Public Access to Law

On the 5th of November a group of students with an interest in law attended a

workshop held by a Junior Counsel Barrister. The aim of the course was to give
us an insight into the work of a barrister and what happens in a courtroom.

In the morning we watched a CSI documentary concerning two murders that

happened in America. After watching the documentary we had a question and
answer session discussing the case facts and how a barrister might prosecute
the perpetrators. We also discussed famous Irish murder cases and what incrim-
inating evidence lead to convictions.

After the break we participated in a mock trial where a man had been charged
with burglary. The group was divided into barristers, witnesses and jury mem-
bers. The barristers were taught different ways a questioning and cross examin-
ing a witness and the jury members were briefed on how to make their deci-
sion.

After lunch we commenced the second mock trial which was an arson case.

Everyone had an opportunity to play different characters from barristers and

witnesses to the jury. After the second trial we discussed various career options
and the involvement of the law in so many different professions.
Ruanne Whitelaw
 Digital Futures
On November 12th, 2019, the T.Y. year group were given a presentation on the
importance of technology in the future workplace. One of the major parts of TY
are activities in which we are able to experience things that are not found with-
in the classroom. This talk was presented to us on behalf of the technology con-
glomerate, Dell. In this speech we were informed of the importance of technol-
ogy in the future workplace. They further expanded on this point by mentioning
how technology can be used in the most unlikely of careers. They told us of an
example in which beekeepers used software to monitor bee’s activity to combat
the issue of colony collapse disorder. By incorporating technology into the
workplace our careers shall be far more efficient. At the start of the presenta-
tion, most TY students did not consider a profession in the technology sector.
As we learned more about the importance of technology in the future, people
started changing their opinions on technology based careers. Towards the end
many people changed their opinions as they saw the utility of such a career. By
the end of the experience we had learned the importance of technology and
how it will become vital in many future careers.
Dylan Sheehan
DCU Open Day

On the 15th of November, our year group received the oppor-

tunity to visit the Dublin City University campus in Glasnevin. I
think it was safe to say it was a very eye opening experience
which we all benefitted from.
Before entering, we were given a timetable of the various talks
and show lectures happening at the school. We had to plan out
are day in order to attend the talks we wanted. The topics ranged
from psychology to pharmaceutical studies to applied linguistics
to economics. In essence, there wasn’t a shortage.
The talks were very informative and interesting. It was a great
insight into college life, seeing all the students walking around
and going to lectures.
Overall it was a great learning experience and has made us all
think about our college futures.
Laura Harmon
 RADMUN
Our RADMUN experience started on the 7th of November in the main
hall of Rathdown School. After the opening ceremony, we all headed
off to our individual committees, where each delegate met with their re-
spective committees and settled themselves in with fellow delegates. St.
Gerard’s sent two TY delegations that represented India and South Afri-
ca. On the first day meals were provided in between sessions. Each del-
egate did their very best to represent their nation while focusing on the
issues at hand in their committee. The experience successfully gave
some of our first-time delegates an eye-opener to the function of MUN
and the many complex aspects regarding effective debating, lobbying,
persuasion, self-confidence and problem solving. Some delegates sub-
mitted and successfully passed their resolutions through their commit-
tee with flying colours. These resolutions would further be debated and
discussed in the General Assembly, where the fate of such resolutions
were decided. One of our delegates representing South Africa managed
to pass their resolution on the international water scarcity issue. Our
delegates further showed their talents on the following day in their
committees. The event on Saturday ran from 9am-5pm which put our
delegates under extreme pressure and tested their mental endurance. We
look forward to matching the standard of diplomacy, intelligence and
success in the numerous up and coming MUNs.
Matthew Thornton
Difference Day

Difference Day is an event in which TY students volunteer

to help people who are less fortunate. This difference day, a
group of TY students went to a school in Clondalkin to help
them prepare before their school play. They decided to do
this as the children of the school have difficult lives due to
their disabilities that can hamper them throughout life. By
making their school hall beautiful and festive we hoped to
make them even just the slightest bit happier. The main part
of the activity was the creation of decorations to adorn the
school’s hall. The TY students created a variety of paper
snowflakes as well as other ornaments. The other activity
was to paint the school’s windows with festive scenes of
snowflakes, reindeer and Christmas trees. This proved to be
quite a challenge as paint tends to not stick to glass, howev-
er after a struggle all the windows were painted. Once all of
the decorating was complete on the second day the TY stu-
dents could look upon the fruit of their labours knowing that
they had helped others who are less fortunate.
Dylan Sheehan
 Garda Talk

This year TY students were given an informative talk on the

possession and use of substances such as narcotic drugs. This
presentation focused on the importance of avoiding drug use.
The talk focused on the various laws that somebody can be
prosecuted under for the possession of drugs as well as the le-
gal powers that the Gardai have to search a vehicle with rea-
sonable doubt that the vehicle contains a narcotic substance.
The Garda further expanded on the point of how possessing
such a substance can lead to serious consequences. A Garda
will often receive a search warrant to search a house if the
resident has been found to possess such substances. This talk
was educational for it informed us of why the possession of
drugs is harmful for society and how the negatives of the
vending or consumption of such substances far outweigh the
benefits due to the severe consequences.
Dylan Sheehan

Carol Singing
On Friday the 13th of December, various members from our
year group volunteered to go carol singing on O’Connell’s in
aid of the Simon Community. Not only was this an amazing ex-
perience, it really reminded us how it is more important to give
rather than take around Christmas time.
We sang a variety of songs ranging from Silent Night to Frosty
The Snowman. Although it was a cold day, we were all in high
spirits. It was so rewarding to see the smiles on the passing
people’s faces.
Over the two hours we sang, we raised nearly 420 euro for the
Simon Community.
Laura Harmon
Scuba Diving

The scuba diving experience was one of the things that

we were all looking forward to this year and it certainly
lived up to our expectations. Two days before we sub-
merged ourselves under water we went through the theory
with one of the instructors. We learnt the different hand
signals that divers use whilst under water to communi-
cate with one another. As well as that we learnt how to
use the apparatus correctly and safely. We did this before
we went to the National Aquatic Center to ensure that we
could utilize the full hour of diving.

On the real day, I found the unusual sensation of being

able to breath under water a challenge and panicked a bit
at the beginning. But as soon as I reached the surface
again before submerging myself back in I learnt to relax
and trust myself more.

We all really enjoyed this experience from start to finish

and the majority of us probably wouldn’t have gotten this
opportunity anywhere else.
Faye Durkan
 Hamper Packing
Christmas is the of the most wonderful times of the year, yet for
many it is a struggle due to the harsh weather and pressure to buy
presents. It can be the most difficult time of the year for people in
lower socioeconomic groups who struggle to get by financially.
That is why our school works with the SVP to create food hampers
for people who find this time of year challenging. The students
from our school assembled in the sports hall where we were tasked
with the creation of food hampers. By creating these simple food
hampers we give these people nutritious food for the holiday sea-
son which can take the financial strain off of these households. The
other part of the day involved delivering the hampers to people
throughout the area. Willing volunteers from our school community
gave up their time to deliver these hampers to families in need. It
was an interesting experience for, we were able to see just how
privileged a life we lead. Being able to help people who are strug-
gling is such a rewarding experience for it is good to give back to
our community.
Dylan Sheehan

This second term has seen the main bulk of the Rugby TY Lein-
ster League. This term also saw the debut of the new rugby
coach, Harry Kirk who is now in charge of coaching the squad as
they become the Senior Thirds and Senior Seconds.

Luckily the squad have been able to qualify for the TY League
Rugby

Quarter Final against Gonzaga. This match took place on Satur-

day the 14th of December. The weather was looking to be harsh
as snow was visible up until the warm up for the game. Unfortu-
nately only 14 of the TY squad were eligible and another was
taken off for HIA (head injury assessment) at half time. This left
a 13 man squad to play a full 15 player Gonzaga side for the sec-
ond half. The score was close coming into the second half but a
perfectly timed interception by Shay O’Keefe gave hope to the
side following his successful offload in a 1 on 1 to score. Marcus
Von Teichman lead the side out and showed his leadership as he
set up another try for Timmy Wilkinson. Other tries scored by
Luke Long and Scott Dalton finalised the score to be 31-12. Ga-
briel Dooley was awarded man of the match.

The team will now be looking forward to the leagues Semi-final

and hopefully the match will end with a similar outcome.
Guy Corson
VOX POP
In this issue of our Vox Populi, meaning ‘voice of the people’ we touch upon a particularly conten-
tious topic; religion. We have compiled a list of various questions encompassing many different is-
sues and topics concerning religion, following this, we will conduct anonymous interviews with stu-
dents and possibly teachers. The purpose of our Vox Pop is to acquire the unfiltered opinions of peo-
ple in our community, we want to know what people like, what they believe and what they have aver-
sions to. Though we have ample opportunity at our school community to express ourselves, it is not
often we are allowed to completely ‘let loose’ so to speak, and feel liberated enough to own our own
opinions, without fear of ridicule or scorn. We hope people react positively to our Vox Pop, though
we are aware sometimes illuminating such topics as sensitive as this can be precarious. Ultimately we
hope this issue will be both an informative and liberating experience for our school community.

Religion is obviously a massive part of our school community and what we do everyday. However,
Amelia and I have been wondering what the school’s population really think about it. We hope to
question the students of the school about their opinions on religion in schools but also we hope to ask
about opinions on more extreme parts of religion such as fundamentalists. It's of paramount im-
portance for answers to be honest so we can understand the real thoughts of the people, so we made
all of our answers anonymous.

This school-community poll has indeed given me a lot of insights into the views of our school com-
munity. It was so fascinating seeing the broad spectrum our community occupies; I learnt that reli-
gion truly does mean something different to all of us. I listened to those who don’t feel anything to-
wards religion; it’s hasn’t impacted upon their lives and I listened to some who concluded that while
religion was not a particularly large segment of their life, they could definitely learn something from
it.

“Religion is not a particularly large part of my life, but I definitely go by some of the moral codes
taught to me.”

“I believe with religion if you follow the morals of it, you’ll be a good person.”

I listened to some, whose lives were greatly indebted to religion

“If I wasn’t connected to faith in the way I am, I probably would not have the things I have today,
I’m so grateful for all the things I have because of my faith, more so than anything else.”

“My faith is what has grounded me and guided me through life.”

We asked if our interviewees had ever felt pressured to hide their views; some were adamant about
their lifestyle, they felt no need to hide it, others were constantly tip-toeing about, attempting to
avoid offending those less free spirited than themselves. I observed that some situations we feel at
ease to express what we feel and believe, in other more crowded and confining spaces (both literally;
in a classroom, and figuratively; around people) we feel as though we shouldn’t speak out, we don’t
want to risk offending or affronting.
Here is an example of someone who was pressured to hide their views; “A lot of people have a moral
high ground by being agnostic or atheist. I almost have a sense of shame.”

We also concluded that Ireland is a fairly liberal and open minded country, here we are sheltered in the
sense that people (to an extent) are very accepting of whatever you choose to be, and so for that reason it
is difficult to gauge opinions on more consequential matters.

“But I think it is important to note we are a sheltered Irish school, so we are lucky to be able to say we
aren’t often exposed to any particularly controversial matters.”

We tiptoed around a rather contentious topic when we asked about homophobia and sexism as a result of
our Catholic schooling, but the answers we received were quite honesty heartwarming. Many agreed that
those who take the Bible literally, those who chose to misinterpret are going to twist what the meaning is
truly meant to be.

“I think what has happened is that the more outspoken people have said what is supposed to be. In my
opinion I think the interpretation of religion is what is wrong rather than the actual teachings behind
everything.”

We asked if people thought our school was working on improving these issues, and here we were slightly
more divided. Some believed that Christianity was ‘pushed’ too much, and that we aren’t as inclusive as
we could be.

“If a Muslim boy or girl came to this school, I don’t think they would be able to celebrate it, because there
are no outlets here for them to use for their worship.”

Others believed our school certainly offered everyone the opportunity, and acknowledged the fact that
we are a Catholic school, and proud of it, and part of our ethos is to embrace everybody, as ‘those of us
who are without sin, let us cast the first stone’

“If we don’t accept everyone and instead promote sexism, ageism, racism, anything that is nega-
tive, we aren’t really following in the steps of Christ, that’s what I believe.”

We asked are interviewees what they thought about having a secular society, and we had opinions that
definitely clashed

“I think a secular society is more inevitable rather than necessary”

“I think it depends on what type of country it is, if a country has a melting pot of various religions, cul-
tures, and different demographics of people, then I think it should be secular, you have too many views
liable to influence the laws of a country”

We asked about the significance of religion in individuals lives, many spoke out about how it can be
helpful in answering their questions and providing a comfort, perhaps also providing some structure.
Many also acknowledged that it gives us hope for the future.
“I believe that faith gives you hope you aren’t alone, you won’t have to take on a problem by
yourself; you have another pair of shoulders to lesson the pressure.”

“I think repeating certain tasks regularly is really nice, that’s why you might go to church on a
Sunday”

Many expressed how faith can be a tool in helping us when we encounter difficulty, in giving us
something we can use to better our societies and provide us with meaning,

“I think for a lot of people, religion acts as something to focus on. I

know a lot of people find their meaning of life in religion.”

We also asked about the negative aspects of religion, how, like anything, people can use religion
for malicious means

Our speakers stressed that religion itself would never condone such heinous acts, rather, man's ca-
pacity for fallibility has caused people to take on roles of authority and decide for themselves what
is right and what is wrong, and take advantage of opportunities or power, wealth and evil.

“People hide behind religion and take part in heinous actions under the name of religion, as it is
an easy thing to hide behind”

“They skew what they believe their texts have told them and use these misinterpreted passages to do
unspeakable things.”
“I don’t think religion is the root of all, I just think it happens to be a negative byproduct, but it
doesn’t necessarily mean religion is a bad thing”

One other thing we immediately noticed was that many of the people had an agnostic approach to
their views on religion. We expected this as this is more typical for younger people who haven’t
come into their own yet. What was really lovely was that pretty much everybody was open to learn-
ing new things about religion and didn’t view any religious views as wrong. Here are some exam-
ples of that;

“You can’t tell for sure whether God exists or not,”

“I know a lot of people find their meaning of life in religion,”

We also noticed when analysing people's answers was that many people didn’t have a very strong con-
cept of what they believe God(s) to look like. Many people used anecdotes and metaphors to describe
their image of God(s) as they couldn’t accurately describe what they were to them. Here are some exam-
ples;

“I truly don’t think anyone knows the answer though, I remember doing my communion and I asked a
woman if god was male or female, she couldn’t answer me. I don’t think anyone can tell for sure.”

“The figures we have are only there to visualise what it could be,but for me, personally, I don’t think
it’s a man in the sky; it’s an energy. The way that religious groups and communities try to depict him,
is a metaphorical way to understand ‘him’.”

“I can’t really say how I’d picture God. It would just be someone you can talk to.”

We also saw that many people were much more knowledgeable about religion due to their religion clas-
ses in school. People were able to hold conversation on topics that many consider difficult to discuss
such as agnosticism and secularism. This could also be attributed to younger people being more open.

Here is somebody discussing their views on secularism; “At the moment we are in a situation in which
the world believes we are much better off without this higher power, but eventually when we reach a neg-
ative situation I think people will go back to their faith. In conclusion, society wants a secular society,
but I don’t think that’s what society actually needs.”

And here is somebody discussing difficult topics; “I think religion can definitely be used negatively, even
with the Iraqi wars and the wars in Vietnam, people use religion to justify horrific actions, people of dif-
ferent religions fight each other,
they skew what they believe their texts have told them and use these misinterpreted passages to do un-
speakable things...”

All in all, we found that people were very open to new ideas in our school community but they also un-
derstood that religion plays a massively important role in our school and that’s a good thing! We think
our peers our collectively very knowledgeable about many different topics and we hope to interview
them about many more in the future.

Amelia Dolan & Murray Sheehan

Newsletter designed and produced by Evan Dargan Hayes