Todays assembly was a little different in that as a result of our short week we hadn’t our usual ‘Students of the Week’. However there was still lots to celebrate. In particular, congratulating Fifth Class who today completed their Weaving Well-Being programme ‘Positive Relationships’.

This has been a great success introducing the children to proven relatable strategies to strengthen positive relationships on a daily basis. The feedback from our students has been extremely positive, enjoying the transferrable skills into their daily lives.

The students gave a lovely presentation about their learning and the project followed by a beautiful rendition of ‘This is Me’ . All our students really enjoyed it. Well done to Ms.Munnelly for her vision and belief in this project and we thank her for all her hard work.

Assembly concluded with a special presentation to Síofra McGuinness of her ‘Aisteoir is Fearr’ award from the recent Féile Scoildramaíochta Chonnachta. This is a very special award to receive. We are so proud of Síofra and indeed all our students who took part in this years Féile Dramaíochta competition. Maith sibh go léir.

Another extremely busy weeks awaits our students next week, in particular for our senior students who represent us in the FAI 5’s on Thursday and Friday next.

We hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Um seachtain ar scoil chuir muid béim ar labhairt ghaeilge. De réir sin, bhí Gaeilgóir Na Seachtaine againne in aghaidh Dalta Na Seachtaine! Mar is gnáth, níor lig siad síos muid.

Bhí neart gaeilge líofa le chloisteál timpeall na háite, agus ba chóir go mbéadh. Fuair na páistí an-mholadh ón móltóir féile drámaíocht an seachtain seo chaite i nGaillimh, mar tá gaeilge álainn acu. Mar a deirtear, tír gan teanga, tír gan anam. Má tá gaeilge agat, labhair í.

This week in school we placed great emphasis on speaking Irish as part of our Seachtain na Gaeilge celebrations as a result we had Gaeilgóir na Seachtaine in place of Student of the Week. As always our students didn’t disappoint or let us down.

We heard lots of beautiful Irish throughout the school and why wouldnt we! The children standards have received great praise of late particularly from the judges this week at the Féile Dramaíochta. Maith sibh!

If you have gaeilge, use it!

We look forward to seeing you all at our St.Patrick’s Day Parade, bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine!

News of the results of the Féile Scoldramaíochta Chonnachta has come through to us this evening in which Ranganna 1,3/4 and 5 participated in this week.

Unfortunately on this occasion none of three plays have progressed to the All Ireland Finals. However, a special well done to Ms.Delaney’s First Class, Ms.Henry’ s Third and Fourth Class and Ms.McDonagh’s Fifth Class. While they may not have progressed we are so proud of each of them and their performance on Tuesday last. Maith sibh!

Despite this disappointment, some good news reached us as we learned that Síofra McGuinness was awarded the overall Best Actress. “Aisteoir is Fearr (cailín)” ar Shíofra McGuinness as Scoil Naomh Athrachta, Baile Chathail a rinne páirt an Phíobaire sa dráma “Píobaire Hamelin.”

This is a fantastic achievement as there was over thirty plays on stage over the past week. Maith thú Síofra we are very proud of you.

As always here in St.Attracta’s we cannot over emphasise the importance of reading to children. It opens an entire world of opportunities and experiences for them and adds to their quality interactions with us as parents. It is so important for children to have access to books and to be encouraged to read and develop this hobby. We are also reminded that not all children are as lucky as us having a library on their doorstep. As children we can all remember the excitement of getting a new book or the latest Bunty, Beano or Shoot! Or the inevitable scramble for the funny pages in the weekend newspaper! That sense of excitement and fun is what we want to instil in our children as they develop their reading skills. 

Lots of information, resources and book recommendations can be found online at www.worldbookday.com

We enjoyed our rearranged World Book Day celebrations earlier in school. Some children brought their favourite books to school and others dressed up. We were amazed at the thought and effort that went into the portrayal of characters from reading books in our school today. It was so interesting to see the books that are so popular with our children at the moment and we were delighted to see some of our own personal favourites making an appearance! The children were proud to present themselves and tell us who they were and what book they were from. A huge thank you to our parents for helping them with their portrayal.

We are reminded of a quote that used to hang on our walls here in school.

It read “You may have tangible wealth untold, caskets of jewels and coffers of gold, but richer than I you can never be….for I had a parent who read to me”.

This week the students of 1st, 3rd/4th and 5th Class took part in the Connacht Finals of the Féile Scoldramaíocht competition sna Dramaí ‘ Na Trí Muca, An Píobaire Hamelin agus Draíodóir Oz í. D’eirigh go hiontach leo.

The children worked extremely hard to prepare for the big day and were a credit to their parents and teachers.

There are over 30 schools competing in the Connacht finals and the adjudicator gave special mention to the excellent behaviour and overall politeness of our students. She also gave special mention to our music and costumes and art work. A huge thank you from us all must go to Mrs McCafferty and her son Joseph for all their work as always in the background.

The standard of Gaeilge is very high and competing against Irish speaking schools is a challenge but one that we have embraced. Tomorrow is the final day of the competition. We will post the results on our school website as soon as we receive them. Fingers crossed we may get through to the All-Ireland finals which will be in Mullingar in April.

Finally a special thank you and well done to Ms.Delaney ,Ms Henry and Ms.McDonagh who as always put so much into the children’s performances. We thank them both sincerely as always for the hard work interest and enthusiasm.

Last but not least a special míle buíochas to our parents who travelled to Galway. We really appreciate the effort you made to be there. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Maith sibh go léir!