Movin’ on in Ballinrobe

Movin’ on in Ballinrobe


The sixth class pupils of St Joseph’s National School in Ballinrobe reflect on life in primary school as they prepare to move on to the next stage of their education.

IT only seems like yesterday. A bright September morning in 2005 when we first walked through the doors of St Joseph’s NS, Ballinrobe.
Some felt emotional and nervous. A few parents cried. But we got through it and made new friends. Over the years children from different countries joined us. It must have been a big challenge, especially for those with little English. We made them feel welcome. We became one big happy family.
St Joseph’s became our home away from home where we grew from toddlers to teens. This chapter of our lives is coming to an end. Secondary school is the next stage but we want to share with you some random memories of our time in the school.
In Fourth Class we produced a CD of summer songs recorded in our classroom. A student designed the cover. We launched the CD on a beautiful summer’s evening and performed for the parents outside. Even the teachers joined in.
During a school tour, while surfing on the Atlantic Ocean, one of our classmates found a bottle containing a message. Our teacher, Miss Cunnane, read it. It came from Canada.
A few months later she announced we’d be appearing on RTE News. Everyone was excited the morning RTE phoned to say they were coming to interview us. The teacher drove home to get a pair of high heels and make-up.
Preparing for First Holy Communion we practised hymns, prayers and how to receive communion with edible paper. On the day we all had our own important little task. We felt excited with our parents when Mass ended. Then it was time for photos and celebrating with our family.
In Fourth Class, we were good enough to get on the Gaelic team. We also did gymnastics, tag rugby, athletics and soccer.
Fifth Class was Confirmation year. We had scrapbooks of ‘thoughts and things’. We learned about the Holy Spirit and went to Ballintubber Abbey on retreat. Our sponsors accompanied us to the altar. We got chrism on our foreheads and Archbishop Neary gave us a little clout across the face.

The School Band
WE started music in Third Class and learned traditional Irish songs like Johnny Egan’s Polka, Barn Dance and The Ratlin Bog. We also played the accordion, trumpet and the clarinet.
At first we were all over the place trying to master the routine and stay arranged in our lines. After a while we could do it in our sleep or in reverse. We loved marching around town playing tunes we mastered during the year. The lovely Mrs Burke made it all possible.

Food Dudes
THE ‘Food Dudes’ promotion by the HSE was the weirdest task that we have ever accomplished in St Joseph’s. The aim of the game was to eat vegetables and fruit and if you ate them you got a prize.The excitement didn’t last long. What genius had this brainwave? We had to eat raw turnip, carrot, cucumber and peppers. We just hid them in our bags.
 
Father Shannon
WE have many happy memories of Father Shannon’s weekly visits. He always had a broad smile and a song for us to chorus. On bad days he lifted our spirits. He knew all our names. Before leaving to visit his sister in Namibia he showed us his itinerary. He was so excited. We couldn’t wait for him to return to hear about his travels. Sadly that never happened. He had passed away in Namibia. We miss him.
 
The All-Ireland
ONE abiding memory is the Mayo versus Donegal 2012 All-Ireland Final. Our teacher Miss Canney is from Donegal so the atmosphere in the classroom was brilliant. The Donegal flag on the window beside the Mayo flag got people’s attention. A photographer came in to investigate and our picture appeared in the national papers. Donegal won and, on returning to school, Miss Canney was decked in green and gold. Everybody congratulated her.     
      
The school choir
WE thought it would just be a chance to learn new songs, but we were wrong. We worked with a very talented organist called John Lane. We sound great but John has this amazing ability to make us better. The choir taught us about working as a team.
The Navan Choral Festival stands out. The 6am start didn’t bother us as we were allowed to bring our phones and iPods! The long journey passed quickly and we even squeezed a practice on the way. Choirs from all over Ireland competed. Our boys loved the attention they got from Dublin girls.
After a great day of singing we headed for the west, tired and weary but we enjoyed a burger and chips at McDonalds. Despite no silverware we did our school and Miss Canney proud.

Some significant happenings.
Barack Obama became the first black President of America. There were earthquakes in Haiti and Japan and Belmullet. The Chilean miners were trapped for 63 days. Madeline McCann was kidnapped when we started school. Queen Elizabeth’s visit to Ireland. More recently the bombs at the Boston Marathon. 
 
The Teachers
ST JOSEPH’S has 18 teachers that we had the pleasure of working with. Through music, sport, literacy and numeracy they all made an important contribution to each of us becoming the person we are today.
In 2008 our first principal Mr. Higgins retired. We still miss him. He helped us out always. Our present principal Mr Butler is also helpful and kind.
Miss Staunton, who was an important person in our school days, left to do different things. We sang a song Miss Burke composed on her final day. Pat Kennedy instilled in us a love of GAA.
Miss Culhane and Miss Hanley helped us with this Mayo News article and in other ways too.
Miss Connell who told us all classrooms were getting interactive white boards. We were all delighted.
Miss Byrne working behind the scenes in times of need like Christmas plays, Communions, and Confirmations.
Pat O’Malley is the school caretaker. Inside and outside it is always shining and how could we forget his frequent climbs onto the roof to retrieve the footballs.
Active maths trails organised by Miss Gallagher were welcome outlets on warm sunny days. Partaking in World Maths Day brought us many achievements.
School Secretary Miss Moylette is generous always and shares with us her wealth of historical knowledge.
Miss Canney is our favourite teacher. She has a good sense of humour and a flair for fashion. She works extremely hard with each and every one of us in preparation for moving on. She encourages us to be the best we can be.
We’ve had amazing time in St Joseph’s. Inspirational teachers, encouraging us to aim high and do our very best always. They were kind and supportive during our special years in St Joseph’s. We move on with lovely memories.

A parent reflects on the first morning

“I remember talking, trying to quell my feelings of apprehension. That perceptible tightening of his hand in mine, or is it mine in his. Guiding him forward to join the class but my heart filled with doubts and worries about this new stage of my child’s life.
The longer school day, lunch time, new friends, and navigating a whole new course. A quick hug, and the lump in my throat feels bigger. My head says it will be ok but. . .
Now it’s time to move on again. Away from the security of one class and one teacher. The years passed by so quickly. - Mary Kelly

This article was edited by Willie McHugh.