On Friday 12th December, all 4th Years went on their Chrsitmas outing. Rumours had been going around for the whole week. Rumours that previous 4th Years had gone to 'the cinema' and 'ice-skating'; others were sure that we were going to be going to 'the pantomine'. Our guesses were far from where we were actually going! When we were called to the hall it was announced that we were off to Dun Laoghaire Pavilion to see 'The Nutcracker' Ballet. Everyone was in shock and it took a minute to take it in. It sounded like no fun to most of us. There were a few moans and groans but some students were interested as they were ballet dancers themselves.

We got the 46A to Dun Laoghaire and arrived into the Pavilion where we were given our seats and we settled down. Other schools were present and members of the public. Not many of us were familar with 'The Nutcracker'. To some, the Christmas season would not be complete without seeing the truly festive production of the nutcracker.

The ballet started. Forty of Ireland's most talented young dancers would be performing together with sparkling guests Juliana Bastos and Jerome Butazzoni, from BALLET DU CAPITOLE, Toulouse, France. By the end of the performance, everyone felt differently ahout ballet than they did at the start. Many described the experience as exciting and magical. We all thanked Ms. Early and fellow teachers greatly and were allowed to go.

By: Edith Mason & Nicole O'Flaherty