St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Maths for Fun this term began in first and third classes. Thanks to all parents/guardians who helped out with the project. Maths Lift Off brgan in second class and senior infants. The boys enjoy developing their mathematical skills in small group situations. Thanks to all teachers invilved in all projects.

This year again our pupils participated in a Dance Project. For a period of six weeks under the tuition of Vanessa the boys performed their dance drills involving rehersed moves, free dance, co-ordination exercises, balancing drills, moving to music, rhythmic exercises and moving as individuals, in small groups and performing in a large group. The boys will perform all their dance skills in a show later in the month. The boys thoroughly enjoy the project.

Congratulations to all the boys who recently participated in the county finals of the Community Games Art competition. In the u/8 boys art Ciarán Abbott came first. In the u/10 boys art Darragh Cleary come 2nd and Pádraig Kelly came 3rd. In the u/14 boys art Morgan Watkins came 3rd. In the Model-Making u/10 Alex Byrne got the gold medal and andrew Coakley got bronze. In the u/12 boys Alex Smith won gold as did Nicholas Turtak in the u/14 section. Well done to all the boys and the gold medalists in each section will represent Offaly at the National Finals in May.

As part of a Cool Dudes Cooking Programme the boys from 6th class participated in a 6 week long cooking programme. They were instructed on how to make such dishes as chicken curry, fruit salad and spagetti bolognaise. The boys really enjoyed the programme.

The boys in 3rd and 4th classes were given a talk on recycling batteries. Dave from W.E.E. Ireland spoke about the importance of recycling, how to go about it and the benefits it brings to the wider community. The classes got special recycling boxes for the batteries.

On February 15th we held our Music Day. All classes produced art work with a musical theme and the gym was beautifully decorated on the day. A large variety of instruments were displayed in the display areas. After many weeks of practice all classes performed very well on the day singing their songs, playing tin whistles, using percussion instruments such as triangles, shakers, samba drums, boom whackers and chime bars. Many pupils played their own instruments including violin . guitar amd mandolin. It was great to see past pupils return and play, sing and perform on the stage. Staff members also got into the musical spirit and played some instruments and sang on the day. It was a wonderful occasion enjoyed by a large turnout of parents.guardians, grandparents, family, friends and of course the boys themselves. We hope that initiatives like this will inspire our pupils to enjoy music in all its shapes and forms and possibly encourage them to start playing an instrument.

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Friendship Week stared on Monday 6th of Feb. The school organised many initiatives to promote friendship throughout the week.  The formal launch involved all classes assembling in the school yard to form a Friendship Chain with everyone holding hands and making a Mexican wave.  Classes  made friendship posters for display around the school. There was also a friendship stop in the Jnr. Infant yard. Friendship bracelets were on sale in the school and a variety of anti-bullying lessons were taught in the classrooms. Other initiatives include Gotcha Cards where the pupils are rewarded for doing acts of friendship Joke/thought/poem of the day were broadcast from Mr. Crofton’s office.

Mr. Crofton is running a very successful Dodge Ball League at lunch time in the school gym. There is great interest in the league and participation is at a very high level. The league is ongoing with the semi finals and final coming up soon.

To commemorate the passing of Winter and the arrival of Spring we held our St. Brigid’s Day Ceremony in the school gym. Mr. Crofton told the story of St. Brigid and Mr. Carroll’s class played traditional Irish tunes on the tin whistle. Mr. McCann’s class read the prayers and all the boys celebrated this grear Saint’s feast day by ” Singing a Song to Brigid “. The altar was adorned with fresh spring flowers and many classes made St. Brigid’s Crosses all adding to making the celebration a wonderful occasion.

The 5th class boys from St. Brendan’s P.S. participated in a class Knitting Project. The aim of this project was to knit an Irish Rugbu Scarf. The project was a huge success due to the involvement of parents, grandparents, class teacher Ms. Tooher and the enthusiasm of the boys. Well done to all involved.