On Monday February 4th Book Week started. Everyday at 12 o'clock we had D.E.A.R. time. D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. It was a very quiet time. On Tuesday we made book covers and book marks. On Wednesday an author came to visit. Her name was Gillian Perdue. We talked about her books and asked questions about her childhood. She said she always dreamed about being an author. We played cowboys from her book Conor's Concert. We entered a photo competition. You had to bring in a photo of you reading in a place you like to read in. Some girls like to read in unusual and interesting places! On Friday we had a quiz and we read with a friend. We also dressed up as a book character and we paired up with 6th class girls for reading. We loved Book Week . It was great fun.

by Grace, Katie, Ella and Caoillinn . Ms. Kearney's 2nd Class

The House of Lords and Chester Beatty Library

Before the Act of Union, in the 1700s,the Irish parliament, composed mainly of noblemen and religious leaders met in the House of Lords and House of Commons. The House of Lords still remains on the site of the Bank of Ireland in College Green. It is known as 'Grattan's Parliament', after Henry Grattan

We visited Grattan's parliament in the House of Lords. On either side of the room, there were two tapestries, one was of the battle of the Boyne and one was of the Willaimite-Jacobite War or the Siege of Derry. They are titled 'The Glorious Defence of LondonDerry' and The Glorious Attack of Boyne'. They are over 300 years old. Our guide told us that the tapestries have survived for so long because they never had direct sunlight and that 26 stitches are in one inch of tapestry. They were woven by a Dutch weaver named Beaver.

In the middle of room, hanging from the ceiling, there is a 1,233 piece chandelier. It started off with candles, changed to gas and now electricity. There was a twin chandelier in the House of Commons which now hangs in the examination hall in Trinity College. The 200 year old grandfather clock still worked!

We saw a silver mace which was covered in a gold wash. The mace had to be present at all times as it represented the authority of the king of England. This mace had lain hidden under a bed for 40 years and was then auctioned

We then visited the photographic exhibition of life in China by John Thompson in the Chester Beatty library.These photographs were 150 years old.There were pictures of men, women and children. Men and boys wore a long plait down their back. We saw photographs of young brides about to enter arranged marriages and bound and unbound feet. We learned that long nails were a sign of wealth and prosperity. John Thompson produced all the photographs himself. There were also shoes, fans and embroidered silk on display. We returned to school after lunch and a run around the garden maze. look below at some of the photographs. It was a great day.

By Eimear and Hannah and photography by Julia

Croke Park 2011

Twenty 5th and 6th class girls were chosen for the school gaelic team after trials in early September. Almost immediately we had our first game against St. Brigid's Castleknock. Unfortunately we lost but showed good promise. All our matches were on a Wednesday and we trained every Tuesday in the VEC grounds. Ms. Coughlan and Ms Gibbons coached us and Zoe from Templeogue/Synge Street came on board too. We had our biggest defeat against St. Colmcille's, Knocklyon. They were super and we were no match for them. But we didn't put our heads down and following some vigorous training sessions, we became more comfortable playing together as a team. When we came up against St. Pios in our third match, we drew in an exciting finish. We had one more match in the qualifiers and realised how much we really wanted to win and go forward to the playoffs. We fought hard into extra time and our parents and ourselves jumped for joy when we got into the quarter final, where we met St. Paul's, Greenhills and won a very close match. We felt very nervous playing Scoil Treasa, Mt. merrion in the semi-final. A lot of our teachers, classmates, parents and Ms. Hume all came to support us. We played better than we ever thought we could and were comfortable winners.

By Ellen, Emer, Erica and Jordan, 6th Class

We had a great time the reception

Ms. Coughlan. Ms. Gibbons and Zoe received flowers

We had our first assembly of the school year. Our new Junior Infants attended. We celebrated Dublin in the All-Ireland gaelic final by wearing the team colours.

Sixth class girls recalled their experience of playing in Croke Park.

Can you spot the Kerry supporter?

D'imir Baile Átha Cliath i gcoinne an foireann Ciarraíoch sa chluiche ceannais na hEireann i bPáirc an Chrócaigh. Noiméad roimh an deireadh, bhí an dhá fhoireann ar chomhscór ach fuair Baile Átha Cliath pointe le cic saor and bhuaigh siad an cluiche. Sárchluiche ab ea é. Bhí an-díomá ar Ciarraí, cómhbrón leo, d'imir siad go hiontach. Bh í an-bród ar an bhfoireann Baile Átha Cliath an corn Sam Maguire a ghlacadh. Cómhghairdeachas!