The school choir of St Brigid’s Presentation Secondary School recently had the honour of recording with David Sheehan for a special Radio Kerry Christmas broadcast, which will air on Christmas morning.

The feature also includes contributions from Scartaglen National School.

The programme offers a mix of interviews with students, their reflections on the meaning of Christmas, festive music performed by the St Brigid’s choir, Christmas poetry, and a strong focus on the school’s CEIST values.

As part of this, students spoke about their TY-led Christmas Hamper initiative, an annual act of compassion that supports families within their own school community with care and kindness during the Christmas season.

St Brigid’s extended their sincere thanks to Ms Healy and Ms McCann, the dedicated coordinators of the school choir, and to Ms Finnerty, the school’s ethos coordinator, for their work and preparation in bringing this special opportunity to life. Tune in on Christmas morning!

Pupils s at St Oliver’s National School are now speaking French thanks to a successful ten-week language module delivered by French For All Killarney School of French.

The intensive module, which focused on the inclusion and pro-active learning of French, concluded with a celebratory and festive event for the three fifth classes.

Course Director and native French teacher Hélène Olivier-Courtney marked the final day with a selection of French food, including macarons, homemade crêpes, croissants, pains au chocolat, and baguettes. The food added a real French touch to the celebrations for students interested in baking, football, fashion, and art.

The ten-week language module began in schools nationally in 2021 through applications to Post Primary Language Ireland (PPLI). The course aims to help children develop a love for French and language learning in general, giving them a valuable head start before secondary school. Activities included cultural projects, art projects reflecting the children’s interests, songs, and games, making the language journey enjoyable and meaningful.

Hélène Olivier-Courtney extended a special thanks to principa Colm O’Suilleabhain and Deputy Principal Sandra Chute for welcoming French into the school this year. She also thanked all the teachers and SNAs for their continuous support.

Adult and secondary school students’ classes will resume on January 12. Hélène Olivier-Courtney wished everyone “Joyeux Noël” and extended best wishes ahead of the New Year to Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate students in 2026. She can be contacted on helene@frenchforall.ie.