The Together Times

THE TOGETHER TIMES ST GERARD'S JUNIOR SCHOOL LITERARY MAGAZINE

ISSUE 1

2021 FIRST EVER ISSUE

Celebrating Literary Achievements

COMPETITION WINNERS

TOGETEHR AGAIN LIKE PEAS IN A POD

I N

T H I S

Issue A note from the editor

pg 3

Creative Writing Competition winners

pgs 4-15

Highly Commended Authors

pg 16-19

Write a Book 2021 Winners and Highly Commended

pg 20-21

A note from the Editor I am so proud to acknowledge and celebrate some of our school's incredible young writers in our first ever Literary magazine. During these challenging times, providing our young children with a voice and an audience to share their work with is more important than ever.

Our first issue celebrates the winners of a whole school Creative Writing Competition. Children from Junior Infants to Standard 2 were invited to use Visual Arts to explore the theme of, 'Living in a Bubble'. Pupils from Standard 3 to Standard 6 were invited to write a poem or short story on the theme of, 'Together Again Like Peas in a Pod'.

The response was overwhelming and I was incredibly impressed with the diverse and rich culture of writing that is so evidently being nurtured in our Junior School.

I am thrilled to be sharing our winners and highly commended authors with you, in this, our first ever issue of, 'The Together Times'.

- NICOLA BYRNE

"Playing with my Friends"

By Aoibhín Duffy Junior Infants

"ALL TOGETHER AGAIN"

By Henry Prestage Senior Infants

'Living in a Bubble'

By Benjamin Kelly Byrne Std 1

'Together Like Peas in a Pod'

By Dexter Bradshaw Std 2

'Stay Safe and be Happy'

By Matthew Deasy Std 2

It Seems Different By Éabha Brennan-Hobbs Std 2 September the first, “all into the car" I’m very excited, school is not far.

Into the classroom……But wait a minute, it seems different.

Queue in a line, Mum and Dad wear their masks.

Temperature checked, sanitize those hands.

Work for a while, the teacher wears a visor.

Trying so hard to make us all the wiser.

Little break, Woohoo!

But wait a minute, it seems different.

No tag, no touching, it’s not as easy to play.

But after a while we soon found a way.

Back in the class we learn and have fun.

And before I know it the day is all done.

Mum collects me when the school day ends.

It seems different but still great to be with my friends.

Together Again Like Peas in a Pod

By Ollie Focas Std.5 Before this wretched virus, life was normal and great.

There were playdates and parties, nothing you could hate.

You could go anywhere, do what you desire, until a sudden deadly virus made the fun expire.

They called it Coronavirus and sent us into lockdown.

It was strange and quite frightening and made us wear a frown.

But we kept our hopes up with a daily walk or jog and eventually, we got a precious dog.

There were now online classes, so we could still learn, But then it was the holidays and things took a turn.

Businesses were now re-opening, restrictions were lifting, staycations were now allowed, we were no longer drifting.

But then the moment we had been waiting for, that moment so cool, The moment we’d been waiting for, was going back to school.

They said school would be different, during class and during play.

There would be social distancing, but there was still jubilation on the way.

The day had finally come and I was happy as can be.

Seeing my friends and teachers and all of them seeing me.

There were changes to get used to, but we all adapted thank God, I am very glad we’re together again.

Together like peas in a pod.

Together Again Like Peas in a Pod

By Eamon Kelly Std 6 The once bustling school was quiet, not blaring, cheerful or merry like it was notorious for, there was just silence. The coronavirus had come, the school stood there abandoned, the grass was wild, no smells from the canteen, not even a whiff. All doors and the colossal gate were locked, bolted and shut. The paint was peeling from the external walls, the astroturf pitch was dry and had bits of rubbish floating by. The tarmac of the driveway was rough, not smooth and clean. There was no sign of any people, no bells ringing, no cars in the car park, no sound of footsteps, just a vast wilderness. Even though it was deserted, a type of wildlife had crept in. The security cameras picked up on something strange, two fox cubs ran by St Cronans basketball pitch scavenging for food with their white tipped long bushy tails. Sleek, agile red haired bodies approaching cautiously.

Deep, sharp black eyes that are scanning new territories and black as oil powerful noses picking up fresh exciting new smells, looking for a change of scene as it was close to town as well.

They would be temporary visitors, for the Government had released its plan to fight the Coronavirus and get schools back open after several months of lockdown. Teachers started hurrying about desperately trying to get ready for an awkward year ahead. Then one Thursday, children once again came pouring in the front gate screaming, laughing, talking and chatting. As they went into the classrooms they were divided into pods. The school was reunited even though things had changed. They were back together again like peas in a pod. As for the foxes, they were on the road again.

Together Again Like Peas in a Pod

By Micahel Hampson Std 6 As he laid there, losing vital fluids, he reminisced of more peaceful times. While red, murky blood fell onto his worn and rusted spear, he thought of times of joy and tranquility.Times before war, before pain, before suffering, before death.His eyes watered as he thought of the loved ones he had lost. He could still see his family's faces light up, as they had when he returned from a battle. He had not seen them for years, each thought causing more and more grief, enough to cause anyone to go insane. He could still hear the cries of his brothers in arms, ringing in his ears, all meeting more gruesome ends than the last one. He tried to stand but was noticed almost immediately by the enemy. He deftly cut them down as they ran forward, even though his flame of life was about to dwindle. Suddenly he felt immense pain in his chest.

He looked down to see that an arrow had pierced through him. He slowly felt the blood leaving his body. He was in complete and utter agony as the soldiers rushed over to finish him off. Before they could reach the dying soldier, the final droplets of his blood left his body and he quickly fell to the hard, rocky ground. At long last, he was finally going to see his family and friends again. He was strangely content as his soul left his body. They were going to be reunited. As he reached the gates of heaven, he could see his family, ecstatic at the sight of him. As he walked through, he could see all that he had lost. He ran to hug his family. Finally, he thought, together again, like peas in a pod.

TOGETHER AGAIN LIKE PEAS IN A POD

BY JULIETTE CUNNINGHAM STD 6

As we sit around the circular, polished, antique oak table telling hilarious jokes from crackers, we take in the sweet aroma of mature Christmas pudding that our dad had bought months ago. I am overjoyed to finally be able to hug my Granny after a tough six months of her safely cocooning.

The festive, lavish aroma of freshly cooked Christmas dinner engulfs the dimly lit dining room. Carols subtly play in the background illustrating the carefree, party-like atmosphere.

I look across the long wooden table at my younger sister who is merrily pulling a crimson red cracker with my Granny. I notice all the little things that have changed in her since February. The way her previously cinnamon brown, short hair has grown into lengthy, glossy waves. The ends slightly scarlet red due to a quarantine DIY project. Her hair gently smelling of the luscious plum shampoo that I had bought her as an early Christmas present.

Her smooth, fair skin sprinkled with freckles reflected the dim evening light. Her cheeky, forest green eyes light up with laughter behind her silken midnight black eyelashes that mirror her happiness of being back together.

We lazily sit together immersed in playing an infinite game of Monopoly. All huddled with fluffy Christmas socks snug on our feet as we sit around the warmth of the crackling fire. Our stockings hang serenely off the granite mantel. The blissful taste of Christmas pudding is still on the back of my tongue easing any thoughts of the last 6 months.

The simple, timeless joy of being together at Christmas after such a hard and extensive time of not being together overwhelmed me. We were back together again, like peas in a pod.

Together Again Like Peas in a Pod

By Senan Balmaine Std 6

The world was at peace one day then Covid 19 came our way.

We realised our sudden blunder.

It hit us hard like lightning or thunder.

But over quarantine I began to wonder, about the roof my friends were under.

But they were only able to be seen from a distance or a computer screen.

Together we must keep our hands especially clean.

We must all become a great big team.

But soon there will be no more quarantine, hand sanitiser or face masks to be seen.

Because when this is all over, in defeat the virus will tumble over.

But let me guarantee in every single way, You’re going to wake up one day and Covid 19 will have gone away.

Together Again Like Two Peas in a Pod

By Juliette Duffy Std 6 On the 12th of March we were told that schools would close.

The teachers were so busy that the printer froze.

We didn’t know how long it would be, so we just had to sit there and wait and see.

Everyone was excited at first, but it turned out that we were cursed.

We thought it would be 2 weeks long, But as the weeks went on we knew we were wrong.

It had all been so abrupt, we didn’t realise how much it would disrupt.

Our lavish lives that we had before, All we had left now was a complete bore.

From the NPHET orations to the Taoiseach’s speech to the nation, We were watching TV but not what we wanted to see.

Online school was fun at the start, but as it went on it had lost its spark The streets were deserted, we all had to stay home.

Our poor Grandparents were completely alone.

It infuriated us, but what could we do?

We had to listen to our Government and the WHO. The summer came but we had to cancel our plans, for our holidays to France that we had planned in advance.

But it wasn’t so bad because we still got away, to Sligo, Donegal and to Mayo’s Clew Bay. September came and we heard the best news, We could go back to school but with a few extra rules.

We skipped into school on the first day back, Met all our friends, it was so much crack.

We couldn’t give hugs or high fives which was odd, But we're together again like two peas in a pod.

Highly Commended Authors Congratulations to the following pupils who were highly commended in our creative writing competition.

' We face timed but I missed the fun we had together and the hugs we gave one another. I missed my friend reaching out a hand when I fell and hurt mysekf. I wish for the day when I can run free, hug my friends and once more we can be like peas in a pod.'

KAIA HEALY Std.5

'Abruptly the tall, brown, wooden door swung open and inside stood my granny, smiling from ear to ear, as happy as ever. A wave of joy came over me as she enveloped us all in a big warm hug. Her dark, brown hair, chocolate coloured eyes and welcoming smile hadn't changed at all over the last long eight months.'

EMMA MALACALZA

Std.6

'NowThey had a vaccine. People were cheering happily in the streets.

We would be together agon like peas in a pod. My grandmother told me it was like the celebrations at the end of the war. She remembered her time as a child. Someday, I will tell my grandchildren how we came to the end of the Covid 19 war.'

MIA WALL

Std.6

'I was wearing a crimson red dress, vibrant against my pale skin with a Spanish frilly hemline. There was a silvery ribbon around the waistline, gleaming like a sunny reflection on water.

A carol sung by far off angelic voices floated in the open window.

The

aroma coming from the delicious food calmed my thoughts of the dreadful year that had just passed.'

AOIBHINN LAKE

Std.6

'Due to Covid restrictions, I couldn't see my friends.

Everybody was thinking, I can't wait until this ends.

Our sports were cancelled, I was bored.

It wasn't the same with my Dad when I scored!

Finally we're back to our normal selves, we can put our laptops on the shelves.

At the start it felt a bit odd, But we're back together again, like peas in a pod.'

JP LYNCH

Std.6

'My Uncle Feargal lives in Sheshia, The Burren County Clare.

He is

about six feet tall like a colossal lion, with hair the colour of tree bark and eyes as blue as the ocean. He has been an oyster farmer for many years and has muscles like steel. The Burren has many dark and cold caves, windy roads, tall mountains and rocky shores. Its landscape is made up of ancient limestone that spreads over many miles.

When Covid 19 is finished, I will be able to go on holidays again and visit my uncle Feargal in the Burren. I will go and rid on his tractor and go down to the shore and help him collect his oysters.'

SHANE WHELAN

Std.6

'There were still some fun things my teacher got me to do such as my twin and I made dinner for my family twice. We made pizza the first time and meat balls the second. We did an experiment with an egg which ended up on my mom and all over the kitchen counter.

We made bird feeders. we had a competition to see who could make the tallest sunflower, my twin won by a mile! My sunflower didn't even germinate. We made bridges out of spaghetti and a ton of glue.'

PAT CAREY

Std.6

'The best things come in pairs Like socks and gloves and panda bears.

But best of all are pairs of twins With extra fun and double grins.

The best things come in pairs, Like shoe laces, As tight as can be, So tight they will never fall apart.

The best things come in pairs, Like two peas in a pod.'

CAITLIN PARK

Std.6

An extract from 'Two Pigs in a Pod' 'It has been two weeks since that night and life on the farm was boring. They couldn't do anything, go on an adventure or even chat, and worst of all, the horses got special treatment. The farmer did horse riding lessons so every time they walked past the donkeys, they turned, laughed and galloped away. They also got their stables cleaned everyday by the farmers kids. It's just not fair! Donkey's can be cute too!'

CIARA O FARRELL

Std.6

Senior Infants: Merit Winner: James Boyle- ‘The Dinosaur’ Highly Commended: Cillian Ryan and Henry Prestage Standard 2: Merit Winner: Éabha Brennan Hobbs- ‘The Book of Legends’ Highly Commended: Dahlia Durkan, Niamh Winter, Poppy Newton, Aaron Carey Standard 3: Merit Winner: Aidan Curran- 'The Adventures of Admiral Shackle' Highly Commended: Emily Rose Butler, Oliver Duffy, Cuan Costigan and Isabelle Galligan

Standard 4 Merit Winner: Kate Buckley- ‘ZeeZee and Pongo’s Adventure’ Highly Commended: Andrew Naughton, Luca Wejchert and Sadhbh Murray Standard 5: Merit Winner: Annie Dillon- 'Bullies' Highly Commended: Paresia Phelan, Laura Keogh and Roan Stanley

Std 6: Ms Power Merit Winner: Eva Carey- ‘Jock the Fox’s All Ireland Adventure’ Highly Commended: Aoibhinn Lake, Juliette Cunningham and Charles Kelly

Standard 6: Ms Maguire Merit Winner: Emma Malacalza - ‘Silver Paw’ Highly Commended: Eamonn Kelly, Merielle Thuillier and Charlie Murphy

Std 6: Mr Burke Merit Winner: Isabelle O’Donovan- ‘Oceans 15’ Highly Commended: Brett Gordan, Daniel Jones and Pearl Connolly