Feast of Our Lady of Mercy:  School will finish at 12 noon on Friday 23rd September 2011, to celebrate Mercy Day.

Halloween Break:  School will close at 12 noon on Friday 28th  October - returning to school on Monday 7th November 2011.

Parent Teacher Meetings 1st Class - 6th Class inclusive:  to be announced.

Religious Observance:  School will be closed on Thursday 8th & Friday 9th December 2011.

Christmas Holidays:  School will finish at 12 noon on Thursday 22nd December 2011 - returning on Monday 9th January 2012.

Junior/Senior Infants Parent Teacher meetings: to be announced.

Staff Meeting: School will finish at 1.00pm Wednesday 15th February 2012.

February Break: School will be closed on Thursday 16th & Friday 17th February 2012.

St. Patrick’s Day: School will be closed on Monday 19th March 2012.

Easter Holidays: School will finish at 12 noon on Friday 30th March (or Wednesday 4th April  depending on weather conditions during the previous term) - returning to school on Monday 16th April 2012.

Communion & Confirmation: dates to be announced.

May Bank Holiday: School closed on Monday 7th May 2012.

June Bank Holiday: Scholl will close on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th June 2012.

Summer Holidays: School will close at 12 noon on Friday 29th June 2012.

School will re-open on Monday 3rd September 2012 for the new school year.

The day has finally arrived; all the preparations are nearly over.  On Saturday 26th May 57 children from second class will receive their First Holy Communion in the Holy Family Parish Church.  Mass will be celebrated by Fr. Tom Rogers at 11.00a.m and children should be in their places by 10.45a.m.  We ask God’s blessing on the children and their families on this special day and hope that it will be enjoyed and remembered by all.

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Bishops Message

My dear young friends,

This is an important day in your young lives. On your confirmation day the holy spirit comes to you in a special way to help you in the life that lies ahead. Today you are especially called to give witness to Christian values in your future lives. The sacrement of confirmation will help you to be strong in your beliefs.

As you celebrate confirmation today and you look to the future, keep prayer at the centre of your lives. Prayer is talking to Jesus about your worries, your fears, your achievments, your failures, your successes. It is talking to the Lord as you would your best friend.

I ask you, too, to make attendance at mass central to each weekend of your life. As you grow older, it is my prayer that you would never forget the kindness shown by your parents, teachers and neighbours. May God bless you and may the strength and guidance of the Holy Spirit, which we celebrate today, help you on lifes journey.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

William Lee.

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore.

Acknowledgements

A sincere word of thanks to all who helped prepare for this day and in this celebration of our confirmation.

Bishop of Waterford and Lismore: His Lordship Dr William Lee.

The priest of the Holy Family Parish: Fr Tom Rogers.

The Teachers: Hilary McCarthy, Maria Kennedy & Deirdre Kinsella.

The Principal: Maria Doyle.

The Choir: Our Lady of Mercy Senior Choir.

Organist: Sinead O’Carroll.

Director:Margaret Butler.

Particular thanks to all who gave their time in so many ways.

On Tuesday the 15th of March 2011 the Fintan O’Carroll Choir competition was held in the Mercy hall.  The choir sang ‘Sailing’ by Rod Stewart and ‘Coconut Man’.  The Mercy choir won and will sing again at a prize giving event in W.I.T on Tuesday 13th of April.  Rumour has it that the choir will be singing at the ‘Tall Ships’ in June.  The future looks bright for our budding singers.

The Happy Heart Foundation Competition 2011

Congratulations to Charlotte Hayes in Ms McCarthy’s 5th class who won the competition and recieved a €25 gift voucher for Smyth’s Toys and a plaque.  Her teacher collected a €100 cheque for the school.  Sarah McGowan from Ms. Delahunty’s 3rd class came third. Well Done Girls!

INTO Handwriting Competition 2011

Aisling Madigan  came 2nd and  Kaitlyn Cahill came 1st in their categories in thr INTO Handwriting Competition.   They attended a prize giving ceremony at the Tower Hotel on the 31st March and got their photographs taken by the local newspapers.  These can be seen around the school.

MS Readathon 2011

On the 9th of March Hannagh Hannigan from Ms McCarthy’s 5th class and Caoimhe O’Conner from Ms Kennedy’s 6th class attended the MS Readathon Award Ceremony in Dundrum, Dublin.  Mrs Leamy and Mrs O’Carroll also attended.  Our school came 3rd in category A. Thank you to all who participated in the Readathon. Remember Keep reading!!

It is with great sadness that we record the death of our dear friend Sr Brenda Greany, Convent of Mercy, Millitary Road, Waterford and formerly of Dingle, Co Kerry which occurred on Tuesday, March 1st.  Féadfaidh sí a chuid eile i socháin.

Born:30/12/1930       Entered Religious Life: 14/01/1949     Died:01/03/2011

Let us not look for you only in memory

Where we would grow lonely without you.

You would want us to find you in presence,

Beside us when beauty brightens,

When kindness glow,

And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,

Darkest Winter has returned to Spring;

May this dark grief flower with hope

In every heart that loves you.

You may continue to inspire us.

The process has been concluded and the position is now filled.