Leaving Cert results today. I hope all my Secondary colleagues had lots of sucess and their pupils were happy with their results. Summer is nearly over. Time to get school books, uniforms etc ready for next school year. There is always a sense of sadness when the summer holidays come to an end but we can't complain! Two best things about being a teacher...........July and August!

Back in Cork for a few days. We've had lots and lots of rain in Kerry! Hopefully August will be better. I had a very pleasant afternoon yesterday on the beach in Kells Bay. It was overcast but very warm and still. I can't believe July is nearly over!

Last day of summer inservice course tomorrow. It's on Interactive Whiteboards and I'm learning loads. It's very relaxed with plenty of opportunities for "hands on" experience. But I won't feel I'm on my holidays properly 'till it's over. Then I'm over the county bounds into the Kingdom like a greyhound out of a trap! Happy holidays everyone! See you all in September!

Good luck to everyone, results out Wednesday!

Back from a great weekend in Glenbeigh. The weather was fab and the craic was mighty too. Everyone was in great form and there's no nicer place to be in fine weather than the Kingdom!

1st June, last month of term and heading for June weekend. Going to Glenbeigh on Saturday for a few days. Hopefully the weather will hold. All the kids on holidays so no lunches to make! Big day at school today as the hurling team won the Sciath na Scoil final . The boys were delighted with themselves. Most of the pupils went as support so today was an usual day with the kids so excited.

Here I am on a friday night, not having to get up early tomorrow morning! Bliss! I am a binge sleeper on the weekends so I can stay up as late as I like and still get my 12 hours. Spent the afternoon in the garden, sitting not weeding. I love this weather. I hope it lasts! Have a great summer everyone and lets hope the sun shines!

Back in the Crawford for the last time for this year. Can't believe that the first year is over. I'm a bit nervous about the presentation this afternoon but it will be good to get it over and done. I'm going to try to put my photoshop images up this morning as well.

animation2

Animation workshop this morning. We're finishing up our animation, photoshop etc and uploading our blogs.

Got my laptop back today after the whole thing had to be wiped. I opened an e-mail last week thinking it was from UPS but it was a trojan and completely infected the entire laptop. I never realised how much I used my laptop, as you nearly have to make an appointment in my house to use the PC! I still have to load on lots of programmes I use in school and my camera programme etc. It's good to have it back though.

I watched a brilliant programme on BBC1 last night about Henri Matisse. It was called "Modern Masters". When I saw it advertised, I thought "I better watch this" but I really enjoyed it. I didn't really know much about Matisse apart from his really famous pieces like "Dance". The programme went through his life showing the progression of his work and how he used colour. It was the second programme of four. I think it's Picasso next week. Looking forward to it already!

Just finished first session, very interesting. Going back to school Monday after a week off. We had a lovely weekend in Kerry. I spent last Sunday in Dingle and Ballyferriter. The weather was massive, cold but bright and sunny. Smerwick Harbour looked fantastic!

Happy May Day to all! Heading to Kerry later today for the weekend. Hope the weather is better than the last time I was there!

Thursday night, all quiet. Things have settled down in school after the madness of the communion. We've all been watching the baby robins on the live stream from the Mooney radio show. If anyone wants the link, it's http://www.rte.ie/radio/mooneygoeswild/features/mooneycam/

line drawing - dog and human

Back at CCAD after a very busy week. First Holy Communion for the kids in my school is today and I spent everyday last week chaperoning one of my special needs kids to the church. He is a flight risk! I'm singing "Ceád Míle Fáilte Romhat" in my sleep! I hope it all goes well for them today after all the preparation and I hope the weather holds.

First week of term done. Hopefully this fantastic weather will continue. It's hard being indoors when the sun is shining. I hope this isn't our summer! Essay finished thank God! Back to CCAD tomorrow. See ye all there!

Last day of easter holidays! Isn't the weather fantastic! Pity it wasn't this good last weekend. Shame to be going back to school tomorrow but can't complain, the holidays were long and lazy. Great win for Munster yesterday, thought it was all over when Northhampton pulled ahead, Delighted to see my pastpupil, Peter Stringer, coming on for a short period. That's showing my age!!!! Went see "Clash of the Titans" last night. Very enjoyable but I'm a sucker for fantasy movies. I've seen the original a few times. It was great to get a break from the US Masters golf which has taken over the house at the moment. And it was great not to thinking of creativity, intelligence, etc!!!!!!

Came back a day early from Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry. The weather was biblical!!!! Does anyone besides me wonder where all the rain comes from???? I drove down to Rossbeigh beach this afternoon and I was nearly blown to America! Massive waves though. Took a few photos but had to retreat to the car. The place was deserted, it was that wild.

It's Thursday already! Can't believe the first week of the Easter holidays is nearly over. I'm trying to wind my head around the essay we have to do. It's a long time since I've written an essay! I suppose it's great that it's the holidays and I've more free time. Heading to The Kingdom(Co. Kerry) for the weekend so hopefully the weather will be good and I'll get some decent photographs.

Last Saturday class on animation was very enjoyable. It is amazing what you can do with a digital camera and the appropriate software. Taking the photos was a bit tedious but tweeking it afterwards was great. Adding sound effects, slowing it down, changing colours etc. I chose to do collage as a background as I thought this would be very suitable for younger children. Even without the software , if they just looked at the photos in quick succession, they could get a feel for animation.

Start of the week, and it's the last week of term! Started on a collage for the animation workshop for next week. The whole family has an opinion though. "That colour looks weird,Mum!" I'll plough on regardless ,hopefully impervious to their criticism.
Did a bit of theraputic art with one of the children today. He really enjoyed the activity.We squirted watery paint and mixed colours to our heart's content. then folded it all over tro mix it some more! Great fun was had by all! I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, him or me!

Happy St.Patrick's Day! Don't have to attend the obligatory "Parade" any more as my offspring are able to go on their own or totally ignore it. It was great to have the day off work too. Back to the grindstone tomorrow. But it won't be too bad as it's only 2 days.

This is a fantastic video, hope you enjoy!

Came home a few days ago and found my other half had cut down most of the tree in the back garden. It had to be done as the roots had started to create cracks in the garden wall. It's a pity though to see a tree cut down. We planted it as a sapling when we moved in 15 years ago!

Tuesday evening, I've been changing my blog around, changing fonts, colours etc. Also added a photo of one of my favourite places, Castlemaine Harbour, taken from a high road over Rossbeigh beach, in the late evening.

Spring is here. The daffodils are appearing above ground. The days are getting longer. I love the long evenings. Paddy's Day is approaching fast. This is my favourite time of the year. Easter is early enough this year so the woolies won't be put away for a while. Heading for West Cork and south Kerry for a few days over Easter.