KNOW YOUR CHURCH: All the boys preparing for the Sacrament of First Holy Communion are invited to attend a tour of the Church of the Assumption Booterstown entitled ‘Know Your Church’ this weekend. Two volunteers from the Parish have very kindly offered to facilitate these tours which will take place on Saturday next the 28th of February at 5p.m and again on Sunday the 1st of March at 10a.m and we would strongly encourage your son/daughter to attend one of these.The parish have asked that at least one parent accompany each candidate to the tour to comply with best practices around Health and Safety.
FIRST RECONCILIATION REMINDER OF DATES: We are just making contact to remind you that the preparation evening for St Mary’s Boys’ First Reconciliation service takes place on Thursday the 5th of March at 6 p.m in the Church of the Assumption Booterstown and the actual First Reconciliation Service will take place the following Wednesday the 11th of March at 6 p.m It is really important all the boys attend the preparatory session along with one parent. We look forward to seeing you all then.
BOOTERSTOWN CHILDCARE SERVICES: Booterstown childcare service is now finalising the bookings for September 2026.Please contact Najwa Mc Guinn on the details below.
Very limited places available. Contact 087 3446188.
ESRI FINDINGS ON THE LONG TERM OUTCOMES OF SCHOOL ABSENCES: For your information, new research, published by the ESRI and produced in partnership with Tusla Education Support Service (TESS), uses Growing Up in Ireland data to provide the first Irish evidence on the effects of school absence at age 13 on educational qualifications, labour market outcomes and wellbeing at ages 20 and 25.Key findings:How does school absence affect later educational outcomes?Even short spells of absence of one to two days at age 13 are linked to lower Leaving Certificate grades.There is a very large performance gap related to chronic absence, defined as missing 20 or more days a year, a gap of over 80 Leaving Certificate points even taking account of a range of other factors that affect performance.This performance gap is evident across all social groups. There is therefore no evidence that more advantaged families can successfully counter the negative effects of absenteeism for their children.Longer school absence at age 13 is significantly related to lower chances of going on to higher education and of achieving a degree by age 25.Young people with prolonged absence from school are also more negative about the benefits of their schooling to their broader social and personal development, especially the role of their school in increasing their self-confidence and helping them develop into a well-balanced person.Young people who attend a school with a higher prevalence of chronic absence achieve lower Leaving Certificate points. Even young people who themselves have good attendance have poorer outcomes if school-level absence is higher.Attending a post-primary school with a high level of absence is linked to lower chances of attending higher education, even for those who had good attendance records. Please see link to report. The Long Term Outcomes of School Absence.
SERVICE OF LIGHT: We just want to congratulate all the boys on their Service of Light on February 11th and acknowledge how engaged and reverent they were throughout the service.They are a real credit to all their parents/guardians and it was our pleasure to work with them and work with you in making it such a lovely celebration. Many hanks to Mr O'Keeffe for his delivery of the Grow in Love programme in school. Special thanks to the choir, under the charge of Ms Smith and supported by Mr Gilheaney. Their singing really added to the sense of the occasion. We will be in contact again in April to remind you of the preparation session for the Sacrament of Confirmation but in the meantime, we hope the memories made from last night's celebration will stay with you all for a long time.Kind regards.Fiona and Catherine, Parish Cathechists.
SCHOOL CLOSURE FOR MIDTERM BREAK: Saint Mary’s BNS will close from Friday 13th February and will reopen on Monday 23rd February for the midterm break. We wish everyone a safe, healthy and restful break.
TROCAIRE BOXES & LENT: Lent begins on Wednesday February 17th this year. One of the areas we are asked to focus on during Lent is almsgiving which includes supporting the poor in our world.The Trocaire box campaign is an annual Irish tradition since 1973,raising vital funds to support international development and humanitarian work. The campaign supports Trocaire's work in over 20 countries, focusing on climate justice, sustainable livelihoods and emergency relief. Trocaire have been handed out to pupils today. Your generosity in supporting this worthy cause will be very much appreciated by Trocaire and those who Trocarie support.We ask that boxes be returned to the school after the Easter break.
FUNDRAISING WEEKLY DRAW: Two winners from 5th class, Seán and Mason are our weekly winners. The jackpot has yet to be won. Please see the fundraiser link button on our website. It would be hugely appreciated if you can contribute €5 for 3 lines, and you never know you might just win! Please pass the word on and invite friends and family. Weekly Fundraising Draw.
BOOTERSTOWN CHILDCARE SERVICES: Booterstown Childcare Services offer morning and afterschool care services for children attending Saint Mary's BNS and Our Lady of Mercy Convent school. Please see link with times and contact details. Booterstown Childcare Services Before & Afterschool.
FRÁSAÍ NA MÍOSA/ GAEILGE/ CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING: Más féidir libh cabhrú le bhúr bpáiste frásaí na míosa a chleachtadh sa bhaile. / If you can please help your child practise these four Irish phrases of the month. 1.Lá Fheile Bhríde Happy saint Brigid's Day. / I'm cold. 2. Cuirfidh mé mo chóta orm. / I'll put my coat on. 3. Nach bhfuil sé fuar inniu?/ Isn't it cold today? 4. Bi cúramach-tá sé sleamhain. / Be careful-it's slippy.
Kind regards,
Noel Scully. Principal.
AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS:
All our afterschool activities are up and running. Please note that these afterschool activities are not run by the school, but by independent organisers who are responsible for your child during these lessons. Please liaise directly with the afterschool organiser if you have any concerns regarding times, dates, costs, health & safety, child safeguarding, lesson cancellations etc.
Science Club: Thursdays.13:15-14:10- Junior & Senior Infants. 14:15-15:10. There is a new booking system in place on the We Love Science website: If you have any queries at all, please
Homework Club: Monday to Thursday 2:15pm to 3:15pm - (3rd to 6th Class only) Contact Sam Briggs on
After School Sports: Mondays 2:15pm to 3:15pm (1st -6th class only) Aoife Cartwright. CONTACT
Spanish: Thursdays. 1st to 6th classes from 2:15 to 3:10. Please contact
Johnny's After School Club: Johnny’s After School Sports for Junior and Senior Infants https://signup.com/go/otqbDQv. After School Sports for 1st - 6th class. Thursdays You can click on the link below to sign up .1st - 6th class. https://signup.com/go/qfaMxde
Alto School of Music: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays. Piano, violin, ukulele and guitar. Contact Anna on
Art: Tuesdays . For Junior & Senior Infants please contact
Chess: An email has been sent out to all parents via Aladdin with more details and the registration link.