As we approach the shortest day of the year and we all feel the absence of light, it is very clear why people started to bring greenery and lights into their houses all those thousands of years ago.
Wednesday was a real antidote to that darkness as all the children got their chance to shine in their own individual way. Rang a 6s performance highlighted that message so beautifully. We need to say a huge thank you to all the staff who put in so much effort to help the children shine. This time of year I am always reminded of a past staff member who loved the concerts so much but would always be heard at the end of year saying ‘We are not script writers’. It is no mean feat getting a script for 28 people, organising the entire class trying to make sure everyone is seen. We are never perfect but we are always trying our best. A huge thank you to you the parents for all your help with practicing the lines and the costumes and all the other amazing things parents have to do at this time of year. If your children are spread across both concerts it is a big commitment of time but it really appreciated and I hope that you enjoyed the show as much as I did.
The fundraiser yesterday was a lovely aftershow party and it has raised just over €1200 so far. I know some people were having issues making a donation if that was you, please try again using the following link.
One thing I always say is that I want our children to uphold the schools values when no one is watching and I was thrilled when I heard a report coming back from Rang a 2 agus a 3s visit to the mansion house on Monday about how a simple gesture of appreciation was so well received the quote was, “I have been doing this for a long time and you have really made my day. I really mean it, this is very special.”
My office has gotten a little less interesting as all the recycled art decorations have gone back to their creators. The two judges spent a long time looking at each decoration and they settled on these winners.
Have a lovely break and I look forward to seeing you all at the gate on Monday the 6th January 2025.
Paul
This year’s Christmas Fair was a resounding success, made possible by the support of the whole school community. It was again a lovely opportunity for the whole community to come together and celebrate. The Board of Management would like to thank everyone involved in the organisation of the Fair, the PA; Lorraine, Eimear and Juan; the R6 stall holders; the parents who manned stalls during the day and those involved in the set up/tidy up. The choir deserves a special mention for their festive, joyful performance – as do Therese and Aoileann for all their work throughout the year.
Finally, the Board would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and New Year’.
Hi everyone!
A VERY important and special message to the entire school community.
The success of every primary school across Ireland, and the children that thrive within, is built on a few essential ingredients, a warm functioning building; dedicated teachers and principal(s); professional colleagues in the office; and a body of parents that give their precious time to ensure that all families, pupils can thrive during this important time of their lives.
This year RMDS students, parents, guardians, teachers played an absolute blinder fundraising to ensure our school continues to thrive for all children. YOU are the backbone of the success of our school community.
Here we attempt to name all of you that took time to work together. Coordinating the Christmas fair; 6th class student stalls (who raised an incredible €1500); parents managing stalls, cafe, selling raffle tickets; pushing 100s of trees and wreaths on friends, family, neighbours and strangers; sorting the finances and tech.
Our end of year fundraising raised a WHOPPING €15,849 euros . That’s a €3,000 increase from our Xmas fundraising initiatives in 2023. These funds will go towards creating a new sensory garden upstairs in the school and helping with repairs in the school.
Sit back and eat the cake, drink the drink and celebrate your success. We appreciate you. HAPPY XMAS
Xmas Raffle sales champions
Eleanor McGuinness
Orla Gilmore
Ciara Loughney
Christmas Trees
Directors of sales :
Juan Valverde
Stevie Fitz
Diarmuid Marrinan
Lorraine Hackett
Conor Reid
Rob McGrath
Rhodri Cusack
Niall Byrne
Conor Stanley
Neil McGowan
Cian McKeogh
Matthew Ryan
Adrian Farrel
Barry Browne
Bronagh Hayden
Giovanni Da Ros
Cristina Castagner
Michael Duffy
Stephen Conmy
Padraig Twomey
Mark Collins
All ad- hoc volunteers
Oscar Carolan: mental strength training and encouragement
Christmas Fair
Director Generals Eimear Marrinan & Lorraine Hackett
Stall Managers :
Santas Grotto — Lorraine H
Christmas Cake Stand & Mulled Wine — Lorraine M, Amanda & Mary
Rudolph Restaurant — Clare,
Hot Dogs — Churpy
Books — Robbie
Teddy Tombola — Cliona
Face Painting — Rita
Nails — Aoife
Boozy Lucky Dip — Conor
Jolly Jam Jars — Ronan
Unwanted XMas present stand — Lisa
Merch — Claudia
Guess the Goodies — Triona
Hot Toddy Stand – Eleanor & Orla
6th Class; Games & Biz Initiatives — Caroline
Finance and payments coordinators: Sinead Bourke- John Healy
Finally , a HUGE thank you to everyone who volunteered for set up, clean up, on the day of the fair, and who were incredibly kind in donating prizes for the raffle, and for the fair. The fair would not be possible without this huge army of people!
Winners of the Green Decoration Competition.
And the winners are
JI – Willa
SI – Avis
Rang 1 Melissa
Rang 2 Lennon
Rang 3 Robin
Rang 4 Iris
Rang 5 Maggie
Rang6 Arlo and Paul
Overall winner in Junior category – Leah R1
Overall winner in Senior Category – Isabel R3
Highly commended – Flynn R4
Aoife O’Brien R3
