This year in school we decided to form an active schools committee.  The members of the committee are Noah O’Leary, Ailbhe O’Shea, Leah Kearney, Michael Buckley, James Cuddihy, Chloe Lehane, Ms. Ambrose, Ms. Harrington and Mr. McCarthy.  The aim for this term is to get the school more active by having a different activity most weeks.  We have had three meetings so far and for this week have decided to have a “Run around Europe Challenge”.  Not only are we trying to make the school more active, but throughout the two years we are also hoping to encourage more children to have healthier lunches and promote healthy eating.  By the end of our two year plan we are hoping to have an Active Flag.  I really enjoy being on the committee.  It is a lot of fun.

By:  Ailbhe O’Shea

JUNIOR & SENIOR INFANTS DOING YOGA AS PART OF THE ACTIVE SCHOOLS FLAG

On Wednesday, October 4^th 2017, 40 athletes, 23 boys ad 17 girls from our school took part in the West Muskerry Primary Schools Annual Cross Country.  Our medal winners were Jacob Barry 1^st, Sèan Cummins 3^rd and then Ròisìn O’Riordan, James Twomey, Sarah Kelleher, Lucy Hinchion and Lily O’Shea all came in the top 10 and got medals also.

The race was tough as it was long, hard and the amount of competitors made it harder to get into the top ten and get a medal.  Overall there were 617 athletes from 22 schools.  Well done to everybody who took part.

By:  Ròisìn O’Riordan

Rusheen N.S. are competing in the Roinn F7 grade in Sciath na Scol.  We got off to a flying start with a big win over Coolea.  We then fell behind in games so we had to play a mini blitz between schools.  We travelled to Blarney via bus.  We played Gaelscoil Blarney first.  We beat them well, the score was 5.5 to 1.3.  Next we faced a strong Cloughduv side.  After the first half  they were up 1.4 to 0.0 however in the second half Rusheen battled back  but fell short at the line.  The final score was Cloughduv 2-6  Rusheen 2-1.  Rusheen now face a semi-final away from home, probable next week.

By:  Liam McSweeney

On the 25^th and the 26^th of September Biz World came to our school to do a workshop.  The people doing the workshop with us were Briege Corkery and Shane Enright from Bank of Ireland. They spoke to us about how to start your own business.  The first thing they did was to separate us into groups.  There were four groups.  Then each group made their own business plan.  The four groups came up with great imaginative ideas such as “Safe Kids”, “FitFlix”, Tech Know” and “Find my Sliotar”.  We then presented our ideas to 3^rd and 4^th class.  They all got one “Biz Buck” each and after the four groups were finished explaining their business ideas to them, the 3^rd and 4^th class then gave their biz bucks to the company they thought was the best.  Then later on we went  to the dragon’s who were Donal O’Callaghan and Jason McCarthy.  The dragons listened to our business ideas and then bought shares in our company. After each company had received their biz bucks they then deducted all the expenses  they had in setting up their company such as advertising  and bank interest, etc.  All the companies were very happy with the biz bucks they received. Now we will know how to start our own business in the future.   By:  Ciara O’Riordan

Pupils with Business Plan for their Company “Tech Know”

Pupils with Business Plan for their Company “”Safe Kids”

Pupils with Business Plan for their Company “Fitflix”

Pupils with Business Plan for their Company “Find My Sliotar”

On June 21^st 2017, Rusheen N.S. held their Green Day.  The pupils from Juniors and Seniors performed a song called “Bow Wow” as well as other songs.  The pupils from 1^st and 2^nd class performed “What should we do with the Drunken Sailor” and “Oh row, row your boat”.  The students from 3^rd and 4^th class performed “Homework! Oh homework!”  The students from 5^th and 6^th Class performed their “Queen Medley”, a selection of songs that they learned that were written by pop singer “Queen”.  Past pupils and pupils who were on the Green School Committee, Rhiann McDermot and Chloe O’Driscoll, were also at our Green Day as well as Mr. Kelly from Muintir na Tire.  Nora-Kate O’Leary and Michael O’Riordan made a short speech.  Then, we introduced the pupils on the Green School Committee, Finn Stevenson, Clodagh O’Riordan, Nora-Kate O’Leary, Shauna Lehane, Michael O’Riordan and Sarah Cuddihy.

Before raising our Green Flag, all of the pupils of Rusheen N.S. performed our Green School Rap, “Wind, Water and the Sun”.  Then Mrs. Deasy raised our Green Flag and she made a short speech.  Mr. Kelly from Muintir na Tire also made a speech.

Afterwards we had a barbecue and everybody got hot dogs and water.  Thanks to Maura O’Riordan, Caroline Corkery, Mary Deasy, Kia Stevenson, Julian O’Leary, Nataly Stevenson, Luke O’Leary and Marie O’Brien for helping out.  Thanks to everybody for coming and making this a very special day.  Everybody enjoyed the day and the sunshine.

By:  Ròisìn O’Riordan

On Tuesday the 20^th of May, 3^rd Class up to 6^th Class went on their school Tour to the Glen Resource Centre in Cork.  We went on multiple activities like zip lining, zorbing, roller racing, gladiator challenge, crate stacking and hula hooping.  For some activities such as the crate stacking and the gladiator challenges we had to put trust in our friends as they were in charge of lifting up our harnesses.

We all really enjoyed our day.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               By:  Nora-Kate O’Leary

On Friday 16^th of June 2017, we held a fun sports day in Aghinagh G.A.A. pitch.  We had fun races like the sack race, sprints, egg and spoon, tennis ball and racket, three legged race and crawling races.  In the sprints, first place children got a gold medal, second place got a silver medal and everyone else got bronze.

Marie Ambrose and Mairead Corkery, our famous past pupils and Cork Players, came with the Brendan Martin Cup. We hope they win it again this year.

The Parents Association gave all the pupils ice-cream.  We enjoyed the sunny and fun day.

                                                                                                                                                                   By:  Ròisìn O’Riordan ad Nora-Kate O’Leary

The West Muskerry Football Blitz was on last Wednesday, June 14^th in Kilnamartyra.  It was a great day.  Our first boys match featured Rusheen and Kilnamatyra.  The first half was close with Rusheen edging ahead.  By the end, Rusheen were comfortable winners, winning 3-5 to 0-3.  Our second game was against a very strong Rylane team with Rusheen losing by 7 points.  Our 3rd game was a huge semi-final  against Ballingeary, whoever won would move to the semi-final against Rylane.  Rusheen started strong, taking a strong lead but Ballingeary got a couple of goals and pulled it back.  In the end Rusheen won 4-4 to 3-2.  Moving on to the final, we were up against Rylane.  Unluckily we lost.  The score was 1-5 to 0-3.  It was a great day out overall.  The boys had a great achievement getting to the final three years in a row and winning the first two.

By:  Thomas Morgans

In the girls section we first played Kilnamartyra.  Unfortunately they beat us.  Then we played Rylane and we were successful in this match.  In the semi-final we played Ballingeary.  It was a draw, the scoreline being 1-6 to 1-6.  Sadly Ballingeary had more points so we didn’t make it to the final, but we were still happy for the other teams.

By:  Clodagh O’Riordan & Rachel Kelleher

Last Thursday, the 31^st of May, the Cork Primary School Sports were held in C.I.T.

First were the sprints.  In the boys, Thomas Morgans came first and went on to the county quarter final.  Sean Cummins came 2^nd and John Kelleher came 3^rd.  Jacob Barry also came 1^st in the sprint and went on to the county final and came 2^nd.  The boys relay team of Thomas Morgans, Noah O’Leary, Luke Ring and Ben Hinchion came 3^rd also.

In the girls sprints, Roisìn O’Riordan came 1^st  and went on to the county quarter final,  Moira Leahy came 2^nd and Aoife Shannon came 2^nd.  The girls relay were unlucky coming 4^th.

The conditions on the day weren’t great with child after child slipping at the start.  Overall everyone had a great day running.

By:  Thomas Morgans

BOYS TEAM

GIRLS TEAM

BOYS RELAY TEAM

On Thursday 18^th of May, Noah, Ailbhe, Robbie, Julian and Mr. Coakley went to the Triskel Art Centre in Cork for the Irish Aid Munster Regional Finals.  We were lucky enough to be one of 15 schools to be chosen out of all of Munster.  Unfortunately, we missed out on being one of the three schools chosen that would have brought us to the National Finals in Dublin.  We were unlucky but nonetheless had a great day. Clogagh, Cloghroe and Glòr na Marra got through to the National Finals.  There will be 12 teams at the National Finals.

Each school at the Regional Finals had a board to summarise their project.  Jessie put our board together.  The name of our project was “Rusheen N.S. to Senga-Bay Primary with Light”.  The main thing we did for our project was that we held a skipathon and we raised €927.72.  With the money we bought and shipped off  a box of 25 High Power Villageboom Solar-Powered Lamps to Senga-Bay Primary School, Malawi.  The only light source families use there is kerosene and the lamps we sent are 10 times brighter than kerosene.  We received a plaque for excellence in global awareness in the Our World Irish Aid Awards 2017.

By:  Ailbhe, Noah & Robbie

On May 6^th 2017, seventeen pupils from Rusheen N.S. made their First Holy Communion.  Those pupils were Evan O’Riordan, Andrew Egan, Eoin O’Connell, Jacob Barry, Aiden Lee, Jack O’Shea, James Twomey, Rùadhàn McCarthy, Chloe Lehane, Ashling Kelleher, Aisling Lehane, Ellie Deasy, Ellen Murray, Eadaoin Kelleher, Sarah Kelleher, Saoirse Leahy and Amy White.

There were 14 pupils from 5^th and 6^th class in the choir.  A big well done to those who made their First Holy Communion, a big thank you to Mrs. Deasy for  teaching and conducting the choir and a big thank you to the choir for singing.  Thanks to everyone who attended the special ceremony as it is a very special occasion for families, parents and the children themselves.  We would also like to thank Miss Ambrose and Fr. Joe O’Mahony for preparing the children for the ceremony and making this day happen.

After the Ceremony we headed up to the hall where the Parents Association had organised a party with delicious buns and cakes.  Thanks to all the parents who helped in any way in preparing this as without it the day wouldn’t be as special as it was.

By:  Ròisìn O’Riordan.

On Friday 5^th of May we visited local monuments around the Parish of Aghinagh.

We visited places like a Fullacht Fiadh which was used to cook food in the time of the Celts

Caherbaroule group of stones which we believe were put there as grave stones in the time of the famine

Caherbaroule Gallàn and we could see Mushra and Burren Mountain as well as the river Làine in the valley of Ballinagree

Caherbaroule stone fort where the Celtic chieftain lived

Caherbaroule Gallàin where there are only 2 stones left standing now but there used to be three

A Ring Fort where we learned that the Irish word for a fort made out of wood is called a Lios/Rath

Cross inscribed stone where we saw a Greek cross inscribed on a stone and there are only two in the whole of Cork

Famine Monument to commemorate the famine and was built in 1997 and blessed by the P.P. of Aghinagh

The Red Well  where people went to say rounds (lots of prayers) and where there is a grotto built to commemorate St. Gobnait and St. Berrihert.

By:  Ailbhe & Shauna 

“Màistir na gCeist” a bhuaigh an Tràth na gCeist Ollmhòr do Sheachtain na Gaeilge i Rùisìn

Just after the mid-term break Clan Cluana Theatre Company visited our school.  They performed “Diarmuid and Gràinne”.  It was a love story about Diarmuid and Gràinne running away from Fionn and also how Gràinne was tired of running but she loved Diarmuid and wanted them to be together forever.

There were only three people in the cast but they still entertained us.  It was amazing how they got dressed so fast.  There were some scary monsters and even half of a cat and half of a dog joined together.  It was a very funny play and everyone enjoyed it.

By: Rachel Kelleher

Last Sunday, 19^th of February, the Muskerry Final of Scòr na bPàisti was held in Ovens.  In the Rince Foirne, Rusheen N.S. came 3^rd dancing the eight hand reel.  In the Scealìocht, Thomas Morgans came 3^rd place telling the story “Death to the Master”.  In the Sean Nòs Dancing, Rachel Kelleher came joint 3^rd place.  Also, in the Baillèad Grùpa we came 3^rd singing “The Star of the County Down” and “Orò Mo Bhàidìn”.  In the Quiz we were out by a question so the quiz team came 4^th.  We were unlucky in the Rince Set and the Rince Aonair but we had a great day.

Rince Foirne

Baillèad Grùpa

Scealaìocht

Sean Nòs Dancing

On Friday the 10^th of February at 10:00 a.m. all the school took part in Operation Transformation 10 at 10.  We followed a video and it showed us cool exercises.  It was lots of fun.  Even the teachers joined us.  After we did our exercises, we got cool stickers.  Some of the exercises were dabs, jumping jacks, boxing and running on the spot.  Exercise is very important for your health and mental health.  Our school motto is “Mens Sana in Corpore Sano” which means a healthy mind in a healthy body.

                                                                                                                                                                                                               By:  Clodagh O’Riordan

StarDome, a portable planetarium, visited the school on the 17^th of January, 2017.  Each class visited the dome with a more advanced experience for older classes.  They are located at Blackrock Castle Observatory and are opened 7 days a week.  It was definitely a great experience as you could experience the night sky as if you were actually in space!  I would highly advise going to visit the wonderful dome.

By:       Ailbhe O’Shea

 Last Friday night on the 10^th of February, Scòr na bPàisti took place in Inchigeela Hall at 7.30 p.m.  Competing in the annual competition Rusheen N.S. had a solo singer, solo instrumental, ballad group, instrumental group, storyteller, quiz team, sean nos dancer, solo figure dancer, 8 figure dancers and set dancers.  Well done to all our competitors.  Congratulations to our Ballad Group, Storyteller, Quiz Team, Figure and Set Dancers, Solo Dancer and Sean Nòs Dancer, who made it through to the Muskerry Final which will be held this Sunday, February 19^th in Ovens starting at 1.00 p.m.

On Saturday 11^th February, at the Scòr na bPàistì competition in Coachford, our second dancing team got through to the next round in their figure and set dancing.  We also had a quiz team on Saturday too.  They did very well coming in 3^rd place.  On Sunday 12^th February in Coachford at the third Scòr na bPàisti competition, our third dancing team danced very well but unfortunately didn’t get through.  Our quiz team also did well coming 3^rd but again didn’t get through to the final.  Well done to all the competitors over the three days and good luck to all the competitors on Sunday.

By:  Shauna Lehane

Figure Dancers who came 3rd in the
Muskerry Final

Rachel Kelleher who came 3rd
in the Muskerry Final

Thomas Morgans who came 3rd
in the Muskerry Final

Ballad Group who came 3rd
in the Muskerry Final

Trà Na gCeisteanna

Aghinagh Hurling Figure & Set Dancers

Amhrànaìocht Aonair

Ceol Uirlise Aonair

Ceol Uirlise

Aghinagh Football Figure & Set Dancers

On the 28^th of January, 2017, Rusheen N.S. competed in the annual Credit Union Quiz held in the Castle Hotel, Macroom.  We had an Under 11 Team and an Under 13 Team.  Luke Ring,  Michael O’Riordan, Sarah Cuddihy and Shauna Lehane were on the U11 team.  They did exceptionally well and they came 13^th out of about 18 teams in the U11 competition.

The under 13 team consisted of Noah O’Leary, Thomas Morgans, Finn Stevenson and Ailbhe O’Shea.  They also did excellently well as they came 4^th out of about 16 teams in the U13 category.

Both teams did very well overall.

By:       Ailbhe O’Shea

This year the Christmas Nativity is being held in Aghinagh G.A.A. Hall on the 19th of December.  The Nativity is “The Great News Story” about the Birth of Jesus.  All pupils will participate in the Nativity.  We are hoping everything will go well.  Junior Infants to 4th Class will be singing songs and 5th and 6th will act out the main parts. Martina Ring has been teaching us Nativity Songs.  We hope there will be a good turnout on the night.

Here are some photography from our Christmas Nativity which went really well.

On the 9th of November, we had a visit from Dawn Kavanagh with her dog “Oddie”.  Dawn is a member of the Dogs Trust Foundation in Cork.  She taught us about what dogs need i.e. food, water, exercise, respect, space, attention, veterinary care and training and also how to act around dogs.  (stay calm, don’t pet them while they are eating/sleeping, show the dog your hand before petting them).  While she was here she told us stories about dogs she took care of.  When she left she gave us certificates and bands.

We all really enjoyed learning about dogs and would definitely recommend it.

Every year in Rusheen N.S. we do the Christmas Shoebox Appeal.  We send the Shoe Boxes to Eastern Europe and Africa.  Pupils from 3rd to 6th Class take part in the shoebox appeal.  In the shoe boxes we included tooth brushes, soaps, clothes, sweets and colouring books.  Before we sent them off we picked an age group and decided whether it was for a boy or a girl.  Team Hope pick up the shoe boxes by truck, then they travel by train and boat to the poorer countries.  These Christmas Shoeboxes may be the only presents these children get this year.  Ireland sent 270,000 shoe boxes last year.  These children are very happy with even one present.  We do the shoebox appeal to bring a smile to a child’s face.

Science Week started on the 13th of November.  Pupils in 5th and 6th Classes learned about different scientists and their inventions.  One such scientist is Father Nicholas Joseph Callan.  We learnt that he was not only a Priest but a scientist.  He made the Maynooth Battery.

We also made gloopy slime with water, borax powder pva glue and food colouring.  When the experiment was finished the goo was squishy.

We looked at how circuits work and Ryan Leahy  in 6th class even made illuminating water using led light, a bottle of water and some recycled boxes and bottles from around the house.

On Thursday 27th October the Parents’ Association held a Bingo night in the Aghinagh G.A.A. Hall.  There was money and prizes given out to the winners.  Winners included Noah O’Leary who won €50.00.  Jack Kearney won €20.00, Liam McSweeney won a goody bag in the raffle, Michael Twomey won two goody bags.  Leah Kearney won a prize and Robbie Cunningham won a bottle of wine and a box of sweets.  There were also loads more winners.

There were lots of parents who won too:  Niamh Cuddihy won €50.00, D.D. McCarthy got €20.00 and Marcella Lee got a “full house” twice so she won €100.00.  We would like to thank the Parents’ Association for organising this brilliant night.  We raised €1,870.00 from the night.  We raised €170 more than last year.  Thanks to everyone who attended the Bingo Night.  It was much appreciated.

The Library Quiz took place in McEgan College on the 26th of October.  The Quiz Team consisted of Eoghan O’Brien, Moira Leahy, Finn Stevenson and Conor Murray.  The quiz team came fourth  and missed out on 3rd place by one point.  The team  studied hard for the quiz.  Some of the questions were:

What is the most sold book in the world?    Bible

What is the smallest bird in Ireland?    Goldfinch

For six weeks 5th and 6th Class went swimming during October and November in the Castel Hotel Leisure Complex.  For the last two years, instead of our normal swimming lessons, we did Primary Aquatics Water Safety (PAWS), developed by Irish Water Safety.  In the pool we learned the straddle jump, simple diving, front crawl, back crawl, breast stroke, how to thread water and inverted breast stroke.  Our examiner was Karen Buckley.  We achieved different levels.  If you achieved level 6 you would have the ability to tread water for a period of one minute, swim 15m without touching the ground and we had to do an oral test as well.

We all got a cert at the end telling us our levels.

Scòr na bPàistì Muscraì Semi-Final was held in Inchigeela on Friday 26^th of February.  Rusheen N.S. competed in the Figure and Set Dancing and in the Solo Music.  We got through to the Muskerry Final in the Figure and Set Dancing.

The next Muscrai Semi-Final was held on Saturday 27^th of February in Coachfod.  Rusheen competed in the figure and set dancing, solo singing, solo instrumental, balled group, instrumental group, novelty act, shean nòs dancing, recitation, quiz and solo dancing.  We got through to the Muskerry Final in the set dancing, instrumental group, novelty act and shean nòs dancing.

In the Muskerry Final, the set came second and third respectively and the novelty act came first, qualifying for the County Final.

The Novelty Act then went on to come 2^nd in the County Final.

Well done to everyone who participated.

By:  Niamh White

Novelty Act Group

Junior Set Dancers

Senior Set & Figure Dancers

Instrumental Group

Ballad Group

Sean Nos Dancing

Proclamation Day for Rusheen N.S. was held on Tuesday 15^th March in the school in honour of the heroes of 1916.  There was lots of preparation, excitement and effort put into the occasion.  Pupils dressed up and marched to the “Foggy Dew” down to the garden, where a stage was set up.  There was singing of songs, a drama, music, dancing, raising of the flag, a reading of the proclamation and speeches.  We read our new and improved proclamation and every pupil got a say in what went into it.  After there was a project presentation and overall it was a wonderful,     fun-filled day.

By:  Èireann O’Shea

The annual Indoor Hurling Blitz was held in the Sports Complex in Macroom recently.  There were four teams taking part, Naomh Abàn, Kilnamartyra, Tirelton and Rusheen.  It was a friendly tournament and there were no winners.  We played six matches.  We used rubber hurleys and wore shin-guards and helmets.  At the end of the tournament we took a photo with all the other schools.  It was a most enjoyable day.

By:  Dylan O’Riordan

On Saturday 30^th of January in the Castle Hotel, two quiz teams from Rusheen N.S. competed in the Credit Union Quiz.  There were over 40 teams all trying to win first place.  The 40 teams were put into two catagories,  Under-11’s and under-13’s.  In the Under-11’s, Kilnamartyra came first and went through to the next round.  While our own team came in a brilliant 3^rd place.  In the Under-13’s, Tirelton came first while our own under-13 team came a very good 5^th place.  The under-11 team was made up of 4 people:  Rachel Kelleher, Robbie Cunningham, Moira Leahy and Noah O’Leary.  There were also four people in the under-13 team:  Èireann O’Shea,  David Kelleher, Dylan O’Riordan and Niamh White.  Here are a couple of questions from the quiz.

Q:  Off of which country is the Island “Bali”?

A:  Indonisia

Q:  Which animal lives in a holt?

A:  Otter                                                                                                                                                                               By:  Niamh White

UNDER 11 QUIZ TEAM

UNDER 13 QUIZ TEAM

It was a very special day for Rusheen N.S. on Friday, January 8^th as past pupil and sports star, Briege Corkery, tied the knot with Diarmuid Scannell.  There were so many guests that they were streamed live to the local G.A.A. hall.  Briege did so much for the school over the past years that we wanted to do something for her on the big day.  We dressed in red, we had flags and we cheered them all with a surprise guard of honour.  When she saw us all she got out of her car and thanked us.  We all took pictures and had an excellent few minutes.  She was dressed beautifully and afterwards they all went to the Rochestown Park Hotel for a big celebration.  No-one will ever forget the local celebrities wedding.  Congratulations to Mr. & Mrs. Scannell.

By:     Eireann O’Shea

On the 22^nd of December, Santa Clause came to see all of the children from Rusheen N.S.  All the children were bursting with excitement.  Then finally the man with the big red suit entered the room.  All of the school pupils started singing and not so long after all the teachers started singing.  Santa started jumping while we were singing, everybody was really excited.   Santa walked out of the room with Mr. Coakley and ran back in with loads of sweets.  The teachers passed around the sweets to all the children.  We were all so full after our cans of drink and bags of taytos.

When we were finished our meal, Jack Kearney walked out of the classroom and brought in a bag of presents.  All the 6^th Class and 5^th Class pupils paid a euro to pay for an Aghinagh Jersey for our 6^th class pupil, Brendan Mayer, who was leaving Rusheen N.S. that day.  Sixth Class presented Brendan with his present.  He was so happy.  We were all sad to see him leave.

By:  Jack Kearney

This year’s Christmas play was held in  Aghinagh GAA hall on the 21st of December. The play was about the story of Scrooge and how he changed his life overnight. He meets three ghosts who teach him the true meaning of Christmas. As he goes through time, he starts to realise how badly he treated people so he decides to change.

Fifth and sixth class acted in this play. Everything went really well on the night. 4th, 3rd, 2nd, 1st class, senior and junior infants sang songs in the play, as well as 5th and 6th class. Martina Ring had been coming to the school every Friday to help us practise our songs for the play. We were divided into four groups to practise our lines. We had many songs to sing which hopefully brought a smile to the audiences’ faces.

By:  Brendan and David

Please click here to view the 2015 archive.