Piggley's Adventure in Hong Kong: Day 2

Day 2:
Well, good morning everyone!
I’m so glad that you are all doing so well in Kilvemnon! Mrs. Pimm texted myself and Ms. O’ Connell to let me know all of your news!
Today was the first day of the Forum. We got up early for breakfast at 8am and met some of the other teachers in the Ballroom. Lots of the teachers had questions about my lovely uniform and especially what ‘Scoil Mhuire, Kilvemnon’ means in English. I told them that ‘Scoil’ is school, ‘Mhuire’ is Mary and Kilvemnon’ translates as Cill (Church) of Mheamnain (who was a local saint).

Today we decided to visit the Hong Museum of History. We all met in the Foyer of the hotel at 11am. Here you can see me getting ready to leave.



This is a photo of the Irish and Northern Irish contingent, before we left. Can you see what Ms. O’ Connell has in her hands? Yes, that’s right! It was raining really heavily today! Even though the temperature was 22 degrees today the rain fell from 10am till 1pm. Once it stopped everything dried up very quickly. Can you check out the weather forecast for me for tomorrow? It’s on http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/currwx/fnd.htm



We got a taxi to the Hong Kong Museum of History. (http://hk.history.museum )
It cost me 24 Hong Kong Dollars. Could someone email me and tell me how much that is in euro? Ms. O’ Connell had run out of money so I had to raid my ‘piggy bank’!!!

I was so excited being in the museum. The first exhibition was on the Natural Environment in Hong Kong 6,000 years ago. Imagine my surprise when I saw one of my ancestors there!



Who will be first to email with my ancestor’s name?

Next we saw a Prehistoric Hong Kong. There have been lots of archaeological digs in Hong Kong and archaeologists can tell that people lived here during the Neolithic period. I know the Senior Room can tell Mrs. Pimm’s class what Neo and Lithic means. Look at this, the Neolithic people carved in stone at Big Wave Bay. Isn’t it very like Newgrange in Co. Meath?



Here you can see people building a fire. (I hope pork’s not on the menu!!!)



People who lived in South China from prehistoric times were called the Nanyue people.
The people who lived there were very clever and they made lots of pottery. Here you can see a clay model of one of their houses, complete with pig sty at the back. Pigs are so important in Hong Kong and China. We are so important that last year (2007) was the ‘Year of the Pig’.
Find out what year you were born in on http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0502/



I thought you might to be interested to see this. It is a Bleriot monoplane. It was flown here in 1912. As you can see it only has one wing on each side of the fuselage. I know that you can all remember the name of an aeroplane with two wings on each side?
Read all about aviation in Hong Kong here. http://www.aircadets.org.hk/download/manual/ah_hk.html



This was a typical school in the 1960s in Hong Kong. Don’t the desks look like ours? The lids lift up on these ones and can you imagine, this classroom was outside, on the roof of a building. I think it might be a bit windy during the winter for us in Kilvemnon, wouldn’t it?!!





I was so tired when I came back to the hotel that took a little rest in my room while Ms. O’ Connell went to the evening reception. Don’t worry though, I wasn’t lonely. I rang Ferny and Dannan in the school and told them about my adventures.



I’ll talk to you all tomorrow!
Oink!!
Piggley.

Piggley's Adventure in Hong Kong

Day 1:
Hi there to everyone!!
Piggley here! Myself and Ms. O’ Connell have landed safely in Hong Kong. We flew yesterday to Heathrow Airport, outside London and met up with Tom from Microsoft and three teachers from Northern Ireland; Eileen, Ciarán and Tom. I was very hungry and we all had a bite to eat. We were flying with Virgin Atlantic and on our way to our Gate for boarding we saw a huge Boeing 747. I took a photo of it.



When we got to our gate we met Stuart and Kristen from Microsoft. We all got in for a quick photo together. Here you can see Kristen, Stuart, Tom and Eileen.



We flew in an Airbus 230. It was huge and can seat up to 238 people. We were really lucky to get a window seat so I was able to look out when we were taking off. After that it was pretty dark because we were flying through the night!! I watched ‘The Spiderwick Chronicles’ and then I went to sleep. The flight took 12 hours in total!



When we arrived in Hong Kong we were greeted by people from the hotel and brought from the airport in a black BMW car! Here you can see me saying ‘Hello’ to my new friend from the hotel.



We were checked in at the Langham Hotel, in Kowloon (www.hongkong.langhamhotels.com ). The Langham Hotel Group are a British company. Hong Kong was under British control form 1842 until 1997 when it was handed back to China. The hotel is very near to Victoria harbour and the MTR Underground train Station.



It was very warm when we arrived, about 24 degrees Celcius! I had to take off my school jumper, I was so warm and just wear my shirt!!

Our hotel is off the island of Hong Kong so were able to get a ferry across to have our dinner. This is called the Star Ferry. Our hotel is very near the Hong Kong Museum of Art, so we hope to visit it during our stay. We also hope to visit Victoria Peak. This is a mountain overlooking Hong Kong with amazing views of the city and all of it huge sky-scrapers. You get a cable car up the 552 metres to the top.



The Forum starts tomorrow with a Welcome Reception for all the teachers. I’m sure that I will meet lots of interesting teachers and I can’t wait to tell them all about our project on aviation.

We hope that everyone in Kilvemnon is keeping well and we’re sure that you are all really well behaved for Mrs. Pimm and Mrs. Brannigan. Hi to Sarah, Evita, Liz and Mrs. Hayes too!! I will try to write to you all as often as possible. Why don’t you email me on the school address; kilvemnon@yahoo.ie and let me know how your Mid-Term break went?!

Signing off for now,
Love,
Piggley.

Mrs.Brett`s Retirement Party

Photos from the night were taken by Donal O' Brien of Mullinahone Photography. If you would like a copy please contact donalobrien@iolfree.ie or call 052-53601.



Last night we threw a retirement party for Mrs.Brett.We all dropped in the food between 6:00 -6:30 so that the food would be ready for everyone when they came in. After we dropped in the food we went in the church to the mass for Mrs.Brett. It was not all fun and games you know, it was hard work. After the mass we went to the G.A.A hall up the road from the church. When we got there there was lots of people trying to find a seat. The children had to move seat because there were no seats for them to sit at. After everyone had a place to sit the food came out. All of the children got goodie bags. Then the presentations started. Then I went home when the music started. I enjoyed it it was fun. by Smiley





On Sunday the 12th of October Our principal Mrs. Brett retired. We had a party for her and it started with mass at 7:00. There was a choir and 6 servers( 4 from Kilvemnon). I was a server. All our parents and friends came. We all learned 3 new songs. They were 'Man of Calvary', 'Peace will Come' and 'I know a story.' After that we went to the sports centre. There we got something to eat. All the kids got a goodie bag. We met Marie, Sarah and others who are all past pupils. Then there was speeches and gifts. Once we left there was dancing. I really enjoyed it.
By B612.

Mrs. Teckie Brett retires

Today after 32 years of teaching, and 10 years as teaching Principal, Mrs. Teckie Brett retired from Scoil Mhuire Kilvemnon.

It was a very emotional day for both pupils and staff as we said 'Goodbye' to our Principal.



In the morning students, staff and parents made a guard of honour to walk Mrs. Brett into class. At 11am Donal O' Brien, (Mullinahone Photography) came to the school to take some photographs to mark the occasion. Fr. McGrath, Chairman of the Board of Management came to celebrate with us also.

Mrs. Brett has been a guiding light in our school since she started here in 1976. Before that she taught for one year in Mullinahone National School and three years in John of God NS in Kilkenny city.



At lunch time we had a surprise party for Mrs. Brett to thank her for all of her hard work in our school.

On Sunday, the 12th of October a Mass of Thanksgiving will be held in St. Michael's Church, Mullinahone at 7pm, followed by a reception in the Pavillion, Mullinahone, afterwards. All are invited.

Thank you Mrs. Brett for everything! We will miss you!!

Interview with TippFm Radio

Listen to the podcast of an interview Ms. O' Connell did with Tipp FM Radio Station yesterday about our Aviation Project; Flying High, Exploring Aviation.

Click on Posts link at the end of the Player and choose Interview wih TippFM to listen.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

Irish Examiner Report

This article appeared in the Irish Examiner Newspaper on Tuesday the 20th of October.

Radio Interview on Beat 102-103

Today Ms. O Connell was on the morning news on Beat 102 103 Radio Station.
Listen to her two interviews by clicking on the posts link on the bottom right of the Player and selecting Beat Radio Interview 1 and Beat Radio Interview 2.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

Visit to Kilkenny Airport

Do you remember when we visited Kilkenny Airport as guests of Vincent Vaughan?

We have made a podcast of the fun we had to remind you!!

By Lynx.



Click on the Posts Link on the bottom right corner of the Player below. Click on the Visit to Kilkenny Airport link to listen to our podcast.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

Project on Italy

This year the Senior Room will be doing a project on Italy. This is a lesson that they will be undertaking. Why not listen to our podcast? If you have any ideas why not email our students on their email on the right!

Liten to the podcast on the Colesseum by clicking on the posts link on the bottom bar and choosing Colesseum and Gladiators.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

New Junior Infants in our school

We have seven new Junior infants.This is the biggest class in our school. Four of them have brothers/sisters and one of them has a cousin in the school. They all have friends in our school.There are three girls and four boys. Their age range is four to five. We have to say a big Kilvemnon school welcome to all our Junior Infants.They are all really nice.
By B612

We have a new 3rd class in Ms. O' Connell's room. Click on the posts link at the bottom of the player to hear how they felt starting in 3rd class.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

Aerial views of our school

Thanks to Sergeant Tom Mansfield for sending on the following photos taken from the Garda helicopter during the visit from the Garda Air Support Unit on June 17th 2008.

Wow!!

From Banana tree to the Supermarket

Click on the title to visit a Giffy Project that shows the path from the Banana tree to the Consumer.

Au Revoir 6th Class and have a Good Summer Everyone!!

Today is our last day of school for the year 2007/08. We will be back to school on the 1st of September 2008.

We would like to say a fond farewell to our 6th class who are leaving us for pastures new and congratulate them for being such great leaders this year!

Au Revoir et Bon Chance mes amis!!

Enjoy the holidays everyone and we look forward to meeting all our new students in September.

"We should try to give our children two things in life, one is roots and the other is wings." Hodding Carter.

Visit from the Fire Officer

Today we have had a visit from Diarmuid who is a fireman in Carrick-on-Suir. We all did a test about Fire Safety in the home and in school. We learned lots and we all got a pack about Fire Safety.

Sixth class graduation, Green Flag Raising, Nicky Brennan Visit

Yesterday there was a lot of things happening in our school. There was a Graduation Mass, raising the Green Flag Ceremony and a party for Mairead Anglim, Claire Halpin and Leonie O' Dwyer. Mariead is retiring, Claire is being redeployed to Mullinahone NS and Ms. O' Dwyer is returning to college. We wish them all the best of luck.

Once we came in at 7pm it was Graduation and we had to sing in the choir and Red Baron, Shortie, Dannan, Batman and Matilda.Fr. McGrath very kindly said a special mass for the 6th class. For the Graduation there was lots of people in the school. We were so lucky that Nicky Brennan and his wife, Mairead came to visit our school. Nicky is the President of the GAA. Lots of our parents and coaches from the local GAA and soccer clubs and our teachers and SNAs were also with us on the night. There was also a great turn out from County Councillers and representatives of the government. We were honoured to have Chairman of the County Council, John Fahy, Councillers Susan Meaghar, Jimmy O' Brien and Eddie O' Meara and Bernadette from Green Schools with us to celebrate.

After that the Green Flag was raised by Nicky Brennan. It was great fun. Then we had a bit of a party with food and drinks. There were crisps, drinks, bars, sandwiches and cocktail sausages. Then I went out and played with ....., Dannan, Matilda, Rose and Smiley. ....., Matilda, Rose and I made up a dance to the song ring ring ring ring ring ring banana phone. After that we played games around the back. It was great fun. After the party there was music. A man called Eric Wilson sang and played the guitar. Everybody danced and had great fun in the marquee that was set up outside the school. It was the best part of the night.I went home at 10:15pm. Once I got home I went to bed. I couldn't get up till 08:45am this morning.

visit from John Thompson

On Friday the 20th we got a visit from John Thompson.He sent us pictures of planes and thats how we got the idea of the paper mache planes.He is the Granddad of two puples in this school, ******* and *******.We sent him lots of questions and we got great answers back.He told us about the different planes.We took pictures of him with ******* and ********.We did presentations for him.We all did presentations we did about the Wright Brothers ,the Robo show,Papier Mache,KNex and the Lego Models.We showed him how a story board works.

Microsoft and Helicopter Visit School

Click on the Posts link on the bottom right corner of the Player. Click on Helicopter Visit to hear a podcast about the visit of the Garda Air Support Unit and Captain Phillip O' Brien who came to visit us from Baldonnell.


Subscribe Free for future posts  Add this player to my Page

Yesterday Microsoft came to our school. But first at 9:30 2 guards called Sergeant Paul Duggan and Sergeant Tom Mansfield arrived. They showed us videos and told us about the radar and the gadgets that are in the helicopter. We saw different videos from car chases and people running from the police at night. They told us about the Garda Air Force and we asked them lots of questions. Then they showed us pictures of helicopters and at about 10:30 we heard a helicopter. I was on the camera and I took the camera off the tripod and everyone lined up outside in the hall. Ms O' Connell told us to stay on the school side of the wire that a helicopter was going to land in the pitch. The helicopter circled the school a few times and then hovered over the pitch before landing It was very loud and the rotor blades made the place very windy. It was raining and they took a long time to turn off the helicopter. Then Captain Philip O' Brien the driver of the helicopter came out with Carmel and the dog trainer with his English Springer Spaniel Deas. Captain O' Brien introduced us to everyone and then we went down to the helicopter. We split into 2 groups. 1 group stayed at the helicopter and the other group went to look at Deas the dog. Then we went for lunch and after lunch Captain O' Brien gave a speech about the history of flight. He then had to leave because it was raining and with too much rain the helicopter could get grounded.It only took them 35 minutes to come here from Baldonnell. Before they left they brought Ms O' Connell on a spin in the helicopter and we got even closer to the helicopter and it was even more windier. We had to go back inside and wait until Ms O' Connell came back and we got Roses sweets from Mrs. Brett and when they we about to land we went out again. Then they left after that.

Then we did our presentation that we have been practising for ages. We went up when we had too and everyone talked about their pieces. Mary Healy {Captain Philip O' Brien's cousin} Siobhan Moore from Microsoft, Cathal O' Connell{NCTE}, Deirdre Butler from Tech Net and St. Patricks Drumcondra and Fr. Mcgrath was here when we were doing our speech. Captain O' Brien, Carmel, the dog trainer sand the dog Deas weren't there because they had left before it. Mary Healy also made chocolate chip muffins for us aswell. Thanks Mary!!

At the end of the day we played games and sixth class got footballs from Cathal because we won't be here next year and that was probably the last time we will see him. Microsoft's Siobhan Moore also gave us a goodie bag with pens, PC mouse mats, calculators, highlighter pens and mints. Today {Thursday 19 June} we will be looking at some of the footage that we took yesterday. We had a really good and exciting day yesterday.
By: Danan.

Yesterday on 18th of June it was the best day of the eight years I was in school so far .At the start of the day there were Guards in our classroom to congratulate us for our Microsoft award. They were called Sergeant Tom and Sergeant Paul. They weren’t normal guards, they were helicopter guards and they rescue people aswell as arrest people. G**** was terrified that he would be arrested. Garda Paul was showing us ideos of car chases, motorbike chases and much more. Some of the videos were very dangerous like a motorbike crash and a video of a fight. We could see a video from a helicopter looking at a man during the night and it was pitch black but with the thermal imaging you can see a black shape moving and it is the person on the run, you can see the black because of his body heat. After a while at 11 O’ clock Miss O’ Connell brought us outside for a surprise and a Garda helicopter landed in the football pitch, the wind from the rotor blades is unreal, it makes you take a few steps back. Captain Philip and Carmel who is the navigator showed us all the controls of the helicopter and then to our surprise a small dog called Deas that was a Springer Spaniel(a sniffer dog)came out of the helicopter and got a lot of attention from everyone, mostly the girls! Now it was breaktime and everyone went and got their lunch and went into the shed and were talking about the helicopter . After break we went into our classroom and Philip started talking to us about helicopters and flight. He showed us a powerpoint of pictures of planes and helicopters that look unusual. Philip, Carmel, Deas and the dog trainer were leaving, but first they took Miss O’ Connell up for a spin and we got to closer to the helicopter for take-off and the amount of grass that flew back into our faces was horrible but the wind was lovely. The helicopter flew for around five minutes and it came back down to ground. They took off for real then to go back to Baldonnel and we all waved them off.

It was now time for our own presentation. ***** introduced us and I was first and I talked about the Wright Brothers and showed my LEGO model to everyone. In the audience were Sergeant Paul Duggan and Tom Mansfield, Siobhan Moore from Microsoft, Cathal O’ Connell(NCTE) and Deirde Butler(Teach net St. Patricks Drumcondra), Father McGrath and Mary Healy. The teachers and the junior room were looking too. Siobhan Moore made a presentation to mark our achievement as the best school in Europe, she also gave every student pens, calculators, highlighters and mints. Garda Paul put the handcuffs on ***** and the bulletproof vest . Cathal gave everyone in sixth class a football because it was probably the last time he would ever see us. As I said before it was the best day ever.
By: The Red Baron.