Today was the last day in school for the Leavng Cert boys. At lunchtime, many of those who had gone through the Prep School came down to have a look at where it all started for them. They paid a nostalgic visit to all the classrooms, pausing in Junior Infants for a photograph (below)
Sixth Year boys visit Senior Infants Class on their last day in school.
On the second Thursday of each month, Fr Tom Walsh comes to the Preparatory School to say Mass in the Hall. The whole Prep School attends. This Thursday, it was the turn of First Class to do the readings and all the other tasks associated with the celebration of Mass.
The Preparatory School boys had a visit from the Blackrock Observatory on Tuesday 6 February. Ms Frances McCarthy brought the inflatable dome which was set up in the Secondary School Hall. Each class, from Junior Infants to Sixth, had a forty minutes session in the dome where they saw shows on the sun, moon and stars geared to their age group. The boys thoroughly enjoyed the presentations.
Ms Frances McCarthy of Blackrock Observatory talks to the boys before they enter the dome.
The Blackrock Dome set up in the Secondary School Hall
The boys get ready to enter the dome
Cork’s Lord Mayor, Councillor Terry Shannon and his wife Ursula visited CBC on Friday last. As usual, every boy in the school had the opportunity to see and hear the city’s First Citizen. The Prep and Secondary schools made up an audience of 1,000 as they waited in the Hall for Councillor Shannon’s arrival. William Whyte of Senior Infants Class presented Mrs Shannon with a bouquet of flowers on arrival at the door of the school. During his presentation to the assembled pupils and teachers, the Lord Mayor commented on how his predecessors over the years had been highly impressed by the exceptional welcome afforded annually by CBC. Dr Larry Jordan and the School Captain formally welcomed Mr & Mrs Shannon to CBC, and after making an interesting presentation, Councillor Shannon went among the pupils shaking hands.
Prep School boys await the arrival of the Lord Mayor
Part of the large student body awaiting the arrival of Cork's First Citizen
William Whyte greets the Lady Moyoress with a bouquet of flowers
Lord Mayor Shannon addresses the pupils of CBC
Before his departure, the Lord Mayor shakes hands with Prep School boys
The Lord Mayor shakes hands with senior boys before departing CBC
CBC was among a number of Cork schools invited to send a contingent of pupils to the city centre to view the royal visit this afternoon. Nine boys from the Prep School accompanied by about 100 secondary school boys and five teachers walked to the assembly point, Christ Church on the South Main Street, around midday. They were treated to sandwiches, fruit and bottled water before being led to a viewing point at the corner of the Grand Parade and the South Mall. A little later, they were moved to a better vantage point directly opposite the gate of the English Market. From there they had a great view of the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh as they entered the Market. After leaving the Market, the royal couple crossed the road and spoke to some of the onlookers. The Prep School boys were delighted that the Queen and the Duke exchanged a few words with them.
Before departing for town
CBC pupils entering Christ Church for a security check and refreshments
The view from the corner of the Grand Parade and South Mall
CBC at a prime viewing spot opposite the Market Gate
The Queen passes by, pausing briefly to talk to Prep School boys
The Duke of Edinburgh asks 'Did you get a half day from school?'
The Prep School boys wait for barriers to be lifted after the royal visit
Many of the boys who will start Junior Infants Class next August came along to CBC this morning to spend a couple of hours with Mrs Lowry. Their parents stayed in the classroom until the boys settled down, which did not take very long. Then there was a morning of fun with stories, games and a spell in the playground. They are all looking forward to coming back after the summer.
Mrs Lowry settles down the boys while parents look on.
Mrs Lowry engages the boys in a story
The boys are fascinated with Mrs Lowry's little helper
Running and jumping in the playground
Lining up in the playground to go back to class
Rachel Sarah Murphy, who plays Jo Fahey in the RTE soap Fair City, visited CBC today. Her company, the Irish Film Academy, recently sponsored the touring jersey which the Sixth Class boys wore on their tour to Bath. Rachel Sarah called in on the Sixth Class boys as she was told that they had a particular interest in drama. She spent an hour in the Library with them, explaining various acting techniques and getting the boys involved in acting out short scenes. She took a break to pick out the winning ticket for the Easter Egg draw. The Preparatory School are very grateful to Rachel Sarah for calling in and also for her sponsorship of the Bath Tour.
Rachel Sarah Murphy in the Library with Sixth Class
The pupils wait anxiously for Rachel Sarah to pick the winning ticket in the Easter Egg draw
Rachel Sarah presents the Easter Egg to the lucky winner
A few weeks before Ireland’s famous victory over England in the Cricket World Cup, a cricket match had been planned between CBC Prep School and Scoil Cholmcille CBS, Blarney Street. The match took place this morning at Lansdowne in glorious sunshine. The fact that cricket has been very much in the news this week, made the event all the more enjoyable.
The Fifth Class boys from each school competed and everyone got a chance to play. The final result: we want more cricket. A return match is planned for next Friday morning when the CBC boys will be the guests of Scoil Cholmchille.
The boys finished off the morning’s sport with a game of hurling on the Astro Turf. What energy!
The Scoil Cholmchille Team
The CBC Prep School Team
Action at this morning's cricket match
Getting ready to defend the wicket
After cricket, a hurling match: hard to tire out these boys
The Sam Maguire Cup was brought to CBC yesterday and the boys of the Prep School celebrated Cork’s seventh win in the All-Ireland Football final (in 120 years). Ballydesmond forward Donncha O’Connor, who played a crucial part in the semi-final against Dublin, was the man who brought the cup to CBC. He has been a member of the Cork senior inter-county team since 2006. After a few inspirational words to the Prep School pupils, who gathered in the Hall to hear him, Donnacha allowed the cup to be passed round, so everyone was able to hold on to it for a little while,
Senior Infants photographed with Sam Maguire
Sam Maguire is passed round so everybody gets a turn to hold it.
Sixth Class with Sam Maguire and Donnacha O'Connor
Second Class raise the cup
A great welcome for Sam Maguire
and stood for photographs with each of the classes.
The Secondary School Class of 2010 finished school on Thursday 27 May. Some dropped into the Prep School for a last look round. Many of the Sixth Year boys started here fourteen years ago.
Junior Infants are delighted to see some of the Sixth Year boys on their last day in school. Many started in the Prep School fourteen years ago.
Contrast! Sixth Class boys sit down with Senior Infants!
Finishing where they started! Sixth Year boys on their last day visit the Prep School where many started fourteen years ago.
This morning at 10.00am, the boys of the Prep School assembled in the Hall to await the arrival of the Romanian Ambassador to Ireland, Mr Iulian Buga. As he walked into the Hall, Mr Buga was given a great round of applause by boys from Junior infants to Sixth Class.
Mr Buga spoke to the boys about Europe Day, 9 May, and the importance of the declaration made on that day in 1950 by M. Robert Schuman, which is regarded as the first significant move towards a united Europe.
The Ambassador spoke about sports in Romania and how football is the most popular sport in his country. He said that rugby is also played in Romania, but that Ireland has had more success at that sport than Romania.
Then Roy O’Mahony and Conor Leahy, captain and vice-captain of the Sixth Class rugby tour to Bath, presented Mr Buga with a CBC rugby ball. The ball was made in the black, yellow and red colours of CBC which closely resemble the blue, yellow and red of the Romanian flag.
The Ambassador then spoke informally to pupils and teacers and posed for pictures before moving on the the Secondary School.
M. Robert Schuman
Ambassador Buga is introduced to Prep School boys
Ambassador Buga addresses Prep School boys
Part of the Ambassador's audience
Roy O'Mahony presents the Ambassador with a CBC rugby ball.
The Romanian Ambassador to Ireland is to visit CBC Prep School on Friday 7 May. Mr Iulian Buga is helping to celebrate Europe Day, 9 May. For more information on Europe day, click the following link: Europe Day.
His Excellency Mr Iulian Buga, Romanian Ambassador to Ireland
Mr Rajender Singh, International Handicrafts Artist, Delhi, gave a demonstration of Paper Craft for all Preparatory School pupils this morning. Mr Singh, using only scissors and coloured paper (no glue or pins), made flowers, garlands, paper chains and other decorations during the presentation of his craft. His book, which costs three euro, is on sale in the Preparatory School today and tomorrow. It gives full instructions on how to make 25 items from paper.
Mr Rajender Singh gives a demonstration of Paper Craft
Three players from the Munster Senior Squad, all past pupils of CBC, came to Lansdowne today to help out Prep School trainers Dennis Linehan and Steven Lynch with the training of Prep School Rugby Teams. The boys were delighted to get a full training session with Stephen Archer, Billy Holland and Duncan Williams.
Duncan Williams with Prep School boys in Lansdowne on Friday 13 November
Stephen Archer with Prep School boys in Lansdowne on Friday 13 November
Billy Holland with Prep School boys in Lansdowne on Friday 13 November
The boys of the Prep School were delighted to welcome Corkwoman Lisa Cummins to the school on Monday last. Lisa has been in the news for her incredible feat of will and endurance: swimming across the English Channel and turning round immediately and swimming back again. It took her 36 hours. She is now in a group of only twenty who can claim this achievement.
Lisa Cummins addresses an attentive Prep School audience
