www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
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Volume XIV
Edition III
Welcome to the Easter Edition of Redsokz. We hope the sun shines
and that you get to make the most of the extra hour that has been
given to us, from daylight saving.
We know that the JC and LC students are going to spend much of
the time studying and preparing for the post -aster practical exams
and orals, but we hope you do manage to take a few days off to indulge in some treats of the chocolate variety.
Redsokz Team
This term we held a very successful fundraiser for the Jack & Jill Children's Foundation, whilst simultaneously attempting to purchase our very special Villiers pig,
aka “Lady Villiers”.
The pig project was a super initiative and enabled our myriad of international
students to put their art skills to work, while at the same time exchange information about their own culture. They were also ensuring that the entire Villiers
community contributed to the Jack & Jill foundation.
Founded in 1997 by Jonathan Irwin , following the tragic death of his 22 month
old son, after a long illness, Irwin wanted to ensure that other parents would not
have to go through the hardship his family did to nurse their sick child at home.
From 1997 to date, over 1700 families have been given home respite to help
them with the care and nursing needs of their ill child.
Well done to all involved in contributing to this wonderful foundation.
Inspirational Thoughts
this
Easter
“When you arise in the
morning, think of what a
precious privilege it is to
be alive - to breathe, to
think, to enjoy, to love.”
- Marcus Aurelius
"The first day of spring is
one thing, and the first
spring day is another. The difference
between them is sometimes as great as a
month."
- Henry Van
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
In September 2014, Villiers School launched the Active Schools Flag
programme. It is a nationwide initiative supported by the Department
of Education in recognising schools that promote a broad and varied
Physical Education curriculum as well as encourage physical activity in
all aspects of school life.
We at Villiers are extremely proud of our Physical Education curriculum and our extra-curricular programme as we strive to include a wide
range of activities for our students. Many of the students are involved
in our team games such as hockey, rugby, soccer and basketball. New
additions to our schedule include Ultimate Frisbee, Self-defence, Pilates, Golf, Orienteering, Rowing, Tennis and Spikeball. We have also
updated our gym facility which allows the students to train before and
after school. The gym provides a range of equipment which helps
students to perform cardiovascular and strength and conditioning
workouts. This keeps them in tip-top condition and boosts energy
levels for their academic workouts!
“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a
sacrifice for the good
of others, including
his enemies, and became the ransom of
the world. It was a
perfect act.”
In our quest for the Flag, a committee of 13 students from Transition
Year have been working diligently planning, designing, organising and
of course implementing new initiatives and activities. Our big focus
was running an Active Week in the school from the 23rd – 27th of
March. This incorporated games, tournaments, recreational activities,
talks, debates and presentations and we are taking a cross-curricular
approach as all of our enthusiastic teachers supported the event by
promoting physical activity through their subject.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
On Friday the 20th of March, the school was be visited by the Elvery’s
Sports Power Team who will spend the day putting students through their
paces in a series of fun and fitness activities. This is part of another nationwide programme called the Schools Fitness Challenge sponsored by Aviva
which is looking at fitness levels of secondary school students. All students took part in the beep test earlier in the year and wanted to show that
they had improved on their score in this round..
We also linked in with Limerick Sports Partnership this year ad they are
collaborating with us on our Junior Leadership Programme which we
rolled out for our Transition Year students. This programme will teach
students the skills necessary to become coaches in a particular activity and
they will then use these skills to teach First Years. This is the first time this
programme has been run in Villiers but we have full confidence in our students as we have seen them excel in the Spikeball programme that has been
in action for the last number of years. These students dedicated their time
to learning the game and then were deployed to local primary schools to
teach the children the skills. This project culminated in two large and exciting primary school tournaments held in the Sports Hall in January. We
received excellent feedback from all schools involved and we are very
proud of our students who acted as ambassadors for their school.
We are very grateful to all the teachers and students who have given their
time and their creativity to this project. We are always open and accepting
to help, support and advice during this busy period.
“Never say never
because limits, like
fears, are just an
illusion.”
Michael Jordan
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
March 14th saw Aileen Greenwalshe travel to The Royal Holloway University in London to participate in the Grand Final of the Historical Association’s Great Debate.
Aileen won the Munster Heat of The Historical Associations bi-annual Great Debate,
hosted by UL History Society, under the chairmanship of Declan Mills.
The topic this year is 'What does Magna Carta mean to me?' 2015 is the 800th anniversary of the signing of Magna Carta, an event that is often described as a significant
turning point in the development of civil liberties. Students were encouraged to explore whether, after 800 years, it is still significant, or whether they would cite another
turning point that they believe has greater bearing on their civil liberty today.
Aileen excelled over stiff competition with her speech on how she believes the Industrial Revolution and the ensuing suffrage has had a greater impact on her civil liberties.
Nastasia Vashko, Isabel Shultz-Austum and Aoife McGoey also participated in the
Great Debate, focussing on the 12th century document has laid the foundation for
basic Human Rights, as we know them today, particularly various articles of the United
Nations Charter.
“Easter tells us of
something children can't understand, because it
addresses things
they don't yet
have to know: the
weariness of life,
the pain, the profound loneliness
and hovering fear
of meaninglessness.”
Frederica
At the final Aileen competed against 15th students from across the United Kingdom
and fielded some extremely challenging questions from the judging panel. Aileen acquitted herself very well and is now preparing for another international debate in Brussels, in late April.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
Villiers School was honoured to be involved in the first ever School’s Flag
presentation by The Thomas F. Meagher Foundation. This event took
place on March 12th in the Kingfisher Club in Waterford.
The Thomas F. Meagher Foundation aims to promote pride in and respect
for the Irish flag and its true meaning for peace on this island. The Foundation is named after Thomas Francis Meagher, Irish Patriot, US army
general and Governor of Montana who flew the first Tricolour flag on the
7th of March 1848 from 33 The Mall in Waterford at the Wolf Tone Club.
Almost 300 schools were presented with an Irish Flag which had flow over
33 The Mall in Waterford. President Michael D. Higgins was guest of honour and he outlined the importance of the Irish Flag as a powerful emblem
of brotherhood and peace. Mary Kenny was compeer for the afternoon
and video messages were heard from Irish soccer captain Robbie Keane.
Deborah Adepoju, Shauna Hanrahan, Tara Finnucane and Lauren Fitzell
received the Irish Flag on behalf of Villiers School and were accompanied
to the Ceremony by Deputy Headmistress Mary Quinn.
Don’t apologize
for who you
are or what
you want.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
Go retro (1970s style). The Gucci, Prada and Tom Ford Spring/
Summer 2015 catwalk shows did the 1970s in a big way. Invest in some
suede - jacket, skirt, dress, and boots - and contemplate mixing in tan
and lavender.
Back to the 1970s. Saint Laurent was all about 1970s rock chic – platform sandals, miniskirts and leopard-print ensembles redolent of Studio
54 and nights of heady excess. It’s hedonistic but not bohemian. Look
to the pouty androgyny of David Bowie circa Ziggy.
Trouser suits. The new power dressing is focused on the evolution of
trouser suits. No longer are they the exclusive realm of lady executives
in bad sitcoms. Fitted or relaxed, full-length trousers or cropped, plain
or patterned, there’s a trouser suit for every women.
Lavender, that pale tint of violet, or lilac if you prefer, was a big deal
on the Spring/Summer 2015catwalks so investing in at least one lavender piece is key. Think icy, metallic, textured separates that you can wear
top-to-toe (honestly, try it) or team with your denim, leather, suede,
neoprene wardrobe staples.
Layered jewellery. Take OTT accessorizing up a notch. And then
again, when it comes to rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets/
bangles/cuffs this year, more is definitely more. Wear it all with everything.
Leather for all seasons. Leather isn’t just for winter any more: we’ll be
wearing it all year round. Leather jackets, leather trousers, leather tops
and leather dresses; if it used to moo, there’s a good chance people will
end up wearing it.
Shoe clips should be worn at all times. This is how to transport your
shoes (heels, flats, platforms, trainers to all new levels of fabulous. It
saves buying a new pair making these clip-ons a stylish and savvy buy.
Footwear accessorizing is in and we LOVE what a little fluffy pom
pom or crystal cluster shoe clip does for the toes. You'll never look
back.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
The idea of enhancing your cheek bones and jaw line has become very
popular among people as it is seen as a way to give definition to your
face when doing your makeup. However we all know it can be difficult
to find a contour kit that’s right for you.
I’m happy to say that contouring doesn’t require the skill of a makeup
artist. You just need the proper product to get that subtle, natural finish
that’s right for you!
For First-Timers: The easiest way to contour is by using two shades of
foundation — one that’s matched for the centre of the face, the neck,
and the high bones, and a second that’s slightly darker to use on your
outer and underneath your cheekbones,”- Makeup Artist, Pati Dubroff,
who works with Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman.
If wondering what product to start with, cream products are a lot easier
to work with and erase if you make mistakes. Start by creating an even
base all over with the lighter shade, and then build the intensity very
slightly at the temples, underneath the jawline, and on the cheekbones
with your darker shade.
One of the best products to use for this would be Bobbi Brown Skin
Foundation Stick.
Feel free to use and experiment with whatever brand you are comfortable using when learning how to contour!
When figuring out the best eye makeups for you there are many other
things you need to factor in other than just your eyes themselves!
TIPS:
The first thing you
take it to account is
your hair colour?
The second thing to
consider is the shape
of your face?
When you’ve taken all
this to account it will
be easy to find what
look works best for
you by finding tips
online and even from
others who might also
share similar features
to you !
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
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Russia ruled out handing Crimea back to Ukraine on Tuesday
March 17th and a Defence Ministry official said nuclear-capable
long-range bombers were being sent to the Black Sea peninsula as
part of war games.
The huge military exercises, in which the Northern Fleet was put on
full alert on Monday March 16th and will range from the Arctic to
the Black Sea, appear to be a show of force and defiance on the anniversary of the annexation of Crimea.
Russia's parliament approved the annexation on March 21st 2014
after Russian forces took control of the peninsula, which is home to
Russia's Black Sea Fleet, and residents backed joining the Russian
Federation in a referendum.
Dismissing a U.S. pledge to keep economic sanctions in place on
Russia over the annexation, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
said: "Crimea is a region of the Russian Federation and of course
the subject of our regions is not up for discussion."
Russia announced the start of military drills on Monday involving
more than 45,000 troops as well as war planes and submarines.
An unidentified Defence Ministry official as saying on Tuesday the
exercises would include the deployment of bomber planes in Crimea.
“Easter is
meant to be a
symbol of hope,
renewal, and
new life.”
The official also said long-range missiles were being sent to an area
bordering NATO members Lithuania and Poland for the war
games, which also involve the Baltic Fleet and the Southern Military
District.
The military exercises are the latest sign of Russia flexing its muscles since the start of the crisis in Ukraine, where Russia backs separatists fighting Kiev's forces.
So far 6,000 people have died in this atrocity and it does not look
like it is coming to an end at this moment in time.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
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The Paris trip was from Friday 13th to Monday 16th of March. On
Friday we travelled over on the plane and when we arrived we got a
bus to the Louvre museum. We saw the Mona Lisa in the Louvre, it
was much smaller than we expected. We went down to the river
Seine and we saw the Eiffel Tower when it was lit up at nine o’clock.
We ate crepes in Creperie Beaubourg.
On Saturday we went to an art gallery called Musee de L’orangerie. It
had Claude Monet’s paintings of the Water Lillies. After that we
went to the Arc de Triomphe and the famous Champs Elysees. We
went shopping around that area too. We also went to Versailles chateau. Later on we went to a shopping centre called La Defence.
On Sunday we went to Notre Dame and the Pompidou centre. We
got a tour around Paris and we went up the Eiffel Tower.
On Monday we went to Disneyland Paris. There were lots of fun
rides, including Indiana Jones et le Temple du Peril, Big Thunder
Mountain, It’s a Small World, Buzz Light-year laser blast and Pirates
of the Caribbean.
After Disneyland we got on a plane to Dublin to go home and we
got the bus to Limerick from Dublin. We arrived at Villiers at three
in the morning, we were exhausted but we had a lovely trip to Paris.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
After the highs of the first four weeks' of term spent preparing for and
performing the Bad Apple, the TY Drama, Villiers was a quieter place
in the latter two weeks leading up to February mid-term as our Form IV
students left us to spend two weeks trying out the working world. They
chose a vast array of placements, ranging from the University of Limerick, St Mary's Cathedral, accountants, solicitors, photographers, theatres, vets, hospitals, air traffic control, even a chocolatier! We owe a
huge thank you to so many employers who generously support us and
willingly give our students a taste of their working environment. We
hope they learned a lot - we are looking forward to all the employer reports!
The TY’s also completed another phase of their Lough Derg Way hike,
in addition to climbing Keeper Hill. The latter is situated in the Slieve
Felim mountain range in North Tipperary and is just 15km east of Limerick City. This loop overlaps with a short section of the Slieve Felim
Way This loop walk is part of the National Looped Walks and is
marked using the standard purple National Looped Walk directional
arrows. The Lough Derg Way is completed in five stages and is a 64km
walking route that starts at the Tourist Office behind the Hunt Museum
in Limerick City. It follows the River Shannon and its associated canals
north-westwards to the lake port of Dromineer on Lough Derg.
“We are told to let
our light shine,
and if it does, we
won't need to tell
anybody it does.
Lighthouses don't
fire cannons to
call attention to
their shining - they
just shine.”
Dwight L. Moody
Along the way the route passes through the village of Clonlara, the village of O’Briensbridge and the ancient town of Killaloe, which was
once home of the famous 11th century High King of Ireland, Brian
Boru. The Lakeside and waterside sections of the route offer beautiful
views. The terrain consists mainly of canal and riverside paths at the
southern end, and mainly country roads, and the 64Km route is a superb achievement for our TY’s to explore the scenery and nature of our
locality.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
Our TY’s were fortunate to participate in the Screen Writers workshop,
with Roddy Doyle as part of the Limerick Film Festival. The Fresh Film
Festival was originally a schools video competition for secondary students, but has now grown into a year round organisation with a focus on
national and international filmmakers spanning the primary and secondary age groups. Our TY’s ‘spent a full day, listening to some of Ireland’s
best writers and honing their own skills.
Our YSI students gave a very successful presentation at the Limetree
Theatre to express their support for Limerick Animal Welfare and the
Fur Trade, in the Limerick heat of the YSI SpeakOut.
Five of our TY’s were honoured at the annual BSTAI awards for excellence in the JC Business Studies exam. Well done to Sam, Amelia, Reece,
Tara and Chloe.
Our TY Environmentalists were chosen to present their project at the
Eco-Den Munster Finals. This UNESCO-run programme recognises
and rewards young people who raise environmental awareness and improve the environment be it in their school, community or even further
afield!
Our Young Entrepreneurs also exhibited their wares this year and our
most successful group were the girls who made and sold some bespoke
jewellery/make-up boxes.
www.villiers-school.com
Easter 2015
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Origin of The Easter Bunny
Remember the
following:
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JC/LC Projects
Home Ec Practical
Music Practical
Art Exam
French Orals
German Orals
Spanish Orals
Japanese Orals
Russian Orals
Irish Orals
Ag Science Project
Assessment
LCVP Written
Exam
The Easter Bunny is a symbol that originated with the
pagan festival of Eastre. The goddess, Eastre,
was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons
through her earthly symbol,
the hare or rabbit.
The date of Easter is determined by the moon
whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare.
In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon.
Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D.,
Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday
following the first full moon after March 21st.
The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore
by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania
Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest
pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel
on Christmas Eve. The children believed that
if they were good the "Oschter Haws"
would lay a nest of colored eggs.
The children would build their nest in a secluded place
in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use
their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests.
The use of elaborate Easter baskets came later
as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread
through out the country.
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