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 and Carol’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.
Whole School Evaluation – Our Whole School Evaluation took place this week Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Thursday 5th December. It was a very busy few days with our two inspectors visiting every class level, surveying parents, teachers and students and meeting with members from our Board of Management and our Parent’s Association.
The inspection team were very impressed with the children and commented very positively on our warm atmosphere, wonderful team, care for the children and the creative lessons they observed throughout. A written and published report will be issued in the new year.
As a well done to the children for all their effort, there will be No homework until next year!! (January) 😊
Old uniforms If you have any old school uniforms at home, we’re always happy to share them with families in need. Please send them into the office if you have any.
Support school secretaries & caretakers!
Did you know that our school secretaries and caretakers are not entitled to pensions? These dedicated staff members are the heart of our schools, and their work is invaluable. I have signed the pledge to support their campaign for pensions, and I hope you will join me.
We are not asking for any additional actions at this time. Instead, we kindly request that you show your support by simply signing the pledge. https://act.forsa.ie/pensionparityschools?refsid=22765&utm_source=email_share&utm_campaign=%5B38%5D&utm_medium=share
Thank you for your continued support.
Music Generation 2024 Christmas Concerts – Christmas kicked off 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 O Donell, Ms Cannon, Ms. Heneghan and Ms. Mangan and to the SNAs Helen, Sharon, 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.
Happy Birthday – There are a number of children celebrating birthdays at the school this week – Victoria McGivern (9yrs), Emma Roth (12yrs), Saoirse McGovern (8yrs), Isla McGovern (8yrs) Caroline Dias Fernandes (10yrs), Muireann Allman (11yrs), Lily Gilbert Grant (7yrs), Seán Maddock (10yrs), Daniel Brennan (9yrs). We wish all a very happy birthday.
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 9th December – Room 3 @ 9.15am and Room 4 @ 1.00pm
- Junior Infants – Tuesday 10th December – Room 1 @ 9.15 and Room 2 @ 1.00pm
- 1st Class – Wednesday 11th December – Room 5 @ 9.15am and Room 7 @ 2.00pm
5th, and 6th Class Christmas Carol Service – This will take place on Thursday 12th 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. The student council have made the decision to support Vincent de Paul this Christmas. 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.
Christmas jumper day will take place on Friday 20th December. There is a minimum €5 online payment on Aladdin or please feel free to drop in any amount of coins or cash on the day. We thank parents for their continued support.
Final Call for School Calendars – A final call to order your 2025 School calendars. The children have been working very hard on artwork for the school calendar 2025. You can order the calendars via Aladdin Connect. A huge thank you to parents Libby O Reilly and Emer Elliott who did trojan work behind the scenes on this project.
Christmas Decorations Competition Well done to all the boys and girls who participated in the recent Christmas Recycling Decoration Competition at the school. Lily Lockhart and Ivo Kinlen are the overall winners, and their entries will go forward to the Wicklow County Final. We wish them the very best of luck.
Visit to the Whale Theatre:
We are delighted to announce that the children will be visiting the Whale Theatre on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th December to watch a Christmas movie. A payment link has been sent on Aladdin. Please see timetable below.
Wednesday 18th December 2024
Movie – The Muppet Christmas Carol- Rating U– Running time 84 minutes
| Movie Time | Class | |
| 9.00am
* Parents drop kids directly to Whale Theatre not the school * Teachers will be at Whale Theatre at 9am
|
9.10am – 10.50am | 3rd Class
Rooms 9 & 10
|
| 10.45am leave school | 11.00am – 12.40pm | Junior Infants
Rooms 1 & 2 and Senior Infants Rooms 3 & 4 |
| 12.35 pm leave school
|
12.50pm -2.30pm
Kids will walk back to the school after the Whale |
1st Class
Room 5 & 7 and 2nd Class Rooms 6 & 8
|
Thursday 19th December 2024
Movie- Elf – Rating U – Running time 93 minutes
| Movie Time | Class | |
| 9.00am
* Parents drop kids directly to Whale Theatre not the school * Teachers will be at Whale Theatre at 9am
|
9.10am – 10.50am | 6th Class
Rooms 11,12,17 and 5th Class- Room 16 |
|
10.45am leave school
|
11.00am – 12.40pm | 4th Class
Rooms- 14 & 15 and 5th Class Rooms 20 |
In line with our healthy eating policy, children will eat their lunch in school as usual and no treats are allowed.
Gaeilge – Frásaí na Seachtaine # 12 – This week’s phrase is: “An bhfuil cead agam dul amach? Tá/Níl” (Can I go out? Yes/No)
Feis win Well done to Alison Pyke who won her Irish dancing Feis at the weekend. Congratulations Alison.
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.
Advent 2024 – This Sunday the 8th 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.
Enjoy the weekend.
Le meas
Emma Uí Shúilleabháin
Principal