CHALK TALK

Just before the summer holidays, St Dympna’s National School, Kildalkey celebrated the official opening of its new polytunnel and sensory learning space.

Made possible through fantastic community support, the new space will give pupils hands-on opportunities to explore nature, gardening, sustainability and sensory play.
A lovely example of a community coming together to create something that will benefit generations of pupils at St Dympna’s.

Such talent at Rathbeggan NS!

A look back at some of the brilliant moments from the school’s Talent Show.

A big thank you to the teachers, pupils and parents for sharing these photos with Chalk Talk.

A look back at photos from Castletown NS.
Thank you to teachers, parents and students for sharing.

Newtown at 50
By former teacher Nuala Judge

It’s with fond memories I recall my time in Newtown, the learning, the laughter and some tears,
The wonderful staff, the children and parents that I have met during my teaching career.

Over the years the teaching, the learning, the trips, the tours and the fuss,
The visits to museums and places of interest, not forgetting the excitement of the trip on the bus!

Back in 2007 a weekend away was carefully planned and off to beautiful Westport we did go,
With the wonderful Master O’Grady and 30 excited Newtown pupils in tow!

There was canoeing, climbing and team building games; we had great fun on the water and on dry land,
The kids were amazing, a joy to be with and so well behaved, they were sound!

During Covid empty classrooms and playgrounds devoid of children’s laughter and chatter so free,
School books sorted in piles for family collection, an utterly desolate sight to be seen!

Home-schooling became the new norm that was not normal, new learning platforms were implemented I recall,
In hindsight maybe ‘School days are the best days of our life’ after all!

We always worked hard in Newtown, for each event we made our preparations each day,
The Communions, Confirmations, special visits and frenetic rehearsals for the all-important Christmas play!

We displayed our work for each season, St. Brigid, St. Patrick, Seachtain na Gaeilge and Easter too,
And dress up days there were many ‘Halloween’ and ‘World Book Day’ to name but a few.

And the sports and the games there was plenty as to Newtown the coaches and trainers arrived en masse,
There was Rounders, Gaelic, rugby and cycling, the kids also went swimming, entered quizzes and played chess, just class!

Happy 50th anniversary to Newtown, Comhghairdeas to the parents, pupils and staff, past and present today,
Here’s to the next fabulous fifty, Newtown all the way!

Nuala Judge
Teacher, 2005–2022

Back in 2019, the Meath Chronicle captured this special back-to-school photo as TWINS headed into their new school together.

Tell Chalk Talk about your back-to-school story that makes your family or school special.

Get in touch, we’d love to hear it.

I started in Newtown N.S Ardee in 1994 and finished in 2002, and those years hold some of the happiest memories of my childhood.

Travelling to school each morning on the bus with my brother and sisters was one of the best parts of school life. The chats, laughter, and friendships built along the way are memories I still treasure.

My first teacher was Mrs Reilly, whose kindness and warmth made those early school days so special. Later came Ms Malone, who encouraged creativity and a love of Art, always keeping us on our toes.

In First Class, Mrs Halpenny brought endless energy, songs, and lessons we still remember today — especially “Alive Alive O.”

Later we moved into the Master’s room. Like many children, we were a little afraid of him at first, but he is a kind man who cared deeply for the school and its pupils.

Some of my favourite memories are the simple things: racing to answer the school telephone, prayers before lunch, the Master ringing the bell at break time, and endless games of Gaelic and soccer in the yard.

Sport played a huge role in school life, and one of my proudest memories was winning the girls’ school final and reaching Páirc Tailteann. I even scored a goal from the 50th mark — something my father still reminds me of today. Mrs Halpenny believed so strongly in us that she already had a speech prepared for me before the match had even ended.

Fr Sheerin was our priest in Lobinstown parish at that time and was greatly involved with Newtown school. I served Mass for many years and sang in the choir, with Mrs Halpenny leading it — something she still continues to this day. Fr Sheerin was a wonderful man who was deeply cherished throughout the parish.

With only a handful of pupils in my class, friendships were especially close. The “pump house” was where everyone gathered at lunch, while the all-purpose room holds great memories of watching Ireland matches together. The year 1999 stands out, with Meath winning the All-Ireland and Syddan also winning the club championship.

I also remember the special days throughout the year — Punch and Judy shows and Santa visiting every Christmas, bringing excitement and joy to the whole school.

Newtown National School gave us far more than an education. It gave us friendship, community, encouragement, and memories that have lasted a lifetime. As the school celebrates its 50th anniversary, I look back with enormous gratitude and pride. They truly were the best days and Newtown played a major part in my childhood memories.

Written by Grainne Ross
Former pupil

My teaching career in Newtown N.S Ardee ranged from September 1959 to June 2004. Over that 45 year period, the country experienced many social and economic changes and those filtered into the schools.

Across the road from its current location, the original Newtown National School still bears the pre-Famine date plaque of 1842. I started my teaching career in that building. It was a two-teacher school with Mr. Murphy as principal and Mrs. Cole as the assistant. I was appointed as the third teacher. Conditions were very primitive; no running water and no indoor toilets. One small fire grate was the only heat source in each room. But we survived.

The curriculum centred around the 3Rs – Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Emphasis was also placed on the learning of Irish; comhrá, reading and poetry. Girls did Sewing and Needlework in the Senior Classes; Ms. Piggott called every few years to inspect their handiwork. There was a huge importance placed on the teaching of Catechism. Every child had a book and each had to learn all the answers to the questions. The Catechist would visit each year and a religious examination would be carried out.

Meath Co. Council provided a Library Service. Doctors and District Nurses from the local Health Boards would visit the school every few years and administer medical examinations especially checking on sight and hearing. Dentists called also to examine dental issues and extractions were carried out if needed.

The new school was built in 1975. We looked forward to the bright and airy space, large classrooms, central heating and modern furnishings. At its official opening, Mass was celebrated by the then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Leonard Moran in Newtown Church. A procession to the school followed with music along the way as both children and adults carried flags. The Tricolor and the Papal Flag were hoisted in the school grounds and a ribbon was cut. “Amhrán na bhFiann” and “Faith of our Fathers” were sung by all in attendance.

The Parish Priests were the sole managers of the schools in those days. Boards of Management came along later. Our school managers were Fr. John Dunne, Fr. James Carty, Fr. Leonard Moran and Fr. Michael Sheerin.

There were many milestones in the Irish Education System which brought many changes for the better. The introduction of Free Education for all in 1968 was a major breakthrough. We joined Europe in 1973 and that secured more funding to benefit schools and families. One of the major changes on the Maths Curriculum was the way that money was taught. The old L.S.D system of shillings and pence gave way to decimalization with pounds, then punts and eventually Euro. The Primary School Curricula of 1971 and 1999 made profound impact on teaching methods and provided challenges for all of us.

I have such fond memories of my time in Newtown N.S. I pay tribute to all my colleagues over the years; Mr. Pádraig Murphy, Mrs. Nan Cole, Mr. Pat O’Grady, Mrs. Finola Reilly, Ms. Róisín Malone and all the Special Ed. teachers, Mrs. Kathleen McArdle and Mrs. Alice Carolan, who came twice a week to the school.



The enjoyable days were numerous. What I remember most are the Christmas Plays, the Sports Days, the excursions to so many historical places. The Zoo, Museums in Dublin, Salthill in Galway and Glendalough immediately spring to mind. Those days always finished with the children singing all the way home on the bus.

What gave me the most enjoyment in my teaching career was the singing and the choirs. When I was initially appointed, Fr. Dunne asked if I could do “something about the singing in the church”. I told him that I would try. Very few adults were singing in the church in those days. As a school choir, we had singing at the Holy Hour every month, on some Sundays, at First Communions and Confirmation, which took place every 3 years. The Children’s Choir sang at the opening of the new Lobinstown Church in 1984. It also sang at the Jubilee celebrations for both Fr. Moran and Fr. Sheerin.

I am most grateful to all the children who sang in this choir down through the years. These children come from both of the parish’s primary schools. I also wish to acknowledge the organists, musicians, the teenage members who stayed on; each added great tone and volume to the choir.

We had many visitors to the school over the years and they were all warmly welcomed. The Sam Maguire visits in 1987, 1988, 1996 and 1999 brought all classwork to a standstill. There were speeches, photographs galore and banter to beat the band. Syddan G.F.C. winning the Intermediate Championship in 1999 was a great day for the parish and a very special day as past pupils brought the cup to the school.

I am deeply appreciative of all the past pupils, parents and the wider community for all the support over the years. It makes a teaching career so much worthwhile.

Congratulations to Newtown N.S. on the wonderful occasion of your 50th anniversary. Reaching this milestone is a tribute to the dedication and commitment of everyone who has contributed to the school over that time.

I wish Principal Declan Crosbie and all the staff a joyful and memorable celebration.

Beannacht Dé oraibh go léir.

Ann Halpenny

𝗦𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗦, 𝗦𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦…

We have so many wonderful school photographs and memories to share before the new term begins.

Please share them with anyone you recognise. There is something very special about discovering an old photograph you have never seen before.

Pictured here are the first pupils of the new Newtown N.S., Ardee, when it opened in 1975.

We are also grateful to Martin Whyte for sharing this precious colour photograph of the parents of those first pupils. We loved it so much that we featured it on the front page of our Nostalgia edition.

Newtown N.S Ardee

Newtown N.S Ardee 50th Anniversary it's hard to believe it's 50 years since we left the Old School and crossed the road to what was then a "state of the art new school".

I arrived to teach in the old school in 1974 and was welcomed by two experienced teachers Ann Halpenny and Finola Reilly who shared their wealth of teaching skills with me.

From the beginning I saw there was a great bond between the school and the local community. Boards of Management were set up in all schools the following year leading to greater participation of parents in the schools. Parents Associations soon followed and Newtown was a great example how teachers, board of management, parents and pupils could all work together for the benefit of the school.

Schools were under resourced with regards to equipment but the parents rallied round and through auctions, bring & buy and silver circles school finances were put on a good footing.
It was one of the first Associations to organise a successful book rental scheme.

Children always took pride in their school and formed friendships which carry on to this day. where ever we went on school tours they were complimented on their behaviour and friendliness, this was also noted by School Inspectors in reports.

When visiting the school last night for the 50th celebrations one could sense a great atmosphere of pride and friendliness. Recent additions to the school building and facilities make it one of the finest schools around. Dedication of principals, staff and parents are to be complimented in achieving these fine improvements.

The work put into organising Fridays enjoyable celebrations show the great bond that exists between school and parents is as strong as ever.

I wish all in Newtown N.S. a happy and fulfilling time for the coming 50 years and thank you for making my time there a happy one.

Written by Pat O'Grady