Letter to all families 11th November 2020
Newsletter 9th October 2020
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope you are keeping well and looking forward to the build up to Christmas. We wanted to make you aware of the following upcoming events in our school:
We remind you that it is very important this winter that if your child is showing any symptoms of Covid – 19 (persistent cough, temperature, loss of taste/smell, member of your household awaiting a Covid test), then please do not send your child/children to school and contact your G.P. The safety of our school community is paramount and we fully understand if you feel it is necessary for your child/children to stay at home.
Le gach dea ghuí
Bernard O’ Connell Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal I
And all here at CBS Primary!
We hope you are keeping well and looking forward to the build up to Christmas. We wanted to make you aware of the following upcoming events in our school:
- Parent/Teacher meetings will be held next week. In light of Covid restrictions, the meetings will be conducted by phone. We would be grateful if you would fill out the
- form attached indicating if you would rather be contacted on Tuesday, 17th from 6pm or on Wednesday, 18th from 3pm. Please note that each meeting will be approximately 10 minutes long in order to facilitate all parents. Special Education teachers will contact relevant parents/guardians in the days following the meeting. In order to respect privacy, teachers will be calling either from a withheld private number or from the school landline.
- The children have been busy creating their very own Christmas cards over the past week and they will be ready to go home in early December. Your child’s cards will come in packs of 10 and will cost €10 per pack. We know from past experience that the children feel a real sense of pride in their work and this will form one of the main school fundraisers this year. Your support, as always, is much appreciated. We will be in touch later to find out how many packs you would like to order,
- Staying with the Christmas theme, we have ordered the Christmas annuals for the children. The cost of these annuals is €3 and if you wish to order one for your child / children you can pay this money any time between now and December 1st.
- This year we will once again be participating in the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. Unlike other years where the children brought in a shoebox themselves, this year, due to Covid restrictions, the class teacher will put together a box for their own class. We therefore ask that each child contribute €1 towards this very worthy charity appeal.
- We ask that if your child/children are absent from school to remember to give an absence note to the class teacher. We also ask that if your child/children are late for school that you sign them in at reception.
- Our Parents Council have asked me to thank you for all the money raised from the Virtual Fun Run. It was a great success raising approximately €1,200 – please see photos uploaded onto our website under ‘school news’.
We remind you that it is very important this winter that if your child is showing any symptoms of Covid – 19 (persistent cough, temperature, loss of taste/smell, member of your household awaiting a Covid test), then please do not send your child/children to school and contact your G.P. The safety of our school community is paramount and we fully understand if you feel it is necessary for your child/children to stay at home.
Le gach dea ghuí
Bernard O’ Connell Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal I
And all here at CBS Primary!
A Message From Mr. O’Connell
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
I hope that everything is going well for you and your family during these strange times. Over the last few days, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the boys in CBS Primary, and I must say that they have all afforded me a very warm welcome to their school. Despite Covid-19 restrictions this school is a hive of activity and I can see from the faces of the children that they really love it here (even if they won’t admit it!).
It is clear to me that the staff of CBS Primary are a very dedicated team of professionals and I look forward to getting to know each of them over the coming weeks and months.
For obvious reasons all visitors to the school must be by appointment only, but I want to emphasise that you can approach me for any reason outside the school in the morning or at the end of the day, even if it is just to say hello. I am more than happy to have a chat, or help in any way I can.
I look forward to the many conversations we will have over the years ahead of us, and hopefully when the Covid restrictions lift we can get back to the many extra-curricular activities that added so much colour to the school year.
Regards,
Bernard O’Connell.
Parent/Teacher Meetings:
In a normal year the Parent/Teacher meetings would be conducted before the Halloween break. Following a conversation with our school Inspector yesterday, we have been advised to hold off on the meetings for now as guidance will be issued from the Department of Education shortly. As soon as we hear from them we will let you know the arrangements.
Fun Run:
As you are aware our Parents Council are organising a Fun Run with a difference, whereby you are asked to Run, Walk or Stroll with your family and send us a picture. It doesn't have to be 5K - do whatever suits your circumstances. Please do this between 12th and 18th October.
€10 per Family and €5 per individual. Payment options per flyer circulated in school. Spread the word!
Our Parents Council have already purchased one Interactive Flatscreen for the school but we urgently need more to replace some of our outdated Interactive Whiteboards.
Again, we fully understand the financial constraints the current times have imposed but we ask you to donate what you can. Ultimately our boys will benefit.
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
I hope that everything is going well for you and your family during these strange times. Over the last few days, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the boys in CBS Primary, and I must say that they have all afforded me a very warm welcome to their school. Despite Covid-19 restrictions this school is a hive of activity and I can see from the faces of the children that they really love it here (even if they won’t admit it!).
It is clear to me that the staff of CBS Primary are a very dedicated team of professionals and I look forward to getting to know each of them over the coming weeks and months.
For obvious reasons all visitors to the school must be by appointment only, but I want to emphasise that you can approach me for any reason outside the school in the morning or at the end of the day, even if it is just to say hello. I am more than happy to have a chat, or help in any way I can.
I look forward to the many conversations we will have over the years ahead of us, and hopefully when the Covid restrictions lift we can get back to the many extra-curricular activities that added so much colour to the school year.
Regards,
Bernard O’Connell.
Parent/Teacher Meetings:
In a normal year the Parent/Teacher meetings would be conducted before the Halloween break. Following a conversation with our school Inspector yesterday, we have been advised to hold off on the meetings for now as guidance will be issued from the Department of Education shortly. As soon as we hear from them we will let you know the arrangements.
Fun Run:
As you are aware our Parents Council are organising a Fun Run with a difference, whereby you are asked to Run, Walk or Stroll with your family and send us a picture. It doesn't have to be 5K - do whatever suits your circumstances. Please do this between 12th and 18th October.
€10 per Family and €5 per individual. Payment options per flyer circulated in school. Spread the word!
Our Parents Council have already purchased one Interactive Flatscreen for the school but we urgently need more to replace some of our outdated Interactive Whiteboards.
Again, we fully understand the financial constraints the current times have imposed but we ask you to donate what you can. Ultimately our boys will benefit.
Marie Sheehan and Claire Hanley of our Parents Council presenting a state of the art mobile “Interactive Flatscreen” to CBS Primary.
Please support their upcoming Fun Run.
Halloween:
The Halloween decorations went up in the school this week causing great excitement among the boys. The place is looking very festive and scary - a big thank you to all the staff involved in putting all the decorations out.
Every year we hold a Halloween fundraiser to assist a local charity. This takes the form of a draw for a Halloween Hamper and dress up day on the final day of term. This year, proceeds will go to Mitchelstown Lions Club who will use the funds entirely for the Christmas Food Appeal. The boys would normally buy raffle tickets to enter the draw, but due to Covid restrictions we will use a random number generator to determine the winner. It will be €2 to enter and each pupil can only enter once.
It is also €2 for dress up day – hopefully this will generate some excitement in these gloomy times!
We invite the boys to dress up in their Halloween costumes on Friday, 23rd October, (the day of the holidays). There is no need to buy a costume – homemade ones are best! A suggested donation of €2 per child is welcome.
Sport:
Well done to the boys who played on the U.12 Mitchelstown/Ballygiblin football team last Sunday, winning the North Cork final in style! We are very proud of you all.
Weaving Wellbeing:
The ‘Zippy’s Friends’ programme is going very well in 1st class, and the boys from 2nd to 6th class are enjoying the ‘Weaving Wellbeing’ programme. Please encourage your children to chat about these lessons at home. Exercise is also so important for our wellbeing so be sure to get some exercise each day if possible.
The children have been asked to write their own motivational quotes as part of the Weaving Wellbeing programme. This week our quote comes from the children in Ms. O’Keeffe’s third class:
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”.
Student Council Elections:
We will begin our Student Council elections next week. Up to five boys from each class can put themselves forward, make their promises and election speeches. The rest of the class will then vote by secret ballot and the winner will then represent their class for the rest of the school year. Pupils who have served on the council over the last two years will be ineligible to run. Again, due to Covid, meetings will take a different format to the usual physical assembly. We are looking forward to the campaigns!
Seesaw:
Next week we will be posting your Child's first piece of homework on Seesaw. He will already have had some practice using Seesaw in class. We intend to give at least one homework assignment per week on Seesaw from now on.
In this way the boys will be familiar with how Seesaw works should we need to return to Remote Learning.
Your child will be given two nights to complete the assignment. Please, do not worry, if you have any difficulties.
Just send a note via your Child’s Homework Journal and we will sort out any problems.
You can log on by using the browser on any PC or laptop or phone.
You can also download the free “Seesaw Class” App.
Seesaw - Logging on.
1. Search Seesaw on your Browser/ Download App
2. Click Log In (Top Right)
3. Click I'm a student
4. TEXT CODE (in Homework Journal)
5. Click Go
6. Click Continue with Google (Top of page)
7. Enter your child's Gmail (in Homework Journal)
8. Enter your child's password (in Homework Journal)
A Video of logging in procedure available on our school website.
https://www.cbspmitchelstown.com/
Finally, we would like to thank Lidl Supermarket for generously donating bundles of copybooks to the school.
Every good wish,
Bernard O’Connell, Nigel Griffin, John Weir,
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal
And all at CBS Primary!
Please support their upcoming Fun Run.
Halloween:
The Halloween decorations went up in the school this week causing great excitement among the boys. The place is looking very festive and scary - a big thank you to all the staff involved in putting all the decorations out.
Every year we hold a Halloween fundraiser to assist a local charity. This takes the form of a draw for a Halloween Hamper and dress up day on the final day of term. This year, proceeds will go to Mitchelstown Lions Club who will use the funds entirely for the Christmas Food Appeal. The boys would normally buy raffle tickets to enter the draw, but due to Covid restrictions we will use a random number generator to determine the winner. It will be €2 to enter and each pupil can only enter once.
It is also €2 for dress up day – hopefully this will generate some excitement in these gloomy times!
We invite the boys to dress up in their Halloween costumes on Friday, 23rd October, (the day of the holidays). There is no need to buy a costume – homemade ones are best! A suggested donation of €2 per child is welcome.
Sport:
Well done to the boys who played on the U.12 Mitchelstown/Ballygiblin football team last Sunday, winning the North Cork final in style! We are very proud of you all.
Weaving Wellbeing:
The ‘Zippy’s Friends’ programme is going very well in 1st class, and the boys from 2nd to 6th class are enjoying the ‘Weaving Wellbeing’ programme. Please encourage your children to chat about these lessons at home. Exercise is also so important for our wellbeing so be sure to get some exercise each day if possible.
The children have been asked to write their own motivational quotes as part of the Weaving Wellbeing programme. This week our quote comes from the children in Ms. O’Keeffe’s third class:
“The expert in anything was once a beginner”.
Student Council Elections:
We will begin our Student Council elections next week. Up to five boys from each class can put themselves forward, make their promises and election speeches. The rest of the class will then vote by secret ballot and the winner will then represent their class for the rest of the school year. Pupils who have served on the council over the last two years will be ineligible to run. Again, due to Covid, meetings will take a different format to the usual physical assembly. We are looking forward to the campaigns!
Seesaw:
Next week we will be posting your Child's first piece of homework on Seesaw. He will already have had some practice using Seesaw in class. We intend to give at least one homework assignment per week on Seesaw from now on.
In this way the boys will be familiar with how Seesaw works should we need to return to Remote Learning.
Your child will be given two nights to complete the assignment. Please, do not worry, if you have any difficulties.
Just send a note via your Child’s Homework Journal and we will sort out any problems.
You can log on by using the browser on any PC or laptop or phone.
You can also download the free “Seesaw Class” App.
Seesaw - Logging on.
1. Search Seesaw on your Browser/ Download App
2. Click Log In (Top Right)
3. Click I'm a student
4. TEXT CODE (in Homework Journal)
5. Click Go
6. Click Continue with Google (Top of page)
7. Enter your child's Gmail (in Homework Journal)
8. Enter your child's password (in Homework Journal)
A Video of logging in procedure available on our school website.
https://www.cbspmitchelstown.com/
Finally, we would like to thank Lidl Supermarket for generously donating bundles of copybooks to the school.
Every good wish,
Bernard O’Connell, Nigel Griffin, John Weir,
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal
And all at CBS Primary!
A Goodbye Note
Thursday, 1st October 2020
Dear Parents /Guardians,
After over 31 years of letters to members of this school community and over 22 years of Principalship, I can’t believe this is my final communication, from the school! Tomorrow will be my last day here. From when I began teaching over 35 years ago, I always knew I would be retiring in 2020.
Yes, right now, writing this, I do have a heavy heart. When the Christian Brothers left Mitchelstown in 1998, I applied for the position of Principal. There was nobody more amazed than I, when I was appointed. Then and now, I feel it is an absolute privilege. I have loved it.
For sure, at times, this role can be challenging. Undoubtedly, there have been tricky moments and sometimes, really sad things happened. When I look back now, however, it’s all the good times that float to the surface - not just the big events and celebrations, but the day-to-day bits, which made my life a joy.
I will miss your lovely children, yourselves and the wonderful people here. Regardless of where I have ever been, this place has actually been in my constant thoughts, for over two decades. I have experienced so much and learned so much, from everyone I have encountered, over the years. I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people. I wish to thank publicly all the members of successive Board of Managements, down through the years. I have had nothing but support and sharing of great wisdom from them. I sincerely thank those who took on the role of Chairperson – Fr. Anthony Wickham, Canon Michael Fitzgerald and now Martin Kelly. This is a crucial role in any school. We have been fortunate to have had men who were so dedicated. Thanks to all who worked on Parent Council Committees over the years. The current Committee, under Chairperson Martin Lane, remains in place and I thank Martin, the Officers and the entire Committee. (Do support their upcoming fundraising efforts!).
I have and have had, great colleagues on the staff here at C.B.S. While I have always steered away from naming names, at this stage, I really must thank those with whom I have spent most time – the Secretaries, former Secretary, Mary O’Brien (Cooke), Kilbehenny and now Kathleen Cott and Patricia Dwane. I assure you, there is not one minute wasted in that office! I thank them for their efficiency and tireless courtesy.
Special mention to my great friend Brendan, our Caretaker. I was Brendan’s teacher over 33 years ago and he has been by my side, from morning and often into the night, for years.
Thanks to my fellow Senior Management Leaders, when I began as Principal, Mrs Patricia Casey (R.I.P) and her husband Declan who were here for over 40 years, and now – John Weir, Assistant Principal I and Nigel Griffin, Deputy Principal. John was actually the first person I ever interviewed here when I became Principal in 1998. Nigel has been here almost as long as I. There are no words to describe the efforts both have put in, over our times together. Overall, I have been so fortunate to work with such a great team of people, many of whom I know will be lifelong friends. I thank each and every one of them.
I thank you, the General Parent Body and your extended families, past and present, for your generosity and warm smiles. You have been a great source of encouragement for me.
I thank the wider community. The support we have had from businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals in Mitchelstown and beyond, has been phenomenal.
I was given the opportunity to lead, when I was quite young and I have been blessed with great energy. I still have that energy!! I now hope to have the chance to spend many hours with my grandchildren and maybe do some stuff, that I never got the chance to do, while working as Principal.
It seems like ages ago since I first said I would retire. This is actually the fourth date that I have given the Department of Education and Skills! None of us could have foreseen this worldwide pandemic. I would have hated if my last day at school was 12th of March 2020. I was glad to be able to oversee the operation of the school during lockdown and to have been there to prepare for and guide, the safe reopening, to have experienced the outgoing 6th class Graduation, the sacraments, to have met our beautiful boys in 1st class.
I thank you most sincerely for your kind words and good wishes, since word of my retirement spread. Yesterday, I was presented with your messages and messages from your children, for my virtual retirement celebration. They are overwhelming – I am working my way through them. I am so emotional reading them. I wish Bernard, the In-School Management Team, the entire staff, the Board of Management, Parent Council, each of yourselves and all the boys, the very best, going forward.
This has been and is, a very special place. It has been and is, full of very special people. I am privileged to have been part of its story.
I will hold CBS Primary dear in my heart, forever. I know I will miss it so much. Keep yourselves and your families safe. We will get through these difficult times.
“Have Courage and Be Kind”
All my love to you and yours.
Mary
PS. I just announced that there is no Homework for the boys tonight! I trust that is in order xx
Dear Parents /Guardians,
After over 31 years of letters to members of this school community and over 22 years of Principalship, I can’t believe this is my final communication, from the school! Tomorrow will be my last day here. From when I began teaching over 35 years ago, I always knew I would be retiring in 2020.
Yes, right now, writing this, I do have a heavy heart. When the Christian Brothers left Mitchelstown in 1998, I applied for the position of Principal. There was nobody more amazed than I, when I was appointed. Then and now, I feel it is an absolute privilege. I have loved it.
For sure, at times, this role can be challenging. Undoubtedly, there have been tricky moments and sometimes, really sad things happened. When I look back now, however, it’s all the good times that float to the surface - not just the big events and celebrations, but the day-to-day bits, which made my life a joy.
I will miss your lovely children, yourselves and the wonderful people here. Regardless of where I have ever been, this place has actually been in my constant thoughts, for over two decades. I have experienced so much and learned so much, from everyone I have encountered, over the years. I have had the opportunity to work with so many wonderful people. I wish to thank publicly all the members of successive Board of Managements, down through the years. I have had nothing but support and sharing of great wisdom from them. I sincerely thank those who took on the role of Chairperson – Fr. Anthony Wickham, Canon Michael Fitzgerald and now Martin Kelly. This is a crucial role in any school. We have been fortunate to have had men who were so dedicated. Thanks to all who worked on Parent Council Committees over the years. The current Committee, under Chairperson Martin Lane, remains in place and I thank Martin, the Officers and the entire Committee. (Do support their upcoming fundraising efforts!).
I have and have had, great colleagues on the staff here at C.B.S. While I have always steered away from naming names, at this stage, I really must thank those with whom I have spent most time – the Secretaries, former Secretary, Mary O’Brien (Cooke), Kilbehenny and now Kathleen Cott and Patricia Dwane. I assure you, there is not one minute wasted in that office! I thank them for their efficiency and tireless courtesy.
Special mention to my great friend Brendan, our Caretaker. I was Brendan’s teacher over 33 years ago and he has been by my side, from morning and often into the night, for years.
Thanks to my fellow Senior Management Leaders, when I began as Principal, Mrs Patricia Casey (R.I.P) and her husband Declan who were here for over 40 years, and now – John Weir, Assistant Principal I and Nigel Griffin, Deputy Principal. John was actually the first person I ever interviewed here when I became Principal in 1998. Nigel has been here almost as long as I. There are no words to describe the efforts both have put in, over our times together. Overall, I have been so fortunate to work with such a great team of people, many of whom I know will be lifelong friends. I thank each and every one of them.
I thank you, the General Parent Body and your extended families, past and present, for your generosity and warm smiles. You have been a great source of encouragement for me.
I thank the wider community. The support we have had from businesses, clubs, organisations and individuals in Mitchelstown and beyond, has been phenomenal.
I was given the opportunity to lead, when I was quite young and I have been blessed with great energy. I still have that energy!! I now hope to have the chance to spend many hours with my grandchildren and maybe do some stuff, that I never got the chance to do, while working as Principal.
It seems like ages ago since I first said I would retire. This is actually the fourth date that I have given the Department of Education and Skills! None of us could have foreseen this worldwide pandemic. I would have hated if my last day at school was 12th of March 2020. I was glad to be able to oversee the operation of the school during lockdown and to have been there to prepare for and guide, the safe reopening, to have experienced the outgoing 6th class Graduation, the sacraments, to have met our beautiful boys in 1st class.
I thank you most sincerely for your kind words and good wishes, since word of my retirement spread. Yesterday, I was presented with your messages and messages from your children, for my virtual retirement celebration. They are overwhelming – I am working my way through them. I am so emotional reading them. I wish Bernard, the In-School Management Team, the entire staff, the Board of Management, Parent Council, each of yourselves and all the boys, the very best, going forward.
This has been and is, a very special place. It has been and is, full of very special people. I am privileged to have been part of its story.
I will hold CBS Primary dear in my heart, forever. I know I will miss it so much. Keep yourselves and your families safe. We will get through these difficult times.
“Have Courage and Be Kind”
All my love to you and yours.
Mary
PS. I just announced that there is no Homework for the boys tonight! I trust that is in order xx
Newsletter Friday 25th September 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s)
We hope things are going well for you and yours. Now, more than ever, we are advised to be vigilant around the precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We will just have to get used to always keeping distance, wearing the face masks and the regular hand washing. These are the essential features and each of our personal responsibilities, in our everyday lives, at the moment. Please see the documentation published by DES for schools today on our website.
Parent Council News:
This week we took delivery of a Prolite 65-inch Interactive LCD Touchscreen and Mobile Trolley, which was part funded by your Parent Council monies. This will replace the now defunct overhead projectors. Parent Council monies are now completely depleted. They have done wonders for us!! Thank you all.
At this time of year, your Parent Council would usually have their Annual Fun Run / Walk. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, they hope to organise a Virtual 5K Fun Run / Walk, between 12.10.2020 and 18.10.2020. Full details on this, will be circulated to you next week. We really urge you to -
News from Co-ordinator of Health Promoting School– Ms. O’ Regan:
We are continuing with our weekly positive quotations. This year, we have asked each class to think up of a positive quotation that they really like. This quotation could be from a favourite sports star or a famous leader in history or simply, just a quotation that means something to them.
Our quotations to date are: “In a World where you can be anything, Be Kind”, “You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing” and “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.
Well -Being will be a core subject area in all Primary Schools, from 2023. Since becoming a Health Promoting School almost 10 years ago now, we have already been doing a lot of work in the area of Wellbeing at C.B.S.
This week, 1st class started the “Zippy’s Friends” programme, with Ms. O’Regan. Classes 2nd- 6th have begun the “Weaving Well- Being” programme. Both programmes give children the opportunity to weave positivity into their daily lives through a range of activities, in a variety of areas. The lessons are designed to be implemented within the framework of the SPHE curriculum. Further information about the programme for parents and guardians can be found, on our School Website.
See-Saw Online Learning Platform:
We are just about ready to go with this! We are still waiting for just a few consents. Passwords have been assigned. We have set up a use and cleaning / disinfecting rota for the I-pads. Boys will commence using the See-Saw App, in class, next week with their teachers, that they are familiar with how to use it prior to one piece of homework being assigned.
National Bike Week:
This week is National Bike Week. In line with our Green Schools ethos, we do encourage the boys to get out and about as much as possible, walking, running, playing sports or cycling. However, at all times, a helmet should be worn, before a bike is touched. A fall from a bicycle can result in very serious injury – being safe is first and foremost. So, if your child has / wants a bike – the helmet comes first!
Virtual Assembly:
To foster a true sense of community, particularly when we cannot all meet each other face to face, for the past few weeks, we have held a Friday Virtual Assembly. It keeps us all up to date and in the know of what’s happening in the boy’s lives. It gives us the opportunity to celebrate achievements and be in solidarity with those who need our thoughts and prayers. We also highlight some key messages each week. FYI – today on TG4 from Listowel Races at 4.55pm, one of our past pupils John Ahern (and Anthony’s brother!), has his first ride on the track. His horse is called “Preserve Point”. You go John!!
Also in the area of screens, Ms. Walshe’s husband Joe Mullins, has landed the lead role in the film “The Yellow Wallpaper”, directed by US Director Kevin Pontuti.
Best of luck to the boys in the North Cork U12 Hurling Final this weekend.
Works to School:
This weekend, the carpet will come up, the ground will be prepared and the new floor laid in Ms. Barry’s current 5th classroom. While there are no guidelines around types of flooring in school, this is the only classroom where we currently have carpet. The Board of Management agreed it would be best for ease of cleaning. This work will be complete, when the boys come back to school on Tuesday morning.
Reminder, per our School Calendar, next Monday, 28th is a school holiday. Enjoy the days rest to the full! We wish our lovely third class boys and their families, the very best for a great day on Saturday – First Holy Communion. Hopefully, the weather will hold, that people can relax and celebrate safely outside.
Enjoy a lovely safe weekend.
Every good wish to you all.
Mary O' Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal I
And all here at CBS Primary!
A Little Separate Note from Mary O’Callaghan:
I hear many of the boys, at this stage, talking about my impending leaving / retirement. Both Mr. Griffin and I have met the incoming Principal, Bernard O’Connell on a few occasions, since he was appointed. He is really looking forward to working with you, your children and our whole school community. Mr. O’Connell will begin his tenure as Principal here, from 05.10.2020. Therefore, next week will be my last week as Principal of CBS Primary. Bernard will be here again to meet with me next week, to further familiarise himself with our school systems and routines. Don’t worry you will all get to meet him, in due course. Bernard is an experienced Principal, having carried out this role at Ballyporeen, for this past 8 years. He will bring a new dynamic to our really great school.
We hope things are going well for you and yours. Now, more than ever, we are advised to be vigilant around the precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19.
We will just have to get used to always keeping distance, wearing the face masks and the regular hand washing. These are the essential features and each of our personal responsibilities, in our everyday lives, at the moment. Please see the documentation published by DES for schools today on our website.
Parent Council News:
This week we took delivery of a Prolite 65-inch Interactive LCD Touchscreen and Mobile Trolley, which was part funded by your Parent Council monies. This will replace the now defunct overhead projectors. Parent Council monies are now completely depleted. They have done wonders for us!! Thank you all.
At this time of year, your Parent Council would usually have their Annual Fun Run / Walk. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, they hope to organise a Virtual 5K Fun Run / Walk, between 12.10.2020 and 18.10.2020. Full details on this, will be circulated to you next week. We really urge you to -
- Get out and walk / run.
- Support the fundraising aspect of this event.
News from Co-ordinator of Health Promoting School– Ms. O’ Regan:
We are continuing with our weekly positive quotations. This year, we have asked each class to think up of a positive quotation that they really like. This quotation could be from a favourite sports star or a famous leader in history or simply, just a quotation that means something to them.
Our quotations to date are: “In a World where you can be anything, Be Kind”, “You don’t have to be perfect to be amazing” and “When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change”.
Well -Being will be a core subject area in all Primary Schools, from 2023. Since becoming a Health Promoting School almost 10 years ago now, we have already been doing a lot of work in the area of Wellbeing at C.B.S.
This week, 1st class started the “Zippy’s Friends” programme, with Ms. O’Regan. Classes 2nd- 6th have begun the “Weaving Well- Being” programme. Both programmes give children the opportunity to weave positivity into their daily lives through a range of activities, in a variety of areas. The lessons are designed to be implemented within the framework of the SPHE curriculum. Further information about the programme for parents and guardians can be found, on our School Website.
See-Saw Online Learning Platform:
We are just about ready to go with this! We are still waiting for just a few consents. Passwords have been assigned. We have set up a use and cleaning / disinfecting rota for the I-pads. Boys will commence using the See-Saw App, in class, next week with their teachers, that they are familiar with how to use it prior to one piece of homework being assigned.
National Bike Week:
This week is National Bike Week. In line with our Green Schools ethos, we do encourage the boys to get out and about as much as possible, walking, running, playing sports or cycling. However, at all times, a helmet should be worn, before a bike is touched. A fall from a bicycle can result in very serious injury – being safe is first and foremost. So, if your child has / wants a bike – the helmet comes first!
Virtual Assembly:
To foster a true sense of community, particularly when we cannot all meet each other face to face, for the past few weeks, we have held a Friday Virtual Assembly. It keeps us all up to date and in the know of what’s happening in the boy’s lives. It gives us the opportunity to celebrate achievements and be in solidarity with those who need our thoughts and prayers. We also highlight some key messages each week. FYI – today on TG4 from Listowel Races at 4.55pm, one of our past pupils John Ahern (and Anthony’s brother!), has his first ride on the track. His horse is called “Preserve Point”. You go John!!
Also in the area of screens, Ms. Walshe’s husband Joe Mullins, has landed the lead role in the film “The Yellow Wallpaper”, directed by US Director Kevin Pontuti.
Best of luck to the boys in the North Cork U12 Hurling Final this weekend.
Works to School:
This weekend, the carpet will come up, the ground will be prepared and the new floor laid in Ms. Barry’s current 5th classroom. While there are no guidelines around types of flooring in school, this is the only classroom where we currently have carpet. The Board of Management agreed it would be best for ease of cleaning. This work will be complete, when the boys come back to school on Tuesday morning.
Reminder, per our School Calendar, next Monday, 28th is a school holiday. Enjoy the days rest to the full! We wish our lovely third class boys and their families, the very best for a great day on Saturday – First Holy Communion. Hopefully, the weather will hold, that people can relax and celebrate safely outside.
Enjoy a lovely safe weekend.
Every good wish to you all.
Mary O' Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal I
And all here at CBS Primary!
A Little Separate Note from Mary O’Callaghan:
I hear many of the boys, at this stage, talking about my impending leaving / retirement. Both Mr. Griffin and I have met the incoming Principal, Bernard O’Connell on a few occasions, since he was appointed. He is really looking forward to working with you, your children and our whole school community. Mr. O’Connell will begin his tenure as Principal here, from 05.10.2020. Therefore, next week will be my last week as Principal of CBS Primary. Bernard will be here again to meet with me next week, to further familiarise himself with our school systems and routines. Don’t worry you will all get to meet him, in due course. Bernard is an experienced Principal, having carried out this role at Ballyporeen, for this past 8 years. He will bring a new dynamic to our really great school.
Newsletter Friday 18th September 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
We hope things are going well for you and your families – the weather is still thankfully being so kind to us. Your feedback on how the organisation of school life is going, in these times, has been really positive and has been a great source of validation for us.
In every classroom there is a happy atmosphere with a real collaborative culture.
We cannot emphasise enough that our priority is and will continue to be to prevent spread of infection. We did speak with Parent Council on these issues, this week, at their meeting. You can be confident that the logistics around the school day, for your boys, keeps them and staff safe. At the moment, school life will pivot on all safe practices – keeping distance, washing and sanitising hands and cough and sneeze etiquette. We restrict adult contact with your children to those in his associated “bubble”. We can never eliminate all risk but we are doing our very level best. Therefore, what does have to take a backseat are activities which would involve other personnel or mixing of “Bubbles”. The staff allocated to each “bubble” are being innovative that children can still avail of a wide variety of educational opportunities. Thank you for your cooperation – you get 100% for your effort!
This weekend we will post a few pictures of the boys at school, that you can actually visualise where they play and work every day. Don’t forget to keep all lines of communication open and active. We will get through these times together!
Personal Accident Insurance:
We circulated documentation about our Personal Accident Insurance earlier in the week. The cost for the school year 2020/2021, is €5.70. If you wish to avail of this, please have the completed form and monies to us by next Friday, 25th September, to ensure that you are included in the scheme.
Parent Council News:
Your Parent Reps. held a meeting in our school yard this week. The Committee realise that it will be tricky to fundraise for the foreseeable. They are racking their brains for innovative ideas. With the remaining monies in the kitty, the Committee agreed to part fund purchase of another Interactive Flat Screen, for our school. Traditionally we have used Interactive Whiteboards (IWB’s) with projectors. While very effective in their day, the IWB’s brightness faded over time and replacement bulbs were extremely expensive. Interactive Flat Screen (IFS’s) have better resolution, with cleaner, brighter images, which they can maintain over many years. They do not rely on projectors. The models we are purchasing are 65” portable units, that will be put to great use in our school. Our Parent Council has helped throughout the years, to provide our pupils with the best and latest technology. They are now at the end of their funds bucket, so whatever fundraising scheme they come up with, we urge you to support their efforts. Ultimately, it is your children who will benefit.
Tesco Contribution To Our School:
The monies for the Interactive Flat Screen was enhanced recently by another cheque from Tesco Mitchelstown for €333.33, from their “blue tokens” collection. This was the second one of these offerings, we got within the past twelve months, for which we are very grateful, “Every Little Helps”!!
DES Digital Strategy for Schools:
Through this grant we have purchased I-pads, Digital Cameras and most recently 6 Dell Latitude 3316 Laptops. We have also purchased two interactive Flat Screens and the third is the one which will be bought, in conjunction with your Parent Council. We also continue to avail of a subscription to Matific, the online teaching resource for Maths.
Positive Quotations:
Our Health Promoting Schools Motto this week is “You don’t have to be Perfect to be Amazing”. Ms. O’Regan is seeking positive inspiring quotations, from each class grouping, that we can use over the next few months.
First Holy Communion:
Canon Leamy circulated details to those concerned this week, about upcoming First Holy Communion on Saturday, 26th September. If any parent of those boys would like to do the Reading or say a Prayer of the Faithful, please write on your child’s journal. We are waiting for volunteers…..!!
See Saw On-line Learning Platform:
It has taken longer than anticipated to get this set up. Any platform for online learning will be ineffective if we don’t have everybody included. Classes 5th and 6th have now been assigned their passwords. We have given hard copy of consent forms also to those in fourth class who were outstanding. Next week we will do likewise for classes 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Teachers will initially do some work in classrooms with the boys using the See Saw App, so that they are familiar with it, prior to assignment of a little piece of homework.
Green Schools:
Here is an excerpt from Mr. O’Regan’s address about Green Schools issues at our Virtual Assembly, this morning. A lot of changes in school this year, to keep us safe and healthy, Green Schools had to change as well.
• No Committee, due to people staying in their bubbles.
• Not using own water bottles and water stations.
• Using paper towels etc.
• Leaving doors and windows open.
What can we do?
So important that we look in other ways to help the environment.
1. Make sure all of our lunch is deposited properly, recycling, compost and finally waste.
2. Ensure all taps are being turned off when you are finished using them.
3. Great to see many people park ‘n stride – keep that up.
4. Turn off lights when leaving room.
5. We see some boys cycling around town, it’s so, so, important to be safe, wearing helmets, respecting the road signs and being careful.
6. A lot of people went back to the garden during lockdown, don’t give this up, continue to plant seeds, grow veg if you can.
Finally, the most important thing of all, we have to keep everyone safe in school, but we need all boys to bring the Green Schools message to their homes and start making a little difference, this will all add up and continue to make our community a greener place.
The Mascots are watching!
Captain Clean
Eco Eric
Wally Water
Sgt. Strider
Enviro-Man
European Sports Day:
During the week, Mr. Davoren entered his class into a competition to mark European Sports Day. He submitted some pictures of his Second Class participating in one of his P.E. lessons. His efforts and the pictures won €200 worth of P.E. equipment for our school – basketballs, skipping ropes, small balls, markers and loads more. Congratulation Mr. Davoren and class! That gear will be a great resource for everyone.
That’s all for now. Have a lovely safe weekend. Do check out our website for some school pics!
Le gach dea ghuí
Principal: Mary O’Callaghan,
Deputy Principal: Nigel Griffin,
Assistant Principal I: John Weir,
Chairperson Board of Management: Martin Kelly.
And all here at CBS Primary!
We hope things are going well for you and your families – the weather is still thankfully being so kind to us. Your feedback on how the organisation of school life is going, in these times, has been really positive and has been a great source of validation for us.
In every classroom there is a happy atmosphere with a real collaborative culture.
We cannot emphasise enough that our priority is and will continue to be to prevent spread of infection. We did speak with Parent Council on these issues, this week, at their meeting. You can be confident that the logistics around the school day, for your boys, keeps them and staff safe. At the moment, school life will pivot on all safe practices – keeping distance, washing and sanitising hands and cough and sneeze etiquette. We restrict adult contact with your children to those in his associated “bubble”. We can never eliminate all risk but we are doing our very level best. Therefore, what does have to take a backseat are activities which would involve other personnel or mixing of “Bubbles”. The staff allocated to each “bubble” are being innovative that children can still avail of a wide variety of educational opportunities. Thank you for your cooperation – you get 100% for your effort!
This weekend we will post a few pictures of the boys at school, that you can actually visualise where they play and work every day. Don’t forget to keep all lines of communication open and active. We will get through these times together!
Personal Accident Insurance:
We circulated documentation about our Personal Accident Insurance earlier in the week. The cost for the school year 2020/2021, is €5.70. If you wish to avail of this, please have the completed form and monies to us by next Friday, 25th September, to ensure that you are included in the scheme.
Parent Council News:
Your Parent Reps. held a meeting in our school yard this week. The Committee realise that it will be tricky to fundraise for the foreseeable. They are racking their brains for innovative ideas. With the remaining monies in the kitty, the Committee agreed to part fund purchase of another Interactive Flat Screen, for our school. Traditionally we have used Interactive Whiteboards (IWB’s) with projectors. While very effective in their day, the IWB’s brightness faded over time and replacement bulbs were extremely expensive. Interactive Flat Screen (IFS’s) have better resolution, with cleaner, brighter images, which they can maintain over many years. They do not rely on projectors. The models we are purchasing are 65” portable units, that will be put to great use in our school. Our Parent Council has helped throughout the years, to provide our pupils with the best and latest technology. They are now at the end of their funds bucket, so whatever fundraising scheme they come up with, we urge you to support their efforts. Ultimately, it is your children who will benefit.
Tesco Contribution To Our School:
The monies for the Interactive Flat Screen was enhanced recently by another cheque from Tesco Mitchelstown for €333.33, from their “blue tokens” collection. This was the second one of these offerings, we got within the past twelve months, for which we are very grateful, “Every Little Helps”!!
DES Digital Strategy for Schools:
Through this grant we have purchased I-pads, Digital Cameras and most recently 6 Dell Latitude 3316 Laptops. We have also purchased two interactive Flat Screens and the third is the one which will be bought, in conjunction with your Parent Council. We also continue to avail of a subscription to Matific, the online teaching resource for Maths.
Positive Quotations:
Our Health Promoting Schools Motto this week is “You don’t have to be Perfect to be Amazing”. Ms. O’Regan is seeking positive inspiring quotations, from each class grouping, that we can use over the next few months.
First Holy Communion:
Canon Leamy circulated details to those concerned this week, about upcoming First Holy Communion on Saturday, 26th September. If any parent of those boys would like to do the Reading or say a Prayer of the Faithful, please write on your child’s journal. We are waiting for volunteers…..!!
See Saw On-line Learning Platform:
It has taken longer than anticipated to get this set up. Any platform for online learning will be ineffective if we don’t have everybody included. Classes 5th and 6th have now been assigned their passwords. We have given hard copy of consent forms also to those in fourth class who were outstanding. Next week we will do likewise for classes 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Teachers will initially do some work in classrooms with the boys using the See Saw App, so that they are familiar with it, prior to assignment of a little piece of homework.
Green Schools:
Here is an excerpt from Mr. O’Regan’s address about Green Schools issues at our Virtual Assembly, this morning. A lot of changes in school this year, to keep us safe and healthy, Green Schools had to change as well.
• No Committee, due to people staying in their bubbles.
• Not using own water bottles and water stations.
• Using paper towels etc.
• Leaving doors and windows open.
What can we do?
So important that we look in other ways to help the environment.
1. Make sure all of our lunch is deposited properly, recycling, compost and finally waste.
2. Ensure all taps are being turned off when you are finished using them.
3. Great to see many people park ‘n stride – keep that up.
4. Turn off lights when leaving room.
5. We see some boys cycling around town, it’s so, so, important to be safe, wearing helmets, respecting the road signs and being careful.
6. A lot of people went back to the garden during lockdown, don’t give this up, continue to plant seeds, grow veg if you can.
Finally, the most important thing of all, we have to keep everyone safe in school, but we need all boys to bring the Green Schools message to their homes and start making a little difference, this will all add up and continue to make our community a greener place.
The Mascots are watching!
Captain Clean
Eco Eric
Wally Water
Sgt. Strider
Enviro-Man
European Sports Day:
During the week, Mr. Davoren entered his class into a competition to mark European Sports Day. He submitted some pictures of his Second Class participating in one of his P.E. lessons. His efforts and the pictures won €200 worth of P.E. equipment for our school – basketballs, skipping ropes, small balls, markers and loads more. Congratulation Mr. Davoren and class! That gear will be a great resource for everyone.
That’s all for now. Have a lovely safe weekend. Do check out our website for some school pics!
Le gach dea ghuí
Principal: Mary O’Callaghan,
Deputy Principal: Nigel Griffin,
Assistant Principal I: John Weir,
Chairperson Board of Management: Martin Kelly.
And all here at CBS Primary!
Newsletter Friday 11th September 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
We hope things are going well for you and yours.
We have been blessed with superb weather in the recent past - let’s hope it continues! Everything is operating well around managing COVID-19 and the accompanying safeguards. When the wet weather happens, please, we urge that you continue to co-operate with us, by dropping your child in the car park area and that he walks (using the bricked area) to the school. This way, we will optimise our chances of not having “pile up”, whatever the weather. Please ensure your child goes safely to and from school each day. If your child travels independently, no harm to spot check from time to time!
Priority for us at school continues and has to continue, to ensure that infection does not enter or spread at school. Therefore, understandably, an amount of each day is spent on hand washing and hand sanitising, along with education around maintaining distance and cough / sneeze etiquette. The realities of working in this our “new normal”, became very apparent when we had a significant leak this week, in one of the fourth classrooms. As the usual means of dispersing children (i.e. to different rooms) was not available to us, for the first time ever, that we can remember, we requested that parents might call for their children – certainly different times!
We refer you again to the notice by Acting Chief Medical Officer, regarding to when to send / not send your child to school. (Posted on our website). In short, you know your own child. If he is feverish or off form, please do not send him to school. If you child has a runny nose / head cold, he is most likely fine to come to school. Again, the symptoms of COVID-19 are –
Credit Union Art Competition 2020:
We have just received details of this - The theme of this year’s competition is “Imagine More”. The Credit Union are always so good to our school (right up to this year, sponsoring 6th class graduation). Therefore, we hope we will have 100% participation. Your permission for your child’s work to be entered, will be sought by class teacher.
Personal Accident Insurance:
The premium for this school year 2020 / 2021 is €5.70 per annum, for 24 hour cover. An information sheet on this will be in your child’s journals next week. It is completely optional. However, most of our parents have availed of it, in the past.
Additional Support:
Over these days, our Special Educational Needs Team will be seeking your consent for additional teacher support for your child, where applicable. Our class groupings enable each child get optimum support from mainstream class teacher. This is where your child’s needs are firstly met, with his peers. In cases where a little “leg up” might be of benefit, our team will look at priority needs, based on consultation and review of your child’s support files. This year we have developed our concept of a “Nurture Room”. Some of our teachers have completed training on this. The Nurturing Schools Programme is a whole-school approach that helps schools embed a nurturing culture to improve teaching and learning, engagement in school life and wellbeing of all pupils. The main focus of the Nurture Room is on the social and emotional development of pupils, through practical learning opportunities, in a safe learning environment. The Nurture Programme helps to develop a happier, more resilient and more successful school community. At present, Mr. Quirke is working in our “Nurture Room” (located where our old staff room was).
Wellbeing:
In light of the amount of time your children have missed from school and the huge changes that have taken place in all our lives, the wellbeing of our whole school community has to be focused on. We have agreed to implement the Wellbeing Programme “Weaving Wellbeing” for classes 2nd – 6th. We will begin this from 21st September. Weaving Well Being is the first Irish designed positive mental health programme, of its kind, which aims to enhance well-being in children aged 8-12 years. It is underpinned by the concept that a state of well-being is not simply the absence of the negative, but the presence of the positive. The Weaving Well – Being Programme gives children the opportunity to weave positivity into their daily lives, through a range of activities, in a variety of areas. The lessons are designed to be implemented within the framework of the SPHE curriculum.
Here is the programme of work from 2nd – 6th -
2nd class – Character Strengths.
3rd Class – Positive Emotions.
4th Class – Tools of Resilience.
5th class – Positive Relationships
6th class - Empowering Beliefs.
Our First Class groupings will work on the Zippy’s Friends Programme. Many thanks to Ms. O’Regan for co-ordinating our Wellbeing Programme. Please check out the information sheet for parents / guardians on our website.
Our Health Promoting Schools quote for this week is “ In a world where you can be anything – Be kind”.
Click below for a Link to Introducing WeavingWellbeing for Parents/Guardians
We hope things are going well for you and yours.
We have been blessed with superb weather in the recent past - let’s hope it continues! Everything is operating well around managing COVID-19 and the accompanying safeguards. When the wet weather happens, please, we urge that you continue to co-operate with us, by dropping your child in the car park area and that he walks (using the bricked area) to the school. This way, we will optimise our chances of not having “pile up”, whatever the weather. Please ensure your child goes safely to and from school each day. If your child travels independently, no harm to spot check from time to time!
Priority for us at school continues and has to continue, to ensure that infection does not enter or spread at school. Therefore, understandably, an amount of each day is spent on hand washing and hand sanitising, along with education around maintaining distance and cough / sneeze etiquette. The realities of working in this our “new normal”, became very apparent when we had a significant leak this week, in one of the fourth classrooms. As the usual means of dispersing children (i.e. to different rooms) was not available to us, for the first time ever, that we can remember, we requested that parents might call for their children – certainly different times!
We refer you again to the notice by Acting Chief Medical Officer, regarding to when to send / not send your child to school. (Posted on our website). In short, you know your own child. If he is feverish or off form, please do not send him to school. If you child has a runny nose / head cold, he is most likely fine to come to school. Again, the symptoms of COVID-19 are –
- a fever (high temperature - 38 degrees Celsius or above)
- a cough - this can be any kind of cough, not just dry
- shortness of breath or breathing difficulties
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Credit Union Art Competition 2020:
We have just received details of this - The theme of this year’s competition is “Imagine More”. The Credit Union are always so good to our school (right up to this year, sponsoring 6th class graduation). Therefore, we hope we will have 100% participation. Your permission for your child’s work to be entered, will be sought by class teacher.
Personal Accident Insurance:
The premium for this school year 2020 / 2021 is €5.70 per annum, for 24 hour cover. An information sheet on this will be in your child’s journals next week. It is completely optional. However, most of our parents have availed of it, in the past.
Additional Support:
Over these days, our Special Educational Needs Team will be seeking your consent for additional teacher support for your child, where applicable. Our class groupings enable each child get optimum support from mainstream class teacher. This is where your child’s needs are firstly met, with his peers. In cases where a little “leg up” might be of benefit, our team will look at priority needs, based on consultation and review of your child’s support files. This year we have developed our concept of a “Nurture Room”. Some of our teachers have completed training on this. The Nurturing Schools Programme is a whole-school approach that helps schools embed a nurturing culture to improve teaching and learning, engagement in school life and wellbeing of all pupils. The main focus of the Nurture Room is on the social and emotional development of pupils, through practical learning opportunities, in a safe learning environment. The Nurture Programme helps to develop a happier, more resilient and more successful school community. At present, Mr. Quirke is working in our “Nurture Room” (located where our old staff room was).
Wellbeing:
In light of the amount of time your children have missed from school and the huge changes that have taken place in all our lives, the wellbeing of our whole school community has to be focused on. We have agreed to implement the Wellbeing Programme “Weaving Wellbeing” for classes 2nd – 6th. We will begin this from 21st September. Weaving Well Being is the first Irish designed positive mental health programme, of its kind, which aims to enhance well-being in children aged 8-12 years. It is underpinned by the concept that a state of well-being is not simply the absence of the negative, but the presence of the positive. The Weaving Well – Being Programme gives children the opportunity to weave positivity into their daily lives, through a range of activities, in a variety of areas. The lessons are designed to be implemented within the framework of the SPHE curriculum.
Here is the programme of work from 2nd – 6th -
2nd class – Character Strengths.
3rd Class – Positive Emotions.
4th Class – Tools of Resilience.
5th class – Positive Relationships
6th class - Empowering Beliefs.
Our First Class groupings will work on the Zippy’s Friends Programme. Many thanks to Ms. O’Regan for co-ordinating our Wellbeing Programme. Please check out the information sheet for parents / guardians on our website.
Our Health Promoting Schools quote for this week is “ In a world where you can be anything – Be kind”.
Click below for a Link to Introducing WeavingWellbeing for Parents/Guardians
| wwb-parent-introductory-letter-1.pdf |
See Saw Consent:
As you are aware, it is our intention to introduce “See Saw” as our on-line platform for remote learning for all class groups. With our own efforts and the efforts of everyone at community level, we sincerely hope that our school remains open. However, we do need to cater for the possibility of any future closures or if there need for blended learning. Most importantly, we want to ensure that our system is inclusive and that everyone is able to use it. Some of you did experience difficulty with the text. If we have not received consent from you, we will send a hard copy next week. Once the consent forms are correlated, class teacher will set up your child’s account in school and issue him with a username and password. When the boys are familiar with the App, we will issue one piece of homework each week, to be completed on “See Saw”. “See Saw” works on a range of devices, from tablets to smartphones. Going forward, we can help with any issues which may arise.
The Home keeping:
In August, we asked for two additional items to the original class requisite list – a box of tissues with your child’s name on and an additional pencil case, with all their essentials in it, for your son’s exclusive use here. If your child does not have a second pencil case for home use, please try to sort this weekend. Therefore, your child should not bring his pencil case home from school or vice versa. Please sort any outstanding photocopying / art monies next week (€55).
If your child is absent, for any reason please let us know, in writing, using the slips in his homework journal. We will need these for reference.
Virtual Assembly:
From the outset of return to school, we have been conscious of trying to keep a sense of community and acknowledge successes / achievements. This is obviously challenging, as we cannot come together physically, mixing the class groups. To date we have used the Intercom to announce whole school events, moments of reflection etc. Today, we had our first ever Virtual Assembly and it went amazingly well – with all class groupings and personnel making an appearance. The boys gave their bits of news items en route to school. We included a celebratory raffle with the numbers juggled by the office computer – a revelation!
Staggered Arrivals / Departures:
Our organisation has served us well, thus far. We now think that we can shorten the staggers somewhat so that your children have enhanced class time and it may also suit better your schedules. Thus, from next Monday, 14th September →
Arrivals – (no change for now – we’ll see what weather might bring).
5th/6th classes 8.50am – 9.00an
3rd / 4th classes 9.00am – 9.10am
1st / 2nd classes 9.10am – 9.20am
Departures – (just 5 minutes between each set)
5th / 6th classes – 2.30pm
3rd / 4th classes – 2.35pm
1st / 2nd classes – 2.40pm
More than ever now, it will be essential that you are prompt for arrival and collection and that you collect and go. Thank you all for your co-operation to date. Keep your distance outside! We are so going well!
Have a lovely safe weekend.
Le gach dea ghuí
Mary O' Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal I
And all here at CBS Primary!
3rd September 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
We have one week of school life complete and we hope things are going well for you and your children.
From an organisational point of view, we are delighted with how the initial logistics of our reopening plan have worked. Everything has gone very smoothly. The boys are now getting quite familiar with the routines of sanitising and washing hands, keeping to their little group (pods) while in class and in their “bubbles” at break times.
They are actually superb lining into their little groups now for all activities. We do realise that it is difficult for some boys that they may not be with their friends in the other class grouping, even at break time. On the plus side, every “bubble” now has loads of play space!
Thank you all for your superb co-operation, from the outset, with the staggered drop off and collection times. These arrival and departure times are unchanged, for the time being.
Arrivals:
Departures:
To be of the best help to us, please don’t arrive too early if you are coming to drop or collect your child. The whole idea is that you come at the appointed time and then go quickly. Again, we remind you there is no issue if you have two or more children - one drop and collection is fine - we are getting there! Please remember - no child here before 8.45am - as this is when official school supervision begins. The Board of Management cannot take responsibility for your child prior to 8.45am, or in the afternoon when official school activities cease.
Staffing News: We welcome back Mr. Breen (now teaching one of our 6th classes) and Ms. Hennessy (now teaching one of our 4th classes) from their tenure working in the Middle East. We also welcome one of our past pupils Mr. Danny Keane, who is on long term placement with us, until February 2021. Mr. Keane is working with Ms. O’Keeffe, in 3rd class and in time hopes to be a Primary Teacher. We are always delighted when one of our own returns to us!
Works to School: There has been an amount of work, big and small, carried out at our school. Soon, local builder Paul Coughlan will begin to make a “hatch” to the Secretary’s Office from the outer vestibule. In the meantime, if you are calling to school to collect your son or whatever, press the button inside the main door and the Secretary or Principal will be able to speak to you. Your child will be brought to the entrance / exit at the front of the school. Over the summer holidays, under the Department of Education and Skills Summer Works Scheme, we replaced all the windows in the junior end of the school and the double doors en route to the top yard. The external walls and many classroom walls were painted, along with all the necessary measures around Covid-19 - including plumbing, electrical work, fixtures, fittings and a colossal amount of cleaning. To all who helped in any way, we are so grateful. It really was a trojan effort. The next project that our school has applied for, under Summer Works 2019, is the development of the adjacent Field. The ground has been sprayed and in the short term, will be set with grass seeds. We are so fortunate to have the loan to purchase the field, paid off in full, prior to the current restrictions. Our Development Committee will continue the soul searching to devise with the best possible plans for the area. It has so much potential for the future of our school.
School Meals: Our School Meals Scheme is now up and running in full. Following the boy's feedback, prior to lockdown, we had just changed the hot meals menu. There appears to be a good response to the revised food selection. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or hot meals provision, there is really a very wide choice. If for some reason your child is not happy with his original selection, just contact us and he can choose again (changes take approx 1 week to materialise). The School Meals Scheme is a wonderful opportunity for your children to try out a wide variety of tastes and options. We are so fortunate to have this facility for all our boys.
Home School Communication: Please please, in spite of the current restrictions, do keep up regular home - school contact. The first point of contact is your child’s journal, - do read and sign it daily. You can also meet the Principal, any morning, before school and each evening, if you have a little query or whatever. We had major disruption to our phone and internet service during the week, which was really annoying . The fault has now been repaired. Sincere apologies for the inevitable inconvenience caused. Now that we are back up and running - keep the communication channels to teachers open, by phone or email. Don’t hesitate to contact us, if there is something you are wondering about - it is always better to seek clarification, at the earliest opportunity. This year, Gillian our Home School Community Liaison Officer will work alternate weeks, between ourselves and Colaiste Fionnchua. Gillian is our support for you - that you, in turn, can best help your child get the most from school life. Gillian is happy to answer any of your queries, by phone - her number is (089) 4589457.Gillian will also be in touch with you directly herself. We may have a closed door - but we’ll keep the lines of communication open! (Gillian’s CBS Week begins next Monday, 7th September).
When to send / not to send your son to school: On our website, you will find the open letter issued by Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer. In all aspects of managing Covid-19 - we are guided by Public Health Advice. It is absolutely essential that we have your up to date, current phone numbers and that you are contactable, at all times, while your child is at school.
Provision for Remote Learning: As part of our contingency planning, just in case blended or remote learning will be needed - we have forwarded consent forms to enable us get your child set up for the online platform “Seesaw” . Due to our recent internet difficulties, it may take us a little longer than originally planned to begin assigning homework on this platform. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the text consent for this, at your earliest convenience, We were actually delighted with the swift response to this, by so many of you!
Bits of Housekeeping: We are currently trying to get our affairs in order. If you have not already forwarded €55.00 to cover the cost of photocopying / art / S.A.E. / journals, etc. please do so a.s.a.p. As per agreed policy, mobile phones, whether turned off or silenced, are strictly not allowed at school c.f. Policy at start of journals, for further details. Over the coming week, teachers will let you know, on the journals, your child’s day for school tracksuit.
Parent Council News: Just for the moment, the current Committee remain in place - they are Martin Lane, Chairperson, Marie Sheehan, Secretary, Claire Hanley, Treasurer, Vice Chairperson, Emer O’ Brien, Assistant Treasurer, Helen White and Assistant Treasurer, Jennifer Smee. Committee Members: Alice Finn, Louise O’ Shea, Lorraine O’ Beirne, Eilis Vaughan, Vinod Bernard, Simona Miskiniene.
Over the lockdown and holiday period , the Committee have met remotely. The members' feedback proved invaluable towards our Reopening Plan. Since our last school Newsletter, your Council kindly funded repainting of lines on both yards, gifts for incoming 1st class boys and signage for the Graduation Ceremony of our 6th class boys, in June. We earnestly hope that, in the near future, Parent Council activities will be able to recommence, in full. They are always a huge asset to the running of our school. The Committee will meet again next week.
That's all for now! We are looking forward to meeting our outgoing 6th class boys and their families on Saturday, when the Parish is facilitating the Sacrament of Confirmation. We really hope that everyone involved has a really Special Day.
Thank you again for your help in making return to school a pleasant experience for everyone . We’ve only just begun! - keep smiling. “Have courage and Be Kind”.
Very best wishes to you all.
Mary O’ Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal
And all here at CBS Primary!
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
We have one week of school life complete and we hope things are going well for you and your children.
From an organisational point of view, we are delighted with how the initial logistics of our reopening plan have worked. Everything has gone very smoothly. The boys are now getting quite familiar with the routines of sanitising and washing hands, keeping to their little group (pods) while in class and in their “bubbles” at break times.
They are actually superb lining into their little groups now for all activities. We do realise that it is difficult for some boys that they may not be with their friends in the other class grouping, even at break time. On the plus side, every “bubble” now has loads of play space!
Thank you all for your superb co-operation, from the outset, with the staggered drop off and collection times. These arrival and departure times are unchanged, for the time being.
Arrivals:
- 5th & 6th classes 8.50am - 9.00am
- 3rd & 4th classes 9.00am - 9.10am
- 1st & 2nd classes 9.10am - 9.20am
Departures:
- 5th & 6th classes - 2.20pm
- 3rd & 4th classes - 2.30pm
- 1st & 2nd classes - 2.40pm
To be of the best help to us, please don’t arrive too early if you are coming to drop or collect your child. The whole idea is that you come at the appointed time and then go quickly. Again, we remind you there is no issue if you have two or more children - one drop and collection is fine - we are getting there! Please remember - no child here before 8.45am - as this is when official school supervision begins. The Board of Management cannot take responsibility for your child prior to 8.45am, or in the afternoon when official school activities cease.
Staffing News: We welcome back Mr. Breen (now teaching one of our 6th classes) and Ms. Hennessy (now teaching one of our 4th classes) from their tenure working in the Middle East. We also welcome one of our past pupils Mr. Danny Keane, who is on long term placement with us, until February 2021. Mr. Keane is working with Ms. O’Keeffe, in 3rd class and in time hopes to be a Primary Teacher. We are always delighted when one of our own returns to us!
Works to School: There has been an amount of work, big and small, carried out at our school. Soon, local builder Paul Coughlan will begin to make a “hatch” to the Secretary’s Office from the outer vestibule. In the meantime, if you are calling to school to collect your son or whatever, press the button inside the main door and the Secretary or Principal will be able to speak to you. Your child will be brought to the entrance / exit at the front of the school. Over the summer holidays, under the Department of Education and Skills Summer Works Scheme, we replaced all the windows in the junior end of the school and the double doors en route to the top yard. The external walls and many classroom walls were painted, along with all the necessary measures around Covid-19 - including plumbing, electrical work, fixtures, fittings and a colossal amount of cleaning. To all who helped in any way, we are so grateful. It really was a trojan effort. The next project that our school has applied for, under Summer Works 2019, is the development of the adjacent Field. The ground has been sprayed and in the short term, will be set with grass seeds. We are so fortunate to have the loan to purchase the field, paid off in full, prior to the current restrictions. Our Development Committee will continue the soul searching to devise with the best possible plans for the area. It has so much potential for the future of our school.
School Meals: Our School Meals Scheme is now up and running in full. Following the boy's feedback, prior to lockdown, we had just changed the hot meals menu. There appears to be a good response to the revised food selection. Whether it is breakfast, lunch or hot meals provision, there is really a very wide choice. If for some reason your child is not happy with his original selection, just contact us and he can choose again (changes take approx 1 week to materialise). The School Meals Scheme is a wonderful opportunity for your children to try out a wide variety of tastes and options. We are so fortunate to have this facility for all our boys.
Home School Communication: Please please, in spite of the current restrictions, do keep up regular home - school contact. The first point of contact is your child’s journal, - do read and sign it daily. You can also meet the Principal, any morning, before school and each evening, if you have a little query or whatever. We had major disruption to our phone and internet service during the week, which was really annoying . The fault has now been repaired. Sincere apologies for the inevitable inconvenience caused. Now that we are back up and running - keep the communication channels to teachers open, by phone or email. Don’t hesitate to contact us, if there is something you are wondering about - it is always better to seek clarification, at the earliest opportunity. This year, Gillian our Home School Community Liaison Officer will work alternate weeks, between ourselves and Colaiste Fionnchua. Gillian is our support for you - that you, in turn, can best help your child get the most from school life. Gillian is happy to answer any of your queries, by phone - her number is (089) 4589457.Gillian will also be in touch with you directly herself. We may have a closed door - but we’ll keep the lines of communication open! (Gillian’s CBS Week begins next Monday, 7th September).
When to send / not to send your son to school: On our website, you will find the open letter issued by Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Chief Medical Officer. In all aspects of managing Covid-19 - we are guided by Public Health Advice. It is absolutely essential that we have your up to date, current phone numbers and that you are contactable, at all times, while your child is at school.
Provision for Remote Learning: As part of our contingency planning, just in case blended or remote learning will be needed - we have forwarded consent forms to enable us get your child set up for the online platform “Seesaw” . Due to our recent internet difficulties, it may take us a little longer than originally planned to begin assigning homework on this platform. If you haven’t already done so, please complete the text consent for this, at your earliest convenience, We were actually delighted with the swift response to this, by so many of you!
Bits of Housekeeping: We are currently trying to get our affairs in order. If you have not already forwarded €55.00 to cover the cost of photocopying / art / S.A.E. / journals, etc. please do so a.s.a.p. As per agreed policy, mobile phones, whether turned off or silenced, are strictly not allowed at school c.f. Policy at start of journals, for further details. Over the coming week, teachers will let you know, on the journals, your child’s day for school tracksuit.
Parent Council News: Just for the moment, the current Committee remain in place - they are Martin Lane, Chairperson, Marie Sheehan, Secretary, Claire Hanley, Treasurer, Vice Chairperson, Emer O’ Brien, Assistant Treasurer, Helen White and Assistant Treasurer, Jennifer Smee. Committee Members: Alice Finn, Louise O’ Shea, Lorraine O’ Beirne, Eilis Vaughan, Vinod Bernard, Simona Miskiniene.
Over the lockdown and holiday period , the Committee have met remotely. The members' feedback proved invaluable towards our Reopening Plan. Since our last school Newsletter, your Council kindly funded repainting of lines on both yards, gifts for incoming 1st class boys and signage for the Graduation Ceremony of our 6th class boys, in June. We earnestly hope that, in the near future, Parent Council activities will be able to recommence, in full. They are always a huge asset to the running of our school. The Committee will meet again next week.
That's all for now! We are looking forward to meeting our outgoing 6th class boys and their families on Saturday, when the Parish is facilitating the Sacrament of Confirmation. We really hope that everyone involved has a really Special Day.
Thank you again for your help in making return to school a pleasant experience for everyone . We’ve only just begun! - keep smiling. “Have courage and Be Kind”.
Very best wishes to you all.
Mary O’ Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal
And all here at CBS Primary!
Thursday, 28th May 2020
EMAIL 7 to Parents/Guardians
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your families. Can you believe that we are now facing into June? In spite of everything, the time seems to have flown!
This Saturday was to be the First Holy Communion Day for our Second Class. No doubt, every family had a full weekend of making memories planned. To mark the occasion, staff who had been preparing the boys for their Special Day have put together a little video. You can view it on our website. The Parish has forwarded an email from Bishop Crean to all intending First Communicants and candidates for Confirmation. Hopefully, these sacraments will now take place in the Autumn. Canon Leamy has also told us that the first Communion Boys will be mentioned at the 11:30am Mass this Sunday, which will be streamed on the Parish Church website. We also put a group photo of the boys, taken on the night of their Sacrament of Reconciliation Ceremony, to this week’s Avondhu. The whole community will be thinking about these boys and their extended families.
Yesterday, we had an amount of delivering to do and stuff in the post. Along with the food packages, vegetables and other bits, we included (for children in current 1st – 5th classes) Book lists, Class Requisite Lists and Food Forms, for the next school year.
Sixth Class families and boys got the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) information on Pupil Passports for the transition to Secondary School (to be returned by Friday, 5th June) and some other letters.
We are so aware of the challenges faced, by many, at the moment and certainly do not want to put any pressure on you. Therefore, you will see that you can pay for Book Rental (€60) upfront, half now, or let it until the beginning of the next school year – whichever suits your family best. However, so that we can get sorted on organising books and School Meals, we do please ask you to return the completed forms to us on or before Friday June 5th i.e.
Sincere thanks to Mr O’Shea for co-ordination of the Book and Class Requisite Lists for us. Please put the class requisite list in a safe place, that you will have it for future reference!
You may be aware that Wellbeing will be included as an official part of the Curriculum from the start of the school year September 2023. You know the amount of work our whole school community has put in over many years, led by the Health Promoting School Committee, to ensure that the wellbeing of everyone is kept top of our agenda. We intend to continue to formalise this work in the new school year. 1st Class will follow our existing Zippy’s Friends Programme and classes 2nd – 6th will begin the Weaving Wellbeing Programme. Resources for these will be included within the Book Rental Provisions. Many thanks to Ms P. O’Regan for her efforts and research on this topic.
We are delighted to report that Snowball and Blackjack’s two babies have gone to a new home with Liam Myers (4th class) and his family. Mr and Mrs O’Regan were glad that the two babies could go together, for company. Do follow the pictures and stories of Snowball and Blackjack on our website.
Following a virtual staff meeting today, we have agreed on a bit of a timeline for the month of June. This type of planning is usually our stock in trade. It is really difficult for all of us to organise anything, in the face of such uncertainty. However, we can still try our best to do, what we can, to keep the show on the road. Here’s what we have decided:
Mr Weir’s 6th 9:30am-10:30am
Mr Carey’s 5th/6th 10:30am -11:30am
Ms Barry’s 5th 11:30 am– 12:30pm
Mr Coffey’s 4th 1pm- 2pm
Mr O’Regan’s 3rd/4th 2pm – 3pm
Thursday 18h June
Ms Walsh/Ms Clifford’s 3rd 9:30am – 10:30am
Mr Davoren’s 2nd 10:30am – 11:30am
Ms O’Callaghan’s 1st/2nd 11:30am – 12:30pm
Ms O’Gorman’s 1st 1pm -2pm
We will circulate more details as to how these days will be organised, with priority for the safety of all.
In the meantime, please be mindful that most of your current books will be required for reuse. So do ensure that you sellotape any necessary bits, or whatever needs doing, so that they are ready for the collection. All items should be in a bag with your child’s name and class clearly marked .
Tuesday 23rd June – Set for Graduation of our current 6th Class, from 7pm. The format is understandably still sketchy but we are putting in the groundwork! We will do our level best to mark this significant milestone in a safe way. We will revert to those concerned when details are finalised.
Friday 26th June – Last day of School Year
That is all for now. Tomorrow was to be a school holiday, so have the best June Bank Holiday weekend, in the safest way possible. The news of how we are managing to curtail this disease is certainly encouraging. Please keep reminding your children of the 2 metres social distancing, cough/sneeze etiquette and to wash their hands. The weather is set to be fabulous, enjoy and take care.
Kindest regards and warmest wishes,
Mary O’Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal 1
On behalf of all at C.B.S. Primary.
EMAIL 7 to Parents/Guardians
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your families. Can you believe that we are now facing into June? In spite of everything, the time seems to have flown!
This Saturday was to be the First Holy Communion Day for our Second Class. No doubt, every family had a full weekend of making memories planned. To mark the occasion, staff who had been preparing the boys for their Special Day have put together a little video. You can view it on our website. The Parish has forwarded an email from Bishop Crean to all intending First Communicants and candidates for Confirmation. Hopefully, these sacraments will now take place in the Autumn. Canon Leamy has also told us that the first Communion Boys will be mentioned at the 11:30am Mass this Sunday, which will be streamed on the Parish Church website. We also put a group photo of the boys, taken on the night of their Sacrament of Reconciliation Ceremony, to this week’s Avondhu. The whole community will be thinking about these boys and their extended families.
Yesterday, we had an amount of delivering to do and stuff in the post. Along with the food packages, vegetables and other bits, we included (for children in current 1st – 5th classes) Book lists, Class Requisite Lists and Food Forms, for the next school year.
Sixth Class families and boys got the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) information on Pupil Passports for the transition to Secondary School (to be returned by Friday, 5th June) and some other letters.
We are so aware of the challenges faced, by many, at the moment and certainly do not want to put any pressure on you. Therefore, you will see that you can pay for Book Rental (€60) upfront, half now, or let it until the beginning of the next school year – whichever suits your family best. However, so that we can get sorted on organising books and School Meals, we do please ask you to return the completed forms to us on or before Friday June 5th i.e.
- Your child’s choice of School Meals for the next school year
- Whether or not you wish your son to be included in the Book Rental Scheme.
Sincere thanks to Mr O’Shea for co-ordination of the Book and Class Requisite Lists for us. Please put the class requisite list in a safe place, that you will have it for future reference!
You may be aware that Wellbeing will be included as an official part of the Curriculum from the start of the school year September 2023. You know the amount of work our whole school community has put in over many years, led by the Health Promoting School Committee, to ensure that the wellbeing of everyone is kept top of our agenda. We intend to continue to formalise this work in the new school year. 1st Class will follow our existing Zippy’s Friends Programme and classes 2nd – 6th will begin the Weaving Wellbeing Programme. Resources for these will be included within the Book Rental Provisions. Many thanks to Ms P. O’Regan for her efforts and research on this topic.
We are delighted to report that Snowball and Blackjack’s two babies have gone to a new home with Liam Myers (4th class) and his family. Mr and Mrs O’Regan were glad that the two babies could go together, for company. Do follow the pictures and stories of Snowball and Blackjack on our website.
Following a virtual staff meeting today, we have agreed on a bit of a timeline for the month of June. This type of planning is usually our stock in trade. It is really difficult for all of us to organise anything, in the face of such uncertainty. However, we can still try our best to do, what we can, to keep the show on the road. Here’s what we have decided:
- Note: Guidance from the DES is that Primary School children should continue their application to school work until the end of the official school year. Therefore:
- Wednesday June 17th – End of Year Reports will be posted to your homes, in line with the guidelines published by the Department of Education and Skills. Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic, Standardised Testing in Literacy and Numeracy, have been cancelled for this year. Therefore, this section will appear blank on the reports. Attendance records for this School Year will be up to and including 12th March.
- Retrieval of all school books/resources and returning of items left at school belonging to the boys–
Mr Weir’s 6th 9:30am-10:30am
Mr Carey’s 5th/6th 10:30am -11:30am
Ms Barry’s 5th 11:30 am– 12:30pm
Mr Coffey’s 4th 1pm- 2pm
Mr O’Regan’s 3rd/4th 2pm – 3pm
Thursday 18h June
Ms Walsh/Ms Clifford’s 3rd 9:30am – 10:30am
Mr Davoren’s 2nd 10:30am – 11:30am
Ms O’Callaghan’s 1st/2nd 11:30am – 12:30pm
Ms O’Gorman’s 1st 1pm -2pm
We will circulate more details as to how these days will be organised, with priority for the safety of all.
In the meantime, please be mindful that most of your current books will be required for reuse. So do ensure that you sellotape any necessary bits, or whatever needs doing, so that they are ready for the collection. All items should be in a bag with your child’s name and class clearly marked .
Tuesday 23rd June – Set for Graduation of our current 6th Class, from 7pm. The format is understandably still sketchy but we are putting in the groundwork! We will do our level best to mark this significant milestone in a safe way. We will revert to those concerned when details are finalised.
Friday 26th June – Last day of School Year
That is all for now. Tomorrow was to be a school holiday, so have the best June Bank Holiday weekend, in the safest way possible. The news of how we are managing to curtail this disease is certainly encouraging. Please keep reminding your children of the 2 metres social distancing, cough/sneeze etiquette and to wash their hands. The weather is set to be fabulous, enjoy and take care.
Kindest regards and warmest wishes,
Mary O’Callaghan Nigel Griffin John Weir
Principal Deputy Principal Assistant Principal 1
On behalf of all at C.B.S. Primary.
Newsletter 3rd September 2020
12.5.20
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your loved ones. It is quite unbelievable that we are now out of school for two months! The absolute change of way of living has been massive and incomparable to anything, anyone of us, has ever witnessed. As adults, we find it hard to comprehend, not to mind children. The most we can do is try to make the best we can of each day, one day at a time. It will pass. Your family’s health and wellbeing are the most important priorities. Everything else will be resolved. You are doing an amazing job in the face of so many challenges.As a reassurance,research has shown that the most effective way of nurturing your children(and indeed everyone!) is through praise and encouragement. At least we have been blessed with such amazing weather that we all have the opportunity to get outside.
We do realise that is a big disappointment for the boys that schools will not reopen until the New School Year. While we may have had our suspicions, it somehow seems so final now. We miss all the interactions so much.
We had 142 (which constitutes to approx. 75% of families) responses to our survey – thank you! The feedback is invaluable to us, as we try to map the way forward,regarding supporting you and your children, with learning at home. For your information, we have compiled the results in graphic form. These are being sent as another attachment today. The visuals are pretty self-explanatory. (Thanks Nigel!)
There were also three longer questions - on resources, what’s going well and where we could improve. Your specific responses to these were forwarded to the relevant teachers.
From the overall survey, the following is of note-
We have received news from the Department of Education and Skills that Standardised Testing in Literacy and Numeracy, will not take place for 2020. We await guidance as to what will happen regarding End of Year Reports. Regardless, we do know that Education Passports, for boys transferring to Secondary will still be required. We will contact 6th class parents directly about these, as soon as the relevant Secondary Schools make the formal request.
Current advice is that the beginning of the next school year will be devoted to getting children safely back into the normality of school routines. At present, our teachers are consulting about book and class requisite lists. These will be forwarded initially to incoming 1st classes and to classes 2nd – 6th, prior to June.
If you look on our website (where all our valuables are stored!) you will see pictures of our school rabbits, Snowball and Black Jack, and their babies. The babies are now 12 weeks old . Ms O’Regan is currently looking for a good home for each of them. Minding any pet is a big commitment – they take energy, time and constant care. Your family would need to have a suitable hutch. They are both male. If your family would like to take one of the rabbits, please contact us directly and we will arrange to get it to you. Ms O’Regan and Mr O’Regan have been minding the rabbits since the school closure. They will be very sad to see the babies go. However, they are anxious that they will find a nice home.
I got great feedback from my posting of a little video message for the boys last Friday. I haven’t looked back at it myself as it would me squirm!! However, I will do another one next Friday morning at approx. 10am. I will send a text when it is ready! I decided to do this, when news of schools not reopening came through. If your child has any questions, or indeed, anything he would like mentioned, when I am doing the video message, please either email me at m.ocallaghan@cbspmitchelstown.com or text 089 4359977 and I will do my best to answer.
In case anyone thought otherwise, with the proposed reopening of golf clubs on May 18th , our Golf Classic scheduled for the June Bank Holiday weekend has been postponed until next year.
The roadmap to reopen the country, in a phased way, has been published by the Government. However, this won’t and cannot proceed, until the Health Authorities are satisfied that the Coronavirus is under control. All we can do is wait and follow all guidelines.
Wishing you all the very best, Mary O’Callaghan (Principal)
In consultation with Nigel Griffin (Deputy Principal) and John Weir (Assistant Principal1)
12.5.20
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your loved ones. It is quite unbelievable that we are now out of school for two months! The absolute change of way of living has been massive and incomparable to anything, anyone of us, has ever witnessed. As adults, we find it hard to comprehend, not to mind children. The most we can do is try to make the best we can of each day, one day at a time. It will pass. Your family’s health and wellbeing are the most important priorities. Everything else will be resolved. You are doing an amazing job in the face of so many challenges.As a reassurance,research has shown that the most effective way of nurturing your children(and indeed everyone!) is through praise and encouragement. At least we have been blessed with such amazing weather that we all have the opportunity to get outside.
We do realise that is a big disappointment for the boys that schools will not reopen until the New School Year. While we may have had our suspicions, it somehow seems so final now. We miss all the interactions so much.
We had 142 (which constitutes to approx. 75% of families) responses to our survey – thank you! The feedback is invaluable to us, as we try to map the way forward,regarding supporting you and your children, with learning at home. For your information, we have compiled the results in graphic form. These are being sent as another attachment today. The visuals are pretty self-explanatory. (Thanks Nigel!)
There were also three longer questions - on resources, what’s going well and where we could improve. Your specific responses to these were forwarded to the relevant teachers.
From the overall survey, the following is of note-
We have received news from the Department of Education and Skills that Standardised Testing in Literacy and Numeracy, will not take place for 2020. We await guidance as to what will happen regarding End of Year Reports. Regardless, we do know that Education Passports, for boys transferring to Secondary will still be required. We will contact 6th class parents directly about these, as soon as the relevant Secondary Schools make the formal request.
Current advice is that the beginning of the next school year will be devoted to getting children safely back into the normality of school routines. At present, our teachers are consulting about book and class requisite lists. These will be forwarded initially to incoming 1st classes and to classes 2nd – 6th, prior to June.
If you look on our website (where all our valuables are stored!) you will see pictures of our school rabbits, Snowball and Black Jack, and their babies. The babies are now 12 weeks old . Ms O’Regan is currently looking for a good home for each of them. Minding any pet is a big commitment – they take energy, time and constant care. Your family would need to have a suitable hutch. They are both male. If your family would like to take one of the rabbits, please contact us directly and we will arrange to get it to you. Ms O’Regan and Mr O’Regan have been minding the rabbits since the school closure. They will be very sad to see the babies go. However, they are anxious that they will find a nice home.
I got great feedback from my posting of a little video message for the boys last Friday. I haven’t looked back at it myself as it would me squirm!! However, I will do another one next Friday morning at approx. 10am. I will send a text when it is ready! I decided to do this, when news of schools not reopening came through. If your child has any questions, or indeed, anything he would like mentioned, when I am doing the video message, please either email me at m.ocallaghan@cbspmitchelstown.com or text 089 4359977 and I will do my best to answer.
In case anyone thought otherwise, with the proposed reopening of golf clubs on May 18th , our Golf Classic scheduled for the June Bank Holiday weekend has been postponed until next year.
The roadmap to reopen the country, in a phased way, has been published by the Government. However, this won’t and cannot proceed, until the Health Authorities are satisfied that the Coronavirus is under control. All we can do is wait and follow all guidelines.
Wishing you all the very best, Mary O’Callaghan (Principal)
In consultation with Nigel Griffin (Deputy Principal) and John Weir (Assistant Principal1)
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your loved ones. It is quite unbelievable that we are now out of school for two months! The absolute change of way of living has been massive and incomparable to anything, anyone of us, has ever witnessed. As adults, we find it hard to comprehend, not to mind children. The most we can do is try to make the best we can of each day, one day at a time. It will pass. Your family’s health and wellbeing are the most important priorities. Everything else will be resolved. You are doing an amazing job in the face of so many challenges.As a reassurance,research has shown that the most effective way of nurturing your children(and indeed everyone!) is through praise and encouragement. At least we have been blessed with such amazing weather that we all have the opportunity to get outside.
We do realise that is a big disappointment for the boys that schools will not reopen until the New School Year. While we may have had our suspicions, it somehow seems so final now. We miss all the interactions so much.
We had 142 (which constitutes to approx. 75% of families) responses to our survey – thank you! The feedback is invaluable to us, as we try to map the way forward,regarding supporting you and your children, with learning at home. For your information, we have compiled the results in graphic form. These are being sent as another attachment today. The visuals are pretty self-explanatory. (Thanks Nigel!)
There were also three longer questions - on resources, what’s going well and where we could improve. Your specific responses to these were forwarded to the relevant teachers.
From the overall survey, the following is of note-
- Approx. 20% of you (1 in 5) have poor or non – existent broadband.
- Over 90% of you feel that the amount of work being set is just right
- Almost 34% have never sent work to teachers for review. This is fine, as you are working away. However, it might be nice for your child to get some feedback from their teacher, so please do forward. Reminder – all contact details for teachers are on our website.
- Over 50%, of those who responded, are managing fine in all subject areas. Where there is an issue, it is predominantly with Gaeilge (28.2%) and Maths (19%). Teachers will bear this in mind when assigning work, particularly for those of you who mentioned this.
- Responses indicate that over 88% of you are going fine with home learning.
- Over 92% find the most useful support is the teacher assigned work on our website.
- Where there are difficulties, no. 1 is keeping children motivated (this is very understandable, particularly as the time has gone on so long, and now, with the news of no return to school). The other most prevalent difficulty is for yourselves trying to balance your other life commitments.
We have received news from the Department of Education and Skills that Standardised Testing in Literacy and Numeracy, will not take place for 2020. We await guidance as to what will happen regarding End of Year Reports. Regardless, we do know that Education Passports, for boys transferring to Secondary will still be required. We will contact 6th class parents directly about these, as soon as the relevant Secondary Schools make the formal request.
Current advice is that the beginning of the next school year will be devoted to getting children safely back into the normality of school routines. At present, our teachers are consulting about book and class requisite lists. These will be forwarded initially to incoming 1st classes and to classes 2nd – 6th, prior to June.
If you look on our website (where all our valuables are stored!) you will see pictures of our school rabbits, Snowball and Black Jack, and their babies. The babies are now 12 weeks old . Ms O’Regan is currently looking for a good home for each of them. Minding any pet is a big commitment – they take energy, time and constant care. Your family would need to have a suitable hutch. They are both male. If your family would like to take one of the rabbits, please contact us directly and we will arrange to get it to you. Ms O’Regan and Mr O’Regan have been minding the rabbits since the school closure. They will be very sad to see the babies go. However, they are anxious that they will find a nice home.
I got great feedback from my posting of a little video message for the boys last Friday. I haven’t looked back at it myself as it would me squirm!! However, I will do another one next Friday morning at approx. 10am. I will send a text when it is ready! I decided to do this, when news of schools not reopening came through. If your child has any questions, or indeed, anything he would like mentioned, when I am doing the video message, please either email me at m.ocallaghan@cbspmitchelstown.com or text 089 4359977 and I will do my best to answer.
In case anyone thought otherwise, with the proposed reopening of golf clubs on May 18th , our Golf Classic scheduled for the June Bank Holiday weekend has been postponed until next year.
The roadmap to reopen the country, in a phased way, has been published by the Government. However, this won’t and cannot proceed, until the Health Authorities are satisfied that the Coronavirus is under control. All we can do is wait and follow all guidelines.
Wishing you all the very best, Mary O’Callaghan (Principal)
In consultation with Nigel Griffin (Deputy Principal) and John Weir (Assistant Principal1)
12.5.20
Dear Parents/Guardians,
We hope things are going well for you and your loved ones. It is quite unbelievable that we are now out of school for two months! The absolute change of way of living has been massive and incomparable to anything, anyone of us, has ever witnessed. As adults, we find it hard to comprehend, not to mind children. The most we can do is try to make the best we can of each day, one day at a time. It will pass. Your family’s health and wellbeing are the most important priorities. Everything else will be resolved. You are doing an amazing job in the face of so many challenges.As a reassurance,research has shown that the most effective way of nurturing your children(and indeed everyone!) is through praise and encouragement. At least we have been blessed with such amazing weather that we all have the opportunity to get outside.
We do realise that is a big disappointment for the boys that schools will not reopen until the New School Year. While we may have had our suspicions, it somehow seems so final now. We miss all the interactions so much.
We had 142 (which constitutes to approx. 75% of families) responses to our survey – thank you! The feedback is invaluable to us, as we try to map the way forward,regarding supporting you and your children, with learning at home. For your information, we have compiled the results in graphic form. These are being sent as another attachment today. The visuals are pretty self-explanatory. (Thanks Nigel!)
There were also three longer questions - on resources, what’s going well and where we could improve. Your specific responses to these were forwarded to the relevant teachers.
From the overall survey, the following is of note-
- Approx. 20% of you (1 in 5) have poor or non – existent broadband.
- Over 90% of you feel that the amount of work being set is just right
- Almost 34% have never sent work to teachers for review. This is fine, as you are working away. However, it might be nice for your child to get some feedback from their teacher, so please do forward. Reminder – all contact details for teachers are on our website.
- Over 50%, of those who responded, are managing fine in all subject areas. Where there is an issue, it is predominantly with Gaeilge (28.2%) and Maths (19%). Teachers will bear this in mind when assigning work, particularly for those of you who mentioned this.
- Responses indicate that over 88% of you are going fine with home learning.
- Over 92% find the most useful support is the teacher assigned work on our website.
- Where there are difficulties, no. 1 is keeping children motivated (this is very understandable, particularly as the time has gone on so long, and now, with the news of no return to school). The other most prevalent difficulty is for yourselves trying to balance your other life commitments.
We have received news from the Department of Education and Skills that Standardised Testing in Literacy and Numeracy, will not take place for 2020. We await guidance as to what will happen regarding End of Year Reports. Regardless, we do know that Education Passports, for boys transferring to Secondary will still be required. We will contact 6th class parents directly about these, as soon as the relevant Secondary Schools make the formal request.
Current advice is that the beginning of the next school year will be devoted to getting children safely back into the normality of school routines. At present, our teachers are consulting about book and class requisite lists. These will be forwarded initially to incoming 1st classes and to classes 2nd – 6th, prior to June.
If you look on our website (where all our valuables are stored!) you will see pictures of our school rabbits, Snowball and Black Jack, and their babies. The babies are now 12 weeks old . Ms O’Regan is currently looking for a good home for each of them. Minding any pet is a big commitment – they take energy, time and constant care. Your family would need to have a suitable hutch. They are both male. If your family would like to take one of the rabbits, please contact us directly and we will arrange to get it to you. Ms O’Regan and Mr O’Regan have been minding the rabbits since the school closure. They will be very sad to see the babies go. However, they are anxious that they will find a nice home.
I got great feedback from my posting of a little video message for the boys last Friday. I haven’t looked back at it myself as it would me squirm!! However, I will do another one next Friday morning at approx. 10am. I will send a text when it is ready! I decided to do this, when news of schools not reopening came through. If your child has any questions, or indeed, anything he would like mentioned, when I am doing the video message, please either email me at m.ocallaghan@cbspmitchelstown.com or text 089 4359977 and I will do my best to answer.
In case anyone thought otherwise, with the proposed reopening of golf clubs on May 18th , our Golf Classic scheduled for the June Bank Holiday weekend has been postponed until next year.
The roadmap to reopen the country, in a phased way, has been published by the Government. However, this won’t and cannot proceed, until the Health Authorities are satisfied that the Coronavirus is under control. All we can do is wait and follow all guidelines.
Wishing you all the very best, Mary O’Callaghan (Principal)
In consultation with Nigel Griffin (Deputy Principal) and John Weir (Assistant Principal1)
20.4.20
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope that things continue to go well for you and your loved ones and that you enjoyed the “holidays”. It was nice to have the good weather. However, I realise this can pose its own challenges, when you are trying to keep children indoors.
It is such a difficult time to have a funeral. We extend our sincere sympathies to Dáire Burke, on the death of his granddad and to the extended family of Lieutenant General Jim Parker, who died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
The extension of the restrictions to May 5th, brought little joy to anyone. However, we are reassured to hear that, through the efforts of the entire nation, we have managed to “flatten the curve”. The fact that the number of people, each confirmed case now goes onto infect, has fallen below one, is an extraordinary testament to how well social distancing is being observed. However, there can be no room for complacency. The reality is, that social distancing is still essential and of course, correct hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette. Let’s keep up the efforts!
Many boys engaged with our Easter Camp Activities. From the feedback, our In-School Management team are currently deliberating around those who deserve particular recognition for their efforts!
So the Road to 5th May stretches ahead. Our teachers have now planned a schedule of school work for this week, which can be found on our website. Again, details are under each teacher’s name and their individual contacts are also there. Many thanks to all teachers for their planning and to Nigel, for keeping our site updated.
Take from the schedule of work as best suits your child’s and family’s needs. It is not, at all, intended to be prescriptive. All teachers are mindful that the business of “home schooling” is reported to have the potential, to be a major source of stress. However, the work may help you to get going on a routine, if you had not established one, prior to the Easter “break”. Keep it simple – keep it pleasant – and most importantly, keep those relationships intact!
Our Pastoral Care Team, Myself- (089) 4359977, HSCL, Gillian Kearney -(089) 4589457 and School Completion Project worker, Mairéad Sheehan -(089) 2355571 will continue our phone contacts, just as a means of support and keeping that “tie in” with school. Don’t hesitate to contact any of us directly, if you have a query/concern, or want to discuss anything.
From reports over the weekend, per Minister Harris,, there may be a bit of hope of some partial return to school life, prior to the Summer break. Rest assured that should this happen; it will be well planned in advance, with the top priority being the health of the whole community, .We may know more about how things will pan out, closer to May 5th. In the meantime, try to do at least one fun thing every day, with your child/children – real moments of joy. If you can at all, make the most of this time and look on it as an opportunity.
This week, if not already part of your nightly routine, you might read a little bit before bed, with your child. It takes 30 days before any practice becomes a habit!
Sending you all my very best wishes,
Mary O’Callaghan,
Principal
Dear Parents/Guardians,
I hope that things continue to go well for you and your loved ones and that you enjoyed the “holidays”. It was nice to have the good weather. However, I realise this can pose its own challenges, when you are trying to keep children indoors.
It is such a difficult time to have a funeral. We extend our sincere sympathies to Dáire Burke, on the death of his granddad and to the extended family of Lieutenant General Jim Parker, who died recently. May they Rest in Peace.
The extension of the restrictions to May 5th, brought little joy to anyone. However, we are reassured to hear that, through the efforts of the entire nation, we have managed to “flatten the curve”. The fact that the number of people, each confirmed case now goes onto infect, has fallen below one, is an extraordinary testament to how well social distancing is being observed. However, there can be no room for complacency. The reality is, that social distancing is still essential and of course, correct hand washing and cough/sneeze etiquette. Let’s keep up the efforts!
Many boys engaged with our Easter Camp Activities. From the feedback, our In-School Management team are currently deliberating around those who deserve particular recognition for their efforts!
So the Road to 5th May stretches ahead. Our teachers have now planned a schedule of school work for this week, which can be found on our website. Again, details are under each teacher’s name and their individual contacts are also there. Many thanks to all teachers for their planning and to Nigel, for keeping our site updated.
Take from the schedule of work as best suits your child’s and family’s needs. It is not, at all, intended to be prescriptive. All teachers are mindful that the business of “home schooling” is reported to have the potential, to be a major source of stress. However, the work may help you to get going on a routine, if you had not established one, prior to the Easter “break”. Keep it simple – keep it pleasant – and most importantly, keep those relationships intact!
Our Pastoral Care Team, Myself- (089) 4359977, HSCL, Gillian Kearney -(089) 4589457 and School Completion Project worker, Mairéad Sheehan -(089) 2355571 will continue our phone contacts, just as a means of support and keeping that “tie in” with school. Don’t hesitate to contact any of us directly, if you have a query/concern, or want to discuss anything.
From reports over the weekend, per Minister Harris,, there may be a bit of hope of some partial return to school life, prior to the Summer break. Rest assured that should this happen; it will be well planned in advance, with the top priority being the health of the whole community, .We may know more about how things will pan out, closer to May 5th. In the meantime, try to do at least one fun thing every day, with your child/children – real moments of joy. If you can at all, make the most of this time and look on it as an opportunity.
This week, if not already part of your nightly routine, you might read a little bit before bed, with your child. It takes 30 days before any practice becomes a habit!
Sending you all my very best wishes,
Mary O’Callaghan,
Principal
Email 3 to Parents 3rd April 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
I hope things continue to go as well as can be expected, for you and your loved ones.
Yesterday, was the scheduled date for our 6th class boys’ Confirmation. We look forward to a time, when we will be able to celebrate this and many other occasions, which have had to be put on hold.
Sincere thanks to staff members who helped us out on Wednesday, with the distribution of the Glanmore Food packages. Special thanks to local Gardaí, Gerry Murphy, John Hennessy and John Flaherty, for kindly delivering the packages to the families in our school community, who are a bit out of town. Next week, An Post will deliver the packages directly to your homes. We thank Brian Power and his team at The Fermoy Distribution Unit, for carrying out this service for us, free of charge. As the food may be in the distribution centre overnight, contents now will be of the non-perishable variety. However, Glanmore Foods have told us that these will change weekly (you won’t have packets of pasta, week in, week out!).
Feedback from so many of you this week, is that you were delighted to receive the packages. It put a smile on your faces and was, at least, a welcome diversion in the day. Hopefully, going forward you will find them a little bit of help.
Although it doesn’t feel like it, today is actually the day of the “Easter Holidays”.
Having consulted with all teachers, we feel we should continue with a bit of guidance from school personnel, over the Easter break. After all, in reality, with the ongoing necessary restrictions around COVID19, next week will not constitute any real change, in the boys’ lives. Therefore, this Sunday (Palm Sunday), we will post alternative ideas for engagement over the Easter Break. We will mark the holiday season, by varying the activities. As ever, these serve as a guide, make whatever use of them, as suits your family. I will mention just two here, which you might choose.
- J. K. Rowling the best-selling author has unveiled “Harry Potter at Home” - a new digital hub, hosted on WizardingWorld.com, which will feature information and activities. Throughout April, you will also be able to access free audiobooks and eBooks of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”. You can also stream “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” see https://stories.audible.com/discovery and search for Harry Potter.
- Flags for Frontline Heroes Campaign:
Of course, don’t forget to check out our website, next week, for other suggestions, from teachers, over the Easter Break. To promote the wellbeing of all, our Health Promoting Schools motto for the week, will continue.
Going forward, we plan to increase the linkage between home and school personnel. We are aware that there are different levels of connectivity, different access to devices etc. Many thanks to teachers who have worked around this, through texts, posting resources and follow up phone calls. If any of you are having difficulties, do not hesitate to contact either individual teachers, myself directly on (089) 435 99 77, Mairéad Sheehan, School Completion Project Worker on (089) 235 55 71 or Gillian, our Home School Community Liaison Officer, on (089) 458 94 57. All staff contacts can be found on our school website. We understand that many of you are dealing with challenging situations and pressures. First and foremost, you need to prioritise the health and wellbeing of your family. We will do our very best to support, in whatever way best meets your needs.
In the current climate, things can change so quickly. Even since my letter to you last Friday, an Taoiseach’s announcement that night, again altered how we live our lives. It is so difficult if you have two or more children indoors for much of the day. However, if we keep up the effort, stay at home, only run essential errands and exercise within 2km of home, while keeping physical distance, experts tell us, we are making a really positive contribution. Keep anxiety at bay, by only following the reliable information from H.S.E. and Government Officials. Well done to all the boys who are adhering to the guidelines, for the benefit of the health of the whole community. We’ll keep it up!
Doubtless, the best way to get through these days, even if it is the “Easter Holidays”, is to maintain some structure and routine for the boys. (It’s good for everyone – there won’t be enough hours in the day!).
- Same time to get up.
- Same time for meals.
- Time for indoor and outdoor chores (make a plan around what needs to be done, all taking responsibility, to share the load).
- Time for exercise.
- Time for school suggested learning.
- Limited agreed screen time.
- Time for family activity.
- Time for reading.
- Time for communication with those we can’t physically meet up with.
- Time to write up gratitude journals and diaries.
- Time for bed and sleep!!
Do involve the boys in drawing up the plans and goals for each day. They may not accomplish any or all of it. However, it is a worthwhile habit to have a focus / purpose for each day.
That’s all for now.
Look after yourselves and look after others. We will come through this together.
Wishing you the very best for Easter 2020.
Mary O’Callaghan
Principal
Email 2 to Parents 27th March 2020
Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),
I hope things are going well for you and your families. Most importantly, that you continue to be healthy, safe and happy.
The past two weeks have been a steep learning curve for all of us.
We have had to adjust to change in our regular work patterns, socialisation and hobbies. Many continue to try to keep things going in our frontline services, for which we are all grateful. All of us are trying to support the more vulnerable members of our families and communities, albeit at a distance. While having our loved ones altogether for a prolonged time, can be an absolute joy. Inevitably, even with the best will in the world, there will be struggles. I hope you are managing to try to turn some of this awful situation, into an opportunity to do things with your children, which you would, otherwise, never have time to do.
Our role at C.B.S. Primary is to support you, as best we can at this time, around the continuation of routine and structure for your child’s schooling. All teaching staff have been liaising on a plan, which might best suit our school context, resources etc., for week beginning 30th March. It now turns out to be a reality with the Government’s announcement this week, on continued school closures, to 19th April.
Thus, by today midday, you will have received an individual e-mail from your child’s relevant teachers, clarifying their direct contact details and guidance on their assigned work for your child for the coming week.
Now that you have each individual teachers contact, you might acknowledge that you received their e-mail today. Note again that these e-mails were sent through our “Aladdin System”, with our overall school address, your reply should be to the individual teachers e-mail addresses.
When you are looking at your child’s work, keep the positive feedback, perhaps use “2 stars and a wish” i.e. find two good things and one wish, something they might improve! Our goal is to build our children’s sense of achievement, while still acknowledging that there is room to do better. Also, do give your child the element of choice, around what he tackles first or whatever, none of us likes to be without options!
For all children, physical exercise, healthy eating and sleeping patterns and keeping a diary, are good daily habits to cultivate. The diary can include the gratitude journal (three things you are grateful for each day) and perhaps the school assignments which were completed, that your child has a record of what he has actually accomplished.
There is now practically a whole new world of business around the plethora of resources to help you. I will mention just one here, which should be accessible for everyone. As part of its public service remit, RTE 2 will have “School On TV”, 11am – 12 noon each day, from next Monday, 30th March. It is designed to be suitable, mostly for classes 1st – 6th and will be intergenerational in approach. You might like to try it!
Of course, our main vehicle for resources etc. is our own website (www.cbspmitchelstown.com). Sincere thanks to Nigel, who is maintaining all the updates and information for us, on this platform.
In correspondence from the Secretary General of Dept. of Education and Skills yesterday, all schools have been asked to remind parents of the continuing importance of ensuring that your children continue to wash their hands properly and regularly, maintain good cough / sneeze etiquette. It is most essential, not to socialise in groups and to maintain physical distance, if outside.
It is evident that so many are displaying responsible and generous behaviour. Hopefully, the nations and our community’s efforts, will be rewarded by curbing the rate of infection and that our frontline health services will not become overwhelmed.
Throughout the coming week, our Pastoral Care Team will continue our telephone contacts with each family, it’s just another way of us trying to link in and offer as much support as possible to you, at this time.
Yesterday, the Government announced that the School Meals Scheme would continue for the duration of current school closure, including the Easter Break. Food packages containing bread, milk, fruit, pasta, butter, yoghurt etc. etc. (will change weekly) will be available for each of your families. Mairéad, Gillian and I will work out the best way to sort. Note, the food packages are for all children who attend our school. However, we certainly do not want waste. The food packages will be ready for collection, from the school, next Wednesday 1st April. We will text you confirmation of times. You will not get out of your car at all – it will be a “Drive thru Service”. Distribution will be in compliance with all HSE Guidelines around COVID19.
We understand some of you may not be in a position to come to collect. If this is the case, please text Gillian on 089 45 89 457, with your child’s name and class and we will do our best to make alternative arrangements for you. Please send that text to Gillian today, so that we are aware of numbers. Otherwise, we emphasis, this service is for all families who attend our school. We hope you find it of benefit.
In other non-COVID19 news: -
Our Board of Management is currently looking at School Calendar 2020 / 2021. This year, it was our turn to lay out the Calendar (we do this alternate years with Bunscoil). When agreed, the calendar will be e-mailed to your homes on Monday 30th March. There is so much to look forward to when this time is over and it will pass.
With the kindest thoughts and good wishes to you and your extended families.
Mary O’Callaghan
Principal
Email 1 to Parents 20th March 2020
Dear Parents / Guardians,
We sincerely hope things are going well for you and yours.
These are certainly most unprecedented times. Please do not take this pandemic lightly, heed all the regulatory warnings. For the sake of the whole community, keep the boys at home and maintain rigorous social distancing - by keeping more than six feet away from others. If we do not all play our part now, this virus will spread. It won't be forever. There will be treatments and vaccines down the line. However, it is for now. We know it will be really difficult to keep your children away from social contacts, particularly if the weather gets better, however, it is absolutely essential. The Government and HSE are not trying to be alarmist - this is reality.
Circumstances will test us all in so many ways. Our thoughts are with those of you who have lost their jobs, who still have jobs and finding childcare hard to manage and those who cannot meet up with grandparents, grandchildren or more vulnerable family members. However, we have to try to stay positive and calm.
Here at C.B.S. we have arranged sets of work around the curricular subjects - check out our website. Thank you all for submitting your up-to-date e-mail addresses today, which we can now use at an individual and class level. Each teacher will also have their e-mail address on their work slot on the website, if you need to contact them.
All children (particularly boys!) crave routine, structure and boundaries. The curricular work is not about "catching up" on lost school time, but rather to help keep some semblance of the school day - Monday to Friday.
Guideline times for "book work" might be 1 hour (in three x 20 minute slots for 1st/2nd classes)
Three x 30 minute slots for 3rd / 4th classes
And up to 2 x 1 hour slots (one morning, one afternoon) for 5th / 6th class children.
It is probably unrealistic and unreasonable both for the children and yourselves to expect anymore. (Some boys may be mad for road, so let them at it!) However, school work may help to put some structure on the day for everybody.
It may be helpful to have a rough guide of the day for each child, that they know what is expected, an example might be -
9.30am Up - Make Bed - Wash - Get Dressed.
10.00am Breakfast - clean up Breakfast things.
10.30 - 11.00am Some chores around the home.
11.00 - 11.45am School work
11.45 - 12.30pm Exercise
12.30 - 1.30pm Lunch and clear up
1.30 - 2.00pm School Work
2.00pm Some free play / family activities (plan for each day)
6.00pm T.V. / Movie
8.00pm Tidy up Read before bed.
You can build on this type of timetable - involve everyone and stick it where it can be seen.
You do not have to adhere rigidly to the schedule (though for some children it is a huge help). Do whatever best suits your family situation.
If your child is vehemently opposed to doing some aspect of school work, just let it go. The most important thing is to keep your relationship intact. It is simply not worth it, to have unnecessary friction, life is stressful enough for everyone right now.
Hopefully, we will never again see the likes of these weeks, so cherish the precious moments, with your loved ones.
There are numerous "aids and resources" floating about, with all sorts of novel ways to educate your child at home and keep them entertained. You would be withered if you tried to keep up! Your aim should be keep it simple, keep it calm and of course our own Motto "Have Courage and Be Kind". However, one very useful message came to our attention this morning, it certainly has many nuggets of wisdom. We are attaching it to this e-mail.
Gillian Kearney our Home School Liaison Co-ordinator 089-4589457, - Mairead Sheehan, SCP Project Worker - Mary O'Callaghan, Principal 089 - 4359977, cbsprim@gmail.com, as members of our Pastoral Care Team, are happy to talk with you, or to try to help with any support you may need.
Also feel free to e-mail any of the teachers (details of their contacts will be on our website, from next Monday morning).
As we face into the start of a new week of these unnerving times, our biggest message is to Keep Safe and Healthy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Have a nice weekend with those you love.
Every good wish to all Mammies, Nanas and Carers for Sunday!
Mary O' Callaghan
Principal
Nigel Griffin
Deputy Principal
John Weir
Assistant Principal
On behalf of all at CBS Primary!
A small bit of good news.....
We could all do with a break from the bad news so here's something to smile about.
Our rabbits are doing very well and being cared for by Ms O'Regan.
The baby rabbits are getting so big and cute. They are 6 weeks old now. They are very friendly and great fun to watch. Snow Ball got his stitches out during the week and he is doing great.
Our rabbits are doing very well and being cared for by Ms O'Regan.
The baby rabbits are getting so big and cute. They are 6 weeks old now. They are very friendly and great fun to watch. Snow Ball got his stitches out during the week and he is doing great.
National Tree Week
An a brighter note - it's National Tree Week!
It runs from Saturday 21 March to Friday 27 March 2020 and this year's theme is “Healthy Trees Healthy Planet”. The theme this year is to promote tree health and the important role trees play in protecting our planet by taking on climate change and providing natural renewable resources.
Take some time to read a book about trees or find our more about their characteristics, their uses,
folklore etc. Learn to identify trees in your neighbourhood.
How to identify trees on a walk......
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/ireland/how-to-identify-trees-on-a-walk-in-ireland-1.4205056
Short Story Competition
John Boyne Author has set up a short-story competition for kids - give it a try!
https://johnboyne.com/short-story-competition/
Need Help or Support ?
The Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother in Mitchelstown have offered their assistance to anyone who may need help at this time.
Their landline is 025-24545
Also our own School Completion Project Worker Mairead Sheehan has kindly offered her services to anyone who needs supplies for a sick child or just a friendly voice to talk to.
mairead.sheehan@scp.ie
Online Resources
Why not try some of the free educational resources available online?
We have posted some of the best under Information For Parents .........Resources For Home
or just click HERE.
We have posted some of the best under Information For Parents .........Resources For Home
or just click HERE.
Even more resources!
Dear Parents and children,
We hope you and your families are keeping well during these trying times. It can be difficult to find resources which can help you teach your child at home so below we are providing you with a list of links to websites which we think would be useful for you and your children. They can be accessed on a laptop, tablet or phone.
some other useful sites include:
Phonics: https://www.abcya.com/ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games
Maths: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/kids-activities/fun-maths-games-and-activities/ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games
Art: www.mrsbrown.art/drive
Mash.ie: Work that can be accessed and downloaded for free from a website called Mash.ie which has a huge number of resources created by primary school teachers all over the country (some of these resources are free but some you have to pay for - but it would be worth a look).
The following is a link to a free pack of work packed with different resources - http://mash.ie/product/parent-pack-covidhometeach.
PE: https://family.gonoodle.com/ (Go noodle is a great resource with a huge number of vidoes which your child can move along to. This is particularly useful if the weather is bad and you want to get your child moving)
Please make as much use of these resources as you please. Every little helps during these times.
A lot of the resources mentioned above - in particular Twinkl will help you to teach the different concepts.
Look after yourselves and stay safe
Dear Parents and children,
We hope you and your families are keeping well during these trying times. It can be difficult to find resources which can help you teach your child at home so below we are providing you with a list of links to websites which we think would be useful for you and your children. They can be accessed on a laptop, tablet or phone.
some other useful sites include:
Phonics: https://www.abcya.com/ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/english-games
Maths: https://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/for-home/kids-activities/fun-maths-games-and-activities/ https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games
Art: www.mrsbrown.art/drive
Mash.ie: Work that can be accessed and downloaded for free from a website called Mash.ie which has a huge number of resources created by primary school teachers all over the country (some of these resources are free but some you have to pay for - but it would be worth a look).
The following is a link to a free pack of work packed with different resources - http://mash.ie/product/parent-pack-covidhometeach.
PE: https://family.gonoodle.com/ (Go noodle is a great resource with a huge number of vidoes which your child can move along to. This is particularly useful if the weather is bad and you want to get your child moving)
Please make as much use of these resources as you please. Every little helps during these times.
A lot of the resources mentioned above - in particular Twinkl will help you to teach the different concepts.
Look after yourselves and stay safe
12 March 2020 - Statement from the Department of Education and SkillsAn announcement was made by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD of the closure from Friday 13 March, of schools, pre-schools and further and higher education settings, for a period until 29 March 2020, to support efforts to contain the spread of Covid-19. This is in line with the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team.
All pupils and students, from pre-school to third level are urged to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact with each other, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space between them. Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach.
In order to minimise the impact on teaching and learning all schools will be asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools are asked to be conscious of students that may not have access to online facilities and to consider this actively in their response.
Schools are asked to prioritise supporting exam classes to continue to prepare for State examinations.
Physical classes in universities and higher education facilities will not be held during the closure. Institutions can make other arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their business continuity plans and contingency planning.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD said:
“I am deeply conscious of the impact that school and education setting closures have on students, on families and on the wider community. This is a necessary and proportionate measure that we are taking as a pro-active measure to help contain the threat of Covid-19.
“This is the right decision at the right time. It is taken in the best interests of our children, our young people, our school and college communities and our wider society.
“At this point in time the closure is planned for two weeks, from tomorrow until 29 March. The Government, in conjunction with the public health authorities, will keep the situation under ongoing review. Any change to that date will be communicated widely.
“Pupils should take their books and learning materials home with them this evening.
“This is a very challenging time for our pupils, our teachers, our students and our colleagues in further and higher education.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – we all live in one another’s shadow. If there was ever a time for us to appreciate how closely we are connected, how much what we do maters to others, how much we rely on each other, this is it. This is a time where we all need to work together for the best possible outcome for our students. The support of everyone across the sector is vital, as we all strive to ensure that this threat is dealt with as effectively as possible.”
The Department of Education and Skills will remain open and will continue to provide supports to the education sector at this time.
The Department of Education and Skills has been liaising closely on a continual basis with the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus/Covid-19 since early January. This will continue.
ENDS
Note for editors
The Taoiseach has announced that these measures will take effect from 6pm Thursday 12 March
All pupils and students, from pre-school to third level are urged to practice social distancing, and to minimise physical contact with each other, to help avoid the spread of Covid-19. This should include minimising social contact, avoiding meeting up and keeping physical space between them. Parents and guardians are urged to support their children to maintain this approach.
In order to minimise the impact on teaching and learning all schools will be asked to continue to plan lessons and, where possible, provide online resources for students or online lessons where schools are equipped to do so. Schools are asked to be conscious of students that may not have access to online facilities and to consider this actively in their response.
Schools are asked to prioritise supporting exam classes to continue to prepare for State examinations.
Physical classes in universities and higher education facilities will not be held during the closure. Institutions can make other arrangements for teaching and learning and other activities in line with their business continuity plans and contingency planning.
Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD said:
“I am deeply conscious of the impact that school and education setting closures have on students, on families and on the wider community. This is a necessary and proportionate measure that we are taking as a pro-active measure to help contain the threat of Covid-19.
“This is the right decision at the right time. It is taken in the best interests of our children, our young people, our school and college communities and our wider society.
“At this point in time the closure is planned for two weeks, from tomorrow until 29 March. The Government, in conjunction with the public health authorities, will keep the situation under ongoing review. Any change to that date will be communicated widely.
“Pupils should take their books and learning materials home with them this evening.
“This is a very challenging time for our pupils, our teachers, our students and our colleagues in further and higher education.
“Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine – we all live in one another’s shadow. If there was ever a time for us to appreciate how closely we are connected, how much what we do maters to others, how much we rely on each other, this is it. This is a time where we all need to work together for the best possible outcome for our students. The support of everyone across the sector is vital, as we all strive to ensure that this threat is dealt with as effectively as possible.”
The Department of Education and Skills will remain open and will continue to provide supports to the education sector at this time.
The Department of Education and Skills has been liaising closely on a continual basis with the Department of Health in relation to Coronavirus/Covid-19 since early January. This will continue.
ENDS
Note for editors
The Taoiseach has announced that these measures will take effect from 6pm Thursday 12 March
Blue-Bots Invade CBS Primary!
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In an exciting new initiative, the CBS Primary Parent Council, have kindly facilitated the purchase of a set of 6 Blue-Bots for the school.
A Blue-Bot is a simple robot that can operate through manual pressing of its buttons or through programming using an iPad.
The package presents our pupils with a host of programming challenges, which the boys must solve, by constructing the correct programme.
Teachers can use Blue-Bot to help teach students logic and sequential thinking. They can challenge students, to see if they can get the Blue-Bots to go around a corner or some simple obstacle. Once they're comfortable, they can attempt obstacle courses of varying difficulties.
When the Blue-Bot doesn't move as a student expects, it affords him the opportunity to "debug" and discover what went wrong.
As student commands get more complex, simple note-taking to record what movements they've done, are an ideal introduction to programming and ultimately coding.
A Blue-Bot is a simple robot that can operate through manual pressing of its buttons or through programming using an iPad.
The package presents our pupils with a host of programming challenges, which the boys must solve, by constructing the correct programme.
Teachers can use Blue-Bot to help teach students logic and sequential thinking. They can challenge students, to see if they can get the Blue-Bots to go around a corner or some simple obstacle. Once they're comfortable, they can attempt obstacle courses of varying difficulties.
When the Blue-Bot doesn't move as a student expects, it affords him the opportunity to "debug" and discover what went wrong.
As student commands get more complex, simple note-taking to record what movements they've done, are an ideal introduction to programming and ultimately coding.
"Cosy Christmassy Songs and Stories"
First off, a massive congratulations to all involved with "Cosy Christmassy Songs and Stories" held at St. Georges Arts and Heritage Centre, last night. It was a huge success - the boys were only fabulous. Due to restrictions of space, we did not have a raffle or interval, rather let people donate to the St. Georges Fund, if they wished. Thanks to everyone for their generosity - that collection alone raised €248.00. We will pay any expenses we incurred for the night from ticket monies and add the remainder to the donations for St. Georges. D.V.Ds of the Performance will be on sale, per McMahon's Photographic Studios, Ballyporeen, @ €10. Please use the form at the end of this Newsletter if you wish to purchase. Doubtless, all who attended last night were infused with Christmas Spirit! Congratulations to the winners of the draw on the door tickets for fabulous hampers put together by our H.S.C.L. Co-ordinator - Gillian Kearney
1st prize - Maudi Kabundi, 2nd prize - Teresa Finn & 3rd prize - Amy Rose O' Brien.
Health Promoting Schools: Our "Elf on the kindness shelf" has returned - his house is gorgeous - do take a peep, if you are around. Ronan McGuirk, in 2nd class, named him "Jolly the Elf". We are currently doing a 15 Days of Random Acts of Kindness challenge and making "Thankful Turkeys". Staff and pupils are taking part in Secret Santa - each boy will make and receive a card. Our favourite Christmas Songs will be chosen, by each class grouping and played on the intercom, over the next week. We will place gratitude baubles on the Christmas Tree, at the Advent Ceremony. Our recent positive quotations are "Every word matters, Speak Kindly" - "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours".
1st prize - Maudi Kabundi, 2nd prize - Teresa Finn & 3rd prize - Amy Rose O' Brien.
Health Promoting Schools: Our "Elf on the kindness shelf" has returned - his house is gorgeous - do take a peep, if you are around. Ronan McGuirk, in 2nd class, named him "Jolly the Elf". We are currently doing a 15 Days of Random Acts of Kindness challenge and making "Thankful Turkeys". Staff and pupils are taking part in Secret Santa - each boy will make and receive a card. Our favourite Christmas Songs will be chosen, by each class grouping and played on the intercom, over the next week. We will place gratitude baubles on the Christmas Tree, at the Advent Ceremony. Our recent positive quotations are "Every word matters, Speak Kindly" - "If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours".
Multicultural Day at CBS
Thanks to everyone who took part in out Multicultural Day at CBS.
It was a wonderful blend of clothes, food and culture from all over the world.
Thanks so much to Ms Sheehan and Ms Kearney for organising this for us.
It was a wonderful blend of clothes, food and culture from all over the world.
Thanks so much to Ms Sheehan and Ms Kearney for organising this for us.
Multi-cultural Day at CBS.
On Thursday 28th November we celebrated Multi-Cultural Day at CBS Primary. Over a quarter of our boys have links with different countries, some of them were born abroad but others maintain close connections with other nations through their parents and grandparents. We felt it was important to acknowledge and celebrate this diversity within our school community and help all the boys appreciate different cultures and traditions. Parents were contacted and encouraged to call and share their experiences, those unable to attend still helped their sons with projects and sent in some props and memorabilia to display. On the day itself it was a pleasure to welcome sixteen relatives of the boys including two fabulous younger sisters of Antoni and Daniel.
Our base on the day was our school halla and much preparation had ensured lovely displays representing different countries. This was enhanced by colourful national flags, tablecloths, traditional clothing, scarves and modern day jerseys as well as beautiful books, photographs, posters and projects completed by students. Special thanks also to Evelina, Muadi and Marina for locating precious items.
Multi-cultural day began with a visit from three nuns from the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother who joined us early in the morning. First class were treated to a flavour of music, language and song. Boys guessed at topics of conversations and even repeated greetings and phrases. The Sisters also sang and played some lovely songs and soon had boys eagerly participating.
Parents arrived and began setting up. Soon after class groups took turns to visit, admire mementoes, ask questions and learn about different nationalities. Vinod and Dace shared lots of information and Branka taught some Serbian greetings. The enthusiasm was infectious and there was a real sense of active learning. Tasting some authentic foods was very popular with all the boys. Sylwia and Agnieszka shared traditional smoked pork and chicken, cheese dumplings as well as delicious Polish chocolates. Brendan’s Mum Yanine brought fabulous Spanish omelettes, homemade chicken bites and rice pudding and his grandmother made delicious brown bread definitely Irish food at its best! Representing Brazil Carla shared tasty biscuits and Andre and Maria brought a huge pot of ‘Galinhada’, a delicious traditional rice dish.
Huge thanks to all busy with preparations behind the scenes and to all involved on the day itself. Mairead and Gillian were facilitating proceedings in the halla but it was a real collaboration of efforts and a truly worthwhile undertaking with massive support and goodwill. The boys and parents really enjoyed being involved. Parents were incredibly generous with both food, preparation and sharing of knowledge. At CBS we endeavour to make all boys feel welcomed and cherished and this extends to parents and the wider community. Thanksgiving Day was a very apt day to celebrate multi-cultural day in our school and community.
On Thursday 28th November we celebrated Multi-Cultural Day at CBS Primary. Over a quarter of our boys have links with different countries, some of them were born abroad but others maintain close connections with other nations through their parents and grandparents. We felt it was important to acknowledge and celebrate this diversity within our school community and help all the boys appreciate different cultures and traditions. Parents were contacted and encouraged to call and share their experiences, those unable to attend still helped their sons with projects and sent in some props and memorabilia to display. On the day itself it was a pleasure to welcome sixteen relatives of the boys including two fabulous younger sisters of Antoni and Daniel.
Our base on the day was our school halla and much preparation had ensured lovely displays representing different countries. This was enhanced by colourful national flags, tablecloths, traditional clothing, scarves and modern day jerseys as well as beautiful books, photographs, posters and projects completed by students. Special thanks also to Evelina, Muadi and Marina for locating precious items.
Multi-cultural day began with a visit from three nuns from the Servant Sisters of the Home of the Mother who joined us early in the morning. First class were treated to a flavour of music, language and song. Boys guessed at topics of conversations and even repeated greetings and phrases. The Sisters also sang and played some lovely songs and soon had boys eagerly participating.
Parents arrived and began setting up. Soon after class groups took turns to visit, admire mementoes, ask questions and learn about different nationalities. Vinod and Dace shared lots of information and Branka taught some Serbian greetings. The enthusiasm was infectious and there was a real sense of active learning. Tasting some authentic foods was very popular with all the boys. Sylwia and Agnieszka shared traditional smoked pork and chicken, cheese dumplings as well as delicious Polish chocolates. Brendan’s Mum Yanine brought fabulous Spanish omelettes, homemade chicken bites and rice pudding and his grandmother made delicious brown bread definitely Irish food at its best! Representing Brazil Carla shared tasty biscuits and Andre and Maria brought a huge pot of ‘Galinhada’, a delicious traditional rice dish.
Huge thanks to all busy with preparations behind the scenes and to all involved on the day itself. Mairead and Gillian were facilitating proceedings in the halla but it was a real collaboration of efforts and a truly worthwhile undertaking with massive support and goodwill. The boys and parents really enjoyed being involved. Parents were incredibly generous with both food, preparation and sharing of knowledge. At CBS we endeavour to make all boys feel welcomed and cherished and this extends to parents and the wider community. Thanksgiving Day was a very apt day to celebrate multi-cultural day in our school and community.
Halloween Frighteners
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The boys in Ms. Cliffords and Ms. Walshes are in scary form this Halloween!!!! |
Fun Day!
Victory at the North Cork Final!
On the 14th of June the school hurling team headed to Mallow GAA complex to play Ballyhea in the North Cork A2 final. The panel consisted of twenty two boys from 4th to 6th class. The starting team had two 4th class boys and the remaining 10 were 6th class pupils, who were playing for their last time with C.B.S. Primary.On the day the boys were supported by their fellow 6th pupils, parents and Ms O’ Callaghan, Mr. Weir, Mr. O’ Heaney and Mr. Coleman. Clement Motherway was named as captain of the team.
Throw in was 1 o clock. Ballyhea took the lead after scoring a free 5 minutes into the game. 2 minutes later Cian English scored a goal which put us ahead. From this point on CBS went from strength to strength. Paddy O Donnell played a blinder in half forward and scored 1 - 1 in the first half. On the stroke of half time a mix up between Ballyhea defender and goalkeeper ended up in another goal for us. At the half time whistle the score was 3.4 – 0.1 to C.B.S. The first score of second half was Cian English, who got another fantastic goal when he took on the defender and smashed it into the net. James Keane, Colin Bailey and Eoin Kirwan came on to replace Jamie Fitzgerald, Michael O’ Brien and Andrej Todorovic. Super Sub James Keane scored a point, Paddy O’ Donnell scored a further 2 points, as well as Cian English who scored another two points. The final score was 4-11 to 1-02. C.B.S. Primary had won the North Cork A2 Final for the first time in 8 years. The entire school community was delighted and the team went for a well deserved meal at Supermacs. Congratulations to all involved!
Written By: Eoin Breathnach, Clement Motherway and Cian English.
Throw in was 1 o clock. Ballyhea took the lead after scoring a free 5 minutes into the game. 2 minutes later Cian English scored a goal which put us ahead. From this point on CBS went from strength to strength. Paddy O Donnell played a blinder in half forward and scored 1 - 1 in the first half. On the stroke of half time a mix up between Ballyhea defender and goalkeeper ended up in another goal for us. At the half time whistle the score was 3.4 – 0.1 to C.B.S. The first score of second half was Cian English, who got another fantastic goal when he took on the defender and smashed it into the net. James Keane, Colin Bailey and Eoin Kirwan came on to replace Jamie Fitzgerald, Michael O’ Brien and Andrej Todorovic. Super Sub James Keane scored a point, Paddy O’ Donnell scored a further 2 points, as well as Cian English who scored another two points. The final score was 4-11 to 1-02. C.B.S. Primary had won the North Cork A2 Final for the first time in 8 years. The entire school community was delighted and the team went for a well deserved meal at Supermacs. Congratulations to all involved!
Written By: Eoin Breathnach, Clement Motherway and Cian English.
Circuit Training
To kick start Active Week in C.B..S. Primary Mr Weir set up circuit training for all the boys. The course consisted of 9 stations, which included planks, skipping, ladders, tricep dips, press ups, jumping jacks and burpees. It was a serious workout for the boys and staff!
Third Class School Tour
On the 21st of June, third class travelled to Cusbinny Court in Cobh for an amazing tour. The boys took part in many fun activities such as; grass sledding, backwoods cooking, squirrel ropes, drumming circle and a muchy obstacle course. It was an excellent day out for all!
Student Council News
Members of the CBS Primary Student Council pictured making a presentation of E422.00 to Mary O'Farrell representing Down Syndrome Ireland. The pupils fundraised through an Easter Raffle, Egg Hunt and Odd Sock day.
Pictured Front L to R members of CBS Primary Student Council, Mr Weir, Assistant Principal, Max Corbett, Brian Walsh, Mary O'Farrell/Clifford (Down Syndrome Ireland), Kevin Cooke and Odhran Russell
Back Left to Right, Niall Kenneally, Tristan Hanna, Mark Sampson, Anthony Aherne, Odhran Russell and Mrs. O'Callaghan Principal.
Pictured Front L to R members of CBS Primary Student Council, Mr Weir, Assistant Principal, Max Corbett, Brian Walsh, Mary O'Farrell/Clifford (Down Syndrome Ireland), Kevin Cooke and Odhran Russell
Back Left to Right, Niall Kenneally, Tristan Hanna, Mark Sampson, Anthony Aherne, Odhran Russell and Mrs. O'Callaghan Principal.
First Class School Tour
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On Wednesday the 19th of June our current 6th class boys graduated from C.B.S. Primary. The ceremony began with the boys parading into the halla dressed in their graduation gowns and hats. Mr. Qurike and Mr. Weir spoke about the contribution each boy has made to our school and Mr. Griffin presented each boy with their graduation certificate. The boys recapped on their best memories of Primary School such as tables challenges, a visit from Santa, School Tours and the infamous Halloween Decorations. During the ceremony, Mrs. O' Callaghan was also presented a silver plate to mark 21 years of service as principal of C.B.S Primary. It truly was a very special and enjoyable evening.
Sixth Class School Tour
On the 13th of June 6th class attended their last school tour. We travelled to Dublin by bus. We were accompanied by Mr. Weir, Mr. Quirke, Ms. Geary, Ms. O’ Sullivan, Mr. Maher and Ms. Coffey. it was an early start as we departed the school at 6:30 am. We arrived at the National Aquatic Centre around 9 am. The class was then divided into two separate groups. Each group had a chance to do some gymnastics, trampolining and athletics.
After athletics the boys went swimming. Everyone really enjoyed it, especially the big slides. When we came out of swimming they were served hot food.
Next, sixth class travelled to Glasnevin Cemetery, where we received a guided tour of the graveyard. We visited the graves of Michael Collins, Eamonn De Valara, Daniel O’ Connell, Padraig Pearse and Countess Markievicz. It was an extremely interesting and educational tour.
Our final stop was junction 14 where the boys had Supermacs and sweets. The bus was back in Mitchelstown by 8.15 pm. It was a great day out and an unforgettable tour.
Written by; Scotty Finn, Diego Arruda and Owen Power
After athletics the boys went swimming. Everyone really enjoyed it, especially the big slides. When we came out of swimming they were served hot food.
Next, sixth class travelled to Glasnevin Cemetery, where we received a guided tour of the graveyard. We visited the graves of Michael Collins, Eamonn De Valara, Daniel O’ Connell, Padraig Pearse and Countess Markievicz. It was an extremely interesting and educational tour.
Our final stop was junction 14 where the boys had Supermacs and sweets. The bus was back in Mitchelstown by 8.15 pm. It was a great day out and an unforgettable tour.
Written by; Scotty Finn, Diego Arruda and Owen Power
If it ain't blue, it wont do!
At the start of this school year we founded a tractor club with the help of Ms Sheehan. This included 10 boys from 3rd 4th and 5th class. We met every Wednesday at 12:45. On those days we were allowed to bring in our own tractors and we could talk about them. At the meetings we also discussed certain topics such as silage, slurry, new life on the farm and farm safety.
Throughout the year we showcased our farms twice, once on pet day and again on the 17th of June. All of the boys from 1st to 6th got to see our farms. For our most recent showcase we had a mixture of different farms from slurry to silage, livestock, machinery and Ms Sheehan also talked about farm safety. Each member of our club brought different aspects of farming to life. Sean Keane showed off some silage in the making. Padraig Moriarty showed off his mixed livestock farm. John White showed off his horses and cows. Jack Masterson showed off his horses. Tristian Power showed off his machinery and his livestock. Leon Saich showed off some sheds made by his dad and his livestock and machinery. Billy Conroy showed off his dairy farm. We really enjoyed showcasing our model farms and loved discussing farming with all the boys in the school.
It was a privilege to be part of the tractor club for this year and we hope to continue it next year. On behalf of the entire tractor club we would like to say a special thanks to Ms Sheehan.
Members of the tractor club 2018/2019: Jack Masterson, John White, Tristian Power, Padraig Moriarty, Kealan O' Mahony, Sean Keane, Dan Breen, Bill Conroy, Leon Saich.
Written by Tristian Power and Padraig Moriarty.
Throughout the year we showcased our farms twice, once on pet day and again on the 17th of June. All of the boys from 1st to 6th got to see our farms. For our most recent showcase we had a mixture of different farms from slurry to silage, livestock, machinery and Ms Sheehan also talked about farm safety. Each member of our club brought different aspects of farming to life. Sean Keane showed off some silage in the making. Padraig Moriarty showed off his mixed livestock farm. John White showed off his horses and cows. Jack Masterson showed off his horses. Tristian Power showed off his machinery and his livestock. Leon Saich showed off some sheds made by his dad and his livestock and machinery. Billy Conroy showed off his dairy farm. We really enjoyed showcasing our model farms and loved discussing farming with all the boys in the school.
It was a privilege to be part of the tractor club for this year and we hope to continue it next year. On behalf of the entire tractor club we would like to say a special thanks to Ms Sheehan.
Members of the tractor club 2018/2019: Jack Masterson, John White, Tristian Power, Padraig Moriarty, Kealan O' Mahony, Sean Keane, Dan Breen, Bill Conroy, Leon Saich.
Written by Tristian Power and Padraig Moriarty.
C.B.S Lip Sync Extravaganza
Once again, we would like to extend a huge thank you to the host of people who helped in any way with our fundraising efforts. We are overwhelmed with the support and generosity of the entire community. Lip-Sync Extravaganza truly was an unforgettable night. We are delighted to share that to date, it looks like overall profit for Lip- Sync will be around thirty three thousand euros! This is a fantastic result! We really are so grateful to everyone who contributed, in any way.
Ali Aerobics
Athletics News
The C.B.S. Primary School Athletics were busy training and competing over the last six weeks. Members of the team were also involved in competing with Fanahan McSweeney Athletics Club. After trials for each age group a panel of athletes began training programme on Mondays. A great effort was put in by all the boys and it was gratifying to see their progression.
Our first event was the North Cork Schools Sports. A tradition in the North Cork area that goes back a long time. This event is open to all C.B.S. schools in the area, these include Charleville C.B.S., St. Patricks N.S. Mallow, Bishop Muprhy’s, Fermoy and C.B.S. Mitchelstown. This years meet was hosted by Charleville C.B.S. on the 28 th May. Sprints, 400m and relays were the events held. All the boys represented the school with distinction, the races were very exciting. A ding dong battle in the U11 Sprint resulted in a re-run. Michael, Darragh, Anthony, Kyle and David were the winners on the day. David with a superb performance in the 400m race, continued his success with another great performance at the Kilbehenny 5km Run later on Tuesday evening. On Thursday the team had an early start as we headed to C.I.T. for the Cork City Schools Sports. This is the largest Athletics meeting in Europe with over 4,000 participants. The C.B.S. team took part in the Sprints on the Playing pitch and the relays on the track. Darragh and Michael continued their great season, picking up more prizes.
Unfortunately, some boys due to illness and holidays were unable to take part this year but no doubt they’ll get their chance again next year. A big thank you is owed to the team mentors who gave up their time to help the boys to achieve their best; Ms. B. Walsh, Mr. Cahill, Ms. Coffey, Ms. Griffin,
Mr. Coleman and Mr. O’Regan and of course Ms. M. Walsh who has kept the athletics tradition going in the C.B.S. over many years.
This years C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown Athletics Team included; Rory McCarthy, Michael McDonagh, John , Sean Warren, Michael Walsh, John Connolly Murphy, Jason Holland, Shay O’Regan, Oliver Stancyzk, Gearoid O’Connell-Nolan, Evan Byrne, Darragh O’Sullivan, Anthony Ahern, Eoin Lynch, Jake Thornton, Adam Pauliukais, Dieudonne Kabundi, Jack Keating, Joey O’Neill, Daniel Whelan, Cian English, Simon Whelan, Clement Motherway, Sam Corbett, David Fouhy, Siamas, Jack Piggott, Danny Murphy, Nathan Coalton, Kyle O’Regan.
National Winners!
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May 21st was a very significant date for the C.B.S. Green Schools Committee and the entire school community as it was was awarded it’s sixth green flag, Global Citizenship- Litter and Waste. The school takes a lot of pride in its history of involvement and success in the Green Schools Programme. The initiatives and programmes implemented by the various committees have made a real impact over the years.
This year however surpassed all expectations, the school was delighted to learn that it was the Southern Winner, covering the Munster and South Leinster Regions. A super recognition for C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown and a first for our area. Green Schools is very relevant at the moment due to the focus internationally on Climate Change and mans impact on the world around us.
Cian English, Simon Whelan, Ms. Keane and Mr. O’Regan were invited to The Helix Theatre, DCU in Dublin for the Prize-giving Ceremony. As well as being awarded the Green Flag, C.B.S. also received a pendant and a trophy. Mr. O’Regan spoke that ‘this award was a real celebration for the school and was achieved through the hard work and commitment from the whole school community’. The exciting initiatives implemented by the C.B.S. were a major highlight for the organisers; ‘An Taisce’. The C.B.S. Green Schools committee would like to express their thanks to Ms. O’Callaghan and all the school community for their support. Cian and Simon spoke about ‘how delighted they were to accept the prize on behalf of the school and especially thanked Ms. Keane and Mr. O’Regan for all their hard work’.
Hopefully C.B.S. will continue with all their great work for a number of years and they can always call on their helpers- Captain Clean, Eco Eric, Wally Water, Sgt. Strider, Enviro-man and Padraig Planet. This years Green Schools Committee includes; Simon Whelan, Cian English, Dieudonne Kabundi, Seán Keane, Aaron Walsh, Leon Saich, Thomas Whelan, Darragh Burke and Larry Brophy.
This year however surpassed all expectations, the school was delighted to learn that it was the Southern Winner, covering the Munster and South Leinster Regions. A super recognition for C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown and a first for our area. Green Schools is very relevant at the moment due to the focus internationally on Climate Change and mans impact on the world around us.
Cian English, Simon Whelan, Ms. Keane and Mr. O’Regan were invited to The Helix Theatre, DCU in Dublin for the Prize-giving Ceremony. As well as being awarded the Green Flag, C.B.S. also received a pendant and a trophy. Mr. O’Regan spoke that ‘this award was a real celebration for the school and was achieved through the hard work and commitment from the whole school community’. The exciting initiatives implemented by the C.B.S. were a major highlight for the organisers; ‘An Taisce’. The C.B.S. Green Schools committee would like to express their thanks to Ms. O’Callaghan and all the school community for their support. Cian and Simon spoke about ‘how delighted they were to accept the prize on behalf of the school and especially thanked Ms. Keane and Mr. O’Regan for all their hard work’.
Hopefully C.B.S. will continue with all their great work for a number of years and they can always call on their helpers- Captain Clean, Eco Eric, Wally Water, Sgt. Strider, Enviro-man and Padraig Planet. This years Green Schools Committee includes; Simon Whelan, Cian English, Dieudonne Kabundi, Seán Keane, Aaron Walsh, Leon Saich, Thomas Whelan, Darragh Burke and Larry Brophy.
All Ireland Champion!
A huge congratulations to Tony Murphy, who was awarded first place in the All Ireland Community Games Handwriting Competition. Well done Tony!
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This Saturday, the 18th of May Dave Kent and Fringy's Fitness will hold their annual Strongman Competition in C.B.S. Secondary School Pitch. This year, Dave has generously volunteered to give all proceeds of the day to our Field Development Fund. Along with the Strongman Competition, there will also be a Bouncy Castle, Sideshows, Bake Sale, Face Painting and even a chance to throw water balloons at Ms O' Callaghan! Entry is 5 euro for adults and free for children. The event will run from 12 noon until around 3 pm. We are incredibly grateful to Dave for his generosity and hope to see you all there.
Winning Streak continues at the Knockadea N.S. Quiz
On Wednesday the 10th of April over fifty teams attended Knockadea National School Quiz.. We sent two great teams from CBS, both of whom ended up in a tie-breaker for first place! Our fifth class team (pictured below) claimed first place in the end by correctly answering the tie-breaker question 'What is a female foal called?' For our two teams to take first and second place was a huge accomplishment. Congratulations boys!
Liam McCarthy Cup visits CBS Primary
A big thank you to Noel Hartigan for bringing the Liam McCarthy cup in to visit us today. It was great for the pupils and staff of Limerick to have a chance to continue celebrating their win!
Lego Club
Ms O' Callaghan has recently started a lunch time Lego Club with boys from first to third class. All classes have now had an opportunity to take part and are looking forward to building more masterpieces after Easter. Ms O' Callaghan and the boys from Lego Club would like to thank everyone who donated Lego to the school, without your generous donations the club would not have been possible.
Pet Day 2019
On the 9th of April we hosted a most wonderful and successful pet day. It was thoroughly enjoyed by all the boys and staff of CBS Primary. Our Pet Day was filled with many exciting presentations and discussions. Pat from Agri Aware brought along his lambs, pigs, ducks, an Angus calf and his sheepdog Gwen. Pat was full of information about caring for his animals. He also highlighted the need for farms in Ireland, as well as testing the boys on their own farming knowledge. Brendan from The Animal Roadshow also brightened up our pet day by bringing in some more exotic animals. Brendan showed the boys a python, lizard, tortoise, tarantula and a native barn owl. The boys were delighted as they got to hold these unusual creatures and a few very brave boys even put the python around their neck! However, what really made the day special was meeting the boys own pets. A huge thank you to all the parents, grandparents and family-friends that brought in their pets. It truly was a treat to meet them all. We’d also like to thank all the boys who brought in bits and pieces to create the amazing model farms, which were on display throughout the day in the hall. Make sure to check out the photos below. This certainly was a day to remember.
AGRI AWARE
The Animal Roadshow
Our own pets
Model Farm
FAI Tournament 2019
Written by: Conor Harnedy, Cian English, Colin Bailey, Simon Whelan and Eoin Kirwan.
On Friday the 1st of April fifteen boys travelled to Midleton by bus to participate in a FAI tournament. The boys were accompanied by their coaches Mr. Coleman and Mr. Ouirke. The boys had been training for six weeks in preparation for the tournament. It was a tough decision for Mr. Quirke to select the team but in the end two teams of 5 and and 5 super subs were selected to represent the school.
Unfortunately In the first round both teams were defeated. Team A played Scarliegh N.S. and lost 2-0. Team B were up against a very experienced team in Riverstown N.S. and suffered a devastating loss of 7-0.
In second round,Team A made a comeback against Brooklodge N.S.. Early in the game, Cian English lifted his teams spirits by scoring a goal. Caoimhin O Gorman scored a second goal late in the match which led to the final score of 2-0.Unfortunately, Team B were not so lucky in the second round, losing to Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoill 3-1.This loss sent Team B into a playoff.
Team B were up against Brooklodge N.S. in the playoff.Team B were filled with confidence after Team A ‘s victory over brooklodge.Conor Harnedy kick-started the match with an unstoppable goal.Clement Motherway followed suit with 2 more fantastic goals.Late in the game Brooklodge N.S. scored a goal but the boys managed to hold them off and finished with a win of 3-1.
Both C.B.S teams had now qualified for the Quarter Finals. Team A played against Brooklodge B and once again won 2-0. Consistent as always Cian English scored a great goal. As did Séan Barry shortly after. This win secured Team A a place in the semi-finals. Unluckily, Team B were up against Riverstown N.S again. Their confidence was low after the beating they received in round one against the same team. The boys did a bit better this time round losing 4-0. Unfortunately, this loss meant it was the end of the road for Team B.
Team A were up against Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoill in the semi finals.The boys were feeling the pressure as they knew a win would mean they would progress to Turners Cross. The boys played very well but sadly lost their game 2-0. Despite not progressing, all the boys had a great day out and both Mr. Coleman and Mr. Quirke were delighted with their performances.
Unfortunately In the first round both teams were defeated. Team A played Scarliegh N.S. and lost 2-0. Team B were up against a very experienced team in Riverstown N.S. and suffered a devastating loss of 7-0.
In second round,Team A made a comeback against Brooklodge N.S.. Early in the game, Cian English lifted his teams spirits by scoring a goal. Caoimhin O Gorman scored a second goal late in the match which led to the final score of 2-0.Unfortunately, Team B were not so lucky in the second round, losing to Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoill 3-1.This loss sent Team B into a playoff.
Team B were up against Brooklodge N.S. in the playoff.Team B were filled with confidence after Team A ‘s victory over brooklodge.Conor Harnedy kick-started the match with an unstoppable goal.Clement Motherway followed suit with 2 more fantastic goals.Late in the game Brooklodge N.S. scored a goal but the boys managed to hold them off and finished with a win of 3-1.
Both C.B.S teams had now qualified for the Quarter Finals. Team A played against Brooklodge B and once again won 2-0. Consistent as always Cian English scored a great goal. As did Séan Barry shortly after. This win secured Team A a place in the semi-finals. Unluckily, Team B were up against Riverstown N.S again. Their confidence was low after the beating they received in round one against the same team. The boys did a bit better this time round losing 4-0. Unfortunately, this loss meant it was the end of the road for Team B.
Team A were up against Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoill in the semi finals.The boys were feeling the pressure as they knew a win would mean they would progress to Turners Cross. The boys played very well but sadly lost their game 2-0. Despite not progressing, all the boys had a great day out and both Mr. Coleman and Mr. Quirke were delighted with their performances.
33rd Annual Parents Council Fashion Show
Congratulations and sincerest thanks to our hard working Parent Council, our school community, staff and the local businesses who came out in force to support our 33rd Annual Fashion Show in The Firgrove Hotel last Friday. As always Pat Tangney and his team at the hotel couldn't have made things easier for us, providing the ideal venue to view all the latest fashions and trends available right on our door step. In a significant departure to previous years, all our models were local, some enthusiastic models came from our talented and versatile staff while many more came from the school community and those with connections to us. This proved a huge success. We'd like to thank our generous sponsors who make a success every year. This important fundraiser is key to enabling us to continue advancing and developing our school, our curriculum and services for the boys and their families, sincerest thanks for the support. We're looking forward to next year already!
The Tallest Smallest Circus
On Friday the 29th of March we were visited by the Tallest Smallest Circus which consisted of two men (one tall and one small) named Aaron and Ali. The Tallest Smallest Circus looked at Global goals through the medium of drama, with a special focus on Global Citizenship. Ali, who was originally from Kenya, spoke about his life in Kenya and compared it to his life now in Europe. Aaron and Ali performed a role play of what life would be like for a young child in Kenya. Some boys were brought out to take on characters and also to perform tricks. This role play really highlighted the difference in education and poverty between Ireland and Kenya. Aaron and Ali also spoke to the Green Schools Committee about ideas for each classroom. The boys really enjoyed the Tallest Smallest Circus and we’re looking forward to seeing their ideas put into action by the Green School Committee.
Another victory for C.B.S. Quiz Team
Written by Mark Sampson
On March 7th we sent three teams to Glenahulla for another table quiz. There was more than seventy teams from schools around the area. in attendance. We came away with yet another overall victory, bringing the Bernie Walsh Memorial Cup back to C.B.S Primary. The members on the winning team were Mark Sampson , Eoin Brenock , Kyle O' Regan and Clement Motherway. The other teams involving Luke Cott , Ben Cooke , Ryan Spratt , Daniel O’ Brien , Eoin Kirwan , Danny Murphy , Tristan Power and Patrick Hanrahan also did fantastic.
Pádraig Planet
Say hello to our newest Green Schools mascot Pádraig Planet.
Pádraig Planet says "Fairtrade is FairplaY". Congratulations to Darragh O' Sullivan on creating this wonderful mascot. We look forward to having him on our Green Schools team for many years to come.
Pádraig Planet says "Fairtrade is FairplaY". Congratulations to Darragh O' Sullivan on creating this wonderful mascot. We look forward to having him on our Green Schools team for many years to come.
Spring Clean 2019
INTO Handwriting Competition Winners 2019
First Class:
1st place: Rory McCarthy
2nd Place: Noah Bernard
3rd Place: Mantus Zutautas
Second Class:
1st Place: Tony Murphy
2nd Place: Eoin Finn
3rd Place: Leo O' Rourke
Third Class:
1st place: Norvidas Savckas
2nd Place: Michael Walsh
3rd Place: Xavier Motherway
Fourth Class:
1st Place: Evan O' Byrne
2nd Place: Harry O' Brien
3rd Place: Eoin English
Fifth Class:
1st place: Jack Thornton
2nd Place:Stevie J Murphy
3rd Place: John O' Donoghue
Sixth Class:
1st Place: Mark Sampson
2nd Place: Sean Barry
3rd Place: Cian English
Confirmation Retreat 2019
Written by: Sean Dawson and Patrick Hanrahan
On Friday the 22nd of March sixth class attended a religious retreat to help us prepare for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Both sixth classes walked to Mitchelstown Town Hall accompanied by our class teachers; Mr. Weir and Mr. Quirke. Upon arrival, we met with Brother Ben and Brother Luke. Then we went to play American Football and Ultimate Frisbee with Brother Ben. It was great fun.
Next, we had lunch and after Brother Luke brought in the Eucharist. We all kneeled down and said a prayer. It was very peaceful. We then each said confession. After, we had our second lunch. While we were eating Brother Luke played us some songs on his harmonica. Everyone was very impressed when he played ‘boots and cats’.
In the afternoon, Brother Renai showed us some cool tricks like juggling fire and holding a big table on his chin. He even did a handstand on the table. We were all blown away by his tricks.
Finally, Brother Luke said mass and we thanked the Brothers for a wonderful day. We left town Hall at 2:35 and were back in school just in time to go home. We all really enjoyed the day and feel ready to be confirmed next Thursday the 4th of April.
Next, we had lunch and after Brother Luke brought in the Eucharist. We all kneeled down and said a prayer. It was very peaceful. We then each said confession. After, we had our second lunch. While we were eating Brother Luke played us some songs on his harmonica. Everyone was very impressed when he played ‘boots and cats’.
In the afternoon, Brother Renai showed us some cool tricks like juggling fire and holding a big table on his chin. He even did a handstand on the table. We were all blown away by his tricks.
Finally, Brother Luke said mass and we thanked the Brothers for a wonderful day. We left town Hall at 2:35 and were back in school just in time to go home. We all really enjoyed the day and feel ready to be confirmed next Thursday the 4th of April.
Hurling Blitz 2019
Written by: Stephen O’ Connor and John O’ Donoghue
On Wednesday the 20th of March ten 6th class pupils attended a non-competitive hurling blitz in Mallow. At nine o clock they travelled to Mallow by bus, accompanied by Ms. Coffey and their coach Mr. O' Shea. Their first match kicked off at 11 am against Dromahane National School. The boys played very well throughout the match and ended up winning 6-3. Conor Harnedy, Caoimhin O' Gorman and Clement Motherway all scored during this match.
The second match CBS Primary played against Kilworth National School. Unfortunately, the boys were defeated by Kilworth. The final score of 3-0 to Kilworth was described as “disappointing” by team player Conor Harnedy.
CBS made a come back in their third game against Bishop Murphy’s N.S of Fermoy. Clement Motherway scored an amazing hat trick which secured his team with an unbeatable lead. The boys had a great game finishing off with a score of 4 - 0.
Overall, the boys had a very enjoyable day and are looking forward to their upcoming hurling matches.
The second match CBS Primary played against Kilworth National School. Unfortunately, the boys were defeated by Kilworth. The final score of 3-0 to Kilworth was described as “disappointing” by team player Conor Harnedy.
CBS made a come back in their third game against Bishop Murphy’s N.S of Fermoy. Clement Motherway scored an amazing hat trick which secured his team with an unbeatable lead. The boys had a great game finishing off with a score of 4 - 0.
Overall, the boys had a very enjoyable day and are looking forward to their upcoming hurling matches.
Part of the team are pictured to the left.
Back Row L-R:
Eoin Brenock, Niall Kenneally, Sean Barry.
Front Row L-R:
Conor Harnedy, Danny Murphy, Clement Motherway.
Missing from the photo: James Keane, Simon Whelan, Daniel Whelan and Caoimhin O' Gorman.
Back Row L-R:
Eoin Brenock, Niall Kenneally, Sean Barry.
Front Row L-R:
Conor Harnedy, Danny Murphy, Clement Motherway.
Missing from the photo: James Keane, Simon Whelan, Daniel Whelan and Caoimhin O' Gorman.
Coicíse na Gaeilge
Coicís na Gaeilge was in full swing in our school from March 11th-22nd. Mr. O'Regan coordinated a whole selection of events or 'imeachtaí'- Tráth na gCeist, Comórtas Ealaine, Gaelgeoir na Seachtaine, Gúrú na Gaeilge, Seo Talainne, Seanfhocail agus ar eile. Lá Glas was a huge success, with at least 39 shades of green on show. Everyone was set for St. Patricks Day.
Peace Proms 2019
Well done to our pupils who took part in the 2019 Peace Proms, a North/South Initiative at the University of Limerick. This concert was held in February. Our choir had for weeks prior to the event after school. It was a marvellous experience for all who took part and travelled to witness it. The Choir was made up of over 1,000 children, a full concert orchestra and special guests. Many thanks to our dedicated staff Ms. O'Gorman, Ms. Byrne, Ms. Griffin, Ms. White and Ms. Coffey who prepared the boys for the concert.
Percussion Workshop at C.B.S. Primary
On Tuesday 15th January 2019, we had a percussion workshop with Alex and Tríona of the 'Bangers and Crash' Percussion Band, organised by the West Cork Arts Centre. Our whole school attended a very informative and interactive session on percussion instruments, sounds and techniques.
Santa and Jingles come to visit- Merry Christmas at the C.B.S.
December saw our school beautifully decorated for Christmas. Our Choir sang in Tearmann Uí Chaoimh and at the Senior Citizens Christmas Party. We sang carols and collected from Crumlins Childrens Hospital in conjunction with Tesco Mitchelstown and for the St. Vincent De Paul, thanks to all those who supported us. Jingles the Elf was able to report to Santa that all the boys and staff had been so good in the school that he should send a helper to visit. The excitement of meeting one of Santa's helpers was unreal. On behalf of all the school community we wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Ghouls, Goblins, Monsters & Mario haunt the CBS at Halloween 2018
Victorious Ballygiblin Junior A North Cork Hurling team visit C.B.S.
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The new school year got off to a winning start, when many of our past pupils, stars of the victorious Ballygiblin Junior A Hurling team, visited the school on Monday, Sept. 3rd. The freshly crowned North Cork champions were flushed with victory after their win against Shanballymore in Fermoy. They were joined on stage by our U12 boys who played an exhibition match against their counterparts from Shanballymore at half time. As Paul Seymour and Liam O'Doherty pointed out, the seeds of their teams success were sown at Primary school level. The boys were encouraged to take up a sport and stick with it. The benefits of which were underscored when the hall erupted in cheers when the team announced, no homework for the entire school. Everyone at the CBS Primary wish all at Ballygiblin, congratulations on their victory and all the best in their coming matches.
Annual C.B.S. Fun Day 27/6/17
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Having said a collective prayer that the weather would be kind to us, the sun shined down for most of the day at the annual C.B.S. Primary Fun Day. As you can see from our selection of photos we had an incredibly enjoyable day with fun and laughter all round., Massive thanks to everyone who helped out but particularly to Mr. O' Shea who was chief organiser of the event again this year. It is always a lovely way to round off the year and the memories will stay with all of us for years to come.
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C.B.S. Primary keeps fit by running a marathon over the month of June.
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Congratulations and well done to all that participated in the final leg of our Marathon Challenge at C.B.S. Primary. There was great preparation and mileage covered before the final leg. Each of our classes had run 25 miles in the run up to this final event. We all had a lovely run from the school, past Tesco’s , down the main street as far as The Beehive Pub and up through The Brother’s Path, past The Priest’s House and back up to the school. We also covered two laps of our field. Thanks to all that helped out: the staff, the H.P.S. Committee, the stewards, the supporters and well wishers, our photographer, the local gardaí, Canon Fitzgerald and Tesco’s. It was a wonderful event for the school community. It was this along with our initiatives in Mental Health and Healthy Eating for the school year 2016-2017 that helped us in achieving our Health Promoting Schools recognition. This flag was raised at Celebration Day at the school on Tuesday 20th of June by Margaret Crowley H.S.E., Captain Richard and Emma Griffiths, Collins Barracks, Health Promoting Schools Committee at C.B.S. and Co-ordinator Joanne Hennessy.
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Celebration Day at C.B.S. Primary Mitchelstown
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We had a lot to celebrate last Tuesday, 20th June for our Celebration Day. It's been an intensely busy year for us. We marked some of our major achievements and successes throughout the year with a day of celebration, joined by special guests and friends from the wider Mitchelstown community. Among the major achievements being celebrated was our Junior Entrepreneur Project, Fifth Green Flag for Biodiversity, renewal of our Health Promoting Schools status, winning the Muintir Na Tire Small School Garden competition for our school recycled garden, and our successes in the Credit Union Quiz this year. Mr, Griffin launched our schools fundraising drive to purchase and develop a neighbouring field, we hope everyone will contribute to this worthwhile project. Joining our boys and staff were representatives from the local area and organisations such the Community Council, Heritage Society, AROMA, our elected representatives, retired staff members and others with long associations with the C.B.S. .Most of the boys attention was taken with Cork Hurler Shane Kingston who raised our fifth green flag and spoke to the boys about his hurling career.
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He also kindly signed sporting items for the boys. Captains Emma & Robert Griffiths from Collins Barracks put the boys through their paces with a little fitness exercises and explained the importance of health and well being in their jobs and all our lives. It was a thoroughly enjoyable day, showing of our talents and the boys hard work throughout the year.