Sports
Basketball, Tennis, swimming, soccer, football, hurling and athletics are taught at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh boys. Over the years the pupils have competed with distinction at the Cork Primary Schools Sports which are held annually in Pairc Ui Chaoimh. They have also achieved success in the Sciath na Scol competitions in hurling and football.
Our school also has very close ties with CIT and their Social Studies department. Each school year, undergraduates from the Recreation and Leisure Degree complete teaching practise modules in our school which ensures that our teachers and pupils are continuously exposed to best practice and up to date developments in children’s sport.
Hurling and Football
We participate in Sciath na Scoil competitions and over the years we have had many marvellous days in Páirc Ui Chaoimh. Hurling and Gaelic Football are also strands of the Physical Education Curriculum. We are very fortunate to have a very close working relationship with Bishopstown GAA club and we have full use of their facilities.
2015/16 School Year
: During the months of September and October, football training took place in Bishopstown GAA club. As well as the school team training, a development squad was set up, which comprised of 4th class boys. Large numbers attended these training sessions and the boys learned new skills and practised existing ones in a positive and enjoyable environment. After several exciting matches, the school team qualified for the semi-finals of the Sciath na Scoil competition. Despite a great effort from the boys, the team was beaten in a very close game.
The hurling campaign gets underway after the Easter Holidays this year. We played Gaelscoil Uí Riada in a challenge on Tuesday 1st March. We have another challenge arranged for Tuesday 8th March against Scoil Barra in Ballincollig.
The following are the fixtures for the Sciath na Scoil Hurling Competition:
- Thursday 14th April – V Togher. Venue: Bishopstown at 1:30pm0
- Thursday 21st April – V Scoil Íosagáin. Venue: Na Piarsaigh Grounds at 2:00pm
- Tuesday 10th May – V St. Joseph’s Cobh. Venue: Bishopstown at 2:00pm
4. Thursday 12th May – V St. Anthony’s. Venue: Bishopstown at 2:00pm
Soccer
Soccer is a very popular sport in our school. All classes from 1st class up to 6th class take part in After- School soccer for a six week period each. The school competition for 5th and 6th class boys as well as a new competition for 3rd and 4th class boys.also enters the FAI 5-a-side national
We are very proud of all our past pupils at Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh. Past pupils Anthony Buckley and Colin O Brien both won league titles with Cork City. Colin is the current Irish u-15 coach. Brian Barry-Murphy (son of Jimmy) had a very successful career in England with Sheffield Wednesday, Bury, Preston North End and Rochdale. John Egan (son of the late John) is currently starring with Gillingham FC.
Basketball
At Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, we have a state of the art gymnasium hall which includes a basketball court. Boys play basketball as part of the P.E. curriculum. Senior classes also play basketball as part of our After School Activities. Our school also participates in the annual Mayfield Garda Basketball Blitz in Neptune Stadium.
Tennis
Tennis lessons are offered to boys in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh every Thursday after school. The tennis coaching finishes for this term on Thursday 10th March. The coaching this term was for boys in 1st to 4th classes. It is intended to run one more 6 week course for 1st to 4th class again after Easter.
Project Spraoi
We are very fortunate to be involved in “Project Spraoi” again this year. This initiative, lead by PhD student Lisa Bolger, aims to improve the overall fitness and health of all the boys in our school as well as basic movement skills. It raises awareness of the importance of regular exercise for our health and wellbeing.
As well as their PE classes, all classes have extra “Spraoi time” with Lisa each week where they learn new skills to improve their speed, coordination, agility, cooperation skills and overall fitness levels. Teachers are also getting involved by practicing these skills in the classroom on a daily basis, which the boys enjoy very much.
Boys in Senior Infants, First Class, Fourth Class and Fifth Class are monitored throughout the year to show their progression and their increase in fitness levels. All of the boys love “Spraoi Time”. It is fantastic to see their fitness and health improving while they are having so much fun! A big thank you to Lisa for all her hard work in the school.
Recreation
Art
After school art classes have been a great success so far this year. The classes are run on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. In these classes, the boys get the opportunity to experience areas of art that they might not come across in the art curriculum. The standard of work produced so far from the boys has been excellent and examples of their work can be seen on the school website. The classes will continue for a final 6 week period on Tuesday evenings only, from the 19th April to the 7th June.
French
After school French classes take place every Wednesday afternoon after school. Classes are based around learning useful French phrases and building up vocabulary. Fun games and songs are a big part of these lessons.
Piano Accordion
Piano accordion is offered to the boys every Monday and Wednesday after school. Since September the boys have mastered ~”Shepherd Song,” Fis Waltz”,” Twinkle Twinkle”, “Edelweiss”, “Silent Night” and many more. They performed exceptionally at the Christmas Concert as part of the school band.
Guitar
Guitar is taught on Thursdays to both beginners and improvers. The focus of these classes is to learn chords and play tunes mainly from the “Whistle Along” book. Intermediate players deviate a little from this, learning tunes such as “Fields of Athenry, “Cockles and Mussels, and “All of Me”.
All the boys have worked very hard so far this year and performed as part of the school band at the Christmas concert. They performed beautifully and had great fun.
Irish Dancing
Every Friday, for the past number of weeks, the boys have been learning Irish Dancing in the Halla. They are joined by the girls school and together they have enjoyed learning many Irish Jigs and Reels.
Their teacher is Fionan Cogan who has been teaching Irish Dancing for many years. He has performed throughout the world, from Spain, Hungary and even in America. The boys thoroughly enjoyed their dancing every Friday and have learnt a wonderful skill. Dancing is part of the PE curriculum and it is wonderful for the boys to have been able to experience and enjoy our national dance.
School Choir
The School Choir has been working very diligently this year. The boys performed very successfully at the Open Night for parents of next year’s Junior Infant classes in early November. All were impressed by the boys’ singing. The choir next performed at the annual Christmas Concert in the school hall, singing three carols. Later in the Spring it is planned to bring the school choir to a performance of Cór Fhéile na Scol at City Hall.