We are looking forward to returning after our Easter break and checking out how our school garden has fared over the holidays. All of our plants certainly got lots of sunshine and water!

In the weeks before the Easter, every class was busy looking after some aspect of the garden. Everyone had an opportunity to plant a seed, or a shrub, and to look after it. Then, just before the holidays, the sturdiest plants were transplanted into our garden. 

Some plants, such as our onions and potatoes, were planted into the ground directly.

Freddy the Scarecrow was very busy looking after everything over the holidays. We hope he isn't too battered after his holiday in the sun and wind! And we are looking forward to Monday morning seeing him and to checking out how are garden is growing.

Our thanks for our wonderful Garden Committee for all their hard work and to Meath County Council for their continued support and encouragement.

The boys from Gliondar Mara have been very busy getting ready for Easter. They decorated a beautiful backdrop for Spring and also for the Story of Easter. Meanwhile, each of them decorated their Easter tree with beautifully coloured ceramic eggs. A lot of work went into their display but they enjoyed every second of it and now, it's a delight for all of us in Gliondar Mara.

​Well done boys!

Our recent Assembly celebrated all the boys efforts in speaking as Gaeilge. Practice in speaking another language is great for our brain development and our lessons in Irish along with supporting our heritage and culture, also improves the neuroplasticity of our brains. 

Boys who had made great efforts to labhair as Gaeilge, were rewarded. And so too were classes for lining up well in the yard, to presenting well at assembly and for making a great effort to eat healthy lunches, do their homework, and tidy up their classrooms.

Several boys had birthdays in the past week and they were celebrated at the assembly with a big "Bréithlá Shona Dhuit" sung by the assembly. A technical glitch in our sound system didn't affect the final song of the day, as both Cian and Ben from Sixth Class ably led the whole school in a rendition of "Beidh Aonach Amárach".

After a tremendous month celebrating the Irish language and customs, the awards ceremony brought it all to a fitting close. And gave an added boost to our use of an teanga Gaeilge tríd an lae.

Thanks to our Parents`Association, our Students`Council, our Daily Mile habit and Martin O`Donnell, we have some great new additions to our backyard.

Mrs Byrne initiated our Daily Mile campaign last year. And it was a very worthwhile pursuit. Every day cones were laid out to show the track the boys had to follow and off they went. 

Our Students Council asked for more permanent markings though and our Board of Management listened. This led to a permanent track being made all around our back yard. Which is where Martin O`Donnell comes in. He carefully laid out 250 metres of track safely within the confines of our yard. 

The boys are encouraged to walk four laps but of course very many of them exceed this distance, some doing as many as twelve laps -or 3 kilometres-every day! All are encouraged to walk or run at a relaxed pace. And in the evening time, while waiting for the second bus, the boys take a stroll or jog around the track. 

Its a simple idea that has already proved a resounding success! Thanks to our Board of Management for supporting that!

And yes, due to popular demand, we have added a third handball wall. This is the second handball wall which our Parents Association have so generously funded. And we're just thrilled with it. It means we can keep another class busy with handball practice during our breaks, and also give scope for more great matches and leagues during PE time.

So thanks to our great PA for funding that! And to Martin O`Donnell for making it.

Every body needs to move well and move often and we're sure our handball walls and track will help us all do just that.