Gaelscoil Philib Barún

25 Year Celebrations

James Mernin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:37:56 +0000

The Board of Management will mark the 25th anneversary of the schools opening at the end of October. A series of events are currenting being planned. We would be happy to hear suggestions from past pupils and parents.

School reopens on 1st September 2010

James Mernin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 12:34:08 +0000

The school is closed at the moment for the summer holidays. If you wish to contact the school for any reason please leave a message on the answering machine or alternatively send an email to eolas@pilibbarun.com. The school office will be open from the 26th of August fro 9.30 to 12.30.

The school reopens for pupils from 9 a.m. on the 1st September. There will be a full day for all pupils except the new Junior Infants who will be going home at 12.00 for the first fortnight. A half-day to facilitate a staff meeting will be held on Friday the 3rd September. Pupils free from 12.30.

Walk to School Days

Meadhbh Breathnach — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 21:51:23 +0000

The school is organising 2 “Walk to School” days on Wednesday and Thursday, 16th and 17th June 2010, to encourage the children to be independent, healthy and become more energy aware.

The walk will begin at Ballycarnane Woods entrance at 8.30am and will collect children at the following times and places:

Ballycarnane Woods: 8.30am
Clarinwood: 8.35am
Glenview/Cairn Dubh: 8.40am
Moonvoy Valley/Caolán: 8.45am
Ard na Groí: 8.50am

All children taking part will have no homework on the days in which they walk. In fact, any child who walks or cycles to school on these days will have homework off!

Teachers will supervise the walk but some parents will be required to wait at the entrances of the estate to ensure children are supervised at all times.

If you are interested in your child/children taking part please fill in the form which has been sent home and return to the school by Tuesday, 15th June 2010.

Gaelscoil welcomes Comenius visit

Orla Chéitinn — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:48:04 +0000

Gaelscoil Philib Barún is delighted to welcome our Comenius partner schools to Tramore on Wednesday June 9th 2010. Twenty six visitors in total will visit, 15 adults and 11 children. The adults will stay in The Grand Hotel while some of the children will be hosted by local families.

On arrival on Thursday morning, each group will get the chance to make a small presentation on their respective school and country. The teachers and children will sample school life in the Gaelscoil during Thursday and Friday. The children will get the opportunity to partake in some of the lessons and the teachers will get a chance to observe. Since our last meeting, the theme of ‘Our Family’ has been the focus of the Comenius project. We will share our activities and work in this regard with the children and teachers from our partner schools. Time will also be set aside during the visit for continued work on our common project “Think Globally, act locally”.

It will not be all work, however. A concert will take place on Friday, showcasing the childrens’ talents and presenting a taste of Irish song, dance and wit. On Thursday, some exhibition matches demonstrating our unique GAA skills will be centre stage. On Saturday our visitors are free to explore Tramore and the surrounding areas, engage in some sightseeing or even some shopping. Sunday June 13th 2010 is departure day for our guests.

We are looking forward to a very enjoyable weekend and hope that you will join us in celebrating this wonderful partnership with our new friends in Germany, Iceland, Turkey and Wales.

Irish Schools Top at English

James Mernin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 15:35:22 +0000

Gaelport.com reported on an article from the Daily Mirror this week about how pupils educated in Irish-language schools were outperforming students from English-language schools in subjects such as Maths, but also in English itself. We have covered similar articles in the past to this effect and it is all very positive for Irish-language schools generally.

Now all we need is a permanent school building to cope with the increase in enrolments that articles like this will inevitably lead to over the coming years.

Source: Gaelport.com

Open Day for Infants 2010

Daithí de Paor — Mon, 17 May 2010 22:44:26 +0000

The Open Day for New Junior Infants takes place on Thursday next 20th May at 1.45 in the school. Children will meet their classmates and parents will be addressed by the principal. This year significant alterations are being made to the Junior Infant programme and it is important that parents are aware of these changes. Parents unable to attend should inform the school. As there has been a significant increase in demand for places in the school more than 30 pupils are expected to enrol.

Holy Communion Update

James Mernin — Sun, 16 May 2010 21:49:37 +0000

Saturday, 8 May 2010 was first Holy Communion day for the pupils of Rang 2 at Gaelscoil Philib Barún. Many congratulations to the pupils, their families and their teachers for being (as the priest remarked several times during the ceremony), one of the best-prepared and well-mannered classes he’d had the pleasure of dealing with for many years.

The day was also once again made more special by the terrific reception afterwards at the school, hosted by the parents of Rang 1 for the family and friends of those making their Holy Communion. This (now traditional) reception has become a very popular event in the annual school calendar and provides extended family and friends with a unique opportunity to see the school, something many of them might never otherwise have the chance to do.

A huge debt of gratitude must go to the parents of Rang 1 and the Parents Association who organised and hosted this reception so brilliantly, and of course to all of the parents who donated cakes and other food items. Rumour has it that Elton John is looking to hire you for his next post-Oscar party!

Well done and congratulations to one and all.

Community Garden Update

Fiona Murphy — Tue, 11 May 2010 20:48:19 +0000

We had a healthy turnout for the Living Willow Workshop with Eamonn McSweeney at Tramore Community Garden on May Day. A beautiful living willow compost area was created at the end of a very relaxing morning. All participants gained some great skills that they can now use in their own gardens and pass on to friends and family. Thanks to a core group of volunteers the garden is growing from strength to strength. If you would like to volunteer your time on any given day or would like to donate unwanted garden materials or supplies please contact Fiona at tramore20@eircom.net or telephone 051-330408. We are especially in need of top soil, gravel, scaffolding planks and seeds/seedlings. A special thank you to all our GIY Tramore friends for their kind donations of plants and seeds so far! This community space is there for everyone in Tramore to enjoy and pass some time growing with friends old and new. We look forward to meeting you there on any given Tuesday andor Thursday evening from 7 to 9.

Creating the Community Garden

Fiona Murphy — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:59:22 +0000

Gaelscoil Philib Barun has donated a piece of land to the Transition Town Tramore group for a community garden space. Passers-by may have already noticed the polytunnel that was erected on the site recently by a group of eager volunteers. There will be a public meeting in the school on Wednesday 21st April at 8pm to discuss plans for the development of this community space. Whether you are a keen gardener or a complete novice in all things green you are encouraged to attend. T3 and all volunteers will be turning the first sod on Friday 23rd April at 7pm so if you can’t make the Wednesday meeting join us on Friday instead with your wellies and spades.

Gardeners working at Gaelscoil Philib Barún

Finally, as part of the educational theme behind the garden we will be holding a short willow workshop on Saturday 1st May from 10am to 1pm. Learn how to construct a willow archway and compost area for your garden. A small donation of €7 is requested from participants. Please e-mail your details to Fiona at tramore20@eircom.net to book your place. Donations of materials, top soil, seedlings etc for the garden are most welcome. Please contact Fiona if you would like to make any donations to this worthwhile project. You can find T3 on Facebook at “Transition Town Tramore T3“

Gaelscoil to remain in limbo

Daithí de Paor — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:54:37 +0000

Following recent parliamentary questions on our behalf by Brian Ó Sé TD, Gaelscoil Philib Barún have been informed that as of yet the DES has no plans to progress a building project.

Launch of Gaelscoil Philib Barún’s Community Garden

Daithí de Paor — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:20:21 +0000

The first event to launch the community garden in Tramore’s Gaelscoil will be a one day training course on “Building your own Polytunnel for under €250” on Saturday March 27th from 10am to 4pm with Gary Dalton from EcoWorks. The cost of the course is €45 or €25 for unwaged or €35 for those in between. Enquiries and bookings to tramore20@eircom.net or telephone 086 8874679. Places are limited so please book your place this week!

Table Quiz Hints

James Mernin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:39:34 +0000

The questions below may come up during the Table Quiz later this week and the answers to them them can be found elsewhere on the school website:

Cé a d’ardaigh an brat glas sa scoil an Aoine seo caite?
Cén bhliain a bhunaíodh Gaelscoil Philib Barún?
Cé a bhuaigh Duais Daithí K an bhlain seo caite, 2009?
I gcraobh Shacair na bliana seo caite cé a bhuaigh ar chiceanna éirice?
I gcomórtas sacair na bliana seo caite cén scór a bhí sa leathchraobh idir West Brom agus Chelsea?
Cé mhéad duais a bhuaigh rang 4 agus 5 i gCoirm Gael Linn i Ros Mhic Treoin le déanaí?
Cén mana a bhí ag Pilib Barún?
Ar phictiúr de fhoireann rugbaí na scoile ainmnigh an bheirt buachaill leis na liathróidí rugbaí ina lámha?
Cad a chuir Eamonn MacSweeney agus na tuismitheoirí sa scoil an bhliain seo caite?
Cad atá scríofa ar phostaeir do taispeántas sa Stáisiun Garda Cósta?

Best of luck!

Jim Swift to raise our Green Flag

Daithí de Paor — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:42:37 +0000

Jim Swift, past pupil and channel swimmer, will raise our Green Flag on Friday next the 5th of March. Jim and his family have been associated with the Gaelscoil in Tramore since its foundation in 1985. The school has always been very proud of his wonderful swimming achievements and are delighted that he will celebrate the achievement of this environmental award with us.

Minister Martin Cullen is indisposed at the moment and cannot attend the ceremony. We wish the Minister a speedy recovery.

Related Articles: Raising the Green Flag (23 February 2010)

Raising the Green Flag

Daithí de Paor — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:41:07 +0000

Minister Martin Cullen, TD, will come to Gaelscoil Philib Barún on Friday the 5th of March 2010 at 11.30 a.m. to raise our Green Flag. Parents are invited to attend the ceremony which will be held in the school yard, weather permitting.

Last year the Green School Committee was awarded a green flag by Minister for the Environment John Gormley TD in recognition of efforts to reduce waste and to recycle more. We have put off holding the ceremony until building work on the new prefabs was complete and we are fortunate to have Minister Cullen available to join in the school’s celebrations.

Related Articles: Jim Swift to raise our Green Flag (3 March 2010)

Schools Drama Awards

James Mernin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:15:14 +0000

Fourth and Fifth class won three awards at the recently held Coirm Gael Linn concert in St. Michael’s Theatre in New Ross. Schools from all over the southeast participated in a festival of song, dance and drama.

Gaelscoil Philib Barún brought their version of Shrek to the stage again along with the fourth class drummers. In his review of their show, Tom Nealon, the officiating judge, noted the remarkable comic talents of the whole group. The main actors were singled out for the clarity of their delivery. Múinteoir Ben’s drummers were awarded a special prize for their energy and rhythm. Next stop Broadway!!!

Many in the audience remarked on the singers and especially Síle Breathnach, whose solo on Leonard Cohen’s Halleluia was memorable.

Parents Association Table Quiz

James Mernin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 22:05:55 +0000

In celebration of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2010 (5-17 March), Gaelscoil Philib Barún will hold a Table Quiz in the GAA Hall, Tramore on Thursday, 11th Match 2010 at 7pm.

Each team will consist of four members - two adults and two children - at a cost of €20 per team, with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place (below). There will also be tea and refreshments on the night as well as live Irish Music and the questions will be in Irish and English.

All proceeds are in aid of the Parents Association and your continued support will be greatly appreciated.

Furthermore, to encourage greater use of the school website, a variety of hints will be posted there in the week running up to the quiz night, so stay tuned for further details!

Prize Details

1st Prize: 2 x €50 vouchers for Gamestop, Waterford
2nd Prize: 2 x €25 vouchers for Smyths Toys, Waterford
3rd Prize: 2 x €10 vouchers for The Book Centre, Waterford
Best Named Team: Personalised Music CD from All About Me
Funniest Wrong Answer: No homework for 2 days

Gaelscoil Loses Out Again

James Mernin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 21:52:19 +0000

The Minister for Education has announced 52 new school building projects with a total spend of €579 million, and rather unsurprisingly Gaelscoil Philib Barún is not one of them. In fact, only one school in the entire county of Waterford was among those announced (Presentation Secondary School, Waterford City) with Cork, Dublin and Galway topping the poll.

Somewhat ironically, the precise number of projects announced (52) is the exact reverse of the number of years Gaelscoil Philib Barún has now been seeking a permanent home. This is yet another cruel example of the backward attitude of successive Governments towards our campaign.

Source: RTÉ News, Tuesday 16 February 2010

Swine Flu Vaccine

Daithí de Paor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:25:55 +0000

The swine flu vaccine will be offered to pupils of Gaelscoil Philib Barún on Friday the 12th of February in the school. Forms from the HSE have been distributed to pupils today and should be returned to the school before Friday, 12th February 2010. Further info from the Health Service Executive Website: Swine Flu Vaccine - It Stops with YOU.

Credit Union Quiz victory

Daithí de Paor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:25:00 +0000

Congratulations to our quiz teams who did so well in the Credit Union Quiz held in the Grand Hotel on Monday night. Lumi Kanwei, Síle Bhreathnach, Aleics Ó Riain and Liúc Ó Fuarán beat Holy Cross National School by just one point to win the under 11 competition. We wish them the best of luck in the next round.

The under 13 teams did well also coming third in their category. Some of the questions were really difficult but we all now know the name of William Shakespeare’s wife and the South American State whose official language is Dutch.

Enrolment for Junior Infants 2010

Daithí de Paor — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 21:44:23 +0000

Parents wishing to enrol children in Junior Infants for next September are being asked to submit applications for enrolment during the month of February to the school office. Enrolment forms are available from the school office or alternatively may be downloaded here. Applications must have a birth certificate attached.

Those who have pre-enrolled must confirm their application in writing by filling out a new form which they will receive by post. All applications will be processed in March and places will be offered according to procedures outlined in the enrolment policy. If your child’s application falls within a criteria outlined in the Enrolment Policy please indicate same on your application.

Queries about enrolment and education in an all-Irish school can be made to the school office. We will be more than happy to answer any questions.

Haitian Disaster Appeal

Daithí de Paor — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:38:37 +0000

Tomorrow (Friday, 22 January 2010), the school will hold a no uniform day and cake sale in aid of the Haitian Earthquake victims. The suffering of the people of Haiti has touched us all and the Gaelscoil wishes to help. We ask that a euro be donated for the no uniform day and cakes be brought in for the cake sale.

Gaelscoileanna English directive withdrawn

James Mernin — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 20:41:31 +0000

Some of you may be aware of the proposed Department of Education circular from 2007 which attempted to direct Gaelsoileanna to teach English in the second term of junior infants. This directive was formally withdrawn by the department today, and represents a significant positive development for those committed to immersion education.

You can read more about this issue here.

School Re-opening 12 January 2010

Daithí de Paor — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:04:33 +0000

Following the latest announcement by the Minister of Education and Science regarding school closures due to weather conditions, the school will open tomorrow, Tuesday (12 January 2010) as usual. The snow has melted and we are confident that the school will be warm and safe. If there is any change due to the weather parents will be informed before 8 am Tuesday. Please be careful on the roads and paths.

Gaelscoil Closed 11-13 January 2010

Daithí de Paor — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 21:28:08 +0000

Gaelscoil Philib Barún will close on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week the 11th - 13th of January 2010 following the tonight’s announcement by the Minister of Education and Science closing all schools for health and safety reasons.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause. Details about the reopening of the school will be announced on this website and by text.

All-Ireland Tennis Champ in School

Daithí de Paor — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 20:37:13 +0000

Congratulations Morgan ó Leocháin, a fifth class pupil, who has won the Boy Singles U12 event at The Babolat National Indoor Championships which took place from the 27th - 31st December 2009 in David Lloyd Riverview. Morgan plays tennis in the local club in Tramore and is being coached by Willie Reynolds and Billy Bolster. His sister Sinéad, a past pupil, is already an international tennis player.

The School and the Weather

Daithí de Paor — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:39:51 +0000

The Board of Management intends as far as possible to keep the school open during the cold weather. We ask parents to take great care coming to school on icy roads and paths. We understand fully if parents have to keep pupils from school for safety reasons however the school is open to accept those pupils who can attend. Updates on whether the Gaelscoil is opening will be posted on the website and parents will be texted.

School will open as usual

Daithí de Paor — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:47 +0000

Gaelscoil opens as usual tomorrow the 7th of January at 9 a.m. Despite the closure of some schools throughout the country Gaelscoil Philib barún will open as usual tomorrow the 7th. As already announced there will be a half-day on Friday the 8th.

School Reopening in 2010

Daithí de Paor — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:33:59 +0000

The school will reopen on Thursday the 7th of January 2010 at 9a.m. There will be a half-day on Friday the 8th of January to facilitate a staff meeting. Pupils will be free at 12.30. Further information available on school holidays here.

School calendars for 2010 are available from class teachers. Cost €3. Proceeds in aid of Parents Association.

Food and Wine Fair

Daithí de Paor — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:54:54 +0000

A food and wine fair in aid of the school and organized by the Parent’s Association and Hickson’s Centra Tramore, will be held in the Grand Hotel Tramore on Wednesday 16th December between 7.30 and 10.00 pm. Gilbeys, Diageo, Edward Dillon and Approach Trade Wnes will be there on the night with cheeses on display as well as home cooking ideas. Tickets €8 available from the school office or from a member of Parents Association. All monies in aid of the Parents Association.

New Government Gaeltacht Legislation

James Mernin — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:23:14 +0000

The Goverment is looking to introduce legislation that provides a new definition of constitutes a Gaeltacht area. This is part of a wider strategy document on the Irish language, to be published later today. You can read more about this here.

Whilst this does not directly impact on the Gaelscoil, it is reassuring that the draft strategy does say that there will continue to be a senior minister with responsibility for the Irish language. I believe the current such minister is John Curran T.D. and that we should include his department in any official canvassing efforts for the permanent school building.

Source: RTÉ News