It’s 3.30p.m. on Friday 21st December & all pupils and staff are gone home for their Christmas holidays! Ms Siobhán Bowe has retired and the school is strangely quiet! December kicked into full swing with our Christmas Concerts on Dec 5th & 6th! Pupils wowed their audiences and we look forward to the photos & video in the new year!

We celebrated Ms Siobhán Bowe’s retirement on Tuesday 11th December. We endeavoured to give her the send off she deserved & I think we achieved that! Ms Mason organised a memorable mass. No doubt but that the highlight of the mass was the pupils singing and signing using Lámh to the song “Do you hear what I hear?”. It will remain long in our hearts and on our Christmas repertoire of songs! Pupils presented Ms Bowe with a painting filled with each pupil’s finger print. The staff presented her with a special commissioned piece of music called “Rianta”. We thank both Colm Brussells and Cillian Roche very sincerely.

To the Garda College next to perform our Christmas Carols! It is always one of the season’s favourites culminating in being treated to a delicious dinner by the staff of the Garda College. I guess you could say “we sang for our supper!!”

6th Class Christmas breakfasts was the next big event on Monday last! Our super eleven 6th Class girls took on this occasion with great ability & aplomb! From invitations to menus to setting tables, the girls managed this project brilliantly. The theme of the day was “The Greatest Showman” and Mr Michael Delaney dressed up with a top hat & cane! As Emily said it so aptly, “not only is Mr Delaney the greatest showman, he is also the greatest teacher!

Our Christmas assembly is always filled with joy, gratitude & prizes! Thanks to Mr Derby & Ms M. Ryan for organising Attendance statistics for Term 1. 49 pupils were awarded Gold certificates for full attendance this term. Well done to all.

Sincere thanks to Mr Brendan Maher who visited us to give medals to our football teams who experienced great success this term! Our 11A1 team won the County Final whilst U13 team were beaten in the County Final by a stronger Gael Scoil Thurles team. The girls got to play in the great Semple Stadium and so that will live long in the memories of the girls.

We also squeezed in the time to produce a school calendar as our fundraiser this term. It is truly a fabulous calendar and will serve as a precious momento in the years to come. Calendars are still available to purchase from the school and various outlets in the town.

Senior Infants to 3rd Class attended UL to see the panto, Snow White. This is always eagerly looked forward to and this year didn’t disappoint!

None of the above can happen without the dedication & support of so many people so a big token of gratitude is extended to one & all!

We wish all our families & community of Templemore a wonderful Christmas holiday. Every good wish for a happy & healthy 2019. Ms Bowe, no need to set your alarm! For the rest of us, school reopens on Monday January 7th 2019!

Le gach dea ghuí

Elaine Foley,

Principal.

Enjoy selection of photos!