Our school was bursting with imagination, creativity and fun as we celebrated Roald Dahl Day!

Our youngest pupils in Primary 1/2 created their own colourful Roly Poly Birds, inspired by one of Roald Dahl's wonderful stories. Their creativity and artistic talents were on full display as they brought their birds to life.

In Primary 3, the children explored the world of The Enormous Crocodile. They shared their favourite Roald Dahl stories and characters before focusing on the cunning crocodile himself. The class enjoyed creating their own crocodiles, each with unique and imaginative designs.

Inspired by The BFG, the children in Primary 4/5 designed beautiful Dream Jars. They filled them with hopes and aspirations for the future, including dreams of becoming singers, footballers, composers, farmers and actors. The children also reflected on the kind of people they want to be, highlighting qualities such as kindness, friendship and hard work. Their jars were decorated with bright colours, gems and sequins, making each one as special as the dreams inside.

The pupils in Primary 5/6 stepped into the magical world of Willy Wonka by designing brand-new sweets for Wonka's Factory. They decided on ingredients, appearance and magical effects before creating persuasive advertisements to encourage customers to buy their fantastic creations.

Meanwhile, Primary 7 celebrated the day by designing personalised bookmarks featuring inspirational Roald Dahl quotes for use during Accelerated Reading. They also showcased their ICT skills by creating Wanted posters for some of Dahl's most famous villains. To finish the day, the class designed their own chocolate bars inspired by Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and even enjoyed a small chocolate treat to spark their creativity!

Roald Dahl Day was a wonderful celebration of storytelling, imagination and creativity. It was fantastic to see every class engaging with these much-loved stories in such exciting and imaginative ways.

“Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” – Roald Dahl

#RoaldDahlDay

P1/P2 had a fantastic first outing with their P7 buddies on Friday! 

The boys and girls have been learning all about the story “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” and during play time this week, they made their very own bear paws. They put their paws to the test as they ventured to the beach to create their own bear paw prints in the sand! 

The children loved spending time with their P7 buddies and enjoyed working and playing together. They finished off their adventure by building some super sandcastles and practising writing their names in the sand. 

What a wonderful first outing with our buddies!

Last Friday, to mark our first week back in school, we welcomed Brennan’s Ice Cream to Sacred Heart P.S. The pupils and staff alike all enjoyed the treat in what was a lovely way to help kickstart the new academic year.

Brennans Seaforde & Dundrum

Young at Heart has returned for the new academic year and this latest crop of boys and girls have started their tenure in the most positive way. Art activities, blackberry picking and investigative play have just been some of the undertakings as the grouping bed in for all the fun and learning that lies ahead.

Oisin, Ella, Patrick and Éanna P2

The group really impressed Mrs O'Toole during outdoor play with their construction this week. They carefully planned their build, mapped out the different shapes they would need and added labels to their plan. They showed great persistence throughout the process and took on different roles to ensure their construction was sturdy and successful.

What a fantastic team! You worked together brilliantly and should be very proud of what you achieved.

Well done, Oisin, Ella, Patrick and Éanna!

Eva P1, Barra P2, Coby P3, Grace P4, Úna P5, Korey P6 and Cailie P7 were the tremendously super Pupil of the Week award winners today. All the boys and girls have made rousing starts to the new academic year and thoroughly deserve this recognition.

Eva P6

Eva is a pleasure to have in class for many reasons, one of which is her exceptional listening skills. She listens brilliantly to instructions and follows them first time, every time, without ever needing to be reminded. She is usually one of the first in the class to show she is ready to learn, even if there are distractions around her — her calm, focused example is a lovely one for others to follow.

She also shows wonderful initiative in how she manages her own learning. Without ever being asked, she will pick up a book to read during transitions between lessons, and if she is stuck on a question and waiting for an adult, she simply moves on to the next one rather than losing time. This independence shows a real maturity.

Eva tries her hardest in everything she does, showing particular determination in numeracy, where she is not afraid to have a go and learn from any mistakes — and has made lovely improvement as a result. She also works well with all staff around her, and I regularly hear other staff singing her praises. Eva has the most wonderful attitude, and I am delighted to recognise her with this award.

Our P1 boys and girls received a special surprise at assembly this morning to celebrate their first week at Sacred Heart P.S.

Each child was presented with a personalised keepsake featuring their self-portrait, beautifully displayed in a frame alongside our school colours and crest. 

These special mementoes mark an important milestone as they begin their primary school journey and will serve as a lasting reminder of their first week in P1.

Well done to all of our wonderful P1 pupils on a fantastic start to school life!

Niamh, Méabh, Bria and Eva P1

Niamh, Méabh, Bria and Eva have had a fantastic first week in Primary One! They have shown wonderful teamwork when working together with the loose parts during outdoor play. The girls have really encouraged and supported one another and have shown lovely respect and kindness towards all the boys and girls in our class. It has been wonderful to see them settling in so well and making such a positive start to school life.

Our first week back in school has been delightful with everyone back, ready and eager to learn and engage with a new academic year. Our teachers spoke proudly this morning at assembly as they outlined their reasoning why the following attained our first Pupil of the Week certificates for 2026/2027: P1 Charlie, P2 Kai, P3 Zayne, P4 Theo, P5 Kiannah Mae, P6 Róise and P7 Rebecca.

Well done to you all!

Evie P7

Evie has made a fantastic start to Primary 7 and is continuing to settle in extremely well. She is a hardworking and conscientious pupil who approaches every activity with enthusiasm and always strives to complete her work to a very high standard. 

Evie is consistently organised, prepared and ready to learn. Her positive attitude is reflected in the effort she puts into all areas of school life. She is a kind and caring girl who is always willing to support others, making her a wonderful friend to her peers and everyone around her. 

Evie comes into school each day with a smile on her face and a positive attitude that brightens our classroom. She has recently made excellent progress in mental maths, numeracy and reading through her determination and commitment. 

Evie regularly goes the extra mile in everything she does and I have no doubt that she will continue to flourish and have a highly successful year in Primary 7. 

Congratulations Evie!

Another little piece of history was made today as our new P1 pupils began their journey at Sacred Heart P.S.

The boys and girls had a wonderful morning settling into their new surroundings and enjoying lots of fun, engaging activities in Mrs O'Toole's classroom. There were plenty of smiles, excitement and enthusiasm as new friendships started to blossom and new adventures began.

A fantastic start was made by everyone, and we are incredibly proud of how well the children settled into school life. We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Welcome to the Sacred Heart family, boys and girls!

Tomorrow (Tuesday 1st September) sees all of our classes (P1 to P7) start school for the 2026/2027 academic year. Breakfast Club is available from 8am to 8:45am and our After School Club Programme starts for P2 to P7. Children can arrive in the school yard from 8:45am to 9am. A reminder too that it is full school uniform tomorrow!

Our new P1’s will have their first day in Sacred Heart P.S. and we are very much looking forward to welcoming them into our school community. The boys and girls will have a 12 noon finish up to and including Friday 18th September.

See you all in the morning!

Creative Arts, Autumn Activities, Bee Active, Kazuko Karate, ActiSport and SavSports all make up our After School Club provision for Term 1.1.

Our new pricing structure is in place: 2pm to 3pm (£4), 3pm to 4pm (£4) and 4pm to 4:45pm (£3). Slot bookings and payment can be made on SchoolMoney from Tuesday morning.

Thanks.

School starts back for all of our pupils (our new P1’s and P2 to P7) on Tuesday 1st September. Please view an information letter on our school return at: https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/sacred-heart-ps/UploadedDocument/3753b614-6d17-45d3-95e6-97538fd4d7c1/shps-dundrum-2026-2027-academic-year..pdf

Thank you and see you all bright and early on Tuesday morning!

Young at Heart will start back for the new academic year on Tuesday 1st September. To confirm your child’s place, please contact the school office (437 51293) between 8am and 1pm tomorrow (Thursday). A reminder that the cost per week per child is £15.

Thank you.

Well done to Oisin P1, Niamh P4, Jessica P4 and Fionn P5 who all earned 100% attendance accreditation for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Our pupils and staff have done a fantastic job embracing the Cúpla Focal challenge this year. From greetings and classroom phrases to everyday conversations, Gaeilge has become an important part of life at Sacred Heart P.S. 

Recently, Miss Byrne co-ordinated our Cúpla Focal examinations, and we were delighted with the outstanding results. A large number of pupils, along with three members of staff, successfully completed the assessments and passed with flying colours.

This achievement reflects the enthusiasm, commitment and confidence shown by everyone involved in promoting and using Irish throughout the school.

Maith sibh a pháistí agus a fhoireann! Is fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste! 

Scoil Spreagtha

As Sacred Heart P.S. signed off for the summer, the school took great pride in awarding the last Pupil of the Month awards for the academic year. June, as ever, was an incredibly busy time within the school and our recipients, namely Bobby P1, Teddy P2, Mairead P3, Logan P4, Hugh P5 and Evie P6, were hugely deserving winners!

The Striving for Greatness Together award goes to Eoin, Annie and Abbie, who have made Mrs McCauley incredibly proud upon their transition to their new class. Their new teacher has been full of praise – highlighting their fantastic attitude, brilliant teamwork, and the enthusiasm they bring to everything they get stuck into. They will be missed in P6, but it is wonderful to know they are doing so well.

Mathews - P6

Since joining Sacred Heart P.S. in 2025, Mathews has quickly become a familiar and friendly face across the school. He settled into life here with impressive ease, throwing himself into his classroom work with real perseverance and dedication. His joyful personality — that great sense of humour and infectious smile — has made this school a brighter place for everyone in it. 

Mathews has shown a wonderful commitment to his faith this year, preparing thoughtfully for both his First Confession and First Holy Communion. His dedication to those milestones has been truly admirable. He also brings that same enthusiasm to choir, where his voice rings out with real confidence and joy. 

Beyond the classroom, Mathews continues to impress. He has taken up Gaelic and shown himself to be a brilliant team player, and he has recently earned his Cúpla Focal — a fantastic achievement that puts him on the path to speaking a third language. Sacred Heart P.S. is very lucky to have him!

Parents of sacred heart - POSH

A huge well done to Mathews in P6, who received our final Gaeilgeoir na Míosa award of the year! This award recognises Mathews’ fantastic effort, positive attitude and growing confidence in using Irish both in and out of the classroom.

Throughout the month, Mathews has made a real effort to use Gaeilge in everyday conversation, engage fully in lessons, and encourage others to do the same. His enthusiasm for the language has not gone unnoticed, and he has been a great role model for his classmates.

What a brilliant way to round off a year of celebrating our Irish language across the school. Maith thú, Mathews – keep up the great work! 

Scoil Spreagtha

Well done to all of our pupils who received their Accelerated Reader certificates this week — the final awards of the 2025/2026 academic year!

These certificates recognise the children’s consistent effort, commitment to reading and impressive progress throughout the year. From building reading stamina to achieving personal targets, the pupils have shown fantastic dedication and enthusiasm for books.

It has been wonderful to see such a love of reading develop across the school, with so many children challenging themselves and celebrating their success along the way.

A special mention to each of our certificate recipients for their hard work and determination — a brilliant achievement to finish the year! 

Accelerated Reader & Freckle Ireland Liam O’Hare

We’re celebrating our final group of Mathletes for this school year — and what a fantastic way to finish! A big round of applause for: Kai (P1), Coby (P2), Theo (P3), Jessica (P4), Niamh (P5) and Rosie-Leigh (P6)

Each of these pupils has stood out this month for their hard work, resilience and growing confidence in Maths. Whether tackling tricky challenges or supporting others, they’ve shown what it means to be a true ‘Mathlete’.

A brilliant effort from all — and a great way to round off a year of super Maths across the school. Well done everyone!

P5/P6 recently completed their final World Around Us topic – The Rainforest – and what a fantastic way to finish!

As part of their learning, the children took on a home project where they each created a fully detailed rainforest. The results were truly outstanding, with incredible effort, creativity and attention to detail on display. From towering trees and exotic animals to layered canopies and vibrant colours, every project showed a real understanding of this fascinating habitat.

Well done to all of P5/P6 for their hard work and imagination – a brilliant way to bring learning to life!

P4/P5 and P5/P6 enjoyed a wonderful trip to Dundrum Castle today for some outdoor sketching. 

With a cool breeze and a shady spot under the trees, it was the perfect setting to relax, unwind and get creative.

Pupils captured the beauty of their surroundings in a variety of ways—some sketched the stunning views of Dundrum Inner Bay, others focused on the impressive castle keep, while a few turned their attention to the breathtaking Mourne Mountains in the distance.

A calm, creative afternoon enjoyed by all, with brilliant artwork to show for it!

We held our Sports Day medal presentation last week. All of our winners, runners up and third place participants were feted. Well done to everyone for the high levels of competitiveness and sportsmanship at the actual event. Thanks to our PE co-ordinator Mr McCartan for his organisation of the presentation.

Mr McCartan’s P2/P3 Class took part in a mini World Cup tournament. They thought this was a great time to do it with the World Cup currently ongoing in the USA, Canada and Mexico!

They had 5 teams namely Argentina, France, Spain, Portugal and Brazil. After some fantastic displays in the group games and some competitive tussles in the semi finals and final they finally had their winning team. The France team won the mini World Cup. 

The children all had a blast and some brought in their own international jerseys as part of the fun.

Jasper, Patrick, Cora and Fearne P1 

This week's Striving for Greatness Together acknowledgement goes to Jasper, Patrick, Cora and Fearne. These four children sit together at the table we call Team Glas, and they have shown fantastic teamwork throughout the week. They have worked exceptionally well together, encouraging one another, playing kindly and cooperatively, and following instructions brilliantly. 

During our various adventures and excursions, they consistently supported each other and demonstrated excellent collaboration. They also showed wonderful teamwork during outdoor play, particularly when building dens together. 

Well done, Team Glas! We are very proud of the positive attitude, friendship and teamwork you have shown. Keep up the great work!

Catarina P7

Catarina is a wonderful P7 student who always gives her best in everything she does. She has a tremendous work ethic and takes great pride in her work. Last week, Catarina put an incredible amount of effort, over several days, into her report on the pilot Amelia Earhart. The report was informative, creatively presented, and showcased her lovely handwriting. It was clear to see how much care and research she put into writing such a fantastic piece of work.  

Whether it is helping younger students, assisting with classroom jobs, or simply noticing when someone needs encouragement, Catarina does so with a smile and without being asked. She is a thoughtful student who is always willing to lend a helping hand. She took amazing care of her P1 buddy at the beach on Wednesday, showing responsibility, kindness, and maturity.  

Catarina contributes to our school community by beautifully singing in the choir and reading so clearly and confidently at Mass. She is also a Digital Leader. What a great role-model for the younger students at Sacred Heart!  

Beyond the classroom, Catarina is also a talented and enthusiastic sportswoman. She is always willing to give every sport a go and has been a valued member of the school netball team this year. Catarina gets involved with a positive attitude and determination. She truly lives out our school motto of “striving for greatness together” in everything she does.  

Congratulations, Catarina, on your well-deserved award!

The P7 class committed fully to the accredited Cycling Proficiency programme that is ran within the school. Led by Mr McCartan, the boys and girls worked diligently, ensuring that they hit all the milestones and requirements of the initiative. Well done to you all and safe cycling!

A wonderful assembly was held on Friday morning with recognition being to the forefront. Up stepped our Pupil of the Week winners, Barra P1, Oonagh P2, Laughlin P3, Karla-May P4, Fionn P5, Seth P6 and Ruadhán P7, who all fully deserved their awards for being brilliant ambassadors for the school.

Tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:30am in the Sacred Heart Church, Canon Fleck will be celebrating our End of School Year/P7 Leavers' Mass. The whole school will be in attendance. As previously requested, all children are to wear their full school uniform (summer dresses are permitted). We would love to see our family members and all those in our wider school community attend.

Thank you.

What an incredible day our P4–P7 pupils had at Let’s Go Hydro! From giant jumps to thrilling slides and action-packed assault courses, the Aqua Park was full of excitement and non-stop fun. There were smiles, laughter, and plenty of splashes all around!

A huge thank you to POSH for helping make this fantastic trip so affordable, and to our brilliant staff for joining in and making the day run so smoothly.

An unforgettable way to celebrate the end of the year—what an amazing trip! 

Let's Go Hydro

On Friday morning, the children got up and enjoyed breakfast before clearing and tidying their rooms. 

They then took part in a fun games session, followed by an archery activity where everyone had the chance to develop their skills and have a go at hitting the target.

Later, the group took on Ireland’s highest climbing wall, where pupils challenged themselves and showed great determination and teamwork. 

After working up an appetite, everyone enjoyed lunch together before preparing for the journey home.

It was a full and enjoyable final day, with lots of great effort, enthusiasm and memorable experiences.

East Coast Adventure Centre

Our P1, P2 and P3 children had the most fantastic day at Airtastic, Craigavon as part of their end-of-year celebrations!

From bouncing and playing to lots of laughter and smiles, the children had an absolute ball and made so many lovely memories with their friends. It was wonderful to see their excitement and energy as they enjoyed all the activities.

A big thank you to the staff at Airtastic for looking after us so well, and to our brilliant staff team for helping make the day run so smoothly. 

What a perfect way to finish off a busy and successful year — well done everyone! 

Airtastic Entertainment Centres NI

Miss McConville (Eco Co-ordinator), along with Eco Council members Eoin and Caille, attended the Green Flag Award Ceremony at St Patrick’s Centre in Downpatrick on Friday. The event celebrated the hard work and dedication of schools across the region in promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.

Eoin and Calle represented the school with pride, demonstrating their commitment to eco-friendly initiatives and their role in supporting the Eco Council’s ongoing projects. The ceremony provided a valuable opportunity to share ideas, learn from other schools, and celebrate achievements in areas such as recycling, biodiversity, and energy conservation.

The school is extremely proud of the efforts of Miss McConville, Miss Crozier and the Eco Council, whose enthusiasm and leadership continue to inspire the whole school community to take positive action for the environment.

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

Ella P1, Beth P2, Elaina P3, Orlaith P4, James P5 and Kasia P6 were the very happy recipients of the Pupil of the Week award. Each and everyone of them were fully deserving of the accolade. Well done to you all!

Cora P1

Cora is receiving the Principal’s Award this week for her fantastic hard-working attitude and the great progress she has made across all areas of school life.

She has made brilliant progress in reading, and it’s lovely to see her becoming much more fluent. Cora enjoys choosing the writing area during play time and isn’t afraid to have a go at sounding out trickier words. She is also very thoughtful and loves writing letters and making cards for her friends.

In Numeracy, Cora has worked really hard and has made great progress, especially during their recent topic on money. She is a valued member of the school Eco-Council and clearly enjoys her learning, particularly when the class are out in the forest or at the beach.

Cora has excellent manners, and her behaviour is always exemplary. Well done!

P1/P2 had a fantastic and fun-filled day out in Newcastle with their friends from Knockevin. The boys and girls enjoyed spending time together in the park before heading to Nugelato, where they treated themselves to some delicious ice cream. The excitement continued in the arcades, where everyone had great fun and made the most of their day. It was a lovely way to bring the ASPIRE programme to a close for the year, with friendships strengthened and many wonderful memories created.

Knockevin School

The P7 residential at East Coast Adventure was a packed and exciting experience today!

On arrival, pupils enjoyed lunch, before settling into their rooms at the mountain lodge.

The group then travelled down to the shore at Warrenpoint, where the afternoon was filled with water-based activities. Everyone took part in a speedboat tour of Carlingford Lough, spotting a seal along the way, as well as Belgian and Latvian ships passing through the Lough!

Back on the water, the boys and girls enjoyed paddle boarding, followed by some thrilling pier jumping. The session finished with high-energy banana boating, which was a highlight for many.

It was an action-packed session that combined adventure, teamwork and unforgettable experiences.

East Coast Adventure Centre

- 5th Annual Jarlath Carey Cup & Dundrum GAC Shield Competition -

A resplendent Páirc Seán Ó Caoilte provided the perfect backdrop for the fifth staging of the Jarlath Carey Memorial Cup and Dundrum GAC Shield Competition, showcasing an excellent day of school football.

After several near attempts, Sacred Heart Primary School, Dundrum finally captured the Jarlath Carey Memorial Cup for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, St Joseph’s Primary School, Carnacaville emerged victorious in the Dundrum GAC Shield.

- Tournament Overview -

Six schools participated in this year’s competition:

St Francis’ P.S., Drumaroad
St Nicholas’ P.S., Ardglass
St Mary’s P.S., Newcastle
St Joseph’s P.S., Carnacaville
Sacred Heart P.S., Dundrum
St Macartan’s P.S., Loughinisland

Each team played one another in a round-robin format before progressing to placement matches:

5th/6th place playoff (exhibition)
Shield Final (3rd vs 4th)
Cup Final (1st vs 2nd)

- Final Matches -

Both finals delivered thrilling contests:

Dundrum GAC Shield Final

St Joseph’s P.S., Carnacaville edged past St Mary’s P.S., Newcastle in a closely fought encounter:
St Joseph’s P.S. 1-03 St Mary’s P.S. 1-02

Jarlath Carey Memorial Cup Final

The Cup decider was equally tight, with Sacred Heart P.S. Dundrum overcoming St Macartan’s P.S. Loughinisland:
Sacred Heart P.S. 1-03 St Macartan’s P.S. 1-01
A decisive moment came in the form of a superb goal from Casey Rogan, which ultimately secured victory for the Dundrum side.

- Acknowledgements -

Special thanks are extended to:

Referees: Coran Clendenning, Nathan Stone, and Jack McMullan.
Dundrum GAC for hosting the event.
Eddie Campbell, Dundrum GAC President, for presenting the Shield.
The Carey family, particularly Martin Carey, for presenting the Cup.

- A Proud Moment for Sacred Heart -

This triumph marks a significant milestone for Sacred Heart P.S. Dundrum—it is not only their first Cup victory but also their first appearance in the final.

Congratulations to all players and especially to coach Ruairi McGuigan, whose dedication and hard work throughout the year has clearly paid dividends.

---

2026 Winners

🏆 Jarlath Carey Memorial Cup: Sacred Heart P.S. Dundrum

🛡️ Dundrum GAC Shield: St Joseph’s P.S. Carnacaville

Dundrum GAC

Niamh, Jessica, Matty and Caolán P4/P5 

Our P4/P5 pupils have been learning all about procedural writing by designing and creating their own board games. They worked incredibly hard using Just2Easy to include clear instructions, equipment lists, rules, challenge and chance cards, and exciting ways to win. They also showed fantastic use of bossy (imperative) verbs, time connectives and clear steps to help others understand how to play. These four pupils stood out for creating an amazing game for the P7 class. Their game was challenging, fun and engaging, and they worked brilliantly as a team to bring their ideas to life. The P7 pupils had a fantastic time playing it and gave very positive feedback! This was a wonderful example of using writing skills in a real-life way and working together to achieve something special. Well done for striving for greatness together, you should be very proud!

Max P2 

Max is a ray of sunshine in the P1/P2 class. He approaches every day with enthusiasm, kindness, and a positive attitude that brightens the classroom for everyone around him. Max always tries his very best and has made outstanding progress in all areas of school life. 

We are especially proud of his fantastic achievements in blending and reading, as well as the great improvements he has made in his speech. 

Max is a caring and thoughtful member of the class who is always willing to help others and has a kind word for everyone. Whether he is learning, playing in the sand pit, or supporting his friends, Max consistently demonstrates excellent manners and a wonderful attitude. 

Max’s positivity, hard work, and kindness make him a truly deserving recipient of this award. We are so proud of him and the joy he brings to our classroom each day!

A super busy week back after midterm saw lots of activity taking place in school. Everyone enjoyed lots of proactive learning with the week being capped off with a fantastic Sports Day. Well done to Cora P1, Cara P2, James P3, Rosie P4, Caoimhe P5, Rebecca P6 and Noomi P7!