Dear Parents / Guardians,
We hope you are all well. Our news is as follows:
- Confirmation: Our Sixth Class girls are receiving the sacrament of Confirmation at 11am this morning in Rathangan Church. We pray that the blessings of the Lord will come to the girls as they are strengthened in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We hope that they, along with their teachers, Ms. de Faoite and Ms. Marrinan, who have helped to prepare them for this sacrament, will have a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day. I would like to thank the girls from fourth and fifth class who will be adding so much to the ceremony through their beautiful singing in the choir, directed by Ms. de Faoite, Ms. Rowley, Lisa and Ms. Rogers (from the Boys’ School). The photographer will visit the school on Tuesday next to take the Confirmation group and individual photographs.
- Bluebells Day: I want to thank you all most sincerely for your generous support of our Bluebells Day, which took place at school yesterday. A total of €2049 has been raised to date and the payment link will remain on all childrens’ ‘Money’ pages on Aladdin Connect until next week, should you wish to make a donation. We are excited to share that we are working towards purchasing a climbing frame and playhouse with a slide for our Bluebells Playground, which will make it suitable for use by entire classes. These play structures are designed to meet strict safety standards for schools, but they come with a significant cost. Without your generous support, we would not be able to make this purchase possible.
- Cross-country: The annual Cumann na mBunscol Cross-Country competition will take place on Thursday next, 10th April at 10.30am in Rathcoffey GAA ground. Our cross-country coaches, Ms. Costello and Ms. Banks will accompany sixteen girls from third to sixth class, who will run the 1200m race. We wish them the very best of luck. Well done to all the girls who have been taking part in cross-country training in the school. We will host an in-school competition for all of these athletes during Active Schools Week later in term three.
- Football: Our Gaelic football team has been training hard the last couple of weeks in preparation for the Senior Football League. They will take on St. Brigid’s Primary School, Kildare next week in the first round of the competition. We wish them and their mentors, Ms. Marrinan and Ms. Brogan the very best of luck.
- Attendance Drive: I want to thank all of you for your support of our ongoing Attendance Drive. We have noticed an improvement in attendance and a huge improvement in punctuality since our Attendance Drive began on 19th March. Regular attendance and being on time every day are important for your child’s success in school, as it helps them stay on track with their learning, maintain friendships and develop good habits for the future! Details of our Attendance Drive can be found in the message that was sent to all families on Friday 14th March via Aladdin Connect.
- Heritage Trips: Ms. Coughlan’s and Ms. Brogan’s third classes visited the Bog of Allen Nature Centre this week. Ms. Geraghty’s and Ms. Freeborn’s fourth classes will visit the Curragh and Pollardstown Fen on Monday next and Ms. Banks’ and Ms. Freeborn’s fifth classes will engage in a field study at the Canal on Tuesday next. Heritage specialist, Nuala Madigan is working with all classes on their field trips, which are part of our whole school Geography Plan. I want to thank our Parents’ Association, who are fully funding all trips.
- Gardening Workshops: Gardening expert, Paddy Madden engaged half of our classes in a gardening workshop here at the school yesterday and he will work with the other half of our classes on Wednesday next. Photographs of our planting will be available to view on our school website www.bunscoilbhride.ie
- Maths Easter Egg Hunt: Our annual Bunscoil Bhríde Maths Easter Egg Hunt is taking place this fortnight, with all classes getting the opportunity to take part. Children, in teams, have to use their orienteering skills to find and solve maths clues and puzzles around the school grounds. There are lots of Easter goodies up for grabs, so a fun-filled hunt is guaranteed!
- Swimming: All children in Second, Third and Fourth Classes will begin their block of swimming lessons in Portarlington Pool on the week following the Easter Holidays (please see Notice sent to all parents on 6th February and again, this morning). The cost of the swimming has been very heavily subsidised by our Parents’ Association. I want to thank our Parents’ Association for prioritising swimming in their fundraising efforts.
- Enrolment Meeting: A meeting with the parents of children enrolled in the 2025/26 Junior Infant class will be held in the school hall on Tuesday next, 8th April at 7.30pm. The new parents will get the opportunity to meet with our current Junior Infant teacher and to mingle with one another over a cup of tea, kindly provided by the Bunscoil Bhríde Parents’ Association.
- Oral Language: The theme for the month of April will be ‘Idioms, Riddles, Jokes and Proverbs’. All classes will be focusing on this theme for the month and we would ask that parents support us at home, by sharing some proverbs, jokes, riddles and idioms with children and discussing with them what they’ve learnt in school on this topic.
- Uniform: Please ensure your child comes to school wearing the correct uniform. Canvas runners (including Converse) are not permitted at school. All footwear worn to school should be suitable for running, as children will be active at school every day.
- Hair: In accordance with our Code of Behaviour, all hair should be tied up where possible.
- Tennis: I want to sincerely thank Gary, of Rathangan Tennis Club who has completed ten tennis lessons with our Bluebells Class this term. Gary will run an Easter Tennis Camp from 22nd – 25th April. Further information about the camp is available by contacting 087-7679328.
- Bus Éireann School Transport: Applications for school transport for the 2025/26 school year can be made online at https://www.buseireann.ie and must be submitted by Friday 25th April. It is important that applications for school transport are made on time as late applicants are not guaranteed seats.
- Easter Holidays: The school will close for Easter holidays on Friday 11th April at 11.45a.m. We wish everybody a happy and holy Easter. School will re-open on Monday 28th April.
Kind regards,
Maria Rogerson