Dear Parents/Guardians.
Summer is fast approaching and it is time to complete our school year 2022-2023. The school reports are already sent, the school calendar for 2023-2024 and new classes are finalised and have been emailed to you. There are no booklists this due to a nationwide initiative – school books and works books will be provided to all pupil by the schools.
We take this time to reflect on all the activities completed and great achievements made since Easter. We welcome new pupils and staff who joined us in the last term- Cormac(Sen Infs), Jamie (1st), Leanna (3rd), Ryan (Jun Infs) and AJ(Sen Infs) – Mrs Hollahan, Mrs Keane and Ms Brady.
We wish to thank you, our parent body, our pupils, all staff members and members of the wider community who visited our school and contributed to us in anyway over the last term and throughout the school year. Míle buíochas libh go léir.
School Uniform
Our school uniform is a plain navy skirt or trousers or plain navy tracksuit bottoms, jade green jumper and white polo shirt or white blouse available in The Magnet in Carrick-on-Shannon (071 9620266). Uniforms are currently in stock at reasonable prices for the coming school year 2023-2024. Please ensure you have the correct uniform for your child(ren).
New Junior Infants 2023-2024
An induction morning was held by Ms Ní Chonghaile on Wednesday 14th June for the new infants enrolled from 9.30a.m -10.30a.m. We look forward to welcoming you all in September.
Farewell to Sixth class
It is time to say farewell to our 22 pupils in Sixth class. We thank you for your enormous contribution to St Brigid’s N.S over the past 8 years. To those of you who joined along the way we acknowledge your contribution. We hope you leave with fond memories, good friends and lots of knowledge and skills that will help you as you prepare to embark on the next stage of your journey through secondary school and beyond.
A graduation ceremony in school was held on Friday June 23rd for them and by them-they presented themselves and spoke with great confidence. We’re very proud of you all and thank you for the memories.
We thank Mr McKiernan for organising and bringing the 6th class on a trip to Mullaghgarve Famine Graveyard, Mullaghgrave Mass Rock with Ms Glancy and Ms McHugh who volunteered to assist on the day. They made it to the top of Sliabh an Iarann on Thursday June 22nd. Maith Sibh!
Slán agus Beannacht to Adrian, Lexus, Jayden, Darcy, Caroline, Ruby, Ella, Nicole, Tyler, Kayleigh, Toms, Calla, Lilly, Aadam, Sarah, Stanislav, Damien, Isla, Ella, Louise, Suzanne, Ellie, Cassiemay and Matthew.
We say farewell to the following families whose children have passed through our school –Craggs, Doyle, Gilmartin(Nicole), Lukianov, Moolick, Molyneux, O’Hagan, Matthews, Poore.
We wish Mrs Flynn good health and a safe delivery as she prepares for the arrival of her baby. We extend congratulations to Ms Beirne on her upcoming marriage during this summer-we wish you both health and happiness.
We extend our sincere sympathy to families and staff members in our school community who were recently bereaved. May your loved one’s Rest in peace.
We extend our gratitude to our caretaker Philomena Doran as she goes above and beyond her duty in maintaining our school inside and out and providing a clean environment for staff and pupils.
We do realise that it takes the whole school body – the Board of Management, our Principal and staff, parents and pupils to work together to maintain these standards and we appreciate all input from everyone.
Librarian Visit-June 14th
We had a visit from our local librarian who encourages all families and especially our children to join the local libraries and take part in any workshops available. Mrs Rowley’s class had a follow up visit with an artist working in the library and they had a lovely workshop with her.
Leitrim Primary School Athletics 2023- this was held on Thursday June 1st in ATU Sligo (formerly I.T Sligo).
Thank you to the staff, parents and pupils who attended on the day and brought back the Gilmartin Trophy and medals. Well done to all.
Active Schools Day Wednesday 21st June 2023
Our active school day was held on Wednesday June 21st. In the morning our Junior Infants –Second class participated in different stations and obstacle courses. In the afternoon activities were set up for 3rd to 6th classes. It was great fun for all.
Thank you to all our staff and pupils who got out and completed the obstacle course and went home exhausted, sun kissed and slightly damp due to a rain shower! Thank you for providing extra drinks, sun cream and sending your children in suitable clothing for the day.
Cumann na mBunscol
This term our boys’ and girls’ teams took to the pitch for our Cumann na mBunscol schools’ leagues. Dressed in our brand new school’s new jerseys, they played brilliantly and represented themselves and our school excellently. The girls narrowly missed out on a place in the final while our boys were very unlucky to lose by 2 points in a playoff to a strong Manorhamilton team.
Both boys and girls took part in the annual Mini-Sevens competitions after Easter and were unlucky to progress to the county finals in a tough competition.
We have a young team and thus we have no doubt that next year will be a year of great success. Well done to everyone who played an important part and to Mrs Flynn and Mrs Faughnan who mentored our girls’ league and mini-sevens teams
First Eucharist
Congratulations to the 11 children who received their First Holy Communion on Saturday May 20th in St Brigid’s church @11.00a.m. Thanks to Fr Frankie Murray, Mrs Faughnan Ms Glancy, Ms Beirne, Ms McHugh, Jane Cowley and the choir and staff members who helped out in anyway prior to this event. We sincerely thank you, our parents for preparing the children for this special occasion. It was a wonderful day and we hope everyone enjoyed it.
Eucharistic Adoration 2023
Thanks to Mrs M McKiernan for leading this meditation and scripture readings programme –called “Children of the Eucharist”. This was a lovely experience of prayer, reflection, meditation and reverence for children from 2nd class up to and including 6th class. This was a monthly programme and our children who prepare to make the sacraments of First Penance, First Eucharist and Confirmation responded so knowledgeable, reverently and openly.
Green School’s Programme
WOW day held on May 31st-well done for participating. Thank you to Ms Glancy and the Green schools’ Committee for their hard work during the year.
School Tours
Our Junior tour took place on June 13th to the Island Theatre in Ballinamore, followed by a trip to the playground and Scouts Den. Finally, each group went to Glenview Folk Museum located in Aghoo – just outside Ballinamore-this is owned and ran by the Kennedy Family who set this up in the year 2000. Their aim is to preserve the past for the future-we were given an informative and fun tour of collected items showing –The travelling shop, a shop and street scene, various farm equipment, different types of vehicles-from motorbikes to an army vehicle, vintage cars. This was a real hit with our children.
Our Senior tour took place on Thursday June 8th 2023 to the Marble Arch Caves and Limestone Trails at Killykeegan National Nature Reserve. Our 94 senior pupils and staff who went on the day had a great day.
New Primary Language Curriculum
We had our final webinar on Friday June 9th after the children went home at 12.30p.m. This was very informative and the focus was on the transfer of skills between our two languages taught –English and Irish. It also gave us ideas of how to look for and notice similarities and differences with other languages. During the year Mrs Heslin’s class took part in the Say Yes to Languages programme and we are very fortunate to have a native fluent French speaker part of our school community. Caroline Arachesquene came in and worked with the children and taught French language and culture to the class.
Return of Rental Books
Please ensure all rental books are returned in good condition on or before Tuesday June 27th 2023.
*School Closure
School closes at 12:30p.m on Tuesday June 27th. All children will leave at this time.
We wish you all a very restful and relaxing Summer Holiday.
Le Gach Dea-Ghuí
Cathríona Faughnan, Finola McGowan, Olivia McHugh, Rachel Keane, FidelmaGlancy, Nicola Heslin, Gearoidín Ní Chonghaile, Micheál McKiernan, Clare O’Reilly, Sinéad Beirne, Margaret Rowley, Orla Flynn, Katie Brady, Ciarán Kennedy, Tanya Boyle, David Evans, Geraldine McWeeney, Orla Ferguson, Zoe Prior, Bernice Holohan, Roisín Keane and Christina McGourty.
