Term 2 2013/2014

Green Schools Update!
We held our National Spring Clean on Friday 4th April. We picked up litter from around our school grounds, the Sandyford Community Centre, Gala shop car park area, Sandyford Pitch and Putt grounds, Aikens Village and along the Enniskerry Road towards Rosemont School. Thank you to all the children and parent volunteers for their support with this project. We are proud of our local community and hope it will remain a litter free zone!
We held our National Spring Clean on Friday 4th April. We picked up litter from around our school grounds, the Sandyford Community Centre, Gala shop car park area, Sandyford Pitch and Putt grounds, Aikens Village and along the Enniskerry Road towards Rosemont School. Thank you to all the children and parent volunteers for their support with this project. We are proud of our local community and hope it will remain a litter free zone!

During National Tree Week we planted 3 rowan trees in our school garden which were donated from Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council. Ballyogan Recycling Centre also kindly donated a water butt for our school grounds. This collects rain water which we recycle by watering our plants and cleaning paint materials after messy art lessons! We also set up a minibeast hotel in our school garden and furnished it with leaves, twigs and recyclable materials. We held a competition to name this hotel and the winning entry was “Bugs Paradise” suggested by Laura Capocci in 5th Class. We hope it will attract many new visitors to our school garden!
Scór na bPáistí County Final 2014
Huge congratulations to the pupils that represented our school and our local club Naomh Olaf at the Dublin County Final of Scór na bPáistí 2014. It took place on Friday April 4th in St. Peregrine's G.A.A. Club.
We are so proud to have had such huge success! 6 Gold and 8 Silver County Medals have returned to the school!
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Here are some of the adjudicators remarks;
Solo Recitation: "Good outfit, good use of props, strong elocution...Emma clearly has great talent and a natural ability. Keep going and a well deserved winner" Léiriú: "Narrators are very confident. Tá go leor gaeilge le cloistéail... The modern references add humour...The final song was wonderful...Léiriú ar ard chaighdéain" Ballad Group: "A lovely example of confident ballad singing. The harmony worked well... Great potential" |
Write A Book 2014

Congratulations to our Write A Book Winners 2014;
We had winners from Senior Infants, First Class, Second Class, Third Class, Fourth Class, Fifth Class and Sixth Class.
Pupils attended a prize giving ceremony held at Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney on Monday March 31st 2014.
A special mention to the two Junior Infant Classes who completed two whole class books. 'The Magical Lollipop Stick' by Ms. Cushen's class and 'Superdog's Amazing Adventures' by Ms. Hynes' class.
Well done to all our talented authors!
We had winners from Senior Infants, First Class, Second Class, Third Class, Fourth Class, Fifth Class and Sixth Class.
Pupils attended a prize giving ceremony held at Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney on Monday March 31st 2014.
A special mention to the two Junior Infant Classes who completed two whole class books. 'The Magical Lollipop Stick' by Ms. Cushen's class and 'Superdog's Amazing Adventures' by Ms. Hynes' class.
Well done to all our talented authors!
Sacrament of Reconciliation 2014

Congratulations to the twenty pupils who received their First Penance on Thursday April 3rd 2014 in St. Mary's Church, Sandyford.
A very special thank you to the beautiful choir made up of pupils from 3rd-6th class under the direction of Ms. Lucey, Ms. Malone and Ms. O'Malley; their beautiful singing added to the wonderful occasion.
We are all excitedly preparing for the First Holy Communion on Saturday May 10th 2014.
A very special thank you to the beautiful choir made up of pupils from 3rd-6th class under the direction of Ms. Lucey, Ms. Malone and Ms. O'Malley; their beautiful singing added to the wonderful occasion.
We are all excitedly preparing for the First Holy Communion on Saturday May 10th 2014.
Sacrament of Confirmation 2014

Our Sixth Class boys and girls received the Sacrament of Confirmation in a beautiful ceremony on 14th March, celebrated by Bishop Ray Field.
The class would like to thank Ms. Mulrooney for preparing them so well and all the teachers who helped to prepare the choir who added to the occasion with their lovely singing.
Many thanks to Fr. Gerry, Gráinne Prior and Pat Connolly for their continuing support to religious education in the school.
The class would like to thank Ms. Mulrooney for preparing them so well and all the teachers who helped to prepare the choir who added to the occasion with their lovely singing.
Many thanks to Fr. Gerry, Gráinne Prior and Pat Connolly for their continuing support to religious education in the school.
Discovery Primary Science Activities!

- Fourth Class were delighted to be invited to St. Tiernan’s Community School for two science classes. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and wanted to go back again.
- Marguerite Sayers, a local ESB engineer, visited Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Class to talk about her life as an engineer. She captivated her young audience and may have sown the seeds of a future career in engineering in a few young minds.
- Classes are very busy at the moment taking part in the Greenwave project. This is part of Discover Primary Science and involves recording signs of spring. This year the children are looking out for the primrose, frog spawn, buds on the chestnut tree and the return of the swallow.
Green Flag Update!
Our quest for a third Green Flag for Water Conservation has been successful! Dean Eaton from DLRCC visited our school on 28th February and he was very impressed with our efforts to conserve water. Representatives from our Green School Committee will be attending the awards ceremony on 21st May to collect our flag, and we will be holding our flag raising ceremony in June.
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2014

Ghlac rang a cúig páirt i Rith 2014 ar an 10ú de Márta!
Is féile náisiúnta d'Éirinn é Rith 2014 a bheidh ar siúl ón 7-15 Márta 2014 mar cheann de phríomhimeachtaí Sheachtain na Gaeilge.
Tá cúrsa 700 km leagtha amach chun ollrith sealaíochta a dhéanamh ó Baile Bhuirne i gCo. Chorcaí go Béal Feirste that 9 lá leis na mílte daoine ag glacadh páirte ann.
Fifth class took part in Rith 2014 on March 10th 2014.
Rith 2014 is a National Festival that takes place from 7-15th of March as one of the main activities of Irish Week.
There is a 700km course planned from Ballyvourney in Co. Cork to Belfast This is completed as a relay run with thousands of people taking part in it.
Bhí a lán imeachtaí eile ar siúl freisin, mar shampla, Tráth na gCeist, Ceolchoirm Mhór agus Lá Glas. Bhain na páistí an-taitneamh as an tseachtain. Míle buíochas do Ms. Broderick a d’eagraigh na himeachtaí.
Is féile náisiúnta d'Éirinn é Rith 2014 a bheidh ar siúl ón 7-15 Márta 2014 mar cheann de phríomhimeachtaí Sheachtain na Gaeilge.
Tá cúrsa 700 km leagtha amach chun ollrith sealaíochta a dhéanamh ó Baile Bhuirne i gCo. Chorcaí go Béal Feirste that 9 lá leis na mílte daoine ag glacadh páirte ann.
Fifth class took part in Rith 2014 on March 10th 2014.
Rith 2014 is a National Festival that takes place from 7-15th of March as one of the main activities of Irish Week.
There is a 700km course planned from Ballyvourney in Co. Cork to Belfast This is completed as a relay run with thousands of people taking part in it.
Bhí a lán imeachtaí eile ar siúl freisin, mar shampla, Tráth na gCeist, Ceolchoirm Mhór agus Lá Glas. Bhain na páistí an-taitneamh as an tseachtain. Míle buíochas do Ms. Broderick a d’eagraigh na himeachtaí.
Green Schools Committee Fridge Magnets!

Following our successful Water Action Day, we decided to encourage parents to save water at home by making fridge magnets with water saving tips. We used them as spot prizes for children who could remember our water slogan, who were pushing the green button on our toilets and being water wise! The magnets remind our parents to save water at home. The idea for making fridge magnets came from a boy who was in 6th Class at St Mary's NS last year. He is now in St. Benildus. We thank him for this great idea!
(Review written by pupil from 5th Class)
(Review written by pupil from 5th Class)
World Book Day, March 6th 2014
Green School's Day of Action!
Our School is well on the way to achieving its third Green Flag.
This flag is based on the theme of Water. On Friday the 14th of February all pupils wore blue as we took special time that day to learn about water conservation, water safety etc. Members of our Green School Committee made a presentation to all classes on these topics throughout the day as we made a special effort to conserve water! Above and Right: Pupils in Senior Infants showing us their blue outfits! |
Safety Week 2014 (10th-14th February)

In conjunction with our S.P.H.E. programme, St. Mary’s N.S. hosted Safety Week from 10th to 14th February 2014.
Throughout the week we had many activities and visitors that focused on all aspects of safety!
Seatbelt Sheriff
All Pupils were encouraged to pledge to wear their safety belt and ensure that others in their car are buckled up too!
Hi-Glo Silver Champion
Pupils were encouraged to wear bright jackets, armbands and belts when walking or cycling and remind their parents to do the same.
Water Safety
All pupils will be exposed to the Land PAWS Level 1 this week. This programme focuses on water safety - safe swimming, safety on the farm, safety on open water etc.
Road Safety
Guest speakers visited us from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Road Safety Office.
First Aid
Members of St. John’s Ambulance provided presentations to all classes on some basic first aid responses.
Below and above are some photographs of Senior Infants participating in this presentation!
Throughout the week we had many activities and visitors that focused on all aspects of safety!
Seatbelt Sheriff
All Pupils were encouraged to pledge to wear their safety belt and ensure that others in their car are buckled up too!
Hi-Glo Silver Champion
Pupils were encouraged to wear bright jackets, armbands and belts when walking or cycling and remind their parents to do the same.
Water Safety
All pupils will be exposed to the Land PAWS Level 1 this week. This programme focuses on water safety - safe swimming, safety on the farm, safety on open water etc.
Road Safety
Guest speakers visited us from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Road Safety Office.
First Aid
Members of St. John’s Ambulance provided presentations to all classes on some basic first aid responses.
Below and above are some photographs of Senior Infants participating in this presentation!
Scór na bPáistí Naomh Olaf 2014Comhghairdeas le na páistí go léir a ghlac páirt i Scor na bPáistí i gCumann Peile agus Iomána Naomh Olaf. Tá bród againn go léir asaibh. This year we won three out the six competitions we entered! Our winners were in the following categories:
Aithriseoiraecht Aonair (Solo Recitation) Amhránaíocht Grúpa (Group Singing) Léiriú (drama presentation) These pupils that won these categories will continue on to compete in the County Dublin Final in early April. We wish them every success! Overall 27 pupils from second to sixth class represented the school on the night that celebrated Irish language and culture. Many thanks to all the staff who prepared the children for these events and to the staff who supported them in their endeavours. |
Above: Members of the winning ballad group
Below: Four members of the Léiriú group celebrating their success! Left: The overall winner of the Solo Recitation category with her plaque. Her piece was called 'Have the Last Laugh!" |
Dundrum Credit Union Quiz 2014 and DLRCC World Book Day Quiz 2014

Congratulations to all four teams which took part in the Dundrum Credit Union Quiz on February 1st 2014!
16 pupils from 3rd-6th class represented the school at this annual quiz.
Congratulations also to all the boys and girls who represented the school with honour in the DLRCC World Book Day Quiz.
Many thanks to Ms. O'Shea for preparing them for these events.
Welcoming the Year of the Horse: Chinese New Year Celebrations!
27th January-31st January 2014

As the photographs show, we celebrated Chinese New Year in style this year in St. Mary's N.S.!
- Our foyer was transformed to raise awareness of this important festival in the Chinese calendar.
- Classes created beautiful dragons and Chinese lanterns after listening to the story of the Zodiac animals’ race and the legend of Nian.
- Some classes created projects on China and others wrote their names in Chinese. Some classes even wrote their maths using Chinese numbers!
- Everyone made a huge effort to wear red, an oriental inspired outfit or dress as a Zodiac animal on Friday the 31st.
- We were treated to a first-hand lesson in Chinese writing!
- We examined Yen and chopsticks. The whole school were taught how to say “Hello” and count from 1-10. We all attempted saying “My name is ____”but may still need additional practice on this complex sentence!