Senior Classes

Gordon D'Arcy walks with Senior Classes to the Turlough

2011-12-09T10:12:00.001-08:00

Christmas Dinner Around the World...

2011-12-09T10:09:00.001-08:00

In Latvia, the Christmas meal is cooked brown peas with a pork sauce, a selection of small pies, cabbage and sausage.

In Transylvania, stuffed cabbage is served on Christmas Eve, and then eaten again the next day for lunch.

One traditional Christmas meal in the Czech Republic is fried carp and potato salad.

In the Philippines, dinner is eaten at midnight on 24 December ("Noche Buena"). Ham, queso de bola (a ball of cheese), and tsokolate (hot cocoa) are popular.

Christmas dinner in Slovakia includes oplatky, a plate of thin waffles with honey and garlic, cabbage soup with prunes and sausage, carp and potato salad.

A traditional option in Norway is lutefisk, made from dried white fish, though pork ribs are also popular.

Senior Classes

Mary Arrigan Visits...

2011-12-09T10:07:00.003-08:00

Mary visited our school on the 30th of November.Mary's illustration of her work was very popular.We were in awe that Mary drew the pictures herself and enjoyed how her initial sketches resembling pencil drawings like ours developed into finished publications.She read extracts from her books and we enjoyed her extract from "Esty's Gold" in particular.We also created a story in each class room and Mary had a Q&A session to finish with

Papier Mache...Dec 2011

2011-12-09T10:07:00.001-08:00

Autumn Art 2011

2011-10-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a selection of Art Work created by Senior Classes :

Sun Bonnet Sue!

2011-02-14T14:57:00.000-08:00

The Senior Classes have been very busy at the Fabric and Fibre Strand of the Curriculum in preparation of the Wall Hanging they are designing and making to commemorate the Comenius 2010-2012"Can I Play" Project!Here are some of our efforts:

Gymnastics with "JANA"

2010-12-13T07:46:00.001-08:00

Hallelujah Concert 2010

2010-12-13T07:45:00.001-08:00

Open Day GCS 2010

2010-12-01T12:28:00.001-08:00

Gort Community School will hold their annual Open Day on Saturday 11th December 10.00 am to 2.00pm. The choice of Saturday is to facilitate parents, and they should take full use of this opportunity to visit the school, meet the staff and see the extensive facilities at first hand.

Operation Christmas Child

2010-11-10T05:25:00.000-08:00

Operation Christmas Child works by taking your gift-filled shoebox - packed, wrapped and taken to one of local drop off points - and hand delivering it to a child in need, asking nothing from them in return.

All shoeboxes are given to children in need, with no regard to their background or beliefs. We work with local partners on the ground to ensure that your gift-filled shoebox is delivered with integrity and with respect to the local culture.

Credit Union Art -Nov.2010

2010-11-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

The Theme this year is
"Local.Trusted.Serving you"
Here are some of our entries.....

"Shape Collage" Oct 2010

2010-11-05T12:47:00.000-07:00

German with "Jana!"

2010-10-18T12:06:00.000-07:00

Our Comenius Assistant has begun with German lessons in St. Thomas'NS.
We found the language very strange at first but soon got used to the language.We learnt words like "hallo" which means "hello"!!! and "Guten tag"which means good day. We started conversations in German. Our German has improved a lot since we started. We have alot of new phrases
e.g.
"Wie ist dein Name=What is your name"
"Guten Abend=Good evening"
"TschuB=Goodbye"
"Auf Wiedersehen=See you again"
"Danke=Thank you"
"Bitte=Please"
Jana is going to teach one word a day from now on to add to our vocabulary.

Mark Caulfield and Michael Cahill Rabbitte.6th class

Senior Classes 2010-2011

2010-09-17T09:21:00.001-07:00

6th Class

5th Class

4th Class

Evaluation Day!!!

2010-05-27T12:07:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday Louise Carr,Edel Gardiner, Robert Crosbie, Peter Fitzgerald, Cathal Connors, Darragh Fitzgerald, Colin Devine and Gary Finn will make their way to Gort Community School where they will sit an evaluation in Irish, English and Maths. They will be there from 9am to 2:30pm. Good Luck to all our students!!!

Louise Carr

6th Class.

Easter Eggs 2010

2010-04-06T16:12:00.001-07:00

Window Decoration 2009!!

2009-12-19T09:02:00.001-08:00

Well done to all in the Senior Room who undertook a challanging task before the Christmas.We painted seasonal Scenes on the 3 Windows of Our Class Room.

Rinne sibh fior obair!

Christmas Arrangements 2009!!

2009-12-19T09:00:00.001-08:00

It was the turn of 4th,5th and 6th to be demoted to the Infant Classroom.Yes, it was that time of the year again where Mrs. O'Donnell and Mrs. Forde exchanged classes for 2 hours.Mrs Forde has a great interest in Flower arranging and passes on her wealth of experience to the Senior classes annually.Here are the results of their hard work.Thank you Mrs. Forde for being so patient with us.

November Student of the Month!!

2009-12-01T14:59:00.001-08:00

Daragh Fitzgerald is Student of the Month for November.

The candidates for student of the month should exemplify the characteristics listed below. It should be understood that no person is perfect, and a student-of-the-month is not necessarily the best at everything but rather a well-rounded individual.

Academic: Students should be a hard-worker in all aspects of academics.

Attitude: Students should possess a positive attitude at all times and demonstrate this attitude to peers as well as adults.

Behavior: Students should be well-behaved in structured and non-structured environments.

Cooperation: Students should cooperate at all times with peers as well as adults.

Respect: Students should show respect to adults as well as peers at all times. Good manners should always be demonstrated.

Responsibility: Students should show responsibiltiy in their work as well as their actions.

Eligibility: One boy or one girl will be chosen for each month between September and May.

October Student for the Month

2009-11-06T10:03:00.000-08:00

Daragh Fitzgerald is Student of the Month for October.

The candidates for student of the month should exemplify the characteristics listed below. It should be understood that no person is perfect, and a student-of-the-month is not necessarily the best at everything but rather a well-rounded individual.

Academic: Students should be a hard-worker in all aspects of academics.

Attitude: Students should possess a positive attitude at all times and demonstrate this attitude to peers as well as adults.

Behavior: Students should be well-behaved in structured and non-structured environments.

Cooperation: Students should cooperate at all times with peers as well as adults.

Respect: Students should show respect to adults as well as peers at all times. Good manners should always be demonstrated.

Responsibility: Students should show responsibiltiy in their work as well as their actions.

Eligibility: One boy or one girl will be chosen for each month between September and May.

Operation Samaritian Purse 2009

2009-11-06T09:41:00.001-08:00

Samaritan Purse is an international Christian Relief and developmental organisation meeting the crital needs of victims of war poverty,famine,disease and natural disaster.Our pupils in St. Thomas' filled 72 Shoeboxes with gifts and these boxes will go to the World's most Disadvantaged children.For many of these children it will be one of the few gifts, that they will ever receive.It may seem small but Peterswell's Shoe Boxes can change a Child's Life.Thanks to all the families who donated the shoeboxes.

TEN YEARS OF BRINGING HOPES AND SMILES
to some of the world's poorest children

Winter Art in the Senior Classes!!

2009-11-06T09:31:00.000-08:00

September Student of the Month

2009-09-25T12:35:00.001-07:00

Ciara Houlihan is Student of the Month for September.

The candidates for student of the month should exemplify the characteristics listed below. It should be understood that no person is perfect, and a student-of-the-month is not necessarily the best at everything but rather a well-rounded individual.

Academic: Students should be a hard-worker in all aspects of academics.

Attitude: Students should possess a positive attitude at all times and demonstrate this attitude to peers as well as adults.

Behavior: Students should be well-behaved in structured and non-structured environments.

Cooperation: Students should cooperate at all times with peers as well as adults.

Respect: Students should show respect to adults as well as peers at all times. Good manners should always be demonstrated.

Responsibility: Students should show responsibiltiy in their work as well as their actions.

Eligibility: One boy or one girl will be chosen for each month between September and May.

Ar t 2009-2010

2009-09-25T12:33:00.001-07:00

6th Class 2009-2010

2009-09-16T10:33:00.001-07:00

5th Class 2009-2010

2009-09-16T10:32:00.000-07:00

4th Class 2009-2010

2009-09-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

The Welsh Trip - June 6th to 9th 2009

2009-06-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Here are some photos from the Welsh experience by our pupils.
Watch this space for more information.

Confirmation 2009

2009-06-16T11:41:00.001-07:00

Congratulations to the 6th Class pupils from Peterswell NS who recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Columba's Church ,Kilbeacanty.

Left to Right:

John Massey,Joseph Caulfield,Jonathan Dooley,Mrs.O'Donnell,Chloe Caswell,Sinéad Hegarty,Amy Caulfield.

School Calendar 2009-2010

2009-06-09T02:55:00.000-07:00

Provisional Calendar 2009 – 2010.

Sept . 1st Re-opening.
Sept.11th Closing at 12.30 -Staff Meeting
Oct. 23rd Closing for Halloween Break
Nov. 2nd Re-opening
Dec. 22nd Closing for Christmas Holidays
2010
Jan. 7th Re-opening
Jan. 15th Closing at 12.30 -Staff Meeting
Feb.15th & 16th Closing for Mid-term Break
Mar 17th Closed
Mar 26th Closing for Easter Holidays

-------------
Apr. 12th Re-opening
April 23rd Closing at 12.30 -Staff Meeting
May 3rd Closed – Bank Holiday
June 7th Closed – Bank Holiday
June 25th Closing for Summer Holidays.

Trees!!

2009-04-02T13:44:00.002-07:00

On March the 27th, the boys in 5th and 6th class with our helpers Justin Eames and Francis Walsh made our way down to the pitch to sow two dozen trees. There we sowed Moutain Ash, wild Pear, Crab Apple and Whitebeam. It took us about an hour and a half to sow them. First we dug a hole, placed the tree in the hole and covered it with clay.We placed plastic around each tree, anchoring it with stones. We would like to thank Justin Eames for donating the trees and helping us to sow them. Also a special thanks to Francis.

Joseph Caulfield & Robert Crosby

Seeds are Growing Well

2009-04-02T13:44:00.001-07:00

Look at our Seeds.They have grown so much in the Last Two Weeks
Keep an eye on this space for more updates.

Seeds

2009-03-29T09:28:00.001-07:00

Look at our Seeds.They have grown so much in the Last Two Weeks
Keep an eye on this space for more updates.

COOPER GEAR

2009-03-07T14:10:00.001-08:00

John Massey accepting 1000 Euro worth of Cooper Equipment from Mrs. Kathleen Forde.Supermac’s, in association with the Galway Senior Hurling Team and Cooper, launched an in-store competition last June for all young budding GAA teams. The prize was an intensive training session with Ger Loughnane and a selection of the Galway Hurlers plus €1000 worth of Cooper training equipment.

For John Massey,a 5th Class pupil of St Thomas NS and his class mates, their GAA dreams came true, when they were announced as the overall winners last week. Team member, John Massey wrote the winning entry, stating that “I never leave my hurl down and my dream is to one day wear the maroon and white jersey”. So.John we all thank you for your effort and wish you well in achieving your dream.Hope to see you represent us on the Galway Team in the near future.

Something Fishy in Peterswell

2009-03-07T14:08:00.001-08:00

Here we are with Brendan!!!

"Something Fishy" is a Resource Pack to increase childre's awareness of Water as a habitat in the local Environment.The central Fisheries Board together with the Education Centres of Blackrock and Monaghan aare responsible for producing this valuable Resource.Brendan Smith introduced this programme to us this week through a interesting Power point presenation.Brendan will return after the teachers have taught a variety of lessons over the next few weeeks.Watch this space for further information.

Senior Class

Spring into SEEDS!!!!

2009-03-07T14:06:00.001-08:00

We sowed seeds last week of lettuce,cabbage and scallions.We also sowed potatoes.We have a competition to see who will harvest more potatoes:5th or 6th... So watch this space for more information!!

Christmas Service 2008

2008-12-28T12:06:00.000-08:00

A special thanks to all involved in our Christmas Service.Here are some memories from the night.We will always remember the Chimes and handbells!!!

Christmas Jokes!!!!

2008-12-18T15:12:00.001-08:00

What did the dog breeder get when she crossed an Irish Setter with a Pointer at Christmastime?
A "pointsetter"!

What do sheep say to each other at Christmastime?
Merry Christmas to ewe!

What do sheep say to shepherds at Christmastime?
Season's Bleatings!

How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico?
Fleece Navidad!

How do Chihuahua's say Merry Christmas?
Fleas Navidog!

What's the best thing to put into Christmas dinner?
Your teeth!

Why should Christmas dinner always be well done?
So you can say "Merry Crispness"!

Knock Knock.
Who's there?
Mary.
Mary who?
Mary Christmas!

A definition of Christmas:
The time when everyone gets "Santa"-mental.

What’s red, white and blue at Christmas time?
A sad candy cane!

Killinaskully

2008-12-18T15:07:00.000-08:00

There she was in our small rural school .We couldn't believe our eyes!! Why was Nurse Moloney from Killnaskully here in Peterswell? Then I thought of the answer, she was here for the show, with Cups and Crowns.The show was called "A stitch in Time"
It was situated in a clothes bank.In the show all the places, they visited were named after clothes such as "Hat Hollow,Single Sock Cave" Gracie the main character tavelled to many different clothes destinations, to find her grand Aunties adventure hat.Three women took part in this dramatic show.In front of us stood Eileen which you would be familiar as Nurse Moloney on Killnaskully.She was an excellent actress, as were all of the actresses.After the show, one of the actresses quized us on the show but we gave into temptation and asked Eileen a few questions as we are big fans of Killnaskully!!!For the final activity we got the chance to act out some of the characters in the show!It was a very enjoyable show and we look forward to their show next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Amy Caulfield and Chloe Caswell in 6th class.

Christmas Arrangements 2008

2008-12-18T14:55:00.000-08:00

It was the turn of 5th and 6th to be demoted to the Infant Classroom.Yes, it was that time of the year again where Mrs. O'Donnell and Mrs. Forde exchanged classes for 2 hours.Mrs Forde has agrat interest in Flower arranging and passes on her wealth of experience to the Senior classes annually.Here are the results of their hard work.Thank you Mrs. Forde for being so patient with us.

Christmas Service 2008

2008-12-07T14:55:00.000-08:00

The Annual Christmas service for the school will take place on Dec. 22nd at 7pm.It is the responsibility of the Senior classes to organise the Service this year.We are busily rehearsing Christmas Carols,hand bells ,chimes and the readings.We are requesting that all pupils arrive 10 min before in their Formal Uniform.It promises to be a good one!!!!!!!

Star Site!

2008-10-12T09:18:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to all in 5th and 6th Class who are responsible for
updating this Blog as we were nominated as ScoilNet Star Site in
the INTO's Magazine "Intouch" for October 2008.
Here is a quote from this issue.
"A somewhat different approach to normal is taken by this small
school in Co. Galway which uses a blog to present information
about the school and its classes."
Congratulations to all in the Senior Classes!!!!!!!!

By Joseph

Cycling Champs

2008-09-20T10:17:00.000-07:00

It was a fresh Friday morning in the month of September.The 4 lucky 6th class students were looking forward to missing tests and a day off school.They were
heading for Tuam to compete in the Galway County Council cycling compitition.We were invited to compete after some of the students of Peterswell completed a safer cycling course held in the school.We were competing against 5 other teams from Galway.When we arrived they provided us,with bikes.There were 4 on a team which meant there were 24 of us altogether.We began with an individual competition which was weaving in and out between cones. Amy, one of the 6th class pupils here in Peterswell came 1st out of all the girls.When it came to the team competition, our team came 3rd in the heat!
At the hotel we were presented with "BEST MIXED TEAM" and Amy got a trophy for fastest girl and not far behind her was Chloe in 2nd place in the girls.Our team was Amy Caulfield,Chloe Caswell,Sinead Hegarty and John Massey.We would like to thank our mentor Allan Massey and our mascot Abbey Massey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Super Session for Peterswell Hurlers

2008-09-08T09:22:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to us all in St Thomas National School, Peterswell who were announced as the overall winners of Supermac’s training session with Ger Loughnane.
Supermac’s, in association with the Galway Senior Hurling Team and Cooper, launched an in-store competition last June for all young budding GAA teams. The prize was an intensive training session with Ger Loughnane and a selection of the Galway Hurlers plus €1000 worth of Cooper training equipment.

For John Massey,a 5th Class pupil of St Thomas NS and his class mates, their GAA dreams came true, when they were announced as the overall winners last week. Team member, John Massey wrote the winning entry, stating that “I never leave my hurl down and my dream is to one day wear the maroon and white jersey”. Mrs. Kathleen Forde, teacher and trainer at St Thomas National School could hardly contain the team's excitement before the training session, which she believes is the highlight of their summer holidays.

Ger Loughnane and a selection of the Galway Hurlers gave an intense training session explaining different techniques which finished with a friendly match (1:1). They also had the opportunity to watch the Galway Hurlers train for their forthcoming matches.
There was a phenomenal amount of entries to win this once in a lifetime opportunity and John's Class mates would like to thank him for their very enjoyable Day.

Calendar 2008-2009

2008-05-01T04:54:00.000-07:00

Peterswell N.S.

Provisional Calendar 2008 – 2009.

Sept. 1st Re-opening.

Oct. 24th Closing for Halloween Break

Nov. 3rd Re-opening

Dec. 23rd Closing for Christmas Holidays

2009

Jan. 7th Re-opening

Feb. 16th & 17th Closing for Mid-term Break

Apr 3rd Closing for Easter Holidays

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Apr. 20th Re-opening

May 4th Closed – Bank Holiday

June 1st Closed – Bank Holiday

June 26th Closing for Summer Holidays.

Ag Súgradh le Chéile-HSE Work Shop

2008-04-23T01:56:00.000-07:00

SuperValu Tokens 2008

2008-04-21T03:32:00.001-07:00

This is the third year that schools have been collecting kids in action tokens, for every ten euro you spend you get 1 token.Super Valu double the tokens when you spend 10 Euro on fruit and vegetables.During the first two years, schools across Ireland received 1.3 million Euros worth of P.E equipment.This year Peterswell N.S were proud to collect 11,400 Tokens.We thank everyone who help us reach such a geat number of Kids in Action tokens. We also had a competition among the classrooms. 80% of schools in the Republic of Ireland signed up to the kids in action programme.Again on behalf of all Peterswell N.S. thanks for letting us get a speed Bounce Mat,Tennis balls,Tummy Ache game and many more resources.

By Amy,Carol and Donnacha.

Confirmation 2008

2008-04-21T03:25:00.000-07:00

George Joyce,Niall Connors,David Sherry,Ross Caswell,Joseph Mahon,Brendan Farrell,Ronan Devine,Fiona Keely,John Coen,Aine O'Donnell and Clare Caulfield all received the Sacraments of Confirmation, on March 4th.
On that windy,blustery March day we were anxiously waiting to receive the Gift of Confirmation.We sat side by side, some earlier than others.It was the first Confirmation in this diocese. It was in "The Church of the Nativity," in Kilchrest.Confirming us, was none other, than Bishop of Galway, Bishop Martin Drennan. There were six other schools, eagerly anticipating to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
The Confirmation was hosted by Kilchreest who had the honour of doing the readings and providing the choir.
Each family sat or stood.Each individual had two sponsors of their choice. Our Confirmation name choices were George Jeremiah,Niall Jack,Joseph Mark,Ross Christopher,Fiona Imelda, David Thomas,Brendan Colm,Ronan Kevin,John Martin,Clare Bernadette,Áine Máire.
We all enjoyed our special day and have received the Gifts and Fruits of the Holy Spirit.

By George Joyce, Niall Connors,Joseph Mahon and Ross Caswell.

"Mamie`s Cart" Dec. 2007

2008-02-18T05:43:00.000-08:00

On Tuesday December 11th three members from "Cups and Crowns Travelling Show", came to do workshops with us. During the workshops, we spent our time doing activities. There was a scoreboard: when we completed an activity we were told the scores for the activity we had done. Afterwards, there was a performance.It was called "Mamies Cart". The show was based on a Restorer and he pretended he was very busy and that Mamie would have to wait patiently until two clock in which then he would be able to assist Mamie. Mamie had no itention of moving herself so, she kept herself busy while waiting. The reason why Mamie came to the Restorer was, Mamie`s Cart shook whenever a person was told lies. The Restorer had something in the corner. Eventually we found out what it was, a toy bicycle.Mamie thought it was pretty.The time seemed to be going much quicker than a normal clock. Mamie took a lot of interesting things out of her cart. The Restorer took interest in some of things she had. Finally, Mamie got assistance from the Restorer but he didn`t really fix it at all. Lastly, the Restorer's sister rang and exclaimed on the phone, "I'm having a party, would like to come?" When the show was over, we applauded loudly. It was time for us to return to class and them to leave.
By Fiona Keely and Jonathan Dooley

Hurling 7 -A - Side......... October 2007

2008-02-18T03:25:00.000-08:00

The 11th of October 2007 was a misty day. It was a Thursday afternoon in S Thomas'GAA pitch. The first team we faced was Loughrea. It was an exciting game but unfortunately the well managed Loughrea team came out on top, as Peterswell were missing their more experienced players due to an age restriction. The next team we played was our neighbouring friendly rivals Kilchreest. This time it was a very tight game but they had their full team and proceeded to win the game. We were knocked out of the 2007 Mini Sevens. Kilchreest decided to have a challange game for the subs. The team that played the first two matches marched in to the club house for tea and biscuits. A special thanks to our manager Mrs O'Donnell and our trainer and selector Peter Caulfield. We are all looking foward to the championship and hope we do well. The team was David Massey, Jonathan Dooley, John Massey,Joseph Caulfield, Brendan Farrell, Gary Finn and Mark Caulfield.Subs Colin Devine, Dara Fitzgearld, Robert Crosbie, Cathal Connors, Donacha Gutteridge, Peter Fitzgearld, Over age Players David Sherry,Ronan Devine, Niall Connors,Ross Caswell and John Coen.
By Ronan Devine, John Coen and Joseph Caulfield.

Rocket Workshop...........November 2007

2008-02-18T02:08:00.000-08:00

It was dry day,but it was blustery,perfect for launching rockets!In accordance with science week,a man named Robert from the Armagh Planetarium came to teach us all about space and rockets.At the end he asked us questions about what we learned.After that we went to build our own rockets!We split up into pairs of two's and we began to construct our rockets.Of course they were only models, but all the same we loved it!Robert explained how to build the rockets, step by step and promised that we could launch them afterwards.We examined each and every one of the rockets and saw all of the different designs.As soon as we had looked at our rockets,we charged outside to launch them.He had brought a machine with him:it had a foot pump and two buttons.First he put the rocket in a little socket and then he pumped air into it.The pair who had made the rocket held the remote.We had a countdown,on the count of five one button was pressed and at zero the other button was pressed.Blast off!We admired the rockets blasting off into the sky,some of them even got stuck on the schools roof!We really enjoyed the day,we learned some really interesting facts about space and we even got to build our own rockets,It was a fantastic day and I will never forget it!
By Carol Santos,Áine O'Donnell and Joseph Mahon

COOLE PARK !!!!!! November 2007

2008-02-08T03:39:00.000-08:00

We made our way to Coole Park on Eamonn's bus. We arrived at Coole Heritage Centre, on a dry cool day at 10:30am.First, we watched a short audio-visual about Lady Gegory and Coole Park. After that, we watched another audio-visual about "Bats".Shortly after that, we made our way upstairs to the nursery, where we searched for thimbles and watched an audio-visual about G.B.S. Anne and Catherine. We learned that G.B.S. cheated in the game of "Hide the Thimbles".After that, we entered the Libary where we examined pictures of famous writers.Lastily, we walked into the Study where we studied an "Autograph Fan".Soon after, we examined how the turlough works.Finally,we listened to the names of the different species of birds who lived in the woods at Coole.
Next we munched our way hungrily through our lunch. Soon after,we wandered out to the deer.One had a fawn only a week before.At the Turlough, we stopped at the public toilets to make "Bat" sounds.Next we made our way down to the Turlough.We noticed that some animals had left prints in the mud. We also noticed that the turlough had dried up. On our way back we stopped at the Autograph Tree and the Sun Dial where Brendan stood in the middle and his shadow told the time.All off Third,Fifth and Sixth enjoyed the trip and everyone learned a lot more about Coole.

FOOD DUDES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-02-08T03:36:00.000-08:00

Food Dudes is a programme developed by Food and Activity Research Unit at Bangor University Wales.It was setup to encourage children to eat more fruit and veg,both at school and at home.
There are two main phases to the programme:
Phase 1 is an intensive intervension which lasts for 16 days.During this time
we were given fruit and veg, while the teacher is read a letter or specialy designed DVD's of the Food Dudes.These superheros on the DVD's that we were given saved the lifeforce from a gang of badies,whose objective is to take all the energy from the world,by depriving it of nutritious fruit and veg.Each day we were rewarded with small prizes for sucessfully eating a portion of fruit and veg.This phase is primarily school based although we kept a diary of fruit and veg which we ate at home.
Phase2 extends the home element of the Food Dudes programme by encouraging us to bring our own fruit and veg to school everyday in special Food Dudes lunch boxes.Classroom wall charts are used to record progress and further rewards upon reaching goals.This phase maintains fruit and veg intake by up to 50% of the classroom bring in fruit and veg everyday.We really enjoyed the "Food Dudes" We think it was a great sucess!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Amy Caulfield and Jonathan Dooley

South Galway Pony Club

2007-06-07T04:04:00.001-07:00

The pony club has two groups. The first group is the Junior group and the Senior group is more advanced .The Robbie Bailey is when pony's compete against each other. To see who can jump the highest. The instructor is Gillian. She is an excellent teacher. There are around 20 pupils the pony club.

OUR PROJECT ON PETERSWELL

2007-06-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

CAPPARD HOUSE

Cappard House was the ancestral home for generations of the Galbraith family who came to Ireland from Stirlingshire in Scotland in the seventeenth century with William III (otherwise known as William of Orange). They were granted lands in Cappard and the surrounding areas which was originally O’Fahy property and the estate comprised a total of 4,636 acres by 1878.
Cappard Demesne is the actual name of the townland and this is derived from the fact that the farm or parkland around the ‘Big House’ was called the demesne and farmed or used directly by the family in the house. The reasoning is that the views from all of the windows of the house would have a ‘vista’ or view unimpeded by tenants miserable holdings and dwellings or so that no unpleasantness like evictions would occur in the locality of the house.
The house is no longer exists but the Gate Lodge is still the home of John & Margaret Kelleher and their ancestors were gatekeepers to his estate. You will note that the gate lodge is on the opposite side of the road to the entrance and this was the case in the most impressive estates to show that they owned lands on both sides of the road.

Priests of Peterswell

2007-06-06T06:24:00.000-07:00

Parish Priests of Peterswell
(By Stephen Mannion and Shane Cooney 6th Class)

Father John Duffy
1819
Father Michael Gleeson
1819-1829
Father Patrick Bodkin Quinn
1829-1833
Father Patrick O’Connor
1833-1856
Father Thomas Grealy
1856-1874
Father Francis Forde
1874-1876
Father Jerome A Fahy
1876-1883
Father Patrick Geraghty
1883-1910
Father John Burke
1910-1941
Father Denis Hehir
1941-1951
Father James Larkin
1951-1973
Father Edward Kelly
1973-19??
Father Vincent Jennings
19??-1999
Father Paddy Callinan
Peterswell and Kilbeacanty
1999-2003
Father Derek Feeney
Peterswell and Kilchreest
2003-to date

Other priests who served in the parish :-
Father Andrew Hanrahan CC
1854-1855
Father Christopher O’Carroll CC
1855-1856
Father Redmond McHugh ADM
1895-1898 & 1899-1900
Father Malachy Eaton CC
1939-1941
Father James Larkin ADM
1944-1951

Both Father John Duffy and Father Michael Gleeson were both natives of the parish of Peterswell, both are buried in Kilthomas cemetery. Father John Duffy received his early education at his father’s hedge school in Gortnagown.

The Local Church

2007-06-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

BY FIONA KEELY AND CLARE CAULFIELD
The original church was dedicated to St Thomas the apostle, hence its name Kiltomas (Kil coming from the old Irish word Cill meaning Church). The present church was built in the 1830s. Robert Foster Blake of Knockmoy Abbey, who had donated the site, laid the foundation stone. The parish priest of the time was Father Patrick Bodkin Quinn. Richard Gregory of Coole Park contributed to the cost. Father P O’Connor was the parish priest when the church was completed. In 1880, Monsignor Jerome Fahey added a belfry and bell at the behest of his predecessor Father Grealy. In 1904 the roof was replaced and gables were raised. The builder was Martin Linane, who lived at Dromore Hill and had a sawmill at Ballylee. Father Patrick Geraghty erected a marble altar at the bequest of a Miss Sheehan of Blackrock, about 1904. In 1947-48 the church was renovated and a tower was added at a cost of £5550 and McInerneys were the contractors. Father Denis Hehir was parish priest at the time and was assisted by Father James Larkin who was the administrator at the time. The Father John Keeley memorial stained glass window, “Our Lady of the Rosary”, which was added in 1950 is by Evie Hone. Father Keeley was a native of Doonally East and is buried in Kinvara. Father N Kelly reordered the interior of the church in 1973. The altar rails were removed and the wooden altar was replaced by moving the marble altar forward. Dr. Joyce of Gort presented a new sanctuary lamp. A beautiful grotto to “Our Lady of Lourdes” was erected in the grounds when Father Jennings was parish priest. There has been no resident priest since Father Jenning died in1999. Father Paddy Callinan served Peterswell and Kilbacanty parishes until last year. Now Father Derek Feeney parish priest serves Peterswell and Kilcreest.

Bogland in Peterswell

2007-06-06T06:13:00.001-07:00

By Joseph Fitzgerald and Teresa Slattery
About 500 acres of the parish is in the Slieve Aughty Mountains and consists mostly of bogland. It is obvious from the cut away bogs it was all forestry in bygone years. Turf, the main source of fuel was cut and saved there for centuries. The saving of turf was at its peak in the 1940s during the Second World War as only a limited amount of coal was available. Besides supplying the local needs and the adjoining areas there was a big demand for turf in Dublin. Horses and creels were used to deliver the turf locally while lorries used to transport the turf to Dublin where it was stacked in the Phoenix Park for the poor of Dublin. In the 1950s turf cutting went into decline and at this time the Department of Forestry began planting trees on the mountain. Now 50 years later very little turf is saved there.

Hedge Schools in Peterswell

2007-06-06T06:09:00.001-07:00

BY PATRICK QUINN AND BRYAN KEELY
The earliest record of a hedge school in Peterswell was in the latter half of the 1700s. It was situated in Gortnagowan in the Slieve Aughty Mountains. The teacher was Laurence Duffy of Gardenblake. Mr Duffy intended to become a priest and at that time those who intended to join the priesthood had to go abroad to study, but he missed the boat. Later, 3 of his sons, John, Michael and James became priests. A school run in Ballylaha by Bryan Hynes is also recorded at this time support being aid. Both of these schools taught reading, writing, arithmetic and catechism. In 1845 the Parish Priest Father O’Connor applied to commissioners for a building grant. At that time there was about 550 families in the parish and almost 200 children of school going age. The National School in Peterswell village was opened in 1848. Father O’Connor had applied for a grant in 1845. The first teachers were Michael Daly and his wife Bridget. They had been teaching in Scalp (Casteldaly) school for a short period prior to coming to Peterswell. When they resigned, James Leonard who became principal replaced them. The school was a low storey building with a small porch in front. It had 2 classrooms, 1 small room at the east end known as the “Missuses room” where infants and first class were taught. The other room was twice the size and a teacher taught at both ends, needless to say this caused a great distraction. There was a small room at the back where fuel was stored and it also gave access to the girls and boys dry toilet. There was a smalled walled yard out the front where the pupils played and in fine weather they went to Hayes’ field to play hurling. Father O’Connor also requested a school for the Kane’s Pound Area at the south end of the parish because there was no national school within a five-mile radius. Father O’Connor had passed away before the Reyrawer one room school was opened in 1883. A Mrs Kiely of Seehan of Kilmaduagh was appointed teacher and she walked to and from her home every day a distance of about 6 miles each way! At the time this school opened there were 2 local hedge schools nearby, one in Gardenblake Commons with 33 pupils and one in Gorteenboy in the parish of Kilbeacanty. When the school closed in the late 1960s the pupils were transferred to Peterswell’s school. The last teacher in Reyrawr was Mrs Mernie Glesson Nee Cunningham of Ballylaha .

Power Point Presentations

2007-06-06T05:46:00.000-07:00

The pupils of 5th and 6th Class enjoyed preparing the following presentations on the work covered in class this year,2006-2007

Féileacháin

2007-05-16T09:45:00.000-07:00

Fifth and Sixth Classes studied butterflies, moths and their life cycles this week. We linked our science with art and produced these wonderful pictures.

Recitation by 5th Class Pupil

2007-05-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

David, from 5th Class performed a recitation called 'Refereeing a Hurling Match' by Eddie Lenihan for Scór na bPáistí 2007. David did very well and his performance was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience.

Songsters and Songstresses Scór na bPáisti

2007-04-10T08:51:00.000-07:00

We are currently preparing for the Scór na bPaístí with Aleisha.
There are five in our group. We are singing two songs as a group and two solo singers are performing. Aleisha has come five days already to prepare it with us. The songs we have picked for the group are Phil The Fluters Ball and Galway Bay. Scór na bPaístí endeavours to promote the cultural aspect of the G.A.A. Our school will be participating in figure dancing, solo singing, group singing, musical group and question time. We are all practising hard for the big event. The solo singers are singing Spancil Hill and Fields of Gold. We are enjoying our practices and hopefully will enjoy the final performance. Watch this space!

Bryan Keely and Aine O'Donnell

Dancing Feet Scór na bPáisti

2007-04-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

Four pupils from our school are participating in Scór na bPaístí. We are doing the Four Hand Reel. There are two pupils in 5th class one in 2nd class and one in 4th class. On the day we will wear a white polo shirt and a black skirt.There are a lot of movements in the Four Hand Reel. The 1st movement is the Lead around, 2nd is the Square, 3rd is the Sevens, 4th is the Wheel, 5th is Down the centre, 6th is the Chain and 7th is the First Figure.We hope to get placed in Scór na bPaístí. The shoes we wear to do the Four Hand Reel are called pomps. Fiona Keely

Plates in the Air

2007-04-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

There are two boys and 4 girls in our juggling group .We practice every dayfrom 2:00pm to 2:15pm. Our teacher's name is Katharina Baker. She is a really good teacher and we are really fortunate to have her. She teaches us how to spin plates, throw them in the air and catch them again. She also teaches us to throw the plate up and turn the stick while the plate is in the air. We practise our routines to music. Katharina comes on a Wednesday but while she is away we practise with the plates. It is good fun because we learn new things and then perform in front of the whole school. She is a very good teacher.
John Coen

Juggling Mania

2007-04-10T08:45:00.000-07:00

In January 2007 Katharina Baker approached the school to enquire whether our school like to take part in a juggling progamme. We were pleased to accept her offer. We started with one ball, then made our up to two and finally worked our way up to three. Juggling with three balls is called the Cascade. There was a number of tricks we manoeuvred such as, pillars, badminton, tennis, under leg throw ,reverse cascade, right hand tennis, left hand tennis and two balls in one hand. With two people we learned these tricks: three three ten, over head throw, the machine ,three balls with two people, the feeding and the line .In the future we hope to learn new tricks and also perform at a fundraiser for the school and at the Raising of our Second Green Flag. Our juggling teacher Katharina is involved in the multi--cultural festival Gort at the end of May 2007. We hope to take part in this event. Juggling is a great skill and we would like to thank Katharina for letting us have the opportunity to learn. Juggling is an intense activity and we would like to recommend it to others.
By David Sherry and Shane Cooney

School Choir

2007-04-10T08:42:00.000-07:00

Every Tuesday, Ms Howley visits our school and teaches us
religious songs for one hour. 2nd up to 6th class participate.
We sing harmonies with solo parts and full choir. Right now we are
preparing for First Holy Communion. We’re singing The Light
Of Christ, A Mhuire Mháthair and Father We Adore You in two parts.
Two girls, from the senior classes, are singing My Shepherd Is The
Lord - we sing the chorus and they sing the verses. We also sing at Christmas Services and confessions before Communion. At the opening of our new Extension Ms Howley played the keyboard for us. She has been coming to the school for the last few years. We are so lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer. Clare Caulfield

Mini-Sevens 2007

2007-04-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

It was here at last, the Mini Sevens. We were all anxious to hurl because it was already cancelled twice. We were psyched up to all get out of school at 11:20am. It took twenty minutes until we arrived in Loughrea. We changed into our hurling attire and our manager made out the team. Our team jogged out onto the pitch. The team did a slight bit of training before our first match against Loughrea. It was an intense contest but we managed to claw out a victory. We had a break and then we squared off against Balinakill. Unfortunately we were defeated. After another break we faced our neighbouring parish Kilchreest. It was a marvellous game with plenty of action but we just came out on top. We were proud of ourselves the way we represented our school.
Ross Caswell and Niall Connors

GAA Fun at Peterswell

2007-04-10T08:30:00.000-07:00

Lizze Flynn our hurling trainer first came to our school in November 2006 .She comes every Friday. It’s the one day we look forward to. She teaches us skills such as soloing, hand passing, striking on run, controlling the ball and side lines.
She takes us in two groups:first she takes 3rd and 4th class for one hour and then takes 5th and 6th for another hour. We all like Lizze’s training and it’s a doss off school work. In wet conditions we all go in our newly built sports hall. The training is for both boys and girls. Due to weather conditions our training may be cancelled. We didn’t get to hurl much during the winter.
We respect our trainer Lizze Flynn very much.

Christmas Arrangements of the Green Kind

2007-03-12T10:56:00.000-07:00

The Annual Christmas Arrangement session took place in December in the Senior Classes, facilitated by Mrs Forde. As usual a wonderful array of floral displays were produced by the many green-fingered pupils in Mrs O' Donnell's room.