The purpose of the school is to provide a service to the students. This page is dedic\ated to the students, particularly the 5th Years, to contribute their ideas, and communicate with the outside world.This area of the site is under extensive construction. Expect, eventually, to see the following new features:
- Essays.
- Computer projects.
- Jokes.
- Details for potential penfriends.
- Top 10s
- Pictures/Photos
- And much more !! (Depending on their suggestions)
Also, in other areas of the site, we will soon have a guestbook set-up, and a photo of the full staff, with window-popups of their name, teaching profession, etc.
Every year the students of Holy Cross College embark into the unknown, into a
foreign way of life the only remote features of home are the friendly surroundings of
the teachers and friends.
This year the venue was Rome. We were off to a promising start with the
unscheduled burst tyre of the reliable Finnegans coach. Check in at Cork Airport was
quick and the plane took off on time. Although Heathrow was another story after a
delay of three hours we were off to sunny Rome. In Heathrow I think Christina was
trying to prepare us for the worst with the purchase of her smelly feet socks, but
that was the last we smelt of it.
As the plane touched down in Italy the heat was the most prominent change form our
own native land. We only had one incident at the Airport. Kathleen and Patricia lost
their luggage but it was recovered and back to them the next day but I assure you they
were not looking at the positive side of the situation as most were really looking
forward to a quick shower although there was a serious lack of working locks and
people walked freely regardless if the shower room was vacant or not!!! (John -
Michael demonstrated so perfectly it must be the first thing that he did himself
without copying!!)
After our exciting showers we set out on our exploration of the adventure filled city.
After a mini marathon Sr. Consilio demonstrated her traffic stopping skills. We
finally sampled the fine cuisine of Italy. Take my word for it we would make nicer
Italian food than they do. After we were allowed to explore Rome by ourselves many
availed of the fabulous designer clothes shops. The glamour of the Italian natives is a
standard which many Irish fashion shows have yet to reach. I don’t think our fashion
impressed them which they made sure we understood with the helpful shop assistants
spraying various perfumes at us, (which Kathleen or Noreen will be quiet happy to
explain about).
All though most Italians are so helpful with the continual statement Thata way.
There was one day we were left to explore St. Peters on our own, but warned to be at
St Peters Square at 2.00 p.m. When we discovered that we didn’t have a clue where
we were going we began to ask the various guards around the museum, only to get a
standard response of Thata Way. That’s fine but when they all point in a different
direction is where we ran into serious problems. David O’Connor discovered the
problem with an experimental question of Sorry, where is Florence and with the
again standard response Thata way, that is serially ironic when Florence is on the
opposite side of Italy.
The highlight of our tour took place that night when we discovered the Spanish steps
a fleet of about 530 steps which hosted an array of shops, restaurants and thee most
annoying venders. Although we did get lots of bargains including stress busters
which the teachers made great use of towards the end of our trip. Over the next few
days we visited various famous monuments such as the Colosseum, The Fourom, and
the Frontana de Trevi, which all were too hard to describe in a few words but every
night we retreated back to the Spanish Steps for a night of fun and craic with the
natives. The fun did not stop there though and after the long trek back to the hotel we
all piled into the same room for a long nights gossiping and partying into the early
hours. But as the old saying goes All good things must come to an end and on the
17th of October, we began the long trip back to the Emerald Isle. We all arrived
home safe and sound that evening, and guaranteed everyone slept sound that night!!!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Power, Mr. O’Connell, Mrs.
Hayes, Sr. Consilio for accompanying us and a very very special thank you to Miss
Dineen for organizing a tour we will never forget.
I was born and I will die,
Peter Kidney
Thru times past and durations present,
We’ve fought for our pride,
Great chorus’ of freedom,
So stand Irishmen united as one,
As the great celtic tiger prowls proud in its place,
So with one great last effort,
Michael Fran
SCHOOL TOUR
ROME
OCTOBER 1999
LIFE
I’ll reach my hand and touch the sky,
I’ll live my life and ask not why,
But live my life until I die.
OPPRESSION
The defiant fist of England,
Has reopened our gaping wounds,
This emerald isle for many years of old,
Has bore the cold breeze of oppression,
We’ve fought for our freedom,
We’ve fought long and hard for the great Irish People.
Our gallant Irishmen did sing,
As we rebelled against the crown,
And fought against the king,
Our land must prosper against all barriers,
Wind, rain and sun.
We must break all barriers,
And end this disgrace,
Bear heed to my lesson,
Fellow Irishmen,
Put an end to oppression.