St. Conleth's College 75 Year Quinquennial 2014

26
St. Conleth's College
1939 - 2014
The News From Debating Circles
by Fergus O’Connell
Model Trains
by Nils Lignell
So far this year the St. Conleth’s literary and Debating
Society have held three meetings in this the eighteenth
session. The three motions put before the house were : (1)
That this house agrees with the action taken by England
and France in the recent Suez dispute – This motion was
won by 26 votes to 19. (2) That sport plays too large a part
in Irish life – the motion was declared lost unanimously.
(3) That television and the cinema have a stultifying effect
on the world - this motion was lost by a large majority.
In the three debates there 13 speakers, excluding those
who spoke from the house. It was evident from the very
beginning that the majority of boys were interested in the
debates in particular the lower classes.
We had four debut speeches this year – Messrs. Fallon,
Rochford, Bird and O’Loughlin. We had some very
amusing speeches from Mrs. O’Brien who “expostulated”
on such interesting subjects as televitis – which is a
new disease in the U.S.A. Another speaker who deserves
mentioning is young Garrett Sullivan who has spoken at
all 3 meetings this term – he has earned himself 24 out of
a possible 30 marks. In the debates the Vice President,
Mr. Kelleher took the chair. The Society this year decided
to hold a meeting at the beginning of the year. At this
meeting the dates and motions for the whole session were
put before and voted by the committee. So far it has
proved itself highly successful. During the last meeting we
were honoured by the attendance of Rev. Father Harley.
Fencing
by Billy Rafter
At the beginning of this Term some of us were indeed
pleased to learn that Fencing was to begin again and under
the tuition of our previous Master, Mr. Duffy. Fencing as
we know began with the introduction of the musket and
pistol in the early 16th century. Plate armour went out of
fashion, being useless, and gentlemen in sword play
depended increasingly on skill rather than strength. From
1500 to 1800 it went through a period of development.
The musket and sabre were used for warfare and the rapier
was used for private duelling. By 1850 duelling has ceased,
except in France, and the art of fencing seemed dead. Since
then it has made a remarkable recovery as a sport and now
there are only three weapons used : Foil, Sabre, Epee.
We hope that fencing will become a popular sport among
the boys in St. Conleth’s and that they will be a credit to
their master and school.
There is no need to tell you what a fascinating and creative
hobby model railroading is. If you haven’t discovered
that yourself, you soon will by just watching a model railroad
with its landscape, towns and headlong rush of
trains trailing smoke and the blast of the whistles. It’s a
world you make yourself, using all the engineering and
creative skill you have and can share with your family and
friends. It’s an exciting world when you are the boss.
In America if you mention New Orleans to any model
railroader he will say “Oh yes, Franck Ellison and his
‘Delta Lines’“. For in America Franck is known as one of
the hobby’s most gifted practitioners of both the art and
science of model railroading. His “Delta Lines” have that
thing which the experts call balance – his scenery, track
and operations are well-integrated.
This hobby has slowly but surely crept its way into the
home, in particular the basement which is now just a
mass of tracks and scenery. It is in well and I’m sure that
in 10 years time it will be still a popular creative hobby.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Dear Sir :
I am of the opinion that a new school tie would not be out
of order if economically possible I suggest that it should
be a plain black tie with St. Conleth’s crest in miniature
appearing on it at regular intervals. Such a tie would also
be suitable for past pupils. I hope this suggestion will
receive favourable consideration.
I am, yours sincerely
John Towers
‘Mr. Sheppard welcomes his charges.’ by Mary Moriarty