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Junior School News March 2026

Lunar New Year Celebrations

Lunar New Year Celebration
Amy-Yin Zhang, Chairperson of JACA

Our Alex Dines was alive with colour, music and celebration as families gathered for the first ever Alex Lunar New Year Festival, organised by JACA. A sell-out success, with tickets snapped up within 24 hours, the event brought the school community together in exactly the way it had hoped to - creating a warm, inclusive space where families could celebrate, connect and experience the rich traditions of Lunar New Year. Marking both the Year of the Fire Horse and the first day of spring, the festival captured a spirit of energy, joy and togetherness that resonated throughout the afternoon.

The programme offered something for everyone, from the spectacular lion dance and musical performances from our students, teachers and the Alex Nós Trad Band, to cultural workshops in calligraphy, origami, paper cutting and traditional games from across South East Asia. Authentic food and live culinary demonstrations added to the festive atmosphere, while the enthusiasm of all involved made the occasion especially memorable. Just as importantly, the festival also reflected JACA's valuable fundraising work on behalf of the Junior School, showing how community spirit and support can go hand in hand. Thanks to the dedication of JACA, the generosity of sponsors and the support of the wider school community, the festival was not only a vibrant celebration of culture, but a wonderful example of Alex at its best, welcoming, curious and full of community spirit.

We are already looking forward to celebrating again next year!

Two women in elegant green and white dresses are performing a dance in front of a window decorated with red lanterns.
A colorful and vibrant Chinese dragon sculpture stands in the foreground, surrounded by a paved courtyard and a large building in the background.
A group of people, some wearing traditional Chinese or Asian-inspired clothing, are gathered in a modern indoor space with large windows, performing or participating in what appears to be a cultural or artistic event.
Two young girls dressed in traditional Chinese attire are playing violins in front of a window with red lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
A young girl in traditional Japanese clothing sits on the floor, playing a stringed instrument with a focused expression.
A group of people wearing colorful shirts and standing together in what appears to be a retail or commercial setting, with various items and displays visible in the background.
A group of musicians performing on stage, with various instruments and equipment visible in the background.
A person in a dark outfit is seated at a grand piano, playing the instrument in what appears to be a performance or practice space with plain walls and chairs in the background.
The image shows a group of young people, likely students, standing in a large auditorium or performance venue with a stage, piano, and colorful lighting in the background.
Two individuals are seated at a grand piano, one playing the instrument while the other appears to be observing or providing guidance. The room has a clean, modern aesthetic with recessed lighting and neutral-colored walls.
A large stage with a projection screen displaying %22The Lark%22 is surrounded by a group of people standing on the stage, likely performers or participants in an event.
A young woman with long hair is seated at a grand piano, playing the instrument in a room with a white wall and a potted plant in the background.
A person is seated at a grand piano, playing the instrument in a room with a wooden floor and white walls.
Two individuals, a man playing the piano and a woman playing the violin, are performing together in a room with white walls and a wooden floor.
A person is seated at a grand piano, playing the instrument in a room with a wooden floor and white walls.
Two young women, one playing the violin and the other standing with a music stand, in what appears to be a practice or performance space with white walls and a fire extinguisher visible in the background.
The image shows a group of young women in school uniforms, standing together and holding certificates or awards. They appear to be in a school setting, with a plain wall behind them.
A group of people, dressed in formal attire, gathered around a table in a dimly lit room, with candles providing the primary lighting.
Two people, a woman in a green sweater and a man holding a violin, are performing on a stage with a grand piano in the background, in what appears to be a music rehearsal or performance space.
Two young women in formal attire are standing on a stage in a dimly lit room, with a grand piano and various plants in the background.
The image depicts a performance or recital setting, with a pianist playing a grand piano on a stage surrounded by candles and a colorful, abstract lighting display in the background.
A woman in a white dress is seated at a grand piano, surrounded by a dimly lit room filled with flickering candles and colorful lighting projections on the walls.
A group of young children wearing red uniforms, accompanied by an adult woman, stand on the steps of a building.
A group of young students in red uniforms are playing with a large, colorful parachute in a classroom setting, with various educational materials and displays visible in the background.
A group of young children in red shirts are gathered around a large, colorful parachute, playing and interacting with it in an indoor classroom setting.
The image shows a classroom setting with a group of students sitting on the floor, listening to a teacher or presenter standing in front of them. The classroom appears to be well-equipped with various educational materials and displays on the walls.
Three young students in school uniforms sitting on the floor, with a person in the background.
A young girl in a red outfit is sitting at a piano, playing the instrument in a classroom setting with various educational materials visible in the background.
A group of young students in red uniforms are holding certificates and standing in a classroom setting with educational posters and shelves visible in the background.
A man in a black shirt is playing a guitar while a young student in a red uniform is also holding a guitar, with several other students sitting and observing them in a classroom setting with various educational materials and displays visible in the background.
A group of young students in red uniforms are seated on the floor, listening attentively to a teacher standing in front of them, with various educational materials and posters visible in the background.
A person is playing the piano in a classroom setting, with a group of students seated behind them.
A group of young students in red uniforms are seated in a classroom, listening attentively as a teacher plays a piano in the foreground.
A young student in a school classroom is playing a guitar, while other students and a teacher are present in the background.
A classroom filled with students wearing red shirts, some playing musical instruments and one student sitting at a piano in the foreground.
A classroom setting with a student working at a desk, surrounded by colorful artwork, storage cubbies, and various educational materials.
The image shows a classroom setting with a piano and two individuals playing saxophones in the foreground, while the background features colorful artwork and educational materials on the walls.
The image shows a classroom setting with a group of students and teachers working together at a computer. The background features colorful artwork and displays, creating a vibrant and engaging learning environment.
The image depicts a classroom setting with various educational materials and activities, including a student playing a violin and another student working on a computer.
A man and a woman are standing together in a classroom-like setting, with various educational materials and toys visible in the background.

Music Festival 2026

Music Festival 2026
Ms Qiao

Another very successful Music Festival took place this year—huge congratulations to everyone who participated! The week was filled with energy, creativity, and outstanding musical achievement from students across all year groups.

A massive thank you to Ms. Ennis, Ms. Lamplugh, Mr. O'Farrell, and Ms. Gorry for their unwavering support and flexibility throughout the festival, allowing students the time and space to fully engage in all activities.

We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to the phenomenal staff in the Music Department. None of this would have been possible without your dedication. From leading workshops and organising masterclasses to preparing students for competitions and concerts. You are truly the driving force behind it all.

Festival Highlights

Jazz Band Performance: The Jazz Band led by Mr Cooney kicked off the festival with incredible energy and enthusiasm, setting the tone for the week ahead. 

Piano Performance Class: An inspiring and insightful workshop with Dr. Kalniņš, focusing on stage presence and managing performance anxiety

Senior School Choir Retreat: Our Intermediate and College Choirs had a fantastic experience at the Irish Institute of Song and Music, exploring beatboxing, barbershop singing, and musical theatre.

Voice Platform: A fantastic opportunity for vocal students to perform and receive expert guidance from Ms. O'Sullivan, accompanied by Mr. Wilson.

Violin Masterclass: We were delighted to welcome Anne Phelan back for another inspiring and enriching masterclass.

Young Classical Musician of the Year: The standard this year was truly phenomenal. Every performer played beautifully, creating a concert-like experience for the audience.

Piano Concert: A magical candlelit evening featuring performances from both Junior and Senior students. The concert ended with a very memorable 8-hands performance by Mr. Wilson, Dr. Kalniņš, Ms. Qiao, and Mr. Gutierrez.

Strings Concert: A wonderful evening of music from our Junior and Senior School violinists, ending with a powerful performance by the string quartet directed by Ms. O'Rourke.

Early Years Music: Our Preschoolers had great fun making music with Ms. Ross - dancing with colourful scarves and exploring rhythm with parachutes.

Ukulele Workshop: J3 and 1st Year students thoroughly enjoyed a fun and engaging workshop with Mr. Rycraft and Mr. Gutierrez.

Junior School Class Concerts: Well done to all who performed—these concerts were a fantastic showcase of progress and confidence.

World Book Day

World Book Day
Junior School

On Thursday, 5th March we celebrated World Book Day. We dressed up as our favourite book characters. It was a fun and exciting day for all of us!

A large group of young girls, dressed in various colorful outfits, posing together in a classroom setting with educational posters and displays visible in the background.
A group of people dressed in various costumes and outfits, posing together in front of a colorful and decorated classroom setting.
The image shows three women dressed in colorful, whimsical costumes standing together in a classroom-like setting with various decorations and toys in the background.
A group of young children, dressed in colorful and imaginative costumes, stand together in a classroom setting with various decorations and educational materials visible in the background.
A group of children dressed in colorful costumes, including princesses, superheroes, and other characters, standing together on a playground with a large tree in the background.
Two young girls, one holding a sign that says %22Thank you all! We raised $600 for the Hope Foundation%22, are standing in front of a building with cars parked in the background.
Two young women are sitting at a table outdoors, surrounded by a gravel path and lush greenery in the background.

Fundraising for the Hope Foundation

Fundraising for the Hope Foundation
Junior School

On Saturday, 28th February Issy (J5) and Genny (J1) baked Rice Krispie and Chocolate Cornflake buns which they sold outside their house. They raised €110 from their bake sale. The money raised will go to the Hope Foundation. Congratulations to both girls for their charitable work!

Preschool Lower

Preschool Lower
Ms Potts, Ms Jordan and Ms Garcia

This month Preschool Lower were very busy preparing for St. Patrick's Day and learning the ‘5 Little Shamrocks’ poem that we performed at assembly. We made lots of lovely crafts to decorate our classroom and to bring home.

We have also been learning all about spring! We went on a nature walk around the campus to look for signs of the spring season. Thanks to a kind friend who gave our class some seeds, we planted some tomatoes and sweet peas and have been learning how to care for them. All of the girls are looking forward to seeing how our plants grow.

A group of young children in red uniforms with reflective vests are gathered around a garden bed, examining the flowers and plants.
A group of young children are engaged in various art and craft activities, surrounded by a colorful and playful environment filled with toys and decorations.
A group of young children in red and yellow safety vests are engaged in outdoor activities, surrounded by a garden with vibrant purple flowers in the background.

KG Upper

KG Upper
Ms Stapleton and Ms Moore

Over the past four weeks in KG Upper, the children have been busy learning through our Spring Aistear theme. In Maths, we practised counting, addition, missing numbers and explored measurement using different classroom objects. In English, we worked on tricky words, adjectives, and writing activities including shopping lists and recipes for our fruit kebabs. In Gaeilge, we practised everyday phrases, counting, songs and prepared a performance for Seachtain na Gaeilge. The girls also learned about healthy foods, the life cycle of a butterfly and planting seeds. Aistear stations included building spring flowers, playdough activities and imaginative farm play. The highlight of our month was definitely World Book Day, when we all dressed up as our favourite book characters, which created great excitement and lots of discussion about books and reading. 

J2 Trip to Newbridge Farm

J2 Trip to Newbridge Farm
Ms Gorry and Ms Hemingway

On Friday, 27th February, J2R and J2W visited Newbridge House and farm. We saw pigs, ducks, chicks, goats, turkeys, birds, bunnies, a guinea pig, peacocks, donkeys, sheep and alpacas. The sun shone on our trip and we rounded off the day with some time in the playground. We enjoyed our adventure!

A grand, ornate room with red walls, a chandelier, and numerous framed portraits adorning the walls, along with various antique furniture and decorative items scattered throughout the space.
A group of children in red uniforms are gathered in a room filled with ornate paintings and bookshelves, listening to a woman in a red dress speaking to them.
Two alpacas, one white and one brown, stand in a cobblestone courtyard surrounded by a stone wall with a small window.
A group of young children wearing matching red uniforms are gathered together in a grassy outdoor setting, surrounded by trees and a wooden structure in the background.
A group of young people in red uniforms standing in a line on a grassy field, with a wooded area visible in the background.
Three young girls standing in front of a tree, with a grassy area and buildings visible in the background.
Three young girls, likely elementary school students, are standing together and holding a colorful drawing or painting. They appear to be in a school or classroom setting, with shelves and other items visible in the background.

Fundraising for the DSPCA

Fundraising for DSPCA
Junior School

Congratulations to Eliza, Tessa and Tati (J2) who raised €60 for the DSPCA from selling their customised book marks!

J3W Update

J3W Update
Ms Harpur

J3 had a very busy and exciting month! Some of the girls showcased their wonderful talents by performing instrumental pieces and singing songs for their classmates.

We enjoyed a fantastic trip to Explorium, where the children had great fun exploring and engaging in hands-on activities. 

We also celebrated World Book Day, and there’s a wonderful photo of the girls dressed up as their favourite book characters.

The image shows three young girls in a classroom setting, with one girl standing in front of a %22#Choose Kind%22 sign and the other two girls sitting and playing a guitar.
The image shows several students in red uniforms engaged in various activities, such as playing musical instruments and reading, in a classroom setting with educational materials and equipment visible in the background.
The image shows a group of children in red uniforms engaged in various activities, including playing on a trampoline and sitting around a table. The background includes a wire mesh structure and colorful decorations, suggesting an indoor play or activity space.
The image shows two students, one wearing a black outfit and the other wearing a red outfit, sitting at a piano and playing it in what appears to be a classroom setting with various shelves and storage units in the background.
A group of young students, some wearing festive attire, gathered in a colorful and lively classroom setting, surrounded by educational materials and decorations.
A group of young students in red uniforms are gathered together, holding signs and appearing to be participating in some kind of school or educational event, with a banner for %22Creative Technologies%22 visible in the background.
A group of young people, mostly women, posing together in a classroom setting with a welcome sign in the background.
Vibrant and colorful paintings of leprechauns and rainbows adorn the wall, creating a festive and whimsical atmosphere.

J5R March Update

J5R March Update
Ms Roache 

Lá Glas agus Lá Fhéile Phádraig

To celebrate Ireland and its language, the girls spoke lots of Gaeilge, created fabulous art and dressed up all in green! What a fun week- Lá Fhéile Phádraig Shona Daoibh!

J5R Assembly on Spring Flowers 

J5R welcomed the new season by researching various flowers that blossom in spring time. We are so excited to welcome the longer days, warmer weather and beautiful flowers!

J5R Assembly on Reeling in the Years 

J5R went back in time for their Reeling in the Years assembly which explored the decades from the 50s all the way to the 2025s!

World Book Day

Reading is such a huge part of our school day, so we were delighted to be able to dress up as our favourite book characters on March 5th for World Book Day! Take a look at the photos and see if you can find any famous characters!

J5W Update

J5W Update
Ms Dower

J5W had a very enjoyable World Book Day. We came to school dressed as characters from a wide range of books. Throughout the day, we took part in reading activities and discussions, which helped us appreciate the importance of books and storytelling.  

We also had exciting visitors from Trinity College who spoke to us about how race cars are made and designed. They explained the different components involved and how engineers work together in the design process. Afterwards, we had the opportunity to design our own race cars, which was definitely a March highlight!

A group of diverse students, some seated and some standing, posing together in a classroom setting with various decorations and educational materials visible in the background.
The image shows a collection of colorfully decorated wooden toy cars and trucks arranged on a beige surface, with a potted plant in the background.

J6R Sports History Walk

J6R Sports History Walk
Mr Fitzgerald

Many of the J6 girls attended the SCT Rugby final on St. Patrick’s Day at Tallaght Stadium, the home of Shamrock Rovers. However, some eagle eyed Alex students noticed that at the entrance to the stadium, there is a sign that says ‘Milltown Road, D6’. The girls were curious about this and it led to a history lesson and walking tour towards a former well known Dublin landmark.

Anyone who supports soccer in Ireland would probably be able to tell you that Shamrock Rovers used to play at Glenmalure Park, a five minute walk from Alex. All that is left of the old stadium is a monument where the old turnstiles once stood. The area which was once the centre of the field is now a community garden for Glenmalure Square.

The J6R girls learned about how famous teams including Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Everton and Celtic have all played in Milltown as well as many other Irish and European teams. Games in the League of Ireland, FAI Cup, Friendlies, Testimonials and games in the European Cup, now known as the UEFA Champions League, were all staged in Milltown at one point. It regularly hosted crowds of 20,000 people in its heyday, which is twice the capacity of Tallaght Stadium.

The old ground also played host to the Republic of Ireland Women’s Soccer team, beating both Wales (4-1) and Northern Ireland (1-0) in 1987, the last year that football was played there.

What better way for the J6 girls to learn about the local and sporting history of Milltown, than to take a short walk down to the place where it all happened. Thank you to Ms. Bergin for accompanying us on the day. 

First LEGO League

First LEGO League
Ms McGarry

On 26th February, for the first time ever, Alexandra College Junior School was represented at the semi-regionals, held in DCU, of the FIRST LEGO League Challenge by two J6 teams. This was an especially exciting achievement because students had the opportunity to showcase months of teamwork, creativity and problem-solving in a real competition setting. FIRST, originally known as “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”, is an international programme that encourages young people to engage with STEM (science, engineering, technology and maths) in a meaningful and practical way. In the FIRST LEGO League Challenge, students work in teams to design, build and code an autonomous LEGO robot to complete a series of robotic missions on a playing field based on the theme of archaeology. The competition also included other important areas, such as the Innovation Project, where teams researched and presented a solution to a real-world problem, and the Core Values, which focused on teamwork, inclusion and perseverance.

On the day itself, both teams presented themselves in an excellent manner. Team Scuba Doo (Amelia, Aimee, Hannah, Ali and Georgia) looked at how photogrammetry could be used to create a replica model of the Titanic, while Team AMOE (Maeve, Annika, Eve and Orla) explored the potential of Ground Penetrating Radar to locate bog bodies. The girls on Team AMOE were even lucky enough to secure an award, bringing home the first ever FIRST LEGO League Challenge trophy for Best Robot Design Award to Alexandra College Junior School!

A colorful robotic device with various components and attachments sits on a red sofa, with a window visible in the background.
The image depicts a hand-drawn sketch of a large ship, with various labels and annotations describing its features, such as %22Funnel%22, %22Stern%22, and %22Propeller%22. The background appears to be a plain surface, possibly a piece of paper or a whiteboard.
The image shows a framed award for a %22Robot Design Award%22 from the DCU Regional event on February 26, 2026, surrounded by various yellow robotic equipment in the background.
A group of young people, likely students, are standing in front of a large display banner for the %22DCU STINT First Lego League Challenge Regional%22 event, holding a trophy or award.

AIJS Mini-Hockey Tournament

AIJS Mini-Hockey Tournament
Ms Tracey

For some of our pupils, it was a busy sporting return to school. The annual AIJS Mini-Hockey Tournament played centre stage for our J4 girls. A team was selected before mid-term break. This is a fun ‘end-of-hockey-season’ competition where we have enjoyed some good luck in the past and where our girls are the current holders of this AIJS Title. So there was a definite air of excitement as our team set off for host school St. Andrews! Thankfully the weather was good. All matches were keenly played. Many goals were scored and saved, and our J4 team made it into the final. They played a skilful St. Gerard’s side in a very sporting final, where they emerged as the eventual winners! Many congratulations to you all.

A and B League Hockey Tournament End of Section Games

A and B League Hockey Tournament End of Section Games
Ms Tracey

Last league fixtures are always tricky matches! Our A and B teams played Mount Anville Primary School away recently. The weather was very mixed, with sun, rain, sleety showers adding to these tough competitive games, not an easy mix at all. Our A’s came up against an in-form side and despite showing great effort and teamwork, lost their match in what was a very sporting encounter. Our B’s, on the other hand, had better luck and were in top form, scoring great goals and now have progressed into their final. Well played both teams and best of luck in the final coming up in Three Rock.

AIJS Mini-Rugby Tag Tournament

AIJS Mini-Tag Rugby Tournament
Ms Tracey

An exciting afternoon’s Mini-Tag rugby challenge took place in Mount Anville recently and we had 2 teams involved, one from J6 and the other from J5. A round robin format was employed and as the competition progressed, skills were steadily getting more ambitious! Our J6 team just got pipped narrowly and missed moving onto the finals. Our J5 team were in a different section and made it through to the finals playing opposite host school Mount Anville. A fast start to this match saw our J5 ahead and as half time approached Mount Anville scored a try in the corner! The second half was end to end play, with one team scoring then the other, and in the last couple of minutes Mount Anville made a speedy break away to score the winning try!

Well played girls and to our J5 returning with runner-up silver medals, congratulations!

Headfort Junior School Visit

Headfort Junior School Visit
Ms Tracey

Headfort Junior School made their annual visit to play in a mini-hockey blitz here in school, with our J6 teams in a fun, round robin format challenge. This fixture had succumbed to bad weather conditions on many occasions and it was with great relief that we got to play in sunshine! Both schools played super hockey, with end to end passing and use of space to the fore, and many shots were on target also, where the skilful goalies were kept busy. A great afternoon’s hockey!

Soccer Blitz

Soccer Blitz
Ms Tracey

We had a soccer blitz with visiting teams from St. Mary’s Junior School. It was played in school on our grass pitch. The sun shone brightly throughout the afternoon as mini 8-a-side teams enjoyed themselves and showed great passing skills and teamwork. Well done, girls!

AIJS Athletics Meet in Irishtown Stadium

AIJS Athletics Meet in Irishtown Stadium
Ms Tracey

Athletics season has begun! The annual AIJS Athletics Meet is an event that has all elements of track and field challenges. Hosted by St. Conleth’s College, we headed down to Irishtown Stadium to compete in this fun athletics’ afternoon! It was a sunny day. Both boys and girls schools participate, each in their own section. The races started on time and we moved through the schedule smoothly with medals being awarded following each event. All medals carried points for their school, and as jingling sounds increased around the sunny track, so too did our teams’ points tally! Our Alex team finished in first place in the girls’ section and St. Michael’s College overall winners in the boys’ section. A great afternoon’s athletics was had by all! A big thank you to Ray for driving us there and back.

A group of young female athletes in sports uniforms stand together on a running track, holding medals and trophies, with a sports field and stadium visible in the background.
A group of young female soccer players, some wearing red uniforms and others wearing white, posing together with medals and a trophy on a grassy field with a cloudy sky in the background.
A group of young female soccer players in red and white uniforms posing together on a grassy field, with a tall building visible in the background.
A group of young female athletes in sports uniforms posing together on a grassy field, with a construction site visible in the background.
A group of young female athletes in white and red uniforms standing on a tennis court, with buildings visible in the background.
A group of young female tennis players in red and white uniforms, holding tennis rackets, stand together in front of a fenced tennis court with a building visible in the background.

Tennis News

Tennis News
Ms Wales

The tennis team celebrated a memorable win on the 18th March with a 3-0 victory over Scoil Bhríde. First match, first victory. The team played brilliantly and set a positive tone for the rest of their matches.

Another fantastic win from our Tennis team Division 2. What a match! Our team pulled off an incredible win over Holly Park on Friday 20th March. I am so proud of this excellent performance. They stayed focused and came up with a win.

Alex Spelling Bee

Alex Spelling Bee
Mr Fitzgerald

On Tuesday, March 3rd, the J5 and J6 students took part in the Alex Spelling Bee.  This was held in the Junior School concourse and would determine the three finalists who would go to the AIJS Spelling Bee taking place in Sutton Park School later in the month.

After eight rounds of intense competition, the remaining competitors had to navigate words ranging from 'laboratory' all the way to 'portmanteau'. We were very impressed with the spelling ability and it took some time to narrow it down from over 70 girls, to our final three of Amelia and Saskia (J6W) and Elly (J5W). 

Out of our three finalists, we had to find a winner. It took a couple of extra rounds before Elly eventually emerged as the victor, spelling the word 'nationality'. It was a fantastic achievement and we wish Elly, Amelia and Saskia all the best as they prepare for the AIJS competition in Sutton Park School on March 25th.

Thank you to Ms Lamplugh and Mr Fitzgerald who acted as the adjudicators on the day and to the teachers and J6 students who helped with setting up and clearing the concourse.

A group of young children dressed in green clothing, standing together in a classroom setting with colorful decorations and educational materials visible in the background.
A group of young students, mostly girls, wearing green shirts and holding various colorful signs, posing together in a classroom setting with posters and artwork displayed on the walls.
A group of young children, dressed in colorful and festive outfits, are gathered in a classroom setting filled with educational materials and decorations.
A group of young children, dressed in green and other colorful outfits, are gathered in a classroom setting surrounded by bookshelves and various educational materials.
A group of young girls wearing green shirts with various designs, standing together in a classroom setting with colorful decorations and bookshelves visible in the background.
A group of children wearing green and blue clothing standing in front of a colorful building with a tree in the background.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Seachtain na Gaeilge
Ms Bergin agus Ms Roache

From the 9th-13th of March, we celebrated Seachtain na Gaeilge. The girls had a very busy week speaking our native language and expressing themselves ‘as Gaeilge’. Throughout the week, we held special assemblies celebrating our wonderful Irish culture and the importance of the Irish language.

Ón 9ú go dtí an 13ú de Mhárta, cheiliúramar Seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhí seachtain ghnóthach ag na cailíní ag caint as Gaeilge. I rith na seachtaine, bhí tionóil speisialta againn chun ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr a cheiliúradh.

Throughout the week, the J6 girls taught Irish dancing to other classes, and each class participated in a céilí where they learned “The Siege of Ennis”. Counting the steps in Irish really highlighted the spirit of the week. There were also many other activities which brought great enjoyment to everyone.

I rith na seachtaine, mhúin cailíní J6 damhsa Gaelach do na ranganna eile agus ghlac gach rang páirt i gcéilí. Chuir sé seo béim ar bhrí na seachtaine — ár dteanga dhúchais a labhairt agus a cheiliúradh. Bhí go leor gníomhaíochtaí eile ann freisin a thug taitneamh do chách.

On Monday, we began the week with a whole-school dance to the well-known ‘An Dreoilín’. Our Sports Captains led this, and the girls enjoyed it immensely.

Dé Luain, thosaíomar an tseachtain le damhsa mór don scoil ar fad don amhrán ‘An Dreoilín’. Bhí ár gcinnirí spóirt i gceannas, agus bhain na cailíní an-taitneamh as.

On Tuesday, J6W led us in a wonderful assembly about useful phrases for Seachtain na Gaeilge. The girls taught us phrases such as “Conas a deirtear…?” and “An bhfuil cead agam…?”. Ms Costigan’s class worked brilliantly to put together such an engaging display.

Dé Máirt, bhí tionól ag J6W agus mhúin siad frásaí úsáideacha don scoil ar fad, mar shampla “Conas a deirtear…?” agus “An bhfuil cead agam…?”. D’oibrigh an rang go dian agus rinne siad jab iontach.

On Wednesday, we were treated to incredible performances by Ms Fetherston’s solo singers. The girls performed songs such as Trasna na dTonnta, Anonn is Anall, Down by the Sally Gardens, Cuirfimid Féasta, Mo Cheallachín Fionn and An Mhaighdean Mhara. We were blown away by their talent and their use of the Irish language.

Dé Céadaoin, bhí taispeántas iontach againn ó na hamhránaithe aonair. Chan na cailíní roinnt amhrán, agus bhí a gcuid tallainne agus úsáid na Gaeilge ar fheabhas. Bhain gach duine an-taitneamh as.

On Thursday, Mr Cooney and the trad group -  Alex Nós - from the Senior School delighted us with a wonderful performance of traditional Irish music. This was a real treat and showed how music and Gaeilge can be celebrated together.

Déardaoin, thug Mr Cooney agus ceoltóirí ón Meánscoil - Alex Nós - cuairt orainn agus sheinn siad ceol traidisiúnta dúinn. Bhí sé ar fheabhas agus bhain gach duine an-taitneamh as.

On Friday, we had our regular assembly where J4R performed a short drama as Gaeilge based on An Fear Sinséir. It was a fantastic use of Gaeilge and very enjoyable for the whole school. Later, we held our Seachtain na Gaeilge celebration, where each class performed a song, poem or activity as Gaeilge.

Dé hAoine, bhí tionól againn ar maidin agus chuir J4R dráma gearr i láthair bunaithe ar An Fear Sinséir. Bhí sé ar fheabhas agus bhain gach duine taitneamh as. Sa tráthnóna, bhí ár gceiliúradh Seachtain na Gaeilge againn agus ghlac gach rang páirt. 

Throughout the week, we also ran a raffle. The girls were encouraged to speak as much Gaeilge as possible and were rewarded with tickets. They made a fantastic effort, using Irish in class, at after-school activities and on the yard. On Friday, 14 winners were selected and they received prizes.

I rith na seachtaine, bhí crannchur ar siúl chun an Ghaeilge a spreagadh. Rinne na cailíní iarracht mhór agus bhí an Ghaeilge le cloisteáil i ngach áit. Dé hAoine, roghnaíodh 14 buaiteoir agus bhuaigh siad duaiseanna.

Overall, it was a hugely enjoyable and successful week. We are extremely proud of the girls and their efforts to speak and celebrate Gaeilge.

Tríd is tríd, ba sheachtain thar barr í agus táimid fíorbhródúil as na cailíní agus a gcuid iarrachtaí.

Seachtain na Gaeilge Solo Singers

Seachtain na Gaeilge Solo Singers
Ms Fetherston

Heartiest congratulations to the singing students of J4, J5 and J6 who, accompanied beautifully by Mrs Orla Kelly, on the Irish harp, performed a wonderful concert of favourite Irish songs, with choreography, at assembly on 11th March. The girls prepared well, dedicating their lunch break 2 days a week.  Bualadh bos go léir agus go han-mhaith, a cailíní! 

A group of people, including adults and children, are gathered in a classroom setting with various educational displays and materials visible in the background.
A group of young students, both male and female, are standing together in a classroom setting, with various educational materials and displays visible in the background.