Reading
It is primarily in the home that the habit of reading is fostered. Parents greatly assist the efforts of teachers by encouraging their children to join the library and to read for pleasure. Reading should not be seen as a chore, confined to school or homework.
The school helps foster this habit of reading by providing well stocked libraries in the classrooms, encouraging DEAR (drop everything and read on a regular basis and participation in World book Day.
Physical Education / Sport
Powerstown School provides a broad physical education, incorporating the six strands as laid out by the Department of Education. The substantial external play area proves a major resource for the school and this is now complemented by the school hall.
We offer a wide range of different activities to allow our pupils to sample different sports. These include:
Gaelic Games: Competitive football for boys and girls is organized in the first term through the Cumann na mBunscol competitions. There is an U11 competition, suitable for 4th/5th class pupils and an U13 competition for 5th/6th. The school has won these competitions a number of times. Hurling is organized through the Cumann na mBunscol competition in the Spring term. Again, the school has won these competitions a number of times.
Soccer: The school competes in the FAIS / Ribena 5 a side soccer competition for boys and girls. We enter a number of teams to allow for maximum participation. We have won at county level a number of times and even managed to win the All Ireland.
Track and field / Cross Country: Powerstown N.S. normally supports the Cross Country Athletics and Track and Field events organized by Clonmel Athletics Club during the year. We have won Overall Best School on multiple occasions.
Cycling: Cycling lessons are provided to 5th class students where they learn the four core skills of pedalling, balance, braking and cornering. They are also taught about bike and helmet safety checks and road safety. Bicycles and helmets are provided.
Swimming: Lessons are provided in the second term to 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes.
Gymnastics: Lessons are provided in the second term to Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 5th and 6th classes.
Orienteering: The Senior classes take part in an orienteering activity each year during the first term. These are organised by the Irish Orienteering Association in local forests or woodlands.
Dance: Dance is taught as part of the Physical Education curriculum. In addition, pupils also participate in Irish Dancing lessons as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge each year. Zumba dancing is provided as a warm-up activity in Gymnastics.
Children are requested to support their school and take part in school-organized activities, to the best of their ability.
A Sports Day is held annually with the emphasis being on participation and fun.
Music
Music is taught as part of the curriculum at each class level and has always been an integral part of life in Powerstown N.S.
School Choir: Our school choir, under the direction of Mr. Flynn, sings at the two major sacramental celebrations each year – Communion and Confirmation.
School Band: Mrs. Hewitt has set up the school band – “Sounds of Powerstown” where children can showcase their talents playing various instruments such as flute, tin whistle, violin, guitar, concertina and piano. Weekly practices take place and the children perform for the school and parents at various stages during the year.
Peace Proms: The school participates in the Peace Proms every second year. Normally we allow 4th & 5th Class this experience. This is a wonderful opportunity for children to sing on stage accompanied by a full orchestra.
Visual Arts
We strive to provide children with a broad and balanced curriculum so that they get to experience working with various art media – drawing, paint, clay, construction and fabric and fibre.
Artwork is framed and displayed in the school corridors.
Creative Schools: The school was nominated as a Creative School for 2019 and 2020. Under the direction of Tunde Toth, the children’s exposure to art was enhanced and they got to work with artists specialising in pottery and animation. A wonderful mosaic designed and produced by the children now adorns our new lobby.
Competitions: Children regularly enter art competitions but the emphasis is on participation and enjoyment rather than winning. Artwork is framed and displayed in the school corridors
Knitting: Mrs. Roche has set up a knitting class after school where children can create practical pieces such as hats, scarves as well as stuffed toys. These are showcased every term.
Information and Communication Technology
We have been fortunate to be included in the early rollout of Fibre Broadband. All classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and projectors to help improve the interest level of lessons and we are currently upgrading to Interactive Flatscreens as the next upgrade.
Ipads are available for use in line with the school’s digital Learning Plan.
Religion
Powerstown National School is in the parish of Powerstown and Lisronagh, on the outskirts of Clonmel. It is under the patronage of the Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The chairman of the school’s Board of Management is Fr. Peter Ahearne. The school upholds a Catholic ethos.
The sacraments are a very important part of the Catholic faith and we support the work of parents in passing on the faith to their children. Children are prepared for First Confession and First Holy Communion at second class. Children in sixth class generally receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.
Parents are the primary educators of their children and this is especially true of religious beliefs. The school’s role is one of support and preparation. We strongly encourage parents to say prayers with their children and to play an active role in helping their children prepare for the sacraments.
On certain occasions throughout the school year, the children may participate in prayer services, services of reconciliation or Masses. If a parent wishes their child to be absented from religious instruction or preparation for sacraments, this is acceptable, provided that the parent ensures that alternative supervision is arranged in consultation with the Principal. Where the entire school community, pupils, teachers and ancillary staff are attending a service in the church, such alternative supervision may require the child to be collected early or sent to school late.
Relationships and Sexuality Education
Every school is now obliged to provide Relationships and Sexuality Education. This part of Social, Personal and Health Education ( S.P.H.E.) is meant to support the input of parents, not to replace it. Some parents may choose to deal with this area of education in their own homes and this is their choice. However, we encourage parents to allow their children take part in the R.S.E. Programme in the school.
New life, growing and developing are a part of the cycle of life. These are often mentioned informally in class and the children see these as natural events. As the children enter more senior classes, they will be given opportunities to learn about body changes, physical maturation and sexual development. An outline of topics to be covered will be distributed in advance.
Parents are asked for permission for their child to take part in the R.S.E. Programme. Any parent who does not want their child to be present during an R.S.E. lesson must make alternative arrangements with the school principal.
School Tours
School Tours are organized each year. Most tours are organized for May/June but may be held earlier when there is a special event occurring that would be of benefit to the pupils. Such events may be musical, dramatic or sporting in nature and can enthuse the children in that area of the curriculum. At other times, the tour may visit areas of historical, geographical or scientific interest.
Popular end of year tours include trips to Dunmore East Adventure Centre, University of Limerick, Fenor Pet Farm and Fota Wildlife Park.
Charities
An important part of educating children is to impart a sense of social responsibility. As a result, we do a certain amount of fund-raising for charity during the school year. We annually support Trocaire’s Lenten campaign by running the very popular Easter egg raffle. Individual classes sometimes adopt a particular charity eg. Christmas Shoebox Appeal by organising jumble sales, cake sales etc.