We enjoyed glorious sunshine for our weekly assembly earlier reflecting on another very busy week. As always, our teachers reported that there are many students that are to the fore weekly and could receive this award on many occasions. Again, this morning this was mentioned in a number of classes.

Our pupils were described as hardworking, diligent and conscientious. All ending the year on a high. They have worked well not alone in their class settings but also outside of it. We heard of pupils applying themselves to any task set before them, focused on their work while still paying attention to how others are feeling around them. Our teachers spoke of children who have adapted to changes and are open to trying new things as a result. Maith sibh go léir.

Finally, all our very best wishes to our students from Sonas, Fifth and Sixth Class who tomorrow make their Confirmation. We hope each of you and your families enjoy this very special day.

Recently, 5^th and 6^th classes had a very informative and engaging morning in the Arts Centre participating in the Hands for Life training, under the direction of Paul and Alan from “Kilbeagh Community First Responders”.

Our students learned about the different stages of CPR and were shown videos and material about what to do should someone stop breathing.

Alan and Paul demonstrated to the class the steps to take. Call 999 or 112, then for help if possible, ensure the person is on a solid surface, and then begin CPR.

Each child had the opportunity to perform this hands-on with a mannequin. The children were also taught how to perform CPR on children and babies as well as the steps to take if a person is choking. The learning gained for each child was very important and may prove invaluable at some stage in their life. 

Our 5th and 6th classes really enjoyed this workshop. A sincere thank you to Paul and Alan for a very informative morning.

As always our assemblies are a hugely positive end to our school week, where we learn of the positivity, hard work and enthusiasm that is in evidence in so many of our classrooms.

Our teachers are delighted with the efforts of so many in the early weeks of Term 3, recognising their hard work and effort while expressing delight at the kindness, maturity and levels of common sense on display.

It is always a pleasure to hear of children setting the bar high in their respective classrooms, achieving with a task that they found difficult or succeeding in something new. It shows that hard work will pay off if we persevere. Children learn by example and the praise we hear is a great example for all of our students. 

Congratulations to all those awarded Students of the Week in recent weeks. Keep up this great work!

Comhghairdeachas to Grace and Leo (Ms.Henry’s Third Class) who tomorrow will represent our school at The Irish Bebras Computational Thinking Challenge National Finals at Maynooth University.

This is an outstanding achievement to have reached the National Finals and we are so proud of both Grace and Leo to have been shortlisted. We hope they both enjoy this wonderful experience.

The Bebras® Computing Challenge introduces computational thinking to students, by allowing them to solve interactive tasks online. It is run in over 40 countries and takes place every November. The tasks can be answered without prior knowledge about computational thinking or information and communication technology. The aim of Bebras is to get students all over the world excited about computing.

Well done to all our students from Second to Sixth Class who took part and thank you to our teachers who have supported and promoted this challenge in our school.

At our virtual assembly, we were once again reminded that there are students who could get this award every day of every week, such is their level of caring and kindness towards others and their conscientious and diligent attitude to their class work.

We learned of children who are continuously positive. They refuse, in spite of obstacles, to be anything but optimistic in their outlook while also encouraging others. We learned of those who had made excellent strides with their handwriting, presentation skills and homework. We could not ask any more of our pupils. Others have made significant progress throughout this year and their teachers have really enjoyed tracking this. To see how our students interact with each other and observe the level of respect they have for each other and indeed our school is so rewarding for us as teachers. Maith sibh go léir!

Finally, we are celebrating Autism Acceptance Week for the final week of a busy term. The theme this year is colour, so we are holding a ‘Rainbow Colours Day’ on Friday, March 31st. This is to celebrate the beauty in the diverse spectrum of the human mind, where the children and staff are invited to wear rainbow and/or colourful clothes to school on this day, to finish off our week brightly and celebrate all of the wonderful children that we have in our school. We look forward to an exciting end to our term.

News of the results of the Féile Scoildramaíochta Chonnachta came through to us on Friday evening last in which Ranganna hAon agus a Trí had participated with their plays Na Tri Mhuc and Píobaire Hamelin.

Unfortunately, on this occasion, none of our plays progressed to the All-Ireland Finals. However, while this may be the case, we were so proud of each of the students and of their performances on Wednesday last. Maith sibh!

Míle buíochas to our teachers, Ms.McHugh, Ms.Quinn and Ms.Henry for their trojan work preparing the children so well and to Grazyna, Margaret and Mr.Drudy for their help in so many areas. We really appreciated this. A sincere thank you also to all who travelled to support the children in Inverin. Again, we really appreciated your efforts to be with us.

This was a wonderful experience for the students who participated in Kilmovee and Inverin. Maith sibh go léir.

At the end of each week, it is always heartening to learn of the great work that is ongoing throughout our school. From science experiments to engineers’ week to drama, sport and music. Our students are always engaged and learning new skills.

At this busy time, positivity and teamwork are required and all teachers reported this week’s students as hardworking, diligent, and indeed conscientious. All are making great strides in many areas, applying themselves to any task set before them and showing renewed focus and awareness of how others are feeling around them. Maith sibh go léir. Keep up this great work.

We have a very busy week ahead, celebrating Seachtain na Gaeilge, Féile Dramaíochta and participating in the St.Patrick’s Day Parade. Best wishes to our pupils and teachers throughout the week ahead. Guímid gach rath oraibh!

Today, saw the end of a very busy week. We celebrated World Book Day, presented our 5th Class Science Blast project and prepared for Féile Scoil Dramaíochta, the Spar Soccer 5’s and St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Alongside this, great work continued in all our classrooms as is evidenced by this week’s wonderful students of the week. All those chosen have continued to put their best foot forward, working so hard while embracing everything that is happening throughout the school and proving to be excellent role models in their respective classrooms. Maith sibh go léir! Keep up this great work.

Comhghairdeachas to Mr. Clarke’s Fifth Class who participated in Science Blast in the RDS earlier today. This was a brilliant project based on a series of studies and investigations into Polar exploration, investigating what is the best form of insulation for extreme temperatures.

Their question was “Don’t let the frostbite! What is the best material for insulation in the Polar Regions?”. 

The study began by investigating the climate of the Polar Regions. What followed was an exploration of the history of Antarctic exploration, from Ernest Shackleton, Robert Scott, Tom Crean to Geoff Somers. The dangers of Antarctic exposure was then explored…Frostbite, Hypothermia and challenges that developed at Base Camp. This resulted in great learning and skill development for our student in the areas of biology and collaborative problem-solving.

The children investigated the evolution of polar insulated clothing from the earliest examples of wooden goggles, leather and wool clothing to fur mittens, as seen in early expeditions. They identified how modern technology applies to insulated clothing and the role of science in determining good insulating material. They examined a modern insulated jacket and designed trousers for an expedition. 

What followed was a number of experiments, ascertaining the best insulating materials for the extreme cold.

Firstly, establishing the drop in body temperature that may occur if exposed without insulation to extremely icy conditions. This was followed by experiments to test the insulation properties of various materials for Arctic conditions. 

The results were clear to see. 

We now know that 4 layers are needed for the best Arctic-insulated clothing. The layers are a waterproof layer, an insulated layer, a windbreaker, and a wool layer. The mittens we made, replicated this design. This was a fantastic learning experience for the children to be partners in a scientific learning experience.

Today, they did their school and families proud, showcasing their knowledge and learning for visitors to our stand and to the Science blast judges. Their feedback noted the depth of information and the ability of ALL students to discuss their findings. They really were very impressed! A very special thank you to Mr.Clarke and Ms.McDonagh for all their hard work, time, talent and enthusiasm that they have given to the children. This was a day they are not likely to forget.

Finally, this afternoon we had one surprise visitor to the stand… Minister Norma Foley popped by to see our project. We were thrilled that she chose our submission as one of her stops. She complimented the children on their fantastic achievements in scientific discovery and presentation skills. We could not be prouder of each and every one of our students today. Maith sibh go léir.