- The following article was written collaboratively by Aoibhe Duffy, Caitlin Llongo, Eloise McDonnell and Kayleigh Duffy, all Fifth Class pupils, following a very enjoyable trip to Dublin.
On June 1st we arrived at the school at 7 A.M for our bus departure at 7.15 A.M. It was a long journey but we didn’t mind as the bus was very comfortable. When we got to Dublin we went first to the office of the Ombudsman for Children. We were greeted by Ger and headed straight to the beanbags. We then found out that the building was designed by children! After that we were brought into the cinema-room. In there we learned all about children’s rights. We then went back to the room we were in at first and did some drawings. We soon headed back to the bus to set off for our next stop. The day was going great so far. Next on the agenda was Croke Park. First we found some benches to have our lunch. After that we met our tour guide Martin. He brought us under the stands, to the area that the buses enter. After that we went to the players’ lounge where the teams go after their matches. Martin explained that the chandelier we were looking at featured thirty two footballs and seventy sliotars, representing the thirty two counties of Ireland and seventy minutes played in a match. Next we got to see the dressing-rooms and the commentator’s box. We were up very high! Then we went to the museum. It was fascinating. We said good-bye to Martin and on we went to the bus again. Leinster House here we come! We arrived at Leinster House at 4P.M. We were met by a man called Gerry who was to be our guide. As we were walking in, we met Alan Dillon T.D. Alan kindly stood in for a photo with us outside Leinster House. We then went inside and upstairs to the Dáil where we had to be very quiet. Everybody enjoyed that part. We also saw paintings of former Taoisigh. Next we went into the Seanad. It was very fancy, with three chandeliers as it used be a ballroom long ago. We went downstairs and looked at a pair of old shoes and toy soldiers that were found during renovations. After another while looking around, it was time to go. We stopped at Supermac’s on our way home, which was a lovely treat. We all enjoyed that trip, it was one to remember. We arrived home very tired but happy that our day had been so successful!
- We had quite a number of winners in the art and hand-writing events in the local Community Games competition. Prize-winners from the school in the Boys’ Art Competition were (U8) Rian Loughney, Daniel Towey, (U10) Peter Duffy, Luke Duffy, (U12) Patrick Duffy, Noah Duffy, Sean Hunt, (U14) Hadley Jack Burns and Steven Rush. In the Girls’ Art Competition, winners were (U8) Emily Egan, Amelia Leonard, (U10) Chloe Loughney, (U12) Eloise McDonnell, Tara Rose Lynchehaun, Aoibhe Duffy and Carly Egan, (U14) Caitlin Llongo. Prize winners in the Boys’ Hand Writing Competition included (U10) Peter Duffy, (U12) Noah Duffy, Oisin Lynchehaun and Patrick Duffy. In the Girls’ Hand Writing Competition, winners were (U10) Chloe Loughney, Ava Casey, (U12) Eloise McDonnell, Aoibhe Duffy and Kiera Roddy. Those who claimed first prize have the opportunity of competing at county level. In the Art Competition, they are Peter, Patrick, Hadley Jack, Eloise and Caitlin. While in the Hand Writing Competition, first place winners were Peter, Noah, Chloe and Eloise. Congratulations to them all!
- Active Week was celebrated at the school. Kicking off the week’s events we had two sessions of tennis for each classroom on consecutive days with esteemed Coach, Tim Clarke. Children were really enthusiastic in learning the skills of serving and volleying. Progression was very evident, even within this time frame and lots of fun was had. Benefits of playing this sport include, improved hand-eye coordination, greater strength and flexibility, as well as increased reaction times. It is a non-impact sport and a great way to make new friends. Junior Infants to Fourth Class had their weekly Gaelic football training with Eugene Lavin. Next on the week’s line-up were Sean-Nós dancing workshops with Siobhan Butler. We were honoured to have somebody of Ms. Butler’s calibre, work with the pupils. The Sean-Nós workshops were facilitated by KCC as part of their Cruinniú na nÓg Programme. 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. Students really enjoyed learning some basic Sean-Nós steps and were fulsome in their praise of this experience. To round up the week, Mrs. McDonnell organised all pupils into teams of five or six. Older members were encouraged to help younger children on their teams. Each group moved through a series of ten stations over the course of the afternoon. Team-building and co-operation were very evident within all groups. A lot of fun was had, along with a huge sense of achievement!
- Children who received the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Confirmation were invited to participate in the Corpus Christi procession. The procession took place in glorious weather in the surrounds of Kilmovee Church. Pupils are to be commended for the respectful and reverent way, in which they participated in this age-old celebration.
- This article was submitted by Nathan Duffy, Sixth Class. We were delighted to be invited to compete in The Teresa Raleigh Memorial Tournament in Ballaghaderreen. We started off our day with a game against Derrinabroc N.S. as they and Ballaghaderreen were in our group. After a huge win against Derrinabroc, we went on to play Ballaghaderreen. Unfortunately we lost to them after conceding a few last minute goals. We went on to play Brusna in the B Final. In our final against Brusna we had a very close and well fought battle. We were lucky at the end to be awarded a free from very close in when we were level 1-0 to 0-3. The free was struck over the bar to win the game 0-4 to 1-0 earning us the Teresa Raleigh Memorial Shield. Ballaghaderreen played Carracastle in the A Final, with Carracastle going home victorious with the Teresa Raleigh Cup. Derrinabroc played Ballaghaderreen second team in the C Final. Derrinabroc won that battle and went home with a small shield. We returned to school to see our friends all gathered in the school-yard to congratulate us on our win.
- Breege Moran visited the school to present trophies to the winners of the Bealtaine art and poetry competitions. The theme was ‘A Helping Hand’, with pupils from Second to Fourth Class drawing pictures, while Fifth and Sixth Class wrote poems. Winners in the art section were Ava Casey, Molly Regan, Talia Reid, Kiera Roddy and Carly Egan. Winners in the poetry section were Aoibhe Duffy, Eloise McDonnell and Steven Rush. Words of appreciation were spoken to Breege for all she has done to advance the Bealtaine festival through the years and her inclusion of primary school pupils in the parish. Breege will retire this August after many years of promoting and supporting our heritage in her role in Cois Tine. We wish Breege good health and much happiness in her retirement.
- We were thrilled to receive a visit from four members of the Mayo U14 LGFA team, who were recently crowned All-Ireland champions. One of the members is Kilmovee Shamrocks player, Lucia McDonnell. Pupils were delighted to come to school in their green and red attire for the day. Children also got to hold and admire the cup. The girls posed for photos while ‘The Green and Red of Mayo’ was sung by the pupils. The visit will no doubt inspire some of our budding footballers!
- An induction day was held for next year’s Junior Infants. Children met their teacher Mrs. Shevlin and played and chatted with each other.
- The Water Safety Assistant Swim Teacher course took place in Kilmovee Swimming-Pool during the month and children were required in the water to train local swim teachers. Our pupils were given this opportunity to learn some basic water safety skills, both in and out of the water. Through this experience, they covered the aquatics strand of P.E. This was a fantastic chance to learn water safety in our own local amenity as a school group.
- Pupils were very happy to learn that the school has been awarded the Blue Star Flag for its efforts in learning more about the EU this year. The Blue Star Programme teaches children about European cultures and the EU through creative activities. Classes particularly loved participating in the quiz element of the Programme. The school received a European flag and a Blue Star Certificate for its endeavours.
- Fifth and Sixth Class pupils were awarded a plaque and flag for their fantastic accomplishments in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. Well done to the children and Mrs. McDonnell for the effort and attention to detail that they exhibited right from the beginning of this process. The children were also delighted to feature on a video made by the JEP Coordinators which showcased all of the entries nationwide.
- All classes have been working on Art entries for inclusion in a competition that will be run by the Urlaur Pattern Committee.
- Children were excited to see their painted tiles, which had been placed in the kiln and glazed at Ros Clay Pottery. The finished products were all unique and beautiful.
- Caitlin Llongo and Danny Egan were lotto winners this month.
- Hadley Jack Burns came second in the Art Competition at County Level of Community Games in Breaffy, which means he has qualified to compete at National level. Likewise, Eloise McDonnell claimed first prize in the Writing Competition at County Level and so has also qualified to compete at All-Ireland level. Congratulations to both pupils on this marvellous achievement.
- Aisling Sloyan, Secretary of the Swimming Pool Committee, visited the school to present prizes to the pupils whose aquatic-themed pictures were chosen as inspiration for new murals at the pool. Successful in the competition were Hadley-Jack Burns, Eloise McDonnell and Emily Egan.
- Frása na Míosa- Dá fhad é an lá, tagann an oíche.
- The Aistear theme in Mrs. Shevlin’s room was The Titanic.The children chose this topic as they had an interest in the ship and wanted to learn more about it and its journey. To start with, learners discussed what they already knew about the Titanic and took note of everything they wanted to find out. Then a number of books on the subject were read. Pupils decided they would like to make their own book about the Titanic. Children did their best writing and drew pictures of the ‘unsinkable ship’. The students are authors and experts on this subject and the book is part of the class library now!
- We said farewell to Ms. Callaghan who has been working in our local cluster to cover the Principal release days. We thank her for teaching the pupils of Fifth and Sixth Class once a week and will miss her sunny personality on Monday mornings! We wish her happiness and success in her new post.
- Sixth Class wore their personalised ‘Class of 2023 Kilmovee School’ hoodies with pride. The green hoodies feature the school crest and the names of each of the pupils in the class, a lovely memento of their time at Kilmovee S.
- 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 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.
Go mbeirimid beo ar an am seo arís!
The Class of 2023
Cillian Boyle
Hadley Jack Burns
Nathan Duffy
Ethan McCormack
Keith Regan
Sean Roddy
Steven Rush