Chess Club

The St. Aidans's Chess Club has restarted this year. The Club runs nearly every lunch time from 1:05 until 1:55. As well as Chess, the Club also has some computer games for those who find chess difficult.

There is a tournament on at present with the top eight students forming two teams to compete in the ESB Checkmate Tournament, which starts in January. The students made it to the second round last year and hope to make it further this year.

A big thank you to Mr. Doyle for all his time and effort in organising and managing our Chess Club.

Bienvenue En Irlande Á Mlle. Mandelik

On behalf of all the students (and teachers of French) we extend a very warm welcome to Madamoiselle Mandelik. She has come here to spend a year with us, to help us all to improve our French and our knowledge of France, and the French way of life. We hope that her year in St. Aidan's will be an enjoyable one and of great benefit to her and to all of us. It is great opportunity for all students of French in St. Aidan's to work with a native speaker, so make the most of it! Vive La Francphonie!

(French Dept.)

Cycling And Safety On The Roads

With the vast increase in the volume o ftraffic no the roads, particularily cars, and the darkening evenings between now and the New Year, it is vital for every student of St. Aidan's, who cycles to and from school, to exercise great care on the road. It may not be 'cool' to wear a helmet while cycling, but it's even less 'cool' to suffer a serious head injury. Remember to have a working rear light these dark evenings and to wear reflective materials. Also be extrememly careful at junctions, crossings and traffic lights, and remember the law and the rules of the road apply to all cyclists.

Mr. K Casey (Safety Officer).

A Journey of a Lifetime

On the 22nd of September I embarked on a journey of a lifetime. I boarded flight bmil 77 on my way to Durban, South Africa to compete in the Karate World Championships.

My Journey started seven years ago on my seventh birthday when I started Karate in St. Kevin's Hall in Crestfield. I had always wanted to do Karate and finally got my chance to impress.

After six years I finally achieved my black belt and started to train with the Irish National Squad in Fermoy, County Cork, and after only eight months I was selected for the National Squad to attend the World Championships, an influencing factor being the several National Titles which I had won on my way.

In South Africa I was selected to compete in the kata (movement) and kumati (fighting) competitions. Unfortunately I was defeated in the first round by a stronger and more experienced opponent.

Even though I was defeated, I had a great time and hope to attend many more competitions such as the European Championships in Ukraine late next year and hopefully one day become a World Champion.

Alan Cleary(2 East). Mr. K Casey (Safety Officer).

U16 Hurling

Our U16 hurlers played in Division A of the Dublin Colleges League. This was a big step-up from previous years and with a relatively young side, they acquitted themselves very well with two victories over St. David's and St. Declan's and two defeats to Coláiste Éanna and Coláiste Eoin. Their mentor/coach/manager, Mr. Seán Moore is very optimistic about the future of hurling in Saint Aidan's. 1st year indoor hurling is underway and U14 hurling will start after Christmas.

U16 Gaelic

The U16 footballers are having a tremendous season. Following on from the great success of the U14 footballers last year (Leinster champions), our U16 team has qualified for the Dublin A Semi-Finals. Br. Caulfield and Mr. O'Neill have put in tremendous work preparing the team and comprehensive victories over St. Declan's, Coláiste Choilm and St. David's have shown how this work has been rewarded. We wish the team and their mentors every success and we are reserving a place in the trophy cabinet, just in case! The U16's continued their winning way in the Semi-Final and are liiking forward to the Finals.

Senior Gaelic

Our seniors are finding the competition very tough in their division. They lost to Malahide in their opening match and now must win their next match against Coolmine to remain in the competition. We wish them and their mentors Mr. McCafferty and Mr. Lynch the best of luck.

Cup Glory

Congratulations to Barry Ferguson, a former pupil of St. Aidan's (1992-1997), on captaining Longford Town to its first victory in the F.A.I. Cup competition.