Issue: 14
Date: 7th March 2013
THE WEEK AHEAD
NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Friday 8th March
Friday 8th March
Willow Arts’ Week 2013
Have we ever needed the Arts so much?
In an Ireland that is reeling from a series of societal and economic
knocks, we need the Arts in all their variety to express our angst,
create new visions and assuage our hurt, perchance with beauty –
whilst also fortifying ourselves for the challenges ahead.
Yes, I believe the Arts can do all this – and where better to begin- than
in a school?
Thus, in the week ahead (11th -14th March), Willow boys will
experience the various Arts in a myriad of ways and pro-actively create
their own ‘works’. Hopefully, they will experience something of the
pleasure and awe that is at the essence of Art and realise the many
different ways humankind expresses its soul and vision.
Of particular interest this year will be ‘all things Irish’ as we run
Seachtain na Gaeilge in parallel with our Arts’ Week. So visit our ‘Hub
Gallery’ and share our energy and creativity. Ar agaidh le Chéile!
Jim Casey, Principal
Jim Casey, Principal
Apology:
Sincere apologies to Andrew McSweeney who wrote a super article on
Seachtain na Gaelige for last week’s issue. Due to some last minute editing
issues, we made typographical errors in copying his article. Tá brón
orainn agus déanfaimid iarracht níos deacra.
Spring is here and Easter is coming….
Spring is my favourite season because
we get our mid-term break. Easter is
in Spring. One year the Easter Bunny
hid my eggs in the flowerbed and one
other year he hid my eggs on a little hill.
Baby lambs are born in Spring.
I love baby animals. They’re so cute!
March 11th-Fri 15th
March 12th
Le chéile is treise sinn
(Together we are stronger)
On Saturday I was struck by the palpable sense of
community as I walked through Willow during the 5th
Form Blitz. There was a wonderful atmosphere of fun
and enjoyment, as families came together to support
their sons, brothers and cousins. The blitz is a great
example of the generosity and inclusiveness of the
Willow community. Teams from all over the country are
invited to take part every year, from the Rugby
strongholds of Ulster, Munster and Leinster to the lesserknown Rugby strongholds of of Ennis, Mullingar and
England! The coaches from these schools and clubs
genuinely appreciate being invited to the blitz and most
importantly the children love it. The core values of Rugby
were in evidence on and off the pitch as the boys
demonstrated respect and honesty throughout the day.
As a teacher, I particularly enjoy meeting children’s the
families- parents, siblings, cousins, uncles, aunties and
even new puppies! It allows us all to see a different side
to one another due to the open and friendly atmosphere.
As a staff member, I appreciate the massive amount of
work done by pupils, parents and school staff to organise
and ensure the smooth running of this massive
undertaking. Their generosity of spirit makes the day
what it is.
Níl uasal ná íseall, ach thuas seal ‘is thíos seal
(There isn’t upper or lower class, but up for a while and
down for a while)
Daffodils poke their heads up too. I have lots of them in my back-yard. And
also in Spring the weather changes from rain to sun. Hooray! Here’s a picture
of the Easter Bunny. By Paddy Buckley P1
SPRING IS THE KING
Spring is the time when flowers bloom,
Spring is the time when leaves do not fall,
Spring is the time when grass grows green,
Spring is the time when plants grow tall,
Spring is the time when birds sing songs,
Spring is the time that brings happiness to all.
By Essa Nasir Ibrahim P1
Thought for the week
“Give to the world the best you have and the best
will come back to you.”
Sunday 10th March
French Day
6th Form Rugby
Festival Coleraine
JCT Semi-Final,
Donnybrook, 3pm
Arts Week/Seachtain
na Gaelige
Opening morning
Madeline Bridges
The 5th Form boys experienced the highs and lows of life
on the pitch in victory and in defeat, as we all do in our
day-to-day lives. Last Saturday was an incredibly positive
experience, one of life’s highs. Everyone involved should
take time to reflect upon and enjoy the success of the
day. It is something to be proud of. Perhaps it is time to
rename the blitz and call it after the celebration that it is,
namely the 5th Form Rugby Festival.
Oisín Dunne
Dean Junior Infants – 2nd Form.
Rugby Festival – Thank You
RUGBY SATURDAY 9th MARCH
It is my pleasure to organise this Festival each year and I’d like to
3rd & 4th Form: Training in Willow 9-10am
5th Form: Training in Willow 10-11am
6th Form:
3 teams v Scoil Íde, kick-off 10am in Willow
2 teams in CUS for blitz. Meet in CUS
@9.30am. Finish 1.30pm approx..
congratulate Fr. Gavin on his 31st Annual Festival! 14 pitches were marked
out and a marquee set up ready to host 850 players. 50 teams consisting of
12 schools and 20 clubs from all over Ireland and 1 team from England
contested 200 matches in the spring sunshine as team spirit, camaraderie
and friendship shone through from start to finish. Thanks to all the
coaches, to the staff in Willow ,the Principal, teachers, maintenance dept,
caretakers, cleaners, administration dept and groundsmen. A huge thanks
to the parents of our students in Willow. Volunteers on the day – doctors,
nurses, physios, helpers with food (preparation and serving), etc. Thanks
If it takes 6 men one hour to dig 6 holes, how long does it take one
man to dig half a hole?
also to Miriam Huggard and Des Mulcair, Aisling Buckley, Vivien Linehan,
Two men play 5 complete games of checkers. Each man wins the
same number of games. There are no ties. How?
your fantastic work – we could not run the Festival without you. In almost
What do you call a rabbit that tells good jokes?
A funny bunny!
Elizabeth McGowen and Cristina Mei. Thanks to the pupils of 6th Form for
every e-mail I received this week, coaches mentioned how impressed they
were with you all. The Wexford Wanderers coach said it best, ‘Can I pay a
special tribute to the young lads in the Yellow T shirts who were
unfailingly polite and helpful and were a credit to the school.’ Well done
Why shouldn’t you tell an Easter egg a joke?
It might crack up!
STUDENT TEACHERS VISIT WILLOW
again lads – we are very proud of you.
Finally, thanks to the players in 5th Form. Exceptional rugby skills, positive
team spirit and, most importantly, exemplary behaviour and attitude were
evident and commented on by spectators and coaches during and after the
When we returned to school after the Christmas holidays we were
excited to meet three student teachers who were here to spend
the Easter term with us. Miss Hileman, Miss Moroney and Miss Loh
are from the U.S.A.. Miss Hileman helped with our class and we all
enjoyed her lessons, especially her Creative Writing and Art
lessons. She is also great at Maths! I hope she enjoyed spending
time in Ireland and at Willow Park.
Festival. Well done!
Rory Crinion.
I’m not sure she enjoyed rugby training in the freezing cold,
though! We will be sorry to see them go and wish them well in the
future.
I’m sure they will make great teachers…..but maybe not rugby
coaches!
Keir MacKay, K4
The boys from St Pauls Senior Infants have been
learning about the Solar System.
Ms. Hileman
teaching creative
writing to K4.
“Miss Loh helped me do my school work.”
Adam AhernO’Connell, St.John’s
Jnr Infs
“Miss Loh helps me do my laces.”
Max Stafford,
St. John’s Jnr Infs
“Miss Moroney does nice Maths.”
Leo Allen,
St. Pauls Jnr Infs
“We will miss her because she looks after us in play and does fun
things with us.”
Jared Dinn,
St. Pauls Jnr Infs
THE MONTH AHEAD, MARCH AT A GLANCE
March 11th - Fri 15th Arts Week/ Seachtain na Gaelige
March 12th
Open Morning
March 15th
Staff Meeting classes finish @ 12.30pm
March 16th
6th form rugby trip to Coleraine
March 17th
St. Patrick’s Day
March 18th
Bank Holiday
th
March 20
Songs in the Park at 7.30 p.m.
March 21st
Songs in the Park at 7.30 p.m.
March 22nd
End of Term classes finish @ 12.30pm
Answers – there is no such thing as half a hole. The 2 men were not playing
against each other
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Ciaran:- Pluto is nearly the same size as the moon,
Ruariri:- Earth is the 3rd planet from the Sun,
Fionn:- Pluto is the furthest planet from the Sun,
Rob:- The Sun is a star,
Andrew:- Earth orbits the Sun and it takes one year to
complete it’s orbit
(6) Lucas:- Jupiter is a big ball of gas and has a lot of
moons,
(7) Sam:- Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun,
(8) Jeremy:- Mars is half the size of Earth. It takes Mars 2
years to orbit the sun.
WISH UPON A STAR
Star right, Star bright.
First star I see tonight.
I wish, I may.
I wish, I might.
Get the wish, I wish tonight!
Thank you God for planet Earth.
This Issue has been sponsored by
Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland. Ph: +353 1 2881651. www.willowparkjuniorschool.ie