St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Our Sports Day this year again was a great success. The pupils enjoyed participating in their mixed-ability groups and a circuit format was used allowing all the pupils the chance to try a variety of activities.The day was divided into juniors in the morning and senior pupils in the afternoon. The junior pupils also participated in various novelty events eg. egg and spoon, sack race etc. in the afternoon. Congratulations to Ondrej Turtak (6th) who was this years winner of the Br. Finian Cup. 

On Tuesday the 10th of June a very special event took place in St. Brendan’s P.S. Birr. A large crowd of people came to the school, including parents, teachers, children, and members of Birr U.D.C. Deputy Olwyn Enright T.D., members of the Presentation and Mercy Communities and local clergy, representatives of Birr Lions and Offaly Co. Council environment section. The occasion was the raising of the school’s second Green Flag. The ceremony was performed by Councillor Tony McLoughlin Birr U.D.C.. Mr McLoughlin praised the teachers in the school for working to raise the awareness of the pupils to the importance of caring for the environment. He said it was a great tribute to everyone involved to achieve a second flag as some schools had struggled to achieve their first flag. He was particularly pleased to see Br. Nilus from the Presentation Brothers in the audience. He had been taught by him 60 years ago and felt very proud to have passed through this school. The influence of the brothers had been huge in the town and the academic standards they had achieved had been enormous. This year it would be 130 years since they had first come and he was delighted that their connection with the town still continues. Mr. McLoughlin stressed how important it was that children should be taught to respect the environment and praised the parents, teachers and pupils for their hard work. He said he was delighted to see St. Brendan’s P.S. still thriving and doing the work of education so well. Mr. Donegan, the school Principal, thanked everyone for coming to the event . He spoke briefly about the work of the Green School Committee and said it was made up of Parents, pupils and children. Everyone had their role to play. The first flag had been won on the basis of the plan for dealing with litter and waste and the school had succeeded in reducing waste from five wheelie bins to less than two each week. This time the focus was on conserving energy. The school had installed a wood pellet heating boiler and tried to make everyone conscious about the conservation and proper use of energy. It was on the basis of their plan for this that the school had achieved the award.

The second part of the event was the official opening of the school garden (An Gairdin Draiochta). Mr. Donegan explained that before the Brothers had left Moorpark Street they had donated a portion of the old Monastery garden to the school. The school had set about converting this into an outdoor classroom so that the boys could experience nature at first hand. He thanked the many people who had helped with the project. The project had been spearheaded by the Parents’ Association and he paid tribute to their support and dedication with this and all matters pertaining to the school. They had succeeded in raising 1000 euro to get the work done and had succeeded with the help of “Gardenia” in turning a neglected piece of ground into wonderland with a playground, climbing equipment, play sandpits, a water feature, raised beds and a potting table. There was also a decking area and even a shed for tools. One of the most charming features was the fact that three fine old apple trees remained from the brothers’ time and had been included in the plan. Aine Brummel, the Chairperson of the Parents’ Association spoke on their behalf.She thanked all those who had given sponsorship towards the project such as Birr Lions, Rigney-Dolphin and Company and Palace Kitchens as well as all those who donated plants. She thanked the members of her committee, especially Emer Dolphin Murray for the hard work and dedication she had put into the project. Afterwards Brother Nilus formally cut the ribbon on the garden gate and Fr. Tony Cahir P.P. blessed the garden.

The final part of the evening was the presentation, to Fr. Michael Reddan C.C. by Mrs. Maria Donegan on behalf of the Green Schools’ Committee. The money had been raised by recycling old mobile phones. Fr. Reddan accepted the cheque on behalf of Sr. Bosco of the Mercy Sisters in Nenagh and thanked the school and committee. Sr. Bosco raised money for relief work in Kenya and he guaranteed everyone that there would be no wastage before the money would reach its destination. Afterwards all the children present were treated to minerals and crisps and the adults were given tea and coffee courtesy of the Parents’ Association.

All our boys from 1st to 6th class were given swimming lessons at Birr Swimming Pool in the last term.

Our new infants visited the school for the first time with their parents. The young boys visited the classrooms while their parents were givrn an introductory talk about the school generally by Mr. Donegan and Ms. Margaret Teehan.

Our whole school community was deeply honoured with the instillation of a beautifully sculped and crafted seat in our school garden. The seat was sponsored by Alan and Emer Purcell in association with our Parents’ Council and is in Memory of the late Mrs. Geraldine Bergin who will be missed and fondly remembered by all in St. Brendan’s. Ar Dheis De go raibh a Anam.

Sixth class visited the Community School Bog Reserve. They learned about the flora and fauna of a bog environment under the guidance of Mr. Crofton and Ms. Gretta Flynn from the Community School.

All classes had the opportunity to participate in an Animal Kingdom Workshop. Some unusual animals and reptiles were on displayand the pupils learned about their food, characteristics and habitats.

As part of a sixth class outreach pilot project Mrs. Kelly’s class put on a wonderful show under the direction of Ciaran Cooney ( 6th class ).The show was well prepared and on the day the boys performed excellently supported by other classes, family and friends.

Mrs. Sampson continues to organise the Sammy Stamps savings scheme again this year. All pupils are encouraged to develop a savings mentality and save their money for future ventures.

Sixth class played a friendly soccer match against Tullamore. The game was played in  great spirit and was really enjoyed by both teams.