Welcome back everyone, we hope you all had a lovely Christmas and have a very healthy and happy year ahead.

Our first week of the new year in school has really flown. It has been all hands on deck in all our classes as we embraced our new whole school theme of Polar Exploration. All our teachers reported to be delighted with their students efforts throughout the past week. Tús maith leath na hoibre!

As it is the start of the new year we learned of children who returned to school full of enthusiasm for the new year. Teachers described children who have appeared to have made New Year’s resolutions and are living up to them in class. It is never too late to try something new or give doing something a different way a chance. We heard children described as young teachers in the making and an example to our school. A caring, kind and considerate attitude towards others is a lovely description of our students. We strive to do our best, to show our best and to be our best.

Maith sibh go léir. Táimid fíor bhródúil asaibh.

Bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine!

On behalf of all the staff at St. Attracta’s N.S., I would like to wish all our pupils, past pupils and their families a very happy and peaceful Christmas.

As always we would like to thank our parent body and the wider Charlestown community sincerely for all their help and support throughout the past year. It is very much appreciated.

Finally we hope Santa comes to all our wonderful students, bed early everyone tonight!

Nollaig faoi shéan agus athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.

Le meas,

Brian McDermott

Tháinig Daidí na Nollag ar cuairt chuig Scoil Naomh Athracht ar maidin. Bhí sceitimíní áthais ar na páistí!

Santa visited the very excited boys and girls of St.Attracta’s on this morning. He arrived in style in a Garda car due to Rudolph experiencing some flying difficulties which grounded him at Knock Airport!

Santa brought treats with him for all the children and imparted wise words for the build up to Christmas! It was a lovely way to finish the term.

Santa returned to Knock Airport where he was reunited with Rudolph who was by now back in action after some running repairs. We believe he then returned to Lapland for a good rest before his long journey on Monday night.

A special word of thanks to Garda Colm and Garda Gavin who saved the day and of course to Daidí na Nollag for taking time out at this extremely busy time to visit our school.

Students from our 5th and 6th classes visited St.Anne’s and St.Attracta’s Nursing Homes this afternoon to sing Christmas carols and seasonal tunes. This was a wonderful opportunity for the children to meet with and perform for some of the older members of our community.

It was a lovely afternoon and we greatly appreciate the warm welcome we were afforded and for the lovely treats after. Well done to each of our students of whom we are so proud. Sincere thanks to all our parents who joined in with us and helped with transport to and from the nursing homes.

Thank you also to Ms. Connaghan and Jimmy Meehan who prepared the children so well and added so much to the visit.

A little later than usual this week but as always we enjoyed a wonderful assembly yesterday afternoon. Our recurring theme was consistency. Our teachers talked about children who could get this award every week of the school year as they are always trying their best, or even trying to do better than they did last week. 

We heard of pupils who despite all that is going on around them in school, preparations for school dramas, art work, carol singing and general changing of timetables, are still working hard and applying themselves to any task set before them. We all know and appreciate how busy and hectic this week can be in school. It is so hard to be on our best behaviour when we have mischievous elves doing untold damage in our classrooms.

Our children are doing their utmost to keep themselves in line for the special visitor that is expected soon. Our teachers spoke of children who did not always find change easy but who are now adapting to changes more readily. We were reminded by our teachers that these small differences have a very big impact on classroom life. We know how lucky we are here in St. Attracta’s N.S. to have children who are motivated and take pride in their work, their classroom and in their school.

We are proud to award these children our students of the week. Maith sibh go léir. Have a great weekend!

Dates for your Diary

Our Christmas Concerts will take place this Wednesday December 19th at 7 p.m. in the CBD Complex. Please note that there will not be a matinee performance this year. Details will be sent home to all families on Monday.

St. Vincent De Paul Food Hampers: We are delighted to support the local St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper appeal. We have been asked if we could help to fill some food hampers for Christmas. Non-perishable items are requested. Such items include: Canned food, pasta, rice, dried food and fruits, tins of biscuits and cereals are most welcome. All food items should be brought to school early in the coming week. A collection point will be established in all classrooms.

School Closure: The school will close on Friday 21st December at 12 noon for our Christmas break and re-open on Monday January 7th.

We are looking forward to seeing you all over the coming week.

Earlier this afternoon we presented our students of the week, after a hectic week of rehearsals! Children were again praised for their attitude to work, to school, their hard work and helpfulness in the classroom. It’s such a nice gesture to offer help to others. We heard of pupils who have worked so hard on their school play and have impressed their teachers. At this time of year, our classrooms are a hive of activity and it is so helpful that our pupils can step up to the tasks without complaining. This was a theme that ran throughout our presentation today. We were told of pupils who just get on with things without making a fuss.
Finally, well done to all our students who have worked so hard throughout this term. As always we are so proud of all of you and the effort that you continue to make in your school lives. Maith sibh go léir. 

Dates for your Diary:

Our Christmas Concerts will take place on Wednesday December 19th at 7 p.m. in the CBD Complex. Please note that there will not be a matinee performance this year. Details will be sent home to all families next week.

St. Vincent De Paul Food Hampers: We are delighted to support the local St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper appeal. We have been asked if we could help to fill some food hampers for Christmas. Non-perishable items are requested. Such items include: Canned food, pasta, rice, dried food and fruits, tins of biscuits and cereals are most welcome. All food items should be brought to school before Friday December 14th. A collection point will be established in all classrooms.

School Closure: The school will close on Friday 21st December for our Christmas break and re-open on Monday January 7th.

We are looking forward to seeing you all over the coming weeks.