Atlantic Corridor/Sony Ericsson Primary Science Competition

Cahir Boys NS were very proudly represented by 4 pupils from 3rd class in the Middle Primary School section of this national competition. Having won their regional section in Carlow last month the four boys, Liam O'Neill, Jack Buckley, Simon Ungurean and Bassem Salib, were giddy with excitement with the prospect of explaining the class project to the judges. They were very proud to represent their class and school in this competition. There were 15 schools, out of 200 original entrants, were brought together for the national finals.

It meant an early start to the day, leaving Cahir at 7.00pm. Unlike the last time there was no need to wake anyone out of bed as all were ready for the trip. Class teacher, Yvonne Fahy, drove a full car of posters, boats, props, science equipment, baths and of course, the pupils!!! The motorway made a huge difference to the travel time, going via Portlaoise and Tullamore.

We were the first group there and it gave all a chance to get set up for the displays. The level of preparation meant all the equipment was squeezed into a tight area, the width of a table and 2 display boards.

Then it was chance to see the other projects on Canal Habitats, Farm Safety, Air Pressure, Ultrasounds on Sheep, Wormeries, Climate Studies, Coca Cola and a few other projects that proved a wonderful display of primary school science.

Judging took its time and the lads were worn out. Luckily they got a snack before the judges arrived at their table so they were up for the presentation. The judges looked like they enjoyed the four boys and their explanation of the properties of water and the many different aspects of their project.

At the end of judging all the children were treated to a science show while awaiting the results. They were eager participants and Simon was a lucky volunteer for one experiment.

While the boys were unfortunate not to be in any of the prize winners on the day they are a credit to their families, their fellow pupils, their class teacher, Yvonne Fahy and themselves.

A special word of thanks to Yvonne Fahy who pushed this project through the class over the last number of months. This whole class project certainly provided motivation & inspiration to the pupils and will help them go forward for the rest of the year.

Back To School!

CBNS opens for 2011/12 on Wednesday, August 31st at 9:20 a.m.

FAI soccer

thanks to the FAI soccer coaches for a great 5 week training course. the boys from 4th class really enjoyed it!

Butterfly Patch - 5th Class

Congratulations to Colin McEniry, who won a poster competition to design a poster for the butterfly patch which is being set up in the Inch Field. The class were down last Friday to help prepare the ground & set some seeds to grow wild flowers to attract the butterflies.

Sergiu Ciobanu Visit!

We were visited by Sergiu Ciobanu on Friday, April 1st. Sergiu is from Moldova, but now lives in Cahir. He is the National Marathon Champion 2009 & 2010, & also won the Cork Marathon in 2010. It was great to have a National Champion visit CBNS. The 4th class boys even had the chance to do a warm-up with Sergiu. We wish him the best for the future!

C.O.W. (Cycle On Wednesday) - March 30th, 2011

Scór na bPáistí - Success

Congratulations to Colin McEniry, Eoin Rowe & Eoin O'Neill from 5th class. The boys won the General Knowledge/History & GAA quiz in Scór na bPáistí in Clonmel on Sunday, March 20th.

The boys will now go on to represent South Tipperary in the county Scór next Sunday, March 27th in Cashel.

Tree Day 2010

Mr. Kennedy & Miss Jeffries classes headed to Dundrum Woods on Wednesday, March 9th. We were taken through the woods by a speaker from Coillte. We learned about the trees of the forest & were also given a talk by the local ranger, & shown many of the animals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AworxbKJLqE

A "flippin" great Pancake Tuesday!

4th class had fun making ( & eating ) pancakes on Pancake Tuesday, March 8th.

A Fresh Start

Dear Parent,
Due to the ongoing activities it has been difficult to keep this blog up to date. It is our intention to create an editing group, whose role it will be to enter interesting topics from the school on a regular basis. Simple entries from pupils, photos of school activities and free writing activities will try to make this site more active and relevant to pupils and parents.
Regards,
Brendan Horan.

Jan 2010

Apologies for not keeping website up to date.
First of all Happy New Year.
The school has been closed on Monday & Tuesday 11-12 Jan due to weather conditions and frozen pipes.
The situation is under review and I'll make contact with parents immediately a decision is made whether to open or remain closed.
The school is now using text-a-parent so if you have not recevied any messages please give the school your mobile phone number, particularlyif you have changed in the last year.#
Regards, Brendan Horan

Parents' Council AGM

Parents Council AGM - Wednesday, October 7th 2009, 8.00pm.
6th class room, Cahir Boys NS. All welcome to hear the information and help support the education of the children in the school.

Calendar - Changes

Lisbon Treaty Referendum - Friday, October 2nd 2009 - school closed to pupils
School Planning Day - Monday, October 5th 2009 - school closed to pupils
Staff Meeting - Friday, October 16th 2009. Half-day for pupils commencing at 12.00 midday
Mid-term Break - October 26th-30th

CAPER

The junior classes are setting up Children And Parents Enjoy Reading (CAPER) for this coming year. This very successful programme has run through the voluntary efforts of adults, parents and grandparents. If you would like to give of your time, up to an hour a week, please contact the school, give your details and we’ll get back to you.

Art & Craft Fee

The fee for this year is €40 for one child and €60 for a family with more than one child. This covers the perishable items that have to be replaced each year. Art & Craft, photocopying, inks, school reports etc. Many thanks to those who have already paid. We appreciate the efforts parents go to to help their child’s education.

School Calendar 2009-10

First Term: Start 31 August 2009
Mid-term: October 25-29 2009
Holy Day: December 8th 2009
Christmas Holidays: December 22nd 2009

Second Term: Start Jan 7 2010
Mid-term: Feb 15-19 2010
St. Patrick’s Day: March 17th 2010
Easter Holidays: 26 March 2010

Third Term: Start 12th April 2010
Bank Holiday: May 3rd 2010
Bank Holiday: June 7th 2010

Summer Holidays: June 30th 2010

Minor alterations to the Calendar will be made when necessary, but these are the main dates.
Meetings, planning days etc. will be notified to parents as they arise.

Swineflu Information

As we return to school the swineflu pandemic is our greatest concern. In the school we are purchasing the necessary sanitary supplies. This note is for parents and will be sent home on the first day back. Other instructions will be given to teachers and the pupils themselves when we get into the classroom.

Following the spread of the Swineflu Pandemic the school is issuing the following instructions
· If your child displays any flu-like symptoms (sore throat, fever, cough, aches & pains, tiredness, blocked up etc.) do not send him to school.
· Make contact with your doctor.
· Look for advice from the HSE.
· Keep your child at home until the flu-like symptoms have cleared. The HSE advises 7 days from the time the symptoms start.
· Should your child display symptoms in school you, the parent, will be contacted immediately. Please ensure that the correct phone number is available to the school, especially if you have changed phone. Put full contact details in the section available in your child’s homework diary.
· Your child will be taken from the classroom as a precaution, until he is collected.

Class teachers will instruct children on how to deal with hand hygiene, the spread of germs and infection control. Information is available from www.hse.ie

Re-opening

School Reopens Monday, August 31st 2009 at 9.20 am. All new enrolments should arrive to the school office for that time. New 1st class pupils should go to the yard.

Engineering Ireland - STEPS National Finals

Cahir Boys National School represented at the ‘Xperience Engineering’ National Final

On Thursday 18th June Cahir Boys National School were represented at the ‘Xperience Engineering’ National Final in The Helix, DCU, Dublin.

The ‘Xperience Engineering’ competition is organised by Engineers Ireland and its aim is to promote engineering in primary schools. The theme of this year’s project was ‘Engineers Save Lives’. The boys in 6th class chose to look at Lifebuoys for their project as they felt that in a town like Cahir Lifebuoys can help save lives.

The project began by researching Personal Flotation Devices and in particular Lifebuoys. A number of classroom experiments were then carried out to examine floating and sinking and to explain why certain materials float while others don’t. The boys then completed a site visit to The Mall in Cahir where they met Brendan O’Dwyer, the South Tipperary Water Safety Officer. Brendan spoke to the boys about the location of the lifebuoys in Cahir and the materials they are made from. He also talked to them about the correct way to throw a lifebuoy and the importance of looking after the lifebuoys in our community.

The project also involved a classroom visit by Mr. John Sheehan from the Cahir River Rescue Unit. John is also a member of the Cahir Dive Club. He showed the boys the equipment used by the River Rescue Unit and by the Divers.

We would like to thank both Brendan O’Dwyer and John Sheehan for their help during this project.

A large focus of the project is on the engineering skills of the children. The boys took part in the ‘K’Nex Challenge’ where they had to design a lifebuoy and use K’Nex to make their design. The boys completed a second engineering project to design, make and present a lifebuoy in class using everyday materials. The standard of the lifebuoys they produced was very high and each lifebuoy was tested to ensure it would float!

As part of the project the boys also produced a Water Safety DVD entitled ‘Lifebuoys in Cahir’ for the school. This DVD focuses on the location of the lifebuoys in Cahir town and has water safety tips which are particularly important for this time of year. The DVD also stresses the importance of looking after the lifebuoys.

All the above aspects of the project were recorded and photographed and entered into the competition. The boy’s hard work paid off when they were announced as one of the 20 finalists in the 5th/6th class category. Four boys were chosen to represent the class at the National Final; John Casey and Evan Purtill presented and explained the project to the judges and Sean Sweeney and Stephen O’Donoghue took part in The K’Nex Challenge, to build a robot.

On the day of the Final the boys did an excellent job and it was a great experience to be part of the final. Within the school the project has helped raise the awareness of the children as to the location, function and importance of the lifebuoys in the community.

Book Rental Scheme 2009-10

Following a review of the Book Rental scheme in the school and the loss of 2 very important grant schemes, the free book grant and the disadvantage grant, we have had to change our system.
Every child was given a letter showing what the Book Rental costs for their class and what books are covered by the rent and the activity books and other materials parents must purchase for next September.