Maths Week.
All classes at Scoil Mhuire have enjoyed celebrating Math’s Week. This is a week where schools everywhere showcase some novel maths lessons and demostrate them inside and outside the classroom. Junior classes participated in some fun investigative tasks, many with a spooky Halloween theme. Maths trails were completed in the school yards and corridors. Fourth, fifth and sixth classes entered a Maths Eyes Competition. Well done to all children (and their parents) who participated in this and submitted their photograph digitally. The standard was very high. Congratulations to Cora O’ Brien, Emma Gleeson, Alex Curran and Cormac Power who won prizes for their entries.
Cumann na mBunscol Leagues and INTO Mini Sevens
October has been a great month for our Gaelic Football Teams. Our girls and boys have been busy training with Ms Lake, Ms. Weldon and Mr. O’ Dea. In fact this years proceedings began on September 30th with a schools tournament. Our girls played three strong games and defeated Garranbane and St. Mary’s but lost to Scoil Gharbháin. Our boys had victories in all three matches against Scoil Gharbháin, Garranbane and St’ Joseph’s. This led to two semi finals, the girls would play Ballymac NS and the boys would play Coláiste na Rinne. In spite of a spirited performance our girls bowed out to Ballymac at the semi final stage. Our boys won their game, booking them a place in the Schools Western final. This game was played in Dungarvan GAA club on Saturday October 18th, the opponents were our neighbours, Scoil Gharbháin. It was a thrilling game with strength on both sides. Abbeyside were ahead at half time and the lead changed several times during the second half. At the final whistle it was Scoil Gharbháin who were victorious. Well done to the winners on their win and well done to our own buachaillí who played their hearts out to the end.
The next Gaelic event was the INTO Mini 7s. This was played in Abbeyside GAA club grounds. Our older players are not eleigible to play mini 7s so this really inspired our younger players to bring their best performance. Meeting two local schools the boys beat Glenbeg NS and lost to Scoil Gharbháin, the girls competed really well and Ms Lake reported a significant improvement in player performance. However they were beaten in both matches. Never mind, we are very proud of you all! Maith Sibh.
Halloween
Halloween has been the theme in all classrooms this month. Aistear, stories, poems, songs, history, art and craft all demonstrate the spookiness of this Celtic festival. Thanks to Ms Walsh our entrance hall is decorated in all manner of Halloween decorations giving a really spooky feel and getting us in the mood for trick or treating. Our Parents Association organised a fantastic Bake Sale where everybody queued up for some delicious treats. This is always a truly popular event and always highly successful.
Fifth Class Can "Cycle Right"
Ms O’ Doherty and Ms. Barry’s pupils have concluded their 5 weeks of cycle training with Niall and Aislinn of “Cycle Right”.
Every Tuesday (in all weathers) cycle training took place. The coaches took the children through basic maintenance, bicycle safety checks and safe road usage. The school yard was laid out to represent real roads and streets with lanes, junctions and roundabouts. Children became experts at observing, checking, signalling, turning, braking and stopping safely. On the final day the children were taken onto the road in small groups. We are very thankful to Ms. Miller for accompanying the groups and cycle coaches. We are delighted to see many children cycling to school. We request that parents continually remind the children to be safe road users.
Farewell to Gemma our Lollipop Lady.
Gemma Power has been the Scoil Mhuire Lollipop Lady for the past 15 years. Her cheerful and friendly manner has endeared her to everybody, every day. Sadly she announced recently that Thursday, October 23rd would be her final day with us. The staff, pupils and parents gathered in the Halla to express thanks to Gemma for such wonderful service in ensuring everybody would cross the road safely. Sharon Fitzpatrick made a presentation on behalf of the Parent’s Association. Mr De Paor on behalf of the school. Gemma we will really miss you and we wish you the very best in your next chapter.
Sixth Class Study Modern Languages.
Ms. Looby and Mr O’ Dea’s children have enjoyed 6 weeks of Spanish lessons with tutor Aintxane. Another block of 6 weeks has now started with the French tutor Ben. We have always provided this opportunity to our sixth class as they set their sights on subject choice for secondary school. These lessons are proving to be very enjoyable for the classes who are enjoying listening to and learning to speak some Spanish and French.
