Page 84 - The Gonzaga Record 1994
P. 84
Wolfsburg Planetarium, the local crisps materialism, which was known in the West
factory, and the city of Lubeck, once the as the ‘East German identity crisis.’
capital of Northern Europe. I can also The highpoint of the three weeks came in
boast a 30km cycling tour. On the second- the form of a day-trip to Berlin. There, we
last day of school there was a sports day. I went to the Checkpoint Charlie, the
ran in the 1000m and came fourth. An Irish Purgamon Museum, and the Brandenburg
relay team was arranged but sadly came Gate. On the bus back from Berlin, a party
last. On the last day of school there was a for the Irish was arranged for the following
class party to which the Irish were invited. night. The Irish, of course, showed the
I had no time to waste in afternoons with Germans an atmosphere they’d never seen.
a heatwave in Germany and a brilliant The last day came too soon and with the
local swimming pool. It was the hottest shedding of many tears, goodbyes were
July in the province of Niedersachsen said at Hannover Airport. After a two-hour
since 1862 and while I was there the delay in Heathrow we finally touched
hottest temperature in Germany for the last down on Irish soil. The overall verdict
twenty years was recorded - 41°C! was: brilliant!
During my stay I also made several trips Many, many thanks to Ms Morris and
to the former East Germany. It was Frau Stieber for arranging such an
interesting to see life in a developing enjoyable and worthwhile exchange.
nation. All the East Germans, especially
the children, had an over-indulgence in David Wall (Senior 2S)
FIRST YEAR PARENTS’ FORUM
On First Year Parents’ Day it was Wine' evening for the First Year Parents
suggested that we set up a Parents’ Forum. with the aim of enabling parents, both old
A circular was sent out to all the parents and new, to get to know each other a little
requesting them to return the it if they better. This was a tremendous success.
were interested in forming a committee. Next year we hope to start the year with
A meeting was called for all those a quiz and invite the Second Year girls
interested on 9 February. John O’Connor from Muckross. We also hope to invite
acted as facilitator and a committee was speakers of interest for the boys and
elected. Richard Fitzpatrick was elected parents during the coming year.
Chairperson, Geraldine Coughlan and Our aim is to support the school’s
Mary Morgan joint secretaries, Ann Foley programme and to help the parents and
and Geraldine Feeney joint treasurers. boys to communicate and voice their ideas
Committee members are as follows: Finola and suggestions through the Parents’
Earley, Ted Farrell. Elizabeth Granville, Forum. This, we hope, will help to make
Gerry Lynch, Celine Marah, Mary their time in Gonzaga as rewarding,
McGrath, Kathleen McCloskey, Bernice enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.
O'Seaghdha, Mary O'Shea, Jim O’Brien,
Mary Knox O'Brien and Patricia Sayles. Ann Foley.
On 19 March, we organised a ‘Cheese &
76
factory, and the city of Lubeck, once the as the ‘East German identity crisis.’
capital of Northern Europe. I can also The highpoint of the three weeks came in
boast a 30km cycling tour. On the second- the form of a day-trip to Berlin. There, we
last day of school there was a sports day. I went to the Checkpoint Charlie, the
ran in the 1000m and came fourth. An Irish Purgamon Museum, and the Brandenburg
relay team was arranged but sadly came Gate. On the bus back from Berlin, a party
last. On the last day of school there was a for the Irish was arranged for the following
class party to which the Irish were invited. night. The Irish, of course, showed the
I had no time to waste in afternoons with Germans an atmosphere they’d never seen.
a heatwave in Germany and a brilliant The last day came too soon and with the
local swimming pool. It was the hottest shedding of many tears, goodbyes were
July in the province of Niedersachsen said at Hannover Airport. After a two-hour
since 1862 and while I was there the delay in Heathrow we finally touched
hottest temperature in Germany for the last down on Irish soil. The overall verdict
twenty years was recorded - 41°C! was: brilliant!
During my stay I also made several trips Many, many thanks to Ms Morris and
to the former East Germany. It was Frau Stieber for arranging such an
interesting to see life in a developing enjoyable and worthwhile exchange.
nation. All the East Germans, especially
the children, had an over-indulgence in David Wall (Senior 2S)
FIRST YEAR PARENTS’ FORUM
On First Year Parents’ Day it was Wine' evening for the First Year Parents
suggested that we set up a Parents’ Forum. with the aim of enabling parents, both old
A circular was sent out to all the parents and new, to get to know each other a little
requesting them to return the it if they better. This was a tremendous success.
were interested in forming a committee. Next year we hope to start the year with
A meeting was called for all those a quiz and invite the Second Year girls
interested on 9 February. John O’Connor from Muckross. We also hope to invite
acted as facilitator and a committee was speakers of interest for the boys and
elected. Richard Fitzpatrick was elected parents during the coming year.
Chairperson, Geraldine Coughlan and Our aim is to support the school’s
Mary Morgan joint secretaries, Ann Foley programme and to help the parents and
and Geraldine Feeney joint treasurers. boys to communicate and voice their ideas
Committee members are as follows: Finola and suggestions through the Parents’
Earley, Ted Farrell. Elizabeth Granville, Forum. This, we hope, will help to make
Gerry Lynch, Celine Marah, Mary their time in Gonzaga as rewarding,
McGrath, Kathleen McCloskey, Bernice enjoyable and fulfilling as possible.
O'Seaghdha, Mary O'Shea, Jim O’Brien,
Mary Knox O'Brien and Patricia Sayles. Ann Foley.
On 19 March, we organised a ‘Cheese &
76
