Christmas is approaching and the end of the first term is upon us and it certainly has been a busy one. The School Mass will take place on Friday 20th December at 10 am in St. Andrew’s Church. Thank you to the boys who will take part in the celebration of the Mass especially those who will do readings, prayers, gifts. Thanks to Mrs. Felix for all her hard work and effort and well done to her group of musicians for all the preparation for the music at the Mass.
Science week took place in November with pupils from 2nd Class and 3rd Class attending a Bubbles workshop in SETU Carlow.
Cricket coaching with Bernard O’ Mara with 2nd to 6th class for 6 weeks was a great success.
Swimming lessons have been taking place for 2nd and 3rd Class in Graiguecullen. Thanks to the Parents Council who are covering the cost of the transport.
Cycling lessons took place with 5th Class in conjunction with Cycle Ireland. Many thanks to the Parents Council for funding these valuable lessons.
Cumann na mBunscoil: 6th Class recently took part in the Indoor Hurling competiton in Old Leighlin Sports Hall winning all their matches which means they are through to the Division 1 Boys Indoor Hurling Finals in Old Leighlin on Tuesday 14th January. Best of luck to the school team.
Debating :Congratulations to St. Brigid’s first debating team: Isaac Sheehan, Owen Doyle and David Vlas who represented the school in the Concern Debating Competition. They won their first debate against Wandesforde N.S. proposing the motion “The arts are key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals”. Thanks to their teachers Mrs Carrigan and Mrs Cahill for the all their hard work in preparing the boys and a special thanks to the TY students from PDLS debating team who helped the boys with their presentation. Best of luck to the team who are through to the quarter finals in January against Gowran N.S. opposing the motion “We should only buy Fairtrade products”.
Well done to Simon Macejko in 5th Class who won a prize in the Right to Read Short Story Competition. Simon wrote an article about “The Little Shop” his favourite local business.
Music Generation: all classes took part in a Music concert on Wednesday 18th December showcasing their songs they’ve been learning to date. Bill hopes to run an afterschool programme for 5th and 6th Class in the New Year giving the boys an opportunity to learn the saxophone or clarinet.
The Board of Management held a meeting on December 4th. The Agreed Report to the parents is available to view on the school website www.stbrigidsboysns.ie in the BOM section.
Charitable Fundraising: The Shoebox Appeal was a great success this year with the school donating 48 boxes to the ‘Heart to Hand’ charity. Well done to all involved.
Santa Stroll: The Santa stroll took place on Friday 13th December with the pupils decked out in their Christmas jumpers/hats while singing as they walked. It was enjoyed by them and everyone they met along the way. Thanks to all who contributed to this and the Santa Jumper Swap run by the Green School Committee. The school raised €245 for St. Vincent de Paul.
Well done to Third Class who performed their play ”The Missing Reindeer” for the school and their parents on Monday 16th December and Second Class who performed their play “The Little Christmas Tree” on Tuesday 17th December. Well done to all the boys and thanks to their teachers Ms Delaney, Mrs Keogh, Mrs Felix, Ms Doyle, Mary and Carol for all their hard work.
Parents Council-Flag days were held at the end of November. There was great support from parents and the event raised almost €1,650. The Parents Council are hoping to purchase Music equipment and to use the money raised for buses and Cycling lessons and workshops later in the year. The Parents Council Christmas raffle for a bike and hamper sponsored by Bradbury’s and Carlow jerseys sponsored by EMS copiers was held on Thursday 19th December. Your support was much appreciated. The winners of the prizes were:
Carlow Jerseys: Szymon Rozycki, Kyle Clarke, Hamper: Reese Power Bike: David Mc Cullagh
Congratulations to the following boys who won the ‘Christmas Card Competition’.
2nd Class: 1. Matthew Loin 3rd Class: 1. Kyle Egan
2. Paddy Connolly 2. Szymon Rozycki
3. James Purcell 3. Alex Crowdle
4. David Mc Cullagh 4. Ben Kearney
4th Class: 1. Tommy Grant 5th Class: 1. Patrick Purcell
2. Dorian Nowak 2. Adam Kelly
3. Caleb Watson Walsh 3. Jack Healy
4. Daithi Hurley 4. Simon Macejko
6th Class: 1. Caden O’ Brien
2. Kyle Lillis
3. David Vlas
4. Reece Power
Best Overall Card: Roy Cai An Cárta is fearr i nGaeilge: Mason Brant
As we approach the end of this school term I want to thank all the staff for their hard work, dedication and enthusiasm over the last few months. We are also grateful for the support and generosity you have shown in relation to fundraising for the school and I would like to offer a special word of thanks to the Parent’s Council for all their efforts.
The school will close at 12 o’clock on Friday 20th December for the Christmas Holidays, and will re-open on Monday 6th January 2025.
On behalf of the Board of Management, staff and Parents’ Council I wish you a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and every good wish in the New Year.
Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
O. Tuffy, Principal