Portumna Community School

Portumna Co. Galway Ireland

Phone (0509)  41053     Fax (0509) 41932   Email:  info@portumnacs.com

Many thanks to the Shannon Oaks Hotel for once again being so generous in their sponsorship of the Senior Camogie team.

News - Sep. 2007

Former 2FM presenter Gareth O Callaghan was in school last week to talk to senior students on the subject of "self esteem and depression" 

Primary to Secondary School 

 

The transition from Primary to Secondary school is one of the most important in any student’s education.  In order to help parents understand the process and have a better understanding of what    second level education entails, there will be a meeting and information session for parents of First Years on Monday, 9^th October, at 8.00 p.m. in the school.  Parents will have an opportunity to hear varied presentations on the transition and raise any questions they may have about their children’s second level education. I urge all 1^st year parents to attend this meeting as it will provide an opportunity to meet  with other parents and reflect on the first month of your son or daughter’s start in secondary school. In addition this information session will enable parents to become active partners with the school in  furthering their children’s education.  I look forward to seeing you there.

D. Long.

 

Buddy System 2006-07

 

 All Leaving Certs are expected to have found their First year ‘Buddies’ by today.  Unless you have a good reason for not yet meeting yours, a replacement will be found on Monday.

Remember you must meet at an agreed venue at least once per week.  Enjoy your time together. 

 

‘Anti-Bullying’

 

 The Anti-Bullying Awareness Week will take place during Religion classes this coming week, beginning on Monday for all classes.

 

Welcome First Years

 

Some of the First Year Welcome liturgies will take place in Suaimhneas next week with the theme ‘Creating a New World’.

 

Celtic Tour

 

Apologies to the 31 disappointed 5th Yr. and T.Y. students who had their deposits returned recently.  If I don’t hear from any of the 45 Leaving Certs of their intention not to go by next Friday (6th Oct.),  I will presume that all are definitely travelling.  Receipts for deposits and balances will be issued after balances have been paid.

 

Junior Girls Soccer

 

 The first round of the Junior Girls Soccer takes place in Galway on Monday, 2^nd October, in Merview Utd. Football pitch.  As the grass pitches are unavailable we will be using the Astro-turf, so please bring runners, socks, shin guards, track-suit and €7 for the bus.  All of the panel (2^nd and 3^rd yrs.) will be travelling.

 

Fr. Abe

 

The President’s Award

 

This is Ireland’s National Challenge Award, the country’s most prestigious and respected individual award programme, and a challenge from the President of Ireland, to you… the nation’s future. 

It is open to all young people between 15 and 25.

The Award works on the basis of a personal challenge set by you and there are 3 different types of award that you can earn – bronze, silver, gold.  To earn an award, you must take part in each of four different activity areas:     1. Skill, 2. Community, 3. Physical and 4. Adventure.

Each participant must participate in at least one new activity to earn an award.  E.g. How to earn a Bronze award (over a minimum period of 6 months):
Agree a challenge in 4 activities as follows:-  Skill e.g. computers - Participate 1 hour per week for 26 weeks.  Community e.g. first aid - 1 hour per week for 15 weeks.  Physical e.g. swimming - 1 hour per week for 12 weeks.  Adventure - Organise a 2 day hike/cycle/canoe trip.

 

For more information an ‘all you need to know’ Handbook can be downloaded from the website: www.gaisce.ie

 

We would like to congratulate the following T.Y. students who have also opted to take on the challenge of the Bronze Award for Gaisce (1^st group listed in Eolas – Issue 2, 8^th Sept.):

Aine Blaney, Shane Carty, Cathal Duffy, Lisa Fitzpatrick, Shane Tully.  And the following have opted for the Silver Award:  Grainne Conway (5^th Yr.), Mairead Felle (5^th), Shauna Grady (5^th),  Claire Kelly (6^th).

 We wish them well in their endeavour.

 

 

Hurling

 

Well done to the 1^st Year Hurling team who competed in a blitz in Gort during the week. 

They were successful in winning all of their matches against tough opposition from Athenry and Loughrea schools.  It is hoped that this form can be maintained for the championship.

 Panel:  Jamie Blake, Padraig Breheny, Connor Casey, Colm Corcoran, Brian Fahy, Kevin Farragher, Graham Fogarty, Paul Hodgins, Paul Killeen, Micheál Lambe, James McEvoy, Shane Moloney, Niall O'Meara, Oisín Royston, Christopher Treacy, Mark Walsh, John Whelan, Nathan Whelan.

 

  Lost & Found

 

In Anne’s Office:  A pair of glasses, a watch, a camera and surprise, surprise, locker keys!

 

Rugby

 

Junior match Vs Athlone next week.  Training on Tuesday during games and after school.

 

Reminder

 Some Memory sticks (€12) are now available in the school.  It is strongly recommended that all senior students have one of these for all computer based work (reports, CV's etc.) throughout the year.

 

Attention First Years!!

 

The Prefects are organising a Games Room for 1^st Year students in Room ‘G’ every Friday during Lunch Time – Draughts, Chess, Twister, etc.  So come along and join the fun.

 

Portumna Castle

 

Autumn Woodland Celebration – Sunday, 1^st Oct. at 2 p.m. – All Welcome – Admission Free.

Activities in Castle Grounds to include:

Nature Scavenger Hunts, Children’s Games & Crafts;

Biodiversity Puppet Show at 2.30 pm and 3.45 PM.

Thatching demonstration by members of FAS,

Talks and slideshows about the special residents of the castle and woods.  Demonstration on how to build a bird box or bat box.

Get a guided nature walk in Portumna Forest Park – leaving from Forest car park at 4 pm.

 

Careers – Open Days

 4^th Oct. – Galway-Mayo I.T. (9.30am – 4pm).

6^th Oct. – Kildalton Agricultural College.

10^th Oct. – Letterkenny I.T. (Careers Day)

11^th Oct. – Gurteen College.

  

Best of Luck to all of the Minor Hurlers in their Quarter Finals this Sunday.  Tynagh-Abbey-Duniry take on Castlegar in Athenry at 2.00 pm, and Killimor will play Ardrahan in Loughrea at 3 pm.  Both teams would greatly appreciate your support.

 

“Everyone makes mistakes. The trick is to

 make mistakes when nobody is looking.”

 

Student Resource Fund

 

An urgent reminder regarding the Resource Fund. 

As you all know very well there have been increases in the costs of living – fuel is one of the areas affected.  This will mean that the cost of bringing students to extra curricular activities will increase as will entrance fees to facilities. 

It is vital then that everyone pays the resource fund charge so that we can continue to provide the range of activities which enrich the lives of students, their families, their communities and their school.  Many thanks to those who have already supported us.

D. Long

 

 

Cookery Demo

 

Thanks to Ms. Harty, her 1^st year H.E. class and our comi-chef, Darren.  The cookery demonstration was a great success.  Hopefully everyone learned more about healthy eating!  Everyone seemed to enjoy the samples as there was absolutely nothing left!

C. Bergin, J. Larkin, K. O’Meara & E. Finnegan.

  

 Speaker

 

Portumna & District Health Forum & Na Calaí CDP invites you to attend the 2^nd of their 4 workshops focussing on Suicide Awareness, on Tuesday, 3^rd October, in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna, from 8 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

The Speaker on the night is Geoff Day, the Director of the new National Office for Suicide Prevention which has recently been established by the Health Service Executive.  Admission is free, and tea & coffee will be served after the workshop.  For further information, please contact Na Calaí CDP on (090) 97 41887.

 

Launch of Home Care Service

 

South East Galway Home Care Service which has now been in operation since May 2006 will be officially launched on Monday 9^th October at 12 noon by Minister Noel Treacy TD in the Na Calai CDP Office. 

The services outreach office is based in the Na Calai CDP Office, Abbey Street, Portumna.  The S.E. Galway Home Care Service provides care in the home for the elderly.  The overall aim of the Co-op is to provide quality homecare for the elderly on a non-profit making basis  and in doing so provide employment to people all over  the respective County, this is a dual purpose service     our employees are trained in Manual Handling, Risk Assessment and come to the client fully insured with comprehensive background check completed.

 

 

This Day In History – 29^th

 

1915 - 1^st  transcontinental radio telephone message is sent.

 

1979 - Pope John Paul II becomes 1^st pope to visit Ireland.

 

 

Dates for your Diary:   (30^th Sept. – 6^th Oct.)

 

·       Mon. 2^nd – Junior Girls Soccer in Galway – bus leaving @ 10.10 am.

·       Mon. 2^nd – Senior Hurling Vs Banagher C.C. – leaving @ 12.15 pm.

 

 

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 Seeing the Universe in a New Light

 

Over the past two days Mr. Larry Edwards, an American Cosmologist, has been speaking with the Transition Year students.  Mr. Edwards spoke of the Earth’s creation and the interconnecting of all the species who call Earth their home.  He outlined the fact that we no longer recognise the environment as we did 100 years ago. 

His talks were very enjoyable and informative. We now know much more about our home, Earth.

Sarah Conboy

 

Crowding on the Corridors 

 The corridors get very busy before school, at the changeover of classes and at the end of the day.  It is important that we can all get safely and quietly around the school without blocking others or causing disruption.  Following consultation with students and staff I am asking everyone to move around the school by keeping to your left, just as you would cycle or drive along the road.  This simple step will help to ease crowding on the corridors.  Secondly, students waiting outside a room should line up in single file along the wall so that others may move freely past them.  Finally, senior students should remember that they can crowd a corridor more easily than Juniors and they are expected to show leadership and good example!

D. Long.

 

Buddy System 2006-07

 

At last the Buddy System is up and running.  Again many thanks to all the Leaving Certs who have generously committed themselves to companion the First Years for the coming year.  As agreed, you will meet at least once a week, more often if you like, and you have a week to find your first year buddy. 

Have a great year together.

 

Celtic Tour

 

Already we are well over subscribed for the Celtic Vs Aberdeen match in December.  Sorry that some T.Y.’s and 5^th Years will not be able to travel due to the huge interest.  All Leaving Certs will definitely travel and the rest will be picked out of the ‘hat’ on Monday.

 

Anti Bullying Awareness Week

  Just to remind everybody that the Anti Bullying Awareness Week will take place during the first week of October.

 

Welcome First Years

 Preparation for the First Year welcome liturgies will take place next week during R.E. classes.

 

 Minor title for Lorrha

Congratulations to Michael O Meara, Ciaran Duggan and Conor Glynn who were part of the Lorrha team who won the North Tipp Minor B championship last week. It is worth mentioning that Michael O Meara also received a ‘Man of the Match’ accolade for a performance with the Lorrha Intermediate Team during the summer.

 

Fiddler On The Roof

 It was that time of the year again when auditions took place for the Transition Year students who were hoping for  spots in the upcoming School Musical.  The musical production ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ is scheduled for early December.  With the auditions complete a very eager and enthusiastic cast are now waiting for rehearsals to begin.  It is expected that this production will be excellent, given the motivation and work ethic shown by T.Y. students already this year.

 

Cast of Characters Tevye, the milkman (Michael Gleeson), Goide, his wife (Cera Bergin).   Daughters: Tzeitel (Niamh Molamphy),  Hodel (Sarah Hoban),  Chava (Aoife Conway), Shprintze (Tanya Byrne),  Bielke (Jane Burns). Yente, the matchmaker (Lisa Fitzpatrick).   Motel, the tailor (Cian Lally).   Perchik, the student (Shane Tully).   Lazar Wolf, the butcher (Darren Grady).   Mordcha, the innkeeper (Aidan Hough).  Rabbi (Paul Abberton).   Mendel, his son (James Maxwell).   Avram (Sean Maxwell).  Beggar / Yussel (Christopher Starr).   Grandma Yzeital (Aine O’Meara).   Fruma-Sarah (Linsey Molloy).   Constable (Nigel Killeen).   Fyedka, Russian (Ronan Royston).   Shandel, Motel’s mother (Kate O’Meara).   Sasha, Russian (Veronica Burke).   Rifka, Villager (Clare Killeen).   Fiddler (Elaine McDonagh).   Solo Russian Singer (Martin Dolphin).   Solo Russian Dancer (Ciaran Treacy).

  

Lost & Found

 The pair of glasses in Anne’s Office still have not been claimed along with a few other items.  If you have lost something please check in the office that day.

 Reminders

 Chewing gum is forbidden in school: it creates a very untidy environment and is unhygienic.  You can be fined €5 each time you are found with gum. 

Keep the school and footpaths clear of it please.

Students must bring their coats and personal belongings home with them each evening.  Coats, Jackets, etc. found in school will be gathered up every few weeks and stored backstage.  If not reclaimed they will be disposed of at the October break.

 

And do not try to open your locker with someone else’s key (a number of students have been caught doing so already) as this can damage the lock mechanism.  If you need your locker opened please find one of the caretakers.

 

Student Resource Fund

 Resource fund monies are due.  €50 for one student from a family and €80 for two or more students from the same family.  We request that all monies are paid by 1^st October 2006 at the latest.

 Junior Rugby

 Training – Monday evening at 4.10 p.m. Full panel to attend.

 

Proposed Bridge Closure

 No doubt many of you will have seen the newspaper articles in relation to the proposed closure of the bridge in September 2007. The school will be contacting parents directly in the next week in this regard; we have already been in contact with local representatives and county council engineering staff.

Portumna Bridge

 

Guest  Speaker

 Portumna & District Health Forum & Na Calaí CDP invites you to attend the first of their four workshops focussing on Suicide Awareness, on Tuesday, 26^th September in the Shannon Oaks Hotel, Portumna, from 8 pm to 9.30 pm. 

The Speaker on the night is Gareth O’Callaghan, one of Ireland's best-known and most-loved broadcasters. Admission is free, and tea & coffee will be served after the workshop.  For further information, please contact

Na Calaí CDP on (090) 97 41887.

Kindly Supported by the ESB Electric Aid.

 

Gareth is a journalist, a radio presenter and a best-selling author.  His book "A Day Called Hope", documenting his recovery from Depression, is one of the country's best-selling books over the last five years.  He is currently writing another book, which he describes as "not quite a follow-up, but an extension of the journey undertaken almost seven years ago".  He is a trained    counsellor and psychotherapist, and runs a full-time clinic in Galway, where he now lives.

 

Cookery Demo  

As part of Agri Aware’s ‘Our Food – Your Way!’ competition, some T.Y.s are organising a Cookery Demonstration for Ms. Harty’s First Year Home Economics class at 12.15 pm next Friday (29^th). 

The demonstration is part of our project to promote healthy eating in schools.  We would like the class  to sample our food and give us feedback. Ceara Bergin, Julie Larkin, Kate O’Meara & Eamon Finnegan.

 

Fun Run & Senior Race

 

Portumna Athletic Club is calling all U15 boys and girls to take part in the Mother Hubbard’s 1 Mile Fun Run.  It takes place on Sunday, 24^th September at 1 p.m. sharp in Killimor village.

There will  be prizes for the first 3 boys and first 3 girls, as well as a goody bag for all competitors.   This Fun Run will be followed by a Senior 4 mile Road Race at 1.30 p.m.

Entries taken at the Hurling pitch from 12 noon until 12.45 p.m.

Entry fees:  €2 for the fun run and €10 for the Senior race.

 

This Day In History – 22^nd

 1903 - Italo Marchiony granted patent for ice cream cone.

 1964 - "Fiddler on the Roof" opens at Imperial Theatre, New York City for 3242 performances.

 

Dates for your Diary:   (23^rd – 29^th Sept.)

 

·       Tues. 26^th – 1^st Year Hurling Blitz in Gort – bus leaving at 9.35 a.m.

·       Wed. 27^th – Senior Camogie Trial Game @ 11.45 a.m.

·       Wed. 27^th – Inter Schools Golf at Bearna Golf Club. Portumna have been drawn to play alongside Garbally college, Ballinasloe and St. Enda’s College, Galway.

·       Thurs. 28^th – 3^rd yr. trip to Newgrange (2^nd group).

·       Thurs. 28^th – 5^th & 6^th yr. Ag. Science classes to the Ploughing Championship.

 

 

 

Laptop Quest 

We are currently working to acquire a set of laptops to enhance the learning experience in a number of subjects and learning situations. Obviously the cost of acquiring a set of new laptops is well beyond our financial means. Over the last week we have contacted a number of companies to ask if they are replacing older machines that they might consider donating them for use in our school. If you could help in any way with this project we would be most appreciative. Click here for all contact information.

Memory Sticks

 

As most of you will be aware we have phased out floppy disks here in school – and are promoting the use of memory sticks in their place.  By now floppy disks are very much outdated, they hold very small amounts of information, are slow to use and very much prone to failure.  Memory sticks on the other hand can store very large amounts of information and rarely cause problems – a 256mb stick will hold the equivalent of 180 floppy disks!  As all students now have access to our main computer room where all PC’s have USB ports to the front the use of memory sticks couldn’t be simpler.  Thankfully also the price is coming down all the time – it is possible to buy a 256MB for €16.99 in Tesco, Argos etc.  We would strongly encourage all students to considering investing in one of these to store copies of all computer work