School Newsletter- November 2022

The pupils in Mrs Shevlin’s room had an opportunity to attend the Athletics Centre in Claremorris, where they were instructed in long jump, high jump and hurdling. They really enjoyed their two sessions under the expert guidance of athletics coach Cheryl.

We remember in a special way our dearly departed loved ones during November. To this end, each child decorated a leaf and also wrote the name or names of deceased family members or friends on it. All of the leaves were then hung on a remembrance tree which was placed on the altar in Kilmovee Church. This was a very visual reminder of the special part all of these people had in our lives.

Students in Fifth and Sixth Classes worked in groups to research various countries in the European Union. They then presented this information orally, on short videos in order to participate in the MyEU50 Competition. A lot of learning took place while working collaboratively on this task.

Many thanks to Brian Duffy (father of Corey and Kayla) who sponsored a set of books for each classroom.

Science Week was celebrated with all pupils experimenting, predicting and discovering. On the final day of the week, Fifth and Sixth Classes presented their Science experiments to the pupils of Mrs Meehan’s room. Many wonderful experiments were observed, including dancing raisins, plants absorbing colour, magic milk, explosions made from chemical reactions and volcanoes. Pupils enjoyed this immensely!

Pupils were most generous in filling shoeboxes for the Team Hope organisation in order to spread a little joy to vulnerable children in poorer countries of Africa and Eastern Europe. By engaging in this project, children develop the skills of awareness, compassion and empathy.

Children took part in an art competition entitled “Someone Like Me”, which promotes inclusivity and diversity.

Sixth Class pupils visited St Joseph’s Community College in Charlestown. There, they met a number of teachers and had the opportunity of visiting various rooms – woodwork room, technical graphics room, home economics room and the science lab. They also got a taster of woodwork and technical graphics when they each created a mirror on a wooden stand. Each pupil was enabled to personalise their mirror by using laser technology. Pupils also had the chance to make and eat delicious pizzas! Later there was an open evening, when children could visit the school with their parents. The class came away with a very positive impression of the school.

There were three winners in our lotto this month, well done to Rian Loughney, Kayla Duffy and Cillian McCann on having the lucky numbers.

Students in each of the classes created a festive design for the front of a Christmas card. These designs were then sent away to a printing company. After a few weeks children received their pack of ten cards, printed with their own individual design on the front. On the back, the pupil’s name, class and school is displayed. Everyone was delighted with the professional finish and artistic endeavours. The cards are a lovely memento of this time in the children’s lives!

This month’s Aistear theme in Mrs Shevlin’s room was Hobbies. Learners discussed the various hobbies that they have and ones they would like to try in the future. In role play, puppets were used to talk about different hobbies from cards. Small groups were used for this and children had to listen carefully. In Small World football stadiums and ice rinks were created. Using lego, diving boards, stadiums and discos were built. Lots of fun was had in Junk Art when gardens, pools, football pitches and other hobby-related places were made. Lots of learning took place around this theme!