School Events 2021/2022
La Sallian Award Winner - June 28th 2022
Congratulations to Luke Brown who received our annual La Sallian Award at today's 6th Class Graduation ceremony. Luke was selected as the pupil who best represented the 5 core principles of the La Sallian ethos...Faith in the Presence of God, Respect for All, Concern for the Poor and Social Justice, Inclusive Community and Quality Education. We wish all our 6th Class boys the very best of luck as they make the transition to secondary school.
Siobhan Ryan Retires - June 27th 2022
We all gathered in the Senior Yard today to congratulate and wish Siobhan all the best on her retirement. Siobhan has worked as an SNA in the school since 2006 and she is the first SNA to retire from her position in St Declans. Siobhan is one of the most positive and kindest people you will ever come across and she will be truly missed by her colleagues and in particular all the boys who have been in her care. In the yard the boys treated her to an "Icelandic Applause" as a mark of their appreciation while later on the staff gave her a special guard of honour before she headed off into the wonderful world of retirement! The whole St Declans community wish her long life, health and happiness.
Official Opening of our New Classrooms - Apr 29th 2022
Today was a very special day in St Declans as it marked the first occasion in over two years that we were all able to come together as a school to celebrate anything! And what a celebration it was! The boys, along with invited guests gathered in the Senior Yard and watched as Bishop Cullinan, Patron of our school first bless the new building then cut the ribbon and officially declare the new classrooms open.
As part of the ceremony, we announced the winners of a recent in house Art and Poetry Competitions which were run in the build up to today. The winners of each were . . Usman Fahad Junior Infants - Art Winner and James Flynn 3rd Class - Poetry Winner
Ukraine Appeal - Mar 16th 2022
Mrs Connolly led the way with this appeal as we teamed up with Jabil Healthcare to collect a selection of living essentials to support Ukrainian families fleeing the war in their country. In a matter of days, we had an incredible and generous response from parents and collected over 30 boxes in total, enough to fill 3 cars to the brim!
St Patrick's Day Celebrations - Mar 16th 2022
Today we celebrated our national feast day in style. In the afternoon, 5th and 6th classes competed in a Trath na gCeist on Teams with the winning group in each class receiving an Easter egg each. Earlier in the day, classes from 1st to 4th gave individual performances of Irish dancing, songs and poems all as Gaeilge to Mr Doran. However the highlight of the day was the BIG PARADE involving our Infant and Preschool classes. They marched around a zig zag pathway taking in both yards while the rest of the school lined the route and cheered them on every step of the way. What a spectacle it was! It was so good....they went around a second time.
Science, Engineering and Construction - Mar 11th 2022
Mr Kirby's 6th Class lead the way today with an excellent interactive Science Exhibition in the Hall for everyone to enjoy. The boys did trojan work and they gave countless demonstrations to all the visitors to the Hall. Meanwhile in the corridor outside, other classes had displayed their fantastic homemade rockets {Mr Morrissey and Ms McKeon - both 2nd Class}and machines{Mr O Sullivan 3rd Class}Mr Carrols's 5th Class displayed two fabulous and large Mars Landers while Mr Kellehers 6th Class displayed their models of some of the world's tallest buildings. Mrs Hawkin's 3rd Class selection of very intersting and creative models were inspired by the "Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau. Further down the corridor, Senior Infants{Mrs Hall and Miss O Leary/Mrs Kirwan}displayed their great work on the world of David Attenborough. Mr Gleeson and Miss Cronin {both 4th Class}displayed Science Fiction stories while 1st Classes{Mr Grant and Miss Fitzgerald}presented images of Waterford 100 years into the future. Well done to everyone but especially to all those parents who were able to provide so much support at home for all these various projects.
Waterford Lions Club - Trees for Life - Feb 22nd 2022
Waterford Lions Club, with the financial support of Waterford Credit Unions organised a tree planting ceremony to take place on the grounds of St Declans today. Both 4th Classes represented the school at the ceremony which was held in the garden near the flag poles at the Junior end of the school. This campaign is to promote the need to grow more trees due to climate change and also to highlight the importance of growing native Irish trees as well. 8 trees were planted altogether much to the delight of both 4th classes who have taken ownership of them now.
Prefab Replacement Project - Feb 3rd 2022
After many years of waiting, work finally got under way in January 2021 to build two new classrooms to replace the prefabs which are badly outdated. Here is the the latest photo taken on Feb 3rd 2022. New classrooms and new playground! Such a welcome change.
Here is a photo of the Prefabs being knocked on Dec 15th 2021
Feel Good Friday - Jan 28th 2022
The theme for "Feel Good Friday" this year was ...go on....show me your smile! It was a day of treats, outdoor activities, board games, quizzes, movies, music, games and much much more. There was plenty of fun and laughter which brought a smile to everyone's face.
Care Packs - Dec 15th 2021
This initiative was led by Mrs Connolly and supported by all the staff. In December, all pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class took part in the carepack.ie Christmas Kindness Initiative. The purpose of this initiative was to raise awareness of the Nursing Home Residents and their isolation during the pandemic, to give charitably and selflessly and to put a smile on someone’s face.
Each class kindly collected money to purchase a gift for an allocated nursing home resident somewhere in Ireland. The money collected by each class was then generously matched by the school. Gifts were carefully chosen, messages written, packages carefully wrapped and delivered all before Christmas.
In total, more than 20,000 residents of Irish Nursing Homes benefited from the 2021 carepack.ie initiative, St Declan’s are proud to have been part of it. Pictured below is just a sample of some of the packages before being posted.
Halloween Dress Up - Oct 22nd 2021
It was "Halloween Dress Up Day" today across the school and all classes got in on the act. St Declans was a very spooky place as there were monsters, ninjas, ghosts and many more strange characters and creatures roaming around the school. Below is just a small sample of the atmosphere. Can you figure out "Who's that behind the Mask?"
Halloween Raffle - Oct 21st 2021
Once again this year our annual Halloween Raffle had to be presented on Teams for all classrooms. Rather than picking the prize winners in front of the whole school in the Hall, Mr Doran, with the help of Pat and Sharon, went live on "St Declans TV" to announce the winners of all the various prizes, especially the bike. There was no shortage of excitement and noise especially from Mr Morgan's Classroom when the winner was announced! Many thanks to everyone for supporting this important fundraiser again this year.
Ms O Shea Retires - Oct 1st 2021
After a 40 year distinguished career, Ms O Shea called time today on her teaching career in St Declans. Depite the COVID19 restrictions, we were able to give her a send off from the boys that she so richly deserved. We gathered outdoors in the Junior Yard as Mr Grant tested her tennis skills in a farewell exhibition contest. We would like to thank Brigid for her outstanding contribution to the school over her many years of dedicated service. The BOM, staff, parents and pupils all wish Brigid long life, health and happiness in her retirement.
