Summerhill College

Congratulations to Darragh Taheny on being awarded a scholarship to NUI Maynooth as a result of his high achievement in Leaving Certificate 2011.

Darragh received his scholarship at a formal ceremony in Maynooth College. During his time in Summerhill Darragh was renowned as being a champion swimmer with many prestigious titles to his name.

Pic of Darragh with his parents, Teresa Kelly, Summerhill Guidance Counsellor and Dr David Redmond, University Registrar.

Guidance
Summerhill Guidance Counsellors Ms Teresa Kelly and Ms. Grainne Brehony recently organised a Third Level Information Night for parents to acquaint them on the subject of CAO applications. Guest speaker on the night was Ms. Kay Mitchell from Maynooth College who explained the nature of the application process and outlined some of the courses on offer in the college.

Afterwards the Guidance Counsellors turned their attention to Third Year students by organising aptitude tests for these students so that they may be better informed in the choices of subjects and courses that lie ahead of them.

Delight and Disappointment
On November 8th, Thomas Endersby won the Sligo Rotary Club’s Youth Development Leadership Competition and duly proceeded to the national final of the competition. Thomas convincingly won the national finals and we congratulate him on his tremendous achievement. However a technicality proved to be a spoil sport.

Thomas had initially entered the competition on the basis of rules and regulations provided by Sligo Rotary Club as regards age limit for the competition. However, immediately after his success in the national title, he was adjudged to be three weeks outside the age limit according to Rotary Ireland.

This was a huge disappointment for Thomas as he was really looking forward to the prize of a trip to the European parliament in Strasbourg. Afterwards a national association officer apologised for the confusion and allowed him to keep his certificate as national winner as evidence that he had emerged victorious in the competition.

He will however miss out on a trip to Strasbourg to visit the European Parliament.

Science Quiz Double
Summerhill College once again took the first two places in the regional finals of the Irish Science Teachers’ Association. Summerhill has a very proud record in this competition. Lat year the Summerhill team, mentored by Mr. John Mc Getrick, came frustrating close to winning the All-Ireland title in the competition.
This years regional winners from Summerhill were Thomas Endersby, Rian Kilfeather and Eoin Lawless. The college team, which finish second in the regional finals was composed of Kieran Blake, Calvin Flynn and Tanzeel Ahmad.

November Masses
Deceased family and friends of the broader Summerhill community have been remembered in the annual November masses for the dead. Each year grouping attended mass in the college chapel, celebrated by Rev. Gerard Cryan and organised by the Religious Education teachers.
Retired staff members joined current staff members at a special mass on November 21 to remember deceased staff of the college.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Congratulations to the Summerhill students who participated in the recent musical co=production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers with Mercy College. The production was very well received and great credit is due to all involved, especially to Summerhill’s own, Mr. Fintan Whelan whose name is now synonymous with quality stage productions.