Learning The Ropes

The tiny climber hardly noticed the cool raindrops hitting her cheeks as she climbed swiftly, peg by peg, up the trunk of the old tree. In one swift step, she released the last peg and planted both feet upon a tight rope extended between two sturdy oaks, planted about 20 feet apart. There she stood, beneath a beautiful canopy of trees: motionless. Her gaze was fixed on a navy blue bandanna, dangling at the opposite end of the rope. From the ground, reaching that object looked easy; from the opposite end of that rope high above the forest floor, the journey seemed significantly more challenging.

She moved one shaky step at a time as her classmates watched, eyes wide. With every step, they cheered. With every waiver, they held their breath. It was as if their gaze somehow kept her moving, steady. It was not a perfect journey. She looked down, and became afraid. She missed the rope, and leaned back. All the while, her friends cheered and clapped and egged her on. At one point in the middle of her journey she said, "I can't do it," and they told her, "you can!" Until finally, she made it, and was able to let go.

This month, Ursuline Academy's 7th and 9th grade students put on their play clothes and headed to Westwood's Hale Reservation for a unique team-building excursion: a one day interactive ropes course program which encourages students to learn more about their classmates, and themselves.

Since grade seven students are starting fresh, and this year's freshman class welcomed a large number of new students, Ursuline's Director of Guidance Mary Ferrucci thought that these two groups would benefit from a day of team-building exercises, as they prepare to work together in a classroom setting. "My goal is to provide an atmosphere outside of the school walls where students can challenge themselves, support and encourage their classmates."

Before setting out for a long day of outdoor excursions, each class split up into small teams. One student commented that this division of the large group made her experience more dynamic because it gave her the opportunity to "make new friends" outside of her regular circle. According to their follow-up evaluations of the field trip, many students shared this sentiment.

The small groups took part in various ropes challenges, problem solving scenarios, and even a few games for good measure. While one team worked to maneuver their way through a maze of wooden planks, another cheered on their teammate balancing high above the ground on a wet log. "Group encouragement is a very important part of this aspect of high ropes," according to Hale's philosophy, " and although an individual may be the one actually climbing, groups often feel a real shared level of success as individuals overcome fears and challenges."

Along with team-building exercises, each student got an opportunity to test her limits on the ropes course. After learning the basics from their experienced team leaders, each student took the opportunity to harness-up and hit the tree tops. "Everyone set their own goal," one student recalled, "some made it all the way and some only went to the top of the ladder." The goal of the exercise was not to reach the other end of the course, but to work toward a new goal!

While the exercises were simple by design, each created opportunities for those leaders of the group to emerge, while others worked productively as followers. One seventh grade student commented that one of the most important things she learned from the experiences was that her classmates each have "different strengths and weaknesses."

Ursuline's adventurous students returned from the wilderness with a better understanding of not only their own abilities, but also those of the classmates they work closely with each day. Some made new friends, others found new strengths and the group as a whole left with a new feeling of class unity, says Mrs. Ferrucci. "At the end of the day, this one shared experience creates a unique memory they can all share."

Click Here To See Photos!     7th Grade Trip     9th Grade Trip 

YES! Ursuline Soccer Curse Reversed

In 1994, the Ursuline Academy Varsity Soccer squad beat Notre Dame Academy of Hingham. Since that fateful day sixteen years ago, the team's strategies have proven unsuccessful against those relentless rivals from the south (shore). Until now.

On September 14, the bears "reversed the curse" and overcame NDA 2-1 in a heated match up in Hingham. Coach John Forte, who joined the Bears in 2005, calls the win a "team effort" and commends his players for fighting hard to hold their lead.

After an even fight early in the game, NDA scored first in the 25th minute on a solid shot from 18 yards out. However, it was from that moment on that Ursuline controlled things between the posts. Just thirteen minutes after her team fell behind, Ursuline sophmore Christina Doran took a shot from 25 yards out that caught the goalie off her line. The score was even once again.

By half-time, Junior goalie Alicia McNally already had a few impressive saves under her belt, while defenders Meg Porter, Steph Klaubert, Fran Coughlin and Kiara Hanlon worked hard on defense to keep her out of trouble. Just three minutes into the half, Sophmore Kristen Hickey put the bears ahead with a direct shot off a pass from Senior Captain Kaitln Shea. The rest is history.

In just 43 minutes of play, the 2010 Ursuline varsity soccer team successfully reversed the sixteen year curse. Cheering could be heard from players on the field, fans in the stands, and even from a few former teammates who got the good news via Facebook that day.

"NDA was always a game that we looked forward to all season in hopes of coming out with a win against our rivals," says 2003 graduate Krista Ianoni, who was once a strong player for Ursuline."It is great to see that UA has excelled in athletics and has finally gotten us that big red “W” for the books." In addition to positive remarks from various former Bears, fifteen former students from a variety of graduating years "liked" the status update that noted the big W.

Though athletes and coaches have come and gone with passing years, determination and great school spirit has remained the driving inspiration for Ursuline athletes year after year. For many years after games vs. NDA, as the team boarded the bus home with heavy heads, coaches would quote American Football Coach Vince Lombardi, assuring them that "winning isn't everything."

According to this year's team and all those former athletes who are celebrating with them today, winning may not be everything, but it sure doesn't hurt.

[Photos courtesy Dedham Patch]
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Time Is On Our Side 

Some of the most exciting moments in sports happen at the buzzer. Think of how many athletes are forced to take that heroic shot from center court, as time runs out tick by tock. Now, imagine that same moment with a broken score board: the athlete makes it to half-court, quickly peeks up at the wall to see if she can get to the hoop before the buzzer, only to find that the clock is frozen at :03 seconds.

Last year, as Ursuline basketball and volleyball athletes took to the court, it was quite apparent that the decades old scoreboard lighting the gymnasium wall above them was ready to retire from its career in sports. Perhaps keeping tabs of all the Ursuline Academy earned points over the years had finally taken a toll, as the clock acted finicky for almost every game played during the fall and winter '09 seasons.

In an effort to enhance the game experience for athletes, coaches and fans, Ursuline sought assistance from long-time supporter Needham Bank, who kindly donated a brand new piece of equipment to track Ursuline's many points. "We have a long history with Ursuline Academy, and we are happy to support the school," says Mark Whalen, Senior Vice President of Needham Bank.

In addition to supporting the physical improvement of Ursuline, Needham Bank is also a great supporter of education. Each year, one graduating senior from UA is selected to receive a scholarship which was established to support college endeavors. Class of 2010 graduate Liann Devereux, a former all-star track athlete and dedicated student, received the award during a Class Day presentation last year.

To celebrate the addition of the scoreboard, as well as the enhanced locker room adjacent to the gymnasium, the Ursuline community gathered at a Fall Mass & Picnic event late yesterday afternoon. With guidance from Father Oscar Pratt at the altar, the entire congregation extended their hands toward the newest gifts to Ursuline Academy to bless them and those who were kind enough to support our school.

Click here to see photos from the Fall Mass & BBQ!

Check here for updates each week! For those of you who missed last week's update - check out the stories below...

The new recruits

New year, new faces at Ursuline Academy

As Staples® reminds us each fall, "its the most wonderful time of the year!" Birds are chirping, leaves are changing, temperatures are cooling off and students are gearing up for a new year at Ursuline Academy.

Upon entering school on their first day, students were delighted to find a clean and renovated locker room, modernly chic student lounge and high-tech scoreboard in the gymnasium. "I am so excited about the lockers," says ninth grader Agata Atayed, who already decided that a colorful shelf is the perfect addition to her new storage space."They are so big!"

With so many exciting changes to the building, students almost didn't notice the new faces roaming the halls! Until first period that is, when they were introduced to the newest members of the UA faculty.

This year, we are happy to welcome seven new teachers to the Ursuline community. From left: Mr. James McGovern teaches Latin7 & Latin I-V; Ms. Caitlin Chipman teaches Algebra, Algebra II and Pre-calculus; Mrs. Colleen Peters (an alumna from the Class of 1995) teaches Geograhy, World History and Psychology; Mr. Daniel Jaworski (or "Mr. J" as the students call him) teaches Life Science and Computer Science; Mrs. Jennifer Schein teaches Geometry; Mrs. Lisa Collins teaches Anatomy and Physiology and Advanced Placement Biology; and Mr. Mike O'Connor (parent of 2 graduates) is our new Director of Athletics.

Agata (back) with friend Kelsey, relaxing in the new locker room.

I caught up with Ms. Chipman last Tuesday, who said that her first day of classes went "very smoothly" and that she is happy to be starting her teaching career at UA. Athletic Director Mike O'Connor, who is already hard at work in his new position, wants to insure that all students are able to play a role in the program: "I hope that some girls will take on the role of Team Manager...in that spot, they are recognized as part of the team!" When asked about her Life Science teacher "Mr. J," one young student (who asked not to be identified) claims that she not only enjoys his methods of teaching, but also his "cool ties."

Sure, it is always hard to be the "new kid" in school, but it seems that this dynamic group of educators is certainly up for the challenge of inspiring our students to achieve their full potential.

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Setting The Pace

Paige, Colleen, Tori and Catie at 60 State Street

An energetic group of Ursuline Academy student leaders are setting the pace for their peers. On August 11, (from left) Paige Sawyer, Colleen McGauley, Victoria Sitcawich and Catie Chipman attended the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer "Pacesetter Kickoff Breakfast" atop picturesque 60 State Street in downtown Boston.

Amid breathtaking views of the city skyline, the students joined other team leaders for a delicious breakfast and special presentation. In an effort to stress the great impact of the Making Strides event, a panel of speakers took to the stage to share personal stories of hope and survival. Magic 106.7's Candy O'Terry, who served as Master of Ceremonies, lost her mother to cancer and inspired others with her words: “365 days a year, this is my passion and my cause," she said, fighting back tears.

The event, which was attended by team leaders and volunteers from around the state, served as a great source of inspiration for Ursuline's student liaisons, who are up for the task of making the walk a school wide event this year. "We are going to try to get everyone involved," Chipman said enthusiastically. The group plans to utilize WUA-News, colorful fliers and tons of school spirit to drum up interest among students and faculty. "We have lots of ideas."

Team Ursuline, 2009

Last year, Ursuline followed quickly in the footsteps of partner school Catholic Memorial and joined the Making Strides High School Challenge. With just two months to raise awareness among community members, UA was able to net just over $5,7000 and actually won the "small schools" category of the competition.

Prior to the start of this year's event, ten Ursuline students will take the stage at Boston's Hatch Shell to represent the school community as the High School Challenge Winners are recognized. School President and Team Leader Jillian Lawler will speak on behalf of UA.

On October 3, Ursuline hearts will unite once again to fight breast cancer. Please join us this year, as we work together to fight a cause that touches each of us in some way.

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