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On 28th October Maël from Maison Gourmet, Kenmare, visited our school and spoke to students about French baking. Maison Gourmet is a French artisan bakery and pâtisserie. 2nd year and some 3rd year students tasted delicious pains au chocolat, pains au raisin, croissants and baguettes, freshly baked that morning.  In October twenty-five TY and 5th Year students, along with teachers Ms. Crushell and Mr. Sheehy, enjoyed a trip to Romilly-sur-Seine in the Champagne-Ardenne region of France. The French group visited Beara in March, and on our return visit Irish students were hosted by their exchange partner families. On the first day the group visited the Mercier Vineyards, taking a train through some of the 18km of underground cellars and learning about the process of champagne making. Next stop was the capital of the region, Reims, famous for its magnificent cathedral. After a walking tour of the centre, students explored the shopping district. On Tuesday, the group visited the nearby town of Troyes. The medieval old town features narrow, cobbled streets lined with colourful half-timbered houses, dating back to the 16th century. While there, pupils visited the Museum of Modern Art and discovered the sights by carrying out a treasure hunt with the exchange partners. The following day the group set off to Paris with French partners and took in the highlights of the city by boat on the Seine, which included the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral. In the afternoon, after a tour of the area surrounding Place Vendôme, students explored the Avenue des Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe. Students spent Thursday morning at Lycée Joliot-Curie immersed in French school life, followed by lunch in the school canteen. The afternoon destination was La Petite Biscuiterie, a local artisan biscuit factory, where pupils saw how the biscuits are made and tasted some shortbread. On the final day the group was treated to a French breakfast of croissants and hot chocolate in the school canteen, followed by a visit to the Town Hall where they were welcomed by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor. A wonderful week was had by all. The exchange was a fantastic opportunity for students to improve their French language and to experience French culture first hand. Many thanks to all involved, who made the trip such a success.   On Tuesday 10th May 2016, 1st Year students spent a day in Star Sailing, Kenmare. This trip was to celebrate the end of students first year in Scoil Phobail Bhéara. Thankfully the rain stayed away, altough a few peolpe ended up soaked from the banana boat! On the 15th March 2016 students, staff and members of the board of management of Scoil Phobail Bhéara took part in a flag raising ceremony as part of Proclamation Day. Across the country all schools read out the Proclamation of the Irish republic and raised the Tricolour while singing Amhrán na bhFiann. After morning assembly the whole school community gathered outside the front of the school building. Mr Farrell gave a short explanation about the Proclamation before it was read out by a variety of students from all year groups in the school. They included Aine Spencer, Daniel Millard, Christina O’Sullivan, Dara Hanley, Leah O’Sullivan, Kate Sheehan, Orla Sullivan, Mary-Kate Harrington, Rory O’Driscoll, Muireann Murphy, Elaine O’Sullivan and David O’Driscoll. During the reading Lilly Krupp played a beautiful piece on the harp. After this a moments silence was observed to commemorate all the men, women and children who had died during the Easter Rising. Kate Murphy and Roisín Harrington then raised the Tricolour while the whole school sung Amhrán na bhFiann accompanied by Michael O Driscoll and Lilly Krupp. Inside the school numerous displays have been created to mark the centenary year of the Rising. A special word of acknowledgement has to go to Mrs Dwyer, Ms Dunane and a team of TY students who created a wonderful display of all the names of those who had died during the Rising and also a hundred lilies to mark each year since 1916. Thank you to everyone who participated in the event and all those who helped to organise this unique event. This is not the only event that will be happening in Scoil Phobail Bhéara to mark this centenary year. On April 28th Mr Gabriel Doherty, Dept. of History, UCC will give a talk about the Rising. There will also be music, dance and displays of students work. This is a free event open to the whole community and will commence at 7pm.  3rd and 4th year students welcomed 25 French students from Lycée Joliot-Curie at the beginning of March. Our sincere thanks to all families involved in hosting students and teachers and for making their stay such a success.
The group spent a morning in school with their exchange partners, participating in class activities and experiencing Irish school life. They also enjoyed several outings, including a walking tour of Bere Island, a visit to Cork Gaol, a 1916 historical walk of Cork city, a trip to Muckross House and a treasure hunt in Kenmare. The weekend was spent in the company of the Irish exchange students’ families. An evening of Irish music and dance was held in Twomey’s bar, during which Irish and French students performed the Walls of Limerick together! Many thanks to the parents, musicians and students who provided music and dancing instruction on the night. Apart from developing students’ oral skills, firm friendships have been formed and everyone is looking forward to the return visit by the Irish pupils in October 2016. |
