Halloween Bake Off

🧁🎃 Spooktacular Halloween Baking Competition 👻🍪

Our Halloween celebrations continued with a frightfully fantastic Baking Competition that had the whole school talking! The staffroom was filled with the delicious smell of freshly baked treats, and the tables were lined with an incredible display of spooky creations.

From creepy cupcakes and ghoulish biscuits to monster cakes and pumpkin pies, the imagination and effort that went into each bake was simply amazing. There were cobwebs spun from icing, ghosts made of marshmallows, and even cakes that looked far too scary to eat!

The judges had the very tricky task of choosing winners – every bake was a masterpiece in its own way, and the standard was higher than ever this year. After lots of tasting (and maybe a second helping or two!), the results were finally decided…

🥇 1st Place: Sasha, 1st class
🥈 2nd Place: Alice, 5th Class
🥉 3rd Place: Hayes, Senior Infants

A huge congratulations to our winners, and well done to everyone who entered – your creativity and baking skills made this competition truly spooktacular. It was impossible not to be impressed (and very, very full!).

We hope you enjoy sampling all the tasty treats at tonight’s Halloween Disco! can’t wait to see what hauntingly tasty creations appear in next year’s competition!

Halloween 2025

🎃 Halloween Dress-Up Day Brings Spooktacular Fun to School! 👻

This year’s Halloween Dress-Up Day was one to remember! From the moment the doors opened, the corridors were alive with colour, laughter, and plenty of spooky surprises. Pupils and staff alike went all out, donning an incredible variety of costumes that made the day truly magical.

We saw everything from bouncing footballs to a rather convincing Mr Bean, sparkling princesses to terrifying vampires – and just about everything in between! The creativity and imagination on display was amazing, with costumes ranging from hilarious to hair-raising.

Throughout the day, the atmosphere was buzzing. Lessons were filled with fun, and break times turned into mini catwalks as everyone showed off their fantastic outfits. Teachers joined in the fun too, proving that dressing up isn’t just for the children!

The day was about more than costumes, though – it was about celebrating together as a school community. Smiles, giggles, and a few playful scares were shared all around, creating memories that will last long after the pumpkins have gone.

A huge thank you to everyone who took part and made Halloween Dress-Up Day such a brilliant success. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas appear next year!

The Student Staple

📰✨ The Student Staple Hits the Shelves! ✨📰

Today marked an exciting milestone at our school – the very first issue of our brand-new student newsletter, The Student Staple, went on sale!

Created and published entirely by our talented 6th Class students, the newsletter is packed with brilliant content. Inside, readers can find all the latest school news, the ever-stylish Nun’s Cross fashion section, mind-bending puzzles, exciting competitions, and so much more. There truly is something for everyone!

The buzz around the school was electric as copies were snapped up, with pupils eager to dive into the stories and challenges inside. It’s clear that a huge amount of effort, creativity, and teamwork went into bringing The Student Staple to life.

A massive well done to all of our young reporters, publishers, designers, and researchers who have been working tirelessly over the last few weeks. Your hard work has paid off – the first edition is a huge success, and we can’t wait to see what you’ll create for the next issue!

Open Cross Country Races in Avondale

On Tuesday, 21st October, a group of 40 of our students took part in the Open Cross Country Races in Avondale. The event brought together young athletes from 3rd to 6th Class, with each competitor running a challenging 1km course.

The races were organised by class and gender, giving every child the opportunity to experience the excitement of competitive running in a supportive and encouraging environment.

A huge congratulations to Louisa and Noah, who ran a fantastic race and secured first place in their category! We are so proud of their achievement.

We also want to say a big well done to all of our pupils who took part. Each runner showed determination, effort, and school spirit—qualities that matter just as much as finishing positions. It was wonderful to see our students challenge themselves and cheer each other on throughout the day.

Thank you to the organisers of the event and to the parents and teachers who supported the children. Days like this remind us of the importance of sport in helping students build resilience, confidence, and teamwork.

Autumn Adventures in Junior Infants

Autumn Adventures in Junior Infants 🍂

Junior Infants have been very busy exploring the magic of autumn! We started with an exciting nature hunt in our school garden, where the children spotted so many signs of autumn – colourful leaves, berries, and even clues about animals getting ready for the colder months.

We’ve been learning all about autumn leaves – discovering why some trees lose their leaves while others stay green all year round. The children also found out about hibernation and the animals that curl up for a long winter’s sleep, and why they need to do it to survive the chilly season. 🦔🐿️🐻

Of course, our learning didn’t stop there! We brought autumn into the classroom through art, experimenting with autumn colours and even using leaves from our school garden to make our very own leaf hedgehogs. Each one is as unique and creative as the children themselves.

It’s been a colourful, creative, and exciting season of learning in Junior Infants!

Building Winter Homes in First Class

First Class have been busy putting their creativity and problem-solving skills to the test by designing and building special homes for animals to hibernate in. ❄️🐿️🦔

We began by planning carefully – deciding which animal our home would be for and what features it would need. Next, we headed outside to gather natural materials, thinking about how animals in the wild use their environment to stay safe. Finally, it was time for the big test: making sure our houses were waterproof and winter-ready!

The children loved seeing their ideas come to life, while learning how important shelter is for animals during the colder months.

Hedgehog Adventures in First Class!

In First Class, we’ve been busy exploring the wonderful world of hedgehogs! 🦔

The children worked hard on their very own hedgehog reports, learning fascinating facts about these spiky little creatures. During play time, imaginations ran wild as the children designed and built cosy hedgehog habitats, thinking carefully about what a hedgehog might need to stay safe and warm. To top it all off, we rolled up our sleeves and got creative with clay, shaping and decorating our very own clay hedgehogs – each one as unique as its creator!

It’s been a spiky, snuffly, and super-fun learning adventure in First Class!

Tag Rugby in Wicklow with 6th class

6th class thoroughly enjoyed participating in a tag rugby blitz which was hosted at Wicklow Rugby Club last week. The team demonstrated great energy and team spirit and won all their matches on the day. We would like to say a huge thank you to Aidan, our rugby coach, for organising and also for all the fun he brings to our school each Monday.

Bricfeasta le Naíonáin Shinsearacha

Last week our Senior Infants had Bricfeasta le chéile to celebrate the great learning they had been doing in Irish. The class had been learning all about food and were so lucky to share bricfeasta on Friday. The menu included sú oráiste, tósta, gránach, bainne, im agus rudaí eile. We are so proud of all the learning taking place each day.

Celebrating National Tree Week in Kilmacurragh

Second Class celebrated National Tree Day in Kilmacurragh. They were very lucky to engage in the budding botanist experience where they learned how to take a botany sample, how to identify if accurately, their sample’s Latin name and common name and how to record this. It was lots of fun!

Harvest 2025

On October 9th, our school community came together to celebrate our annual Harvest Service. Harvest is a special time to give thanks for the abundance of food we are fortunate to enjoy, and to reflect on the importance of sharing with those who may be in need.

Each class made a wonderful contribution to the service, bringing it to life with a variety of songs, dramas, poems, and prayers. Guided by Rev. Jack, we joined together in giving thanks for all that we have and for the blessings of the season.

One of the most meaningful parts of our celebration was the collection of food donations. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our school families, we gathered a very large collection of food items. A special word of appreciation goes to our 6th Class students, who showed impressive responsibility and compassion in leading the organisation of the collection.

We are also very grateful to The Wicklow Lions Club, who helped distribute the donations to local families in need of extra support. This act of kindness ensured that the spirit of Harvest truly reached beyond our school and into the wider community.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported this year’s Harvest Service – together we made it a memorable and meaningful celebration of gratitude and giving.

Junior Builders

Junior Infants Explore Materials and Construction!

This month, our Junior Infants are diving into an exciting new topic – Materials! The children will be exploring the fascinating world of builders, architects, and construction as they discover how everyday objects and structures are made.

Through play, investigation, and hands-on activities, the children will be busy experimenting with different materials – wood, metal, brick, fabric, and more – and learning about their unique properties. They’ll get the chance to design, build, and create all sorts of wonderful constructions, from tiny towers to imaginative masterpieces.

As part of their learning, the children will also be developing important language skills. Key words and phrases such as solid, strong, rough, smooth, build, design, plan, construct, balance, and join will be introduced and practiced as they explore and share their ideas.

This topic will encourage lots of creativity and teamwork. Over the course of the month, we can’t wait to see our Junior Infants think like architects, work like builders, and let their imaginations run wild as they bring their creations to life!

Celebrating European Day of Languages

3rd Class recently led a wonderful assembly to mark European Day of Languages, celebrating the many ways people communicate – from spoken and written words to sign languages.

To prepare, the class surveyed families in our school community and discovered an impressive variety of languages spoken at home. Alongside English and Irish, families use Ukrainian, German, Romanian, Hungarian, Greek, Italian, Macedonian, Spanish, and Catalan.

Staff members also bring their own linguistic skills: Liliana speaks Portuguese, Justyna speaks Polish, and both Ms. Smith and Sandra speak French.

Our school is even more diverse, with families also speaking Afrikaans, Hindi, Filipino, Japanese, and Russian, reflecting cultures from South Africa, India, the Philippines, Japan, and beyond.

During the assembly, children shared greetings in languages such as Irish, Japanese, German, Ukrainian, Māori, Spanish, French, Hindi, and Italian. They also reminded us of the International Day of Sign Languages, showing that communication takes many forms.

The assembly ended with a joyful performance of “This Little Light of Mine”, celebrating how our many languages can shine brightly in our school community.

Our New Playground

A Playground Dream Come True at Nun’s Cross

On a bright and joyful afternoon, our school community gathered to officially launch the brand-new Nun’s Cross Playground—a project that has been years in the dreaming and months in the making. What once seemed like a distant hope has now become a vibrant reality, thanks to the generosity, hard work, and unwavering spirit of our entire community.

From a Whisper to Reality

When the idea of extra land was first mentioned, it felt more like a dream than a plan. But through the incredible kindness of Stephen Collier, who gifted the land outright to our school, that dream took root. Without his generosity, none of what we now celebrate would have been possible.

With the land secured, inspiration came from the children themselves, who helped shape the design. The PTA stepped up with boundless energy, raising an astonishing €25,000 through events, donations, and a GoFundMe campaign. Parents, families, and friends rolled up their sleeves, transforming sketches and ideas into something truly extraordinary.

A Community Effort

This project was never about one person—it was about many. From the very beginning, people gave their time, resources, skills, and encouragement.

• Keith Belton became the backbone of the project, offering his machinery, expertise, calm reassurance, and endless hours of hard work.

• Andrew Fox of Ashford Sand and Gravel generously provided materials, staff, and support that lifted the project beyond what we could have imagined.

• John Herraty, Des Martin, and the O’Sheehan family all gave crucial contributions of materials and funding.

• Our talented design team—Edwin Jebb, Alice Gibson, and Sam Fleming—brought creativity and vision to every stage. A special thank you goes to Alice Gibson, whose pond design with its waterfall, stream, and fountain has created a magical centrepiece.

• Sarah Green devoted countless hours to planting and landscaping, ensuring this space is not only beautiful now but will continue to grow, change, and inspire learning for years to come.

And then there were the countless parents, children, and friends who showed up with wheelbarrows, rakes, tools, and sheer determination. Each workday was proof of the unique spirit of Nun’s Cross—neighbours and families coming together with enthusiasm and joy to create something bigger than themselves.

What We’ve Built Together

The new playground is nothing short of a wonderland for our children. It includes:

• A sports pitch for games and teamwork.

• A giant sandpit for creative play.

• Gross motor equipment to help develop strength and coordination.

• Swings and slides for pure childhood fun.

• A stage, ready for performances and imaginative play.

• A stunning pond with a waterfall and fountain, offering not only beauty but also a space for outdoor learning and reflection.

As a lasting reminder of what can be achieved when a community comes together, we were also proud to unveil a beautiful mosaic of the Nun’s Cross school logo, lovingly created by parent Carla Benedetti and her father.

Looking Ahead

The playground is not yet finished—it will continue to grow and evolve as new elements are added and as the plants mature. We look forward to forming a garden working group to help care for and maintain this special space in the years ahead.

But today, as laughter and play filled the air, we paused to celebrate. This playground is a testament to what can happen when generosity, kindness, and community come together.

To everyone who played a part—whether through donations, design, hard work, encouragement, or simply showing up—thank you. This playground belongs to all of us, and most of all, to the children of Nun’s Cross.

Here’s to years of play, learning, and happy memories in our new playground!

5th & 6th class girls GAA

We are so proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of our 5th and 6th class girls, who put on a fantastic display of skill, teamwork, and determination at yesterday’s blitz in Bray Emmets GAA club.

Not only did they play with great spirit, but they also won all of their matches! 🎉 Their hard work in training, commitment to supporting one another, and passion for the game truly shone through on the pitch.

A big thank you to their coaches, teachers, and supporters who encouraged them every step of the way. The girls showed what can be achieved when talent meets teamwork—and we couldn’t be prouder of them.

Well done, girls! You’ve made the whole school community proud. 💙👏

Running Club

Running Club is Back! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️
We’re excited to announce that Running Club is starting up again this week! Children from 3rd to 6th Class are warmly invited to join us every Wednesday morning for some fresh air, fitness, and fun.

The group will meet at the church before school and set off for a run together under the supervision of teachers. It’s a brilliant way to wake up your body and mind, enjoy some exercise with friends, and start the day with lots of energy and positivity.

Whether you’re a speedy sprinter or just love a gentle jog, everyone is welcome—so lace up those runners and come along!

First Day Of School

A Fantastic First Day in Junior Infants!
What an exciting start to the school year! Our new Junior Infants arrived with big smiles and bundles of energy, and they’ve already settled in so well. From exploring their new classroom to joining in games, songs, and creative activities, the children threw themselves into every moment. Best of all, they’ve already begun making lots of new friends! We are so proud of how confident and happy they were on their very first day, and we can’t wait to see all the learning and adventures that lie ahead this year.

Buddy System in Nun's Cross

Our Big Buddy System

Starting school is a huge step, and to make sure every Junior Infant feels safe, happy, and cared for, we have a very special tradition: the Big Buddy System!

When an older child becomes a Big Buddy, they take on a very important role—they become a friendly guide, a helping hand, and a caring friend for one of our new infants, their Little Buddy.

So what do Big Buddies do?

• Help little buddies settle in: A new school can feel like a big place, but with a Big Buddy by their side, our new infants quickly feel at home.

• Make friends together: A Big Buddy is often a little buddy’s first friend in school. They help them meet children their own age too, so that playtime is full of fun and friendship.

• Encourage independence: Sometimes little buddies need a bit of help at the start, and Big Buddies are there to show them how to do things until they can manage on their own.

• Care and look out for them: Most importantly, Big Buddies care. They keep an eye on their little buddy, making sure they always feel safe and supported.

How does it work?

• The first few days: Big Buddies spend playtime with their little buddy, helping them get used to the yard and classroom routines. They may even join them at lunchtime once the full school day begins.

• The first few weeks: Buddies meet for special activities like free play, art, or story time. Big Buddies also sit with their little buddy at assemblies and services to help them feel secure.

• The rest of the year: As the little buddies grow more confident, they won’t need as much daily support—but Big Buddies still check in every now and again, so their little buddy always knows there’s someone special looking out for them.

The Big Buddy System is a wonderful way to help our youngest pupils feel at home while giving older children the chance to grow into kind, caring role models. It’s one of the many reasons why our school community feels like a family.

Sorting in junior Infants

Super Sorters in Junior Infants!
Junior Infants have been busy little mathematicians this week, exploring the maths strand of sorting and making sets. With curious minds and keen eyes, they sorted, grouped, and organised objects in lots of different ways—by colour, size, shape, and more! It’s amazing to see how quickly they’re spotting patterns and making connections. Who knew maths could be this much fun?

Humpty Dumpty

Junior Infants Crack the Case of Humpty Dumpty!
Our Junior Infants have been cracking on with their learning this week! They’ve been busy singing, acting, and exploring the classic nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty. But the fun didn’t stop there—when poor Humpty took his famous tumble, the children rolled up their sleeves and worked together to put him back together again. And you know what? We think they did a far better job than all the king’s horses and all the king’s men!