Green Schools Outdoor Gardening Activity (April 2024): Preparing the School Garden for Seed Sowing

Senior Room pupils hard at work preparing the raised beds for sowing and planting.

Senior Room pupils enjoy preparing the beds for sowing.

Some children working together getting to grips with those troublesome weeds!! Bail Ó Dhia ar an Obair.

Pupils enjoying some valuable time outdoors in the school garden.

Jujitzu Classes with Instructors Cathal Lovett & Rowan Watkins.

Senior Room and Junior Room pupils who participated in the Jujitzu classes.

Drumadore Drumming Workshop: 19th April 2024

Senior Room pupils experiencing what it is like to be a drummer for the day.

Children enjoying a game of ‘Follow my Lead’ with the drums.

Pupils creating rhythms and energetic moves with their drumsticks.

Green Schools Activity (Senior Room): Planting Seeds for Food & Biodiversity Flag 09/02/24

Local gardener Maeve Lynch showing the children how to plant seeds in trays.

Fifth class girls planting cabbage, cress, aubergine, sage and sprouting seeds.

Plenty to discuss and lots of decisions to make.

Pupils sowing cabbage seeds in trays for early transplanting in the sringtime.

Gardening is great fun. All hands to the pump!
Ní neart go cur le chéile!!!

Pupils busy at work filling the trays with compost and dividing the seeds into the different compartments.

Maeve Lynch (local gardener) shows pupils the correct method for sowing seeds in spring.

Maeve Lynch shows pupils how to sow some cress seeds in a tray.

Fifth class boys are very busy planting sage, cabbage , aubergine and sprouting seeds.

Seed trays are placed on window sills for sunlight.

Cabbage seed tray on our window sill in the Senior Room

Our work is finished . Let’s watch them grow!
Bail Ó Dhia ar an Obair!!!

Green Schools Activity (Junior Room): Planting Seeds for Food & Biodiversity Flag 09/02/24

Biodiversity Workshop (Senior Room) in association with the Heritage Council-20/02/2024

Senior Room pupils are pictured here doing drawings and rubbings of our native birds.

Pupils here at this table are trying to recreate in their artwork the flamboyant plumage of our male birds.

Third and Fourth Class Pupils completing their bird drawings and examining the Bird Survey Questionnaire.

Fifth class pupils display their bird drawings and rubbings.

Biodiversity Workshop (Junior Room) in association with the Heritage Council 20/02/24

Christmas Outing to Eye Cinema in Galway to see the ‘Home Alone’ movie-(19/12/2023)

Group Photograph shows both the Junior and Senior Room at the Eye Cinema, Galway.

Some of the Senior Room boys in Supermacs enjoying their meals.

Some of the Junior Room at Supermacs enjoying their refreshments.

Senior Room girls enjoying their day out at Supermacs.

Junior Room boys having an amazing day at Supermacs.

Some very patient customers waiting for their Kids Meals!!!!

A Selection of Christmas and Winter Art

Motte and Bailey Projects: Made from Recyclable Materials: 5th & 6th Class.

Mad Scientist Day during Science Week

Hallowe’en 2023: Enjoying Hallowe’en Games with our friends from Moyglass N.S. – (26/10/2023)

Trip to Birr Castle for Maths Week-17/10/2023

Group photograph of children at Birr Castle.

Students busy at work doing some mathematical activities.

It’s nice to be Queen of the Castle even if it’s only for one day!!

Solve this Problem: There are 6 children on a slide. How many fingers and toes do they have altogether?

The Beginning of the Year Mass and the Unveiling of the Garden Bench in memory of Rosaline Lynch Kelly (Former Principal of St. Feichín’s N.S.) 12/10/2023

Dissection of a Squid

Writing with Squid Ink

Our New Junior Infants 2023

We extend a warm welcome to our ten Junior Infants who started school today-31/08/2023. We hope they enjoyed their first day at school and we wish them well in their journey ahead.

Tennis

On Friday the 23rd of June the pupils enjoyed a tennis lesson from Billy. Thank you Billy for a fun & energetic lesson learning lots of new tennis skills!

End of Year Mass & 6th Class Graduation

Thank you to the pupils in St. Feichíns N.S. and parents for a lovely end of year mass in the Church of the Assumption, Abbey on Thursday the 22nd of June 2023. Congratulations to the pupils in 6th class on graduating also. The 6th class pupils completed a beautiful picture to depict them leaving primary school and moving onto secondary school. We wish them the best of luck and every success in their future.

The School Garden

Our marigold flowerbed is full of colour.

These are purple and pink lupins in our triangular flowerbed.

These geraniums are very pretty at this time of year and they give a lovely splash of colour to the exterior of our school. Thanks to Maeve Lynch for all of her hard work with the window boxes and the school garden.

Active Week – Sports Day

On Thursday the 15th of June Sports Day took place. The pupils participated in lots of activities, including the 3 legged race, relay races, the egg and spoon race, tag, water-based relays, an obstacle course and musical statues.

Active Week – Table Tennis Tournament and orienteering

On Wednesday the 14th of June, the senior room had a very enjoyable table tennis tournament outside as well as some orienteering around the school using the ‘Active Walkway’. Spot the shade seekers hiding from the sun! 🙂

Active Week – School Fitness Ireland

On Tuesday the 13th of June Michael from School Fitness Ireland visited the school. We had a really enjoyable day completing yoga, gymnastics, box aerobics and athletic games.

Marine Science Workshop with Brendan Joyce-7th June 2023

Active Week in the Junior Room June 12th -16th 2023

Pupils are put through their paces by coach Damien of Fitness Ireland

Junior Room Obstacle Course

Who can fill the basin first?

Welly Throwing Competition

Junior Room Sports Day

Some Funny Faces during the Junior Room Sports Day

Portumna Castle Outing- 12th June 2023

Children exploring in the garden with gardiner Lynn.

Junior Room Bubblegum Art.

Can you recognise these faces? They are very familiar.

All Ireland Community Games Final-30th August 2023

Congratulations to our 4th class girls who are part of the Tynagh/ Woodford Community Games Relay Team who qualified for the All-Ireland Community Games Final in Carlow on 30th August.

Well done girls and the best of luck in Carlow!!

Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Semi- Final St. Feichín’s N.S. Abbey V Windfield N.S.

St. Feichín’s N.S. 5-a-side Hurling Team who played Windfield N.S. in the Roinn N Cumann na mBunscol Semi-Final in Kiltormer (13/06/2023)

Well done to St. Feichín’s N.S. Hurling Team who were narrowly defeated by Windfield N.S. in the Semi Final of the Roinn N Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Competition. (13th June 2023)

St. Feichín’s N.S. Abbey 3-3, Windfield N.S. 5-10 (13/06/23)
Thanks to Joan Poland for refereeing a wonderful game of hurling.

Cumann na mBunscol 5-a-side Camogie

The St. Feichín’s N.S. 5-a-side Camogie Team who defeated Woodford/Derryoober,
Drim and Ballinakill in the Roinn K Cumann na mBunscol qualifiers in Woodford GAA Pitch (07/06/2023)

St. Feichín’s 5-a-side Camogie Team- June 2023

Cumann na mBunscol 5-a-side Hurling

On the 25th of May 2023 the Abbey N.S. 5-a-side Hurling Team defeated Ballyturn and Northhampton and qualified for the Cumann na mBunscol Semi Final.

Abbey N.S. celebrating success in Kinvara G.A.A. grounds.

Confirmation

On the 6th of May the 5th and 6th class at St. Feichín’s National School, Abbey celebrated their confirmation in Duniry church, along with the 5th and 6th class in Duniry National School. Congratulations to all the children who made their confirmation and for a wonderful mass and celebration.

Active Week – Visit to Portumna Castle and Gardens

On Monday the 12th of June the school visited Portumna Castle and Gardens. The children had a very interesting tour of the castle from Brigid learning about the functions of the different rooms, the history of the castle, its connection to the Beaufort scale as well as the story of Fury the dog. The pupils then had a tour from the castle gardener, Lynn, who told them about the kitchen gardens and the reason for the different coloured bricks and high walls around the garden in order to protect it. The children got to investigate the willow maze in the castle gardens. The children also got to explore the Friary in Portumna, went on a walk, played some games in the field behind the castle and finished off the day with a trip to the local playground.

Senior Room School Tour

On Thursday the 8th of June the senior room attended their school tour at ‘The Fun Academy’ in the Cistercian College in Roscrea. The children had a fun-filled day starting straight into activities. Some of the activities that the pupils completed included orienteering, cooperative games, dodgeball, tug of war, relays, spongy polo, basketball as well a lot of turns on the inflatable waterslide and the inflatable obstacle course. The children finished off their day with a trip to the shop and some ice cream.

Eoin O’Connor inspired art

The pupils in the senior room were really inspired by the art of Eoin O’Connor. We decided to look and respond to his art work and complete our own take on it. Once completed, we sent on a picture of the artwork to him. Eoin O’Connor responded to our email and sent us a little note and one of his calendars. We were so delighted to receive this. Thank you so much Eoin O’Connor!

Marine Science Workshop

On Wednesday the 7th of June Brendan Joyce visited the school to talk all about Marine Science. The children enjoyed learning all about the different mammals and fish within the Atlantic Ocean as well as getting to hold the different fossils and bones that were brought in by Brendan. The children got to examine some plankton under the microscope also.

School Centenary History Talk with Local Historian Ann Hodgins

Local historian Ann Hodgins visited the school on the 30th of May 2023. She presented a talk on the old schools in the area and the foundation of our school in 1922. We visited Lady Well, the monastery and the old school at Julie Lynch’s. It was a very informative day and the children really enjoyed hearing about their locality and what life was like in 1922!!

Local Historian Ann Hodgins with the Junior Room

Local Historian Ann Hodgins with the Senior Room

Ann Hodgins showing all the pupils the drinking water at Lady Well.

The pupils at the entrance to Lady Well.

Ann Hodgins shows the pupils the site of Burke’s Tomb of Marble Hill with the Gothic Arches in the background

Ann Hodgins shows the pupils the site of the kitchen where the monks prepared their meals.

The pupils visit the site of the old school at Julie Lynch’s House in the village.

Pupils enjoying their history tour with views of the Abbey of Kilnalahan in the background.

Football Blitz

The school had a great day out in Tynagh on the 16th of May with the girls and on the 18th of May with the boys as they participated in a Gaelic football blitz. Well done to the boys and girls teams of St. Feichín’s National School as they put in an excellent performance on both days and well done to all the other school teams that participated on the day also.

Grandparents Day

On Thursday the 23rd of March we celebrated Grandparents day in the school. We had a lovely mass that was celebrated by Fr. Bohan. We enjoyed tea and treats after the mass. We prepared for our day of celebration by interviewing our grandparents and making some weavings with knitting wool.

Bricks 4 Kids Engineering Day

We had a really enjoyable day learning all about the different types of engineering facilitated by Bricks 4 Kids and the Science Foundation Ireland. Thanks to Una for helping us to make some really cool aeroplanes made from Lego.

Junior Room Lego Workshop- 27th March 2023

First Class display their Lego Aeroplanes.

First and Second Class are busy at work constructing a Lego aeroplane.

Pupils from First and Second Class beginning their construction work on a model aeroplane.

Pupils from First Class assembling their model aeroplanes.

Junior Infants proudly display their Lego Creations!!

Junior and Senior Infants -Lego Workshop

Junior Room Hurling

Hurling Training with coach Lauren Solan

World Down syndrome Day

We had a wonderful day celebrating World Down syndrome Day. We wore colourful and fluffy socks to celebrate the day.

St. Patricks Day Celebrations at St. Feichín’s N.S.

Beannachtaí Lá Fhéile Phádraig daoibh go léir – from the senior room!

Third and fourth class posing with their St. Patricks Day art!

Fifth and sixth class posing with their St. Patricks Day art!

St. Patrick’s Day Festivities in the Junior Room-Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig

Junior Room Funny Poses for St. Patrick’s Day

Junior Room-Artist in Residency Blast Programme

Junior Room Art Activity -Blast Programme

Junior and Senior Infants busy doing artwork

World Book Day 2023-Junior Room

Junior and Senior Infants dressed up as their favourite characters from their favourite books.

First and Second Class on World Book Day (2nd March 2023)

Some funny faces on World Book Day (2nd March 2023)

World Book Day 2023 – Senior Room

Third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes dressed up as their favourite character for World Book Day 2023.

Third and fourth class – World Book Day 2023.

Fifth and sixth class – World Book Day 2023.

Pancake Tuesday

We had a lot of fun here in Abbey National School on Tuesday the 21st of February making pancakes. Here are some of the pancakes we got to make and decorate in school.

Art Blast Programme

Some of the artwork we have been completing over the last number of weeks with artist Therese Murphy.

Dance Classes

Dance classes are taking place in the school with dance teacher Laura Geary. A range of different dance styles are being completed such as modern, hip-hop, traditional and contemporary with both the Junior Room and the Senior Room.

Junior Room Dance Class: Stretching Time

Music Lessons with Yvonne Barrett

The pupils at St. Feichín’s National School have been enjoying their music lessons with Ms. Yvonne Barrett thought the school year. The pupils learn new songs and tunes on their traditional instruments each week

The senior room practicing their singing.

The junior room practicing their singing.

Music Generation Lessons

Brass instruments played by the senior room. Pupils are learning various brass instruments including trumpets, cornets and euphoniums.

Pupils are also learning the drums and some juggling skills with teachers Ronan and Shane from Music Generation.

Christmas Concert: 15th December 2022

Junior Room Dancing-The Walls of Limerick

Junior Room Dance: The Walls of Limerick

Junior Room- singing and performing in the concert.

Children performing in the Christmas Play: The Unexpected Christmas Visitor

Junior Room on stage singing some Christmas Carols.

Children performing in the Christmas Play.

(Junior Room Art) Paper Plate Creations for Christmas: Santa Claus

Junior Room Art Work: Prints of Christmas Trees

Senior Room Art Work

Some of the Senior Rooms art work throughout this year (2022/2023)

Celebrating the Chinese New year (the year of the Rabbit) by making some Chinese Lanterns.

Some of the Senior Rooms Christmas artwork.

Our Christmas Village made from recycled milk cartons.

Some of our Halloween themed art.

Our spooky castles using cool toned colours

Our hanging bats using recycled materials

Our bats flying into the horizon, using warm toned colours.

The Natural History Museum Dublin

In the senior class we had a very interesting Zoom call with Emma from the Natural History Museum in Dublin. We learnt all about the Museum and the various extinct animals that can be found up there. We decided to make some books using book creator with all our new found knowledge. Here are some of our books and their covers.

Swimming lessons in Ballinasloe. September – October 2022

Photos from the 100 Years Anniversary Celebration on the 20th May 2022:

Click on the below link to view a slideshow of photos we received from past and present pupils for the 100 year anniversary celebration:

https://youtu.be/D74a6pV13fE

Roinn P -Hurling Blitz Winners.
The boys in the Senior Room travelled to Kinvara on Tuesday the 31st
of May to take part in the Cumann na mBunscol hurling competition.
They won all three of their matches beating Raheen N.S., St. Columba’s
(Ballyturn & Derrybrien) and Northampton. The matches were very
competitive and the boys exhibited a great display of hurling on the
day. Well done boys! Here are some match photographs from the
competition.

: Roinn P -Hurling Blitz

Happy Christmas!

Click on the below links to enjoy our music, poems and songs:

https://youtu.be/BvVttwZUJS0

https://youtu.be/s6bdg3ah9T8

Halloween October 2021:

Portumna Blitz 07 October 2021:

Thanks to everyone involved for organising the hurling/camogie blitz in Portumna, the children had a great day. They are pictured here with the O’Duffy cup which marks Galway’s fourth All Ireland Senior Camogie title.

First Communion 2021

Galway Community Circus comes to Abbey:

School Fitness Ireland Class 2021:

Science Week 2020:

Halloween 2020:

Active School Powerpoint:

Active School Powerpoint- St Feichins NS

Christmas 2020:

To get into the festive spirit listen to our talented singers sing some Christmas carols, just click on the links below and sit back and enjoy:

Junior Room:

A selection of Christmas Songs

Senior Room:

Walking in the Air

Must be Santa

Somewhere only we know

Christmas has started

Junior Infants 2020:

We would like to extend a huge welcome to Leah, Ajay, Sarah, Elyse, Sasha and Tadhg who started this year, we hope you will be very happy here:

6th Class Graduation

Below is a link to our 6th class graduation video. Our eldest pupils will go down in history for being the first class to have a virtual graduation! They have contributed so much to the life of the school during their time here. We wish them a happy summer and the very best of luck in secondary school.

https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ACy5r5QLblzRUeo&v=photos&id=7767BC306FE58290%213899&cid=7767BC306FE58290

Junior Room 2020

Here are some of our activities so far this year:

Christmas Concert

One of the highlights of our year, the Christmas Concert took place on Tuesday the 17^th of December in the Community Hall. The Junior room performed It’s a Baby and the Senior room performed Christmas Stars. There was also entertainment from our very talented singers and musicians. Its was a great night.

Active Travel Day November 2019

The school is in the process of renewing our Green Flag. We are working towards our 9^th Green Flag in Global Citizenship Travel. As part of Clean Air Week we held a very successful Active Travel Day on the 22^nd of November 2019. The staff and the children accompanied by their parents, traveled to school using sustainable modes of travel. To reward the children for their efforts we treated them to a healthy breakfast when they arrived at school. An enjoyable day was had by all and thanks to everyone for helping out on the day to make it such a success. A special thanks to Maura Murphy for donating the wonderful scones for our special day and to Niamh Killeen for her help with organising the food.

Active School Flag

The Active School Flag is awarded to schools that strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The process aims to get our school more active, more often. We will have a number activities taking place during the year as part of our Active School Flag. Our Halloween walk taking place on Friday October 25^th is one of the activities and there will be more to follow during the year.

Beginning of Year Mass

Our Beginning of Year Mass was also our remembrance mass for Fr. Abe. It was held in the church on Thursday the 10^th of October and we would like to thank Fr. Agustine Chifu for a lovely service. The kind words by Margaret Burke and the readings and prayers by the children made it a beautiful mass. We would also like to thank Yvonne Barrett for organising the music. Our musicians deserve a special mention; Padraic and Aidan on the banjo, Leah on the concertina, Carrie and Emily on the fiddle and all the tin whistle players did a great job. The Parents Association organised refreshments in the school after the mass and Fr Abe’s sisters Mary and June were presented with our Remembrance Book. Overall it was a lovely way to remember Fr. Abe who was so good to our school and who we greatly miss.

Junior Infant 2019

We would like to extend a huge welcome to Tadhg who started this year:

Christmas Play December 2018

We had our annual Christmas concert on Friday the 14^th of December. It was held in our school this year. The Junior room’s play was called “Whoopsa Daisy Angel” and the Senior room’s play was called “Tinsel and Teatowels”. The Parents Association provided refreshments for everyone afterwards,a great day was had by all.

Active Flag Launch Day Halloween 2018

We launched our Active Flag at Halloween, by walking to Kylemore Farmhouse Cheese in our Halloween costumes. During our visit to Kylemore Farmhouse cheese we got to see how the cheese is made and to taste it. We would like to say thank you to Teresa Roche for having us visit and to the Roche family for the Halloween party.

Our Garden

A lot of hard work went into making our beautiful school garden this year, we would like to say a big thank you to Maeve Lynch and all involved.

Junior Room Activities

The Junior room were busy making their shape monsters earlier this year:

Maths week 2018:

The Junior and Senior Infants completed activities with their active number line and had fun on their maths trail which involved finding different objects in the outdoor environment: