December 8, 2024
Wellbeing committee 2024 2025
Our new Wellbeing Committee members were elected in November with 15 representatives from classes 1st – 6th. We held our first meeting on Wednesday 21st where we met and talked about the importance of wellbeing and promoting ways to support wellbeing in our school. We made member profiles to add to our Wellbeing notice board as a way to introduce ourselves to our school community. We look forward to a busy time ahead with planning Wellbeing Week 2025 in our school and applying for our Amber Flag renewal. Watch this space.. Thanks to Ms Pilkington for the report.
December 8, 2024
Parents Association—BOOKATHON 2024
We had our prize giving for the Parents Association St. Brendan’s Boys School, Birr BOOKATHON 2024 ! Fantastic effort from the boys in reading lots of books over the last 3 weeks and their families for supporting with sponsorship – prizes were given out for the top reader in each class – the draw was won by Yegor – Sean McIntyre won the overall best reader award and the sponsor prize was won by Lisa Kelly – well done to all
Mr Crofton spoke to the group about the value and importance of reading and read them a lovely story “ dogs don’t do ballet “ about the importance of being yourself.
Local Councillor ( Now newly elected TD) John Clendennen also called at that time and boys were delighted to nap a picture with him!
Principal outlined to John that parents were fundraising for school materials that should be provided by the government #schoolfunding
Parents Association Bookathan Prizes 2024
Junior Infants: Nathan Szczepkowski
Senior Infants: Iarla Walsh (3)
1st Class: Cody Cleare (3)
2nd Class: Sam McIntyre (4)
3rd Class: Sam Hanniffy (2)
4th Class: Charlie McAuley (3)
5th Class: Sean McIntyre (3)
6th Class: Yegor Anspoks (3)
Cairdeas: Jason O’Callaghan (2)
Overall best reader:
Sam Mc Intyre 40 books over 4 weeks !!
Class Teacher winner:
Ms Guilfoyle 4th Class (12 boys)
December 8, 2024
December 8, 2024
The green school committee have been busy work on the global citizenship litter and waste flag since September. The boys have been minitorijg the bins making sure the school is recycling. 5th class boys got certificates from the birr tidy towns for their participation in the biodiversity project last year. Ryan from JFW renewables visited 3rd and 4th class and gave a presentation all about renewable energy, the boys have been busy making posters for the competition.
Thanks to Ms Collins for the report and Mrs Kelly for attending Tidy Towns award evening on our behalf.
December 8, 2024
Our school was delighted to be able to celebrate St Brendan’s Day at St Brendans Church on 29th November – Thanks to Fr Arnold and Fr Tom for a lovely service where our boys added to the ceremony with prayer and music. The boys all read well and the singing and tin whistle playing was fantastic. Lots of lovely compliments from the large congregation on the day to the boys presentation and behaviour so well done all.
November 11, 2024
October 24, 2024
October 9, 2024
July 3, 2024
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.
July 3, 2024
