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.)