Events
2026 - 2027
Halloween Walk – Friday October 23rd
Our Halloween Sponsored Walk will take place on Friday 23rd of October.
A big Thank You to all the boys, their families and supporters for your very generous sponsorship. The proceeds from the Sponsored Walk will go towards yard markings on the yard to provide interactive spaces for the boys to play in. We also hope to use funds raised to support our school garden which we are working on at the side of the school.
Junior Infants to First Class
The boys in Junior Infants, Senior Infants and First Class will leave the school at 9:30 a.m.
The boys will walk down to the GAA, where they will complete one lap of the pitch.
Parents/Guardians and grandparents are welcome to be at the GAA, see the boys in their dress-up costumes and cheer the boys on as they pass by.
Second Class to Sixth Class
The boys from Second to Sixth Class will leave the school at 11:30 a.m.
They will walk to the village, turn right at the junction at the Main Street, go around by the Westgrove Hotel, turn left at the roundabout, go past the tennis club, and come back through the village to the school.
Once again parents/guardians and grandparents are welcome to come out, marvel at the Dress-up costumes and support the boys. We ask that parents stand on the opposite side of the road from where the boys are walking, so they have plenty of room.
Anti-Bullying Week
Monday 19th – Friday 23rd October is Anti-Bullying week in our school.
The theme this year is “Break the Silence”. Here in Scoil Phádraig we continually strive to empower children to speak up, support others, and stand up against bullying. This ties in nicely with many of our SPHE lessons on the theme of individuality, accepting difference & the importance of resilience in today’s world.
Anti-Bullying Week is an opportunity for classes to explore and discuss bullying and other issues around bullying, including conflict resolution, friendship, safety and positive relationships. These topics are already addressed in the SPHE resources that we use in Scoil Phádraig and teachers will use a wide range of other excellent resources and websites with the boys this week.
Anti-Bullying week is part of the criteria for prevention of bullying in our school policy. This policy has now been updated as our “Bí Cineálta” policy, available on our school website Policies section.
The Department of Education and Science outlines that a cornerstone in the prevention of school bullying is ‘a positive school culture and climate’, which encourages respectful relationships between pupils and staff. This is something that is fostered in our school in many ways all year round and this week offers us all a chance to encourage the children to think about the importance of their role in anti-bullying.
The student version of our Bí Cineálta policy takes pride of place in our school foyer and also upstairs beside “An Cuan”. This amazing piece of artwork contains clear messages from the boys themselves, on the theme of Anti Bullying. All classes will visit, discuss & become familiar with this very important reminder of what is at the heart of our school ethos here in Scoil Phádraig. We also encourage parents, when you visit, to take a look at our student Bí Cineálta, designed by our senior boys.
We will have music playing each morning this week as the boys arrive.
On Friday, for Wellbeing Day, we look forward to our first ever Hallowe’en Sponsored Walk, in which all classes will participate! Many thanks in advance to you all, for your very generous sponsorship.
Useful Anti-Bullying Resources and information for students and parents
Looking forward to a great week & thanks as always for your support & cooperation.
Mary Fennessy, Wellbeing Coordinator
Scholastic Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair will be returning to Scoil Phádraig next week.
Monday 12th October – Thursday 15th October
Mornings: 8.45am – 9.15am
Afternoons: 1.30pm – 2.45pm
Boys / Parents & Guardians can browse the books before or after school each day.
Each class will also have an opportunity to visit the Book Fair at some stage over the Book Fair days.
Payments can be made with cash or card.
You can browse a selection of the available books here
If a book is not available, your child can order the book during the fair and it will be delivered to the school directly.
We had a really successful book fair last year and we are hoping to have a repeat of the same this year.
It is a fantastic way to encourage a love of reading in all our pupils and the value of that cannot be underestimated.
The book fair is also very important to the school, as 60% of all the money raised during the fair comes back to the school in the form of books.
We really appreciate all your support and look forward to seeing you all in there.
2025 - 2026
Active Schools Week
We are all set to kick-start our Active Schools Week, from Wednesday the 3rd of June until Friday the 5th of June.
We have lots of activities planned over the three days, these include, karate, tag rugby, tennis, basketball, Judo, football and dancing, to name a few. We have games, obstacle courses and an inflatable for those who prefer less competitive activities.
A huge thanks to all our trainers & coaches, who are giving up their time & rearranging work schedules, to assist in making this a very memorable week for the boys, with so many fun based activities lined up.
- Richie Mahony ( Tennis)
- Eamonn Brady (Karate)
- Ms. Howard (Tag Rugby skills)
- Garda Orlaith Fahy (Bike safety & village cycle)
- Elaine McDonald (Modern dance)
- Brian Murray (GAA coaching )
- Mr. Donnelly (Tag Rugby)
- Dawid Golen (Higashi Judo)
- Romoon (High Tempo hoops)
- Ms. Melia (Basketball)
Special thanks to Clane GAA who have facilitated us with the pitches for the football leagues and Sports days. Without their support and help we would not be able to host these enjoyable sporting events all year round.
Also, we would like to thank John Finn and Clane Athletics Club for allowing us the use of the Athletics track over the course of the year. It is a fantastic amenity to have beside us.
The Senior cycle (3rd -6th class) with Community Officer Orlaith Fahy will take place on Friday the 12th of June weather permitting. Further details will be sent out closer to the time.
This year the Active schools Committee have undertaken a special project and created a Mini golf course in the courtyard. They have worked really hard on this and have created a 7 station functional course with lots of challenges. We would like to thank Paddy Connelly, Tom Morrissey’s grandad who made all the walls, bridges and ramps. The boys are very excited to share their project with their classmates next week!
Boys are permitted to wear their school tracksuit every day during Active Schools week.
We are looking forward to a great week ahead…let the sun shine!
Sports Days
The Junior Sports day (Junior and Senior Infants) will take place on Wednesday the 3rd of June and the Senior Sports day (1st Class – 6th Class) will now take place in week of 21st June – date to be confirmed/weather permitting.
Thank you as always for your continued support.
Sharon McLoughlin & The Active Schools’ Committee.
Celebrating Minds of All Kinds!
We are excited to announce that we will hold our first ever Neurodiversity Celebration next week on Thursday 23rd April. The one thing we all have in common is that we are all different! The boys will learn and explore the many ways in which we are all different and work on activities that celebrate how we are all different and how we all make an important contribution to our school community. The boys will also learn about famous people in a variety of fields who have thrived using their differences.
As part of the celebration the boys and staff will be asked to wear colourful jumpers/socks to school on Thursday 23rd April. This will coincide with our wellbeing day which is very appropriate. This day is about celebrating how we are all unique and different. From Wednesday 22nd to Friday 24th we will have music playing based on the theme.
Fr Paul often speaks about the millenial saint, Carlo Acutis, who said that we are all made as unique individuals, but unfortunately we often try to become photocopies of one another. In Scoil Phádraig we believe there is no single way to be or to learn……. we are all different, we all matter and we all belong.
Next week is an opportunity to acknowledge that our differences are something to be proud of. Each person’s individuality brings richness and joy to our school and community. By wearing colourful clothes the boys can show that difference is not only something we all have in common but something we can celebrate together.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
We will be celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge in our school from Monday 9th to Friday 13th March. Seachtain na Gaeilge is a nationwide celebration of the Irish language and culture and encourages everyone to enjoy and use Gaeilge in a fun and positive way.
Over the past number of months, we have been focusing on speaking Irish as much as possible both inside and outside the classroom. There is a wonderful energy around Gaeilge in the school now and it is fantastic to see the boys growing in confidence in their conversational Irish. They are improving every day in their ability to chat with their teachers and classmates as Gaeilge.
As a result, Seachtain na Gaeilge will be a celebration of all things Irish – language, music, culture, fun and cluichí!
This year our Coiste na Leanaí (Gaeilge Committee) have been doing fantastic work ag an ngeata scoile (at the school gate), welcoming pupils and encouraging everyone to use a few words of Irish in the mornings. They will continue this during Seachtain na Gaeilge and will be at the gate each morning. The boys are encouraged to stop and speak a little Irish with them.
Throughout the week the children will enjoy a range of activities including:
- Fun and cluichí as Gaeilge
- Singing popular Irish songs
- Learning céilí dances
- A Tráth na gCeist (Irish quiz)
- A visit from the Banna Ceoil from Scoil Mhuire
- Performances from our own Grúpa Ceoil and Banna Ceoil
We will finish the week with our usual Lá Glas on Friday, where the boys are invited to wear something green and take part in a céilí.
This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to use their cúpla focal and celebrate our language and culture together.
Some Useful Words and Phrases for having simple conversations as Gaeilge (in Irish)
World Book Day
World Book Day is Thursday 5th March.
To celebrate this day in our school, we will be encouraging all children to dress up as a character from their favourite book on Friday 6th March.
This is a fun way to get the children talking about their favourite books and to encourage a love of reading throughout the school.
We will also be sending home the World Book Day vouchers this week to all children, these can be used at book shops nationwide.
Safer Internet Day
As Tuesday February 10th is Safer Internet Day, it is an ideal opportunity to promote the safe, responsible & positive use of both digital technology and the internet.
The theme this year is “AI Aware: Safe, Smart & in Control”. This year’s theme reflects on how AI technologies shape children’s experiences online, highlighting the benefits & risks of AI. It aims to empower them to navigate AI safely and responsibly.
The children will be learning about Internet Safety in school this week and we would ask you, as parents & guardians to discuss this at home also.
The boys from First- Sixth classes will engage with the Safer Internet Day videos & powerpoint presentations available from Webwise These cover many areas of AI, highlighting the importance of awareness & safety as children explore the internet.
In the Parents section there are excellent resources, videos, talk ideas & advice for parents as well as “A Parent’s Guide to Generative AI”
Infant classes will discuss “Digiduck” which is very much based at Infant level. It is a collection of 5 stories based on online safety & can be accessed on their website here.
There is an excellent Parents & Carers section here too, well worth a visit.
We hope that you will take some time to engage with these resources, on the all-important topic of Internet Safety & AI, for all children and at all levels.
STEM Week
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Week in Scoil Phádraig will run in early February.
We are excited to announce that our school will be hosting a mobile planetarium “Planet Vortex” visit during STEM Week.
The mobile planetarium is an inflatable dome that brings the night sky to our school hall. It features a high-definition projection and sound system that creates a 360° immersive experience, bringing the movie “Dinosaurs, a story of survival” to our school.
The Show
The show starts with a spectacular NASA space shuttle take off, followed by the movie “Dinosaurs, a story of survival”, that tells the story of Celeste, a girl who joins Moon on a journey through time for an exciting adventure to experience Earth as it was in the very, very distant past and the origin of the dinosaurs.
Witness the fascinating transformations these animals underwent over millions of years, creating giant creatures, armoured beasts, and super-predators until the day a cataclysmic impact event caused a mass extinction on Earth.
Catholic Schools Week
The theme this year is “Catholic Schools – Normal Lives: Called to Holiness”
Catholic Schools Week 2026 celebrates the extraordinary call to holiness in the midst of ordinary life. Inspired by Pope Francis’s St. Carlo Acutis this year’s theme invites pupils, teachers, families, and parishes to explore the call to holiness as something both universal and accessible. Holiness is not for a few, but for all – for every student, teacher, parent or guardian, and grandparent, living each day in friendship with Jesus Christ.
“Each of us is called to be holy by living our lives with love and by bearing witness in everything we do.”
— Gaudete et Exsultate, 14
Daily Themes
Each day of the week reflects a different part of our call to holiness:
Monday: Called to Holiness through Prayer
Holiness begins with a relationship with God. Children will learn that prayer is the key to that relationship—from silent moments to joyful praise, formal prayers or personal words shared with Jesus.
Tuesday: Called to Holiness through Love and Friendship
Holiness is lived in love of neighbour, in kindness, forgiveness, and friendship. Inspired by the words of Jesus, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).
Wednesday: Called to Holiness in Family Life – Grandparents’ Day
A cherished tradition, this day honours the vital role grandparents and elders play in passing on the faith and in showing how holiness can be lived over a lifetime. Pupils will be encouraged to show gratitude and celebrate their family roots.
Thursday: Called to Holiness through Service and Courage
Young people will explore how kindness, love and courage in the face of challenges form part of holiness. Stories of saints who served the poor, forgave their enemies, or stood up for what is right will be shared.
Friday: Called to Holiness through Joy and Mission
Holiness is not harsh but joyful! The final day focuses on the joy of the Gospel and how young people are called to be missionary disciples who share Christ through action and word in the world.
Catholic schools are communities where every pupil can discover that their life matters, that they are loved by God, and that they are called to be saints—not in some distant way, but right now, today, in the classroom, the playground, and at home.
Christmas Concerts
Scoil Phadraig is delighted to announce that our Christmas Concerts will be held this year on Monday 15th, Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th December!
Full details of the running order each night have been shared with each class on Aladdin.
The boys are to be dropped off at the Blue Stairs door (go in the side gate and through the courtyard).
Teachers and SNAs will be supervise boys and help with costumes.
** Parents will enter through the main entrance. No admittance without a ticket.
Doors open at 6.30pm
Show starts at 7pm
Interval 8.05pm (approx.)
Boys in classes that perform before the interval are to be collected from their classrooms during the interval. You can then return to the hall to view the rest of the show or you can leave for home if you so wish.
**We would love if you could remain for the second half of the show so that the “2nd half boys” also have the opportunity to perform before a large audience.
The evening will end with a “Surprise Performance” a raffle and Raffle (€2 per strip of tickets/ three strips for €5!!! Prizes include vouchers, chocolates, biscuits, wine, toiletries ).
All raffle proceeds will go to support our local St Vincent de Paul Charity.
Anti-Bullying Week
Monday 2oth – Friday 24th October is Anti-Bullying week in our school.
The theme this year is “Power for Good”. We strive to empower those around us to use their “Power for Good” to speak up, support others, and stand up against bullying. This ties in nicely with many of our SPHE lessons on the theme of individuality, accepting difference & the importance of resilience in today’s world.
Anti-Bullying Week is an opportunity for classes to explore and discuss bullying and other issues around bullying, including conflict resolution, friendship, safety and positive relationships. These topics are already addressed in the SPHE resources that we use in Scoil Phádraig and teachers will use a wide range of other excellent resources and websites with the boys this week.
Anti-Bullying week is part of the criteria for prevention of bullying in our school policy. This policy has now been updated as our new “Bí Cineálta” policy.
The Department of Education and Science outlines that a cornerstone in the prevention of school bullying is ‘a positive school culture and climate’, which encourages respectful relationships between pupils and staff. This is something that is fostered in our school in many ways all year round and this week offers us all a chance to encourage the children to think about the importance of their role in anti-bullying.
Last year, Mrs White & the Student Council boys completed the student version of our Bí Cineálta policy, which will take pride of place in our school foyer this week. Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir! This amazing piece of artwork contains clear messages from the boys themselves, on the theme of Anti Bullying. All classes will visit, discuss & become familiar with this very important reminder of what is at the heart of our school ethos here in Scoil Phádraig. We also encourage parents, when you visit, to take a look at the latest piece of artwork in the hallway of our truly amazing new school.
We will have music playing each morning this week as the boys arrive & on Friday, for Wellbeing Day, our dancing teacher Elaine will give each class group a chance to learn & perform a Hallowe’en themed dance!
Our Special Mentions will be announced on Thursday , in advance of Friday’s Witch Walk & madness!
Scholastic Book Fair
Monday 13th October – Thursday 16th October
8.45am – 9.15am & 1.30pm – 3.00pm