OCTOBER NEWS

Author Olive Mooney:

Author Olive Mooney made a recent visit to our school.

Olive was very much looking forward to visiting Cobh Mixed National School on Monday 7^th October. She read several chapters from her books and the children asked lots of questions about the stories, what it’s like to be an author, where Olive gets her ideas from etc.

Olive has visited approximately 800 schools around the country and is delighted to share her stories and writing tips.

Olive has always enjoyed writing and told ghost stories to her fellow-inmates at boarding school. Despite her best efforts, they fell asleep! She has improved considerably since those days and The Chronicles of Cadaver College series is her first publication. The book of Ornis in 2013, The Curse of Halbizia on 2016 and The Pirate Queen’s Treasure in 2019. Travelling is one of her great interests. It would take another book to tell all her adventures from her stay with head hunters in Borneo Jungle, to getting altitude sickness in Tibet. Olive enjoys walking, reading, horse riding, playing the piano and cooking. Olive graduated from Trinity College Dublin in 1994 with an Honors Degree in History and Classical Civilization. She also has a master’s degree (by research) in modern history.

European Citizen Award:

The school is registered to achieve a European Citizenship Award for 2019/2020 called the Big Friendly Guide to the European Union. BFGTOEU is an innovative and engaging 6- week teaching and learning programme about Ireland and the European Union.

 It fits perfectly into the current SPHE and SESE curriculum and runs from Junior Infants to 6^th Class. It was conceived and piloted by Trish Collier, a primary school teacher, and Emmanuelle schon-Quinlivan, a college lecturer in European politics. Lesson plans, lesson slides, quizzes and interactive games are available to teachers for the students. Shamrock takes the children on a journey of discovery of Ireland and EU. BFGTOEU develops deliberate skills and critical thinking in children.

 This is one of a kind programme in Ireland which offers all the support, lesson plans, slides and activities to the teachers.Each school will get a plaque during a special award ceremony in University College Cork.  It will set schools apart in developing future citizens of the European Union.

Physical Education:

As we are continuing to work hard to earn our Active School Flag, we would like to inform you of some of the physical activities we are doing throughout the school.

• Last year and this year each class have committed themselves to an Active Break every day for the duration of 4 weeks. We had a running break a dance break or an exercise break everyday and the children really enjoyed this particularly the “Go Noodle Dance Moves.
• During our Active Week in June the children participated in a tug of war, skipping challenge, throw the welly competition, go noodle challenge and penalties against the teachers challenge.
• The children will take on leadership roles which will include P.E. equipment monitors, active line leaders, playground leaders, and will bring ideas to the Active School Flag meetings.

The children have been taking part in swimming classes which provides plenty activity for children.  This activity has been strongly encouraged by the Principal and teachers of the school.  Swimming classes began in September and will continue up to Christmas. These classes are an hour – long session and is an activity that is really enjoyed by the children. We thank you for your support and hope you will help encourage your child throughout the year to stay Active!!!