Dear Parents,
Readalong 2025
Readalong is in its second and last week. The feedback from teachers is that there has been a very positive impact on reading, as a result of the different Readalong activities. The boys love DEAR (drop everything and read) time every day and they have thoroughly enjoyed the book swap. This week all classes are paired with another class for reading. The younger classes really enjoyed the older classes coming in to read with them. The boys loved reading books on the EPIC app on the iPads. The younger classes designed a book cover this week, while the older classes completed a book review. These will be displayed outside the classrooms. A book walk will take place next week, where the boys will walk around to see these displays, maybe inspiring their next read! A huge well done to Harry Higgins (Mr Keegan’s 5th class), Hadi Meer (Mr Clandillon’s 6th class), Seán de Búrca (Ms Geraghty’s Senior Infants), Darragh Woods (Ms Dardis’ Junior Infants) and Cian O’Sullivan (Ms. Dardis’ Junior Infants) who read extracts from their books superbly on the intercom this week. Thanks for your support and encouragement during this reading initiative. All books from the book swap should be returned to the school by Monday 27th January as we want to return them to their owners. Thanks to Ms. Donnelly, Ms. Brennan and Ms. Russell for organising this initiative.
St. Mary’s Fittest Family - Walking Challenge
St. Marys BNS Fittest Family Walking Challenge is an initiative of the Parents’ Association (PA) running from the 27th January to the 4th February. We encourage all families to walk together and clock up as many kilometres as you can to add to your son's overall class total. The winning classes will get to put their TEACHER IN JAIL! We hope this encourages some healthy competition amongst the boys whilst the teachers sweat it out!
We encourage you all to take some photos that could be posted on the school's Facebook page of families getting out and about with each other and clocking up those kilometres.
Remember the boys must keep track of the daily distances (their school journal is a useful place). The challenge does not end until Monday 3rd February in order to give families an opportunity to walk together at the weekend and increase their distances.
The announcement of the winning classes will take place after all the totals have been counted and the unlucky teachers will face incarceration on Friday 14th February - A Valentine’s Day they might want to forget!
Please find attached a Distance Card so your son can record his steps and some guidelines from our PA.
Catholic Schools Week
Next week we will be celebrating Catholic Schools 2025 week. The theme for the week will be “Alive in Christ!” / “Beo i gCríost!”
Although we are a Catholic school, all children of every faith and no faith are welcome. As part of Catholic Schools week we will be focusing on the importance of friendship and family. These activities are suitable for children of all faiths.
A School Prayer
We pray that our school may be a place of great discovery, adventure and creativity.
May it be a place where we love to learn and where we learn to love.
A place where everyone is respected and all are deeply valued. Amen.
National Children’s Choir – National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on the evening of the 28th March
Our fourth and fifth class boys have been practicing for their National Children’s Choir performance. This will take place in the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on the evening of the 28th March. The time is yet to be confirmed.
Table Tennis
Two of our three squads were in league and cup action this week. Our Team II (Thomas Connolly, Alfie Donohoe, Robbie Kelly and Conor Coleman) had a great win on Tuesday in the Cup competition, defeating secondary school, Coláiste Éanna, to progress to the next round. The same team added a league win this morning against a good Ballyroan side, as did the Division 1 team of Fionn Burke, Luke Whelan, Will Keane and Eoghan Ware. Thanks to Mr. Clandillon and Mr. Lynch for training and organising our table tennis teams.
Parents Association Quiz Night for 2nd, 3rd and 4th class boys – Friday 31 January, 6.30-8pm
The next social event for the school, organised by the Parents Association from your annual subscription is a Quiz Night on Friday 31 January. This event will be held in the school hall and is open to boys in 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes.
Parents are welcome to drop their boys to the school from 6.15pm and collect them at 8pm.
The fun question rounds will appeal to the interest of the students and there will be prizes on the night to add to the excitement too. Boys are welcome to bring their own treats on the evening. If you would like to volunteer at this event or any future PA event then please contact parents.association@stmarysbnslucan.com.
PA Donation
Thanks to all the parents who have paid their PA donation. There are still a number of parents who have not fully paid (€100 for one son/€150 for more than one son). Our PA have organised some fantastic events this year which include the Halloween Scary Walk, the Movie Night and Christmas activities. They plan to run ‘St. Mary’s Fittest Family’ and a ‘Table Quiz’ next week and the week after and there are more activities to come. The donation also covers computer coding and cycling workshops for the older boys. These activities require funding so please pay your donation in full.
Entrance Exam for Lucan Community College (LCC) on Wednesday 12th February from 10am – 12.30pm
Any boys who have been offered a place in LCC are invited to sit their Entrance Exam on Wednesday 12th February from 10am to 12.30pm. Please contact 01-6282077 for more information.
HSE’s School Health Programme
Please find attached an information note from the HSE regarding their School Health Programme.
Le dea-ghuí,
Dara Burke, Principal.