Summerhill College

Senior Science Team Success
The Summerhill College Science team put in a truly impressive performance in the finals of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association ( I.S.T.A.) Senior quiz held in Trinity College Dublin.

The team featured Shane Mc Veigh, Cian Tuohy and James Donnellan. The team had qualified for the national finals after powering their way through the regional finals.

At the end of the All-Ireland quiz in Trinity College four teams were tied on the same score so a tie breaker was called for. Summerhill edged into a one point lead but were eventually hauled in. The final score sheet saw Summerhill College finish in third place in the national finals of the competition. This is the highest any team from the North West has ever achieved. Well done to the three boys and to their mentors Mr. John Mc Getrick and Ms. Josephine Scanlon.

The Summerhill second team, which was composed of Fourth Year students Eoin Lawless, Thomas Endersby and Cian Kilfeather performed well in the competition. All three are eligible for next year’s competition, so Summerhill’s proud record in the competition seems certain to continue.

Picture belown is RTE Presenter Aoibhinn Ní Shúilleabháin, Matt Moran (PharmaChemical Ireland), James Donnellan, Shane McVeigh, Cian Tuohy and Mr. John McGetrick (Summerhill Science teacher)

Irish Youth Orchestra
Congratulations to Leaving Cert. student Cian Tuohy has been accepted into the Irish Youth Orchestra. Cian is proving himself to be a very versatile performer.

He was a member of the successful Senior Science quiz team and in 2009 he secured the best Junior Certificate result in Summerhill by securing 11 A grades in the examination.

New GAA Jerseys

Keirns Centra in Caltragh have kindy sponsored a set of jerseys for the Summerhill 2nd Year, Juvenile and Junior Gaelic teams.Those involved in Gaelic football in the college wish to express their gratitude to Kerins Centra for the generous sponsorship.

Cross- Country Success
Well done to the three Summerhill students who secured the silver medal positions in the All-Ireland finals held in Derry at the end of November. The three boys, Cian Mc Bride, Daire Mc Closkey and Ronan Anderson were representing North Sligo Athletic Club.

Certificates of Achievement
The JE Cairnes School of Business and Economics in National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG) made a presentation to six Summerhill College students to mark their achievement in securing A grades on Higher Level Business Studied paper in the Junior Certificate 2010. The certificates are awarded in conjunction with the Business Studies Teachers’ Association of Ireland.

Congratulations to the six boys James Noonan, Brian Tobin, Mark Comerford, Malachy Davey, James Flanagan and Mohammad Rasheed. Congratulations also too their Business Studies teacher, Ms. Deirdre Mc Dermottroe.

Cold Snap
Summerhill struggled through the first week of the big freeze without having to close its doors but it succumbed to the inevitable on Monday December 6. The grounds were in a treacherous condition and Health and Safety considerations dictated that the school should remain closed. College principal, Mr Tommy Mc Manus impressed as he featured on the main RTE news bulletins.

The conditions had deteriorated further more on the Tuesday and remained closed.
Wednesday was the feast of the Immaculate Conception and the feast day of the college. This was a college holiday and was a scheduled free day on the year planner.

As the road bisects the college campus and students change classrooms each period, the exposure to the underfoot risks is greater than in most other schools.
However the new school project will soon offer solutions. An indication of the project’s advancement is that the college has recently advertised for a Clerk of Works Services .

Many students had their fingers crossed that the annual trip to see Manchester United in the Champions League encounter at Old Trafford was not to become yet another victim of the big freeze.

Christmas Concert
The college chapel provided an atmospheric location for the Amaryllis Singers Christmas Concert. This is a favourite location for the singers and it was here that they previously recorded a Christmas album. Proceeds from the event go to North West Multiple Sclerosis Centre. Well done to Summerhill Teachers Mr Kenny Donagher and Mr Fintan Whelan who preform with the Choir.