Celebration of talent at St Gerald’s De La Salle College
In St. Gerald’s College DLS, December has belonged to our talented students!
Our students continue to embody the Lasallian principles in recognising, accepting and celebrating the strengths and limitations of every member of our school, and the wider, community. This month’s newsletter submission only scratches the service of all they have to offer. Their talents are innumerable so as 2022 draws to a close, this is the perfect time to celebrate all that they bring to our school. We look forward to seeing them continue to flourish in 2023.
Throughout the month, our students took part in events and competitions in-and-out-of-school. Transition Year student Cormac Cronin represented St. Gerald's at the Rotary Youth Competition in Enniskillen. Cormac was selected to visit the European Parliament in Strasbourg for the regional finals next February due to his excellent entry. The 2022 Simon Marshall & Mark Melnychuk Memorial Chess Tournament concluded this month. Congratulations to all who took part.
One of the highlights of the year at St Gerald’s De La Salle College, Castlebar, is the annual School Chess Tournament 2022 and this year’s event saw over 150 students compete for the "Simon Marshall Trophy '' in memory of our beloved former French teacher Mr. Simon Marshall who passed away suddenly in 2014.
As usual there were prizes for runner up and 3rd place. But this year a special award was created for the "Best Newcomer". This award was named the "Mark Melnychuk Cup" in memory of our recent past pupil and chess club member Mark Melnychuk who died tragically last year.
The prizes were presented by Mark's heartbroken mother Olga in a very touching ceremony where students and staff recalled fond memories of Mark as a caring, talented, hardworking and popular member of our school community. In addressing the ceremony Olga said " Every time Mark reflected on his chess experience his eyes would sparkle with happiness.
Thank you for all the good times that Mark had here. By presenting this unique trophy I would like to ask you kindly to carry on the legacy of Mark's natural kindness, high respect to others and his great fondness for chess. Go raibh míle maith agat!"
Click here to see full details and photos
SGC Music Week
Earlier this month, students, staff and the guests from the local community gathered to celebrate SGC Music Week.
Across a myriad of subjects, lessons explored musical elements and during break-times, recitals in the school’s foyer drew crowds and cheers. Live performances throughout the week highlighted the immense talents of our school community. The Castlebar Concert Band even visited and performed.
Ms Jennifer Hiney organised a fantastic week of activities for all.
“Enter to Learn, Leave to Serve” - Philanthropic Endeavours
As ever, the students of SGC continue to prove their charitable spirit, showing generosity and empathy to others, whilst displaying their talents and abilities.
The LCA class has been busy making Christmas Yule Logs over the past few weeks. The Yule Logs will be on sale in the local market before Christmas with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society. One of our TY Business classes has been busy making handcrafted rustic Christmas tree decorations over the past few weeks which they will also be selling.
All proceeds from their sales are going to the Mayo Hospice. Back in October, we shared news of a few our TY Students who slept out to raise funds for the Simon Community. This month, they presented a cheque to a representative from the charity. It is wonderful to see the altruistic spirt embodied throughout our community.
Sporting Endeavours
On the pitch, our students also continue to display their talents.
The St Geralds’s College Juvenile A team recently won the O'Haire Cup in a great game against Summerhill College in Bekan. All the players were thrilled; they had put in a super effort since last September. The Junior team won the Connacht Junior A final against Roscommon CBS. St Geralds started well and raced into a 10-point lead at halftime with the score line reading 1-08 to 0-1. The second half was much more of a battle, and St Geralds showed great determination to see the game out and capture a well-earned Connacht title. This team has been a credit to the school from the start of the year to winning this provincial title.
The whole community are incredibly proud of this group of young men who showed what can be achieved with arduous work and the right attitude. Across a variety of sports, in-school and out-of-school, our students are showing their determination and resilience. May they continue to do so!
Second Year student Eoghan Jennings travelled to the Orange Bowl in Miami where he played in the u14 Junior Orange Bowl World Tennis Championship. The Junior Orange Bowl is one of the world's most prestigious junior tennis events.