The children and staff of Scoil Bhríde have recently celebrated their annual Intercultural Day, which has become an important fixture on the school calendar. Once again it was a resounding success as our 750 pupils shared and enjoyed the cultures and diversity in our Knockmay community.  With over 39 nationalities represented it was a marvellous example of a vibrant and modern school.

We are conscious that we have children from many different backgrounds, countries and religions but to us they are all part of our happy and vibrant school family.

Intercultural Day allows us the opportunity to learn more about the children’s own cultures and traditions and to welcome parents into the school. It also provides a break from the usual classroom work, allowing the children to be more creative. Apply early for an cash advance loans online, and if approved early, get cash fast.

Preparations began months ago with each of the 34 classes planning their events and activities.  Coordinator Mrs. C. Troy, Principal Mrs. Wall Coughlan and Home School Officer Ms. D. Wall, kept plans moving forward and liaised with parents and staff.

In sixth class we decided to take the children on a walking tour of some of the places of worship in Portlaoise, that our students are members of.  Over two days we visited Portlaoise Methodist Church, St.Peter’s Church of Ireland, The Redeemed Christian Church, St. Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church and Portlaoise Muslim Mosque. Ms.Wall worked hard to coordinate it all and arranged for the representatives to meet with us and show the children around.  The children really got involved in the Q&A sessions and they used the information they gathered to make a project on their findings.

Mr. O’Lionaird and the Scoil Bhríde Radio team put on a tremendous hour long radio show to celebrate the event with interviews, music and greetings from the different languages in the school.

The Parents Council were working hard to prepare refreshments for all the visitors on the day.  Children and parents came together to create a mouth watering display of breads, cakes & treats from around the world.  They also provided treats for the children which were much appreciated.

We were very thankful that so many parents came to the classrooms on the day and put a huge effort into their presentations and played music and made art with the children.

The outdoor performance began with our customary flag ceremony, which brought a riot of colour to the playground.  We were thrilled to have African drumming workshops for 1st & 2^nd classes with Eddie O’Neill this year, and Ms. Rice’s class performed a drumming circle to put everyone in a celebratory mood.  The Scoil Bhríde teacher’s ceilí band then entertained us with some lively Irish music.  All the children of the school sang our theme song “Count on Me by Bruno Mars”, accompanied by 3^rd and 4^th class children on guitars.   This gave a sense of unity as all the children and parents gathered together.  Mrs. Wall Coughlan presented prizes to the four children wearing the best examples of national dress on the day; it was a tough decision as so many of the children made a huge effort to show their heritage.

It was then time to raise our Active flag at the front of the school.  It was the culmination of a year’s work, led by Mr. Mulligan, aimed at improving the activity levels of the students and encouraging a love of sport.

Parents and visitors were then invited to the hall for refreshments and to peruse the art and projects on display.  It was a lovely day that the children enjoyed, which is the main focus of everything we do in Scoil Bhríde.

We are very grateful to all the people who got involved to make the day extra special for the children.  It was a great success which would not have happened without the hard work of parents, teachers, management, SNA’s, caretakers and of course the children themselves.  We look forward to celebrating with our multicultural school family again in the near future.