Athy Model School

We had a lovely day at the West Glendalough Children’s Choral Festival and Sports in Donoughmore on Friday 5th June. We were fortunate to win the overall cup again this year.

Congratulations to Nelly Badakin for winning the Boys championship and to Ben Leahy, Andrew Phoenix Spratt and Nelly Badakin for winning the Clergy Cup Relay Race. Well done to everyone who won medals and to all those who came along and took part- it was great to see everyone participating, encouraging others and showing great sportsmanship. A big thank you to all in Donoughmore N.S., for hosting such a well organised and enjoyable day.

Our End of Year service took place in St. Michael’s Church on Sunday 21^st June at 11am. During this service, we said a fond farewell to all our 6^th class pupils who will soon be starting secondary school-Hugh Perry, Rupert Murray, Phoebe Colton, Nelly Badakin, Jade Burns, Jordan Umo, Muireann Turner, Saoirse Karadag, Nathan Daly, Tolani Simpson, Andrew Phoenix Spratt and Evelyn Kenny. All of 6^th class received autograph books, photo stories of their time in the Model, certificates and book tokens.

Congratulations to: Ryan Cooke who was awarded the William Ashmore Plaque for effort and progress in 1^st class, Evelyn Kenny who was awarded the Loftus Warren Cup for effort and progress throughout her eight years in our school, to Phoebe Colton who was awarded the Scripture Plaque, and to the following who received certificates and book tokens for full attendance in the school year: Nathalie Cooke, Eleanor Delaney, Kahlen Gaffney, Joe Cole, Mya Mc Aleenan, Cynthia Aghilan, Wesley Coyle, Taz Chinamasa, Eve King, Cerys Moody,  Tom Cole, Brianna Pere, Charlene Pere, Evelyn Kenny and Clare Cole. The following received certificates for missing only one school day to date- Petra Adeniranye, Kemi Simpson, Jack Monks, Caitlin Kenny, Tobi Simpson, Kendra Adeniranye, Mischa Adeniranye, George King, Anna-Mart Mielmann, Lisa Badakin and Jemimah Famose. Many more children missed just three or four days during the year so well done to them too.Thank you to Neil, Alan, Rupert and Hugh for transporting our stage to church and to Susan for managing the sound at the service.

Thank you to Rev. Olive for your weekly assemblies and to Mervyn Tomb from the Faith mission whose monthly assemblies we also enjoy. It was lovely to have a visit from Rev. Des Bain of the Methodist church at assembly on Mon 22^nd June. We look forward to his monthly assemblies next year.

Thank you to Eleanor Cobbe who has worked so hard this year as the link person between church and school. We really appreciate your commitment.

Our Annual 6^th class sale took place in the school on Tues 23^rd June.  This was very well organised by Dave Mc Inerney, Concepta and the 6^th class pupils and was a great success. Thank you to the 6^th class pupils and parents, who worked tirelessly on the day. Thank you to everyone who supported the sale, whether by donating raffle prizes, helping or coming along to the sale. A substantial sum of money was raised, €800 of which is being donated to Temple St. Children’s Hospital. The remaining monies will go towards updating our IT equipment next year.We welcomed back Gwenda Hobson to raise our first Green Schools Flag after the sale. It is now flying proudly outside the front of our school. Thank you to Gwenda, Liz, the Green Schools Committee and all who helped us to achieve this.

A Secondary School Action Group meeting was held in our school on Tues 2^nd June. Members of the committee gave details of the campaign which is underway for a new Church of Ireland day school to be built in Co. Kildare. The meeting was well attended. For further details of this campaign, please visit the website www.kildaresecondaryschool.ie.

The Senior School Tour to Kilkenny Activity Centre took place on 15^th June during which the pupils tackled the assault course and bouncy castles and took part in Bubble Soccer. The Junior School Tour to Nore Valley Pet Farm took place on 10^th June. Pupils took part in a tractor ride and go kart rides and they also explored the farm. We all had a great time. Thank you to our parents Liz, Melanie and Marie who came along on the day to help.

We had our annual visit from David Day of Jabba Jabba Jembe who gave drumming workshops to all classes on 25th June. The children really enjoyed these workshops and learned a lot.

Our new pupils for the coming school year came to spend an afternoon in the school on 8^th June. It was lovely to meet both them and their parents and we look forward to getting to know them over their time in the Model School. Thank you to the P.A. for serving the refreshments at this and after the End of Year service.

Don’t forget to look at our photo gallery to see photos of these recent events.

As the school year draws to a close, we wish to thank the members of the Board of Management and the Parents Association Committee, all of whom give their time voluntarily and work hard for the benefit of our school. Thank you for your work and support throughout the year. The children are really enjoying our new playground benches , table and seats, which the funds from the Table Quiz in March enabled us to purchase.

To those families who have come to the end of your time with us, a big thank you for your support over the years and warmest wishes for the future.

School will reopen on Weds 26^th August and will close for pupils at 11.50 am on that day. (9.30-11.30 am for Junior Infants only)

New parents are invited to meet in the Bay Tree on the first morning of school for coffee and to get to know each other. Thank you to the PA for organising this.

There will be an Open Evening in the school early in the new school term to which everyone is welcome, but which should particularly interest anyone who may be sending their children to Athy Model School. It will be a chance to have a look around and meet the teaching staff, if you wish, in an informal way. All are welcome. Further details will follow in early September.

Wishing everyone a wonderful summer!