During the winter months, hockey classes will take place upstairs in Arravale Rovers on Wednesday evenings, 6th of October.

Cost- €2.00 each Wednesday

Classes for children from Junior Infants to 4th Class: 6pm to 7pm.

Pupils in 5th and 6th classes: 7pm to 8pm.

Bring gumshields and shin-guards if you have them (optional).

Hockey sticks are provided.

For more information, contact Nuala O’ Sullivan: 0863438899.

On Friday the 13th of October, the students and staff of St. Joseph’s School will be wearing jerseys in support of Goal’s Jersey Day. We are trying to raise funds for Goal. Can you help?

Online donation options:

1. Click here to donate.
2. Scan the qr code.
   

GOAL works with communities right around the world to help them recover from and then rebuild their lives after things like man-made and natural disasters happen.
GOAL was started in 1977 and has been in existence for 45 years now.

Last year alone GOAL supported 14 million people across 19 different countries. That’s roughly 3 times the population of Ireland that have been helped by GOALs programmes and by us because we support GOAL by taking part in Jersey Day.
There are currently over 2500 GOAL staff around the world who run different programmes in Latin America, East and West Africa, the Middle East and in 2022 Europe was added to that list when GOAL began working in Ukraine and where the now have two offices in Kyiv and Lviv.

Hockey classes will begin in St. Ailbe’s School on Wednesday evening, 6th of October.

Cost- €2.00 each Wednesday

Classes for children from Junior Infants to 4th Class: 6pm to 7pm.

Pupils in 5th and 6th classes: 7pm to 8pm.

Bring gumshields and shin-guards if you have them (optional).

Hockey sticks are provided.

For more information, contact Nuala O’ Sullivan: 0863438899.

All classes from Infants to 2nd had great fun on their sports day. Many thanks to the 6th Class girls for their help with each activity.

Pupils and staff of St. Joseph’s School are welcome to wear their favourite jersey or t-shirt on Friday 14th of October, in support of Goal Jersey Day. Please bring a donation if you can. Read more about it here.

You can also make an online donation on the Goal web page.

Jersey Day

Watch our 6th class girls on their journey through St. Joseph’s School up to their graduation day in 6th class.

6th Class Graduation Video June 2022 by Class Teacher, Catherine Blackburn

Click on the links/ videos below.

The Power of Yet and Skipathon Routines per Class- click here for the videos.

6th Class and their Buddies

School Tours

School Tours by Mairéad Quinn

More photos and videos coming soon.

Here is the calendar for the school year 2022-2023.

We will notify families of other events during the year.

FREE Webinar

presented by Ciara O`Donoghue,

Zeeko, specialists in keeping young people safe On-line.

Thursday 16th June at 7pm

Even though children sometimes seem to understand technology better than adults do, they need guidance on how to use technology in a responsible and positive way.

Our children are currently engaged in the digital world to be educated, stay connected with friends and play games. Research suggests that adults who understand online safety and are able to use technology are more successful in guiding children’s digital use.

Therefore, it is beneficial for parents and caregivers, especially with school holidays approaching, to receive information on online safety, and advice on how to help children manage online risks.

Register in advance for this meeting HERE.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

After some late donations, we can confirm that you helped us raise €464.00 for Pieta and the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association.

Many thanks!

The web page below provides information, resources, supports and practical tips for caregivers, Ukrainian parents and young people in Ireland.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/9594e-ukraine-resources/

Congratulations to all the girls in 2nd Class who received their First Holy Communion on Friday 20th of May.

Today, 13-5-2022,  all the pupils from St. Joseph’s went up the hills on our Walk for Charlie. The infant classes walked with their buddies from 5th and 6th. We saw cowslips, bluebells, and lots of other flowers. We also saw the Famine Graveyard and the quarry.

When we got back to school, we recorded a video message for Charlie Bird, sending him our best wishes. Finally we released the pink balloons. It was a lovely day.

Thanks to all those who made a donation in support of the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association and Pieta.

Thanks to our parent helpers and Garda John Kingston for all their help in ensuring that everyone was very safe today.

In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, many schools across the country will be supporting Ukrainian families and pupils as they arrive in Ireland. The INTO has collated some useful resources below.

https://www.into.ie/help-advice/education-curriculum/ukraine-2/

Thanks to all who dressed in yellow or other bright colours and donated towards Daffodil Day in St. Joseph’s.

You helped us to raise €353.40 for the Irish Cancer Society.

On Friday the 13th of May, pupils and staff from St. Joseph’s will be going for a walk to support the Irish Motor Neuron Disease Association and Pieta, 2 charities very close to Charlie Bird who recently climbed Croagh Patrick on April 2nd. Climb with Carlie has raised almost 2.5 million euro for the charities so far.

Charlie Bird visited St. Joseph’s School in 2018 to launch our school CD that year. He told us about visiting the Antarctic to see the penguins and shared a photo of himself with them.

We hope that all pupils will bring a donation to help support two very worthwhile charities.

1- Opening Hymn- The Gathering Song

Click the link to read the words.                1- The Gathering Song

2- Psalm- The Lord, He is my Shepherd

Click the link to read the words.                2- The Lord, He is my Shepherd

3- Recessional (Final) Hymn- Go Now in Peace

Click the link to read the words.                3- Go Now in Peace

1. I’m Sorry    Click to listen

Chorus:

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m really very sorry.

I hurt your feelings, caused you pain,

I’d like to be your friend again.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m very, very sorry.

Verse 1:

Sometimes when we play our games, I get angry, I call you names.

I know I should not act this way, That is why I’d like to say …

Chorus:

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m really very sorry.

I hurt your feelings, caused you pain,

I’d like to be your friend again.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m very, very sorry.

Verse 2:

Sometimes I tell tales on you, I make up stories that are not true.

I know I should not act this way, That is why I’d like to say …

Chorus:

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m really very sorry.

I hurt your feelings, caused you pain,

I’d like to be your friend again.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m very, very sorry.

Verse 3:

Sometimes I won’t let you play, I turn my back till you go away,

I know I should not act this way, That is why I’d like to say …

Chorus:

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m really very sorry.

I hurt your feelings, caused you pain,

I’d like to be your friend again.

I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m very, very sorry.

2. We are the Greatest            Click to listen

Just the way we children are, is just how we’re happy to be,

Full of life and full of fun, just how we’re happy to be,

And just in case there’s any doubt we want you to know,

We are the greatest, yes, we are, ‘cos Jesus told us so … yeah,

Jesus told us so … yeah!

Just the way we children are, is just how we’re happy to be,

Full of surprises, full of love, just how we’re happy to be,

And just in case there’s any doubt we want you to know,

We are the greatest, yes, we are, ‘cos Jesus told us so … yeah,

Jesus told us so … yeah!

Last week, we celebrated Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Week) in school. We had a ceilí (dance) in the yard on Wednesday 16th where classes danced the Walls of Limerick and Shoe the Donkey. Ms. McCarthy has been teaching 2nd, 3rd and 5th an easy reel, and they danced some of that for us too. It was a beautiful sunny day and the whole school enjoyed the chance to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge together.

Bígí ag caint as Gaeilge más féidir!  (Speak Irish if you can!)

Here are some photos  of the girls dancing happily to traditional Irish music. After the photos, you can see some videos.

VIDEOS

Wonderful news for the health and safety of all on the campus at St. Joseph’s Primary, Tipperary Town, that they have now got a new Defibrillator on site.

Last Summer Principal Ms. Louise Tobin started planning as to how the school would fund this life saving piece of equipment. On chatting to Parent’s Association treasurer, Andrea O’ Dwyer, they agreed to ask the local Tipperary Town Credit Union to sponsor this project. The local Community Committee at the Credit Union and IT and Marketing Manager Brendan Ryan agreed to this proposal, factoring in the large number of people who are on site at St. Joseph’s on any given day- pupils, staff, bus drivers, pre-schoolers in Joseph Beag and Totally Kids preschool, in fact well over 200 people.

Board of Management member Pat O’Grady at the school, was involved in helping the school to find and purchase a defibrillator that would meet the school’s needs.

Pictured at the presentation of the cheque to fund the new defibrillator at St. Joseph’s Primary, Tipperary Town are Louise Tobin, Principal, receiving the cheque from Brendan Ryan, Tipperary Credit Union. Also included are Anna Tuohy Halligan, Director, Tipperary Credit Union; Pat O’Grady, St. Joseph’s Board of Management; Andrea O’ Dwyer, St. Joseph’s Parents Association and pupils from Junior Infants and 6^th class.

Call for Support for Ukraine

We have been asked to support an appeal for help for emergency items needed for the people of Ukraine.

The following items are requested and will be collected, itemised and sorted to be taken to Poland to help the people of Ukraine:

Batteries

Torches & Flash lamps

Sleeping bags

Flasks

Disposable masks & gloves

Bandages

Warm Socks & Underwear

Nappies

Clothes

Any other necessities

All items need to be new or nearly new.

We will ask our Senior pupils to make cards to send to the Ukrainian families.

Please drop any of the above items to the school any day from Monday 7^th March to Thursday 11^th March, or to Anna Laba at the Launderette on the Bansha Road.

Thank you.

Please note a change in our school calendar.

St. Joseph’s Primary School will be closed on Monday 21st of March.

This was not listed on the previous school calendar.

St. Joseph’s Calendar- Feb.- June 2022 

Parents, do you know which websites your children visit? Do you know who they chat with online? Have you explained to them how to stay safe when they use the internet?

To find advice on these questions and more,  visit https://www.webwise.ie/parents/

Internet safety day is on Tuesday 8th of February. 

Listen to the girls in 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes singing Christmas Carols. 

Now listen to 4th, 5th and 6th playing the ukulele.

On Friday December 10th, staff and pupils dressed up in Christmas jumpers, Santa hats, reindeer antlers, etc. as a fundraiser for The Hope Foundation and Down Syndrome. Play the video to see us in our Christmas colours.

Parent-focused public health advice about COVID-19 symptoms-03/11/2021.

Please see link below for parent-focused public health advice about COVID-19 symptoms.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a04fc-advice-for-students-and-their-families/#health-advice-for-parents

Click HERE to read the fortnightly newsletter called “In this together” which is about various events going on in the Tipperary Town community, and gives handy tips and information about a variety of topics. There is a segment on it about wellness/wellbeing with sessions for adults. These are similar to programmes currently being implemented in our school to improve wellbeing amongst the children.

Click on the picture to see the girls in our school today, dressed up in their Halloween costumes.

DojoMór 2021 for free online coding workshops

For one day only, 20,000 students, from primary and secondary schools around Ireland, will learn how to code in a fun, exciting virtual environment. Free coding workshops from DojoMór 2021, funded by the Higher Education Authority of Ireland, will be running online, from 10am to 2pm, Saturday 6th November 2021, offering a range of activities and amusements to suit all ages and interests.

Click the link to find out more.

https://dojomor2021.vfairs.com/

The HSE has provided information for parents about the changes to contact tracing and testing for children aged between 3 months and 13 years in early learning and care, school aged childcare, education, primary school sports and social settings. You can find it here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/13610-information-for-parents-about-the-changes-to-contact-tracing-and-testing-for-children-aged-between-3-months-and-13-years-in-early-learning-and-care-elc-and-school-age-childcare-sac-education-primary-school-sports-and-social-settings/

You can find other resources for parents for download here:

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a04fc-advice-for-students-and-their-families/

Videos and posters outlining the common symptoms of Covid-19, and stressing  to parents that if a child has any new onset symptoms as listed and feels unwell or seems off-form,  not to send them to school and contact their GP for advice, if necessary.

This year’s Art Competition is taking place with a closing date of Friday 22nd October 2021. The theme is “IMAGINE”. The competition caters for children aged under 7 to over 18 years of age.  Entry forms and information packs are not being sent to schools this year. 

You can read the full details here:        https://www.creditunion.ie/news/art-competition/

How to Enter

Entries for the Credit Union Art Competition are through local participating credit unions.

To enter, you will need to complete an entry form which you can get from your local credit union branch or by contacting them directly. 
It is important to mark your date of birth clearly.

Marking your date of birth and ticking your age category will result in your piece of art being judged in that category. If found to be in the wrong category, your entry may be disqualified from the competition.

When thinking about your entry, it’s important to consider the following points:
·        All entries must be submitted in either A3 (420 x 297mm) or A2 (594 x 420mm) and landscape orientation. 

Portrait oriented entries will be disqualified from adjudication.·       

Name, address, age, date of birth and other details (where applicable) must be clearly printed on the entry form and then attached to the back of the entry.

Any entries bearing incomplete entry forms may not be considered.

·        The entry can be drawn or painted in pencil, charcoal, pen or ink, felt-tip markers, crayon, pastel, water colours, gouache, acrylics, oils, poster colour or collage. Prints done from a lino block, wood block or any other method may also be submitted. No computer aided design (CAD) may be entered. No pieces of art under glass, as we cannot be responsible for same.

Hi everyone,

My name is Lisa Sheehy and I just wanted to introduce myself to the school as the new Family Liaison Teacher for the St. Joseph’s Primary School. I will be here every Friday to help.

Overall I hope to be able to help both you and your children to maximise their potential at school.

As well as working with some groups of children in the school, I will be providing some handy tips on various topics to you throughout the year.

I can offer guidance on school-related issues you may have.

I also hope that, as restrictions continue to be lifted, we may be in a position to offer English language classes again for parents amongst other things in a safe manner.

My contact details are 087 1993454 or miss.sheehylms@gmail.com which will be monitored during school hours. I f I don’t answer a call immediately, I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Looking forward to working with you during the year.

Lisa Sheehy

Here are 2 very useful websites for parents/ guardians to help you decide when it is ok to send your child to school or childcare, and what to do if your child has symptoms of Covid-19.

1. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/preventing-the-spread/child-returning-to-school-or-childcare/
2. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/symptoms/symptoms-child/

Click here to see the booklists for 2021-22.

Click here to see the requisites bills (book rental, homework journal, insurance, etc.) for 2021-22.

Click here to see the school calendar for 2021-22.

Click here- School Calendar, 2021-22 -to download our school calendar for 2021-22.

School hours are 9.00 a.m. to 2.40 p.m. for all classes from 1st to 6th.

Junior and Senior Infants- 9.00 a.m. to 1.40 p.m.

If there is any change to school hours, parents/ guardians will be notified in advance.

We urge you to ensure that your child is punctual.

By coming frequently late, a pupil may miss a considerable amount of class time.

Our motto is “Better late than never”.

The girls in 4th class were learning about how planets rotate, and about the moons that orbit the planets. We looked at some Augmented Reality videos in class.

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/7-11-years/times-tables

Practising multiplication tables can be a lot more fun using some of these free games.

1. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/hit-the-button
2. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/mental-maths-train
3. https://www.topmarks.co.uk/maths-games/daily10
4. https://mathsframe.co.uk/en/resources/resource/306/Maths-Fishing-Multiplication
5. https://coolsciencelab.com/math_magician.html    You may need to enable Flash to play this game.  Get instructions here – https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/6258784?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en

Full details available here.

https://www.lec.ie/courses-limerick-education-centre/primary-courses/939-socialmedia.html

Learn about micro-organisms, how they spread, how to prevent and treat infections on www.e-bug.eu

Learn how to manage common illnesses on www.undertheweather.ie

Click on the link to read some questions and answers regarding the movement of staff between/ within schools.

https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/your-questions-answered/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/en/publication/389bd-topics-being-raised-on-the-back-to-school-helpline/#movement-of-staff-between-schools-and-within-schools

Over the last few weeks, there have been some changes to our school in order to comply with advice re COVID-19. You and your child won’t need to memorise these changes – we are looking forward to seeing our pupils return, and we will be delighted to explain everything to them in school.

Pupil tables are organised in small groups/ spaced out around the room. There are hand-sanitizers inside the door of every classroom. A sink with thermostat has been fitted in every classroom. Teachers’ tables have had perspex screens fitted.

The yard has been divided into zones, marked out with paint and signs. There are lines showing students where to line up in each zone. Teachers will collect their class from the zone at their start time.

Check out these photos to give you an idea of what the school looks like now.

1. Information from HSE for parents

2. Advice for parents

In accordance with the ‘Return to Work Safely Protocol’ issued by the Government, all employers are required to prepare a COVID-19 Response Plan. This applies to all Boards of Management of Primary and Special Schools. The Department of Education and Science (DES) published the following plan on 27th July 2020 and it will be used as is by all schools.

COVID-19 Response plan for primary and special schools

COVID-19_Policy Statement for St. Joseph’s Primary School

https://www.thesun.ie/news/5693381/tanaiste-leo-varadkar-school-uniforms-worn-return-to-schools-august/

Letter from Minister Norma Foley, regarding the re-opening of schools in August/ September

To Parents – Letter from Minister Foley

Click HERE to see your daughter’s booklist for September 2020.

The booklist for 1st class has been updated to include the following handwriting books:
Mrs Murphy's 1st class Copies (pack), CURSIVE, from B.C.M. Publishing.

Click HERE to view other requisites such as Book Rental cost, homework journal, etc.

Calendar 20-21

Congratulations to 6th class on graduating from St. Joseph’s Primary School!

6th Class Graduation Video – https://youtu.be/9MYEG2BSYRk

Memories from infants to 6th class – https://youtu.be/S2Kub4yrfDA

Surprise message! – https://youtu.be/jgyNA7jCHSI

Earlier this year, Folens launched a practical guide for parents to help support their children with this transition, authored by experienced counsellor and teacher Graham Richmond. 

This booklet includes advice on several different topics including the practicalities of adapting to a new timetable, screentime etc.

You can view the booklet here.

folens-primary-to-post-primary-transition-booklet

Graham gives talks and webinars to parents and can be contacted at richmondpresentations@gmail.com

“I saw War”

Diana Tumasova in 6th Class created this beautiful image to win a prize in an International Art Competition. Well done Diana!

This year we were awarded our 10th Green Flag. Watch our celebratory video!

https://youtu.be/DJ73hKrRE-U

As children prepare to return to early learning and childcare services or make the move to pre-school and school for the first time, parents can be assured that there are a number of actions they can take at home to support these important transitions. Click on the link to learn more.

https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/1e8a3-lets-get-ready/?referrer=http://www.gov.ie/letsgetready/

SOPHia_competition2020

On Friday 19th of June, instead of our usual skipathon, why not skip or dance to some of your favourite songs.

Invite your family to join in.

There are some skipping rhymes on this webpage-

https://www.verywellfamily.com/old-fashioned-jump-rope-rhymes-1696145

Only try the actions if you and your parents consider them safe.

This year, we hope pupils and their families will take part in some of these activities as part of our Sports Day.

Sports Day Activities

https://www.cula4.com/en/shows/cula4-ar-scoil/

Gill Education are supporting teachers, parents & students by providing any online resources requested free.

Simply go to http://gillexplore.ie/products & find your resource.

On June 13th, there will be a lot of creative online workshops available. Click the link below. A lot of them are only available on the given day and time.

https://cruinniu.creativeireland.gov.ie/

Parents are recommended to check the suitability of all websites before their children visit/ use the website.

https://www.arcademics.com/games … Maths games

Mixed collection of websites

https://irishprimaryteacher.ie/useful-websites-for-primary-teachers/

Mixed list of websites

Check out some Irish lessons here- Cúla 4- Ar Scoil

If you have missed any episodes of RTÉ Hub School online, you can catch up here.

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/rt%C3%A9-home-school-hub/SI0000006854?epguid=IP000066091

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/rt%C3%A9-home-school-hub/SI0000006854?epguid=IP000066091

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/rt%C3%A9-home-school-hub/SI0000006854?epguid=IP000066091

President Michael D. Higgins has today issued special video messages for students in 6^th class of primary school.

Schools across Ireland have been closed since the evening of Thursday 12 March, disrupting the lives of thousands of students all around the country.

In his message to the 6^th class students, the President acknowledges the disruptions to students’ lives, and the disappointment associated with the cancellation of so many planned events. The President also sends his best wishes to the students, as they say good-bye to their primary school years.

The President’s messages are available here:

Message to sixth class students

• Text attached: President Higgins- Message to children in 6th class of primary school
• Audio: https://soundcloud.com/presidentirl/message-to-sixth-class-students-from-president-michael-d-higgins
• Video: https://youtu.be/Ng8hxeIRu1U

The 2019/2020 academic year marks the 23rd year of the Green-Schools programme in Ireland. Despite the temporary closure of schools in March, schools submitted their Green Flag applications after a two-year effort to create sustainable environments in their schools. In St. Joseph’s Primary School, we are very lucky to have Ms. Carmel Hickey in charge of Green Schools, and we say a huge “Thank you” to everyone else who is involved- staff, pupils, parents, local community, ….

During May, 750 schools were awarded the Green Flag for their work on the themes of Litter & Waste, Energy, Water, Travel, Biodiversity and Global Citizenship. Green-Schools wishes to congratulate all Green-Schools students, school staff and families who helped schools in achieving and renewing the Green Flag 2020! Join in on the celebrations virtually for lots of #GreenFlag2020 celebrations! Click on the links to hear lots of video messages from Green-Schools Officers, Environmental Awareness Officers and Sponsors who are all so proud of your wonderful achievements!

Green-Schools Officers congratulate Green Flag schools 2020

https://youtu.be/UpthsVEuLYE

#GreenFlag2020 celebrations

https://youtu.be/BWi3iyuI4_Y

Green-Schools 2020 Savings

https://youtu.be/x0tQh97fYM0

Medal Presentation May 2020

Covid19Wellness PackTeens

Click below to read the letter from the Archbishop to Priests, Teachers, Parents and Candidates for First Holy Communion and Confirmation in the
Archdiocese of Cashel and Emly.

Archbishop’s Letter re Holy Communion and Confirmation

Free website with actors reading beautifully illustrated children’s books, suitable ages 4-8

https://www.storylineonline.net

Children up to 18 years of age are invited to enter our WildArt competition. 

Express your creativity about Irish Wildlife by drawing, painting, building models or creating collages. Click the link to read all about it. 

WildArt

KIDS ART & STORY COMPETITION.

We are delighted to announce this fantastic competition for our younger Titanic enthusiasts. Something to keep them challenged and entertained over the next few weeks and fits right in with the history curriculum for April! Check out our video for details!
http://bit.ly/titaniccompetition

There is some great information and inspiration to be found on the National Geographic Kids website. Just check out the link below.
https://www.natgeokids.com/ie/discover/history/general-history/would-you-have-survived-the-titanic/
Please share or Tag anyone with kids who might be interested!
Full Terms & Conditions outlined on our Facebook Page http://bit.ly/titaniccompetitionterms
Good Luck everyone!

The Dogs Trust Education team are hosting a short story competition.

The details of the competition can be found on our website https://www.learnwithdogstrust.ie/whats-happening/

We are taking entries up until May 1^st, and all entries can be sent to education@dogstrust.ie

We hope some of your students might take part as we’re sure there is a huge interest in dogs in your school.

You also might be interested to know that we have multiple free downloadable resources on our website that are all curriculum linked, and cater to all levels of primary school https://www.learnwithdogstrust.ie/resources/

School Hub – Plan for Week 5

27th April – 1st May

Here are the plans for the programmes on next week on the Home School Hub.

RTE Home School Hub Week 5 – April 27 to May 1

Cúla4 ar Scoil – Week 2

The theme this week on Cúla4 ar Scoil is ‘Clothes’.  Múinteoir Caitríona will teach the different types of clothes. Múinteoir Fiachra will be debate ‘Should school children have to wear uniforms?’

We will also be looking at where clothes come from, and learning about the history of shorts, and how they are so popular after 150 years.

Join Cúla4 ar Scoil Monday to Friday from 10am. Lessons from the programmes are available on YouTube Cúla4 and catch-up with programmes you’ve missed on Cúla4.com

Reminder

The Home School Hub on RTE 2 at 11 every week day is a worthwhile programme for your child, with a follow up slot at 4.15 and resources on their website https://www.rte.ie/learn/home-school-hub/.

Cula4 ar Scoil is on TG4 every week day at 10 am if your child would like to brush up on her Irish.

The Great Isolation Activity Book SEND

Here’s a link to the music workbook which RTE had in their Music in the Classroom slot.

https://www.rte.ie/learn/2020/0406/1128758-1st-and-2nd-class-music/

Down the page you’ll see the listening link which points to the Musical Adventures concert.

https://www.rte.ie/culture/2019/0115/1023294-music-in-the-classroom-musical-adventures-for-kids/

Welcome to Dr Conor’s Lockdown History for Kidz!

I am Dr Conor Reidy and on the first Wednesday of every month I contribute the Tipperary Hidden Histories slot on Tipp Today on Tipp FM! I am a professional historian, editor and former lecturer.

This list provides a fun way for children to enjoy the study of History at home during our temporary lockdown. The suggestions are divided into different categories of interest including the Vikings, the Great Famine, Mythology, Ancient Egypt, the 1918 Influenza Pandemic, as well as other topics.

This is not designed to substitute or supplement Irish primary school teaching. It is intended as a fun way of learning History with suggestions for activities to help children fill all this spare time!

It does not matter if some of the material featured here is not part of the school curriculum. History is History. Learning is Learning. Keeping young minds occupied and active with verified facts that will fascinate, is all that matters.

Much of this can be enjoyed by the child or children on their own and there are many activities that parents can set after the videos are viewed as a way to keep their interest alive. I will make some activity suggestions at the end of this list, but you may have your own!

While the videos are child-friendly, you may wish to check out some of the darker topics in advance to ensure that they are suitable for your own individual family.

Enjoy!
Dr Conor

PS. I included a few random selections for parents and guardians at the end!

Lockdown History Booklet

https://central.edalive.com/covid-19-home-access

https://www.mathsweek.ie/2019/maths-at-home/

K7maths

For Infants to First Year Teachers

SOME GOOD HOME-SCHOOLING NEWS
* K7Maths has completed linking our resources to the Mathematics Curriculum.
* Our resources are now available to all teachers and parents to use at this time.

FREE 25 WEEK LOGIN TO K7MATHS
* All teachers and parents are welcome to create a 25 week login to K7Maths.

TO CREATE A LOGIN
* Go to www.k7maths.com
* Click on ‘Start your 180 trial’
* There is no obligation to subscribe at any time.

Resources Available at K7Maths
* We have a very extensive list of resources that will support your:
– Planning
– Teaching
– Assessing
– Home-schooling

Home-schooling Hint
* A quick and easy way to support your parents with our resources is via email.

* For any K7Maths Activity:
– Download it to your PC.
– Attach it to an email.
– Send to parents with your notes.

* For any K7Maths links to Videos, Games, PowerPoints:
– Copy and paste the link to an email.
– Send to parents with your notes.

Support
* Email peter@k7maths.com for all support.

https://www.webwise.ie/parents/

HTML Heroes

Duolingo

Scoilnet has a number of home usage supports for teachers and students to benefit from. All of the supports below are FREE and do not require registration or sign-in.
These tools include:

1. Scoilnet Website – Students and teachers can access over 20,000 resources shared by Primary and Post-Primary teachers anytime, anywhere. Search materials by class/year group, subject, strand, and learning outcomes.
2. World Book Online – All students in the Republic of Ireland have open and free home access to World Book Online. World Book is a trusted encyclopedia containing thousands of informational articles with stunning illustrations, videos, interactive maps, research help, and activities.
   NEW! World Book Online has created a guide to distance learning resources on World Book Online for parents and educators.
3. Scoilnet Dedicated Subject Pages – The Scoilnet Team are working hard to bring teachers and students dedicated Post-Primary subject pages where they will find teacher-shared collections, collections by organisations, and what’s in demand or popular on Scoilnet right now for their subject area.
   Choose from: Maths, Science, Irish, English, History, Modern Foreign Languages, Geography, Politics and Society.
4. Scoilnet Themepages – Primary school teachers and students can access subject-based themed pages. Each theme-page presents a set of links and resources on a particular topic.

100 challenges for home learners

Easter Activities

Message from Conradh na Gaeilge(Click on the link to read in Irish)

https://mailchi.mp/233ed46e4e31/nuachtlitir-mh-aibrein-cnamh-don-covid?e=38cdca3daf

Conradh na Gaeilge Youth Team

10 Most Useful Resources

Donate here http://bit.ly/deonaigh

Seomra Ranga Quizzes

Can you complete these quizzes online, doing any necessary research to find the answers? The solutions are available on the Seomra Ranga page on Facebook.

Unfortunately it is now too late to enter your answers in the competition.

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-1/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-2/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-3/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-4/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-5/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-6/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-7/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-8/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-no-9/

https://www.seomraranga.com/2020/03/stay-at-home-quiz-no-10/

This short story with simple pictures may be useful in explaining to children/people with special needs about the need for extra hygiene at the moment, and about schools being closed.

Covid-19 Social Stories (1)

https://www.lamh.org/

Calling all Potter fans! Unlock family fun in lockdown with a simple Alohomora and JK Rowling’s brand-new ‘Harry Potter At Home’ hub. Whether you’re a muggle or wizard, this free online space is designed to help you and your little ones discover the magic of Harry Potter from the comfort of your very own home. With everything from videos, puzzles, illustrations, quizzes, creative ideas, articles and so much more magical fun being added daily, this platform is bound to keep both young and older wizards occupied for hours on end – you’ll truly be kept under the spell! Whether you’re a huge fan of the books, watched the movies over and over again or have never so much as heard of Hogwarts, there’s something for everyone to get stuck into and make the most of. …. from kidadl.com

Click the links to find out more!

https://blog.kidadl.com/articles/jk-rowling-has-launched-harry-potter-at-home-for-kids-in-lockdown

https://www.buzz.ie/entertainment/j-k-rowling-launches-harry-potter-home-362288?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_campaign=article&utm_medium=web

https://www.rte.ie/learn/home-school-hub/

Mental Health Supports and Services during COVID-19

If you have a printer, print the page.

Zeeko Colouring Competition-Closing Date Friday April 3rd

Follow the instructions on the page to upload the finished picture.

https://twitter.com/StJosephsPrima3?s=20

Flags For Frontline Heroes

Hang your Flags – Club, County, Provincial or National, to show your support for Frontline workers during the COVID 19 crisis.
Supported by:
IPPN, INTO, NAPD, TUI, ASTI and several sporting organisations.
Read more here.

Flags

Stuck at home? Take a #CodeBreak! See past activities and episodes, and sign-up to receive updates on new Code Break episodes, at https://t.co/9hHFJ0wGcM

Join us Wednesdays for a live, interactive CS lesson with https://t.co/VYSjxTYFzK founder @HadiP and special celeb guests! pic.twitter.com/VdoZxeBR47

— Code.org (@codeorg) March 30, 2020

https://code.org/break?utm_source=pre-episode&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=code-break-2020&utm_term=episode-2&utm_content=code-break

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/rt%C3%A9-to-broadcast-school-on-tv-from-next-week-1.4213275?mode=amp

In addition to the normal supports, the NCSE is providing online resources for children with Special Educational Needs who are at home as a result of the schools’ closure.

https://ncse.ie/online-resources

Click here for Parental Booklet on Sensory Processing

Click here for Parental Booklet for Developing Gross Motor Skills

Click here for Parental Booklet for Fine and Gross Motor Skills

The following materials have been developed by Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists. More resources will be added in the coming days.

TOP TIPS! for Primary School Age Children

See combined SLT and OT Top Tips sheets for parents:

Click here for TOP TIPS! Junior and Senior Infants
Click here for TOP TIPS! 1st and 2nd Class
Click here for TOP TIPS! 3rd and 4th Class
Click here for TOP TIPS! 5th and 6th Class

Additional Speech & Language Therapy Resources

Click here for Book Talk – Supporting Interactive Reading
Click here for An Oral and Written Storytelling Resource for Parents
Click here for useful websites

The 42 She Can Colouring Book

Free access to library books

https://www.librariesireland.ie/

Due to school closures across Ireland, Matific would like to assist you by providing complimentary access to our full resource for 60 days with no further obligation. We are here to help.

Matific is an award-winning digital maths resource for primary schools with thousands of interactive activities, worksheets, word problems, practice assessments and more, all mapped to your curriculum. It is the perfect resource to use as a distance learning tool as teachers can easily assign activities and check results with our live and comprehensive reporting system.

If your school would like to take up this complimentary access, simply click below.

https://www.matific.com/ie/en-gb/home/complimentary-teacher/

CJ Fallon hopes you and your pupils are keeping safe and well during these difficult times. As we cannot come to visit you, we would like to tell you about our new phonics programme and the digital games that you can use with your pupils right now and for FREE! You and your pupils’ parents can also access the ebooks for FREE during this home schooling period. Simply click here and filter to your required title.

Sounds Like Phonics is a phonics programme for Junior Infants to Second Class.
For FREE use of the excellent online resources, click here. 

The Department of Health and the HSE have produced Covid-19 resources in a range of languages other than Irish and English which you can access below:

https://www.hse.ie/eng/services/news/newsfeatures/covid19-updates/partner-resources/covid-19-translated-resources/

The languages currently available are Chinese, Italian, Spanish, French, Arabic, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Latvian and Lithuanian.

Click here to read the letter issued to schools on 13/3/2020 with particular reference to the websites Scoilnet and PDST(links included).

Letter from DES re Scoilnet and PDST

https://padlet.com/susan_b_gavin/xaxa8mv1axmi?fbclid=IwAR3uJzCghsXGkCe0OQFL0wjXgHanS5qf1k8IDRhwecyOz3rfGdEiFlgwILA

school closure pack for children with Autism

PRIMARY
STUDENTS/PARENTS/ TEACHERS

POST PRIMARY STUDENTS/PARENTS/ TEACHERS

To help you and your pupils during this difficult time, CJ Fallon would like to make you aware of a number of free online resources. All our digital resources are now located on the Quick Links page https://www.cjfallon.ie/quick-links/. You can reach it from our CJ Fallon homepage (top right hand corner).
You and your pupils can enjoy FREE access to the Rainbow Oral Language Programme from 3rd to 6th Class. You will find the online lessons, the fortnightly notes and the Teacher’s Resource Book to guide you through the new curriculum here https://rainbow3to6.cjfallon.ie/. You will find more information on the programme here.
The new Sounds Like Phonics programme (for Junior Infants to 2nd Class) also has a range of accompanying interactives that you can use FREE with your pupils here https://slp.cjfallon.ie/. You will find more information on the programme here.
CJ Fallon is here to support you during this challenging time, so please get in touch if there is anything we can help you with. For more information, please contact your local sales representative or contact us at sales@cjfallon.ie
Kind regards,
CJ Fallon

Family liaison teacher Annette Kiely is available at 087 6404608 or annetteuichadhla@gmail.com during school hours.
She can direct you to any information you need on school work such as suggested activities for your child’s class level.

To lend a helping hand to schools and parents over the coming weeks Folens are giving access to all our digital resources on FolensOnline.ie.

Parents and teachers can follow the steps below to get access:

1. Go to FolensOnline.ie and click register
2. Select Teacher
3. Fill in a username, email and password
4. For Roll Number use the code:  Prim20

NOTE for Teachers:  if you already have an account on FolensOnline but want to access all our resources simply create a new account with a different email address.

Designer Minds is Ireland’s largest provider of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Design and Maths) after-school clubs, summer camps and workshops! We pride ourselves on providing kids at our clubs and camps with access to a huge variety of different kits and equipment, which they may not always have access to in school or at home. However, for our Daily Explorer challenges, we realised that we needed to keep it simple, so our challenges can be done with equipment that we hope most houses should have.

Please feel free to share our Daily Explorer Challenges with the parents of your children and invite them to share on the appropriate thread on the Designer Minds FB page!

We’ve had a great response so far, and have seen the positive effect our challenges are having at this difficult time, for our current customers, for our Irish fans on Facebook, and even for our fans outside of Ireland; we received the following from a past customer from Italy: “As you know in Italy (we’re exactly from Milan/ Lombardia unfortunately the worst district) we’re fronting a terrible challenge and receiving your Daily Explorer email made us feel warmer, like a virtual hug…”

You can find a new challenge posted each day to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/designerminds.ie/ People who don’t have a Facebook account can sign up to our email newsletter to receive the challenge into their inbox by completing the form at https://designerminds.ie/contact

We’ve had 4 challenges so far, with links below.

Back Issues
Issue 1: Newspaper Tower
Issue 2: Colour Diffusion
Issue 3: Coding
Issue 4: St Patrick’s Day Art

Ed-Co and Gill and Macmillan are giving free online access to textbooks, in case your child didn’t bring home all their books.

From art to fitness, here’s how to keep your kids entertained online during social distancing https://jrnl.ie/5047555

https://jrnl.ie/5047555

https://twitter.com/rtenews/status/1239823787593306112?s=20

Check this link to play games like chess, UNO and monopoly online.

https://lifehacker.com/you-can-play-these-games-online-with-friends-1842347093

In recent weeks, classes from 1st to 6th had coding classes using Scratch. While schools are closed, why not download Scratch for free, and use it offline to practise some coding skills.

https://scratch.mit.edu/download

There are lots of ideas to be found here.

https://scratch.mit.edu/ideas

Read this article with advice for parents and children at this time.

Mangahigh, one of the websites mentioned, is a Maths website with lots of games for all ages. We have used it on a number of occasions during Maths Week in St Joseph’s.

There are also links to other very useful websites.

https://www.mangahigh.com/en-gb/blog/2020-03-12-support-maths-education-coronavirus-school-closures

Visit museums via virtual tours.

https://www.southernliving.com/syndication/museums-with-virtual-tours?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=southernliving_southernv

For any of the girls in Room 11 who brought home their plastic canvas, thread and needle, here are some ideas on Pinterest for you to consider. Happy sewing!

https://pin.it/6qWz2gX

Access lots of free Maths worksheets here. Answer sheets are included too.

https://www.math-drills.com/

Check out Twinkl for School Closure Packs. Use a lower pack for revision or try a higher pack if your child likes a challenge.

https://www.twinkl.ie/resources/roi-resources/school-closure-republic-of-ireland

See my previous post about how to register for free membership for the next few weeks. This website is highly recommended by our teachers.

Twinkl are offering all parents and teachers a One Month FREE Ultimate Membership to Twinkl.ie. This will allow parents and teachers unlimited access to every single resource for every single curriculum subject from junior infants to sixth class.

Setting this up is really easy to do – go to www.twinkl.ie/offer and enter the code IRLTWINKLHELPS. We’d like your support to get this message out. We’ve also put together some guidance which outlines several ideas for how schools can support parents during school closures. Please visit the Twinkl blog for more information. This code will only work for new memberships. If you are an existing member with a Core or Extra membership, please get in touch and they will upgrade you to Ultimate right away.

Today was our first of 5 coding classes with Mobile IT, from Bruff. All classes from Junior Infants to 6th Class started on Scratch or Junior Scratch Coding. Everyone had great fun.

Scratch and Junior Scratch are both available to download for free on laptops or iPads.

https://scratch.mit.edu/

or in an App Store.

Pupils wore their county colours or other jerseys in school today and brought donations to help support Cumann na mBunscol.

St. Joseph’s School will be closed on Monday Jan 13th: teachers will be attending an in-service course on the new Primary Language Curriculum.

The girls from Rooms 9 and 11 had great fun creating with Lego and then using the iPads, they created a set of coding instructions to make their creation move.

Junior Infants put on a wonderful display of songs and poems today(19-12-2019). Well done to the girls, their teacher Ms. Dunne and everyone who helped make this a very entertaining Christmas show.

Here are some pictures of the girls in action!

This is from the @rtelyricfm Choirs for Christmas concert, with St. Josephs Primary School singing & it's given us that festive gingerbread feeling!🎄We can't wait to welcome friends & family home! @Kincorasurf Catch the full recording at 1pm XmasDay on https://t.co/dSyknsHvBZ pic.twitter.com/wTK3MMWpdN

— Irish Chamber Orch (@ICOrchestra) December 18, 2019

This is from the

Choirs for Christmas concert, with St. Josephs Primary School singing & it’s given us that festive gingerbread feeling!

We can’t wait to welcome friends & family home!

Catch the full recording at 1pm XmasDay on ttps://buff.ly/2qCc3uI

Well done to everyone for a beautiful Christmas Carol Service today.

Well done to our winners in the competition- “Every School Day Counts”. Our thanks to everyone involved.

Click on the link below to read more about the new Primary Language Curriculum.

New Primary Language Curriculum

Well done to the Transition Year students and teachers from St. Anne’s and The Abbey on your wonderful performance in the Excel of “All Shook Up”. Our pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th enjoyed the show along with their teachers.

Make a Mini Christmas Cake

Free class on Dec 10th for Parents/Carers of Children in Tipperary Town Schools.
Make a mini Christmas cake & decorate it.
Limited places
Contact: Annette Kiely

Mobile: 087 6404608
Email: annetteuichadhla@gmail.com

Well done to all the girls from St Joseph’s on their beautiful singing at the St Vincent de Paul Headquarters in Dublin. A huge thank you to our wonderful music teacher, Helen Colbert. We were delighted to sing at the launch of the Christmas Food Appeal. We were also really happy to meet Ryan Tubridy.

Congratulations to our U13 football team who won the County Championship today in Cashel. Well done girls!

Thanks to trainers, teachers, parents and to the girls themselves, and anyone else involved in getting the girls as far as the County Final.

Do you have a child in school in Tipperary town?

Is your first language something other than English?

Are you interested in improving your English?

Click on this article to find out more about English classes which are due to start in St. Joseph’s Primary School in January 2020. Contact details are included in the article.

2020_ESOL in the Schools- Tipperary Town

Every School Day Counts

This initiative will be running for the month of November in our school. We are promoting high attendance, and running an in-school competition for the class with the best or most improved attendance.

Fifth and Sixth class will be entering an Art/Slogan Competition around the theme of the importance of good school attendance and all entries will be displayed in St Ailbe’s School Hall. Students are invited to attend on Friday 6th December at a time TBC where the winner will be announced by a local celebrity.

Our Family Liaison Teacher, Annette Kiely, is with us each Friday and is available to help with any issues around attendance, transportation, parenting or your child’s education in general. Please do not hesitate to contact her in school on Fridays, or by email: annetteuichadhla@gmail.com

Congratulations to the staff and pupils of St. Ailbe’s School on their wonderful performance of “Can’t Stop The Beat”. Our whole school really enjoyed your show. It was great to see some of our past pupils taking part.

Well done!

Congratulations to our Under 13 football team on their win today!

We’re all looking forward to the County Final.

This Friday the 11th of October is GOAL Jersey Day across schools and businesses in Ireland. As part of our Green Schools Theme, Global Citizenship, 6th class are organising Jersey Day for our school. Everyone is invited to wear a jersey to school. It can be any jersey (GAA/ Rugby/ Soccer/ Athletics/ Basketball/ Club/ County etc.) and if pupils don’t have a jersey maybe they could borrow one from a relative, sibling etc. A small contribution to GOAL (fighting global hunger) would be great and 6th class have a collection box for this. We’re hoping pupils will enjoy it!

Waiting for the cups to arrive…

6th class sang “When I play for the County”. We all followed with Slievenamon and finished with Ireland’s Call, to send our best wishes to the Irish Team in Japan. 

Thanks for the lovely music.

Then everyone wanted their photo taken with the cups.

Up Tipp!

Thanks to Mrs. O’ Brien and 3rd and 4th class for the lovely words they recited about Tipperary’s successes this year. They were excited to have their photo taken first.

Oh when the Saints go marching in!

Click here to read the September Newsletter.

On Friday 20th September, we were delighted to have the opportunity to attend the Dáil 100 culture evening in Leinster House. The girls in 5th and 6th class travelled by bus to Dublin with some staff where we spoke to Deputy Michael Lowry. We had a guided tour around Leinster House, learning some of its history and seeing the Seanad and Dáil Chambers. Our guide told us all about the Proclamation of Independence, why the ink on the lower page of the page is paler because the men and women in the GPO were running out of ink on Easter Sunday 1916; we also learned about some other irregularities in the printing, like the letter F that was edited to make an E.  Later we had lunch in the visitors’ canteen, followed by the sound checks before performing five songs. You can hear us singing on the Houses of the Oireachtas Facebook page.

After we sang, the 5th class pupils got their faces painted.

Click here to read our policy regarding class divisions.

Class Division Policy- St. Josephs

Look back at the 6th Class journey through St Josephs-25th June 2019

If you want to play the music chosen by 6th class, click on the link under the title and the song will play if you are connected to the internet.

Best wishes to 6th Class!

Summary of SSE and SIP in St. Joseph’s Primary School, 2018/2019

Literacy/ Numeracy

• Each month in Literacy we focus on particular comprehension strategies, oral language themes and writing genres.
• In Numeracy, we focus on Maths language topics. We also have a Number of the month, with numbers appropriate to class levels.
• These topics are displayed in the school environment and relayed to parents on the Textaparent app.

Oral Language

• Our school plan includes an emphasis on chosen Irish phrases for each class at break time.

Child Protection

• All staff have familiarised themselves with the Child Protection and Safeguarding Document.

Digital Learning Framework

• This year we have purchased 6 laptops for pupil access, 7 iPads, 10 sets of motorised Lego and a set of 6 Bee-Bots and accessories for junior classes.
• All classes have had access to the laptops, iPads and Lego.
• All classes have had access to a computer coding class.
• Laptops and iPads have been used in various classes for Literacy, Numeracy, project research and inspiration in Art classes.
• All classes have created Lego constructions and coded them to make them move.

Plans for 2019/2020

• Pupils in some classes will begin to use laptops and iPads to create an ePortfolio, which is an online file with work samples and photographs/ videos of school activities.
• Further coding classes will be organised and part-funded by the school.
• We will continue to expand children’s knowledge and use of iPads, laptops, Lego and Bee-Bots.
• Our Literacy, Numeracy and Oral Language plans are an ongoing work in progress.

Click the link below to access information for parents & families regarding Making the Transition from Pre-School to Primary School.

https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/work/information-parents/resources-parents/going-big-school-leaflet/

Next Wednesday, 15th of May, all pupils in St. Joseph’s are encouraged to take part in our W.O.W. Day as part of our Green Schools initiatives under the theme of Global Citizenship Travel.

At last week’s assembly, members of the Green Schools Committee explained some of the environmentally friendly ways of coming to school- walking, cycling, scooters, car-pooling and park and stride.

Safety on the road is very important, so the committee wore high-viz jackets to remind us, and we sang the Safe Cross Code.

Our Green Schools notice board has posters to remind us all about W.O.W. day.

How will you travel to school next week?

Parents can find suggested activities, general information and useful tips to help their children to develop their literacy and numeracy on  www.helpmykidlearn.ie

www.cogg.ie also provides help in Irish.

NALA(The National Adult Literacy Agency) offers help and advice for parents who have difficulty with reading, writing, spelling and Maths. Their freephone number is 1800 20 20 65. Their website is www.takethefirststep.ie

All services are free.

The school no longer has a land line.

We will now have a mobile number for all school calls.

Our new number is 0867855932.

This number has no text facility-texts to this number will not be read or responded to.

We are delighted to announce that we won the under 13 category in the Lyric FM Choirs for Christmas Competition.

Congratulations to everyone involved.

Read about it here on Tipp FM.

http://tippfm.com/news/tipp-town-school-scoops-top-choral-award-second-year-running/

St. Joseph’s Primary School

This entry will feature on our Lyric FM Choirs for Christmas programme on Tuesday (Dec 18th) which broadcasts between 1 and 1.30pm that afternoon. The programme will also be available afterwards on the RTÉ lyric fm Soundcloud page. 

RTE Lyric FM- Choirs for Christmas Competition 2018

Entry:
3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th class choir

Song: Candy Covered Ginger Bread House

Choir Biography

St. Joseph’s School Choir was formed in 1998 and has, in the current school year, approx. 100 students from classes 3rd to 6th with 3rd being the newcomers this September. The choir rehearses every Tuesday from 1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.
St. Joseph’s School Choir performs for the school community regularly and at many local events to include the turning on of the Christmas Lights in Tipperary Town, Carol Singing downtown in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul and by invitation to other local events.
The School Choirs at St. Josephs have made many CDs over recent years to include 2 Christmas CDs and 2 Springtime CDs and indeed were featured on the Lyric FM Christmas CD in 2012 with the RTE Concert Orchestra.

This is the choir’s 8th time entering the ‘Lyric FM Choirs for Christmas Competition’ and we were thrilled and delighted to be runners up in our section in Dec. 2011, winners in 2014 and 2017.

Our most recent Claim to Fame was on November the 14th when we were invited to sing at the Launch of the St. Vincent de Paul Christmas Appeal in Dublin in the company of Ryan Tubridy. We had a fantastic time.

Our choir teacher is Ms. Helen Colbert.
We hope you enjoy our song for this year; it’s called Candy Covered Gingerbread House, and you can hear us singing here.

Song Details:

Title: Candy Covered Gingerbread House

Lyrics: Andy Beck & Brian Fisher

Composer: Andy Beck

Accompaniment: Backing track

Choir Director: Helen Colbert

On Wednesday, we had a road safety assembly. The girls from Room 7 showed us how to make ourselves more visible with hi-viz jackets and arm-bands.

The girls from Room 11 sang The Safe Cross Code to remind us how to cross the road safely. They also carried bags on their backs that were reflective. We need to remember that sometimes drivers might not see us even though we can see them, so we should wear something to help drivers notice us, whether we are walking, cycling or running.

The girls from 6th class put a lot of effort into designing road safety posters with great messages for all of us.

More photos of their posters to follow soon.

Congratulations to both the Under-11 and Under-13 teams on our double victory at the football County Finals in Semple Stadium, 22-11-2018.

Thank you to all those who helped and supported the teams in any way.

Deputy Michael Lowry arranges meeting of New Minister for Education , Joe Mc Hugh with Tipp Town Principals .

The ongoing saga of the need and demand for extra resources for the 5 Primary Schools in Tipperary Town has been raised recently in government headquarters by Michael Lowry TD.
Mr. Lowry has held numerous meetings with the Tipp Town Principals and is fully briefed of the need for educational supports in the town’s Primary Schools.
Mr. Lowry saw at first hand the thousands of parents, families and children who marched in the recent MARCH4TIPP along with their schools.
At the request of Mr. Lowry a meeting was held last week with Minister for Education Joe Mc Hugh and DES officials with Principals Louise Tobin and Siobhan Verdon representing the 5 Principals of the town.
At this meeting the Principals outlined to the Minister the levels of deprivation in the town and the urgent need for supports for the children of the town.
The Minister was aware of this issue and was delighted to have the opportunity to hear at first hand the gaps in the children’s education. The DES official accepted the levels of disadvantage in Tipp Town but stated that any further roll-out of the DEIS scheme would not be until Spring 2019.
The Minister said he would have a look and see what he could do in terms of some input to help in the interim.
Mr. Lowry reiterated that we need supports now, as parents were feeling the educational needs of their children were being overlooked with each passing year.
Mr. Lowry will continue to work on behalf of the children of Tipperary Town til this issue is resolved.
Pictured at a meeting last week with Minister for Education Mr. Joe McHugh are left to right
Louise Tobin, Principal, St. Joseph’s Primary, Tipperary Town; Minister for Education Mr. Joe McHugh; Siobhan Verdon, Principal, St. Michael’s Junior Boys School and Michael Lowry TD.

On Friday 19^th October, our Nature Trail was officially opened by Councillor Mary Hanna. Earlier this year, Ms. Tobin, our school principal, applied to Tipperary County Council for a grant under the RAPID funding programme. When we were lucky enough to receive the grant, Ms. Tobin formed a committee involving our caretaker Pat, and our Ebony’s dad, Graham Hunt, who designed the garden.

Our Nature Trail starts with an Entrance Arch and includes a Wishing Bench, a Wishing Well, a Gnome Garden, labelled trees and flowers, a Fairy Grove, painted fences, birds taking a bath, stepping stones, a Community Garden, a Nature Trail Mural, a living Willow Wall, a vegetable garden, and ends with the Peace Garden. As you walk around, watch out for some frogs and squirrels. The present 6^th class did a lovely job of painting the fence in the Junior Yard last summer when they were in 5^th class. They were also excellent at presenting their speeches on the day.

Councillor Mary Hanna then cut the ribbon to declare the Nature Trail open. To finish the occasion, we all took a stroll around the wonderful Nature Trail. Look at our photos and join us on our Nature Trail.

Last week all classes took part in the Cheerios Childline Breakfasts. We raised over €260, and had a nice breakfast in school too. Thank you to everyone who made a donation.

On the 4th of October, some classes went to see the River Ara beside Tipp Co -Op with Albert Nolan, (who also told us about bees and pollination in June of this year). We found water scorpions, whirligig beetles, leeches that only attach to fish and birds but not people, small fish and other little creatures. We wore our boots and went in to the water with nets to catch some wildlife. Some of us got water in our boots too. It was great fun.

The girls in 3rd class used tangrams in Maths class today. We learned that tamgrams are made up of 7 shapes – a square, a parallelogram and 5 triangles. Our first challenge was to make a square with all 7 pieces. That was tricky. Then we helped each other to make pictures with the shapes, such as a person on a horse, an emerald and a bird.

Today, all classes had a lesson in Scratch Computer Coding. Look at some of the classes in action. More photos to follow.

If you would like to download Scratch and use it at home with your child, it is available as a free download at https://scratch.mit.edu/

There are lots of online tutorials. Once downloaded, Scratch does not require internet. Please read the notes for parents here- https://scratch.mit.edu/parents/

This week is Maths Week. Parents will be receiving a leaflet this week with ideas of how to make Maths practical for your child. Cooking, shopping and train journeys are all opportunities for using Maths in everyday life.

There are lots of interactive Maths games on the internet. Check this page of our blog for some ideas-Educational Websites.

You can also play memory games/ tables games etc with a deck of cards. Check here for lots of ideas- Making Math More Fun Card Games

On Wednesday, MobileIT will be coming with almost 30 laptops. The pupils in every classroom will have an opportunity to learn some computer coding. This helps to improve problem solving skills, which are very necessary in Maths. Each child is asked to bring 3 euro please.

This week, every child will be receiving a fun-size box of Cheerios at school for breakfast. Alternatively, children may bring a breakfast of their choice- toast, cereal, fruit, yoghurt, etc.

We will be collecting donations for Childline.

Your child will need to bring a spoon and a plastic bowl, in a plastic bag. Milk is provided in school.

Thank you for your ongoing support.

Huge congratulations to both the U11 and U13 football teams for winning their matches in the recent blitzes. We are very proud of your achievements so far.

We wish both panels the very best for the upcoming County Finals.

Thanks to all staff, parents and especially the trainers for all the hard work.

This week your child should receive information about the Shoebox Appeal. Participation is voluntary. If you choose to take part, your child could fill a box on their own, with a sister in school or as part of a group of friends in school. There will also be a shoebox in each classroom where your child could add an item or two.

Remember the 4 Ws – wash, wear, write and wow. Some items are not allowed, so please read the information leaflet carefully.

These shoeboxes will bring happiness to lots of needy children.

SEPT -NEWSLETTER 2018

Yesterday we had our sponsored walk to raise funds for Róisín and her family. The weather was lovely. We set out after break and walked up the hills and around Patrick’s Avenue. The senior classes accompanied their buddies in the junior classes. When we got back to school, Ms. Tobin, our principal, thanked everyone for their generous donations, those who made the wonderful banner carried by Ava, Róisín’s sister, and a friend, the parent helpers, and the members of An  Garda Síochána who assisted in keeping us safe as we walked. Pink balloons were then released into the air to carry our best wishes to Dublin to wish Róisín a speedy recovery.

Parents can find our AUP(Acceptable Use Policy for Internet use)  and Parents’ letter of acceptance of our AUP here.

The theme of this year’s Fancy Dress was Green in the Garden, or Anything Goes.

Albert Nolan visited in June to teach the pupils about recognising bees, and their importance in pollination. We examined our school garden and planted lavender and some bright flowers. Lavender smells lovely and bees like brightly-coloured flowers. We also looked at dandelions, buttercups and clover in our football field.

We walked around the school looking for bees. However all we found was a big wasp. It was quite angry when Albert caught it in a net, and then carefully transferred it to a viewing jar. After we looked at it, Albert released it again.

Albert asked us to leave some grass uncut for bees and other insects. There are lots of types of bees in Ireland. Albert’s visit was very enjoyable.

Plain navy knee-length shorts, like those in Marks  & Spencers in Clonmel, are now part of our school uniform! (No logos, stripes etc.)

We have changed our email address.

Please check out our Contact page.