Dear students and parents,
As we come to the end of the school year 22/23, I wish to congratulate all students on embracing all that has been happening in St Anne’s during the year.
I am delighted that so many extra-curricular activities are going on, from sports to music, from debates to clubs and it is wonderful to see the engagement with these throughout the year.
I am particularly delighted that so many children have taken lead roles in setting up their own clubs and competitions (chess, art competitions and talent shows- the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. A special mention to the directors, actors and stage crew who presented a play, ‘Matilda’, during the week- from script to set design and production, this was all student-led. Well done to all involved!
Our Sports days in the sunshine were great occasions. It is wonderful to see everyone having fun at stations in the yard and particularly at races in the field. It is on days like that, when we are all grateful for a facility such as the playing field! Thanks to parents who have funded this in the past- we will update you on further plans for this over the summer. Medals were given out at assembly today- well done to all winners and to everyone for participating and having fun.
We had great successes on the sports field too, at Cumann na mBunscoil competitions – see updates below on our endeavours! I wish to congratulate all who represented our school so well at these competitions.
Annual events, such as the basketball league, were in full swing again this year. Teams were made up of children from different classes and great skill was on show! And of course, the end of year would not be the same, without the staff .v 6th class basketball match. Pride and reputation were at stake and the staff came out on top on this occasion- well done to all in 6th for a great match!
This term also saw classes travel on various tours too, from Lullymore to Lilliput and beyond. A particularly exciting event was the visit of 3rd classes to Baldonnel Aerodrome- I believe there might even have been some piloting of planes too? And congratulations to 3rd classes who worked on the Junior Achievement programme this year, presenting their Our City project to parents and visitors. Hopefully we will have some town planners and pilots of the future from this group!
As you know the environs of the school are looking well- thanks to our PSG volunteers who keep this and to Phil for all the maintenance work he does. Our garden project was a great success this year. It was a joy to see the efforts of planting and sowing in earlier months bear fruit during June. And then we had our Salad Day where everyone got to sample the produce (peas, beetroot, lettuce etc)….a good lesson for all in how we can grow our own food!. Thanks also to the local Biodiversity group with whom we will continue to link and develop ideas such as this going forward.
Other activities included swimming, cycling and many visitors to the school, from Garda rescue boat to local farmers.
I want to wish our 6th class every success as they leave for post-primary school. You have been an amazing group, wonderful role models for younger students too. I know you enjoyed 6th class and had opportunities to do new things- you Gaeltacht trip was a first for St Anne’s and it looked like fun. Go néirà libh go léÃr!!
A special event this week, was of course, our Violin Concert. Congratulations to all students who worked so hard on this and of course, special thanks to Maria for sharing her talent with us. Thanks to you , the parents , for your ongoing support of this. Please know that the violin programme is more than just about violin; it gives children a grounding in music literacy which will stand to them if learning other instruments or singing. Going forward, we hope to expand the music programme (some are playing other instruments already we are looking at classes in music technology and early music/rhythms too….more to come on this). We are delighted to link with Music Generation too in a lovely programme with 6th class, culminating in a performance in the Riverbank theatre in Newbridge. Well done all!
May I express my thanks to you all for your support over the past year in St Anne’s. So many parents have supported events in the school and I am grateful for all of this. Particular thanks to our amazing Parents Support Group, ably led by Emma, Deirdre and Niamh. You make so much happen in school, from uniform re-cycling to fund-raising and of course our Communion and Confirmation parties. Sincerest thanks for all you kindness!
I also wish to thank our wonderful staff for an amazing year’s work. It is a pleasure to work with such dedicated people who are committed to the children of Ardclough. Special thanks to Nora and Phil, whose work behind the scenes, make so much happen in St ANne’s. Thanks to the Board of Management for all their work in support of the school also.
Finally to the students of St Anne’s. You bring joy and happiness each day that you are with us. I look forward to an exciting year next year!
Wishing you a safe and happy summer holiday!
Warm regards,
Ms Manley
FURTHER SPORTS INFO:
G.A.A. in St. Anne’s 22/23
The G.A.A. is very strong at St. Anne’s and children of all ages love to get involved in school sports teams. We have a unique blend with children from Ardclough and Celbridge working together for the good of the school and this has led to some magnificent performances over the years from our boys and girls.
This has been another very successful year for our G.A.A. teams in Ardclough. In October we had two great successes when both our Under 11 camogie team and Under 11 boys football team won their competitions. The girls won their league, defeating Kill, Straffan and Scoil BhrÃde from Celbridge along the way. The boys also won their group before defeating Milltown in the semi-final and Athgarvan in a very tight final. These fantastic results capped off a great year for the school.
Because of our fantastic successes during the calendar year of 2022, St. Anne’s was awarded a prize by Cumann na mBunscol Chill Dara for being the School of the Year. From nine competitions run by Cumann na mBunscol, we won six, the Senior Girls Football and Camogie, Senior Boys Football, Girls Cross Country, Under 11 Camogie and Under 11 Boys Football. This was a fantastic achievement and well done to all our past and present pupils who were involved.
In 2023, we again competed in many competitions involving boys and girls football, hurling and camogie and huge numbers took part in each team. We were blown away by the commitment and enthusiasm shown by the children and huge amounts who got involved. It was fantastic to see so many children getting the opportunity to represent their school. The Under 10 Boys Football team managed to win their league in the first running of the competition since we won it in 2019. After some tough matches, we played Two Mile House in the final, eventually winning by 3 points. This was another fantastic achievement and shows that the future is bright for G.A.A. in Ardclough.
The success we’ve enjoyed recently wouldn’t be possible without the help and guidance of our teachers and special thanks must go to Ms Lawlor, Ms Murphy, Ms O’Mahony, Ms Owens, Mr Brennan and Mr O’Leary for all their work over the years with the children.
Senior Boys Football
The senior boys football team showed plenty of promise for the future from 6th and 5th class students alike.
They started the summer campaign with a dramatic home victory against Straffan, winning the game with a goal from the last kick of the game.
Unfortunately this was to be the height of their success with away defeats to very strong teams from Gaelscoil UÃ Fhiach and Prosperous.
The boys represented the school very well and should be proud of their performances.
Senior Boys Hurling
There was plenty of drama with the boys senior hurling team this year, with huge contributions from both of the senior classes.
Showing very strong home form and a great goal scoring record, they recorded 3 wins against Straffan, Celbridge and Cappagh. They lost out to Coill Dubh away from home, but fortunately had done enough to make it to a semi final. This was played against Eadestown where the boys put in a mighty performance, but the result went against them in the end.
