Newsletter
27 02 2026
Good afternoon parents and guardians,
What a busy time we are having in school!
Starting on Saturday, the sun shone for our parents, staff, and student helpers at our recent Meitheal Day. The soil is now ready and waiting for our native wildflower patch to be planted by the children after the break! 🌸🌸🌸
Thank you all so much for coming to the school to help last Saturday.
Following on from that, we have had soccer, GAA, swimming, and a visit to the Botanic Gardens, to name just a few of the activities we were involved in this week in D7ETNS.
Our play therapist will return to us next term. She has asked me to let you know that she will be on Oliver Callan on RTÉ Radio 1 this Wednesday, April 1st, talking about how role dynamics can develop within the family.
We are all looking forward to a break in routine and will be ready to return for Term 3, bright and early on Monday, April 13th.
Bogeys Cross Country
Wednesday saw our annual pilgrimage to Cabra for the Bogey’s Cross Country race. Departing D7 with a massive squad of 94 athletes, hopes were high for a successful trip.
The weather Gods were unkind as our mild spell of spring weather from last week was well and truly gone and we were faced with a wintery outlook. Spirits were undiminished, and the whole group took the opportunity to warm up with a quick lap of the circuit.
The earlier races commenced in sunshine with a blustery wind, and D7 were very prominent in the medals. The weather took a turn for the worst as the 4th Class girls race started, and as the spectators dashed for shelter, the girls bravely battled the conditions.
As always, the event was run like clockwork, and it wasn’t long until the final events. The 6th Class Boys event was one of the closest finishes as D7 looked to get their first gold of the day, unfortunately we had to settle for silver and bronze.
It was lovey to see the enthusiasm from all the children, and they were excellent supporters of their fellow D7 students as they galloped past the viewing area. A big thanks to the Active Committee members who helped get the children warmed up for their races, and it was great to see the support from parents and guardians on the day. Thanks to Bridget for washing the jerseys!
Our next athletics outing will most likely be the Santry Sports in May so keep up the fitness.
Enda, Lena, Brigid & Padraig
GAA
Training continues our first Monday back after the break, April 13th and both teams will start their league campaign later in the week, with the Girl’s starting away in the Bogeys on Wednesday followed by a home match for the Boys on Thursday v St Finbars from Cabra,
Martin, Peadar & Padraig
Spring planting workshop with 1st Class in Botanic Gardens
Handcrafting planting pots from recycled newspaper.
The sun peeped out through the clouds for all the children in 1st Class on their walk to the Botanic Gardens this Thursday.
The children visited the Education Garden, a space which was donated to the Botanics by Glasnevin Cemetery. They had a great opportunity to show off their reading skills when using recycled newspaper to handcraft pots that they later used to plant some peas. The acronym swan was used to help everyone remember that plants need soil, water, air and nutrients to thrive.
The Viking longhouse gave 1st Class an insight into life in parts of Dublin long ago, without windows, electricity or running water. An open firepit in the middle of the longhouse was used to cook meals and to keep the Viking families warm. Photos showed combs that the Vikings used to brush bugs out of their long hair and beards.
Unfortunately, the terrapins were hiding away during our visit, but the birds, tadpoles and squirrels provided plenty of entertainment for the eagle-eyed nature lovers in 1st class. The guides welcomed the children back to visit the Botanic Gardens any time and told them about free workshops for children that take place in the Education Garden every Sunday.
1st Class children admiring the peas and leeks growing outside the Viking longhouse in the Botanic Gardens.
Searching for frogspawn and tadpoles in the Education Garden.
A Busy Week for the Boys Soccer Team
This week was a busy one for football – and we’re not talking about the showdown in Prague last night! Closer to home, the D7ET boys soccer team took to the pitch twice this week in league matches against St. Vincent’s and O’Connell’s both at home on the Grangegorman Astro. The team were emboldened by their comprehensive victory over Broombridge in the first league game which gave them the confidence to face off against two very strong sides. On Tuesday, the encounter ended 3-4 to St. Vincent’s. Once again the team togged out in torrential rain (cue flashbacks to their Cup game against Shankhill), however, they fought on and staged a comeback to close within one in the final ten minutes. They were on their way to the equaliser but were ultimately beaten by the final whistle.
The second game against O’Connells ended in a draw. It was a nervy game and it took D7ET a while to warm up to the very strong (and tall!) opposition, but when they did it was spectacular to watch. They demonstrated great resilience and should be proud of their performance.
That makes it a win, loss and a draw from the league. We will have to see how the other matches go to see whether it will be enough. Whatever the outcome, their coaches Enda and Grace are incredibly proud. Well done lads!
Bike Week Art Competition
Please read the email below received during the week, one of our students, Anna, won this last year and her work was displayed all over the city.
We’re gearing up for Bike Week, and this year we’re inviting every young artist across Dublin City Council schools to help us celebrate in style! We’re launching a Bike Week Art Competition, and we’d love your students to take part.
The challenge is simple and fun: 🎨 Create an A3 poster celebrating cycling and all the brilliant benefits it brings! Think freedom, fun, fresh air, cycling lanes, sustainability, adventure—whatever cycling means to them.
To enter, students should draw or paint their poster on A3 paper. On the back of each artwork, please include:
- Child’s name
- Age
- School eircode
- Class
🏆 What’s up for grabs? Winning posters will be proudly displayed in St Stephen’s Green and The Civic Offices for the entire duration of Bike Week. Winners will also receive a special goody bag to celebrate their creativity and contribution.
📅 Deadline for submissions: 20th April and can be posted into Caroline Fallon, Dublin City Council, Block 2 Floor 7, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8 or emailed to sustainablemobility@dublincity.ie.
For more information go to this link DCC Bike Week Art Competition
We can’t wait to see the imagination and talent of students across the city. Thank you for helping us spread the word and inspire young cyclists and artists alike.
Let’s make Bike Week colourful, creative, and full of pedal power!
Family Film Club
Join us this Sunday for our first Family Film Club, where we’ll be showing How to Train Your Dragon
🕑 Date & Time: 29th March , 2:00pm
📍 Location: Phibs Tower (D07 VXF8)
🎟️ Free event – no booking required!
This is a relaxed screening where the room won’t be fully dark and young people are free to move around during the film. We’ll have tea, coffee and refreshments available.
We’ll also have a speech therapist, Ella, with us on the day. She’ll be available for a free consultation, booking is required via her website: www.creatingspeech.com. Ella is keen to chat with parents about children’s and teenagers’ communication skills, as well as ways to better support our community.
The Zeitgeist Market is happening the same day,
Have a lovely weekend,
Fionnuala