School Newsletter – June 2022

Posted on October 4, 2022 by MrsMeehan

 

  • Active Week kicked off with dance workshops facilitated by Jiving Juniors Tutor, Luchia McDonagh. Children from each of the classrooms were taken in turn to learn the jive, waltz and some line-dancing in the session. This was a hugely popular activity with all of the pupils.

 

  • Due to the inclement weather it wasn’t possible to hold Sports Day at the school on the second day of Active Week, however on the following day, all pupils and staff went to the Community Centre and Astro-Turf where we had a fabulously active time. The day was co-ordinated by past pupils Shauna Golden and Ruth Duffy. Ruth facilitated games for pupils from Junior Infants to Second Class while Shauna worked with the children from Third to Sixth Class. Activities included parachute games, Simon says, hula-hoop races, ‘floor is lava’ and dodge ball. Traditional races and novelty events also took place. In addition a treasure hunt was organised for the senior pupils. We wish to warmly congratulate Shauna on completing her B.Ed at DCU and wish her well in her future teaching career. We also wish Ruth well as she enters her final year at DCU.

 

  • Also as part of Active Week, pupils took part in Cruinniú na nÓg. Cruinniú na nÓg is a flagship initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme for children, with an emphasis on celebrating and encouraging their participation in culture and creativity through a range of activities. To this end, pupils from Junior Infants to Second Class had an opportunity to experience African Drumming in the ‘thatched cottage’ under the skilful instruction of Barry Flannery. The acoustics in the cottage perfectly suited the activity and the mesmerising beats of the drums could be heard reverberating in the surrounds. The students really enjoyed the drumming workshop and being introduced to a different musical genre. This was followed by a workshop in African Dance for all pupils of the school. Learners enthusiastically engaged in the rhythmic movement associated with this variety of dance, ably instructed by Alessandra Zevedo and Slí na Croí. Many thanks to the staff of the Community Centre and all who made it possible for the pupils to be involved in this year’s Cruinniú na n-Óg.

 

  • On our final day of Active Week, pupils from Third to Sixth Class set off on their school tour. The first part of the tour was a visit to Rathcroghan Visitor Centre in Tulsk. This is an area of rich archaeology, mythology and history and was home to the famous warrior, Queen Maeve. The ancient festival of Samhain is also said to have originated from here. We were greeted by our guide Elaine who  gave us a very interesting and informative tour of the Centre, which includes timelines, artefacts, life size replicas of our ancestors and the fascinating but brutal story of The Táin Bó Cúailnge. Pupils also got to view the famous Rathcroghan Mound, from where you can see Croagh Patrick on a fine day!  Next we made our way to Bay Sports in Kiltoom. This is Ireland’s largest inflatable waterpark with an amazing array of enjoyable and exhilarating water based activities. Pupils were given a safety briefing before hitting the water and were kept under close watch by the Bay Sports supervisors and lifeguards. Children had a super time on the water and were delighted to gather together afterwards for delicious pizza and chips and to discuss the fun and frolics of the day!

 

  • Meanwhile pupils from Junior Infants to Second Class were having their own fun back at school. Mrs Shevlin had organised a teddy bears’ picnic, karaoke and disco for the last day of Active Week. Pupils also had some tasty pancakes after all of this excitement. Ms Ryan returned to the school with her mini-oven and baked some delicious biscuits with the boys and girls in Second Class. This rounded off a fun-filled and energetic Active Week for all!

 

  • On Tuesday, the 14th of June we welcomed our incoming Junior Infants and their parents to an induction evening. The children had lots of fun experimenting with the new interactive board and becoming familiar with the school grounds as Mrs Warde took them for a walk around the building. Meanwhile, Mrs Shevlin had the opportunity to meet the new parents and give them valuable advice for the new school year. A lovely evening was had and we look forward to welcoming everybody in September.

 

  • After a delay of two years due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were finally in a position to raise our Amber Flag. The purpose of the Amber Flag initiative is to promote mental-health and well-being among our pupils. To this end, in the year 2019-2020 a number of actions were carried out. These included a fund-raiser for Pieta, Mindfulness Mondays, Weaving Well-Being activities, Wellness Day and Kindness Week. It was also decided to commission a Buddy Bench for the school playground. The members of the Mens’ Shed in Ballaghaderreen made the bench, which was then beautifully painted and decorated by Tuesday Whitfield. On the morning of the flag-raising, Principal, Mrs Warde welcomed all of the assembled parents, Board of Management and members of the Mens’ Shed- Pat Towey, Tommy Regan, Jimmy Johnson and Joe McCormack along with Tuesday Whitfield. Joe is grandfather to Fifth Class pupil, Ethan McCormack. She also had special mention for a number of past pupils in attendance, some of whom were on the original Amber Flag Committee. In his speech, Pat Towey articulated the importance of communicating with one another   and made the very tangible connection between the function of the Mens’ Shed and the Amber Flag objectives. He stated how happy he was to attend the occasion, after which Tuesday Whitfield spoke. Tuesday talked about the creative process involved in painting the bench. She told the assembled guests, that she hoped it would be a place for buddies to meet and chat and that the intention behind including so many colourful animals and characters on the bench was that it would act as a stimulus for conversation. Pat then raised the flag to much applause. The school band entertained the guests with a selection of tunes, while photographer James Hunt was on hand to capture memories of this special day. Mrs Warde thanked everyone for accepting the invitation to attend this celebration and invited everybody inside for refreshments.

 

 

  • Cycling instructor Jerry Towey in association with cyclingireland.ie delivered four sessions on ‘Bike Safety and Cycling Rules’ to Fifth and Sixth Classes. Pupils cycled to school over four consecutive Wednesdays. The first three lessons were given on the school grounds, while the final session took place on the public road facilitated by local Garda, Tom Regan. During the course, pupils were taught the knowledge and skills necessary for confident cycling, including the checking of bike, helmet, clothing, weather conditions, signalling and observation. Lessons also included how to stop safely in an emergency and recognising and observing road signs, traffic lights and road markings. Safety was of paramount importance throughout the programme. This was an excellent course and a marvellous opportunity for senior pupils to gain valuable cycling information and practical experience from a qualified instructor.

 

  • Ethan McCormack and Sean Hunt were winners of the lotto in school this month.

 

  • Frása na Míosa- Dá fhad é an lá, tagann an oíche!

 

  • The end of year Mass was celebrated by Fr Joseph Gavigan, at which we said farewell to the pupils of Sixth Class. We wish them every blessing for the future and assure them that they are always welcome back here for work experience or simply a chat. We are immensely proud of their accomplishments and the manner in which they developed and progressed during their time here at Kilmovee School.

 

  • It was an especially poignant Mass, as Principal Mrs Warde is to retire at the end of August. For many years Mrs Warde taught in the Infant Classroom where arguably the most important work takes place. Mrs Warde taught pupils how to interact, take turns, share and communicate along with the vital skills of literacy and numeracy.  Countless parents who had children starting in Junior Infants were content in the knowledge that their children would be both nurtured and very well taught under her expert guidance. In 2018 Mrs Warde became Principal and moved to the Senior Classroom. She took over the leadership role with creativity and flair. Her level of dedication and professionalism was second to none and we are going to miss her greatly. At the end of Mass, words of gratitude and appreciation were spoken by Staff members, after which she was presented with gifts by children from each of the classrooms, representing the pupils as a whole. We give thanks for the many talents that Mrs Warde shared during her teaching career and wish her health and much happiness for the many years ahead! Ní deireadh ré ach tús ré!!
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