Latest news with #StGerard's
North Wales Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Bangor showjumper awarded scholarship at St Gerard's
Grace Owen, 15, will begin her A Levels this summer at St Gerard's School after being awarded a sports scholarship. She said: "I've been riding for a long time, but it was only two or three years ago when I really started to compete in the British Showjumping events and took it to the next level. "This is my last year on ponies, I will be moving up to ride horses and jump seniors which I'm really looking forward to. "It will be very different, and the fences will be higher, but I am ready for the challenge." The young equestrian has been riding since the age of three and has competed nationally on ponies Milo and Stella. Her short-term goal is to qualify for the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) later this year, where she will compete in her age and height category. She also hopes to represent Wales in future competitions. Grace recently competed in the Blue Chip Championships and is aiming for the HOYS qualifiers in the coming months. READ MORE: Popular family attraction in Gwynedd launches its first ever alpaca walks! She said: "To be able to do this with the backing of my teachers, friends and everyone at St Gerard's gives me a huge boost, especially as while showjumping I will be studying for A Levels and working towards a career in veterinary science. "The sports side of horses is where I see my future, it's going to be a busy and challenging couple of years ahead, but I am excited to see how it all unfolds." Her parents, Amanda and Matt, praised the support Grace has received from the school. Amanda said: "Families with sports-minded children in particular would benefit from the amazing environment at St Gerard's which is so welcoming while encouraging pupils to work hard and reach their potential." Matt added: "She has only been jumping competitively for a few years but has come so far; most importantly she is passionate about it and St Gerard's is helping her to realise her dreams."
Irish Independent
11-06-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Tánaiste opens new Wicklow school facilities and visits school's Bord Bia Bloom garden
He also dropped into St Mary's and St Gerard's of Enniskerry, where he got to view the pop-up postcard garden that students entered into Bord Bia Bloom 2025. Woodstock ETNS is a developing school located in Newtownmountkennedy and currently has 125 students enrolled. This year one of the school targets was to develop a space for the children to engage in independent reading. This target was supported by the whole school community and the school now has a specified library space with over 2,000 books, comfortable seating, shelving and a digitised record of all library books and borrowings. The Tánaiste also opened the school's new outdoor classroom which has been developed by the school in close partnership with some parents and the wider school community. Acting principal Philip McCarthy said: 'The school really enjoyed the occasion and all staff and children got to engage with the Tánaiste and ask him questions. The school also invited parents to celebrate the opening by attending a coffee morning in the school where parents and guardians got the opportunity to talk to the Tánaiste about the development of our new school. The opening was enjoyed by all who attended and is a significant milestone in the school's development.' The next port of call for the Tánaiste was St Mary's and St Gerards where he was treated to poetry, music and songs from 4th, 5th ad 6th class. He also had a private viewing of the postcard garden designed by 4th class students for Bord Bia Bloom 2025, which was highly commended by Bloom judges. The planting is a mixture of edible, medicinal, and textured plants. All materials used in the garden are upcycled and repurposed as the garden has been designed in line with the school's commitment to protect the environment as a Green School. The Tánaiste also got the opportunity for a chat with renowned lollipop man Ciaron Woodcock, who is a real favourite of all the children attending school in Enniskerry. After the school visit, Cllr Melanie Corrigan brought Tánaiste Harris to the site of Enniskerry FC Soccer in the Meadow mini-word cup, where the final preparations were being put in place..
