School Newsletter- October 2019

• This month saw the school take on the challenge of obtaining an Amber Flag. The Amber Flag is an initiative designed to promote positive mental health, develop confidence and resilience in our pupils and build an awareness of the need for kindness in our relationships with others. Throughout the school year we aim to engage in a range of activities in order to achieve Amber Flag status. These will include the establishment of an Amber Flag Committee, having a dedicated notice-board to display relevant information, organising a fund-raising event for Pieta House, the setting up of a “Mindfulness Monday” practice in each classroom and the holding of a Mental Health Awareness Day. In addition to the above, it is envisaged that we will have an “Act of Kindness” week and/or an Art Competition to raise awareness of the importance of positive mental health. We also plan to place a “Buddy Bench” in the school yard which we hope will foster positive friendship experiences among our pupils. We are fortunate in that Angela our SNA, is proficient in the use of Lámh signs. Each week she will instruct staff and pupils in the use of two of these signs as a way of increasing our communicative abilities. We intend to link the Amber Flag Project with the Curriculum in a variety of ways. One of these ways is the incorporation of the “Weaving Well-Being” books into our current SPHE Programme. This is an Irish-designed publication which aims to enhance well-being in primary school children. Throughout the course of the year, the importance of physical exercise along with a balanced diet will also be discussed with the pupils, because of their centrality to positive mental health. As always, students’ successes will be celebrated, along with, a recognition of values such as respect, kindness and patience in our interactions with others. We anticipate that this year long undertaking will be an enjoyable and worthwhile experience for the entire school community!

• The following piece was written by Emma Shiel, Fourth Class. As part of our Amber Flag, Mrs Warde told us that a committee would be formed. Six pupils in total were selected, from First Class upwards. They are Carly Egan, Patrick Duffy, Steven Rush, Ewan Duffy, Micaela Roddy and I. Mrs Warde took our photo and put it up on the Amber Flag notice-board so everybody will know who is on the committee. One of our first tasks was to choose the design of our buddy bench and where we might put it. We will also be watching out for acts of kindness. As the year goes on we will be doing other things so that our school can get the Amber Flag. We are looking forward to it.

• GOAL Jersey Day was held at the school. Pupils and Staff donned their favourite jerseys in order to raise money for this worthy cause. GOAL provides much needed support in Third World countries. This year the school raised one hundred and twenty euro.

• On Friday, October 11^th,Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club organised the Teresa Raleigh Memorial Tournament in her memory. Teresa served as Chairperson of Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club for three years before her untimely death in 2017. Teresa, Mike and their son Michael were very involved in the successes and achievements of the Club since its inception in 2008. Our school’s hurling team was delighted to be invited to take part in this inaugural competition. The event involved four local schools, was coordinated by Adrian Hession and was hosted by the Kilmovee Shamrocks Club. The special guest and shield presenter was Martin Fogarty, former Senior Kilkenny Selector and current National Coaching Manager. Our school team was very proud to receive the runner-up shield on the day and is extremely thankful to Mike Raleigh for sharing his hurling expertise with them down through the years. The trophies were sponsored by the Griffin and Raleigh families. Teresa’s sister Maureen, travelled from Tipperary to share in this special occasion. It was a truly memorable, uplifting and enjoyable day for all who were in attendance!

• Well done to Ewan Duffy, Mia Manning-Aurich, Emma Shiel Alex Egan and Ethan McCormack who competed in the traditional music competition, held as part of the Cleary-Coyne Feis in Claremorris. Ewan was a prize winner in the advanced concertina section, while Emma came first in the button accordion and Mia was successful in both the whistle and piano accordion competitions. Congratulations to the pupils on this marvellous achievement.

• Infants and First Class received two sessions of tuition in Claremorris Athletics Centre. Pupils were instructed in hurdling, long jump, high jump, javelin and relay. The children benefitted hugely from the expertise of their trainer Cheryl.

• Pupils from Second Class and upwards began Gaelic Football training with County Board coach Tim Moriarty. Tim demonstrated and practised the basic Gaelic skills with the children. Boys and girls enjoyed their time on the field and developed their abilities through the various drills and routines he devised.

• We welcomed three new pupils to the school, Roman and Leon Balog and their sister Saskia Gaziova.

• Congratulations to Killian Roddy, Cian Roddy and Amy Hunt who were winners of the recent Kilkelly-Kilmovee Magazine colouring competition. They were presented with their prizes at the magazine launch at Ireland West Airport Knock.

• The AGM of the Parents’ Association was held and the following officers were elected; Chairperson- Margaret Lynchehaun, Secretary- Michelle Towey, Treasurer- Patricia Rush.

• The following article was written by Declan Duffy, Fifth Class. On Friday 18^th October, we went to Charlestown to play our Mini 7s games. First we played Charlestown and we won by nine points. Tavrane/Tavneena tried to stop us but we won that game as well. Last but not least, we played Derrinabroc/Brusna in the final. It was not to be our day because they were too strong. We won the plaque last year and now Derrinabroc/Brusna have it. We had a good team and Oran Frain was our captain.  The girls had a game against Tavrane/Tavneena but sadly they lost. The referees on the day were John Finn, Eugene Ivers and Megan Craughwell. Michael Bracken organised the Mini 7s and Mike Raleigh was our manager. We wish Derrinabroc/Brusna all the best in the final.     

• The following paragraph was penned by Liam Boyle, Sixth Class.  The Halloween Sale-of-Work took place on Thursday, October 24^th. It started after first break. Fifth Class had to help Sixth Class because we didn’t have enough people.  Fifth and Sixth Classes got to dress up in costumes. I dressed up as Donald Trump and Ewan came as Michael D. Higgins. We were the “two presidents”! First the Junior room came. Then Mrs Meehan’s room arrived. They bought lots of boys’ toys, girls’ toys, food and books. Patrick and Ryan looked after the Darts and the Song Requests. They did a really good job. Micaela was on the Games and Lucky Dip. It was a very busy station.  After the Sale-of-Work, we had a raffle. There were a lot of prizes. I didn’t win, but my sister won three prizes. Then we found out we had raised almost four hundred euro! The money went to Pieta House and the Christmas Annuals. Raising money for Pieta House is part of our Amber Flag. We were very happy!

• The Aistear theme in Mrs Shevlin’s classroom was; Birthdays. This theme saw children make birthday treats from playdough. They organised and planned a birthday party in the socio-dramatic group. Pupils delighted in making presents in the construction area and designed and made party costumes in the junk art area. At the end of October, Halloween was combined with the birthday theme and learners made birthday cards for ghouls and skeletons, constructed play areas for ghosts and performed mini plays dressed up as Halloween characters. Children all enjoyed being creative and dramatic!