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.

Our 5th and 6th Class students recently enjoyed the Language Connect Programme, having the opportunity to learn both French and Spanish for the first time in a twelve-week block.

It was a great success and learning experience for our students. A very special word of thanks to visiting tutor Douglas Whitaker from the Westport Language School for these engaging and fun workshops. Our students really enjoyed the programme and we’re certain that it will be a great introduction and of benefit to girls and boys as they move to secondary school in the coming year(s).

Fianlly, thank you to Mr.Clarke and Ms.Tierney for for their support with this project.

Sixth Class participated on Friday last in the Regional Vex Robotics Finals at Atlantic TU Sligo. This was a wonderful learning experience and the culmination of many months of hard work.

In preparation, our students became familiar with programming, sensors, and automation and honed their critical computational thinking skills needed to succeed in both the 21st-century workforce and in everyday life.

This project encouraged creativity, teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving among our groups. New strengths and talents became evident as our young engineers collaborated together in teams.

We are very proud of our Sixth Class and are most grateful to their teacher Ms.Tierney who embraced this project and new learning with such enthusiasm.

We are now accepting enrolments for the new school year 2023/24.

Our Enrolment Application Form is available in the Parents and Quicklinks sections on the homepage of our website www.stattractasns.ie  (Parents & Quicklinks section).

We would be very grateful if you could download this form and send it back by email (scanned copy) to office@stattractasns.ie or by hard copy and post to our school.

We would also appreciate it if you could fill in a short pre-enrolment form by using the following link https://www.aladdin.ie/i/5142428197584896 Thank you to all who have done so to date.

We are very much looking forward to meeting our new Junior Infant students and their parents/guardians on Friday, February 10th at 2.15 pm. This will be the first of two visits this school year as the pupils prepare to transition to Primary School.

Should you have any queries or questions, please do not hesitate to get in contact by email at office@stattractasns.ie or by telephone at (094)9254905.

Welcome back everyone, we hope you all had a lovely Christmas and have a very healthy and happy year ahead!

Our first week of the new year in school has really flown by. It has been all hands on deck in all our classes as we embraced our new whole school theme the Polar Regions. All our teachers reported being delighted with their students’ efforts throughout the past week. Tús maith leath na hoibre!

As it is the start of the new year we learned of children who returned to school full of enthusiasm for the new year. Teachers described children who appeared to have made New Year’s resolutions and are living up to them in class. It is never too late to try something new or give doing something a different way a chance. We heard children described as young teachers in the making and an example to our school. A caring, kind, honest and considerate attitude toward others is a lovely description of our students. We strive to do our best, to show our best and to be our best.

Maith sibh go léir. Táimid fíor bhródúil asaibh.

Well done also to our Students of the Week of Friday, December 16th who finished Term 1 on a high. Again, we are so proud of your hard work and effort throughout a very busy period in school.

Bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine!