ST. PIUS X BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL
OCTOBER 2004 NEWSLETTER
It’s hard to believe that we have reached the mid term break. The boys have had a wonderful half term. Everyone has worked very hard and deserves a well earned rest.
School Activities
G.A.A. Football: The Senior Football Team under the management of Mr. Hayes has had a very successful campaign and at the moment of writing looks very likely to get into the Quarter Finals. We wish them every success. The Junior Football Team under the management of Mr. Coyle has had some superb matches. They played with great character and determination which I know will stand them in very good stead and augers extremely well for our Senior Team next year.
Hurling: We have secured the services of a fully qualified coach from Faughs Hurling Club, who will come throughout the year and organise a full programme of activities after Hallowe'en.
Olympic Handball: Training has begun again under the management of Ms. Kneafsey and Ms. De Brún. This year the 5th and 6th classes will play a tournament for the Cormac O’Brien Trophy. Cormac was a pupil in our school, who died some years ago. His classmates are now in 6th Class and we wanted to remember and honour him this way.
Cricket: 3rd class have completed a very successful block of cricket coached by Brian O’Rourke who is a fully qualified member of the Irish Cricket Union.
Art: Pine Forest: The 1st & 2nd Classes had very enjoyable trips to the Pine Forest Art Centre in recent weeks. The boys brought home some fantastic work and reaped great benefit from the occasion.
Music: A music workshop was held on Thursday 21st October for 4th, 5th & 6th classes. This has been organised by Ms. Purcell and was enjoyed immensely. The boys in the two 5th classes have begun the repertoire for the National Children’s Choir with Ms. Purcell. The boys will join with children from other schools and perform in a concert in the National Basketball Arena in March. The repertoire includes songs such as Down by the Sally Gardens, Tuirne Mháire and Yulishka Under the Lilac Tree.
Operation Christmas Child: Ms. McDonnell is organising a Shoe Box Collection for needy children all around the world. We know you will support this worthy cause with your usual incredible generosity. The shoe boxes are to be by Friday 5th November.
Uniforms: we are delighted with the huge percentage of boys wearing their uniforms to school. They look very smart and we would encourage everybody to do likewise.
Chess: Heartiest Congratulations to Sam Osborne in 6th Class is representing Ireland in the World Chess Championships which are being held in Crete 3rd – 14th November. Sam has represented Ireland for the last two years and during that time he has won all his matches. We wish him every success in Crete.
Swimming: We are very proud of Conor O’Keefe in 5th Class who has come 3rd in the Leinster Swimming Championships, while representing the School and is now going on to represent Dublin in the National Championships. Well done Conor and the very best of luck in the Finals.
Fund Raising: Race Night: A Race Night will be on 25th November in St. Mary’s Rugby Club in aid of the School Building Fund. We hope to see as many of you as possible on the night and look forward to a very pleasant, fun packed evening.
* Race Sponsorship 250 euro
* Full page Advertisement in Programme 100 euro
* Half page Advertisement in Programme 50 euro
* Purchase of Horse 20 euro
Christmas Cards: The boys are in the process of designing Christmas Cards some of which will be printed and sold in packs in aid of the School Building Fund. More details to follow.
Conor Lenihan: We would like to congratulate Conor, a parent of one of our Senior Infant pupils, on his promotion to the position of Minister of State in the Department of the Foreign Affairs. We wish him the very best as he takes up office.
Voluntary Contribution: We would like to thank all of you very much for your Voluntary Contribution. if you have overlooked this, it's not too late!
Best wishes
Dermot Lynch, Principal