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Form V Art Trip

Form V pupils Alice McClintock Bunbury, Dairbhre Murray and Maxx White Anderson report on the recent art trip to the National Gallery and The Hugh Lane.

On Friday 16th May we went to see various exhibitions and artworks around Dublin. We started the day by visiting the National Gallery of Ireland. Firstly, we saw several paintings from the permanent collection, including ‘A Convent Garden’ by William John Leech. He  attended St Columba’s College too so it made seeing his work especially meaningful.
After exploring the permanent collection, we visited the exhibition ‘Mainie Jellett and Evie Hone: The Art of Friendship’. We saw amazing paintings and stained glass works here. One of the highlights was seeing Evie Hone’s stained glass pieces, which are also housed at our own school: one in the library and also a painting in the chapel Evie Hone.

After the National Gallery, we enjoyed lunch sitting in the Pav in Trinity College Park, soaking up the atmosphere before heading to our next activity. We then took a street art tour around Temple Bar, led by Ms Cullen and Ms Murphy. My favourite piece was ‘Love Lane’ by Anna Doran. The laneway is aesthetically pleasing and interactive, with stencilled hearts and hand-painted tiles featuring quotes and dedications. We even signed our names there and took some brilliant photos. Another remarkable work was the Blooms Hotel Mural by James Earley, which is based on the novel Ulysses by James Joyce, cleverly integrating literary themes with vibrant street art.
Our final stop was the Hugh Lane Gallery, where a tour guide introduced us to the stunning stained glass works of Harry Clarke. I was fascinated by the intricate details and vivid colours. We also saw Francis Bacon’s preserved studio, which, despite being messy, offered a vivid glimpse into the artist’s creative process. The highlight was the ‘La Grande Illusion’ exhibition by Brian Maguire. One powerful painting depicted the Amazon rainforest, capturing global issues such as deforestation with bold brushstrokes and abstract forms.Overall, it was a fantastic day that allowed us to see art in a whole new way.

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South Africa Trip Report

Form V pupil Safia Walker reports on the recent school trip to South Africa.

During the February half-term, fifteen of us embarked on a long but highly anticipated journey to South Africa, where we had the incredible opportunity to stay in Tiger Kloof School. Tiger Kloof is a historic boarding and day school located in Vryburg, in the Northwest province of South Africa. The school holds deep historical significance, having endured the effects of the Apartheid, making it a powerful place for learning and reflection.

Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the students and staff and we  enjoyed a wonderful dinner together, setting the tone for the week ahead. From the very start, we felt a strong sense of community and were eager to immerse ourselves in the cultural and social experiences that awaited us. Throughout our stay, we had many memorable interactions with the students, who were eager to share their culture and traditions with us. One of the most memorable moments was learning and performing traditional South African gumboot dancing and marimba playing. Though our dancing skills were far from refined and our marimba playing was slightly offbeat, the experience was filled with laughter and joy. The sound of our enthusiastic yet imperfect performance echoed through the stunning church, creating an unforgettable moment of cultural exchange.

In addition to participating in cultural activities, we attended classes with the students, which provided us with valuable insight into their education system. While we noticed many similarities in subjects and teaching methods, there were also stark differences in student life and daily routines. This experience allowed us to appreciate the unique challenges and opportunities faced by students at Tiger Kloof, deepening our understanding of life in South Africa.

We didn’t just interact with the students. In the nearby township we visited a centre for disabled individuals. We read books, danced and also did some colouring with them. Afterwards we headed to the soup kitchen which was set up by the Warden and where the Tiger Kloof students volunteer twice a week.  While we were there we aided in cooking food, we cried a lot while cutting onions and we played football with the local children.  This was a very moving and rewarding experience to help those who are not as fortunate as us yet still were full of joy.

As our week was coming to an end, we drove to Pilanesberg National Park to do a safari tour. We were lucky enough to see rhinos, elephants, hippos, giraffes and lions, as well as countless butterflies.  Looking back, our time in South Africa was an extraordinary journey of cultural immersion, personal growth, and meaningful connections. We left with a newfound appreciation for the kindness and hospitality of the people we met, as well as unforgettable memories that will stay with us forever.

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Form VI Art Trip

Constance Chambré and Jasper Wilkinson report on the recent Form VI Art trip to Newgrange.

After leaving the College at 8:30am and driving for just over an hour we arrived at the Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre in Co. Meath. The centre focused on creating a sense of what it was like to live during the Neolithic Period. It was an immersive experience in which beautiful light was reflected on the floor representing the flowing water of the River Boyne; forests were projected on the walls as well as videos playing re-creations of Neolithic people gathering food or cooking.

After leaving the Visitor Centre, we got a shuttle bus up to Knowth, the biggest of all the passage tombs in Ireland. When we arrived we were greeted by the friendliest of staff who gave us a tour and explained the meaning and significance of the tomb. After the tour we explored the site where there an additional 17 smaller satellite tombs. Despite the wind, we were able to stand on the top of the tomb and look down on the hills of Meath and across to Newgrange and Dowth.

Next, we took the shuttle bus to Newgrange where we were divided into two groups. Whilst the first group went inside the tomb, our group got to admire the sheer craftsmanship that went into constructing Newgrange from the outside. As well as the incredible entrance stone that stands at the front of the passage into the tomb, we were also able to view kerbstone 52 which is covered in beautiful linear Neolithic art which is at the rear of the tomb. Once it was our turn to go into the tomb, I was surprised by the sheer size of the entrance passage and the megaliths that had to be transported a huge distance from the Wicklow mountains.

Inside the tomb, the guide demonstrated what it would be like to be in there during the Winter Solstice, when natural sunlight travels deep inside the chamber. One of my favourite parts of my visit to Newgrange was reading the graffiti that people had carved into the walls centuries ago. I think the earliest one I spotted was 1822!!!

After our enlightening visit to the pre-Christian sites, Newgrange and Knowth, we took the bus to the National Museum Dublin. The museum was full of fascinating artefacts ranging over thousands of years. Our focus was of course on the tools and artwork dating to the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. My favourite object was the three-headed Corleck from the Iron Age, dating to around the 1st or 2nd century AD. There were also a number of ‘bog bodies’ which are the remains of people who were killed as part of a sacrificial ritual during the Iron Age. We also managed to have a quick look at The Miosach, a book shrine which has very close associations with our College. After a good hour in the museum we went back to the bus and returned to the College. It was a very enjoyable tour and it was great to see first hand all of the artefacts we have been studying as part of our Visual Studies course.

Form VI Art Trip
Form VI Art Trip
22 photos
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Trips Week 2024

The tradition College ‘Trips Week’ takes place in the first week of June. As the Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations begins, pupils from non-exam years go on a series of trips. Many pupils from Forms I & II travelled to the south of France, visiting Nîmes, Montpellier, Pont du Gard, Avignon, Carcassonne and more, while those remaining at home participated in a series of day trips, including Explorium science museum, Dublin Zoo and Emerald Park.

Form IV (Transition Year) pupils travelled to Achill Island for a week of water sports, camping and outdoor adventures while our Form V pupils made the trip to the Burren in Co. Clare for biology and geography fieldwork. There was time for some rest and relaxation too, with a boat trip to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands, taking in a view of the Cliffs of Moher on their return and some surfing on Lahinch strand.

Below is a photo album from the various trips which took place last week. Many thanks to the staff who organised and accompanied the various trips and to the pupils for their excellent attitude and behaviour.

Trips Week 2024
Trips Week 2024
69 photos
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