Christmas_NL_2024 by magsk44

Coláiste Bríde Christmas 2024

During Advent, we are encouraged to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, to have faith, hope, joy – to be a people of light and prayer.

In our school we prepare for Christmas by getting ready for assessments, exams, exchanging gifts, learning about the traditions of different faiths and cultures.

We prepare in song, in spending time reflecting on the Christmas story in our tutor groups, sharing prayers for peace in our world, thinking of all who are sick and elderly, our loved ones who are not with us this Christmas. We think of those less fortunate, our school supports the local food banks to help families in need, our students are involved in fundraising and awareness campaigns.

A huge thanks you to all the students and staff who have worked so hard during Term 1 – the longest in the year! May you all get on opportunity to rest and recharge for the New Year ahead in 2025.

May you reflect on the lessons learned, the celebrations, the wins on the playing fields as well as the losses! Be proud of all that you have achieved, or acknowledge how you can improve for 2025. It is never too late to start afresh. Also, a huge congratulations to all those who have improved their attendance – we are delighted to see this!

Schools are places where values are lived, places which focus on messages of hope, of light, of caring and of respect for all. Even though our school represents students of many different cultures and faiths, there is shared understanding, shared respect, shared desire for peace, hope and love.

This Christmas newsletter will be the last produced by one of our amazing Admin team, known to so many parents/guardians on the other end of the phone, Martina Kelly who will be moving on to another organisation after Christmas. We wish to thank and acknowledge Martina’s huge contribution to our school community over the last fifteen years - from newsletters, to school books, school journals design, Christmas card competitions for students and working on so many other tasks too numerous to mention. We wish Martina every continued success in her career and know that we will keep in touch. Martina, take a bow, we hope you leave our CB family with so many happy memories.

May all our home and families have a Christmas filled with blessings, and a time to reflect on the true message of Christmas, the importance of relationships and the simple things in life that mean a lot.

Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh féin agus do bhur muintir.

Ms Kilmartin, Principal

Device Captains

1st Years have been busy since returning from October midterm for all the right reasons! Some wonderful students very kindly volunteered to be ‘Device Captains’ and came to the Study Hall during lunch time every Tuesday to help their peers download their books or log into their accounts if they were having trouble. This has meant that almost all of our 1st Year students have been able to access their online books and sort any problems they were previously having. A huge well done and thank you to our fantastic Device Captains and to all who came along each week.

My 1st Year Journey so far...

At the start of the year, I found it challenging changing from such a small school like Scoil Áine to a much bigger school. It’s not just that it was big it was how things worked in the school with all the new rules, the different classes, lockers, different teachers and things like that but over time things have gotten so much better. I already knew some things about the school because of my two sisters, one is a past pupil and the other is in 6th year. Before starting I didn’t really think too much about it but when I did, it was way different to what I had imagined. I’m really happy that I have ended up in Coláiste Bride. All the new experiences that I have gone through really changed the way I think. Before I thought that I wasn’t going to make any new friends. Fortunately, I was wrong I met a lot of great people in the school people so far that I can really rely on when I need help and I think that it’s been a great start so far. I don’t know what this school has planned for my future but I’m excited to find out.

Nabiha Tasin Ansary, R. Cronan

World Kindness Day

To mark World Kindness Day 2024, some 1st Year students who have shown outstanding kindness, a helping hand and have been commended by their teachers were awarded for their contribution since starting in CB. 1st Years also marked the day by giving tokens of gratitude to staff around the school to spread kindness and say a huge thank you. Well done 1st Years, you brought such a lovely sparkle to World Kindness Day.

Our 1st Presentation Day

Our 1st Year students also took part in their first Presentation Day as CB students. In the run up to the day, our 1st years were delighted to hear from Sr Gemma, a pillar of our school community, about her journey as a Presentation Sister. They were so thankful to Gemma for taking the time to speak with them. A great way to prepare them for our upcoming Presentation Day celebrations!

Members of our Ember Team also presented to 1st years about Presentation Day and the rich history of our school, which 1st Year students then used to make presentations about Nano Nagle, her life and her legacy and presented them at extended tutor time for 1st, 2nd and 3rd year students. This was a fabulous example of putting our theme for Presentation Day of ‘Being Nano’ into action and showing excellent student leadership. Thank you to Ms. McKeon for all her help with this.

Cultural Clothing Day

We had a beautiful turn out at our assembly on November 19th by 1st Year students for Cultural Clothing Day. It was so lovely to learn about & see the different cultures that make up our CB family.

My Experience in 1st Year - Melissa Morrin, R. Maolruain

Hi, my name is Melissa and this my experience in 1st year. When it was my first day in Coláiste Bride, I was very nervous. Meeting so many new people that I’ve never even seen before was scary but also exciting. I was excited to make new friends, but it felt like it would take forever! But I was very wrong. Only after about a week, I was talking to people in my class as if I’ve known them all my life! It was a huge change going from a small primary school to a huge secondary school with way more people. At first, trying to find my way around was hard. Trying to get through the packed hallways was insane! But after a while I got used to it. I could find my way around the school much better and got used to getting through the packed hallways.

I like having multiple teachers instead of one. Being able to go to different classes is also much better than being stuck in one. I get an opportunity to stretch and get ready for my next class. All my teachers are so nice. I like being able to see different ones every day!

I’m very grateful that I got a place in Coláiste Bride. If I wasn’t in this school, I wouldn’t have made the friends I have now. My experience in 1st year has been incredible and I definitely won’t forget it!

SPORTS ROUND UP

Camogie News

The junior camogie team have had a fun filled start to Camogie this year. The girls kicked off the year with a blitz in Abottstown followed by The Allianz Awards pitch day in Croke Park where the girls had success with a 4-0 win.

The senior camogie team made it all the way to the Championship semi finals after a strong win against Firhouse CC. Unfortunately, the girls narrowly lost against Santa Sabina in the semi final after a very strong performance with a goal from Aoife Robertson and two goals from Laura Casey.

Football News

U14

League will start early in the new year, training will continue on Thursdays after school in preparation for the competition.

U16

The team narrowly lost out on progressing to the knockout stages in the league. We had some excellent performance but lacked consistency to progress.

U18

The team progressed to the knock-out stages of the league and played on the 10th of December in a local derby against Coláiste Chillian. It was an excellent display with Coláiste Bríde coming back from 4 goals down to win by an impressive 5.14 to 6.1. The referee commended both teams on their skills but also their sportsmanship and respect. We look forward to the next stage of the competition in the New Year.

Gaeilge 24

Bhí sé iontach an Ghaeilge a fheiceáil agus a chloisteáil timpeall na scoile with students from all years taking part in Gaeilge24.

'Beatha Teanga í a labhairt'

Polish Cookie Bake!

In Polish culture December is a very magical season. Every year it is Polish tradition to bake gingerbread cookies (pierniki). It is really fun to bake and decorate. They put us in a festive mood and get us ready while we count down the days until Christmas. In school we had a lovely opportunity to spend time with our classmates, baking these tasty traditional treats. It was a delicious and educational lesson on Polish traditions. The mouth watering smell lingered throughout the corridors of the school. Merry Christmas to all!

Wesolych Swiat!

Maja Jagodzinska, 2nd Year

Library News...

Our T.Y and 5th Year Library Assistants are working hard this year to catalogue the new books and put them on the shelves. We hope for an official library opening in January. Happy Reading!

Library Prefects

Meet Sally Ann - our Home School Liaison Officer

As Home School Liaison Coordinator, I would like to wish all of our families a very happy and peaceful holiday season and all the very best for the New Year. I have really enjoyed meeting you in your homes and in school and I look forward to meeting more of you next term.

The Christmas season is a time for joy, reflection, and togetherness. As the Home School Liaison Coordinator, I am continually grateful for the strong sense of community that we share within our school. Your commitment to your child's education and well-being plays a crucial role in fostering a positive learning environment.

Amidst the excitement and celebrations, I would like to take a moment to remind you to prioritize your own well-being. The holidays can be a busy and sometimes stressful time, and it's important to ensure that you take time for self-care. Whether it's spending quality time with loved ones, enjoying a quiet moment of reflection, or engaging in activities that bring you joy, please remember to mind yourselves during this season.

If you find yourself in need of any support or assistance, whether related to your child's education or personal matters, please don't hesitate to reach out. Please do not hesitate

STEPS TO STUDY SUCCESS!

November was a very busy month for Guidance events in Coláiste Bríde due to our annual College Awareness Week which offered opportunities for every student to consider the pathways they may wish to pursue after school. The majority of these events ran from November 18th to November 22nd and included College Talks, quizzes, information sessions and treasure hunts.

LCA students attended a very successful Careers' Speed-Meet in school on November 7th. The students used this opportunity to ask lots of questions and consider the career areas that appeal to them most.

5th Years attended the TU Dublin Tallaght-Campus Open Day on14th November. Students had the opportunity to explore the campus and useful information was shared in relation to TU Dublin's CAO Level 6, 7 & 8 courses.

6th Year students travelled to NUI Maynooth on November 22nd to consider the many degrees which are available to study over both of the campuses in Maynooth. It was a wonderful opportunity for students to consider a university which many of our past students now attend.

Our Future Pathways' Information night took place on November 27th. We know that when students are supported at home when making their future choices, it can help make the transition from school much easier.

Our 6th Years are currently busy applying for many potential options including C.A.O. applications, Colleges of Further Education and the TAP Foundation. Whilst some individual Colleges of Further Education are already accepting applications, others will open in January. Students are reminded to ensure that they meet all deadlines when applying.

Mock exams begin Wednesday January 29th. Fees due by January 22nd - payable online via your TYRO app!

CAO - DATES TO REMEMBER

Olivia Malone, TY

Kingswood Community College Collaboration

As the student council we were invited to a “Collaboration Day” with local schools held by KCC. Four of our 6th year members attended this and represented Coláiste Bríde’s student council by presenting the amazing work we do with the council.

This was a really great opportunity to learn about the other schools around our area and how they operate and run their student council. We had mini focus groups during the day where there was one representative from each school in the group. We got to discuss the structure of each other’s student council and learn about the events that they run. It was really interesting to discuss certain prompts like how they run their student council or what their election process is.

We definitely learnt loads from each other and we have all definitely picked up something different from each of the schools.

We also got to present on our own student council and there was a lot of recognition towards us as a school community. The other schools were keen on the idea of our Wellbeing Week and our collaboration with the other years in our school. They were also really impressed with the students participating in events and being enthusiastic to new ideas and that’s what really set us apart from the rest. This event was informative and helpful for us to learn about the way other schools do things. Expect there to be more innovative ideas and opportunities within the student council in the future.

Saraah Ansary 6th year

PRESENTATION DAY

We had a very successful Presentation Day here at Coláiste Bríde. The whole school community were delighted to be able to celebrate the day with a Prayer Service and a celebration of all the great work that takes place here. We saw great leadership from many of our students; some said prayers, sang, played music, set up the hall, wrote and delivered speeches about the work they do in the school, etc. Students were very enthusiastic when asked to read prayers, exchange advice, sing.

It was a wonderfulday,and it was great to see the whole school community play their part. All students who took part in the day, from those who set up the hall, to those who said a prayer, were given a lantern pin to wear with pride on their school uniform. A large part of the day was organised and run by our Ember Team. They also delivered presentations to our 1st years in advance of the day to explain to them the importance and origins of the day.

Our 1st years then showed great leadership by creating their own presentations about the day, and delivering these to various class groups in the school during extended tutor time.