Pheadair agus Phil

Halloween 2014


Editors Comment
Dia daoibh go lir! Filt romhaibh ar ais ar scoil! Hello and welcome to the 2014 Autumn edition of
the School Chronicle. What a beautiful Summer holiday we all had long hazy days full of sunshine and
laughter! We are the new Sixth Class and we are delighted to be back! It is October now and the
season is Autumn. The leaves are falling off the trees, the birds are getting ready to migrate and
Halloween is just around the corner.
As we welcome our new seventeen Junior Infants we also welcome back our friends, teachers and all
members of staff. Fiona, a past pupil, has joined our staff and she is a great help to us all. Its
exciting to see all our friends again. We also welcome, student teacher Master Martin, who is also a
past pupil and is working with our class group-teaching us some subjects. We hope he enjoys his time
here. We are delighted to have him here! He is a very good teacher. Some pupils are in their final
year while for some its their very first year at primary school. But these Junior Infants seem to be
settling in well. Its always good to have new faces in Drumconrath National School. You dont have to
be different to make new friends- just be yourself!
Sixth Class have to knuckle down this year and prepare for secondary school. In the upcoming year
we have some very exciting activities to look forward to, such as Rugby Training, Gaelic Training,
Peace Proms Concert, Educational Trips and of course Confirmation. Its hard to believe it! We are
receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation on the 15
th
of April in St. Peter and Pauls Church,
Drumconrath. We shall enrol for this Sacrament in Advent. There are 19 pupils in the 6th Class this
year. Father Sen and Father Connaughton also had a celebration recently. They were 40 years
ordained and we congratulate them on this marvellous occasion!
The school building got a new face-lift this Summer, with new doors installed in our classrooms,
electrical re-wiring done throughout, a new office downstairs, a new bell, security doors, flood lights
on our astro turf pitch and outdoor lights on the steps at the front of the school. It looks amazing
and we are all comfortable in this energy saving environment. We hope to receive an energy saving
flag at the end of the year, but we have to work hard to achieve it. Our class representatives on this
committee are Alnna and Matthew and we ask all pupils to get involved. We are sure that the Green
Committee will come up with lots of fun. So do your bit to save energy!
We wish to thank Drumconrath GFC and especially Michael Gallagher and Kevin Flanagan for
presenting our school with Gaelic Training gear and equipment. They donated footballs, cones and
training bibs. We really appreciate this so many thanks to our local GAA club. A photo of this
presentation is on our school website.
This is a very important year for us in 6
th
Class, with Confirmation approaching and new schools to be
decided upon. The photographer is came to our school on October 16
th
. Sixth Class took part in a
First Aid course on Tuesday, 14
th
and 21
st
of October. The school is having a non- uniform day on
Friday 24
th
of October. This marks the end of our first term, and also the beginning of our mid-term
break.
Most of us are looking forward to a great school year. Halloween is just around the corner, so we
hope you all have a great time trick or treating, but remember stay safe! Wishing you all a safe and
Happy Halloween!
Sln go fill, Rang a S.


Editors
Matthew Durnin
Cormac Burns
Cormac Dunne
Sarah Martin
Rebecca Mc Shane
Social Section




Junior Infants & Senior Infants - Ms. Kirk
Dean was at Ballyhoe playground, he loved it. Nakitas sister has a sore leg. Ben and his dad went
swimming in Navan. Harry can use his bike without stabilisers. Deirdre started Speech and Drama this year,
they always get sweets at the end. Andrew goes to swimming lessons, he is getting very good at it.
Christopher was in Spain on his holidays, it was very hot. Amy Moores mam burned her finger on the oven.
Declan and Darragh were 5 recently, they got Power Ranger toys. Amiee Murtagh was at the Ploughing
Championship. Patrick got new pencils and his hair cut. Sarah-Jo has been helping her mam do the cleaning
at home. Ruby was watching her granny prune the roses. James O Connors daddy left his lunchbox on top
of the car and it fell off while driving uh oh! Leon got new runners and football boots, he is very lucky.
Roses cousin got new glasses. Hollie made a caterpillar with her dad out of bottles. Maria has playdough at
her house. Darragh Mc Mahon was at Killanny playground, his favourite is the zip line. James Carolan was
at the zoo, his favourite thing animal is the lion. CJ has a new baby brother called Ellis.

Ms. Keenan Senior & First Class
Natashas tooth fell out recently. The tooth fairy came to her. Ben turned 6 last week. He had a birthday
party at home. Davids tooth fell out also. Sarah is practising her dancing for Showbiz Kids. It was Millies
birthday. She turned 6. She had a birthday party at home. It will be Charlies birthday soon. He will be 6. He
got a new ball in Navan in Sports World. Eoghan is hoping to get an air hog for Christmas. Keeleys top
tooth is wobbly at the minute. Shaynes sister Ella celebrated her first birthday recently. Ella loves Doc Mc
Stuffin. April celebrated her 7
th
birthday recently. She went to Funtasia for her birthday. Benjamin went to
the cinema. He seen wreck-it ralph. It was ok. Davy is getting a new Skylander called Freeze Blade.
Two of Peters fishes died. They were called Cheezey and Goldie. Peters bottom tooth fell out. Morgans
Grannys cat died. Her name was Fluffy. Alex is going to Dessies house, Seamus went on a sleep-over to
his cousins recently. Annas bottom tooth is wobbly. Sinads top tooth is wobbly. Jack Clarke is going to
his Nannys on holidays. Jack Rings sister Millies birthday was on. They are travelling in a police van to
the cinema. Callum has two wobbly teeth. Eoin Byrnes brother bought some fireworks. Thomas is going
home on the school bus this year. Patrick was in Italy for a wedding. He had a fantastic time. Dessie went
to the ploughing championship. He met Enda Kenny.

Mr. Hickey 2
nd
& 3rd Class
Oisn Walsh and Shane Clarke have moved to different schools. We wish them well and hope they make
new friends. Kayleigh celebrated her sisters first birthday. Katelyn and Cians dad broke his thumb. Ouch!
Luseach and Shaunas cousins from America visited them. They went to Hill of Tara, Fore and Loughcrew.
Sophie has made friends with a horse behind her house. Keisha will be spending Halloween with her aunty
Milita. Lily and Keisha have planned to go to the cinema together soon. Cian went to his cousin Callums
house and played GTA all day. Kerrie went to the cinema with her friend from Irish dancing for her
birthday. She might have a party later in the year. Ryan went bowling recently. Oran and Muireann went to
see the new Turtles movie. Oisns dog is having pups. Ellie has started keyboard lessons. Paul's dad
celebrated his birthday recently. After reading about the Stone Age during History, Calum experimented
with rocks and sticks and figured out how to make some weapons. Ollie went to Tayto Park during the
Summer holidays. Eimear went to Fota Island during the Summer. Grace Durnin got her ears pierced. Grace
Carry, Lauren, Claire, Conor, Sophie, Katelyn, and Kayleigh were in a show with Showbiz Kids in Dublin.
Kayley, Muireann and Lauren went to Tayto Park for Kayleys birthday. Grace Carry had a sleepover at
Claires. Sarah and Grace Durnin went to the Ploughing Championship. Conor and Sarah went to Grace
Durnins house. Calvins dog is going to have pups. Conor went to Wexford and Waterford for a holiday.

Mrs. Tully Fourth & Fifth Class
We have a new girl in our class, her name is Amelia. She has a brother called Benjamin, in Ms. Keenans
class. Amelia was in Kingscourt school before coming here. We all welcome Amelia and her brother to
Drumconrath National School and hope she will be very happy here. Conor Farrells mam went to Dublin.
It was her birthday. Aaron Tighes mammy had a baby called Ellis Tighe on the 10
th
September. There are
now four boys in his family and no girls. Caitln Monaghan got a new puppy called Harry. Millie
Maxwells birthday was on the 11
th
October, she turned 10 years old. Peter got an Ipod touch for his
birthday which was on the 26
th
of August. Peter Griffin is getting two rabbits for Christmas. For Roberts
birthday he had to decide what to do, he chose to watch Star Wars, a New Hope and had a big chocolate
cake, it is a birthday he will never forget! Kellie Tighe went to the ploughing match with her nanny on a
bus. Emily Murtagh is getting her room painted sometime before Christmas. Lauren Myles was in a
competition in Tallanstown for dancing and got through. She is competing in another competition on the
18
th
of October. She is dancing with Emma Carry, Alnna Reilly and Alan McCluskey. Aaron Crosby is
going to Centre Parcs in November for his Granddads birthday. Kate Lambes pet dog Holly will be due to
have Maltese puppies on the 28
th
of October. Jessica Carolan got her room done up. Ellen went to the
ploughing match which took place in September. She met the Rose of Tralee and was on TV. She got lots
of things. She had a great day. Niamh went to Wexford on holidays. She went to a nice beach and had a
good time. Caitlns mam is graduating from college on the 31
st
of October. Mark Gilsenan is getting the
book of Match Attacks today. Keith Byrne went to Portugal and went to a water park called Slide &
Splash. It was very good. It was the best water park ever. Michael Rooney is going to get a Labrador or a
Collie dog and maybe a kitten of his uncle. During the summer holidays Dirmuid Jones went to the North
of Ireland to see the Titanic Museum and Rope Bridge and The Giants Causeway. Kate Floyds brother,
sister and cousins Luke, Niamh and Michal all celebrated their birthdays in August and in September. Kate
went to the Slieve Russell Hotel on holidays. Robert & Adam McGahon went to Gardaland in Italy and
went on the Magic House, which was an optical illusion. It was a see-saw and the room was moving more
than the ground.

Mrs. Rowe - 5
th
and 6
th
Class
Hannahs cousin, Ciara, got married in Italy on the 4
th
of October. Cormac got orthodontic braces and he is
gradually getting used to them. Ben has a new baby cousin, a boy named Harry. Shannon is a member of
Kingscourt Brass and Reed Band and marched as a majorette in Breffni Park before the Cavan GAA final.
Alan and his Dad erected a new machinery shed. It is awesome! The Horse of the Year Show was held on
Saturday 11
th
October in London. Jaydons mam and sister, Naomi, went to it. Joshs little sister, Ella, was
one year old on the 2
nd
October. Alexs sister, Vicki, is returning home from Australia soon and he is excited
about that. Cormacs cousin, Gary Tighe, came home from Australia for a wedding. It was great to see him
back in Drumconrath for a visit! He is a past pupil of this school. Master Martin, a student teacher, is
working with us in the classroom this month and has been a great help! Emmas uncle, Michael, will be
participating in the Dublin City marathon. We welcome Fiona, a past pupil, who is helping us out in the
school this year. On Saturday the 4
th
October, ine went to Donegal for a musical audition. She played her
flute and piano. She won two high achiever awards for these instruments and will be awarded these medals
in November. Showbiz Kidz were competing in the All- Ireland competition for all stage schools on the 18
th

October. We are so proud of all our pupils who performed in that show. Best of luck to you all! This year the
school will be performing in Dublin at a special concert called, The Peace Proms, on Sunday 2
nd
February
2015. We will be practising hard and looking forward to this great event!









Book Reviews








Book Review Paul Dunne - Second Class
Title of Book: What the Owl Saw In an old Scots pine tree lived a family of owls. There were mammy owl, daddy
owl and a boy and a girl named Hushy and Coney. In the middle of the day Hushy climbed out on to a branch. He
saw a robin and a squirrel and a fox and a butterfly. He saw a little cross spider that he was scared of. His sister
Coney stuck her head out and laughed. She said you big baby, afraid of a little spider. Im not a baby snapped Hushy.
Hushy went inside the tree. Hushy cuddled up close to his mother and went to sleep. My rating for this book: 7/10




Book Review Aaron Crosby 4
th
Class
Title of Book: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (Cabin Fever) - Author: Jeff Kinney The Plot: It is Christmas and the
family is celebrating and opening their presents. Rodrick didnd get anything but the baby got lots of presents. Grag
got one present but it was a doll so he threw it out, and then it came to LIFE!!!... Thats when things got really
interesting. Main Characters: Rodrick Rowley and Greg. Favourite Character: Greg because he was funny and
always did stupid things.. Why I like the book: It was a very entertaining book with lots of laughs. My star rating
for this book: 9/10.




Book Review Aaron Hickey 5
th
Class
Title of Book: Beast Quest. - Author: Adam Blade The Plot: Captain Herkman tells Tom to patrol the North of
the city. When Tom and the cadets reach the north of the city, they find a young cadet up against a tree and there was a
huge hole in the ground beside him. Tom climbs down into the hole and finds Samuel. Then Ferrok rises from the
dead and Tom must stop him. Main Character: Ferrok, Tom, Samuel, Captain Herkman and Elenna. Favourite
Character: Ferrok, because no one can get near him, he shoots fireballs and fire nets, also he looks very cool! Why I
like the book: There were lots of fights in it and it was also very exciting! My star rating for this book: 10/10




Book Review Emma Carry 5
th
Class
Title of Book: The Hunger. - Author: Carol Drinkwater Illustrator: - Richard Jones. Setting: - In Ireland during
the famine times when all of the potatoes had blight, this caused everyone to starve. The Plot: This story is about the
famine. Phylly is a young girl whose young sister dies, her mam isnt well either and she goes off on a journey to find
her brother. The Climax: - When Phylly goes off to find Pat, shes only fifteen. She is very brave as she could die of
starvation. The End: - When she was told that Pat was in the jail in Tipperary she went off to find him. Main
Characters: Phylly, Pat, Edward, Mrs. Murphy. Favourite Character: Phylly is my favourite character because she
tries to help everyone and you can tell she loves her family because she is off on a journey to find her brother.
Why I like the book: I liked this book because every time you finished a page you want to go on and find out whats
next. I find this book historical, engaging, interesting and exciting. My star rating for this book: 7/10





Book Reviews








Book Review Cormac Burns 6
th
Class
Title of Book: The Hunger. - Author: Carol Drinkwater Illustrator: - Richard Jones. Setting: - The story took
place in 19
th
Century Ireland during the famine. The Plot: During the 19
th
Century famine, Phyllis McCormack sets
out on a journey to find her brother after he is arrested. Will she get there on time? After the blight hit the potatoes,
Ireland is left to starve with only the rich people to survive. The Climax: - When Phyllis hears the news that her
brother Pat has been arrested, she must set off on a journey to North Tipperary to him. The Ending: - Phylly, Grace,
Hughie and her Dad set off for Boston. It concludes there.
Main Characters: Phyllis McCormack, Pat McCormack, Mrs. Murphy and Edward Boulton.
Favourite Character: My favourite character is Pat because he tried to get rights for his country. Why I like the
book: I liked this book because it tells us a big part about Irish History. I find this book intriguing, engaging,
historical and sad. My star rating for this book: 8/10

















Sports News
Senior Infants & First class Ms. Keenan Thomas, Peter, Shayne, April, Dessie, Callum, Eoin Byrne,
Sinead and Alex have started Friday night soccer. Natasha, Morgan, Alex and Sarah are attending Showbiz
Kids. Jack Ring and Davy Ring play Gaelic with Hunterstown. They also play soccer with Ardee Celtic.
Eoghan plays rugby every Wednesday in Ardee.Ben and Charlie go to Gaelic training each Saturday. Natasha,
Morgan, Anna and Eoghan go to Irish dancing each Wednesday. Jack Clarke is taking part in a running
competition in Kingscourt. Thomas goes swimming in Kells. Eoin Byrne, Thomas, Callum, Dessie and
Shayne play U-8 Gaelic for Drumconrath.


2
nd
& 3
rd
Mr. Hickey
Ryan started soccer with Newtown U-12s. Friday night soccer has commenced again and most of us have
joined. Oran and Muireann have started jiu-jitsu lessons. Liseach, Shauna, Kerrie and Ellie have been
competing in Feiss lately and have a lovely collection of medals and trophies. We have been having great
fun learning basketball lately. We were all delighted when the Dee Rangers came to our school after
winning the county championship.

4
th
& 5
th
Class Mrs Tully
Diarmuid, Aaron Hickey, Mark, Keith, Michael, Aaron Crosby, Peter and Conor all played a football match
in the Meath Gaelic inter- schools competition. They had great fun. The Showbiz Kidz are participating in
the Mini-Tops competition on Saturday 18
th
October, in Dublin. Lauren, Jessica and Kellie are all going
from our class. Lots of us are going to Friday night soccer and we are all on different teams. We are all
looking forward to playing again on Friday nights.


5
th
& 6
th
class Mrs Rowe.
The local U.13 Gaelic team reached the semi-final of the Championship, but unfortunately they were
defeated. Hard luck lads! Friday night soccer has restarted and we are all happy about that. Paul, Ken,
Jacqueline and Karen are the leaders. We really appreciate their help!
Cira, Emma, Alnna and Hannah Rooney joined the Dee Ranger Ladies Club. Kevin Flanagan coaches our
school Gaelic team each Thursday evening on our astro-turf. Master Hickey is our Manager and this year
we lost our first match against Boyerstown, won against Carnaross and lost, by only two points, to
Wilkinstown. We drew with Carlanstown which was a great achievement! Among the panel of players from
our class are: Aaron, Kian, Cormac Martin, Cormac Dunne, Alan, Matthew, Jaydon, Hannah, Alnna,
Shannon, Alex, Josh and Ryan. We are really enjoying this years Cumann Na mBunscoil League. Our
Basketball league is in full swing and the final will be held before the Halloween break. We played uni-hoc
and volleyball as part of our P.E. programme. Sport is Fun! The Dee Ranger Ladies won the Meath Junior
Championship and brought the cup to the school. We had fun that day and even got a treat. They have since
qualified for the Leinster Final, having beaten Dromard, Longford in the Quarter Final and Naul in the semi-
final. They now meet Clane, Co. Kildare in the Leinster Final on Sunday the 26
th
October. WELL DONE
GIRLS! We are so proud of you all, especially our past pupils - joint captains, Brona Rowe and Aoife
Conlon, team players Maria Dardis, (Charlies mam), Shauna Rowe, Cody Mc Evoy and Ellen Cassidy.
BRING HOME THE CUP!





Improve your Knowledge



Junior Infants & Senior Infants Ms. Kirk
What special visitor came to tell us all about his job? Ans: Anthony The Farmer.
What are the autumn colours? Ans: Brown, Red, Yellow, Orange.
Who is busy collecting nuts at the moment? Ans: The Squirrel.
What fairy tale have we been acting out in class? Ans: Cinderella.

Ms. Keenan Senior & 1
st
Class.
What is a female pig called? Ans: A Sow.
Approx. how long would it take to build a school? A year.
What is a horse called in Irish? Ans: Capall.
What is Halloween in Irish? Ans: Oche Shamhna.
What do you called the group of letters a,e,i,o,u? Ans: Vowels.

Mr. Hickey 2nd & 3rd Class
In which river did Finegas catch the Salmon of Knowledge? Ans: River Boyne.
What is the special brick in an arch called? Ans: Keystone.
Who brought potatoes to Ireland? Ans: Sir Walter Raleigh.
Who brought rabbits to Ireland? Ans: The Normans.
What is the name of the disease that kills rabbits? Ans: Myxomatosis.
Mrs. Tully 4
th
& 5
th
Class
In what European City would you find the statue of The Little Mermaid? Ans: Copenhagen, Denmark.
What is the name for a female mammal that keeps its baby in a pouch? Ans: A Marsupial.
Who was the first woman to fly an aeroplane solo across the Atlantic Ocean? Ans: Amelia Earhart
On what island did the dodo bird live? Ans: Mauritius (an island in the Indian Ocean)
Who were the first people to use concrete? Ans: The Romans
Mrs. Rowe 5
th
& 6
th
Class
When was the Boston Tea Party? Ans : 1773
What is Beethovens full name? Ans: Ludwig Van Beethoven.
What colour is Bond Street in Monopoly? Ans: Green.
Dry ice is frozendioxide? Ans: Carbon
Which state of Australia is not part of the mainland? Ans: Tasmania.


Competitions & Results