8 years ago you all joined the school community here in Coolanarney N.S. Over the years your teachers have watched you grow, develop, have fun and become the young adults you are today. Today that journey comes to an end. 

​All of you have contributed so much to the school. You have gotten involved in so much, helped out other children just the way pervious children had helped you. You've made us all laugh, cry, get frustrated with you but at the end of the day you have all make a huge mark on all the other children in the school, your teachers and most importantly, your parents who do so much for you - drive you places, bring you to matches/training and champion you to d your best.

It has been a pleasure watching you grow these past 8 years. Teaching you, developing your life skills and having fun with you all. You may be leaving us but we will never forget you or what you have contributed to the school. You are all amazing young adults and we wish you all the very best in Secondary School and the years ahead. 

And don't be strangers - pop back in at any time for a chat. 
All the Best,
The Staff and children in Coolanarney N.S. ​

It was a bittersweet day here in Coolanarney as we said a huge goodbye to two important members of our staff: Mrs. Ann Cowan, our SNA and Mrs. Michelle Bennett, our cleaner. 

The children have been preparing the past few weeks learning two goodbye songs for the occasion, under the guidance of Ms. Killeen. The children sang wonderfully and the lyrics of the songs really showed them both how much we will miss them. Ms. Mahon, Mrs. Lynch and Paul Carroll, BOM Chairperson, all spoke so well and fondly about the two ladies mentioning their dedication to the school, their drive in doing their best, their wonderful personalities which contributed to the great atmosphere of the school. We presented flowers, vouchers and a frame of the lyrics to the song as a parting gift. 

Mrs Cowan has been in the school for the last 7 years and has made her mark across the school, both in the classroom and in the staffroom. She has worked with so many children over the years, ensuring they got the best out of their education and time in Coolanarney. She went far and beyond for the children and the staff. 

Mrs. Bennett is the unsung hero of the school. She has worked in the school for the past 20 year as our cleaner. Every evening Michelle comes in and cleans the school, late into the evening. Without her hard work and dedication the school wouldn't be looking as amazing as it looks. Covid also made things tougher where cleaning became so important to reduce the virus spreading. 

The staff, Board of Management, Chairperson, past staff and the children wish both Ann and Michelle the very best in their retirements. 

Sports Day was a big hit with everyone this year. Everyone has so much fun participating in all of the events and activities that were going on. The whole school was divided into teams with children from all classes in each group. The team leaders were the boys and girls from 5th and 6th class who cheered on their team, encouraged them and did great work in making the so much fun for the younger children. 
​It was so nice to see all the children so relaxed and having so much fun!!! And we were so lucky that the weather held up nicely - bar the one shower near the end of the day!
And we also want to say a massive thank you to Ms. Gath for organising the day. 
Check out some photos and videos of the day. 

The morning part of the day consisted of the stations. Each group had to work together to complete the station. The stations comprised of basketball, hurling, teambuilding exercises, javelin, soccer, obstacle course and  balancing and walking. 

After we had finished the stations, and the middle and Senior Rooms arrived back from Swimming, we held our races. The children took part in the backwards race, hoop race, sack race, potato and spoon and three-legged races. The competitive side came out in everyone. 

Have a look at some videos taken during the day. 

A big well done to the children and classes who received medals and trophies for performing so well in the speed endurance test a few weeks ago. Before Easter, the children were practising their athletics skills with Johnny - endurance, speed, pacing and had a lot of fun. 
After Easter, the children took part in the Offaly Sports Partnership Endurance test test where they had to run the course, up and down, for two minutes. They were competing against all the other school in Offaly. Coolanarney performed really well in the county winning 3 individual medals and 4 group trophies.

Class Trophy Winners:

• 1st Class Boys
• 1st Class Girls
• 2nd Class Boys
• 3rd Class Boys

And three individual winners:

• Two boys in 2nd Class
• One girl in 3rd Class.

A big congratulations and well done to all the children who helped Coolanarney place as one of the fastest schools in Offaly! 

We had a busy day here in the school. The boys and girls wore their Offaly jerseys (and a few KK jerseys in the mix) showing their support for our players. Not only showing support, but Midlands 103 visited the school to interview the children from 1st to 4th class about the final, their interest in sports, their favourite players and how they were going to cheer on our team on Sunday! All the children spoke so well and our past pupils, Captain Charlie Mitchell and Adam Screeney were both mentioned as favourite players by almost every child. It shows how much of an impact you are having on the children in the school and out future sports stars! 

Our children were featured on The Midlands Today show with Will Faulkner on Friday 2nd June 2023. The children spoke so well and a big thank you to Chole and Liam for visiting the school and chatting to the children. 
You can have a listen back to the interview on the Midlans103 website at the link here. We are on at the 33 minute mark.

​https://www.midlands103.com/podcasts/midlands-today-with-will-faulkner/episode/week-23-friday/ 

Junior Infants, Senior Infants and 1st Class has so much fun on their school tour to Tearaways. It was an action fun-filled day that everyone enjoyed.
When we arrived, the children go to play in the indoor play area. There were slides, a ball-pit, climbing frames and a mini-zip line. We were then given a guided tour of all the animals that lived on the far. We was cattle, rabbits, alpacas, pigs, sheep and horses. 
And to end the day the children go to play in the outside play area where they on go-carts, tractors, played on slides, climbing frames, got a train ride around the whole farm and played some large board games! 

It was a great day that everyone enjoyed so much! 

All the children from 2nd class to 6th Class has a great, fun-filled day in Lough Key Forest Activity park! The tour was a hit with everyone and the children had a blast! 

The children took part in the 'Boda Borg" which consisted of escape room type activities. The children were divided into team of 5/6 children who had to work together to complete each room. Each group was given a card that they had to stamp when they had completed each room. When they entered the two-story room, they were able to choose which rooms to do. They could complete each room as many time as they wish until they succeed in that room. Each room contained some activity where the children worked together, using their problem solving skills to figure out what to do. Some rooms were easier than others and some rooms caused so much frustration that they some gave up on it! The whole activity was so enjoyable for everyone and their competitive sides came out! 

After finishing the escape room, we were given a tour of the grounds of Lough Key. We learned about the history of the area, the family that lived there, the main house, the fire, the lake, legends of the area and how the area became what it is today. 

And the highlight of the entire tour was our stop in Supermacs and the shop on the way home. That is probably the only part of the tour the children have told you about!!! After working off their energy in the escape room we sent them home high on sugar which made for a great bus ride home!!!

​https://loughkey.ie/activities/boda-borg/

We had sporting royalty (and past pupils) in the school today. Some of the players from the Offaly U20s hurling team visited the school. Not only representing Offaly so well in hurling but also representing their secondary school in the combined schools competitions. 

The boys and girls in Coolanarney have looked up to these players and their names have ben mentioned so many times, These players are true role models for these boys and girls, not only in our school bu across the parish and county. The children asked some great questions and the lads gave some great advice to the children. Their main message was to work hard and keep practising.