The postponed Christmas lights ceremony will take place on tomorrow, Friday. A rehearsal has been organised for 4.00pm at City Hall (the new glass section on Anglesea Street between old City Hall and Fire Station. Pupils should be dropped there at about 3.55pm. After the rehearsal, at about 5.00pm, the CBC group will be taken to Emmet Place (accompanied by teachers and volunteer parents) for the turning on of the lights and to participate in carol singing. Parents should collect their sons from there. If at all possible, pupils should wear school uniform as that make it easier to pick them out in a crowd.
Christmas Lights Ceremony Postponed
The Cork City Council has informed the school that the Christmas Lights Ceremony planned for tomorrow, Friday 18 November, has been cancelled due to a severe weather warning. It may take place on Friday 25 November. More details will be given when they are received.
Christmas Lights Ceremony
CBC Preparatory School has been invited by Cork City Council to participate in the Christmas Lights Ceremony on Friday next. If a sufficient number of pupils and parents are interested we will make arrangements for a group to take part in this seasonal event. A text was sent out today to parents about this event and further information will follow. The City Council invitation is as follows:
Turning on of the City Christmas lights will take place at 6pm on 18th November in Emmet place. There will be a stage area, music and carols and a high profile personality to turn on the lights. We are contacting all the local primary and secondary schools to see if they have a school choir that would be interested in the following:
- Participating in the turning on of the lights event
- Attend a conductor led rehearsal at 4pm on the 18th November for a joint sing along in a venue in the city. Hot chocolates and mince pies provided.
- Sing carols in a specific location in the city and join other schools in Emmet place at 6pm for a joint carol sing song and turning on of the city Christmas lights.
Rugby Fixture Saturday 1 October
Third to Sixth Class will be playing against Cobh Pirates on Saturday next. Third, Fourth and Fifth should be dropped off at 10.00am for a 10.30am kickoff and should be collected at 11.30am. The Sixth Class game takes place immediately afterwards: arrive at 11.00am; kickoff at 11.30am and collection at 12.30pm. Directions to Cobh Pirates rugby grounds can be found by clicking the following link: http://www.cobhpirates.com/directions.html
Lord Mayor’s Visit to CBC
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
Prep School Parents Meeting
A meeting of Preparatory School parents was held last night in the school Hall. The first item on the agenda was the election of a Prep School parent to the new Board of Management which will take office next month. Mrs Myriam O’Connor was proposed, seconded and elected unapposed.
The next item on the agenda was the election of a new Parents Council. The results were as follows:
- Junior Infants: Mrs Miriam McCarthy
- Senior Infants: Mr Shane FitzPatrick
- First: Mrs Audrey O’Sullivan
- Second: Mrs Sharon O’Mahony
- Third: Mrs Aileen Waterman
- Fourth: Mr Ray Murray
- Fifth: Mrs Johanna Radley
- Sixth: Mr Vivian Hedderman
A short presentation on school developments over the past year was given by Mr Tony McCarthy, and this was followed by questions and comments from some of the many parents present.
The new Parents Council met for a short time after the main meeting. Mr Shane FitzPatrick was elected Chairperson and Mrs Johanna Radley was elected as Secretary. The Parents Council will meet again on Monday 3 October at 7.00pm in the Preparatory School Library.
Evening Echo Photos
Irish Examiner and Evening Echo photographers visited the Preparatory School earlier in the week to record the first day at school of our new Junior Infants class. Some photos appeared in the Irish Examiner and the Evening Echo yesterday (Tuesday 30 August). TheEvening Echo pictures can be seen (and purchased) on-line by clicking the following links:
A New School Year
The Preparatory School reopened after the Summer Holidays on Friday 26 August. The pupils look forward eagerly to the many adventures to come.
A big smile for the reopening of the Prep School after the Summer Holidays
Reopening for the New School Year: 2011-12
The Prep School will reopen tomorrow, Friday 26 August, after the Summer break FOR JUNIOR INFANTS CLASS ONLY. The new Junior Infants should arrive at 9.00am and should be collected at 11.00am. On Monday next 29 August, all classes will commence at the usual time of 8.30am and will finish at the normal time: 12.30pm for Junior and Senior Infants; 3.00pm for all other classes.
Third and Fourth Visit Dublin
Third and Fourth Class had an extra tour laid on for them this year: a visit to Dublin on Thursday 26 May. They set off on the bus from Wellington Road at the unearthly hour of 7.15am, but the early start was well worth the trouble. They packed three great experiences into their day in Dublin. First of all, they went to the Tutankhamun exhibition which they found very interesting. This was followed by a trip to the Natural History Museum, also known as the ‘dead zoo’, as the exhibits consist of stuffed animals and skeletal remains of animals. They found this experience highly enjoyable as well. Their final stop was Dáil Éireann. They spent some time in the visitors’ gallery where they saw both Gerry Adams and ‘Ming’ Flanagan performing. Prep School past pupil Mr Dara Murphy TD met the boys and took them on a tour of Leinster House and presented each of the boys with a special lapel badge featuring the Cork coat of arms as a souvenir of their visit. Many thanks to Dara for taking time out of his busy schedule to meet the boys and their teachers.
Third Class boys at the Tutankhamun Exhibition
The boys take an interest in a mummy at the Tutankhamun exhibition
Mr Dara Murphy TD outside Dáil Éireann with Third and Fourth Class
School Tour
This year’s school tour was on Tuesday 24 May. Junior Infants to Second Class went to the Glen Recreation Centre where they had a very enjoyable day of activities, including wall climbing.
The boys of Third to Sixth Class went to the Oysterhaven aquatic centre where more adventurous activities were on offer, including canoeing, boating, rope bridge crossing and other pursuits that involved getting wet and muddy.
Third Class out on the water in Oysterhaven
Crossing over
CBC Prep School boys in Oysterhaven
Trying to get to the other side while staying dry
First Holy Communion
First Holy Communion Day for this year’s Second Class was on Saturday 21 May. After Mass, the boys and their families returned to the Preparatory School for a little reception organised by the teachers and the Parents Council. Special thanks to the mothers (and fathers?) of First Class who supplied the cakes for the occasion.
The boys of Second Class who made their First Holy Communion
Royal Visit to Cork
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
Sports Day 2011
The annual Sports Day was held at CIT Sports Grounds this year as the Mardyke was not available. A great day was had by all. Sprints, three-legged, egg & spoon and novelty races were run off for all classes from 3rd to 6th. Meanwhile, back at the school, the younger boys had their Sports Day on the Astroturf.
Concentration before the start of the egg and spoon race.
Sack race contestants near the finishing line.
Sixth Class boys pictured immediately after the novelty race.
Boxing Champ
Tommy Hyde of Sixth Class is a talented boxer. He brought some of his trophies to school this week, much to the delight of the Junior Infants Class.
Junior Infants boys hold up some of Tommy's boxing trophies.
Next Year’s Junior Infants Visit CBC
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
Chess
The Fifth and Sixth Class chess team took part in a chess competition in Togher last Friday.
Easter Rugby Camp
The Easter Rugby Camp was a very enjoyable three day event for the boys of the Preparatory School and some of their friends from other schools who came along to join in the fun
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TV Star Visits Prep School
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
Bath Tour 2011
Sixth Class arrived back in Cork last night after a hectic weekend in Bath. They played seven rugby matches over the three days at three different venues. They also spent some time sight seeing, culminating with a guided tour of the famous Roman Baths. The touring team also found time for bowling, quasar and a visit to the cinema.
The Preparatory School touring group prior to their departure from Cork Airport last Friday
The team prepares to take to the field
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The team is clapped by the opposition at the end of the match
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Group photo in the Roman Baths
Roman Bath Attendants?
Balcony overlooking Roman Baths
Looking down on main pool in the Roman Baths
The boys relax after their final match of the tour
Annual Tour to Bath
Tomorrow morning, Sixth Class will assemble at Cork Airport rather than in the School Hall. They will be on their way to the beautiful city of Bath for an educational and rugby tour. This final major event for the most senior boys in the Preparatory School is an annual event of long standing. They will play seven matches while in Bath, against local opposition. They will also spend some time sight seeing. They will be taken on a guided tour of the ancient Roman Baths, the feature from which the city takes its name. The boys designed a special jersey for the trip. Today, Dr Larry Jordan presented each of the 25 boys with the special touring jersey and a touring bag.
Dr Larry Jordan with the design team and the touring jersey
Dr Larry Jordan presents team captain David Love with a touring bag.
Dr Larry Jordan presents team vice-captain Evan Linnane with a sports bag.
Solidarity with People of Japan
CBC Preparatory was glad to show their solidarity with the people of Japan who are currently suffering the after-effects of the March earthquake. The class group hold a sign, which means in translation: ‘Hang in there!
Go to http://www.sonyakeogh.ie/blog/ for further details.
"Hang in there!!"
Second Class Come First
Second Class took the top prize today in the Feis Maitiu Choral Verse competition. The boys were delighted to return to CBC with their big silver cup. Congratulations to all the boys on their success.
Second Class on Stage at Fr Matthew Hall
Second Class with the cup they won at Feis Maitiú
Feis Maitiú Win
Joshua Fitzgerald-Roberts of Third Class, who came first in the 10 years and under recitation competition at Feis Maitiú, displays his winner’s medal.
Congratulation to Joshua for achieving a First Place at Feis Maitiú
Return Match
Fifth Class were guests of Scoil Cholmchille, Blarney Street on Friday last, to play return cricket and hurling matches. All the boys enjoyed the event and it is planned to have some more matches before the summer holidays.
CBC Cricket/Hurling Team
Waiting to Bat
The end of a hectic game of hurling