Summerhill College

Summerhill College News
October 2011

Retirement Good Wishes
Summerhill staff and students bid a fond farewell to two excellent teachers who have opted to retire this month. Mrs Josephine Scanlon and Mrs. Carmel Mc Manus, teachers of Biology and French respectively gave many years of dedicated professional service and were held in high regard by all.

Their departure will certainly leave a gap that will be difficult to fill. On their final day in class, tributes were paid to both by Principal, Mr. Mc Manus, Deputy- principal Ms. Margaret Dowd, department colleagues and the student body. A formal presentation will be made to both at a later date. We wish both of them a very long and happy retirement.
Ms. Claire Keenan will take over Ms. Scanlon’s classes while Ms. Helen Aspel will take Ms. Mc Manus’s classes

New Look to Campus
Returning students and staff were met by a totally changed landscape on their return the school. The main classroom block of the 1970s had disappeared and new temporary accommodation had been erected in the grounds of the Old Building.

The expectation had been that conditions in this structure would be cramped and uncomfortable for the current school year but the temporary accommodation had surpassed most people’s expectations. The rooms are large and bright and offer a very comfortable billet while we await the state-of-the-art accommodation in the new development.

New Faces
A very warm welcome is extended to all of our returning students. We especially welcome our new students especially all of our First Year students, who have been settling in very well. As was the case last year, the First Year classes are un-streamed. The annual First Year Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Christy Jones on October 17. The First Years have already had their class retreats at Knock Shrine and the annual Information Nights for the newcomers.

There was widespread delight at this year’s Leaving Certificate results, which left the majority of students achieving up their first or second C.A.O. choices. The departing class enjoyed their Graduation Ball in the Clarion Hotel, Sligo. The Junior Certificate results were most encouraging with excellent foundations laid for the leaving Certificate.

We welcome new Guidance Counsellor, Ms. Gráinne Brehony. We also welcome two new subject teachers who are covering maternity leaves for the school year. Mr Andy Lawlor will cover for Ms Charlene Morahan and Mr. Stephen Eustace will cover for Ms. Carol Williams
Congratulations to Ms. Ann-Marie Curneen on her recent engagement.

Golf
Congratulations to Summerhill student Alan Gaynor on his recent success in the Connacht Close Under 17 Championship. Alan’s fine win was recorded at Oughterard Golf Club.

Summerhill old boys had a very good August on the golfing circuit. Dr. Kevin Flanagan was honoured by being selected captain of the Irish International Amateur Golf team in the Home Internationals, which were held in Co. Sligo Golf Club at Rosses Point. Another Summerhill past pupil, Gary Mc Dermott earned his first international cap in the same event.

Awards Night
The annual Students’ Awards Night took place on a cold and windy October 6 in Father Flanagan Hall. Once again, the organiser-in-chief of the event was the very capable, Mr. Derek Wynne.

The event recognised and acknowledged student excellence and effort. There were many award categories, ranging from academic and sporting excellence to awards for the most improved students. There were also awards for cultural and voluntary activity outside of school.
On this occasion the Student of the Year award went to Peter Mullaney while the top Sports’ Award went to Vinnie Cadden. The top Junior Cert Student award was shared by Paul Kratz, Paul Gallagher and Sean O’ Carroll.

The special guest was past pupil, Mr. Donard Gaynor, the New York based Senior Vice President of Corporate Development at Beam Global Spirits & Wine, Inc. Mr Gaynor left the college in 1973.

Mr Gaynor’s address was particularly well received as his inspirational words were delightfully mixed with humour. He recalled his student days in Summerhill and paid tribute to all of his teachers and especially to former college President, Bishop Thomas Finnegan, who inspired him to follow his dreams.

Mr Gaynor recounted the lasting value of his Summerhill education in both the academic and spiritual.areas. His Spanish classes with Michael Kilcoyne were put to beneficial use in his regular business contacts in South America. He spoke of his own spirituality that was nurtured in Summerhill and urged current students not to succumb to pure materialism, which was founded on nothing more than greed. He urged today’s students to be brave and follow their individual dreams, regardless of the current economic downturn.

Commenting on the new school, he recalled his involvement in fund raising for the 1970s building, which included bringing rock band Thin Lizzy to the college. He complimented Mr Mc Manus and Ms Dowd on their successful management of the school and expressed his admiration for all of the award winners.

Principal Mr. Mc Manus presented Mr. Gaynor with a Sligo landscape painting to mark the occasion. Bishop Jones was unfortunately indisposed on the night and sent his apologies. Chairman of the college Board of Management Rev. Michael Duignan took his place on the platform alongside Rev. Gerard Cryan,