St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

A group of pupils from our school had the opportunity to attend the Community School Show ” Our House “. The boys enjoyed the music and seeing many of our past pupils on stage. We hope it will inspire them to develop their musical and dramatic talents. It was particularly enjoyable for our pupils as they got to enjoy the musical with their classmates and friends.

Local business man Martin McCarthy visited our senior classes and spoke to the pupils about his life experiences. He spoke about the history of the town and how the geographical features had changes since he was a young boy. He spoke about education and the role it had played in his life. He spoke about his business ventures and the qualities and characteristics that had served him well through trials and tribulations. Our pupils were delighted and amazed at all the interesting facts he had to share and the visit was an outstanding success.

During Science week our pupils got the opportunity to develop their scientific skills in the school. The display areas were awash with scientific  facts.Every classroom put extra emphasis on their science lessons with some wonderful experiments and investigations going on. Some of the projects going on included a link up with a real telecope in Hawaii enabling the boys from third class to look at the universe from their classroom followed up with some wonderful art work on the constilations. Lava lamps were made in other classes.Lessons on electricity and magnetism were very popular with our pupils. We had a Science Fair in the gym involving experiments on Filters, rainbow milk, volcanoes, floating/sinking, fire and oxygen, floating/bouncing eggs, and piercing a balloon. Congratulations to the sixth class boys who researched, set up and carried out all the experiments. Many classes were able to visit the Science Fair and see the experiments being carried out. It was a wonderful opportunity for the pupils and we hope that it will inspire them to further develop their scientific skills and inquisitive nature.

One of the highlights of this term in St. Brendan’s is always the Halloween Costume Project. Pupils from our infant classes are allowed to dress up in all sorts of Halloween outfits and have some fun as they tour the classes and show off their Halloween fashions. Thanks to all parents/guardians who put so much effort into the project and it really is one of the highlights of the school year.

Pupils from our senior classes participated in the Rosary Rally held in St. Brendan’s Church. The boys read the prayers , said a decade of the Rosary and participated in the procession around the church. They were very well prepared by Mr. Carroll, Mr. Crofton and Fr. Cahir and thanks to parents, grandparents friends and relatives who attended the ceremony on the night.

Halloween has always been an exciting time in St. Brendan’s. We use the seasonal festival to inspire and encourage our pupils The display areas are always well decorated with the pupil’s Halloween art work. Creative writing always takes on a “Scary” theme with stories and poems being written in every classroom. With some home-school co-operation our Infants always dress up in Halloween costumes and tour the school. History lessons trace the origins of Halloween and the customs and traditions surrounding them.

St. Brendans PS was delighted to welcome Professor Mary McCaffrey to the school.

The Professor leads a team in UCC investigating micro cell biology and we were

fortunate to get her to speak to our 5th/6th class groupings which are working

on a science award project with Ms.Fiona Ward.

This was the professors first ever talk to a primary school group and she was so impressed

with the attention, interest, curiosity and passion for science displayed by the boys.

She brough samples of bacteria to show them and discussed the role of cells in our bodies

and the impact of drugs/ doping in sport. She was asked into the role of cells in beating diseases

including cancer and concluded her fascinating talk by guiding them through her own

path in education to her current position in UCC. Hopefully this will inspire and

motivate our boys to follow their passsion in life with hard work and dedication to

make a difference in this world. Many thanks to Ms. Ward for all the preparatory work

and to Professor McCaffrey for making the long journey to Birr.

On Friday, March 8^th last, our Junior Infant and Senior Infant mammies were invited to participate in a special occasion by their sons in honour of being the best mammies in the world.

The boys watched enthusiastically as Mrs. Lonergan demonstrated how to make a flower arrangement, emphasising that no two would be the same and that each arrangement would be unique and special. With a little help from mom, the boys quickly set to work and created beautiful flower arrangements that they were very proud of. There was a wonderful atmosphere in the hall as classical music played in the background.

It concluded with the boys giving their mums a big hug before returning to their classrooms for a treat. Mums enjoyed a cuppa with some homebaking while socialising with other mums. Thanks to  all involved for a really lovely occasion

A great day was had by all!!

It was a wonderful occasion to see our pupils artwork in a real art exhibition at the school on Tuesday 5th March. Justin from Images was not only impressed with the quality of artwork ( staff not included ! ) but the sense of community and warmth in the school as parents chatted and relaxed with tea/coffee. In his over 11 years of travelling the country with these exhibits, OUR school had the highest sales/response of any urban all-boys school. Unsold paintings will remain on display in the school until after easter.

The exhibition was formally opened by past pupil Daryl Lally who we were delighted to welcome back as a fantastic role model for our boys in his appreciation and involvement with the arts. This exhibition was the result of many months of art preparation by the boys and staff and the exhibition was a fitting conclusion to this project

Hope all artwork is hanging in pride of place in your homes!

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