Pupils from sixth class visited the Birr Community Care Nursing Unit and sang Christmas Carols for the residents. Majella played the keyboard and Mr. Crofton, Mr Carroll and Mrs. Lonergan accompanied the boys on their visit. The residents were delighted with the visit and it brought great festive cheer to all.

Mr Kennedy’s class performed a wonderful Nativity Play. The play was written by Mr. Kennedy and the boys performed it magnificently. They put on the play for the rest of the school in the gym and in the afternoon they had a large audience of parents, guardians, grandparents, friends and relations who all gave them a wonderful reception. It was a wonderful project as it involved so many areas of the curriculum ( Music, singing, drama, art, craft) but above all the boys enjoyed doing the show. Well done to Mr. Kennedy and the boys.

This year Santa was very well protected on his visit to St. Brendan’s. He arrived in an army tank. The snow and frost added to the atmosphers. The younger pupils enjoyed meeting Santa and he had something nice in his sack for all the classes. The army tanks caused great excitment with the senior pupils and it was a wonderful occasion for all the pupils in St. Brendan’s. Thanks to our Parents’ Association for helping Santa with his visit.

Christmas in St. Brendan’s is always a special time of year. The display areas are beautifully decorated with Christmas art. Our Crib always attracts lots of attention with the younger classes coming to visit. Christmas logs can be seen on display and lots of presents are under the Christmas Tree. Our Christmas Wreath always looks well and the classrooms are beautifully decorated. The boys love singing the Christmas Carols and the younger pupils eagerly await the arrival of Santa to the school. The atmosphere is always wonderful as we prepare for the coming of our baby jeaus to the Crib.

Fourth class participated in this year’s Maths for Fun Project. They played maths games in their classroom with the aid of their helpers. Thanks to Mgt. Teehan/Emily Kennedy for organising the project and the many parents who helped out in the classroom and Miss. Doyle for managing the whole project.. The pupils really enjoyed the scheme. Boys from Mrs. Lonergans class also made use of their engineering and maths talents by designing some beautiful shapes with their polydrons.

Shaun Coray 6th class received an award from Birr Criedit Union for his outstanding effort in savings. He was presented with a voucher in the school by members of Birr Credit Union.

In keeping with our tradition we again ran our Vincent de Paul food appeal. The pupils brought in a large variety of non-perishable goods that will be distributed over the Christmas period. Many thanks to all our boys and to all Parents/Guardians who supported the project.

Some of our junior classes visited a Santa Show in the Oxmantown Theatre. They really got into the festive spirit and interacted very well with the production.They eagerly await his arrival on Christmas Eve.

We ran a very successful soccer league for junior classes in the gym at lunch time. The boys enjoyed playing with and against their friends, The league created great excitment in the school and great credit is due to Mr. Crofton, Mr. Cunningham, Mr. Carroll and Mr. McIntyre for organising and running thecompetition. Well done to all teams especiallythe two teamsin the photographs who contested the final.

As Christmas approaches we began our advent ceremonies in the school.Ms. Mulqueen’s class started the ceremonies this year. The boys lit the first candle on the Advent Wreath and read their prayers with great clarity and confidence. We sang Christmas Carols and Mr. Crofton spoke about the origins and meaning of the Advent Wreath.