This year we had a fantastic response to the Christmas Shoebox Appeal, collecting a total of 109 boxes!  A huge thank you to all the pupils who kindly prepared a shoebox or donated money to the cause.

Wednesday, 26th September, a record number of students from our school took part in the Primary School Cross Country races in Carlow Hurling Club grounds. Thirty three students from 4th to 6th class left the school on a cloudy but dry morning to take part. Some were cross country veterans but for some it was the first time they had ever taken part in a running event and they did us proud. All of the children represented St Joseph’s with great dignity.

Many of the children placed higher than last year and some even came in the top twenty. Aoibh Johnson (4th class) came 4th in her race. Katie Myers (4th class) was hot on her heels, coming in 6th place. Lucy Myers (5th class) was an astounding 2nd and Kate Ryan, 6th class, stormed in in 9th place. Amazing results ladies!

Our 4th class girl’s team came third overall beating off stiff competition. Team members Aoibh Johnson, Katie Myers, Lillian Keating and Katie Cahill were delighted to be presented with their medals by silver world medalist, Molly Scott.

All runners are a credit to the school. Well done to everyone who took part!

Yes we are back and if possible, bigger and better!  World Athletics Champion, Molly Scott, launched the 3rd Annual Break for the Border – Carlow to Wicklow 10km & 5km race. This year’s race takes place 23rd September at 12.00 noon.

Molly Scott, one of Irelands finest young athletes is delighted once again to join the Break for the Border team as the race starts in her locality and she spent her early years running with Hacketstown Athletics Club. Molly has recently returned from the IAAF U20 World Championships, Finland, with a World Silver Medal.  She ran the first leg of the Irish women’s 4x100m relay team, and also competed at the 100m hurdles at this event where she made the semifinals. Pupils were delighted to meet Molly and speak to her about how she keeps fit and healthy.

St Joseph’s NS Principal, Doireann Hester comments, “We are thrilled with the response that we have had to our annual “Break for the Border” race this year. The local community, as always, has shown huge support for their local school in organising, volunteering, sponsoring and going to take part in the race. We welcome all runners, walkers and crawlers to Hacketstown on the 23rd of September and promise a great race and of course homemade refreshments afterwards.”

Organisers guarantee a professional timed and chipped event including supervised car park, bag drop, pre warm-up, water/refreshment stations, music throughout the race, all the homemade sandwiches and buns you can eat, a warm welcome and most importantly bling.  Pacers will help and support runners throughout the race. Customised Break for the Border medals will be presented to all participants across the line.  Check out our Facebook page “Break for the Border – Carlow to Wicklow 10km & 5km” to see the medals and the find out more about the race.   All funds raised from the event will go towards equipment for over 140 local children attending the school.
We will also be joined by members of Adrenaline Running Club, Tinahely Tri Club, St Laurence O’Tooles Athletics Club, Clonmore GAA, Rathvilly GAA, Knockananna GAA, Tullow Athletics & GAA, Baltinglass Fitness, Hacketstown Athletics and many more on September 23rd.

The race has created an amazing atmosphere amongst local business with over 30 companies from Hacketstown and the surrounding areas sponsoring the event – most of them agreeing to come along and take part in the race which will cater for professional runners, joggers, walkers and buggy pushers. Companies taking part include:

• O’Reilly’s Petrol Station
• Jo Browne
• Butlers Organic Eggs
• R Cullen Landscaping
• Damien Cullen Agri Contractor
• Paul Connolly Electrical
• John Connolly Electrical
• SuperValu
• Bolands Bar
• The Corner
• Glanmore Foods
• CJ Fallon
• Steel & Spares
• Ellis Well Drilling
• Vestec
• Donlan Motors
• Moorhead Motors
• Jim Connolly Motors
• Kavanaghs Garage
• Smith Groundworks & Civil Engineering Ltd.
• Clonmore GAA
• Hacketstown Community Games
• Liffey Meats
• Hair Affairs
• Arthur Kennedy Chemist
• Myers Transport
• PJ Townsend Transport
• R Whelan Agri Contractor
• Woodside Garden Products
• Monastill Engineering & Automation
• Apple Tree Pre-School
• Jackie’s Florist
• Dunne Construction Ltd
• Mick Smith Haulage & Sons Ltd
• Lamberts Hardware

This is St. Joseph’s NS largest fundraiser and all profits raised will go towards support and equipment for the pupils in the school. We ask that all parents get involved and come out and support your school.
Pic– Molly Scott, World Athletics Champion pictured with St. Joseph’s NS pupil and Irish Athletics Champion (Gold U8 80m all Ireland final) William Myres and St. Jospeh’s NS Principal, Doireann Hester at the launch of the annual Break for the Border Carlow to Wicklow 10km & 5km race.

Congratulations to last weeks winners of the Good Citizens and Good Workers of the Week. L-R Anna Kearney; Jack Kane; Ruby Doyle; Jack Lyons; Jessica Doyle; Peter Kavanagh; Cian Weeks; Aaron Byrne; Lee Doyle and Luke Kelly.

Winner of the book voucher donated by the Parents Association was Ruby Doyle. Congratulations Ruby.

Congratulations to the winners of the good citizen and workers of the week for the past two weeks. These awards are a great way to encourage children to work to the best of their ability and help others while at school.  Well done everyone.

L-R: Samantha Dunne; Conor Byrne; Leah Byrne; Cody Bowes
L-R: Ava Kelly; Cian Byrne; Amberleigh Fox; Jake Mooney
Front: Ashton Daly and Emily Joyce

Congratulations to Jake Mooney winner of the book token sponsored by the parents association.

L-R: Tomas Joyce; Dani Furlong; Gary O’Toole; Harry Doyle; Harry Altree; John McKernan; Bobby Cullen (Aaron kelly absent from photo)
Front: Rory Cullen and Alexander Byrne

Winner of the book voucher Dani Furlong. Well done Dani.

Congratulations to Lee Kane, Dillara Kinsella, Emma Whelan, Emily Heffernan, Jessica Doyle, Cassie Daly, Oisin Wall, Michael Davis, Killian Leeson and Paddy Sheehan on winning this weeks Citizen of the Week and Work of the Week awards.

The winner of the book voucher, presented by the parents association, is Michael Davis. Congratulations Michael.

Well done to Sophie Mulvany, Ruby Doyle and Amy Cullen who were delighted to represent St Joseph’s NS at the annual schools mass held recent in Carlow Cathedral.

Congratulations to William Myers; Nicole Hennessy; Holly Marie Byrne; Katie Cahill; Conor Forde; Ella Forde; Louise Byrne; Tyler Byrne; Lily Connolly; Arron Lyons Rooney (absent from photo) who were well deserved winners of this weeks awards.

The winner of the book Voucher was William Myers. Well done William.

Congratulations to L-R Back Row – Lillian Keating; Eoin Byrne; Pia Kavanagh, William Doyle. L-R Front Row – Luke Mulvany; Ruby Kelly; Paídí Connolly; LJ Coleman on winning their awards this week. Well done everyone on working hard and helping others.

L-R Back Row – Lillian Keating; Eoin Byrne; Pia Kavanagh, William Doyle
L-R Front Row – Luke Mulvany; Ruby Kelly; Paídí Connolly; LJ Coleman

Eoin Byrne was the lucky winner of the book voucher presented by the parents association. Well done Eoin.

Congratulations to Jasper, Kayla, Patrick, Ella, Sophie Myers, Kate, Billy, Brian, Sophie Mulvany and Tiffany of winning this weeks awards. They all were very excited as they headed off for their Easter holidays with their awards. Have a great Easter everyone.

The winner of the book voucher, sponsored by the parents association, was Patrick Moran Sheils. Well done Patrick.