Broadford N.S. Newsletter 2016/2017

It’s been a very fun and interesting year for all the children in Broadford National School. The year began by welcoming our most recent class of eleven new junior infants. As you can see, they are a lovely group of children and they have completely settled into our school community.

~ Infants 2016This year the children took part once more in Edenderry Library’s Read Anything, Anytime, Anywhere Initiative. In total, we read for almost twenty-nine days! On the subject of reading, we have been lucky enough to be able to update our school library in each classroom. This wouldn’t have been possible without the fundraising of our parent’s association and the support of the local community.Senior classes took part in the Enfield Credit Union Quiz. All four teams that represented the school should be very proud of themselves. Computer lessons resumed this year and the children also continued their weekly saving scheme with the Credit Union.

The Parent’s Association hosted a Halloween party for all the children. It was a brilliant afternoon filled with laughter, dancing, terrifying costumes and sweets!

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~ Some of the terrifying ghouls, witches and monsters that attended the Halloween party

The school had a great day out at the pantomime in December. This year we went to see Aladdin in the Helix. All classes performed in our Christmas Carol Service in the church. A huge amount of thanks must be paid to Mrs. Hayden for all of her hard work and preparation in the run up to the event.We also opened our doors to many interesting and educational experiences this year. The Sky Dome afforded the children an opportunity to step into our solar system while sitting in the comfort of the P.E. hall. This was a truly out of this world experience! We also welcomed Michele Castiaux, a heritage expert to our school. She delivered a water conservation programme to all classes. In addition, she taught a map reading and drawing programme to our senior classes. The children then prepared their own maps of our school yard. Third and fourth class visited Roy Gallie’s farm after reading “Charlotte’s Web”. The children really enjoyed the visit and the ice cream that Roy so kindly supplied. Katie Black represented the school in the Kildare Spelling Bee round of the National Spelling Bee competition. She did a super job and was successful in reaching a more than respectable third place. We look forward to taking part again next year!

It’s been a very successful year in sports for the school. Both our boys and girls took part in the Cumann na mBunscoil Gaelic football competitions. They took part in the Under 11, Senior and Mini 7’s competitions. Our girls managed to reach the Under 11 County Final which was played in Moorefield against Robertstown. It was a hard-fought game with many scoring chances converted on both sides. However, it wasn’t to be Broadford’s day as Robertstown came out victorious in what was a very close game.

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~ Ms. Bergin and the Under 11 Girls’ Team

Alongside the success of our own girls’ team, Broadford N.S. had the pleasure of welcoming the Kildare Ladies All Ireland winning team. The ladies visited the school after we were announced as the best decorated school before the All Ireland Final. It was a fantastic occasion where we hosted the champions, however, it was made even better when you consider that one of our own past pupils, Erica Burke, and one of our teachers at the time, Miss Moolick, returned as two of the victorious players.

The children also took part in the Kildare Cross Country Running Competition. We sent two boys and two girls teams to the event. While we didn’t win the team competitions, we did have a victory on an individual level. Ruby Stueven took off from the start line and never looked back. She ran a very impressive race and led from start to finish. We were all hoarse from cheering her over the line as she beat runners from all over the county to become the Small School’s Girls Cross Country Champion.

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~ Cross Country Teams 2016

Tag rugby coaching went ahead as usual for 5th and 6th class this year. The school took part in a tag rugby blitz competition. We entered a team of ten students who battled bravely to fight off the challenge of many local teams. They finished up in second place after a nail biting final.

~ Broadford N.S. Tag Rugby Team

Our school also welcomed visiting coaches from Kildare GAA, Clogherinkoe GAA, and Leinster Rugby.

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~ Some of our students enjoying the coaching sessions Our school also took part in Operation Transformation 10 @ 10. This was great fun and it allowed the entire school to learn about the importance of physical activity. Continuing on from the interest generated by Operation Transformation, the school participated in the Food Dudes Programme. This promoted the benefits of eating fruit and vegetables and was accompanied by a set of videos the students could watch in the classroom while eating their delicious portions of food supplied by the programme. I’m glad to say that the healthier choices have continued to appear in the lunchboxes and it’s now common sight to see students snacking on carrot sticks, strawberries, peppers and lots more healthy foods.

~ Infants showing the food dudes reward they earned for eating their fruit and vegetables

The Green School’s initiative is still alive and well in the school. We are currently working towards our third green flag for water conservation as well as maintaining the great work involved in obtaining our litter and waste management flag and energy flag. Orchestra lessons have continued over the past year with Mrs. Patricia Higgins. The orchestra recently treated us to an end of year performance which was outstanding. Our leaders this year were Ray Hanley and Conor Myles.

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Likewise, music and singing classes have continued with Mrs. Hayden. The classes performed in an end of year concert and were lucky enough to be accompanied by Colman Pearce on piano. Colman was the Principal Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra from 1981 until 1983. We are very proud to report that he had nothing but good things to say about our students and their performances.

~ Some of our orchestra members during their concert

~ Future orchestra members!

Congratulations to the second class students who made their First Holy Communion and to the sixth class students who made their Confirmation this year. We were treated to two lovely ceremonies and were surrounded by some of the lovely art created by the students.

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~ First Holy Communion art piece / Confirmation art gift used during the ceremony

Our School Tours have just finished. The infants, first and second class visited the zoo. Third and fourth class went to Glendalough and Clara Lara, while fifth and sixth class went to Lilliput Adventure Centre. If you would like to see some photographs from the tours please visit the school website which is being kept up to date by Ms. Bergin and Mrs. Swaine.As you can see, we have had a very busy year. The running of our school is a team effort. None of this would be possible without the help and support of parents. A lot of fundraising has gone on throughout the year to help us make our school the best that it can be. Some of the fundraising events include “Fun Bingo”, “Bring and Buy Sale”, “St. Patrick’s Day Céilí”, “Good Friday Poker Classic”, “Tractor Run” and “Progressive 25’s”. The school also hosted a cake sale in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital. A sincere thankyou goes out to all of the parents, students and members of the community who supported these fundraising events.

We have been awarded a Summer Works Scheme grant to perform a complete upgrade of our existing heating system within the school. We envisage that work should begin mid-July for this project.

Finally, we must reluctantly say goodbye to nine of our students this year. They have been a fantastic example to the rest of the school. They have created memories in Broadford National School that they will hold with them for the rest of their lives. They have had an impact on every staff member in a positive way and they will be missed. The schools that they will attend next year are very lucky to be receiving such friendly, enthusiastic and well-mannered students. I have no doubt that they will

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go on to achieve great things in their lives and continue to make their parents proud. Thank you to the Board of Management, Parent’s Association, the school staff, the students, the local community, Broadford Resident’s Association and everyone who helped our school in any way this year. I hope you have a happy, safe and enjoyable summer. Let’s recharge the batteries and do it all again next year!

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