We were delighted to reward these excellent students with the much sought after ‘Student of the Week’ award.
The teachers were again amazed that some of these students had yet to receive this award as they always work quietly and try their hardest.

It was also emphasised, the effort that the students are making preparing for their Irish plays. The teachers always need great cooperation and teamwork in the build up for such an important event on the school calendar and these students have given a great example in this area.

Others have also made great improvements in areas they found difficult earlier in the year and it really is great to see this.

Well done to all, we’re delighted with your progress!

Well done to our latest students of the week. The teachers, when announcing their individual class winners spoke so highly of each of the pupils.

Some of the students chosen this week could get the award every week such is the standard of their work and application!

Other’s have made a huge improvement and are continuing to work hard on area’s that they find difficult. One student was chosen in particular for his kindness towards another student who was upset and for a great improvement in his handwriting.

Well done to all ,it really is lovely to see the ‘happy faces’ when the students names are called and positive way to end another busy week !

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics will take place today in Sochi Russia.

Here are some facts 5th and 6th Class discovered with their excellent projects on the Winter Olympics.

1.Eighty eight countries will participate in these games that are held every four years.

2.The first games were held in Chamonix France in 1924 and the last games were held in Vancouver Canada in 2010.

The first names of these games was ‘The International Sports Week’.

3.No country in the Southern Hemisphere has ever hosted the games.

4.The last time solid gold medals were presented to the athletes was in 1932.

5. The Olympic rings represent the five major regions of the world. The colours are represented in every national flag of the world.

6. The games were cancelled in 1940 and 1944 because of World War 2.

7. There are fifteen events that the athletes can participate in.(Alpine Skiing ,Biathlon,Bobsleigh,Cross Country Skiing, Curling,Figure Skating,Freestyle Skating,Ice Hockey,Luge,Nordic Combined,Short Track Speed Skating,Skeleton,Ski Jumping,Snow Boarding and Ski Skating)

8.The oldest athlete was 64 when participating in the games.

9.In the build up to the games the Olympic Torch travelled to the bottom of the deepest lake in the world and even to space!

10. The Winter and Summer Olympic games were held in the same year until 1992. After that it was decided to have the games on alternative years.

11.The ‘Sochi ‘ Olympic park is built by the Black Sea coast.

12. Norway have won the most Winter Olympic medals.

13. There will be a huge security presence in Russia for these games.

14.Ireland has five athletes competing in the ‘Sochi Games’.

15.Over 2500 athletes will take part in these games.

16.All the events will take place within thirty minutes of each of the venues.

17.It will cost Russia Fifty Billion to stage these games.

18.This will be the 22nd Winter Olympic Games.

19.The 1980 games in Lake Placid was the first time artificial snow was used.

20. Sochi is potentially the warmest city the games have taken place in.

21 .Pyeongchang (South Korea) will host the 2018 games.

Today is St.Brigid’s Day and also the first day of Spring. Yesterday all our students from 3rd to 6th class made a St.Brigid’s Cross in school. It was a great team effort with our older students helping our younger students. A special word of thanks to Mr. Rushe for organising this exciting afternoon!

St. Brigid’s Cross

Making a St. Brigid’s cross is one of the traditional rituals in Ireland to celebrate the beginning of early spring, 1st February. The crosses are made of rushes that are pulled rather than cut. They are hung by the door and in the rafters to protect the house from fire and evil. According to tradition a new cross is made each St Brigid’s Day, and the old one is burned to keep fire from the house. Many homes have several crosses preserved in the ceiling the oldest blackened by many years of hearth fires. Some believe that keeping a cross in the ceiling or roof is a good way to preserve the home from fire which was always a major threat in houses with thatch and wood roofs. St. Brigid and her cross are linked together by the story that she wove this form of cross at the death bed of either her father or a pagan lord, who upon hearing what the cross meant, asked to be baptized.
One version goes as follows: “A pagan chieftain from the neighborhood of Kildare was dying. Christians in his household sent for Brigid to talk to him about Christ. When she arrived the chieftain was raving. As it was impossible to instruct this delirious man, hopes for his conversion seemed doubtful. Brigid sat down at his bedside and began consoling him. As was customary, the dirt floor was strewn with rushes both for warmth and cleanliness. Brigid stooped down and started to weave them into a cross, fastening the points together. The sick man asked what she was doing. She began to explain the cross, and as she talked his delirium quieted and he questioned her with growing interest. Through her weaving, he converted and was baptized at the point of death. Since then the cross of rushes has been venerated in Ireland.”

Well done to our latest students of the week. The teachers, when announcing their individual class winners spoke so highly of each of the pupils. In particular there was a great emphasis on hard work and focus.

It’s been another really busy week! From Catholic School’s Week to Storytelling to the visit of our grandparents to St.Brigid’s Day and the coming of Spring, there hasn’t been a second to spare!

A final word this week must go to Mr. Rushe’s 3rd and 4th class who prepared so well for yesterday morning’s school mass. We were so proud of their efforts.

Throughout the month of January, 1st class have been learning about ‘weather’ and in particular ‘wind’.

The class designed and made wind socks to test the direction of the wind. They also painted some really colourful kites.

Maith sibh go léir!