Coláiste Bríde Christmas 2024 During Advent, we are encouraged to prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ, to have faith, hope, joy – to be a people of light and prayer. In our school we prepare for Christmas by getting ready for assessments, exams, exchanging gifts, learning about the traditions of different faiths and cultures. We prepare in song, in spending time reflecting on the Christmas story in our tutor groups, sharing prayers for peace in our world, thinking of all who are sick and elderly, our loved ones who are not with us this Christmas. We think of those less fortunate, our school supports the local food banks to help families in need, our students are involved in fundraising and awareness campaigns. A huge thanks you to all the students and staff who have worked so hard during Term 1 – the longest in the year! May you all get on opportunity to rest and recharge for the New Year ahead in 2025. May you reflect on the lessons learned, the celebrations, the wins on the playing fields as well as the losses! Be proud of all that you have achieved, or acknowledge how you can improve for 2025. It is never too late to start afresh. Also, a huge congratulations to all those who have improved their attendance – we are delighted to see this! Schools are places where values are lived, places which focus on messages of hope, of light, of caring and of respect for all. Even though our school represents students of many different cultures and faiths, there is shared understanding, shared respect, shared desire for peace, hope and love. This Christmas newsletter will be the last produced by one of our amazing Admin team, known to so many parents/guardians on the other end of the phone, Martina Kelly who will be moving on to another organisation after Christmas. We wish to thank and acknowledge Martina’s huge contribution to our school community over the last fifteen years - from newsletters, to school books, school journals design, Christmas card competitions for students and working on so many other tasks too numerous to mention. We wish Martina every continued success in her career and know that we will keep in touch. Martina, take a bow, we hope you leave our CB family with so many happy memories. May all our home and families have a Christmas filled with blessings, and a time to reflect on the true message of Christmas, the importance of relationships and the simple things in life that mean a lot. Beannachtaí na Nollag oraibh féin agus do bhur muintir.
Ms Kilmartin, Principal