Tobar An
Léinn

Issue 15/16 1

Nasc

‘Tis the season to be jolly’

“ Tús Maith” ”

Third time lucky for the Girls

This year on Wednesday the 21st of October, 4th, 5th and 6th girls were in the Cumann na mBunscol football final 2015. The girls were upset from last year’s loss, so they were determined to win this year.
The girls trained hard every Friday and also on Wednesdays after school. We were coached by Ms Hayes, who supported us from start to finish and believed in us all the way.
This year we won every single match and were straight through to the final. The last match we played was against Castletown, who were the strongest team we played in the football league. Fortunately our team worked hard and never gave up during the game. We were delighted to go to O’ Moore Park to represent our school in the final. This year, on the girls football team, we had an amazing goal keeper which was a big part of our team, this was Alisann Gorman. Next, in the full back line, we had Eleanor Holland and Caitlyn O’ Connor who were great defenders for us. In midfield we had Ellen Donoghue and Kaja McDonald who never gave up and scored as well. Finally in the forwards we had Jennifer Holland (captain) and Anna Keane who showed great cooperation and hard work.
We were so happy to win and hope it’s the first of many to come in Tobar an Léinn. Afterwards, we celebrated at Supermac’s where we showed off our beautiful cup.
By Ellen Donoghue & Jennifer Holland—6th Class

Inside this Issue
Debating 2015
Advent Prayer
First Holy Communion
Station Teaching
Farewell to Ms. Walsh
Fire Drills
Water Safety
School Choir
Well wishes
School Band
Christmas Fair
Poem
Christmas Events
Christmas Competition

Intel Mini Scientist Competition

This year 5th and 6th class participated in the Intel Mini Scientist Competition. The winners at school level were Jennifer, Eleanor, Jack Bergin and James. Our group did ‘Oil and Water’. Ellen, Jack Callaghan and Tommy came second with their project ‘Air Pollution’. Kevin, Ben, Cody and Anna did ‘Traffic Congestion’. Alisann, Róisín Moore, Erin and Ríonna studied ‘Human Evolution’. Aaron and Caitlyn researched ‘Sports Recovery’. Róisín Duignan, Séamus, Matthew and Cian worked on ‘Engines’. Kieran’s project was called ‘Perpetual Motion’. We were all very excited the day the judge visited our school and we all received goodie bags.
On Friday the 11th of December the winning group went to Intel in Leixlip and competed for our school in the regional final. We had loads of fun but sadly, we didn’t get any further in the competition. It was a great experience and we will try again next year!
James O’ Sullivan 5th Class & Jack Bergin 6th Class

Debating 2015
This year Tobar an Léinn are participating in a debating competition organised by Concern. 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class have been working very hard with Mr Crean and Ms Hayes and learning how to make our arguments persuasive and convincing.
On Friday the 28th of November, Séamus, Matthew, Erin, Joanne, Catherine and I went to Durrow Primary School with Ms Hayes to participate in a debate against a debating team from their school.
The motion of the debate was ‘Children use the Internet safely’. The Tobar an Léinn team had to propose (agree) with the motion. We had all of our prompt cards and information prepared, so all we had to do was deliver our speeches.
Erin was the captain of our team. She made a very promising speech, followed by myself and Joanne.
Our motion was defeated by a point or two, but hopefully now we can learn from our mistakes and win when Durrow come to our school in January!
Good Luck to all the present and future debaters of Tobar an Léinn!
By Alisann Gorman—6th Class.

Check out the Mini-Scientist projects in the Students’ Work section of our school website, www.tobaranleinn.ie

Advent Prayer
This Advent season,
As we gather to wait for Jesus,
May the light of his presence
bring Joy to our hearts.

First Holy Communion
Second class are preparing for their First Holy Communion. We have had our enrolment Mass on Sunday October 25th. We have Thumbs books and we bring them to every Mass. They help us to learn about and prepare for our Masses. We look forward to our big day on Sunday May 15th 2016.
By Ava Coleman and
Luise Wullich
2nd Class

Station Teaching
First and second class do station teaching twice a week. There are five different groups: Smarty Pants, Brain Boxes, Whizz Kids, Bright Sparks and Master Minds. We go to different tables every ten minutes. We do reading, writing, phonics and word searches. We have folders for our books, copies and new words. Our teacher gives us new books for homework. We enjoy station teaching; now reading is lots of fun!
By Chloe Beere and Harry Bland, Second Class

Our Farewell to Mrs Walsh
On Friday 6th November we had a lovely day as we said farewell to Mrs Walsh. We met in the Seomra Teacht le Chéile where the junior classes sang songs for Mrs Walsh and the senior classes put on a debate, which she really enjoyed. Following this we made our way to the Church where Fr. Kelly celebrated Mass in honour of Mrs Walsh to mark her retirement. We then returned to school and the Seomra Teacht le Chéile for some speeches and presentations.
We all enjoyed the day and wish Mrs Walsh all the best in the future.

Congratulation to Mrs Griffin on the birth of her baby boy Tommy.
Welcome to Miss Fitzgibbon who is with us here in Tobar an Léinn while Mrs Griffin is on maternity leave.
Welcome to our newest member of staff, Miss Hayes, who has settled in very well in Tobar an Léinn.
We received our Irish Flag and copy of the Proclamation in September. We look forward to raising the flag and celebrating the centenary of the 1916 Rising next Easter.

Fire Drills
In October we were busy in Tobar an Léinn practising our fire drills. Each class did their fire drill and talked about fire safety in the classroom. We then had a whole school fire drill. We acted as if there was a real fire and thankfully we all got out safely. In the event of a fire we all now know where our nearest exits are and how to leave the building in a safe way. Everyone at home should also talk about fire and what your plan would be at home.

WATER SAFETY
Three visitors from Irish Water Safety make came to our school. They taught us all about staying safe around a farm, a pool, at home and at a beach. We learned all about how slurry pits can not hold your weight and that if you are not careful you can fall in. Water barrels are also a danger. They are deeper than you think. At home, in a bath you can drown in 2cm of water. At a beach there are different flags. Red over yellow means it is safe to swim. Red means it is not safe to swim. No flag means there is no lifeguard on duty. So remember be safe around water.
By Caoimhe Moynihan and Aoife Hennessy — 4th Class

School Choir
It has been an exciting year for the Tobar An Léinn Choir. We sang for Miss Walsh’s retirement Mass and we also sang at the Tobar An Léinn Christmas Fair which was a joyful experience. We will also be carol singing in the Laois Shopping Centre on the 18th of December. All year round we have practised very hard to make everything perfect. We would like to say a special thanks to Ms Ní Leathlobhair who has helped us every step of the way and to Miss Hayes for playing the guitar for us.
By Ben Murray—6th class

We are currently busy working on attaining our fifth Green Flag and we are also hoping to achieve our first ever Blue Flag for being an active school.

School Band
This year our school band is doing great. Ms Hayes is now our band co-ordinator. In the band we have tin whistles, fiddles, a keyboard, a concertina, a bodhrán and a flute. There are members from 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th class. We all love being in the band. We had our first performance at Mrs Walsh’s retirement Mass. We played Boolavogue and Báidín Fheidhlimí. We got lots of compliments which was amazing. We also performed at the Christmas Fair on the 13th of December.
Being in the band is amazing because there are lots of different instruments from lots of different places which makes the music sound better than any other band anywhere. Everyone in the band hopes you like our tunes. By Niamh Tunney - 4th class

Tobar an Léinn Christmas Fair
Our first Christmas Fair took place on Sunday 13th December at 12 noon. We had a variety of stalls selling arts & crafts, d.v.d.s, books, toys, yule logs. We were entertained with our beautiful carol singing, music from our school band and a puppet show. We were served teas, coffees, hot chocolate, punch, tarts, cakes, buns and even reindeer food but the icing on the cake was a visit from Santa Claus who arrived in style. Both children and adults enjoyed his visit. Many thanks to the Parents Association, to the pupils and staff, to parents and supporters who helped with collecting, sorting and preparing for this fantastic day in Tobar an Léinn.

Children are in bed
Having good dreams
Rudolf is leading the sleigh and
Is leaving presents for everyone
Santa is saying ho ho ho
Take off
More presents to deliver
Away we go
Santa goes away
By Billy Brennan– First Class

NATIVITY PLAY
Junior and Senior Infants will perform a Nativity Play on Friday December 18th at 2 p.m. We have been practising lots of songs.
We hope you enjoy the show!
By Claire Tierney, Barra Farrell and Aaliyah Troy, Senior Infants.

Christmas Events:
Friday Dec 18th—4th, 5th & 6th class will be Carol Singing in Laois Shopping Centre from 10am to 12 noon. Also Junior and Senior Infants present The Nativity Story at 2pm.
Wed. Dec 22nd Celebration of Christmas Mass.– 1st –6th class Starting at 11.30am .
.

Christmas
Competition

To enter our Christmas
Competition simply
write the names of the Three Wise Men
on a piece of paper with your name and class and give to your class teacher by
Tuesday 22nd December.
All correct entries will be placed in a hat for our Christmas Draw. Good Luck!

The Christmas school holidays begin on Tuesday 22nd of December at 3pm. School re-opens Wednesday January. 6th 2016. We would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a joyful and peaceful Christmas from all at Tobar an Léinn.
Nollag shona daoibh go léir.