Junk Kouture National Final
Congratulations to the Ursuline Junk Kouture team, Vision Zero, who have qualified for the World Final. This is the third consecutive year that a team from the Ursuline Thurles will be competing on the world stage in the foremost sustainable fashion competition. The trio of Christina Whelan, Tara Johnson and CaitlínCussen will be up against schools from the United States, England, Dubai, Italy and France. The girls were inspired to design their dress around the theme of road safety after their model Christina was in a serious accident as a child. The resplendent purple and black gown and trail was made using seat belts, wire and high viz jackets. They incorporated a macramé knotting effect into the skirt to create a figure-hugging fish tail design. Christina’s show-stopping performance had lots of swish and swing, producinga dramatic effect as she moved on the catwalk. Vision Zero was chosen along with nine other designs to represent Ireland at the World Final next year. The Ursuline had another dress competing at the National Final at the RDS last Tuesday. Race to the Finish was made by Anna O’Callaghan, Sophie Quirke and Julia McHugh. Women in horse racing was their main influence and in their outfit they used equine and farm materials, complete with a horse shoe headdress. Well done on both UCT teams who qualified out of 1200 entries to make it to the Grand Final and to Vision Zero on being in the top ten of young designers in the country chosen to exhibit their unique dress on a global stage.
West Side Story
The cast and crew of the Ursuline’s 2024 production West Side Story are powering ahead with rehearsals. With less than two weeks to opening night, Saturday, 19 October the big stage numbers are really beginning to take shape. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at gr8events.ie/westsidestoryursuliness
Sixth Year History Trip
Ursuline Sixth Year History students travelled to Dublin on Wednesday, 2 October in the company of their teacher, MsKeating and Sr Cecelia. First stop of the day was the Georgian house, 14 Henrietta Street which has been preserved as a museum. Tour guide Sheila explained that the 10,000 square foot house went from being a home to the super rich Molesworths in the eighteenth century to being a tenement with a 100 people living in it during the nineteenth and twentieth century. It was a residence right up the the 1970’s when the last tenant left and the museum are currently putting together an oral archive of former residents who are still alive. In the afternoon the students were given a tour of Glasnevin Cemetery, the final resting place of over 1.5 million Dubliners. Included in this figure are well known historical personalities such as Daniel O’Connell, ÉamonDe Valera, Michael Collins, Maude Gonne and Countess Markievicz among others. It was a great day covering some important aspects of the Leaving Cert curriculum. Thanks to Eric who drove the group around Dublin for the day and Sr Cecelia for accompanying the class, both of whom were very enthusiastic history aficionados.
First Year Walk
The Ursuline First Years and their tutors and Year Head had a lovely day out in Templemore Park on Thursday, 3 October. They had their lunch outside, walked around the Park and spent some time on the outdoor gym equipment. They had a treat before heading back to school for the end of the day. It was an opportunity to get fresh air and exercise while chatting and chilling with their new secondary school friends. Thanks to tutors Ms Hackett, Ms Crowley, Ms Spillane, Ms Harney, Ms Downey, Ms Carew and Year Head Ms Carroll for organising the excursion.
Hockey
The Ursuline Junior A hockey team faced off Laurel Hill Coláistein a thrilling league match last week! Both teams played an outstanding game, giving it their all from start to finish. The match ended in a hard-fought 2-2 draw, with Tianna O’Leary and captain Gabrielle Morrissey finding the back of the net for UCT. Well done to everyone involved.
The Senior As drew 3-3 against Laurel Hill Coláiste in their first league match of the season. The Ursuline were winning until Coláiste scored a penalty stroke on the final whistle to finish level.
Well done to the four Ursulines on the Munster U16 team who beat Connacht 1-0 on Sunday, 6 October. Katya Shorten scored the winning goal to push Munster up the Interprovincial rankings. She was well supported by fellow UCT players Gabrielle Morrissey, Sarah Spain and Emma McDonald.
Camogie
First year Camogie players took part in Tipperary Schools non-competitive blitz on Monday, 30 September in Coolmore Morris Park. Three Ursuline teams played against teams from Presentation Thurles, St Mary’s, Nenagh and ScoilMhuireCarrick on Suir. It was a fantastic confidence building, friendship forming day out, with many of the young players getting to don the school jersey for the first time.
Rugby
The Ursuline competed in a brilliant day of rugby on Thursday, 3 October in Limerick at the U16 Tag Rugby Blitz, organised by Munster Rugby! There was some incredible play and team work from UCT rugby veterans Roisin Houlihan, sister Orlaith and teammate Isabella Brophy, The team are really enjoying playing for the school and gelling together the more games they play. The Munster sponsored event brought together young talent from across the region, and the Ursuline team shone throughout the day. A big thank you to Munster Rugby for hosting and MsFahey for all her hard work supporting and encouraging rugby in the school.
LGFA
The Ursuline U16.5 footballers continued where they left off last year as they stormed to victory in the Munster A Championship last week. They beat John the Baptist, Limerick 4-9 to 1-8. Amy O’Connor and Alice Butler, joint-captains, were at the heart of numerous attacks for UCT throughout the game. BrídWoodlock and Zara Cosgrove were immense in defending the goal area while the youngest player on the team, Órla Pamplin, deserved plenty of plaudits for an all-round exceptional display. Ursuline scorers included Alice Butler 2-0, Claire Fitzgerald 1-3, Melanie Flannery 1-3, Emily McGrath 0-3. Well done to the entire team who certainly showed they are more than ready to play the top teams in the top division in Munster Football.