Eight years of primary school is coming to an end for pupils from Scoil Eoin Balloonagh’s three sixth classes, as they graduated yesterday to embark on the next step in their educational journey.
The sports hall was packed on Thursday as families gathered for the emotional farewell with Fr. Pádraig giving a blessing and speeches from Principal O’Toole and Maureen Keenan of the Scoil Eoin Parents Association.
Presentations were made to the three 6th class teachers Ms Foley, Mr Kennelly and Mr McSweeney and to Moira O’ Connor in recognition of all of her work with the Parents Association, while two pupils from each class reflected on their eight years in the school.
After a brief break for refreshments, Mr. Phelan’s trumpet performance led the parade of students into the hall for the graduates to receive their medals.
As you can see from the photos we took back in September 2016 and the sixth class photos this week, the pupils are all grown up now. Scroll down for photos…
THE weather gods were not smiling down on Scoil Eoin’s sixth class pupils on Wednesday as they made their way to Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church for their Confirmation Day.
Nevertheless there was great excitement among the 63 pupils from three classes receiving the sacrament on a wet Wednesday in Tralee.
The pupils were well prepared by teachers Mr Kennelly, Mr McSweeney and Ms Foley and the ceremony performed by Fr Padraig Walsh, assisted by Deacon Seán Murphy went off smoothly. Scroll down for photos…
HUNDREDS of people made their way to the Scoil Eoin Balloonagh Sports Hall on Sunday as they held their second Festive Fair.
Organised and run voluntarily by the Parents Association with the help of Scoil Eoin staff, it was another super success and great credit is due to all who contributed on the day.
There was a wonderful family atmosphere and a host of festive novelties, gifts, decorations, handmade crafts, baked goods, hot chocolates and treats were at the many stalls around the hall.
Continued below…
Many spot prizes were donated by local businesses which were raffled throughout the afternoon. The hall was filled with music and song too as various classes took to the stage to belt out festive favourites.
There was a steady queue all afternoon to see Santa Claus in his special grotto while photographer John Walsh donated his services snapping happy families with the man himself. Scroll down for photos…
GENEROUS pupils, staff and parents at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh have surpassed themselves this year in helping those less fortunate.
Every year the school take part in the Team Hope Christmas Shoeboxes campaign and this year has proved the most successful to date with 380 boxes collected, each bursting at the seams with gifts.
The Student Council members along with their coordinator Mrs. Carol Anne O’Donoghue and
SNA Grace Hobbert organised the appeal in aid of Team Hope, a charity that works to help children affected by poverty in Eastern Europe and Africa.
Continued below…
Every year thousands of gift filled shoeboxes are sent from Ireland. It is very appealing to young children when they realise that their carefully selected items will be given directly to a child in need.
Team Hope Representatives Brigid and Paddy Hegarty from Listowel collected all of the boxes from Scoil Eoin and had to make a few trips due to the amount of boxes. The school has thanked al involved and are already looking forward to next year.
YOUNG Ella O’Sullivan won the the Scoil Eoin School Spirit Award announced today at the Balloonagh school.
The award was devised by the Student Council along with Principal Kieran O’Toole in 2016.
This award is not academic award, rather an award in recognition of a pupil who promotes inclusiveness and fairness, is a good role model and displays exemplary behaviour.
Continued below…
Each teacher nominates a pupil from their class. All nominations are sent to the Student Council coordinator Mrs. Carol Anne O’Donoghue who meets with the Student Council members to go through the nominations.
This process is done anonymously and the Student Council vote without knowing the identity of the nominees in the interest of fairness.
Today the three 5th classes were called to meet with Mr. O’Toole and Mrs. O’Donoghue along with the Student Council members.
This year’s winner Ella O’Sullivan was nominated by her teacher Ms. Deirdre Lyons due to her sunny disposition, generosity, selfless nature and friendliness.
Her parents Amanda and Séan were on hand to celebrate with her. Ella was presented with a trophy by Mrs. O’Donoghue and her name is now engraved on the School Spirit plaque.
GLORIOUS sunshine greeted guests to Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh on Friday for the official opening of the new extension at the school.
Minister for Education Norma Foley performed the cutting of the ribbon and unveiling of a plaque to mark the occasion.
Watching on were Bishop Ray, Browne, former Minister Jimmy Deenihan, together with local TD’s & Councillors, the Design Team, NOS & Sons Construction ltd, local school principals, retired staff members, local press, and representatives of local agencies, joined pupils, staff, parents association and board of management members.
Continued below…
Deputy Principal Mr Joe McMahon acted as M.C for the occasion, which took place in one of the new school playgrounds.
Following addresses by Mrs Judy Costelloe (on behalf of B.O.M), Principal Mr Kieran O’Toole, Minister for Education Norma Foley and former Minister Jimmy Deenihan, guests were invited to tour the new development, consisting of six new classrooms, one SET room, three renovated classrooms, and a state-of-the-art ASD suite (with classrooms, multi-purpose rooms and para-educational rooms).
Presentations were made to Minister Foley and Jimmy Deenihan by members of the Students Council, as was a presentation to recently retired Traffic Warden Mary McGillycuddy.
Guests were greeted on arrival to music by school staff and pupils. Bridget Long (parent & friends) from Tralee Pipe Band, did the honours marking the unveiling of the plaque, and Dave Rath got the feet tapping for the afternoon as guests enjoyed refreshments, provided by Denis Doody and his team at Kingdom Kitchen Catering Services Tralee.
The opening of their new building was a day of celebration marking over 20 years of hard work by past and present boards of management, parents’ associations, and school personnel.
Principal Kieran O’Toole described the day as a “landmark day for the school, one which culminated in over 20 years of hard work, determination and perseverance.”
“We now have facilities that we can be proud of, facilities that are imaginative, flexible and uplifting, where pupils and staff alike can maximize teaching and learning experiences.” Scroll down for photos…
SCOIL Eoin pupils and their families basked in the sunshine as they arrived for First Holy Communion Day on Saturday.
There were 54 boys and girls receiving the sacrament in three separate ceremonies and we were there to take photos of families as they arrived to Our Lady and St Brendan’s Church on Saturday. Scroll down for photos (if you missed the first part click here)…
ST Patrick’s Day fun came early for the children and staff at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh as they held their annual parade on Thursday to coincide with their Seachtain na Gaeilge.
“After all we have been through over the last two years, we are thrilled that the “Mórshiúl na Scoile” is back with a bang,” said Mrs. Mary V. Dennehy, Seachtain na Gaeilge Coordinator.
“It’s a favourite with the children, as they dress up for our very own St. Patrick’s Day Parade around the school grounds, led by ‘St. Patrick’ himself! Seachtain na Gaeilge is action packed as ever here in Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh Primary. As our school motto says, Molan Óige agus tiocfaidh sí!” added Mrs Dennehy.
Continued below…
During Seachtain naGaeilge at Scoil Eoin, Irish heritage is explored in all aspects of the curriculum. A Céad Míle Fáilte is extended to all children from other countries in the school. All the children enjoy many projects in visual arts, music, song and dance.
In keeping with tradition, the whole school community brushes up on their cúpla focal. This year we were delighted to receive “An Bosca Leabharlainne”, a special delivery of beautiful children’s Irish Books from theauthor and Poet Laureate, Áine Ní Ghlinn.
Highlights of Seachtainna Gaeilge include their very own“Trad Band” with Mr. Adrian McSweeney’s 5th Class and Mrs. Siobhán Meehan gathering the talented teachers to play a few tunes. This year they are learning a few dances like the Siege of Ennis to get ready for the Céilí. Scroll down for photos…
A WICKLOW man travelled to Tralee to deliver a brand new ‘Buddy Bench’ to Scoil Eoin in Balloonagh, to thank them for the great care they gave his granddaughter over the past eight years.
Erin O’Sullivan, a 12-year old sixth class pupil from Gort Na Greine near Gallowsfield has an extremely rare disorder called Ataxia Telangiectasia, a condition that combines the symptoms of muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis and immune system disorder.
She has needed care since she started school all those years ago and is now preparing to leave Scoil Eoin this month.
Continued below…
Her grandfather, Pat Cronin, who is part of the Vale of Avoca Men’s Shed group made a ‘Buddy Bench’ for the school, on behalf of the O’Sullivan family, to thank them for the care given to Erin.
A ‘Buddy Bench’, or ‘Friendship Bench’ is a special place in a school playground where a child can go when they want someone to talk to. Erin’s mom, Caroline, explained why the bench was donated.
“The school has given our daughter every opportunity in education. The saying inscribed on the bench is ‘Is Féidir Linn’ or ‘yes we can’, made popular during President Obama’s visit to Ireland. Our attitude is, if Erin can’t do something, we find a way for her that she can do it, through her teachers and SNA Aine Baker, who has been with her for the past eight years. She has made it possible for Erin to have a normal school life.”
Principal of Scoil Eoin, Kieran O’Toole, thanked Pat, the Vale of Avoca Men’s Shed group and the O’Sullivan family for the donation.
“The quality of the work is unreal. The fact that Erin’s grandad is involved is special. We want to thank Erin’s family for their generosity, it’s been a pleasure to have Erin over the past eight years. She always has a smile on her face,” he said.
Erin’s mom and dad Caroline and Paul, sisters Megan and Louise, grandparents, classmates and teachers were all present for the presentation on Wednesday.
THE kids at Scoil Eoin got a head start on the St Patrick’s Day festivities by staging their own parade on Friday morning.
Pupils from every class donned the green in the school yard for an event which has become a tradition at the county’s largest primary school.
Jimmy Diggins donned the St Patrick’s costume once again and he brought some friends in the shape of Garvey’s Tralee Warriors stars Trae Pemberton, Darragh O’Hanlon and Goran Pantovic.
Manus Leane provided some traditional music as the pupils set off on a parade around the school and stood for the national anthem. Many parents also called by to watch the fun as they all looked forward to the weekend ahead. Scroll down for photos…
THE town’s largest primary school, Scoil Eoin in Balloonagh, hosted three days of festive fun as the annual Christmas concerts took place this week.
There were performances during the day and in the evening with parents enjoying music, drama and dancing from pupils in all years.
Madeline McCarthy’s third class performed ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ – a musical drama based on Roald Dahl’s novel with plenty of song and raps included.
Ms Burke’s junior infants displayed their talents with “Festive Fun”, Mrs Nora O’Sullivan’s juniors entertained with “The Christmas Recipe” which tells how the children cook up a perfect Christmas while Ms Broderick’s infants dramatised the story of Ralph the Reindeer who overcomes all problems to make sure his sleigh is ready for all the girls and boys for Christmas.
Continued below…
Emma Sugrue’s senior infants delighted with “The Letters of Christmas” –the nativity story related through song and rhyme. Sally Ryle’s musicians present “Ukelele Christmas “ a rhapsody of music and Christmas song.
Lilian Healy’s 4th class presented “Christmas Classics with an Irish twist” – a little brush dancing thrown into the mix. Ms Curtin’s Gaeilge Beo group present “The Elves go on Operation Transformation” (the elves have put on weight and are too heavy for the sleigh).
Ms Donovan’s PBL class present “The Rose of Scoil Eoin” Roses from near and far compete introduced by a variety of hosts. Mr Kennedy’s 5th have a drama production called “Changing Class” — school children discover a secret bottle of spray which brings the props for the concert to life.
Mrs Mary V Dennehy’s class production was “One Hundred Years of Hits”, from ‘Annie Get your Gun’ to Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’. Carol Anne O’Donoghue’s first class Country ‘n Western Time favourites saw plenty pickin’ up of cotton and bales of hay.
Deirdre Lyons’ 6th class presented “A Lad in Blunderland” a short drama with plenty fairytale characters. Caroline Kennedy’s 3rd brought Roald Dahl’s ever popular character ‘Matilda’ to life on stage
Mrs Meehan’s musical group entertain with a variety of tunes and well loved Christmas songs and Mr John Brosnan’s 5th class provided humour aplenty with their play “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”.
Aileen Hill’s 1st class show was about Christmas Decorations who are unhappy that the Fairy Doll is always placed on the top of the tree and decide to take action.
All in all, some great entertainment for the parents but more importantly great fun for the pupils and staff. Scroll down for photos…
THE sun may have been beaming down on us this morning, but summer’s certainly over for primary schoolchildren this morning as thousands head back to the books.
For junior infants it’s a daunting but exciting time, as we could see when we visited Scoil Eoin in Balloonagh early on Wednesday.
Continued below…
There were 77 children beginning their schooldays there, as parents said their farewells to the little ones, most of whom took the day in their stride and settled in straight away.
For some parents it was their first-born beginning their education, while others had seen it all before with other children in the school. It was an emotional time for everyone and the beginning of a great journey. Scroll down for photos…
THE Student Council at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh awarded second class student Luke O’Donoghue this year’s School Spirit Award on Friday.
The award isn’t based on academic ability, but the child’s behaviour, presence, attitude and enthusiasm in class.
Each teacher in the school anonymously nominated a child. The student council, which comprises of 12 students from fifth and sixth class, then voted on who they thought deserved the award the most.
Continued below…
Luke won the vote by a majority of nine and was surprised in the school hall on Friday where he was announced as the winner. It was the second year that the School Spirit Award had been given to a student. Last year’s winner was Junior Infants’ Grace Bright.
Student Council Coordinator, Carol Anne O’Donoghue said; “Luke was chosen due to his bravery, gentle nature, kindness to others and being a positive role model to others. And most of all, he was picked due to the smile that’s always on his face.”
KEEPING healthy, fit and active was the name of the game at Scoil Eoin Balloonagh for the school’s ‘Health Promotion/Be Active Week’ which ran from Monday to Friday.
The aim of this week is to promote the idea of healthy eating and regular exercise thus encouraging the children to make better choices for the future.
Continued below…
The highlight of the week was a visit by Kerry footballer, Marc Ó Sé, who spoke to 6th class kids about the importance of staying fit and his career as one of Ireland’s top Gaelic Footballers for over a decade.
A Q&A followed Marc’s talk where he was asked among other things would he be staying for 15th year with Kerry. The five-time All-Ireland winner and CBS The Green teacher, said he still hasn’t made a decision on if he’ll retire or not.
It was a fun-filled week where students got the opportunity to engage in many activities in relation to health and fitness. The World Health Organisation recommends that children should have at least 60 minutes of physical.
Events included basketball with Tralee Warriors who paid a visit, dancing with Cassie Leen, yoga with Sally Ryle, Rugby with Sean Brosnan, Athletics with Tralee Harriers, soccer with F.A.I. coach Darren Aherne, hurling with Tralee Parnells and visits from dentist Ger Hill and dietician Melissa Costello. The Parents Association also organised a fruit art workshop.
That seemed to be the consensus on the children beginning their schooldays at Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, on Wednesday morning when we called to take some photos.
There were three junior infants classes starting and they were all settled down and happy with their teachers, Mrs Carol Anne O’Donoghue, Ms Fiona Sheehan and Ms Brenda Burke as they posed for pics.
All three teachers agreed that once the parents left, everything was fine and they quickly got used to their new surroundings. Scroll down for photos…
WHILE the town prepares for the St Patrick’s Day parade tomorrow afternoon, the pupils at one school jumped the gun for a colourful morning in Balloonagh.
Scoil Eoin has been holding their own parade for years now and it has become a real tradition at the school. At around 9.15am this morning, the pupils – numbering almost 700 – gathered in the yard with uniforms discarded in place of colourful green outfits.
St Patrick and musicians from the school led the merry bunch on a loop of the school while Manus Leane also played some Irish tunes for the many parents watching.
The morning finished off with a short ceilí before they all headed back to the classrooms.
THE corridors and halls of Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh came alive with colour and festive spirit this week as pupils put their talent on display for the annual Christmas Concert.
For weeks now the children of Scoil Eoin guided by their teachers and music co-ordinator Triona Daly have been rehearsing for this much anticipated event.
“The children are really excited and they enjoy performing on stage,” said Scoil Eoin 2nd class teacher, Mrs Breen.
The theme of the concert is ‘Christmas Around The World’. In the process the schoolchildren looked at all different ways Christmas is celebrated in different countries.
The first performance was held on Monday with performances to come on Tuesday and Wednesday nights with daytime performances for appreciative school colleagues.
SCOIL Eoin, Balloonagh, has been added to the approval list for the additional accommodation grant for the construction of two ASD Units and six mainstream classrooms.
It was part of an announcement by the Department of Education that five Kerry schools are to be added to the list of approvals for the additional accommodation and emergency works grant.
St Joseph’s SS, Ballybunion has been added to the additional accommodation grant list and will receive funding for 5 x 49m2 Classrooms and one Classroom ASD Unit.
Scoil Realt na Mara, Tuosist, Killarney and Naomh Gobnait, Castledrum, Castlemaine have alos been added to the approval list for the additional accommodation grant for relocation of prefab and septic tank work and the construction of Staff room, Library/Resource Room respectively.
Knockanes NS, Knockanes, Headford, Killarney is to benefit from the emergency works grant under the “Access for All” grant.
Labour Deputy Arthur Spring and Fine Gael Minister Jimmy Deenihan have welcomed the awarding of the grants.