School News March 2008

The first event that the children were involved in since we came back to school was during Christian Unity week, when we attended the Ecumenical Service in St. Maelruain’s Church, in Tallaght village. The children from 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class sang 2 songs and did a reading. This was a very worthwhile experience and the children sang beautifully.

It’s all systems go for Ms. Edel McGlynn and the Green School Committee. Edel has spent a huge amount of time putting together our “Application Folder,” well done to her. The children and parents on the committee are doing a great job too. We now have a Green Schools Code, selected by competition and written by Hannah Barrett.

“St. Maelruain’s School is green and cool
Recycle the waste without a trace
So go on give it a bash,
Take out the trash.”

Edel hopes to apply for our Green Flag before the 1st March deadline. Well done everybody, now watch this space!

This is the International Year of the Potato! Every school in the country has received a “Grow your own Potato” kit from Agri Aware; we planted our potatoes on Thursday 7th February at Assembly, they should be ready to harvest in June.

The 5th and 6th class “Bí Gnóthach” project is going very well. They have decided to do a Baking Project. They have called it “Baking Blasters.” Their slogan is “Baking Blasters, faster than light, we make ‘em just right.” They are doing a great job so far!

The children in 1st and 2nd class with their teacher, Ms. Caroline Rountree are going to the Civic Theatre on Friday 29th February to a production of “The Bus” by Maeve Ingoldsby and Philip Hardy. The theatre is within walking distance.

A football team coached by Ms. Karen Mooney, our secretary, took part in a Football Blitz event organised by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in the National Basketball Arena on Friday 8th February. Great fun was had by all. The team were given t-shirts and medals for participating.

Mothers' Union

On Monday 11th February we were visited by two ladies from T.I.P. (Trafficking in People). They told us that this very serious breach of human rights mostly affected women and children. They outlined ways in which we could watch out for suspect situations, even in our immediate community.

On Monday 10th March we will be going to the Civic Theatre to see Des Keogh in “The Love of the Hungry Farmer”. This is a charity event being organized by the local branch of the I.C.A.

Rector's Letter - Sep 07

A word from William…
Since the last Losset we have endured the wettest summer that most of us can recall but despite the climate most events went ahead as planned.

Our Summer Sale was on Sat 9th June and we were blessed with the weather. It was even more crowed than usual. A big thank you to Ronnie Scott and Noelle Lewis for co-ordinating the sale and to all those who helped in any way, we are very grateful to you. The funds raised will go to the expense of the re-slating of the church roof at an estimated cost of €110, 000. Please click here for further details of the sale.

The Mayor of Tallaght, Eamon Maloney instigated the “Tallaght and Proud” week in June. The events included a large exhibition of work by local artists in the Square and concluded with a concert in the Civic Theatre. As part of the week St. Maelruain's Church was the venue for a poetry reading evening on Wed 20th June. The poets were all published local poets and the evening was rounded off with a reception in the parish centre.

On 24th June our annual end of year Primary School Service took place. We had a packed Church with more pupils and parent in attendance than we have had for years. It was an opportunity for parishioners to witness the enthusiasm that our principal exudes as she accompanied the children on the piano

On July 1st we had the Dominican blessing of the graveyard and we were also blessed with the weather as it managed to stay dry. The new Prior of St. Mary’s Priory in Tallaght Village, Fr Gerard Norton, came over to bless our graveyard.

Sunday 1st July was National Day of Commemoration when we remembered those who have died in the service of our country or as peacekeepers. It also happened to be one of our African Ladies, Victoria Oso’s 50th birthday, She had invited friends who all arrived in their very colourful African traditional dress. After Holy Communion Victoria came up to the front of the Church with her friends for a blessing from our shared Curate Rev. Obinna Ulogwara.

Things have been fairly quiet in parish life since the beginning of August although the contractors have been working hard on the Church roof. We had Sunday services in the parish hall for a couple of weeks as the interior of the church was ‘under cover’. Thanks to those who volunteered to clean the Church for the weddings, the church really did look it’s best following all your hard work. We look forward to the new session and seeing all the organisations swing back to life with renewed vigour.

God Bless... William.