Another day, another experience!
Yesterday our group travelled across the German/Dutch border to spend a fabulous day in Efteling Theme Park, Holland. Whether it was the twisting speed of the Python rollercoaster or the breathtaking suspense of Die Vlegende Hollander water ride, there was wonderful entertainment for the whole group for six hours. On return to Cologne in the evening all 110 tourers enjoyed a meal in the Greek themed Oasis Restaurant before returning to lodgings for the final night.

An extremely busy day was experienced by all our transition year tourers today. The day started early with a visit to the medieval Marksburg Castle for a guided tour. Next was a beautiful cruise on the River Rhine enjoying the views of villages and landscapes en route towards Boppard. All crossed the river on the ferry to enjoy lunch in this typical old village. The afternoon was spent on a cable car ride over the city of Cologne, an evening meal in a local restaurant and bowling before returning to lodgings for the night.

After a very early start all 100 students and their teachers arrived safely in the beautiful city of Cologne. They were taken on a guided tour of the old city which dates back to the Roman Empire and Empress Colonia. The highlight was definitely the UNESCO world heritage site of Cologne Cathedral. The group enjoyed dinner at the Hard Rock Café before returning to the hotel for a much anticipated night’s sleep.

Congratulations to all our winners of this year’s Parents’ Association digi-draw. Thank you to all who supported the draw and sold lines. It is very much appreciated.

The Finlay Power award was proposed by the Student Council to honour past member Finlay Power who tragically died in a road traffic accident in 2021. This is the second year of the award.

Finlay was the epitome of kindness and this award recognises those whose kindness makes a difference in our school community. This years award was presented to 6th year student DanI'll Sheil and teacher Karen Murphy. Both were shocked but delighted to receive the award which was presented by Finlay's mother Cathy. We were delighted that Cathy could join us to present the award and we are so grateful for her time.

Over 50 people across our school community were nominated for the award and each received a certificate to recognise this.

Thank you also to Mr Hegarty for making the beautiful trophy. 

Congratulations to Edel Kehoe, Ballyconran, Gorey, who is this week's lucky winner of

€205.00

In our Parents' Association weekly Split the Pot Draw.

Well done to Vanessa Jameson who won the €20.00 sellers prize. 

That was the final draw of the term and SPLIT THE POT will return in September. 

Thank you to everyone who supported this important fundraising initiative and thanks to the officers from the Parents' Association for their work behind the scenes in making the weekly draw a resounding success. 

See you in September! 

• It costs €53,000 to train one dog
• Out of 173 dogs selected for guide dog training the year Paddy was selected, only 13 dogs graduated as full guide dogs
• Paddy is a German shepherd/ Labrador mix who was bred to be suitable for tall people
• Christy was on a waiting list for 5 years waiting for a dog. His height (6ft 6) meant that he had to wait for an especially tall dog to successfully come through training
• Paddy has a passport

Summer Serenade 2024

The Summer Serenade Concert 2024 which is now regarded as the highlight of the year for the Music department in Coláiste Bhríde took place of 17th May and was an unqualified success. The school concert band, choir, traditional music group and solo performers availed of the opportunity to display their incredible musical talents.

The concert band under the baton of Music teacher Teresa Glynn got the night off to a rousing start with a performance of Jagerlatein by James Last which is instantly recognisable as the theme music to RTE’s Sunday Game. The band played a number of well known popular tunes taken mainly from films. These included: Just a Closer Walk with Thee, Bare Necessities, Celtic Air and March, Batman, Skyfall, The Pink Panther, Nine to Five. Ms. Glynn’s Year 6 LC Music Class played I’m a Believer and Viva La Vida

Some LC Music students performed the pieces that were examined as part of their LC practical exam. These included Shauna Donoghue on clarinet playing Aker Bilk’s Stranger on the Shore, Elise Davidson on trumpet played It’s Been a Long Time; Emma Kinnear on saxophone played Can You Feel the Love Tonight. Vocalist Molly Hynes performed a beautiful rendition of the Amy Winehouse hit Valerie; Emma Kinsella on tin whistle mesmerised the audience with her version of the Pernod Waltz.

New band, choir and trad group members were welcomed on stage while gifts were presented to departing members in recognition of their dedication and commitment over the years. In return students showed their gratitude to their teachers by presenting them with gifts also. Principal Linda Dunne presented Shauna Donoghue with the coveted Band Person of the Year award.

The MC for the night was Mr. Pat Brennan who is a former Deputy Principal at the school. Pat kept the audience entertained while acts prepared between sets. 

In her address to the audience Teresa Glynn spoke highly of the work ethic and dedication shown by students during the year. In particular she thanked Mr. Willie Dunne who teaches all of the band instruments and brings out the best in his students. She took the opportunity to wish Linda Dunne well on her impending retirement and thanked her sincerely for her unfailing support for Music in the school. Shauna Donoghue presented Mrs. Dunne with gifts from the Music Department to mark her retirement.

The 16 strong Traditional music group under the expert direction of Deputy Principal Ciarán Somers, still flushed with their success after winning first place in the Wesley Interschools Music Festival in March, performed three sets of jigs, reels and polkas. These pieces, although technically very challenging, were played skilfully and with great style. Plans are in progress for the group to participate in a twinning project with a school in Sitges, Barcelona in October. This is one of the many cultural/language exchanges funded by the school's five year Erasmus+ accreditation.

The mixed choir performed an eclectic mix of choral pieces such as Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho , You Will be Found, A Thousand Years and It’s All Right.

Teacher Mr. Callanan on guitar and student Holly Brennan on violin accompanied many performers on the night.

The concert concluded on a high note with the combined band and choir performance of Louis Armstrong’s beautiful Wonderful World , much to the delight of the very appreciative audience.

Many thanks to Mr. Aimee Walshe who captured these wonderful photos of the evening.