Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas from all at Our Lady's N.S.

(Picture by Isabell Foy, 6th Class)

The Three Silly Goats Gruff - by Michael Blake

Inspired by Roald Dahl's 'Revolting Rhymes' we set about subverting some popular fairy tales. This is what 6th Class student Michael Blake came up with.

One day, the Three Silly Goats Gruff; Donald, Boris and Trump were eating their grass when they ran out. They would have to cross the road to get more grass. Each time they tried Chucky, the ogre drove up and down the road in his tractor trying to run them over. The goats couldn't get across.
The goats decided to build an underpass so they could get across. However Chucky worked for the Council so they didn't get planning permission to do the underpass.
The built it anyway but it didn't meet the regulations. When the goats were passing through the underpass Chucky drove over it on his tractor and they all died!!!

Presentation Secondary School Taster Day

On November 16th our Sixth Class students were invited to the Presentation Secondary School for a 'Taster Day'. Here's how they got on...

"On Wednesday, 6th Class went down to the Secondary School in Ballingarry. There were lots of other schools there. While we were waiting to start I was talking to Órla and watching some girls and boys playing basketball. At the start we were given numbers. I was given a '2' and so was Órla. First we played table tennis. It was Ellen and I against Órla and a boy from another school. Then we switched. After that we did an obstacle course. The last activity we did was a basketball match and we won." - Emer Dunne

 "Yesterday at 10:50am a bus collected us and brought us down to the Secondary School to show us what we would be doing in First Year. We played basketball. we went on the treadmills and on the exercise bikes. After lunch we went to the Woodwork, Science and Art rooms. We had a good day and we all enjoyed it." - Michael Blake

 "When we got there we went into the sports hall and did some activities in groups. My group first did table tennis but we weren't very good at it. Next we tried taking basketball shots. Then we did some gymnastics where we jumped on a springboard and onto the vault. I was able to stand on it once" - Ellen Geeves

"On Wednesday the 16th of November, 6th Class went to Ballingarry Secondary School. We were put into groups with people from different schools. My group played table tennis first and then took shots on the basketball course. We played a basketball match and we drew. We then went up to the gym where I did yoga and went on the treadmill. We then had lunch and went to the Woodwork room and made keyrings with our names on them. We went to the Science room and looked at onion cells under a microscope. We then made a print with ink and went back to school."  - Órla Ivors

Pet Poems

Pet Poems by Fifth and Sixth Class
Bowie I had a dog, He was black and white. He was a bit crazy But he had good sight He liked to jump, He liked to play. I loved him so. He would stay all day. by Osgar Croke Staunton	My Dog My dog is very smart, She loves to play with her ball, She loves to lie upside down, She’s chubby and kind of tall. When we are away she is good, When we are there she goes crazy. She plays with my other dog You couldn’t really call her lazy. by Rose Smyth
My Pet Buddy’s a dog I like her a lot. She’s not very big But she’s not a tot! She likes to play And run around. When she jumps up, I say, ‘Get down!’ She comes to me When I get home from school. She jumps up again… I say, ‘Not cool!’ The colour of her fur Is black and white. One good thing is She does not bite. Buddy is My canine friend. I will love her ‘Til the end. by Ronan Mullally	My Ferret I have a ferret. His name is Pogba. He is very cute. His name sounds like Drogba. He hates being tickled On his paws. He’s small But when he stands up He looks very tall. He has beady eyes And a striped face And when you call him He comes at his own pace. He is always sleepy, He sleeps in my bed But when he sleeps He looks like he’s dead. by Brónagh Ivors
My Dog I have a dog Her breed is Pug. She’s very cute And she loves a hug. Her name is Alisha She’s such a good dog. For our daily walk We go to the bog. She can do lots of tricks Her main one is ‘Wait!’ But when I say ‘Go!’ She’s first out the gate. by Emma Geeves	My Dog I have a dog She is not smart She acts the clown She really plays that part. She eats our shoes, She chases birds, She chews her toys On the kerb. I love my dog She jumps around And after all that She lays on the ground. by Josh Kealy
My Pet Poem Bailey is my dog. She loves her bones. I love her a lot. She never moans She’s really nice, She’s brindle and white. She’s quiet but not when She barks at night. She plays with Buddy, She’s really nice, But sometimes she runs To catch some mice by Shauna Dunne	Tin Tin I have a dog. He is brown and white. He is very small. He likes to bite. He is very nice. He sprints around. His name is Tin Tin. He jumps up and down. We got him from Celine. He is one year old. I like him a lot But he is very bold. by Fionn O’Brien
Benny Benny is a dog. He has a furry tail, He sometimes plays soccer, He runs along our trail. He is a collie sheepdog He gets on well with the cats But if he takes their food… He will not like the stats. He sits in a flower pot On a rainy day. He will not listen to you If you shout ‘Stay’ I really love my dog He will always be my friend. Even if he does something And comes out the wrong end! by Kieran Murray	Toby Toby is my dog He is brown and white. He doesn’t like fish. Sometimes he stays up all night. If you ever saw him You would think he looks like snow. You might want to keep him But I will say, ‘No!’ He doesn’t like the postman, He doesn’t like cats, He doesn’t like mice But he likes to chase rats. Toby is the best! He sleeps in a bed Under the duvet. He is very well fed. by Ciara Marnell
My Pet Buddy I had a cat, He was black and white. He only drank milk. When I picked him up he tried to bite. His name was Buddy. He was really fluffy, He had sharp claws And was really scruffy. That’s all I know Because he ran away. I hope that he comes back Or has found somewhere nice to stay. by Ellen Geeves	My Dog Riley I have a dog, he’s black and white He’s called Riley. He likes to play and jump and fight And he’s always smiley. While he’s outside He goes to the meadow And down by the stream Where he can see his shadow. by Aoife O’Sullivan

Writers of the Month - November 2016

Below are the Writers of the Month for November. Well done to all our winners and keep up the good work.

Class of the Month - November 2016

Well done to Third and Fourth Class who are the deserving winners of November's Class of the Month.

Brilliant Baking!

This term these two charming chefs were busy baking a treat for everyone in their class. 

Science Week - Andrew's Experiment

During Science Week Sixth Class student Andrew Hayes tried out an experiment with the help of Miss Quirke. It went really well and he has written the instructions if you would like to try it out yourself.

How to make a lava lamp

Equipment:

Food colouring

Vegetable oil

Water

An empty bottle

Alka seltzer (fizzy tablet)

Method:

1.       Fill the bottle with water until it is a quarter full.

2.       Fill the rest of the bottle with vegetable oil.

3.       Add a couple of drops of food colouring.

4.       Drop an Alka Seltzer in to the bottle.

5.       Watch what happens.

Results:

There were lots of bubbles in the vegetable oil. It looked like a lava lamp.

Liam McCarthy

Liam McCarthy made a welcome return to Ballingarry today. He was accompanied by the Irish Press Cup. Local men Liam Cahill and Dylan Walsh along with Clonoulty man John O'Keeffe were given the job of visiting the four schools in the parish and I am sure that they were delighted with the enthusiastic reception they and their silverware received.
They arrived in Our Lady's just after half ten this morning. After the rapturous applause died down John O'Keeffe was the first to address our excited young GAA fans. John, who was on the victorious Senior panel is also the Games Development Officer for South Tipperary. Former pupil Liam Cahill spoke of his delight to be back in the school in such celebratory circumstances. Minor star Dylan Walsh then spoke to the students about his victorious year.
Our three guests then signed autographs and posed for photos while the two cups got passed around. It was a great morning and it will surely live long in the memory. Here's hoping we'll have a few more days like it in the coming years.

Book Fair

The eagerly anticipated Book Fair was in full flow today. The latest releases from popular authors such as David Walliams, Liz Pichon, Michael Morpurgo and David Baddiel are amongst the many books for sale. 

Speaking of famous authors...Roald Dahl is author of the month here in Our Lady's N.S.

Library Display by Liam Dunne

Every month we make a library display.

My  job  is  to  put  all  the  books  up  on  the  table .

I also decorate the display. 

I like the job.

Our Book Display by Daniel Dunne

Every month we make a book display in the library.

We choose a theme.

We find books for the theme.

In October we had Halloween books, in November we chose Roald Dahl books and in December we will have Christmas books on display.

Class of the Month - October

Congratulations to the students of 1st and 2nd Class for winning Class of the Month for October.

Writers of the Month - October

Congratulations to our Writers of the Month for October pictured above. Ms. O'Sullivan in typical fashion, 'Trumped' the other teachers to win the staff award.

Halloween at Our Lady's

The last day before the Halloween break is always a bit mad. The students come to school dressed up in their ghoul uniforms. They spend the morning playing board games. Then there is the cake sale, Mrs Egan's legendary pumpkin soup and of course the fancy dress parade. Like I said...mad.

Going Bonkers with Conkers

Many thanks to Lieneke and Anna Smyth who came into the Senior Room and did some wonderful art with them using natures autumnal bounty.

Cross Country

Our students took part in the South Tipperary Cross Country Championships in Marlfield today.

6th Class student James O'Sullivan shares his experience of the day.
"Today we went to the South Tipperary Cross Country Championships. We were running 800m. We were so excited but nervous at the same time. Kieran, Michael, Osgar and I were the top four finishers for the 5th/6th Class Boys. I came 9th, Kieran came 14th, Osgar came 25th, and Michael came 27th. We got a bronze medal.
The 5th/6th Class Girls won gold. The 3rd/4th Class Girls won bronze and the 3rd/4th Class Boys won silver. It was a day I'll never forget."

Cameron Burke from 6th Class had this to say:
"There were lots of races and we were waiting a while. When my race came up I got a bit nervous. But after the race I felt like I could do it all again. I came 37th in the race which is an improvement from last time."

Órla Ivors from 6th Class went running too:
"At 9:30 3rd-6th Class left for Marlfield for the Cross Country Championships. 5th/6th had to run 800m while 3rd/4th ran 600m. Before the races people were nervous knowing that they were soon going to run. We ate a little bit of chocolate before the race. Everybody did their very best. It was a very enjoyable day out and I had lots of fun."

New School Year Mass

At 11:00am today we had Mass. All the students had to wear their full uniform. Fr Quirke said the Mass. Lots of parents came. Some parents brought their young children too. We sang four hymns. Lots of children said readings. Brónagh had the longest reading.
After that, eight children (one from each class) held a balloon. They each said their wish for the school and let the balloon go.
Then we went to the front of the school. We all counted down from ten and the new plaque was uncovered. I had a lot of fun today. I think everyone had fun too.
- by Shauna Dunne, 5th Class

Today we had Mass in the Library. Father Quirke and some parents came. We sang songs and Josh, Brónagh, Órla, Adam, Isabell, Ronan, Emer and Andrew had to say a reading. They all read very well.
After Mass we went outside and eight people had to let off balloons. After that we went up to unveil the new plaque. It was a good day.
- by Keira Jayne Cleere, 5th Class

Today we had the New School Year Mass. We had to wear our full uniform. I read a reading of nine lines. We sang four hymns, the last one was a surprise. My mam came.
After the Mass eight students, one from each class, released balloons into the sky. We counted down and then watched until they were out of sight. We then went to the front yard to see the new school plaque.
- by Brónagh Ivors, 5th Class

Writers of the Month - September

Well done to all our Writers of the Month for September. Keep up the good work! There seems to be no staff winner this month for some reason!

Class of the Month - September

Well done to Fifth and Sixth Class who won a very keenly contested Class of the Month for September.

Cross Country County Championships

Well done to all our young athletes who performed excellently at today's Cross Country County Championships in Thurles. The weather was great and we brought home a few medals as well. Thanks again to Marie Corbett for all her help in preparing our athletes for today.

The Last Straw!!!

We're not entirely sure what is going on in this photo but it looks constructive....and fun!

Sponsored Walk

The weather was kind to us on Sunday and we managed to complete our sponsored walk before the rain. A good crowd of present, past and future students took part along with their parents and teachers. Healthy refreshments were provided by our Parents' Council on the day. Thank you to everybody who took part and to everybody who sponsored our young walkers.

Florrie the Fox

Introducing our newest staff member.....Florrie the Fox. Florrie keeps an eye on the lines before and after break and rewards the best 'liner upper' with a hug every Friday.

Cross Country

Our Cross Country team is hard at work in preparation for the County Championships in Thurles on Wednesday. Every day, weather permitting, our 3rd to 6th Class students do a few laps to build up their stamina. Once a week, athletics coach Maria Corbett comes in to put them through their paces. Our thanks to Maria for volunteering her time and expertise to help us out.

Sponsored Walk

Just a reminder that our Sponsored Walk takes place this Sunday, September 25th. We will leave the school at 12 noon and proceed along the Slí na Sláinte route. Those taking part are requested to be at the school at 11:45.
In the interests of health and safety please ensure that children wear their Hi Vis jackets as we will be walking along a public road. A small number of jackets will be available at the school on the day. It is also important that the children remain with their parents/responsible adult for the duration of the walk.
As always thank you for your support and we'll see you on Sunday.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

Sponsored Walk Sunday, 25th September

Cross Country Running (Thurles) Wednesday, 28th September

Recycling Day Thursday, 29th September

Teachers’ In-service Training (School Closure) Monday, 10th October

Book Fair 13th - 18th October

GOAL Jersey Day Friday, 14th October

Swimming Dates for Third to Sixth Class 11th, 18th, 22nd, 25th November and 2nd, 9th, 13th, 16th December

Parent Teacher Meetings Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November

Halloween Fancy Dress/Cake Sale/Game Playing Day Friday, 28th October

Halloween Break (School Closure) Friday, 28th October (3pm) Return: Monday, 7th November

Feast of the Immaculate Conception (School Closure) Thursday, 8th December

Christmas Holidays Thursday, 22nd December (12 noon) Return: Monday, January 9th. 2017