Newsletter
17 04 2026
Grainne & Marie’s Second class enjoyed a trip to the Úlla Orchard today. We have been learning about the life cycle of apple trees and loved having an opportunity to sketch the one we planted in Junior Infants with Donna.
Good afternoon everyone,
I hope you all had a nice week.
Our week has been completely overshadowed by the sadness of the loss of a member of our school community. Our thoughts are with the entire family, but especially Rachelle, Laoise, and Ada. They are very fortunate to be part of this school community, which will undoubtedly wrap its arms around them and support them over the coming days, weeks, months, and years ahead.
PGSA News
PGSA are excited to invite you to take part in our upcoming Sponsored Digital Detox Day on Wednesday April 22nd.
Could your family go on a Digital Detox for one hour? How about a day? If so, you’ll have a chance to find out whether your family can go without their phone, computer, iPad, or television for 24 hours….
If possible, PGSA are encouraging children to seek sponsorship from friends and family with all monies raised going directly to the school for readers, library books and soft furnishings for our new library, updating our IT resources, yard games and provision of sensory equipment for our children with additional needs. Sponsorship forms will be sent home with the children on Monday. They will also be able to take part in a school colouring competition (on the back of the sponsorship form) and there will be prizes for the best picture (one for JI, one for SI etc.).
We hope this day will provide a wonderful opportunity for everyone to reconnect with each other and the world around us, free from the distractions of digital devices whilst also raising much needed funds for the school.
We will also send out a Draft copy of our Acceptable Use Policy next week to families for review and comment.
Girls’Camogie and Soccer results
D7 Girl’s team got off to a bright start on Wednesday with a comfortable win against St Catherine’s Cabra in the Bogeys. Playing with a strong breeze, we peppered the opponent’s goal but found it hard to get the breakthrough. The first score was worth the wait however as a midfield tussle ended with a D7 defender striding forward confidently and landed the sliothar over the keeper into the net.
Once we made the breakthrough scores became a bit easier to find and we reached halftime with a lead of 2:2 to no score. Although comfortable up to that pont, we knew we’d have a battle on our hands in the second half. The Cabra girls were physically stronger, however D7 didn’t lack courage in the tackle and as the game wore on, our superior skill levels were evident.
We finished up rotating our team and even our goalkeeper joined in the attack towards the end. We finished up winning by 5:4 to no score. The Girl’s are back in action again on Monday, at home to St John of God NS, Artane.
Soccer News – Christ the King 0 – 8 D7 ETNS
The D7 Girls’ soccer team had a comprehensive victory in Cabra on Friday afternoon. Facing our hosts, Christ the King it became obvious from early on that D7 had too much in the tank for the opponents. On a blustery day, D7 were constantly probing looking for weaknesses in the defense. The hosts held tight for the first 15 minutes but then the gulf in class emerged as D7 took a 5-goal lead into the break.
The second half followed a similar pattern however the pace slowed a little following multiple positional changes. Christ the King managed a few forays forward but the D7 defense stood firm. A few more goals were added to the tally as the clock wound down but the match was well won by then. The last group match has still to be finalised, which will determine the top of the table spot in a winner takes all match.
The boys’ and girls’ soccer teams made the trip to Stella Maris Football Club grounds during the week to take part in the FAI primary schools 5-a-side tournament. Both sets of teams adjusted incredibly well to the fast paced 12-minute games on the Stella Maris Astro with one boys team reaching the semi-final stage. The match was closely fought and could have gone either way but unfortunately it wasn’t D7 ET’s day. They can be proud of a third place finish in a very competitive field. In particular, it was fantastic to see the sportsmanship and teamwork displayed by the D7ET teams. They gave it their best and treated everyone involved on the day with respect. You couldn’t ask for more. Well done boys and girls.
Dead Zoo
On Thursday, Róisín and Chistine’s 1st class went to the Dead Zoo in Collins’ Barracks to become explorers in the Dead Zoo Lab. We were met by our guide who told us a bit about the history of the museum and some of the exhibits on display. We learned what taxidermy was and what parts of the display animals are real and which parts are fake! We also learned that the fossils of the Great Elks were painted black because it looks cooler!
We then went to the explorer’s section of the museum where we could touch, and smell, some of the interactive displays. We talked about the different types of dear in Ireland and how some introduced species can be invasive and be harmful to our native species, such as the Irish Red Dear.
Then we went around and looked at the different displays. We saw the Dodo skeleton, the jelly fish models made from glass, platypus eggs and a football fish.
Finally, we completed a worksheet based on what we thought was our favourite display in the Dead Zoo lab. We shared what we learned about those animals. Here is a sample of our favourite animals: Angler fish, mouse lemur, meercat, green turtle, snake, axolaxolotl, capybara, baby rabbit, pygmy shrew, aye-aye.
We would recommend the trip to all the other classes. It was great fun!
Our World Awards 2026
We are delighted to hear this week that our school’s entry for the Our World Awards 2026 was highly commended. The judges said our project was very close to being shortlisted for the finals, and it stood out as a particularly strong submission in a very competitive year.
Judges’ Feedback:
SDG video by 3 amazing boys – excellent presentation on public transport, surveyed staff in DCU as well as school pupils. Really well done!
After-School D7 Dungeons and Dragons Club
There are a small number of places available in the After-School DnD Club. The club runs once a week with 3rd taking place on Wednesdays, 4th on Mondays, 5th on Thursdays and 6th on Fridays.
If you are interested please fill in the form below and Enda, one of our 6th class teachers, will be in touch with you.
https://forms.gle/8sz65K6Z5ETGTTWe9
Well done to Milo who took part in a demonstration with his club, Dublin 1 Force Taekwondo, as part of the official opening of the refurbished Lourdes Parish Hall on Sean Mc Dermott attended by the Lord Mayor of Dublin and other government officials
To finish, best wishes to the children from our school who are taking part in the Dublin Youth Choir 10-year Anniversary Concert.
Fionnuala