• Well done to all of our pupils who submitted photographs of their May Altars to Cois Tine Heritage Centre for the Annual Bealtaine Celebration. This competition was open to children attending Kilmovee and Tavrane Schools. Winners from our school were the Boyle family (Liam, Aoibhín and Cillian) and Carly Egan. Cash prizes were awarded to these pupils. It is wonderful to see this age old tradition being upheld by the children of today and promoted by our local heritage centre. Many thanks to Breege Moran for organising this event.
• Pupils continued to submit work via the new school email address which was set up for communication between staff, parents and pupils during this period of closure. It has been working very well as parents assist their children in sending work samples to class teachers who in turn can provide appropriate feedback. Parents may also pose any queries that they have in relation to the assignments or work and teachers can supply an answer in a timely and efficient manner.
• May of course is the month that we associate with First Holy Communion, but due to public health advice, it obviously could not go ahead at this time. However on May 17th, the day that First Holy Communion was due to take place, Fr Sherlock offered a special Mass of Thanksgiving for the First Communicants of our parish, which was streamed live via the parish webcam. Sixteen candles were lit to represent the number of boys and girls who are to receive the sacrament. Prior to the day, Fr Sherlock invited the children to send pictures and drawings with a religious theme which were then shown during the Mass. We thank Fr Sherlock for this lovely way of connecting with our Communicants and we look forward to the day when we can celebrate First Eucharist with them.
• A school-based competition was organised for our pupils around the theme of ‘Mayo Day’. However as a number of the children are from County Roscommon, the parameters of the competition were broadened with this in mind. Many varied entries were received showing imagination, creativity and hard work. Some students chose to research a famous Mayo icon, others wrote poems and some completed projects with lots of detail specific to the county. Congratulations to the following children who were worthy winners-Aoibhe Duffy, Ethan McCormack, Aoibhín Boyle, Amy Hunt and Liam Boyle.
• Schools Inspector, Ms Máire Ní Mhairtín made contact with Mrs Warde to offer her support in this time of uncertainty. Mrs Warde informed Ms Ní Mhairtín of the protocols being adopted since the closure in March. Staff were very reassured to learn of this communication from the Inspectorate.
• Mr Brian Duffy, our substitute SEN teacher finished his tenure with us at the end of the month. We thank him for the contribution he made since he came to work at our school. He showed a willingness to help in various roles and carried out his work with a positive and cheerful disposition. We wish him well in his future career.