Newsletter 17 – Jan 12th 2024
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Happy New Year to you all.
Our first week back after Christmas and I am really impressed with how well the children have settled back into the routine of school. The boys and girls are working and playing really well and are making every effort to be the best that they can be.
Christmas Jumper Day in Aid of SVP – A big thank you to everyone who supported our Christmas Jumper Day in aid if Saint Vincent De Paul on Friday 22nd December. Our Student Council will present a cheque for €2,669.00 to Karen Purcell, President of SVP Greystones on behalf of St. Brigid’s this coming Monday. I just know she will be blown away by the amount we have raised for such a worthy charity.
A New Baby Boy – Congratulations to Anne O’ Donnell and Christian Schenk on the birth of their beautiful baby boy on Saturday 23rd December – the best Christmas present. Big sister Mari Ailbhe is delighted with her new baby brother.
Gaeilge – Frásaí na Seachtaine # 16 – This week’s phrase is: “An féidir linn rith/siúl/léim? (Can we run/walk/jump?)
Fáilte ar ais– We welcome Ms. O’Donnell back to school this week. I know the boys and girls in Room 12 are excited about her return. A big thank you to Mr. Behan who has been covering for her while she was away.
Céad Mile Fáilte –We extend a very warm welcome to Henrique and Carolina Fernandes, Amelie O’ Sullivan and Robyn Summerbell who joined our school on Monday. I can’t believe how well they have settled in in such a short time and this is down to the kindness and care shown to them all by the boys and girls in Rooms 2, 9, 11 and 17. Maith sibh a pháistí !
Volunteering at the school – All parents who would like to help at the school must be garda vetted. Garda Vetting forms are available from the office.
Extra-Curricular School Based Activities – These will all start back next week beginning with After School Basketball for 6th class on Monday 15th January.
3rd Class Swimming – Our two third classes will commence swimming lessons this coming Thursday 18th January at Shoreline. The swimming lessons will take place during school time. A big thank you to all the 3rd class parents who have volunteered to help walk the children to and from the pool. The swimming lessons just couldn’t happen without your support.
Burns By Your Side Reading with Dogs Project – We’re delighted to have Heide our specially trained reading volunteer and her companion dog “Jessie” back at the school for this term to work with some of our children in 3rd Class. We have been participating in this reading project for a number of years now. The project is aimed at children of all ages to help with reading and communication skills. Reading to trained learning support dogs has proven to have a huge impact on the children that participate. The fear and pressure children may feel when reading to an adult is taken away and their stress level is reduced. The reading dogs scheme provides a calm, relaxing safe environment where a child can enjoy a book without any judgement, they can develop their vocabulary and improve their reading skills.
Birthday Greetings – Celebrating birthdays this week are Holly Nohilly (10yrs), Pearl Butler Young (8yrs), Katelynn and Lianna Damery Vaughan (12yrs). Huey Pust (10yrs), Grace McCarthy (9yrs), Kate Quinn (11yrs), Devin Kelly (10yrs), Ananya Syamkumar (10yrs), Emma Rose Gaffney (11yrs), Leticia Pereira (6yrs), Sophie McFadden (12yrs), Cala Kleinbooi (10yrs) and Bella McKenzie (11yrs). We wish them all a very happy birthday and best wishes for the year ahead.
School Improvements Two new sensory spaces were installed at the school over the Christmas holidays. One is an active area upstairs with climbing walls, crash mat, trampoline and ball pit. The other is a more relaxing and calmer area downstairs with a dark tunnel and sensory wall. Although not quite finished, the Sensory Spaces are a huge hit and already being put to great use.
In the words of one nine and half year old – “The new sensory areas are really good for a small break from work. You can get out energy but also have fun. My favourites are the ball pit and climbing wall. In the quiet area it is good to calm down. It has a really furry rug and it’s comfy. It also has LED lights. Thank you to parents, children and staff for raising all the money.”
On behalf of all the staff and pupils here at St. Brigid’s, I would just like to say a huge thank you to you the parents for helping create two amazing spaces through your generous fundraising donations. Your support for this project will make such a difference to so many boys and girls at our school for many years to come. You have made so many children so very happy. Míle, míle buíochas.
Finally, f anyone would like to come in to look at the spaces, please let us know and we can arrange that for you.
Until next week.
Slán go fóill
Máire Costello
Principal