NEWSLETTER MARCH 2010

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

Interactive Whiteboards have now been installed in all classrooms.  The key to this experience is touch.  Pupils simply touch the screen to select icons, navigate websites and move images – their finger becomes the mouse.  Pupils and teachers alike are enjoying this new methodology.  Many thanks to Mrs. Costello and Damien McKeown for organising their purchase and installation.

Speech & Drama Examinations.  The Irish Board of Speech & Drama examiner complimented all pupils on the high standard this year.  Congratulations to medal winners Eamonn Moroney and Cian Meghan.  Well done to Brian Bueno, Jack Nugent, Benjamin More O’Farrell, Ralph Swords, Dylan Laher, Lorcan McGrath, Liam Moylan, Ferdia Fagan and Matthew Walsh who got distinction.

Congratulations to the winning authors of the Write A Book Competition.  The following boys won Merit Awards:- Rang 2 Charlie Cullen, Rang 3 Eoghan Fay, Rang 4/5 Jason McAmbróis and Rang 6 Niall Barry.

Buaiteorí Seachtain Na Gaeilge.

Rang 2                    1^st                 Seamas Mac Óda                                Rang 3      1^st  Uinseann Mac Mathúna

                                2^nd                Brian Bueno                                   2^nd Oisín Ó Cuilinn

                                3^rd                Cian Ó Miacáin                                   3^rd  Eoghan Fay

Rang 4                    1^st                Caylam Gamble                   Rang 5    1^st   Lorcán Mac Craith

                                2^nd                Dean Ó hUiginn                                     2^nd  Déaglán Ó Tóráin                                                                            3^rd                Conchúir Mac Giollallin                      3^rd  Ruairi Mac Cumascaigh

Rang 6                    1^st                 Jake Ó Fionnalaigh

                                2^nd                Niall de Barra

3                     Óisin Ó hÁgáin - Ploug 

Greenwave Project – RTE.  Did you see 6^th class on News2day on RTE 2 on the 15^th March?  Sixth class went up Killiney Hill  to find different species of Ash, Hawthorn, primrose, swallows and frogspawn.  We also took measurements of the wind with our homemade anemometer.  When we came down from the hill we were interviewed.  When we were measuring the wind on Killiney Hill we got 21.  But we had to do it on again when we came back to the school so it would be a fair test. By Bernard Loughlin and Matthew Walsh.

Green Schools News.  We are working hard on our Green Energy Flag.  The boys are monitoring the ESB and Gas metres every week.  And we are remembering to switch off lights and close doors every lunch time!

Friendship Bracelets.  Thank you to the people who bought these bracelets. We raised an astounding amount of money.  €191 was the final total.  The money will go Amnesty  International and will help the children have a better quality of life, a house, clean water, and an education and later on in life a chance of a job.  We also hope that future years will keep this hope thriving for these children. Peter Lyons & Brian Kirwan.

Open Day was a very busy event this year with lots of prospective and past pupils coming to see the school.  Many thanks to John Abbey, Ferdia Fagan, Bernard Loughlin, Dónal McGinley and Oisín O’Hagan-Ploug for helping.  Thanks also to Irene Casey, Brigid Fagan, Damian McKeown, Maire McGinley, Laura O’Hagan-Ploug and Barbara Schmidt-Abbey for providing refreshments.

School Planning.  Minor changes were recently made to the Code of Behaviour.  This policy was ratified at the March meeting of the Board of Management.

Bag Packing took place in Eurospar on February 27^th & March 13^th.  Many thanks to Thomas Finlay, James Hogan, Oisin O’Hagan Ploug, Dylan Newbanks, Niall Barry, Brian Barry, Peter Lyons, Younes Dine, Donal McGinley, Harry Clarke, Jake Finlay, Lorcan McGrath, Eamonn Moroney, Locan Tighe, Kenzi Kouadri, Rory Ellard, Mark Lyons, Matthew Walsh, Joel McEvoy, Conor McClure, Patrick Whelan, Jason Chambers, Conor O’Donnell, Denis McKeown and John Abbey for their help.  They were a credit to the school and raised €1,300.10.  Maith sibh!

Office Hours.  Mrs. McGuirk works from 9a.m. to 1p.m.  Please note that the office is unattended outside these times.  If your child is sick, please do not phone the office.  Kindly notify the class teacher in writing.

Well done to the Chess Team who have made it to the final of the Leinster League.  They have beaten teams from St.Conleth’s, St. Benildus, St. Brendan’s and Gonzaga College.  Good luck to the boys, John Abbey, Rory Ellard, Ferdia Fagan, Conor O’Donnell, Oisín O’Hagan Ploug and Tom Wall and a big thank you to coach Steven Stokes and our organiser Brigid Fagan.

Tennis.  We are playing once again in the Leinster Tennis Spring League.  Our tennis team this year is: Joel McEvoy, Darragh Spillane, Brian Kirwan, Tom Wall, Mark Lyons, Jason Chambers, Lorcan McGrath and Conor Thorne.

We played our first match against St. Mary’s College on Monday 22^nd March and unfortunately lost

3-0.     Better luck next time boys!

A big thank you and well done to the senior choir from 4^th & 5^th class who sang beautifully at the Confirmation ceremony on Thursday 18^th March.

Gaelgeoir na Seachtaine

Rang 2    Gerard Mac Seoin                             Rang 3                Rudaulbh Ó Suaird

                Mark Nuaman                                                 Anraí de Bhál

                Padraig Mac Cathasaigh                                   Uinseann Mac Mathúna

                Cal Ó Deoráin                                                  Dylan Laher

                Mikael Balili                                                       Darragh Ó Conraoí Mac Cuinneagáin

Rang 4    Dean O’ hUilginn                 Rang 5                Eamonn Ó Maolruanaidh

                Conchúir Ó Súileabháin                                     Rua MacGiolla Eoin

                Lorcan Mac Taidhg                                          Pádraig Ó Faoláin

                Caylam Gamble                                                   Déaglán Ó Tóráin

                Anraí Ó Cléirigh                                                  Pádraig Ó Faoláin

Rang 6    Oisín Ó hAgáin-Ploug, Niall de Barra, Tomás Marsh

                Seán Ó Muireasáin, Seosamh Ó Díomsaigh agus Séamas Ó Báille

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

March 26^th                12.30p.m. to April 12^th 8.50a.m. – Easter Holidays

April 13^th                School Closes 12.30p.m. Staff Meeting

April 26^th-30^th                 History Week

Wishing you and your families  a very happy Easter.  Le gach dea-ghuí,

_____________

Teresa Buckley

Principal