Summer Newsletter 2025

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer holidays!

We look forward to the break and welcoming everyone back including all of our new second classes at the end of August.

Thank you to all the staff for another super year!

A sincere congratulations to our sixth class students on finishing their Primary School education - we wish you all the very best.

Have a great summer everyone,

Ms. Markey

Our 6th Class students marked the end of their primary school journey with a special graduation ceremony, celebrating their time in Pope John Paul’s. With kind words from Ms. Markey and surrounded by their teachers and families, the classes gathered to reflect on the memories, friendships, and milestones of the past five years. It was a joyful send-off as they look ahead to the adventures of secondary school.

At our graduation ceremony, we presented the Spirit of PJP award to one student from each 6th class who truly reflects the values of our school — kindness, respect, hard work, friendship, good humour, a positive attitude, and a willingness to include and support others. Here are this year’s well-deserving recipients, proudly pictured with their teachers.

Ms. McDaid's Class - Ava Halpin

Ms. Farrelly's Class - James McNamara

Ms. O'Connor's Class - Clodagh Sheedy

Ms. Byrne's Class - Conor O'Sullivan

Ms. Kieran's Class - Isabella Carroll

The weather was definitely on our side last week as the rain stayed away for PJP's Pride in Our School Day, allowing the whole school to gather in the yard to celebrate the amazing talent we have here. Ms. Markey honoured the wide range of skills and achievements across sports, school groups, and leadership roles, and everyone was thrilled to cheer on their classmates.

Well done to all the deserving recipients of awards for representing PJP in a variety of sports throughout the year. It has been a very successful year with plenty of silverwear brought back to Malahide! Congratulations to all the winners!

Senior Girls Gaelic Football

Player of the year - Ellie Osborne

Coaches award - Isobel Harvey

Senior Class Boys Gaelic Football

Player of the year - Ben Monks

Coaches award - Oisin Flynn

Junior Gaelic Girls Football

Player of the year - Alannah Kiernan

Coaches award - Emma Allen

Junior Boys Gaelic Football

Player of the year - Carlos Kennedy Garcia

Coaches award - Kai Underwood

Camogie

Player of the year - Corissa Moloney

Coaches award - Faye Ennis

Hurling

Player of the year- Rónan Mollahan

Coaches award - Harry Duggan

6th Class Girls Soccer

Player of the year - Lydia Casey

Coaches award - Alessia Sorgente

6th Class Boy Soccer

Player of the year - Tom Rochford

Coaches award - George O’Brien

Boys Athletics

Athlete of the year - Michael Conway

Coaches award - Shaun Alatise

Girls Athletics

Athlete of the year - Robyn Walsh

Coaches award - Shauna Alatise

Congratulations to Anna Relihan who is this year's sportsperson of the year in PJP. Anna has played on our soccer, football and camogie teams for the past 2 years where she has excelled as a leader and key part of our teams. Anna is highly skilled at every sports she plays and is thoroughly deserving of this award!

Congratulations to Tiarnan Hartnett who is this year's sportsperson of the year in PJP. Tiarnan has been invaluable to the hurling, football and soccer teams for the past two years. He is a fierce competitor and a natural leader. Tiarnan brings his excellent attitude to every match and training and is a worthy recipient of this award!

Congratulations to the Camogie team who won back-to-back Cumann na mBunscol titles in Croke Park earlier this month with a 1-6 to 1-2 win over Gaelscoil Míde Kilbarrack in the final of the Corn Olly Quinlan. There were standout performances from Anna Relihan who scored 6 points and Ruby Glover who scored a great goal in the first half. This is a significant achievement for our school to have won its second CNMB Camogie title in just 3 years of having a camogie team.

Four students from PJP, proudly represented Cumann na mBunnscol Áth Cliath at the recent Friendship Games in Belfast. Cluichí na gCarad is an annual event that brings together young athletes from around the county to participate in the cross-border friendship games with boys and girls from Antrim.

The Friendship Games have a proud and long-standing tradition, dating back to 1932 when they were first held in McCrory Park, Belfast. What began as a small initiative has grown into a meaningful partnership between Cumann na mBunscol Átha Cliath and Cumann na mBunscol Aontroma. This year’s event took place in the historic Corrigan Park, Antrim, where the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship was very much alive.

Oscar Moran, Casey Hayden (football) and Ronan Lynch and Tom Rochford (hurling) wore the Dublin jersey with pride, displaying great skill, teamwork, and enthusiasm on the field. More importantly, they extended the hand of friendship to their counterparts from Antrim, engaging in a true celebration of what makes Gaelic games so special – community, respect, and togetherness.

We are incredibly proud of their achievement and grateful to Cumann na mBunscol for the opportunity they had to be part of such a meaningful tradition. Their experience in Corrigan Park will remain a cherished milestone in their sporting and personal development.

Four students from PJP, proudly represented Cumann na mBunnscol Áth Cliath at the recent Friendship Games in Belfast. Cluichí na gCarad is an annual event that brings together young athletes from around the county to participate in the cross-border friendship games with boys and girls from Antrim.

The Friendship Games have a proud and long-standing tradition, dating back to 1932 when they were first held in McCrory Park, Belfast. What began as a small initiative has grown into a meaningful partnership between Cumann na mBunscol Átha Cliath and Cumann na mBunscol Aontroma. This year’s event took place in the historic Corrigan Park, Antrim, where the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship was very much alive.

Oscar Moran, Casey Hayden (football) and Ronan Lynch and Tom Rochford (hurling) wore the Dublin jersey with pride, displaying great skill, teamwork, and enthusiasm on the field. More importantly, they extended the hand of friendship to their counterparts from Antrim, engaging in a true celebration of what makes Gaelic games so special – community, respect, and togetherness.

We are incredibly proud of their achievement and grateful to Cumann na mBunscol for the opportunity they had to be part of such a meaningful tradition. Their experience in Corrigan Park will remain a cherished milestone in their sporting and personal development.

We were thrilled to continue our partnership with the Microsoft Dream Space Ambassador Programme again this year—an inspiring initiative led by the Dream Space teams in Dublin and Belfast. This flagship programme provides an exceptional leadership and training experience for students passionate about STEM education and mentoring others.

Ten enthusiastic students from fifth class were selected as our Dream Space Ambassadors. Throughout the year, they participated in a series of virtual training sessions with the Dream Space Team at Microsoft. During this time, they developed essential leadership skills and played a key role in supporting and inspiring their peers through various STEM-based activities.

Their hard work and commitment culminated in a special Awards Day held at Microsoft HQ in Dublin this May. We are incredibly proud to share that our school received the Platinum Award—a prestigious recognition of our ambassadors’ outstanding STEM expertise and their demonstration of 21st-century learning skills.

We look forward to seeing the continued impact of our Dream Space Ambassadors as they lead the way in fostering a love of STEM both within our school and in the wider community.

Congratulations to Aobh Lennon, whose beautiful artwork was awarded Best Overall in the 4th, 5th, and 6th class category of the A Day in Malahide Art Competition. Well done, Aobh, on this fantastic achievement!

Congratulations to Aobh Lennon, whose beautiful artwork was awarded Best Overall in the 4th, 5th, and 6th class category of the A Day in Malahide Art Competition. Well done, Aobh, on this fantastic achievement!

We went to Flynn Park on the 19/06/2025. We went into school at the normal time of 8:40 am and left for Flynn Park at 9:10am. We were supposed to leave at 9:00am but the buses were delayed so when they finally arrived, we were all excited to kick off the school tour. The bus ride was only 30 minutes, so we didn't have long to wait.

When we got to Flynn Park, we all got our stuff then got off the bus and went to do our first activity. The first activity that we did was the Aqua Lough. We all got dressed in to our wetsuits and life jackets then went down to the Aqua Lough where they explained some rules and showed where and where not to get in the water. When we got on to the Aqua Lough it was so much fun, and we had an amazing time going down the slides and jumping off the climbing frames and wobbly platforms.

After the Aqua Lough we went to have some lunch. Then after lunch we went to go and do the paintball. When we got into the paintball hut there was a bunch of helmets to put on, so you didn’t get shot in the eye. When we got out to doing the paintball there was so many people randomly shooting their guns and hitting people. When we started the paintball, it was an all-out war! First it was Red vs Blue then it was Capture the Flag then it was Zombies. The paintball didn’t hurt when you got shot, just a little sting.

Then we had a snack, and it was time to go home. Luckily the buses were on time this time and were not delayed like they were when we were setting off. When we all got on the bus we were all so tired from running around Flynn Park the whole day. Then we went home on the bus home, and we arrived at our normal home time. Flynn Park was an amazing place and an amazing school tour.

by Flynn Duffy

The fifth classes had an amazing time on their trip to Causey Farm. They held hens, petted donkeys, fed horses, crawled through enchanted hobbit tunnels, and, of course, got thoroughly mucky in Causey’s legendary bog. The day was packed with nature, fun and adventure, and even though the kids were covered in mud by the end, they had a fantastic time.

Our 4th classes had an absolute blast on their tour to Emerald Park with a day full of thrills and laughs.

Third class had a blast in DCU. There was a range of activities including Zorb Balling, Archery, VR, A Bouncy Castle Disco, The Wrecking Ball, The Monkey Ladders and much more!

2nd class also had a great time at Let's go! They got to do all the same activities as third class. There was also a ninja zone, a monster slide and block building!

Commiserations to the boys and girls in 4th class that were members of the Fingal League junior teams this year. Both teams has excellent campaigns which got them to the finals on a damp and miserable morning in Fingallians GAA Club. Unfortunately, both teams would lose on the day to stronger opposition. We are very proud of all the players and have no doubt that they will be back in finals with PJP again in the future!

As the summer brings the school year to an end, for our 6th class children it will be their final time walking out through the gates as a PJP student. Click below to read a reflection on these students' time in PJP written by Isabella Carroll. Go n-eírí an bóthar libh!