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!