St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

12370c October November 2024

sept 2024

12370c Admissions-notice 2025

St Brendans PS Birr- 6th Class Graduation– Hero Project-

Dreams can come true !

St Brendans PS held their customary 6th class graduation event on Tuesday 25th June where the boys in their final month of primary school research a hero that they choose themselves and then present a project along with a speech to their peers, staff, family and friends.
This event has been running for the past 20 years since being introduced by Mr Crofton to the school. This year to a packed hall the boys hero speeches started out and varied from Pele to TJ Reid to David Walliams and then number 4 on the list Dylan Kelly went up to speak about his hero ..Adam Screeney-Guess what happened next!
Memories for a lifetime made as who appeared at the door of the hall but the Kilcormac Killoughey magician himself !
This was a massive surprise for parents , boys , staff and of course Dylan himself.
Thanks to Ms Roisin Donovan and Mr Damien Cunningham for rubbing whatever magic lamp they had and producing the genie ! Adam Screeney – #legend #gentleman
A delighted Dylan and also Billy Carroll met their hero and took a few photos. Adam then spoke to the boys and crowd about the importance of having a hero to look up too and he remembered his own days growing up dreaming of his heros on the hurling field.
The event then continued in the school hall as each boy spoke for 1-2 minutes about his hero ( famous ) and how he was inspired by them – the large crowd heard a variety of inspirational speeches about heroes ranging from Messi to Smokey to Ronaldo.
The parents had a cup of tea at interval and the boys enjoyed their customary slide show movie of their 6th class highlights created by Mr Crofton.
Ms Doyle then spoke and outlined how the boys had been an such a great class who had such an amazing year with sports / robotics / trips and projects. She also mentioned the loss that this group had endured over the past 8 years with family members and of course fellow pupil Tommy K (RIP) back in Junior Infants and of how special it was that his little Mario teddy had followed the class each and every year. The resilience that this group has shown will be an asset to them going into the future.
The boys all wore their special 6th class graduation hoodies that were kindly sponsored by our Parents Association.
Mr Crofton thanked all present for their support in the journey over the past 8 years and encouraged each boy to always do his best and try to reach your dream. Mr Crofton also thanked the parents sincerely for placing their trust in the school and staff to provide the best holistic education for their boys. Well done boys, we are all so proud of you. Follow your dreams and your special hero. Thank you Adam Screeney for taking the time to come to our school hall to hear Dylan’s speech and displaying the genuine characteristics that allow so many young people look up to you.

End of year awards 2023/2024
End of year awards are always a special occasion at our school – hurling leagues / sports days / tech week and individual awards were presented – we have a number of awards cups and trophies for sporting and academic achievements
: Kenneth fox / Aidan Rosney / Derek Maher / Brian Mcmanus / Brother Finian /Johnny Cleary / Tommy K. These hold a special place in our hearts and we are always delighted to welcome members of these families to school to present these awards. We are delighted to have awarded the following—
Congrats to all this years winners
The Brother Finian Cup -6th class long race was won by John Plunkett.
The McManus Cup( Special Achievement Award) won by Dylan Kelly.
The Derek Maher Trophy (Student of the year) was won by Cillian McAteer.
The Aidan Rosney Cup (Snr Hurler of the year) was won by Ryan Kelly.
The Kenneth Fox cup (Winning Capt of Senior Hurling league) was won by Cathal Mooney.
The St.Brendans Cup (Winning Capt.Of Junior Hurling League) was won by Conor Mullins.
The Junior Hurler of the year went to Conor Mullins.
Johnny Cleary Cup – Most improved hurler award Justin Touhey
Tommy K Infant Achiever award— Jack O’Connor

HSCL
Lovely presentation of flowers from our Parents Association St. Brendan’s Boys School, Birr to Ms Ann Hennelly as she has completed her 5 year contract as our Home school liaison teacher shared with Mercy primary – Ann did amazing work in the role and provided great support to families in both schools
– Ann return to class in Sept and wished the new HSCL Paula Carey well as she begins her 5 year contract in September – Presenting the flowers to Ann on behalf of PA was Karen Mooney ( former chairperson of PA ) who herself was attending her final school end year mass as parent after 14 years of her boys attending our school

End of year school mass celebration
We held a lovely end of school year mass outside on the front grass last Thursday. Fr Arnold came to school to celebrate the mass with our boys and a huge crowd of parents and family members. The theme of the mass was “ Give thanks” and it was lovely to be able to gather as a school community together outside in the cool shade of the trees and be thankful for all that the boys bring to our lives. Our Chairperson Pat Teehan spoke and thanked all for a wonderful year at our school. Thanks to all who were involved in the service especially Majella and her wonderful choir with music who brought happiness to our hearts.
It was lovely to have our school chaplain Fr Arnold Rosney present the Aidan Rosney cup ( His late brother) last week at our mass also to the proud winner Ryan Kelly.

Offaly Cumann na mbunscoil hurling final
Date 21st May 2024
Venue – St Brendans Park

St Brendans PS / Gaelscoil na Laochra faced off against Dromakeenan in the Hurling final.
Both teams came into this match unbeaten and the pressure was on the boys as they went for a famous 4-in-a-row. The atmosphere was fantastic as both sides followed the piper around the field to the cheers of their supporters. The ball was thrown in and both sides tackled and blocked with great energy. St B / Gna L took the lead with a great point from inside forward Joey after 3 minutes. Then on 5 minutes a great ball into the forward line was collected by Conall who dispatched the ball to the net. Dromakeenan then found their groove and got a goal on 8 minutes followed by a free. After 10 minutes it was all square 1-1 to 1-1. Then a free from Ryan Kelly who followed up with a lovely 65 and a point from play pushed Birr ahead. Dromakeenan showed great resilience in scoring next. Birr were starting to win the middle third with lovely scores from forwards Cathal and John with Michael and Harry supplying some great ball. Backs were steady with Billy , Ryan Molloy and Nathaniel very solid and keeper Sam hitting some great puckouts.
Halftime and chance to breath- Birr led 1-5 to 1-2
Second half and Birr came out flying with Tadhg winning great possession. Cathal scored a point to be quickly followed by a goal from Tadgh and goal machine Conall. Birr were now rampant and Justin found himself in a free role and kept giving great ball inside. Scores followed from John , Cathal , Ryan and sub Shane. Dromakeenan kept fighting but the senior Birr players were now dominant and the subs who came on brought new energy to the team also. Final whistle sounded and supporters from St Brendans and Gaelscoil na Laochra ran on to congratulate their players on a fantastic second half display and a great win!
The captains received the Fr Vaughan cup from Mr Joe Cleary. Proud captains Cathal Mooney and Michael Conneely thanked their coaches especially Mr Kennedy and also the referee, Cumann na mbunscoil / Dromakeenan and Birr GAA. Then the boys returned to the school via Pilkingtons shop to celebrate.

Summer newsletter-2024

June 2024