Junior Infants 2019 - 2020 Naíonáin Shóisearacha
Welcome to the 30 children who started in junior infants and several others in various classes throughout the school. We hope they have enjoyable and fulfilling years with us in Gilson National School.
Fáilte roimh na 30 naíonáin shóisearacha agus daltaí a thosaigh i ranganna eile sa scoil. Tá súil againn go mbeidh blianta taitneamhach agus tairbheach acu ar fad linn.
Fáilte roimh na 30 naíonáin shóisearacha agus daltaí a thosaigh i ranganna eile sa scoil. Tá súil againn go mbeidh blianta taitneamhach agus tairbheach acu ar fad linn.
School Holidays Time!!
We would like to wish a happy and safe school holiday to all our students and staff. Let's hope that the sun shines and everybody enjoys their break. We say farewell to our 6th classes who have been with us for the last 8 years and wish them well as they start their new journey in secondary school at the end of August. We look forward to welcoming new faces in September too.
Enjoy the hols everybody and keep safe!
Enjoy the hols everybody and keep safe!
A Special Visitor to Gilson!!
The morning of the school holidays this year was truly a memorable occasion as we welcomed the visit of the Christy Ring Cup to our school and winning captain, our very own Mr Geraghty!
He was the captain of the Meath Hurling Team which won the title in Croke Park at the weekend beating Down by a score line of
4 19 to 2 15.
We welcomed the cup and Mr Geraghty spoke to all the children about the day and the importance of playing sport and the great memories it has given him. Once the photos were done the cup was back in safe hands and ready for more visits.
Well done Mr Geraghty the whole school is very proud of you!
He was the captain of the Meath Hurling Team which won the title in Croke Park at the weekend beating Down by a score line of
4 19 to 2 15.
We welcomed the cup and Mr Geraghty spoke to all the children about the day and the importance of playing sport and the great memories it has given him. Once the photos were done the cup was back in safe hands and ready for more visits.
Well done Mr Geraghty the whole school is very proud of you!
Harvesting Our School Garden
Mrs Cooney joined us to help harvest all the planting work done earlier this year in our school garden. The early potatoes were dug up and given to children, while the radishes, salad leaves and shallots were collected, washed, chopped up and used for sandwiches!
Classes were given plates of the tasty salad sandwiches to enjoy. A special thank you to Mrs Cooney for her help during the year with the planting, weeding and the harvesting!
Classes were given plates of the tasty salad sandwiches to enjoy. A special thank you to Mrs Cooney for her help during the year with the planting, weeding and the harvesting!
School Tour Fun
Many classes have been out and about on school tours over the last few weeks. 6th and 2nd both travelled to the Cavan Centre in Kilnacrott to have some fun and games. Both groups were busy on the day doing different activities and having fun. The day got off to a great start as the sun was shining and 6th took to the water in Lough Sheelin while 2nd took to the bikes! Everyone had fun and enjoyed their day out.
6th Class present Bake Sale Funds to JFK Walkers!!
The Children in 6th Class made a special presentation to the organisers of the JFK 50 Mile Walk. They held a bake sale for children in the school recently. All children brought in some of their baking and then sold it to the different classes during the day. Some children made a generous contribution from their Confirmation Money to our fund. A decision was then taken to send this money off towards cancer research in Ireland. We then decided that the JFK 50 Mile Walk would be a very suitable recipient of our funds. In total we raised €430 and were delighted to hand it over to some members of the committee when they visited our school this week. A big THANK YOU! to all the children and teachers who bought some of the goodies and also to the children who made their own donations. Well done to all!
Sports Day!!
This year's sports day had to be fitted in between the non stop June showers so we opted for a condensed version on the school grassy area. This didn't stop the fun or the competition as we went through all the races for all the classes from infants up to the senior classes. We started off with the sprints, followed by the longer race which was a couple of laps of the track and in the afternoon we finished off with the fun races of the potato and spoon, the sack race and the three legged race. The teachers' race was the novelty event of the afternoon and was a draw!!
Everyone had fun, we didn't really need the sunshine after all and the taking part was the main thing!!
Well done to all, and enjoy the photos!!
Everyone had fun, we didn't really need the sunshine after all and the taking part was the main thing!!
Well done to all, and enjoy the photos!!
Fifth class history tour of the World War 1 Trench Experience.
On the 23rd of May both 5th classes visited the WW1 Trench Experience and County Museum in Ballyjamesduff, Co. Cavan. We had been learning about WW1 over the last month. The Trench Experience was interactive enjoyable, informative and a lot of fun. Finally, we had a visit from local historian Mr. Malachy Hand. Here we learned about the Oldcastle Prison camp (1914-1918).
Bake Sale in Gilson NS
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Children in 6th Class were busy before the Easter Holidays when they organised a big bake sale for all classes in the school. They all had to make some goodies and then bring them in to school and set up their stall to sell their work. The classroom was filled with all sorts of baking- RiceKrispie buns, Rocky Road, Brownies, cookies, Red Velvet cupcakes, scones, and the smell made everyone feel hungry for a snack. All the classes came in and had a chance to wander around and see all the variety before spending their €2. Some of the sixth class students were very persuasive and their buns and cookies were sold out in no time at all! We even had jumbo cookies and cakes available for raffle, so no opportunity was lost to raise money. The morning was a great success and a special thank you goes to Tracey Duffy for her help in baking and her 'Guess how many sweets in the jar game'! At the end of the day we raised €585 between baking and contributions from sixth class students. towards our chosen charities. Well done to all our sixth class bakers and a big thank to all the children who came to our bake sale.
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Sixth Class visit Dáil Eireann
Children from both sixth classes visited Dáil Eireann this week and met up with our local Fine Gael TD Damien English in Leinster House. They were treated to a full tour of the house and Senate. There was no sitting of the Dáil at the time, but all had a chance to see the chamber and hear about its history. This was followed by a chance to see portraits of all the previous Taoisigh and then a chance to see where the Senate sit. When all the touring was over, Damien met up with us in the Dáil Visitors' Bar where everybody was kindly treated to Coke and a snack!
Following this we headed off to see the Jeanie Johnston Ship, which is a replica of a ship that sailed between Ireland and Canada during Famine times, without losing a single passenger. Lastly we finished off with a quick trip to see the Famine Memorial statues before heading home. Sixth Class had a great day out learning about our politicians and our history too.
Following this we headed off to see the Jeanie Johnston Ship, which is a replica of a ship that sailed between Ireland and Canada during Famine times, without losing a single passenger. Lastly we finished off with a quick trip to see the Famine Memorial statues before heading home. Sixth Class had a great day out learning about our politicians and our history too.
Gilson NS wins the Mini 7's!
Our girls made history by winning the Cumann na mBunscol Mini 7's Football Competition for 2019 for the first time ever on March 21st!!! This is a 7 a side football competition, involving 75 girls teams from Co Meath. Our girls reached the finals by winning their qualifying matches against Carnaross, Ballinacree and Castletown in Gilson Park. With the lucky new white jerseys in the boot, they were off to Dunganny for the finals.
In their group games they beat Drumbaragh and Scoil Éanna. This set them up for a very tough semi final clash with Oristown. This was a very tight game but the Oldcastle girls showed great calmness and determination and won by a single point. They were now in a final against the girls from Kilcloon NS who were managed by a former Gilson NS pupil now teacher, Kenneth Keogan!
Our girls were tired and some injured at this stage but they showed great determination and teamwork and fought hard to keep up with the Kilcloon girls. It was a very tight match, our manager and some of the supporters were showing signs of nerves, but not the girls from Gilson NS. They played as a team right from the very start and came out on top by two points!!!
Our school won the boys competition some years ago, but this was a first for the girls. It means that they completed the DOUBLE this year, winning the Division 2 title back in November and now the mini 7's as well. Well done to all the girls Emma Lynch, Caoimhe Taggart, Shannon Mc Partland-Conroy, Aisling Harten, Anna Galligan, Cliodhnna Smith, Lauren Smith, Isabel Delaney, Ciara Gibson and Lara Colleran.
A special thank you to Mr Harten, Mr Geraghty and to Ms Cullivan and to the trainers in Oldcastle Ladies GFC who helped out with organising the team, coaching, the trainings and the games. We certainly have a very talented bunch of girls who have made us very proud. Well done to all of you!
In their group games they beat Drumbaragh and Scoil Éanna. This set them up for a very tough semi final clash with Oristown. This was a very tight game but the Oldcastle girls showed great calmness and determination and won by a single point. They were now in a final against the girls from Kilcloon NS who were managed by a former Gilson NS pupil now teacher, Kenneth Keogan!
Our girls were tired and some injured at this stage but they showed great determination and teamwork and fought hard to keep up with the Kilcloon girls. It was a very tight match, our manager and some of the supporters were showing signs of nerves, but not the girls from Gilson NS. They played as a team right from the very start and came out on top by two points!!!
Our school won the boys competition some years ago, but this was a first for the girls. It means that they completed the DOUBLE this year, winning the Division 2 title back in November and now the mini 7's as well. Well done to all the girls Emma Lynch, Caoimhe Taggart, Shannon Mc Partland-Conroy, Aisling Harten, Anna Galligan, Cliodhnna Smith, Lauren Smith, Isabel Delaney, Ciara Gibson and Lara Colleran.
A special thank you to Mr Harten, Mr Geraghty and to Ms Cullivan and to the trainers in Oldcastle Ladies GFC who helped out with organising the team, coaching, the trainings and the games. We certainly have a very talented bunch of girls who have made us very proud. Well done to all of you!
Seachtain na Gaeilge 2019
Bhí an-chraic againn sa Halla Mór ar an Aoine mar bhí Ceilí Mór 19 ar siúl ann. Tháinig gach duine le chéile agus ghlac gach rang páirt sa spórt a bhí ar siúl. Thosaigh na rinceoirí ar dtús le seit iontach agus lean na naíonáin iad le Teidí Beag Buí agus Seasaigí Suas agus damhsa beag. Lean gach rang iad i ndiaidh a chéile le amhráin agus damhsa. Nuair a bhí gach duine críochnaithe, tháinig rinceoirí speisialta amach agus beirt mhúinteoirí leo!! Chríochnaigh an lá le Amhrán na bhFiann.
Bridges Projects in 6th Class
Check out some of the colourful constructions by clicking on our class page: 6th Class
Football Mini- Sevens
Our boys and girls were out this week taking part in the Cumann na mBunscol Mini Sevens.
All the games were played in Gilson Park as other pitches were unplayable. The boys were out first and played their games against Ballinlough, Ballinacree, Carnaross and Castletown and competed very well. They were unlucky to lose out in the very end on points difference as they finished level with Castletown, who go through by a single point.
The girls however had a different story where they proved too strong for each team they faced, and didn't allow the opposition to score a single point in any of the games!! They now go on to face tougher opposition in Dunganny on March 21st. A big thank you to Mr Harten and to Mr Geraghty who coached both teams for their games and we wish them luck in the quarter finals.
Maith sibh, a chailíní!!
All the games were played in Gilson Park as other pitches were unplayable. The boys were out first and played their games against Ballinlough, Ballinacree, Carnaross and Castletown and competed very well. They were unlucky to lose out in the very end on points difference as they finished level with Castletown, who go through by a single point.
The girls however had a different story where they proved too strong for each team they faced, and didn't allow the opposition to score a single point in any of the games!! They now go on to face tougher opposition in Dunganny on March 21st. A big thank you to Mr Harten and to Mr Geraghty who coached both teams for their games and we wish them luck in the quarter finals.
Maith sibh, a chailíní!!
Confirmation 2019
The children in our 6th Classes received their Confirmation in St Brigid's Church on Friday 1st March last. They were joined by 3 children this year from Scoil Mhuire, Moylagh on the day. This year it was an extra special occasion as we welcomed our new Bishop of Meath Thomas Deenihan for the day. He spoke to the children about the importance of the gift of courage in their lives as they face many challenges as young people today. He also mentioned how he has been mistaken for Fr Ray on some occasions, and even asked to sing at weddings! Bishop Tom took part in a lengthy photo session afterwards before going over to our Hall where he met some families.
A special thank you to Mrs Flynn, Mrs Hetherton who prepared the children for the day and to Fr Kelly who came in for a special Questions and Answer Session recently. A special thank you to the Parents' Assoc who organised the refreshments in the Hall.
Thanks also to the altar servers and the school choir who sang beautifully in the ceremony, guided by Mrs O'Reilly, Ms Chapman, Ms Maguire and Mrs Galligan who travelled up to Oldcastle for the day. And indeed a special congratulations to her on the birth of her son Thomas who arrived safely two days later !!!
A special thank you to Mrs Flynn, Mrs Hetherton who prepared the children for the day and to Fr Kelly who came in for a special Questions and Answer Session recently. A special thank you to the Parents' Assoc who organised the refreshments in the Hall.
Thanks also to the altar servers and the school choir who sang beautifully in the ceremony, guided by Mrs O'Reilly, Ms Chapman, Ms Maguire and Mrs Galligan who travelled up to Oldcastle for the day. And indeed a special congratulations to her on the birth of her son Thomas who arrived safely two days later !!!
Confirmation Retreat Time.
Sixth Class were joined with the students from sixth in Moylagh for a retreat as preparation for Confirmation. The day was hosted by Damien Sheridan and his helper Gráinne who guided the children in prayer, reflection and song. The day started off with Mass, followed by reflective moments on faith and Confirmation. It ended with Confession and of course the day would not be complete without a few numbers from Fr Ray. It was an enjoyable day and a worthwhile preparation for receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.
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Grandparents Day in Gilson NS
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We had a great celebration of Grandparents Day as part of Catholic Schools Week. We all gathered in the school hall for a short service with Fr Ray. All the classes sang and it was a truly happy morning. The visitors then had a chance to visit classrooms and say hello to all before enjoying a cuppa in the hall. Thanks to all for the organising and to the Parents' Assoc for providing the refreshments.
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Medal Presentation To Our Champs!
Just before we broke up for our Christmas hols we were able to present the medals to our great team of girls who had won the Cumann na mBunscol final back in November. We invited past pupils Sinéad Coyle, Karen Cadden, Michaela Monaghan and Emma Healy to present the winning medals to the team. There was a link with the past here as two of our presenters Karen and Michaela played the last time we reached the final back in 2011. Thank you to the girls who took time off to come in and we wish them well in their own football matches in 2019.
School Christmas Concert 2018 !!
Our school concert took place in the Show Hall on Wednesday 19th December last. It was a great display of the talent in our school with all children taking part and providing a colourful, entertaining and fun show for all the parents, grandparents and friends. Junior Infants started off with their Nativity Play and this was followed by each class in turn performing some Christmas songs and poems. Gilson NS Parents' Association presented Mr Carey with a cheque for €4827 raised during the recent Pedal Powered Cinema. This was followed by 6th Class who showed their talent with mime, song and dance, clapping sequence and finished the afternoon's entertainment with their version of 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
A big thank you and well done to all the children on their performances and to the teachers for their hard work in puttind on the show. A special thank you also to the Parents' Assoc who organised the sound and the DVD of the show.
A big thank you and well done to all the children on their performances and to the teachers for their hard work in puttind on the show. A special thank you also to the Parents' Assoc who organised the sound and the DVD of the show.
Woodlands Habitats Display
All classes had a chance to listen to a very vivid and informative talk on Woodlands Habitats last week in the School Hall. Each class came out to listen to Joseph Campbell talk about the importance of bees and insects in pollination, bogs, wildlife in the local environment. It was a really interesting display which involved participation, video, displays, lots of information and suited all the ages.
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Our girls are the Cumann na mBunscol 2018 Division 2 Football Champions!!!! They produced a brilliant display of skill and talent to win the final with style on a cloudy grey November morning in Trim. Wearing the new lucky white jerseys, they faced a strong Lismullen side but displayed no nerves at all and soon raced into an early lead as they played with the wind advantage.
At half time Oldcastle were ahead by 5 points, but were ready for a second half against the breeze. They never gave up but worked very hard and added to their scores, showing great passing moves, skill, fitness, scores and a real team performance!
As the final whistle blew, Gilson girls had won the Pat Sheridan Cup for the first time ever!
Great credit is due to Mrs Galligan who worked very hard with these girls and also to the clubs with which these girls play. It was a special moment for Darina Sheridan to be presenting the cup to Gilson NS for the first time, one which these girls will never forget!!
It was a very happy bus on the way home as the singing was loud and clear as they welcomed the Pat Sheridan Cup over the mountain for the first time! Well done girls and Mrs Galligan, we are very proud of you all.
Ní dhéanfaidh siad dearmad ar an lá sin go deo!!
Maith sibh a chailíní!
Comhghairdeas!
At half time Oldcastle were ahead by 5 points, but were ready for a second half against the breeze. They never gave up but worked very hard and added to their scores, showing great passing moves, skill, fitness, scores and a real team performance!
As the final whistle blew, Gilson girls had won the Pat Sheridan Cup for the first time ever!
Great credit is due to Mrs Galligan who worked very hard with these girls and also to the clubs with which these girls play. It was a special moment for Darina Sheridan to be presenting the cup to Gilson NS for the first time, one which these girls will never forget!!
It was a very happy bus on the way home as the singing was loud and clear as they welcomed the Pat Sheridan Cup over the mountain for the first time! Well done girls and Mrs Galligan, we are very proud of you all.
Ní dhéanfaidh siad dearmad ar an lá sin go deo!!
Maith sibh a chailíní!
Comhghairdeas!
Final Send Off for our Girls!
We all gathered in the school hall to give our girls a supportive cheer before they head off to Trim to play in the Girls Division 2 final. All classes cheered them on as they paraded their new jerseys with great style. They will play for the Pat Sheridan Cup named after a former pupil of Gilson NS, who was on the team that won the team that won the Division 2 Boys' final in 1995. Pat was also principal of Lismullen NS before his untimely passing in 2012. Pat's children Eanna and Tadhg attend the school at present and its great for them that their Dad's memory is continues in sport, something that he was so involved in during his lifetime.
The team is expertly coached by our own Mrs Galligan, who has worked hard with the girls , guiding them to great success, as recently as the Division 2/3 Shield in 2017. We wish them all the very best of luck!
New Jerseys' Presentation
Gilson NS is very proud to receive a brand new set of jerseys kindly sponsored by Oldcastle GFC. The jerseys are in the away colours and sport our school crest on the front and on sleeves too! They were presented to our school by Dermot Monaghan and Brendan Halpin on behalf of the Club, who wished the teams wearing them the very best of luck and great sucess in the future. Míle buíochas.
Football Success for our Girls!!
Lots of smiling faces here from our girls' team who earned a place in the final over a tough team from Daingean (Summerhill) last week. The girls showed great determination and teamwork along with skillful scores in the semi final which took place in Sean Newman Park in Bohermeen.
They were very well coached by Mrs Galligan who has worked very hard with these girls once again, to reach the final which takes place in Trim on Saturday 24th November.
The girls were the first to wear the new set of jerseys which only arrived in school last week and they certainly got them off to a lucky start. The jerseys which are white with a blue trim, were very kindly sponsored by Oldcastle GFC and we hope to have many more successes in the future wearing them.
They were very well coached by Mrs Galligan who has worked very hard with these girls once again, to reach the final which takes place in Trim on Saturday 24th November.
The girls were the first to wear the new set of jerseys which only arrived in school last week and they certainly got them off to a lucky start. The jerseys which are white with a blue trim, were very kindly sponsored by Oldcastle GFC and we hope to have many more successes in the future wearing them.
Trip to St. Oliver PP
Boys and girls from 6th Class travelled to St Oliver PP and met up with other future 1st yr students in an Open Day last week. The day started off with a tour around the classrooms to see the layout and meet some teachers. Next the students had a chance to sit through a full class of some of the practical subjects where they learned how to use the lathe, all about the food pyramid and even how to use the mallet, chisel and saw properly.
When all the learning and touring was over, all headed to the canteen for a tasty lunch of curry and chips which went down a treat, and some even went back for more!!
All in all it was an enjoyable day and should be of great help to all students before they start off next September.
When all the learning and touring was over, all headed to the canteen for a tasty lunch of curry and chips which went down a treat, and some even went back for more!!
All in all it was an enjoyable day and should be of great help to all students before they start off next September.
Football news!
Both our boys' and girls' football teams have got the year off to winning starts this year. The girls have played 5 games and won all which puts them through to the semifinal of the competition, while the boys have a game left to play and have won all their games too. They too, are looking to progress tho the next round. All have all been training hard with Mrs Galligan and Mr Harten, who welcomes Mr Geraghty on board this year, to help him out. We wish all our teams the best of luck as they progress in their games.
Both our boys' and girls' football teams have got the year off to winning starts this year. The girls have played 5 games and won all which puts them through to the semifinal of the competition, while the boys have a game left to play and have won all their games too. They too, are looking to progress tho the next round. All have all been training hard with Mrs Galligan and Mr Harten, who welcomes Mr Geraghty on board this year, to help him out. We wish all our teams the best of luck as they progress in their games.
Pizza Day in Gilson NS
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Children in the classes had a special treat today when The Parents Association arrived with slices of pizza for all. This was a big thank you to all the children who fundraised for the recent Pedal Powered cinema. All enjoyed the treat and a well done to Molly Farrelly who was the biggest fundraiser again this year!!
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Football Champions' Visit!
Pupils from 5th and 6th Classes were treated to a visit from local members of the victorious Meath Under 16 team today, proudly displaying the Gerry Reilly Cup which they won at the weekend. Past pupils Pearse Sheridan and Darren Connell along with Harry Ryan from Ballinlough called in to show the Cup which Meath won for the first time in 11 years, following their victory over Cavan in Millbrook at the weekend. All the boys were playing in the final and told the classes about the preparation and the tough training three nights each week they attended in order to achieve success.
Congratulations to them on their hard work and their talent and we wish them well in their next competition.
Congratulations to them on their hard work and their talent and we wish them well in their next competition.
Back to School Time!!
- September is with us, holidays are over and it's back to school for another year. After a summer of long sunny days with fabulous sunshine, it's time to settle back down to a new school year. This year we welcome 30 new faces to Junior Infants under the watchful eye of Ms Ní Chéidigh and we wish them well as they start out their educational journey with us.
- Over the summer we said goodbye to Ms Brogan and Ms Reynolds and wish them well in their new teaching posts, We welcome back Ms O'Brien to our staff. We also welcome Mr Geraghty who will work with 4th Class on a temporary basis.
Contact Us!
Gilson National School, Church Street, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Tel: 049 85 41327
Fax: 049 85 41327
E Mail: gilsonns.ias@eircom.net
Gilson National School, Church Street, Oldcastle, Co Meath.
Tel: 049 85 41327
Fax: 049 85 41327
E Mail: gilsonns.ias@eircom.net