On Tuesday 15th March we celebrated Proclamation Day. Our national flag was raised by principal Meriel McCord. The 1916 Proclamation was read by Fr. Michael McGrath, Mrs Mulligan, Mary Conlon and 6th class pupil Oisin Killane. The Proclamation for a New Generation was read by 6th class pupil Aiden Connell. We were delighted to have so many friends with us on the day, one of whom was Stonepark’s former principal Anthony Casey. Master Casey was presented with a photograph, which was taken on the day he raised our national flag fifty years ago.

               

      

 

On that same day, the children were very proud to perform at our annual Grandparents’ Day. We were delighted to have the parents with us this year also. Every class in the school gave a fabulous performance on the day.   

 

                          

On Wednesday, 9th March, the children from 6th class went on a 1916 tour of Dublin. They visited Collin’s Barracks, O’ Connell St., the GPO, Moore St., The Garden of Remembrance and the Hugh Lane Art Gallery.. Their tour guide for the day was Mr. Brennan and the children were accompanied by Ms. Mulvihill and Mrs. Mulligan. It was a brilliant opportunity for the children to visit places of such historic importance and gain valuable information in this, the centenary year of The 1916 Rising.

 

Stonepark N.S. Spelling Bee competition took place on Friday, 4^th March. The children of 5^th and 6^th classes took part. After the heats and a final of 5 people Conor Clancy emerged the winner. He went on to represent the school in St. Mary’s School, Edgeworthstown on Monday, 7^th March.

Our 4^th class recently entered their ply ‘Mac Rí an Longfoirt’ as Gaeilge into a drama festival organised by Cumann Scoildrámaíochta. The pupils worked very hard with rehearsals, costumes, props and so on. They performed on stage in The Arts Centre, Mullingar on Wednesday, 24^th February and in The Backstage Theatre, Longford on Wednesday, 2^nd March as part of the 1916 Céad Bliain Celebration. Bhain siad lár taitneamh as an bpróiseas.

    

We celebrated Friendship Week from 8th to 12th February 2016.

As part of Friendship Week we ran poster competitions in each class. There is amazing talent among the pupils in Stonepark N.S. The posters explored the meaning of friendship and displayed fabulous creativity. The winners were:

Junior Infants: Cora Creevy

Senior Infants: Dervla Brady

1^st class: Michaela Hand

2^nd class: Moya Nowell

3^rd class: Róisín Warde/Stephen Carroll

4^th class: Tessa Tiernan

5^th class: Miska Macko

6^th class: Isaac Elliott

They each received a prize. A prize was also given to five children in each class as highly commended work. Well done to everyone who took part.

In the playground we introduced the new idea of the ‘Friendship Stop’ where children can go if they would like someone to play with.

The children in some classes adopted a ‘Secret Buddy’ for the week and did kind deeds of friendship for them.

Friendship bracelets were sold in aid of Amnesty International.

Notice boards and posters are displayed around the school to remind us of the important message of Friendship.

Friendship Week was a huge success and we hope that the positivity shown during that week continues throughout the school year.

 

We all enjoyed pancakes with topping of our choice (sugar, golden syrup, chocolate spread) on Pancake Tuesday (9th February). A huge thank you to the  chefs on duty on the day…Freda White, Margie Tiernan, Tara Masterson and Mary Conlon. We thoroughly enjoyed them.

 

Catholic Schools Week took place from the 31st January to the 6th February 2016 and the theme was: “Catholic Schools: Challenged to Proclaim God’s Mercy”.

We had a visit from Peter Walsh and Margaret Kelly as part of our religious inspection. Fr. Michael blessed our throats on the feast of St. Blaise. (3rd February)

There’s a curious commotion on the Learning Support/Resource Corridor! Mrs. Shea with the help of numerous children has created two more fabulous murals of an octopus and her eight children and angel fish from the picture book ‘Commotion in Ocean’ by Giles Andreae.

 

On Tuesday, 22nd December 2015, we held our annual Christmas Prayer Service. Fr. Michael led the prayer service.  A child from each class participated by doing the readings and prayers of the faithful and carrying the Baby Jesus to the crib. Ms. Leavy led us in song with beautiful Christmas carols and the children and staff were all in full voice! Thanks to Mrs. Mulligan for organising this prayerful and enjoyable event.

6th class with Ms. Mulvihill organised a Bring ‘n’ Buy Sale on Monday, 21st December 2015. Children in the school donated books, toys and gifts. There were plenty of goodies at the baking stall! There was a raffle, guess the number of sweets in the jar, guess the teddy’s name, computer game time, a keepy uppy competition, nail painting and many more activities on the day. The children went home with great bargains and everyone had lots of fun. There was over €600 raised for iPads for the school. Thanks to everyone who made the day a success.