Saol na Scoile:
Ceol / Music:
Gaelscoil Phort Láirge strives to enrich each pupil’s experience of music, art, and drama. There has always been a tradition of music in the school with an emphasis on enjoyment and participation.
Naíonáin Mhóra have participated in Féile na Scoileanna, performing a number of songs in Irish in the Theatre Royal.
Violin and concertina lessons are available to pupils with music teacher Muireann Ní Luasa.
The school has been involved in the Peace Proms programme for a number of years. Pupils learn a variety of songs, attend a workshop with renowned conductor Greg Beardsell and perform at the W.I.T. Arena alongside the Cross-Border Orchestra of Ireland. Taking part has been hugely beneficial to the children, increasing their confidence and enjoyment while performing.
In 2018, Rang 4 and Rang 5 took part in the National Children’s Choir, a year-long endeavour which involved learning a wide repertoire of songs, travelling to several rehearsal workshops and performing at a concert in St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. A small number of pupils went on to sing at the National Concert Hall with the RTE Concert Orchestra, an amazing opportunity!
Drámaíocht / Drama:
Drama is encouraged and promoted in our school and this year under the guidance of Múinteoir Abby, the drama club performances were wonderful at Halloween, Christmas and the end-of-year production ‘Barbie agus an Seachtar Leipreachán’.
Sport:
Gaelscoil Phort Láirge believes that every student should have the opportunity to express themselves and what better way than through sport. The boys and girls take part in a variety of games such as Gaelic football, hurling, camogie, athletics, basketball, and soccer. We participate in the Waterford Cross Country and Track competition every year and have experienced great success. We were awarded best school in our category in 2018. We have a busy calendar year supporting U-13 matches and under-10 blitzes. Our U-10 footballers gave some fantastic performances recently and were duly rewarded for their hard work when they won the Roinn B Cup in 2019. Rang 4 takes part in the Futsal competition every year, and Rang 6 demonstrates their skills in the Willy Moran competition.
We are committed to ensuring that all children receive an enriching and varied experience of the physical education curriculum. All strands are covered by both teachers and fully qualified instructors. Irish dancing, gymnastics, Taekwondo, Gaelic football, hurling, and swimming are just examples of the sports covered during the school year.
Ficheall / Chess:
Chess was introduced in the school in 2017, and since then, we have participated in the Ficheall events each year, where pupils meet and play against other schools. Chess is a fantastic activity for teaching problem-solving skills, resilience, and social skills. This year we hope to get even more pupils involved across the school by running a winter lunchtime league.
Scoileanna Glasa/ Green Schools:
We are an active Green School. To date, our school has explored the themes of litter and waste, energy, travel, and biodiversity. We have undertaken many action days in line with these themes. Both students and parents love getting involved, and community groups are eager to help. Our Green Schools committee is made up of two representatives from Rang 3 – Rang 6. This year, we will continue to raise awareness of all our Green Flag initiatives with a focus on Global Citizenship. We will be joining thousands of schools worldwide who are increasing their efforts to create greener environments. We will explore the global goals to learn how our small actions can positively impact the whole world.
Gáirdín na Scoile/ School Garden:
There are numerous projects ongoing in the school to increase the children’s interest and awareness in climate issues and biodiversity. Part of the Green School’s project last year was to create a pollinator-friendly garden at the front of the school and a fruit and vegetable garden to the rear. The design of these new gardens was undertaken by Múinteoir Cáit and local horticultural expert, Francis O’Neill. A number of Waterford businesses showed huge generosity when they offered to help. Thomas McCarthy of McCarthy’s Homevalue, Tramore, donated everything necessary to construct two new beautiful raised beds, and The East Waterford Beekeeper’s Association gifted the school three historic apple trees under their own Trees for Bees scheme. Waterford City Council and local businesses Clem Hire and Doyle Concrete also helped with tools and materials.
Displaying a real sense of ownership, the children raised money for the garden with a cake sale, and the school’s Parents Association kindly covered the remaining costs. Parents, teachers, and caretaker John Byrne all worked together, giving most generously of their time to dig, build, and plant the garden over a number of weekends. The school community is now so proud of its fabulous garden!
This year, we will undertake a new garden project and create a new vegetable garden in which all the classes can get involved. We are currently planning our new beds and area for a polytunnel so that we have an area for outdoor learning, whatever the weather!
Comhairle na nDaltaí / Student Council:
During the 2023/2024 school year, the pupils held an election for our new student council. We learned about proportional representation, ballot papers, and redistributing votes. A great number of pupils showed interest in participating in the council and ran campaigns. Three pupils were elected from Rang a Trí, Rang a Ceathair, Rang a Cúig, and Rang a Sé.
During their first few months, they completed surveys in each class so that the children could vote on which yard games they would like in the clós. The school then purchased magnetic chess, connect 4, and snakes and ladders games, kindly sponsored by Cumann na dTuismitheoirí. They also held a bake sale to raise money for fun activities in June and surveyed classes so that each had a say in which games were planned. Maith sibh!
Rince Gaelach agus Gleacaíocht / Irish Dancing and Gymnastics:
Irish dancing lessons ran this year after school with Vikki and were a huge success! Children also partake in Irish dancing and Gymnastics classes during school time during the second term.
