May 10th 2012

Navan Choral Festival

Our School choir comprising of 75 boys and girls had a very busy week. After singing beautifully at the First Holy Communion Mass on Sunday, they were once again practicing for another performance. On Thursday 10th May, they took part in the Navan Choral Festival. They sang two songs, Hallelujah and Food Glorious Food. All their hard work practicing during lunchtime paid off, resulting in an excellent performance. Well done to everyone involved!

May 9th 2012

First Holy Communion

Last Sunday 6th May, 57 children from Miss Morris and Mrs Walters' second classes recieved their First Holy Communion in St. Paul's Church. Fr Paul Crosbie officiated at the Mass which was celebrated for the first time on a Sunday in line with the new parish guidelines. His good humoured, child friendly approach added so much to this special occasion for the children and indeed their parents and extended families too! This wonderful celebration was caught on camera by local man Ollie Gallagher. Ollie visited both classes last Friday to record the excitement in the lead up to the Communion, was present at the Mass on Sunday and was back again in school today, Wednesday, where the celebrations continued. Both classes attended 9.15 Mass in all their finery and afterwards their offical photographs were taken by local photographers Seamus and Catherine kelly. It was back to St. Colman's then for a party in the school hall which was transformed into party central !!

Miss Morris, Mrs Walters and the children all want to thank Theresa and Ann for all their help.

Miss Morris' Class

Mrs Walters' Class

April 27th 2012

F.A.I. School's Competition

On the 28th of March St. Colman's participated in the Westmeath F.A.I. schools competition, held in the grounds of C.B.S. Primary School. St. Colman's played St. Etchen's of Kinnegad in the first semi-final of the competition. Goals from Frank Kavanagh and Ciaran Nolan secured St. Colman's position in the final against C.B.S.. A win or draw for St. Colman's would be enough for them to be champions. The match was well contested from both sides but it was St. Colman's who took the lead from their forward Frank Kavanagh and then Ciaran Nolan made the score to make it 2-0 to St. Colman's. C.B.S. did not compromise with this though and they got 2 goals of their own to set the game up for a nail-biting finish. St Colman's defended well to deal with C.B.S. and got a crucial goal to be champions. St. Colman's won one match and drew the other and were crowned Westmeath Champions.

Squad : Alex Mitic, Ciaran Nolan, Reece Coyne, Mark Whaley, Emmet Behan, Adam Kennedy, Daragh Mc Laughlin, Dylan Hunt, Blaine Smullen, Frank Kavanagh.

April 23rd 2012

Texaco Art Competition

We were thrilled with the news that three of our young pupils were awarded Certificates of Commendation for their pieces of art in this year's Texaco Art Competition. Congratulations to

Daniel Connaughton, Senior Infants

Stephanie Greville, 1st Class

Mary Kate Gowran, 1st Class

Daniel, Stephanie and Mary Kate with their Certificates

April 17th 2012

INTO/EBS Handwriting Competition

As usual at this time of year many pupils in St. Colman's were working on their handwriting as they entered the annual Handwriting Competition sponsored by the INTO and the EBS. St. Colman's was very proud of our prize-winner Caoimhe Hunt from 4th Class who finished runner up in her category. Caoimhe collected her prize in Athlone before Easter. Well done Caoimhe and thanks to Mrs Stephens who organised the entries before her recent retirement.

April 16th 2012

Easter Draw

Our Easter Draw took place in the school playground with the whole school present for the occasion. There was great excitement as so many children, families and classes were rewarded with Easter eggs for excelling in the number of full cards they had sold. After paying for prizes, there was a staggering 9,300 euro collected for the school. So, a massive thank you to you for your support in making this draw such a resounding success.

The winners of the prizes were as follows:

1st Prize:      Sally Costello - Family holiday in the Algarve

                       Seller: Emer Horan 5th Class

2nd Prize:       Zoe fagan - Meal for four in Mullingar Greyhound track

                       Seller: Evan Fagan 5th Class

Sellers Prize:  David and Ashley Naughton (twins) 1st Class

Sally Costello (fourth from left ) receiving her prize 

David and Ashley and their father receiving their prize

March 26th 2012

Confirmation

The sacrament of Confirmation was celebrated in the St. Paul’s on Saturday March 24th. 57 children in Ms.Blackwell’s and Mr. Smith’s 6th classes were confirmed by the Bishop of Meath, Dr. Michael Smith.  The ceremony was celebrated in St. Paul’s church to mark the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The setting was beautiful and very intimate. The school choir, composed of approximately 80 children from 3rd, 4th & 5th classes, under the guidance of Angela Lynch sang beautifully. Miss Morris prepared children from the school orchestra who also added a very special touch by providing the most beautiful instrumental pieces. Thank you also to Mrs. Jones who worked with Mrs. Lynch and Miss Morris in organising the music for the ceremony. A big thank you to Mr. Smith and Miss Blackwell in preparing the children and for their input in ensuring that it was a memorable day for the all the children confirmed.  The next sacrament to be celebrated will be First Holy Communion, on Saturday 6th May at 12 noon.

March 5th 2012

Graham Dowling Visits St. Colman’s

There was great excitement recently in St.Colmans with the visit of the rising star Graham Dowling. He took some time out of his busy rehearsals from The Voice of Ireland, playing a selection of popular and lively songs for all the children in the hall. We wish him the very best as he continues to fly the flag of Mullingar very proudly on the show.

School Easter Draw

This year the school has decided to hold a fundraising draw to win a fabulous family holiday for 7 nights to the Algarve for 2 adults and 2 children. The tickets are only €3 or 2 for €5. The draw will take place on March 30th. Those who sell a full card will be entered into a wonderful sellers draw. The prize for draw is a trip for two people to a Manchester United or a Liverpool match or a trip to an amazing live show in Manchester.
Children will be busy knocking on your door very soon selling tickets to offer you a chance to win.

March 1st 2012

Retirement of Mrs Kearney and Mrs Stephens

The pupils and staff of St. Colman’s said a fond farewell to Mrs Kearney and Mrs Stephens who retired yesterday February 29th with a very special day for both teachers in the school. Both teachers gave over thirty years of service to our school. There were lots of celebrations throughout the school to celebrate their last day in the school. Fr. Corcoran was present for a special prayer service in their honour in the school hall. Both Mrs. Stephens and Mrs. Kearney were presented with some lovely gifts from the children, staff and the Board of Management. They shared many happy memories of their time here. Here are some nice photos that capture the special day.

Au Revoir Terri

On the same day, as we said “good-bye” to Mrs Stevens and Mrs Kearney, we also said a fond farewell to our French teacher, Terri Pulbrook. She has been appointed the role as principal in an International School in Moscow. We all wish her the best of luck in her new position.

Choir and Orchestra Visit to St Lomans

On Thursday 15^th of December, all the children in choir and orchestra visited St. Lomans to entertain the clients at their Christmas Party. Miss Morris led the orchestra and Mrs. Lynch directed the choir. The clients thoroughly enjoyed the programme of Christmas music and joined in for a sing along at the end. The children in choir and orchestra were rewarded with a great selection of treats provided by the staff of St Lomans after their hard work. This was a really special occasion for all involved and was a real display of the spirit of Christmas.

Christmas Activities at St. Colman's National School

Annual carol service takes place in St. Paul's Church on Wednesday the 21st of December at 11am.

Practices for the carol service will take place on the following days.

Practice One: Wednesday the 14th at 1.15pm in St. Paul's

Practice Two: Monday the 19th at 1.15pm in St. Paul's.

Practice Three: Tuesday the 20th at 11.15am in St. Paul's.

Christmas Play

Many parts of the school are a hive of activity with preparation well under way for our Christmas plays. Here are Miss Quinn's 5th  class practicing in our hall. 

Christmas Fair

Our Christmas fair is taking place on Sunday the 11th of December in St. Paul`s after mass. Here are some of the Chocolate Pyramids that will be on sale on the day.

Our School Advent Table 

In our school reception area, we have an advent table and advent wreath which has been beautifully and carefully decorated by our Pastoral Committee ‘Messengers of Good News’. This is being led by our trainee lay chaplain Ms Healy. This quiet area helps us to prepare for the season of advent. As we pass by it each day, we are reminded to prepare for the celebration of Jesus`birthday.

We are also reminded that we must prepare for the coming of Jesus by our advent poster.

Trumpet and Flute Lessons

Ms Skelly's and Ms Murphy's 3rd classes have begun trumpet and flute lessons with the initial block for four weeks. Mr. Brennan is taking Ms. Skelly's class for flute lessons and Mr. Lacey is taking Ms. Murphy's class for trumpet. The children are really enjoying it !

Here are some of the classes practicing and getting to grips with the new instruments

 Ms Skelly's class practicing the flute.

Ms. Murphy's class with the trumpet.

Team Teaching in First and Second class

Since September the teachers and children from First and Second class have been trying out a new idea called The Power Hour. For this time the class is divided into four groups and four teachers work in the classroom at the same time. Everyone is very busy while it’s going on but the children get lots of work done and love having the chance to work with different teachers

First Class Show

First Class went to a show called ‘Song from the Sea’.

This is what Erin wrote about it.  "The puppet’s name was Josh. The show was in the Art’s Centre and there were three actors there. There was a girl actor and two boy actors. The girl was being the mother and the sister. One boy played the grandfather. The other boy was the puppet Josh."