Scéal ón Scoil ... Eagrán 8:2 Meitheamh 2016

Scéal ón Scoil Leathanach 1

New Impetus for Learning Used well, technology

can enhance teaching

and learning. Acknowl-

edging this, an Bord

Bainistíochta made a

large investment in

2010. Interactive white-

boards and projectors

were purchased for all

classes as well as a

server and teacher lap-

tops. The focus of this

investment was to enrich the teaching possibilities.

Back in 2004, we purchased a suite of 18 laptop computers

which were used to give children access to technology in their

learning, however, these laptops are now obsolete.

The Board of Management has now decided to make another

significant investment in educational technology. This time, the

focus is on enhancing the learning possibilities by putting digi-

tal devices into the hands of the children. After much research,

and guided by best practice, we have decided to purchase a

suite of 30+ iPads as well as the accessories to protect, store,

sync and link them to our existing technology. This will allow

up to two classes to have access to an iPad for a session.

We are excited about the opportunities for learning that tablets

bring, in terms of their flexibility, mobile capabilities, and ease

of use. Experts believe they have the potential to support stu-

dent-centred, independent, differentiated and personalised

learning. We are also purchasing a Lego WeDo 2.0 (Science

and Computing) class kit. Rang 6 had an opportunity to triall

this kit in recent weeks and children and teachers were most

impressed by the learning facilitated. This new investment in

educational technol-

ogy will cost in the re-

gion of €22,000 but the Board feels our chil-

dren should have ac-

cess to the best educa-

tional resources. Páistí

and Múinteoirí na

Scoile are very grate-

ful!

SUMMER HOLIDAYS The summer break will

begin at 12.30 on

Thursday, June 30.

The new school-year begins on

Wed. August 31.

Gardening News Once

again, we

are very

grateful to

Anne-

Marie

Murphy

and Andrea Roche for the wonderful

support they give us with Gairdín na

Scoile. As a result of their generosity

our children got to plant potatoes,

tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, cour-

gette, berlotti beans, peas, scallions,

beetroot, Rainbow carrots, turnips,

radish, various salad leaves, sunflow-

ers and marigolds. The children love

this connection with nature and with

the earth and we are indebted to

Anne-Marie and Andrea.

We would ask for volunteers to share

the work with them as there is too

much involved for so few. Let us know

if you can help. No expertise neces-

sary – only some spare-time and en-

thusiasm.

Summer Barbecue

Míle buíochas to all who supported

the Summer BBQ on

Sunday last in

Ashbourne RFC. The

weather was most

unkind and bouncy

castles could not be

used. However, the

event went ahead

and was enjoyed by

all there. Brian Rush

arrived for the event suitably attired

for the day that was in it!

Scéal ón Scoil Leathanach 2

Keeping Children Safe Online

Technology has had a wonderful impact on

everyday life in the past decade or so. Most of

this is change for the better but along with

these benefits, there are also dangers and

abuses. Online interactions can seem a mine-

field, especially for parents who are concerned

about Internet safety. To try to respond to this, the school organ-

ised online–safety workshops for all classes from Rang 2 upwards,

as well as sessions for staff and parents. The attendance at the par-

ents’ session was disappointingly low. We feel online-safety is a

real issue and we want to share with you some of key points we

learned from the online safety sessions.

Many parents are aware of potential online dangers but feel help-

less because they realise they are not as ‘savvy’ as their children

about the internet and its many manifestations. Many parents feel

their child is spending much too long in front of a screen and want

to do something about this. Some might intervene by imposing a

ban on online technologies entirely. While a complete ban

might reduce the possibility of negative consequences, it will

also affect the child’s ability to develop and reach their poten-

tial in educational, occupational and social settings.

The fact is children can easily access the Internet through other

means, and if anything does go wrong they may be much

less likely to seek the help and support that they need if they

have been online without permission. A far better approach is for

parents to inform themselves about the internet and to build good

communication with your child about appropriate internet use.

One of the interesting facts arising from the seminars was the im-

pact excessive screen-use can have on children’s health. This is

especially problematic at night, as devices like a laptop, PC, TV,

smartphone, tablet, iPod etc. all involve ‘blue light’ technol-

ogy, which causes a suppression of melatonin, known as the

‘sleep hormone’.

Prior to the sessions here in the school in April last, all our chil-

dren from Rang 2 to Rang 6 did a survey of their current online

habits. The results are very interesting.

22% of our children spend 3-4 hrs on screen-time per day; 12% spend 5 hrs or more on-

screen per day. (all screen de-

vices including TV, tablets, com-

puter, consoles etc.)

21.7% of our children reported experiencing, or knowing some-

one who was cyberbullied

The most popular apps, websites, games or social media sites were: Youtube, Minecraft and

Snapchat.

We have put a link on the school website where you can access

the full results of the survey and where you can download The

Zeeko Internet Safety Guide. This comprehensive guide covers

cyberbullying, excessive internet use, online gaming, inappropri-

ate content, safety settings, speaking to your children and much

more. We would really encourage all families to download and

read this guide.

Meath Stars....

We are very proud of

Ciara Ní Leathlobhair

and Katie Ní Thuama

who were recently se-

lected to play with the

Meath Girls U12 Gaelic

Football team. Even

better, they starred in

the recent victory of

the Meath U12s in a Leinster Inter-county

Blitz. Both girls are stalwart members of

our own Foireann na gCailíní, trained by

Múinteoir Ciarán and Múinteoir Stiofán.

Comhghairdeas libh a chailíní!

Proud Poetry for Ireland Comhghairdeas ó chroí to Áine Ní Leo-

cháin and Clara Ní Éamhaigh who were

winners of the Meath Schools Write a Poem

competition.

They were

presented

with their

awards re-

cently at a

reception in

Navan and

their work

has been published in a poetry collection

called ‘My Ireland’.

If I Ruled Ireland

If I ruled Ireland I’d be the queen

Ireland would be so, so clean

Instead of fumes we’d go green

With electric cars only to be seen

Animals, nature and all things green

We have a great country let’s keep it clean

Come on everybody put your rubbish in

the bin

Let’s all get together and let a cleaner

world begin. Clara Ní Éamhaigh

We are Ireland

We are Ireland

Green, white and gold

Full of culture

And legends to be told

The weather’s not great

With rain, wind and sleet

But the home-cooked meals

Are hard to beat

No king or queen since 1916

Ireland is the best place

That I have ever been Áine Ní Leocháin

Scéal ón Scoil Leathanach 3

News of Past-Pupils

Keith Nulty (Keith Mac an Ultaigh, Rang 6,

2009) recently took the Gold Medal at the I-Karate

World Championships in Bel-

gium. Keith is the Irish Cham-

pion and has represented

Ireland on several occasions,

previously winning silver at

the British Open Champion-

ships in 2014.. Keith’s sib-

lings, Tia and Carl are also

great sports persons.

Comhghairdeas Keith!

Kevin Toner (Caoimhín Ó

Tónair) who spent a few

years here in the mid 2000s is

making a name for himself as

a professional soccer player

with Aston Villa. This season

Kevin broke into the first

team and is now established

there. Kevin has already rep-

resented Ireland U19 and the

general consensus is that he has what it takes to

play for the Senior international team. Maith thú

Caoimhín!

Standards and Progress

Every year we administer a bat-

tery of standardized tests to our

classes in Irish, English and

Maths. We use the results to in-

form us about how children are

performing compared to chil-

dren at the same class-level na-

tionally. We also analyse the

results for patterns that might

guide us in improving our teaching and learning. In par-

ticular, we use them to track the progress of each child

and to respond to their needs. From experience, we

know that the results of standardized tests need to be

considered along-side teacher observation and regular

class tests, as once a year tests can lead to anxiety and

unreliable outcomes.

The Board of Management is happy to report excellent

results in all areas this year again. Compared with other

Gaelscoil and Gaeltacht schools our performance in

Gaeilge is 25 percentiles above the average. In both

Maths and English Reading, 43% and 49% respectively of

our children are achieving STen 8, 9 or 10, compared to

16% nationally. We are fortunate that our parents value

education highly and that our children accordingly are

generally motivated to learn. We are also fortunate to

have really dedicated and effective Teachers and an ex-

perienced and skilful Learning Support Team. On behalf

of the parents and children, an Bord Bainistíochta wishes

to thank and commend the staff for these fine achieve-

ments.

For the past 26 years Cór na Scoile have been in-

vited to sing at the annual Inter-church Service trí

Ghaeilge at Christ-

church Cathedral. In

April, representatives

of Cumann Gaelach na

hEaglaise (Church of

Ireland) and Pobal an

Aifrinn (Catholic

Church) made a pres-

entation to Múinteoir

Pádraig to acknowledge

the contribution our

choir has made to this

special occasion for over a

quarter of a century.

The presentation took place

during the visit of the choir to

Dublin’s Mansion House, at the

invitation of the Lord Mayor,

Cllr. Críona Ní Dhálaigh. The

Lord Mayor welcomed the choir

and brought

them on a very

interesting

guided tour of

the lovely Man-

sion House. She

shared with them

stories about this

historic building.

They visited the large circular room where the

First Dáil met in 1919 and sat around the table

where many

historic deci-

sions were

made.

The choir, with

soloist Niall Ó

Fionnbhairr,

sang a song for

the Lord Mayor

in the lovely

drawing room before winding up a special day.

Presentation to Cór na Scoile and visit to the Lord Mayor of Dublin

Dáíthí Ó Maolchoille (Cumann

Gaelach na hEaglaise), Múinteoir

Pádraig, Lord Mayor, Críona Ní

Dhálaigh and Bláthnaid Uí

Bhrádaigh (Pobal an Aifrinn)

Scéal ón Scoil Leathanach 4

Rang 6 and obsolete technology!

Buddy Reading

Cyclone Rep perform Lá Ceoil na nGaelscoileanna

Fun with the Parachute

Chess team compete in Leinster

Finals

Junior Boys’ Team with Múinteoir Caitríona and

Múinteoir Deirdre

I rith na bliana

Mixing a potion! (Naí Shóis)

In full flight

Enjoying the open space

Múinteoir Ciarán’s wed-

ding

Fire Safety talk with parents and firemen,

Ciarán and Antóin

Gaeilgeoirí na Míosa, April

The Staff as never seen before!