-
Patrician Secondary School Newbridge
Newsletter 1.3 t
Christmas 2020 eeeee
Br Cormac Commins R.I.P.
Hello to all our Patrician Community,
Happy Christmas. What a busy term it has been. Thank you to all
the staff & students for their efforts to make school life as
normal as possible, while wearing masks, sanitising, operating in
pods & teaching. As always thanks to parents/guardians for your
support & words of encouragement. It does mean a lot, as we try
to do our best in unprecedented times.
On a sad note; we lost a valued friend & colleague, just as
we broke for the Christmas holidays. Br Cormac Commins has been a
leading light within the Patrician Brothers order & in our
school as chairman of our Board of Management. He will be sadly
missed around the school. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. Remember to
keep an eye on our social media platforms for any updates. We would
like to wish everyone good health & happiness for the Christmas
holidays. Website: www.patriciansecondary.com
Twitter: @PSSNewbridge
Instagram: @PatricianSSNewbridge
Facebook: @pssnewbridge
Pat Moloney – Principal
It was with shock and great sadness that we learned of the
passing
of Br Cormac Commins – friend, colleague & educator.
Beginning his teaching career in 1960 in St Joseph’s College
(The
Bish) in Galway, Cormac was always to the forefront of
education,
ahead of his time in lots of ways & a mind of
information.
While he didn’t teach in Patrician Newbridge, he has been an
integral part of our community for several decades having
been
principal of Patrician College, Finglas. He has been a long
serving
Chairperson of our Board of Management, while also sitting
on
boards in Tullow CS & Mountrath CS. He led the Patrician
order
into the Le Chéile Schools Trust, which plays an important role
in
maintaining the ethos & values of congregations.
He will be sadly missed for his knowledge, support &
wit.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
-
LUNCH MENU Joe Monaghan Catering Services will
continue its Lunch Service on our return
in January, via text & collect.
STUDENT COUNCIL On behalf of the Student Council we would like
to congratulate the
whole school community on their hard work during this
unusual
Christmas period. Although the examinations were tough, the
school
community supported each other and got through it together
during
this challenging time. We would like to take this opportunity to
wish
everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.
Our Mission statement states that each student will realise
his
potential. We hope that the student council can help the
student
community to do so. Remember we are here to support any student
if
necessary.
This year we are looking at setting up a committee of students
that
will investigate how students like to be taught. We will present
what
we find to teachers and the Principal and work together to help
our
learning in the Patricians. If anyone is interested in
participating in this
project, please let your class prefect know. Rory O’Donnell
INCLUSION Currently at our front gates, the Rainbow & Access
flags are flying to remind us of the spirit of inclusion within our
school.
STUDY Supervised Study will resume on Monday January 11th.
Application forms have been sent to students. Please return to Mr
Scallan as soon as possible.
SPORT Unfortunately, Covid restrictions have seen the parking of
our extra-curricular activities. Hopefully we will get to enjoy
some competition in 2021.
Well Done to Johnathan Breslin 1A (3rd from right) along with
the 5
other finalists: Oisín Coleman & Seán Hall 1C; Oisín Kelly
& Aaron
Redmond 1E and Dominick Sprinceana 1F. Thanks to mentors: Mr
Counihan, Mr McCarthy, Ms Maher and Mr Kavanagh for
organising.
IMPORTANT DATES JANUARY Wednesday 6: School Re-opens @ 9am
FEBRUARY Monday 1: Mock Exams begin
Tuesday 2: Founder’s Day
Friday 12: School closes for Mid-Term Break @ 4pm
-
PRO If you would like to contribute any news, or have any
queries, contact Student Council PRO
[email protected] or
[email protected]
CHARITY Every year the Student Council presents various local
charities with some well needed funds. Christmas is a time to help
people who are less fortunate than ourselves. The Patrician ethos
has always been to support the less privileged. We also supported
‘The Dining Room’ in Newbridge with our annual Food Appeal. 1C
& TYA decided to keep in touch with residents of nursing homes,
both nationally & locally. It was nice to receive some replies
too. Well Done to everyone involved, who were thinking of others in
recent weeks.
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]
-
WELLBEING Christmas Well-Being for students and guardians
Think about what is best for you & your family. Some people
will just want to cancel Christmas or do something
completely different like volunteering for the day. Others find
celebrating as normal is important or may need to
keep going for the sake of children. Whatever you decide to do,
give yourself some time to prepare before the actual
day. Having a plan or structure can really help get through
difficult times rather than hoping it will be ok. You may
need to change the plan at the last moment & this is fine;
you are still in control rather than the day controlling you.
Take time for you:
Don’t be alarmed if your emotions take over; just take some time
for yourself; no one will judge you. Keep plans
flexible & allow yourself to change your mind. As time
passes Christmas can be a time to focus on memories of good
times shared in the past but it can also be intensely emotional
time. Be kind to yourself & ask for help if you need it.
Remember a loved one:
Sometimes it can bring memories of a loved one in the
celebrations. You could include a visit to their grave or a
place
that is special to them. Remember there is no right way to
grieve & try to keep talking. You may have photos or
particular memories which you treasure alone or share with
others.
Look after yourself:
Try to keep regular patterns of sleeping and eating and exercise
in the fresh air… it can really help you relax. Try too,
to keep a balanced approach to food and alcohol.
*Paraphrased and courtesy of Fiona Masterson*
Mindful Breathing and Meditation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp7pnHCY94U
Ben Franklin
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp7pnHCY94U
