St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

12370c May 2025

Raising the 6th Green schools flag !

Well done to our fantastic Green school committee 2024/2025 for all your hard work and leadership in successfully achieving our 6th green flag for the school. Proud day following in great green school tradition started many years ago by Maria Donegan. Last Thursday the boys had a lovely assembly and then the whole school went outside to see the flag being raised ( from car park due to building works ) – then the ice cream van arrived later to give all the boys a nice treat !

12370c April – May 2025

12370c March newsletter 2025

Mr Crofton ( with his highway hat ! ) read the story of the Highway Rat by Julia Donaldson to 1st and 2nd class to share the love of books on this special day – thanks to the boys for coming down to listen 

VEX ROBOTIC programme 2025

@VEXRoboticsIE our boys had an amazing time at the @offalycoco VEX robotics event in February – Well done to Jack / Harry / Ewan and Sam and massive thanks to Ms Makim and Mr Cunningham for all their hard work supporting the team. The boys did great in what was a difficult robot to design and programme this year. This programme offers so many skills and experiences to the boys and we look forward to many more VEX battles in Offaly. There will be another local round in coming weeks which the boys will look forward to.

Wellbeing and the Catholic School

The Council for Catechetics, assisting the Council for Education of the Irish Episcopal Conference,
has published a new document for primary and post-primary Catholic Schools entitled, “Wellbeing
and the Catholic School.” Drawing inspiration from both Christian teachings and governmental
strategies, the document highlights how Catholic schools create environments that foster
resilience, hope, and moral integrity, ensuring students thrive, not just academically, but as whole
individuals. This resource offers practical insights for school leaders, teachers, and parents to
embed a Catholic vision of wellbeing into policies, curriculum, and daily practices. You are
requested to bring this document to the attention of members of the BOM, staff, and parents in
your school community please.

The document is available online at:

https://catholiceducation.ie/wellbeing-resources/

Dear Parents / Guardians,
We have had to change the date of our staff inservice for Bi Cinealta – ( Anti Bullying )
The date was to be on Wednesday 5th March.
NEW DATE is Wednesday 2nd April. School will close at 12.20 ( infants) and 12.30pm that day.
I apologize for any inconvenience caused in regard to collection arrangements.
Kind regards,
Niall Crofton

St. Brendan’s PS Birr : Funding announcement February 2025
The Board of Management of St Brendan’s PS are delighted to announce that funding has been secured for our additional SEN accommodation project at the school. The Department of Education has approved the project to now proceed to the construction stage under Contractor Ciaran Grogan Construction Ltd.

The Board would like to thank Minister for Education Helen McEntee and her predecessor Norma Foley for their support. We would also like to thank the Devolved Projects section staff in Department of Education capital buildings unit for their support and advice.
The Design team under architect Kenny Lyons and Associates will now plan for the 12 month build with contractor whilst ensuring that our school continues its good work on a daily basis. Our school community can look forward to the start of this exciting construction of SEN rooms and Autism classes which will enable children and staff to work in the most modern setting available and will greatly enhance the teaching and learning environments for all concerned. 

School Principal Niall Crofton expressed delight that the plans for this extension, which has been in the pipeline for the past five years, are now reaching fruition.  Adding, it will greatly enhance the facilities that the school provides for the needs of all students in the community, and the schools commitment, through its mission statement, to ensure all pupils get an opportunity to reach their potential.

Chairperson of the Board of Management Pat Teehan expressed delight at the announcement and thanked the Principal Niall Crofton and the staff for their dedication and commitment in providing an education, for so many children with additional needs whilst waiting for this new purpose built accommodation.