Lucia Evans from Galway a contestent in next Sunday night's (Jan 8th) You're-a-Star compteition has promised to visit the school next week to sing a song or two at lunchtime, if she gets through next Sunday night's competition. For more details on Lucia - click here
Strasbourg Bound - Transition Year Students Win European Studies Project Competition
Dec. 9th 2006 Lyric FM Choirs For Christmas Competition
Portumna Community School Choir have been short-listed for the Lyric FM ‘Choirs for Christmas Competition’. Our arrangement of ‘Away in a Manger’ has been chosen to be played on Drivetime Classics with Niall Carroll. We will know exact details next week. Well done everybody. D. Kelleher Senior Hurlers through to Ryan Cup final Portumna CS 4 – 10 Athenry Voc. 3 -10 The senior hurling team are through to the final of the Ryan Cup for a third successive year. They booked their place with a fantastic win over Athenry Vocational on Monday 5th. The teams finished level on the first meeting two weeks ago and there wasn’t much between them on this occasion either. The first half was played at a blistering pace, which is a credit to both teams in the playing conditions. Portumna controlled most of the possession but it was Athenry that were more effective with their possession going in the break 3 points up on a score line of 2 –6 to Portumna’s 1-6.Athenry added to their 3 point lead and went 8 points ahead 20 minutes into the second half. It seemed there was no way back for Portumna as they were 7 points behind with 3 minutes of normal time remaining. Portumna were determined not to go out that easy and staged a magnificent comeback. A 3 goal flurry from Joe Canning and John Shiel was added to by Anthony Burke with a long range point to seal victory for Portumna. In the Ryan Cup Final they will take on Loughrea Vocational on Sunday, 18th December in Duggan Park, Ballinasloe. Your support would be greatly appreciated by all involved. Team: J Keane, P Gohery, J Kilkenny, C Duggan,G Kelly (0-1), J Shiel ( 1- 0), JK Leahy, C O’Hare (0-1), J Lynch, E Fahy, E Duane (1-0), R Mitchell, G Finnerty, J Canning (2-6), M O’Meara. Subs: S Smyth (0-1), R Moore, A Burke(0-1), P Dolphin. The Senior Hurlers would like to thank Supermacs and T.J. Clossick & Son for their kind sponsorship . Senior Rugby
Brian spent some time with us focusing his expertise on tucking. The team thought the day was a very valuable experience and were delighted with the chance to meet Ireland and Lion’s Captain, Brian O’Driscoll. The team received gear bags and jerseys on the day as a gift from organisers Gillette. Well done to all concerned. Team: N. Curley, E. O’Connor, A. Didek, C. Foley, N. Quinn, M. Broder, J. O’Toole, D. O’Hara, M. O’Meara, J. Canning, G. Flaherty, K. McKeigue, J. Shiel, J. Nevin, J. Kilkenny, J. Dalton, R. Carty, C. Whyte, E. Ryan & C. O’Meara. Mr. R. Ó Tuairisg and Mr. T. Flannagan travelled with the group. Portumna Christmas Events Committee .....invite you to join us tomorrow (Sat. 10th) from 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. for : Christmas Tunes & Carol Singing (Portumna & Gortanumera National School students followed by the Portumna Choir);Santa will arrive escorted by the Band of the 4th Western Brigade to help with the ‘Switch On’ Ceremony of the Christmas Street lights and Tree in the square. Anne Donohue (Committee member)Portumna C.S. Students get your Digital Camera ready for a chance to win an MP3 player! ‘Capture the Christmas Spirit’ A Digital Photo Competition in association with the above committee. Students are asked to take digital photos at the ceremony and email your favourite ones to info@portumnacs.comAs many entries as possible will be displayed on the school website: www.portumnacs.com so let your friends and family living away from home sample a little of the Christmas Spirit in Portumna this year by letting them know of this project.
Please note: this is a digital photo competition by email only – we regret that it is simply not possible to accept photos by any other means. CanTeen Quiz Today Ms. Burke’s 3rd Yr. C.S.P.E. class held a table quiz for First years in aid of ‘CanTeen’ and raised €120.We would like to thank teachers who supervised, Amy Fitzpatrick who gave a short talk and Ms. Burke. Green Flag Committee There will be a meeting of the Green Flag Committee with Mark Conway from Galway Co. Council on Monday, 12th Dec. The talk will take place in ‘V’ from 2 to 2.45 pm. Looking forward to renewing our Flag!D. Lyons Parents’ Council Note for Members of the Parents Council : Christmas Night out is taking place in ‘The Ferry Inn’ on Friday, 16th December at 8 p.m. It would be nice to see everyone there for the festive season Ann Marie Hough. Glasgow Tour See you all tonight at 9.15 p.m. outside the school. Don’t forget the videos and CDs, rain gear, warm clothes and sickness tablets (if you are not a good traveller) and of course, your sterling. Christmas Liturgies Christmas liturgies for all classes will take place in Suaimhneas from Monday 12th to Friday 16th. Fr. Abe. Junior Rugby Portumna C.S. 14 Ballygar 8 On Tuesday the Junior Rugby panel travelled to St. Mary’s College, Ballygar, for a first round of their Junior Cup campaign. They were up against a very strong and physical team. Ballygar were the first to score, registering three points early on. Christopher Starr made a very decisive break late in the first half, scoring from sixty yards out and jinking at least five players to score under the posts. Christopher repeated the same feat in the second half with Eoin O’Toole adding on the points.J. Coughlan Home Economics News Well done to all the First and Second year Home Economics students who entered the 2006 Uncle Ben’s Schools Cookery Competition. The sponsor, Masterfoods, said all involved should be very proud of their efforts and they praised the high standard of the entries which had new, fresh and exciting ideas. Anyone who has not yet received their certificates please collect them from Ms. Harty. Well done again. Brief Diary of the LCA Trip to London Dec. 8th 
4.05am: Lads arrive 10
minutes ahead of schedule (that makes a pleasant change) – the girls - 4.15 on the
dot, as arranged.
5.45am: Check in at Shannon for the6.55am flight to London Stansted. 6.40am: "Passengers with children should board first" – teachers wonder does this apply to us? – The young adults in our company disagree. 8.15am: "Welcome to Stansted Airport" – just getting bright. 8.30am: Breakfast first then Stansted Express to Tottenham Hale to get on underground system. "If you look to your right you will see White Hart Lane – home of Tottenham Hotspur". 10.30am: Central Line and Northern Line to Waterloo for the ‘London Eye’ - God its high, very high, but even for those with no head for heights, not scary. Straight ahead is Big Ben and to the right a little, Buckingham Palace and Downing St. 11.30am: Walk through St. James’ Park to see if either residents of the above premises are home – the men with the machine guns don’t look too friendly so we decide not to let our curiosity get the better of us. 12.45pm: Underground to Baker Street and walk through subway to the Science Museum – starting with the basics: Food! (Not interested whether it is Protein, Carbohydrate or even fat - just give us some food!). Science museum and interactive displays are brilliant could spends hours here – favourites were – Stephenson’s original steam engine, the pendulum which tells the time, the incredible digital light wheel – we could go on and on – but we must move on and on. 3.45pm: Oxford street is normally busy but at this time of the day, at this time of the year – crazy! 5.00pm: Madame Tussauds – Ok, despite being warned we fell for it a number of times! You don’t need to ask Colin Farrell if he minds you taking his picture and no need to apologise to the Japanese tourist for standing in front of her while taking a picture – they’re made of Wax! Taxi ride through virtual London is the climax to a great visit. Tip for visitors to Madame Tussauds – after 5pm you get in for half price – general consensus is that it is good, very good – but not worth the full price (almost €30!). 7.00pm: Time to head for Liverpool Street Station for the return journey to Stansted. 10.10pm: Take off on schedule – brief concerns about the fog are unfounded - land in Shannon at 11.35 – reach Portumna at 1.30am. T.Y. Transition Year Portfolio must be submitted by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, 18th Dec. The onus rests with the students to submit projects on time. Congratulations to Conor Broderick and his team who were selected to attend a special forum on ‘The Young Social Innovators’ as an award for their project entry. J. Coughlan
Dates for your Diary: (10th – 16th December) Tues. 13th – Proposed Junior Camogie match. Wed. 14th – L.C. Engineering class – visit to L.I.T. Dec. 2nd 2006 Twilight Quiz
Shauna Gibbons and Niamh Ryan receive their prizes as winners of the TY Quiz held over the last two weeks Lyric FM Choirs For Christmas Competition
Just a note of thanks to all the music students who made up the Portumna Community School Choir for the Lyric FM competition. We recorded two seasonal favourites in three part harmony. Excellent accompaniment was provided by Ms. O’Sullivan on the harp, Louise Larkin on Flute and Claire Kelly on Piano. Thanks to David Molamphy, Kieran Walsh and Jonathan Fallon who recorded the two track CD. Finally, thanks to Mr. Molamphy for photographing the choir for the CD cover. Entries will be chosen for airplay on Drive-time Classics with Niall Carroll. Awards will be announced on Friday, 23rd December. D. Kelleher Letter From The Red Cross Dear Friends,On behalf of the Irish Red Cross I would like to thank the students & staff of Portumna Community School most sincerely for their generous support of €1,706 towards the work of the Red Cross Asian Earthquake Appeal.The earthquake, which measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck the region bordering Pakistan, northern India and Afghanistan. The death toll continues to rise at over 73,000 while at least 75,000 have been injured and more than 3.5 million made homeless. The official death toll in India is 1,500, which is expected to rise, and more than 4,500 injured. The International Red Cross and local Red Crescent Red Cross societies are providing some 30,000 families in Pakistan and 15,000 households in India with emergency shelter, food, water and household items to those made homeless, to deliver medical support to existing health facilities and to set up a service to re-establish links between separated family members. Two Irish Red Cross delegates have to date been deployed to Pakistan – Willie Norton, an Air Operations expert, has joined the ICRC emergency response team to help with the reception and distribution of emergency supplies and John Rowland, specializing in logistics, is similarly supporting the distribution of aid. The work outlined above is part of what the Red Cross supports in the regions affected and indeed around the world. We estimate that they will need support for many months to come, and with your support we hope to be there. This work would not be possible without the generosity of people such as you. Yours sincerely Anna Marie O’Carroll, Fundraiser. Christmas Class Liturgies As we are coming to the end of our first week of Advent in preparation for the coming of Christ this Christmas, each class from 1st year to Leaving Cert. will have an opportunity to come to Suaimhneas for a Christmas Liturgy and Carol singing beginning on Monday, 12th Dec. and ending Friday, 16th Dec. Fr. Abe
Senior Rugby Team Win Coaching Session With Brian O’Driscoll
Sponsored by Gilette, the players, along with one school from each of the other three provinces, will receive coaching from Ireland and Lions captain, Brian O’Driscoll as well as a number of other well known players and coaches. Congratulations to Mr. O Tuairisg on achieving this for the team. CanTeen Cards Quality cards on sale in the Social Area! –You can buy 8 small or 6 large cards for only €5.Please support this worthy cause. Karate Last Sunday the Karate Kata Championships took place in Kiltormer. Alanna Coniry (2nd Yr.) came 1st in the U-14 individual Kata. Esther Reilly (5th Yr.) came 3rd in the U-16 Individual Senior Belt Kota. Alanna and Esther were also on the U-16 team that took 1st place and Esther was also on the Senior team that came 4th. Graham Flynn (2nd Yr.) also took part in the U-14 Individual and U-16 Team Kata. Blaithin Conroy (3rd Yr.) took 3rd place U-14 Individual and also took part in the U-16 team Kata. Well done to all that took part. Esther Reilly & Alanna Coniry. Der Untergang Last Thursday, the 24th of November, the Fifth year and T.Y. German classes went to see the German film ‘Der Untergang’, which means ‘Downfall’. The film was about Hitler’s last days in his bunker and it was very graphic and also very exciting. We got an insight into the terrible effects of war on people. We would like to thank Ms. Masterson for giving us this experience. Stephanie Blake, T.Y. Best of Luck to Davitts U-18s who are going for 3-in-a-row tomorrow (Saturday) against Castlegar. Senior Camogie Our Senior Camogie Team continued on their winning ways with a facile victory on Thursday against a gallant St. Raphael’s outfit who found themselves out-classed in every position.As our remaining group opponents, Mercy, Woodford, who had been defeated by St. Raphaels, have given a walkover, our seniors have now qualified for the school’s eighth Senior ‘A’ Camogie Final in a row, where they will be hoping for a sixth title at this grade. Panel: Helen Campbell, Serena Brien, Miriam Hynes, Mairead Mooney, Louise Larkin, Triona Byrne (0-1), Julie Brien (1-0), Yvonne Donnelly (0-1), Emer Haverty (0-2), Sarah Kiely, Megan Moran (1-0), Tara Ruttledge (5-5), Richael O’Brien (2-2), Linda Moloney (2-2), Amanda Broderick, Amanda Casey, Claire Killeen, Sinead Donoghue (1-1), Anita Blake, Edel Cunningham (1-1), Marie Duane, Ann Marie Starr, Stacey Coen, Anita Burke & Donna Cormican.P. Kelly. Congratulations Congrats to the girls of Portumna Camogie Club on winning the U-18 B County Final on Sunday. Well done to Triona Byrne (Capt.), Ciara Molloy, Richelle O’Brien, Sarah Kiely, Donna Cormican, Orla Hayes, Megan Moran, Shauna Grady, Sarah Conboy, Tara Ruttledge, Edel Cunningham, Claire Harte, Sarah Darcy, Katie O’Brien, Nicola Muldoon, Audrey Hogan, Laura Parry, Aoife Conway & Aileen Ruttledge. Glasgow Tour Just one week to go. I hope you all have your sterling ordered in the bank. Don’t forget to bring warm clothes and rain gear, also any videos and CDs you might like to share on the trip. Final details of itinerary will be given during the week. Looking forward to seeing you then. By the way, I’m still short a couple of permission slips. Make sure I have them by Monday please. This game between Celtic and Hibs. Promises to be a cracker. Junior Girls Soccer Thanks to you all for your great commitment for the first half of the year. Because the panel is so big it is difficult to give everyone a game, but I promise things will be different in the new year. Today was our final game against Boyle for this term. Fr. Abe. Dates for your Diary: (3rd – 9th December) Mon. 5th – Senior Hurling Vs Athenry V.S. @ 1.30 p.m. (Ryan Cup Semi-Final) Mon. 5th – T.Y. Concern Debate Vs Garbally at 8 p.m. in Ballinasloe. Tues. 6th – Junior Rugby Vs Ballygar @ 1.00 p.m. Wed. 7th – Senior Rugby trip to Dublin. Thurs. 8th – Parent-Teacher meeting for 5th, LCA1 and T.Y. classes: 10 a.m. – 12.30 p.m.
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