Weekly Message from the Principal

The return to school in early January is always challenging- yet always timely.

The magic that was Christmas is packed away with the festive decorations; ‘Reality’ returns and the routine of learning and meeting the demands of ‘everyday’ life awaits us.

And though the winter darkness still dominates our morning trips to school and our late sporting afternoons, a hint of light is promised, and a New Year has begun.

The boys are back to the classroom, comparing holiday ‘notes’ with friends and immersed in the stimulating and demanding life of daily school. Homework, music practice and sports’ training all require attention and focus (after a busy school day) - and new challenges (and opportunities) await.

The boys are hungry for new experiences, new ideas, an extended vocabulary (to voice those new ideas) and more knowledge. It is our duty as teachers and parents to provide them with this myriad of experiences in a secure, nurturing and inclusive environment. In Willow, our ethos, our energy and our combined commitment make us ready to take on the challenges of 2020 - and support our companions along the way. Enjoy the journey!

Principal’s Task for the Junior School

Every term I will assign a whole school task for the boys in the Junior school. The first task has emerged from the words of Maurice Nelligan(K3) who wrote these sentences in his homework copy.

Love is a very strong emotion that can stop sad people from feeling sad. You can even give love when people aren’t sad. Love is a gift.

Secondly, I heard this during the Christmas break that kindness is one of the most precious virtues that we can show - in fact kindness is love.

Therefore, I would like every boy in the Junior school to write one kind act that they will endeavour to carry out this year on a small piece of card and we will join each piece together in a class chain. We will then join each class chain together and we will display this chain around the school. This blue and white chain will represent our most important value – kindness - as well as our Spiritan ethos.

THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

Do something, say something, write something 'kind' every day this year

Thank you to Oscar Boyle in Senior Infants for making my day on Wednesday