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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!

Our Sixth Classes hosted a very inspiring visit from MEP Mairead McGuinness. Taking time out from her campaign trail, Mairead was warmly greeted by a guard of honour as they held flags and blue stars aloft.

The theme of the visit was, of course, our work in the Blue Star Flag programme. Co-ordinated in our school by Ms. Gerrard, the Blue Star Flag programme involves each of our classes discovering about the work of the European parliament and also celebrating the diversity of the EU member countries. 

Ms. Gerrard delivered a presentation on the work of the Junior and Middle Classes. History, Art, Music, Explorers and Exploration were all in the mix reflecting the diversity and ingenuity of the European people. 

Then, it was over the Ms. Mullen's class who displayed through their dramatic presentation how the European Parliament reaches agreement.

Mairead spoke passionately about the work of the parliament, stating that it was important to hold on to one`s principles while aiming to compromise in the search for common ground and agreement.

In a lively discussion with the boys, concerns about the proliferation of plastic, global warming, biodiversity, social media and the new children's hospital all came to the fore and it was wonderful to witness the concern, interest and engagement of the boys, and Mairead`s interest in all they had to say.

The future of politics is a bright one indeed, if our Sixth Class boys ever decide to become involved!
 

Gliondar Mara are looking after our herb patch in our garden this year. They have grown chives from seed and successfully planted them out into our school garden just before Easter.

Our school recently were awarded a herb patch from Meath County Council as part of their gardening in schools scheme. We were thrilled to get it! It contains some unusual herbs such as heartease, lemonbalm and camomile along with old favourites such as parsley and thyme.

Ms Carragher`s class were the lucky recipients of the prize. Our picture shows two of our gardening committee delivering the prized herbs to Ms Carragher`s class.  We`re looking forward to the herbs being moved out to our herb plot just as soon as they get strong enough to be transplanted. And we're looking forward to having a tasty treat with our herbs before the summer holidays!

Congratulations to all our First Holy Communion classes! Fr Denis McNeilis, the parish priest of Laytown-Mornington parish celebrated the Mass at 12 noon in the Star of the Sea Church, here in Mornington. Boys from Ms Callan, Ms Carragher and Ms Colleran's classes sang their hearts out, accompanied by Ms Milne on keyboard.

They attended to their prayers, readings and singing with great reverence and, after the ceremony was over, the congregation returned to the school for a lovely party hosted by our wonderful Parents`Association.

Our thanks to the Parents`Association for the great party! They had a host of volunteers in attendance who gave so generously of their time. Our thanks also to the parents of First and Third classes who donated gorgeous cakes and buns for the occasion. Thanks to their generosity there were plenty of goodies for everyone.

Great to see so many parents and their families in attendance at both the Mass and the party. Occasions like this cement friendships and enhance our school and community. They would not happen without the support of Mornington Church and of our Parents`Association. Our thanks to all!

Scenes of joy and delight greeted our hurlers when they returned home on Friday with the Breaga Cup. This much coveted prize was fought over by  six schools in the region and it is a keystone in the development of hurling in our primary schools. We beat off strong opposition last year to win the title and, under the tutelage of  Mr Arthur, Mr Culligan and Mr Ryan our boys have steadily developed sportsmanship, tactics and especially hurling skills in their quest for glory.

St Patrick's School, Stamullen hosted the matches on Friday in their fantastic GAA pitches. With a 10 am start, it was a long day`s battle with our lads seeing off opposition from all quarters to secure the return of the Breaga Cup to our school.

The past four years have seen the development of great hurling skills in our lads aided and abetted by their parents,  our teachers, our local GAA club, St Colmcille's and competitions such as the Breaga Cup. Judging from the skills displayed on the day, hurling in East Meath has a bright future.

We have been working hard on teaching our boys the skills of hurling. Early morning sessions with Mr Arthur, and Mr Culligan along with coaching from Colmcille`s coach, Níall Kane, have given the school a great interest in the game and in following our progress in the Cumann na mBunscol league. 

And the boys are ploughing their way through the league. Last week they met with St. Paul`s school, Ratoath and, as the following report shows, they had a terrific match. 

"We hurlers played our hearts out in our game yesterday in Pilltown. The game is in the Cumann na mBunscol primary school hurling league and we faced a strong team St Pauls, Ratoath.
The game was tough, really tough. St Pauls have great players, who have really good shots. They were fast, they were furious, they were strong. But they met their match.
By half time our boys were two points up. We all had high hopes. Mr Arthur reminded us that the half time score was only half the match, we still had the rest of it to go.
We set up our game in the second half to match whatever tactics they used. We had some great shots from far out, scoring points and goals. The big surprise of the match was Luis, who has only joined the school last week and is a superb player.
The final score 4 3 to 5 points. It was hard on St Paul`s but we are delighted with our win."

Toby, Fifth Class


Tomorrow, the boys will take on St. Paul`s Navan. It will be a home match for St. Paul`s. Here's hoping it will be a winning match for us! Throw in is at 11.00 and all support is appreciated!