Watch this space everybody!!!  Here is my group of budding entrepreneurs for the Junior Entrepreneur Programme of 2018/2019!! Looking forward to an exciting few weeks!!

Mrs. Curtin

We held a Halloween ‘Non-Uniform’ day on Thursday 25th October to support Brú Columbanus.  This very worthy charity provides ‘home from home’ accommodation for the relatives of seriously ill patients in Cork Hospitals and Hospice, especially relatives of sick children.  All gave generously on the day.  Children and adults had lots of fun!

We started yoga in September.  Every Wednesday and Friday we are trying out different yoga poses from Downward Dog to Butterfly to Cobra! It is all new to us, even to teacher! but we are enjoying it.  At the end we have some meditation to ‘escape to complete relaxation’ for a few minutes before returning to our busy classroom.

Junior/Senior infants go on a nature trail in the woods near our school look what they found

Today was the first day at ‘Big’ school for our new Junior Infants as they embarked on their journey through the formal Education system.
Parents may have had mixed emotions but our 6 girls and 5 boys quickly settled as they enjoyed each others’ company and explored all the varied activities and interesting challenges presented by their ‘múinteoir’ Erika.

One day on our way to swimming we took a detour!  We experienced a unique mode of transport at the ‘Lartigue Monorail & Museum‘ in Listowel.  A Grandparent had organised our visit to see the original steam-powered monorail designed by Frenchman Charles Lartigue that ran for 9 miles between Listowel and Ballybunion operating from  1888-1924.  The children watched an old film of the original Lartigue that showed passengers, livestock and freight being carried along a rail supported on A-shaped trestles.   The Monorail in Listowel was the only one of its type to operate successfully.  It was an object of much interest, curiosity and amusement.  Our visit included a short demonstration journey on a full-scale diesel-powered replica of the original monorail. We were able to observe its ingenious switching system.  In the museum we saw models, displays and memorabilia of the Lartigue.  Míle buíochas to the friendly staff, mainly volunteers, who provided information and patiently answered all our questions.  It was well worth the visit.

The last day of the school year – the day of the summer holidays – a Presentation was made to Gerard Mulvihill on behalf of the Parents and Staff of Murhur N.S.  The  New Guardian bog oak sculpture was a token of appreciation for his years of solid, ‘hands-on’ and common sense approach as he tried to solve the many and varied problems that presented over the 18 years of his involvement with our school.  No job was too small or too big to tackle!

Gerard was indeed a guardian!  He was always thinking ahead trying to improve things.  We want to acknowledge with gratitude the tremendous help, service and time he has given to the school for the benefit of the pupils and all in Murhur N.S.  One thing he felt we needed was to put the name of the school on display……..Gerard’s idea,  Tommy Moloney’s creativity, Noel Lyons’ craftmanship, the construction skills of Aiden Keane together with staff ‘imput’ we now have the name on the wall.  Míle Buíochas Gerard. Beir Bua agus Beannacht!

Another school year has come to an end.  We congratulate our 6th class – 4 girls Aoife, Grace, Mary and Sarah and 7 boys – Bobby, Conor, Diarmuid, Jack, Patrick, Robert and Killian. We wish them health, happiness and continued educational success as they leave the familiar surroundings of Murhur N.S. Moyvane and embark on new journeys of hope and expectation.  It was a time to remember and be grateful for the patience, encouragement and commitment of parents, grandparents, teachers and all who guided and helped along the way. It was also a time to look forward to a new school, new friends and new beginnings……

Míle Buíochas to Woodturners Donnchadha, Eamonn  and the O’Connor family Kilbaha, Moyvane for the beautifully crafted, hand-turned memory pens/boxes made of Irish hard wood, presented to each graduating student.  Great to see our past pupils doing so well. Hopefully your professionalism and hard work will inspire our children in Murhur N.S. to achieve success in whatever paths they choose in the future. We do appreciate and are always grateful for your continued loyalty to the school. We wish you continued success. Let’s hope that your generosity will be rewarded as word of your skill and reputation spreads…….(donnchadhaoconnor.wordpress.com)

Well done to our 6th class who on their last week in Primary school  were so professional in their presentation of ‘Just a Thought’ on Radio Kerry.  Their motivational and inspirational quotes helped get us into a positive mindset each day.  The thoughts and the well-chosen songs centred on their transition to secondary school and moving on……

Thanks to Mary Fagan and Áine Cronin the children experienced what it is like to work on radio and create a picture in the listener’s mind.

These reflective thoughts can now be heard on the Radio Kerry Podcast and in the playlist below.

For our 5th and 6th classes’ school tour this year, we availed of ESB Ireland’s invitation to visit Ardnacrusha Power Station.  The ‘Ardnacrusha Experience’ was a free guided tour of the generating station – home to the story of the pioneering Shannon Hydro-electric Scheme and the birth of the Electricity Supply Board – ESB.  The Shannon Scheme at Ardnacrusha was the first electricity generating station operated by the ESB and opened in 1929.  Ardnacrusha is a Hydro-electricity generating station – the electric power is generated by the gravitational force of falling or flowing water of the Shannon.  Water is the world’s oldest and main source of renewable energy.  The tour provided a unique learning experience of the station’s history outside of the classroom.

After lunch we visited the Delta Sports Dome, a spectacular leisure centre where children took part in soccer, tag rugby and martial arts activities.

Later at JK Karting the thrill of speed was evident in the children’s faces as our ‘Whizz Kids’ shared the dream that one day they would make it in the ‘Fast Lane of Formula 1′ 

Mr. Galvin with the children of 2nd 3rd and 4th classes went to Active Kingdom in Tralee on Thursday 14th June.  Active Kingdom is based at John Mitchel’s Sports Centre.  It provided a multi-activity school tour which targets the holistic development of children. The tour consisted of a number of team building/problem solving challenges and inflatable activities which kept the children engaged for the entire tour as well as working co-operatively with their class mates.

Juniors/Seniors and 1st Class together with their teachers went on tour to Banna Beach Leisure Club on Friday 8th June. It was a beautiful sunny day.  All excited as they boarded the bus – full of enthusiasm for the day ahead. Children were kept busy all day. The activities at Pirate Pete’s indoor play area proved to be a great ‘hit’ with its slides, ball pools, climbing ladders etc.  Children also spent time in the Outdoor Play area and went for a walk on the beach!

Comhghairdeas do Patrick O’Connor in 6th class who has been selected  to be part of the ‘Cumann na mBunscol Chiarraí’ Primary Game team. He will play at the Munster semi-final – Kerry v Clare in Killarney on Sun 3rd June. Beir Bua a Phádraig!

The children of 2nd class celebrated their First Holy Communion on Saturday 26th May. They were joined by parents, family members, friends and some of the wider community. It was a special day for our six girls, Chloe, Lucy, Lauren, Kate, Shíona and Maddie – and the six boys Rory, Jer, Jack, Darragh, Cían and Oisín.  Fr. Kevin reminded all those present of the task entrusted to them to help these children keep the Light of Christ in their lives as they continue on their journey of Faith.  As usual the Parents provided tasty and irresistible treats!

The North Kerry Girls’ Primary Schools’ U Can Skills final took place in Duagh on Thursday 24th May. The girls representing our school were: Sarah Quinn, Aoibhín McCarthy and Mollie O’Riordan.

From the moment Patrick and Darragh of A.C.T. (All Change Together) introduced themselves to the children they responded incredibly well to the content of the programme which was presented in an engaging and animated manner. The well planned workshops of  the A.C.T. programme promotes healthy eating combined with a healthy lifestyle emphasising the importance of daily exercise. With this  refreshing approach children learned a great amount about being pro-active in their own health and well-being.  The very animated leaders Patrick and Darragh who also play with Tralee’s Superleague Basketball Team “The Warriors”transferred their energy and enthusiasm to the children. ‘Let’s keep it up now’!

The North Kerry Boys’ Primary Schools’ U Can Skills Awards 2018 took place in Duagh on Friday 4th May. The three boys who represented our school were  Patrick O’Connor, Bobby O’Riordan and Conor Kissane.

Nikki Roberts  creator and designer of the ‘I AM ‘ Programme  (integrating Art and Mindfulness) working with the 5th and 6th class to create a platform for children to become empowered and enable participants to be aware of the importance of self management, self-control and self-soothing  in order to function within their homes, schools, local communities and wider communities.

The programme can be implemented in all areas of the participant’s life. It is an investment of time, emotional, physical and mental wellbeing.  Guided by Nikki the children worked in groups looking at boundaries, self-worth, self-esteem, respect, transitioning to secondary school and accountability. Themes such as teamwork, the power of words, kindness etc were explored.  Each child created a personal ‘Wellbeing Journal’ that they can add to or refer to in the years ahead.