Newsletter 14 – Dec 8th, 2023
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Tá an Nollaig buailte linn agus draíocht na Nollag san aer. Christmas is almost here, and the magic of Christmas is in the air.
St. Brigid’s is a hive of activity right now, buzzing with excitement as we count down the days to December 25th. Every morning the Infants check the countdown blackboard at Tara’s office to see how many more sleeps until Christmas Day. The school is alive with the sound of music as the children practice their Christmas songs and carols. You really could not ask to be anywhere nicer right now.
Music Generation 2023 Christmas Concerts – Christmas kicked off in earnest this week with some fantastic musical performances from our 2nd, 3rd 4th classes. The children sang a medley of Christmas songs and left us with a smile on our faces that lasted the whole day long. Boys and girls, thank you for the music. A big thank also to Joan from Music Generation and to the class teachers Ms. Purcell, Ms. Ms Duggan, Ms McNally, Ms. Finnerty. Ms. Heneghan and Ms. Mangan and to the SNAs Catherine, Helena, Emma and Liza for all the hard work they put in with the children in preparation for these concerts. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Christmas Decorations Competition Well done to all the boys and girls who participated in the recent Christmas Recycling Decoration Competition at the school. The children produced some fabulous decorations which would not be out of place at the Craft Fair in the RDS this week. Marcus Keddy and James O’ Donnell are the overall winners, and their entries will go forward to the Wicklow County Final. We wish them the very best of luck,
Infant and 1st Class Christmas Plays – Our Infants and First Classes will be performing their Christmas plays next week. Please see below for dates and times:
- Senior Infants – Monday 11th December – Room 3 @ 9.15am and Room 4 @ 1.00pm
- Junior Infants – Tuesday 12th December – Room 1 @ 9.15 and Room 2 @ 1.00pm
- 1st Class – Wednesday 13th December – Room 5 @ 9.15am and Room 7 @ 2.00pm
5th, and 6th Class Christmas Carol Service – This will take place on Thursday 14th December in Holy Rosary Church at 7pm. We are looking for stewards to help on the night. If this is something you would be able to help us with, please contact the office.
St. Vincent de Paul As Christmas approaches, we are conscious that this can be a particularly difficult time for families. We are delighted to support our local St Vincent de Paul once again and thereby support our local families. An Aladdin payment link has issued if you would like to donate to this very worthy cause. To date our generous families have donated €976.00 via Aladdin.
Respect for Our Neighbours As a Green School we actively encourage our pupils to walk, cycle and scoot to school. As 80% of our pupils live within 2km of the school, this is very doable for many.
Walking, cycling, and scooting not only provide a wonderful opportunity for chats with friends, improving our physical and mental health and caring for our environment, but these methods also help to reduce traffic, making the area around our school a safer place not just for our pupils but for all our neighbours. Unfortunately, but quite justifiably, our neighbours frequently complain of inconsiderate parking on the roads close to our school. Please use the Park and Ride Car Park if it’s on your route to school: parking at this Car Park is free.
Dressing for the Weather – There has been a significant drop in the temperature over the last few days. It is important that the children come to school dressed for the weather. An extra layer of clothing under the school uniform or tracksuit and an extra pair of socks or woollen tights can make all the difference.
Condolences
- Our deepest sympathy to the Flynn family on the recent passing of Rosa Flynn a much-loved Grandmother to Rosa Mae and Ella. May she rest in peace.
- Condolences also to the Gaffney family on the sad passing of Cathal Gaffney, Grandad to Emma Rose. He will be greatly missed. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Happy Birthday – Celebrating birthdays at the school this week are Muireann Allman (10yrs), Lily Gilbert Grant (6yrs), Seán Maddock (9yrs), Daniel Brennan (8yrs) and Louis Kilcoyne (12yrs). Happy birthday.
Gaeilge – Frásaí na Seachtaine # 12 – This week’s phrase is: “An bhfuil cead agam dul amach? Tá/Níl” (Can I go out? Yes/No)
Advent 2023 – This Sunday the 10th of December marks the beginning of the second week of Advent. A second purple candle symbolising PEACE will be lit at all churches this weekend. Peace is a central theme of the Advent season but the main focus of the second week of Advent.
Have a lovely weekend.
Until next week, slán.
Máire Costello
Principal