Glinsk N.S. Annual School Review
2015 – 2016
Term 1
26th August 2015 – Whole Staff Meeting
27th August 2015 – School opened for all pupils - we welcome 8 junior infants and their
families to the school
Junior Infants 2016
3rd September – Sent Grandparents prayers to Knock for special mass to celebrate the
role grandparents play in our lives on Sunday 13th September
4th September – Pupils invited to wear Galway jerseys in support of Galway in the All-
Ireland hurling final
8th September – Visiting resource teacher Ms. Sharlene Coyle began resource hours
13th September – Grandparents National Pilgrimage in Knock with a display of pupils’
prayers & artwork submitted
14th September – Mr. Garret Muldoon & Ms. Mary Kelly F.A.I. (Roscommon & Districts)
visited the school to offer soccer coaching for all pupils
15th September F.A.I soccer coaching began
16th September G.A.A. coaching with Mr. James Shevlin for 1st – 6th classes began
18th September
Tin whistle lessons for all pupils from senior infants to 6th class with Ms. Orla
Wynn began
Fire drill completed by all pupils & staff
22nd September
Contact from Defence Forces regarding delivery date of the National Flag for
Proclamation day in March
Fr. Justin Harkin (Diocesan Office) confirmed school e-mail address and highly
praised the school website
24th September – All classes worked on art work for the Glenamaddy Credit Union Art
Competitions & Glenamaddy Ploughing Art Competition
25th September – all classes took part in the national minutes silence for Famine victims
2nd October – Past – pupil Ms. Karla McDonagh completed school observation studies as
part of her post graduate studies
5th October – Fr. McCarthy celebrated mass in the school hall for the start of the school
year
7th October –
Members of the Defence Forces Lt McMahon, Sgt Greens & Pte Sherlock from
Costume Barracks in Athlone delivered the national flag to the school. Pupils
played Amhran na bhFiann to begin the short ceremony. The proper care and
protocol surrounding the flag was explained to the pupils and following this there
was a question & answer opportunity
The 1916 Proclamation was read by 6th class and Lt Jamie McMahon. A copy of the
1916 Proclamation was presented to the school and pupil reminded of the
national Proclamation Day that will take place nationally on the 15th March 2016
Grow in Love religious education programme for school launched for Junior &
Senior Infants in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon in the evening
9th October
All pupils & staff completed a fire drill
Goal Jersey Day – pupils invited to wear any jersey in support of Goal
Goal Jersey Day 2015
12th October – Maths Week Ireland began – pupils in all classes took part in Maths Week
Ireland activities which included Maths Eyes, use of Target Boards with pupils in the
senior classroom making the national leader board and online Mangahigh maths website.
14th October – Bishop Kevin Doran visited the school as part of his parish visit
Fr. McCarthy, Bishop Kevin Doran & 6th class
21st October
Pupils from Junior Infants – 4th Class attend the play Shh! We Have a Plan in
Roscommon Arts Centre
Pupils from 5th & 6th class attended Les Miserables staged by Gelnamaddy
Community School in Glenamaddy Town Hall
22nd October – All pupils carved pumpkins for Halloween
Halloween 2015
23rd October
All pupils & staff dressed up to celebrate Halloween and take part in traditional
and fun Halloween games. School Closed for Halloween mid-term break
A special mass to celebrate the teaching life of Mr. Martin Ward was celebrated at
8p.m. in St. Michael’s church. Fr. Pat Hogan was the chief celebrant and mass was
con-celebrated by Fr. John McCarthy, Fr. Michael Joyce, Fr. Peter Thompson & Fr.
Liam Kelly. Members of the Parents Association, past pupils, pupils, staff, B.O.M,
Glinsk Youth Choir & Glinsk/ Kilbegnet choirs took part in the mass. A function
took place in the Glencastle Lounge after mass where presentations were made to
Marty on behalf of Glinsk Community, Pupils, Parents, Staff & B.O.M. in
appreciation of his contribution to teaching and the school community.
28th October – The final submission to SEAI for the Better Energy Communities Scheme
was completed for energy upgrade works which including insulation (cavity & attic) work,
lighting & heating upgrades
30th October – Submitted entry to Galway County Council Lord Mayor’s Awards for the
Best Schools Category – Heritage Awards
2nd November
Ms. Teresa Melia (Diocesan Advisor) visited the school
Fleet Street Solutions delivered the school printer awarded with the Digital School
of Distinction Award
4th November – Mr. Tom Gibney (Broadsat) called to install DSoD printer
5th November – Pupils attended the Glenamaddy Credit Union Art Competition prize
giving ceremony in Glenamaddy Community School. Pupils won prizes in the U7, U10 and
over 11 yrs age groups with the winner of the U10 section progressing onto the Chapter
stage of the competition.
6th November
Mr. Seán Kelly & Mr. Peter Costelloe from Tuam Fire Services visited the school to
complete a fire safety workshop with 3rd – 6th class pupils
Annual Team Hope Shoebox Appeal – children filled Christmas shoeboxes to bring
Christmas to other children around the world
Pupils from 1st & 2nd class planted crocus bulbs as part of the National Crocus
Project which remembers victims of the Holocaust
9th November – Science Week Ireland begins with pupils in all classes taking part by
completing various science experiments
12th November Colmac Robotics (Award Winning Educational Company) visited the school
to host a Lego robotics workshop for pupils from 2nd – 6th class. Pupils worked throughout
the day on the Hill Climb Challenge which involved groups designing, building, testing,
adjusting and re-testing their robots before the final Hill Climb competition.
Colmac Robotics – Hill Climb Challenge
16th & 18th November – Parent – Teacher meetings took place
19th November
H.S.E School dentist visited the school for 6th class pupils’ dental check
H.S.E Health Screening for Junior Infants completed
20th November – Ms. Ciara Roughneen (Green School Co-ordinator) submitted Green-
Schools application
26th November – Ms. Ciara Roughneen & Ms. Julie Brennan attended the Galway County
Council Lord Mayor’s Award ceremony. Glinsk N.S. is one of 5 schools shortlisted in the
Contribution to Heritage or the Irish Language Category
30th November – County Photos visited the school
2nd December – Galway County Council Community Litter Warden called to the school to
talk about the importance of keeping our communities tidy and showed photo examples
of illegal dumping to all classes
4th December – The Green Schools Committee held a Toy/ Book Swap day as part of the
school action plan. All pupils got to choose one toy and one book.
Toy/ Book Swap
8th December – School closed to observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
11th December – Christmas Concert took place in the school hall which began with a
music recital under the guidance of Ms. Orla Wynn. Thank you to the Parents Association
for all their help & preparation for the concert and especially on the night.
The following Christmas plays were staged:
Junior & Senior Infants presented The Sleepy Shepherd
1st & 2nd class presented The Landlord’s Cat
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th classes presented Santa’s on Strike
15th December – Pupils from 1st – 6th class travelled to Dublin to visit Dáil Éireann where
we met with Michael Fitzmaurice T.D. and other members of Dáil Éireann & Seanad
Éireann and watching both houses of the Oireachtas in session. The whole issue of
flooding was on the Dáil agenda. Pupils also visited the Natural History Museum, The
National Art Gallery, the Love Crib at the Lord Mayor’s Mansion House and St. Stephen’s
Green Park. The Parents Association kindly provided the cost of the bus for the highly
educational trip to Dublin
Trip to Dublin – 15th December 2015
16th December – Ms. Bridgie Trayers visited the school to host and origami workshop for
all pupils, with pupils making cats, dogs, a box and a paper cup!
Origami Workshop
17th December – Junior & Senior Infants attended the play Cuckoo Connolly’s Curious
Clock-shop in Roscommon Art Centre with the Parents Association kindly providing the
cost of the bus for the trip
21st December – Confession for all pupils from 3rd – 6th class
22nd December – School closed for the Christmas break
Term 2
7th January – School re-opened after the Christmas break
8th January – Knitting & Crochet with the help & involvement of grandparents and
community members began for all pupils from 1st – 6th class for 6 weeks. As part of the 6
weeks pupils knitted wrist bands, hair bands and teddies.
11th January – Past pupil Ms. Ann Marie Cunniffe began a week work experience as part
of her teaching studies in University of Limerick
13th January – tin whistle with Ms. Orla Wynn for Term 2 began
19th January – Fr. John McCarthy made his final visit to the school and introduced Fr.
Lawrence Ebuk. Pupils from 6th class presented Fr. McCarthy with an engraved Genesis
holy water font
20th January – Mr. Mark Molly from Galway County Council visited the school to meet
with the Green School’s Committee to complete the An Táisce Green Schools flag
assessment
21st January – Mr. Tommy Griffith (P.E.L.) visited the school as part of the Junior
Entrepreneur Programme and presented a talk about his business background, starting
up his business and award success. He also offered valuable entrepreneurial advice to the
pupils and also shared his experience of difficulties he encountered and how he managed
to over-come them. We discovered after his visit that Tommy was on his way to Dublin to
collect the Mayo Person of the Year Award 2016 – Congratulations to Tommy
Mr. Tommy Griffith P.E.L. – J.E.P. presentation
22nd January – J.E.P. Dragons Den took place with invited dragons Mr. John Murphy
(Castlerea), Ms. Audrey Hession (Mill House Farm, Williamstown) & Ms. Sarah Meehan
(Dunmore) listening to all the pitches & presentations from 3rd – 6th class groups
27th January – First meeting of the full new B.O.M
29th January – E-mail from Sight Savers Ireland to announce entry from Lee Hegarty
(Junior Infants) was one of the final 35 from over 5,000 entries received in this year’s
Sight Savers Ireland art competition. Lee received a highly commended award for his
entry “No bricks, living in the hills” entry
“No bricks, living in the hills”
31st January – Credit Union Quiz took place in Glenamaddy Community Centre with teams
competing U11 and U13. Congratulations to the U13 team who came runner-up on the
day and also go on to represent Glenamaddy Credit Union in the CUDA (Credit Union
Development Association) national competition in February
Congratulations to U13 Quiz Team
1st February
All pupils make St. Brigid crosses carry on the tradition
Lá Fhéile Bríde
All pupils completed books for the Galway Education Centre Write-A-Book 2016
and books were exchanged with Creggs N.S.
4th February – Gymnastics classes for all classes with Ms. Freda Waldron began
5th February – Grandparents prayer service took place as part of Catholic Schools Week
9th February
There was a pancake party at lunch time for all pupils in aid of National Children’s
Hospital Tallaght & Temple Street with a variety of healthy fruit options for the
pancakes and some sweet options & treats too!
Pupils took part in Safer Internet day by working on anti-bullying posters with the
#up2us slogan this year’s theme. Senior classroom pupils took group selfies to
Tweet for SID (Safer Internet Day). Completed anti-bullying posters were uploaded
to the school website
10th February – Fr. Larry Ebuk held a prayer service in the school hall for Ash Wednesday
11th February – Write-A-Books return books day
12th February
All pupils & staff completed a fire-drill
All pupils received back their Write-A-Book and certificate and merit winners
announced
Mr. James Duignan from Glenamaddy Community School visited the school
15th February – Enrolment evening for September 2016 took place from 6-8p.m.
17th February – Submitted a staffing appeals application to the Department of Education
based on the projected enrolment following the enrolment evening
18th & 19th February – school closed for February mid-term
27th February – CUDA All-Ireland quiz took place in the Tullamore Court Hotel. Well done
to the U13 team, Daniel, Paul Sarah-Jane & Tegan who represented the school &
Glenamaddy Credit Union.
29th February Engineers Week Ireland began with pupils taking part in various different
engineering projects – designing paper planes that can fly the furthest, measuring the
distance, making a circuit to light a bulb, making a fan circuit etc
Engineers Week Ireland
3rd March – Pupils dressed up as their favourite book characters to celebrate World Book
Day
7th March – Swimming lessons for all pupils from 1st – 6th class began at Roscommon
Leisure Centre
10th March
Pupils from 2nd class received the Sacrament of Penance with Fr. Larry. Pupils from
3rd – 6th class also received the Sacrament of Penance
Pupils learned how to crochet and made simple crochet designs which included a
snail and coasters for a cup/ glass etc
11th March
J.E.P. Car Wash Café took place. All pupils in the senior classroom worked in their
various teams throughout the day switching between the café and the car wash.
The school hall was transformed and provided a very welcoming café while
community members waited to have their cars washed. Thank you to all who
supported the pupils in their project and in particular to Ms. Roughneen who
guided them through the project. We were delighted that two of the dragons were
also available to attend the showcase day which was a fantastic success, with a full
display of preparation work in the hall including photos etc. Pupils conducted
market research for the project by using Google Forms to make questionnaires
which were on the school website. Well done to the story-writing team, finance
team, sales team & marketing team.
Daffodil Day – Pupils& staff supported Daffodil day and following the Car Wash
Café the J.E.P. team made a donation to Daffodil Day from their profits
J.E.P. Project
15th March – Proclamation Day took place for all schools. Pupil’s artwork on significant
figures from 1916, projects on 1916 and handprints representing children who died
during 1916 and the handprints of all the pupils in the school, the future generation of
2016 were displayed on the walls. All pupils from 1st – 6th class introduced recited poetry,
played tunes on tin whistle and sang 1916 songs for the attentive large audience. We
were delighted to be joined on the day by Sgt Patrick Tighe also a past pupil. The new
school proclamation written by pupils and also uploaded to the Scoilnet website was read
for the audience and copies available on the day. Following the ceremonies in the hall, all
went out to watch Sgt. Tighe raise the tri-colour, Amhrán na bhFiann was sung and finally
two pupils read the 1916 pupils. Refreshments were served in the school hall afterwards
for all gathered which ended a very memorable celebration & remembrance of 1916.
Proclamation Day 2016
16th March – Seachtain na Gaeilge was celebrated with a Lá Gaeilge. All pupils were
encouraged to speak as much Irish throughout the day, and wear green on the day. We
held a “séisiúin mór” in the school hall with pupils playing a variety of instruments
including tin whistles, guitars, banjos, fiddles, button accordion, mandolin, keyboard, &
shakers etc. Afterwards pupils from all classes were divided into mixed class groups for a
Kahoot quiz with questions “as Gaeilge.” These quizzes were also made available on the
school website. Pupils also enjoyed and Irish dancing exhibition and viewed Irish dancing
costumes before taking part in an improvised River Dance! School closed for Easter break
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2016
Term 3
4th April – School re-opens after the Easter break and swimming lessons continued. The
senior classroom & cloakroom area was painted during the Easter break. Thank you to
the Parents Association for providing for the cost of labour & materials.
7th April – Fr. Larry celebrated mass in the school hall in memory of the late Noel
Connelly.
8th April - The shortlist for the Eir Junior Spider Awards was announced with Glinsk N.S.
school website shortlisted in the Mega Spiders Best Group Category
12th April – Cumann na mBunscol girls football championship took place in Clonberne
14th April - The Department of Education staffing appeals board has granted provisional
approval for an additional permanent teaching post for September 2016. The decision is
conditional on the school achieving the required enrolment on the 30th September 2016.
15th April - Pupils from 2nd – 6th class attended Maloney’s Dream by Branar Theatre
Company in Roscommon Arts Centre – based on 1916
18th April – Cumann na mBunscol boys Mini 7s took place in the Centre of Excellence in
Ballyhaunis
19th April – Swimming test day for pupils
21st April
Simon O’ Dwyer from Ancient Music Ireland brought a collection of animal horn,
stones, bones, and large shells – all musical instruments and through story he took
the pupils from 10,000BC through the ages, incorporating story e.g. Brown Bull of
Cooley. All pupils enjoyed this workshop which was booked through the Heritage
in Schools scheme
School Eason Spelling Bee competition was held, winner going forward to
represent school at the county competition
22nd April - Annual Spring Clean around the school grounds and immediate village took
place as part of National Spring Clean
25th April
Marked the start of Tech Week & Active Schools Week. Glinsk N.S. attending the
national Eir Junior Spider Awards – 5th & 6th class, Ms Roughneen & Ms. Brennan
represented the school
5th & 6th Class attending Eir Junior Spider Awards at Croke Park & meeting special guest Sam Maguire!
Mystery Skype with Ballinamuck N.S. in Longford & following 5th & 6th on Twitter
at the awards in Dublin
Tech & Go Seek
Shared poetry
26th April – Eason Spelling Bee County Final took place in the Salthill Hotel with Paul
Coyne representing the school
27th April – Ms. Julie Brennan & Ms. Gráinne Nolan attended Language In-service in
Galway Education Centre. There are no immediate changes for the coming school year
2016 – 2017 and the focus will be whole school planning for the following school year.
Schools will close for 2 half days or a full day before the end of this school year to review
aspects of the Language Curriculum and become familiar with it. This planning day was
taken as a full day – closing on Thurs 23rd June instead of Fri 24th June.
28th April – World Poetry Day & Creggs Mark Fitzmaurice Tournament took place
29th April
Orange Day in aid of George, Isaac & Archie Naughton
Hip-Hop workshop with Dance World West for all classes as part of Active Schools
Week
4th May - Second Class received sacrament of confessions as part of final final preparation
for First Holy Communion. Bulb went in the projector in Senior Classroom. Tom Gibney
took the bulb from the projector in the spare classroom. A replacement bulb to have on
standby is needed.
8th May – First Holy Communion was celebrated in St. Michael’s church which was a very
special day for all First Communicants and their families. Refreshments were served in
the school hall afterwards organised by the Parents Association and the Glinsk Ladies
Club. Glinsk N.S. is very grateful to all these groups that make the day special and
memorable for all
First Holy Communion Class 2016
11th May – Whole Staff Website Training with Mr. David McDonagh
12th May
Representatives of the Pioneer Association Ms. Beatie cuddy & Mr. James Shevlin
spoke with 5th & 6th classes in school
Mr. Martin Curley (Heritage in Schools Scheme) began - 5 weeks with pupils in the
senior room on local history, census records, Griffith Land Valuations, OSI & Geo
Hive maps, Family records
Fridge for children’s lunches purchased by the Parents Association delivered to the
school
Pioneer Presentation Evening in the Abbey Hotel Roscommon for Art & Essay
Competitions with Ava Joyce & Marissa Scappaticci winners from the school
Pioneer Winners
13th May – School tin whistle band competition in Glenamaddy Community School as part
of the County Fleadh
Glinsk N.S. at Galway Fleadh at Glenamaddy Community School
16th May – Girls Championship Football held at Glinsk GAA pitch as the organising of the
event was left to schools in the group
18th May – Roscommon & District FAI boys & girls soccer competitions took place at
Donamon with 2 girl’s teams qualifying for the next stage of the competition
19th May – Members of the Green schools committee – 3 pupils & 2 adults attended the
Green Schools Award ceremony in the Radisson Hotel Galway to collect the school’s first
Green Flag.
Members of the Green School Committee accept Green School Flag
23rd May
6th class pupils received the Sacrament of Confirmation in Kilbegnet Church from
Bishop Kevin Doran
B.O.M. training took place in the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon
25th May – Helen Butler (Youth Work Ireland & N.P.C.) worked with 5th & 6th class for
full day, covered the transitioning to post-primary school module, mobile phone use,
substance mis-use etc. Talk for parents held in the evening
26th May – Final tin whistle lesson for this school year with Orla Wynn who did great
work throughout the year
30th May – Past pupil Ms. Aoife Keane began work experience
7th June – Uniform fitting took place
8th June – Top Line Markings (Ballinlough) did line markings on the school yard which
included basketball/ soccer markings, adventure trail, noughts & crosses, alphabet snake
& target board. This project was funded by the Parents Association
9th June – J.E.P. Fun day – Pupils in the senior room decided to use the profits from their
J.E.P. car wash cafe for a fun day following a donation to Daffodil Day and the school.
Bouncing castles were hired and also the ice-cream visited which went down very well on
a warm day! The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all pupils and well deserved given the
amount of hard work they put into their J.E.P. project.
J.E.P. Fun Day
10th June – The Tom Lohan & Noel Connelly memorial football competition took place at
Glinsk G.A.A. pitch. This was the inaugural year of the Noel Connelly football competition
for girls. Creggs N.S. boys’ team won the boys Tom Lohan memorial football shield and
the boys football skills competition. Glinsk N.S. girls’ team won the Noel Connelly
memorial football shield and the skills competition. Members of the Connelly family
presented the winning shields on the day.
Thank you to James Shevlin & Stephen Neary for all their help preparing the pitch for the
event and the Parents Association for providing refreshments and treats for the teams,
Glinsk Ladies G.A.A. & Glinsk G.A.A. clubs for sponsorship towards the event. A very
sporting occasion was enjoyed by all with great support for the teams on the day. We are
very grateful to the Connelly & Lohan families for supporting this tournament.
13th June
Colleen Clarke presented an R.S.E. talk to parents from Glinsk N.S. and Creggs N.S.
hosted in Glinsk N.S.
Junior Infants starting school in September attended school for a half day to
become familiar with their new surroundings & classroom
16th June – A sports day for all pupils took place which included running races, traditional
races such as the egg & spoon, sack race, 3-legged race, with novelty races including the
newspaper race, teddy bear race and the obstacle race which required much
concentration & skill.
17th June – Fr. Joyce celebrated mass in the school hall for the end of the school year.
Following mass pupils in the senior room presented PowerPoint presentations on the
Green School programme and the J.E.P. programme. Afterwards Mr. John Murphy
Glenamaddy Credit Union presented members of the Green School committee with the
Green School Certificate and members of the J.E.P. team with the school J.E.P. plaque.
The Green Schools flag and the J.E.P. flags were raised outside after which all gathered
enjoyed a delicious barbecue kindly prepared by Tony Scappaticci with refreshments
served in the school hall.
We welcome Ms. Sharlene Coyle to the staff in September following her appointment by
the Board of Management. The following are the staffing arrangements for September
2016:
Junior & Senior Infants – Ms. Brennan
1st, 2nd & 3rd – Ms. Nolan
4th, 5th & 6th – Ms Roughneen
Learning Support (Shared) – Ms. Coyle
20th June
Ms. Colleen Clarke presented an R.S.E. talk for 6th class pupils and their parents
Junior & Senior Infants went on their school tour to Graune Pet Farm outside
Cloonfad
Girls in the senior classroom took part in the next round of the FAI soccer
competition qualifying for the final 4 of the Roscommon & Districts 2 teacher
school competition
21st June – Pupils from 1st – 6th class went on the school tour to Sligo & Leitrim, visiting
Arigna Mining Experience, The Model Art Gallery, Eagles Flying and Funny Bones. There
was plenty of variety of activities throughout the day with the Eagles Flying particular
enjoyed be all.
22nd June
The girls’ soccer team won the Roscommon & Districts B final at Donamon
organised by Mr. Martin Conboy (F.A.I. – Roscommon & Districts) with supporters
travelling to Donamon to support the team. Well done to the girls on winning
silver ware. Throughout the school year both boys and girls teams took part and
played their best in all Cumann na mBuncol Mini 7’s, Cumann na mBunscol
championship football, Mark Fitzmaurice Creggs Tournaments, Tom Lohan/ Noel
Connelly memorial tournaments & F.A.I Roscommon & Districts soccer
competitions with younger pupils also making their debut this year which is good
for the future. We look forward to these sporting competitions in the next school
year and are very grateful for all the help & coaching James Shevlin has given
during the school year and Stephen Neary’s commitment to encouraging and
promoting the games bringing teams to matches.
Awards presentations took place - sports day medals, trophies, soccer league
medals & trophies, basketball league medals & trophies, & project vouchers were
presented in the school hall. Pupils from 4th – 6th class received Sports World token
vouchers for the lunchtime hall duties rota with all pupils helping to keep the lunch
room tidy. Members of the Green School committee also took turns to encourage
and ensure pupils placed litter in the correct bins or reminding them to follow the
displayed signs for sorting rubbish.
We wish 6th class pupils Daniel Scappaticci & Paul Coyne every happiness and
success in Glenamaddy Community School
23rd June – School Closed for the summer holidays
Thank you sincerely to all staff Ms. Ciara Roughneen, Ms. Julie Brennan, Mary Timothy &
Eileen Caulfield for your hard work and dedication all year, to the parents and Parents
Association for all you help, support and involvement throughout the school year, the
Board of Management for your work and encouragement during the year. We appreciate
the work of Michael Stapleton and the R.S.S. team who willingly help with maintenance
and work internally & externally during the school year, help us prepare for upcoming
events such as Proclamation Day etc and join to share us to share in our success. We
welcome Ms. Sharlene Coyle to the staff and are delighted that the school becomes a 4
teacher school (3 Mainstream posts & a shared Learning Support post) in September.