Saturday 13th December
Good morning everyone,
Congratulations and well done to all of our school community. We have almost made it to the end of term one and yesterday marked the end of classes for 2025. It’s been a busy week with lots of festive activities so I hope everyone can get some rest this weekend and make time to study ahead of the Christmas exams and block class for 3rd & 6th Years which take place next week.
Ice Skating
Well done to all the students who attended our Ice Skating Event on Wednesday. The students had a fantastic time. Their behaviour was excellent and they represented the school extremely well. Thanks to all of our team who supported the students on the trip. I hope you all got to see the photos and videos on Instagram as part of our Vlogmas 2025!
Carol Service
We had a really lovely Carol Service on Thursday. The readings, the prayers, the music were all beautiful and spoke to the true meaning of Christmas. Particular thanks to our RE and Music Departments, our wonderful soloists -Kayden and Cori, the choir, the Junior and Senior Bands and to Fr Adrian who always welcomes us to the Assumption Parish. Again, tune into our Vlogmas posts to see the students’ performances.
1st Year Christmas Celebration
Our 1st Year Christmas Celebration was a great success on Tuesday. This new endeavour for St Seton’s is sure to be repeated next year. Thank you to Ms Turley, Mr Breen, Mr Blanch, the tutors and SNAs and all the students for a wonderful show, especially those who took to the stage. Well done!
As we come to the end of this year 2025, there are a number of points of information to note! Please take some time to read through the various pieces below. Thank you to all those who read this weekly bulletin. I hope you find it helpful to know what is happening in St Seton’s each week.
Sarah Green
Principal
Christmas Exams 2025 & 3rd / 6th Year Block Classes
Our 5th Year Leaving Certificate Established Students began their Christmas exams yesterday. All other students 1st, 2nd, TY and 5th LCA begin on Monday, 15th December.
- Block Class for 3rd and 6th Years will take place from Monday 15th December – Wednesday 17th December.
- The timetables for the exams and block classes can be accessed in this folder: Student Timetables for Christmas Assessments 2025 / Block Classes
- Please support your child to attend the exams each day. It is important for their educational progress. If anyone is struggling with attendance for exams, please contact us and we will provide support.
Christmas Hampers
A huge thank you to our HSCL team, Loretta and Noel and their team of student helpers, for the preparation and distribution of the St Seton’s Christmas Hampers. Thank you to all the students who brought in food donations, coordinated by the Student Council team and to our local sponsors of the turkeys and other means of support. These hampers make a big difference to families at Christmas time and it is an honour for us to be able to provide some additional support at this special time of year.
Meeting with Senator Evanne Ní Chuilinn
We had a positive visit with Senator Evanne Ni Chuilinn in school on Monday. The staff representatives and Chairperson of the Board of Management, John Barry, impressed upon her the challenges of the dual campus arrangements. We discussed the context of the amalgamation and how we want our new school building to be prioritised by the Department of Education.
Following this meeting, we have a follow up meeting with An Tanáiste’s special advisor in January and we are hopeful that arising from these meetings, we will be welcoming the Minister for Education and An Tánaiste to St Seton’s and Ballyfermot early in the New Year to witness firsthand our school in action and to hear from the staff and students teaching and learning on the ground each day.
‘Gan Script!’ Episode 2 – out now!
Congratulations to Tori Lee and Darcie Dunne on their excellent podcast recording with Senator Evanne Ni Chuilinn who was so very impressed with the two students. The podcast episode is available now on Spotify! Click Here to Listen Now! Thanks to Ms Mollison for supporting the students and her post production skills!
An Tús Nua Group
The first An Tús Nua Group meeting will take place on Tuesday 13th January at 4pm in my office on the Senior Campus. Thank you to Lisa Clancy who will join the group as a Parent / Guardian Representative.
Proposal for Enhancement of JC Yard, SC Yard and PE Lab
It will come as no surprise that improving the Yard Spaces has been identified as a priority for St Seton’s by the whole school community and the Board. Even with the new building promised, we have to ensure that the best provision possible, while operating across the two campuses, is realised for all students until the new building is realised. I brought a number of proposals to the Board of Management at the last meeting and we are hopeful of delivering significant improvements to the outdoor spaces on both campuses in Spring 20
Junior Campus:
-Installation of 2x Basketball / 5 a-side courts (Permanent posts and line markings)
-Installation of 2x Padel Courts
-Installation fencing to define the spaces on the JC and assist with better supervision
-Installation of ‘Roots of Connection’ Garden Space
Senior Campus:
-Installation of 2x Basketball / 5 a-side courts (Permanent posts and line markings)
-Installation and repair of fencing to assist with better supervision at break / lunch times
-Installation of ‘Roots of Connection’ Garden Space
-Installation of PE Lab in Room 20.
These are big projects and they take time and cost to deliver but, with a lot of the planning and costing now completed, we are hopeful of significant progress being made with achieving the above by Easter. If anyone wishes to come on board to assist with or support any element of the Yard Enhancement Projects, please let me know – sgreen@stsetons.ie
Policies Ratified by Board of Management
The following polices were ratified by the Board of Management at the most recent meeting on 02.12.25
– Policy on Students’ Use of Regulation Breaks During Class Time – BOM Ratified 02.12.25.docx
– Assistive Technology Policy – BOM Ratified 02.12.25.docx
– Book Scheme and Stationery Provision Policy – BOM Ratified 02.12.25
– Code of Behaviour – BOM Ratified 02.12.25.docx
– Policy on Students’ Use of Toilets – BOM Ratified 02.12.25
January – Important Dates:
St Elizabeth Ann Seton’s Feast Day – 4th Januar
We will celebrate St Elizabeth Ann’s Feast Day on 5th January. Each Year Group will have a Welcome Back Assembly and Prayer Service scheduled.
Parent Teacher Meetings – TY & 5th Year – 15th January – Senior Campus
Parent Teacher Meetings for 4th & 5th Year will take place on the Senior Campus on 15th January from 16:15 – 18:45.
Incoming First Year Information Evening – 22nd January – Junior Campus at 7pm
We look forward to welcoming all new incoming 1st Year Students who will begin with us in August 2026 to our Junior Campus for their first information evening about transition and transfer.
Friday Reflection – Third Sunday of Advent: A Season of Joy
Tomorrow is the Third Sunday of Advent. Advent calls us to rediscover joy — not in perfection, but in presence. Joy is found in shared laughter, in gratitude, and in hope renewed. Even in uncertain times, joy reminds us that light is growing. “Rejoice in the Lord always” (Philippians 4:4).
