Autumn Newsletter 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians, As we conclude the first half-term it gives me great pleasure address you, and to share our Autumn Newsletter with you. I hope you will take a few moments to read through it and enjoy the many highlights and successes that reflect the hard work, talent, and enthusiasm of our students and staff. The 2025–2026 school year has got off to an excellent start. Since reopening in late August, the atmosphere around the school has been one of energy, enthusiasm, and purpose. Our students have settled quickly into their routines, and the staff are working hard to ensure that every young person is supported to achieve his potential, both academically and personally. Our first years have been made to feel very welcome, and I am happy to report that they are doing remarkably well.

Over the summer months, significant improvements were made to our campus. The most notable achievement was the completion of our new Special Classroom, which now provides a modern, fully equipped learning environment for students with additional needs. The facility includes a sensory room, a universal access toilet and shower, and a kitchenette, alongside a secure outdoor soft-play area. This project represents an important step in promoting inclusion and accessibility within our school community. In parallel, our annual programme of maintenance and refurbishment saw corridors and classrooms freshly painted, new flooring laid in the Junior Building, and eight new Promethean interactive screens installed to enhance digital teaching. Lighting, window, and security upgrades were also completed, including new electric gates and extended CCTV coverage. Repairs to the Astro-Turf fencing and ball-stop netting are being carried out, and planning is under way for major roof works on the Junior Building. Looking ahead, we are preparing for the development of a Functional Strength Room beside the gym. This insulated space will be fitted with modern training equipment and will support both our PE curriculum and our growing sports programme.

We were delighted to welcome several new members of staff this term: Ms. Orla Shields (Spanish), Ms. Naoise Young (Home Economics and Religion), Mr. Tadhg Hanrahan (Mathematics and PE), Ms. Ava Walsh (ASD Co-ordinator) and Mr. Mark Curran (Special Needs Assistant). Their enthusiasm, talent, and professionalism have already added greatly to our school community.

The Leaving Certificate results, released on 22 August, were outstanding once again, with 33 students achieving over 500 points, 6 students exceeding 600 points and 1 student achieving the maximum 625 points. We were honoured to welcome the Minister for Education and Youth, Ms Helen McEntee, who visited the school to congratulate the students and officially open our new Special Classroom. The new academic year began with a comprehensive induction programme for incoming First Years. Senior Prefects supported new students during their first days, helping them settle through workshops, team-building exercises, and sporting activities. Study Skills Workshops were held for First, Third, and Sixthn Years to promote effective learning habits as the year commenced.

September was a busy and productive month. Our Transition Year students enjoyed a bonding trip to Emerald Park, attended the Just One Life road-safety programme at the Solstice Arts Centre, and began their enterprise and community projects. The month also featured Business Week, filled with innovation and enterprise activities, including guest talks from industry professionals, visits to Butlers Chocolate Factory and the Swift Theatre in Trim, and a business seminar series in school. Our senior students attended Higher Options at the RDS, while Sixth Year Geography fieldwork and the Lourdes Pilgrimage (with fourteen students accompanying two staff members) provided rich experiential learning opportunities. Sport remained central to school life. Our teams in rugby, Gaelic football, hurling, and basketball represented St Patrick’s with pride and determination in fixtures across the region, from Naas and Longford to Cavan and beyond.

The Annual Open Night at the end of September was another great success, welcoming prospective parents, and showcasing the vibrant, inclusive spirit of the school. We also marked the European Day of Languages, celebrating cultural diversity and global citizenship.

October brought an equally full calendar of activity. We celebrated both European Week of Languages and Wellbeing Week, with workshops, classroom events, and themed activities across all year groups. The Jigsaw Wellbeing Programme and Student Council Training Days reflected our ongoing commitment to student voice, mental health, and leadership development. Transition Year students completed First Aid Courses and participated in Podcast Workshops, developing communication and life skills.

Students continued to represent the school at numerous sporting events, including junior and senior rugby, football, basketball, hurling, cross-country competitions and the Leinster Schools Golf Championship at Royal Tara. Academic enrichment also featured strongly, with participation in the Maggie Gough Mathematics Competition. The month also saw our First Year Information Evening and Parent-Teacher Meetings for Second and Third Years, ensuring close communication between home and school. A highlight of the cultural calendar was the Seó Bóthair Irish-language workshop delivered by Conradh na Gaeilge, which brought Irish alive in a fun, interactive way. Lunchtime Clubs, the Future Leaders Blitz, and a wide range of extracurricular activities continue to flourish, offering every student opportunities to explore interests, develop confidence, and contribute to school life.

So, it has been a busy and rewarding start to the year. As we move into the mid-term break, I extend sincere thanks to all who contribute to the success of St Patrick’s Classical School - staff, parents, and students alike. Together, we are continuing to build on strong traditions while embracing new opportunities for learning, wellbeing, and achievement. Thank you for your continued trust and partnership. I wish all our families a safe, enjoyable, and restful mid - term break.

Le gach dea-mhéin, Harry McGarry Principal

1st Year Reflection

Hello my name is Robert and I recently started 1st year in St.Patricks Classical School Navan. Yes, at first I was very nervous like all other 1st years were,but people I knew in the school told me that there was nothing to worry about and it was really fun (they were right).

I think one of the most helpful things in the school so far have been our prefects as they are so helpful. For instance, if you are struggling to find a class don't worry just ask a boy in a red tie.I advise you to keep a very tidy locker. This can be done by using a zip lock folder that holds all your books for each subject.So, if you're in a rush in the morning it's easy to whip out the folders that are labeled Irish and maths etc.

One of the coolest parts of school so far is all the fun opportunities we are involved in.The 1st Year Run, We were so lucky we got to leave class early and go to the pitch and run two laps of the grass and if you didn't want to,or maybe you were injured you could just walk it, that was cool. 1st year blitz, this was my favorite event so far as we got to play football against the other class.The TYs ran it and it was so fun. Wellbeing week, wellbeing was very nice as our teachers organised a concert which was so nice to sing and listen to.I am really looking forward to our trip to England to see a premier league game,go to anfield (the Liverpool stadium) and also the amusement park Alton Towers.

Everyone in 1k was already for the race as they had P.E the class before. When they entered the pitch and saw the other 160 other 1st years, this was the moment that everyone in 1k knew that it would be hard to win.However not everyone was going to the race because you did not have to participate if you didn’t want to. You were also allowed to walk around the pitch when some of the runners had finished.

The race was a very exciting event. The winner was Cian Briody who had just snatched the win over Michael Gallagher, who was followed up by Donal McNulty with an incredible placement.

A wonderful thank you to Mr.Moore who organised the race along with Mr Ciaran Murphy and all the first years who took part.Everyone in 1st year is very lucky to get to go to all these incredible events like the first year blitz. We've got much more excitement in the year to come and another thank you to all who organized the event

Written By Robert Shortall

Junior Hurling

St. Pat’s Junior Hurling team kicked off their 2025 campaign with a big win, beating Killina 4-18 to 1-9 in their first game. They looked strong right from the start.

Next up was Kilcormac. In a game where everything that could go wrong did go wrong in a hard fought battle, the lads ended up losing 2-16 to 4-8 in a tight match. It was a close one, but they couldn’t quite get over the line. Next was a game that took place in Paddy O'Brien Park. The whole team put on a great display to win 10-12 to 2-7 against Rochfortbridge in front of the home crowd. It was a solid performance, with the team firing on all cylinders.

Overall, they’ve had a mixed run with two wins and one loss, but they’re definitely showing promise for the rest of the championship. Our next game is against Rochfortbridge in the North Leinster semi final at home on Tuesday November 4th

TY Reflection

The lead up to the Junior Cert exams are full of stress and nights crammed with extra study. When you step out of the last exam you realise that it is all over, almost like it passed in a flash. And then it is off to 5th year or TY. TY is a change like no other for some people. The first days of TY can be incredibly daunting - the idea that you have to make the most of this year and try lots of new things that you might be uncomfortable with. That can be hard as you feel overwhelmed at the start.

It can also be terrifically exciting with loads of new people to meet and things to experience as well as trips and activities. The TY journey, like most things, reflects the effort you put into it. You have to step out of your comfort zone and try to open your mind which is by no means easy to do as school can be a stressful place. My original mindset going into TY was to have an easy enough time and step back for a bit. But I came to realise that that is not actually as appealing a prospect as you might think and that I would rather be busy. The best way to deal with the early TY blues, when things are hard at the start, is to get a group of lads to join you in anything new because everything is easier when you are surrounded by friends.

When it comes to subjects in TY, the range of opportunities and experiences will not be found anywhere in secondary school. I have really enjoyed the new subjects such as LCPE and Home Economics where there is also a completely different dynamic within the class, similar to other subjects in TY. The feeling in the class is that we as students have matured as learners and are able to take on more challenging and abstract tasks which require a different approach than just finding the’right’ answer, that is maybe more typical of the traditional learning. Perhaps, TY is also an opportunity for teachers to learn and try new things which can benefit students for years to come.

It is funny to think that I would be saying that in TY you do arguably the most amount of learning, at least about yourself and others, than you do in any other year in school. The idea that TY is a ‘doss’ is not uncommon with people my age and can also be echoed by others who are older. Yet, I feel it is a great year of opportunity and hopefully things I do this year will stick with me for years to come.

Thomas Connell TYC

Adventure and Exploration in Carlingford

Without doubt, one of the most exciting experiences of the autumn was the two-day Carlingford Adventure Trip. Students spent two days in the scenic Cooley Peninsula, taking part in team challenges, outdoor pursuits, and adventure sports. Whether it was kayaking, ziplining, or problem-solving exercises, the trip strengthened friendships and encouraged everyone to step outside their comfort zone.

Junior Rugby

The Junior rugby team, consisting of players from 2nd and 3rd year, have had a very positive start to their campaign this year. We started our season with a convincing away win against Wilson’s Hospital. This set the trajectory for a winning campaign, team spirit was high and we all felt really positive about the season ahead. Our second match against Naas CBS resulted in a loss - we had the beating of them but things just didn’t go our way and Naas ended up victorious in the dying minutes of the game. Our third match was a close win against Skerries - the team displayed their will and determination until the very end as the winning tries were scored in the final quarter of the game. Great moments of teamwork were evident in this game and we can build on this as we prepare for the return fixtures.

The boys have a positive attitude and drive to succeed. The team shows a great sense of pride representing the school. Coaches Dean, Mr Murphy and Mr Hanrahan constantly encourage and challenge us to raise our standard and to play as a team. We aim to qualify for the Father Godfrey Cup with hopes of silverware at the end of the road.

Jimmy Shorten Captain

St. Pat’s vs Ardscoil na Trionoide 17th October 2025

The Pats’ first competitive game this year was not really that competitive after all. The Pats proved to be too good for their opposition, and the game was over early on in the second half. They cruised to victory with a cricket score victory over Trionoide and certainly sent out a message to the rest of the teams in this year's championship.

Early possession for Trionoide made viewers believe that it was going to be a tight and nervy game settled by a few good scores, but when Pats got possession about five minutes into the first half, they kicked off their game with two goals back-to-back, the scorers being Stephen Cahill and Nathan O'Reilly. O’Reilly featured a lot in the game putting over some very impressive scores from corner forward and was a nightmare for the entire defense. While Cahill produced some immense scores for Pats at key moments. Going into the second-half Pats had built a very convincing lead scoring six goals and the second half was all about the incredible point scoring from the entire front line. Eleven points scored in the second half led to there being nothing Trionoide could do to claw their way back into the game.

Oran Meade once again was the star of the midfield catching every ball and kick-out that came his way and knocking down a few for his teammates. Meade performs like the type of player who has no fear in making a mistake and wants to support his teammates no matter what. His fellow midfielder Sean Smith certainly had a lot to say about the game and dictated the attack for Pats greatly in both halves. The cunningness of Pats to slow the play down and keep possession was vital in taking away the hope of Ardscoil na Trionoide and this skilled display was mainly shown by the midfield paring.

It was a quiet day for the backline who had their midfield and half forward line to thank for doing most of the hard work defensively. It was clear to see that every player on the team wanted to give it their all both on attack and defense, showing that the team was more important than individual performances. This game was a great example of what Pats can do when they're on form, concentrating and professional on the pitch. If they continue to play this way throughout the championship, there won't be many teams that can touch them. The final score was 6-22 to 1-05.

Thomas Connell TYC

Wellbeing Week

At St. Patrick's Classical School, we truly believe that looking after our students' wellbeing is the most important foundation for a successful and happy school community. We are absolutely committed to creating an environment where every single student feels supported, engaged, and mentally strong. That's why our annual Wellbeing Week, held from Monday, October 6th, to Friday, October 10th, was such a huge focus! The week shone a spotlight on the Four Pillars of Wellbeing: Social, Emotional, Physical, and Mental health. It was the perfect opportunity for all students and staff to dedicate time to mental health awareness through a great mix of fun, positive, and engaging activities.

The week kicked off on Monday with serious energy. Each year group got stuck into a physical activity that promotes teamwork, good sportsmanship, and the enjoyment of achieving a shared goal. Our First Years had a blast with skipping, a super fun way to start the week, while the Third Years played a lively game of rounders. In tutor time, we handed out Green Ribbons in support of Shine. Students wore the ribbon all week to help raise awareness and actively chip away at the stigma surrounding mental health. Tuesday focused on fitness and quiet reflection. The Second Years took part in circuits, testing their endurance and strength, while during tutor time, students learned about the wonderful effects of meditation on both mind and body—an important reminder that taking time to relax is key to managing stress. We made sure teachers had their own wellbeing event too, reinforcing the idea that this is important for everyone in the school community!

Wednesday was full of laughs. Mr. Monaghan showed off his fantastic talent as game host during the school bingo. Even better, Mr. Kerrigan’s brilliant wellbeing song was entertaining and created waves of pure joy throughout the school! Tutor time offered an emotional wellbeing presentation, giving students space to reflect on how to manage their feelings and support their friends. The unforgettable highlight was a special visit from an Autism Assistance Dog, which was inspiring and genuinely heartwarming for everyone who met him. Thursday balanced knowledge and action. We ran a fun general knowledge quiz during second class that encouraged teamwork and friendly competition, which was followed by a physical wellbeing presentation in tutor time. Later that day, the middle years tore up the pitch in a competitive soccer blitz, with 6I emerging as the victorious team, showing great spirit and skill.

A Joyful Conclusion- Finally, on Friday, the Fifth Years participated in a dedicated team-building event, strengthening their cooperation and communication skills, while the First Years were treated to a relaxing and joyful music concert, bringing the week to a close on a high note. Overall, Wellbeing Week was a resounding success. It served as an excellent reminder for everyone to prioritise looking after both their mind and body, to connect with others, and to find happiness in community activities. The huge range of events truly showed that wellbeing can take many wonderful forms—whether through sport, mindfulness, music, or teamwork—and that every little effort makes our school a healthier and happier place.

We're delighted to have many brilliant photographs capturing the excitement and energy of the events throughout the week. And a very special thanks must be extended to the organising teacher, Mr. Molony, for his incredible dedication, energy, and commitment in making this year's Wellbeing Week such a memorable and impactful success for the entire school!

European Week of Languages 2025

This week, Pats was busy with the preparation and execution of European Week of Languages. The main events involved the 1st years who took part in a treasure hunt and a poster competition. As always, the standard was very high and the students gave it everything to go all the way and win outright. Congratulations to Leo Coyle 1K, Noah Lenehan 1R, Robert Shorthall 1K, Kyle O'Reilly 1K, Eoghan O'Reilly 1K and Cillian Abbott 1C on winning the treasure hunt and Nayan Singh 1C, James Kenny, 1K Michael Gallagher who were the top three in the poster competition. Well done to all the lads!

In TY, we had a language quiz in our French class which was very well received by the students as it was a fun way of learning about different languages and cultures. C’etait très agréable!Thank you, Go raibh maith agaibh et Merci Beaucoup to all the teachers who made this happen.

The Feachtas Tráth na gCeist

The Feachtas Tráth na gCeist took place in St Pat's on Thursday, October 16th. St Pat's were represented by 7 teams from all year groups. There was great excitement on the night when our team of Diarmuid Keogh, Ryan Agnew, Diarmuid Morgan and Jack Gray had a narrow victory over a team from Eureka, Kells in a play-off. Go n-éirí go geal leo i Mí an Mhárta i mBaile Átha Cliath nuair a ghlacfaidh siad páirt sa chomórtas náisiúnta. Bhain gach duine taitneamh as an oíche. Ba dheas an rud é grúpa mór daltaí ón scoil a fheiceáil ann. Maith sibh, a bhuachaillí.

Bussiness Week

On the week of September 15th, we celebrated Business Week, a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the world of business and discover how it shapes our everyday lives.

Throughout the week, we were joined by a number of guest speakers, including Fran McKeown, Jason Collins and a talk from Glenveigh. All of the guest speakers shared their experiences and insights into different industries. Their talks inspired students to think about innovation, entrepreneurship, and the many exciting career paths available in the business world.Each morning during tutor time, students took part in daily business quizzes — a fun and interactive way to learn how business connects to their daily lives. Congratulations to 2P, who were crowned winners of the Sponsors Quiz held on Friday!

In addition, several 3rd year groups enjoyed a trip to Butlers Chocolate Factory, where they learned about the production process, branding, and the story behind one of Ireland’s sweetest success stories.Business Week was a brilliant blend of learning, fun, and inspiration — and we’re already looking forward to next year!

Maths Week took place nationally from 11th until the 18th October.

We had lots of activities taking place here in the school throughout the week.There was a tutor time puzzle activity each day with a whole school competition on Friday and prizes for the winning classes, 1C, 2P, 3C, 5P and 6P.1st years took part in a lunchtime treasure hunt on Tuesday where there was huge competition among all participants.

The winning team were: Cillian Ryan (1R), Joe Brennan (1R) and Cormac Lawlor (1C).2nd place went to: Noah Lenehan (1R), Rhys Coleman (1K) and Adam Murtagh (1R).2nd years, Transition Years and 5th years also had the opportunity to take part in the Maggie Gough Competition.

This is an online competition which tests the problem solving skills of Junior and Senior Cycle students. It is named after the first known Irish woman to receive a PhD in Mathematics – Maggie Gough. The competition was very enjoyable, and all of the students who participated performed extremely well — with most scoring well above the national average.

The results were:1st Place: Basil Siddig (2nd yr), Joint 2nd - Ishan Dharmesena (5th yr) and Dylan Byrne (2nd yr) and Joint 3rd: James Carville (2nd yr) and Philip Clarke (2nd yr)

Congratulations to all our winners and participants from throughout the week!

Lourdes Reflection

On the 9th September we left Navan with the Meath Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes with Bishop Tom Deenihan, for what would be a life changing experience. We participated in the pilgrimage as helpers, providing support to the older pilgrims and assisting them during the various organised activities. What a privilege it was to experience the trip which was filled with friendship, faith and fun.

From the moment we arrived in Lourdes there was a real sense of welcome and community. We were kept busy each day, pulling ‘chariots’, offering a steady hand, or sometimes just a chat, and through it all we were reminded that even the smallest of actions can make a big difference.

Visiting the Grotto was unforgettable. Standing amongst pilgrims we realised how much this trip meant to them and to us. To be there, sharing this experience was very humbling. The candlelight procession was another highlight - a very moving and powerful experience. We also made great memories sharing meals, listening to stories, having sing songs. The week was tiring but it was full of great energy. We arrived back in Dublin airport with hearts full of hope, a stronger faith and a sense of what it means to be of service to others.

We would like to thank the Bishop Tom Deenihan, Fr. Derek Darby, Fr. Mark Mohan, Mr Cathal O’Reilly, Ms Claire Brady, The Hospitalitie and pilgrims on the Meath Pilgrimage for giving us the opportunity to have this marvellous experience. We would also like to thank all who helped us with fundraising towards our costs. It was much appreciated.

Written By Jack Shorten 6th Year