Ursuline Open Evening, Monday 23 September
Fifth and Sixth class pupils and their parents, who are wishing to enrol their daughters in secondary school, for the academic years 2025 or 2026 are welcome to come along to the Ursuline Open Evening on Monday, 23 September. There will be individual family or small group guided tours given by Second Year students. The Principal, Ms Tríona Gleeson will give a short address after 5pm and again after 6pm and there will be loads of teachers and students from First Year to Sixth Year on hand to answer any questions. Everyone in UCT is looking forward to meeting and greeting the potential Ursuline’s of the future.
West Side Story
There was a full cast rehearsal for the 2024 Ursuline School Show West Side Story on Thursday, 12 September. The chorus were guided through some of the big show songs by Musical Director, Ms Joan Butler and Ms Quinn and Ms Crowley from the Music Department. They sounded larger than life even at this early stage of production. The students were sorted into their various ‘gangs’, the Jets or the Sharks and lead dancers have begun to learn the steps to some of the famous numbers that make West Side Story such a lively, entertaining and timeless musical. Opening night will be Saturday, 19 October. So keep watching the Ursuline social media for ticket information and dates.
TY Trip to BallyhassLakes
On Tuesday, 10 September the Ursuline TY classes spent a great day at Ballyhass Lakes. Although it was an early start it was well worth it for all the fun activities they got to participate in. There was high rope climbing, archery, axe throwing and the Aqua Park. They were exhausted at the end of it all but it gave them a chance to get better acquainted with their class group and with recently arrived international students and hopefully forge new and lasting friendships.
Taekwondo
The Ursuline TYs are currently attending Taekwondo classes each week in the Premier Hall and working towards their yellow belt in this martial art. They have already completed two sessions and are really enjoying learning new skills and techniques.
Past Pupil Kate Ryan represents Ireland at the World Skills Final
Well done to former Ursuline student Kate Ryan of the Class of 2021 who represented Ireland in the Restaurant Service Category at the World Skills Finals in Lyon, France last week. She has shown incredible dedication by winning the World Skills Ireland National Restaurant Service competition at the RDS in 2023. Kate who is currently studying full time at the Shannon College of Hospitality Management is continuing to impress both at home and abroad and forging a name for herself in the industry. Everyone at UCT is so proud of her success and exemplary work ethic.
Hockey
The Ursuline 2024 Munster winning Minor A team got their new Junior A season off to a solid start with an away win against Ashton in Cork on Wednesday, 11 September. The goal scorers in this opening league fixture included Emma McDonald, Katya Shorten, Gabrielle Morrissey, Tiana O’Leary and KathelineLynam. Well done to the entire squad who have worked so hard in training since the return to school and to coach Ms Helen Claire Fahey who encourages these young players to enjoy the game while continuing to work on their skills.
LGFA
Some First and Second Year footballers from the Ursuline competed in the Tipperary Schools Blitz in Dr Morris Park last week. It was a great day of football with close on 500 girls togging out and enjoying some valuable game time ahead of the Tipperary and Munster Championship schools season.
Sibly Food Company Founder talks to Ursuline First Year Business Class
Many thanks to Matthew Collins, entrepreneur and founder of the Sibly Food Company, who joined Ms Ryan’s First Year Business Class, 1 B, via Zoom to chat with the students about his work. He told them how he built up his business over the last few years and how he developed partnerships with some of the country’s top supermarket chains. Thanks to Matthew for taking the time out of his busy schedule to tell his story and answer questions and also for sending in some of his delicious protein products for the students to sample.
Ursuline First and TY Parent Nights
On Monday, 9 and Tuesday, 10 September the Ursuline hosted parent nights for First Years and TYs. For TY parents it was a chance to learn more about what their daughters have been up to since the return to school. They also got more information about the year ahead and the new and exciting things that TY has in store, like workshops, competitions and career tasters which are offered through programmes like mini-med and outreach opportunities that professional bodies run especially for TY students.
Parents of First Years got to meet their daughters’ Year Head, Ms Carroll, and the First Year tutors at the Ursuline for a chat about how they have settled into secondary school. The role of the tutor and Year Head was explained and parents could ask questions or talk to key staff members. Thanks to everyone who came.