School Activities

Gaelscoil Choráin makes every effort to ensure that the children receive a well rounded education.To this end, many extra activities are encouraged and promoted both during and outside of school hours.While the school curriculum remains central to the learning experience, it is felt that the following school activities complement that very work and help to build confidence and competence in a variety of areas.

	Sport Though the school was founded in 1983, Gaelscoil Choráin already has a very proud sporting tradititon. Gaelic football and hurling figure prominently each year and many prizes adorn our trophy cabinet.Victories have also been recorded on the soccer and rugby front. The basic skills of many sports, from basketball to volleyball to badminton, are taught to the pupils so as to give them an appreciation of the various disciplines. VIEW PICTURES>>
	Music Tin whistle is taught in all classes.Guitar tuition is provided during the year, for those pupils who wish to avail of the opportunity.These classes take place after school, for pupils from third to sixth class. The experience of listening to live music is considered to be essential in musically stimulating the children and therefore, excursions to hear an orchestra at the 'Cork Pops', are organised from time to time.The Band of the Southern Command have also provided very enjoyable concerts in our school hall on occasion. The school has been represented in All Ireland finals in the ballad group section of Slógadh, on two seperate occasions. VIEW PICTURES>>

	Drama The school has organised a Christmas concert every year since its foundation, which provides a platform for classes to display their acting and musical abilities. Some highlights, from years past, include - Red Riding Hood, the Pied Piper, Larry Long Ears and Alice in Wonderland.On the national stage, Slógadh Gael-Linn has provided us with an opportunity to display our talents.We have had many memorable victories, but the All-Ireland triumphs with the musical dramas 'Alice in Wonderland' (1996) and 'Jonah' (1999) are special memories for all those involved. Many theatre companies are encouraged to visit our school regularly and pupils have thoroughly enjoyed plays such as 'Cú Chulainn', 'Arabian Nights' and other productions on themes such as bullying. Regular trips to the Cork Opera House are also organised to give the pupils a taste of the dramatic arts on display. VIEW PICTURES>>

	French The gaelscoil has provided tuition in European languages since 1988. In 1997 our school was selected to participate in a pilot scheme, to promote the teaching of a third language in primary schools. The children in fifth and sixth class currently receive tuition, from a native French speaker, once a week.It is proving to be a worthwhile and enriching experience for the students. VIEW PICTURE>>
	Irish Dancing Pupils from second to sixth class receive dancing lessons, from a qualified teacher.The rudiments of jigs, reels, hornpipes and set dancing are taught.Both boys and girls benefit from this invaluable learning experience.A group from the school won the Slógadh All-Ireland set dancing competition in Mullingar in 1999. VIEW PICTURE>>
	Class Tours Every year, each class teacher organises a class tour for their pupils. The experience of Michelstown Caves, Cork City Gaol, Fota Wildlife Park or Oysterhaven Activity Centre can be the highlight of many a pupil's year. VIEW PICTURE>>
	Storytelling The ancient Irish tradition of storytelling is alive and well in Gaelscoil Choráin where many pupils have taken part in competition. Memorisation, appropriate delivery and confidence are just some of the skills that these pupils develop as they become more competent in this rapidly vanishing aspect of our culture. VIEW PICTURE>>

Other Activities

Sammy Stamps: The children are given an opportunity to buy saving stamps every week, which encourages them to save and have a healthy attitude towards prudent money management.
Can Recycling:The school operates a can recycling system, which is managed by the pupils themselves.Care for their environment is fostered and gives the pupils a sense of responsibility.
Charity Work:Cake sales, bracelet selling and other fund raising initiatives are regularly organised by the children, with guidance from their teachers, in aid of various charities.
Quiz Teams:Many pupils have represented the school on various quiz teams.Many great triumphs have been recorded, most notably a county winning team in 1991, in the Credit Union Primary School Quiz.
Religion:The school is under Catholic patronage and children are prepared for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation every year.
Art Exhibitions:All the children are regularly encouraged to display their artistic prowess and their work is subsequently entered in competitions and displayed in exhibitions.