End of Year Round Up

Early May was all about preparation for our European partners’ arrival due on May 8^th to 12^th. It was an astounding success and unforgettable experience for our school.

Read more about the Erasmus+ Project. Visit the link on our website or check out the project’s website www.magicandmythsuniteeurope.weebly.com.

Inspired by her Erasmus visit, one of the teachers requested to return with a group. Sixteen Finnish teachers visited our school.

The group, comprised of teachers working in a variety of teaching roles in Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary school. They travel to different countries learning from the education system of others.

They did a tour of the school first admiring the many beautiful displays on the walls. Four of our teachers volunteered to show them how things are done in their class; Emma, Elaine, Heather and Maureen.

They were treated to songs and recorder playing and a real learning experience of the Irish famine in Maureen’s class. The children in return had many questions to ask about school and life in Finland. The teachers and pupils really were impressive and the visiting teachers were very pleased by what they saw.

Last Tuesday, June 20^th, the school’s talent show was held. In the lead up, auditions were held in 3^rd to 6^th classes and each class voted for its entry. The nominated acts included singing, dancing, joke telling and instrument playing.

The event also heralded the inauguration of the “John Whelan Memorial Trophy”. This was to mark the memory of John’s death which occurred on the day of last year’s graduation. John loved all school performances so we thought it would be a fitting tribute to him to have the prize for the talent show named after him.

The trophy, a multi-coloured glass column with a golden star on top, was presented to the winner by Chloe, his daughter, now in secondary school.

The winners on the day were:

1^st prize: Jake Reid, who danced.
2^nd prize: Maeve Campbell, who played the tin whistle
3^rd prize: Fionn Lynch, who played the cello.

Well done everybody!

The 5^th and 6^th class “Movie Magic “dance show took place on Wednesday 21^st June. The children, so ably led by Jacinta Cassidy of “Fit kids, Fit teens”performed to movie musical favourites.

Wonderful displays were performed to music from The Wizard of Oz, The Phantom of the Opera, Grease, Mary Poppins, Oliver, Beauty and the Beast and Star Wars. And, as suggested by the title, it was truly a “magical” show.

Well done boys and girls and well done Jacinta, you are a creative genius!

On Tuesday 27^th, June, an end of year show took place to show the wonderful work done by the children with our music teachers, Maria Sheil and Ailbhe Kirkan.

The Junior and Senior Infants delighted the audience with songs and clapping learnt at their “Little Music Makers” classes this year. They were conducted by Maria and their little friend “Mousey”. Every child in the two second classes played their recorders and showed what they performed for their Royal Irish Academy Cara Award. A most impressive performance for children so young. They have been taught also by Maria.

The newly developed orchestra performed two tunes, the Blue Danube and Bare Necessities, conducted by Ailbhe. They are a young group so we look forward to many years ahead of bigger and greater things! Solo performances also took place with children performing on violin, cello and viola. They all showed great courage and the budding musicians were greatly appreciated by all.

Finally, on that day, second class took the opportunity to put on their play ”An Machtíre and na Caorigh”, known as ”The boy who cried wolf” in English. It was great. We were all suitably impressed by their gaeilge and some of their recorder players accompanied the action in the play from time to time. Well done to all involved and to their teachers Elaine and Nicola!

We have had a very active and busy sports calendar at Le Chéile this term. First up was the Corn Cois Farraige GAA league. Our team, a combination of 5^th and 6^th class boys and girls reached the semi-final for the first time this year. Trained so well by James O’Neill, they did us proud on the day, but, were pipped at the post by St.Pat’s, Stamullen, who were the overall winners of the league. We have high hopes for next year’s team as many of the talented members of this year’s group will be here to carry on playing with many more great players coming up the ranks. A lot of these are in the current 4^th class who were overall winners of the recent 4^th class blitz. They won all of their matches. A great achievement!

Tennis was a favourite this term with many classes being coached by David Black. David’s classes are highly organised and lots of fun and much enjoyed by all the children of the school. A seed of interest has definitely been sown with the children of Le Chéile! Many thanks David.

A variety of activities was put together for the Junior and Senior Sports Days, with all hands on deck! The junior children partook in basketball, tag rugby, tennis, rounders, mixed games, bench ball and the mandatory and very important, races. Last but not least was the “Tug of war” competition between the boys and girls of each class group. Great fun was had by all and huge thanks goes to Clodagh who organised the events so well. Medals and cups were awarded to the lucky winners, now proudly on display on children’s chests and in classrooms!

Unfortunately, the seniors did not have much luck with the weather and the planned fun day for them had to be cancelled two days running, due to rain. We hope to make it up to those children in September, though sadly, our sixth class won’t be here.

Graduation this year took place on Friday 23^rd, June. It was a spectacular event.

The walls were covered with art work, inspirational quotes and memorabilia. The children dazzled their parents and grandparents with dance from their “Movies and Magic” performance.

Emotion ran high as the children took a trip down memory lane reminiscing on the people and events of their eight years at Le Chéile.

Poetry from their published collection was read out. The beautiful cover was designed by Josephina Quinn. Keith Phillips, Cameron’s dad, spoke very well on behalf of the parents. And yours truly also said a few words!

The passing of John Whelan on the day of last year’s graduation was also noted. The first ever winner of his memorial trophy, Jake Reid, was present and showed his prize.

A special prize was given to Molly O’Connor who never missed a day of school in her eight years at Le Chéile! The choir sang and the children sang and then it was party time! The children left the hall to go and eat and celebrate with pizzas and goodies while the adults socialised with a cup of tea in the hall.

Huge thanks must go to Nicola and Fiona, the sixth class teachers, who put such enormous work into the event and indeed, the whole year’s work. Thanks also to Jacinta for the dance performance and to the whole school team who helped out in so many ways to make the day so good for the children and their families.