Le Chéile Council Retreat- On January 25th as part of Catholic Schools Week, the Le Chéile Council in Fifth Year had a retreat to reflect on their mission and values. The day started with a brief introduction session and Mass at St Pius X Church, where the girls sang for the parishioners and met them afterwards for homemade treats and tea. The Le Chéile group really enjoyed their conversations with the elderly, and learning from the wisdom they’d gained throughout life. Next was a trip to visit the infant classes at St Pius GNS, where the OLS Fifth Years read stories, played games, danced, and performed songs with the Pius students. This was a really positive experience because the young children were so full of energy, and excited to meet a ‘big sister’! The afternoon session focused on how the girls could live for others, and not focus solely on themselves; Mr O’Rourke said that the greatest meaning in life was to be found in the service of others. The final part of the day was with the Le Chéile Schools Trust, where the girls met the generous staff there who support numerous Catholic Schools and religious orders throughout Ireland. They treated us to tea, coffee, and chocolate – a welcome break after our busy day! Mr O’Rourke finished with a presentation on the day’s themes of service and generosity, and encouraged the girls to explore the role of faith in their lives. Overall, the day was a wonderful opportunity to share life in the local community – with the young and old – and to hear afresh the message of St Francis of Assisi: ‘It is in giving that we receive.’

Art Gallery Trip- 5th Year art students visited the National Museum, Kildare St. and the Hugh Lane Gallery to see Andy Warhol, Three Times Out on Friday (see photo gallery). 

Mock Examinations- Best of luck to the 3rd and 6th Years who start their mock exams this week. 6th Years started on Tuesday. 3rd Years begin on Thursday. The mocks end on Friday, February 2nd.

TY- Good luck also to the TYs who started their work experience on Monday. They'll be in their placements for the next two weeks.

See attached what's been happening in TY this week! For the next two weeks, TYs will be on their Work Experience! Best of luck!

• Hockey
• A busy week this week for school hockey. On Monday, our Junior A team took on Santa Sabina in a top of the table clash. The girls were dominant throughout and put an impressive 5 goals past the goalkeeper. Ella Meade scoring 4 of those. The 5-2 win ensures a league semi final place for the girls where we await to find out our opponent. Well done girls!
• On Tuesday, our Minor A side took on their own top of the table clash when they faced off against Loreto Bray. Both sides were undefeated going into the game so it was always going to be a close affair. The girls dominated possession and whilst they only managed to score once, their 6th clean sheet in 6 league games proved vital as they won the game 1-0. They will now go into the quarter finals of the league in first place. Well done girls, super work.
• On Wednesday our First year A team travelled away from home to play Mt Sackville in the cup. A slow start had the girls 1-0 down at half time but some rousing words from the coaches at half time sent the girls out ready for action in the second half and they scored a deserved equaliser. Unfortunately there were no more goals so the game went to 1 v 1 penalty shoot out. Mt Sackville prevailed here and won the shoot out by 4 goals to 2. Well done girls, superb fight!
• On Thursday, our Junior A side were in action again, this time in the second round of the Leinster Junior Cup. The girls faced up against High School, a Premier division side, and found themselves 2-0 down early on. A huge amount of discipline and hard work saw the game turn from then on, but unfortunately we could not find the net and the game ended 2-0 to High School.
• Cross Country
• Well done to our Cross Country team who took part in the West Leinster schools competition yesterday. The team showed determination competing across a long course in very windy conditions. A special mention to our medal winners: Elizabeth Farrelly (4th Senior), Róisin Hanley Byrne (3rd Intermediate) and our Intermediate Team of róisín Hanley Byrne, Rachel Dunne, Niamh Ryan and Alecia Maughan who finished 3rd. Well done to everyone! 
• Camogie
• Congratulations once again to our victorious Junior A panel who won the Leinster Junior B championship on Tuesday this week. Coming from 7 points down at half time, the team showed absolutely incredible mental strength to bring the game to extra time where they found the extra push to win by 3-13 to 4-8. Special mention must go to Helen Duignan who was at the heart of the comeback and scored an incredible 2-11 to help drive the team to victory! Well done girls on a superb win!
• Saturday Sports fixtures
• Hockey
• HOME AT OLS
• Minor D -v- Loreto Beaufort 9am
• Minor B -v- Loreto Beaufort 10am
• Junior C -v- Loreto Beaufort 11am
• AWAY AT LORETO BEAUFORT
• First Year A -v- Loreto Beaufort 11am
• Have a super sporting weekend!

This week the school celebrated Catholic Schools Week. There were prayers and moments of reflection each morning over the intercom and there were many different activities taking place over the course of the week focusing on Friendship, Family and our Wider Community. On Thursday the Lé Chéile Council had a retreat day where they travelled to St Pius Church for Mass and then they went to St Pius Girls' National School and worked with some of the students there. Today there was an Interhouse table quiz during lunch. Well done to everyone involved. It was a wonderful week. (See photo Gallery)

5th Year art students had a fun time on their trip to the Art Gallery on Friday. 

After several announcements on the intercom from Barbie this week, the TY Money Smarts class launched the school bank on Thursday. This gives students the opportunity to open a Bank of Ireland account and receive a debit card for use with their account. The QR code required for this is still on display in the GPA. Any students who set up an account will be entered into a raffle (email ms Hallissey to get your name in the hat!)

Our Lady's School received an award Tuesday for its engagement with Jigsaw's One Good School initiative. Jigsaw is a youth mental health organisation and its One Good School initiative urges schools to adopt a "whole-school approach to promoting and supporting youth mental health and wellbeing."

You can learn more about Jigsaw's One Good School Initiative here: https://jigsaw.ie/one-good-school/

Thank you to Jigsaw for talking to students about youth mental health and presenting the award. Congratulations to all who participated in projects for the One Good School initiative.

Students in religion classes gave handmade thank you cards to members of staff Tuesday. Thank you so much for the artwork and kind words!

Monday was Development Day for TYs. TY5 were involved in self defence, TY4 went on a Religious retreat to various churches and cathedrals around the city. TY1 went to the city centre on a historical tour which included a Dublin castle visit and a visit to the Little Museum of Dublin. TY2 went to the Zoo, and TY3 took part in a First Aid course. 

A huge congratulations to Sarah Prendergast in 2nd Year who was presented with a sports award at the weekend in the Mansion House. Sarah received the award for "The most improved female cricket player." Sarah is the youngest recipient of the award. This is an outstanding achievement. Well done Sarah.

Molly Mullally 6th year is the National Indoor  u20 Triple Jump champion. Molly jumped 11.45m yesterday in Athlone. A huge congratulations Molly, the entire OLS community are very proud of you. 

Our Lady’s School Parents' Council invites you to a Quiz Night on the evening of March 21st.