NUACHTLITIR NA GAELSCOILE (4)
18/01/’16
1. BLIAIN NUA: Athbhliain faoi mhaise do chách! Following the Christmas break, we are all looking
forward to another happy and successful year as part of Gaelscoil Cheatharlach, with lots of
activities, learning and fun!
2. IMEACHTAÍ NA NOLLAG: The lead up to the Christmas holidays was packed with a variety of
seasonal activities. The dramatization of Scéal na Nollag/The Story of Christmas by the páistí from
Rang 1 (An M. Treasa) created a lovely sense of the true meaning of Christmas and the lovely
singing and musical accompaniment by all of the other classes added greatly to the beautiful
atmosphere. Busking for Charity was extremely successful with over 100 páistí, lots of múinteoirí
and many tuismitheoiri joining in, helping to raise €450 for the local branch of the St. Vincent de
Paul Society. Jean Robertson decorated the school windows beautifully again this year. The
Cookie Decorating and Christmas Raffle created great excitement as always, thanks to the great
organisation and generosity of so many tuismitheoirí. Frosty the Snowman made his annual
appearance and he was given a true Céad Míle Fáilte by all classes, from young to not so young! A
group of Rang 6 pupils did Trojan work selling the raffle tickets and Hollie Ní Choigligh (S. 5) was
delighted when her name was drawn for first prize- the much coveted television! Many other
children were also very happy with vast array of excellent prizes. Apart from creating a great sense
of excitement throughout the school, a total of €1490.31 was raised, money which will be spent on
educational equipment and school facilities. Míle buíochas le gach duine a chabhraigh – many thanks
to everyone who made all these events possible. Ní neart go cur le chéile!
3. CÁRTAÍ NOLLAG: As always, we are collecting used Christmas Cards which will be reused for
art and craft projects. These can be dropped into the school any day before the end of the week.
4. MATILDA: Buachaillí agus cailíní from our two Rang 5 classes have been working very hard with
their múinteoirí, Jill agus Clár, on an amazing production of the musical “Matilda”. It involves
wonderful acting skills, beautiful singing and exceptional choreography and dancing. They will be
travelling to New Ross, Co. Wexford, to take part in the Gael Linn Coirm competition on February
11th and they will also be sending a recording of the production to the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre to
enter various aspects of the production for the School Theatre Awards. Two special performances
of “Matilda” will be held in Halla na Gaelscoile on Thursday, 21st January, at 1.30 and also at 7 p.m.
The children in all classes will already have seen it but families are most welcome to come along for
what will be a wonderful treat. We wish them every success in both competitions and congratulate
Múinteoirí Jill agus Clár and all of the páistí on this wonderful performance.
5. PEACE PROMS: Preparations are well underway with our school choir for the forthcoming Peace
Proms event, under the direction of An M. Aisling. This is a special cross border initiative involving
many schools coming together for a series of concerts. Our choir will be singing in Cillín Hill in
Kilkenny on Saturday, 5th March at 8 o’clock and it is always a very special and worthwhile event.
Míle buíochas to An M. Aisling for her time and commitment to the choir.
6. SNÁMH: Comhghairdeas le Niamh agus Sorcha Ní Eachaoirn who recently competed in the
Leinster Senior Schools Swimming Competitions. Niamh (aged 12) took part in the Age 13/14
category, achieving the fastest time for 13 year olds in the freestyle and 2nd fastest time for 13 year
olds in the backstroke (7th and 4th place), against competitors from all over Leinster. Sorcha (aged 9)
competed in the Under 10 category, taking 8th and 9th place in the breaststroke and freestyle
consecutively and achieving excellent times. Maith sibh a chailíní, agus leanaigí oraibh!
7. ÓCÁIDÍ EAGLASTA: Míle buíochas leis an Athair Conn who said two lovely school Masses on
the recent holy days – December 8th and January 6th. Catholic Schools’ Week takes place from
Sunday January 31st to Saturday February 6th and we in Gaelscoil Cheatharlach will be celebrating in
a variety of ways, beginning with a special Mass to be held at 12 noon on Monday February 1st in
Askea Church, in conjunction with the Gaelcholáiste. Parents and other family members are most
welcome to join us. Rang 2 are looking forward to having lots of seantuistí/grandparents visiting
their classrooms during that week when they will share lots of stories and memories of their
schooldays and their childhood. Rang 6 are currently preparing for their Confirmation on March
12th. They will spend Monday, 25th January, as a Lá Spioradálta/Retreat Day with the
Graiguecullen Youth Ministry Team. They will continue with their preparations on the following
Friday when they will have a Lá Oidhreachta/ Heritage Day. They will begin with a visit to Carlow
Cathedral that morning and continue to Old Leighlin, where they will visit the Holy Well and Old
Leighlin Cathedral. We are extremely grateful to Rev. Tom Gordon who will meet the children and
their múinteoirí there and give them a talk on the history of the Cathedral and the local area. The
final Parish Preparation night for Gaelscoil Confirmation children will be on Tuesday, 16th
February in Séipéal Easca at 8pm. Buachaillí agus cailíní from Rang 2 are also busy preparing for
their First Penance on March 3rd (Séipéal Easca, 7.45 p.m.) Míle buíochas to all the múinteoirí for
the huge amount of preparatory work for these special occasions.
8. CRUINNITHE/Parent/Teacher Meetings for children in all Naíonáin Bheaga/Junior Infant Classes
will take place during the week beginning 8th February. Appointments will be sent home the week
before then.
9. CUAIRTEOIRÍ SPEISIALTA: All classes from Rang 1 – Rang 6 were treated to a special
production of the Irish legend ‘Deirdre of the Sorrows’ by visiting theatre group Clan Cluana
Theatre in Halla na Gaelscoile today. Special performances such as this are made possible by the
continued support of parents through the Voluntary Contributions and through supporting fund
raising initiatives. The páisti benefit greatly from these extra treats - míle buíochas le gach duine.
10. CÚRSA DO THUISMITHEOIRÍ: A free 7 week programme for parents of children aged 6 – 11
years will be run by Barnardos from Wednesday 3rd February – Wednesday 16th March. It will take
place at 24 Askea Lawns from 10 – 12.30. This course focuses on
 Promoting your child’s health and well being.
 The importance of family communication and play
 Encouraging your child’s learning and development
 Establishing helpful routines
 Understanding and responding to behaviour
 Talking problems through with your child
Please contact 059 9132868 for details.
11. CEARCA: You may remember that we recently acquired two hens for our school garden. While we
were all relaxing over the Christmas break, our hens began laying and had fresh eggs for us when we
returned! Each class will take turns to collect the eggs each week and will use them for a
cookery/baking lesson at the end of the week. Rang 6, S. 16, enjoyed scrambled eggs with
homemade brown bread (made in school) on Friday last. Each group will decide how they wish to
use the eggs – lots of treats and new recipes in store!
12. FÉIN CHOSAINT: Self Defence classes with Brian Whelan have restarted on Wednesdays from 3
– 4 pm. A course of 8 lessons costs €40 and can be booked by contacting Brian directly at 087
2376903.
13. CRUINNIÚ POIBLÍ: County Carlow Defibrillator Co-Ordination Committee is hosting a public
meeting in the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow on Thursday next, January 21st at 7.30 to co-ordinate the
setting up of a Community First Responder Initiative across Co. Carlow. This is an excellent
initiative and is deserving of support for those interested.
14. ÉADAÍ SCOILE: As we regularly need changes of clothes for our smaller páistí in the event on
little accidents, we would be grateful to receive plain black tracksuit bottoms which you may no
longer require.
15. SOS LÁR THÉARMA: A reminder that the next school break will be on Thursday and Friday, 18th
and 19th February. This is a shorter break than usual, as Easter is coming early this year. Next
term’s mid-term break is a week long, May 2nd – 6th inclusive. This may be of interest to anyone
hoping to take an early family holiday.
GLÓR CHEATHARLACH NEWS ...January 2016
RANGANNA GAEILGE: Irish Courses for adults will begin in February. Classes from 7-9pm in County
Council Offices. Beginners on Mondays and Intermediate level on Tuesdays for 10 weeks. Fee €180.
Register on www.gaelchultur.com Glór Cheatharlach 085 1340047.
COMHRÁ GAEILGE: Informal Irish conversation gatherings for adults. Every Wednesday morning in
Carlow Museum from 10.30 -11.30am. No charge.
Also in Reddys, Tullow St. on the first Thursday of each month at 9pm and in Teach Bar, Tullow St. on
the last Thursday of each month at 9pm.
SPRAOI PARENT/CHILD GROUP: The bilingual Parent/Child Group SPRAOI meets every second
Saturday morning in New Oak Community Centre at 11am. Children 0-5 yrs. and their parents welcome.
Next dates are 30th Jan and 13th & 27th Feb. No charge.
SEAN-NÓS DANCING: Sean-Nós Classes with champion dancer Irene Cunningham in Carlow Town
Hurling Club on Wednesdays, beginning 3rd Feb for 5 weeks. Classes for children at 5pm with
adult beginners at 6pm followed by an intermediate level at 7pm. Details: 087 2857048, 085 1340047 or
email emma@glorcheatharlach.ie..
AIFREANN: Mass in Irish in Carlow Cathedral at 6.15pm on the 1st & 2nd Saturdays of each month. All
ages welcome to the choir.
Le gach deaghuí,
An Múinteoir Aingeal (Príomhoide)