St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Hurling coaching began in March. All pupils had the opportunity to develop new skills and use to good effect the ones already learned.

The Book Fair  arrived in the school giving all classes the opportunity to study, look at and buy books covering a vast array of topics and subject matter. It always provides the pupils with a great stimulus to develop and expand their reading skills.

Sixth class went on a retreat to Castletown in preparation for their Confirmation.

As part of Tree Conservation Week Martina Needham ( Birr Library ) gave a talk to junior classes on trees, oxygen, carbon dioxide and pollution. All pupils found it very interesting and informative.

Legitimate Bodies Dance Company launched an outreach programme into the school to devise a dance drama version of the Pinocchio story. Over a period of many weeks third class participated in workshops in the school culminating in a performance in the Oxmantown Theatre. This project covered many aspects of the Visual Arts programme including dance, drama, construction, design and allowed the pupils to express themselves through performance. It was a wonderful project for the pupils and they gave a great performance on the night.

The u/13 footballers gave a great performance bringing home the cup in the Astroturf Football Tournament played in Ferbane. Well done to Mr. Kennedy and all the lads.

Each class was involved in the creation of a beautiful Willow Sculpture in our School Garden ( Gairdin Draiochta ) . Under the watchful eye of Lynn Kirkham each class planted the willow saplings and shaped them into a wonderful bee-hive hut and maze. The creation is a living structure and will continue to grow and all classes will have the responsibility of caring for it.

As part of our Green Schools Programme the junior classes were treated to an Environmental Puppet Show emphasising the Reduce-Reuse-Recycle theme as well as water conservation.

Our u/13 indoor hurlers gave a great display of skill in the indoor tournament held in Shinrone. Well done to Mr. Kennedy and the boys and to the many parents who continue to support the hurling in the school by helping out with transport.

Science Day this year explored the theme of ” Water “. All classes tested, explored, investigated, questioned and then recorded the various pieces of information available at each of the five testing stations.