2013 - Newtowncashel - Co. Longford

NEWSLETTER 13:  MAY 2013

Cumann Na Bunscol
On Wednesday the 1st of May we had a schools match in Ballymahon at 4 o’ clock. When we were all in Ballymahon we did some warm ups and got our jerseys on. The game began at exactly 4 o’ clock. We scored the first couple of points and at halftime we were winning well. At the end of the match the score was 5-11 to 0-2. We are now in a B final. This will probably be played on Friday 24th May in Pearse Park.
                              
School Tour
On Thursday the 2nd of May we found out where we are going on the School Tour. On May 30th at 8:45 we depart for Dublin. Our first stop will be at the Phoenix park for picnic lunch – weather permitting! We will then go to Bull Alley St. beside St. Patrick’s Cathedral where we will take the Viking Splash Tour. We will travel on board the Amphibious World War 2 Vehicle and tour around Dublin on land and water! Following that we go to Croke Park where we look forward to a very interesting tour of the stadium. (We might even get to go on the Skyline tour!) After that we will finish our lunch before departing Dublin. We are then going back to Mullingar to the Harbour Place Shopping Centre. We will have the opportunity to purchase hot food in Mc Donald’s and shop ‘til we drop!!  At 7 o’ clock we depart Mullingar and arrive home at approx. 7:45/8:00.

Bio-Diversity Day
On Thursday 9th May we are having a bio-diversity day in school. Caitriona Mc Cabe is coming to the school and will give a power-point presentation on bee- keeping! Gary Brady the Environmental Officer with Longford County Council is also coming to look at our Green Schools progress. Watch this space for the follow up report next week.

Immunisation
Immunisation for Junior Infants will take place on Monday 20th of May starting at 10:00am. Parents will get details and times from the H.S.E. next week.

By Lochlann Healy and Caoimhe Flood


NEWSLETTER 13:  APRIL 2013
BASKETBALL BLITZ!
On Sunday 21st of April the Mixed Primary School Blitz took place in the Mall in Longford. Classes of 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th took part in the event. We arrived at the Mall at 10am and prepared for our first match against Cloonfour which we won well. We went on to play Mullinaghta, and again were victorious. Following that match we replayed Cloonfour, dominating the court and again   claimed victory .Our fantastic wins led us to the court for the final time. Ballinalee were the strong opponents for our final game and we emerged with glorious victory scoring 26-00. Everyone was so excited because it was our 2nd year to win the small schools Basketball Tournament title. Our captain Jamie Bermingham held up the cup for the whole team. Also Jamie Bermingham and Ciara Healy were awarded M.V.P for best girl and boy player. We were all very happy with our win but none of it would have happened without our coach Joe Mulvihill. For all his hard work and effort in bringing the team to victory…we say a huge
THANK YOU JOE FROM ALL THE PLAYERS!
Also thanks to the parents for transporting and supporting us all the way.    

SWIMMING
Our 7 week session finished on Tuesday 23rd of April. Congratulations to all who completed the course! 51 pupils altogether attended and 16 pupils have achieved levels 5, 6, 7 and 8.

LOST KEY!
A key was found in the grass near the school. The owner can claim the key by contacting the school.

CUMANN NA MBUNSCOL
Our final match of the season will be played on Wed. 1st May at 4:00pm in Ballymahon. We will be hoping for lots of support. Don’t forget to bring extra lunch on Wednesday, as we will probably have to go direct from school to Ballymahon.

By Gerard Brennan, Ciara Healy and Abbie O Shea.


NEWSLETTER 12:  APRIL 2013
Welcome Back!
A very warm welcome back to all our students and readers of our newsletter. It was an exciting spring term with music lessons, St. Patrick’s Day parade, football with Emmet and many more interesting events. We are full of anticipation for the last term of this year and unfortunately it is the final hurdle for the current 6th class.

Swimming
The students from 2nd to 6th classes have almost completed the annual swimming lessons at Roscommon Leisure Centre. We’ve had a great 6 weeks and we will miss it when we have the final session next Tuesday the 23rd of April.

Music
Last term our 4th, 5th and 6th classes started music lessons with Michael Whelan. We have a magnificent band, which consists of 27 pupils. Michael incorporates all the instruments we have, such as guitar, tin whistle, drums and much more. Classes resume on Thursday 18th April for 10 weeks. This term 2nd and 3rd classes will have a half hour tin whistle lesson. Percussion instruments are available at the school for those who do not have a tin whistle yet. Hopefully they will be ready to join the band next year and replace the current 6th class!!

Gaelic Football
For the past few weeks Emmet Masterson has been training Junior Infants to 6th class. He comes every second Wednesday from 1:00-3:00pm
Cumann Na mBunscol
The school football team have started to play championship matches. We are playing in division 3 (11 a side). In the league before Christmas, we were in division 4 (9 a side), but we were moved up a division. Although there is tougher opposition in division 3, we are up for the challenge! Next match Thurs.18th April at 5pm in Cashel.

Basketball
We are busy training for the schools basketball blitz, in the Mall, Longford. Joe Mulvihill is our trainer. We’ve won our two challenge matches (Newtownforbes and Kilbride). The blitz is on the 21st of April starting against Cloonfour at 10.30a.m so hopefully we can retain our title. See you in the Mall!

Quiz
In February, the Credit Union Quiz took place in Ballyleague. Our U12 team won while our U14 team finished joint 2nd. As a result of their victory, the Under 12 team continued on to the Regional final in Moate where they almost secured a place in the All Ireland. Congratulations on a great performance!
Students from our school took part in the Longford U14 Community games quiz in the Park House Hotel, Edgeworthstown. We entered two teams and the team consisting of the older children was victorious. We are now in preparation for the All-Ireland final in Athlone in May.


Parents Association
The Parents association will be holding a fundraising night in The Pier Inn on Saturday 20th April. There will be a table quiz commencing at 9:00p.m: €40 per table. A raffle will be held at 11p.m.

Prizes
1st iPod Touch
2nd €100 Meal Voucher
3rd iPod Shuffle
4th iPod Shuffle

Tickets €5 each or Book of 6 for €20. They are available from the village shop or on the night.
Parents please remember to return money and ticket stubs to the school.

Circus!
On the day of the Easter holidays, Fred Corvenieo came to the school. He performed many mind-boggling tricks such as making his head shrink. He was very entertaining and even got the teachers involved! We hope he returns for next year.


By Brian Kelly