Attendance Certificates 2011 / Green Poster Winners

On Thursday 22nd December Ms. Griffin-Jones presided over a lovely ceremony in the Sports Hall where all the students who had 100% Attendance since last September received a certificate to mark their achievement. Each class teacher presented the certificates to the '100%ers' in their own classes.

In all there were 57 students who received certs. The best attenders were 5th class with 13 who missed no days followed by Ms. Mullins who had 10 with perfect attendance.

To finish off the term two pupils were presented with Book Tokens for having designd the Best Green  Posters. This year we are focussing on transport to and from school.

Alannah O'Leary (Ms. Kelly's 2nd Class) was the downstairs winner and Caoilfhionn Doyle from Ms. Griffin-Jones 5th Class.

Very well done to all.

Christmas 2011

The North Pole isn't the only busy place in the world at Christmas time as the Faythe School was in a spin in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The Choir, under the direction of Ms. Griffin-Jones who was assisted by Ms. Fitzgerald, rehearsed for weeks and the started off the Christmas Season at the Festival of Three Choirs which took place in the School Hall on Tuesday 14th December.
In a show lasting just under an hour, the Faythe School Choir started precedings and were then followed by the Barntown Youth Choir under the direction of Ian Grey. Ian is a past pupil of the school but moved out 'the country' years ago...however he comes into his Mammy's once a week for his tea....and also conducts the South End Family Resource Centre Golden Oldies Choir. It was Ian's second Choir who closed the concert with a selection of Festive favourites. The audience of two hundred people from the locality were enthralled by all three choirs who really gave their all on the night.

On Monday 19th December the Choir again took centre stage at the Swan. Over ten years ago, a local lady, Kathleen Whelan, began a lovely traditional of illuminating a Christmas tree at the Swan and holding a small ceremony to 'turn on' the lights attended by a local clergy man and the children from the locality who attend the Faythe.
Over the years, the traditional has changed ever so slightly. Kathleen is still to the fore but the trees at the Swan are now illuminated and after the Ceremony the children attend a party back at the school....agin organised by Kathleen.

This year the crowd was blessed with the weather and Fr. Brian conducted the ceremony, the Choir sang accompanied on the organ by Éanna McKenna, before retiring to the school for the party organised by Kathleen and her sons Enda and James. A huge debt of gratidtude is due to the Whelan family for establishing and continuing this lovely tradition.

The Choir's final engagement was a more poignant one....taking place at Tesco's Christmas Tree but marking this company's fund raising on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society. In the last two years this company has raised over €40,000 for this worthy cause and this fact was marked by a lovely Prayer Service, conducted this time by Fr. Michael Ó Sé accompanied by the Choir and Ms. Griffin-Jones.
It was brilliant that so many families made the effort to get the girls to, and from, Tesco on such a rainy night. Well done to all!!

A small photovid is available by clicking on the Advent Wreath below.

Christmas Story Book

In December Ms. Kelly's 2nd Class wrote and then illustrated their own Christmas Story Book. After many weeks work invitations were sent out to all parents and guardians inviting them into the school on Tuesday 20th at 1.15pm.
That day was hectic as the children had been down to Bride Street to practice for the Advent Service but had to hurry back to school to prepare the room.
All was fine in the end and a great crowd attended that afternoon when the children proudly read and displayed their work.
After the 'reading' there were a selection of treats for all to enjoy.
The photos of the reading day are part of a 'photovid' available by clicking on the book below.