Active Schools Flag
Active School Flag 2022/23
St. Mary’s S.N.S is once again working hard to get everybody active in the school. Have a look at all the exciting work that we’ve been doing
Active Flag Committee
Each class elected two committee members to represent them on the ASF committee for the coming school year. The committee also has a number of teacher representatives: Ms. Hogan, Ms. Kenny, Ms. E. Murphy, Ms. C Murphy & Ms. Morris
Introducing our new committee
Ms. Murphy’s 3rd class Amelia Jamac & Luke Keogh
Ms. Byrne’s 3rd class Jessie Smith & Éabha Cahill
Ms. Nugent’s 3rd class Sophie Horan & Cian Harrington
Ms. Heney’s 4th class- Leo Noonan & Sadie Webb
Ms. Steedman’s 4th class- Daniel Flynn & Quinn Benson
Ms. Wheatley’s 4th class- Olly McDonald & Lauren Dunne
Ms. Kenny’s 5th class- Conor Magee & Cara O’ Reilly
Ms. Murphy’s 5th class- Chloe Clarke & Kai Gorman
Ms. Morris’ 5th class – Ava Neilan & Evan Kelly
Ms. Gilligan’s 6th class- Rían Elliott & Zach Geoghegan
Mr. Forde’s 6th class- Alex Lunders & Méabh Daly
Ms Heraghty’s 6th class – David Healy & Ethan Conroy
Ms. Nugent’s 6th class – Sophie Fagan & Kyle Kinane
Swimming
We are delighted to have access to Blessington’s pop-up pool this term. 3rd & 4th classes started their lessons and visit the pool on Tuesdays and Thursdays each week. The children are really enjoying working with Sinéad and Shauna as part of their lessons.
GAA
The children from 5th & 6th classes were delighted to have Paul O Neill the local school’s GAA coach train them every Tuesday this term. Paul has been working on drills, skills and match practise with the classes each week. The children have really enjoyed improving their GAA skills. There have been some new enthusiasts who have subsequently joined the local club due to these weekly sessions.
Active Lines
Our Active leaders are busy putting everyone through their paces after each break. Each class must copy the action of their active leader and help everyone stay active. At the end of the week the active committee choose the class that has made the most effort throughout the winner and they receive a Friday treat. The winners are announced over the intercom by the committee members on Friday afternoons. So far, the winning classes have been Mr. Forde’s 6th class, Ms. Steadman’s 4th class, Ms. Byrne’s 3rd class and Ms. Murphy’s 5th class.
Valleymount Cross Country Athletics
We were delighted to take part in the first cross country event in the school since 2019. Boys and girls from 4th, 5th and 6th classes represented St. Mary’s on the day. The 3rd class children were busy in the pop-up pool. It was a fantastic day and even the weather was kind to us all for once! The children ran in some very tough races and did themselves very proud. Everyone from St. Mary’s were so well behaved and a pleasure to bring to the event.Representing the school on the day were
4th Class
Rachel Conroy
Lily McKeever
Quinn Benson
Noah Flynn
Sean Walsh
Charlie Cronin
5th Class
Liza M
Cara King
Mollie Daniels
Eoghan Fitzgerald
Nathan Lennon
Mason Foy
6th Class
Daniella Halip
Abby McCarthty
Sienna Keegan
Evan Quinlan
Seanan Fisher
Zach Geoghan
Our School Walkway
Our walkway was launched this school year on Friday the 28th of October to coincide with our annual Halloween walk. Each class walked a lap of the walkway and continued out on to the main street in Blessington for our Halloween procession. Once again it was a great success.
Our Halloween Walk 2022
Blessington goes bananas for Badminton
Earlier this term, Ms. Morris and Ms. Hogan took part in a badminton workshop organised by Badminton Ireland. Since then each class has taken part in badminton lessons throughout the term. The children have really embraced the game and are improving each week. Ms. Morris’ 5th class will be taking part in a badminton blitz later this month.
Santa Dash 2022
Our Santa Dash event took place this year on Tuesday 20th December. The whole school was awash with Santa hats and Christmas jumpers. The children and staff made a festive procession, as everyone took to the main street of Blessington. The children were delighted with the cheers and well wishes from all the people that they passed along the route.
Badminton Blitz in Roundwood
Ms. Morris’ 5th class took part in a badminton blitz in An Tochar GAA in February. The blitz was organised by Wicklow Sports Authority and the children competed against other schools within the area. The children put all the skills they had learned over the previous months, to great use and had a fantastic day.
FAI Primary school 5s competition
This year we entered 7 teams from 6th class into the FAI 5 a side competition. Four boys and 3 girls teams took part in the first round which was held in Blessington FC grounds on Wednesday 8th March. The teams faced opposition from other schools from the West Wicklow area. It was a great day and 2 boys and 2 girls teams made it through to the county finals in Arklow next month.
Easter Walk 2023
The Active Flag committee organise an Easter parade for the whole school on Friday the 31st of March. The children and staff took to the main street once again and promoted the importance of being active around the town of Blessington. The school event was the 3rd official walk of the year organised by the ASF committee and the children were delighted to take part.
FAI County Finals
We were delighted to have four teams representing St. Mary’s SNS at this year’s FAI county finals in Arklow. Two boys and two girls teams from 6th classes took part in the finals on Tuesday 18th of April. The children played a series of matches against teams from other areas of Wicklow. They were fantastic on the day and were unlucky not to progress to the Leinster finals. Thanks to Mr. Brown, Ms. Gilligan, Ms. Nelson & Ms. Hogan for taking them to the event.
GAA Blitz Blessington
On Thursday 4th May 23 boys from St. Mary’s took part in a GAA blitz against in the Blessington GAA grounds. They competed against teams from Baltinglas, Dunlavin, Valleymount and Kilteel. The two teams played a series of matches on the day and excelled both on and off the pitch. Thanks to Ms. Gilligan for organising the teams for the event.
Bike Week 2023
Last week 15th-19th May St. Mary’s held their bike week activities. The Active Flag committee worked closely with the Green school’s committee for this joint event. The ASF committee promoted all the local events in Blessington; Learn to cycle event in St. Kevin’s hall Saturday 13th @ 2pm and 2:45pm. Bike maintenance workshops in the Avon, Thursday 18th & Saturday 20th May. All children were encouraged to cycle to school throughout the week . They cycled around the yard each day after break times. The classes took part in an art competition designing their own helmets. Some children made bicycles from recycled materials for art. 3rd & 4th classes took part in a bike/cycle safety workshop with gardaí from Baltinglas station. The children had a safety talk and then took to the yard once again on their bikes for a safety demonstration.
Girls GAA Blitz
On Thursday 25th of May, 3 girls teams from St. Mary’s SNS took part in a football blitz in Dunlavin GAA grounds. Teams from Baltinglas, Hollywood and Dunlavin also took part in the blitz on the day. The girls played a series of matches and excelled both on and off the pitch. Thanks to JP & Michelle Richardson from Blessinton GAA , for travelling to Dunlavin to support the girls. Thanks to Ms. Gilligan for organising the teams. They thoroughly enjoyed the day.
The Marathon 2023
On Friday 19th May St. Mary’s S.N.S. held its annual marathon event in the school grounds. This is a fundraising activity whereby each child gets sponsorship from their friends and family. Every child in the school takes part and they run a lap of the grass areas as a relay event. The ASF committee set up the course for each year group and handed out medals to everyone on the day. It was a great success and the children thoroughly enjoyed the day.
