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The Master EWdition
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The Master Edition

The Master Edition

Issue 13/14 3

After completing 34 years teaching service in Raheen, our Principal Mr Seán Mac Gearailt is retiring. The staff of Tobar an Léinn sincerely thank Seán for all his support, understanding and commitment to both the welfare of the children and the staff of the school. The Children of Tobar an Léinn thank Seán for the wonderful days and memories that he has given them. The Master has always gone above and beyond what is expected of a teaching Principal and for that the children, their parents, the teachers and staff and the whole community are very grateful. We would like to dedicate this edition of the Nasc to ‘The Master’.

The Master came to Raheen in 1980. He is originally from Dingle in Co. Kerry. He trained as a primary school teacher in St. Patrick’s College of Education (Pat’s), Drumcondra. The Master first taught in CBS primary school in Portlaoise. After CBS, he taught in the old school (now the Red Cross Centre) from 1980 until 2003 when the new school, Tobar an Léinn, was opened.
He’s married to Mary and has three grown up daughters. Since he lives near O’Moore Park, he attends many GAA
matches, but he swaps O’Moore Park for Croke Park anytime Kerry are in an All-Ireland Football Final. One of the highlights of his career was probably getting to meet Colm ‘The Gooch’ Cooper when he visited Tobar an Léinn in March 2013.
He is most likely to say: “Have a dream because yours could come true”. He is least likely to say “I just bought season tickets for Hill 16”.
By Vincent Ó Cinnéide, 6th Class

The Master

On the 22nd of May, Ms. Ní Leathlobhair, Leah, Séamus and I went to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Athlone to collect our fourth green flag for Travel. When we arrived we got lunch and then we went to the Presentation. Leah and myself went up to receive the flag on behalf of Tobar an Léinn. After the ceremony we returned to school with the flag. It was a great experience.
On the 12th of June we held our Flag Raising Ceremony. Our special guest was Marianne
Moloney. She was a lovely lady. Each class got to sing a song and the school band played. We then went outside where Kevin and Róisín danced out with the flag and presented the flag to Mr. Fitzgerald. Marianne raised the flag while Cian played the bodhrán. It was a great day. By Emily Goode, 5th Class

Travelling at Ease—Another Green Flag!

“ Tús Maith ”

Inside this Issue
Communion
Confirmation
Write-A-Book
School Tour
The Big Interview
Concert
Sports Day
Reading Buddies
Camogie Final
Poem: ‘The Master’

Our last Term here in Tobar an Léinn has again been very busy with lots of activities and events taking place, which you can read all about here. We have had a great school year and wish to thank everyone who helped with school activities and events during the year. We hope everyone has a happy and safe summer holidays.

Our Confirmation
On Friday the 30th of May, 5th and 6th Class received the Sacrament Of Confirmation. As part of our Confirmation we had to make a project folder. During the process of making the folder we learned about Pentecost, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and about the laying of hands. As well as doing work in school we met up every Wednesday night to learn more in our Leader Sessions during which we were asked to write a letter to the Bishop. My group's leaders were Róisín Moffitt and John Whelan.
Then the big day arrived. During the ceremony everyone had a part to do, some pupils read and some brought up gifts that symbolised our lives.. We all had a super day. On behalf of the two classes I would like to thank the Master Mr. Fitzgerald, Fr. Kelly, Bishop Nulty who made the ceremony most enjoyable and of course our parents. After the ceremony we all went and celebrated with our families.
By Cameron Halcrow, 6th Class

Lagan Cement Factory Well worth a visit!
Our school tour was on Thursday June 5th 2014. We started the day by doing a simple roll-call in the classroom. Before we knew it we were on our way to the Lagan Cement Factory, Kinnegad, Co. Westmeath where we got a warm welcome from Kevin, who is their longest running employee.
First we got a video presentation of the factory then we went to the quarry but then we really felt the heat when we walked under the Kiln. After refreshments we said farewell and quick as a flash we were bowling in Tullamore.
It was good craic with all the lads. Niall got a few brilliant strikes. We finished off in Burger King and that was the end of the best school tour that I and the whole class ever had.
By Kolia McDonald, 5th Class

On Sunday May 18th, 2nd class made their First Holy Communion. Everyone was in their dresses and suits. It was a very exciting day for all of us. Our First Holy Communion is about receiving the Body of Christ. It was held at St Fintans Church Raheen. Fr. Kelly welcomed everyone by saying ‘Good morning’. While 2nd class walked up the aisle the choir sang This Is The Day. When it was time for the Offertory Procession Kaja brought the gift of fun, Óisin brought the gift of learning , Niamh brought the gift of art, Lucy brought up the wine and Sarah brought up the bread. The bread does not look anything like bread because this is the Bread of Life. The End or we should say Amen!
Thanks to Miss Barry.
By Amy Bergin, Niamh Tunney and Shay Brennan 2nd class

Our Communion

‘Write A Book’ Awards 2014
On the 9th of June the Write a Book awards ceremony took place.
Aoife Delaney, Gráinne Keane, Jack Farrell, Tiernan Donovan, Colleen Lalor, Niamh Tunney and Lucy Brennan received a certificate on the night Leah Moffit in 6th class wrote an anthology of poems . She also received an award for this. In senior infants, Fionn O’ Neill, Ava Coleman, Katie Grant and Isabella Troy received a certificate too.
We had our picture taken with author/comedian Colm O’ Regan, Ms. Barry and Ms. Ní Leathlobhair. We had a great night at the Heritage Hotel with our families and teachers.
By Lucy Brennan and Tiernan Donovan, 2nd Class

School Tours –Still to Come!
Wednesday18th June: The Junior and Senior Infants - “Lisduff Adventure Farm”
Thursday 19th June: 1st, 2nd 3rd and 4th Classes - “Tayto Park”
We look forward to a great day.
Hope the sun shines!!

*****
On behalf of the Parents Association I would like to extend our very best wishes to Seán Mac Gearailt on his retirement as Principal from Tobar an Léinn at the end of August 2014. A sincere thank you for his commitment to the education of pupils past and present as Principal of Tobar an Léinn since 1980 and all his good work and guidance. We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours. Orlagh Wullich, Chairperson Parents Association *****
A little bird told me recently that the very famous, Seán Mac Gearailt, Principal in Raheen National School was about to hang up his Kerry boots so to speak. I was lucky to serve on the Board of Management with Seán for 8 years and I am very happy to say that he piloted an excellent Ship. His Dingle friends got a whiff of this news and leaked it to the Kerry Squad and rumour has it that they want him now for the Top Job! Anyway Seán comhgairdeas as ucht an obair iontach i Ráithín. Anois tóg go very bog é. Wishing Seán and Mary health and happiness. Love from Tommy Dillon, P.P. Blessington. (Former P.P. Raheen). *****
Having worked with Mr. Seán Fitzgerald for twenty four happy years I know how dedicated he is. His main concern was making life happy and comfortable for both pupils and staff. This was achieved when the new school was opened in 2003. He paid so much attention to detail in everything he did and that resulted in the smooth running of the school. As he now prepares to take a well earned rest I wish him many years of good health, happiness and many blessings. Beannacht Dé ort, a Sheáin, Kathleen Moore, former teacher, Raheen , Seán,wishing you all the best as you approach your retirement from Tobar an Léinn N.S. I joined the wonderful teaching staff as a 3rd assistant in October 1982 which was led by you and ably supported by Mrs. Catherine Conroy and Mrs. Kathleen Moore. I have great memories of those years of learning, sport and music in the old school. Every good wish for your health and happiness in your retirement years. Enjoy! Marie Thompson, Former teacher, Raheen. **** A Sheáin, guíonn Miriam agus mé féin saol fada, slántúil, lúcháireach ort agus ar do bhean Máire, an bheirt agaibh le chéile. Is mise le meas, Dáithí Ó Briclí agus Miriam. Former Principal Shanahoe. ***** Colt GAA Club would like to wish Mr. Fitzgerald the very best in his retirement. Mr. Fitzgerald has been a pleasure to work with on promoting our games and has helped develop our Juvenile players. As Chairman of Colt GAA I have had the pleasure of working closely with Mr. Fitzgerald over the last few years and also fond memories of long days in his classroom. I wish Mr. Fitzgerald good health and happiness and look forward to seeing him in our club grounds in the future. Padraig Dunne, Colt GAA Club ***** Seán, Thanks for everything over the last few years. I really appreciate it. Enjoy your retirement but don’t put your feet up! Chris Murray, School Coach. ***** Well Seán, they say life is like a book, and our lives are made up of many chapters, and as you close the page on these lengthy, fruitful and memorable chapters of your life, remember there are many more exciting chapters still to come. We wish you good luck, good health and remember everyday now can be a summers day. John Hosey, School Choir Coordinator.
Séan on my own behalf and on behalf of the Raheen Parish Pastoral Council, Tobar an Léinn school community and the people of the Parish, I wish to congratulate you on your retirement and wish you every blessing in the years ahead. Your experience, knowledge, dedication and presence will be sorely missed. Best of luck - enjoy your new free time doing all the things that you want to do. Fr. Jimmy P.P.

On behalf of the Board of management, I would like to extend our sincere wishes to Seán for a happy and productive retirement. Seán will be remembered in Raheen not just for his long years of service, but also for the vital role he played in securing our new school, Tobar an Leinn. During the greater part of his tenure as Principal in Raheen, Seán was ably assisted by Kathleen Moore and Catherine Conroy. They were a formidable team who nurtured a learning tradition that continues with their equally committed and able successors. As Seán departs Tobar an Léinn, we wish him a Tús Maith to his retirement. Michael Holland, Chairperson, B.O.M.

Warm Words of Appreciation and Best Wishes

The Master
The Master is our principal
He teaches fifth and sixth.
He won’t be here next year
at least I don’t think.
The Master is from Kerry.
His name is Seán Fitzgerald
I wonder when he leaves
will he miss the Boys and Girls.
He always wears a tie
and a suit too.
But that’s not all
he also has really fancy shoes!
By Alisann Gorman 4th Class

School Closes at 3pm on Monday 23rd June.
School re-opens on Monday 1st September.
We wish our departing 6th Class of 2014 good luck in secondary school and in the future. Always remember your ‘Tús Maith’!

Summer Concert
A wonderful musical night was held last Friday night 13th June. Pupils of Tobar an Léinn took to the stage and put on a fantastic show in an end of year Concert in the James Fintan Lalor Hall. . The Parents’ Association ,with John Hosey, organised this concert It was a very enjoyable evening. Well done to all who participated.

Sports Day
Our Sports Day took place on Friday the 6th of June. The pupils, parents and staff had a great fun and exciting Sports Day 2014. A big thanks to all the parents and past pupils who assisted on the day!

Tobar an Léinn had achieved Litter Free Status for the 8th Year in a row in the Laois Tidy Schools Competition. "Coimeád suas é!"

This term Junior Infants, Senior infants, 3rd and 4th joined up to do Reading Buddies. Third read to the juniors and fourth read to the seniors. It was great fun to get to read to the infants and to get to know them as well. If we had read the book early we played little games like Eye Spy or a memory game. We all hope we get to do Reading Buddies again!
By Aaron Brennan, 4th Class.

Reading Buddies

On the 29th of May the school girls camogie team played in the Cumann na mBunscol final in O’ Moore Park. That morning we came into school like it was a normal day. Around twelve o’ clock the girls were collected by their parents, and headed for O’ Moore Park. When we arrived we saw Mrs. Campion who showed us the way to the dressing room. When we walked into the dressing room we were handed our shorts and socks by Mrs. Moore. After a couple of minutes the whole team were in the dressing room waiting for the lay out. Orla Joyce was our captain. All the team ran out onto the pitch and started doing some warm up drills. We had great support from the teachers, our families and the rest of the pupils. At the end of the first half the score was 0-2 to 0-0. We fought hard in the second half and scored two excellent goals .However ,when the referee blew the final whistle Rosenallis won the match, 3-2 to 2-0. After a couple of minutes we went up to the top of the stand and got our medals. We would like to say a big thank you to Chris and to Mrs. Moore and all our supporters!!!
By Amy Whelan, 6th Class

Camogie Final

The Big Interview

Q. What did you like best about being the master? (Paddy Farrell, Junior Infants)
A. All that extra work you have to do. I really enjoy that or do I ?? What do you think?
Q. What’s it like being an adult? (Tom Coleman, Junior Infants)
A. You get wiser as you get older and you can think out things better before you act.
Q. Will you miss Assembly? (Fionn Hanley, Senior Infants)
A. Yes I will – especially when we say “Tobar an Léinn tús maith” – Keep it going!
Q. Will you miss teaching? (Harry Bland, Senior Infants)
A. Not really – you see I never left school from the 1st day – Primary, Secondary, College and back to Primary. It’s time to do something else while I’m able.
Q. Why are you retiring? (Gráinne Keane,1st Class)
A. I think I need a break after 39 years.
Q. What’s your favourite thing to do? (Orla Colley, 1st Class)
A. I like driving and building stone walls – but not at the same time of course !!
Q. What are you going to do after retiring? (Tiernan Donovan, 2nd Class)
A. I’m retiring from teaching but I hope to do other things. Don’t ask me what!
Q. Will you come for little visits? (Colleen Lalor, 2nd Class)
A. OF course I will come to visit: After all I was there when Tobar an Léinn was born!

Q. What will you miss most about Tobar an Léinn? (Ríonna Hennessy, 3rd Class)
A. The spirit, life and energy of young people – it keeps you young.
Q. What was the most memorable occasion while teaching in Raheen? (Kevin Ryan, 4th Class)
A. The moving into the new school in 2003 and the visit of Colm “Gooch” Cooper to the school in March 2013.
Q. What inspired you to be a teacher? (Alisann Gorman, 4th Class)
A. A good few of my friends at 2nd level ended up teaching. It’s a feeling you get – difficult to explain exactly.
Q. Have you learned anything new in the past year? (Natasha Dunne, 5th Class)
A. A teacher learns something new every single day.
Q. When you retire are you going back to Kerry or staying in Laois? (Aisling Tunney, 5th Class)
A. I love Laois but my heart is really in Kerry – I’ll try and live in both for a while anyway.
Q. If Laois were playing Kerry who would you support? (Fionn Holland, 6th Class)
A. Kerry of course – 100% “Up the Kingdom”.
Q. Why do you like to be called ‘the Master’? (Leah Moffitt, 6th Class)
A. Because I feel I am a real master – and the pupils like calling me “the Master”.
Q. What is your favourite Kerry-Man joke? (Póilín Ní Leathlobhair, Junior & Senior Infants)
A. My favourite Kerryman joke is when the joke is about a Laoisman.