Catherine O’Brien

A parent in our school, Catherine O'Brien, was the recipient of €500 from our Mission Fund for her trip to South Africa with the Niall Mellon Township Trust in November. Catherine donated the money to Miriam who runs the Lukanyo Creche in Capetown. Miriam started with 6 children and now she has 60. To quote Miriam “I feed the children one meal a day and often this is the only food they will receive. These children are left on their own while their parents go to work”. Miriam says a big “Thank You” to the parents and pupils who support our Mission Fund.

Scoil Chríost Rí Welcomes Christmas to Turner’s Cross

On Tuesday December 15th some of our boys were privileged to part-take in a Community Christmas Pageant in Turner’s Cross Church. The Pageant involved all schools from the parish between actors, narrators and choirs, with the school choirs joining the adult church choir to enhance the occasion. Rehearsals for both the actors and choir members were ongoing for six weeks before the Pageant and on the night the boys’ hard work and dedication shone through as they gathered in their costumes. From the rabble-rousers with John The Baptist, to Joseph meeting the innkeepers along the way, to the shepherds, kings and Herod with his advisors, each boy played his part perfectly. The choirboys enhanced the ceremony as they raised their voices along with the other choirs on the night. Without a doubt the evening proved to be a lovely evening of reflection on the real meaning of Christmas. For those who were present it provided a real oasis of calm away from what can sometimes be a time of madness in the lead up to the holidays. The boys from 4th, 5th and 6th from Scoil Chríost Rí who participated in the Pageant contributed to this wonderful oasis and we applaud their efforts and dedication. They were a credit to themselves, the school and most of all you their parents.

Annual Christmas Toy Sale

Our annual sale was held on Friday, December 11th. As usual, it was a huge success and the boys had a wonderful day of fun. The sale, raffle, etc yielded a massive €2,900. A representative from the Simon Community will visit the school on Tuesday, December 22nd, where they will address the boys in the hall. They will also accept a cheque from them for the Simon Community Charity. We selected the Simon Community Charity as the late Br. Joe Nealon was actively involved with Simon during his lifetime. The draw for the prizes in the Monster Raffle will also take place on that morning. The staff sponsored the raffle prizes. Finally, a word of thanks to all of you for your help in making our annual charity event a huge success.

Parents and Friends of Scoil Chríost Rí

Dear Parents,

as you all know, our annual book fare took place last month. In these recessionary times we were absolutely amazed with your response once again. ‘A book is a gift that keeps on giving ‘ and because of your fantastic support, a commission of well in excess of €2000 was made. This goes directly to the purchase of more new and exciting books for our boys next year.

Again, we offer our heartfelt thanks and appreciation and wish you all a Happy Christmas and a peaceful 2010!

Christine Hayes

Chairperson Parents and Friends

Senior Infants

On December, 16th Senior Infants went to Scoil Stiofán Naofa to see the Performing Arts Department Christmas Panto - “Over the Rainbow”. They thoroughly enjoyed the performance where they met many characters, the Tin man, the Scarecrow, Dorothy and so forth. Our excited little people followed the yellow brick road every step of the way!

Coláiste Chríost Rí visit With Dr. Kinane Cup.

On Wednesday 9th December Coláiste Chríost Rí’s u.16½ hurling team defeated Charleville C.B.S. in the final of the Dr. Kinane Cup, Munster Colleges Junior hurling, in Ballyhea. To commemorate this great achievement and in view of the fact that the panel contained no fewer than 13 past pupils of Scoil Chríost Rí, including a number of those who played on our last Sciath na Scol victory in hurling in 2007, the panel paid a visit to our school on Monday last where they were given a tremendous welcome from all the boys. It was fantastic to see a hurling trophy being displayed in the school once again. We thank the players and their mentors, Mr. Duggan and Mr. O Riordan, for honouring us with their visit and we wish them all the best for the coming school year as they take part in the very prestigious Dr. Harty Cup (Munster Colleges Senior Hurling) competition.

Football News

Competing once again in R1 of Sciath na Scol, Scoil Chríost Rí had their most successful season in recent years when losing to Scoil Columba’s(Douglas) in a play-off for a place in the final against St. Anthony’s. In the league section we defeated Scoil Columba’s (Douglas), Scoil Eoin(Ballincollig), Scoil na nÓg (Glanmire), Scoil Barra (Beaumont) and Scoil Oilibhéir (Ballyvolane) before losing to St. Anthony’s by a point in our last league match thus qualifying for a 3-way play-off. St. Anthony’s defeated St. Columba’s in the first play-off game thus qualifying for the final. That left Scoil Chríost Rí to face St. Columba’s for that final spot. In a tremendous game played in Douglas G.A.A. pitch on November 5th. we were most unlucky to lose out on a scoreline of 1-8 to 1-6. The whole panel can be proud of their efforts during the campaign. The panel of players consisted of the following : Mark Crowley, Eric Murphy, Darren Hourihane, Aaron Browne, Liam Madden, Shane Hurley, Jack O Sullivan, Brian Barry, Eoin Healy, Eoin O Keefe, Cian McCarthy, Conor Dennehy, Colm Scully, Matthew Perrott, Seán Dennehy, Seán O Brien, Barry Cripps, Aidan Cahill, Brian Hill and Edozie Ogbene. In addition to the above the 2nd., 4th. and 5th. classes have received coaching lessons from Charlie McLaughlin. We are very grateful to Nemo Rangers for providing the coach for these lessons.

Santa’s Visit

On Thursday 17th December Santa and his helpers arrived by Fire Engine to Scoil Chríost Rí. The excitement was palpable, as Santa visited the classes with his elves and each boy received sweets. The children really enjoyed the occasion!! Many thanks, as always, to the Parents’ and Friends’ Association for making Santa’s visit a reality every year for our children.

Schools Orienteering

The Cork Schools Orienteering Association (C.S.O.A.), held their first league races on Wednesday (Oct. 20th.) in Farran Wood and were blessed that the weather remained favourable. There was a very successful Introductory Day in September in Curragh Wood, Midleton and Doneraile National Park. The children were introduced to the sport and an introductory course was also offered last Wednesday. Over 300 primary boys and girls turned up and enjoyed the competitive courses which had a few tricky challenges to test their navigation. Brian Barry came second overall and our team were just pipped for the team title by four seconds. The county championship is scheduled for early February in Corrin Wood, Fermoy, the Munster Schools for March in Dungarvan and the All-Ireland Schools for April in Glengarra Wood, Cahir. We hope to attend these and be competitive. The boys enjoyed the freedom of the woods and the opportunity to exercise.

Focal ón bPríomhoide

The first term in Scoil Chríost Rí has been extraordinary by any stretch of the imagination. Since September I’ve shared good news with our community – welcomed new staff – Máire Finn, Oliver Whelton, wished others a well earned retirement – Kay Mangan and Dan Whelton, congratulated teams and individuals on outstanding success – our Sciath na Scol footballers and our orienteerers. Sadly, I’ve also shared times of grief with the loss of loved ones in the Críost Rí community – Seán O’Brien R.I.P. and Br. Joe Nealon R.I.P. Our pupils have continued to enjoy and thrive from their participation in a variety of rich learning experiences. Our teachers and support staff have continued to devote so much time and energy to provide for the educational and pastoral needs of their pupils. And our parents and friends have continued to provide the high level of support and involvement on which our school relies. So heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes our school a better place – Staff, Board of Management, Parents and Friends, Fr. Charlie, Pupils and their families. I wish all in the Scoil Chríost Rí community a very safe and Happy Christmas break and look forward to the opportunities that will come in the New Year. Enjoy Christmas – let the child in us all come to the fore. There’s nothing sadder in the world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child. Beannachtaí na Nollag agus Sonas na hAthbhliana Chugaibh.

Drumming Workshop

Great fun was had recently by the Senior Infants and First Classes. They participated in a drumming session by Eamon, it was great to see the childrens’ sense of natural rhythm. We look forward to seeing some of the pupils as star drummers down the road!