Phone:   (0505)-21485   (Outside Ireland   353-505-21485)

SIZE:   100 pupils, age range of pupils 4 years  to  about 12 years
           5 teachers.
Art work: Kevin McAndrew 1998.

     corville@iol.ie 

                OUR TOWN....................... ROSCREA

Roscrea (ross-kray) is in County Tipperary in the middle of Ireland.  It is a town of about 4000 people. The town is in a small valley with a stream running through the town. The town's name comes from the Irish language and means the Wood of Crea. It is between the Slieve(shleeve) Bloom and the Devil's Bit mountains. It is on the main road from Dublin, our capital city, to the south-west of Ireland.

It is an old town. People have lived in this place for thousands of years. Axe heads have been found on Carrick Hill, alongside Roscrea, which date from 3,000 B.C. This place was important to the Celts, one of many invaders of Ireland. It was on the "Sli Dhala", one of their major roads across Ireland.
An "aonach" (ay-nock) or fair was held here . Crea in the name Roscrea is the name of the wife of Dala , an ancient Irish "taoiseach" (tee-shock) or chief.
In Christian times St. Cronan founded a small monastery near Corville, close to our school.  Later on he moved a mile to the west to the site of the present monastic ruins in the middle of the town.

The Vikings raided our town, 942 A.D., during fair time but were put to flight. Their cousins, the Normans, came later and built a castle here in 1213.
The Butlers were the Norman family involved here.  Later on Damer House was built inside the castle walls.

By 1665 there were 106 houses in the town. About 200 years later there were around 9,000 people living in Roscrea.

Famine times were very difficult .  A Poor House was built in 1842 at a cost of £8,600.   The number of inmates rose from 328 in 1845 to 2164 in 1849.  Emigration caused a population decline into recent times.

Modern Roscrea is a busy and progressive town. There are industries in Roscrea. Antigen Pharmaceuticals makes medicines. Clothes are also made by Morrows.  Roscrea Fresh Foods is a company which make meat products...Roscrea sausages, rashers and puddings. Industries are still being built in the town. It is a modern   town.

Corville school is situated in the Corville district.  It is near Kennedy Park, Brophy Terrace and Cois Carrig. Most of the pupils come from these areas. The templemore Road is near our school.  The Sheehills is just down the road.  Our school buildings are modern.  Most of the school was built in 1975.  We have 5 teachers and over 100 pupils. St. Joseph's is the official name of our school.  Most people call it Corville School.  Boys and girls come to our school.  We have a library and a Pre-school.  Mrs. Maher is the Pre school teacher.  Pupils come to our at 4 years to the Infants Class.  Our oldest pupils are in 6th. class .  They are about 12 years of age.
 

EVENTS OF THE SCHOOL YEAR 1998

Litter Tidy Up:
Pupils from 6th. class decided to set up a "tidy up" around the school area.  It was for the Clean Up The World Campaign.  They got a certificate for cleaning up the area. It took them an hour to clean up the area.  We hope that 5th. class will do the same next year.

Smile of The Year:
Dental people came to our school in October. They were here to show us a video about how to keep our teeth clean. Stephen Gately from Boyzone,  Dustin and Ray from the Den T.V. were on the video. They asked us to enter a competition.  The Competition was to see who had a winning smile.  It was sponsored by Den T.V. and Colgate. Mr White took photos of the girls and boys of 6th. class and sent them to Den T.V.  Unfortunately, nobody won in Corville. We are looking forward to next year's competition.

Painting The Basketball Court:

Earlier this year we had two teenagers around the school doing odd jobs as part of a work experience programme. Their names were Phelim Carey and Robert Ryan. The best job they did was painting the court.  They did a great job lining the court. Gary Monaghan made a hoop for one end.

F.A.S. People:

We had two adults from a Training scheme helping us also. Their names were Mrs. Troy and Mr. Walsh. Mrs. Troy helped in Junior Infant class.  She was our school secretary also.  Mr. Walsh did building and kept the school grounds neat.  The scheme closed down in December.

CONFIRMATION:

In 6th. class we make our Confirmation.  Before we make our Confirmation we went down to the church to be enrolled. This year's ceremony was said by Fr. Mulcahy who is our school priest.  At the enrolment ceremony your name is called out and you make a promise to follow  God's work. Then on Confirmation day, March 22nd., the Bishop comes and confirms you.   He does this by putting the sign of the Cross on you. This  is done with special oils called Chrism. This is done after the Gospel at Mass.  Our Bishop's name is William Walsh. He is the Bishop of the Diocese of Killaloe.  As a child he went to our school.  Four schools from Roscrea will be with us on that day.  There are about 130 pupils to be confirmed.  It will be a day to remember.

Games:
    In our school we have a wide variety of games. The games are new and old. Here are some of the games we play during our breaks.

HURLING:

Boys and girls play this. We don't have a Camogie team in the school.  The Hurling competitions start in March and end in June. Our star Hurlers are Shane Lee, Brian Loughnane, Lisa Hogan, and Rebecca Simmons.

  SOCCER:
This year our school has entered a soccer competition.  It is sponsored by Snickers. We're in the league with Littleton and Moycarkey.  We decided that every week we would train on Friday from 2 o'clock until 3 o'clock.  Our district coach is Mr.Kennedy who also trains Roscrea Town's soccer team.  We got five Umbro leather footballs. We decided to share the footballs among the other classes.  One went to sixth, one to Mrs. O'Brien's room and one to Mrs. Bergin's room.  We kept two for the competition.  Training bollards were also given to us for practising our soccer skills.

BASKETBALL:

This is is very popular at lunch time. We have a court at the side of our school. The fifth and sixth classes usually play against each other.
 

TYRE BALL:

This is a new game to our school. The object of the game is to stand back from the tyre about 5 metres and try to kick the ball into the tyre.  The game needs a lot of skill and patience.  These are just some of the games we play in school.  We also play Volleyball. Seven - A - Side Soccer,  Table Tennis,  Hopscotch and Gaelic Football.

OUTDOOR SCHOOL:

On the last week-end of the school year in June the pupils in Mr. White's room go to Birr Outdoor Education Centre.  It starts on Saturday morning at 9:00 and ends Sunday evening at 5:00 p.m. We do different activities. We usually start with map reading and then we go up the mountains for Orienteering practice. We have Hill Walking as well.  Canoeing is a big hit with everyone who takes part.  You wear a life jacket and you just bob up and down in the water.  Saturday night we overnight on the mountain.  Sometimes we have tents or if it is dry enough we have Bivvy bags to sleep in.  We have a Mid-night cook out also.Our teacher cooks loads of sausages and someone else butters the bread. A walk in the dark is the next thing we do before we go to bed.  Mr. White "sleeps" in his car .  He tells people to be quiet and go to sleep a lot. Sleep comes at about 2:30 a.m. . Last year's group were awake again at dawn...4:30 because of insects .  They had to go back to the Centre.   They were all asleep again by 5:00 a.m. On the last day activities like absailing are done by anyone who feels up to it. Sometimes it is surprising to see who will or will not take part.   We return home at about 5:30 p.m. Parents say most are asleep again by 6:00 until next morning.  This week end is very challenging on a personal level for the pupils.  It is a "mind stretching "experience .

COMPUTERS:

About four or five ago our Principal, Mr. White decided to invest in a new computer for our school.  It was a great success and everybody in the school got to use it.   After a couple of years it got out of date, it has only 128 K of RAM. We got a new computer this year. It is an AST computer and it has Internet on it.  The Computer members who write things on it are P.J. Ryan, John Halpin, Ciara Ryan, Lisa Hogan and Rebecca Simmons. They write up reports and things for Mr. White.

LITTLE BUDDIESAND BIG BUDDIES:

We have a buddy scheme in the school.  This is when the pupils in sixth class befriend a pupil in the Infant's class. They talk to them and help them with whatever they want.  They would work the computer together. Sometimes they share their toys.  This is really  good for the two classes because it helps them to talk with other people and  understand everyone is different from each other and has something different to give. It is also about making sure that the person you area friend with is not being bullied or being picked on. If they were you would try to sort it out yourself before you would go to the teachers with the problem.  This is to show the pupils in Baby Infants that they don't have to put up with being bullied or being picked on in school or anywhere. This leads up to talk about the different classrooms.

S. HACKETT'S ROOM:

This is where the Baby Infants and High Infants are.  This is where they learn to read and write properly.  They also do the Buddy Scheme with Sixth Class.  Here are their comments, written  with the help of their Big Buddies:

I like to watch Barney on T.V. I also like soccer and Power Rangers. I like school and playing with my friends in Corville.
Luke Mc Andrew

My favourite T.V. programmes are Karate Kid and Rocky.  I like my teacher.  I like to play Tig, football and hurling.
Andrew Walsh

I like Power Rangers and Biker Mice from Mars. I love to eat sausages, turnips and spuds. I think Man U.T.D. are going to beat Liverpool.
Shane Reynolds

I like to play Hide and Seek and Tig.  My best  friend is Colin Mc Leish. I support Liverpool.  I like my teacher Mrs. Webb.
Conor O' Donnell

My best friend is Regina Simmons.  I like taytos and coke.  I  like Micky Mouse and I love to draw pictures.
Joachim Feehan

I love to watch Barney on T.V. I  like to read in the library in school. I have lots of friends in school but my best friend is David. I like to draw also.
Thomas O' Brien

I like chips and coke.  My favourite colour is red, and my best friends are P.J. Delaney and Tara Walsh. My favourite animals are tigers.
David Mc Namara

I like soccer....tig...hopscotch....colouring....and religion.  My best friends are Shane Lee and Ryan O' Gorman. I also play with my brothers Eric and Eamon.
Patrick Fletcher

My best friends are my cousin Andrea and Lisa. I like tig and hopscotch. I like Religion and Maths,and I also like to colour with my friends Lee-Ann and Rebbecca.
Brigid Curtis

My favourite film is Toy Story and my favourite toy is Buzz Lightyear.  I love to play cops and robbers with my best friends Chloe and Shane.
Davin Flynn

I like my teacher Mrs Hackett.  My favourite sports are soccer and hurling.  I like Power Rangers and my best friendis Evan.
Shane Moloney

Barney and Friends is my favourite T.V. programme.  I am 5 years old.  I have a dog and her name is Sandy.
Lynda Stone

I like to watch Hippos on T.V. I am 5 years old and I am in Mrs. Hackett's class. My brothers name's are Daniel and Stephen.
Keith Grimes

My favourite cartoon is Barney. I would like to do well in school and someday become a teacher. I also love my Mammy and Daddy.
Regina Simmons

When I grow up I would like to work in a shop and have children. I like to watch Den T.V., Bosco and Barney. I would also like to go on a boat.
Sorcha MacMahon

My best friend is Daven Flynn. My favourite programme is Spiderman.  I like to eat chocolates and lollies. My favourite teachers are Mr.White and Mrs.Hackett
P.J.Delaney

Mr. White's Room : This is the senior class. Pupils are about to go on to the next big change in their lives and schooling. Here are some of their hopes and objectives for school and life.

I hope to do well in Confirmation ..school... friendships ... life
Claire Wall.

My aim is to do good in Secondary school.....get a  nice job and a nice home
William Delaney

I hope to have a lovely Confirmation on Saturday......do  well in school and life.
John Halpin

I hope to study hard ..get a good job.. have a happy life.. have a lovely time at my Confirmation
Delores O'Brien

My plans are to grow up ...be happy.. be kind to people... help old people.  I hope to study hard.... celebrate and be happy at Confirmation.
Martina O'Sullivan.

I aim to get everything right for Confirmation..... to live with my best friend ....to have a good life.
Eric Fletcher.

I hope to have a lovely Confirmation....get a good job....and keep me going.
Damien Monahan.

I hope to get on in life ...to live with my best friends.
Samantha Bergin.

The Spirit is coming... I would like to make my Confirmation ...to get close to God. My aim is to get a good Leaving Certificate. and a good job.
Patrick Delaney.

My plan in life is to become a farmer.  I would go to Marts..., meet my friends who were with me in school.
Brian Loughnane.

To get everything right in Mass,... to become a model... to live with my best friends.
Rebecca Simmons.

I will enjoy making my Confirmation... I hope to have a great time in Vocational school... LOVE IN LIFE.
Shane Lee.

I aim to become a Vet. ...I would like to be truthful and honest... I hope to be a scientist and investigate things..
Laura Walsh.

I plan to help people on Confirmation Day... hope to have a good life with my friends...PEACE..LOVE...JOY..WISDOM...UNDERSTANDING...RIGHT JUDGEMENT...
Gabrielle Feehan

 I would like to be a football or Rugby player.. I hope to be married, and have a big family of boys and girls and a dog.
John Pio Fitzpatrick.

I hope to do well in school and go on and do nursing..... I hope that the Holy Spirit will come down on me and that I will use my gifts for God.
Lisa Hogan.

I would like to make Confirmation for all the right reasons... I   would like to get a good start in Secondary school..... get a good job.
P.J. Ryan.

I hope Confirmation will bring Courage ..My plans are to marry well ..not to divorce whoever I marry.... to be good to her.
Colin McLeish.

I aim to accept the Holy Spirit in Confirmation... I hope to do a Leaving Cert. ...My plans are to become a Vet.
William Delaney

 My aim for Confirmation is for my friends and me to get together and have some fun. When I grow up I will be a singer and I will live with my best friends.
Tara Walsh.