St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Coaching with Adrian is going great with all classes. Boys from 2nd class accepted the donation of sliotars , helmets and hurls from Birr GAA Club presented by
Michael and Charlie
Loughnane,
Mile buiochas 🙂

Gaelic Football team

A great season for our schools Gaelic Football team. The boys really bought into the idea of playing the game for September and October and we had huge numbers 70+ playing the lunchtime league with Mr Crofton. The panel of 31 boys then training each week under guidance of Mr Kennedy and great to see such good numbers from 6th class this year playing.
They started off the campaign with a good win over Dromakeenan and then also won against a weakened Banagher side and young Gaelscoil Tullamore side to reach the final in St Brendans park. The boys really had it put up to them by a strong Banagher team with a goal only in it at half time. That’s when the men stood up and led by some outstanding performances by 6th class they eased away with 5 mins to go. The honour of lifting the cup fell to Adriano Szoma as captain.
Thanks to Mr Kennedy for his passion and dedication to the team– the school staff who supported the team as various matches and attended in great numbers at the final and to the great parents for support as each match too Full report in this weeks midland tribune and we also hope to write our school magazine after mid term with some reports—

Catch and kick football
8 teams of 80 boys from 3rd—6th took part in this fun league each lunchtime. We are down to semi final stage now with 4 teams remaining– great to see boys try football for the first time and enjoy it so much.

Kayak level 1 training course– Our 6th class boys got a fantastic opportunity last week as they each earned certs from The Irish Kayak Association of Ireland for level 1 kayak skills. The OEC organised through the excellent Yanni and he had the boys out paddling the Shannon and overcoming their fears and anxiety in o time at all. It was great to see the boys excel at this activity and how many attend the OEC centre.

Cross country athletics—
school teams 2018 / 2019

Mr Cunningham took teams from 3rd-6th class over to Tullamore harriers for this school event. Trials for each class were held in school beforehand and 4 boys from each class went forward to represent the school.All ran well with medals coming home with ——
Danny Dwyer—1st in 6th race
Kevin Pardy– 7th in 6th Race
Sixth class team 2nd overall in Offaly
Dylan Carroll –5th in 4th class race

Sports day 2018 which was a day of sunshine , fun and activity. Stations and teams organised and set up by Mr Cunningham and his team from our wonderful staff- each pupil on a team ( county based) and all took part in a spirit of enjoyment / encouragement and participation. Some wonderful photos and memories !

Sincere thanks to all involved for your support with the sponsored walk / cycle this year. Classes 2nd—6th went to Lough Boora for a walk or cycle and the boys all had a great day of exercise fun and adventure. Junior Classes JI-1st went to Birr Castle and got to play in the playground which was a great treat. Thanks from the school to PA officers and committee for organising and in particular to Keith and Rose Harte for their work with getting 50 + bikes out and back to Lough Boora

Visit of the cup – We were delighted to welcome some past pupils back from St Brendans U21 hurling team with the cup after their great U21 county final win. Gary Cahill ( Mentor) along with Cathal Kirwan , Morgan Watkins and Sean Thompson entered the hall to a huge roar and the sight of lots of boys in their Birr Jerseys. The group spoke to the school about their pride in bringing the cup back to their primary school and how they hoped to inspire the next generation of hurlers in town from this success. We wish the panel congratulations on their success and best wishes with their hurling into the future.

Kayak level 1 training course– Our 6th class boys got a fantastic opportunity in last week of October as they each earned certs from The Irish Kayak Association of Ireland for level 1 kayak skills. The OEC organised through the excellent Yanni and he had the boys out paddling the Shannon and overcoming their fears and anxiety in  o time at all. It was great to see the boys excel at this activity and how many attend the OEC centre.

Dance programme—legends– Over October every boy in our school engaged in our wonderful dance project. It was led by the amazing local dance teacher  Ms. Lisa Hogan.  The programme was designed for our school by Lisa and entitled –  legends.

–          Throughout the years, there have been many male icons in the music industry. Leaving the world in remembrance of their signature dance moves and performances. This in turn has given young boys and men figures to idolise and encourage the art of music and dance. With this in mind we have designed a programme under the theme of “Legends” inspired by Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley and the likes. This programme will create a fun, welcoming and empowering environment for the boys of St. Brendan’s PS where they can explore the history, creation and performance of dance and these icons.

Not only will we be keeping the work of these legends alive and educating the children on their legacy, we strongly believe that dance with these well known and loved moves will heighten a child’s confidence and self-esteem as well as awareness in the body both physically and emotionally. As most children will be aware of the signature moves, it will be easier for them to engage with and master, thus leaving them with more confidence.

The boys really loved the 5 weeks of modern dance with Lisa. We finished off the programme by recording some of the dances on video and we hope to share them with the boys and families in November. The programme was supported by Offaly County Council Arts office and celebrated the arts in our school.