February News 2018 | Illistrin National School

Letterkenny Gaels GAA – Underage Hurling, Camogie & Gaelic football

Basketball Blitz

Children from 3rd and 4th class were very excited to travel and participate in their first Basketball Blitz in the LYIT, Letterkenny. They had been training for a few weeks before hand and we were very eager to play and show their skills. Ballyraine N.S, Woodland N.S and Glenswilly N.S also participated in the blitz. The games were played in a 3v3 format for 10 minutes, the boys played in the 1st half and the girls played in the 2nd half. There was great excitement, cheering and energy in the hall during the blitz. Well done to all the boys and girls who took part.

INTO PRESIDENT VISITS ILLISTRIN SCHOOL

The teaching staff of Illistrin school were delighted to welcome INTO President, John Boyle, to the school on 23rd February. John, a native of Mullaghduff, is a Principal Teacher in Knocklyon, Dublin. The Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO), which was founded in 1868 and is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. It is the largest teachers’ trade union in Ireland It represents teachers at primary level in the Republic of Ireland, and at primary and post-primary level in Northern Ireland.

John heard the concerns of the teaching staff and was delighted to meet both pupils and teachers during his visit.

Science Experiments in 1st Class

Pupils in Mrs Mc Laughlin’s class who enjoyed their science experiments this month. They created lava lamps and an erupting volcano. The children watched the cool chemical reactions and found it highly entertaining and educational.

Yoga in Mrs McLaughlin’s 1st Class

Children in Mrs Mc Laughlin’s First Class enjoyed participating in a yoga session with Joanne Gallinagh. The children enjoyed many yoga poses, breathing exercises, visual imagery and relaxation techniques. Thanks to Ms Higgins for organizing the session.

SOCIETY OF MISSIONARY CHILDREN ART COMPETITION

Congratulations to Maeve, one of our 6th class pupils, who won a runner up prize in the ‘Society of Missionary’ Children’s Christmas Colouring Competition. 18,000 entries were received and Maeve’s entry stood out from the crowd in her category. Maeve is pictured with her teacher, Ms O’Donnell. Well done Maeve.

Active School Flag Award

Last year our school was awarded an Active School Flag. The Active School Flag (ASF) is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get more schools, more active, more often. We are grateful to everyone who helped the school achieve this award. On Friday 9^th February all our pupils and staff gathered at the front of the school and the pupils on our Active School Committee raised our Active School Flag. Special guests on the day were Jason Black, Endurance Athlete and members of the Ryan Family of Ireland’s Fittest Family fame.

Fire Safety Officers visit 3rd classes

Fire Safety Officers ‘Michael and Eddie’ from the Donegal Fire Service, visited our 3rd classes on Tuesday 20th February. Pupils learned about Fire Safety at home and in school. The pupils in both classes asked lots of questions and the Fire Safety Officers were very impressed with the pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Fire Safety. Pupils were given rulers, key rings and pencils with Fire Safety messages.

Pancake Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday marked the last day before Lent, a period of forty days whereby Christians traditionally fast or give up certain foods. The forty days represent the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. As a treat before the start of Lent, pupils in various classes enjoyed pancakes on Pancake Tuesday. Together with their teachers and special needs assistants, pupils mixed eggs, flour and sugar. They then cooked and ate delicious pancakes!

Ash Wednesday

Thank you to Fr. Gillespie who brought ashes to the school on Ash Wednesday. Ash Wednesday was the first day of Lent. Lent is a religious observance in the Christian calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of Christians for Easter through prayer and penance. The ashes are a sign of penance; a reminder that we seek forgiveness for our sins.

Confirmation

Our Candidates for Confirmation in 6th class are busy preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation which they will receive on Thursday 22nd February. Bishop McGuckian will perform the ceremony in the Cathedral. Fr. Gillespie has visited the school regularly over the last few months and has provided great guidance to the candidates. This was the first year we were able to involve the NET (National Evangelisation Team) volunteers in Confirmation preparation. We thank them for their great work. We also look forward to hearing our School Choir sing during the ceremony. Their rehearsals in the school hall have been going very well.

Pictured below are our amazing choir preparing for the ceremony.

St Eunan’s GAA Club

Final Blitz in Ballyare

On Tuesday 30th of January, 5th and 6th class girls competed in the 7 a side County Final Blitz in Ballyare. Woodlands NS, Lurgybrack NS, Scoil Mhuire in Stranorlar, the Gaelscoil Letterkenny & Naomh Fiachra were all champions on the day. Naomh Fiachra went one nil down to Lurgybrack in the final but levelled the match in the dying seconds to send it to penalties winning 3-2.