Junior School
At the risk of repeating myself – hasn’t the year simply flown?! It seems such a short time since our new Junior Infants and new Std. 6 pupils joined our school community. And now those tiny Juniors are ready to be Seniors and our Std. 6 pupils are ready to set sail for horizons new in the Senior School. We wish them every blessing as they go. They have been a superb year group – bright, kind, and cooperative. Since our Christmas newsletter, classwork, trips, art, sports, music and drama have filled our school days. There are so many memories to cherish - school tours filled with fun and laughter; the amazing Standard 6 Science Fair; the Standard 4 & 5 Talent Show brimful with music, song, dance and poetry; the fun and laughter at our Family Tennis evening; the outstanding Standard 6 production of “Roald Dahl”; and a variety of activities from Write-A-Book to the Parents’ Association Art Competition. What amazingly talented pupils we have! Special moments for me this term were the celebration of the sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Each ceremony was a most spiritual and moving occasion and the children participated through prayer and song with reverence and spirituality. I would like to thank Fr. Larry Behan, Sr. Patricia and our class teachers for their dedicated preparation of the children. I would also like to thank our In-House Committee who, following the Church Services, organised a reception for the children and their parents and relatives, which helps to make these occasions truly family and community celebrations. Another special day is Sports and Prize Day which, for me, reflects two key aspects of our school ethos - our community
spirit and our commitment to excellence across all areas of school life – academic, sporting and artistic. Social awareness is always high on list of priorities. Our Student Council ran various events for the Ndiini School Food Programme; Standard 6 raised funds for Debra Ireland; we raised €1,660 in our Lenten Trocaire Boxes; and an incredible €2,785 was raised for Louise’s annual visit to Moldova. A sincere thank you to one and all! Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you the parents for your interest, enthusiasm and constant support of all of our endeavours in the Junior School - from costume making and painting backdrops to organising the school library, bar-b-quing at tennis evenings and supporting all of our educational endeavours. I also thank my colleagues in the Junior School who are quite simply an exceptional team – so dedicated and professional and who make our school into the thriving, vibrant and caring learning community that it is. And of course I thank my wonderful pupils – who make everyday a joy! Enjoy the Summer holidays and don’t forget to read every day! And now, as I write, the school is quiet - but a palpable excitement is building as the work on our new Junior School wing nears completion. How exciting it will be to come back to a new school! In the meantime, I wish you all a very happy and safe holiday time. Deirdre Farrell - Headmistress
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