Wexford C.B.S.Impressive In Dominant Semi-Final Performance

Wexford C.B.S...4  St. Brendan's Bray...1

Monday 23^rd of April saw the under 16 soccer team of Wexford CBS qualify for the final of the Wicklow-Wexford league after an outstanding team performance against St. Brendan’s of Bray in Arklow to emerge with a 4-1 victory. Wexford, missing Lar Stoutt and Ian Moran through injury, were thoroughly impressive throughout and were deserved winners.

The bokerboys looked eager from the first whistle and immediately imposed themselves on their opponents as they took control of possession and looked to put their opponents under pressure. Captain Robin Dempsey was leading his side by example as he gathered possession and drove his team forward as the CBS put the Brendan’s defence under immense pressure from the beginning. The Wexford side began to dominate the game and were enjoying the majority of possession without really testing the Brendan’s keeper. Eoin MacDonald was the first to test him however after good work from Darragh Rossiter made an opening but his low shot was well saved. Brendan’s broke with a ball over the top but their attack was thwarted by CBS keeper Joe Coleman. Wexford got themselves back on track and really began to up the tempo and this pressure lead to the opening goal after good link up play from Dempsey, Donoghue and Whitty down the right flank to give the ball into striker Jessie Farrell who took possession outside the box, he turned and swerved in a dangerous ball to the far post which was met by onrushing winger Mark Doyle who executed a neat volley into the bottom corner leaving the keeper helpless to grab a deserved lead for the bokerboys.

Wexford were not stopping yet however and piled the pressure on the Brendan’s defence forcing a number of saves from their keeper. The Brendan’s players were throwing their bodies on the line to prevent a second CBS goal but were unlucky as Jessie Farrell doubled the advantage of the Wexford side, the goal came from a corner after Farrell first had an attempt well saved on the line before Dempsey’s follow up was well blocked before Farrell finally turned the ball over the line to press home the Wexford advantage. This put the CBS 2-0 up inside 20 minutes. The CBS were in control of the game at this point and were knocking the ball around looking to create chances with the impressive Shaun Donoghue causing havoc down the right wing. Wexford began a little bit of showboating with Dempsey in particular showing the attending crowd his fancy footwork as the bokerboys continued to frustrate their opponents. This did lead to the side becoming a little bit complacent as Brendan’s managed to break forward twice before the end of the half and were unlucky not to score.

Wexford CBS began the second half with renewed focus determined not to allow their opponents and chance of coming back and soon added to their lead. Richie Kearney who was having a fine game at centre half joined the attack for a free kick and an excellent Mark Doyle delivery was met with a volley by Kearney to put the boker boys 3-0 up. A fourth goal soon followed from Kearney again as the centre half ventured forward for a corner kick and his header beat the keeper and Brendan’s defence to put CBS 4-0 ahead. Wexford continued to push on and came close to scoring on a number of occasions lively substitute Cian Doyle’s pace caused new problems for the Brendan’s defence, Jessie Farrell came closest to finding a 5th seeing his header tipped onto the crossbar after good work from Dempsey found him unmarked. St. Brendan’s managed to grab a consolation goal with 4 minutes remaining as the solid Wexford defence lapsed and allowed a well struck effort beat Joe Coleman. With time running out it was CBS again who looked like scoring with substitute Shane McGrath working the keeper just before the full time whistle. Wexford now look forward to renewing their rivalry with Gorey in the final this Friday 4^th May. Wexford CBS put in an outstanding team performance and were worthy winners most impressive on the day for the Boker boys were Captain Robin Dempsey who did everything but score, Jessie Farrell, Shaun Donoghue and goal scoring centre-half Richie Kearney.

Wexford CBS: Joe Coleman (Forth Celtic), Eoghan Whitty (Wexford Albion), Richie Kearney (North End), Alan Larkin (Wexford Celtic), Emmet Sinnott (North End), Shaun Donoghue (North End), Robin Dempsey (C) (North End), Darragh Rossiter (Forth Celtic), Mark Doyle (North End), Jessie Farrell (Wexford Celtic), Eoin MacDonald (Wexford Celtic); Subs: Cian Doyle (Wexford Celtic) for MacDonald, Eoin Doyle (Wexford Albion) for Sinnott, Andrew McGuickan (Wexford Celtic) for M.Doyle, Shane McGrath (Wexford Albion) for Farrell, also Lar Stoutt (Curracloe Utd.)

Positive Affirmations

Work Ethic
John Forde, Steve Roche, Stephen Dempsey, Shane Doyle.

C.B.S.Has Talent

C.B.S. Has Talent

C.B.S. Has Talent
Dun Mhuire

Thursday 26th April 2012

2.00pm and 8.00pm

Tickets available on the door

Adults €8  Students €5


A Great Show, Not To Be Missed.

Certificate Exam Schedule

L.C. French Orals - Mon. 23rd and Tues 24th April
J.C. Music - 27th April
L.C.V.P. - 2nd May  10.00am - 12.30pm
J.C. Art -  2nd,May
L.C Art - 3rd May 9.30am - 12.00 and 1.00pm - 3.30pm
L.C. Art - 4th May 9.30am - 12.00 and 2.00pm - 3.00pm
L.C.Construction Studies - 8th May 9.30am - 1.30pm

All-Ireland Enterprise Awards.

A great day was had by all at the National student Enterprise awards in Croke Park Convention Centre on Wed last. Tree-mendous did the school and county proud with their excellent display, great Interview skills and wonderful product. Even Mary Kennedy from Nationwide was suitably impressed!!! Many thanks to the parents who supported us all the way. Well done lads !!

Positive Affirmations

Work Ethic:
Ryan Blanch, Luke Lane, Lee Kavanagh.
Extra Curricular:
Eoin Hickey, Edward Cummings
Good Deeds:
Ryan Blanch, Luke Lambert.

Congratulations

Well done to Dale White (2nd Year) who recently was graded with a Black Belt in Lau Gar Kung Fu.
To Conor Wilson (6th Year) who won Silver in 100m at All-Ireland Rice Games in Santry.
To Collie Joyce-Ahearne (Transition Year) who has been selected into the final panel for Leinster Youth Rugby.

Titanic Day

Today was a 'No Uniform Day', with funds collected for the R.N.L.I. and The Order Of Malta. Ms. Phelan our art teacher suggested to some of her art student that 'Titanic' as a theme might be interesting. The lads did not disappoint. Well done to all concerned.

China Visit - Closing Ceremony, Boats On Houhai Lake, Peking Duck, Farewell

Friday 6th April
So we wake up for our last day in Beijing. Once again the sun is up, we head to Hanban HQ for the Closing Ceremony, where complimentary words are spoken. Everybody has enjoyed the stay and all the activities. Tony, Jane, Nancy, Jenny and Monica have been wonderful to us. Gifts are exchanged and friendships sealed. We would all love to come back.
We then return to Houhai for a trip on the lakes in the pedal boats, a time to sit back and relax as we take in the surroundings once more. With our stomachs craving one more fix of Chinese food, Tony reveals that it will be Peking Duck for all. Yes this was our favourite and the duck population of Beijing is certainly less since we arrived.
Back to base camp and try to pack all the new belongings into out travel bags. Not easy considering the sheer volume of purchases, but we succeed, and load it all onto the bus before heading to the airport.
Farewell to Beijing for now and to our new friends. 16 hours of flying awaits and hopefully a little sleep along the way. Breakfast in Dubai and dinner in Wexford, sounds good!
A special word of thanks to all twenty pupils who travelled on this trip of a lifetime, they were outstanding ambassadors for our school and country. It was a pleasure to be in your company.
S,C,A.

 Sea Dogs.

Pirates.

Trapped.

Party's Over...We're Going Home.

China Visit - Local Primary School, Football, Karaoke

Thursday 5th April
This morning following breakfast outdoors in the sun, we boarded our bus and headed outside Beijing to a local Elementary School. This was a change of environment for all of us, as the school was in a poor area and set up to look after the educational needs of children of the migrant workers. The teachers and children were very welcoming. We immersed into their class and taught English and learned Chinese. A very worthwhile experience.
Following lunch The Bokerboys played soccer against a selection of students from Huiwen Middle School. Victory went to the Irish.
Next stop was evening meal in a Karaoke club. Self service food and then adjourned to a dedicated karaoke room, the Bokerboys rocked.

 The Little Ones.

 Two Smart Cookies.

 Expert Tuition.

One Big Family.

China Visit - The Great Wall, Temple Of Heaven, Kung Fu, Silk Market

Wednesday 4th April
The visit to The Great Wall was always going to be a highlight and it did not disappoint. We went to Juyongguan Pass, built in the Ming Dynasty nearly 2000 years ago, about 50k north of Beijing. Again it was crowded but we managed to reach the summit, on another glorious sunny day. The views from the top section were magnificent. Liam Barry took the gold medal.
Dinner was at a Pearl Centre and was once again top class. Following dinner we were treated to the opening of an oyster shell, that revealed almost 20 pearls inside, albeit small ones not ready for the open market. Purchases were made here as good deals were on offer.
The Temple Of Heaven,seen as one of Beijing's most holy temples, an absolute masterpiece of design. The Emperor came here every winter solstice to pray for a good harvest. Interestingly this temple was built without the use of nails.
After this visit we were to participate in an hour Kung Fu session in the Temple Of Heaven park. This was another highlight, as the two Masters led our boys through a most enjoyable session, much to the amusement of the many passers by, who stopped to be entertained.
The day finished with a little shopping at The Silk Market, the lads are now masters of the Kuai and how to get the most value for it.

 Base camp.

En Route To The Top.

The Medal Winners.

All Up.

 

All Down.

 Kung Fu Masterclass.

All Together Now.

China Visit - Nanluogu Lane, Houhai Lakes, Silk Market, Acrobatic Show.

Tuesday 3rd April.
Another fine sunny day awaits as the mercury rises to 25 degrees. This morning we head to visit one of Beijings oldest Hutongs.  It is over 700 years old , dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. At the end of this is Houhai, an area including two man made lakes which allows the local Beijingers enjoy open space and water. We rented bikes of all sorts and headed deep into the hutong and its winding alleys, this turned out to be memorable for many reasons. After another fine feed of local delicacies we headed to the shopping empire of The Silk Market, 8 floors of heaven, everything available at glorious prices, as long as you engage in the fine art of haggling, 'you too tough' could be heard throughout the building as The Bokerboys set about their business of getting bargains.
Following that exhausting experience, food was badly needed, but alas we finally came a cropper, when the dumplings were produced. Not to the liking of our lads atall, atall. Ah well, we had been on a good run and this was only a minor glitch. Nothing that couldn't be sorted in Carrefour on the way home.
Before home however we went to an Acrobatic Show, this was incredible. Had to be seen to be believed. Amazing feats of balance and co-ordination. Seven motorcycles going in different directions inside a large mesh ball, was simply enthralling.

 One Of Our Favourite Places.

 The Tour.

 Houhai Lakes.

The Silk Market - Xiushui.

China Visit - Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, The Summer Palace, Olympic Stadium

Monday April 2nd.
Today was a full day of visiting Beijing and China's most famous attractions. After a McBreakfast we strolled across the vast expanse of Tiananmen Square. This is where Mao's tomb is so it is regarded as a special place, so when we broke into a rendition of The Fields Of Athenry and tried to unfurl our banner, we were swiftly silenced and moved along. As we approached The Forbidden City we noticed large crowds gathering, it was festival time, so large groups had the same idea as ourselves and were on the tourist trail.
Nancy our guide took charge and we moved effortlessly through the five gates that brought us deep into the Forbidden City. We marvelled and wondered at what it must have been like in time of the emperors.
After lunch we headed to The Summer Palace, again a wonderful spectacle with incredible Chinese  architecture and colour.
From here we went to visit the site of the Olympics, The Birds Nest and The Cube. Impressive structures indeed. Some of us went for a swim in The Cube, which has 3 pools and a water park.
Peking Duck was on the menu for evening meal and that was awesome indeed, no end of the duck was not used , as they chefs carved it up in front of us, Final stop of the day was at Carrefour Supermarket to top up on vital supplies.

 Forbidden City.

 Inked.

 Little Pink Hats

.

 Admirers

The Ladies.

Bolt Lightning.

China Visit - Chinese Class, Morning Exercise and The Pearl Market

Sunday April 1st.
Breakfast at the school and an early stroll through the local market to view some of the goods for sale. Interesting indeed and we were made very welcome by all the vendors.
We were given a class in counting numbers and money which was to come in useful later in the day as we were heading for the Pearl Market to experience the art of shopping Chinese style - haggle, haggle, haggle. During this class we were summoned to the football pitch for morning exercise, to our amazement there were 2000 pupils there waiting for us. We participated in mass Chinese exercise with a little Irish twist thrown in for good measure, much to the amusement of the local students.
After lunch we walked through another hutong to get to The Pearl Market. Shop till you drop, Beats, A&F, North Face, Silk, Rolex and much much more all to be had at 'nice price'. On way home , laden down with bags of shopping, what better way to relax than with a massage, so we stormed a massage parlor and had our feet treated to some pampering. Life is good in China.

 Duck eggs. Grade A-Z.

 Well manicured feet.

What colour would you like your chicken?

 Class in session.

 Right answer lads, well done.

Morning work out.

The Pearl Market - Hongqiao.

Bags of goodies!

China Visit - Opening Cermony, Confucius Institute and Wangfujing Street

Saturday 31st March.
Early rise and to breakfast in the school canteen, eggs, bacon, cereal and fruit on offer, which was supplemented by the many items the lads brought with them. All are fed and watered and looking forward to the day ahead.
A wander into the local hutong opens our eyes to what a poor neighbourhood looks like and how the people function, everybody very busy going about their morning buying and selling.
We attend the official opening ceremony at Huiwen Middle School where words of welcome and gifts are exchanged with the school principal. A tour of the school follows which includes the school museum. Obligatory photographs are taken. A visit to the computer room allows everyone to send e-mails, but access was not that easy and many sites are out of reach as  censorship is firmly in place. This blog was out of bounds also.
Lunch was consumed at the school and very tasty indeed, all agree that the food issue will not be a problem.
Next stop was a trip across town to visit the Confucius Institute Headquarters. once again a warm welcome and a tour of their  museum displaying many aspects of Chinese culture.

 Liam and Ian

 Confucius Institute welcome.

Huiwen Middle School welcome.

 Strike the pose.

 Scorpions for sale.

Tourists on Wangfujing Street

Local businessman at work.

Final stop of the day was a few hours on Wangfujing Street, famous for its shops and snack food, which includes scorpions, sea horses, snakes and many other strange delicacies, some of which we tasted to varying degrees of satisfaction. The lads also got their first experience in dealing with the local currency and they managed to propel the Chinese economy into the fast lane in a brief period of time as they unloaded  yuan after yuan.

China Visit - Travelling and Arriving

On Thursday morning March 29th at 9am 20 Transition year students and three teachers began their trip of a lifetime from The Boker to Beijing. Our flight to Beijing left T2 Dublin at 2pm and headed for Dubai, where we landed at midnight local time. We had a four hour stop over to have a wander about and gaze at the downtown skyline all lit up in the night sky.
We then boarded the largest aircraft in the world , the A380, and headed further east to Beijing arriving at 3.15pm local time. Our hosts Tony and Jane greeted us with flowers and a very warm welcome as we boarded our bus which was going to be our transport capsule for the next week. First impressions were of a huge airport, standing in the 'foreigners' line at immigration, the volume of people and the vastness of the city as we trickled through the afternoon traffic.
First stop was The Hanban Headquarters where we were officially welcomed and presented with T-shirts. On wards to our accommodation which was at Huiwen International Middle School. We arrived and were given Floor 6 to ourselves, our own place, the tricolour was hung from the window to let everyone know we were in town.
After establishing our nests we were taken for our first visit to an authentic Chinese Restaurant. We were not disappointed as the food was simply scrumptious. We ate from a wide variety of dishes and chop stick skills were excellent and continued to flourish through the week as everyone used them all trip.
Back to base camp for rest as we were well and thoroughly wiped out after the long haul, but all excited about waking in the morning to begin to explore our new surroundings,

 On board Emirates A380 

 Passing The Birds Nest

 Arrival in Beijing

 Classic Beijing Food

The face of money in China.