St. Aidan's C.B.S

St. Aidan's C.B.S.,
Whitehall, Dublin.

Scoil Aodháin, Fionnbhrú, Baile Átha Cliath

News Update
Christmas 2009
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Christmas Time is upon us once again

The build-up started early this year as shopkeepers tried to separate consumers from their hard earned cash. On November 6th I heard an instrumental version of the traditional hymn "Away in a Manger" in my local supermarket store. This surprised me. The clocks had just fallen back to the long dark evenings of wintertime. The last bangers of Halloween could be heard exploding intermittently in the distance. To me, the music seemed crass, yet it transported my imagination back to the birth of Jesus.

The image of the nativity was powerful in its simplicity. It was a message of peace and goodwill for all mankind.This moment of reflection passed and it was back to hustle and bustle again.

Christmas is a wonderful family occasion and a lot of effort goes into it. Enjoy the festivities - the food, the presents and good cheer. Take time out to reflect on the Christian message, reach out to others who are less fortunate than you. The Holy Family was on the margins in Bethlehem.

The Vincent De Paul, The Whitehall Social Services, The Samaritans and many other organisations are calling for your support at home in Ireland.Think of the selfless work of Sharon Commins and Fr. Michael Sinnott and the commitment of Trocaire, Concern, Bothár and Goal to the impoverished peoples of the Third World - they also need your support and prayers.

Mr.T.P.Ward
Deputy-Principal

Special Gifts

While most of us are thinking of what gifts we might get for Christmas, we are constantly being reminded that Christmas is also a time for giving. In St. Aidan's we enourage students to give something to those less well off than ourselves. For example, last week the Student Council presented a cheque for €300 to the Peter McVerry Trust and classes 2East and 2 West collected food and money which was presented to the Whitehall Social Service Council which will be distributed to 85 people in the parish. But giving to other people does not mean you always you have to spend money. The following poem sums this up:

Special Gifts (Source Unknown)

a firm handshake to a shaky soul,
a kind word to a lonely person,
a warm smile to the disheartened,
a sincere concern or someone troubled,
a feeling of compassion for the neglected,
a comforting thought for the bereaved,
a respect for the dignity of others,
a defence of the rights of individuals,
a word of witness to help a seeking soul.
A very Happy, Holy and Peaceful Christmas to all.

Mr.J. Reynolds
Principal

St. Aidan’s Tops Irish Times Feeder Schools List 2009

St. Aidan’s is the top placed Boys School in the list of non-fee paying schools in North Dublin, published recently by the Irish Times. In the overall list of non-fee paying boys and girls schools, St. Aidan’s placed second with 93% of our Class of 2009 going to third level colleges. This is an incredible achievement for a local school with an open admissions policy. The challenge for the whole school including Management, Teachers, Parents and Students is not alone to maintain this standard but to improve upon it over the coming years. The preferred colleges of choice among our students were Trinity College and D.C.U. Darren O’Connell and Karl Elliott, our top students in 2009 Leaving Certificate, received entrance exhibition awards from Trinity College following in the footsteps of former St. Aidan’s students. With a high level of sporting and academic success and a great tradition to back it up, it is easy to understand why parents and students are so positive about this great school - St. Aidan’s.