A Visit from Minister for Education, Norma Foley T.D.

We were delighted to welcome Minister Foley to our school on Thursday, 19th January. As part of her visit, she engaged with our Student Council on the junior site and officially opened the new extension on the senior site. She was warmly welcomed to the school by the pupils and staff. Our musicians, led by their Music Generation teacher Natalia Gorovenco, played beautiful music on their stringed instruments upon Minister Foley's arrival to the senior site.

A truly magical and memorable welcome at St Coman's Wood junior school in Roscommon Town. It was a pleasure to open your new extension with @SenatorEMurphy, @AislingDSenator and local reps. Special thanks to the Student Council for the brilliant, insightful questions. pic.twitter.com/jOaQHFVWQu

— Norma Foley T.D (@NormaFoleyTD1) January 19, 2023

Intercultural Evening in St. Comán's Wood

St. Comán's Wood Intercultural Festival took place on Thursday, 17th November. It was a wonderful evening, where we celebrated the wide range of cultures in our school. A huge thank you to the Parents' Association for organising the evening, as well as the many families who set up tables to represent their countries, showcasing food, clothing, music, art and literature from around the world. Thanks also to the many families who took the opportunity to visit our school and experience the cultural diversity of our school community.

Science Week in St. Comán's Wood

We are very thankful to the science teachers and students from the Convent of Mercy secondary school who came to our school and conducted a number of science experiments with our 5th and 6th class pupils as part of Science Week 2022. The children enjoyed the experiments and it was a fantastic learning experience for them.

Thank you also to Ann Marie Healy, Senior Radiographer in Roscommon hospital, who came to speak with the 3rd and 4th classes about her work. The children found it very interesting and loved looking at real x-rays.

The children in Ms. Maher's class learned about floating and sinking during Science Week.

An interview with Anna Victoria Silva Assis (age 12), 5th Class (Mr. Hynes)

Anna has been a sports enthusiast from the very young age of six years. She has a busy schedule playing soccer, Gaelic football, tag rugby, volleyball, basketball and swimming.

In her spare time Anna enjoys creative art activities, and actively participates in dance, music and drama.

Anna plays for Athlone Basketball Club and Academy since the age of eleven taking on the responsibility of point and shooting guard.

The point guard is the "leader" of the team on the court. These positions require Anna to display substantial ball-handling skills and the ability to facilitate the team during a play. The shooting guard, as the name implies, is often the best shooter, as well as being capable of shooting accurately from longer distances.

Anna has recently been appointed captain of the all-Ireland under 14's basketball team.

When asked where does your inspiration come from?

Anna explained that she gets her inspiration from her brothers Pedro and Kaio and her wonderful parents.

“Anna puts her positive playing and recent appointment as captain down to hard work and her eagerness to do better.”

Anna trains with her club 2/3 nights for 4/5 hours minimum weekly and has a game most weekends.

When asked what message do you have for your peers and young sports enthusiasts?

“Just focus on your game

Let your game do the talking

Don’t talk back to the referee – be respectful

If you don’t do well, you will do better the next day

Don’t let it get to you

Go out and play

Never ever doubt yourself, even if you’re the worse person on the team

Have fun – Love what you do

Never give up"

Roscommon Gaels

GAA season is beginning again and Roscommon Gaels are welcoming all children back from the winter break. All children within the club catchment area are more than welcome to register and play, even if they have never done so before or have no experience of the sports. Please watch the video below, featuring a number of our current and past pupils, which promotes the diversity and inclusiveness that is incorporated in the club.

Click here to read a 'welcome' letter for parents of Academy aged children (5 and 6 year olds/junior classes) who are new to GAA. The letter is also available to read in the following languages: Portuguese, Slovakian, Ukrainian and Polish.

Below the video you will see contact details and further information for registering.

Basketball Success

Well done to Anna Silva Assis in 6th class, who has had great success with her basketball team this year. Here, Anna describes some of her club achievements. We are very proud of you Anna!

It’s been a great year all round for my basketball achievements. This year I got picked for the Midlands and Leinster Academy team, and to play up once again (U18).
Club Achievement:
I have been playing for Athlone basketball club, since I started playing for a club, which is around three years. I’m proud to say that this season with my U14, U16 team, we have won many medals and trophies.
-Silver Medal in All-Ireland
-Gold Medal and a trophy for winning our league
-Gold Medal for winning Westmeath Tournament
-Silver for Tournament

Individual Awards:
I am very glad I could captain our team this year. I won Most Valuable Player U14 this season.

6th Class Heritage in Ireland Talk

Our 6th classes enjoyed a fantastic 'Heritage in Ireland' talk with Alison Mac Cormaic. They learned about the features of old and new architecture in the classroom and then went for a walk around town, observing the various architectural elements of the buildings. They enjoyed looking for features of the buildings in town that would suggest their age, and identified which parts of the town were older based on these features. The children had a great time taking note and observing elements of the buildings in town that they may not have noticed before. Upon returning to the classroom, the children experimented with Lego. They created structures with cornerstones and tested them for stability and strength. A huge thank you to Alison for visiting our school!

Cross Country

24 pupils from St. Cománs Wood competed out of 1000 pupils yesterday, 3rd of October, in the Primary Schools County Cross Country competition. The pupils ran on the Racecourse track in Roscommon and their performances were outstanding! We came home with all heads high and plenty of silverware. We remain reigning champions in the 5th/6th class girls' team category with a score of 16 points. The 3rd/4th class boys' team came in 2nd place, pipped at the post by a point. Winners 81, 2nd 82 points!

8 pupils who were individual medalists and 2 teams: boys' 3rd/4th and girls' 5th/6th girls, qualify for the Connachts on the 11th of October in Tuam. We are very proud of all of our competitiors!

6th Class Graduation

Congratulations to our 6th classes, who had their Graduation Ceremony this morning. We wish you all the best as you move onto secondary school.

Go n-éirí an bóthar libh.
Go raibh cóir na gaoithe i gcónaí libh.
Go dtaitní an ghrian go bog bláth ar bhur n-éadan,
go dtite an bháisteach go bog mín ar bhur ngoirt.
Agus go gcasfar le chéile sinn arís,
Go gcoinní Dia i mbos a láimhe sibh.

We hope all of our wonderful pupils have a relaxing, enjoyable and fun summer and we look forward to seeing you all back here when school reopens for the 2021/2022 school year on Tuesday 31st August!

Well Done!

We are very proud of our 6th class pupils Sarah Larkin, Fiona Duda, Weronika Wasilak, Mia Gately and Irena Gabarova who were winners in Roscommon Community College's recent 'Women in STEM' competition.

Sarah won the 'Individual International Female' category for her project on Mamie Phipps Clark, and Fiona, Weronika, Mia and Irena won the 'Irish Female Group Project' for their poster project on Susan McKenna Lawlor.

A big 'Well Done!' to all of you!

Snippets of the winning projects. Visit the R.C.C. twitter feed for more details.

All of the children in St. Comán's Wood N.S. brought a birch or a hazel tree home with them on Friday as part of a new initiative. We hope our children have enjoyed getting out into their gardens this weekend and planting their trees. For more information click here and watch the video below. Check out our Twitter and Facebook pages to see pictures of our pupils planting their trees!

We give every school child a native Irish Woodland Tree. The tree has been sponsored by Variety Ireland, a children's charity and Sean Mulryan of Ballymore properties. Schoolchildren across the county of Roscommon in Ireland will plant 7,500 trees in an eco-initiative that will play a vital part in helping to protect local water sources, enhance biodiversity and capture carbon. The community initiative is also intended to inspire the next generation to think green.

Zoom Assembly

2nd-6th Classes had our first Virtual Assembly of the year this week on February 1st- St. Brigid's Day. It was so lovely to see all our friends and teachers together again, even if it was virtually! Mrs. Feeley began by celebrating everyone in our school community:

Together we are grateful for everyone in our school community: I am privileged to serve you as principal and very thankful to lead such a hard-working, professional caring team. I want to sincerely thank each and every one of the team who are doing their very best for each and every one of you in what is a challenging time for all.

She spoke about the values of hope, endurance and resilience-all very relevant to the times we are living in. She reminded us that hope is a positive energy which helps people at difficult times. She also spoke about the feast of St. Brigid and recited a lovely prayer to St. Brigid.

We look forward to the next Zoom Assembly very soon. Your teachers will inform you of the exact date and time.

Extra Information for Parents During School Closures

There are a wide range of supports available to parents who are supporting their children's learning at home. We have compiled links to these supports as well as links to useful websites which provide extra activities that may be of benefit to some of you. Click here to access this document.
The following resource might help some parents to explain the whole area of Covid-19 testing to young children. Click on the picture below to access this document

Explaining Covid-19 testing to young children

We would also like to draw your attention to an excellent resource-RTE Home School Hub where children can watch, download and engage with curriculum-based content, project work, and fun activities that will keep them entertained and learning. From Monday 11th January, the Home School Hub (10am) and After School Hub (3.20pm) will return to RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player for three hours daily.
Talking to Children and Young People about Covid-19: We would like to direct your attention to updated guidance on talking to children and young people about Covid-19. You can access and download this guidance in both Irish and English from the Department of Education and Skills website by clicking here and looking under the heading ‘Talking to children and young people about Covid-19’.
We would also like to direct your attention to a child-friendly interview that Deputy Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn did with RTÉ’s new2day programme last week, that may also be a useful resource when talking about Covid-19 with children and students. You can access this interview by clicking here.

We ask God to be with us all at this time. We hope you all remain healthy and happy during this time off and look forward to seeing you back in school when we re-open.

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Roscommon Christmas Lights 2020

A Message from the Christmas Lights Committee:

The Christmas Lights Committee have been working hard erecting the Christmas lights so that Roscommon Town will be a beacon of hope and light for Christmas 2020. In keeping with Covid19 restrictions and in order to keep everyone safe, Santa Claus will be switching on the Christmas lights for Roscommon remotely from the North Pole on Sunday 29th November at 5pm. This is an online event and the switch on can be viewed via YouTube. Just search YouTube for the MMCStreaming channel, where the event will be broadcast from, or click on their Facebook page for more details.

Please feel free to post your pictures and videos of your children watching the switching on ceremony on the Roscommon Christmas Lights 2020 event which can be found on the Roscommon Chamber Facebook page.

Best regards, Roscommon Christmas Lights Committee

Féile Ceoil na Scoileanna Áth Luain

Well done to our school musicians and dancers who took part in the Féile Ceoil in the Dean Crowe Theatre yesterday evening. The Féile Ceoil is an annual, non-competitive children's music festival where our pupils have the opportunity to showcase their musical and dancing talent. Pupils ranging from 1st - 6th class took part. We had fantastic Irish dancers and beautiful performances by the choir and the school band, under the direction of teachers Ms. Dolan (Irish dancing teacher), Ms. Conlon, Ms. Naughton and Ms. Morris.

Fleadh Ros Comáin

Well done to all the children who took part in the recent Roscommon Fleadh held in Fuerty on Easter Sunday and Monday. St. Comán's Wood primary school was well represented and many of the children will go on to take part in the Connacht Fleadh in Leitrim in July. Well done to all.

Many of the children were very young in their age group and the standard was very high so we commend all of them for taking part and playing and singing so well on the day.

Results:
Maeve Bhurton got through to the Connacht fleadh in the Comhrá Gaeilge competition.
Elia Cormican came 3rd in the button accordion competition (under 10). Leeya Towey came 2nd in the solo singing competition (under 12) and Jane King came in 3rd place. Emma Hough came 2nd in the under 12 concertina competition.
Duets:
Anna Kiernan and Emma Hough came 2nd in the under 12 duet competition and Isabelle Sexton and Jane King came in 3rd place.
Trios:
Isabelle Sexton, Jane King and Maeve Bhurton came 1st in the under 12 trio competition. Cassie Doorly, Alison McNamara and Jennifer Morris came 3rd in the under 15 trio competition.
All participants who came 1st or 2nd qualified for a place in the Connacht Fleadh in July. Well done to all.

Lá ‘le Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Chaith na páistí éadaí glasa chun Lá Fhéile Pádraig a cheiliúradh. Bhain said taitneamh as an lá!

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Bhí Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ó 1-17ú Márta. Is é an fhéile Ghaeilge is mó in Éirinn. Bhí na múinteoirí agus na páistí sa scoil ag déanamh sár-iarracht níos mó gaeilge a usáid go neamhfhoirmiúil ar fud na scoile agus lasmuigh den scoil freisin. Bhí go leor gníomhaíochtaí ann chun an fhéile a cheiliúradh i ranganna éagsúla. Tá súil againn go raibh craic agus caint againn go léir le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge!

Tá tuilleadh eolas ar fáil ar https://snag.ie/

Comórtas Ealaíne

Seo iad na páistí a bhuaigh comórtas ealaíne le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge. Bhí na pictiuirí bunaithe ar sheanfhocla. Maith sibh! Táimid an-bhródúil asaibh! Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí.

Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós

Tháinig an rinceoir Tommy Stenson go dtí an scoil ar an 13ú Márta le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge, chun cuid de na damhsaí traidisiúnta a mhúineadh do na páistí sna ranganna shinsearacha. Bhí a lán craic agus spraoi ann ar an lá! Féach ar an bhfíseán chun na rinceoirí iontach a fheiceáil.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Beidh Seachtain na Gaeilge ar siúl ó 1-17ú Márta. Is é an fhéile Ghaeilge is mó in Éirinn. Beidh na múinteoirí agus na páistí sa scoil ag déanamh sár-iarracht níos mó gaeilge a usáid go neamhfhoirmiúil ar fud na scoile agus lasmuigh den scoil freisin. Beidh go leor gníomhaíochtaí ann chun an fhéile a cheiliúradh i ranganna éagsúla. Cuirfimid pictiúir ón bhféile anseo. Tar ar ais chun an spraoi agus an craic a fheiceáil! Tá súil againn go mbéidh craic agus caint againn go léir le linn Seachtain na Gaeilge!

Tá tuilleadh eolas ar fáil ar https://snag.ie/

Comórtas Ealaíne

Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós

Tháinig rinceoir Tommy Stenson go dtí an scoil ar an 13ú Márta le haghaidh Seachtain na Gaeilge, chun cuid de na damhsaí traidisiúnta a mhúineadh do na páistí sna ranganna sinsearacha. Bhí a lán craic agus spraoi ann ar an lá! Féach ar an bhfíseán chun na rinceoirí iontach a fheiceáil.

Grandparents Day

We had a fantastic day last Wednesday, 31st January when a number of our wonderful Grandparents and minders visited our school to celebrate Grandparents Day. There was mass at 10am in the Sacred Heart Church followed by a reception in the junior site halla. After a visit to the classrooms to meet the children and a beautiful prayer service, some of the Grandparents and minders proceeded to the senior site to visit the children there. They were entertained by our wonderful musicians and dancers on both sites. The children were so happy and proud to welcome their grandparents to our school and we thank all who contributed to making this day so special.

NCCA Visit

The NCCA visited the Junior site on Monday, April 8th. They were in the school to record footage in Mrs. Dolan’s 2nd class. The footage will be used on the NCCA website to aid teachers in planning learning experiences to achieve the learning outcomes of the new Language Curriculum. Three representatives from the NCCA were present, our own Ms. Connaughton and her two colleagues Susan and John. They spend from start of school until after lunch recording within the classroom. They recorded the class partaking in a variety of learning experiences and even interviewed some children about their learning experiences. As part of her usual class planning Mrs. Dolan had focused on specific learning outcomes for teaching the narrative writing genre. Using whole class and small station group teaching she worked through the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model employed by all teachers within the school and these stages are what the NCCA documented through film. Particular focus was placed on presentation and the children completed their own narrative story books including illustrations which they read to the class and displayed for others to also read. To develop their target audience further, the children converted their story books into ebooks using apps on the iPads and we hope these will be made available soon via link on the school website. All of the above related to learning outcomes and was captured by the NCCA. The last aspect for filming was reflection on the learning experience, in class the children had already completed a writing rubric and 2 Stars and a Wish critique but they assessed their own learning on camera, with some children critiquing each others work. The videographer John explained as he went alone what he was doing and why he was using certain equipment and we even had to reshoot a few times and we heard “Cut” and “Take 2” on occasion, so we felt like real movie stars!!! It was a great experience and the NCCA will be back after Easter to visit the Senior Site with Ms. Mc Neill also taking part in the initiative. The school is very privileged to be associated with the NCCA and the amazing work they do.

Féile Drámaíochta

Comhghairdeas to our Féile Scoildrámaíochta Ros Comáin champions with their production of “An Mhurúch Bheag”. They received “Corn Máire Bean Uí Cheallaigh” Múinteoir agus Drámadóir. They now go on to take part in the Connacht Finals of Féile Scoildrámaíochta in Indreabhán. Maith sibh rang 5 agus 6 agus na múinteoirí Ms Ní Dhonncha agus Ms Crehan. Comhghairdeas freisin leis na páistí a bhí ag glacadh páirt sa dráma “An Rí agus a Ghruaig Fhada” sa Féile Scoildrámaíochta Ros Comáin. Maith sibh agus na múinteoirí Ms Finneran agus Mrs Morris. Bhí sibh ar fheabhas.

Jessica's Happy Seat

Recently, we launched “Jessica’s Happy Seat” in loving memory of Jessica Shannon RIP. Pictured are Jessica’s parents, Ross and Patricia, sister Laura and family and friends enjoying some special time at Jessica’s Happy Seat. We will always remember Jessica in a special way.

Cycle on Wednesday

Green Schools

Woodie's Budding Gardeners Gardening Competition

Christmas Performance at Tesco

A Visit from Minister for Education, Norma Foley T.D.

Well Done Victoria!

Intercultural Evening in St. Comán's Wood

Science Week in St. Comán's Wood

Primary School Curriculum - STEM Education Event

Credit Union Quiz

6th Class Visit to Clonmacnoise

Siarscéal 2022 Writing Competition Winners

Music Generation Recital

Well done to our pupils on a wonderful performance on Sunday May 29th in Roscommon Arts Centre. A huge thank you to Music Generation for sharing their love of music with the children and preparing them for this special event. Thank you also to Ms. Morris for coordinating music in our school.

Daisy Chain Enterprise

Some 5th class pupils are keeping very busy at break times making and selling daisy chains! Dragon's Den-watch this space!

Helping hands.....

Cycle to School May 2022

School Orchestra Rehearsals ♪♪

Our school orchestra have been very busy rehearsing for their upcoming concert in the Arts Centre on May 29th. Have a look at how they have been doing. We think you will all agree that they are a very talented bunch of musicians ♫♫

Well done Kara and Alise!

We are so proud of Kara and Alise, who became world champions in Irish dancing over the Easter break. What an achievement for you both! Well done from everyone in St Comán's Wood.

April 2022 around our school

Well done Anna!

We are so proud of Anna Assis (5th class), who captained the Athlone basketball club U-14 team in the All-Ireland Club Championships on Saturday March 26th. What an achievement for Anna! Well done from everyone in St Comán's Wood.

Ag Déanamh Ceoil i Rang a 4

Scoot to School 2022

5th Class Field Trip to Loughneneane Park.

“I’ve Planted a Tree and my Garden is Pesticide Free!”

Grandparents' Day

Scór na bPáistí

Essay Competition

Beannachtaí Féile Pádraig!

Confirmation

Roscommon Gaels

Basketball Success

6th Class Heritage in Ireland Talk

Cross Country

6th Class Graduation

Music Generation

Look at what 5th class have been up to this week.....

Well Done!

Sports Day 2021

Music Generation Performances

“I’ve Planted a Tree and my Garden is Pesticide Free!”

Walk on Wednesday-May 26th

Green Schools: Scoot to School Week

Scoot to School

Lá Fhéile Pádraig Sona Daoibh Go Léir

Zoom Assembly

Extra Information for Parents During School Closures

Festive Cheer in the Senior Classes

Roscommon Christmas Lights 2020

Staff of St Comán's Wood 'Shine a Light'

Féile Ceoil na Scoileanna Áth Luain

The Army Band

St. Comán's Wood Choir

Army Band

Lá ‘le Pádraig Sona Daoibh!

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Comórtas Ealaíne

Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Comórtas Ealaíne

Damhsa ar an Sean-Nós

Engineers Week

Army Band

Credit Union Quiz

Grandparents Day

NCCA Visit

Sports Day June 18th

Sports Day 2019

St Comán's Wood Newsletter May 2019

Green Flag Presentation

Well done to all at St. Comán's Wood on receiving a Green Flag at the recent presentation awards in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. Pictured below are Holly Connaughton and Melanie Robak, Green School Committee members, along with Ms Duignan and Mrs Feeley. Missing from photo is Ms J Mannion.

Féile Drámaíochta-Féile Náisiúnta 2019

Féile Ceoil na Scoileanna 2019

Mary Comiskey Award for most improved reader