The Comenius Project
Year 3.

This is year 3 of the Comenius Project “Children’s Literature Through Fingers” We are making a CD  ROM based on the story of Diarmaid agus Gráinne. Each class in the school  has contributed some material to the CD-ROM.

• The Infants have coloured some old sayings and some local place-names.

• 1^st and 2^nd  have acted the story of Diarmaid agus Gráinne and these scenes have been captured on video.

• 3^rd class have looked at the environment

• 4^th class have recorded a song from the local area

• 5^th class have written about the Abbey and

• 6^th class have drawn pictures of the story and presented them in Power Point

Johnny has recorded music which he and the pupils of 2^nd  class have  composed.  The class are working on a song which tells the Diarmaid and Gráinne story in the Irish language.

Jennifer has worked with the teachers in gathering all the information for the CD Rom.

Most of the material is now ready and work on putting it all together will be the next step.

This work is the beginning of a development, which can continue on in future years. Many of the stories and interesting data from this historically wealthy area will be in electronic format. This will ensure their endurance and their availability for future generations. Children will begin to have an awareness of their local area. There is enough history in Ovens alone to fill a curriculum for many years. A local history quiz was held in the school. There were a huge number of entries and the first all-correct answers out of the box were:

1. Ciarán Hutchinson

2. Gráinne Hutchinson

3. Niamh Eliot

4. Alanna  Murphy

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all those who took part

Encouraging children to use computers and technology in a constructive manner is another aim of the project. Scanning pictures, recording voices and using programmes such a s PowerPoint is giving children an opportunity to gain first-hand experience  of modern technology. The final product should be a testament to the work undertaken.

We have gained considerable experience in the use of the digital video. We used it to record the scene for Diarmaid agus Gráinne. We have edited the original film and work on the material for the CD rom is ongoing. We got excellent training in the use of the video and this has proved most worthwhile. We even produced a video of our concert. This is most entertaining.

Comenius Week  
This year our school is in the privileged position of being the host school for the Comenius Project, "Children's Literature through Fingers". This week takes place from June 9th to June 13th. Up to 20 teachers from the partner countries will visit our school and some other schools in the area. We will have workshops to evaluate the impact of the project on the pupils and teachers who were involved. The CD-ROM should be ready by that time.  

Fundraising
Following a number of successful fundraising events we are now well on target for our week in June. Fundraising events included:

• Valentine's day raffle in school

• Traditional concert in Éire Óg G.A.A. Hall

• Shamrock sold in school

• Easter Raffle

• Business Appeal

The response to each of the above appeals was absolutely fantastic. It has given us great encouragement. Thanks to all who helped. We hope that you will join us during the week in June.