Scoil Na Mainistreach has always been a really friendly, sporty, enjoyable and fun school. Looking back now at when we started school, I can see how childish and different we all were back then – accidentally calling teachers Mom, messing in the old sandpit and not even able to tie our own shoe laces. Last month when my brother made his Communion, I pulled out our own Communion DVD and nearly fell off my chair laughing at our chubby faces and silly innocent grins.
A good memory from our junior time in the school is the tour to Causey Farm in Senior Infants. It was great fun jumping into the bog and I can still picture Mr.Mulreid rushing into the bog after one of the boys got his shoe stuck in the thick mud.
I am very lucky to have been in a school run by two fantastic principals, Mr King and Mrs Corrigan. I have good memories of Mr King, he was always in a good mood around the school, but he still owes myself and Johnny Owens a prize for dancing well in the ceili a few years back. He promised us some colouring pencils for our fancy moves!
In the middle of all the fun and games we did great learning in Scoil Na Mainistreach. We had great experiences taking part in the School Quiz competition, Junior Entrepreneur Programme and National Children’s choir. School Last standing was brilliant especially as I was in the lead on my birthday in February! My luck changed and Ms McAuley overtook me quickly enough. We were always busy at school, always having something else to look forward to.
All my teachers were fantastic but I will never forget Neddy Nabhrialta, who was not a figment of Mr Tyrrell’s imagination by the way but was actually a poster of a man up on the wall in Mr.Tyrrell’s class. This poster had always helped us make Irish more enjoyable. Mrs. Fleming always had fun stories to tell and made even the most boring subjects exciting in her class.
We did swimming in St Raphaels in 3rd and 5th class and I remember Jogaila being threatened with having to sing a song on his own in class if he wasn’t out of the shower quicker.
Sports have always been a major big thing in Scoil Na Mainistreach. Firstly, sports days: I remember all the excitement of the events, cheering on team members and colours awaiting your turn to come at last!
Another great memory from this year is the cycle to Maynooth during active week. It wasn’t quite the tour de France, but we did reach some amount of speed during downhill slopes! It was a proud moment presenting the university with the cheque.
Then there are the Gaelic football and hurling teams. Regular training sessions and matches with the odd treat of a trip to Hawkfield under the watchful eye of teachers like Mr Minnock, Mr Moyles, Mr Bracken and Mr Curtin brought us on brilliantly!
It’s been like a badge of honour just to get to wear one of those school jerseys – even the old ones which may have been a bit oversized!
This year has been incredible for hurling with the school team winning the Cumann na mBunscoil competition. I don’t know if it was the new jerseys, or the bribe of Macari’s, but that Cup just had to enter our collection of trophies! I can’t even tell you how delicious burgers and chips taste instead of your usual ham sandwiches! Although Ms Corrigan is probably worried sick about her windows, I don’t think we would have clinched victory against Naas if it wasn’t for good ‘oul wall ball! There’s nothing better than being able to play a bit of hurling before going into a classroom.
Scoil Na Mainistreach really knows how to celebrate in style. The day after our victory, we were treated like superstars doing our laps of honour on the field with the cup to the sound of the Sunday Game music on the speakers. I know it was the first time we’ve been led in by the Sunday Game music, but looking at these bunch of lads, I’m sure it won’t be the last. Photos of our win were swiftly up on Facebook and when Tim O Regan uploaded it on Twitter with the hashtag “what do you think of that Joe Brolly?”, Joe Brolly himself retweeted it! Class!
I would like to thank Mrs Corrigan, Mrs Fleming and all the teachers and staff for an amazing time in Scoil Na Mainistreach! I will always have wonderful memories of this school and feel extremely lucky to have had such a great time in primary school.