Maryfield College

Vision Ireland Visit Transition Years

Maryfield College was delighted to welcome Vision Ireland to our school today with their mobile eye clinic, The Vision Van. This visit, formerly known as NCBI services, provided our Transition Year students with a unique opportunity to learn about and experience the challenges faced by individuals with vision impairment. During a thought-provoking presentation and hands-on workshop, students gained valuable insight into how vision loss affects daily life. The event was linked to their Community Action preparation classes, encouraging empathy, awareness, and social responsibility. A huge thank you to Elaine Crossan and Kelliann McCarthy from Vision Ireland for facilitating this enriching experience for our students.


Help Your Young Person Thrive: Free Training Series on Building Healthy Friendships!

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As parents, we all want our young people to form lasting, healthy relationships. It’s a skill that not only benefits them during childhood but throughout their lives. However, navigating friendships can sometimes be challenging for them, and knowing how to support them effectively isn’t always clear.

Join our free virtual training series, “Supporting Your Child to Build Healthy Friendships and Relationships,” an informative session designed to equip you with the tools and insights necessary to guide your young person through the complexities of friendships and social interactions.

Event Details:

  • Dates: Monday, 29th September to Friday, 3rd October 2025
  • Location: Online via Zoom
  • Cost: Free

 

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Session Highlights:

  • Understand what makes a healthy friendship and why it’s important.
  • Learn to identify signs of unhealthy relationships to better guide your young person.
  • Gain practical communication strategies that your young person can use.
  • Discover ways to foster positive social skills in your young person.

 

How to Register: Spots are limited, and we encourage you to register early to secure your place. Simply click on the link below and choose the session that best fits your schedule. 

https://forms.office.com/e/s6T6zwrkTp

 

 

Session Schedule:

  • Monday 29th: 10am/ 7:30pm
  • Tuesday 30th: 10am / 7:30pm
  • Wednesday 1st: 10am / 7:30pm
  • Thursday 2nd: 10am / 7:30pm
  • Friday 3rd: 10am

 

Looking Ahead: This training series is just the beginning! Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3 of our series, where we will delve deeper into active listening skills and integrating meaningful conversations into your daily interactions with your young person.

 

 

  • Part 2: Enhancing Communication through Active Listening (Week starting 6th October 2025)
  • Part 3: Making ‘The Big Talk’ Many Small Talks (Week starting 13th October 2025)

These follow-up sessions are designed to build on what you learn here, providing a comprehensive toolkit for supporting your young persons relational development.

 

Don’t miss this opportunity to play a proactive role in your young persons social development. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing valuable strategies that will help your child build and maintain positive relationships.

Please also find below some links which you may find helpful on this topic.

https://www.sexualwellbeing.ie/for-parents/resources/booklets/making-the-big-talk-many-small-talks-13-to-18.pdf

 

https://ncca.ie/en/resources/sphe-presentation-for-parents-and-guardians/


Thank you for completing the Parents Association Feedback Survey

Three boxes of Bulter’s Chocolates were dropped off at the school this morning for three lucky parents who completed our Parents Association’s feedback.

We greatly appreciate all the parents who shared their thoughts and insights. We had a great response. Your feedback helps us grow and better serve our school community.

Best Regards,

Patricia – Secretary

Maryfield College Parent Association


Lourdes

Volunteering with the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes was an amazing and unforgettable experience. As students we decide to put our self’s forward for this experience with a sense of curiosity and a feeling of wanting to help our community however what we left with was so much more than we could have ever excepted. We left with a full heart and an understanding of the importance of faith in our lives and unforgettable memories.
One of the stand out experiences during our time was the lighting of the candles in the Basilica of our lady of the rosary. This mass was a deeply symbolic time during our time in Lourdes as every flame represented something close to our hearts- our family, our friends and the people that are struggling during this time. This experience showed us the power of faith as we all gathered to pray for the things that mean the most to us. This was another unforgettable and moving memory.
One of the most moving moments of our time in Lourdes was visiting the Grotto of Massabielle where our lady appeared to Saint Bernadette, the atmosphere around the grotto is truly magical and breathtaking, the sound of the nearby river and the breathtaking view of the statue of our lady is an experience like no other. Whilst in the grotto we felt a sense of connection, and belonging. not just to the sacredness of the grotto but to the intentions and prayers of all those who asked us to carry their hopes with us on our pilgrimage. We brought these intentions to the grotto and gently placed them before the statue of our lady. We spent time in quiet prayer together whilst also reflecting on this wonderful feeling of connection we had whilst being in the beautiful grotto of massabielle and it was truly life changing.
Each night the Torchlight Marian Procession was held. Witnessing the procession with our  own eyes was truly incredible. A sea of yellow candle carried by thousands of pilgrims processing towards the basilica was indescribable . We could feel the beautiful hyms being sang .
We were lucky enough to participate in the procession at the end of the week. Being in the procession along with all our fellow blue and white shirts was a phenomenal experience, praying the rosary and carrying our own candles , being able to be part of something so big together as a community brought together by faith.
Overall the Dublin diocese trip to Lourdes was far more than just a pilgrimage. We experienced a journey of growth and connection. For us, the trip was our chance to bond with not only each other, but with the other volunteers and most importantly the sick and the elderly. We were brought to Lourdes to help and assist the pilgrims and that was truly such an experience. By the end of the trip, it was clear that Lourdes wasn’t just about the journey we made but about the people we met, the lives we touched and the ways we grew together through serving others. This pilgrimage had made a lasting impact, not just on our faith but on our lives.

TY Visit to the Criminal Courts of Justice

4th year Law module class of 2025

Zoe’s  Account of our Visit to the Criminal Courts of Justice, Parkgate Street, Dublin

Today the 9th of April 2025  our class visited the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street, Dublin. As a student interested in law and the justice system, this visit was both eye-opening and informative. It gave me a real-world insight into how Ireland’s legal system operates beyond the pages of a textbook.

 

We arrived at the impressive building just after 9:30 a.m. The architecture of the CCJ is modern and imposing, designed to reflect transparency and justice. After passing through security, we were greeted by a past student of Mary field, Asma Saleh who is a practicing Barrister  who explained the layout of the building and the types of cases heard there — from minor offences to serious criminal trials in the Central Criminal Court.

 

Our group were brought to one of the public galleries to observe a trial in progress. The atmosphere inside the courtroom was serious and respectful. The judge, dressed in traditional robes, presided over the proceedings with calm authority. We listened as the defence and prosecution barristers questioned a witness in a case involving alleged assault. Watching the barristers’ cross-examinations and the judge’s interventions gave me a much clearer understanding of courtroom procedures and the role of each participant.

 

Later, we listened to  a short talk with by Asma  who answered our questions about how cases are prepared, the role of solicitors and barristers, and the types of evidence that can be used. I was particularly interested in how long cases can take to come to trial, and how victims and accused persons are supported during the legal process.

 

The most striking part of the visit was seeing justice in action. It reminded me that behind every case are real people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome. It also showed me the importance of fairness, evidence, and clear communication in legal proceedings.

 

Overall, the visit to the Criminal Courts of Justice was a valuable experience. It deepened my interest in pursuing a career in law and helped me appreciate the complexities of the criminal justice system in Ireland. I would highly recommend such a visit to any student studying law, CSPE, or social studies.

Thanks to our class  teacher Ms Coleman and Ms Bob who accompanied us

Zoe Lenehan. fourth year student