Chronicles of Coláiste Chiaráin 2017

kids ran into the maze. Thomas asked Joseph where are they going.
Joseph answered by saying it’s the only way out, anyone who has
entered the maze has never EVER made it out. The front of the maze
closes slowly as Thomas takes a deep gulp.

Joseph shows Thomas around and afterwards they sit down to have a
chat with members of this place that they call school. Joseph got to
know Tom, Eoin and the other members of this mysterious place. It
was getting dark so they drifted off to sleep in who knows where!!
The room starts to get bright again. ‘THUMP!!’. Thomas and Joseph
rush to the maze to see if the two guys made it back. Minho struggling
to get out with his injured team mate Newt, the doors almost closing,
everyone standing in horror. Thomas runs into the maze as fast as a
cheetah as the doors almost closed on him and everyone screams in
terror. Thomas tries his best to help Minho and Newt, as they
wandered the maze. The monster emerges and Thomas bravely kills
the monster as Minho is nowhere to be found until the end. They make
it out safely with Newt as everyone celebrated in joy. As they were
rejoicing they heard a ‘THUD!!’. The gate opened. A girl lying on the
ground with a paper on her head. She looked dead and had a nametag
that said ‘Teresa’. Newt picked up the paper. Written out on it said ‘She
is the last one!’ in big red writing. The girl settled in well but was still
in shock and after all the trouble she went to she made a plan to escape
this place.

The day for the escape was coming up soon. Children voting to stay in
this place in the middle of nowhere or go with Thomas and Teresa into
the maze. About ten people followed Thomas and Teresa as the rest
stayed with their leader Joseph. They entered the maze as the door
slowly closed behind them. Everyone split up. At the time it was the
best idea.In the maze they fought all the monsters and eventually
Thomas stumbles across a type of portal. It was the exit, everyone
disappeared into it and finally got home. Since that day the school and
the maze were never to be heard of again.

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The Bad Note by Harry Farrell

There was a student named Conor,
Who went to school in Colaiste Chiarain,

He was thought to be very honest,
And all his homework had to be done.
One day he forgot his key to his lock,

And all of his books were in there,
He was in very big shock,

So he asked his friends to share
So he went in his first class

With none of his homework done
He was starting to feel a little bit anxious
He got the book from his friend Ciarán
So he went up to the teacher with his journal

The teacher saw he was upset
It was definitely a lesson to learn from

So the teacher let him off with it

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The Barrier by Christella Kanda

It was the end of the school day in Colaiste Chiarain. The two Rachels,
Ketsia, Beatrice and I were walking out the school gates as were
dozens of other students. Suddenly “THUMP”. We couldn't pass
through the gates. Being smart I remembered from a TV series called
The Dome that the same thing happened. It was just a thought so I
ignored it. Ketsia, Beatrice, Rachel and Rachel were freaking out. Some
students went around the school to see if there was another way out of
the barrier but there was not. Soon chaos occurred, students were
screaming and shouting. Mr.Sweeney quickly called the police.

In the meantime people were scavenging for food and water. Luckily
the pipes still worked so there was water but food? I was not so sure.
The police arrived at the scene. As one of them tried to pass the barrier
he fell to ground. His eyes turned as black as the night and stars form
in his eyes. He chanted “Planets are falling. Lines prepare. The Queen
of Sundosia is coming”.

Immediately after, the policeman snapped back to reality. Everyone
was all over the place. An assembly was called and all students headed
to the hall. Everyone was assigned into a group according to their year.

The next day myself and my friends went outside. News reporters,
police, military and a massive crowd were waiting outside the barrier.
The military dropped a bomb every five hours on the barrier. Food in
the school was rationed out. We even had to use nettles in the garden
to make tea. There was no electricity so we had make things the old
fashioned way using a fire. When the sun set everybody had to go to
sleep because it would have been pitch black. Most people used coats
as pillows and blankets. It basically felt like a concentration camp but
with no work. At 5pm everybody came outside for rations. The
military dropped a bomb and the barrier came down like shattered
glass. Everyone was free, like nothing ever happened. Families, news

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people and police were waiting outside the gates. All the time I spent
in the barrier taught me not to take anything for granted even though I
was in the barrier for just one day.

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The Beach by Laoise O'Toole

I'm lying on the white hot sand, looking at the clear calm sea. My
attention is caught when I hear the screeching noise of toddlers as they

run away from the breaking waves.
The blue cloudless sky highlights the vibrant colours of sundresses

and beach volleyballs.
I can smell the panini coming from the food hut up above. I go up to
order one, and on my walk I see grandparents sleeping with sunhats
over their faces, while their grandkids are building sandcastles in the
hot sand. I am sad when I remember that I must go back to school

tomorrow.

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The Girl in the Bubble by Niamh Mcarthur

Monday the 14th of March started like any other day. I went to school,
I gathered my books, I chatted to my friends and I went to class. This
was the same everyday like a continuous cycle. Nothing really exciting
ever happens in Colaiste Chiarain, or so I thought…

I was in my third class, English. We were learning about poetic
techniques and it was mind-numbingly boring. I was nearly asleep
when Mr Sweeney walked into the classroom. He looked very serious
and worried. He walked up to Ms Keher, the English teacher and
started talking to her in hushed tones. Now they both looked very
worried. It was that moment that I knew that something was very, very
wrong.

After a while Mr Sweeney turned to face the class. He said “There has
been an outbreak of a dreadful disease in the school and from this
moment on everyone is under quarantine” There was a shocked
silence and then lots of questions. “ Calm down and listen” said Mr
Sweeney. “Professionals will be coming and testing you. If you haven’t
caught the disease you will be given a suit to wear to protect you and
you will be transferred to an uninfected classroom but if you have
caught the disease you will be put into complete isolation immediately.”
We were all tested and when our tests came back they said that one
person had the disease. I looked around for that unlucky person and
then I heard my name. That unlucky person was me.

I was transferred immediately to a classroom that didn’t look like a
classroom anymore, it looked like a hospital room. The quarantine
people were in big white suits and it was terrifying, even though I
knew they were just trying to help. They had set up a plastic curtain
thing that was attached to the ceiling and the ground and I was put in
there. I felt like I was in a bubble.
I remember people coming in and out and doing tests and telling me
I was going to be ok. They said that my Mam would be coming soon.

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They gave me a lot of medication so that I could get better. I had to stay
overnight but my Mam was allowed to stay with me. I completely
forgot I was in a classroom in school, I just felt like I was in a hospital.
The next morning I was transferred to the hospital, to the isolation
wing. I was there for a week. All the doctors and nurses were so nice
and understanding. They always had to wear the white suits and so did
my Mam and Dad. It bothered me at first but I got used to it after a
while.
Then on Friday the 18th of March I woke up to my parents, my doctors
and my nurses standing around my bed. That doesn’t sound very
special or exciting but they weren’t wearing the white suits. So I was
finally better! I was completely free of the disease which apparently
started when a student in my school came back from Africa and had
brought the disease with him. Thankfully no one died and the school is
up and running again.
If I know one thing for sure, I am never, ever, ever going to Africa.

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The Green Gem by Rachel Adam

What if everyone in a school started to rebel just because their
principal was on a holiday? So this is what happened in Colaiste
Chiarain.

On a bright and sunny day, Mr Sweeney was about to leave for his
trip to Italy. He had been planning this trip for a month now and
was extremely excited about it. He called Mr Cash into his office. “Mr
Cash, I hope you can take care of the school when I am gone”, he
bellowed. “Yes of course”, Mr Cash said with a grin on his face. Mr
Sweeney grinned back and started to pack rubbish into his bag. Mr
Cash said goodbye and walked out of the room. Mr Cash was happy
because he can finally show Mr Sweeney what he can do. As he
walked out off the room, he smelt a strong smell of sweat and
deodorant coming from PE. He took a deep breath and tried to avoid
eye contact with the students.

The students in Colaiste Chiarain were not exactly nice. They were
the baddest school in Kildare and they always rebelled when Mr
Sweeney was not there. There were the Vicious Angels, also known
as the 1st years. They will lure you in and slowly brainwash you.
Then there are the Devilish Hunters, also known as the 2nd years.
They will hunt you down and take you away just like a flick of a
switch. Afterwards there was the Gothic Snakes, also known as 3rd
years. They perform rituals and curses on you that will actually
work! The rest of them are not that important but then there were
the evilest of the evil, the 6th years, known as The Royals. They run
the school when Mr. Sweeney is not here. The leaders were Jakkie
the Snake and Billy the Demon. Everyone knew that they had killed
one or two people. Since they came to the school, everyone had
been acting differently. Mr Cash was petrified of them and was
afraid he would get taken away, like Mr Broderick and Mr English
etc. They had completely disappeared into nowhere.

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Mr Cash heared the door open and the bell ring. Mr Sweeney walked
out of his office and said goodbye to everyone and drove off. So Mr
Cash went, wondering what was he going to do if he disappeared
out of nowhere and where he would go.

The next day Mr Cash came into school again and he knew what was
coming his way; a bunch of sixths, thirds, seconds and firsts were
vandalising the school. Just like last time, he thought. He was about
to walk to his office and he heard screaming coming from Ms Keher.
She was being dragged away and he knew he could not do anything.
She screamed “HELP, HELP”, but she was ignored by him. He just
kept on walking.

He walked to the door of his office but he saw something glowing in
the Art room. He began to be curious and opened the door. There he
saw Jakkie and Billy were chanting a ritual to a green gem in the
middle of them. Mr Cash heard a whispering in his ear saying “Take
it, Take it’.
So Mr Cash rushed there and grabbed the gem. He ran outside the
room and headed to the library. He was sure that was the only room
that the monsters had not gotten to and he ran inside. He closed the
door and used a bookshelf to block it. Mr Cash was petrified and he
felt his heartbeat racing.

After a few second he heard banging on the door and knew it was
them, Jakkie and Billy. He noticed that the gem in the corner of the
room was glowing brightly. He slowing walked towards it, scared of
what might happen and he picked up the book. He felt his hands
sweating and his heart beating loudly. Mr Cash opened up the book
steadily and it read, “Whoever worship Gem shall hold power but
whoever destroys gem shall hold wisdom. Thy wisdom comes with
a price which means death and thy power price means soul of
someone. Choose wisely and do it quick because whoever holds this
book will die in two minutes”.
Mr Cash quickly ran to the gem and smashed it on the table. A few
seconds later, he was lifted in the air and he felt all the knowledge of

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the world coming into his mind. Then he fell to his death and
everyone in the school died. The wind flowed through the room and
turned the pages of the book to the last page which said

Wisdom And Power Always Come With A Price.

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The Hike by Michelle Maggrey

Today was the day for the School Hike for the 1st years and everyone
was excited. All the students were informed to enter the gates of
Colaiste Chiarain at 8AM. The principal had to call out the role to see if
everyone was there.
The weather was fairly nice so everybody was hyped about that. Each
class was called onto a bus and off they all went. The buses were super
loud. Everyone was either chatting, singing and shouting, or calmly
listening to music and having their own moment.

Either way everyone was having a good time. They reached their
destination and got off and started the hike. Everyone eventually
became worn out. But suddenly an extremely loud sound of thunder
occurred. There was also lightening, wind and rain. It seemed to be a
massive storm which was not expected. Everyone was SHOCKED and
surprised and scared. They had no choice but to turn around and go
back. Mr. Sweeney told them not to but they did anyway.

Some who made it back to where we got off noticed a strange, buff guy
dressed all in black beside the bus looking back at them. They assumed
it was one of the bus drivers. After all the begging to bring them to
safety, he told them “Yeah, sure” with a smirk on his face. Not everyone
could get on, only the people who had made it back. No one could call
anyone if they were outside because the signal wasn’t great but the
bus had Wifi. One of the students who was on the bus thought it was
really sketchy and texted one of her parents because it didn’t seem
right, so she told her Mum to call the school.

After her Mum got back to her she replied and said that none of the
drivers were there so it must be someone else. So at this point the girl,
her Mum and the deputy principal were worried. The girl was told to
keep calm and help would be there soon. Out of nowhere the petrol
ran out. The man lost his temper and began to repeatedly bang his fists
on the steering wheel. Everything just broke down.

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The weather was still horrible but it wasn’t windy anymore. Everyone
on the bus was just stuck. Little did people know, there was an
emergency exit door which wasn’t noticeable, but the girl saw it and
told a few others.
They had to distract the man and and one guy managed to escape, then
more people kept going. The girl was on the phone with her Mum and
help was on the way. They were really close.
The police and the bus drivers came to take everyone back. The man
was arrested although he tried to get away with it.
Next day, back to school….

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The Incident by Ciaran Griffin

I was sitting at home bored out of my mind when all of a sudden I
heard the siren of an ambulance and then the blue lights flashed
through my window. I ran to the living room window and to my shock,
Colaiste Chiarain, my school across the road was on fire. I ran outside
and saw nosy neighbours who just wanted to look, not help the poor
staff who were all fine but unconscious outside the school.
The police later came and put yellow tape around the gates of the
school. I knew from watching too much CSI this meant the police
thought it was a crime scene. They said it was a code 666. The next day
there were whispers that one teacher had awoken from the coma and
was screaming “It came from the PE hall!” I was very curious to have
look at the school itself. “Maybe it’s haunted?” I thought to myself.

I stayed up all night and waited till the policeman in the car had fallen
asleep. I sneaked across the road and climbed over the brown gates. I
broke down the burnt back door and turned my flashlight on. The
school was ruined. There were old photos burnt and spread out across
the floor. I couldn't get up on the stage because it was badly burnt and
I could have hurt myself. The school was starting to give me the spooks
so I went to check the PE hall. When I walked out I saw weird satanic
drawings on the GAA pitch and on the PE hall wall the same drawing
was burnt into the wall. Just as I was about to take a picture on my
phone the policeman shouted and scared me. I dropped my phone and
he walked over shouting at me. I slowly kneeled down to pick up my
phone. I froze in fear as I noticed his feet were hooves. The next thing
the policeman transformed into the devil.

He looked at me and snarled “Begone. No boy, for you are not the soul I
want. BEGONE!” he screamed and I ran home in fear of being dragged
to hell. The next day my mom told me that the teacher, Mr Nice, who
was in the fire, had passed away. Looks like the devil got his soul in the
end.

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The Last Day by Joshua Kilpatrick

It was the last day of school and it took forever for the bell to ring.
After 5 minutes that felt like 30 minutes the bell finally rang and I
jumped out of my seat and bolted out the door to my friends Mike and
John. We talked for a while until the school was empty and it was pitch
dark, freezing cold and the roads were empty. While we were walking
we noticed a strange white old rusty van across the road with an old
homeless looking man in the driver's seat. He gave us an eagle eye look.
We didn't really care as there are always strange people around the
town.
When we reached Mike’s house he told us to go online when we got
home because he was grounded and wasn't allowed out. Mike lives ten
minutes from my house and John lives in the next town beside us.
When I got to my house John got a call from his mam telling him that
she was going to be another hour as she has to work longer so I invited
John to my house. We got food and a while later we were eating it,
when we got a video message from Mike, which was strange, as we
never video messaged before. I hung up thinking he had made a
mistake but he called again so I answered. When it opened John and I
were shocked to death and speechless as we saw Mike tied to his chair
with the old man who was in the white rusty van. He was behind Mike
with a saw. John and I were hoping he wasn't going to do anything to
Mike but within seconds he slashed Mike’s throat wide open, blood
gushing everywhere. The blood covered the camera. We were blind
and couldn't see anything but we could hear his old smoky man voice
whispering “You're next”, then slowly saying my address. Then the
video message ended.
John and I looked dead at each other for the longest minute of our lives.
We got the sharpest knifes we could could find and locked ourselves in
my room. We looked out my window to try to see the white van. We
were there until my mam got back. We didn't tell anyone what
happened.
The next morning I woke up to the police, John's parents, Mike's
parents and my parents downstairs in my kitchen. The police

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questioned me but I denied being with Mike. I asked “Where is John?”
and they said he was home alone. I panicked and ran to get my phone
to text him but there was no reply for a while. Then I got a video call
from him. I answered it and it was the old man with a knife in his hand.
He put it up to John’s neck and sliced. Blood sprayed everywhere. I
screamed so loud everyone ran up and saw what was going on. John's
parents raced home to see the blood bath. My parents and I moved
country and changed our names. It was like a new life. Two years have
gone and I can still picture the bloody scenes and hear their screams
and the old man's voice. I’m hoping I never receive a video call like
those again.

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The life of Gabriel Williams by Eoin Kennedy

In 1975 there was a young boy named Gabriel Williams who loved
boxing. He had been boxing all his life. Gabriel was starting in
secondary school and the school he was attending had a great boxing
team but they had left the school and now there were trials for a new
team.
There was a bully in the school who had been picking on Gabriel and
his name was Brian Gunter. Brian was telling Gabriel that he was not
good enough for the team and that he was going to win the trials
instead of Gabriel. But Gabriel just ignored him.
Gabriel got a letter in the post from the school saying that the trials
were on Friday the second of October, the following day. The next day
Gabriel jumped out of bed, got ready, kissed his parents goodbye and
ran out the door with a smile. He came home with an even bigger smile.
He screamed “I’m in the team!”
The team then won the boxing title and were the best school to play
boxing in all Ireland.

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The New Boy by Mel Vincent Dela Cruz

Mama walks in to wake me up. “Wake up son, new school, new
beginning” she says. I don’t want to get up. I’m scared to go into a new
school in a foreign country so far away from home. I wonder if my
friends are okay. I wonder if they made it out. I wonder where they are
now. I get up and change. I walk down stairs where I see Mrs O’Neill
cooking breakfast. “Morning Adnan, have some breakfast. You’ve a big
day ahead of you.” My english isn’t the best but I know how to respond.
“Thank you” I say. I hope she knows how extremely thankful to her
and her family I am for taking Mama and I in. It’s only been a week and
she’s already done so much for us. I eat breakfast. The pancakes Mrs
O’Neill made were nothing compared to how Papa used to make them
back before it all started, but I can’t complain it was better than any
food Mama and I have been having the past few months.

I walk to school with Siobhan. The roads are quiet, but every now and
again a car would speed by. It was the same the day it all began. Trucks
with ISIS on the side drove by, filled with men sitting with half their
bodies out the window and their guns pointing at the sky. They
stopped in our village.

“This is my school,” Siobhan says, “ and yours now too. Don’t worry
everyone’s really nice here, you’ll fit right in.” I notice a rock just
outside the gate of the school. “Colaiste Chiarain”, it says, I don’t know
what that means, it must be in Irish. I walk in and the principal greets
me. “Welcome he says”. Papa used to be just as welcoming. I stood by
him as he welcomed the men from the truck. He was the Mayor, it was
his obligation to welcome everyone. He talked to one man in particular.
This man stood out from the rest, he wore a fancy hat. Papa looked at
me. “Go inside son”, he ordered. I didn't dare disobey him. I ran inside
and peaked out the curtain at the window.

After a few minutes of introductions with the principal, Siobhan and I
walk down the hall. “Let me give you a tour” she offers. We walk

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around the school seeing everyone go on with their lives. Some
students look at me and start muttering to each other. I expected this
to happen. I’m the new kid, but I can’t help wonder what they’re saying
about me. We walk past the hall where we see 4 boys. One surrounded
by the other 3. I’m not sure what they’re doing but I know it's best if I
don’t get involved. Siobhan and I keep walking but i can’t help myself. I
have to look back.

I could see them as I peeped out the window. It looked like they were
arguing now. I could see Papa’s face. His welcoming smile faded very
quickly. He looked at the window. He looked straight at me. I quickly
hid behind the curtains, afraid I would get in trouble for disobeying
him.

Siobhan shows me where my first class is, Maths in room 12. I always
loved Maths. Mama used to always tell me “Mathematics is the key to
understanding the universe.” I walk in the door. Everyone has already
settled in. They turn to look at me. I don’t know what to say. I look at
the teacher. “Ahh”, he says, “You must be the new boy, take a seat
anywhere”. I take the seat at the very back, away from everybody else.
The teacher continues on with his lesson. Algebra, I love this topic. I
notice two boys with their heads down at the back of class. It looks like
they’re sleeping. I see the teacher look at them. He knows they're not
paying attention. He walks to the back, picks up a book and holds it
above the space between the two boys. He lets go.

BANG!!!

I promptly opened the door without any regard for Papa’s warning. I
see him there. On the ground. The man had his arm out straight
holding a gun. I run towards him. But I don't get far. Mama stepped in
front of me begging me not to go. I couldn't help it. I kept running
towards him. “PAPAAAA”!!!!

The whole room goes silent. Everyone turns around and stares at me. I
feel my breathing getting heavier and heavier. My heart beats faster

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and faster. No one makes a sound. The sleeping boys lift their heads
and peer at me. “DING DING DING”. Everyone gets up and leaves. I
remain seated. I can’t move.
This is a poem about excuses that every teacher and principal go
through on a day-to-day basis. I hope you enjoy and even if you don’t
I’m sure you can relate. This is The Principal's Office by Dervila Nallen
1A2.

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The Principal's Office by Dervila Nallen

So Anne let’s begin.
You came in late this morning, do you know how much trouble you’re
in?
Well you see there was lots of traffic
And my cat was feeling sick.
So I had to stay home and give her, her special cough medicine.

Fine, then let's cut to the chase,
Why did you hit poor Susan in the face?
I didn’t! I kind of just pushed her aside,
To get a slice of Ben’s apple and rhubarb pie.

That still doesn’t explain the purple lump on her cheek.
It must have came from all that yapping she does when she speaks.
Anne that’s no way to behave,
this is just like in Geography when you were studying Spain.

Well that was an honest mistake ,
Who wouldn’t misjudge Miss Lemmons as a snake?
Again Anne such rude behaviour,
I might have to call in your parents later.

Well you can’t you see, they’re both on Safari
Studying the natures of the great ravenous beast known as Larry.
Then who’s minding you at home?
My old Granny, before you ask she doesn’t have a mobile phone.
Oh well tell her to meet me at six.
She can’t, she has a very bad illness.

Well what’s it called?
I think it’s explicoulousousis.
I’ve never heard of that.
I’m glad you haven’t, it’s terrible to see,

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When someone you love is turned into a flea.
A flea you say.
Yes although it takes time the doctor said
A week’s notice before, well, the end.
That sounds catastrophic you must stay home and take
Care of your dear old granny from Rome.
She’s not from Rome.
But that’s what you told me last week.
I did, yes I remember now.
I must have gotten confused with her and my aunt Cal.
Well off I pop, pip pip cheerio.
Hopefully we’ll see you tomorrow.
Actually I have a dentist appointment.
You’ll come back in after won’t you dear.
Yes, well maybe I’ll try to be quick.

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The Triangle by Ava Sylvester

‘Open the letter Mum, quick, what does it say?’ said Sally as I fumbled
around the kitchen looking for a scissors. ‘Well?’, she said restlessly. I
read. ‘We are delighted to accept Sally Smyth and Amy Young to join us
on our exploration to the Bermuda Triangle, yours sincerely The Junior
Exploration Association’. ‘Oh my God’ I thought! My daughter and her
best friend Amy were going to be famous explorers just like they
always wanted to be! There was only one way to describe it, it was a
dream come true.

As any normal mother would be I was worried sick. Writing the essay
to the judges of the competition Sally wrote so passionately. Like it
was the only thing she ever wanted in life and it paid off as she was
accepted. It was all thanks to Coláiste Chiaráin. As they headed off we
waved them goodbye and with a promise from the two girls to text me
everyday for the 3 weeks they would be gone I began to relax, already
looking forward to their return.

‘Arrived now, having the time of our lives, couldn’t have done it
without you mum, love you! -Sally’ I read aloud. ‘And you're sure that's
the last text you received Mrs Smyth?’ uttered the police officer. ‘Yes, I
know it is.’ I answered. How could I let this happen? I knew this was a
bad idea. The officer left the room and I heard a call, ‘Case 553, seven
missing persons, five crew and two young girls. ‘This is a mother's
worst nightmare, how could I let this happen?’ I began to say but the
chief cut me short saying ‘It's ok ma’am, sit back and calm down. We’re
making our best efforts to find your daughter’. I heard a shout from the
office, ‘confirmed, flight CF12 has disappeared from the radar’.

I didn't sleep a wink that night. I tossed and turned thinking about my
poor baby Sally, her beloved friend Amy and the five crew members.
The search party was being launched at 8:00am tomorrow morning
but that wasn't soon enough. All I could think of was my poor baby
Sally, cold and lost on the other side of the world.

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The helicopter left the runway on time and flew swiftly up into the sky
until it was a small grey dot. I remembered waving off Sally and
everyone the same way. I waited in the station all day. Every ding or
call I would jump from my seat enquiring if it was from Sally and the
others but by now it felt like a routine, a jack-in-the-box wound up and
pushed back down.

It was 11:00pm when the chief called my name and beckoned me into
his office. ‘Ms. Smyth, although we have not located your daughter
using the helicopter we must remain hopeful as we have launched a
satellite in the region we estimate they may be in’ he said
optimistically but we both knew there was a slim chance of them
returning.

It was nearly a month after I had first reported the plane missing when
the chief called me into the office. I thought it was probably just
another false alarm but when he showed me the images captured by
the satellite. There was no mistaking that that was my Sally.

It took them three days to bring them home but when Sally was in my
arms I thought I would never let her go. I had so many questions but
now all that mattered was having her back.

The press-conference was in a grand hall with a raised platform to sit
the five crew members, Amy, Sally and the chief officer. The room was
packed full of reporters and all dying to ask their carefully thought up
and selected questions. ‘How did you survive?’ asked a reporter. ‘We
drank coconut water and ate fish from a nearby stream’ answered Amy.
‘How did it happen, how did you crash in the first place?’ asked
another reporter. ‘Our plane fell from the sky due to high winds and
stormy conditions, on the third day we found our belongings in the
debris and made a shelter out of what we could find.’ ‘That’s quite
enough questions’ said the chief, ‘and now it is my pleasure to
announce to you the new name for the island that ever so kindly

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housed Amy, Sally and the crew. It is now called the ‘Island of Amy and
Sally.’ Sally whispered in his ear and he settled the crowd down once
again. ‘Under instruction by the girls I have been told to re-name the
island as The Coves of Coláiste Chiaráin.’
So now lies an island sharing the name Coláiste Chiaráin with a
secondary school on the other side of the globe and although very
different in many ways to one another they are both crazy jungles
filled to the brim with wild crazy animals!

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The Zombie outbreak by Carl O’Rourke

One normal Friday, Jake was in Colaiste Chiarain collecting his little
brother. He was sitting at the reception waiting for his brother when
all of a sudden he looked outside and saw a big load of wild, raging
monkeys running towards the school. Jake got up and as fast as he
could, got into a room and locked the door but he had forgotten why he
was there and ran back out to get his little brother. When he got to the
class he got the shock of his life after what he had just seen!!!
His little brother was mashed into the wall with chunks taken out of
his body. He didn’t know what to do so he ran. But two minutes later
his little brother was after him with a load of rage. He just ran as fast as
he could to the principal’s office where Mr Sweeney was cleaning his
office with his headphones in listening to reggae music. Jake shook him
and told him what had happened. He said” A ZOMBIE OUTBREAK?
Hell no! Not in my school!” he pulled out a minigun and he threw Jake a
desert eagle and said “Get as many students as you can and bring them
to safety”. He then ran out, guns blazing .
He shot every zombie he saw and most of the raging monkeys and they
got everyone to safety. He ran back in and told Jake to stay outside
with everyone but 10 minutes later he came back out as one of the
undead. So Jake shot his two legs before putting a bullet in his head.
Jake gave the man mercy for his bravery and courage. The USA came
over and took care of the problem but the school was closed after that
and knocked down. Another school was built and it was called St.
Sweeney secondary school with a statue of Mr.Sweeney in the middle
of the school.

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Walls by Eugenia Hanniffy

A wall is never empty
Never plain or clear
For a small person, it makes a long corridor,
With pictures, tapestries, free blu tack,
A white space to stare at during boring class.
A wall is never meaningless
Never without a purpose or a cause
For a bigger person it is not a corridor

But the 95 theses
With posters, messages and memories they have made.

Each brick built on experience,
Tears, grades, laughter or achievement.
It may not be pleasant. It may not be painful
But it makes you different than how you were before.

Do not tear down your walls
Because they do not protect you from the cold

Or give you anything to believe in.
Do not destroy your walls

For you haven’t found their meaning yet.

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Welcome by Leah Ward

I would like to welcome the Sixth Class students of Scoil Bhríde here
today on their first visit to Coláiste Chiaráin. My name is Leah Ward
and I am a Sixth Year student here. I am here to talk to you today about
life in Coláiste Chiarain and how the school operates on a day to day
basis. There is no need to worry about coming into the school in
September as I am here to tell you that all the students and teachers in
Coláiste Chiaráin are very kind, considerate and helpful.

I’m sure you have acquired a wonderful taste of the school from the
tour you had this morning and I’m sure the Peer Mentors were very
helpful in answering any questions you had about any of the school or
the classrooms. In Coláiste Chiaráin, Junior Cycle students do 11
subjects. Every student will study English, Irish, Maths, either French
or German, CSPE, Religion and PE. I’m sure you are familiar with most
of these subjects as you have seen most of them in Primary School.
CSPE is a subject where you learn about the world around us
especially current matters in the country including, Politics,
Homelessness, Third World Countries and many more interesting
topics. You will also study Religion as an exam subject for the Junior
Cert.

You will do each of your subjects at either Higher or Ordinary Level.
Depending on how hard you find the subject you will choose your
levels at the start of third year.

Each Year Group has a Year Head and I am delighted to announce that
Ms O’Hare is going to be your Year Head for your time in the school. Ms
O’Hare is a lovely teacher and I'm sure she will help you get settled
into school life in Coláiste Chiaráin in September. Ms O’Hare will also
sign your journal at the start of every week so make sure you get it
signed by a parent/guardian at home at the weekend.

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There are also Option Subjects to choose from to do for the Junior Cert.
Each student does two Option Subjects. Students can choose from Art,
Music, Technical Graphics, Technology, Metalwork, Woodwork,
Business and Home Economics. I personally did Music and Art for my
Junior Cert and really enjoyed them but I did find Art challenging. A lot
of my friends would recommend Business, Woodwork and Home
Economics.

I'm sure you have seen all of the Option rooms as you went on your
tour this morning. I'm sure a lot of you enjoyed seeing Ms Sullivan's
Music room and Mr Daly’s Woodwork room. When you fill out your
Option forms make sure to choose an option that you think you will
enjoy and be good at. Don't just choose an option because your friend
is doing it. Your Year Head will tell you all in September what options
you get.

There are many rules in Coláiste Chiaráin that all students have to
follow. Without a doubt, there is a total ban on Smoking, Chewing Gum
and Alcohol in school. There is a one-way system in operation in
Coláiste Chiaráin as I'm sure you've seen. The whole school goes
clockwise around the school. If you get told to walk the right way you
just turn around and walk the right way. You have to get your journal
signed every week. Three bad notes in one week will automatically
give you detention but I'm sure you are all so well behaved that none
of you will have that problem.

Each class in Coláiste Chiaráin lasts 40 minutes on Monday-Thursday
and 35 minutes on Friday. Every day at 9:55 each class in the school
will go to an assigned room in the school and the role will be called
with your Tutor. This class is called Tutorial and lasts 10 minutes
every day.

Break time is at 11:15 on Monday-Thursday and ends at 11:30. On
Friday, because of shorter class times break starts at 11:09 and ends at
11:39. Break time is longer on a Friday as we get off early at 13:55 on
Fridays. Lunch time is at 12:50 on Monday- Thursday and ends at

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13:40. Students are allowed to leave the school to go to the shop or go
home at lunch time. You are not allowed to leave the school grounds at
Break Time unless you have permission.
First Years also work with two groups that we have in the school called
Gluais and Peer Mentors. The Gluais and Peer Mentor teams are
groups of Fifth Year students that meet with the first years and do
regular activities with them. The Peer Mentors and Gluais usually
accompany the First Year on their hike early on in the year to get them
settled in and help them make new friends.
The Peer Mentors meet the First Years every Friday at break time.
Each class is assigned a room to go to with their Peer Mentors and they
do fun activities to help the first years settle into life and have a chat
with them if they want.
With regards to PE, it is a big change from Primary School as you are
not allowed to wear your tracksuit into school. If you have PE at the
very start of the day you have permission to wear it but you must
bring your uniform in to get changed into afterwards. You bring your
tracksuit in a bag to school and leave it on the stage until you have PE.
When you are finished PE you must also get changed back out of your
tracksuit as well unless it's the end of the Day.
I hope this speech has given you an insight into how life in Coláiste
Chiaráin is going to be when you come in September 2017. I'm sure
you will fit in great into the school and I'm sure Mr Sweeney and Mr
Cash are delighted to be welcoming in such a lovely bunch of students.
I hope that you get on well in your first year in school and make many
new friends.
Thank you for listening!

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When it Rains by Carlos Muli

Oslo approached me again, like he does every morning. I walked even
more hastily, but I knew in the back of my mind it was inevitable.
Through the school gates and towards the door I kept up my pace, but
I fell just short since the other students didn’t realise that I was behind
them. Oslo initiated our one sided daily ritual. He gripped my hand
firmly, still wet from the morning shower, and then gave me a hug.

I trailed behind Oslo, who was leading the charge to our lockers. The
small droplets of water that formed on top of my shoes eventually
went away, I noticed.

“Chin up” suggested Oslo heartily. “The weather is always like this,
even in the summer!”

I appreciated his concern, but he didn’t know what was going on. Past
the tampered-with pieces of artwork and the godsend that was the
radiator, we reached our destination.

The box-shaped, metallic lockers reminded me of my home. I fumbled
my hands inside of my pocket until I could get my keys out. I opened
my locker and proceeded to organise the books I needed for the day.
Lastly, I was about to put in my umbrella, only to realise that I had left
it at home. If only I could have slept last night, I wouldn’t have had to
be so tired this morning. I finished up and closed my locker, and in the
place of the locker door was Oslo’s face.

I screamed out loud, and Oslo’s playful face quickly turned to that of
concern. The gazes of everyone around me decreased the effectiveness
of my voice, rendering it to mere whispers.

“I...I’m.. sor..sorry” I whispered pathetically.

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The one good thing that came of this was that I was able to excuse
myself to the bathroom, to avoid their smug, inquisitive looks. After
the fiasco I was yet again nothing in their eyes, I thought to myself. I
don’t even know why Oslo tries so hard to talk with me. I don’t mind it,
it just makes me wonder.

As I entered the sixth year bathrooms, I was greeted with a cloud of
smoke. The girls were at it again, Friede being one of them.

“Why don’t you join us, Lotte? You were so nice to me when I first
transferred here .”

“I told you already, I don’t do that sort of thing, you of all people should
know that” I replied.

I was amazed I was able to say all of that. Maybe it was because of her
that I was able to. I briskly passed them by and went into the stall,
which again reminded me of home. It was obvious what the group was
talking about, and it wasn’t pleasant. I lowered the lid of the grey,
porcelain toilet and sat on top. There I could finally set myself at ease,
even for a little while. The insults thrown at me made that very
difficult however.
I could hear banging just outside of my stall, and all of that time I spent
attempting to calm myself down was wasted. Sometimes I wonder if
the whole world was against me. My train of thought was interrupted
by a much louder knocking, similar to that of last nights thunder which
kept me awake. It wasn’t the noise that frightened me, rather it was
the thought of who was outside. Was Friede going to confront me again?
Force me to go through that hell again? That was what scared me.

I reached out for the lock on the door, accepting the fact that I had to
leave my safe haven. The latch of the door clicked into place, and a
little green tab signalled open. There my eyes met with hers, Mrs.
McNamara. She gave me a pitiful look.
I got up and tried to leave my cubicle, only to be interrupted by Mrs.
McNamara.

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“You’re a disgrace to Coláiste Chiaráin, it’s people like you who give it a
bad name.” I had no idea what to say or do.
“Hmm? W...what do y...you mean?” I attempted to ask.
“Don’t be acting stupid, we both know what you have been doing, I
even have these three lovely ladies as accomplices.”
Friede smirked, and excused herself from the bathroom. “I..I honestly
d..don’t know what you’re talking about” I managed to mutter to the
teacher. Mrs. McNamara pointed behind me, and it was clear why she
was so angry.
On the floor, next to the toilet lay three cigarettes. It was obvious to
everyone in the bathroom that they were recently in use. The lines of
smoke emitted by the cigarettes were similar to that of the ones next
to Mrs. McNamara’s ears. Again I wondered if the whole world was
against me.
The roaring went on for what seemed like an hour. I could faintly hear
the muffled steps of the students and teachers outside, and when those
steps stopped Mrs. McNamara continued her verbal assault, a flurry of
hurtful comments. It was one sided, I didn’t stand a chance against her.
When I tried to defend myself, she would only snap back at me. And so
I gave up completely, and quietly accepted the future in store. The
water droplets at the top of my shoes were back again, I noticed.

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The Talent Show by Eva Sheridan

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