Drama:  On 29^th April our Drama group, with their teacher Paul Cullen, took part in The Stagecraft Youth Drama Festival in Cabinteely.  This Festival involved more than 700 children from schools and drama groups all over South Dublin and Wicklow.

The boys had an extremely successful day.  Their play, “The Phantom Killer”, came first overall in their section.  They also won awards for Best National School, Best Use of Stage and Best Use of Music.  Cian Meghan from Fourth Class was named Best Actor and individual acting awards were also won by Jack Nugent, Fourth Class and Leo Bourke, Third Class.

The adjudicator, Mary Howard, a very experienced and highly respected theatre practitioner was glowing in her praise for the boys’ stagecraft, diction, projection, controlled energy and sense of fun.

Art:  3^rd class have finished a ten week art initiative run by Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Co.Co.  They welcomed Niamh Lawlor, artist and puppeteer.  They made wonderful puppets over the ten weeks, integrating art, English and Drama.  One of the first lessons with Niamh involved studying the form of their friends’ faces and their own faces.  After understanding the form, shape and expression of their faces they were ready to create puppets.  They used all sorts of materials to construct their puppets and gave them expression and character.  They created character profiles and short puppet shows.  Niamh taught them puppeterring techniques and she showed them some puppets that she uses in her puppet shows.  They  would like to thank Niamh for all her work with them and they really enjoyed having an artist in the classroom.

National Spring Clean:  the National Spring Clean took place on 1^st May.  Rang II went litter picking on St. Patrick’s Road, Rang III went to Castle Street.  Rang IV to Dillon’s Park and Rang V & VI to Bulloch Harbour.  The boys worked very hard and did a fantastic job.  Well done!  Many thanks to Terry Wheatley and Dalkey Tidy Towns for their support.

First Communion will take place on 19^th May.  The fantastic Harold Boys’ Choir are busy practising.  Please ensure that your son returns his permission slip to Mrs. Costello.

History Week will take place from 28^th May – 1^st June.  Please send in any old artefacts that you think may be of interest.  An Historical Fancy Dress will take place on June 1^st.

Books:  We are very grateful to Michael Simonds in the Exchange Bookshop for his donation of books to the school.  The new books (both fiction and non-fiction) are a great asset to our class libraries.

RTE Junior Radio – ‘What’s the Story?’ Congratulations to Cian Meghen, 4^th Class, who recently recorded stories and poems for the RTEjr Radio programme ‘What’s the Story?’ in the RTE studios in Donnybrook! This 6 part series will be broadcast every Tuesday from May 15^th-June 19^th at 1.30pm. Repeats: Fridays at 8pm and Saturdays at 7am.  Cian attended the launch in Liberty Hall Theatre on Sunday, 29^th April. Also representing our school were Eoghan Fay from 5^th class, who presented the show last year, and James and Mark Newman from 4^th class. Well done to all the boys, we are very proud of you!

Congratulations to all the Scríobh Leabhar/Write A Book winners.

Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Congratulations to Rang 6 who were Confirmed on 22^nd March.  A big thank you to the Senior Choir who sang so brilliantly on the day.

Holy Thursday – Eoghan Fay and Gareth Hughes represented Harold Boys’ National School at the Holy Thursday ceremonies.  Well done for giving up your free time boys.

Trip to Kilronan Equestrian Centre – On 7^th March, rang 3,4,5 & 6 were invited to Kilronan Equestrian Centre.  The boys learned how to groom, tack, lead and ride.  They also learned how to scrape the mud out of the horses’ hooves and brush the horses.  The horse riding was the best part.  It was a bit wobbly on the horses but it was a great trip.  Many thanks to the Parents’ Association for funding transport for the trip.

Voluntary Contributions are still being sent in.  Many thanks to all who have paid.  With rising costs, funds are needed now more than ever.

Remembrance Ceremony – On 30^th April the Parents’ Association hope to hold a remembrance ceremony at our old Horse Chestnut tree.  Parents will be asked to buy a card with a detachable ribbon, which will cost €5.  The ribbons (with the name of deceased relatives) can then be pinned to the tree.  Fr. Declan will officiate at the ceremony.  We hope will families will support this initiative.

classclever.wikispaces.com is a wonderful website recommended by our ICT teacher Gerry McCarthy.  It is full of educational games in both literacy and numeracy that your son will enjoy and will supplement work being done in school.

Sports Report:  4^th, 5^th & 6^th class are currently representing the school in Tennis Ireland Leinster School League.  The boys are competing at a very high level and are putting in a tremendous effort.  Good work!

5^th & 6^th class were brought on a fantastic tour of Croke Park by Willie Brane.  This was a reward for their brilliant participation in After School GAA training.  Well done boys!

Scríobh Leabhar agus Write a Book 2012 – congratulations to the following authors who are this year’s winners.  They were presented with their prizes in Fitzpatrick’s Castle, Killiney on 26^th March.  Well done boys!

Buaiteorí Seachtain na Gaeilge

Easter Poetry Competition Winners

Gaeilgeoir na Seachtaine

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Scoil Haróid Abú!

Tá buaiteoirí Comórtas Ealaíne Seachtain na Gaeilge agus buaiteoirí Tráth na gCeist ó Rang a 2 agus a 3 le feiceáil anseo! Bhí an-spraoi ag gach duine. Maith sibh, a bhuachaillí!

Buaiteoirí Tráth na gCeist Rang a 4 + 5