Scoil Iosa, Ballina, Co.Mayo

Ballina Feis
Many children from Scoil Iosa participated in the Ballina Feis this year. Thank you to the teachers who prepared the children so well. A special ‘thank you’ to Sr. Phyllis for her help. This year our pupils excelled in English and Irish Poetry, Music, Art and Dancing. Comhghairdeachas!!

The Story of the Universe
3 and 4 Classes produced a lovely play called “The Story of the Universe.” Mairin Ni Mhurchu helped the children with this production and imparted useful information about Planet Earth and the environment. She also addressed the children about the Green Flag project.

“Meet the Spuds” Potato Challenge
This is the International Year of the Potato. Children in 3 and 4 Classes are participating in the Challenge.
Mrs. Sheeran’s, Mrs. Canning’s and Ms. Horkan’s Classes have planted a small crop of potatoes to be harvested in June. They are hoping to have some chips when the crop is harvested!

Road Safety
Mr. Gerry Butler, Road Safety Officer, Mayo Co. Council, gave a talk about Road Safety and the importance of wearing seat-belts.

The Choir
Thanks to Ms. Granahan who continues to prepare the pupils for participation in the Choir for the Children’s Masses in the parish and school events. The pupils’ commitment is needed and greatly appreciated.
Enrolment:
We are enrolling boys and girls who have celebrated their 4 birthday by 31 August, for Junior Infants in 2008. An Open Day will be arranged in June.
We look forward to enrolling boys in the Senior Classes from September 2008.
New Uniform
The result of the vote on the proposal for a new uniform for Scoil Iosa was Option C - navy blue pinafore/trousers, blue blouse/shirt, royal blue cardigan/jumper. Tie to be decided.

School Crest/Logo Competition
There was a great deal of interest and a wonderful variety of entries in this competition:
1st Place: Naomi Finnerty - 6 Class
2nd Place: Aoife Bonner - 6 Class
Joint 3rd Place: Louse Devaney 5th Class ,Alana Finnerty 6th Class.

Basketball
The 3rd and 4th Class girls have completed a term of Basketball tuition with American Basketball players, Pete Stroebl and Puff Summers.

Pancakes
A number of pupils from various classes in Scoil Iosa made pancakes on Pancake Tuesday. They had great fun and the pancakes were delicious! Well done, Mrs. Reddington. Mrs. Canning, Ms. Horkan and Mrs. O’Neill!

OUR AFTER-SCHOOL HOMEWORK GROUP continues to be very successful. Pupils from 5 and 6 Classes have thoroughly enjoyed participating in the various activities.

Sacramental Preparation
2 Class pupils have been involved in the parish in the “Do This in Memory of Me” Programme in preparation for their First Holy Communion. ‘Thank you’ to the parents who assisted.
First Confession was celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on 9 April. First Holy Communion will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church on 17 May, at 11.00 a.m. We thank Fr. Gerry O’Hora, Fr. Martin Henry, Miss Audrey Foody, Mrs. Eileen Heneghan, Ms. Philo Molloy and Mr. Paddy Gorman for all their help.
Miss Nolan’s 6 Class are busy preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation which will be held in St. Patrick’s Church on 14 June.
We hope all the children participating in the above Sacraments will have a happy, holy and memorable day.
Seachtain Na Gaeilge
On Thursday, 13 March, 2008, the entire school community met in the Junior P.E. Hall to celebrate our Irish culture through music, song and dance. This proved a very enjoyable and entertaining experience. An Ghaeilig mhilis bhinn!

Mongolian Children’s Appeal
Children in 4th, 5th and 6th Classes are busy knitting scarves for the above appeal. Caitriona Ni Threasaigh spoke to the children about the project, supplied the yarn and plans to bring their scarves to Mongolia this Summer.

Personal Achievements
Congratulations to Sinead Kenny who won a gold medal in the National Finals of Gymnastics Ireland in Tallaght. She represented the Nadia Club of which she is a member for the past five years.
Congratulations to Aisling Higgins who is now the Under-11 Champion Irish Dancer in Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales!! She won her title at the Great Britain Championships held in Brighton last December, 2007.
Credit Union Quiz
Two teams represented our school this year and scored very highly.
Under-13 Team: Niamh Bonner, Tara Butler, Alana Finnerty, Colleen Finnerty and Karen Gilroy.
Under-11 Team: Orla Carroll, Chelsea Delaney, Sinead Noone, Hannah Nolan and Aisling Noone.
Well done to both teams!
Irish Dancing Classes
Miss Nolan‘s Irish Dancing Classes are continuing in the Junior P.E. Hall every Tuesday, from 3.00 – 4.00 p.m. Children are enjoying these classes and can be seen sharing their skills in the yard!!

Traditional Irish Music Classes are conducted by Mr. Tom Doherty every Tuesday morning.

The Choir
Thanks to Ms. Granahan who continues to prepare the pupils for participation in the Choir for the Children’s Masses in the parish and school events. The pupils’ commitment is needed and greatly appreciated.
Enrolment:
We are enrolling boys and girls who have celebrated their 4 birthday by 31 August, for Junior Infants in 2008. An Open Day will be arranged in June.
We look forward to enrolling boys in the Senior Classes from September 2008.
New Uniform
The result of the vote on the proposal for a new uniform for Scoil Iosa was Option C - navy blue pinafore/trousers, blue blouse/shirt, royal blue cardigan/jumper. Tie to be decided.

School Crest/Logo Competition
There was a great deal of interest and a wonderful variety of entries in this competition:
1st Place: Naomi Finnerty - 6 Class
2nd Place: Aoife Bonner - 6 Class
Joint 3rd Place: Louse Devaney 5th Class ,Alana Finnerty 6th Class.