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We created a virtual tour of our school to prepare future incoming students both near and far from our community in Naas, particularly to our Ukrainian students in advance of their arrival.

By creating this virtual tour students get an insight into academic life in Naas CBS and also see the many social aspects our school has to offer.

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Our School of Sanctuary committee is ever-growing and we are so proud to have these fabulous bunch of students represent our school in our pledge to become a School of Sanctuary.
This committee, made up of staff, students and the wider community represent what our school stands for and have worked hard to earn our accreditation of becoming a champion School of Sanctuary.

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175th Anniversary Flying the Irish Tricolour Flag 

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175th Anniversary Flying the Irish Tricolour Flag 

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Today, Wednesday 8th March 2023 is the 175th Anniversary of the 1st flying of the Irish Tricolour Flag.

When in 1848 Thomas Francis Meagher spoke of the meaning of the 'white' panel at the heart of the flag joining the green and orange, his dream was that all people of Ireland, be they Catholic or Protestant, would be united in a lasting peaceful brotherhood.

We celebrate his vision today - where young people of all backgrounds , ethnicities, cultures, genders and sexual orientations have pride in, respect for and live the Irish Tricolour's message of peace and inclusion.

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Over the course of our journey to becoming a School of Sanctuary champion school, students have learned and invested a lot of time and effort into giving back to our school and the wider community.

Second year CSPE classes used their knowledge and skills to organise 'Thousands Perish for Clothes That You Cherish'. Students wanted to highlight and raise awareness of 'Fast Fashion', and supported the Clothes Swap Shop of class 2C.

Second and Transition year students brought in clothes they no longer wanted or needed and received tokens which they could use to 'buy' other clothes. Students could also buy tokens on the day.

All money raised on the day was donated to our local St. Vincent De Paul.

Below are three projects which inform you about Fast Fashion and some ideas how to move away from Fast Fashion.

A huge well done to all on such a successful event!

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A number of our 1st and 2nd year students attended the Cycle Against Suicide
Students Leaders Mental Health Congress in the RDS on February 9th 2023. This
was a contact-based education day that encouraged students to practice self-care,
develop self-efficacy and adopt positive coping skills. The boys heard from speakers
who examined the factors which impact on mental health and wellbeing. Speakers
included Bob Carley, Dr Bobby Smith, Bodywhys, Webwise, Rory O’Connor, John
Doran, Jodie Rogers and many others. Talks examined the factors which impact
on mental health and wellbeing with the aim of:
Developing young people’s ability to act on behalf of personal wellbeing and
that of others.
Developing students’ confidence and competence to act in support of
wellbeing and mental health.
Increasing students’ self-awareness about the attitudes, values and beliefs
that underpin health, personal lifestyle behaviours and choices.
Fostering students’ capacity to empathise with others through a greater
Understanding of different life experiences, motives and feelings of other
individuals.

Students also had access to and were freely able to engage with information stands
on the day for many support organisations like Bodywhys, Barnardos, Childline and
the Samaritans.

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This year was our school's first year taking part in Wear Red Day!

Wear Red Day is an important opportunity for our school and students alike to send out a strong message that we as communities welcome diversity, celebrate it, and take a stand against racism in all forms.

Our SPHE and Wellbeing classes learned about what racism is, understanding racism and understanding diversity.

On Friday, March 31st staff and students wore red to show our support to diverse and inclusive communities.
We look forward to continuing this event every year. It was a huge success.

Well done to all involved!

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Our School of Sanctuary Committee linked in with one of our main feeder schools, St. Corban's National school to talk to the incoming first year students about Naas CBS becoming an accredited School of Sanctuary.

The students learned about what it meant to become a School of Sanctuary and how Naas CBS is an inclusive and welcoming school for all.

Well done to all involved!

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Naas CBS Linking in with Corban's National School

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Naas CBS Linking in with Corban's National School

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Naas CBS has been very fortunate to welcome a number of Ukrainian students to our school. We are aware of the difficulties and challenges these students have been faced with and want to make their transition from Ireland to Ukraine as smooth as possible.

Our school got in contact with the local girls secondary school, St. Mary's College, Naas, and arranged a weekly time where our Ukrainian students could meet, connect and form links with the Ukrainian students in St. Mary's college. Each week, staff and students would meet down the town for a coffee and a catch up. We were so delighted to help the students form these connections with each other especially forming a link with St. Mary's College, Naas.

It was a huge success. Well done to all involved!

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During the School of Sanctuary module with transition years, students completed individual projects on School of Sanctuary in Naas CBS. Students showcased what they had learned throughout the four week programme and presented their projects to the class. Students also outlined thoughts on how we could further the School of Sanctuary programme throughout the school.
Below are some of the projects our Transition Years presented. Well done to all!

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The mission/ethos of the school is to provide Catholic education in the Edmund Rice tradition. We strive to create a school atmosphere where faith and Christian values of respect, justice and integrity are nurtured. A feature of our school is the warm, welcoming atmosphere where positive relationships between our staff, parents and students are highly valued and of utmost importance to us.

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We are very lucky to have received a number of Ukrainian students into our school. This was a very difficult and challenging time for these students. To help them in every way we could, the School of Sanctuary team came together to come up with a plan on how to best support these students.

We came up with an induction pack for Ukrainian students, written in Ukrainian and Russian. This contained basic information such as school start and end times, uniform, etc. Each student was given one of these once they arrived to school.

Our students made posters in support of Ukraine and placed them around the school in support of Ukraine and to help settle our new students into school.

Our guidance department worked closely with these students and helped them through their introduction process. They are there to assist these students with anything they might need.

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Naas CBS is very luck to have partnered with Dublin City University for their FUSE - Anti-Bullying Programme.
The FUSE programme offers support and resources to staff and students in relation to bullying.

The SPHE classes worked learned about bullying for a number of weeks. To further enhance the importance of education around bullying, the school updated their Anti-Bullying policy to match what the school support.

Students understand the importance of looking out for each other and the impact bullying can have on students.

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5th and 6th year students were very lucky to have the opportunity to engage in the SOAR workshops in school.

SOAR workshops delivers early intervention-preventative, wellness workshops for young people aged 12 to 18 years from all backgrounds. These workshops empower young people to thrive, believe in themselves and fulfil their true potential. Within a safe and supportive environment, they are given the opportunity to be themselves and explore any challenges that hold them back from doing so.

Students discussed many important topics such as emotions and emotions management. This was a very beneficial workshop for students.

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Safer Internet day is very important to our school community. Making our students, staff and wider community feel safe online is of utmost importance to us.

On Tuesday, 8th February we highlighted the importance of safer internet use - not only today - but everyday.

Junior Cycle SPHE classes and Senior Cycle Well-Being classes discussed the importance of of being safe online.

Our School of Sanctuary life skills module, co-ordinated by Ms. Ward created posters and PowerPoints which were displayed around the school to educate our students and the wider community about the importance of being safe online.

Well done to all involved.

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International Safer Internet Day: 8th February 

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International Safer Internet Day: 8th February 

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This year, our Student Council arranged this years food drive and the response was phenomenal.
A massive thank you to our students and their families for their generous donations.

Fergal from the Main Street Food Bank was delighted to receive the parcels on Friday morning.
It was great to see such kindness and generosity from everyone.

Huge thanks to our student council and to Ms. D. O'Brien, Mr. Keating, Mr. Stephens and Ms. Fennell for their help with the arrangements.

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On Friday, 10th December, the school prefects organised a whole school RAG day in honour of St. Vincent De Paul. Students were encouraged to wear Christmas Jumpers into school on Friday, donating €3.00 at the door. Both staff and students got involved on the day and it was excellent to bring some Christmas Cheer to the school!

6th year student Daniel McConnell acted as a DJ on the day, taking Christmas song requests in the assembly to spread even more Christmas cheer!

In total, €2000.00 was raised for St. Vincent De Paul, who assist families in need throughout Christmas. Well done to staff and students for wearing their Christmas jumpers and adding some festive school to our school environment!

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On Friday, 3rd December Naas CBS celebrated World Disability Day. We proudly hung our Disability flag outside of the school.
Our principal, Mr. Travers spoke out Disability week over the announcements throughout the week to highlight the importance of celebrating diversity, not just this week, but every week in our school.

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This November, we remember those we love who have passed away. Each Religious Education class took one class to reflect on those who are longer with us.

Each student wrote a name of a loved one on their leaf and personalised the design. Each student got the opportunity to hang their leaf on the tree. After the class had completed this we had a moment of silence and said the Prayer for the Holy Souls.
May they rest in peace. Amen

Well done to all those involved, and many thanks to the Religion Department for organising this very special month for all of us in the Naas CBS Community.

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Student Safety is a priority in our school and staff and students work very hard each day to protect themselves each and every day.

To further protect our students outside of school, we arranged for Police Man Alex Walshe to run personal safety workshops with our Senior Cycle students.

Students discussed important issues such as Toxic Masculinity. Afterwards, Alex taught the students self defence moves which are only ever to be used out of personal safety, should the students ever find themselves in a situation which compromises their safety.

Many thanks to Alex Walshe for these fantastic workshops which will aid the lads even after they leave the CBS.
Students thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Well done to all involved.

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It is fantastic that we are celebrating Stand up Awareness week for a second year in a row. While we celebrate he LGBTI+ community throughout the whole school year, this week was specially dedicated to raising awareness in our school community.

Each SPHE and Well-Being class focused on learning about correct terminology in school. Each year wore a colour for the LGBTI+ flag on Friday as we celebrated a RAG day. Once again this was a huge success in our school and we are very proud of all of our students.

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In light of Anti  Bullying week, SPHE and Well-being classes began there 8 week module on bullying.
Students identified the different types of bullying that can occur, the impacts of bullying - mentally and physically.

The school also reviewed their anti-bullying policy to ensure the needs of our students are consistently being met. This is a very important policy in our school and we will continue to update this each year.

Well done to all involved.

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#OneKindWord

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This year our school took part in Team Hope's Christmas Shoe-box Appeal. The organisation provides a service in which children all around the world get to experience the joys of Christmas.

The theme for this year’s appeal is #MakeAChildSmile and aims to encourage people to think about the single impact, joy and smile that a shoe-box brings to the child who receives it.

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Irish professional boxer, Eric Donovan came into our school to speak to both our Transition Year and Fifth year groups in the area of well-being and mental health.

Eric, who originates from Athy, Co. Kildare, was a five time Irish amateur national champion before he turned professional. Eric combines his role as one of Ireland's finest boxing talents along with being an advocate for health and well-being.

Many thanks to Eric for his powerful talk on mental health and well-being. The students thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

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Some students find settling into school life challenging and it can take them time to adapt. Not every student has an ideal situation at home to complete their homework and studies. To ensure that everyone has a safe environment to complete their homework we offer homework club, a safe space after school to allow students to complete their work before they go home.

To help students with their homework and organisation, we run a homework club after school where members of staff help students who may be struggling with a particular subject or topic. This helps the students to organise themselves and revise topics that may prove difficult.

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Staff got involved in organising a Random Act of Kindness during the week of the 15th November to celebrate World Kindness Day!

Each member of staff was given a name and anonymously each staff member performed a random act of kindness - whether they received a little treat, got an extra long break or treated to a surprise - all staff enjoyed the surprises that awaited them each day!

"Kindness is the greatest gift"

Well done to all involved!

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To celebrate World Kindness Day, students used our Gratitude tree to take a moment to reflect on the things they are grateful for.

This tree brightened up the school corridor to see how grateful our students are for their friends, families, school and much more!

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Here in Naas CBS we acknowledge that mental health and well-being is important every week. To continue raising awareness about the importance of mental health in our community, we held a RAG day. Students were encouraged to dress up for Halloween or wear in their P.E gear.

Students donated €3.00 each to AWARE - a mental health charity where people affected by stress, depression, bipolar disorder, and mood related conditions are understood, supported, free from stigma, and are encouraged to access appropriate therapies.

Well done to all who got involved!

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As part of Well-Being week, first years learned the Jerusalema dance to add to some Friday cheer!

Well done to all involved.

Click the link below to view:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/10U8hz7F6ULtJVgd3plCjPLPMPt8s7N8k/view?usp=drivesdk

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This Year, members of Naas CBS got involved in the Abseil for World Sight day which took place on Saturday the 16th October.
To raise money, members of staff baked goods to everyone to enjoy and had a donation box for this worthy cause. It was a great success!

Well done to all involved

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Students also received nutrition advice from Nutrition and Health Coach Hilary Doling, where students learned all about healthy eating from plate portion sizes to healthy recipes and an awareness of sugar content in drinks.

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Anti-Bullying Week November 15th-19th November

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Anti-Bullying Week November 15th-19th November

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World Disability Day Friday 3rd December

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World Disability Day Friday 3rd December

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Naas CBS Virtual open night!