Newtown Review 2014

Contents
A Welcome from the Principal
Minding Our Mental Health
42
Staff & Student Editorials
The Future is Food
43
We Say Hello!
TY Gaeltacht Trip
44
Mr. Denniston
Let Me Entertain You
45
10
The Irish Times
45
Life as a 1st Former
12
Killary
46
Wheelchair Accessibility
13
Newtown Viking Experience
47
Food Trends in Newtown
13
Mini Med
48
French
14
Time Travel
48
Mathletes & Linguistics
15
Enterprise Banter Bars
49
A Conversation with Myrtle Allen
16
Young Social Innovators
50
Interview with the Murrays
17
Fifth Form
52
18
COSI
54
First Form
Second Form
Second Form Ski Trip
20
Grease is The Word
55
Music
21
Sixth Form
58
22
Sports
63
Musician Interview
24
Sports Day & Clan Results
64
Christmas Concert
25
Sports Interviews
68
Orchestra
26
Hockey
70
International Student interviews
27
Rugby
74
Third Form
30
Orienteering
76
Art Gallery
32
Badminton & Swimming
78
Short Story Competition
34
Lifesaving
79
Poetry Competition
37
Where are they now?
80
HOPE
38
Quotable Quotes
82
My Italian Experience
39
A Word From the Chair
84
Fourth Form
40
Old Scholars
85
Generation Arts
42
Choirs
Hello and welcome to this years

Newtown Review.
It has been quite a year and it seems to have gone by
in the blink of an eye.
As I write the Leaving Certificate examinations are
just finished and the sixth years have departed the
school to now become old scholars. We wish them
well as they continue their onward journey in life. I
hope that they let their life speak as they go to the
big world beyond the gates and play a full and positive
role in society.
Also departing, on his bicycle, through the gates this
year is Edward Denniston who is retiring after 34
years of teaching and inspiring students. From the last
line of the last poem in Edwards collection The scale
of things, published earlier this year Edward says
.......From here I make my way. I wish him well on
his journey and thank him for all his contributions to
school life.
The year has seen many highlights and I know it is
always unfair to pick out some events and people in
this regard and leave others unmentioned. This is just
my brief overview and the rest of the Review gives a
full flavour to all that went on during the year.
Grease, The Musical was a tremendous success in
October and congratulations to all the staff, students
and volunteers who worked with such energy to
make it happen. The Christmas concert is one of my
favourite nights of the year. The cornucopia of musical
talent that performed was awesome in the truest sense.
Pieces such as Naho Kozumis wonderful voice and
the new addition of performance poetry by Lily Rose
Fitzmaurice were simply stunning.
In March the Chamber choir performed a coffee
concert in the Medieval museum and they followed
this up with recording a CD of their works in
Christchurch Cathedral. Copies were on sale at the
Country market and I think there are some left.
On the sports pitches there were brave performances
by our Rugby teams and Hockey teams with the
Senior Girls Hockey team standing tall at the end of
a great season which saw them become both League
and Cup Champions for the first time in nearly 20
years. Our 1st years show great promise as both the
Boys and Girls orienteering teams won their national
categories to become Irish Champions.
The swimming pool is active virtually all day
everyday with school swimming and it is also used by
2
Waterford Crystal swimming club and 3 of our local

primary schools. Life saving classes continued each
week and in promoting this important message of
water safety, our Transition Year students launched
and ran an extensive water safety campaign this year.
They entered into the Young Social Innovators (Y.S.I)
competition and came home with two national awards
in recognition of their work.
This year also brings with it one of the most
significant changes in the school in recent times. The
school will enter the Free Education Scheme from
the start of the 2014/15 school year. This will make
the school more accessible and affordable to those
who wish to share their educational journey with us.
Standard Tuition is now free and the fees for boarding
have been reduced significantly and the day student
fee is no longer. In continuing to provide and enhance
the broad holistic education that Newtown School has
done throughout its lifetime, the school now has a Day
boarder charge. This allows us to provide the broad
range of extracurricular activities and evening study
in a community setting that students have valued over
the years and indeed it is these activities which often
fill the pages of the Review.
Through entering the Free Scheme it also helps
us be true to our ethos which promotes inclusivity
and equality in our community and aims to provide
education in the Quaker tradition to more people so
that they may go on to make a difference for good in
their lives and in the lives of others.
In the Year that saw the passing of Nelson Mandela, I
am reminded of one of his many quotes which helps
us to focus on the real purpose of what we as a school
work to achieve. He said that Education is the most
powerful weapon which you can use to change the
world.If we can continue to teach that violence and
conflict is not the way and that though education we
can grow to see the good in others and ourselves, then
we can change the world for the better.
I want to thank the Review team, students, staff and
old scholars, for this production. It is a difficult task
to choose highlights and someone will always feel
something is left out.
Where ever you are in the world reading this, I hope
you enjoy it
In Friendship
Keith
Newtown Review 2014
Editorial Team
Editor: Grace Allen | Sub - Editor: Roberta Doorley | Creative Directors: Triona Harvey & Stephanie Ebert
Sports Team: Nicola Boyd, Laura McDaid & Peter Joyce | Photography: Stephanie Ebert
Interviewers: Laura McDaid & Kate Cafferkey (missing from the photo is Laura McDaid)
It takes two flints to make a fire Louisa May Alcott

Staff Editorial
Welcome to the seventy fourth edition of the Newtown Review. It has been another wonderful year working
alongside the student team. Teamwork is the foundation on which the success of each review is built. Roosevelt said
that the most important single ingredient in the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people and we
have all managed to do that very well; the result of this is the review that you are holding in your hand and are about
to read.
Enjoy, taitneamh a bhaint as, jouir, disfrutar, genieen, baudt, cieszy si, se bucura, , mwynhau,
kufurahia, gaudent, , , gozatu, gaudir.
Best wishes to the team as they move forward into Sixth Form.
Tara Coady and Sinad Maher
Student Editorial
The Newtown Review is a whole school event but we, as student editors, were tasked with getting everything ready
for this review to be realised. We spent a lot of the year chasing students (and staff) for their articles. Some gave
them willingly, and on time, while others needed a bit of persuading! Our team was much smaller than other years
but we were just as productive, enthusiastic and committed. It has been a lot of work and we are proud of the result.
We would like to thank Ms. Coady for her guidance, organisation and encouragment throughout the whole process
and Mrs. Maher for her help, especially her business brain that helps put the whole thing together.
Grace Allen and Roberta Doorley
Newtown Review 2014
We Say Hello to New Staff 2014
Paul Dunne
Where are you from?
Im from Swords, Co. Dublin.
What do you teach?
but since Ive come to
Usually I teach Science and Biology,
hs.
Mat
tly
mos
hing
teac
n
bee
Newtown Ive
How do you like Newtown?
when I first arrived. It
I wasnt too sure if I liked Newtown
s are done here, but
thing
how
to
used
get
took a while to
grow on me, and now I
to
ed
once I settled in the school start
really like it!
the other places you
How does Newtown differ from
have worked in?
ller, all-boys, day
My previous school was a much sma
the canteen and after
of
way
in
school, with very little to offer
r!
bette
way
is
town
New
.
school activities
ut Newtown?
What is your favourite thing abo
urite thing would have
favo
my
,
Apart from staff and students
school gets involved
le
who
the
how
like
I
ts.
to be clan even
lly the swimming
ecia
Esp
te.
and the atmosphere they crea
gala!
What is your favourite lunch?
Theyre certainly one of
Im a big fan of the Sunday dinners.
duty!
the highlights of being on weekend
park in the same
Are you a creature of habit/Do you
if someone else has
et
ups
get
spot every day? Will you
taken it?
my car in the same
Im definitely a creature of habit! I park
ets, all my CDs
pock
ific
spec
in
s
thing
ific
spec
space, I put
itely a bit OCD!
defin
Im
r.
orde
and DVDs are in alphabetical
ld you be?
If you werent a teacher what wou
ing as a biochemist.
work
was
I
her
teac
a
me
Before I beca
y have the same
likel
than
e
mor
So if I wasnt a teacher, Id
day, in the laboratory
job and be spending all day, every
carrying out my research.
could save one thing
If your house was burning and you
what would it be?
to save, but my copy of
I dont know if I choose just one item
I was presented with
The History of Newtown School that
the shortlist! Along
e
mak
to
last year would certainly have
urai swords or
Sam
of
set
my
,
keys
car
my
h,
with my watc
er!
post
ie
mov
art
my extremely rare Bravehe
Jessica Noone
Where are you from?
Ireland mostly, and Waterford for now, though I have a strong
familial and sentimental links with Wexford and Sligo.
What is your job?
Mother Hen in Annamaur
Newtown is a very special place, I feel privileged to be here and to
work and live in Annamaur with so many great girls.
What is your favourite thing about Newtown?
I love the trees and the birds, and caring ethos and respect for the
students, the history, the old buildings, the space for individuality;
but mostly the potential, Newtown and its pupils are bursting with
potential and it augurs well for the future.
A very helpful colleague always tips me off when there is what
she describes as schlob with rice for lunch. My last supper at
Newtown would be something saucy with meat, spice and rice
(maybe chicken curry) with strawberry jelly and cream for dessert.
Are you a creature of habit/do you park in the same spot every
day? Will you get upset if someone else has taken it?
I would like to answer no but as my red car is a fixture in front of
the tennis courts it would somewhat undermine the integrity of
my other answers. Yes, I am a creature of habit but no, I wouldnt
be upset if somebody else had taken it. (Though the amount of
upset that it wouldnt cause me might depend on somebody and
circumstances - if it was a rainy Wednesday afternoon in January.)
If you werent a house mistress what would you be?
I would be a zookeeper or an ambassador.
If your house was burning down and you could only save one
thing what would it be?
I would have to save two precious things, a pair of children and a
gaggle of young ladies.
August
27th Boarders return
28th
Back to school.
th
30 Seamus Heaney
dies.
Deirdre ODriscoll
Where are you from?
West Cork
What do you teach?
Spanish, CSPE, and I am also a Business
teacher
I have really enjoyed my year here. It is a
lovely school in a great setting. The students
are pleasant, helpful and enthusiastic. The
staff room is a really nice place to be.
How does Newtown differ from other places
you have worked in?
I dont think it differs greatly from other
schools that I have worked in. I suppose the
general feeling of a community among staff
and students stands out. Also the atmosphere
around the school makes Newtown a pleasant
place to work.
What is your favourite thing in Newtown?
At the moment I havent decided what my
Aoife Kehoe
Where are you from?
Waterford city.
I really like Newtown and the community
spirit.
How does Newtown differ from the
other places you have worked in?
Newtown is a really relaxed place to work.
What is your favourite thing about
Newtown?
I like the community spirit in Newtown.

The fish pie would have to be my favourite
lunch.
Are you a creature of habit/do you park in
the same place
every day? Will you get upset if someone
else has taken it?
I usually tend to park in the same general
area alright, although Im not sure why.
Saying that, it doesnt bother me either way
where I go.
If you werent a teacher what would you be?
Now thats a good question and one I havent
thought about recently. Im sure Ill figure it
out someday.
If your house was burning and you could
save one thing what would it be?
Well presuming that everyone had left the
building Id grab my jacket and my phone to
ring the emergency service.

Chicken pie.
Are you a creature of habit/do you park
in the same spot every day? Will you
get upset if someone else has taken it?
I park in same area every day. Only
because I am early in and there are
spaces left from the front.
If you werent an SNA what would you
be?
If I wasnt an SNA I would like to work in
the hospital in the Neo-Natal Ward.
Natalia Wallace
here.
Where are you from?

Im from Contae Ros Comin, in a small town
located in the West of Ireland.
I am the residential nurse, which means I live in
while on duty

Im a huge fan of the soups and homemade
bread here, but Sunday dinners here win hands
down, they are amazing.

Its a great school, the staff are very welcoming
and supportive and the students are all very
friendly.
How does Newtown differ from other places
you have worked in?
Newtown is the first school I have worked in.
I have previously worked in hospitals and care
homes, so it makes for quite a change.
What is your favourite thing in Newtown?
The people! I have made some great friends
Newtown Review 2014
favourite thing is youll have to get back to

me on that.
Are you a creature of habit/do you park in the

same place every day? Will you get upset if
someone else has taken it?
Well at present I dont have a car, so I wouldnt
get upset. But I do have my eye on someones
parking spot for when I do get one.
If you werent a nurse what would you be?
I love working with people so if I wasnt a nurse
I would like to be working in an area quite similar.
If your house was burning and you could save
one thing what would it be?
Myself and my family.
Gapper Interview: Brendan du

Karpreez
Where are you from?
Harare, Zimbabwe.
Why did you come to Ireland for your Gap
year?
I came for the weather! On a serious note, I
came for a change and to figure out what to do
at university. And dont forget the hockey.
Where are you from?

Christchurch, New Zealand.
How did you choose Ireland?

I found out about Ireland from Alistair McLeod
(Zimbabwe Gapper 2013) and thought that I
may as well come and see what Europe is like.
Why did you come to Ireland?

I know a few Irish people and growing up
I always wanted to come over and see it
for myself so I applied through a Gap-year
programme called Latitude.
What aspect of school do you enjoy?

How laid back everything is and how nothing is
too serious.
What is your favourite part of life at
Newtown?
I would have to say that to me everyone is
equal and nobody is taken for granted whether
they are in First Form or Sixth Form.
Do you think you will visit Ireland after your
Gap year is finished?
Im pretty sure I will get back to Ireland one day,
when that will be I have no idea.
Whats the main difference between here
and Zimbabwe?
The main difference, by far, is the weather.
Where I am from Im used to wearing shorts
and a shirt basically all year and it seems like it
will never stop raining here.
Gapper Interview with Sarah Hill
What do you enjoy about Newtown?

The relaxed, friendly work and the people in the
school.
Anything you dislike?
Not yet.
What is the biggest difference between
Ireland and New Zealand?
It rains a lot more and the mountains are
smaller. Most of the buildings are older than
New Zealand itself!
Will you visit again?
Would love to if I have money after university,
then Ill definitely plan on coming back.
Newtown Review 2014
Indy
Where are you from?
A farm in Macroom, Co. Cork.
How did you end up coming to Newtown? Miss Kelleher brought me here in her
car. I didnt really have a choice. But, I really am glad she did!
What was your first impression of Newtown? I arrived on a cold and rainy night
in December. The first person I met was Charlotte Ebert. She was very friendly and
gave me lots of cuddles. That made me feel right at home.
How do you like Newtown? I absolutely love it. There are lots of trees to hide
behind, lots of birds to chase and lots of pitches to run across. However, I wish
there were more dogs to hang out with.
What sort of jobs did you have to do over the year? I had to guard Miss Kellehers
flat during the day and bring her out for walks first thing in the morning, lunch
time, after school and last thing at night.
Most memorable experience? The whole year has been memorable. Every day has
been grrrrreat.
Likes: Running free without my lead, Lizzy Swift, Claire Murphy, playing tug,
chasing sticks, sleeping, organic food, travelling.
Dislikes: My lead.
Who would you say is your celebrity lookalike? What do you mean? I am a
celebrity.
Newtown Review 2014
Edward Denniston
In Newtown we are lucky to be surrounded by open minded
and thoughtful teachers. Few are as approachable and
involved as Edward Denniston, a man whose every sentence
means precisely what its meant to, the sum of its words.
Edward Denniston is an inspirational man, his intellect,
modesty and many talents paving a path that many never
realize is there to take. In Newtown we are encouraged to
think outside of the box and there few examples as clear
cut as Mr. Denniston that there is no box to be stuck in.
He is a teacher in every meaning of the word; a rugby
coach, a poet, a director and a tutor. He certainly showed
me personally that there is no need to pick one area of
excellence alone; if you use your time you can be everything
that you want to be.
If I have gotten any message from Mr. Denniston over the
past six years, it would be to listen to others, to try new
things, to be honest to yourself and to others and to get
everything you can out of your life. Always more than happy
to help out, I remember asking him in Fifth Form if he would
do a drama class and he subsequently gave up his one free
evening in the week to tutor the group of us that wanted it.
This is the sort of man that he is.
Edward Denniston is a kind, giving man who will be sorely
missed. Everyone who has ever spoken to him will agree, he
is a fine guru and he will be missed.

Cilian Jacob
What and where did you study?

I did Psychology, English and Geography at
T.C.D for four years and my HDip Ed after that
for a year. That three subject general degree
is gone now.
Where did you meet Mrs. Denniston?

We met at Kings Hospital school. I first saw
the girl that was to become Mrs. Denniston
on the edge of a school rugby pitch on the
Navan Road. I think it was a Wednesday
afternoon in September. We talked to each
other during the following spring term, I think.
She might say all this is faulty memory - which
is possible.
Where did you do your HDip?

I taught for a year in Kings Hospital School in
Dublin when I was doing my HDip Ed in Trinity.
My teaching hours were part of the course.
I did duty, lived in the school and was paid a
little. In the same year, 1979, Mrs. D. worked
in a large comprehensive school in North
Wales where they searched the students
each morning for dangerous weapons, while
I was learning the trade with sensible Church
of Ireland people on the rugby fields of West
Dublin. Newtown was my first real teaching
job and my only one come to think of it.
What is your favourite memory of

Newtown?
My favourite memory of Newtown is when
we lived in Easton, the little coach house that
was eventually converted into the Principals
house. A really hot summer: our first daughter
was born. We sat under shade in the walled
garden - happy out as they say, with the
summer ahead of us. Idyllic stuff - a time when
this day, retirement time, never entered my
head, although I never imagined myself going
on til the bitter end, so Im not going on until
the bitter end. This is an unbitter end.
What brought you to Waterford?

A teaching job with the offer of
accommodation included. At the time, the
interviews for my wife and I were arranged
by phone during our wedding reception in
1980, by the then teacher of English and
future headmaster of Newtown, Tim Macey,
who strangely enough, taught Mrs. D. and I
English at Kings Hospital. As usual in life a
combination of chance and connection for a
young married couple with no jobs wondering
what to do next. And at the time it really was a
case of what do we do next?
Did your children attend Newtown? Did

you teach them?
Both girls attended here. Hannah up to Junior
Cert and the younger, Abigail, who I taught in
5th and 6th, went through to Leaving Cert. As
I recall, she wasnt a fully attentive student of
English but she wasnt bad.
How long have you worked at Newtown?

We arrived to work in Newtown, from Dublin,
in August 1980.
Did you live in the dorms?

No. Mrs. D. and I were house-parents to First
Year boys and we lived in Easton - for about
five years.
Was English your favourite subject at

school?
Not really. I loved Biology and Geography too
but English literature and writing won out. Im
not clever enough to be a scientist. Mr. Ronan
is my unofficial science tutor.He helps get
my head around black holes, relativity, dark
matter, quarks and such like.
How does it feel to teach someone who
doesnt like your subject?
I dont think a student has to like writing or

literature. I never really worried whether
a student did or didnt like the subject,
particularly at Leaving Cert. I probably
wouldnt have noticed. I always took the view
that, like it or not, the student wants a good
outcome to the process and to take something
from it. My experience is that some students
can be healthily cynical in their attitude to
writing, Shakespeare, poetry, reading novels
- thats okay. And that doesnt mean they
wont write interesting responses or do well in
exams when the time comes.
What is the most unexpected answer you
have got in class from a question?
Cant think about answers but I remember a
few interesting questions: one from a clever
but rather directionless and unmotivated
senior student years ago. He was becoming
nervous about the exams. He approached
me after class one day and in all seriousness
asked: What is the least I can do to achieve
a B grade in English? A few years ago a
student asked me why I was so enthusiastic
about Derek Mahons poetry. What is it about
Mahon? I had to explain myself to myself;
well I had to go away and reflect in order to
explain myself. Why is always a challenge
if one takes it seriously. This year, someone
remarked to me that I didnt seem to like giving
advice.
Have you taught subjects other than
English?
Yes, I taught physical geography and
topography - a subject I love. I also taught a
module of Psychology to Fifth Year brought
in by a previous Principal as part of an
enrichment programme for the year before the
Leaving - to force students to think outside the
box; and Ive taught drama of course.
Newtown Review 2014
Have you ever used the balcony in your

classroom?
No - but it has always been a source of
interest to those who are in the room. There
are always questions about it - a bit like the
red brick and the little porcelain clown.
What is with the clown and the brick?
Teaching aids - I use the brick for a divergent
thinking exercise, which becomes a creative
writing exercise. The clown is a thing to be
named and observed. The clown sits beside
the penguin. Both were rescued from a
daughters dont-need-this-any-more box.
I use the clown too for the why exercise.
Why do you like or dislike him instead of the
penguin. Dont ask about the penguin. The
brick is a replacement brick kindly sourced by
the indefatigable John Hourigan senior.
What are the biggest changes in Newtown
since you started working here?
Im mostly of the view that nothing much
changes with humans things go around.
The general ambient attitude to teaching and
learning hasnt changed much. I always find it
hard to feel things are getting better or worse.
At Newtown, the odd building here and there
has changed. Perhaps one change is that
there arent as many dynastic families in the
school - seeing, expecting one generation
after another. Another change might be - but
its not particular to Newtown - that information
and knowledge no longer need be the
preserver of the educator. The teacher has
to be and do something else. I think thats
good, though it was always the case really.Its
now a necessity and essential. Maybe too
- and Ive no hard evidence for this - one
change is that students of English are less
willing to overcome the barriers or challenges
put before them in the effort of writing and
reading literature.
Do you really feel that students are more
impatient?
To some degree. Its just that students might
be less willing to overcome the resistance
that reading and writing demand. But Im not
sure about this at all. Its not that they are
more impatient; its more to do with going
with the difficulty. The impatience might be
mine, though, come to think of it, but I dont
think Im more impatient now. I hope not.
Some teachers have extraordinary patience
- more than I have. Whatever about Newtown
changing, I guess I must have changed after
thirty four years and only others see that
change.
How many students roughly have you
taught?
I have no idea; but Im sure it can be
calculated. One could calculate the hours,
minutes and seconds too. I could quote Philip
Larkin here. Ive been here for over thirty three
years. Of course, the total number of students
in my classroom over the years might not be
the same as the total number taught. That
sounds like project maths.
Did you work on the Review?
Yes I did, for quite a while. It was resurrected
as a publication a few years after I arrived.
Im very honoured to be interviewed by the
Review. Quite a few fairly familiar names in
the media have worked on the Review in the
past.
Has Newtown influenced your poetry?
Cant say it has. I havent written about the
school or written that much about teaching.
Years ago I wrote a sonnet inspired by an
incident I saw on Valentines Day here in
school. Some boy bought and had delivered
Newtown Review 2014
- anonymously - an expensive bouquet of red

roses for some girl. She laughed her head off
in front of her class and kind of threw them
around the place, not knowing who they were
from. Poor boy - if he was in that class his
heart must have been crushed. He could be
reading this as an Old Scholar. I also have
one poem about teaching the romantic poet
John Keats. It too involves an incident that
happened in a Leaving Cert. English class I
was teaching.
What is the best thing about teaching in
Newtown?
I have to say its the sense of comradeship,
banter, wit and humour in the staffroom. One
doesnt get away with any kind of silliness.
And it has been a very supportive place to
work and very democratic.
Another interesting thing about Newtown
- and this is related to teaching in general I
suppose - is when you are witness to what
I call the dawning in a student. When, here
in Newtown, it dawns on a student what the
school is about. The teachers are really on
your side. But I understand if a rebel without
a cause doesnt see this for a while. Very
few run away from Newtown pupils or staff.
Newtown gives a teacher a particular kind of
autonomy that seeps through to the student
body and is good for general teacher-student
relationships.
What will you miss most about Newtown?
What I just said there and just the teaching:
teaching adolescents - with all their conflicting
needs - about writing and literature and trying
to get students to trust their own response.
Thats been important for me: to get students
to trust their own sense of what they read
or want to write. Maybe I should have said
young adults instead of adolescents there.
Adolescence seems to come with negative
ballast, doesnt it?
What is your favourite part of the school
day?
I could say the part of each day when you
are free of negotiation and constant need
to interact to just get done what you do. But
thats everybodys best moment, isnt it? I like
coffee time with a really good piece of dark
chocolate biscuit cake now and then - and no
interruptions.
What is your favourite dinner in school?
Meatballs - thats something that hasnt
changed. Unlike sausage meat or pork pie
an option thats gone a long time. We had
an interesting discussion about the sausage
meat pie recently in the staffroom, those of us
who remembered it. I think it was taken off the
menu following the result of a student survey
on meals. When I was at school in Dublin
Newtown was a place that was known for
great food when you played away matches. In
fact, thats probably when I first heard about
Newtown. I never managed to get here on a
team.
What is your favourite seat in the staff
room?
I dont have one and I dont like having a
favourite place or a ritual place I insist on or
need because the day might turn bad if I dont
get to it. Ive enough habits and rituals. I like
the little green upright arm chairs, where ever
they are in the staffroom. I like the design and
the way they hold you bolt upright.
want a laugh, ask my colleagues.

How far do you cycle every day?
About 6.6km round trip to and from work and,
in addition, in and out to town sometimes.
Multiply that by 167 school days and thats my
annual to work exercise. More project maths.
I dont like driving the car short distances. I
cant imagine not cycling a bike.
Do you have a favourite poet or writer?
Thats a difficult one. I go through phases.
Who do I re-read? Derek Mahon is a favourite
of the poets on the syllabus. Theres a Polish
poet called Zbigniew Herbet who I often reread in translation of course. The Great
Gatsby is a favourite novel. Other poets I
find myself re-reading are: Elizabeth Bishop,
Raymond Carver. I highly recommend
Carvers collected poems for anyone who
wants to write poems. Theres a wonderful
book I read in the last year called Darwins
Worms, a combination of psychoanalysis and
biology. A quote from the book I took note of
that struck me is - A life might be more
about finding pleasurable ways of getting
on with people than good ways of knowing
them. I think this applies to teaching. Philips
has also written a book, which I havent read,
On Kissing. I like Tim Robinsons books
and return to them. He writes about the
Connemara landscape. Books, books: so
many, so little time. Well, I suppose there will
be more time now.
What will you do with your time when you
retire?
I have definite ideas but, as with New
Years resolutions, I wont say until theyve
happened, are happening, or there has been
some success in achieving them. But I will
write and read - and garden and cook and
wander around on my bicycle and climb the
odd mountain. I might do some drama or
creative writing workshops. And of course, I
will do my best to look after Mrs. D. who will
be doing real work.
How do you feel about leaving Newtown?
Quite a few people have asked me this. Im
not sure how I feel. I feel excitement and
something that feels like anticipation. Ive
never done this before. I dont really feel
sad or regretful, though I know Ill miss my
colleagues and teaching the energy one
puts into unlocking a piece of writing for
students or the pleasure of presenting them
with something new and different like E.E.
Cummings Anyone Lived In A Pretty How
Town, or helping a student with the knowhow of writing, for what its worth. Teaching
Shakespeare is good fun and energising, for
me at least: Ill miss this but I think Ill end up
continuing to teach Shakespeare and drama
to someone, somewhere.
Will you come back and visit?
O yes, why not, now and again, just to say
hello, to see people. Im not going to banish
the place from consciousness. In the last few
days the words of a song sung by Leonard
Cohen are on a loop in my head. Cohen didnt
write the song - Passing through, passing
through, sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
glad that I ran into you, tell the people that you
saw me passing through. Well end there. And
thanks to the Review for the opportunity to do
this interview.
Do you have any secret talents we dont

know about?
Question is: do I have any talents that are
known about that even I know about? I think
youd have to ask others that question. If you
FIRST FORM
Front row:

2nd row:

3rd row:

Back row:

Ted Johnson, Erika Beyers, Clare Murphy, Peter Yaciuk OConnor, Ben Johnson, Gearid Morgan OBrien,
Ethan McInerney, Eve Kelly.
David Gahan, Ciara Robertson, Matthew Mosse, Caoimhe Lawless, Daniel Evans, Paloma Balado Dieguez,
Robert McKenzie-Brown, Lizzy Swift, Maya Laura.
Mr Keith Lemon, Sacha ONeill, Samantha Foley, Izzy Collins, Isobel Dineen, Mrs Gillian Denniston,
Aedan Rogers, Mrs Siobhn Keappock, Rory McDonagh, Sophie Pim, Molly OShea, Ms Aoife Kehoe, Liam Van Der Veen
Ivan Allen, Roisn Lynam, Finn Brady, Niamh Doyle, Thomas Drayton, Tom Lehane, Stefan Sumstad, Abby Fitzmaurice,
Sarah McDaid, Bernard Kelly.
September
it? The
Can you believe
1st
lebrates
Electric Picnic ce

.
th
its 10 birthday

vis and
Da
h
Clara fFrenc
6th
ced as
un
no
an
Neil Dunne
and
y
Bo
ad
the new He
Girl.
10
Newtown Review 2014
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: Abby Fitzmaurice
Win An Oscar: Erika Beyers
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Niamh Doyle
Travel The World: Isobel Collins
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: Ben Johnson
Marry Michelle Keegan: Ivan Allen
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Aedan Rogers
Win The Lotto: Caoimhe Lawless & Isobel Collins
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Ted Johnson
Fall Up The Stairs: Stefan Sumstad
Newtown Review 2014
11
Life as a First Former
Interview
with Ted
Johnson
Life as a First Former:
Interview
with
Ted Johnson
What are the biggest changes that you have experienced since coming
into secondary school?
What
are friends
the biggest
changes
you have
experienced
Living with
your
and having
a that
sleepover
every
night. Going to
since
coming
secondary
different
buildings
forinto
each
class andschool?
finding your way around. Meeting
in the morning
for your
Collect.
Living with
friends and having a sleepover every night.
to different buildings for each class and finding your
What isGoing
your favourite
part about being at Newtown?
way around. Meeting in the morning for Collect.
Being away from home and becoming more independent. Settling in was
fast andWhat
easy.is your favourite part about being at Newtown?
Being
home and
becoming
more independent. SetWhat are
youraway
leastfrom
favourite
aspects
of school?
tling in was fast and easy.
I havent discovered any yet.
What
are expectations
your least favourite
aspects of school?
What were
your
of Newtown?
I havent discovered any yet.
I expected to have a hard time being away from home and making new
friends. I thought there would be a lot of time alone and didnt expect
What were your expectations of Newtown?
there to be as good an atmosphere.
I expected to have a hard time being away from home and
making new friends. I thought there would be a lot of time
alone and didnt expect there to be as good an atmosphere.
September
28th
September
10th Miley Cyrus appears
naked on a Wrecking
Ball and sparks an
exchange with Sinead
OConnor.
16th The annual Gaeltacht
Trip for TY begins
12
Who will ever forget Walter

White rolling the barrel
across the desert to
the soundtrack of Take My
True Love by the Hand.
Regrettably Breaking Bad
concludes its final season.
Goodbye Heisenberg and
goodbye Jessie Pinkman.
Newtown Review 2014
Wheelchair Accessibility Comes To Newtown

Im Lizzy and I came to Newtown in 2013. I enjoy
my time here but there was one little hitch. In the
summer I had surgery to repair my right knee and was
in a wheelchair.
It was hard to get around the school at first but I
soon grew used to it with help from other students
and staff but I still had to skip some things due to the
healing process. It didnt help that I already had very
weak legs. Newtown tried its best to accommodate
me but it was slow going. It was often a struggle to
get to my locker in the mornings.
I had three sessions of physiotherapy a day at Nest
and went to a clinic twice a week. Thanks to my
SNA, Aoife, and a lot of calls to the taxi service we
managed it but plans were being put in place to make
the school more accessible and wheelchair friendly.
Mr. Lemon and the other staff applied for a grant
for new ramps, railings and other things to make life
at Newtown easier for people who have mobility
problems. After a few months of a wait it finally
came but then the work was interrupted by bad
weather conditions. During the next school break,
work started and was almost finished when we
returned. It became a game for my friends to run
around the school counting the new ramps and
reporting the number back to me. There were twenty
nine new ramps and fixtures in total. That was not
counting the leveled tiles and disabled bathroom
that was installed. With all of this, it became easier at
Newtown for me. So thanks for the work!!
Lizzy Swift
FOOD TRENDS IN NEWTOWN

Food Glorious Food
What are your favourite school lunches?
1. Chicken Wraps 2. Chicken Curry 3. Lasagne
Most disgusting meal youve ever heard of?

Bull Ear
What are your favourite school teas?

1. Chicken Wraps 2. Chicken Burgers 3. Pizza
Favourite traditional Irish Dinner?

Stew or Roast Chicken
What are your favourite school desserts?

1. Chocolate Cake & Vanilla Sauce 2. Banoffee Pie 3. Cheesecake
Boarders: Favourite food to bring in and eat in dorms?

Popcorn and noodles
Name your favourite food ever that you could live off for the
rest of your whole life
Pizza or Steak & Chips
Days & Boarders: Whats unreal and whats super gross in the
vendies?
Favourite country to eat in?

Italy
UNREAL
SUPER GROSS
1. Jellies
1. Big Snack
2. Kinder Bueno
2. Bounty
3. Ripples Crisps
3. Tayto Cheese & Onion
Favourite take-away
Chinese or Pizza
Newtown Review 2014
13
FRENCH
French Breakfast
Mecredi matin le 12 fevrier notre prem
ier cours etait francais et cette fois nous
avons fait des choses
extraordinaires. Mme. Denniston et
Mme. Guyon ont organise un petit dejo
uner francais dans la cantine.
Elles ont achete des croissants delicieux
pour les deux classes francaises.
Chaque personne a recu deux croissant
s et les dames de la cuisine ont prep
are aussi du chocolat chaud
pour tout le monde. Puis nous avons
ecoute de la musique francaise pend
ant que nous avons mange les
croissants. Lambiance etait tres bonn
e et tout le monde a passe un bon debu
t de journee.
On Wednesday the twelfth of February

our first class was French and this time
we did something
extraordinary. Mme. Denniston and
Mme. Guyon organised a French brea
kfast in the Dining Hall.
We enjoyed croissants with Nutella
and hot chocolate . We listened to Fren
ch music while we ate our
croissants. The atmosphere was grea
t and it was a good start to the day.
By Elina Stotzingen & Helen Uhlig
Petit Djeuner
On Tuesday 11th April the TY French classes had a surprise. Instead of class we were treated to a French breakfast, chocolate croissants and orange
juice. We then had a little Petanque competition, a boule game from the Petanque region. After Ms. Guyon explained the rules, we had a mini
tournament, it was highly competitive. Everyone had a great time under the April sun.
Merci.
Holly Moore.
Le gagnant du concours de posie est ... Peter Joyce.

Vert
Vert me rappelle jouer au football dans les champs
Il me rappelle les mmoire de mon enfance.
O un hrisson marche dans les herbes et ou loiseau vole dans le ciel.
Vert me rappelle le agriculteur qui donn manger du btail
et il me rappelle btail dans les champs.
TY Project - Making a French

brochure about Newtown
Vert me rappelle le Irlande

O nous habitions et la nation que nous adorons.
Jadore le vert parce que le vert reprsente lIrlande.
14
MATHLETES
Team Math 2014

On Friday January 31st, just before the mock exams, two teams set off on
an intense quest to win the Waterford Region Team Math Quiz. Connor
Vogelaar, Ruth Cusack, Ruair Finnegan and I were the underdogs of the
competition. We managed to beat six teams of mathletes, coming away
with a narrow win. The other Newtown team came second, missing out
on the gold by just one point.
We returned to school 100 richer, trophy in hand, and the promise of
a place in the National Team Math Final. Sadly, we lost Connor due to a
pre-booked ski holiday and had to continue to nationals as a threesome.
The main event was held in the Quadrant at NUIG on March eight.
As the competition starting at eleven oclock on the Saturday morning,
we decided to head up the night before. Our stay at The Connacht
Hotel was kindly sponsored by Shay Livingstone, General Manager and
Old Scholar of Newtown School. We took the train on a sunny Friday
afternoon, Ms. Graham testing our ability along the way by giving us
maths problems to solve.
Once in Galway, we headed straight to the hotel. It was fabulous;
honestly we couldnt believe our luck. That night, the three of us went
for a swim in the hotels leisure centre while Ms. Graham relaxed. Ruth
and I had a great nights sleep, Ruair unfortunately did not. It seems the
anticipation was just too much for him.
We had time to explore Galway before the competition started. It has
to be said that debs dress browsing with Ms. Graham is an experience
neither Ruth nor I will ever forget! Back at the university we were given a private tour of the campus by a student named Shane. None of us had
been to NUIG before and it was a great excuse to have a look around, as all of us have the University on our CAO.
The competition itself was short and sweet. To begin with we had six minutes to answer two questions. In the later rounds, there were four
questions in the same time limit. Being the only team of just three, we started off at a serious disadvantage. Unfortunately, time really got the
better of us in the later rounds. Our loss was negligible in comparison to the fantastic overall experience. We all really enjoyed the trip. Thank you
to The Newtown Association and The Old Scholars Association for sponsoring this once in a lifetime experience. Of course, huge thanks must also
go to Ms. Graham for giving us the opportunity to compete at such a high level, and for her being the best maths teacher we could have asked for
over the past six years.
By Clara ffrench Davis
LINGUISTICS
Linguistics Puzzle
When I was a child I lived in West Africa for a while. One day I went out for a
walk along a path through the bush.
Around a corner I met bonga - a donkey
Around the next corner I met bosi - a whole herd of donkeys.
Around the corner after that, I met pulinga - a ?
Hugh Dobbs
Linguistics
Linguistics is a resource that Newtown
School has over other schools in Ireland
and even a lot of other countries. The tests
that are done in this course are applied in
other countries all over the world. This is
thanks to Mr. Dobbs, who is in charge of the
lessons on Wednesdays and prepares us
for tests coming up during the year.
Linguistics is a very good opportunity that
we have. It involves us in other languages
and makes us think in a different way in
order to come out with the solutions to the
tasks that were assigned to. It develops
our skills in understanding other languages
with lack of knowledge and we achieve a lot
more skills such as improving concentration
and memory.
At the moment the members of this
group are few but this can grow as we let
everybody know about the advantages of
this option in school. Personally, I think its a
great opportunity, all are welcome to come
and try it.
Maider Bernal
15
A Conversation with Myrtle Allen

During the Easter break we travelled to Ballymaloe
House in County Cork to interview an icon of Irish culinary
history Myrtle Allen.

Before embarking on a lifetime adventure with food,
Myrtle Allen received a very liberal education. She first attended
Frensham Heights School in Surrey in the UK. Following the
outbreak of the Second World War Myrtle joined Fourth Form
in Newtown School.

Myrtle told us that her parents decision to send her to
Newtown was influenced by a number of factors. The previous
owners of Ballymaloe House, the Simpsons, were close
family friends with the Allens, they had a daughter attending
Newtown at the time and they highly recommended it. More
importantly however, both of Myrtles parents were strong
advocates of co-education and this was a significant reason
when considering their choice.

Myrtle travelled to Newtown with her father to see
what it was like and this was when she first met the principal
John Brigham who had recently succeeded the popular Arnold
Marsh. Myrtle expressed a strong empathy with John Brigham
who she described as as new as me. On her first day at school,
Myrtle was collected from the Cork train by Principal Brigham
himself!

Before arriving at Newtown, Myrtle had been at
school in England and she described being fitted for a gas mask
and completing air raid drills. Little did she expect that similar
procedures would be evident when she came to Waterford.
Myrtle was glad that Ireland wasnt directly involved in the
conflict and although the country was at peace the war did
affect Irish daily life. She recounted everyone listening to the
radio and hearing about the numbers killed. Hearing about
young people dying particularly affected her.

The effects of war had its own impact on Newtown.
As a Quaker school the community went out of its way to
accommodate people who had been displaced by the war. Some
German and Jewish refugees fleeing war torn Europe found
safety in Ireland and within Newtown itself. Quakers in Dublin
and local Waterford Families helped the German Emergency
Relief Committee to look after these refugees and support their
education at the school.

One such pupil who struck up a special friendship with
Myrtle was a German boy, Robert Weil. Roberts parents were
pharmacists in Berlin before the war. Following Hitlers edicts
that no Jews were allowed to work as professionals in Germany,
Roberts parents knew that there was no future for them there.
16
They succeeded in getting their four children out of Germany

(some to the UK first and some to the USA). Robert ended up in
Newtown and following a successful academic career in Trinity
College, he went on to become a well regarded Lecturer in
Modern Languages in Belfast. One of his essays from his time in
Newtown has survived and has been archived in the University
of Limerick. In this essay he spoke about adjusting to a new
culture and particularly to a co-educational school. Robert
remarks: Before I came over here I would not have dared to
call a girl by her christian name. It must indeed have been
a culture shock arriving in such circumstances to Newtowns
liberal and tolerant environment.

Myrtle spoke about different teachers and pupils at
Newtown. The Simpsons and the Fletchers were among her
schoolmates at the time. Dick Fletcher was a popular Head
Boy and Myrtle remembers him kindly allowing her to copy his
dictation a number of times. Myrtle mentioned the Websters
and fondly remembered musical evenings that were held
regularly in the school, organised by Mr. Webster. She felt that
she didnt get to attend as many of these as she would have
liked. Myrtle feels that music is an area of strength for Newtown
that continues today.

Myrtles dorms were in Selbourne. During her time
in Newtown approximately fifty to sixty pupils attended the
school, with maybe ten girl boarders in total. She reckoned
that the girls always felt that the boys got a better deal
somehow. Myrtle said she wasnt particularly sporty, but she
did occasionally take part in some activities to support her
classmates and be a team player.

While Myrtle didnt have any great expectations about
the food at school she reported that overall the provision was
okay. The food, although simple, was always more than enough.
Porridge was the breakfast staple and locally baked bread was
delivered daily. Her favourite meal was tea at six oclock (slightly
later than tea today which begins at 5.30).

Silence was a feature of life in Newtown during
Myrtles time here. Morning Collect marked the official start of
the day, as it does now, and occasionally visiting speakers would
come in to the school to talk with the scholars. On Sundays the
students had to attend some form of service, though which one
wasnt specified. Myrtle only went home at the end of term
times the distance to travel home meant that it would not
have been worth it to make the journey more often. According
to Myrtle this actually helped her to settle in quicker.

Of all the things that Myrtle mentioned about
Newtown, two things stand out. One is that she grew to share
her parents enthusiasm for the value of a co-educational
school. She pointed out that co-education was unusual at the
time, not just in Ireland but also in the UK. The second feature
of life in Newtown that Myrtle emphasised was the approach
of the staff at the school. She felt that the relationship between
staff and students was very different and that this helped
to develop a great sense of community between all those
associated with the school.

We would like to thank Myrtle Allen and her extended
family for taking the time to meet with us. We are especially
grateful to Myrtle Allens son, Rory, and her granddaughter,
Fawn, for their warm welcome and generous hospitality.
Grace Allen and Kate Cafferkey
Newtown Review 2014
An End Of An Era For The Murray Family

The Murray family end a long and happy time in Newtown School
this year with their youngest daughter Sarah finishing Sixth Form.
Sarah is fifth in the family with David, Paul, Hannah and Jane having
gone before her.
Ruth explains that David started in Newtown Junior School in
September of 1996. We had just returned from the USA where
David, Paul, Jane and Hannah were born. In 2004 David started in
Newtown School and in turn all four siblings followed.
David has so many great memories in Newtown. Its hard to pick
out one in particular. I loved Sixth Form, all of the big Clan events,
going away for matches, the summer term, Christmas Dinner. I
loved tea in the evenings and getting blaas at break-time in the
mornings. Its not until you look back that you can see all of the
great moments and memories that were collected over the years.
When asked what his favourite place in Newtown was, Paul has
happy memories of Legoland, always a good spot to hang out,
while Sarah loved Mount Mellick - I love Mount Mellick, with its
abundance of amazing pianos, it became my kind of wind down
haven towards the end of the year, away from the stresses of the
looming Leaving Cert! Also, the Astroturf, given my love for hockey.
When asked their favourite meal in Newtown all five are unanimous
and, like many others before and after them, they agreed it was the
Chicken Pie!
Hannah remembers funny times in school with one of the funniest
involving Fig Rolls Its a bit more embarrassing rather than funny.
In Home Economics. Mrs. Glasheen gave us all fig rolls. I thought
that she was just emptying the cupboards, so I happily ate mine.
A few minutes later, she said something like: ok, everyone, lets
test our samples. I suddenly realised that the food was part of
the work that we were doing. We werent supposed to eat them. I
felt like Augustus Gloop! No one else had eaten their one. Though,
fortunately, it was fine and everyone laughed and Mrs. Glasheen
gave me another fig roll!
Jane was asked what was her most valued achievement from her
time at Newtown and felt that becoming a Pool Lifeguard in Sixth
Form was a highlight of her time in school as she had worked really
hard to achieve this.
On a sadder note, after a journey of ten years in school the Green
Clan never won the Clan Competition but Sarah is ever the optimist
and suggests maybe this year.
Ruth and Michael will miss driving up the driveway each day, It
is so lovely to drive in the gate and up the avenue through all the
seasons. It is especially lovely when the cherry blossom is in bloom.
In the summer evenings it is so nice to hear the sounds of all the
students playing and having fun. Newtown really is an oasis of
peace and calm in the middle of town.
As their journey comes to a close Ruth sums up her lasting memory
saying that Going to Newtown for the Murrays was like going from
home to home.
Laura McDaid
Newtown Review 2014
17
SECOND FORM
Front Row:

Sahee Kim, Sophie McMahon, Hilary Balding, Rachel Foley, Zoe Mulligan, Catherine Dineen, Jasmine Ryan,
Lisa Weizendorfer, Eva Kelly, Lily Mei Smyth, Chloe Sweeney, Milena Barnes
2nd Row:

JJ Rosenberg, Jessica Marsh Horgan, Jodie Giles, Marie Claire Nies, Alex Browne, Kim Daly, James Treacy,
Harry Jephson, Dylan Crews, Jason and Rhys Kenny
Back Row:

Brixio Jimenez Alvarez, Jacob Pim, James Gaffney, Cian Mooney, Fionn O Loughlin, Josh Allen, Rhys Jones,
Bobby Coughlan, Luke Greene Eoin O Driscoll, Liam Murray, Ross Joyce
18
Newtown Review 2014
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: JJ Rosenberg
Win An Oscar: James Treacy
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Patrick Hickey
Travel The World: Alex Browne
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: Connor Glennon
Marry Michelle Keegan: Ross Joyce
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Liam Murray
Win The Lotto: Ross Joyce
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Zo Mulligan
Fall Up The Stairs: Fionn OLoughlin
Newtown Review 2014
19
Second Form Ski Trip

We arrived in Switzerland on the first of February
2014 and travelled to the Haut-Lac Centre where
we would be staying. We arrived quite late that
evening so we got our skis that night before we
went to sleep.
and the winners of the race received their medals.

We all enjoyed the disco.
After packing, ping-pong and a game of pool we

left the Haut-Lac Centre. To our surprise, our
flight was cancelled until the next morning. Our
The next morning, we took a train to the slopes. holiday was extended one extra night. We stayed
We were at different levels and divided into in a lovely hotel. With Haut-Lac in our thoughts
our groups. We had a great first day and shared we reached Ireland.
stories all the way back to the centre. We were
Overall, the trip was brilliant and we all really
really tired.
enjoyed ourselves. Thank you to Mr. OCuinn, Mr.
Two days in and all three groups were skiing with Hanlon, Mrs. Glasheen and Ms. Keogh.
ease. The beginners tackled a blue slope, one
group skied down a red slope while the advanced
Ross Joyce
group conquered a black slope.
We went to the town Gstaad where we bought
gifts and tried some great Swiss chocolate. We
took the train back to the centre where we all had
casino night.
On our last day all the groups took part in a race.
Due to heavy snow, there were a few falls. That
evening we were presented with our certificates
20
September
30th
Roaul OBrien and Ben

Doyle participate in U18
hockey trials along with
Matthew Treacy in the U16
category.
Newtown Review 2014
Newtown Review 2014
21
CHOIRS
Senior Choir
Senior choir is an all female group comprising of Second to Sixth Form students, with voices ranging
from Altos to First Sopranos.
This year Senior choir welcomed First Form students.
Our first choral assignment was to join the cast of Grease as pit singers.
In December we took part in Winterval and sang Christmas carols, along with the Chamber Choir, to
get everyone in the mood for Christmas on the Singing Christmas Tree.
For the Christmas Concert we performed Adiemus(The Sanctuary Song) in three parts as well as
accompanying Harry Jephson as he sang Those Magic Changes from Grease.
In the spring and summer term we concentrated more on modern songs.
We would like to thank Mrs. OConnor and Mrs. Keappock for their dedication and determination and
the work they put into our choir throughout the whole year.
Gillian Richardson
October
3rd
Ship carrying migrant

African workers catch
es
fire and capsizes near
Lampedusa, Italy.
The final death toll
was estimated in the
hundreds. Each
year thousands of
migrants risk their liv
es
attempting to cross fro
m
Africa to Europe.
Lucy Latta competes
in
the Interpros hockey
tournament as part of
the South East squad
.
15th Eleanor Catto
n is
awarded the Man Book
er
prize for her book T
he
Luminaries.
17th The Grease
1950s day
gets the school into
the
spirit for the upcoming
musical.
22
Newtown Review 2014
Chamber Choir
This year has been very successful for the chamber
choir. Our first mini concert was during the Old
Scholars weekend where we sang Happy Together.
It was a good way to kick off the year.
dedicating so much of his time and effort to it.

Also, we would like to thank Mrs. Keappock for
accompanying and practising with us.
At the Winterval festival in Waterford we performed

a few Christmas songs on the Singing Christmas
Tree with the Senior choir. We ended the first term
by performing in the annual Christmas Concert,
which was a great success.
Stephanie Ebert
For the second term we set ourselves the goal of

creating a CD. It was very hard work because we
had to learn a whole repertoire of songs, some of
which we knew but most were new. A week before
the date set for the recording we gave a concert in
the Medieval Museum, performing the songs we
planned to put on the CD. There were also a few
solo-performances by Clare Spollen, Cilian Jacob,
Charlotte Ebert, Sophie Crotty and Naho Koizumi
and a performance by the Sixth Form members of
the choir as it was their final year. It was a fantastic
concert and everybody enjoyed it.
The following weekend we went to Christchurch
to record the CD. It took us half a day as we had to
have a few takes of every song. Everyone was happy
with the result. Copies of the CDs were sold at the
Country Market on the last day of school.
Hopefully next year will be as much of a success as
this year and just as much fun.
We would like to thank our conductor Fintan
Scanlon for making the choir possible and
Newtown Review 2014
December
2nd
The Young So
cial
Innovator Team
team
meet An Taoi
seach Enda
Kenny to disc
uss their
water safety
message.
th
4
Gapper Alasta
ir
McLeod

leaves Newto
w
n.
th
5
Nelson Mande
la dies in
South Africa.
th
9
TY exhibit th
eir musicl

and dance ta
le
nts at a

concert today.
th
15 Irelan
d exits the Ba
ilout.
17th Clan
Cross Country

event sees so
me close

races and pa
in
ted faces.
th
18
The school op
en
s the

doors for the
An
nual

Christmas Co
ncert.
29th Micha
el Schumache
r has
a catastroph
ic accident
while skiing
and sustains
seriou
s head injuri
es.
23
Cilian Jacob
What instrument do you play?
I play piano, guitar, trumpet and I also sing.
At what age did you start?
I started to play piano at the age of six, in Second
Form I started with taking voice and trumpet
lessons, and since Third Form I play the guitar.
Would you think about doing it in university or
as a career?
Id love to do music as a career but Id have to
accidentally get into it.
Did the musical facilities affect your choice of
school?
No. The choice of school runs in the family.
Whats your greatest musical achievement so
far?
I supported the band, In The Willows, in
Whelans in Dublin.
What type of music do you listen to?
I listen to as much as I get. My favourite type of
music changes all the time. Folk rock, electronic,
funk, soul, hiphop, jazz, bluegrass... theres just so
many... trad, punk, I like music with harmonies. You
cant really sum it up.
Cormac Kavanagh
How long have you worked in Newtown?
I started work in Newtown in April 1997.
Has the Music Department changed much since you started?
It was quite small when I started in Mountmellick. Then during the
Celtic Tiger years it expanded quite a lot with the extra student
intake at Newtown. At one stage there were three guitar teachers!
More instruments have been added too over the years
How many students have you had in Newtown?
I looked into it and I reckon between four and five hundred.
Do you have any funny stories from your time here?
Uhhh none that I can recall. Well I always had a laugh with the
students and other teachers.
Did you teach any instruments other than guitar?
I once taught full music classes for a few weeks as a substitute for
Anne Barry.
I was terrible. The kids ran riot!!
Will you continue to teach guitar?
Yes, I love it. I think Im getting the hang of it now...
What is your favourite thing about Newtown?
The positive attitude there, the teachers, the self confidence of the
pupils and the general look and Quaker ethos of the school.
Where have you moved to?
Tampa, Florida, USA.
Whats the biggest difference between The US and Ireland?
Lots of differences but the weather is just great here. We
Kavanaghs all love the outdoors! I love the positivity and general
can-do attitude. Lots of opportunities if you have the talent and drive
to make it happen. I do miss the scenery in Ireland, the Irish accent
and Barrys Tea. Also Clonakilty Black Pudding actually this list
could go on.
November
cy named
tthew Trea
a
th
M
3
1
U16
the Munster
f
o
in
ta
p
ca
squad.
of Social
Community
14th
(COSI) team
Innovation
e sale to
host a bak
for gym
raise money
as part of
equipment
h and Welltheir Healt
ct.
Being proje
es II
m
a
G
nger
21st Hu
, is
re
Fi
Catching

eland.
Ir
in
released
24
November
30th Susannah
Benjamin
wins The Irish
Times
Amateur Photogra
pher
of the Year aw
ard
for her picture
of her
classmates entit
led
Vacuum Packed
highlighting them
es of
isolation and bu
llying.
CHRISTMAS CONCERTS
The annual Christmas Concert is one

of the highlights of the Newtown
year. This years concert was one to
remember.
The Junior Choir traditionally open
the event and this year was no
different. Piano featured strongly in
the programme with pieces performed
by Isabelle Collins, Ted Johnson, Ethan
McInerney, Gillian Richardson, Clare
Spollen, Sarah Murray, Clara Ffrench
Davis, Lucia Freshedo and Charlotte
Ebert. Well done to Ellen OCarroll, Neill
Dunne, Cillian Jacob, Anna OConnor,
Rachel Solomon, Sophie Crotty and
Naho Koizumi all of whom sung
beautifully. Georgia Touhy played a
contemporary piece on violin.
There were excellent group
performances from the choirs, the
trad group, the 2nd Form Ensemble,
the 4th Form Music class and of course
the orchestra. There were some
outstanding individual performances:
Mark Lahertys Men in Black rap was
funny and highly entertaining. However
Lily Rose Fitzmaurices recitation
of Sarah Kays Point B was truly
remarkable.
This concert reminded us all of the
abundance of talent that is part of our
school community.
Kate Cafferkey
25
ORCHESTRA
Orchestra is a great way to get some practice working in a large musical group and musical
experience in general. We meet every Thursday during lunch in Mountmellick to practice and are
directed by Stephen Mackey. We normally practice pieces that we have learned and learn some new
pieces. We play some of these pieces at the Christmas concert.
Orchestra this year started out much smaller than usual but thanks to the great participation of many
of the First Form students we now have a big band, thanks to all of the wind instruments and the lack
of strings.
The orchestra now consists of clarinets, violins, flutes, piano, saxophones, cellos, double bass and
drums. At this years Christmas Concert we played Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt,
Clown by Emeli Sande, with a solo by Sarah Murray and we also joined the Chamber Choir and the
Junior Choir in the finale of Pachelbels Canon and O Come All Ye Faithful. We are already learning
some new songs for next years Christmas Concert. Over all, this has been a very successful year for
the orchestra and hopefully this will carry into next years orchestra. Thanks to Stephen Mackey and
all of the music staff that help us throughout the year.
Daniel Morris
26
Newtown Review 2014
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTERVIEWS
Lianne McKeown Fourth Form

Where are you from? Southhampton Parish, Bermuda.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? My parents googled it. I wanted to go to boarding school and I
have family in Belfast.
How does it compare to your last school? My last school wasnt boarding and Newtown is smaller. The people
are nice and the school is more fun. I had been in the English system.
Whats the best thing about Newtown? The boarding. And TY is nice
Lucia Fresnedo Fuente Third Form
Where are you from? Santoa, Spain.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? To learn English. I picked Newtown because it is a mixed school
and because it has very good Music facilities.
How does it compare to your last school? The grounds are huge!
What do you like most about Newtown? The different options we have of things available, like sports.
Artem Yamtiev Fifth Form
Where are you from? Ekaterinburg, Russia.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? My sister has lived here for five years now and my parents and I
moved here to live with her.
How does it compare to your last school? Its not much different.
What do you like most about Newtown? The people are really nice.
Raehee Kim Fourth Form
Where are you from? Guangzhou, South Korea.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? My teacher recommended that I come here because there arent
many Korean people and so it would be easier to learn English.
How does it compare to your last school? I much prefer Newtown. My friends in Korea finish school next year
and will go to college then. In my last school there was a ten minute break between each class. The students
stay in the same room and the teachers come around to us, except for Art, PE and Music.
What do you like most about Newtown? The half-day on Wednesdays.
Newtown Review 2014
27
Caoimhe Lawless First Form

Where are you from? Brussels, Belgium.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? Because my mum went here and my cousins are going here.
How does it compare to your last school? We speak English here and we move around classes. At home we
used to always stay in one classroom.
What do you like most about Newtown? Boarding.
Oliver Yang Fourth Form
Where are you from? Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? I came to Ireland in 2008 when I was eleven because my parents
moved here. We chose Newtown because it has a very good reputation and everyone says that its the best.
Also because it is a small school.
How does it compare to your last school? Well I wasnt in secondary school in China but its not as strict here
and we get less homework. In China there are less extra-curricular activities.
What do you like most about Newtown? It has a very friendly atmosphere, particularly for newcomers.
Compared with my last Irish school, the students are nicer and the quality of teaching is better.
Erica Beyers First Form
Where are you from? Johannesburg, South Africa.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? To have some new experiences and to be more independent. In
South Africa we have less freedom to go out, even to town.
How does it compare to your last school? The uniform at home was way stricter.
What do you like most about Newtown? Half days on Wednesdays.
Naho Koizumi Sixth Form
Where are you from? Osaka, Japan.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? I liked the idea of Newtown.
How does it compare to your last school? The food is better.
What do you like most about Newtown? The people!
28
Newtown Review 2014
Alexandra Gingell Fourth Form

Where are you from? Im from Dublin, but I live in Dubai which is a province of The UAE.
Why did you come to Newtown? I didnt like my old school and I wanted to experience boarding. I also have
family in Waterford so it is much easier to see them.
How does it compare to your last school? Newtown has a friendlier attitude. Im having a great year in TY I
was in the English system so my friends are all doing their GCSEs, lucky me!
What do you like most about Newtown? TY. Everything is organised so well and the people are lovely. I also
like the community spirit.
Rowan Keane Fifth Form
Where are you from? Seattle, USA.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? I moved here at the age of ten because my ancestors went here
during the Second World War.
How does it compare to your last school? You change schools regularly in America.
What do you like most about Newtown? The people.
Habib Raheem Third Form
Where are you from? London, England.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? Because my mum wanted me to.
How does it compare to your last school? We had more different races in London.
What do you like most about Newtown? It is a smaller school.
Lisa Weizendrfer: Second Form
Where are you from? Munich, Germany.
Why did you come to Newtown and Ireland? To learn English.
How does it compare to your last school? Its a lot older and there are fewer students.
What do you like most about Newtown? Boarding!
Newtown Review 2014
29
Third Form
Back row:
Bobby Tweedy, Robert Ryan Lester, Daniel Owens, Eoin O Donnell, Samuel Newcomb, Habib Raheem
4th Row:

Sean Noonan, David Thorpe, Tim Skelly, Mark Morris, Jack Lailheugue, George Maclean,
Phillip Dwan, Javier De Pedro Sanz,
3rd Row:
Robert Pim, Rachel Fenton, Isobel Auld, Elishka Barnes, Caroline Kelly, Emma Swift, Billy Acheson
2nd Row:
Niamh Robertson, Anna Kent, Cici Tracey, Helen Crews, Emma Walsh
Front Row:
Eimear Kelly, Leona Quigley, Lucia Fresnedo Fuente, Ella O Neill, Aoife Treacy, Emma Galloway
30
Newtown Review 2014
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: Emma Swift
Win An Oscar: Elishka Barnes
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Daniel Owens
Travel The World: Robert Pim
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: David Thorpe
Marry Michelle Keegan: George Maclean
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Izzy Auld
Win The Lotto: Emma Swift
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Daniel Owens
January
15th Senior
Boys win the
Mungret Shie
ld
.
16th Marga
retta DArcy,
a 79 year ol
d, antiwar activist
is jailed
for three mon
ths for
protesting ag
ainst use
of Shannon Ai
rport by
American mil
itary.
Fall Up The Stairs: Philip Dwan
Newtown Review 2014
31
ART
gallery
32
Newtown Review 2014
Newtown Review 2014
33
SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Fear
Fear is one thing I find curious. It can make people do things, good and bad, that the mind finds unimaginable. In certain
situations fear can also create adrenaline. This in turn has caused mothers to pull cars off their children. Imagine, a
woman, lifting a metal vehicle worth 10 times her weight and not a scratch left on her. But running however, is a scary
thing that I am sure of. Ive been running for a good while. Running from myself. Running from my past. Running from the
police. And, more importantly, running from what I did three years ago, on my 16th birthday.
I can remember that day. It is still vivid in my minds eye. I still to this day, wake up with cold sweats as images of that day
haunt my memory. That should tell you I have a conscience. Im not a psychopath. In my mind, Im still a scared sixteen
year old. Escaping from all I was. running before it could catch me.
The day was scorching hot. 35C if I remember correctly and it was only to get warmer. I had chosen to wear my favourite
Thin Lizzy t-shirt and dark ripped denim shorts. I remember promising myself that today will be a good day, that nothing
could ruin it. Especially as it was my 16th birthday. My feet patted along the floor to where I opened the door to the
kitchen. Scotch and gin filled my senses as I entered. To my left my mother was sitting on the floor scratching her arms
and rocking to and fro. My step father was passed out on the chair beside her. Of course she would be there beside him,
on the floor like a faithful puppy.
Matty, my baby brother, was fast asleep in his high chair. He smelled foul and had bruises at the rim of his arm. This
was probably caused by him thrashing at the tray on the high chair. He was probably trying to get my mothers attention.
I scowled and opened the refrigerator to find something for him to eat. I grabbed a baby food jar and placed it on the
counter. This woke him. He looked up at me and smiled. I tickled him under his chin and he gurgled a giggle. He looked
around then and began to cry as he saw my mother. I frowned and reached for him. I bounced and rocked him until he
settled. Then I took him to my room and changed his nappy and put him in his playpen. He was content there. Playing
with his squishy toys and blocks.
I ran back to the kitchen. I crouched in front of my mother. I stared her in the eye.
Have you even fed him all night? Hes been in that chair all yesterday! She looked at me but didnt answer. I began
again
Hes your son, are you just going to shoot up in front of him all the time?
I began to raise my voice.
Or are you going to neglect your son?
Now I was angry, really angry. I stood up. I turned to my step father and kicked him hard in the crotch.
And you... I hissed. Are you going to use all the money my father left us to buy drink and to feed her addiction? Or are
you going to start feeding the baby?!
I was screaming now. How could he do this to her? To us? I realised how when all of a sudden he raised his leg and
kicked me hard in the stomach. I flew back and hit the floor hard. I lifted my head, groaning and trying to catch my breath.
I got to my feet and glared at him. He stared at me and looked me up and down. I turned and took a deep breath trying
not to say something I would later regret. I took out a glass bowl from the cupboard and began to prepare Mattys baby
food. Then I felt my stepfathers hand on my back. This is the last straw, I thought. And just like that, I whipped around
and smashed the bowl across his head. It shattered on impact. He suddenly got a hold of my hair and yanked so hard
I thought he would pull the scalp off. I screamed as he threw my face into the counter. I fumbled and found a knife. I
quickly rammed it behind me, and luckily, straight into his liver. He hobbled back and fell to the floor. I stared down at him.
Gripping at his side. His pathetic eyes looked surprised. Then I thrust the knife down again. This time into his stomach. I
think I did this because, for the first time in my life it felt good to be in control. I heard my mother scream behind me as the
adrenaline rush started to fade and fear came thundering back into my body. I dropped the knife and ran. This is when, I
guess, I started to run. I havent stopped since.
I looked down at Matty. He was beside me in the car. His smile hasnt changed in all these years. He looked so like my
mother. He has her green eyes and teethy smile. My mother didnt call the police like you may think. When I glanced in
the kitchen to see if she was phoning someone she was actually dead with my stepfather in her arms, syringe stuck out of
her arm. Literally she died for him. I take one look at four year old Matty and see why I did what I did. Because Id rather
bury my mother and stepfather than Matty. Thats why I run, thats why endure fear, for him.
Claudia Kelly
34
Newtown Review 2014
2014
Real Home
Tranquility, utter silence and bliss, she saw it when she closed her eyes, like an old movie playing on her lids. Soft
sunlight shone on her face and the smell of pine needles and earth filled her nose as she imagined herself back where
she belonged.
The harsh sound of a horn brought Abigail out of her calming memories, for that was all they were now. She looked
around her and she no longer saw the soft greens and browns of her home, only the dirty grey of cement walls where
she now lived in. Her back was sore from the weight of the bag on her back and her feet ached with the effort of keeping
herself upright. She scolded herself for thinking of the forest, it just cut at the unhealed wound that was her homesickness
and reminded her how much she missed it. With a heavy heart Abigail stumbled forward.
Her apartment block was like the twenty others in the neighborhood, gray and large, bearing the stains of graffiti. The only
plant life was a small square of scrubby grass in the middle of four of these monstrosities. Abigail walked right through
this poor excuse of nature and kept going to the far building, this had the worst of the ruin and decay, even though it was
rather new. She compared it to her forest, though Abigail had tried not to, but the differences were too great not to notice,
it wouldnt have been an exactly lovely place to live, but in her eyes it was a wasteland of bricks and man-made pollution.
She reached the door and sighed, someone had spray painted a nasty word on the bleached wood paneling. It was a
struggle to open it, her backpack shifted uncomfortably and the collar of her school shirt was too tight.
Once inside, it was a little warmer than the October day, the lounge as tenants called it smelled of old cigarette smoke
and lilac room spray, which she had to guess was trying, and failing, to cover up the stench of rotting fruit that seemed
to cling to everything. The room was papered in a gaudy geometric design and there were a scattering of armchairs in a
corner next to the mail slots. Abigail headed toward these to sit down and do some homework before her aunt got in from
work.
Aunt Anne, though nice enough, was never really there so Abigail spent most of her time thinking of the woods and her
home. After about half an hour she found that she had run out of things to do and felt her mind wandering back to the day
when it all had started. No, she muttered under her breath, feeling a lump in her throat. She trudged upstairs keeping
her eyes on her feet.
She came to their apartment on the third floor. The door swung shut as she stepped inside. The carpet was thick and
shaggy, the walls patterned in floral print that was so bright it made her head hurt. The furniture was shabby and old
fashioned and everything centered around a large TV, her aunts pride and joy. She rushed to her room and slammed the
door, with a little too much force, behind her. In here was a little less like a circus in decoration. The walls were a light blue
and the carpet was black. Though it was blank, Abigail felt it was perfect in the way it showed no resemblance to her old
room. She took off her uniform and slipped into sweatpants and a t-shirt.
Without deciding to, her feet brought her to her bedside table and she methodically opens the stiff drawer. She gazed
down at the bundle of cloth and ached to unwrap what lay underneath. No, she muttered again, forbidding herself to
look upon the only piece of home she had left. Even with it covered, it caused images to surface in her mind. The shout
of her father as smoke burned her nose and flames flickered in front of her eyes and the heart broken scream that came
from her own mouth. Suddenly the urge became too enormous to ignore. Her fingers flicked at the white cotton that was
soft beneath her touch. Carefully she unfolded it. Abigail noticed she was shaking; outside there was the usual constant of
people and traffic.
In the middle, dry and brown lay a small piece of pine. Half of its needles had fallen though its scent was still strong, she
savoured it and felt herself smiling as she remember when she had planted this tree as a chubby five year old, excited at
the idea of creating and nurturing new life.
Then she let it fall, quickly, too quickly all that was left was a mess to clean up. She gathered it up and felt a single tear
roll down her cheek then she threw it away, then and there she let go of her past as she swept the remains into the small
paper waste bin that stood beside the bed and suddenly the world looked a whole lot brighter.
In the years to come she would still think of the woods and what had happened, but more important still she would
remember the day she let go of the things that anchored her to the past and finally started to live in the present. She
embraced her new life and was thankful for every day, though she never forgot her real home.
By Lizzy Swift
Newtown Review 2014
35
SHORT STORY COMPETITION
2014
Somewhere Else
Francos neck was stiff when he awoke. He had been sleeping beneath the sandy coloured wooden benches of the arena.
His eyes strained from the piercing sunlight, making him blind. He jerked his tanned head up sharply, from its reclining
position, hitting his temple on a low rafter. He cursed, out of spite, biting an already broken lip. Now, he was awake!
Franco wriggled his leather clad thighs out from the rafters. His dark skin was roughened and scratched from the coarse
sand that had previously served as his mattress. He did not mind though, he was alive and the night had passed. Life was
anew, it would never be the same again, for Franco Rios had survived his test.
Eight hours earlier...
Franco tilted his neck back, so he could fully appreciate the expanse of the night sky above him. The stars were abundant
and twinkled nonchalantly back at him. His mind raced fervently and he considered what would I give to be anywhere
but here tonight?
He supposed that the setting wasnt at fault. Who could deny the magic of a small hilltop Spanish town? It was more the
local entertainment that evening that caused him angst. A bead of perspiration built on his temple, his muscles ached
already, yet the brawl hadnt even begun!
Franco collected his thoughts and proceeded towards the marketplace. Despite the late hour there were still diners
casually sipping Bierzo wine, stuffing themselves on black olives and regaling with laughter; blissfully unaware of the
young man passing them, approaching his test of manhood and a final plea for fatherly respect.
Franco looked through the door to a pale fronted restaurant were his girlfriend Carla worked. He could clearly see her
serving tapas, to adoring male customers. His face hardened as he resignedly tore himself away from the window, and
pressed on, disappearing into the nights shadows.
Franco visualized what his fathers face would look like when he saw Francos gangly teenage body splayed out on the
blood stained sand of the arena. Was it exclusively anger that would dominate his forehead? Franco wondered.
By now he had reached the outside of the arena, already full of animated and excited crowds. A cacophony of noise was
created by the mix of tourists and locals, unified for one evening only by their delicious excitement.
Franco entered the stadium of the arena, through the back gate, greeted by Antonio Bellemonte the bull master. Even
spending a few moments with a fanatic like him would have been enough to trigger Francos retching, so he laconically
excused himself, from what would have been a less than strengthening lecture.
Franco descended a staircase, and found himself staring through a slatted railing into the dark eyes of a bull. Within their
blackness he saw confusion, maybe even fear, ironically like Francos.
It seemed incomprehensible to him that neither opponent really had violent intentions, but still they were still
compelled to duel a savage fight that would only be decided by death (according to the stipulations of tradition).
However Franco wasnt thinking revolutionary thoughts; he just couldnt bear to face his destiny.
36
Newtown Review 2014
POETRY COMPETITION
2014
Autumn
You are burnt-orange A dry rasp of jaded sun, and
When I inhale
I can feel your ache in the pulp of my teeth.
And I love you for it.
You and your organic-musk
The smell of sweating trees
And fox heat; eczema leaves Moulding grass and sweet decay
The scent of death, sex; and
Life anew.
You have loved us, autumn And though your children are the dead
And the silent
We are steeped in our love for you.

- Roberta Doorley
Title
We kissed for words,
We embraced for things
we didnt know how to say,
And I tried to pour it allAll the love, all the want, all the care
into that kiss.
But sadly we moved against each
other,
Sadly our tongues ran instead of
danced
and all we said,
was empty.
Morning in the Girls Dorms

Lights on
Out of bed
Loud noises running through your head
Slam open
The bedroom door
Stumble and trip onto the floor
Shuffle forward
In you go
The bathrooms full
You were too slow
Look in the mirror
What do you see?
Gasp and shriek,
Is that seriously me?!
Vision blurry
Eyes red
A birds nest seems to be on your head
Spin on your heels
Out you zip
That was a ghastly bathroom trip
Open the cupboard
Get your uniform out
Youre missing a shoe
Theres no time to pout!
Pull your clothes on
Grab what you need
Race out of the front door at top speed
You wait for your friends
Then you start to grin
Its quarter past eight
Theyve been locked in
As observed by: Erika Beyers 1Y
Molly Fitzmaurice
Newtown Review 2014
37
Personal Reflections on a Trip to Kolkata, India

Seven TY students went with The Hope Foundation to Kolkata over the Easter holidays. Aaron Vogelaar, Bill Madigan, Odhran Dignam, Emma Crotty,
Michaela Duggan, Cathy Teevan and myself, Lily Rose Fitzmaurice.
Having spent the previous nine months fundraising each student had to raise 2300 which went direct to HOPE and then a further 800 in the
form of sponsorship from friends and family to cover cost of hotel and flights. The fundraising was hard work and covered many different activities
from church gate collections, coffee mornings, selling Butlers chocolate bars, bag packing in supermarkets, caroling and so on. I do not think that
any of us realised when standing freezing cold at a church gate on a rainySunday in January the significance of what that money would mean and
the lives it would help make a difference to. The trip was life changing for all of us. It was joyful, humbling and heartbreaking all at once.
The week was full and comprised visits to the HOPE Homes, various projects that Hope run and the Hope Hospital. Hope also organised a boat trip
on the Ganges for us, a city tour which included a Jain and Hindu temple, the Black Hole of Calcutta, the Mother House (where Mother Teresa lived)
as well as Sari Draping and Mindi (henna tattoos). It was a packed schedule!
The first home we visited was the Kasba Girls Home. This was the original HOPE Home for girls and houses girls ranged in age between seven and
fourteen. They gave us a tour of their home before leading us to the rooftop where they performed for us. They called us Aunty and Uncle and out
of respect we would call their teachers Didi and Dada. They encouraged us to dance with them. This was our first day and the atmosphere was
incredible. There is not one of us who wouldnt love to be on that rooftop once more. Aaron brought face paints which the girls loved. They not
only enjoyed having their faces painted but also enjoyed painting our faces, hands and nails. They would draw beautiful flowers and hearts all the
way up your arms.
We visited a crche which was housed in a police station. While we were in the crche singing the Hokey Pokey with the little ones, there were
some teenage boys outside playing cricket in the alley way. The boys joined them. They had to be forced to allow their ball to be replaced when
our lads lost it. They bought a replacement ball and a treat for us out of the change. All of us were so taken and moved by this act of kindness from
boys who have nothing.
We then went to visit the Chitpur Education Centre in the slums. This was our first realglimpse of life in the slums. There was an overwhelming
sense of community and no feelings of danger. Everyone was so friendly and all they wanted to do was high five and hug you. As we entered the
educational centre, we were humbled by how they all worked in this one small room and how kind all the adults and children were. They sang all
the classic songs but one song stood out and was truly touching and heartwarming Deep in our hearts, we do believe, we shall overcome someday,
we are not afraid, we shall overcome some day. The majority of us were tearing up as we thought about what challenges these little children have
to overcome on a daily basis. It was a very humbling experience.
The last day we visited the Hope Hospital and heard some tragic life stories but these are the lucky ones that have found HOPE.
I feel very grateful to have had this experience. It has opened my eyes and made me realise how lucky we all are just by virtue of where we are
born. The School Immersion Programme is so important to HOPE and they need the money from the fundraising it brings. I would recommend and
encourage everyone to share in this experience.
Lily Rose Fitzmaurice
38
Newtown Review 2014
My Italian Experience
On January 29th, I left for a month and a half long trip to Italy. I spoke no Italian before going but the plan was to
pick it up while I was there.
First I went to Florence, which began with a disastrous connection flight from Dublin. The flight was supposed
to leave at 7:20, but we were informed at the Air France desk that that flight didnt actually exist. So instead of
flying over Frankfurt, we were now going to be flying by Charles de Gaulle airport, and leaving Dublin at 10:20. So
instead of leaving and coming back to the airport, we hung around the airport caf with the pilots.
After a long seven hours, we arrived in Florence at the apartment at 18:30 local time. We had been at the
apartment for ten days before, two years previously.
In Florence, I attended an Italian language course from 9:00 to 13:00 every weekday. It was all conducted through
Italian, which was a bit of a challenge at first, but made for fast learning. There were six others in my class, two
from Mexico, one from Venezuela, one from Peru, one from Russia, and one from Israel. The teachers name was
Giuliana. By the end of the month in Florence, I was able to understand pretty much everything, but I had a bit of
nervousness about speaking. Also, the locals love a chance to practice their English, and most of the time they
could tell I wasnt Italian just by looking.
On February 28th, we took a train to Venice, to stay for ten days. In Venice, there was enough to occupy my
time by just seeing art galleries and museums, or wandering around the streets. I only went on a gondola once,
because they now operate almost solely as a tourist amenity. The tourist gondolas cost 80 a ride in the day, and
100 a ride at night. The gondola I went on was from a traghetto, which is just a pontoon or jetty for boarding a
gondola but the word traghetto is now used to describe the decommissioned bobbis awesome gondolas that
cross the Grand Canal at the points furthest from any bridges. A ride across costs 50c for residents of Venice, and
2 for visitors.
We returned to Ireland on March 9th. Even though I really enjoyed my time abroad, it was nice to come back to
Ireland. You begin to feel really integrated after a month and a half living in a culture like that, even though its not
so long. But you dont feel quite at home. I still think that it was definitely a great time.
Jack Hanafin
Newtown Review 2014
39
Fourth Form
Top Row, left to right:

Rigby Barton, Darien Burrell, Richard Jameson, Daryl Hemmingway, Cian Hogan, Aaron Vogelaar,
John Jephson, John Mosse, Jonathan Pim
2nd Row:

Odhran Dignam, Kieran O Sullivan, Michaela Duggan, Hannah Pim, Ciaran Finnegan, Sholto O Brien,
Alex Round, Sean Og Cafferkey, Robin Doyle, Stuart Bell
3rd Row:

Lianne McKeown, Jane Walsh, Holly Moore, Alexandra Gingell, Cathy Teevan, Emma Crotty,
Cory Cooke, Tara Tumbragel, Maider Bernal, Cole Johnson
Front Row:

Anna Sergina, Victoria Ebert, Raehee Kim, Sarah Woodbyrne, Isabel Llovet, Matthew Kelly, Robbie Harvey,
Mathew Treacy, Daniel Morris, Alex Collins
40
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: Jack Staunton
Win An Oscar: Lily Rose Fitzmaurice
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Daniel Morris
Travel The World: Robbie Harvey
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: Sholto OBrien
Marry Michelle Keegan: Robin Doyle, Stuart Bell & Jack Staunton
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Sen Phelan
Win The Lotto: Tom Greene & Robin Doyle
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Daniel Morris
Fall Up The Stairs: Caoilinn Brady & Alex Gingell
41
Generation Arts
Generation Arts is an intergenerational creativity program
that is run by Libby Seward. The programme deals with all
types of creative mediums, from dance and music to photography and writing. This year, the ages ranged from four
to eighty years old. Anna and I participated in the majority
of the programme, with Vikki and Cole coming in towards
the end to help with the set-up and making of the stage.
Because of the wide range of things that you could do in
the programme, I got to experience a lot of things that I
otherwise dont think I would have had the opportunity to
do, such as broadening my comfort zone. I think that because I was forced to do things that I wasnt fully comfortable with, such as reading aloud in front of a lot of people, I
have become less worried about having to speak in front of
people in the future.
Generation Arts had an exhibition of the majority of the

physical works, such as paintings and a Memory Room in
the Garter Lane Arts Centre on Wednesday twenty fifth
of September, which was the launch day, and then had a
cabaret style show entitled Life is a Cabaret! on Saturday
twenty eight and Sunday twenty ninth of September.
I liked Generation Arts because it was a lot of fun. We got

to meet a lot of people who we quickly became very close
with and at the end it was quite sad to say goodbye to all
of them. I I am currently participating in quite a few other
projects with Libby such as the Best Foot Forward Programme and Traces.
Overall, I think that I have learned quite a lot from Generation Arts. Before I went there, I would never have imagined
people of sixty and seventy years old being part of a dance
performance because it never even entered my mind that
they would be interested in that. I think that Ive become a
lot more open minded about the limitations of age. I also
think that I have learned a lot about hard work because, at
times, especially the week before the show, we were working very hard and we had to spend all day at the theatre
- which did get a bit repetitive. I think that one of the good
things about working so hard was that when we finished
the programme we could see that all of the work that went
in to producing the show and the exhibition had paid off
because it turned out to be a lot more fun than if we had
done it half-heartedly.
Lianne McKeown
Minding Our Mental Health

This school year saw the introduction of Arts and Minds, a youth mental health promotion programme, to the TY
curriculum.
This programme is for post primary schools. It takes a positive approach to the promotion of emotional and mental health
among young people. It aims to help students to express their feelings, develop coping strategies, access social supports,
deal with rejection and depression and develop positive self talk.
This programme was facilitated by staff from Waterford Youth Arts, they managed to integrate the aims of the course
into lots of fun drama activities.
The feedback from female students that participated in the programme said that The programme helps you to find
yourself and learn things that can be very useful in life and We tackled important issues that are relevant to young
people. One of the boys said What I liked most about this programme was learning how to deal with my emotions. It
was a hugely beneficial addition to TY. Thanks to Ms. Keogh for organising this new programme.
By TY Group
42
Newtown Review 2014
The Future is Food

This Year Newtown School was one of eight schools nationwide who were invited to pilot a brand new TY programme
called The Future is Food. This Transition Unit is an initiative that has been developed by The TASTE Council and
is designed to introduce students to the food industry in Ireland. The Unit focused on artisan food producers and how
entrepreneurship and innovation has driven this aspect of the food industry. It has been designed to follow the Mini
Company Unit and builds on established experience and expertise.
A group of twelve students from Newtown started the programme in January 2014 and continued through to the end
of the year. The hope is that this initiative will give students real life experience through meeting and working with food
producers as well as serving as a platform for learners to build and develop key skills (communication, working with others, information processing, critical and creative thinking) and enhance personal and social skills.
One of the highlights for our students included a visit from Audrea Hassett from Tastefully Yours, an artisan producer
of chutneys, preserves and pickles. Audrea gave students an overview of her business and a tutorial in presentation and
selling skills. Tastefully Yours provided some product at cost for students to sell at the annual Enterprise Evening in
order to raise seed capital for their own food business.
Having explored entrepreneurship and innovation in the food sector students visited Ardkeen Quality Food Store to
profile the range of artisan and local produce available and to hear about their retail philosophy. Sustainability, agritourism and friends of the food industry were researched before students progressed to their own food product development phase of the programme. Their brief, research, plan and produce a new food item. Ingredients should be
sourced from the students own region and as many as possible should be Irish.
Our students originally called themselves the Get in my Belly group but later re-branded to the Tasty Morsel group.
They prepared, cooked and sold chocolate biscuit cake, chocolate chip cookies and soda bread at their sales event.
It is hoped that more time would be spent on market research and sensory analysis of products next year. Following an evaluation of the sales event, teamwork and student self evaluation, the team visited local French restaurant
Latmosphere for a fabulous lunch. Chef proprietor, Arnaud Mary, provided an overview of the food industry from
the restaurateurs prospective and an insight into his culinary career.

By TY Group
One of the sample labels produced by students in the Future is Food Unit
A slice of homemade nostalgia, fresh from the

kitchen....enjoy!
Tasty Morsel is a student enterprise group dedicated to creating
artisan treats made from premium Irish ingredients.
Weight 80g
ingredients: dark chocolate, butter, rich tea biccies
Best before: 14april14
Contact: Tasty Morsel, Newtown School, Waterford
Newtown Review 2014
43
TY Gaeltacht Trip
My father grew up in the Gaeltacht in West Mayo and completed
his primary education through Irish. It is hardly surprising then that
all things Irish would be big in our house. I have been to Coliste
(a three week summer camp in the Gaeltacht with everything as
Gaeilge) on the Aran Islands four times now and I really enjoyed it.
I was really looking forward to the TY Gaeltacht trip. I am happy to
report that this week more than lived up to my expectations it was
one of the best weeks I have had since I came to Newtown.
We headed off for Kerry on the twenty third of September. There were
about fifteen of us and we were accompanied by Mr. OCuinn and Ms.
OCarroll. We stayed in Ceann Tr near Dingle, Co. Kerry.
During the week we participated in a wide range of activities and
events such as cils, table quizzes and various other activities to give
us a flavour of culture in the Gaeltacht regions of Ireland. The highlight
was the day we spent out on the Blasket Islands.
The Bean an T was really good to us and the food was amazing.
Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible. I really recommend
it to anyone in TY next year.
February
3rd
Mocks
for 3rd and 6th

form start an
d 2nd form
leave for Sw
itzerland for
the annual,
ski trip.
24th YSI tr
avel to Cork
to
attend the S
peakouts,
they perform
brilliantly.
26th Russia
n forces begi
n to

gradually take
control of

the Crimea.
Sen g Cafferkey
44
Newtown Review 2014
March
2 nd Osc
ar Pistorius
trial

begins in S
outh Africa
3 rd 12
.
Years a Sla
v

e
w
in
s
Best Picture
at the

Oscars.
4 th
Pancake Tu
esday.
8 th Ma
laysian flig
ht from
Kuala Lump
ur to Beiji
ng
goes missin
g with 239
people on b
oard.
Let Me Entertain You

From the 10th to the 14th of March I went
on a work experience week, with Lily Rose
Fitzmaurice, to the RT studios in Dublin.
RT select schools randomly to participate
in this week and this year Newtown was
selected. We had to give a presentation
to our year about some aspect of TY to
decide which two students would get this
brilliant opportunity. l felt very proud when I
got picked as one of the two students that
would be taking part in the experience.
Coming up to the work experience I was
nervous as I didnt know what to expect
but when the first day finally came I really
enjoyed myself and was glad that I went
up for the position. The first morning we
were introduced to the other students who
would be joining us for the week along with
the staff members who would be looking
after us. We got a tour around the radio
THE IRISH TIMES

4th-8th October 2013
A friend once mentioned to me how difficult it
was to get work experience where you wanted;
hoping not to miss out I wrote a very premature
letter to the editor of The Irish Times, Mr.
Kevin OSullivan back in August 2012. I was
asked to submit an entry by means of a written
competition. So it became that I drafted a five
hundred word article entitled What I like or
dislike about The Irish Times and sent it off with
as many digits as possible crossed.
Fortunately, the desired result came in the form
of a kind e-mail from Human Resources; they did
have a placement for me, on the crisp morning
of the fourth of October 2013 I found myself at
number 24 Tara Street.
Once inside, I met with five other TY students
from Dublin who would be spending the week
like me. The Irish Times has been taking TYs
for many years; they have devised a really wellrun programme that includes spending time in
almost every department. After a comprehensive
Newtown Review 2014
and television studios as well as RTs

digital buildings where they take care of
all of their online information. During lunch
we met the celebrities that we always see
on television and because it was our first
day we found even the man who reads the
news interesting!
During the rest of the week we had
opportunities to get a better understanding
of the main areas that RT is known for.
To get an insight into the working of radio,
we had to create our own radio show
during a workshop, we had done this at
school earlier in the year but it was a very
different experience with this group. We
also had a talk by one of the presenters
about how he got into radio and how he
loves it. He showed us around the radio
offices as well as the studios that were
located underground; it was a design
dating back to when they were first built to
try and sound-proof the rooms.
introduction to the background of the paper

and a brief break-down of the week, we were
ushered to the second floor; the Newsroom.
The Irish Times is a daily paper and so has
been dubbed The Daily Miracle by its staff.
Unsurprisingly, once inside the Newsroom
door, the air changes and becomes intense and
serious... This is where the headlines are made,
often at the last minute (meaning its common
for newsroom journalists to finish their day
approaching 11pm just before the paper goes
to print)... Reporters flail frantically at their
keyboards as deadlines are rapidly approached.
My task here was to attend and summarise a
press-conference outside the Department of An
Taoiseach given by Alan Shatter and Leo Varadkar
on the topic of reduced Garda numbers in
relation to road safety.
Another highlight of my week was the writing
workshop with Risn Ingle, a contributing
journalist and Weekend Magazine columnist.
On the Wednesday, she set each of us with
the task of writing a column on any subject or
topic that we had a lot to say about, complete
with word count and definitive deadline. On
Friday morning we regrouped and Risn read
We spent time visiting the transmission

tower which sends radio signals all over
Ireland and met the engineers who
work there. In the television centre we
were brought to two areas, factual and
entertainment, with talks from people
working in each area. This included Prime
Time and The News on the factual side
of things and on the entertainment side we
toured the set of Fair City and The Late
Late Show rehearsals where the High
Kings sang Irelands Call for us. Finally
our week finished with a trip to wardrobe,
hair and makeup.
Both Lily Rose and I loved the week and
we each got something different from the
experience, we highly recommend it if
the chance comes your way. There are
so many roles to explore, in front of the
camera and behind the scenes.
Caoilin Brady
each of our columns to the group for discussion

and critique (despite initial horror from most
of us owing to a number of eavesdropping
journalists nearby). Risn was so encouraging
about bringing pen to paper and the exercise
turned out to be really rewarding and insightful,
it even got a mention in one of her articles a
few days later. My other writing task that week
was mock-review of a then new film release
Enders Game for the papers entertainment
supplement The Ticket.
However, it wasnt just writing that was honed
on this placement; the group and I did stints
in Advertising (where we competed to create
the best Advertising Christmas campaign for a
customer), Marketing, Finance, Pre-Press, Sports,
IT and at MyHome.ie (a property website owned
by the Irish Times Group).
Overall I spent a really interesting and
worthwhile week at The Irish Times and would
definitely recommend a placement there to any
Transition Year.
BY HOLLY MOORE
45
Killary
In the last term of our Transition Year we went to Killary. It was a five day trip to the Outdoor Activity Centre in Killary, West
Ireland.
If I had the chance to go again I would. Honestly it was the best part of TY. We did all kinds of outdoor activities like
kayaking, rock climbing, abseiling, high ropes, bungee jumping, zip wire, the Turf Challenge, cliff jumping, gorge walking,
archery, hill climbing and laser combo. We lived in a youth hostel close to the beach and close to where all the activities
happened. For dinner we went up a hill to the Killary Centre but we had all the other meals in the hostel.
There were so many of us that we were divided into five groups for the activities. I dont think I have enough pages to
describe everything I want to describe but here are a few of the impressions I have formed.
We grew together. Of course getting closer to each other is one of the biggest aims in TY and Killary definitely helped. We
worked together all the time, we had to test our limits, overcome fears and that only worked with the support of the team!
We were depending on each other in some challenges and we had to trust each other.
Also a huge thing for me was the bungee jump. Im not afraid of heights but when I was standing up on the bungee
tower my legs felt like jelly. The instructor counts...Three... Two....One ...BUNGEE!!
And you fall into nothing!
It was scary as hell but I dont regret doing it. Once you were falling everything was good, the scariest part was waiting for
the jump and looking down on the tiny little net that you were going to land in after hanging in the air for a little while.
In Killary we got to spend a lot of time together, we knew that some of us will not be in Newtown next year.
Thanks to Ms. Keogh for organising such a brilliant trip and to the staff that accompanied us. It was a truly memorable
part of our TY year.
Victoria Ebert
46
Newtown Review 2014
Our Viking Experience: Newtown Travel

Back in Time to 914AD
What better way to learn about our Viking heritage than become
a Viking! On Friday 9th May, a group of Transition Year Students
from Newtown School, Waterford transformed a mature wooded
area of the schools eighteen acre campus into a Viking settlement,
complete with displays of Viking crafts, foods, cooking,animals,
pastimes and twenty five costumed Vikings.
The Transition Year students prepared for the event by attending a
workshop offered by staff from The Irish National Heritage Park.
They also learnt traditional skills such as basket weaving, finger
weaving, drop spindling, wood turning, pole lathe wood turning
and using a shave horse. These workshops were facilitated by local experts Cathy Hayden, Clare Horgan and Declan Barry. Marie
Power, author of the Sea Garden, facilitated a foraging workshop with the teenagers at Garrarus Strand where they gathered
edible seaweeds to supplement their diet. Lesley Round from
Mountain Miniatures in Carlow introduced students to some
traditional Viking animals and taught students how to handle the
animals.
Preparation for this cross curricular project started earlier in the
year when students developed their Viking personas in English
class, identified useful resources in Business class, cut out their
Viking shields in Construction Studies and painted these in Art
class. Some of the students also used their work placement to develop skills such as jewellery making and tour guiding to enhance
their skills.
The Transition Years hosted over one hundred and fifty pupils
from local primary schools on a walk back through time to when
Vikings established VadrarFjordf (Waterford) as a settlement in
914AD. Meeting primary school students at the entrance to the
school, the student re-enactors helped their guests to understand
how Viking life differs from the present day. As the guides journeyed towards the settlement, they stopped to pet the donkeys,
quail and chickens. Max, the goat, wandering around added to
the fun and authenticity of the event. What better way to assess
how much information Transition Year students had absorbed
from their workshops than to get into Viking character. They
demonstrated all the crafts they had learned. As they led younger
students through the settlement, the group communicated their
knowledge of our Viking heritage, culture, lifestyle and history. They finished their visit with a writing exercise from their
worksheets, figuring out how to write their name with Viking
rune letters. A photographic memento of their visit was available to take away courtesy of Donal Mullane, volunteer photographer for the day. Karen Keogh, Transition Year Co-ordinator
at Newtown School, invited Fado Productions, the historical
re-enactment group to help facilitate the project. Kay Browne
from Fado had this say about the Transition Years: They were
brilliant! So brilliant in fact we hope they will join us in upcoming
productions! You could see the growing confidence and creativity
develop throughout the dayas students took ownership of their
role as educators Waterford Local Enterprise Office supported
the project and helped to ensure that a simple concept became
reality. It is hoped that this pilot project might be expanded and
developed in the future to include more schools and may even become one of the highlights of the school year for both Transition
Year and Primary School Students in Waterford.
Karen Keogh
Newtown Review 2014
47
Our Week in Mini Med

During our February midterm we took part in the Mini Med Course. It was a taste of different fields
in medicine and surgery. We had lectures for most of the week about various things. An Ear, Nose
and Throat (ENT) doctor came in and told us all about what he has to do daily while working. We
also heard from a man whose family has a very rare genetic gene which causes the kidney to fail.
We heard his story and learnt lots about this genetic condition. We also had practicals to do, for
example, CPR and also learning how to put in stitches in different ways depending on the cut.
We got to view a live surgery in W.I.T through Skype. We got to ask the surgeon questions as
he was doing the surgery and also got to learn about getting a gallbladder removed. It was really
amazing to see the keyhole surgery as it was being done so we got to view from the inside.
We learnt so much in just one week. All our heads were on information overload at the end but it
was an amazing experience and I would definitely go again.
Alexandra Gingell.
Time Travel
Me? Im a time traveller. Im from 2030. 2030 is nice actually. We managed to get that world peace thing done, so yeah thats pretty
cool. Also we got free electricity and water and stuff. We decided that everyone needs it easier, you know?
Shame it cant be said for this time. Everything is way too overpriced and you have to pay for electricity and water, like seriously, they
could make it free. I suppose the 2010s arent that bad though. There are a lot more original ideas, since a lot of stuff has become
unoriginal when you use it all by 2030. We still get the occasional original idea, but it becomes copied quickly and then forgotten.
Ive been to other times too. I went to France during the Revolution once. I had to leave though because they were trying to execute
me. That was an interesting experience. Ive also been to the Ice Age. I swear it would have been a childs dream just to go in there
and play in the snow for a few hours and then go again. I did that. I might go back and do it again.
I wish I could go to the future. I would really like to see what happens to the people I know and the world as we know it.
Unfortunately, I cant go past the point at which the data I left behind. The data continues on in time and is linked to my Time
Machine. I can return to that time, which is probably somewhere in 2033 at this point.
Now, youre probably wondering why I havent returned to my time, considering Ive been here for three and bit years. My Time
Machine broke and I was on my way back to 2030 and it broke at the year 2010. From there I didnt know much of what to do. The
parts needed to fix it arent invented until 2026. So Im stranded here until that time. However, the stranding turned out to be a
blessing.
I applied for school. I had a small amount of money. But whats a small amount of money in 2030, is a large amount in this time.
So I came here, to Newtown. I wasnt really sure what to expect. I was quite scared actually, but that dissipated after a while. I
made some really good friends in the time I have been here, and I am actually considering living in this time, as opposed to my
own. Really, well have to see how I feel by 2026.
I hope you all enjoyed this, and I cant wait for you to see how the future unfolds,
In Friendship,
Alex Collins
48
Newtown Review 2014
Meet the Enterprise Team behind

Banter Bars
Hello. Our names are John Jephson, Lily Rose Fitzmaurice
and Matthew Kelly. For our TY enterprise we created a box
of six chocolate truffles, one of which contained hot chilli
seeds. We called our product Chilli Roulette.
Chilli Roulette is a game that can be played by up to six
people; each player rolls the dice and takes the truffle that
corresponds with the number they roll. The players then
simultaneously eat their truffle and wait for the reaction of
the poor sap jumping out of their seat from the chilli truffles
powerful punch!
Not only is our product a delicious confectionary item but
also a great game perfect for dinner parties, office events,
or as a gift at Christmas, Easter or Valentines.
We entered Junior Dragons Den 2014 with our product.
After sending in our application, we were one of the lucky
few to receive an interview. We were successful at the
regionals and moved through to the Nationals. We were
narrowed down from over two hundred applicants to be
one of the final sixty in the Nationals in Dublin on the 25th of
January. This was a great experience for us; we pitched to
three main judges and several mini judges throughout the
afternoon.
We were also chosen for the Waterford City Enterprise
competition on the 27th of February 2014. We were
awarded 3rd place amongst the various Waterford schools
Newtown Review 2014
that attended the competition and we were given a prize of

150 which we were thrilled with!
We source our chocolate from Skelligs in Kerry and we
currently have three outlets selling our product, you can
buy Chilli Roulette in Ardkeen Quality Food Stores,
Lily OBriens and World Wide Wines in Waterford. We
received a grant of 150 from the Newtown Association to
help us with start-up costs.
We have connected with many important people over
the course of our enterprise so far, including various
retailers, printers and business people who have helped
us along the way. We would like to thank Jonathan Earl
of the Waterford City Enterprise Board, Phil Carter and
Lisa Fitzgerald of Lily OBriens and Michelle Shaw of
Ardkeen Quality Food Stores.
We feel we have learned a lot from our Banter Bars
enterprise, including networking/interpersonal skills,
organisational skills/time management and finally we
learned how to work as part of a team and how to use each
members strengths to our advantage. We are grateful
that we had the chance to see what being an entrepreneur
entails and we would most definitely recommend enterprise
to the new coming Fourth Form students. We hope to
expand on our product in the future and we look forward to
what Banter Bars holds for us in the future.
Lily Rose Fitzmaurice
49
Newtowns Young
Social Innovators
Are Rewarded for
Making Our World
A Safer Place and
win the inaugural
YSI hubsi.org
Communications
Award
What a wonderful year that it has been
for Newtowns Young Social Innovator
Team. In response to the many tragic
drownings that have occurred in our
waters, Team I Will Survive chose to
focus our project on raising awareness
about staying safe in and near the water.
With our YSI guide, Tara Coady, the team
have worked tirelessly to spread our life
50
saving message. Last summer, lifeguards

were involved in 599 rescues in the month
of July alone on Irish beaches. 2013/2014
has seen unprecented numbers of people
involved in water based accidents, it is
with this in mind that we created our
slogan of Never Swim Alone, Stay in The
Lifeguard Zone.
We have had a busy year. An awareness
raising t-shirt and poster, water safety
song, meeting with An Taoiseach and
many other Irish politicians to discuss
our project, a teacher resource pack, a
water safety themed art competition for
primary schools, a presentation of prizes
evening, a water safety themed non
uniform day, an emergency response
training day, our basic life support
training; to list but a few of our activities.
Our poster is currently on display
throughout Ireland and our t-shirt is
being worn by sporting individuals,
clubs and organisations, tv and radio
personalities and musicians.
We were honoured with an award from
The Irish Water Safety in November
in due recognition of a committment
to promoting a public awareness of
water safety and so help toward the

goal of reducing drowning and acquatic
accidents. We travelled to Dublin Castle
to the award ceremony and performed
our water safety song. We are the first
ever secondary school to receive this
award and the first to perform at the
ceremony. It was a truly memorable
day. We met with people that devote
their time, mostly on a voluntarily basis,
to teach swimming, train lifeguards and
surf life-saving teams and those that were
were involved in Just in Time rescues.
Everyone was so nice and really interested
in our project. The food was delicous
aswell.
In November, we met with An Taoiseach,
Enda Kenny, to discuss our water safety
project. He commended us on our
work. We presented him with a framed
copy of our awareness raising poster, it
is on display in the Dail. Our poster is
also on display at the IWS headquarters
in Galway. It was great to get the
opportunity to showcase our work and
to get the support of so many other Irish
politicians. We were invited to City Hall to
discuss our work with Mayor Cummins,
Newtown Review 2014
he was really interested in our work and

congratulated us on our achievements,
we were joined by the Head of
Lifeguarding Ireland, Michael Cuddihy,
Chairperson of the WASC, Lola OSullivan
and Irish Water Safety Examiner, Sonny
Condon.
We found that people were so willing
to help us to spread our life saving
message. The Irish Water Safety and
the Waterford Area Safety Committee,
rescue organisations, sporting individuals
and organisations, swim clubs, tri clubs,
rowing clubs, sailing clubs,open water
swimmers, swimming pools, lifeguards,
swim instructors and examiners, athletes,
outdoor adventure groups, tv, music and
radio personalities, local primary school
principals and teachers and primary
school students.
We were thrilled to be chosen to
present our project at The National
Young Social Innovator Showcase on
May 7th. We were first to perform on
stage and then answered questions
from the panel of judges. Before the
results were announced we had some
Newtown Review 2014
free time to enjoy the silent disco, drum

workshops, open mic, outdoor games
and more, we especially enjoyed the
performance by Hudson Taylor. It was a
fantastic event and Team Newtown were
ecstatic to return to Waterford with the
Making Our World Safer Award and
The Young Social Innovator hubsi.org
Communications Award.
Our YSI year has been busy, worthwhile,
inspirational, enjoyable, fun and
rewarding. We would encourage
everyone to get involved next year.
We would like to thank everyone that
helped to make this project the success
that it is, they are too numerous to name
but each person contributed in a positive
way and each shares in our story. We
would especially like to thank Ms. Coady,
without her, this project would not have
been possible, she is an actual legend!
John ONeill, Anna Sergina and Team I
Will Survive
as the YSI guide. I was thrilled that we

chose to promote water safety this year
as it is a personal life-long passion of
mine. Should our work save even one life,
spare a family the heartbreak that losing
someone special to drowning brings,
then it has been an extremely worthwhile
endeavour. Success is not measured in
awards or accolades and what we have
achieved and learned cannot be summed
up in words, success is a feeling; and it is
knowing that we tried, and succeeded, in
Making Our World a Safer Place.
Congratulations Team I Will Survive I
am so very proud of each of you and of
what we have achieved together.
I would like to thank everyone that has
supported us and my colleagues, who, in
true Newtown fashion, rallied round and
helped us with our stage performance for
the Showcase.
When you visit our beautiful beaches this
summer, remember Never Swim Alone,
Stay in the Lifeguard Zone.
Tara Coady
It has been another tremendous year
51
Fifth Form
Top Row, left to right:

2nd Row:

3rd Row:

4th Row:

5th Row:

Sean Whelan, Lukas Dwan, Christian Sumstad, Dylan de la Haye, Jonathan Wieneke, Peter Joyce, Stuart Slevin,
Darren Singh-Hennessy, Peter Murphy, Jan Kutay
Grace Allen, Vera Prokopova, Mikhail Arkhangelsky, Philipp Muller Schonau, Daniel ODriscoll,
Julius McBride, Devon Hartel, Benedikt Scholz, Keith Maher, Conor Buckley,
Aine Walsh, Marlene Roche, Sara Balaban, Ines Montila, Rebecca Auld, Sophie Crotty, Claudia Kelly,
Eliana Stotzingen, Hugh McEvoy, Evan Jacob
Triona Harvey, Lucy Latta, Kate Cafferkey, Rowan Keane, Eve Heffernan, Nikki Boyd, Rosie Brown,
Roberta Doorley, Sarah Bakker, Helen O Shea
Ciara Doody, Katie Sweeney, Atlanta Doherty-Brophy, Kayleigh Newcomb, Laura McDaid, Izzy Graham,
Stephanie Ebert, Helen Uhlig, Chris Dowling
March
rls Hockey team
11th Senior Gi
uble by
complete the Do
1 0 in
beating Ursuline
the Cup final.
wins the Six
15th Ireland
ship and
Nations Champion
is Brian
the legend that
from
ODriscoll retires
y.
gb
ru
l
na
internatio
e for
tr
ea
Th
ch
18th The Fren
ns all
Schools entertai
ench
those studying Fr
52
Newtown Review 2014
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: Evan Jacob
Win An Oscar: Kate Cafferkey
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Triona Harvey & Bobbi Doorley
Travel The World: Grace Allen
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: Conor Buckley
Marry Michelle Keegan: Evan Jacob
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Conor Buckley & Julius McBride
Win The Lotto: Peter Joyce
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Devon Hartel
Fall Up The Stairs: Jonathan Wieneke
Newtown Review 2014
53
We are a Community of Social Innovation

Our Community of Social Innovation Team is one of twenty five in the country and comprises of students from Third to Fifth Form.
Students volunteer in September to be part of the team. We also have a set of student and staff volunteers that help with events
throughout the year. Ms. Coady and Ms. Keogh are our COSI Leaders.
This year, we chose Community and Well Being as our area of interest. With this in mind we organised a set of activities and
events that promoted community involvement and well being among our school community. We focused largely on mental health
awareness, promoting positive self image and health.
We attended workshops run by YSI and met with our Team Leaders regularly, these were hugely beneficial.
We fundraise to fund each of our activities. We have become brilliant bakers as Bake Sales are always a popular way to raise money.
Our sales have funded gym equipment for the cardio vascular area of the gym and games that we use for our Games Days. Our
mental health awareness activity was well received by students and our Positive Body Image campaign really got people talking
openly about issues that affect teenagers.
One of the best parts of our year was, what has become an annual event since Ms. Coady and the YSI team initiated it two years ago,
the Presents for Patricks event. It was such a special day, visiting the residents of St. Patricks Hospital to give them their gifts. We
opened gifts with them, sat and chatted with them and sang with them. Older people have such great stories. It was an emotional
day but a very happy one, we look forward to it as much as the residents and staff and look forward to being part of it again next
year. We would like to thank everyone that contributed gifts; staff, parents, students and people in the wider community.
Newtown has long been associated with Cheshire Homes and this year, the COSI Team helped out at their Annual Quiz Night.
Everyone was so nice and we were happy to be there, helping in whatever way we could.
We were invited to showcase our work at the Young Social Innovator Showcase in Dublin. We had to submit a report of our work in
advance, showcase a display of our work and meet with a panel of judges on the day. We were delighted to receive an award for our
Commitment to Social Innovation.
We have had a great year and would really encourage people to get involved next year. Thank you to Una Ivory for helping us to get
settled in at the beginning of the year, it was really appreciated. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped throughout the year.
We would like to thank our team mates that are moving into Sixth Form for everything that they have contributed over the last two
years. Thanks Marlena, Nikki, Izzy, Chris and Kayleigh.
To our supportive, helpful, encouraging and enthusiastic Team Leaders, Ms. Coady and Ms. Keogh, thank you.
The COSI Team 2014
Marlena Roche, Nikki Boyd, Izzy Graham, Chris Dowling, Kayleigh Newcomb, Victoria Ebert, Lianne McKeown, Maider Bernal, Holly
Moore, John ONeill and Philip Dwan.
54
Newtown Review 2014
Grease Is The Word

By Mark Laherty
When Mrs. Maher asked me to write a review of Newtowns production of Grease, I agreed. I dont like disagreeing with Mrs. Maher.
Grease: The Musical (as compared to Grease: The Novel, Grease: The Anime, or Grease: The Opera) was a theatrical event of such
beauty that it made the audience wish they werent all dying. Our Principal, Mr. Lemon described it as a story about love and coming
together in the face of a judgmental society to be who we are. It is also violently stupid and a lot of fun.
It is unlikely that there will be another musical to make as much of a cultural impact as Grease did. In a weird way, it brought the culture
of the fifties into a seventies revival. Since then, that fashion, though now horribly unfashionable, is present in the cultural subconscious,
even though people often misappropriate it to the 80s. This would have meant that Grease was set in the future. If this was the case,
Greased Lightning would have been a rocket car like in the Jetsons. This would have been glorious. If something that good ever occurs
in human culture, it will only occur long after you have died. It is unlikely your empty head-socket will ever have any meaningful opinion
on theatre.
There have been many productions of Grease - there was one just down the road the week before Newtowns, as a point of interest.
The immediate challenge was to take such a familiar show and make it fresh. This was achieved by stuffing in as many ideas, quirks,
and personal touches as could fit. Cillian Jacob and Raychel Solomon made strong leads as Danny and Sandy. Not only did they nail the
characteristic 50s style, they brought some serious acting chops. Even die-hard fans of the movie would have to admit that at times it
feels like a playlist rather than a story. Not so here; Cillian and Raychel had the audience rooting for the couple to hook up.
More than that, the surrounding cast held their own against these heavy hitters. Clara Ffrench-Davies was a righteous babe as the tough,
sarcastic Rizzo, turning a conventionally rough-voiced, glowering role into a queen of exuberant snark. Christian Sumstad as Kenickie
soldiered through all three nights despite nearly losing his voice.
Rattling off all the highlights would turn into a summary of a fair chunk of the show. A few random selections could be the hilarious Eden
Little as the quirky, bouncy Jan; Anthony Padinjarathala as Eugene, the school nerd and the butt of every practical joke; Barg Kennedy
as Roger knocked it out of the park with Mooning; Lily and Molly Fitzmaurice as stern principal Miss Lynch and her clumsy intern
Blanch; Mark Laherty as smooth-talking DJ Vince Fontaine, who was excellent, fabulous, very attractive; and, of course, Chemistry
teacher turned rock god Mr. Jones singing Beauty School Drop-Out.
All of this would have been a bridge too far without the guidance of those in charge. Mrs. Maher ran the whole operation as producer.
Mr. Denniston as director helped turn a series of scenes and silly songs into something that felt like a story. Mrs. Keappock knocked it
out of the park as musical director, giving everyone something to have stuck in their heads until they committed some horrible act of
violence and the great work of our choreographer, Keith Hackett, all contributed to making the show the tremendous success that it was.
Credit must also be given to the myriad of technicians, carpenters, painters, helpers, students happy to take a class off, and otherwise,
far too numerous to list here, that set up the stage, props, costumes, microphones, and a brilliant backdrop of the famous car, Greased
Lightning, in all her glory.
If you walked into Grease with an open heart, it would give you the best musical in a month of Sundays. Well, okay, maybe a week of
Sundays. If you were so inclined, you could use some horrifically outdated 1950s slang to praise it, such as hoola boola, solid, or a
wop bam a lu mop a wop bam boom. Only the most stone-hearted cynic could fail to be entertained by this rousing production.
Newtown Review 2014
55
Remember When
The T-Birds Roamed
The Earth
As a fundraiser for Grease,
the Fifth Form Business
Class, under the guidance of
Mrs. Maher, held a 1950s
Day in October. Everyone
dressed up in 1950s themed
clothes. Big hair, big skirts,
56
tight jeans and leather

jackets 1950s style.
The dining hall was
transformed into a 1950s
Diner, serving milkshakes,
burgers and fries, the music
took us all back in time.
Maya Laura and Philip
Dwan won the prizes for
Best Dressed. The staff
competition was too close to
call!
Thanks to everyone that

helped to organize the
day. Special thanks to
everyone in Household and
Catering for preparing such
an authentic and delicious
menu and to the Ber and Jo
for providing us with posters
and music to decorate the
school, it all really added to
the day.
Newtown Review 2014
Newtown Review 2014
57
SIXTH FORM
58
Newtown Review 2014
Top Left:
Top Right:
Bottom Left:
Bottom Right:
Valentine de Villeneuve, Mark Laherty, Molly Fitzmaurice & Clara ffrench Davis
Kyra Burrell & Emily Hermon
Ruth Bennett Coady & Gillian Bond
Gillian Richardson, Claire Grogan
Most Likely To...

Become A Supermodel: Will Troy
Win An Oscar: Cilian Jacob
Be The Next Sherlock Holmes: Mark Laherty
Travel The World: Hugh OConnor, Claire Spollen & Clara ffrench Davis
Be Sponsored By Red Bull: Ben ONeil
Marry Michelle Keegan: Tom ODonnell
Be The Next Usain Bolt: Nigel Kennington
Win The Lotto: Tom ODonnell
Sell An App To Facebook For 1 Billion: Ruair Finnegan
Fall Up The Stairs: Ayon Walshe
Newtown Review 2014
59
Brian Kenny, Cillian Fenlon, Garry Walshe
Barog Kennedy & Neil Dunne
Claire Spollen & Georgia Tuhoy
Isabela Campion &
Rachael Solomon, Naho Koizumi & Katie Gurnee
Izzy Keohane &
Anna Molina, Una Ivory & Charlotte Ebert
Jeananne Mulligan, Jessica Palmer & Shannon Cox
Raoul OBrien &
Adam Heffernan, Ben ONeill & Tom ODonnell
Connor Vogelaar, Sarah Murray & Ruairi Finnegan
Kevin Keehan &
60
Newtown Review 2014
Melanie Fitzgerald
Anna OConnor
Daniel Fenton, Jamie Round, Ben Doyle
Eden Little, Ruth Cusack, Claire Flanagan
William Hickey
Ellen OCarroll & Niamh Lynam
Anthony Padinjarathala
George Morris, Will Troy & Ayon Walsh
Newtown Review 2014
Cillian Jacob
Una Maya Kennedy Dora de Blank, Anna Gallwey, Sylvia Warren
Luke Farell, Sinead Doody & Shane Fitzgerald
Hugh OConnor, Sam ffrench David & Nigel Kennington
61
SPO
62
Newtown Review 2014
RTS
Newtown Review 2014
63
SPORTS DAY & CLAN RESULTS

Presentation 2014
Friday May 30th 12.30 12.45 Foy Hall
Presentation of Tennis Winners

Minor Boys Single
Minor Girls Singles
Junior Boys Singles:
Junior Girls Singles:
Inter Boys Singles:
Senior Boys Singles:
Senior Girls Singles:
Open Mixed Doubles:
Champion:Peter Yacuick OConnor

Champion: Sarah McDaid
Champion; Rhys Jones
Champion: Zoe Mulligan
Champion/Runner Up:
Champion: Raoul OBrien
Champion: Lucy Latta
Champions: Eve Heffernan/Brian Kenny
Runner Up:Thomas Drayton

Runner Up: Caoimh Lawless
Runner Up: Patrick Hickey
Runner Up: Izzy Auld
To be finished in September
Runner Up: Barog Kennedy
Runner Up: Kate Cafferky
Runners Up: Jess Palmer/Raoul OBrien
Clan Captains:
64
Red:
Daniel ODriscoll, Laura McDaid, Stephanie Ebert
Blue:
Devon Hartel, Triona Harvey, Rebecca Auld
Green:
Stuart Slevin, Eve Heffernan, Nikki Boyd, Lucy Latta
Yellow:
Conor Buckley, Peter Joyce, Grace Allen
Newtown Review 2014
Presentation of Trophies:
Lorna Kennington
George Fitzgerald Memorial Shield:
Izzy Auld
Contribution to Girls Hockey:
Sarah Murray
Clan Trophy:
Red
Red
923 Points
Yellow
515 Points
CLAN RESULTS
2014
Blue
745 Points
Green
873 Points
Newtown Review 2014
65
CLAN COMPETITION
Swimming Gala
Records Broken
On Tuesday 29th April the annual Clan Swimming competition took

place. Many people took part, making it fun and enjoyable for all
the swimmers and with great support from their clans. A mixture of
competitive swimmers and swimmers who did it or the clan points
participated in the races. The atmosphere in the pool was superb.
Records were broken and memories were made.
A huge thank you must go to all the members of staff who helped run
and organise this brilliant event.
Congratulations to
Anna Kent

Minor Boys Champion:

Minor Girls Champion:
Junior Boys Champion:
Junior Girls Champion:
Inter Boys Champion:
Inter Girls Champion:
Senior Boys Champion:
Senior Girls Champion:
66
Ethan McInerney
Sophie Pim
Sacha ONeill
Eva Kelly
George Maclean
Anna Kent
Ben Doyle
Katie Sweeney
50m Free-style
(this record was standing since 2009)
Katie Sweeney
25 Free-style

25m Backstroke

50m Back-stroke

(all three records were standing since 1986/1987)
By Katie Sweeney
Newtown Review 2014
CLAN COMPETITION
Clan Tennis
Cross Country
We have four tennis courts in Newtown. We have competitions for all

age groups with minor, junior, inter and senior clan competitions.
Every player plays in honour of their clan. People sign up for the tennis
competitions at the start of summer term. Participation is key in this
sport. There are the first round, quarter finals, semi finals and the grand
final. We have very talented players in the school. Rhys Jones is the
reigning champion in junior level and it will be a tough task for him to
win this year. It is always hard luck when you get knocked out in the first
round. It is all to play for in the clan tennis competition!
The Clan Cross Country took place on the seventeenth of December.

It was a bright and crisp winters morning, sunny but not hot...because
its Ireland!
The whole school turned up on the cross country track to run the
race. All you could see was red, blue, green and yellow as everyone
was supporting their clan.
Ben Johnson from the green clan crossed the finish line first in the
minor boys, Jodie Giles earned the blue clan their first place points. It
was a double win for red clan with Aedan Rogers taking first spot for
the junior boys and Hillary Balding securing a first in the junior girls.
Aaron Vogelaar and Anna Kent saw off the opposition in their races.
Nigel Kennington picked up the first place points for the blue clan and
Ruth Cusack scooped the points for yellow.
Overall, it was a great day and everyone was content to go back to
class (Im sure) at the end of it.
Thanks to Mr. Butler and all the staff for their organisation and help.
Patrick Hickey and Dylan Crews
Newtown Review 2014
67
SPORTS INTERVIEWS
Matthew Treacy
What sport do you play?
Hockey.
How long have you been playing for?
Four years.
What is your most valued achievement to date?
Being captain of the Munster team.
How did you get involved?
Mainly through school.
What do you like most about it?
Its a very enjoyable sport especially because you
play in a team.
Do you have any goals for the future?
Id like to play for Ireland in the summer.
Lucy Latta
What is your sport?
Eventing (Equestrian).
Aedan Rogers
What is your sport?

Running.
How long have you been running for?
I started about four years ago.
What is your best/most valued achievement so far?
Winning the All-Irelands this year.
How did you get involved in running?
My mother and aunt ran for Ireland and I hope to do the
same.
What are your aims/ goals for the future?
To run for Ireland.
James Gaffney
What is your sport?
Squash.
How long have you been Horse Riding?

I have been riding since I was about five but I
started competing at around ten years old.
How long have you been playing squash?

Since I could walk but only competitively in the last six
years.
What is your best/most valued achievement so

far?
European Pony Eventing Team Gold Medal.
What is your most valued achievement?

Im currently Munster No.2 U15, Ive won the Played Cup
for the U15 Connacht Open and Ive won the Adult ClubChampion in my club.
How did you get involved in riding?

My whole family is into horses, my brother is a
jockey and my cousin is also an eventer.
What are your goals/aims for the future?
The Junior Europeans 2014.
How did you get involved?

I got involved because I was exposed to squash being
played at a high standard early on and because my club is
on my doorstep.
What are you aims for the future?
Well my main aim for the near future is to get on the Irish
U15 team and play for Ireland.
David Gahan
What is your sport?
Karate
How long have you been doing this sport?
I have been doing Karate for eight years.
What is your best achievement so far in the sport?
I have been to Serbia for the karate Worlds Champions and
I won First Place.
68
Why do you like it/ how did you get involved?

I was an energetic child so my Dad wanted to get me
involved in something that would calm me down and that
was karate.
What are your goals/aims in the future?
Their talking about bringing karate to the Olympics so
hopefully I will be picked on the Irish squad.
Newtown Review 2014
March
23rd Cham
ber Choir perf
orms in
the Medieval
Museum as
well as solo
performances
by some of th
e 5th and
6th form mem
bers of the
choir.
27th 1st fo
rm boys win
their
A-Cup final 20 against
Midleton
Newtown Review 2014
69
HOCKEY
Irish Schools Boys Hockey
Qualifiers Tournament
September 25th marked a big day for boys
hockey in Newtown as we, for the first
time, hosted the Munster section of the
All-Ireland Qualifiers. This was our teams
first big challenge of the season. We faced
four strong A-Cup sides in the one day,
each one proving to be as strong as the
last.
Our first game was against an experienced
Midleton side. They were well up for the
match and quickly drew first blood. We
managed to pin them back with a great

goal from Matt Treacy. We went into the
break all square. We struggled with the
high intensity pace of the match in the
second half and the match finished 3-1.
A quick turnaround of twenty minutes
didnt help us against a fresh Villiers side.
Fitness was our downfall at this stage
and we ended up way off the pace of the
game. Villiers came out the better side
beating us 2-0.
At this stage qualification wasnt a
possibility and team morale was low.
Strong team character saw us play the last
two matches against Bandon and Ashton
with pride, we never letting our heads

drop.
I would like to thank Mr Green, Mr Quinn,
Mr Butler and Mr Lemon on behalf of the
team for making this all possible.
William Hickey
Squad: Will Troy, Philipp Muller Schnau,
Daryl Hemmingway, William Hickey, Julius
McBride, Ruair Finnegan, Ben Doyle, Matt
Treacy, Raoul OBrien, Neil Dunne, Sen
Phelan, Brian Kenny, Cory Cooke, Robin
Doyle, Devon Hartel and Cian Hogan.
History Repeats Itself Thirty Years

On: First Form Boys Win the
A Cup Hockey Final
Hockey was a first for many First Form
students this year but everyone was able
to adapt to the sport and as a result we
won a cup! Firstly, on behalf of the team,
I would like to thank Mr. Green, Mr. Butler
and gap students Brendan and Alistair,
because without them we would not have
been in reach of an A-Cup.
At the start of the year we were very
lucky to have lots of blitzes, both at home
and away, with mixed results. Things just
kept getting better and we were delighted
to be going to Belfast for the hockey tour.
It was brilliant.
After Christmas it was full on from the
word go as we had a cup coming up.
Months of hard training twice a week
really gave the team confidence for the
upcoming games that were ahead, with
the help of some practice games against
the Junior Girls team.
70
The cup got under way with a reasonably

easy start against Midleton B with a 2-0
win at home; our goal scorers were Sacha
ONeill and Aedan Rogers. The next game
was our semi-final against Villiers of
Limerick that resulted with a narrow 1-0
win; the cross into Aedan Rogers scored
the only goal of the game. We left Villiers
with another win under our belt and
ready to face Midleton in the final.
The day of the final eventually came
and the team we were up against was
a stronger and more experienced team
than before. The game got under way
and we managed to score two early
goals just before halftime, both scored
by Sacha ONeill. Most of the possession
was ours in the second half but we failed
to score anything so it was all about
defence. The game felt like hours for me
on the field as Midleton kept coming at
us, but our goalkeeper, Thomas Drayton,
performed some game saving saves from

the Midleton attacks. The final whistle
finally blew and the team were shouting
and jumping with joy as we had just won
the A-Cup Final which had not been
achieved for over thirty years.
I was presented the trophy by Andy Gray
from the Munster Branch and pins for all
the squad. It was a day I will never forget
and hope for the same next season!
Starting Team: Thomas Drayton, Sacha
ONeill, Ben Johnson, David Gahan, Peter
Yaciuk-OConner, Ivan Allen, Ted Johnson,
Ethan McInerney, Gearid MorganOBrien, Aedan Rogers, Matthew Mosse.
Subs: Finn Brady, Will Jolly, Tom Lehane,
Bernard Kelly.
Ben Johnson
Newtown Review 2014
HOCKEY
Senior Girls Hockey
The Senior Girls had a very successful season this year winning both
the League and the Cup. This would not have been possible was it
not for the brilliant commitment of every member of the team both
at training and also in the matches.
We began the season on a good note by beating Kings Hospital in
a very competitive friendly match. We also made a good lead in our
League and Cup by winning against Kilkenny College, The Abbey,
Loreto Wexford and St. Declans Kilmacthomas. We were
victorious in the League Final against Kilkenny College, winning 2-1
against a very strong side.
We were lucky enough to have the enthusiastic support of all our
classmates for the cup final against The Ursuline as it was played
at home. It was a tough match, 0-0 at half time, but a smashing goal
in the second half by Emily Hermon granted us the win.
We would like to thank Mrs. Hughes, Mr. Greene and Mr. Butler for all their help, not only this season, but over the last few years as well,
to get the team up to a high standard necessary for the wins this year.
Squad:
Ruth Cusack, Sarah Murray, Emily Hermon, Eve Heffernan, Kate Cafferkey, Niamh Lynam, Unamaya Kennedy, Nikki Boyd, Laura McDaid,
Claire Flanagan, Lucy Latta, Izzy Auld, Aoife Treacy, Grace Allen, Gillian Richardson, Katie Gurnee, Triona Harvey, Izzy Graham and Ruth
Bennet-Coady.
Sarah Murray & Peter Joyce
Junior Boys Hockey

The Junior Boys Hockey Team had an unlucky season this year. We didnt train together for very long before the matches.
We went to our first match hopeful and determined against Kilkenny College. We played great, winning 3-0. Cian Hogan
scored a screamer from just inside the D. Robbie Harvey knocked in two great goals in two minutes. We were delighted.
Our next match was a warm up for the A-cup semi-final. It was against Midleton College. We played like a team
and went away victorious winning 6-3. Great goals from Fionn OLoughlin, Matthew Treacy, Cian Hogan and Daryl
Hemmingway.
We trained hard after this match to get ready for the semi-final. We went down to Ashton buzzing. We were very
unfortunate losing 7-5. There was great hat-trick from Daryl and other good goals from Matt and Fionn. Thank you Mr.
Greene and Eamon for their help and coaching throughout the year.
The team consisted of:
Aaron Vogelaar, Ben Flanagan, Sean Phelan, Sholto OBrien, Daryl Hemmingway, Robin Doyle, Matthew Treacy (c), Alex
Round, Daniel Morris, Fionn OLoughlin, Patrick Hickey (H2o), Robbie Harvey, Ben Johnson, Cory Cooke, Josh Allen.
Patrick Hickey
71
HOCKEY
All Aboard:
First Form
Hockey Trip
to Belfast
On Wednesday the 27th of
November we went on a
hockey trip to Belfast. Mr
Butler, Alistair, Ms Hehir and
Mrs Hughes organised and
accompanied this exciting
trip.
We stopped in Wesley
College, Dublin for a hockey
match and some lunch. We
were split into three teams.
We were determined to be
victorious over Wesley and
the boys team defeated our
opponents, 5-3. We were
delighted with the victory.
The girls unfortunately lost
their match. However, the
mixed boys and girls team
won their game. After the
matches we all went to have
lunch. Wesley College

provided us with lovely
food and we really enjoyed
it. After that we gathered
up our stuff and hit the
road again.
The journey to Belfast was
long but we managed to
make the most of it. We
stopped off at a Senior
Boys Hockey match in
Belfast and it was great to
First Year Girls Hockey

Our very first hockey match was against
Kilkenny College. We were very nervous as
it was our first match as a team. Although we
girls played well, we were beaten 2-1.
We went on to play Loretto Wexford. We
were determined to win this match. We went
out with positive attitudes and won 3-1. The
standard of the game was very high. We were
very happy to win.
The hockey trip to Dublin and Belfast in
November was a brilliant experience for us
see the talent and who we

could become.
The next day was an early
start. We all got dressed
and went downstairs for
breakfast. There was a
variety of foods and we
really enjoyed the meal.
We went to Friends
School, our sister school,
to play a hockey match.
The tension was high but
the Friends team was very
and we came back with many new skills.

On return, we continued to work hard in
training because we knew we had league
matches coming up.
Our first league match was in January. We
played at home against Bunclody. They were
a very skilled team but we played very well
and won 3-0. We were so happy that we won
our first league match.
Our second league match against Loretto
Wexford, we had played against them earlier
in the year and we knew that they were good.
We were down some players who were unable
to play due to injuries. We were nervous
skilled and we lost the

game 4-0. After the match
we had lunch and chatted
with the students, they
were very welcoming.
It was a great opportunity
and a brilliant trip.
Thanks to our coaches
for organising such an
enjoyable trip.
By Rhy Jones
heading in to the match but soon showed off

our skills and scored four goals in the first half.
We won 7-0.
Our third league match against Loretto
Kilkenny brought more success, at half time
we were 1-0 down but we managed to pull it
back in the second half and won 2-1.
We have had a good start in the league and
hopefully we can continue to grow as a team
and improve even more.
Thanks to our dedicated coaches for all of their
work throughout the year.
Ciara Robertson
Minor Boys Hockey
It was a great year for the Newtown Minor Boys Hockey Squad. We showed great commitment at training with all the squad training twice a week, every week.
We worked hard on and off the pitch, training hard with great team spirit and a desire to win. We also ate well and stayed fit through the holidays!
After two months of intensive training, we finally reached our first match against Villiers. We played great, holding the match scoreless, until half time. We
battled hard and fought to the end but unfortunately we lost by a single goal in the the last minute. Goals came from Fionn OLoughlin and Ross Joyce. We
were heartbroken but kept training.
Our next game was against Midleton in the A-cup semi-final. We were well prepared and focused. Unfortunately we didnt play to our potential. We lost by two
goals to a very good Midleton team. We were devastated because we knew we could have beaten them. Our only goal came from Josh Allen. We want to
thank Mr. Greene and Eamonn Murphy for coaching us throughout the season. We also want to thank the players for their commitment all year round.
The team consisted of:
James Treacy, Ross Joyce, Jacob Pim, Connor Glennon, Harry Jephson, Cian Mooney, Fionn OLoughlin, Patrick Hickey (c), Liam Murray, Josh Allen, Rhys
Jones, Sacha ONeill, Gearid Morgan-OBrien, David Gahan, Tom Owens, Rhys Kenny, Jason Kenny, Ben Johnson, Peadar Lawlor.
Patrick Hickey
72
Staff vs Sixth Form
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73
RUGBY
UI4 Rugby 2014
This years U14s season has been

mixed, we have had some great
performances and great wins. We played
blitz matches throughout September
and January. We won the majority of
those games beating sides like Midleton,
Villiers, Glenstal and Bandon.
In January we had our first full match
against Clonmel, unfortunately losing
19-10, with tries from Jason Kenny and
Daniel Evans. Our second test match
was against Waterpark. We had a
terrible first half and were losing 36-12 at
halftime. The second half didnt start well
either with Waterpark scoring two tries to
make it 48-12, but we managed to make
a comeback and scored thirty six points
late in the second half scoring six tries.
The try scorers were Dylan Crews, Harry
Jephson, Luke Grene, and Rhys Jones.
Unfortunately, we were defeated in our
final match, 47-14, tries coming from
Gearid Morgan-OBrien and Luke
Greene.
Our thanks to Mr. Ronan for coaching us
throughout the year.
SQUAD LIST: Thomas Drayton, Harry
Jephson, Will Jolly, Finn Brady, Ethan
McInerney, Dylan Crews, Tom Lehane,
Stefn Sumstad, Gearid MorganOBrien, Rhys Jones.
Patrick Hickey
SENIOR RUGBY 2013 -2014
We started our season with a tough opening, away to Bandon.

It was hard to draw any positives from a match that involved
one broken collar bone, two blood subs and in the end a heavy
defeat. Bandon Grammar went on to qualify for the Munster
A Cup and eventually win the Mungret Cup. We went on to
an away match against St. Clements in Limerick, this was an A
cup qualifier. With Nigel Kennington going off early in the first
half due to a shoulder injury and a stubborn Clements defence,
we lost 36-15 to a very strong opposition.
Our first home game of the season ended in a five all draw to a
very physical Midleton side, Brian Kenny running in a great try
from deep inside our own half. Despite the result it was a proud
performance for the team and a game that we could have won
had we taken our opportunities.
We then travelled to Kilkenny to face a very weak third choice
team. We fielded some debutant fourth years and came out
comfortable winners with fast paced rugby from all areas of the
pitch. Tries came from Peter Joyce, Ben Doyle, Ruairi Finnegan,
Raoul OBrien and Hugh OConor.
Our Mungret Cup campaign got underway at home against
Villiers, in the end we came out on top, some lovely movement
in the backs was finished off by Brian Kenny to win the match.
This meant we would face Midleton in the semi-final.
As preparation for the semi final, we hosted a much stronger

Kilkenny College side and in another keenly contested match it
ended in a ten all draw. The tries were from Ben Doyle and Ruairi
Finnegan.
The Mungret semi saw Midleton arrive with an extremely
physical side and this time they left with a win despite our
courageous defensive effort.
Overall it was a season of great development and we were
unlucky to lose key players due to injury. We now look forward
to next season and hope to see greater numbers committed to
training.
Good luck to all those lads in Sixth Form who are moving on and
thanks for your leadership and guidance.
We would like to thank Mr Jones and Eoin OConnor for all their
hard work with the team.
Squad 2013-14
Sam ffrench Davis, Cillian Fenlon, Hugh OConor, Stuart Slevin,
Peter Joyce, Peter Murphy, Daniel ODriscoll, Ben ONeill, Aaron
Vogelaar, Ben Doyle, Connor Vogelaar, Nigel Kennington, Brian
Kenny, Tom ODonnell, Ruairi Finnegan, Raoul OBrien, Cillian
Jacob, Can Kutay, Robert Kent, Tom Greene, George Morris ,
Daniel Fenton.
By Stuart Slevin
RUGBY
JCT Rugby
We started our season with an away game to Bandon seconds. We were quite rusty after the summer and we lost
28-14. It was a good game to bring some new members into the squad in Fionn OLoughlin, Liam Murray, Ross Joyce, Josh
Allen, Eoin ODriscoll, Tom Owens and Dylan Crews. Our second game was against Clonmel High School. We played much
better rugby against a much more physical side and we won 23-14.
In the J.C.T. qualifying cup we beat Midleton College in the quarter-finals in a replay in Midleton after drawing 10-10 on
home turf the previous week. It was a low scoring game, with Sean Phelan scoring a try from a set play with ten minutes
remaining. Midleton gave it their all for the last few minutes but we kept them well away from our try line. St. Clements
were next in the semi-final and we were lucky to get a home draw. Having trained hard for the couple of weeks building up
to the game, we thought that we were well prepared. From the few minutes before kick-off it was obvious that it was going
to be a tough game. St. Clements, as summed up by a spectator, were monsters. They were physically bigger, heavier
and stronger than our team in every possible way but due to their lack of organisation, we gave them a great game. The
final score was 26 -12. We were losing 7-5 at half-time and after the break, for a period of fifteen minutes, we fell apart.
After Christmas we took part in the Mungret Shield and we beat St. Annes Killaloe 10-7. With a lot of players missing,
the team that played that day stepped up to the task. Josh Allen, in particular, had an excellent game when he came
on. John Jephson, our pack leader, scored the winning try that day. We drew St. Clements in the semi-final of this cup
but unfortunately, or fortunately as the case may be, they pulled out due to coaching issues. Our squad now back to full
strength with players such as Robbie Harvey and Sholto OBrien returning to the squad.
In the build up to our final we went for a practice game against Roscrea who are a Division One Leinster Schools team.
We started off strongly with Cian Hogan scoring underneath the sticks, followed shortly by Sean Phelan with a great try
from a long run down the blind side. Roscrea then got a couple of breaks against us and we let them in for easy tries. Late
tries from John Jephson werent enough to catch up to Roscrea again. The end score was 35-28 in favour of Roscrea.
Our final was played on the twenty sixth of March in Rockwell College in Tipperary. It was a great experience to have
reached a final but we just werent up to the standard of rugby that our opposition were. Everything seemed to go wrong
for us and it seemed as if we played the whole game in our own twenty two, defending constantly. If a few 50/50 balls had
gone our way it might have been a closer game but that unfortunately didnt happen. The game finished 32-3. There are
nicer ways to finish up a season! We would like to thank Mr. Ashmore for training us all year round, for organising practice
games and having a lot of faith in a small team.
Captain: Cian Hogan. Pack Leader: John Jephson.
Team: Robin Doyle, Sholto OBrien, Eoin ODriscoll, Tom Owens, David Thorpe, Stuart Bell, Ciaran Finnegan, Sean Phelan,
John Jephson, Matthew Treacy, Cian Hogan, George Maclean, Robbie Harvey, Cory Cooke, Liam Sutherland, Fionn
OLoughlin, Josh Allen, Dylan Crews, Patrick Hickey, Ross Joyce, Tim Skelly, Matthew Kelly, Tom Greene, Julio Ceteno.
Cian Hogan
75
ORIENTEERING
eded all expectations as they

The First Formers, in particular, exce
with the
ion
fash
lar
vidual
tacu
spec
in
ted
star
on
. Ted Johnson was the stand out indi
The orienteering seas
sports centre both won team gold
l
ona
regi
the
from
at
s
rses
ance
cou
orm
the
perf
out
fine
Johns River flooding
as he won gold and was assisted by
st Schools Ccompetition
and Ben Johnson. The
rien
OB
gan
Mor
roid
at Kilbarry. Next stop was The Southea
Gea
ers,
Aedin Rog
the
re
whe
y
ruar
Feb
in
ore
igan
Carr
OShea, Paloma Baloda,
at
ly
at WIT Sports Campus
girls team matched the boys with Mol
, Mikhail
Pim
than
Jona
,
ride
McB
s
Juliu
by
ng
e Lawless taki the honours.
Senior Boys team lead
ched by Roisin Lynam and Caoimh
mat
e
wer
y
The
.
gold
won
son
John
ance helped the Junior
Archangelsky and Cole
Robert Pims silver individual perform
es Gaffney
Jam
,
Pim
b
Jaco
,
Pim
ert
Rob
of
Hickey, Jacob Pim and
the Junior Boys team
Boys to team silver along with Patrick
boys
Form
First
The
won
on.
secti
r
thei
won
ior Girls team of Triona Harvey (who
and Harry Jephson who
OBrien and Dylan Crews. The Sen
gan
Mor
Auld
roid
ky
Gea
Bec
an,
rt,
Gah
Ebe
id
ie
Dav
han
,
team of Ted Johnson
individual bronze), Kate Cafferky, Step
Ben Johnson continued the trend.
matched them with silver.
were the only gold
In the girls section, the First Form girls
ma Balado, Molly OShea
winners lead by Caoimhe Lawless, Palo
aged second place with
and Erika Beyers. The Junior Girls man
and Zoe Mulligan.
Anna Kent, Isabelle Auld, Jodie Giles
in March at Fota Gardens,
Next was the Munster Championships
on home terrain, the
County Cork. With many Cork schools
Senior Boys surprised
competition was much tougher. The
Finnegan (7th) best placed
everyone by winning gold with Ciaran
and Sean Og Cafferky. The
along with Jonathan Pim, Cian Hogan
Year is a good sign for next
fact that all four are still in Transition
form in achieving gold in
year. Robert Pim continued his fine
boys had a disaster with
the Junior Boys event. The First Form
trols. Best of the girls were
confusion over some of the later con
Molly OShea won individual
the First Form team who won silver.
y, Caoimhe Lawless and
silver and was aided by Samantha Fole
d bronze with Isabelle Auld,
Maya Laura. The Junior Girls manage
y.
Anna Kent, Eva Kelly and Rachel Fole
for orienteering
The introduction of a six week module
overall standard and
instruction has helped improve the
Year. There is a shortage of
participation amongst the Transition
upwards but the hope is
girls participating from Third Form year
Form girls in the last two
nd
that the success of the First and Seco
the activity.
up
years will encourage more girls to keep
who took the title
clan
en
The Inter-Clan event was won by Gre
.
from the inaugural winners, Blue clan
Blue 1987 points; Yellow
Green 2448 points; Red 2347 points;
1470 points.
selection for the team
Congratulations to Robert Pim on his
Youth Orienteering
an
to represent Ireland at EYOC (Europe
He has had a string
nia.
Championships) to be held in Macedo
l club events and has
ona
of excellent results in regional and Nati
k and dedication.
wor
shown what can be achieved with hard
A Cox
at Emo Court in County

The Irish Championships were held
essful championships ever.
Laois. Newtown had their most succ
76
Newtown Review 2014
May
7TH
Team I Will
Survive,deservedly,
scoop two awards at the
Annual Showcase and our
COSI Team receive an
award for commitment to
social innovation.
12th TY students head for

Killary to participate in

a week-long

outdoor pursuits trip.
13th Inter schools athletics
competition is hosted
by Newtown in the RSC.
Good performances from
all athletes with the
Senior Boys team coming
second.
22nd House exams start for

1st, 2nd and 5th formers.
th
30 The last, and most

exciting, clan event of

the year - Sports Day.
Newtown Review 2014
77
BADMINTON
Waterford Schools Badminton Tournament
A motley crew of players headed off to the Waterford

Schools Badminton Tournament in Lismore, Co.
Waterford in November. For many, it was their first
competitive match. Most of the teams competed in
the B section of their respective mini leagues. The
U19 girls team of Chris Dowling, Kayleigh Newcomb,
Stephanie Ebert and Marlene Roche won their section
with our B team of Nikki Boyd, Kate Cafferkey, Eliana
von Stotzingen and ine Walsh as runners up.The U16
team of Holly Moore, Helen Uhlig, Emma Swift and Isabel
Auld had a successful run in division 2, winning their
first two matches before coming up against a very strong
Blackwater Community School in their last match to
finish runners up.
The U19 B team of Jonathan Pim, Oliver Yang, Will Troy
and Eoghan Byrne had a great run in their section and
deserved the runners up trophy. The U16 boys team
of Tim Skelly, Mark Morris, Daniel Owens and Jacob
Pim were most unlucky not to make the final. They lost
narrowly on points count back.
This year, we were able to organise a number of matches

with the support of Jerry OSullivan of Waterford
Badminton Club. He organised with Waterpark College
to play a series of very closely fought matches for our
first to third formers in their hall. In addition, the club
kindly hosted us on two occasions on Monday nights to
give our players an idea of what club badminton is all
about. The hope is that, with continued interest amongst
the students, we would hope to become even more
competitive and have more regular matches.
A. Cox
SWIMMING
Munster Schools
Swimming Championships
Swim Club
In the last term we have started a new Swimming Club.
Training takes place every Wednesday. The idea of it came
from MSS. The coach, Eddie, comes from Waterford Crystal
Swimming Club. The lessons are about perfecting stroke
technique and aims to make you a better and faster swimmer.
Groups are divided according to individual levels. The lessons
are fun and enjoyable and everyone is welcome.

Caoimhe Lawless
78
On Sunday the 15th December Maya, Caoimhe,

Molly and I went to UL for a swimming gala. We
had an early start, five am. We all slept in the car
on the way up. When we got there I was a little
nervous because it was my first gala. Our first event
was the breaststroke. Molly and I were in the first
heat. The whistle blew and the gun went and we
were off. I came fourth in my heat and I was pleased
with it. We waited for Caoimhe and Maya to do
their race. The relay was next. Molly was first, she
was doing backstroke, then it was Caoimhe doing
breast-stroke, Molly doing butterfly and me doing
freestyle. We came ninth in Munster. Maya did the
individual medley and she did very well. It was
eleven oclock getting to bed; it had been a long
day. We enjoyed the day are are delighted with our
achievement.
L I F E S AV I N G
Irish Water Safety Logo

Swimming:From the outside looking in, you cant understand it. From the inside looking out, you cant explain it
Irish Water Safety Swim and Lifesaving classes continue to be an enjoyable, and beneficial, part of our after school sports
programme. This year has seen us progress further in our ambition to become fully qualified pool and beach lifeguards. We
have improved our swim/stroke technique, advanced our lifesaving skills and our knowledge of basic life support .
Our newest team member, Claire Murphy in First Form, said At first I wasnt sure if I liked it, but now, I really love it. I am a
better swimmer now and a faster one.
Thank you to our IWS Instructor, Ms. Coady, for training us and for making our classes so interesting every week. Lifesaving
involves a lot of swimming, learning a lot of new skills and is a lot of fun. It is also a brilliant way to keep fit. We would
encourage everyone that has an interest in swimming and in learning how to save lives to join us next year.
The Lifesaving Group
Well done to each member of our swim and lifesaving group on their achievements this year. Each has improved their skills
and must be commended on their commitment to class. To do what you love never feels like work.
Sincere congratulations to Niamh Robertson on receiving our Commitment to Lifesaving Award for 2014. Niamh is a credit
to our group, she is dedicated and approaches everything with enthusiasm and a smile, this award is thoroughly deserved.
Well done Niamh.
T. Coady
Newtown Review 2014
79
Where are they now?
April Allen: Living in Germany near Dusseldorf working and

learning the language. Im really enjoying it.
Georgia Battell: Since leaving Newtown School I got my
results, the points and the dream course to be honest. Im
currently studying at De Montfort University Leicester on
the BA Hons Footwear Design Course. I joined the DMU
Comedy Society, yes the quiet one supposedly of the year
now does stand up. Hmm what else - modelling in the end
of year Contour Fashion Show by first years (Probably
shouldnt mention that bit lol). Heres a more Newtown socially
acceptable one then, Im presently working with the university
charity office square mile on a project, to decorate two
gorgeous little boys rooms for a family with two boys Sigh and
Tanwir suffering from heart and breathing disorders, hopefully
theyll love the Nemo and George the Dinosaur theme rooms
when finished. I dont miss Newtown to be honest, Im now
at a place where using a laser printer, plasma cutter and 3D
printer are day to day practice and I love it. I would like to
say a massive thank you to all the teachers who pushed me
and supported me to where I am today though, you were
80
appreciated. Finally heres a tip for anyone at Newtown who

wants to hear it if youd rather look on your phones in collect
do, just dont listen to anyone who tells you you cant do
something, dont let anyone tell you what you can and cant do
in the future. Remember to choose what you do for yourself as
you will inevitably have to live it.
Owen Chapman: Moved to Canada with my family and took
a gap year and I am now deciding whether to go to Uni in
Canada or Ireland.
Michael Chan: University of West of Scotland doing
Computing.
Jamie Cross: Im doing Business and Management in DIT.
Christian Cullen: Im studying Integrated Engineering in
Trinity. Im living in Dublin with Jamie Cross just outside the
city. I manage to get home to Waterford most weekends and
still play Football for Villa F.C. Still in touch with most of my
mates from school although I dont see all of them that often.
Enjoyed first year in college although it was more work than I
Newtown Review 2014
thought it would be.

Aaron Daly: Im in UCR in Middelburg Holland studying
Cognitive Science and Chemistry, with a minor in Journalism.
College is International so I know someone from like every
country, I recommend it highly, especially if you like flat land,
dams and bikes.
Kaine de la Haye: I got a place in Trinity College studying
Integrated Engineering. I picked engineering because it
interests me and because I want to work abroad when I
graduate. I enjoyed my first year but it was a lot of work. I will
specialise in 3rd year, and while I havent decided what to do,
I think biomedical or mechanical are what I want. After leaving
Newtown I got back into rugby and joined a few societies in
Trinity. When I graduate I am going to travel and hopefully end
up somewhere warm.
Rory Van Dokkum: Rory is in WIT studying Visual Arts
and has just completed his first year of a four year honours
degree course. His first novel entitled JUMBLE, is due to be
published next week (end of May 2014) as an eBook, and will
be available on Amazon. It is a fantasy adventure, suitable for
ages 13-17 and over.
Georgiana Flood: I got my Leaving Cert and got into Kildalton
Agricultural College for Equine Studies in Kilkenny. Its a great
place for learning and everything is gone through step by step.
Next year I will be going to NUI Maynooth. Im also working for
Andrew Hughes with thoroughbreds.
Oliver Giles: Well Im studying Motorsport Engineering in
Lackham College in the UK. At the moment we are currently
building a rally car. I have a part time job working on HGVs to
get some money. When Im not doing all that Ive still kept up
rugby and show-jumping. Im playing for the local rugby team
and have had an amazing first season. The show-jumping is
going very well as well.
Geoff Graham: Im in NUI Galway studying Arts and its mad
craic.
Mizuki Hirakawa: At the moment, Im in Japan, Akitaprefecture and taking an English course in Akita International
University! I keep studying English even though I left Ireland.
Rebecca Hoban: Im currently on a Gap Year in Australia
working in an all girls school in Sydney with 4 other girls,
during the holiday Im travelling round Australia, New Zealand
and Thailand.
Sarah Jameson: Im repeating in Ashfield in Dublin. Im
enjoying it a lot.
Broadcasting and I love it. It doesnt feel like work studying

it as its always interesting and the field itself is constantly
developing. Its also great to be in a city as interesting and
diverse as London, Ive not been bored in 9 months!
Cathy Mc Grory: Im studying Commerce and Hispanic
Studies in UCC. 1st year in college has been brilliant and Im
looking forward to spending my summer in America.
Phoebe Moore: I am now in Trinity studying Sociology and
Drama. Its a very exciting course which will hopefully lead to
an interesting career I have really enjoyed my first year. I am
in fact writing this from the boot of my rowing coachs car on
the way back from a race! So yes, Im enjoying the different
opportunities college can offer not just on the academic side!
Now looking forward to 2nd year and cant wait for exams to
be over!
Jane and Hannah Murray: We started Psychology in
Waterford Institute of Technology in September. We have been
really enjoying it and learned loads.
Max OBrien: Going to UCD, studying Economics and History,
part of the varsity swimming team that won the championship
this year (a major part).
Ben OKeeffe: I was in UCD doing Spanish and History and I
dropped out but am going back to college in September.
Alexander Pim: Im in WIT doing Horticulture.
Simon Quigley: Doing Computer Science in Trinity.
Ronan Sharpe: In WIT Studying Restaurant Management and
Im working in the restaurant in Dooleys Hotel.
Joshi Thiele: I took a Gap Year and travelled around Europe.
First I went to Paris in France for around two months and
did a language course, then to Spain for 3 weeks and then
to Portugal for a week. Following that I worked till New Year
in a company producing gas technology as the man for
everything. Around April I started to apply to colleges. Of
course I had a brilliant time.
Rosaleen Traynor: I finished in Newtown went to work as an
Au Pair in France and then went to Galway studying German,
Economics, Law and Sociology and Politics.
Jack Tully: Im doing Commerce in UCD. I really enjoyed my
first year in college and looking forward to going to Chicago for
the summer on a J1.
James Kavanagh: Studying Commerce in UCD and playing

rugby for Old Wesley.
Holly Wells: I took a gap year to study a degree in

Horsemanship in Kildalton College, before going to college
next year.
Charlie Kelly: Computer Science in UCD.
Dean Whelan: In DIT studying Engineering.
Alice Lee: After I left Newtown I went on to study Medical

Sciences at the University of Edinburgh. Its been a
challenging year but its been so rewarding at the same time,
having worked with people from all over the world and being
able to see life from a new perspective. Its been great!
Chris Wieneke: Im working as a fitness instructor/personal

trainer in Cork, starting Advanced Paramedic next January.
Diarmaid Wingfield: Medicine in Trinity.
Leigh Marsh Horgan: Ive gone to university at the

London College of Music which is part of the University of
West London, Im studying Music Technology and Radio
Newtown Review 2014
81
QUOTABLE QUOTES
cheese plants.
Mr. Ashmore: Rainforests have Swiss
Emily Hermon: Cheese doesnt grow
on trees!
Goerge Morris: Something spicy, like
ice!
all books
Mr. Lemon: Lock your lockers. Keep
If you do
in your lockers and lock them away.
lock
not have a lock on your locker a new
will be locked on your locker.
und scrap like
Darren Singh Hennesy: Throwing aro

its worth nothing.
n your
Emily Hermon: Ive got more taste tha

left foot!
rpie) it just
Katie Gurnee: (using a left-handed sha
feels so right
Ms. Rellis: Do you win many matches?

Gaeilge)
ng to go now.
Mr. O Connor: This was fun...Im goi
good news
Mr. Sexton: Do you wanna hear the
ying golf
or the bad news? Good news, Im pla
s is your
tomorrow in Mount Juliet, bad new
82
eighth
Mr. Keappock: I was trying to draw

its difficult. (DCG)
something but
(spoken as
Hugh OConnor: Yeah, we buaigh!
drawings are awful.
Conor Buckley: This is probably my

favourite subject. (physics)
Christian Sumstad: Im getting beaten

Physics!
up by
Mark Laherty: Dance with me Cilian!

dance of death!
Dance the
t to do
Mr Ronan: Soooo, what do you wan
today?

Peter Murphy: Well, we just had
double Maths so what about
.
just the applied and hold the Maths
Jamie Round: Whats the USA?
Emily Hermon: Wait...how does 7+8

make 15?!
cussing the
Mr Hanlon: Who rose in 1916? (Dis

Easter Rising)

Emma Walsh: Jesus Christ!
moon? Like
Ella O Neill: Guys, how do we see the
ething?
dont we live inside the Earth of som
s were
Jeananne Mulligan: I thought stallion
mystical creatures!
tinent
Will Troy: EurAsia is the biggest con
ken is
Ruari Finnegan: (Eating pork) This chic

really dry.
83
Dear Friends, Students, Old Scholars, Parents and members of the Newtown community,
As mentioned in the Principals introduction, this year has seen an important and memorable
change for Newtown School. For some time there has been a growing sense of the need to make
our school more accessible so that more students could choose to come to learn and grow in
our school community. The downturn in the economic climate in Ireland and a change in the
grants extended to our sector of schools became the impetus for us to hold discussions with the
Department of Education and Skills to explore alternative funding streams for the school.
As a result of discussions with the Department and following wide consultation, Newtown
School will enter the Free Education Sector from September 2014. Effectively this means that
there will be no tuition fees for students between 9am and 4pm. We will continue to charge
fees for boarders and for day students taking part in extra-curricular activities in the afternoons
and at weekends as well as staying for prep. This move was fully supported by the school
community and by the owners of the school, Munster Quarterly Meeting.
As a result of this change which provides us with support from the Department of Education
and Skills, we can be confident that the school will continue to educate students in the Quaker
tradition for many more years to come. Another major positive arising from Newtown School
being part of the Free Education Scheme is that we may be able to gain assistance to capital
projects in the educational areas of the school through the Department of Education and Skills
Our focus is on providing the best possible experience for our students and one of the challenges
we face is to upgrade and maintain the non educational facilities including the boarding and
sports facilities to the highest standards. We will be looking to all those who have a interest in
Newtown School to assist us in our endeavours and support us as we enter a new chapter in the
schools proud history.
Our aim is to establish a means of wider communication with all of the greater school
community and in particular the many Old Scholars who continue to have great affection for
Newtown and who have already expressed an interest in supporting the school as it starts on this
new and exciting journey.
With best wishes
Debbie Bailey
Chair Newtown School Committee
84
Newtown Review 2014
PRESIDENTS REPORT - OLD SCHOLARS
ast years special

Gathering Reunion
weekend went
extremely well, and brought
additional visitors to the
school on the Sunday of
the September weekend.
lot of effort into producing a great quality
The art and photography display was
tirelessly to update our addresses for old
report each year helped of course by Ken

Murphy with his wonderful photographs
coming from the September weekend of all

the class groups. For over 10 years now,
Ken has managed to fit in a hockey match

photo, evening photos and the Sunday
tree planting photos all between milking

the cows each day in Carrick-on Suir.
Oriel Woodbyrne our Secretary is working
well received by all and thanks to Ciara
scholars to save the Association money
Harrison and Sara Lee OBrien for all their
work .The class photo displays are always

a hit, and thanks again to Joan and Roger
sending out correspondence.
nOld Scholars Association Jonathan Fletcher.
Johnson for their tremendous work over
many years, assisted by the archives committee.

The reunion weekends and this magazine are the main activities
in which the Old scholars committee work at during the year.
It is rewarding to see such a good attendance at the reunion
weekend and the obvious enjoyment it brings to those present.

We appreciate the positive feedback and gratitude from those
who receive their magazines. George Jacob our editor puts a
Thanks too to Peter Pearce our Treasurer
who is guiding us to a more stable position
financially after a difficult 6 years. I have found it a pleasure to
work with all our committee members who are working hard on
your behalf to keep you up to date with school activities and
help to keep you in touch with old school friends. We are always
pleased to see new committee members joining and if you
would like to get involved please make contact with Oriel.
I was sorry to note the passing of a former President of the
NMFOSA Douglas Harrison who attended last years reunion.

He must have been very proud however to see his son
David carrying on in his footsteps as President.
It is great to see the Eric de Courcy fund is now well
established and is giving an annual financial prize to the

pupil felt most deserving in the music life of the school.
Cillian Jacob was last years winner with Stephanie Ebert
taking the prize in 2014. Anyone who would like to donate to

the fund is advised to contact Oriel or Peter. Other monies
awarded to pupils looking for financial assistance went to
hockey teams for kit purchase, the young social innovators
and prizes for the short story and photography competitions

which you can enjoy reading about in more detail in other
parts of the magazine.
I am delighted to see the Senior girls and the Under 13

boys hockey teams were so successful. The school is
beginning a new stage in September when they enter the
Free Education scheme. I would like to thank Debbie Bailey

our former secretary, now school chairperson for her work
and Keith Lemon and his staff in bringing the school to this
new era. It is an adventure which is bound to bring many
rewards and some challenges along the way. I am sure I
speak for all the Association in wishing the school a safe
and successful voyage. - Jonathan Fletcher, President.
Newtown Review 2014 - NMFOSA Section
REUNION 2014 INFORMATION
The Annual Newtown, Mountmellick & Foy Old

Scholars Reunion
Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th September 2014
Saturday 27th September:

All afternoon
Archival photo display & tea/coffee in Legoland.
3pm
Hockey match, old scholars v school (Players of all levels and ages are welcome, Contact Jonathon
7.30pm for 8pm
Reunion Dinner, Woodlands Hotel, Waterford. 051 304574. Tickets: 50. Meals should be booked and
Fletcher 087-6476416)
paid for in advance. This can be done online at www.newtownoldscholars.com. Those attending with
class your groups may also book with your class co-ordinator (Below) All others may also book with
Peter Pearce Tel 087 2760868 or email: ppkpearce@gmail.com
Sunday 28th September:

11am
Archival photo display & tea/coffee in Legoland.
12.30pm
AGM of Newtown, Mountmellick & Foy Old Scholars Association to take place in the Study Hall (old
1.30pm
Lunch in school dining room, priced 10 per adult
Lecture Room)
Followed by tree planting & group photographs in the old scholars garden in school. Tickets must be
booked and paid for in advance. (www.newtownoldscholars.com to book online)
Those who are attending with class year groups may also book and pay for meals with
your class co-ordinator.
Class of 2004: Rose Paget 087-6137628 rosepaget@gmail.com
Class of 1999: April Rellis
aprilrellis@newtownschool.ie
Class of 1994: Stuart Musgrave 087-2753639 stuartlmusgrave@gmail.com

Class of 1989: Percy Kingston 087-9374782 percykingston@oceanfree.net
Class of 1984: Sarah Bean(nee Hill) 087-6543000 sarahsbean@gmail.com
Class of 1974: Charles White 087-2551009 charles@hermanwhite.ie or Lynn Jennings (nee Bailey) 00447798870750
lynnmjennings@gmail.com
Class of 1964: Ricky Little 01-2801693 ricky.little@gmail.com 086-8700967
Class of 1954: Trevor Grubb
trevorgrubb@msn.com
Accommodation Information
Woodlands Hotel. Dunmore Road, Waterford. 051-304574 (ask for Old Scholars Rate).
Dooleys Hotel, The Quay, Waterford City. 051-873531
Samuel Heritage B&B, Ballymacloda, Halfway House, Dunmore Rd. Waterford. 051-875094
Blenheime House, Blenheime Heights, Waterford. 051 874115
Accommodation Inquiries can also be made to Waterford Tourist Information Office on 051 875823
THE CRASH REEL
Newtowns link to award

winning documentary
n inspiring story of
survival, devastating
tragedy and the power
of the human spirit, The Crash
Reel was one of the most
talked about films of last year.
Short-listed for an Academy Award in the Best
Documentary Category , amongst other things

this remarkable feature has a strong Newtown
School connection.
A remarkable account of a young American

snow-boarder whose pursuit of sporting
greatness was swept away in an accident that

left him with traumatic brain injury, The Crash
Reel is also an intimate and moving film about

how a family copes with such crisis.
The family in question is that of Simon Pearce,

the world-famous Vermont-based glassmaker
and potter who began his career in Kilkenny
almost 50 years ago, and is one of Newtown

Schools best-known alumni of the 1960s.
The Crash Reel is first and foremost the story

of Simons son Kevin, Americas leading
snowboarder and a big star of the sport until

he saw his career distintegrate in an horrific
accident while training for the Olympic Games in

December 2009.
The disaster was caught on video by a passerby, and its a

recorded metaphor for lifes tragedies: the fluke of it all, the
why, wrote the famous American film critic Roger Ebert, who
reveals that the film-maker spent two and a half years with the
Pearce family as they coped with and lovingly nursed their son
back from the brink following his accident.
The Crash Reel is much more than a simple triumph-over-
adversity film that concludes at the point where Kevin Pearce
is finally able to get back on his snowboard, as it uses Kevins

personal story to also take an uncomfortable look at high-risk
sports and the traumatic brain injuries associated with them,
as well as the slippery question of what drives athletes to keep

trying to go higher, faster and skirt ever closer to the edge.
Suffice to say, others involved in snowboarding and similar

extreme sports have not been afforded a happy ending .
The unheralded stars of the film are however the members of

Mr. Pearces family, whose support is heartening, and whose
emotional pain, particularly when Kevin Pearce begins to talk

about returning to snowboarding, is palpable.
Particularly poignant are the inter-actions with Kevin Pearces
brother David, who has Down Syndrome, yet as his brothers

number one fan had to implore his sibling not to put himself
back in the way of danger.
Without giving much more away, suffice to say that today
Kevin Pearce works as a sports commentator, motivational
speaker,and advocate for brain injury and Down Syndrome in

America.
Simon Pearce was born in 1946 in London and moved to
Ireland when his parents decamped to the south-east four years

later.
Simons father Philip initially tried his hand at farming before
discovering a talent at ceramics. His studio in Kilkenny gained

a reputation for high quality, and is run to this day by Simons
brother Stephen.
n Kevin Pearce was one of Americas leading snowboarders until his

accident.
Simon Pearce admits that he had a terrible

time at school - the result in large part of
undiagnosed dyslexia, and he dropped out at

age 16 to work with his father.
A year later and aged just 17, Simon travelled
to New Zealand and spent two years studying

with a British potter Harry Davis before
returning home again to work in his fathers

studio.
His attention was captured by another medium.

I realized I was collecting old glasses, he said
in an interview a number of years ago. They
were these old rummers simple glasses that

were used in the pubs. I loved the quality and
feel of them, and nobody was making anything

like it anymore.
Simon Pearce set about reviving that tradition,

and travelled around Europe, working at any
glass factory that would hire him.
In 1971, he set up his own shop in Ireland, and
n Glass maker Simon Pearce
steadily built a business and a reputation, but
there were difficulties for him working in Ireland
at that time. High energy costs a real issue when glass
furnaces run at 2,500 degrees was a challenge, and he recalled

Ireland was a tough place to run a business. The bureaucracy
didnt understand how to help and promote business. So I said,

Its time to move.
His move to Vermont was the result of a connection that Pearce

made with Laurance Rockefeller, billionaire grandson of the oil
magnate John D Rockefeller, who learned of Pearces plans
to move to America, and put him in contact with a real estate
agent in Vermont, where he bought The Mill, a premises that the

business uses to this day.
Simon Pearce arrived in the United States with a staff of three,
The company now employ several hundred people, have seven

retail high end stores, a nationwide network of more than 500
wholesale partners, a catalog and e-commerce business, a
restaurant, and The Mill in Vermont, which draws more than

300,000 visitors yearly.
THE PATRICK HAUGHEY INTERVIEW
Having The Last Word

on the airwaves
Q
8
uite an array of Newtown old

scholars have forged successful
media careers, in print, radio
and television broadcasting down
through the years.
Whetting his appetite for a career on the airwaves when he
Waterford born old scholar Patrick Haughey, who recalls his
When did you attend Newtown?
day back in the 1990s is amongst those who are currently
You lived in Waterford? Were you a day pupil, day-
Estate.
Yes I lived in Waterford in fact, just behind the school in
initially spent a weeks Transition Year work experience at
WLR, Patrick today plays a central role in delivering one of the

countrys most successful current affairs drive-time shows of
recent times. We tracked down the senior producer of Today

FMs award-winning The Last Word for a quick chat.
years taking the short cut over the back wall into school each
From 1990 to 1996.
plying their trade, and with considerable success, in the Fourth
boarder, boarder, etc?
THE PATRICK HAUGHEY INTERVIEW

Summerville Avenue. I was a neighbour of Alan Pims, so just
What does the working day look like (broad outline)
wall away.
sites, and listener emails, and drawing up a list of potential
a five minute walk and quick (frowned-upon) hop over the back
What subjects/teachers did you like?
I loved English with Alan Dennison and Spanish with Helen

Byrne.
Did you get involved in sports, other activities?
I wasnt very sporty while in Newtown in fact, when given the

choice in transition year, I picked Latin studies over PE! Im
happy to say that my activity levels have vastly improved over

time.
How did you get involved in broadcasting?
I was given a weeks work experience by CEO Des Whelan in

WLR (Waterford Local Radio) and very quickly got the radio
bug. More work with WLR and a few months working with
a local pirate radio station, and I knew I wanted to work in
broadcasting.
Where did you start your career?
Shortly after I finished college, Irelands first Regional radio
station Beat 102 103 opened its doors, and I successfully

applied for a position on the start-up team. I was appointed
producer of Beat Talk with Niall Power and Heartbeat with

Diana Luke.
As it was a new station, myself and the presenters had to
work closely together to create the shows from scratch, which

was a brilliant experience. Beat Talk quickly became the most
listened-to show on the schedule, and Heartbeat won a PPI
radio award within three months of starting.
When did you join Today FM, and in what capacity?
After a year working with David McWilliams on his RTE TV

show The Big Bite, I successfully applied for a researcher
position on The Last Word with Matt Cooper. Three years later
I was appointed Senior Producer.
What has been the most memorable piece you remember

from the programme?
My most memorable moment has to be the time we were

broadcasting from New York during the last Presidential
elections, and actor Gabriel Byrne came to our studio in

Manhattan to do a supposedly straightforward interview
with Matt. However, three minutes in to the interview, he
started slamming The Gathering initiative (the governments
campaign to attract the diaspora home) calling it a shakedown

and a scam. It made headlines across the world. Great radio
for us, but unfortunately The Gathering had sponsored our
entire trip to New York, and were a little upset to say the least!
One of my worst memories is the time a well known TV
personality walked out of the studio five minutes in to an
interview. The problem was that we had scheduled 25 minutes

for the interview, so suffice to say the presenter did a lot of
filling for the rest of that show.
A typical day starts with reading all of the newspapers, news

stories for that days show.
We pick the final list of topics during our morning editorial
meeting, and then spend the rest of the day on the phone,
looking for the right guests to bring the topics to life on air
always with that 4.30 deadline breathing down our necks.
Once 4.30pm arrives and the show goes live, the main job is
to make sure that all guests are there on time, and that the
presenter stays on time as per the running order.
On occasion a major story will break during the show, or a
guest wont show up, so you always have to be ready to act

fast and make sure that the show somehow stays on track.
You also teach/lecture/train - tell us about it?
Last year I set up a company that delivers hands on media
training for students interested in a career in radio. All of the
modules are taught by Today FM staff, so we call it the Today

FM School of Radio.
Even though the industry has gone through a tough few years,
there are more people than ever who are interested in working
in radio or at least who want to find out what it is all about
and they find it hugely useful to learn about it all directly from
the people who do the job every day.
Despite all of the changes that radio has gone through over
the last few years (online listening, digital stations, focus on
studio webcams etc), at its core it is still just about listening
to interesting and informed people having a conversation in a
room with microphones. This makes it a very pure and intimate

medium, and one that people really relate to.
You married an OS. Did you meet in school and all that
tangled web of detail ??
I first met Brenda Curran when she came to Newtown in 5th
year, we started going out just after we did the Leaving Cert in
1996, and then we finally married in Ballyvolane House in Cork

on New Years Eve 2011!
We have a fantastic 16 month old daughter named Erica, and

another baby due in November.
Were both from Waterford so come home every few weeks.

The last time I was actually back in Newtown was at our 10
year reunion in 2006, so the next time will probably be at our

20 yr reunion in 2016.
Anything else?
Radio isnt exactly a conventional career choice, and I think
the fact that I chose it has a lot to do with my time in Newtown.

The schools focus was always more about allowing students
identify and develop the things they were naturally good at,
rather than solely focussing on Leaving Cert results. As a result

I left with an awareness of where my interests lay, and the
confidence to pursue them.
Accounts for the year ended 31st. December

2013
Newtown Mountmellick and Foy Old Scholars Association
Income and Expenditure Account for year ending 31/12/13

Income (All figures in )
Income from investments
Donation
Advertising Revenue
Profit (loss) on sale of ties
Profit on annual reunion
Financed by
2013
2012
1,780
1,050
2,750
0
562
------6,142
====
1,889
321
3,050
0
390
------5,651
====
Capital Account
Balance at 1st January 2013
Deficit for year ended 31st Dec 2013
Life Membership Account

Subscriptions received during year
Expenditure
Activities/Awards:
Poetry & Short Story Comp.
Photography Competition
InterPro Hockey Contribution
Hockey Jacket Contribution
Printing and stationary
Postage
Bank interest and charges
Investment Management Fee
Sundry
Suplus (deficit) on normal activities
100
200
100
0
800
------1,300
1,982
4,640
48
200
30
--------8,200
=====
-2,059
====
100
0
100
200
0
------400
1,555
4,050
45
200
0
------6,251
=====
- 600
=====
Balance Sheet as at 31st. December 2013

Investments, (Note1)
Purchases (Sales) during year
Losses transferred to Capital Account
Goodbody Dealing Account

Current Assets
Stock
Debtors
Bank of Ireland (Current Account)
Irish Permanent TSB (Eric de Courcy)
Current Liabilities
Creditors
Net Current Assets
2013
171,738
6,062
2012
----------177,800
-----------
165,675
6,063
- 21,168
----------171,738
----------
-0
----------177,800
-0
---------171,738
3,732
400
7,051
45,557
--------56,740
3,807
3,610
11,837
42,012
---------61,265
675
---------
110
----------
56,065
-----------
61,155
-----------
233,864
232,893
======= ======
10
2013
2012
97,595
-2,059
98,195
-600
---------95,536
---------97,595
88,950
2,560
---------91,510
84,310
4,640
---------88,950
Eric DeCourcy Fund

46,347
Donations & Interest received in year 1,260
-------47,607
Student Music Grants
790
---------46,817
233,864
======
45,347
1,760
---------47,107
760
---------46,347
232,893
======
Note 1 to the account

Investments
31\12\13 Purchased
at 31\12\12 during year
Bank of Ireland
5,480
5,480
Allied Irish Bank
4,139
4,139
Blackrock Asset Mngt (Deutschland) 205
205
City of London
1,680
1,680
Irish Life & Permanent plc
1,947
1,947
Grafton Group
2,540
2,540
Aviva
2,700
2,700
Greencore Group Ord
7,950
7,950
E on Ag Npv
470
470
Market Value on 31\12\13 was 77,920 euro (31\12\12 was 46,409).

On behalf of the committee: Peter Pearce, Hon Treasurer
Auditors Report
I have audited the financial statements and received all the

information I found necessary. In my opinion the financial
statements give a true and fair view of the Associations affairs at
31st December 2013 and of its result for the year then ended.
Brian S. W. Little F.C.A., Hon Auditor. 5th May 2014
11
Old
Scholars
Reunion
Gallery
2013
Tree planting: Old Scholars President David Harrison with a group

pictured at the OS weekend tree planting ceremony.
2003 - Back : Tim OCarroll, Claire Blake, George Stafford, Jino Fan,
Stuart Copeland, Paul Schultzendorff. Centre: Rob Kennedy, Ali
Robertson, Sonya Boyce, Cecilie Albrecht (nee Senfft), Sarah ffrench
Davis, Pia Clodi, Carolan Redfearn (nee Goggin), Eve Devine, Tansy
Cowley, Felicity Chumbley (nee Ward), Aaron Bailey. Front: Khalid
Hamdy, Alix Ballestrem (von Kockritz), Maren Laub, Sarah Lynch,
Dave Uwakwe, Marcus Hodder.
Garden Photo (L to R) - Leslie Finegan, Joan Johnson, Charles
Olden, Valerie Fletcher, Dorothy Russell ( nee Forysth), Hazel
Bowman (nee Finegan), Bertie Finegan, Nancy Pasley (nee Finegan),
Roger Johnson, Leslie Matson, Joan Matson.
1993- Back: Niamh Hatton, David Ashmore, Elaine Reid, Dabheoc
Speirs. Front: Andre Thompson, Elizabeth Dunn.
12
From top: Tree planting on the reunion

weekend.
1973 - Back: Colin Murdoch, David Boyce,
Guy Johnson, Laurance Casler, Graham
Andrews. Centre: David Harrison, Penny
Jacob, Kieran Dollard, Anne Haughton,
Ann Jephson, Julie Brown, John Scott,
Stephen Murdoch, Andrew Torrie,
Front: Jackie Morris, Asta Hellaris, Ian
McKechnie, Rosaline Bass, Alan Pearson,
Gary Lilburn.
1963 - Back row: Richard Ashmore,
Edward Clibborn; Front row: Adele
Trapnell, Ruth Edwards, (nee Parker),
Margaret Elmes.
1988- Back: Sheila James, Philip Jeffares,
Darren Nicholson, Tim Ashmore. Centre:
Jenny Jacob(Dier), Michael Thompson,
Nigel Pim, Vikki Power, Bruce Campbell.
Front: Claire OMorochu, Jill
Newe(Parslow), Jonathan Fletcher, Irma
Walsh(Hitschman), Chris Parkinson.
13
From top: 1983 - Front: Sabine Passberger, Geoffery

Bailey, Keith Cooke, Billy Leslie, Sasha Musgrave, Tanya
Airey. Middle: Helen Deathe, Julie Fossitt, Ruth Little,
Sharon Wilson,Bruce Johnston, Trini Kenny, Rosemary
James, Peter Crowley, Derek Dunne. Back: Alan Dier,
Dorethee Von Englebrechton, Lorraine Hatton, Linda Coad,
Miles Kennedy, Susan Anderson, Amanda Perini, Chlodagh
Davis.
2003- Marcus Hodder, Sarah ffrench Davis, Tim OCarroll, Paul
Schultzendorff, Claire Blake, Pia Clodi, Rob Kennedy, Carolan
Redfearn (Goggin), George Stafford, Cecilie Albrecht (Senfft),
Alix Ballestram (von Kockritz), Maren Laub.
1993- Andre Thompson, Elizabeth Dunn, Dabheoc Speirs.
1998- Back: Rebecca Carragher (nee Walsh), Diane
ODea, Pamela McBride. Front: Tiffany Freedman (nee
Hodder), Charlotte Hughes (nee Hill), Clodagh Alyward
(nee Webb)
14
1973: L-R Colin Murdoch, Gunther

Falkenthal, Andrew Torrie, Ann
Willoughby (Jephson), David
Harrison, Graham Andrews, Gary
Lilburn, Penney Jacob, Guy Johnson,
Stephen Murdoch, Asta Hellaris,
John Scott, Ian McKechnie, Laurance
Casler, Rosaline Bass, Alan Pearson,
Anne Goggin (Haughton)
Dinner group: Roger Johnson (1958)
and Terry Crosbie with Dorothy
Russell (58) ( nee Forsyth) Michael
Varian (58), Joan Johnson and Carmel
Crosbie.
Tree planting: with David Harrison
and Oriel Woodburn.
1983- Front: Chlodagh
Davis,Geoffery Bailey, Rosemary
James, Miles Kennedy. Back: Lorraine
Hatton, Keith Cooke, Peter Crowley,
Susan Anderson, Alan Dier.
15
TELLING THE STORY OF AFRICAS FARMERS
In the future Africa will

feed the world
n George Jacob behind the camera in southern Africa last year.
If you want to end

poverty in Africa
the argument for
supporting small-scale
farming is so persuasive,
its amazing that any other
argument gets a look in!
farming communities in nine countries
and generate publicity because of
that the change from newspaper man to
Africa works only with local staff and
Old Scholar George Jacob (class of
made by people for publicity. Now Im
1980) is in full flow. A former journalist
who spent 20 years working in regional
newspapers up and down Irelands East

Coast until he packed it in more than
a decade ago, he has spent his time
PR man for a charity has been a hughly

satisying challenged.
There is an element of hunter turned

gamekeeper to it, he admits. In the
past I had to field calls, look through
newsworthy element of the Western

charity worker helping the poor and
disadvantaged in the Developing World.
Africa to capture the images, film footage
forever trying to convince media people

that the stories I have to tell are great
ones!
farmers.
Currently the communications manager
the media. Because we dont work in
countries it doesnt either have that other
on the other side of the fence and am
development projects carried out by Self
Self Help Africa, who work with rural
has no explatriates in its programme
It is exciting and rewarding work though,
He says that it hasnt always been
with Irish-based development agency
these crises. And because Self Help
press releases and hear pitches being
since then communicating, campaigning

and advocating for Africas small-holder
16
in sub-Saharan Africa, George says
and involves regular travel for him to
and stories of the people, and also give

supporters some sense of the impact
that their support is having on the lives of

people in some far off village.
an easy sell, as the long-term rural
International Development has changed
Help Africa dont offer an easy story for
that he has been involved, he says,
emergencies and humanitarian relief
situations we dont grab the headlines
immeasurably even in the 11-12 years

and while the work and the methods
for measuring the impact have become

scientific, it is his teams job to put a
TELLING THE STORY OF AFRICAS FARMERS

human face on what is
happening on the ground.

All the work that we do is
designed to equip people so
that they can escape from a life

of subsistence, dependence
and poverty. Put simply, its
about helping rural farming
people to grow more, and earn

more from their land.
Project work can involved
anything from supporting a
community to produce their
own good quality crop seed, to

mobilising a group of farmers
n Its about helping rural farming people to grow more, and earn more from their land
into a cooperative or producer
group so that they can increase the scale of their operations,
thus be able to afford to negotiate a better price, hire transport,

or add value to what they are already doing.
Self Help Africa started 30 years ago with the help up, not a
hand out philosophy for supporting poverty eradication in Africa,

and George Jacob says that that ethos is as relevant today as it
was in 1984, when the founders first created the organisation.
To those of us who are involved its a no-brainer to support
small holder farmers if you want to end poverty in Africa.
Currently, poverty is concentrated in rural areas, up to 70% of

people rely on the land for their survival, and nearly all of the
farmland has the potential to produce much more than it does at

the present.
There are numerous reasons why African farming has failed to
keep pace with agriculture elsewhere around the world, but put
in simple terms, George Jacob attributes generations of under-
investment in agriculture as one of the main reasons why there

are still more than 200 million people in Africa living in extreme
poverty.
Its simply not possible to blame one thing for the fact that such
widespread poverty exists, but poor farming systems, difficult
environmental conditions, under-investment, weak governance,

a history of colonialism and any number of other factors play a
part.
Self Help Africa, he says, tries to improve existing farming
systems, to improve access to markets, develop the commercial

potantial of farming, and help rural farming communities to
diversify their sources of income.
We also try to help communities to tackle some very simple,
but shocking failures in farming systems - for example only 5%

of arable land in sub-Saharan Africa is farmed under irrigated
conditions, whereas the figure for South East Asia is now nearly
40%.
Allied to that, as much as 30-40% of food that is produced in
many parts of Africa goes to waste before it ever gets to market

- because small-scale farmers dont have transport, dont have
proper roads, dont have grain silos, and dont have refrigeration
because there isnt any electricity.
Despite these challenges George Jacob is optimistic for the

future of farming in Africa, points to a turn-around that has
taken place in the past number of years, and to the growing

recognition of the huge potential in Africa.
There is a compelling narrative that says Africa will be feeding
the world by 2050, and that is entirely possible, George adds.
In the meantime there remains a huge challenge for us all to lift

millions of people out of poverty, and a big challenge to make
sure that at least some of the wealth that is created goes to the
people who are most in need.
In recent times George says that his wife Dorothy has begun
working with the agency too, and is cordinating a Development
Education programme that hosts workshops and other activities

in post primary schools around the country. We have travelled
together a lot over the years and it was great that she became
more professionally involved. Its a great programme, and you
never know, she may even work with the students at Newtown in
the future!
To find out more about the work of Self Help Africa visit: www.
selfhelpafrica.org
17
OBITUARIES
CHARLES CHAS
MEREDITH (1933-2013)
multi-instrumentalist
who was a vital
part of the Irish
jazz scene since the
fifties, Charles Rock Fox
Meredith died last Autumn
at the age of 80.
Educated at Newtown in the 1940s,

Chas, as he was known to his many
friends invented the stage name Rock

Fox by inverting the name of the suburb
of Foxrock, where he lived, while he played
in Dublins poplular Slatterys jazz venue.
As the trumpeter/leader of the Rock
the Cape Verde Islands.
particular passion for the restoration of
in the music of Duke Ellington, had an
Although known for many years as one
first-class carriage 1142. He also took
indeed of jazz history in general, which he
fact had a parallel successful career as a
weekly jazz programme on RTE Radio.
the law profession at the age of 50.
Whether on the bandstand or on radio,
He appeared in and arranged music for
were a big part of the entertainment. He
Blues with Mary Coughlan and You Cant
from ragtime to bebop, and instruments
Susie Kennedy.
Fox Famous Orchestra, he specialised

encyclopedic knowledge of The Duke and
of Dublins leading jazzmen, Rock Fox in
shared with listeners to his long-running
solicitor until he took early retirement from
his witty and erudite introductions to tunes
stage shows including Lady Sings the
had a broad range and could play anything
Deep Freeze a Red Hot Momma with
including saxophone, clarinet and trumpet.
He recorded with the Rory McGuinness
An obituary in The Sunday Independent
Quintet (Groovin High, 1995), Mary
a strong sense of rhythm and a love of
Holiday, 2000) and Nigel Mooney (All My
spoke of how Chas played with feeling,
Coughlan (Mary Coughlan Sings Billie
melody.
Loves in Vain, 2005).
He played with numerous international
In his personal tribute to Rock Fox, fellow
who became a close friend and inspired
spoke of an exceptionally generous figure
composition Song for Johnny Hodges was
players in jazz. If it wasnt for him and
musicians, notably the late Gerry Mulligan,
jazz player and composer Ronan Guilfoyle
his work on the baritone sax. Their joint
who was hugely supportive of younger
recorded by Mulligan with Lionel Hampton.
others like him Irish jazz would never have
Based in Dublin, he played mainly in
Ireland but also performed in Britain and

Portugal, and at festivals in Norway and
the former Royal saloon coach 351 and

particular care of former Dublin and South
Eastern railway locomotive 461 during his
tenure as the Dublin locomotive officer for

the RPSI in the early Nineties.
He had a deep knowledge and interest
of the workings of the steam locomotive

and was always keen to pass on this
knowledge in a constructive manner to the
next generation.
He was also part owner of the former
Southern Railway locomotive City of

Wells. Charles enjoyed nothing more
than a pint of real ale after a day on the

footplate and would have been a familiar
face to all those who have travelled on
steam trains around Ireland.
Ornithology and foreign travel were among
his many other interests. Chas is survived

by his partner Fiona.
developed as it has, he wrote.
He too was a member of the Railway

Preservation Society of Ireland, with a
18
OBITUARIES
DR DAVID BR POOLE (1933-2014)
avid Poole, (from Grange, Sligo

and late of Lucan, Dublin) died on
Thursday 30th January, 2014. He
was grandson of Dr. James Clark, who
was headmaster of Newtown School for
the first 25 years of the 20th century.
He was the husband of Hilary (nee Bateman), father of Russell,

Alistair and Gavin and brother of Beryl (1941-46), Donald (194754) and Christopher (1955-60).
Born in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, on 23rd July 1933, David attended
St. Josephs Boys Secondary School, Cahir, and Newtown School

(1948-50) before qualifying as a veterinary surgeon in 1955.
He obtained a Masters of Science in 1963 and a Doctorate of

Philosophy in animal nutrition in 1973.
David worked as a vet in Bandon, Co. Cork, in Scotland and in
Bansha, Co. Tipperary. While in Bandon he met his wife, Hilary

(Bateman), on a farm in West Cork.
Hilary had been a music teacher in Newtown from 1958 to

1960. Joining An Foras Taluntais (now Teagasc) in 1961, David
became Senior Principle Research Officer and Head of the Field
Investigations Dept.
He specialised in trace element deficiency in sheep and cattle,
leading to the elimination of these problems from the national
herd. He was President of the Irish Veterinary Association in the

70s and spent periods working in Scotland, The Netherlands and
the USA, continuing to work as a consultant following retirement.
was a competent handyman. He enjoyed classical music, opera
and theatre. He played rugby, hurling, tennis and was particularly

keen on badminton.
After a period of illness, David died peacefully in Sligo General

Hospital on Thursday, 30th January. He was cremated at Mount
Jerome, Dublin, following a Quaker Meeting in Rathfarnham.
For many, the form of service was unfamiliar, yet profoundly

moving as the presence of Gods Spirit was evident in the stillness
of silent prayer and in the many brief contributions of prayer,
reading or tribute, testifying to the qualities which the deceased,

by the grace of God, displayed in life. These painted a picture of
an extraordinarily gifted man full of grace and truth.
At a service of thanksgiving in the Methodist Church, Sligo, on
February 8th, the Revd Stephen Taylor quoted from Quaker Life
and Practice, We must be Christians at work, at business, in
A lifelong member of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers),
buying and selling and tax-paying, at employer and trade union
role in the revision and recent publication of the book Quaker Life
used in Gods creative acts and are co-creators with God, caring
David took his Christian faith seriously; he played a significant
meetings, in public and private life, so that in our daily work we are
and Practice.
for the earth and forming a new human family.
He was deeply involved with the Irish School of Ecumenics and
He continued, David embodied these beliefs and values. Towards
was instrumental in the establishment of the Ana Liffey Drug
Saviour and the promise of his Saviour that I go to prepare a
in the Dublin and Irish Councils of Churches. More recently, he
the end of his life he had no reason to fear because he knew his
Project and was involved in the Board of Management up to his
place for you.
death. Their volunteer programme is named the Poole Volunteer

Programme.
A loyal and devoted family man, David loved the great outdoors:
bird watching, boating, fishing, photography and gardening; he
His faith in Christ inspired him to be the person he was, a loving
husband, father and grandfather, a diligent worker, an active

member of the Society of Friends, a compassionate campaigner,
a passionate lover of life and all it had to offer.
19
OBITUARIES
DOUGLAS J HARRISON (1920
2013)
orn in to a Quaker
family in Rathgar,
Dublin, Douglas
Harrison
attended
Newtown School from
1933 to 1936.
Growing up in Dublin post Newtown offered a variety of

opportunities.
The war years (1939-1945) resulted in food rationing and

shortages and encouraged people to keep livestock,
rear hens and grow their own vegetables.
This in turn led Douglas to take a keen

interest in farming, beekeeping, gardening,
and self-sufficiency which he practised well
into his eighties. While he pursued a career
in business and accounting, his good friend
Desmond Nash was studying medicine
Newtown created a lasting impression
alternative medicine later became a particular
on him. He made many good friends
interest of Douglas. Other interests included
including his life-long buddies Victor
sailing and vintage cars he became the proud
Loney (Roscrea, and later a teacher in
Mountjoy/Mount Temple schools Dublin who
died in 2007) and Desmond Nash (Dublin and
Cork, whom Douglas met on his first day at Newtown and who
died just two months after Douglas, over 80 years later).
times between the 1950 and 1990s.
Around 1950 Douglas began to take an increased interest in

farming, and it wasnt long before he had married Irene Smyth,
Many wonderful stories would be recounted about escapades
the daughter of a farmer in Co Westmeath. Their home in
important figure in the development of the pupils and the school,
years allowed Douglas and Irene to develop a garden and a
at school. Arnold Marsh, headmaster, was regarded as a hugely
Rathfarnham, Dublin, with several acres of farm land, in later
and Wilson Strangman, Billy Boggs and Lester Smith and other
home which welcomed many Newtown people, from various
teaching staff were often remembered for their valued contribution.
parts of Ireland and beyond, over the years.
Cycling to and fishing and boating on Caragh Lake, Co Kerry
The many interests kept Douglas busy after Irene passed away
of transport in those days, but on one occasion a canoe was the
in life, with great energy for his age. He credited this to his love
at the end of a summer term. Newtown encouraged its pupils to
nurtured at Newtown. Douglas remained very grateful for his
were never forgotten. Trains and bicyles were the favoured mode
prematurely in 1986, and he remained fit and healthy until late
alternative as Douglas paddled his way from Waterford to Dublin
of gardening and organic vegetable growing, which had been
rise to new challenges in times of austerity.
time at Newtown and for his Quaker upbringing, and he was
Douglas took a keen interest in the welfare of Newtown as an Old
Howard) of the Quaker Meeting at Rathfarnham, Dublin, serving
Scholar and as a parent of Alan, David and Richard, and later

as grandparent of Ciara, Sona and Ruth who also attended the
a committed founding member (along with his sister Audrey

the Meeting in various capacities over the years.
school.
The education and nurturing he received from Newtown and its
He served as President of the Newtown Foys and Mountmellick
forgotten by Douglas.
Old Scholars Association in 1972-73, to be followed in the same
community during those early impressionable years were never
the Old Scholars weekend. In 2012 at OS weekend, he had the
AUDREY HOWARD (nee

Harrison) (1928-2014)
he had been at NSW 76 years before and who had sadly died
Died in mid-July at the age of 86. The younger sister of Douglas
role by his son David in 2012-2013, when Douglas attended

pleasure of meeting a daughter of George Hollander, with whom
earlier in 2012, before George was able to make an intended trip
Harrison, she had been in poor health following a stroke some
from his home Australia to Newtown for the weekend.
years ago.
When introduced Douglas immediately recalled George as the
More information to follow.
nicest boy in the school. This has been borne out by the generous
legacy left by George to Newtown in his Will.
20
owner of a number of 1930s Aston Martins, at various
OBITUARIES
DESMOND TL NASH (1919 - 2014)
The years following Desmonds graduation were spent in various
esmond was born in Canada in

1919. At the age of 7, his father
died, and Desmond along with his
mother, brother and sister returned to live
in Cork.
work where he met and married Diana, the surgical ward sister.
Desmond started Newtown School as a boarder when he was just

8 yrs old, accompanied at different stages by his sister Pat and
brother Kevin. Although so young, Desmond was exceptionally

happy at Newtown. He often spoke of his days there and the life
long friends he made.
There is no doubt that the caring and nurturing atmosphere of the
Dublin hospitals and in the early 1950s he moved to Exeter to

They returned to Ireland where Isabel Richard and Stewart were
born.
Desmond continued to be exceedingly happy and diligent in
his profession, completing his career with 25yrs as consultant

surgeon, in Daisy Hill Hospital.
In the early days there he was often on call 24/7 and became
ingenious at problem solving during a wide variety of emergencies

associated with the troubles.
He was also an avid fly fisherman, and every year could be found
fishing in the West of Ireland where he had a holiday home.
school contributed enormously to forming the personality which
We remember Desmond for his kindness, compassion and his
inspired in him a will to help others.
ability to listen.
Desmond studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin and later,
He is survived by Diana, Isabel, Richard and Stewart and their
surgery at College of Surgeons. He enjoyed his studies, and,
families.
always eager to keep up to date, continued to read medical text

books long after he had retired.
21
OBITUARIES
EVELYN FISHER (1920-2013)
velyn Fisher, was born

in Waterford on 16
July 1920 and
died on 16 June 2013.
The family moved from
Thomas Street to South
Parade in 1922, and
this was to be Evelyns
home for an incredible
91 years.
In 1922, the family consisted of Evelyns
mother Fanny (nee Longmire), her father Frederick,
who died when she was just four, her brother Wilfred and her
sister Mona.
Evelyns surviving nieces and nephews all remember visits to
South Parade. For many years the house was lit by gas, and oil
lamps were used for reading in bed.
Books from Evelyns, Monas and Wilfreds childhood were left
out for us to read. Indeed, the house was so large that Evelyns
mother would ring a bell to summon people to meals.
Evelyns joined Graves & Co upon leaving Newtown, and worked

as a personal secretary at the company until her retirement, at
aged 62, in 1983.
Our great delight was the time spent at various seaside locations,
especially Woodstown where we gathered shells for the front

garden and Tramore, which held a special place in the hearts of
the Fisher family.
Evelyn often spoke about family outings to Tramore. Her mother,
Fanny was one of five formidable Longmire sisters, three of whom

lived in Waterford.
Evelyn was very fond of her cousins Lily Parker, and Hazel and
Zoe Brabazon. The expeditions to Tramore would usually include

members of the extended family. They would travel by train or by
bus and bring with them all they needed for a day at the seaside.
On other occasions, Evelyn and her sister Mona would cycle
Evelyns family was Church of Ireland. She and her sister Mona
were both educated at Newtown.
The school provided an environment which allowed both
girls to flourish and where they acquired interests
which they enjoyed and shared for the rest of their

lives.
They both took the Associated Board of

Music piano examination, Higher Division,
and Evelyn still played the piano for her own

enjoyment in the months before she died.
Evelyn and Mona also shared an interest in
English literature.
Shakespeares sonnet, Shall I compare thee to a
Summers Day. She was learning it by heart! This was
read at her funeral by her grand-niece Maeve.
She also enjoyed swimming and for many years she swam every
morning in the swimming pool at the Tower Hotel.
Evelyns interest in art may also have begun at Newtown School.
She later became a member of the Waterford Art Advisory
Committee. She was particularly interested in Modern Art and

she believed that examples of the work of contemporary artists
should be included in the Municipal Art Collection. Evelyn visited
the Waterford Art Exhibitions regularly and bought paintings by
Camille Souter, Noreen Rice, Eileen Costelloe and Robert Jacob.

Another of Evelyns cultural interests was film.
1950s and 1960s.
Holidays tended to be cultural outings for Evelyn, and would
include visits to art galleries and theatres. Her trip to London in

1951 coincided with the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
A woman who always kept herself busy, she was an enthusiastic

and knowledgeable gardener, and there were always beautiful
flower arrangements in the house.
Evelyn died as she lived with great dignity and the minimum
of fuss, in her own home at South Parade being cared for by
her friends. She is survived by her nieces Andrea, Alison and
Margaret, her nephews Gerald, Brian and John, her cousin Sam
and their families. She is sadly missed by all.
would park the car and walk to the end of the prom. Here, we
activities on the beach before returning to the car.
22
She was a
committee member of the Waterford Film Society during the
there. In recent years Evelyn still enjoyed a trip to Tramore. We

would sit on a bench and eat an ice cream, while watching the
Evelyn loved poetry and
on the day before she died Evelyn and I read
Compiled by her neice Alison Titley
OBITUARIES
ROSEMARY JACOB
(NEE JEFFS) (1933-
when she retired to live at Riverview on the

outskirts of the town.
2014)
Rosemary Jacob was active in business
and sporting circles in New Ross for
osemary
Jacob,
who
died
this
Spring
was
a
member of a well-known
New Ross business family.
many years, and played badminton for

many years, before serving as secretary,
treasurer and president of New Ross

Badminton Club.
She was also an active member of the
Church of Ireland community in New Ross
She attended Newtown in the 1940s and
and a founder member of the New Ross
always had fond memories of her time at
branch of Mothers Union.
the school.
A native of Waterford city, she was an

only child who lost her own mother in
childhood, and was reared therafter by her

father William Jeffs, a rail manager, and
her cousins, the Brown family of Newrath,

who too had close links with Newtown for
She moved to live in New Ross upon

marrying her husband Russel Jacob, a
well known figure in business and sporting
circles in County Wexford.
number of years at Odlums Mills in the

city, buying herself a motor scooter to get
to and from work each day.
many years.
following a debilitating stroke that required
Street when she joined her husband
After school Rosemary worked for a
to Animals and The Donkey Sanctuary for
in Priory Street, before moving to South
Educated at Newtown in both primary and
those years.
the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty
She had lived in recent years at Blainroe
Lynda and George, at Rossford House
time and of the friends that she made in
animals, particularly dogs, she supported
She lived and raised her two children,
many years.
secondary school, she talked fondly of the
A keen craftsperson and a great lover of
in running the family grocery and wine
merchants business that was in the Jacob
Lodge Nursing Home in County Wicklow,

her to have full-time medical care.
She retained a cheerful disposition despite
family for more than 80 years.
her illness, and dealt courageously with
Rosemary Jacob continued to run Jacobs
81, in March.
for a number of years following the sudden
her adversity until her death at the age of
death of her husband, at aged 55, in 1984,
but sold the business in the early 1990s
Death Notices
Samuel (Sam) BRABAZON, Newtown Park,
Waterford City, Waterford. Died on Tuesday, June 17th. Funeral

service in Christ Church, Tramore, was followed by burial in
adjoining cemetary.
Austen EARL, Ballinakill and formerly of Dunmore East

and Grantstown, Waterford. Husband of the late Margaret.
Dearly beloved husband of June, much loved and loving father
service was held in St. Andrews Church, Dunmore East on 15th

February, with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
James David NICHOLSON, Monkstown, Cork, on
October 4, 2013, peacefully, in the care of St Lukes Home at
the age of 80. Dearly loved husband of Joan and dear father
of Anna, Eddie, Christine, Lorrayne. Remembered also by his
family, grandchildren, brother, relatives, friends and his sailing

crew. Funeral service was conducted at St Johns Church,
Monkstown followed by private burial.
of Janet, John, Roger and Yvonne. Austen is survived also by

his brothers David and George, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law,
step-sons, grandchildren, relatives and friends. Funeral
23
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

CLASS OF 1963
Fifteen people from the class of 1963 held a terrific reunion in
October, 2013, with an overnight stay at the Rivercourt Hotel,
Kilkenny. We arrived at various times during the afternoon, and

had a great time chatting in the bar and reminiscing over what
had happened since our last reunion, ten years ago.
It would have been easy to stay put and be lazy, but we had
booked dinner at a local restaurant, a ten minute walk away.

We were all very grateful to Joan, who had organized
everything, and presented her with a bouquet of flowers before

calling it a night. Most of us met again at breakfast before
heading off. Those present were: John Jameson, Brian
Nuttall, Eddie Clibborn, Cathy Bell (Lamb), Wendy Whelan

(Allen), Heather Bewley, Ruth Edwards (Parker), Jennifer
Scarlett (Fennell), Frank Ranalow, Paddy Varian, Richard
Ashmore, Janet Poynton (Boyce), Joan Gillen (McCulloch),

Peter Clarke and Adele Trapnell.
CLASS OF 1973
John Scott has recently retired from a research and
consultancy business specializing in housing, regeneration
and public policy, which he established 19 years ago. He now

spends his time between Scotland and West Cork where he is
currently building a home.
Graham Andrews is pleased to say he has retired from a
career in finance and information technology as a partner with

the global accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. These
days although based in Sydney he spends much of his time
traveling around the world and can be found in Wicklow
every summer whenever this annual three day event occurs.

Rumoured to be driving an Aston Martin.
Julie Calder-Potts (nee Brown) married with two children

- having taught English and Geography both in Dublin and
Kilkenny, turned her hand to business and now runs, along

with her husband Rod, Highbank Organic Orchards in
Kilkenny famous for Highbank Orchard Syrup, organic ciders

and Drivers Cider as well being an agri tourism and event
destination. (Winner Food & Wine Artisan of the Year 2013).

Laurance Casler currently buying an old house on the bay
side of the Virginia Eastern Shore, and will be moving down

there for the summer to restore it. His home in Maryland,
between the Chesapeake Bay and the ocean will have a house
sitter and is always open to anyone travelling nearby, for a stop
or a visit. Door always open and some cars have keys in it.
Rosie (Rosaleen) Bass (now Bailey), married to Richard in
1977, two children Philip and Rachel now 31 and 29 yrs,living
in Foxton, near Cambridge. Garden Designer and Landscaper

since 1997, Richard now retired was Senior Consultant with
The Technology Partnership. Keeps chickens, bees and has
24
a share in four pigs which she butchers for her freezer, has
done course on curing and smoking meat and fish and makes
a mean loaf of sourdough bread. A member of a fly-fishing lake

and loves all things outdoor especially bird watching. Tries to
play golf, loves walking, canal boats and holidaying with family
and friends.
David Boyce living in Waterford married to Helena, two grown

up daughters both Newtown ex pupils. Has worked as sales
director for Irish Industrial Tanks for the last 31 years. Trains
and field trials Labradors as main hobby, second placed in
2013 Irish championship and will be judging 2014 event.
Dunmore East for summer holidays boats and fishing.
Sue Hartnoll (Berman) still living and working in Baltimore,

Maryland, USA, but spending as much time as possible on
the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay where they have

a home and a motley collection of small boats. Her oldest
son is getting married at their house this June, daughter lives
and works there at an art gallery and her other son is studying
medicine in London. Twice a year at least, Sue tries and get
across the Atlantic to England to see him as well as her parents

and sister - one of these days she hopes to make it to Ireland!
Colin Murdoch lives in Houston TX, with Jennifer, children
Robin 23, Alex 28, two parrots and a cat. All doing ok! Works
as an executive for a French oil service company out of Paris,

CGG, spends a lot of time travelling.
Anne Haughton (now Goggin) enjoyed the reunion in

September at the same time as her daughter, Carolan,
celebrated 10 years since leaving Newtown. Anne enjoys time

spent on their barge, Knocknagow, located on the Shannon,
when she gets free time from her human resources position
with Johnson & Johnson.
Guy Johnston is living between Dublin and the Austrian
Tyrol, where he and his wife of 18 years, Helen Keelan ski
extensively in the winter months. In summer they are on the

mountain bike, hill walking or playing golf when not working
for clients. As an Independent telecoms consultant advising

enterprises for 25+ years, Guy leverages technology so his
office is seamless between Dublin and the Tyrol. In spare time

involved with Trinity Rugby, of which he is former president.
Derrick Atkinson advises he is divorced ,retired, and occupied

with hobbies and living happily as a bachelor in Carlow.
Gary Lilburns show that ran during last summer in the West
End, was picked up and brought to Broadway with the original

cast - The Cripple Of Inishmaan by Martin McDonagh,
starring Danial Radcliffe. They received fabulous reviews and 6

Tony nominations. Watch this space!
Andy McKeever is living in The Philippines for about 30
years now. Wife Nancy, daughter Natalie and son Patrick are
all doing well. Daughter is a musician, son in final year civil
engineering. He is retired from the oil/gas exploration.
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

David Harrison living in Dublin with
Anna Moore was living in Bantry and
in sales and marketing roles mainly, did
Alan Pearson married to Claire, works
Sukhi and 21yr old daughter. Working
some European work with PA Consulting
Group, now involved in recruitment and a
solar thermal business. Spends too much

time gardening with an occasional retreat
to a boat on the Shannon.
Alan Howe, a master mariner, his main
occupation now is overseeing the clean

up hazardous chemical and oils spills
which can take him almost anywhere.

Andy Torrie has moved from retail into
gamekeeping and provides services to

oversees tourists .His work keeps him in
contact with Randal Gossip.
Gunther Falkenthal is living in Wexford,

qualified as an accountant and has also
been involved in the property business.
Penny Jacob married to Udo Lange,
travelled to the 35 year celebrations.
with a car rental firm, sails out of Howth.

Sarah Purpora living in US.
Rona Rea married and living in Carlow.
Charles Stagg believed to be an officer
with the British Army Tank Division, and
Sharon Wilson is working as a mural
rumoured to move at speed between
Anglesey. Lives in a big old house by the
course, and Portugal, with an occasional
Derek Dunne is Living in Cork with
with McKechnie Cleaning Services
artist in North Wales on the Island of
Carrigaline, Baltimore, his boat, the golf
sea and an assortment of animals.
visit to the office.
Janette and two Dogs. Proprietor of
CLASS OF 1983
encourage good harvests.
North American Digital and Media
Managing partner of M and C Saatchis

Company. Very keen on surfing, light
aircraft, photography and hiking.
of Kibbutz Tzora, shares many of the
Linda Coad is married to Yacht Captain
kibbutz, his many talents include running
Busy being a mother to Jess, Charlie and
Linda Good living in Dublin and travelled
Sasha Musgrave is married to Allen and
meet up with her sister Karen who was
protesting with great success and looking
Lyn Atherton and Paula McDonald, live
Bruce Johnson is married to
each other, and also Jackie Morris, who
Dublin .Working as a gardener and
Waterford to visit her mum.
Horticulture in 2011. Two Sons Kristan
responsibilities of running a successful
Richard and living in Sunny Mallorca.
a turkey farm in the past.
Tom. In Dunmore East for the Summer.
on the reunion weekend to France to
living in Paulstown Co Kilkenny. Busy
visiting from New Zealand.
after her sheep, cats and dog.
in Dublin and are in regular contact with
Marianne and living in Blackrock Co
lives in Dublin and still travels down to
garden designer. Completed a BSC in
Roy Willoughby) living in Dublin and is a

practicing physiotherapist.
Henry Melbourne married to Hazel,

and farming in Waterford.
No 10 Pub establishment of fine whiskey.
Ian McKechnie still the main man
is rumoured to dance in the moonlight to
Ann Jephson (married to Old Scholar
and Noah. Proprietor of Henry Downes
running her own Montessori School.
Children Evie, Ridley Belle and Flynn.
Carlow.
Rachael with 3 Children, Kevin, Molly
farming in Rathvilly.
weekly vegetable market in Dublin, and
Wendy Leonard (Fennel) living in
John de Bromhead is married to
in Wexford with her daughter Liesil and
living in Santa Monica California.Three
Dublin.
in Dalkey, MD of Sunway Travel.
Janet Corrigan (Murphy) married and
involved in organic farming, runs a
Violet Kingston (Shannik) is nursing in
Children Jamie, Lauren and Max. Lives
Dorothee Von Englebrechten is living
Doug Baxter is married to Victoria and
along with his family is a cornerstone
Tina Furlong is married to Philip, 3
possibly received an OBE recently.
Mum of five living in Wicklow and
Stephen Murdoch married to Noga, and
Working with IDA and living in Dublin
and William and daughter Leila. Plays

Hockey with Three Rock Rovers.
Billy Leslie is married with two children
Katie and James and lives in Waterford.

Works within the Queally group as
Financial Controller of the Pig Processing

Division. Coaches the Waterpark U15
Team and plays Golf and Tennis.
Andrew Vogelaar is married to Karen

and has 2 Boys Oisin and Cillian.
the Bull McCabes Pub and Restaurant
near Cork airport. Treasurer of Newtown

School Finance Department, Keen
Rugby follower of Dolphin RFC and
Munster and an avid supporter of cricket.

Keith Cooke is married to Paula and
living in Gorey Co Wexford. two children

Cory and Emma Jane. 26 years in the
Defence Forces (Army)
Roddy Myles is living in the UK and

married to Tracey, two Twin Boys
Josh and Ben. Works in the Network

Communications industry.
Alan Dier is married to Catherine and
living in Weybridge Surrey. Working in
the legal area. Hobbies include horses

and long walks with the dog.
Geoff Bailey is married to Jenny and
living in Sandyford Co Dublin. Three boys

Alex, Conor and Chris. MD of Greenstar
recycling company where he has been
working for the last 13 Years. He can
be found cycling in the Wicklow Hills,

Playing golf and supporting Leinster.
Colin Wright is living in Auburn
Washington, 25 miles south of Seattle.
Colin works as a Quality Engineer with

Boeing Aircraft. Enjoys listening to
Classic rock, Led Zep, Thin Lizzy, AC/

DC which is balanced by Celtic folk
music. Enjoys playing in the Northwest

wilderness, skiing, hiking and fishing
25
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

Helen Deathe is married to Paul and
most days to London where he works as
last year, based in Beirut in Lebanon.
she runs her own fashion business.
is back in Ireland quite regularly.
since the 1st April (no joke!) for the
living in Enniscorthy Co Wexford where
Ive just been made Project Manager
Susie Wheeler is married to Charlie and
Tim Walsh is happy to be back in Ireland
reconstruction of a Palestinian Refugee
children Anna and Jack. Runs her own
happy to be married to Marita. Pursuing
Nahr el-Bared, which was destroyed in
Philip Murphy is married to Mary
and psychotherapy having done time as
few months, where my wife of 15 years,
successful family wholesale business,
worker. Pretendy farmer with three
Andrew (10) and Matthew (6)) live.
occasional equine or bovine.
to Kate with three children. Working in
since 03 after a lot of years away, and
Camp in the north of Lebanon called
a new and fulfilling career in counselling
2007. Back and forth to Dublin every
and loads of horses. Runs the very
a teacher and community development
Hilda, and my three boys Robert (13),
Murphys Cash and Carry.
donkeys, two dogs, one cat and an
Tim Ashmore: Living in Carlow. Married
with 4 Children Ben, Robin, Susanna
Peter Crowley lives in Dalkey with
Kildalton Agricultural College in Kilkenny
Co Wexford and working as a Clinical
Alexander and Vivien. Set up and sold
Jenny Jacob (nee Dier): Married
for the next opportunity!.
have three scallywags! Sarah, Lucy
lives in the centre of Dublin and has 2
traditional Chinese medicine business.
Rosemary James is married to Mick

and Rebecca. Living in Enniscorthy
his wife Yana and 3 Children Julia,
and as a part time farmer.
Psychologist with the HSE.
carzone.ie and is now presently looking
to Dermot. Living in Blessington. We
Clodagh Davis lives near Enniscorthy

and is married to Simon. Has two
James Milliken is married to Deirdre
as associate lecturer in Waterford
where they live.
Specialist for Tait Resources.
Co Wicklow. Presently works as a Farm
children Alexander and Isobel. Working
and works as an Electrician in Dublin
Institute of Technology and Talent
Howard Woods lives in Tallyho Lodge in
Joy Tutty is living in Tramore and
Stud Manager having been in the Filming
Samantha Clarke lives in Stow
from that role.
farmhouse with her partner Robert. Sam
(Marsh) and lives just outside Gorey in
mid sized architectural firm in Boston.
Dylan. Works as a Carer in St Aidans
45 minutes away from Sam Clarke and
found in Partridges drinking Coffee!
kept busy with the two boys.
CLASS OF 1988
Nursing in Waterford Regional Hospital.
Industry for years but has since retired
Massachusetts, in an old New England
Lorraine Hatton is married to Paul
works as the director of interiors for a
Co Wexford. 3 Children Gary, Vickey and
Jane Gardiner lives in Massachusetts
Daycare Centre in Gorey. Can also be
has 2 children Aidan and Christopher. Is

Sue Anderson is living in Dublin and
married with 4 kids. Christian 16,
Sheena 13, Karen 12 and Mikey 10.

Sue works part time as a Physical
Therapist in her private practice from

home in Clontarf.
Trini Kenny is living and working in

Kilkenny, married with three kids.
Trini is the head of the art department

in Kilkenny College but has been job
sharing for the last few years to develop

her own work.
Miles Kennedy lives in England
(Hampshire) with Vickie and 3 kids
Fionn, Kitty, and Millie. Miles commutes
26
a management consultant with PwC. He
Jill Newe (Parslow): Living in
Adamstown Wexford, married to Ger
with daughters, Kate 18 and Louise 16.

Sheila James: farming full time in
Enniscorthy, partner Sean and two boys

John (7) and Noel (4) really enjoying
coaching hockey in Enniscorthy .
Sheila Quinn : living in Waterford,

Married to Kevin Jephson with two
children Melanie and Robert. Working as

event manager at Waterford Chamber.
and Robert. Working part time as a
paediatric nurse in Tallaght Hospital.

Anne Gilroy( Chapman):Married with
3 great children. David is 16 and the
twins Rachel and Emma are 14. I live in

Dublin and work part time as a Special
Needs Assistant in a primary school. I
enjoy running, hillwalking and singing.
(all the things I hated doing at school)
Darren Nicholson: Married to Clodagh

(nee Coad). Living near Clonakilty four
kids, Adam (22) Emma (20) Laura (14)
Rachel (9). Still working with Diageo,
recently changed roles to quality projects

exe, looking after anything from IT
projects to new beer tubing. Offshore
sailing racing in last number of years and

completed a two-handed transatlantic
yacht race in 2012.
Gavin Sexton: Living in North London

with Roz and two children Jasmine
and Conor. Enjoying a short cycling
commute to the planning department in
Camden. Outdoor activities focussed on

playgrounds and short hikes in the city.
Irma Walsh (Hitschman): married,
housewife, two children. live in
Waterford.I am an angel therapist, and
John Whyte: Working for a UN Agency
hobbies are all things spiritual, and hope
for Palestine Refugees in the Near
Lisa Furlong: I am married & have two
(the United Nations Relief Works Agency

East, or UNRWA, to be precise) since
to develop my mediumship skills.
kids, James who will be 12 in June
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

and Isobel who is four. Would you believe married to a
Bangor,Co.Down. Welcomed baby Dylan Barra into the world
Monkstown. We live in Foxrock in Dublin and I work in Sunway
Sarah-Beth Musgrave - Happily married to Mike Casey, and
teacher!!! Dermot is an English & history teacher in CBC
Holidays partly from home & partly from the office in DL. After
all my dodging of sport in school I now am a running fan and a

yogi.
Vikki Power living in Tramore with her Husband Eddie Wall
and their two sons Edward and Gareth - loving the life as a stay
at home mom - hectic at times with the two boys but I will take
time to appreciate the beautiful beach and dunes in Tramore to

walk dogs and have coffee with the girls.
Aine Furey: I have been doing a six month internship with

Kingofpaws dog training academy at the dspca and have
just been hired as staff as an animal carer with the dspca
in May this year.
has been living in London for the last ten years. She has three
boys Hughie, Jamie and Harry.
Ruth Wise Parslow - Married with two kids, Jack seven and
Lucy five. Living in Wexford and nursing, mostly in University

Hospital Waterford.
Kevin Pim - moved back to Waterford after spending 11 years

in Sydney. Three kids- Amelia, eight, Henry, seven, and Sam,
two. Loving been back, mostly been teaching for the last 15
year but working toward breaking into the travel documentary

business.
kingofpaws team. Sooooo happy. My dream job. !!!
Dabheoc Speirs - Still living and working in Enniskerry with
Nigel Pim : Married to Jeni, living in Waterford with 2 children
spot of hunting in the winter.
Robert (15), Jordan (12). Running Pim Business Systems from

an office in Tramore and is very busy orienteering and many
committee meetings!!.
Colin Ross: Living with wife Julie in Australia where he has
been for last 6 years or so working as an architect. Two
children Harry(10) and Kayla(7).
Wayne Rothwell: Lives in Dublin with partner Laura and son

Oscar. Working as an architect.
Jonathan Fletcher : Living in Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford.
Married to Laura with children Robyn(6) and Matthew (4).

Enjoying some social hockey and working doing house
maintenance and repairs around the county.
Philip Jeffares: Married to Emma with two children. Living in

Wexford running his business as a Chiropractor.
Bruce Campbell : Living in Dublin working as a property
valuer/ surveyor. After many years of hockey he is now cycling,

golfing and generally has a very busy life.
Class of 1993
T.J Crosbie - Married to Andrea with three boys, one girl.
CEO of his own logistics company, (Autocar), distributor for

Mercedes Benz UK to their dealer network. Employing 85
people, with offices in London/Edinburgh/Doncaster. Time

spent between Wexford and UK.
Elizabeth Dunn - Living in London most of the time, travelling,

finishing 5-Rhythms movement meditation teacher training.
Niamh Hatton - Working for Mercier Press, selling and editing
books. Living in Greystones with husband Noel, three-year-old

Adam and baby number two due in October.
Sarah MacLellan - This year moved from Dublin to NI to her

partner Marty and settled living in the lovely seaside town of
Dawn. Enjoy meeting up with old friends from school and a

Andr Thompson Married to Emer with one son Hugo,
three. Solicitor and IP Attorney and living in Waterford helping
with the family business, having spent time in Dublin and Cork.
Class of 1998
Linda Blanc - Owner of Blanc Quigley Hair & Beauty in Naas,
Co. Kildare. Married and living in Naas with a daughter and a
new arrival due early May 2014.
Leah Carri - Im living in Brisbane where I work as a freelance

writer and radio producer. Im married to an Aussie (Patrick)
and we have a baby girl called Molly.
Keejse Crawford Avis - Living in North East Scotland with her

son Billy and husband Olly. After 4 years hobnobbing with the
oilies of Aberdeen about to embark on a different adventure.

-moving to Perthshire to develop a small holding where they
hope to farm tourists, watch films, host classes in anything
interesting and generally live a sustainable life.
Laura Dagg - Enjoying life in Paris with husband, Franois,
and daughters, Anna-Lucie (2011) and Hlne (2013). Working

for the Department of Foreign Affairs, currently posted to the
Embassy of Ireland in France.
Parichat Devahastin - Im in Bangkok, Thailand and currently

working as Program Acquisition and Marketing Manager for a
TV Production company.
Eoin Dubsky - Living in The Hague with wife Nina and sons
Robin and Neil. Campaigning still and doing internet stuff, but
moving on from Greenpeace this summer after eight years at
the international orgs head office in Amsterdam.
Julie Milnthorpe (nee Edwards) - is living in SE London
and married to Jon. She spends her time looking after her 1
year old daughter Amelia and running online and local craft
community make/do with some friends.
27
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

Greg Fitzmaurice - Returned to college to study Veterinary
old son Joshua. Working as a Neonatal nurse at Royal Gwent
practice in Millstreet, Co. Cork.
Tiffany Hodder Freedman - Tiffany is married and lives in
medicine in Budapest, Hungary. Currently working in mixed

Alan Foley - After Leaving Newtown I worked for Tom Murphy
Car Sales from 1999 2003 and loved every minute of it
learning from the master of sales! Then my whole family

emigrated to Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal in 2003 and I began
teaching at Richmond Primary School from 2006 2010. After

meeting my wife at RPS I moved to her busy farming town
called Kokstad at Eastern Cape near Nelson Mandelas home
town. I am currently Director of Sport at Kokstad Junior School

and teach have 575 pupils in Physical Education. Married to
Tamlyn and expecting first child in April 2014.
Janine Gore - Having completed a Masters in Caribbean
Literature in TCD i moved to Barcelona and then to the Basque

Country where Ive lived for 3 years now. Im working as an
English teacher 4 days a week and in art for the other three
(copper etching and aquatint mostly).
Joanne James nee Hamilton - I am married with a one year
Hospital, Newport in South Wales.
Dublin with her husband Andrew and their two girls, Mia (2)
and Sophie six month
Alex Hill - Living in Dubai with her husband and daughter,

working as an events manager
Charlotte Hughes nee Hill - Living in Waterford running my
own Pilates business, coaching hockey in Newtown, married to

Ruairi with 3 gorgeous boys, Finley, Rhys and Elliott
Paddy Jordan - Lives in Dublin with his girlfriend Genevieve

and turtle Wyclef. He works as a cinematographer mainly
shooting drama and documentary projects.
Laura Kennedy - is heading into a third years career break
from teaching in Waterford and living and volunteering in rural

Nicaragua.
Marisa Kissane nee Power - Living in Annestown, Waterford,
married to Alan and a busy mum to three boys. Any spare time
is now spent driving the boys to rugby & soccer matches.

Laura Meade - Living in london and working as a pastry
chef in The Savoy Hotel
Pamela McDonnell nee McBride - Living in county

cork near Fermoy with my husband and 2 children.
Having worked in accounts for many years I became
a stay at home mother after my second child, and now

work as a childminder.
James McSweeney - Currently living in New York and

working in new business development for Google.
Lynn Moloney - Lynn has been married for 3 years, is

living in London and working in interior design.
Aida Muntion Villate - After finishing her engeneering

degree shes now working as a System Engineer in
Santa Maria de Garona Nuclear Power Plant in Burgos,

Spain.
Niamh ni Cheallaigh - Living in Doha , Qatar for past 8

years as Head Nanny for the Royal family , married with
one gorgeous little boy , miss friends and family a lot but
the year round summer helps with that a lot.
Diane ODea - After leaving school I spent 6 years in

Paris, then various other places, and now I am back
living in Waterford, with my 8 year old daughter. Im
working part-time and I have just finished my degree in

WIT and Im hoping to do further study.
28
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

Neil ORourke - Just back from spending the ski season in
Alix von Ballestrem (nee von Kckritz) first became
Bea Rovira - In Barcelona, married to Jordi and happy out
psychotherapist. She married a music manager and works
students studying in universities in Barcelona.
Claire Blake is a costume designer and music theatre
the French Alps. Married with 2 Boys, living in Dunmore East.
a teacher and then trained as a child and adolescent
with her beautiful baby girl Cristina, Bea works with American
now in a practice in Berlin.
Danielle Slye - I am living in London for the last few years
director based in Vienna. Having lived in seven different
and working in finance litigation.
Caroline Somers - has spent the previous 3 years
living in London and works as Head of Communications

at Countrywide plc. Having got married a year ago in
Ireland, Caroline and her husband are excited to be expecting

their first child together.
Quinlan Steele - Continuing the family tradition and business

of cheese making & farming. Married with two children, a boy
and a girl.
Annabel Torrie - Living in Dublin, working in Healthcare. Still

traveling the globe any chance I get.
Rebecca Carragher nee Walsh - Since leaving school in

1998 - Rebecca moved to Dublin for college and then in
cities (six different countries) in the past ten years, she has
finally adopted Austria as home, where she will marry a man

in lederhosen, dress her children in lederhosen and bake
cookies for the rest of her happy, happy life.
Sonya Boyce graduated from NUI, Galway in 2007 having

studied Corporate Law and an LLB. She continued her
studies in UCD, Smurfit School of Business in 2008 studying
HR and Employment Law. Sonya completed her professional

training in IBEC and is now HR Manager in a Dublin Law
Firm. Enjoying life in Dublin for the last 6 years, Sonya is a

keen tennis player and sailor.
Felicity Chumbley (nee Ward) hopped the pond to study

animal management. She is happily married with one
2004 she spent the last 10 years travelling, working

and living in Sydney and London. Now living
back in Ireland in Limerick, Rebecca is working in

Recruitment and is married with a little girl Olivia.
Susan Warren - Currently living in London. Working

in the department of materials in Oxford university
as a senior materials analyst.
Clodagh Aylward nee Webb - I am busy being
full time mum to my 3 lovely kiddies whilst enjoying

keeping an eye on grandpa whos nearly 97! Cant
believe Aaron is starting 1st year in Newtown this
September!!
Ciara Blackstock nee Williams - Currently living in
Bristol teaching Biology part-time in a Quaker school

for my sins! Long holidays spent having fun with
our one and half year old Feargus. Still running and
playing hockey in local club.
CLASS OF 2003
Cecilie Albrecht (nee v. Senfft) went back to
Germany after the Leaving Cert. She is married,

and had twins in 2012. She is working as a
physiotherapist.
Yas al Delamie is working on his man tan in Oman

as a landscape architect. He lives in a five star tent
and drives a Lamborghini camel to work.
29
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

daughter.
fundraising office. Ultimate frisbee has taken over her life for
Pia Clodi, art wedding photographer extraordinaire, lives a
the last ten years.
pet, Claire Blake. Once she has taken over this world with her
and project management in Edinburgh after school. He lived in
dream life in Vienna with her dog Puccini and her new favorite
Marcus Hodder completed a four year degree in construction
company Peaches & Mint, she will retire to Buenos Aires to
Whistler, Canada for two years, before setting up a business
become a full time tango dancer.
last year making Italian gelato in Cork.
Stuart Copeland still doesnt know what to do with his life.
Rob Kennedy is living in Perth, Australia, where hes been
Tansy Cowley received her BA in Photography from IADT in
his fianc Rene are getting married in December this year.
at the University of Aberdeen. When shes finished she plans
the time she drives all across Northern Germany as a TV- and
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds he knows still dont!
working as a subsea engineer in oil & gas since 2008 He and
2009, and is currently studying for her MA in Visual Culture
Antonia zu Knyphausen enjoys herself in Berlin, but most of
to run her own photographic practice, curating guerrilla-style
radio-reporter.
exhibitions which speak to a more democratic and socially-
engaged art, while completing a part-time MA in Photography
in the University of Westminster. She also enjoys cooking and

long walks on the beach.
Jino Fan is living and working in Waterford with the family
business. Hes winning plenty of money backing horses and

doing FAI coaching badges in his spare time.
After quite a few years spent as an adopted Geordie, studying

and working in music in Newcastle, Sarah ffrench Davis took
a change of course and is now very much settled in London,
working for a food & drink PR agency and having recently
bought a house.
Khalid Hamdy is qualified in biotechnology from DCU and has

a Masters from DCU/Trinity in bioprocess engineering. He is
a professional thai boxer after his last service in the Egyptian

army as a captain. Hes going towards professional mixed
martial arts amongst other improvised weapons martial arts

(kali/escrima/kenjutsu).
Brigid Harty lives in Bristol and works for Bristol Universitys
Maren Laub has studied business and economics in Germany

and is now working in the Cooperate Investment Management
of a pharmaceutical company in Hamburg. She hopes to be
working and living in Ireland by the time this Newtown Review

is published.
Poppy Mac Donald is living by the sea in Sydney, Australia.

She works as a town planning consultant.
Brendon Morgan is currently living in Bournemouth after a
year in Bath and far too long in Cork. He is currently working
from home as a Key Account & Partner Customer Services rep

for a small VoIP company called Gradwell and living with his
better half of seven years, Elinor.
Eoghan OBrien has never fully left education. He might
graduate this decade, but nobodys counting any chickens yet.

Tim OCarroll is living and working in Dublin, playing a lot
of soccer in his spare time. Hes happy with life and taking
everyday as it comes.
Sam ODea is living and working in Waterford.

Katy ODonoghue works as a dive
instructor on the island of Roatan
(Honduras). She has no plans to grow

up and get a real job.
Carolan Redfearn (nee Goggin) lives
in London with her husband Andy. After

studying music at Bangor, she made
the natural leap and joined the (UK)
Department for Education. She likes
walking up and down mountains, sings

in a cheesy choir and talks to her cats
at length.
Ali Robertson is working as a child and

adolescent therapist in Cork, renovating
a new home, and expecting her first
baby in September.
Paul Schultzendorff got married
30
OLD SCHOLARS NEWS

to Marie in June 2013, and has been
and expand the family business. She also
Hamburg since March 2013. He loves to
encouraging business start-up, job growth
working for a trading company in
think about his two years in Newtown, it

was a great time
Paco Sola remembers his time in

Newtown very fondly: the friends,
teachers and experiences, despite the
homesickness and difficulties speaking

the language at first. He is grateful to
everyone who made that year so special.

George Stafford is a Senior Design
Strategist at a global design and
innovation firm in New York, where hes

been living five years. He spends his
time outside of work finding the best
cheeseburger New York has to offer.
works part time in her local community
as well as education and development.

Stephen Thorpe is working as a
Research Fellow using stem cells to
repair cartilage and bone at Queen Mary,

University of London. Little else has
changed and Stephen still loves a good

party.
Dorian van de Braam -Having spent long

periods in Madrid and Florence, is now
living and working in Surrey, England,
with his wife, Gemma Coffey, also a past

pupil of Newtown. He works from his art
studio and wood workshop.
Karen Sykes is living in Co.Limerick with

her partner and step son helping to run
31
Did you receive your review?

Newtown Old Scholars Association is currently trying to update
our members, addresses and contact details. We are also
address please.
trying to double check if you are receiving your Newtown
Email us the answers to these questions at nswoldscholars@
facility for the review. With postage charges going up every year
Ballyroe, Athy, Co. Kildare, Ireland
Review every year and if you would like to change to our online
we are finding it more expensive to post so we have set up the
Newtown Review on line. If you send us a current email address

we can send you the link every year, you can also answer the
gmail.com or send a letter to Oriel Woodbyrne, Cluain Laighean,
- Oriel Woodbyrne, Secretary, Newtown, Mountmellick and

Foy Old Scholars Association. Tel. 087-6371080
questions below,
1 Did you receive your 2012/13 Newtown Review this year?

2 Would you prefer to receive it on line?
3 Have any of your details changed, would you like to
update the data base.
4 Can you also confirm your current postal and email
DeCourcy Scholarship and NMFOSA

Fund
Pupils Fund:
1,200 was
given to the pupils fund,

distributed, as follows:
Annual Photo Competition

- 100;
Annual
Short
Competition - 100;
Story

Programme - 200;
Junior
Hockey
Holland - 200;
trip
to
Purchase of hockey jackets

- 600.
Eric deCourcy Fund: Awards

of 790 each were awarded
to Cilian Jacob (2013) and
Stephanie
Ebert
(2014)
for their outstanding music

achievements.
Our congratulations to them.

Additional
contributions
to the fund are welcome
and can be made to OSA

Treasurer; Peter Pearce,
C/O Inglewood, Carrigmore,

Bagenalstown, Co. Carlow.
087 2760868 ppkpearce@
gmail.com
32
With thanks also for support:

THE RATHFARNHAM BOOKSHOP
(Upstairs)
Rathfarnham Shopping Centre
Butterfield Avenue, Dublin 14
Tel: (01) 493 4733

email: rathfarnhambookshop@eircom.net
Protint Ltd
Commercial & Residential Window Tinting
Tel. 01-4903217(Dub) or 059-9727019(South/East)

Mobile. 087-2760868
e-mail: protint@eircom.net
web: www.protintwindowfilms.com
Benefits include: glare reduction, solar heat rejection,
anti-fade UV protection, anti-shatter safety,
privacy & manifestations
Jonathan Fletcher
Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford
HOUSE MAINTENANCE & REPAIRS

Insured and tax compliant
TEL. 051 399781 / 087 6476416
ADVERTISE IN THE NEWTOWN REVIEW

Should you have a business you would like to advertise, or would otherwise like to support the production
of the Newtown Review, just contact your class rep or any member of the Old Scholars Committee for further
information.
We are grateful to all of the businesses who supported the production of this years publication.
33

Newtown Review 2014

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Newtown Review 2014

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Contents

A Welcome from the Principal

Minding Our Mental Health

Staff & Student Editorials

The Future is Food

Let Me Entertain You

The Irish Times

Life as a 1st Former

Newtown Viking Experience

Food Trends in Newtown

Mathletes & Linguistics

Enterprise Banter Bars

A Conversation with Myrtle Allen

Young Social Innovators

Interview with the Murrays

Grease is The Word

Sports Day & Clan Results

International Student interviews

Badminton & Swimming

Short Story Competition

Where are they now?

A Word From the Chair

Hello and welcome to this years

Waterford Crystal swimming club and 3 of our local