Summerhill College

School News December 7th

Ms. Mary Lyons Retires
Friday December 2nd saw Ms Mary Lyons teach her last class in Summerhill College, Ms Lyons has opted to retire and her decision is a great loss to the college. Her retirement was marked by tributes from college Principal, Mr Tommy Mc Manus, Deputy-principal, Ms Margaret Dowd, teaching colleagues and students.
Ms Lyons was a highly respected Science and Biology teacher and in more recent years taught Chemistry. She was also Year Head for a number of years and was a long term member of the college social committee. Older past pupils will know her better by her maiden name, Ms. Mary Cullen. We wish her a very long and happy retirement.

Earlier this year her long time colleague in the Biology Department, Ms Josephine Scanlon also opted to retire. Both ladies had long and distinguished service in the Science department. Ms. Scanlon returned to mark the occasion for former colleague as did recently retired, illustrious French teacher, Ms Carmel Mc Manus.

International Recognition
Congratulations to Philip Hamilton on his selection on the panel for the Irish U16 Development Basketball Team. Philip had gone through a selection process chosen from hundreds of players from all over the country, down to a panel of 28 and was then selected in the final 18.

It is a wonderful achievement for Philip and for our coaches Glen Monaghan and Shane O'Meara of Sligo All Stars and John Moran & Emir Murphy Summerhill Basketball who have supported his training in the last number of years.

Action Project at Finner Camp
On Thursday the 27th of October 2011,class, 3L1, along with teachers Mr. Brian Tivnan and Mr Stephen O'Hara, departed Summerhill College to visit Finner Camp Army Barracks for their C.S.P.E. Action Project. Class member Joe Gorman and Gary Maguire, most professionally , recorded details of the trip. To begin, the boys were shown a display of weapons systems and kit, ranging from the Steyr -Aug assault rifles to heavy mortars and bazookas. The kit proved to be a popular attraction and students queued up to try on a flak jacket, battle vest and helmet. The outfit weighed over ten kilograms!

Leaving Cert. Retreat
The Leaving Cert. retreat was held in Star of the Sea retreat centre, Mullaghmore at the end of November. The retreat was a two day event with an overnight stay. Facilitator for the event was the Diocesan director of Youth Ministry, Mr FrankMcGuinness.

University Scholarship
Congratulations to Peter Mullaney on being awarded a scholarship from Trinity College Dublin. The scholarship was awarded on the basis of his excellent performance in the 2011 Leaving Certificate examination. Two weeks earlier Darragh Taheny, also from the class of 2011 Darragh Taheny was awarded a scholarship from NUI Maynooth.

Great Start by Gaelic and Soccer Teams
The short days mean that sporting activity is slowly gearing up for a feast of New Year activity. In Gaelic football the Juvenile team has reached the league final. The Senior team is one game away from a league final and the Junior team has enjoyed a winning start to their league campaign.
The Senior Soccer team has had a run of three successive wins and are through to the quarter-finals of the Connacht League. We wish them well in the latter stages of the season.