Christmas 2004

St Mary’s Newsletter December 2004 Page 2

‘Old girl’ Lorraine is awarded MBE

Right: Lorraine and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg

Twin Towers helpline for 9/11 families

F ORMER St Mary’s student Lorraine Turner has been awarded the MBE for her work in the aftermath of the

World Trade Centre disaster. Lorraine, originally from Moreton, set up and manned a 24 hour helpline to aid relatives of people killed and in-jured during the 2001 terrorist attack. She now lives in Queens, New York, and works for the city’s Northern Ireland Consul. Now 33, she left St Mary’s when she was 16. She said: ‘Considering when I arrived in New York seven years ago, I only had $200, one suitcase and I knew just one person in the entire city, I haven’t done too badly I feel very honoured, and very humbled.’

Artists discover Captain Cook Y OUNG artists from St Mary’s went on an artistic

voyage of discovery ~ and won first prize in a competition! They were asked for artwork on a nautical theme and came up with the stunning piece of work pictured left. The design depicts Captain Cook’s ship ‘Endeavour’ and Maori and Aboriginal patterns reflecting his jour-ney to the new world. The Key Stage 3 students included the famous Liver-pool skyline in their artwork and also their own per-sonal journey stories. They attended an award ceremony aboard a real ship on the Mersey, hosted by Mike McCartney, Cultural Ambassador for Wirral. The competition was organised and sponsored by Norse Merchant Ferries.

‘He ain’t heavy... D ON’T worry ~ it’s not a real elephant!

Sixth Formers (right) decided to try the imperial method of transport on their visit to Chester Zoo. They were attending a lecture on customer care to help with their GNVQ Leisure and Tourism studies. But they did manage to see the real baby ele-phant ‘Tunga’, born the week before, who is proving to be a major attraction at the zoo.

Click with the website The school website has had a

makeover! Make sure you keep up to date by visiting:

www.stmaryscollege.wirral.sch.uk


Christmas gift boxed A RECORD BREAKING number of shoeboxes has left St Mary’s to bring Christmas joy to some of the world’s poorest children. More than 1200 boxes, all beautifully covered in Christmas paper and filled with all kinds of novelties and treats were sent as part of the Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child Appeal. They are the result of weeks of hard work by students at St Mary’s (below) with great contributions from our partner primary schools and English Martyrs Parish.

Last year Operation Christmas Child collected 6.6 million

boxes and distributed them in 95 countries.

‘Crash’ course in road safety

S TUDENTS have been driving us

round the bend ~ but all in a good cause! Wirral’s ‘Megadrive’ event at Prenton Park gave them the chance to get behind the wheel under the guidance of experts. Wirral Road Safety Unit teamed up with driving examiners, the Institute of Advanced Motorists and others groups to raise awareness of road safety issues. Year 11’s Daniel Corser and Sixth Former Sarah Achilles (pictured with Anna Reece-Richards) both won £50 vouchers when they proved they were the most ‘clued up’ drivers in a special competition.

S T Mary’s College has been judged one of the

country’s top schools in a recent Government survey.

Headteacher Mr Heitzman attended a special reception in the House of Commons with other heads at the invitation of HM Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell.

Guest of honour for the Catholic schools was the Right Rev Vincent Nicholls, Archbishop of Birmingham.

St Mary’s among top schools!

New Parent Governor elected A NEW Parent Governor has been appointed to St

Mary’s Governing Body. He is Mr Ian Proctor, father of Rachael in Year 7. He has also served as a governor for Sacred Heart Primary School, Moreton. He said:

‘I consider it a privilege to represent parents of St Mary’s, being mindful of the faith and trust vested in me, putting views forward, making decisions on their behalf for the benefit of all children.’


Having fun and getting things done...

@the @the discovery discovery centrecentre

T HEY grumbled at first, having to give up a whole Saturday, but by the end of their time at Wirral’s Discovery Learning Centre, Year 11 students were asking for regular sessions!

Nearly 50 students spent two Saturdays at the local authority centre using the high-tech facilities to catch up with their coursework. They had access to the latest computers, a DVD suite, and good old-fashioned teacher support from Mrs Mills, Ms McDonough and Mr Heffernan.

Andrea McGinley, Jill Cosgrove, Kylie Wilson and Rachel Currie find coursework can be fun

‘I went to the Discovery Centre to give myself chance to catch up with my drama coursework, I didn’t really want to come because it was on a Saturday, but I realised it was a great opportunity. The equipment was to a very high standard and I finished all my coursework. I would advise other people to come and do the same.’ Josh Morris 11MT

‘I didn’t want to come ~ it was on a Saturday’

‘I went to the Discovery Centre to catch up with coursework. Before we got there I felt that it would be tedious to go to school on a Saturday. It was actually fun, and gave you a feel-ing of fulfilment’ Sian Henderson 11PE ‘I achieved a lot more in my English Coursework. A lot of pressure will be off my back in school’ Jordan Hale 11MT ‘I got loads of work done, but it wasn’t like school because we got breaks whenever we liked, listened to music and socialised while we worked. It was comfortable and relaxed.’ Jill Cosgrove 11MT

‘I finished my drama coursework and nearly completed my Maths. Now I have more free time’. Katie Melling 11PE Do Not Disturb: Josh Morris and Brian Daly

‘I went because I wanted to catch up with coursework. I thought it would be a waste of time, but I thought it was amazing. The equipment was very high ~ tech and by the end of the day I had achieved all my goals and more. It was a great experience and I recommend it to everyone .’ Andrea McGinley 11PE


H OW did a relative of three St Mary’s students end up at a party in the White

House? The answer is fascinating… Tom Mongey, of Dublin, shown here shaking hands with President Bill Clinton, was Head of Security to the Prime Minister of Ireland, John Bruton.

Bill Clinton, whose own ancestors are Irish, was holding a special St Patrick’s Day Celebration in the White House in 1995. As the photo was taken, Mr Mongey was explaining the significance of the ‘Pioneer Pin’ in his lapel. It is worn widely in Ireland by people who have ‘taken the Pledge’ - never to drink alcohol. Mr Clinton replied: ‘Well, I don’t believe it, an Irishman and you don’t drink!’. Mr Mongey is a cousin of Liam Mongey, who is the grandfather of Natasha, Adam and Katie Melling. Liam Mongey came to this country with his family 50 years ago, first to London, before settling in Wallasey. ♦The name Mongey comes from an area of

France called Gascoigne, or Gascony, and the town of Monget (pronounced Mon-jay). The Mongey clan spread to England with the Nor-man Conquest and then to Ireland in the 17th Century.

From France to the White House via the Battle of the Boyne...

Meeting the President

Shaking hands with Bill Clinton—Tom Mongey, accompanied by

(centre) former Prime Minister of Ireland John Bruton

King William III

or ‘King Billy’ in 1677

Natasha, Katie and Adam Melling with their book of

the Mongey clan compiled by Tom Mongey

Princess Beatrix and ‘King Billy’

IN 1978 Tom Mongey was a driver for the Prime Minister of Ireland when he was introduced to the then Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands. He was able to tell her that both her direct ancestor ~ King Billy or William of Orange ~and his ancestor Nicholas Mongey, had faced each other on the bloody battlefield of The Boyne in 1690. The English Army defeated the Irish, made up of both Irish and French soldiers, and King Billy’s Protestant rule was established in Ireland.

♦ FASCINATING FACT: King Billy assembled his army and set sail for Ireland from King’s Gap in Hoylake ~ that’s where the name comes from.

Research your family history with the help of the BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/history/familyhistory

GranddadLiam and

Great Granddad Billy Mongey


Arras and Surcamps, France

West Ewell, Surrey

L’Abergement Ste Marie, France

Reconvilier, Switzerland

Givry, France

Flight path of the balloonsFlight path of the balloons

Where the race ended . . .

‘ F e l i c i t a -tions’ FRENCH farmer Gilbert Lepil l iet found 15 muddy b a l l o o n s a t the School of Agriculture which he m a n a g e s n e a r Arras. (below). He writes: ‘Felicitations for your aid to the S a c r e d H e a r t Fathers, and good l u c k t o y o u r students’. More balloons were found in Surcamps, Somme, famous for the World War I

PAUL and Jean Vionnet found six balloons (left) near their home in L’Abergement Sainte Marie, France, two days after the release. Jean, four, is a pupil at St Jeanne Antide Catholic School. Mum Francoise sent us their good wishes and a postcard of the village (above right).

One of Mr Heitzman’s balloons was found near Arras ~ amazingly close to the place his great grandfather was killed in the Battle of the Somme, in 1916 ~ and, on November 22, 88 years to the day. Pte Richard Conway was among the 20,000 who lost their lives in one of the most terrible battles of the First World War. He fought in the South Lancashire Regiment.

SOME of the first balloons to be returned were found in Market Drayton, Shropshire, by Mrs Yvonne Calvert who spotted them near to her home. She writes: ‘They were in the walnut tree on Saturday morning but were stuck around the power cable and so we had to leave them. On Sunday morning our next door neighbour got them down for us by shooting them off the branch. ‘If by any chance my address is furthest away, I would like the money donated between your appeal and Children in Need’.

As we go to press, balloons have been found more than 1,000

miles away at La Spezia, in

northern Italy! We will allow two months for all returns before

announcing a winner.

£25,000 Nationally,

The Sacred Heart Fathers’ Moldova

Appeal has raised £25,000. Most of this will be

sent directly to Moldova in time for

Christmas

ST MARY’S COLLEGE

MOLDOVA

Lichfield & Standon, Staffs

Market Drayton, Shropshire

It’s as if the balloons were trying to get to Moldova! As you can see from the

map, so far the winds have taken them half way there!

St Etienne-à-Arnes, France

Gomont, France

Crowborough, East Sussex

Turin, Italy

La Spezia, Italy

1,092 miles!

Nommay, France

Birmingham


EnglishEnglishEnglishEnglish

LanguageLanguageLanguageLanguage

By HannahBy HannahBy HannahBy Hannah

McHale 12 GRJMcHale 12 GRJMcHale 12 GRJMcHale 12 GRJ

The children laffed and the children sang,The children laffed and the children sang,The children laffed and the children sang,The children laffed and the children sang,

Excitement rose for the approach to English Excitement rose for the approach to English Excitement rose for the approach to English Excitement rose for the approach to English

Lang,Lang,Lang,Lang,

‘Verbs and quotations we want to learn more’‘Verbs and quotations we want to learn more’‘Verbs and quotations we want to learn more’‘Verbs and quotations we want to learn more’

Fingers on lips for the entrance of Miss Moor,Fingers on lips for the entrance of Miss Moor,Fingers on lips for the entrance of Miss Moor,Fingers on lips for the entrance of Miss Moor,

Teacher stood up, straight and proud,Teacher stood up, straight and proud,Teacher stood up, straight and proud,Teacher stood up, straight and proud,

‘What should we learn today’ she sed out ‘What should we learn today’ she sed out ‘What should we learn today’ she sed out ‘What should we learn today’ she sed out

loud,loud,loud,loud,

‘Describing words, describing words’ were ‘Describing words, describing words’ were ‘Describing words, describing words’ were ‘Describing words, describing words’ were

their objectives,their objectives,their objectives,their objectives,

‘Aah’ sed teacher ‘you want to learn adjectives.‘Aah’ sed teacher ‘you want to learn adjectives.‘Aah’ sed teacher ‘you want to learn adjectives.‘Aah’ sed teacher ‘you want to learn adjectives.

‘They’re fun sed teacher, ‘Easy to learn’.‘They’re fun sed teacher, ‘Easy to learn’.‘They’re fun sed teacher, ‘Easy to learn’.‘They’re fun sed teacher, ‘Easy to learn’.

‘PRETTY’‘PRETTY’‘PRETTY’‘PRETTY’

‘Shh Miss Robson, await your turn.‘Shh Miss Robson, await your turn.‘Shh Miss Robson, await your turn.‘Shh Miss Robson, await your turn.

‘Nichola ur rite, pretty is correct‘Nichola ur rite, pretty is correct‘Nichola ur rite, pretty is correct‘Nichola ur rite, pretty is correct

‘But shouting out in lessons, I sincerely object.‘But shouting out in lessons, I sincerely object.‘But shouting out in lessons, I sincerely object.‘But shouting out in lessons, I sincerely object.

‘Hands up high, await your cue,‘Hands up high, await your cue,‘Hands up high, await your cue,‘Hands up high, await your cue,

‘And after adjectives, nouns we’ll do.‘And after adjectives, nouns we’ll do.‘And after adjectives, nouns we’ll do.‘And after adjectives, nouns we’ll do.

‘Nouns’ sed teacher, ‘what are these?’‘Nouns’ sed teacher, ‘what are these?’‘Nouns’ sed teacher, ‘what are these?’‘Nouns’ sed teacher, ‘what are these?’

‘A thing’ sed Rosie, quick to please.‘A thing’ sed Rosie, quick to please.‘A thing’ sed Rosie, quick to please.‘A thing’ sed Rosie, quick to please.

‘Teacher’s pet, teacher’s pet’ was the class’s ‘Teacher’s pet, teacher’s pet’ was the class’s ‘Teacher’s pet, teacher’s pet’ was the class’s ‘Teacher’s pet, teacher’s pet’ was the class’s

reply.reply.reply.reply.

‘Shh’ sed teacher, at least she’s willing to try’.‘Shh’ sed teacher, at least she’s willing to try’.‘Shh’ sed teacher, at least she’s willing to try’.‘Shh’ sed teacher, at least she’s willing to try’.

‘Rite’ ses teacher, ‘for that I’ll pick on you’‘Rite’ ses teacher, ‘for that I’ll pick on you’‘Rite’ ses teacher, ‘for that I’ll pick on you’‘Rite’ ses teacher, ‘for that I’ll pick on you’

‘Nichola Robson, verbs, give me two.’‘Nichola Robson, verbs, give me two.’‘Nichola Robson, verbs, give me two.’‘Nichola Robson, verbs, give me two.’

‘Running and dancing are verbs Miss, yes?’‘Running and dancing are verbs Miss, yes?’‘Running and dancing are verbs Miss, yes?’‘Running and dancing are verbs Miss, yes?’

‘Yes, Miss Robson, I’m sincerely impressed.‘Yes, Miss Robson, I’m sincerely impressed.‘Yes, Miss Robson, I’m sincerely impressed.‘Yes, Miss Robson, I’m sincerely impressed.

‘I think I’m lucky to have you in my class’. ‘I think I’m lucky to have you in my class’. ‘I think I’m lucky to have you in my class’. ‘I think I’m lucky to have you in my class’.

Words of a Broken FriendshipWords of a Broken FriendshipWords of a Broken FriendshipWords of a Broken Friendship

Why should I listen to your crying?Why should I listen to your crying?Why should I listen to your crying?Why should I listen to your crying? And your downtrodden sighs,And your downtrodden sighs,And your downtrodden sighs,And your downtrodden sighs,

When I was down you kicked me,When I was down you kicked me,When I was down you kicked me,When I was down you kicked me, How can I sympathise?How can I sympathise?How can I sympathise?How can I sympathise?

I called you a friend and you hurt me,I called you a friend and you hurt me,I called you a friend and you hurt me,I called you a friend and you hurt me,

You broke the bond that we had,You broke the bond that we had,You broke the bond that we had,You broke the bond that we had, I still care, but not like I used to,I still care, but not like I used to,I still care, but not like I used to,I still care, but not like I used to,

So don’t come to me when you’re sad.So don’t come to me when you’re sad.So don’t come to me when you’re sad.So don’t come to me when you’re sad.

But I do understand how you’re feeling,But I do understand how you’re feeling,But I do understand how you’re feeling,But I do understand how you’re feeling, And sometimes I just want to be there,And sometimes I just want to be there,And sometimes I just want to be there,And sometimes I just want to be there, But I can’t bring myself to forgive you,But I can’t bring myself to forgive you,But I can’t bring myself to forgive you,But I can’t bring myself to forgive you, And I can’t bring myself to be fair.And I can’t bring myself to be fair.And I can’t bring myself to be fair.And I can’t bring myself to be fair.

I might one day go back to our friendship, I might one day go back to our friendship, I might one day go back to our friendship, I might one day go back to our friendship,

And I might even start to forgive,And I might even start to forgive,And I might even start to forgive,And I might even start to forgive, But forgetting is not going to happen,But forgetting is not going to happen,But forgetting is not going to happen,But forgetting is not going to happen,

Not for as long as I live.Not for as long as I live.Not for as long as I live.Not for as long as I live.

Sometimes I sit in the darkness,Sometimes I sit in the darkness,Sometimes I sit in the darkness,Sometimes I sit in the darkness, And cry for the friend I once knew,And cry for the friend I once knew,And cry for the friend I once knew,And cry for the friend I once knew,

But the tears that I had are just wasted,But the tears that I had are just wasted,But the tears that I had are just wasted,But the tears that I had are just wasted, On people that hurt me like you.On people that hurt me like you.On people that hurt me like you.On people that hurt me like you.

For now let’s not look at each other, For now let’s not look at each other, For now let’s not look at each other, For now let’s not look at each other,

Let’s not speak or acknowledge I’m here, Let’s not speak or acknowledge I’m here, Let’s not speak or acknowledge I’m here, Let’s not speak or acknowledge I’m here, Just sleep and let the past stay thereJust sleep and let the past stay thereJust sleep and let the past stay thereJust sleep and let the past stay there

And wait for the air to clear.And wait for the air to clear.And wait for the air to clear.And wait for the air to clear.

By Catherine By Catherine By Catherine By Catherine Jones 10KRJones 10KRJones 10KRJones 10KR

PRIZEWINNING POETS: Some of the winners in our

competition in front of the poetry display. There were

scores of entries and an anthology is due out shortly.

The winning poems in our Annual Competition...

The Rhymes


On a Techniquest

Signature of parent or guardian:

__________________

Eagle Eyes

EVERYTHING added up for these students when they made a calculated decision to go on a trip to North Wales. Thirty Year 9 mathematicians went to Techniquest at NEWI in Wrexham. They rose to the challenge of arrang-ing giant 3D shapes, co-ordinating minia-ture shapes and pul-leys (right) and build-ing arches which they tested by standing on them. There were also memory games, work with electricity, a hall of mirrors and a valuable insight into the workings of codes used to send electronic messages.

Y EAR 12 students visited URBIS, the

Manchester museum of the modern city to explore the interactive displays (left). They were gathering information for courses in Geography and Travel and Tourism.

Crunch talks HEALTHY Eating Week filled us full of vitamins again ~ and reminded us how we should be eating all the time. The fruit stall made more than £200, and at 10p per item, that was a lot of fruit! For instance, we sold 160 kg of grapes and 62 kg of apples. School caterers Sodexho offered special meal deals and classes cov-ered healthy eating topics. Geography students looked at ~ and tasted ~ exotic fruits and their coun-tries of origin as well as fair trade farm-ing. And in Leisure and Tourism, stu-dents focused on ‘branding’ as a pow-erful marketing tool. But instead of the usual cola chal-lenge, they tested own brand orange juice against the market leader.

Spellbound YEAR 8 students Holly McLouglin and Georgia Hassall took part in the BBC’s North West regional heat of ‘Hard Spell’. Competition was extremely tough, and the girls did excellently. Holly said: ‘The words we had to learn were really diffi-cult but it was fun too. It was a really exciting day.’

Bosco blankets Knitting needles have been clicking away for weeks to make cot blankets for needy children.

The blankets, four in all, represent many hours of commitment and will provide much needed warmth in the winter months.

The project is organised by Lions International.

5-a-side Champs YEAR 7s have brought home the silver as 5-a-side Wirral Champions!

T he y p l a ye d s e ve n ga me s undefeated, beat local rivals Mosslands in the semi-final and Bebington High 3 ~ 0 in the final.

The squad, Matthew Ross Joe McGee, Ryan Watson, Connor Edwards, Sean Breen, Ben Cloney and Shaun Jardine, were under the expert guidance of manager Damian McKeogh. They will represent Wirral in the North West Championships.

Urban hims and hers!

H S A T HE Home School

Association is looking for new members! Meetings are on the first Tuesday of each month in school at 7pm. If you would like to join the monthly draw, please send your details to the school office with £10 cash or cheque.

♦The recent Attic Sale raised nearly £300 ~ a great success!

Mount St Mary’s blows its top

T HERE were ominous rumblings in the Geography rooms recently...followed

by a startling volcanic eruption. Geoclub members presented their working model of a volcano to parents at Open Evening. The special effects in-cluded a simulation of an earthquake, showing the process of ‘liquefaction where the ground along coastal areas shakes and acts like quicksand, burying large buildings.


Beatle eye view

T HE Screaming Sixties were a hit with a group of Performing Arts students who went on a fact-finding tour at The Beatles Story at the Albert Dock, Liverpool. They were researching a piece

of drama presented at the Launch Evening of St Mary’s Arts College. They saw all the famous memorabilia and decided it was FAB! Above: Seeing the world through John Lennon’s specs.

The Big Sing comes to the Floral

T HEY filled the Floral Pavilion with noise ~ but it was good noise! More than 900 children (above) raised the rafters of the New Brighton theatre for ‘The

Big Sing Liturgy Thing’ at the special invitation of St Mary’s. They were from our partner primary schools of St Alban’s, Liscard, St Joseph’s, Seacombe, St Joseph’s, Upton, SS Peter and Paul, New Brighton, Our Lady of Lourdes, Leasowe, Our Lady of Pity, Greasby, Holy Family, Pensby, St Paul’s, Beechwood, St Peter’s, Noctorum and Sacred Heart, Moreton. Singers Jo, Mike, Claire and Aidan of CJM Music, Birmingham present the show and tour the country with their ministry for young people. Danielle Parsons, of St Alban’s School, writes: ‘I learnt loads of new songs, and me and my cousin were singing them at home because they were so good! The Battle of Jembi was so funny I couldn’t stop laughing. I got to go up on the stage and hold the candle for our school. It was amazing. I really enjoyed it!’

WIN £10! You will find the answer

somewhere in this Newsletter. Post entries into the box in the

foyer. Prizes will be given on the last day of term.

Which Wirral thoroughfare has a Northern Ireland

connection?

Answer:_________________

_________________________

Name:___________________

Form____________________

The first three correct entries picked at random will win £10.

A parent must sign overleaf.

‘Eagle Eyes’ Competition

Christmas 2004

Documents

st marys newsletter

christmas gift

christmas joy

christmas paper

new world

year operation christmas

real ship

road safety s tudents