St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Christmas newsletter 2023

12370c Gaelic Games newsletter term 1 2023

School Completion Programme – Report – Christmas 2023
It has been an active term for the Roscrea/Birr School Completion Programme. Throughout the term, we have facilitated five transfer sessions with Ms Doyles 6th class. As part of our transfer programme, the boys joined up with 6th class from the Mercy Primary School and Oxmantown School to participate in the annual treasure hunt. This activity provided the pupils with an opportunity to meet up with boys and girls from the other schools that will be in their first year in St. Brendan’s Community School. We look forward to working with the boys again for some more of our Transfer Programme, and our Ceilí in March.
Along with our transfer programme, we also met and provided support on an individual basis to some pupils from other classes. Our afterschool programme included the Let’s Read Pal programme in conjunction with TY students from St. Brendan’s Community School, golfing, swimming and tennis.
Next year, we look forward to continuing with our individual and afterschool programmes, along with facilitating our eight-week socialisation programme with Junior Infants and Life Skills with fourth class.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank your School Principal, Mr. Crofton, your HSCL, Ms. Anne Hennelly and all the staff in St. Brendan’s Boys’ School most sincerely for their support. Without this support, we could not do the work we do.
On behalf or the School Completion Programme team, Rachel Moloney, Dani Dunne, Margaret Blake, Dearbhla Hall and myself Mairead Keevey, we would like to wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2024.
Mairead Keevey

Board of Management 2023-2027
The school is run by the Board of Management in collaboration with the Principal. St. Brendan’s is extremely lucky to have a very supportive, committed and active board. The present term of office began in December 2023 and will extend for four years. The board meets a minimum of once a term and 5 times per year.
Principal
Mr. Niall Crofton

Parents Nominees
Mr. Rory Hannify
Ms. Joanne Rock

Patrons Nominees
Mr. Pat Teehan (Chair)
Ms. Colette Mulrooney

Community Nominees
Ms. Mary McIntyre
Mr Dominic Plunkett

Teacher Nominee
Ms Sarah Pilkington

Dear Parents / Guardians,
Just a few notes to let you know all the details of tomorrow.
There are 2 concerts to allow parents and family to attend. The concerts are free and all we ask is a donation to our Parents Association / Christmas draw tickets on sale.
Boys are asked to wear their school uniform please and bring a drink to school for evening concert.
The hall we appreciate is small with a limited capacity so we ask extended families to attend one concert only please to ensure room for all.
Morning concert- Tuesday 12th December 2023
• Doors open 9.10am ( Infant bell)
• 4th Class will be singing in entrance FOYER from 9.20am
• 9.30am – First Class ( 3 songs)
• 9.40am – Snowman at sunset ( Junior and Senior Infants)
• 10.15am – Second class ( 3 songs)
• 10.30am – Third Class ( 3 songs)
• 10.45am – Fifth and sixth Classes ( Tin whistle tunes)
• 11.00am – End concert and sos for boys.
Evening concert- Tuesday 12th December 2023
• 6.30pm – Boys can enter the school via school entrance to left side of school. This is for boys and staff only. Parents can wait in school shed if they wish as we set up.
• 6.45pm – Doors open for parents and families ( Main school door)
• 4th Class will be singing in entrance FOYER from 6.45pm
• 7.00pm – First Class ( 3 songs)
• 7.10pm – Snowman at sunset ( Junior and Senior Infants)
• 7.45pm – Second class ( 3 songs)
•
• 7.55pm – Mini break/ interval
•
• This will allow parents of the younger boys JI/ SI/ 1st / 2nd to collect them and take them home.
• If they have anyone involved in the Gaelic Football medal ceremony they can be collected from class and brought back to the hall as we should have more room.
• 4th class boys involved in football will come back to the hall and the other boys can be collected to go home also.
• We will be joined by our sporting friends from Gaelscoil na Laochra at this stage.
• 8.00pm – Third Class ( 3 songs)
• 8.10pm – Fifth and sixth Classes ( Tin whistle tunes)
• 8.20pm – Medal Presentation for Winning Offaly Cumann na mbunscoil Gaelic Football 2023- Special Guest Mr Cormac Egan
• Finale – Snow is falling
• Boys can get some photos with Cormac afterwards
• 8.40pm ( approx ) Home

The purpose of our concerts are very simple and the same as always with our school
– To provide each boy the opportunity to perform on stage.
– To allow each boy the chance of being in a concert with his friends.
– To display the wonderful songs and tunes that he has learnt at school.
– To welcome our wonderful families and friends to our school to be part of the concert experience.
– To make good use of our school stage and sound system- both of which were purchased with support of parents.
– To celebrate our school team winning the Football cumann na mbunscoil 2023- Well done to all 39 boys on the panel who will all get their precious gold medal on the night.
We look forward to a great day and evening of Christmas cheer and goodwill.
Kind regards,
Niall Crofton
Principal Teacher