Congratulations to our winners Gemma Lyons and Leanne Geaney with their hilarious rendition of ‘Most Beautiful Girl in the Room’, and to our joint 2nd place winners Sinead O’Brien and Aoife Whelan & Molly Troy. You were all more wonderful than the nicest cup of tea in the world.

The X Factor ain’t got nothin’ on our girls!

It wasn’t really what we expected. We understood that there were animals who were malnourished and abused but we never really kenw how bad the situation was before.

The speaker told us in some cases the animals were so badly abused that they couldn’t even stand properly with the lack of energy and blinding pain. Some were still tethered to their collars and their skin underneath the collar would be flaking.

They are the only animal welfare facility that would take any animal in, no matter how bad the state they’re in and heal them.

They rehabilitate them and prosecute the abusers. I found that all of the staff work minimum wage and that they’re a very dedicated workforce.

They rescued over 4,400 animals last December and broke a record. They helped us see that animals are like us with the same sense of fear and pain. They investigate any case.

It was eye opening to see what they actually did and we enjoyed our educational trip there.

2a2 Jerie Macapagal

So my message for you today is, if you think someone could use some help don’t be afraid to ask them our tag line of the week “Need a hand?”.

Venue:St. Joseph’s College.

Date : 4/10/11

St. Joseph’s V King’s Hospital

This was the senior girls’ second match of the season and the team were a little apprehensive as they were up against the team which have beaten them every year.

• The girls started the game rough giving King’s Hospital’s tallest player #6 a free throw-scored both. The girls bounced back with a basket from Astree. King’s Hospital used their tallest player to their advantage. At 6ft4 Hannah found it tough to get past those long hands! King’s scored three more baskets but Melissa scoring two baskets and Astree scoring one by the end of the first quarter, each team were tied(8-8).
• The second quarter didn’t go as well with King’s taking the lead. Passing the ball constantly to #6 where the Joey’s girls hands had no effect on her scoring , six more baskets were scored. Joey’s also scored two more baskets scored by Melissa  and Astree along with Hannah who also scored a basket. Leaving the score in the second quarter (20-12) to King’s Hospital.
• After a positive and encouraging huddle, Joey’s girls began the third quarter determined to catch up with the opposing team. Lauren scored three more baskets along with her team mates Melissa and Hannah who scored one basket each. With Hannah giving #6 of the opposing team a tough defense and attempting to stop her scoring, she succeeded in leaving King’s Hospital with no opportunity to score. Leaving the Joey’s girls one basket of an advantage after the third quarter. (20-22) to St. Joseph’s.
• It all came down to the final quarter. Both teams defense were very tight as both teams were as motivated as each other to win the game. For each basket King’s Hospital scored the Joey’s girls bounced back with Melissa ,Hannah and Astree each scoring one basket. The score was now (28-28). The pressure was on, everyone on each bench was cheering for their team.  But sadly in the last few moments of the match King’s Hospitals #6 scored a basket. The Joey’s girls fought until the end to finish tie with the opposing team. Unfortunately St. Joseph’s senior basketball team were narrowly defeated by only one basket. With the final score showing King’s Hospital 30 -28 St. Joseph’s.
• Although the team were narrowly defeated they were tremendously happy with each team players performance. Without a doubt we gave the opposing King’s Hospital team a game to remember.
• Well done girls!
• Top scorers :

-Mellisa:5 baskets(10 points)

-Astree :3 baskets (6 points)

-Hannah:3 baskets(6 points)

-Lauren:3 baskets (6 points)

By Melissa Zaidan

Venue: St. Josephs college .

Date: 30/9/11

ST. JOSEPH’S V HOLY FAMILY RATHCOOLE 

• This was the senior team’s first match of the year. St. Joseph’s started off well with Astree scoring to tie up in the game at (2-2) . St. Joseph’s then fell behind by a point. They then responded with Hannah scoring two baskets and then Lauren scoring a three pointer and a basket. At the end of the first quarter St.Josephs were leading (11-8).
• At the start of the second quarter St. Joseph’s gave away a basket and two sets of free throws to Holy Family. But luckily Holy Family only scored two out of four free throws. It was then that Lauren and Hannah answered back for St. Joseph’s with a basket each. St. Joseph’s ended the second quarter still winning (15-13).
• In the third quarter St. Joseph’s were answering every basket that Holy Family scored, with Lauren and Judith scoring a basket each and Hannah scoring two baskets. Mid-way through the quarter Lauren injured her knee and was forced to sit out. Holy Family got a basket in the last few minutes for the quarter to end (8-10) to Holy Family and the score at (23-23).
• In the fourth quarter both teams started well with each team scoring a basket , Hannah scoring for St. Joseph’s but as the quarter went on St. Joseph’s found themselves in foul trouble. Luckily Holy Family only scored one out of two free throws and St. Joseph’s were a point down. Hannah then scored a basket for St. Joseph’s to give them the lead by a point. Holy Family then scored late in the quarter to go one point ahead. Then St. Joseph’s really paid for being in foul trouble early on with holy family scoring tow out of four free throws. The final score was (29-27) to Holy Family.
• It was heartache for St. Joseph’s girls as they had lost by only a basket (2 points). Even though the girls lost there was a real sense of team and school spirit and encouragement from the Joey’s girls both on the court and on the bench. There was a lot of positives to take from the game and many things for the girls to work on for their next match.
• Hard luck girls!
• Top scorers:

• Lauren Egan: 9 points
• Hannah Shonowo :14 points.
• Astree Nguisani : 2 points
• Judith Ehiguese:2 points.

We have lot’s of great acts in the show and a few surprises Not to be missed! The way the show is going to work is the 1st to 3rd years will watch the show from 09:00 till 10:45 and the 4th to 6th years will watch the show from 11:00 to 13:00. The cost of the dress up day and the talent show is €3.00, with €2.00 going to Pieta House. Please bring your €3.00 into your tutor as soon as possible and you will be given your ticket the day before the show

Our weekend away started at the pleasant hour of 5am in Dublin Airport where we met the rest of the girls and Mr. Burke, Ms. Garvey and Ms. Pringle. After the confusing journey to find our gate, we boarded our plane at 7am and headed on to Italy. Upon arrival, we were hit with the heat of the Italian air and were filled with excitement. We were staying in Plus Camping Roma, which were little mini bungalows. In groups of either 2 or 3, we got our rooms and went for lunch. There is no food like Italian food.

We got the bus and metro into the city of Rome itself where we started off our touring. On Friday, we saw The Colosseum, The Spanish Steps, Piazza Navona, The Roman Forum, the AMAZING Pantheon, in which we all lay on the floor as expected before the security told us to get up, and many more historical places. Mr. Burke thought he’d be funny and make us all run in the Circus Maximus. I have to hand it to him, there’s no better way to make a bunch of girls run than to call us inferior to men. Oh by the way sir, who lost that race..? ;P

Later that night, we sat down under the beautiful lights of the square and ate dinner and ice cream. For all those who have never been to Italy, the ice cream alone is a reason to go. Seriously, it is amazing. We returned home to our campsite (after a long confusing trip on two buses!) only to fall into bed, wrecked from the day.

Up early the next morning, and woken by the gorgeous sun, we bought breakfast and prepared for the day of walking that was ahead. At 10am, we travelled again by trusty bus and metro to The Vatican, where the queue for the Sistine Chapel was about 50 times the size of the queue for our canteen! (To put things into perspective ;P) So instead, we headed into St. Peter’s Basilica. Here we stood, getting our elbows and knees out for the pope! Some of the girls had to tie jumpers and scarves around their knees just to get in! The art in the Basilica was beautiful. Here we saw Michelangelo’s Pieta and many other sculptures and paintings.

Around 1 o’clock we headed out for lunch and a bit of shopping. After meeting up after food, shopping and resting our feet, (almost everyone with ice cream) we moseyed on down to the Sistine Chapel once again. However, the doors were almost closed and we all had to run through the Vatican museum just to catch a last look at the artwork. Being in that room was breathtaking. Never before have I seen such beautiful paintings. Later that evening we went to the Trevi Fountain where we split up to get dinner. Many wishes were made, and photos were taken. It really is a sight to see. Absolutely incredible. We soon went back to the campsite, carefully watching out for Bananas ( ;] ) as we went and had girlie chats in the rooms before heading out to the discotecca that was taking place in the campsite.

On Sunday, we packed up our things and got ready to check out and head into Rome for the last day of our short holiday. We went back to the Trevi Fountain and shopped around buying gifts and knick knacks to bring home. John, Liz and Niamh, (The teachers that is) bought ice cream and mini Bocca Della Vertia statues for us all, and we in exchange, gave them their Venetian masks and for Mr. Burke, his gladiator apron and sword. On we went to the airport where we shared memories of our trip, and with the Spastic Hawks (For Melissa and Ellen ;] ) of Rome, we flew on home to Dublin. It was by far, the most amazing trip I’ve ever been on and I’m so grateful that I got to share this experience with my fellow 6^th years who I love very much.

By Emma-Louise Murphy 6a1

Shout out to Fiona Mulvey & Niamh Kirwin for submitting their amazing photos, thanks a million girls!

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