Wednesday Walkers.
Finally some fine weather has arrived, join us every Wednesday morning for a 30-40 minute walk around Birr.
Leaving from the car park near the playground at 9.30, the walks are suitable for all, so come along and enjoy a sociable walk at your own pace!
This year our hardworking Parents Association ran their annual fundraiser as a 2
part activity for the boys to get involved in. Each boy in the school received a
sponsorship card which was completed amd sent back to school. The boys from
Junior Infants to 4th class went to the lovely grounds of Birr Castle and enjoyed
a lovely walk. Thanks to the parents who helped out and to the teachers for guiding
them around on a lovely Tuesday morning.
We took a step into the unknown with a trip to Lough Boora parklands for a sponsored
cycle by the boys in 5th and 6th classes. It was a great sight to see 50+bikes coming to
school on a bright wednesday morning with many of the boys cycling to school. The
ever-helpful Keith Harte of Harte Fuels loaded the bikes up onto the trailer and the
boys hopped aboard the bus and away to Lough Boora. 46 boys and some staff
members led by Mick “Ironman” Hansbury completed the 12 k cycle in an hour while
15 boys were brought on a lovely architectural walk by staff and parents. All met back
at the car park for a drink and refreshment before returning to school refreshed.
Many thanks to Keith Harte for bike transport, Andrew Walsh for sponsored bus and
Michael Loughnane for supporting with refreshments. Mile buiochas to our Parents
Association for their continued hard work in support of the school and to all who
sponsored the boys with funds going to our excellent music and swimming programme.
Boys continue to be encouraged to cycle and walk to and from school safely.
St. Brendans PS was delighted to welcome Professor Mary McCaffrey to the school.
The Professor leads a team in UCC investigating micro cell biology and we were
fortunate to get her to speak to our 5th/6th class groupings which are working
on a science award project with Ms.Fiona Ward.
This was the professors first ever talk to a primary school group and she was so impressed
with the attention, interest, curiosity and passion for science displayed by the boys.
She brough samples of bacteria to show them and discussed the role of cells in our bodies
and the impact of drugs/ doping in sport. She was asked into the role of cells in beating diseases
including cancer and concluded her fascinating talk by guiding them through her own
path in education to her current position in UCC. Hopefully this will inspire and
motivate our boys to follow their passsion in life with hard work and dedication to
make a difference in this world. Many thanks to Ms. Ward for all the preparatory work
and to Professor McCaffrey for making the long journey to Birr.
Our school attendance strategies continue to great effect.
Pictured are the boys who received 100% attendance awards.
Also team– secured the prize for attendance teams with an average attendance figure
of —- days for term 2 attended.
Prize is to follow…….
We were delighted that some of the boys did so well in the Offaly round of
the Community Games art section. Pictured are the winners and the gold medalists
will go on to represent Offaly in the All-Ireland finals. Best of luck boys!
