject areas or sporting areas. We want to show our students and our parents that we recognise that success is personal and can come from everywhere and we want to reach out to the huge percentage of students whose achievements often go unnoticed or unrewarded."
The new headmistress and staff at Villiers believe that School should be a positive and rewarding experience where doors of opportunities are opened and students of all ages, abilities, cultures codes and creeds are recognized and nurtured. "This is my philosophy for a sound education - good teaching, good facilities, good opportunities and good care that reaches out to the student as an individual," says Ms Storey.
"Our aim is to be the leading School in the Midwestern region. We offer our students excellent opportunities, be they in the world of academics, on the sports field or in the world of music and the arts. We believe in nurturing every child and the high level of pastoral care in Villiers is fundamental to this."
The school is almost two hundred years old and blends educational traditions with modern principles. In order to keep the School at the forefront of educational endeavour Ms Storey has outlined two initiatives for the year ahead. The first of these is to fully update the School's IT facilities. "We already have good facilities," Ms Storey said, "but we want to set the exemplar for other schools to follow. The school has purchased ipads for staff and student use, we are introducing wifi to all areas within the school, we are updating our administration facilities and we are ensuring that each classroom is equipped with the most up to date technology. In doing all of this we are always mindful that we are working with our students to achieve academic success and therefore our IT system will operate in conjunction with maximising each student's potential in State Examinations."
The second initiative announced by Ms Storey is a new student support system "We believe we are the first second level school in the country to introduce PBIS (Positive Behaviour Intervention System). Our aim here is to ensure that every student, no matter what difficulties they experience is nurtured and affirmed during their time in Villiers." In addition to this Ms Storey and the Staff in Villiers are revising their reward systems. "We find that traditionally, schools only award the students who achieve academic success by coming first in their form or subject areas or sporting areas. We want to show our students and our parents that we recognise that success is personal and can come from everywhere and we want to reach out to the huge percentage of students whose achievements often go unnoticed or unrewarded."
The new headmistress and staff at Villiers believe that School should be a positive and rewarding experience where doors of opportunities are opened and students of all ages, abilities, cultures codes and creeds are recognized and nurtured. "This is my philosophy for a sound education - good teaching, good facilities, good opportunities and good care that reaches out to the student as an individual," says Ms Storey.
Newly Appointed Headmistress sets out her vision for the future at Villiers.
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Open Day 2011
Monday August 28th will stay etched in the memories of some students for a long time, namely the new first formers and their parents. Greeted at the school entrance by first year Year head, Ms. Janice Byrne and Headmistress, Ms Jill Storey, this newest group of students were inducted to Villiers by their form tutors and 5th and 6th form prefects. Starting a new school can be a daunting experience but at Villiers this soon turns to excitement. By 3.30 parents had been reassured that their offspring's were safe in the hands of the Villiers family and that any apprehension felt in the morning was unfounded. Welcome to all of our new first formers and to each and every new student that has joined us in other forms.
Monday August 28th will stay etched in the memories of some students for a long time, namely the new first formers and their parents. Greeted at the school entrance by first year Year head, Ms. Janice Byrne and Headmistress, Ms Jill Storey, this newest group of students were inducted to Villiers by their form tutors and 5th and 6th form prefects. Starting a new school can be a daunting experience but at Villiers this soon turns to excitement. By 3.30 parents had been reassured that their offspring's were safe in the hands of the Villiers family and that any apprehension felt in the morning was unfounded. Welcome to all of our new first formers and to each and every new student that has joined us in other forms.
Thomas Hardy passes the baton to Jill Storey
August 17th was a momentous day for the class of 2011 who received their leaving certificate results and for Mr Thomas Hardy who was delivering his 25th and final set of grades to Villiers students. Heading off to enjoy his retirement he handed over the keys of the school to his incumbent Ms. Jill Storey. While there is sadness at his departure, there is excitement and an air of expectation as Villiers welcomes its first headmistress. There is also a continuation of, and an addition to, the Villiers Family as once again the chitter chatter of children's voices will resound, not just in the headmistress's house but also in the school grounds. We welcome Ms. Storey and her family to Villiers and look forward to a new chapter for the Villiers family.
August 17th was a momentous day for the class of 2011 who received their leaving certificate results and for Mr Thomas Hardy who was delivering his 25th and final set of grades to Villiers students. Heading off to enjoy his retirement he handed over the keys of the school to his incumbent Ms. Jill Storey. While there is sadness at his departure, there is excitement and an air of expectation as Villiers welcomes its first headmistress. There is also a continuation of, and an addition to, the Villiers Family as once again the chitter chatter of children's voices will resound, not just in the headmistress's house but also in the school grounds. We welcome Ms. Storey and her family to Villiers and look forward to a new chapter for the Villiers family.
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Ms. Mahon safely disposes the schools last supply of mercury
No more mercury in Villiers school.
Mercury has been used by people since ancient times. It increases its volume in response to increases in temperature. It has been used to measure temperature since 1724 when Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the mercury thermometer.
It has been known for a long time that mercury is poisonous, the Mad Hatter in Louis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is a direct reference the incidence of mercury poisoning among Hat Manufacturers in the 19th century, and a mercury compound was used to cure the felt. Unfortunately mercury is liquid at room temperature and is constantly evaporating. The fumes of mercury are inhaled easily and are poisonous. An early scientific study was carried out in 1923 by the German inorganic chemist, Alfred Stock, this study resulted in conclusive evidence of the danger of liquid mercury.
Mercury has been used by people since ancient times. It increases its volume in response to increases in temperature. It has been used to measure temperature since 1724 when Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the mercury thermometer.
It has been known for a long time that mercury is poisonous, the Mad Hatter in Louis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland is a direct reference the incidence of mercury poisoning among Hat Manufacturers in the 19th century, and a mercury compound was used to cure the felt. Unfortunately mercury is liquid at room temperature and is constantly evaporating. The fumes of mercury are inhaled easily and are poisonous. An early scientific study was carried out in 1923 by the German inorganic chemist, Alfred Stock, this study resulted in conclusive evidence of the danger of liquid mercury.
Already mercury been found in our food chain in 2004 the FSAI warned of the danger to pregnant women from eating tuna swordfish and shark, because of contamination with methyl mercury.
If mercury is spilt, the area must be evacuated, the mercury then covered with sulphur powder, the entire mixture must then be swept up and stored in a container for disposal by a chemical waste disposal company. This is expensive and unnecessary as alternatives are available.
By not buying mercury thermometers and mercury compounds we are eliminating a small amount of this toxic chemical from our environment.
We finally removed the last of our stock of mercury on Tuesday 13th sept 2011. It was safely disposed of by ENVA Hazardous Waste Shannon.
By not buying mercury thermometers and mercury compounds we are eliminating a small amount of this toxic chemical from our environment.
We finally removed the last of our stock of mercury on Tuesday 13th sept 2011. It was safely disposed of by ENVA Hazardous Waste Shannon.