Dear Parents,
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.
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
School Mass will be on Wednesday 21st December at 10 am in St. Andrew’s Church. All are welcome.
The first term has been very busy in St. Brigid’s N.S. We have an enrolment of 126 pupils for the school year. We welcomed 20 second class boys in September and we have 12 children enrolled in our Preschool ASD classes.
The hot school meals and the snacks provided by Bradbury’s started in September and have
been very successful. The boys seem to be enjoying the chance to choose their snacks and
meals.
Nutrition talk: Sinéad Bradbury (performance nutritionist) recently held a workshop in the school hall for parents of St. Brigid’s and Queen of the Universe entitled “Nutrition for busy parents and kids”. Food platters and healthy snacks were provided by Bradbury’s School Meals. Sinéad also spoke to pupils from 5 th and 6th class about nutrition for school, sport and life.
Extra-Curricular activities:
Cycling: 5 th class took part in a 6 week cycle safety programme run by South East Cycling. The emphasis of the course was on safety through control of the bike and awareness of surroundings.
Picker Pals: 2 nd class is taking part in the Picker Pals Environmental programme again this year. The children take turns bringing home the Picker Pack and then report back to the class on the litter picking adventure.
Cumann na mBunscol: Well done to the schools football team who made it to the semi-finals this year. The indoor hurling fixtures took place recently with the team from St. Brigid’s through to the finals in January.
Hurling coaching for 4 th , 5 th and 6 th took place with Damien Jordan from Carlow GAA.
Cricket coaching for 2 nd and 3 rd with Bernard O’Mara was very successful.
Internet Safety: Workshops for 5 th and 6 th class were given by Ger Brick on anti-cyber bullying, communicating respectfully online and online safety guidelines. A Parent Information talk was held on the same evening.
Art Exhibition: In November and early December, 2 nd , 3 rd and 4 th class paid a visit to the Visual Arts Centre in Carlow to view an art exhibition by Clíodhna Timoney. They were inspired by Clíodhna’s art and made their own piece of art as part of a workshop. They also visited Carlow Museum where they saw a wide collection of items and artefacts from Carlow county.
Garda visit: Many thanks to Garda Brian Wilkinson who visited the school recently giving presentations on the role of the garda, road safety and personal safety to the younger classes. The senior classes discussed investigating crimes, being responsible for your own behaviour and vandalism. The boys really enjoyed exploring the garda car afterwards.
Music Generation: Well done to the 6 th class boys who took part in a Music Generation Concert held in Colaíste Aindriú on Fri 16 th . They wrote the lyrics as a class and sang their own original song to the tune of “The Christmas Blues”.
Home School Community Liaison: Mr. Cox has settled into his new role and has provided support to a number of parents while also organising courses. You can contact Mr. Cox by phone 089-2153018 or email tcox@bridnaofa.ie
Preschool ASD Unit
We welcomed 7 new children to the Pre-school who have settled in very well during the first term and enjoyed their trick or treat walkabout in the school in October. Thanks to Santa and the elves from Colaíste Aindriú who visited last week bringing gifts and musical entertainment.
Charitable Fundraising: Many thanks to the boys who raised €225 for Goal Jersey day in September.
The Team Hope Shoebox Appeal was a great success this year with the school donating 90 boxes to this worthy cause. Well done to all involved. The Christmas Jumper Day raised€200 for St. Vincent De Paul. Thanks for your support.
Congratulations to the following boys who won the ‘Christmas Card Competition’.
2nd Class: Noah Moloney, Daithi Hurley, Aaron Barry, Adam Condron
3rd Class: Eoin Kelly, Ben Cole, Simon Macejko, Jakub Wojcik
4th Class: Hugh O’Brien, Dylan Flynn, Dylan Kelly, Caden O’ Brien
5th Class: Filip Piotrowski, TJ Minchin, Mason Darcy, Dylan Egan
6th Class: Conor Mc Cullagh, Conor Brennan, Jake Lennon, Nikita Nitchenko
An Carta id fearr i nGaeilge: Harry Butcher
Best Overall Card: Tom Harty
Important Dates:
Confirmation is on Saturday 11th March 2023 at 11am. First Holy Communion is on Saturday 6th May at 1pm.
The school will close at 12 o’clock on Wednesday 21st December for the Christmas Holidays, and will re-open on Thursday 5th January 2023.
