There were jubilant scenes in Páirc Tailteann on Friday last, marking the two-in-a-row Cooney Cup victory for Réalt na Mara.

But first, there was the big battle. The Cooney Cup is coveted by schools across East Meath and played by pupils from Fifth and Sixth Classes. And this was the final in Páirc Táilteann, Navan.

​A fine team from Gaelscoil Bradáin Feasa provided the opposition. And what a superb team they were! they used every weapon in their armoury displaying fine hand passing, high fielding after passing, and superb teamwork.

Indeed, the score reflected as much.  Réalt na Mara were ahead by only one point after seventeen minutes of play and just about held on to that one point lead by half time. The sides drew level after half time, but we pulled away by a margin of four points at one stage, only to slip back  down to the one point lead with six minutes to go. 

There wasn`t an unchewed nail left on among the spectators by the time the match was drawing to a close. 

To chants of "Réalt na Mara" from a merry band of supporters, the team pulled a couple more points out of the bag before the referee called time on one great battle. 

Heavy rain could not dampen the joy and delight of the winning team. It marked the end not only of the match, but a year of solid development of both skills and character, under the steady guidance of Mr Arthur and Mr Culligan. 

But an Gaelscoil were mighty opponents. Gracious in defeat, we have no doubt that they will put it up to Réalt na Mara again and again. For now, however, the Cooney Cup is ours!

A fitting end to a great season on the pitch, and indeed, of it.

Colmcille`s was the venue, St Mary`s Primary Parish School were the opposition, and a place in the Cooney Cup Final was the prize, as our brave footballers had their mettle tested on Friday.

St. Mary`s pulled it all out of our lads with their skills, speed and determination.  Our lads led 10 6 by half time but met plenty of fire in the second half, particularly in mid field.  Some superb goal keeping on our part, and defence put paid to their plans. In addition, we had plenty of support on the sidelines with our faithful band of parents and Mr O Conghaile. 

We`re glad they`ll have another day again, this time in Pairc Tailteann. And this time with a bigger battle for a bigger prize-the Cooney Cup!

It`s time to roll out the blue and white and sing out our support for "Réalt na Mara!" as we take our place, once more, in the stand at Páirc Tailteann on Friday 14th June.

Best of luck, lads!

The Road Safety Authority delivered some important road safety presentations to all of our pupils last week. Presenters Seán Phelan and Ellen Foley tackled a range of issues including cycle and pedestrian safety and safety on school buses. The Senior Infants pictured here particularly enjoyed hearing about Buster and practising how to belt up safely in cars and buses.

The RSA are running Check If It Fits events around the country. Child car seats can be check and fitted for free by experts at these events. They're running one in Louth in Sept 2019 and in Lusk in July. Check them out here.

We were delighted to host a visit this week from Niamh Bean Uí Loinsigh from the Meath Co Council Pride of Place Scheme. Niamh was greeted by our Garden Club who were eager to show her the work we had done in our school garden this year.

Wildflowers featured highly in our presentation. Our club had followed the misfortunes of our bee population as presented on the wonderful website pollinators.ie. And had also encountered bees and other happy bugs in our garden. This interest in encouraging insects led us to giving nature a chance to bloom around our garden. Sixth class planted wild flower seeds and the gardening club took a particular interest in finding buttercups, poppies, ox eye daisies, hawksbeard, scarlet pimpernel and other floral treasures all around our school.

We also hosted our former principal and ornithology  expert Seán Ó Conghaile visited third and fourth classes to share his expertise and we are looking forward to another visit from Mornington Playgroup to take them down our garden path.

Meanwhile, back in the garden, every class has grown something. There's potatoes, onions, cabbage, brussel sprouts and a variety of berries.  All watched over by Freddie the Scarecrow and, our newest addition, glorious seashell windchimes.

Niamh was impressed. She presented our Garden Club with the top award-Level 5!-for all our green fingered and eco friendly efforts. 

Congrats to our super supportive parents, to Brian Mullen our caretaker, to the eager teachers on our Garden Committee. And a special word of thanks to our super Garden Committee!

Our recent Assembly honoured boys who had made a particular effort with their homework. Boys from every class received their certificates to rousing applause,

The entire school gathered and were reminded about all of our recent successes.

These included our success on the hurling pitch with the team bagging the Breagha Cup in the recent final. Praise also was bestowed on the classes who presented their work on the Blue Star Programme to Marian Harkin, MEP and her colleague and Vice President of the EU parliament, Mairead McGuinness.

Our Spelling Bee champs were honoured too, as were the boys in our Students Union who had planted a tree to mark their very productive year working for our school.

As a final encore and a reminder of the international celebrations we have enjoyed recently, we finished off with a Hello! in a variety of languages and a rousing rendition of Beidh Aonach Amárach.

Our final assembly of the year is on June 18th and will feature the Student of the Year awards.

​

Great news! Our school have qualified for the  SFI Discover Science and Maths award this year! We are just delighted that our pupils/scientists get this recognition for all their efforts. We have had Science experiments in lots of classes, a Science Fair in our school and a very rigorously researched Science project which Ms McBride's class brought to the RDS for the Science Blast Off.

In addition we have built circuits, parachutes, boat and bridges. The boys have investigated ancient building techniques, studied seedling growth, explored out natural surroundings and made butter! They also participated in Maths trails, a Maths Olympiad and hands on maths activities with IZAK maths.

Our Science Committee, comprised of Mrs. Byrne, Ms McBride and Ms Egan co-ordinated the project and our colleagues and pupils supported it all with great enthusiasm. 

Thanks everyone! Science and Maths are vital for our future. And we are so lucky to have the resources to develop great scientists and mathematicians in our school!

June will soon be upon us and with it the completion for each pupil of the end of year school report.

In anticipation of this, our school is going to try out a new method of delivering these reports. For the past four years we have been using the Aladdin software in our school to keep track of enrolments and attendance.  Aladdin also keeps track of our reports.

While formerly, we have printed off the reports via the Aladdin system and posted them to you, this year, we will be able send the reports to you digitally.

This will save the expense of postage and also be an more efficient, and environmentally friendly way of delivering reports.

In order to access your son`s report you will receive a text/email message containing your registration code. Please do not share this link as you will need it to create your password which will be used to securely access Aladdin Connect.

Once you are registered you will be sent an email with links to download the Aladdin Connect App for your mobile device

By default both parents will have access to view their child’s contact information. If for any reason you do NOT wish to share your own personal contact information within the family circle or if you have any concerns regarding your particular family setup please contact the school in confidence to discuss or have this facility restricted.

Also, in advance of the Aladdin Connect system being rolled out, please let your son`s class teacher know  if your email address or phone number has changed recently.

Ms Carragher`s class went under the sea in their most recent art exploration! They made full use of our cookery kitchen to create and bake their own little sea treasures.  They fashioned fish, shells, and star fish out of playdough, baked them and then painted them in a variety of colours. Back in the classroom, they made  sailing boats from felt and paper. 

Then, with the help of SNAs Mary Brady and Cora Farrell, they painted the sea on crumpled paper, creating a giant backdrop for their marine creations. A colourful lighthouse, bright sun and bright blue sky finish the scene off beautifully.

These boys are well ready for some great summer weather!

Mr Lynch`s Third Class took the time machine back to the old school in Donacarney recently. Back all the way to 1872, in fact. 

The foundations for the old school were laid in 1872 and it opened up to boys and girls in our area in 1873. Of course, it is still in use as a community hall and as a playschool and it was the playschool staff who eagerly showed us around the amazing building.

The children in the playschool were delighted to meet with the "big boys", some of whom had attended the playschool just a few years ago. They have already been on a visit to our school this term and some of them will be joining us in Junior Infants in August. After saying "Good-bye" to the young children, our boys walked down the short corridor to the community hall.

Signs of the old classrooms are clearly seen there. The boarded up fireplaces was once the only source of heating for the large classrooms. The original doorways and wainscoting are both still intact, as are the windows and their brass fittings.  And the windows with their lovely vaulted features, were high enough to prevent curious young eyes wandering too far away from their books! 

Noise carried easily in the room but the boys were reminded that back in the olden times children were encouraged to be seen and not heard! Very different times indeed.

All agreed that it was a very interesting visit! Thank you Helena, Pamela, Gráinne, Joanne, and Dolores! Hope to see you all again soon!

Yesterday was Europe Day in our school. And we marked it by presenting the work of our Erasmus Club on European Heritage, and of our work for the Blue Star Flag programme.

Our hall was wonderfully decorated with our European projects along with the boys`fantastic artwork which was inspired by the variety of European artists.

And star of the show was Mrs Marian Harkin. Marian is a Member of the European parliament. She had been with us last year and was delighted to return again to chat with the boys about their work on Europe.

She was thrilled with their presentations. It kicked off with powerpoint about their work, presented by Blue Star project co-ordinator, Ms Gerrard. That followed with a simple "Hello" in a variety of languages from boys in the audience. Antony from Sixth Class showed his passion for volcanoes in a fascinating presentation of the history of Mount Etna.

Then the work of our Erasmus club and the Third Classes, along with their teachers Mrs Lohan, Mr Lynch and Ms Carragher featured, with a video of their trip to Brú na Boinne. Ms Smith`s boys gave a thrilling rendition of a Spanish song. This was followed by a lively German dance from Ms. McBride`s enthusiastic and talented crew. And Ms Mullen`s class featured next with their representation of a debate in the European parliament.

A giant handshake among all presented followed, to the theme tune of "Ode To Europe" before Mrs Harkin took to the floor.

In a lively Question and Answer session she tackled such issues as her busy lifestyle, her role into politics, the importance of peace and-the burning question of the day "How`s Brexit going?"

She didn't have all the answers of course, but enjoyed listening to the boys perspectives on Europe, delighted in their artwork and their presentations.

Last September our Students Council had sought such a celebration of international cultures, languages and histories. The Erasmus club and the Blue Star Project inspired the weaving of our diverse threads into the rich tapestry that was Our Day for Europe. 

Thank you Marian for sharing it with us. We wish you well in your retirement but also hope that you can return to celebrate with us again next year. Go raibh míle maith agat!