St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Well done to all the boys who took part this year. We had a great entry and thanks to all the teachers and Mrs. Kelly for promoting this great event. Special mention must go to the artistic boys in 5th class who had some fantastic entries. We hope to hear from Catherine Barry after the Easter Break about any medal winners we had.
WINNER ANNOUNCED !
Community Games Modelling
Denis Konev – Silver
Luke Sheils – Gold———- OFFALY CHAMPION
Brad McEvoy – Silver
Kealan Franks – Silver
Darragh Tierney – Gold
Darragh McNamara – Gold——-OFFALY CHAMPION
Alex Byrne – Gold————-OFFALY CHAMPION
Darragh Mooney – Silver
Joe Hutchinson – Silver
Ronan McArthur – Silver
Sam McAulay – Bronze
James Carroll – Bronze
Dinny Kelly – Bronze
Reece Swanepoel – Bronze
Ben O’ Brien – Bronze
Damien Delaney – Bronze
Kristian Bodik – Bronze

All roads led to Marian hall Birr last Wednesday night 9th March as St. Brendan’s Boys Primary school staged their historical production and tribute to 1916. Heritage has a major influence on the school and so they were delighted to have Michael Donegan ( Former Principal) back to write and direct the first half of the show. Current principal welcomed the huge crowd to the free show and thanked the people of the parish for their continued support of the school. He also thanked the parish for use of their fine hall and to hall caretaker Martin Walsh for his support with the show. The stage looked fantastic with set designed by local artist George Dempsey and painted by pupils from the school with lights and sound by Phil Walsh kindly organised by parent Pierre Greijmans. Then the boys took over !

Boys from 6th , 4th and 3rd classes took the audience of over 600 on a journey from the glaciers of Ireland up to the famine. Classes came on for scenes in magical costumes to a rocking soundtrack as they retold Irish History through the first farmers , celts , , Christians , Vikings ,Normans, Plantations, Penal laws and suffering of the famine times. All through this they had a commanding performance from the director ( Jack) and the story kept great flow through the narrators (Paul and Jack).The audience were on an emotional roller-coaster from laughter at the ABBA dancing Vikings to sorrow with the famine dead. Then came the interval with tea/ coffee provided by parents association and shop.

The second half began with 120 boys on stage playing a tin-whistle medley of Irish traditional and republican songs and a booming version of Fields of Athenry. The 5th class under Ms.Ward and placement student Eoin Pilkington then held the audience spell-bound with their version of “Triumph of Sorts” written by local principal Damien White. Drums and rifles were to the fore as Padraig Pearce ( Darragh) led the rebels to the GPO where the proclamation was dramatically read aloud to the audience with drum beats bellowing. It was special to see the proclamation being read aloud by pupils born in other countries but who now see themselves as Irish. This is really Ireland in 2016. Music and song interspersed this part with Banna strand and foggy dew being sung with a highlight of grace being sung by 5th class accompanied by the talented Ms.Pilkington and Ms.Ryan.
Thanks were expressed to all through the booklet on the night for all the elements that go into a show of this scale with funding support from Offaly Arts Council and Birr Lions club. Mr Crofton thanked the audience and community for allowing the boys the opportunity to perform on stage and to celebrate 1916 in this manner. Michael Donegan was thanked for his time, energy , passion and inspiration to the show and he then spoke of the pride he has in the school , the boys and the school community which is such an integral part of Birr. The audience then sang the finale of Amhran na bhFiann to conclude the night and send the audience home with a spring in their step and happiness in their hearts.
We hope it was both educational and entertaining and respectful to the memory of the heroes of 1916.

We were delighted to welcome former world champion boxer and Irish legend– Bernard Dunne to the school in February. The visit was arranged through Carembola ( Lunch provider) for Bernard to visit the school and speak with the boys as a motivational life talk. He spoke about his career, life choices and the benefits of living a healthy life through healthy diet and sport. He held the packed hall of over 200 captive for over an hour and the boys found him really cool and entertaining. As a spokesperson for promoting “ labhairt gaeilge” he was delighted to be interviewed by three 6th class pupils– Kyle / Seosamh and Sean. The boys earned the “ chance of a lifetime” to interview Bernard by doing extra gaeilge work at home in creating questions: Ar feabhas buachailli !!

This year lots of classes performed plays and Christmas recitals in the packed hall for families and friends. Many thanks to all the staff who worked so hard in putting these together and to the boys for matching talent and hard work to get onto the stage and entertain…

• The school received its newest “Science and math excellence award” in the post this week. Thanks to Ms.Ward for organising and co-ordinating the classes to work towards this award which was our 3rd in a row. Congrats to all involved and good luck with this years campaign. Pictured are Ms.Ward with a rep. from all classes who took part.

We would like to inform you of the Ceili Mission which will visit the school next week. The mission will be in our school from Monday 28th Sept to Fri 2nd October. The Ceili group will be working in the Parish of Birr and teams from the Ceili Mission will be working in each of the Parish to work with the pupils. This promises to be a fantastic week for all involved with our school. There will be opportunities for parents , teachers and pupils to embrace the mission.
During the mission, which will be based on the Themes of Gods Love, Trust in God and Jesus our Friend, the team of 4 staff will work with the boys in class exploring the themes, leading prayer and song and holding special presentation evenings.
Short Prayer for parents / adults each morning in Mr.Kelly room at 9.20am
Mission Prayer 2015

Our School Creed

This is our school
Let peace dwell here,
Let the rooms be full of contentment,
Let love live here
Love of one another
Love of mankind
Love of life itself,
And love of God.
Let us remember
That, as many hands build a house
So many hearts make a school

Winner of the design competition for ” St . Brendans Boys Beats” is Aurimas Ozelis from 5th class with a wonderful entry which wowed the judges from the cd committee.
Well done Aurimas – This will be our CD cover !
CD art design

St Brendan’s Boys Beats
The boys of St. Brendan’s PS had a fantastic day last Wednesday as their school hall was transformed into a recording studio. The boys became professional musical artists in their own right as they recorded a school CD titled “ St. Brendans Boys Beats”. Each and every boy got the chance to sing on the CD as under the guidance and tutelage of Ms. Majella Killeen a vast range of songs were performed and recorded. Bringing the magic of recording to the boys was Mr.Joe Molloy and it was a credit to all involved that the 19 songs got recorded on time and on schedule.
We welcomed a few guest performers in the amazing Ronan Bell on banjo, past pupils Mark , Darragh and Campbell, Fr.Tony Cahir and the staff members that have a love for and talent in music. The CD’s are now in production and will be launched with an event in Dooleys Hotel Birr on Thursday 26th March starting at 7pm. We hope to launch the CD with a sample of live performances on the night. CD’s will be on sale at €10 with all proceeds going to the “Help build our Wall “ fundraising campaign currently ongoing in the school. Finger food will be served and a medal presentation for the Schools Gaelic Football team will also take place.
Hope to see all of the St. Brendans family, friends and school community there on the night for what promises to be a great night.

Boys and classes have begun a brilliant project under the guidance of Ms.Majella Killeen to practice and record tracks for a school CD. Copies will be sold as part of fundraising towards ” Help build our wall ” campaign. Launch night to be on Thurs 26th March in Dooleys hotel – Put that date in your planners for what will be a great event !

As part of Green schools we are taking part in An Taisce scooter challenge as part of Green school travel initiative. Boys are encouraged to scooter ( safely ) to school and we will have some areas / activities organised during feb during some breaks / lunchtimes. Watch this space !