Rainbows is a 12 week  programme that operates as a support group to help children who are feeling sad about missing someone they love through either bereavement or separation or another significant loss in their life.

Rainbows will start on Wed. 11th November at 3pm and run for 12 weeks. This will involve 6 weeks prior to Christmas and 6 weeks post Christmas.

Places are limited so early application is strongly advised. Any queries please contact the office on 053-9158854.

Applications due by Thursday Oct. 22nd. 2015. 

Bree was the venue for all of the GAA action today with both the boys and girls lining out for the Rackard League semi finals.

The girls put in a sterling performance and lead half time by 2 points. Bunclody exhibited great steel and determination and leveled within a few minutes of the second half. However, the exemplary mentoring by Ms. Hearne and Ms. Butler and the commitment and heart of the girls in the next 25 minutes is something that Piercestown and Murrintown could be proud of. They dug deep and much to the delight of the crowd on the sideline the ball was buried in the back of the net twice more securing a place in the final for the girls! Well done girls.

Following a win for Piercestown- Murrintown under the belt, the boys were next to take to the field. They faced Kilmuckridge in their semi final. The first ten minutes appeared to be quite even but by the half time whistle Kilmuckridge had stepped up a gear or two and were the stronger contenders. Unfortunately for the boys it wasn’t to be their day and as the final whistle blew all that was left to do was to shake the hands of the winning opponents. Heavy defeats are hard to take but as Ms. Walsh, Mr. Murphy and Mr. White told the team, their commitment, effort and games that brought us to the semi final were something they could be proud of. The boys will need to dust themselves off over night and get focused again as mini sevens semi finals await them on Thursday. Fingers crossed for a better result.

Many thanks to all parents and mentors involved with the teams. It takes great time, effort and organisation to be involved in Rackard League.

The girls final will be played post mid term. Training for the girls will take place on Tuesday at 11am during the mid term break up at the Martin’s pitch.

Olga Conway and Discovering Drama are offering a FREE Halloween Drama Class tomorrow Wednesday Oct 21st for those interested at the following times:

• Junior and Senior Infants 3pm-3.45pm
• First, Second and Third 3.45pm-4.45pm
• Fourth, Fifth and Sixth 4.45pm-5.45pm

Yesterday was an historic day at Piercestown N.S. with the arrival of the Defence Force signifying the start of the commemoration of the centenary of the 1916 Rising.

There was a wonderful atmosphere in the school as we all gathered in the hall that was appropriately decorated in our national colours. The ceremony began with a lovely performance on the recorder of Ámhrán na bhFiann by Mrs. Foran and eight 6th class pupils; Josh, Harry, Derry, Sally, Millie, Hannah, Holly, Aoife and Kevin.

Officer Flood and Officer Kennedy proceeded to tell us all about the 1916 Rising and the significance of the commemorations. The children had already been well versed in the topic as they prepare to engage in further study of 1916 in the year ahead.

They asked many inspiring questions such as:

• What was the first flag ever made?
• What weapons were used in 1916?
• When did we become a republic and how?
• If the British hadn’t initially found out that the Irish were going to rise do you think we would have succeeded?
• Approximately how many British and Irish civilians were killed?
• Can you describe what life was like for the ordinary people in 1916?
• Why was Michael Collins sent to jail in Wales instead of Dublin?
• Why did Britain get part of Ireland i.e. Ulster?

Having answered all of these questions Officer Flood and Officer Kennedy proceeded to tell us about their uniforms and medals attached. Overall it was an extremely informative morning and one that will definitely go down in history at Piercestown National School.

The tricolour was collected by Christy in 5th class and the Proclamation was collected by Jessie. Etain and Joe participated in a shared reading of the 4th paragraph of the proclamation.

In celebreation of the centenary of the 1916 Rising, the children have been asked to come up with a new Proclamation for 2016 that can be read out with the raising of the Tricolour on Proclamation day.

Proclamation day will take place on March 15th 2016, where at midday every school around the country will be called upon to raise their Tri colour flag.

Many thanks to the Defence Force, and in particular Officer Flood and Officer Kennedy, for their input on the day. We are very much looking forward to Proclamation Day 2016.

It is all systems go in Piercestown with boys boys and girls advancing to semi final stages in both Rackard League and Mini 7s.

The Rackard League draw has just taken place and we can report on the results of the draw hot off the press!!!

The boys will face Kilmuckridge this Tuesday 20th Oct. 

The girls have been drawn to play Bunclody this Tuesday 20th Oct. 

We have received confirmation of the times and venue. Both matches will take place this Tuesday Oct 20th in Bree. Throw in for the girls semi final will be at 3.15pm followed immediately by throw in for the boys semi final at 4.30pm. 

Rackard league football training for the boys will take place Monday Oct 19th after school up at the Martin’s pitch. 

Mini 7s draws are as follows:

Piercestown v Monamolin (boys) neutral venue / date/ time to be confirmed  (but will take place this week)

Piercestown v Blackwater (girls) neutral venue / date/ time to be confirmed (but will take place this week)

The girls team were victorious on Wednesday last, progressing to the semi final of the Rackard League – details to be confirmed.

They are also marching on to face Blackwater in the semi final of Mini 7’s – time and venue to be confirmed.

The boys take on Horeswood today in the  Rackard League quarter final in Taghmon at 3.15pm Best of luck to the boys

The boys too have progressed to semi final stage of Mini 7’s and will face Monamolin — time and venue to be confirmed.

Between the club and the school football is in full flight in Piercestown at the minute. Watch this space for more updates!

The commemorations of historic 1916 begin at Piercestown National School on Monday 19th Oct with the arrival of the Tri colour.

The Tri colour flag and a copy of the Proclamation will be delivered by the Irish Defence Force at 12.15pm on Monday. Two children from 5th class will be called upon to receive our flag and Proclamation and a third child from 5th will join in with the Defence force and read the 4th paragraph of the Proclamation.

The Defence force will speak for approx 15 minutes and then open the floor to a question and answer session for the children.

Parents who wish to attend are very welcome. This will mark the beginning of our commemoration activities for the year. Proclamation day will take place officially on March 15th 2016 where the flag will be raised at the front of our school.

The whole of Piercestown is awash with a sea of maroon and white as the community awaits not one but two county finals.

The boys and girls of Piercestown are certainly doing their bit and are currently partaking in lovely art work to display in the school windows before this weekends football county final.

Best of luck to all involved especially our past pupils! Fingers crossed for the double.

The bunting has been erected at Piercestown N.S. but watch this space on the blog for some photos of our art work.

There is a great air of excitement around Piercestown National School this week, with Maths Mania taking over.

An array of activities are taking place with ALL classes being involved.

4th class have entered a ‘Maths Eyes’ competition – check out our Maths noticeboard outside Ms. Cooneys 5th class classroom to see some of their digitial photos of maths found in the school environment. Ms. Walsh will judge this competition on Friday.

The first ever Tables Champion competition is being held on Thursday 15th Oct in the hall. In class competitions have been held and 4 entrants from every class will participate to see who will be crowned Champion! There will be two champions; one from 1st-3rd class and one from 4th- 6th class. Many thanks to Ms. Hearne for overseeing this event.

On Friday a Monster Maths quiz for 1st-3rd class and 4th – 6th class will take place in the hall. This is a fun maths quiz with questions to suit all.

Junior and Senior Infants have been taking part in Maths activities throughout the week. This involves a circuit of maths games/ activities/ i pads to get everyone involved. Many thanks to Mrs. Corrigan for co-ordinating this event.

Inside their classrooms, all sorts of other activities have been taking place so well done to all the teachers for having ‘Maths Mania’ take over their classrooms!

A quick reminder that the Start of Year Service will take place this morning in St. Martin’s Church at 11.30am.

This will be a short service of prayer, song and readings to mark the start of the year and offer up a blessing for the year ahead.

We look forward to seeing you there.