Category: Primary Schools

Holy Bear!

Photo of a Junior Infants Class in the original Presentation Convent N.S. from 1977 (approx) The new (current) building dates from 1978.

Back Row: Teacher – Mary McSweeney ? (originally of Minor Row), Denis Cronin, Mark Doherty, John O’Riordan, Edward O’Sullivan, Kieran Kelleher, Adrian Kelleher, Conor Corcoran, Stephen Duggan, Martin O’Shea.

Middle Row: Dan Barry, Thomas Barrett, Kevin Smith, Mick Murphy, Paddy Cotter, Noelle Crowley, Lisa Murphy,  Carmel Dineen, Rose Regan, Noel Creedon, Donal Moynihan, Dermot Daly, Brian Murphy.

Front Row: Veronica O’Mahony, Liz Cotter,  Eileen McCarthy, Karen Kelleher, Tina Murphy,  Nuala O’ Leary, Michelle O’Leary.

Special thanks to Lisa Murphy (who now lives in New York) who gave us the the photo. She also asked to “Please ask all my Millstreet friends to keep my 3yr old son Adam in their prayers as he is due to have his 3rd open heart surgery very soon”. [read more …] “Holy Bear!”

Kerry Life Education Mobile Unit in Cullen

Mobile Unit at Cullen Church Car Park
Kerry Life Education Mobile Unit in Cullen today (30th Sept. 2010)

Children from Cullen and Carriganima National Schools attended the Kerry Life Education Mobile Unit within which a wonderfully educational presentation superbly co-ordinated by Séamus Whitty took place in the Car Park of Cullen [read more …] “Kerry Life Education Mobile Unit in Cullen”

Presentations at Millstreet Library

The culmination of the wonderfully successful "Summer Reading Challenge" which took place throughout Summer 2010 at Millstreet Library, was marked this Saturday evening with the presentation of Certificates to the many young participants. Pictured here are some of the enthusiastic readers receiving their personalised Certificates from Librarian, Breda O'Leary who coordinated the excellent scheme and by Kathleen Moynihan (Raheen, Rathmore), Storyteller supreme and Book Club Facilitator. Appetising refreshments were provided for everyone to mark the celebratory occasion. A Book Club is organised on a Saturday throughout the year on a monthly basis. Lots of updates on Millstreet Library happenings on http://twitter.com/corkcolibrary (Seán)

Sean Radley retires

Yesterday saw the end of an era as Seán Radley officially retired from his teaching position in the Presentation National School. As a teacher he has been renowned for the quality of his work, emphasised by the fact that he was asked to give lectures in universities in Cork and Dublin. Most in Millstreet know Seán through the schools, or through his tremendous work in the community with Millstreet Museum, LTV2, and more recently here on millstreet.ie, and his efforts in the community are appreciated by all. We wish him well with this transition, and we are sure that he’ll be as ever-present in the community as before.

School Photograph of 1950s

As promised on 15th July 2010 we now feature that very special c.1954 school photograph kindly provided by Joe Hickey (Killarney & Millstreet) and identified by Joe, Jerry Lehane and Tommy Burke – all of whom appear in the picture. The location is Millstreet Boys’ National School on Clara Road and the teacher is Mr. William (Bill) O’Keeffe. It’s likely that there are two classes included – possibly, 3rd and 4th Class. We are hoping that someone may identify the one person we have been unable to identify.  (Seán Radley for www.millstreet.ie )

Note: a larger photo has been uploaded for a better view of the picture. Click on the photo below to see it:

Front (from left): Connie Murphy, Tommy Dowling, Maurice Linehan, Teddy O'Mahony, Joe Devine, Teddy O'Leary, Brendan Burke, Tommy Burke. Second Row (from left): Eugene Barrett, Patrick (Patsy) Twomey, Brendan Kiely, Jerry Lehane, Michael O'Leary, Christopher Murphy, Michael Singleton, Joe Hickey, Michael Carroll, Connie Hickey. Third Row (from left): John Joe Forde, John Lee, Vincent McSweeney, Ted Cotter, John (Jack) Evans, Maurice O'Donoghue, Timothy Scally, Paddy Joe Cotter, Jerry Cronin, Daniel O'Shea, William (Billy) Corkery, Basil Gurry. Fourth Row (from left): Mr. William O'Keeffe, Patrick M. O'Sullivan, John Radley, Finbarr Buckley, John Carroll, Desmond Palmer, Kevin Cronin, Anthony (Tony) Fitzgerald.

2010 AIB Better Ireland Awards

Pictured at the presentation of the 2010 AIB Better Ireland Award Cheques in the Millstreet, Co. Cork Branch of AIB on Thursday, 15th April.    From left:  Seán Brennan, Branch Manager AIB Millstreet, Sr. Mercedes Behan (representing St. Vincent de Paul, Millstreet – St. Patrick’s Conference – €2,000.00 cheque),  Joan O’Mahony. Principal (representing Presentation N.S., Millstreet – €3,000.00 cheque),  Diarmuid McCarthy, Principal (representing Holy Family N.S., Rathmore, Co. Kerry – €5,000.00 cheque) and Mary Murphy, AIB Better Ireland Programme Coordinator, Millstreet AIB Branch, Co. Cork. (Picture: Seán Radley)

See the AIB Better Ireland Press Release below: [read more …] “2010 AIB Better Ireland Awards”

Mrs. O’Sullivan Cup Presentation

Annabelle O’Sullivan presenting the “Mrs. O’Sullivan” Cup to the victorious Knocknagree N.S. Quiz Team – Andrew Sheehan, Darren Brosnan (Captain), Eoghan McSweeney and Paul O’Connor – at the recent Cloghoula N.S. (Millstreet) Sports and Pattern Day.  Also included is Mary Murphy, Principal, Cloghoula National School.  Pic.:  Seán Radley

UCC Focal Scoir Award for Seán Radley

Seán Radley was recently presented with an award by UCC Department of Education after giving an influential Lecture to the Postgraduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs teachers group.. He said himself:

It was quite an honour to have been asked to give the “Focal Scoir” lecture to the Munster Post Graduates who have just come to the end of their UCC Course in the area of Learning Support and Special Education Needs. They were such a supportive and uplifting audience. The picture was taken by Michael English in the exquisite gardens of Mardyke House, UCC.

There is an article on this weeks Corkman with the full details of this story

AIB’s Better Ireland Programme

As part of the AIB Better Ireland Programme, your local AIB branch has €10,000 to give to deserving children’s projects in your area. The three local childrens projects are:

A. the Presentation National School,
B. the Holy Family National School, and
C. St.Patricks Conference, SVP Millstreet.

The project that attracts the most votes will be awarded €5,000. Second place will receive €3,000 and third place €2,000. You can vote by texting MILLSTREET A, MILLSTREET B, or MILLSTREET C to 51303 which costs 8c and you can do iot as many times as you like, or you can do it for free on betterireland.ie/vote.html (screenshot above) but you can only do it once every 12 hours! Voting closes on March 15th, so get your votes in and support your community.

Millstreet Matters: Concern for Ballydaly National School

RATHDUANE NATIONAL SCHOOL: The future of Rathduane National School is under the spotlight as parents and friends go all out to save their local rural based primary school base.

Concerned associates from the greater Ballydaly catchment area are hoping to offset dwindling numbers.

Rathduane National School is an excellent example of a primary school establishment that flourished and adapted to the changing fortunes of time. It has been and, hopefully to parents and friends, will remain a focal point for learning in their small community.

This is a sniplet from the Millstreet Matters column on the Corkman website, which also contains all the other news from the Millstreet area.

Schools Closed until Thursday 14th January

Schools Closed until Thursday 14th January

The Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe TD, has told all primary and post-primary schools to close on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of next week due to the bad weather.

Minister O’Keeffe took the decision in the interest of the welfare of school children.

The Minister took the decision following a meeting today [Friday] of the Government’s emergency planning group and in the context of the poor weather outlook for the coming days.

Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘I took the decision to close all schools based on my concern for the health and safety of school children in these very challenging weather conditions.

‘I considered, in particular, the forecast for snowfall on Sunday and Monday which will cause further disruption.

[read more …] “Schools Closed until Thursday 14th January”

Schools Closed until next Monday

It was announced last night that due to the treacherous nature of the roads, footpaths and concreted areas, all schools in Millstreet will remain closed until next Monday (11th January). This includes Presentation Convent, Boys National School, Millstreet Community School, Ballydaly National School and Cloghoula National School. There is no information on the other schools. With the freezing weather set to continue into next week, this will have to be reviewed in due course for the first few days of next week.

The schools have now been  off for three weeks over the Christmas period, as they were closed for two days before Christmas for the same reasons. I wonder are the kids happy to be off still, or would they prefer to be back with their friends?

Cloghoula National School – Whole School Evaluation

The Department of Education and Science have published an inspection report on Cloghoula National School. We have added the conclusion below, but the whole report is available to read on the Department’s website. Also available are older reports for all the other schools in the Millstreet area, which are also listed below:

Conclusion:

The school has strengths in the following areas:

  • A highly motivated and dedicated principal and staff.
  • A proactive board of management.
  • A collaborative approach to the work of the school
  • A high quality of education is provided
  • The school environment is happy and stimulating.
  • The children are well-behaved and cooperative.
  • The school is an important focal point in the community and a positive reflection of local customs, practices and expectations.

[read more …] “Cloghoula National School – Whole School Evaluation”

Happy Face Potrait Competition

See full size imageAndrea Todt of PHOTO-Graphics which is the photography service based in the West End of Millstreet is running a photography competition from Wednesday 25th November to Saturday 12th December to find the Happiest Face in Duhallow.

The competition is being run in association with the Presentation National School Fund which recently completed an extension to the school, and is also being supported by a number of local sponsors.

Every participant will have their own 20 minute photography session and the best photo will be chosen to forward to the jury to select the winner. There are two categories:

  • Category A: children from 1 year up to second birthday, and
  • Category B: children from 3 years up to fourth birthday

C1D_4782_6x4As Andrea herself says:

The Happy Face Portrait Competition, for me, focuses on the most important element in any school – the children.

You can read the full note from Andrea; read how to enter the competition; the list of sponsors; and see who will judge the winners.

North Cork Enterprise Board Schools Enterprise Programme

millstreetschoolsprogramme-600
At the launch of the North Cork Enterprise Board Schools Enterprise Programme at Springfort Hall were from left, Winnie Fitzgerald, Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown; Derry Morley, Millstreet Community School; Cullen native, Minister for Education, Batt O'Keeffe who launched the programme; Eddrina Casey, Presentation Secondary School, Mitchelstown; Tom Pittam, Millstreet Community School and Marie White, Presentation Secondary School,Mitchelstown. (Photo by Patrick Casey)

Plastic Kerrymen

When the Cork teams are playing
your heart would fill with pride
what a shame to be a plastic
and support the other side
.
From dear old Ballydaly
back to the county bounds
a strange little creature
in some places can be found
.
So, if you can’t support your own county
we don’t need you anymore
go ahead and pack your bags
and buzz off to Rathmore
.
They’ll send you to Killorglin
a lovely town of note
you’ll be very welcome
they always need a GOAT!

by Jerry Lehane

Transcript recited by Chloe Collins on RTE last Saturday night. Of course there’s lots of them Plastics appearing out since the match last Sunday. “C” reg cars with their kerry flags out the window. To be avoided 😉

Video: Up for the Match

RTE have posted video of “Up for the Match” that was shown last night on RTE1 and included a segment from the Town Park, and the Presentation Convent School.

20000101_Cn_187upforthematch09

Follow this link to get to the video: http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1055791

Move the video forward to 41:30 and the part from Millstreet is shown, featuring the poem “Plastic Kerryman” written by Jerry Lehane and read by Chloe Collins. The segment ends at 43:45.

The video is only available until October 10th.

Up for the Match: Part 2

Owing to the huge interest in the pictures from a few days ago, her are lots of more photos:

Chloé Collins superbly recited Jerry Lehane's Cork/Kerry poem
Chloé Collins superbly recited Jerry Lehane's Cork/Kerry poem

Magnificent Cork colours in evidence at Presentation N.S., Millstreet on Friday, 11th September for the excitng visit of the RTÉ crew filming for “Up for the Match” scheduled to be broadcast on RTÉ 1 television after the 9pm News this Saturday night   The focus for the sequence was on Chloé Collins who superbly recited Jerry Lehane’s Cork/Kerry poem in front of the many enthusiastic pupils in the school playground …

[read more …] “Up for the Match: Part 2”

Up for the Match

Fr Declan driving the Cork children mad!
Fr Declan driving the Cork children mad!

Wonderfully colourful preparations at Presentation N.S., Millstreet for next Sunday’s All Ireland Football Final between Cork and Kerry in Croke Park. RTÉ came to film a sequence for “Up for the Match” (Saturday 9:30pm on RTÉ1 ) while Cork and Kerry newspaper photographers visited the school on Wednesday, 16th Sept. 2009. Meanwhile Seán Murphy and Margaret Pierce got to hold the real Sam Maguire Cup in Dunmanway last Friday night at the opening of the Sam Maguire Annual Festival. (Seán Radley for www.millstreet.ie )

Lots of more photos below
[read more …] “Up for the Match”

Principal replacing prefabs with bricks

A MILLSTREET school principal has saved the Dept of Education at least €14.6 million after putting forward a proposal to use grant money to build new classrooms rather than waste it on renting prefabricated units.

Joan O’Mahony recently learned that her proposal will now be rolled out nationwide by the Minister for Education, Batt O’Keeffe who hails from nearby Cullen.

The very humorous principal told The Corkman that Millstreet Convent NS has been allowed use its grant aid of €240,000 to build two new classrooms rather than buying prefabricated units.

“We are a country school and know the value of money, and I could not justify spending €240,000 on prefabricated units when I’d have two fine classrooms for it instead,” said Joan O’Mahony.

The school, with over 200 students, was built during the famine.

Read the full article here: http://www.corkman.ie/news/millstreet-principal-leads-drive-to-replace-prefabs-with-bricks-1789574.html

Presentation National School Fundraising

‘CHERISHING THE PAST…BUILDING THE FUTURE’

These two images introduce us to a new webpage which will outline the building programme at the school, the fund-raising efforts, the progress of the actual building and how the challenging task is being addressed with courage and inspiring dedication.

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A dedicated team of helpers (mainly parents of children who are, have or will be attending the school) preparing the fund-raising literature at Presentation N.S., Millstreet on Tuesday, 2nd june 2009.

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Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe on Tuesday, 2nd June 2009 reviews progress of the current Building Programme at Presentation N.S., Millstreet. Regular updates will appear on the rapid advancement of the important project.

The Presentation Sisters provided education for the children of Millstreet since the 1840’s. The first school was built as a result of strong conviction, great courage and tremendous sacrifice. Since then, generations of parents continued to make sacrifices for the good of their children. Today, that faithful tradition continues in the people of Millstreet. It is also reflected in the school staff, as they strive to continue working in the spirit of Nano Nagle who said: “Look after the children.”

[read more …] “Presentation National School Fundraising”