1st Year Welcoming Ceremony
The 1st Year Welcoming Ceremony was the culmination of weeks of preparation and every student played a part in bringing it to life. In the lead-up to the event, we rehearsed music pieces and songs, discussed possible themes and symbols, wrote prayers and decorated our personalised Memory Boxes, which we will keep throughout their years in Holy Child Killiney.
Every student had a role to play. There were soloists, readers, musicians, symbol holders and many others, and this sense of full participation helped create a warm and meaningful atmosphere.
Much of the work took place in Religion and Choir classes, where we explored potential themes with the guidance of our RE teachers Ms George, Ms Griffin and Ms Moore and Mrs Moiselle, our Chaplain.
Each class submitted two suggestions of themes before the entire year group voted, and this year our chosen theme focused on the significance of the Rabbit Stairs in HCK.
Many students were especially moved by the story behind the Rabbit Stairs and the tradition of receiving a Rabbit Pendant in 6th Year.
We also worked together to create our own Creed. Each class submitted words describing what we value, what we hope for and what matters most to us.
Mrs Moiselle combined these ideas into one unified Creed that was reviewed and approved by the students. Rehearsals in the Chapel followed and these practices ended on a sweeter note, with some well-earned treats!
On the evening of the ceremony, we gathered in the Reading Room, where our Memory Boxes and friends awaited us. The event opened with speeches from Head Girls: Orla and Amelie, and Class Prefects: Emme, Ciara and Anna, who called each student forward to present her Memory Box, offering kind words that were appreciated by all.
Parents and guardians watched proudly as the girls sang hymns, read readings, recited our Creed and presented their symbols. We also heard reflections from Chaplaincy Prefect, Niamh and Social Action Prefect, Siobhán, who spoke about living out the school motto: Actions Not Words.
Le Chéile Ambassadors from 5th Year explained Holy Child Killiney’s connection to the wider Le Chéile network of schools.
Toward the end of the ceremony, Year Head Ms Quirke and Form Teachers Ms Moore, Ms McMackin and Ms Byrne read a poem offering guidance on independence, growth and embracing new challenges.
Afterwards, everyone gathered in Cornelia Connelly Hall for a celebratory spread of baked goodies kindly prepared by 1st Year families.
The evening was a heartfelt and memorable welcome to school life, made possible by the effort and generosity of staff, students and parents alike.
