Events
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
