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Discover Cork Schools’ History Project 2012

As mentioned on our blog on February 21st this year, 4th class entered the Discover Cork Schools’ History Project. Their project was on St. John the Baptist Church. We are delighted to receive an update from three pupils from the class with regard to how they got on.

“We came 2nd! And we won an amazing trip to the Lifetime Lab in Cork City on the 4th May 2012. We saw the Water Works by the Lee Fields and watched some clips of men shovelling coal into old boilers and one about the big flood in 2009 when people had no water. We learned more information about water and how people got water a long time ago. We learned how we could improve the environment by saving water. We also played a cool interactive quiz with lots of science questions. We had a great day out with laughter and enjoyment and we would recommend it to everyone as a fun day out.” (Ayo, Chloe and Laura)

5th class recently participated in the Port of Cork Schools Initiative. Here is an account of their experience by Mary and Ben.

“When we found out we were competing in the Cork Port and Harbour Project we were delighted. We began our research straight away and found it very interesting! We started designing our project and everyone brought in amazing models of ships, sea planes, trains and Viking ships. We covered a plank of wood in papier-mâché and painted the water blue. On the last day we added the rest of our designs and teacher took it to the Customs House. We had to wait for a few days to get the results but when we did we were overjoyed. We are now getting a trip around Cork Harbour and we will visit the Titanic Experience.”

Please visit the ‘Photo Gallery’ above to view some of our recent photographs. They include photos of our current Student Council, Ms. Donovan’s retirement mass, Trocaire work in the school and the 5th class Port of Cork Schools Initiative. More are to come very soon so keep an eye on our blog!

Our school woodland is beginning to show its ‘Spring’ colours. The buds are on the trees. Note the black buds on the ash. The hawthorn leaves are already out. Some trees have been pruned and sixth class pupils have been involved in a tidy-up. We hope to plant wild flowers with first class very soon. A new tree has been planted on the school grounds. Third class children were involved in this. It is a lovely mountain ash and in a few years we will see its beautiful Autumn red berries.

Please click on ‘Photo Gallery’ above for more pictures of our beautiful school woodland.

Our Confirmation day dawned dry and bright on the 29th February. All of the children looked lovely on the day and were in good spirits and of fine voice. They performed the mass beautifully and were a credit to their teachers Ms. O’ Grady (Ovens) and Ms. Dunlea (Farran), and their parents. The music of the day evoked many emotional responses as the singing voices of the children rang out around the church. Everybody enjoyed a welcome cupán tae in Farran Hall after the ceremony, for which we extend our thanks to the Parents’ Council. The fact that the day went off without a hitch is a testament to the work of all concerned.

Our 4^th class boys competed in the Indoor Hurling County Championship Finals in Na Piarsaigh’s Club on the 14^th March. A large number of supporters came to cheer for us as we took on Shandrum N.S. in the semi final, which proved to be a really exciting match. We conceded a few early goals after a slow start to the game but the boys really got going in the 2^nd half. The goals were flying in thick and fast with Ovens playing the better hurling and demonstrating  a great range of striking and blocking. Coming into the closing stages of the game Ovens scored 2  great goals and were pushing hard for more. An equaliser was almost certain but the final whistle blew and Ovens had lost by the narrowest of margins. The watching crowd were well entertained by the end-to end action.

We took on Whitechurch in the 3^rd/4^th place playoff and were sadly beaten but the boys gave a great display. The goalkeeper and defence were magnificent, midfield was all-action and the boys in attack caused the opposition all sorts of problems.

It was a magnificent achievement to reach the finals as over 250 teams had taken part.  Thanks to Mr Hyde and Mr Kelly for training the team and to Marie O’ Shea for helping out on the day of the Finals. We would like to congratulate the boys on a superb effort and for all their hard work.

The children of Second class received their second sacrament, their First Confession on the evening of the 23^rd of February 2012. It was a very special and enjoyable night for Ms. Brennan’s and Ms. Coughlan’s Second class pupils. Although the children were nervous and had a lot to remember, Fr. Liam Hickey, Fr. Seán O’Sullivan and Fr. Billy O’Sullivan helped to put the children at ease with a friendly handshake and a smile before hearing the childrens’ confessions. The children sang beautifully, were on their best behaviour and really did themselves, their parents and the school proud.

Thanks to the parents, teachers, Fr. Liam Hickey, Fr. Seán O’Sullivan, Fr. Billy O’Sullivan and Mary O’Callaghan for their help and support as we share this very special journey towards the childrens’ First Holy Communion Day.

Bhí la glas againn i gcomhair Lá le Pádraig ar an 16ú Márta. Tháinig na leanaí agus múinteoirí isteach ag caitheamh dathanna na hÉireann agus do thug na páistí €2 an duine isteach chomh maith. Bhailíomar €500 agus beidh €150 ag dul go Trócaire, €150 go dtí Down Syndrome Ireland agus an cuid eile don scoil. Go raibh maith agaibh go léir! Bhí céilí againn sa halla ar an lá sin chomh maith. Bhí ana chraic againn agus bhí an foireann scoile go léir  ag rince freisin!

Congratulations to Mary Coffey and Maeve Creedon of 5th class for a wonderful performance in the ‘Group Music’ final of the Muskerry Scór na bPaistí. They finished in 3rd place after a magnificent display, and deserve great credit for putting in such a huge effort and for showcasing their superb talents. Comhghairdeachas Mary agus Maeve, maith sibh!

Our school open day was held on March 16th when over 150 parents and children came to visit and become familiar with the school for next year. While the children visited the Junior Infant classrooms and got to know each other, the parents came together in the school halla. They were given information packs on the school and presentations were made by our Principal Eoghan Hyde, Deputy Principal Marian O’ Callaghan, Junior Infant teacher Claire Finnegan and Roisín Rickard from Ovens N.S. Parents’ Association. Afterwards light refreshments were served and everyone got a chance to meet and have a chat. Thanks to the children from rang VI for all their help on the day, and the teachers and SNAs that helped out also. A special thank you to Marian Donovan on her last open day after 38 years of teaching in Ovens N.S.