Latest News
Downloads >>
To view earlier news items please Click HERE>>
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.
Click to Enlarge
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.
Click to Enlarge
Newly Appointed Headmistress sets out her vision for the future at Villiers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Click to Enlarge
Niall Fitzgerald (Form VI) celebrates as he holds the cup presented to him as Captain of the winning team in the Munster A Schools Interprovincial Series 2011. Niall holds the double distinction of being the first Villiers Student to captain a Munster Rugby Team at any level, and of captaining the first team ever to win the series with a clean sweep of victories. Munster defeated Connacht and Leinster in home and away fixtures. Well done Niall, we're very proud of you!!
Niall leads Munster A's to Victory
5th year girls run Limerick mini-marathon
Good Luck to Ana Gaston, Brendan Barry & Samuel White who are taking part in simulated EU debates, in Stormont Buildings, Belfast, in the areas of Digital Europe & Migration.
In the sporting arena, Good Luck to Holly Reddan, representing Munster at the Interprovincials next weekend, also in Belfast.
Well Done to the 5th year girls who as part of their PE project took part in the Ladies mini-marathon
In the sporting arena, Good Luck to Holly Reddan, representing Munster at the Interprovincials next weekend, also in Belfast.
Well Done to the 5th year girls who as part of their PE project took part in the Ladies mini-marathon
Quick Items
Maths Week 2011
Maths week is running from 17th to 21st October. This is an opportunity to enjoy and explore maths in a non-formal setting. Activities include an on-line Maths Treasure Hunt, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Maths game, Geometry Wars, 5th Form Quiz and a presentation by local Gardai on how they use both Maths and Physics in their work.
Maths week is running from 17th to 21st October. This is an opportunity to enjoy and explore maths in a non-formal setting. Activities include an on-line Maths Treasure Hunt, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire Maths game, Geometry Wars, 5th Form Quiz and a presentation by local Gardai on how they use both Maths and Physics in their work.
European politics takes Villiers students to Stormont
Villiers students Ana Gaston, Brendan Barry & Samuel White, under the guidance of Villiers History teacher, Janet Woods, take the hot seat in the Senate. They joined students from 27 other schools from Northern Ireland and Ireland to gain first hand experience of the cut and thrust of international politics at the seventh annual mock Council of the European Union. The heated debate took place on Friday October 21st in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
Organised by the British Council and the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland the mock Council sets out to recreate the environment of a real Council of the European Union meeting. The Council of the European Union is, together with the European Parliament, the main decision-making body of the EU and brings together Ministers from each of the 27 Member States.
Villiers students Ana Gaston, Brendan Barry & Samuel White, under the guidance of Villiers History teacher, Janet Woods, take the hot seat in the Senate. They joined students from 27 other schools from Northern Ireland and Ireland to gain first hand experience of the cut and thrust of international politics at the seventh annual mock Council of the European Union. The heated debate took place on Friday October 21st in the Senate Chamber in Parliament Buildings, Stormont.
Organised by the British Council and the European Commission Office in Northern Ireland the mock Council sets out to recreate the environment of a real Council of the European Union meeting. The Council of the European Union is, together with the European Parliament, the main decision-making body of the EU and brings together Ministers from each of the 27 Member States.
Craft club/Home EC trip
On Thursday November 10th 2011 Ms. Mahon's Craft Club and Ms. Byrne's 2nd form Home Economics class went to the Knitting and Stitching Show in the RDS, Dublin.
This fair is the biggest retail outlet for Arts and Crafts in Ireland and is now held annually in November.
At this fair Villiers School presented 150 knitted hats for Innocent Smoothies. This is an annual fund raising event by Innocent to provide money for elderly people during the winter.
We all got free smoothies!!!! And spent lots of money.
Villiers Girls Take The Silverware Home
Sunday 13th November 2011 saw Villiers Equestrian Team, Becca Davies, Orla Shiel and Laura O'Connor compete in the Interschools in Banner Equestrian Centre. The competition was tight throughout the morning and with the girls jumping two clear rounds each, it ended up in a jump-off with two Ard Scoil Ris teams, Rice College, Ennis and Villiers. Tensions were high and Ms. Woods was caught in the middle with her son on one of the Ard Scoil teams and her students on the Villiers Team. In fact, it became clear that her allegiance had moved from familial to Villiers when Orla pipped Ard Scoil by 'point 2' of a second. The banter between our neighbours, Ard Scoil, and ourselves was great and really demonstrated the sportsmanship of both schools. We're looking forward to our next outing, which we hope will be just as fruitful.
Sunday 13th November 2011 saw Villiers Equestrian Team, Becca Davies, Orla Shiel and Laura O'Connor compete in the Interschools in Banner Equestrian Centre. The competition was tight throughout the morning and with the girls jumping two clear rounds each, it ended up in a jump-off with two Ard Scoil Ris teams, Rice College, Ennis and Villiers. Tensions were high and Ms. Woods was caught in the middle with her son on one of the Ard Scoil teams and her students on the Villiers Team. In fact, it became clear that her allegiance had moved from familial to Villiers when Orla pipped Ard Scoil by 'point 2' of a second. The banter between our neighbours, Ard Scoil, and ourselves was great and really demonstrated the sportsmanship of both schools. We're looking forward to our next outing, which we hope will be just as fruitful.
Villiers Annual Fashion Show 2011
Villiers Annual Fashion Show took place at the school Gymnasium on Wednesday October 26th at 8pm.
As usual there was much demand for tickets and those organising the show were kept on their toes.
Hillary Thompson and her models put the latest Villiers models through their paces as modelled clothing from over 20 local shops, including Seduzca, Diesel, Jack & Jones, Be Fabulous and Virginia's Boutique.
Compere for the night was Mr. Penney and we were delighted to raise much needed funds for Villiers favoured charities.
Villiers Says Farewell to Mr. Lillis & Ms. McDonnell
With great sadness, but with sincere good wishes, we acknowledge the retirement of Maths and Irish teacher Ms. Eilish Mc Donnell from Villiers School and Family. She has given over 10 years of professionalism to the school and will be sadly missed.
As an Irish and Maths teacher she has ensured that the Irish and Maths department is a positive one and contributed to the achievement of high grades in both these subjects. She will be missed by the Irish debating team and the various quiz teams that have been involved in inter-schools competitions down through the years.
Many students have benefited greatly from her help and will miss her in the classroom.
Ms. McDonnell's youngest son Brian also attended Villiers for his secondary education and in so doing continued the successful 'teacher-parent' trend that exists here.
As teacher representative on the PTA and as Form 5 Year Head her presence in the school will be missed.
Sincere Good Wishes from all of The Villiers Family, as you embark on the next adventure of travel beyond these shores. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!
Mr Lillis started working at Villiers in 1974, getting Jan O'Sullivan's job. In 1978, he started up the caving club and they did 'some pretty hairy stuff'!. They got an old van and fixed it up, and went on a caving trip to Northern Ireland, letting the students drive. On the way back to Limerick, the clutch on the van broke and they had to push it back home. There is currently a board up outside Ms. Storey's office with pictures from Villiers caving expeditions.
Known as one of the most widely read and travelled teachers in Villiers he spent many an hour regaling students of his exploits in foreign shores while in his youth. He brought this wealth of experience with him to teaching and enhanced the Geography and History curriculum no end with his numerous anecdotes.
Current students most remember him for the time he got trapped in Doolin Caves, an event which has even made it to YouTube. He went down with two slightly younger men in their forties at around 4pm one day. It was an ordinary trip for the experienced cavers. But the tide backed up on two entrances and they got trapped. There was heavy water against them and they knew time was limited. The other two left him to try a different route out but he stayed behind because he knew it was impossible. They left him alone on a ledge for the whole night and he kept pacing around to keep warm and he was thinking 'is this it?'. At 7am the next morning the guys came back to him. Outside the caves, somebody had seen the van, and called the guards who called the rescue team that they were all supposed to be on, and then civil defence came down with a helicopter from the North. The rescuers came down at 1pm the next day with food and water and medicine for pneumonia. The civil defence pumped out water and one by one they were hauled out. Mr. Lillis climbed out and saw all the TV and radio stations around him asking for an interview.
We wish him, his wife Ann and his children a very happy and healthy retirement and hope he gets to live his dream of going to Papa New Guinea to go caving in an uninhabited area. Mr. Lillis, you will be missed by everyone!
With great sadness, but with sincere good wishes, we acknowledge the retirement of Maths and Irish teacher Ms. Eilish Mc Donnell from Villiers School and Family. She has given over 10 years of professionalism to the school and will be sadly missed.
As an Irish and Maths teacher she has ensured that the Irish and Maths department is a positive one and contributed to the achievement of high grades in both these subjects. She will be missed by the Irish debating team and the various quiz teams that have been involved in inter-schools competitions down through the years.
Many students have benefited greatly from her help and will miss her in the classroom.
Ms. McDonnell's youngest son Brian also attended Villiers for his secondary education and in so doing continued the successful 'teacher-parent' trend that exists here.
As teacher representative on the PTA and as Form 5 Year Head her presence in the school will be missed.
Sincere Good Wishes from all of The Villiers Family, as you embark on the next adventure of travel beyond these shores. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat!
Mr Lillis started working at Villiers in 1974, getting Jan O'Sullivan's job. In 1978, he started up the caving club and they did 'some pretty hairy stuff'!. They got an old van and fixed it up, and went on a caving trip to Northern Ireland, letting the students drive. On the way back to Limerick, the clutch on the van broke and they had to push it back home. There is currently a board up outside Ms. Storey's office with pictures from Villiers caving expeditions.
Known as one of the most widely read and travelled teachers in Villiers he spent many an hour regaling students of his exploits in foreign shores while in his youth. He brought this wealth of experience with him to teaching and enhanced the Geography and History curriculum no end with his numerous anecdotes.
Current students most remember him for the time he got trapped in Doolin Caves, an event which has even made it to YouTube. He went down with two slightly younger men in their forties at around 4pm one day. It was an ordinary trip for the experienced cavers. But the tide backed up on two entrances and they got trapped. There was heavy water against them and they knew time was limited. The other two left him to try a different route out but he stayed behind because he knew it was impossible. They left him alone on a ledge for the whole night and he kept pacing around to keep warm and he was thinking 'is this it?'. At 7am the next morning the guys came back to him. Outside the caves, somebody had seen the van, and called the guards who called the rescue team that they were all supposed to be on, and then civil defence came down with a helicopter from the North. The rescuers came down at 1pm the next day with food and water and medicine for pneumonia. The civil defence pumped out water and one by one they were hauled out. Mr. Lillis climbed out and saw all the TV and radio stations around him asking for an interview.
We wish him, his wife Ann and his children a very happy and healthy retirement and hope he gets to live his dream of going to Papa New Guinea to go caving in an uninhabited area. Mr. Lillis, you will be missed by everyone!
Well Done Kayleigh & Operation Transformation
Congratulations to last years 6th former, Kayleigh Yeoman on her participation in Operation Transformation. Her courage and honesty is much admired and appreciated by all of her 'followers.'
To embark on a public acknowledgement of what has now become the 'norm' in modern day Ireland demonstrates great strength of character and no doubt this will stand her in good stead as she embraces the future with a new sense of awareness and positivity. Kayleigh took time out of her busy schedule of TV3, writing a newspaper diary and being in full-time 3rd level education to visit her alma mater and give a very impressive and real presentation to the Leaving Certificate class of 2012. She is truly an inspirational young lady and we wish her all the best, not just with Operation Transformation, but with everything she does in the future.
Congratulations to last years 6th former, Kayleigh Yeoman on her participation in Operation Transformation. Her courage and honesty is much admired and appreciated by all of her 'followers.'
To embark on a public acknowledgement of what has now become the 'norm' in modern day Ireland demonstrates great strength of character and no doubt this will stand her in good stead as she embraces the future with a new sense of awareness and positivity. Kayleigh took time out of her busy schedule of TV3, writing a newspaper diary and being in full-time 3rd level education to visit her alma mater and give a very impressive and real presentation to the Leaving Certificate class of 2012. She is truly an inspirational young lady and we wish her all the best, not just with Operation Transformation, but with everything she does in the future.
Family Fun Quiz-
Villiers PTA are holding a family quiz on Tuesday March 6th in the school sports hall. This promises to be a very enjoyable night and all are invited to participate.
Villiers PTA are holding a family quiz on Tuesday March 6th in the school sports hall. This promises to be a very enjoyable night and all are invited to participate.
PRIZE DAY will take place on Wednesday February 22nd from 9.00am to 11am. A breakfast reception will be held for parents in the school café from 8.30am. All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
