DEBATING
Best of luck to Barry Glynn who, as we type, is in Singapore representing Ireland in the World Student Debating contest. Barry and his partner Daniel Sinnott will resume their Leinster Schools' involvement on his return. Last week saw mixed fortunes, with Sean Farrell progressing to the Leinster quarter finals and David O'Connor going out on a narrow decision. This week Richard Waghorne and Daniel Bevan were narrowly defeated in their second round, so it is now up to Barry and Dan to keep the flag flying in the team competition. Best of luck.
Lar Duffy.

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE DEBATING COMPETITION
Gonzaga's participation in this year's French debating competition came to an abrupt end on Tuesday, January 22nd last. The best endeavours of Daniel Sinnott, Stephen Ryan, Rossa FitzGerald and André Bolster were deemed unequal to those of Mount Temple at this quarter final stage. The team should be proud of their well structured and cogently argued speeches. Some small consolation: Stephen Ryan was judged best speaker on the night.

GERMAN DEBATING
On Thursday last Gonzaga entered the fourth round of the competition, having beaten Loreto Abbey Dalkey before Christmas in the third round. Our opponents were from the Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge, Co. Kildare. The motion was 'Young people in Ireland can look to the future optimistically'. Gonzaga proposed the motion but unfortunately were unsuccessful. Well done to the team of André Bolster, Stephen Reilly, David M. 0'Doherty and Rossa FitzGerald on their hard work.

HISTORY TEACHERS' ASSOCIATION TABLE QUIZ
Unhappily Monday, January 28th did not see Gonzaga College inscribe their name for what would have been the eight time since 1987 on the HTAI trophy despite the best efforts of Alan Burns, Thomas McCormack, Alan McShane, Cormac O Dea who finished with a creditable 48 out of a possible 60 The winners were Drogheda Grammar School with 56 out of 60.

The PENNIES FROM HEAVEN campaign led by the First Years is drawing to a close so now is the time to root out the last of those Irish and foreign coins from bottles and jars, drawers and sofas throughout the house. A big thank you to all who have already given generously. The collection barrel will require the full weight of the scrum to move it!

First Year Parents are again asked to consider the FIRST YEAR EXCHANGE WITH LE CAOUSOU. We still need host families for two French students for the period June 14 - 29. Please contact Ms Nevin.

MIDNIGHT MASS COLLECTION
Our annual collection at Midnight Mass raised £2,675.00 (€3,396.55) and was divided equally between the VdeP society and Fr.Gerry O'Hanlon SJ (Class of 1978) for his mission in Nairobi, Kenya.

NAPPY DAYS
Congratulations to Howard and Karen Welch on the birth of their son, Kelton, on Christmas Eve. We wish our librarian, Michelle Holden, every good wish for her forthcoming happy event.

OXFAM MOBILE PHONE CAMPAIGN
Many thanks to all who got involved in the recent bRING bRING fundraiser for Oxfam. Due to your donations of old mobile phones over €1,000 was raised. Well done 4S, Conor O'Higgins and Mr. Welch.

Suggestions, news and details of forthcoming events should be given to either Ms Nevin or Ms MacConville, preferably on disc marked "Gonzaga News".