Everybody is Cloughduv NS would like to wish every family and every teacher a wonderful summer break.  We have had an extremely busy year and we all need a good rest to recharge and be ready for next September.

There will be a lot of changes in Cloughduv next year.  Teachers are moving to different classes and of course, our wonderful principal of the past three years, is moving onto a new job in Macroom. We wish her success and happiness in her new school.

Mrs. Clancy was presented with a bouquet of flowers from all the children in the school today.  Our chairman, Kevin Madden, made a presentation on behalf of the Board of Management. Ms.Breen spoke on behalf of all the staff and thanked Mrs.Clancy for her dedication to the children and the school.

We will move forward with a new principal next September and another busy chapter in the history of CNS will begin.

Bíodh samhradh iontach agaibh go léir.

Mrs. Landers

Sciath na Scol: Camogie 2017

This year in Sciath na Scol we played five matches, we won three of those matches. I thought we played very well in all of our games. Personally our toughest match was our last one against Kilbrittain. It was a must win match, but unfortunately we lost. At half time it was a draw but we weren’t able to keep up the pace in the second half. Overall we had a great time and enjoyed ourselves!

By : Eimear Buckley

 

This year I think we did very well in all our matches. We played really well as a team. I am really happy how we performed this year! We also trained on Fridays from 1:30-3pm which really improved our skills and techniques. This perpared us for our games as we came up with a game plan. This really paid off as we only lost 2 of our games. I’m really looking forward to our next Sciath na Scol season.

 

By Clodagh Collins

After a few extremely busy weeks of preparation, our whole school building, inside and out, was looking marvellous for our big day. The buzz in the air was palpable for the past week as art work was finished and hung, school uniforms washed and minded at home for the week, songs were rehearsed, walking and lining up was choreographed, bunting was hung, and flowers appeared like magic on every windowsill of the two school buildings!

The weather was kind, the sun shone  and everybody waited excitedly for the commencement of our proceedings for the day.

After the raising of the Green Flag all the children and the audience who had gathered for the occasion, moved to the back of the school where a stage had been set up.  Mr. Kevin Madden, our Chairperson of the Board of Management, welcomed everybody.  First of all  he invited Canon Bernard to bless our new building.  After that, the pupils from 2nd to 6th sang a selection of the songs they had learned for the “Sing Out Loud” concert last March.  The children concluded their 20 minutes of singing with a beautiful song called “Light a Candle for Peace”.  Their wishes for peace around the world were a poignant reminder that not all children are as fortunate as our children are, with the fantastic classrooms and facilities that we have in Cloughduv N.S.

 

Next up was Brian Kelleher, another member of the BOM and a parent of two children in the school.  He gave a brief outline of the history of how the school expanded since the opening of the “New School” in 1995, and how this extension came about. A special presentation was made to Ms.Kathleen Buckley for her tireless work for the school.  The Board really appreciate the work she did while the extension was being built.  She was on-call throughout the summer of 2014 as the building was being constructed.

Principal Alice Clancy then spoke about the education the children are receiving.  She stated that the  development of the whole person is of paramount importantce to us.  The Catholic ethos of the school is emphasised and supported by the teaching staff.  She outlined all the extra project work undertaken by class teachers this year and the success that we have had with this.

Finally, Minister Michael Creed cut the ribbon and our extension was declared to be “Ar Oscailt.”

 

Refreshments were provided to all the visitors and we are very grateful to our wonderful Parents’ Association for all the work they did today.  A big thank you especially to Nicola Kelleher who had to co-ordinate the parents and plan for the catering.

Today was the culmination of great teamwork by the whole school community.  We appreciate and thank everybody who gave  their time and talents to making 16th June, 2017, an historic and very special day.

Beannacht Dé oraibh go léir.

 

Our first Green Flag was raised by former Principal of CNS, Mr. Pat Crowley, today, 16^th June.

Many parents, former parents and members of the community were gathered at the front of the school to watch this event.

Ms. Laura Spillane explained how the school community had worked for two years to reduce the amount of litter and waste that we produced. The present pupils were carrying on the work that had been ongoing for many years in Cloughduv N.S.   Now we have recognition for our ongoing work educating our pupils about the importance of looking after our planet and environment.

Members of the Green School Committee also spoke about how all the children and staff participated in the endeavour to be awarded our first Green Flag.

Three prizewinning groups from our Greenovision Song Contest last February performed their songs in front of the large crowd who were attending our main event of the day, the Official Opening of our extension.

Don’t forget that the Official Opening of our school extension and the raising of our first Green Flag, are happening on Friday June 16th.

We would love to see lots of the community there.  It will be an opportunity to view the new building, look at some old photographs as well as new ones, and enjoy some light refreshments.

We need to have an approximate idea of the numbers that we will have so please return the note that your child will bring home later this week requesting that information.

We are praying for a dry, sunny day so that the ceremony can be conducted outdoors! In the event of inclement weather, the School Hall will be used.

 

Saturday June 10th: Bingo Night / BBQ / Kiddie’s Disco

Fundraiser organised by the Parents’ Association

Monday June 12th: Old Clothes Collection

 

 

The weather on June 1st, the day of the Primary School Sports, was not kind to us this year!  After a mostly dry and often sunny month of May,  the teachers and the  parents who came to support their children, had to endure heavy rain for most of the day. Surprisingly, it did not seem to bother the 32 children who made up the Cloughduv athletics team this year! They just got on with the task in hand.

They waited patiently for their turn to run like the wind and we were proud of all of their efforts.  We were especially proud of our young competitor who slipped in the first few paces of her race, directly as a result of the slippery condition of the grass.  She slipped and fell, but she got herself up and despite being dreadfully disappointed, she ran her whole race.  That takes courage and character, which this little girl has in abundance.  Well done Isobel. 🙂

Congratulations to the children who won trophies: Áine, Mike, Ethan, Liam, Eddie and the four members of the U-11 Relay team, Oisín, Harry, Max & Eddie who came first and brought back a plaque to Cloughduv for the 2nd year in a row.

 

 

Our first school tour took place last Tuesday, May 30th.

2nd, 3rd and 4th headed off for a morning of sport activities in the UCC Mardyke Arena. It included some rock climbing which was great fun!

After a quick picnic in Fitzgerald’s Park and an even quicker run around the playground, they struck off walking across the famous “Shaky Bridge” en-route to the old City Gaol. They thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour that they had in that historic building.

We want to hear much more about this great day so please start writing about your favourite memory of the day or maybe what was the most interesting thing you learned while visiting the gaol?

Above:  Ms.Whelan’s 2nd & 3rd wave for the camera!

Below: Plenty of smiles from Ms.Spillane’s 3rd & 4th!

Infants and First are travelling to Nemo Rangers for their day on the Let’s Go Camp, this Thursday, June 8th.

5th & 6th have their tour on Monday 12th and they will have a fun-filled activity day in the Glen  Resource Centre.

 

Apologies for the very, very late post about the wonderful 2nd class who received their First Holy Communion on May 20th, together with the children from Kilbonane N.S.

The preparation that the children had done all year with their parents and in school with Ms.Whelan, was very evident on the day.

Every child prayed and sang beautifully.   They were supported by the wonderful choir which was prepared by Ms.Spillane.   Ms.Purcell provided some accompaniment on the organ.  The children’s classmate Nathan  was given control of the laptop which provided backing tracks for the hymns and songs and he did a fantastic job.

Refreshments were generously provided by our hardworking Parents’ Association, with lots of extra volunteers from the parents of first class.

Many thanks to everybody who helped to make May 20th such a special occasion for our 2nd Class.  A special thanks must be extended to Ms.Whelan who put huge effort into the preparation of the children for both of the sacraments they received this year.

The group photograph  was taken by photographer Peter Scanlon and it may be ordered from the school.  It costs 10 euro.

 

 

 

5th and 6th were introduced to the sport of rowing during the month of May.

They attended the National Rowing Centre which is located adjacent to Farran Woods, for three Monday mornings.

We’d love to hear more about their experience before the end of the year! Come on all you budding writers and rowers, write us an article to publish!