Video conference

We have had a video conference with Lewes School in Sussex. The children in Lewes had many questions for us.
They wanted to know what we thought of Jedward in X Factor, whether we do a Christmas show and lots of other things.
We played a tune on our whistles for them and we look forward to hearing from them again.
Next time they have promised to sing a song for us.

Powerpoint presentations on good behaviour

The children in sixth class are working hard on creating Powerpoint presentations about various aspects of good behaviour.
A number of different situations are chosen and each pupil suggests ideas for good behaviour in these circumstances.
We look at behaviour in queues, at meals, lining up in school, how to safely go to the hall and the computer room , what to do when we use public transport, how to behave at matches, at training and many other places.
We have lots of great ideas which we will share when we have completed our shows.

On the bus home

Ovens children returned to school on the bus on the day of the big win. The girls were treated to chips, gougons, coke and orange in the Killumney Inn when they returned home.

Paddy sat in the bus and enjoyed the celebrations and good cheer on the way.

After the match

This is Paddy and some 6th class pupils in Páirc Uí Rinn after the Sciath na Scol Final. Paddy really enjoyed the great day out and he was well looked after by the pupils of the school.

Polite Paddy goes to the Final

The girls from Ovens played in the Football Final on Tuesday, November 18th. All classes from 3rd to 6th went to support the team. Supporters cheered their team to a great win over the girls from Douglas. Well done , girls !

Paddy in uniform

This is the school uniform which Polite Paddy is wearing. Nach bhfuil sé ag féachaint go h-iontach !

Isn't he looking well !

Polite Paddy is ready to go to 1st class

6th class pupils have prepared Polite Paddy and Minnie Manners for their trip around the Comenius partnership.

Next stop 1st class ! Slán Libh !

Vrtec Kindergarten meeting with First Lady of Slovenia

This is the group of teachers who met in Slovenia. This picture is taken in Vrtec Kindergarten and the First Lady of Slovenia is also in attendance.

Go n-éirí libh thar lear !!

Polite Paddy and Minnie Manners are ready to travel to Portugal, Slovenia and Birmingham, UK to learn how to behave well in each of these countries. Julie and Shauna did a great job preparing them. Now it's up to 1st class and some of the other classes in Ovens to prepare his clothes and suitcase for his travels. Bye, bye Paddy and Minnie and good luck !

June Meeting --- some happy memories

The Minister for Education , Mr. Batt O'Keeffe and Ovens School Principal , Mr. Denis Lynch at the official opening of Comenius Project meeting in Ovens, June 2009.

November 2009

The first meeting of this school year 2009-2010 took place in Idrija, Slovenia from October 19th to 23rd. Plans were made for the coming year. Details of the planned activities are being finalised at this time. Each country will send a character to partner schools so that he/she can learn how to behave well in each of the partner countries. Watch this space for more !

Hard at work

Comenius Meeting in Ireland -- June 2009

Warm weather greeted our visitors during the first week of June when the final meeting for 2009 was held. The Minister for Education , Mr. Batt O'Keeffe formally opened the meeting. The partner schools were treated to a fantastic week in the Lee Valley Golf Club where planning and review meetings were held. The visitors stayed in the holiday homes adjacent to the club and were very pleased with the facilities which were provided for them.

Meeting in Slovenia

The first meeting of 2009-2010 was held in Idrija, Slovenia from the 19th - 23rd of October , 2009. All partner countries were present.
An exciting programme was prepared by the Slovenian schools. The plan of work for the coming year was prepared.

Sticker competition

This is one of the winners of the sticker competition.

Avril McSweeney from 3rd class did this picture.

Colourful display in 1st class

This is an artwork display based on our project theme.

Italy Meeting

Ms. Scannell and Mrs. O'Donovan are due back in Cork on tomorrow Sunday after their attendance at the 3rd meeting of the project. We look forward to hearing about the work. We know that the partners are looking forward to attending our meeting in June. It is going to be from the 2nd to the 6th of June. We are organising accommodation and planning events for the week. All in Ovens are excited about welcoming our visitors. Our no-uniform day provided us with very welcome funds to help with the week. Thanks to all concerned.

Language free zone competition

Sixth class children have today collected the entries from classes throughout the school for the competition based on "Creating a language free zone" in Ovens. The use of inappropriate language -- swearing and cursing among children and adults had emerged as one of the concerns of parents, children and teachers when they responded to the questionnaires about behaviour earlier in the year.
Children from all classes have drawn pictures, created logos, written poems and stories on the theme of "not using bad language".
Results of the competitions will be available after Easter. Watch this space !

Feis Maitiú and Cór Fhéile

Today 6th class performed their item about Happiness in the local festival of music and song in Cork City. This took place in Father Matthew Hall. A wonderful display of song, music and dance was experienced by all who attended. Superb entertainment.
Last Monday, the City Hall was the venue for 1st and 6th performing together in a medley about Happiness and Manners. Great fun was had by all.

Display of music, dance on Manners and Happiness theme

Musical selection Be Happy
1st class and 6th class
Sarah , Grace, Geraldine, Jack, Johnny
Music, English, SPHE, ICT
Compilation of songs depicting good behaviour—Happiness, Good Manners, Kindness, Don’t Worry, Three little birds
Show and performance
Costuming, Drama, Action, Dance, Music, Percussion

Videos for Proverbs

3rd class - Sarah, and the two 5th classes , Jennifer and Carmel, have been very busy working on the Irish Proverbs. Each class chose one Irish saying.

The pupils chose a dramatic scene to illustrate the proverb. These were then captured on video.

Jennifer has been extremely busy with the video. She has downloaded and edited the scenes.

This is the 5th class-- Carmel's class-- proverb "Is minic a bhris béal duine a shrón"

These children performed a short drama to illustrate the meaning of the proverb.

Meeting in Italy

We have been very busy in Ovens for the past few weeks. We were preparing lesson plans, videos and lots of materials for the Comenius meeting in Italy. It is all ready now and we have some lovely work. Great credit is due to all who have worked so hard to accomplish the results.

First Class at work

First class children in Grace's room have done a lot of work for the project. They have made books about the Selfish Giant.
They made a very coloourful collage of the giant.

Happiness

This is one of the songs chosen by 1st and 6th class for their display for Cór Fhéile

Happiness, Happiness
The greatest gift that I possess.
I thank the Lord that I’ve been blessed
With more than my share of happiness.
To me this world is a wonderful place
I ’m the luckiest human in the human race
I’ve got no silver and I’ve got no gold
But I’ve got happiness in my soul
Happiness to me is an ocean tide
A sunset fading on a mountain side
A big old heaven full of stars above
When I’m in the arms of the one I love

St Patrick's Day

We are back to school today after our National Holiday Lá 'le Pádraig. 6th class are busily preparing for Confirmation on April 2nd and Cór Fhéile on Monday , March 23rd. We are joining with 1st class for this event.
Our songs relate to Good Manners and Happiness.

Multilingual dictionary

Today sees the completion of our multilingual dictionary. All is ready to be sent to Romania. Thanks to all the teachers and children from Juniors to Second who worked so hard to get this ready. And for Seachtain na Gaeilge---- Irish week in Ireland. Thank you Jennifer for your great work.

Multilingual dictionary

The Junior classes from Infants to Second are busily recording their Irish phrases. All of these will be put together and sent to Romania. We will listen to greetings in the different languages of the partners.

This is a view of our school. We are out in the country and have plenty of space and freedom here in Ovens

Back in Ovens

We are now back at school in Ovens and are busily preparing for the trip to Italy. Marian and Sarah will be taking all our materials to Italy with them.

Working in Wallands School, Lewes.

Taking a break after a long working session.

This is a lovely view of Lewes. We were walking back to the town for a meal in Bills.

Photos of meeting in Lewes

This is the garden of the Selfish Giant

Comenius Meeting in Lewes

We are here in Wallands Primary and Antonio is teaching us how to create a blog. We are all connected to the Internet and we are exploring the options and possibilities.