We had our first assembly of the year for third and fourth classes. Mr Reidy welcomed all the teachers and classes, in particular the three third classes who are starting assembly for the first time ever.

Opening Prayer

Dear Father,

Give me the strength of mind and a caring heart.

And the will power it takes to make a brand new start

Mr Reidy spoke about the importance of having assemblies……………….

Assemblies are a way of showing you are part of our school. It’s a time to come together with our teachers and principal.

We share good news at our assemblies.

Praise children who have achieved different things.

Talk about different events happening in the school.

Chat about our school rules. Try and improve on some school rules.

Each class will get a turn to do a performance at assembly during the year

Pupil of the Month Trophy

Every month at assembly we will be awarding one child from each class with a trophy. This trophy could be awarded for

Good behaviour

Being kind to others in your class

Playing nicely on yard

Listening very carefully to teacheDoing excellent work in class

Doing really good homework………………….etc

Every month four children from each class will be picked as nominees by their teacher and one person will be awarded with a trophy. The trophy is kept at school and will be collected again the day before the next assembly.

Best Uniform Prize

This is a prize for the class who are always wearing their PE tracksuits on PE days and their uniforms on uniform days. Mr Reidy will be checking to see that ties are worn on uniform days, and that you all look nice and neat as you are representing St. Declan’s when you are in the uniform. The class that wins the prize will get a night off homework to be decided on by your class teacher.

Best line on yard prize

This is a prize for the class who makes a huge effort to get into their line quickly and quietly when the bell rings after break times. You must stay in the line without messing until your class teacher comes to collect you. Mr Reidy will be walking around the yards every day and taking notes of the classes that are trying really hard. The prize for winning this award is an extra ten minutes after big day on a day chosen by your class teacher.

Reflection (Mr Reidy)

I want to talk today about doors. Most doors we pass through are familiar to us- our classroom door, our front door at home, our bedroom door…..we know what to expect when we walk through it. However in our lives there are often other doors that we experience. These are often called door of opportunities. For example at the start of a new school year when you get to know a new teacher. It may be that you get the chance to try a new sport, skill or activity. It may be that you get the opportunity to meet and make new friends. Each new opportunity we are given is like a door. We can choose to keep the door shut and not to walk through it. We can choose not to take the opportunity given to us. Or we can say yes to opening a door and walking through it, to experience new things. Sometimes what we find on the other side may be difficult and we may decide we don’t like it, but at least you will have tried. This coming school year will be full of new opportunities Let us all embrace the new opportunities that come our way and try different things. Trying new things takes courage, you have to be brave enough to step forward and give it a go, even when you aren’t certain what the outcome will be. I want to wish you all the very best for the coming school year.

Students Council

Our new Students Council for 2016-2017 was elected last week. Through our Student Council we hope to give our pupils a more active role in the organisation of our school and ensure they are listened to and respected for their ideas and concerns. It involves the students in many of the decisions that are made regarding the day-to-day running and management of St. Declan’s School.  Discussions in classes and at Council meetings help to develop social and learning skills in many areas including speaking and listening, problem solving, brainstorming and the decision-making process. The following children are on the Students Council for the coming year.

Room 20- Daragh and Aoife

Room 21- Matthew and Katie

Room 25- Stephen and Emilia

Room 4- Paddy and Freya

Room 5- Hannah and Matthew

Room 2- Luke and Ciara

Room 3- Ailxandre and Bolu

Room 6- Martin and Ella

Hannah and Matthew addressed assembly and spoke about different ideas they have for the Students Council this year.

Full Attendance 2016-2017

Mr Reidy congratulated the following children on their perfect attendance for last year. They were at school for 183 days in total. They were all awarded with a medal.

Room 9- Katie and Eleanor

Room 7- Rhona

Room 24- Sean

Room 25- Katelyn

Room 21- Matthew

Room 20- Emily , Kelvin , Matthew, Daragh, Aoife  and Sean.

Ms O’Malley’s third class Room 9 sang the song Consider Yourself for us.

We finished off assembly with the following prayer……….

Dear God, Thank you for all the opportunities we have in this world.

Please help us to have the courage always to try new things.

And to take the opportunities that come our way .Amen.