Ms.

Burkes class visited the library to collect our

school certificate for reading for 30,600 minutes
during the Read Anything,

St. Philomenas
N.S.
Convent Road, Tullamore.
June Newsletter, 2016.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
nd

2 June: Our schools basketball team played in the mini

basketball finals in Mucklagh. The girls were victorious on
the day and were thrilled to be presented with a cup for the
school and medals. Well done girls! Thanks to their coach Ms. O
Connor for training them so well this year
8th June: Third Class paid a visit to Clara Bog where they learned
about how bogs are formed and the wildlife that live there. They had a
very enjoyable guided walk along the boardwalk.
Mieke from Green Schools conducted a travel audit to see how the
girls have improved walking, cycling or getting the bus to school.
9th June: Sixth Class went on their tour to Baysports in
Athlone. They had a fun-filled day and were exhausted when

Anytime, Anywhere initiative.

Keep up the good work and dont
forget to continue reading every day.
10th June: Fifth Class went to the Pearse Museum and Airfield Estate
for their school tour. A most enjoyable day was had by all.

The Sixth Class Athletics team took part in the Colin Dunne
Memorial Athletics competition in the Harriers. They took
part in races, the shot putt and the long jump. Thanks to Ms.
O Connor and Ms. Gaffey for working with the teams.
13th June: Gearid Oman from Sln Sabhilte trained the Sixth Class
girls in CPR. They learned vital life saving techniques
which could prove to be useful in the future. The
Mark Heffernan Trust have presented the school
with a defibrillator which is located outside the
front door of the school so that the public will also have access to it.
14th June: Sixth Class attended a study skills training session
where they learned many study tips that will be of great
benefit to them as they progress to secondary school. Ms.
Gaffey very kindly organised the session for the girls.

15th June: To mark the end of a very successful eight weeks of

Ms. Corrigans Class visited the library, where they met the Irish

mindfulness lessons with Ms. O Meara, the girls held a coffee morning

author Alan Nolan. They were treated to a reading session with him.

for their families to showcase what they

They also got to meet the Minister of State for Housing and Urban

had learned. They have learned many

Renewal Damien English. He was launching the Summer Stars Reading

strategies which they can now use when

programme which is encouraging children to read

they are feeling anxious or worried. We are

over the summer and in return they will receive

most grateful for Ms. O Meara for sharing her expertise with the

rewards. The girls received lots of goodies and we

girls.

thank the library for inviting us to attend this event.

16th June: Members of the Church band, J-Unit and the Junior

22nd June: We held our annual Sports Day in the Harriers. All the girls

Pastoral Council visited the Sixth Class to talk to them about the many

were divided into teams based on the countries playing in the Euros.

ways that they can get involved in a meaningful and enjoyable way with

They had a very active day playing tag rugby,

their local Church.

soccer, penalty shoot- out, caterpillar and they

17th June: The incoming Third Class paid their

first visit to St. Philomenas. They got to meet
their Buddies, who did a fantastic job of
showing them around and answering any
questions they had. Well done to the girls in Fifth Class!
th

20 June: Eddie O Neill, the drummer, brought his selection of

African drums to the school. Each class got the opportunity to learn

Association very kindly organised an obstacle

course and ice-pops for everyone. Thanks to Ms. O Meara, Ms.
Corrigan and all the teachers for organising this great day for the
girls.
23rd June: Trisha McDermott treated the girls to a dance lesson in St.
Marys Youth Centre which the girls really enjoyed.

how to play lots of percussion instruments and develop their

Ms. Higgins brought a number of Fifth and Sixth Class girls to the

rhythm skills.

library to participate in a Harry Potter workshop. They got the

21st June: PGA professional Bart O Brien gave

each class a golf lesson. The girls had a great
time

competed in races on the track. The Parents

learning this new skill.

opportunity to write and act out their own stories and potions based
on the theme of Harry Potter.

Ms. Corrigans Class gave the children in St. Josephs a lovely treat, by
calling up to their school and reading books that they had written and
illustrated by themselves. Well done girls!
24th June: George Dempsey had an origami
session with each class where the girls got very
creative and made beautiful pictures by simply
folding paper.
Well done to the magazine committee for producing a fine fifth
edition of the school magazine. A huge amount of work was involved
working on the magazine and the girls under the guidance of Ms. O
Meara really excelled themselves. It is on sale for 5 and is well worth
it.
27th June: Our end of year prayer service took place based on the
theme We give thanks. All of the girls displayed their wonderful
talents during the ceremony. Thank you to Ms. Corrigan and to all the
teachers for organising this lovely ending to our academic year.
We have had a wonderful and busy year and I would like to take this
opportunity to thank our dedicated and very hard working staff for
the care and attention they give to the girls each day. Thanks to our
ancillary staff for their great work throughout the year. I would like

to thank all the parents, as partners in your daughters education, for

your continued support and interest throughout the year. A special
word of thanks to the Parent Association for the efforts they have
made to enhance school life. I would like to wish Ms. O Meara well as
she goes on maternity leave and Miss Burke, Miss Higgins and Mr.
Maher the best of luck for the future and thank them for the
fantastic contribution they have made to the school. We really
appreciate it.
The very best of luck to our Sixth Class girls as they make the
transition to secondary school. We hope you have many fond memories
from your time in St. Philomenas. We are very proud of each and
every one of you and know that you will succeed in all that you do.
Dont forget to pay us a visit, we would love to hear how you are
getting on.
Finally, I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer and look
forward to
seeing you on
August 30th.
Kind regards,
Bridget Clear