Loreto welcomes St Aidan’s SNS to multi sports blitz

January can often feel like a dark and dreary month; not so on January 20th when 6th class pupils from St Aidan’s SNS, Brookfield arrived at Loreto High School Beaufort to be greeted by a dry day with warm winter sun providing some welcomed heat. Loreto Beaufort and Loreto Hockey Club jointly welcomed the 6th class pupils to our clubhouse, hockey pitches & Sports Hall for a Multi Sports Blitz.

Loreto Beaufort has had a very special relationship with St Aidan’s SNS for over 20 years. Every Christmas the school host a Christmas Party for the pupils, but this was the first time that the school and club hosted a joint sports event for the children.

The emphasis for the day was on fun and participation, with 50 boys and girls getting the opportunity to play six different games. These events were basketball, soccer, hockey, benchball, dodgeball and an obstacle course.

A big thank you to the Beaufort Transition Year students who managed teams, umpired the games, took photos and provided goodie bags of various types of stationery to all our guests. Special thanks to T/Y students Hannah Dalton, Anna Carolina Brown, Hazel Colfer, Alena Whelan, Kate O’Donohoe, Avril Carty, Hannah Balfe, Emma Norton and Ellen Griffin.

Also big thanks to two mums from our Junior Hockey Club, Trish Bolger and Tracey Brennan, who spent the morning packing “treat bags” from the Hockey Club. These bags containing fruit, yoghurt, popcorn, bars etc, were given to all pupils on their way back to school.

Thanks to Bronwyn O’Donnell, Paula O’Donoghue and to our hockey coaches Eimear Campion and Mary Barnwell for all their help and support on the day.

However, the real stars of the day were without doubt, the boys and girls from St Aidan’s SNS, who were an absolute pleasure to have as our guests. They were friendly, mannerly and played every game with such energy and enthusiasm. They were an absolute credit to their school and their teachers.

According to their Principal Tomas Hayes, the children arrived back to the school “beaming” after having a day of fun from start to finish.

All involved in Loreto Beaufort and Loreto Hockey Club were delighted with the success of the day and it is now planned to make this an annual event going forward.