Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes had a very busy action packed school tour visiting Downpatrick Head, the Céide Fields before concluding at Wild Wet Adventure’s at Lough Talt.

We had an early start at Downpatrick Head where we were met by Gretta Manager of the Céide Fields Visitor Centre who kindly gave us a fantastic insight into the physical landscape and the legends that are associated with it.
It really was an open air History and Geography lesson where we explored the various rock types and formations before walking to the exciting blowholes on the headland and examining how they were formed. We heard of the connections with St.Patrick and explored the ruins of an old church.
It was then we saw Dún Bríste for the first time standing impressively away from the sea cliffs, we talked of how sea stacks were formed and even heard of the ruins of houses on top of it! We ended our visit hearing of the connections with World War 2 with the look out post for planes and ships and saw where Éire was carved into the landscape with stone to ensure all sides were in no doubt where they were flying over!

We then made the short trip to the Céide Fields where we learned much about how Stone Age people lived. The remains give a unique insight into the daily lives of some of Mayo’s earliest inhabitants

The story of the discovery of the Céide Fields happened by chance. In the 1930s, a local man named Patrick Caulfield noticed something unusual when he was cutting turf in the bog. As the peat was cut away piles of stone were revealed. The stones were arranged in a way that suggested they had been placed there by humans. Because it takes many thousands of years for bog to form, Mr. Caulfield knew that people had made these piles many, many years before.
Some years passed and Mr. Caulfield’s son, who had become an archaeologist, carried out further investigations into the stones in the bog. It was not long before the importance of the site became clear.Evidence showed that farming had been practised in the area more than five thousand years before. These early Mayo farmers divided land up with stone walls, cultivated their fields, kept animals and grew crops.

We all viewed the wonderful exhibition in the visitor centre before walking through the bog and seeing at first hand the aforementioned remains. It was a very interesting ned to our morning.

The final leg of our journey took us to Lough Talt where we incorporated some fun activities such as Stand up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking and Canoeing with an exciting hike to the Frenchman’s Grave on Humbert’s Way. This was a most enjoyable way to conclude our tour. We returned to school exhausted after our exciting school tour!

Junior Infants had a marvellous time at Graune Pet Farm with Mrs. Delaney, Ms. Connaghan and Ms. Reilly. The trip along the bumpy road set the foundations for a super exciting day.

Great fun was had in the indoor play area, especially on the huge slide. Even Ms. Connaghan was brave enough to give it a few goes! Poor Mrs. Delaney wasn’t allowed!

The animals were excited to see us. We fed the goats, cuddled the rabbits and tickled the kittens. Our guide told us that the emus came in especially to meet us!

We saw Shetland ponies, deer, sheep, dogs and owls! What an exciting day we had! We were exhausted on our journey home!

At Friday afternoon’s assembly we were delighted to welcome back Mr. Horgan who had arrived on a visit. He was very pleased with the changes in our school and reminded us that we should be proud of our school and that it is a credit to us all.

Our students awarded this week are also a credit to themselves. We had students who were described as mature and conscientious about all aspects of their school life. We heard of children who are always willing to help others without being asked and those who are constantly making sure that everyone is included. These are high accolades indeed and we as teachers are very proud of our classes and their endeavours.

Maith sibh go léir. 

We have a very busy end to the school year planned from our school tours to sports day to raising our latest Green Flag.

School Tours: Jnr Infants: Monday June 15th Graune Pet Farm and Play Centre
Snr/1st/2nd: Wednesday June 17th Eagles Flying Ballymote /Funny Bones Colloney
3rd/4th/5th/6th: Wednesday June 17th Céide Fields/ Downpatrick Head/Dún Bríste – Wild Wet Adventures Lough Talt.

Green School Flag Raising Ceremony / Sports Day : Friday 19th promises to be a very busy day here in school. We will raise our Green Flag at 10.30 am here in school and at 1 pm will have our annual Sports Day. This is always a very enjoyable afternoon on our school calendar. We invite all parents / guardians / family members to both events!

Graduation Ceremonies: This year we will again have a short graduation ceremony for each class on Thursday June 25th. Junior/Senior Infants, First/Second Class and Third/Fourth/Fifth will be timetabled together.

Junior/Senior Infants Infants Ms. Delaney / Ms.Sloyan 1 p.m.
First/Second Class Ms.Sloyan / Mrs.Reilly 1.30 p.m.
Third/Fourth/Fifth Class Mr.Rushe / Mr.McDermott 2.15 p.m.

Again all parents/guardians/family members are invited to enjoy this special occasion!

Finally Sixth Class will have their Graduation Mass on Thursday evening June 25th at 7.30 p.m. here in school.

We hope all students enjoy this very busy end to their school year.

We are into our final stretch of the school year and our students of the week were commended on their development since September.

We heard of pupils who have made huge improvements in maturity and common sense this school year and are very much heading in the right direction. Our teachers pointed out pupils who consistently give their total attention to their work, who strive always to make it the best that they present.

Here in St. Attracta’s, we encourage children to be helpful to others at all times, both towards their teachers and fellow classmates. This was highlighted at assembly today. We also heard of pupils who are always in good humour, helping to create a very pleasant classroom environment.

As always we have pupils who could be given this award every week such is their diligence and attitude in school. These are our children who give example to others and who have over time become role models in our school. Well done everyone. Maith sibh go léir. Táimíd fíor bhródúil asaibh. 

Comhghairdeachas to 3rd & 4th class who have been very busy learning about “The Island of Saints and Scholars”. As well as learning about the history of our great country they have also worked together to create a model of a monastery from 1500 years ago.

They were divided into two groups and together they created a monastery. The children learned that the most important building was the church/oratory and that the monks slept in small “cells” made from wood, clay and thatch. The round tower was built from stone and it had many functions such as housing the bell, hiding the well and providing protection for both monks and valuables.

The children worked together for 2 weeks to finish the monastery. Each child had an equal say in the development of the project. Thanks to Mrs McCafferty and Joseph, the amazing art skills of the students had a huge part to play in the project. Construction, sketching and painting were all central to its completion.

The children really enjoyed getting the chance to show off their historical knowledge through this artistic project.

Well done to all the very talented boys and girls in Third and Fourth Class and of course Mr.Rushe their teacher, this is a wonderful project, Maith Sibh!

Well the boys stepped up a gear this week and I hear there were some very close calls for the prize. Our student of the week presentation this week was a treat for us as teachers. Our day at work is made so much more enjoyable by having pupils who show these attributes.

Today our students were described as helpful and conscientious young people. They are mature and willing to help those around them in the classroom and helpful to the teachers also. As we move toward summer and nature is evolving all around is, so too, it appears, are our pupils. Teachers described children who have matured greatly over the past months and are showing signs of preparation to move up to their next level. We love to hear of children who apply themselves wholeheartedly to the tasks assigned.

Happiness is contagious and we heard of children whose happy personality is spreading through the classroom. These are children whose consistent attitude to hard work has made them stand out this week. Well done all of you. Maith sibh!

We hope you all enjoy the long weekend, we look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning at the usual time!

We were delighted to learn yesterday that our 5th and 6th Class story ‘Smelly Elly Strikes Again’ was selected to feature in yesterday’s Irish Times supplement to showcase young Irish Writers.

We composed our story at a Fighting Words workshop in the Museum of County Life Castlebar in late January. Fighting Words is a fantastic organisation which provides free tutoring and mentoring in creative writing and related arts to children,with their programmes and workshops delivered mainly by volunteers. We had a fantastic time at the workshop (https://stattractasns.ie?p=3896).

Yesterday’s supplement showcased a sample of the works of schools who participated in these Fighting Words workshops and as you can imagine it was lovely that our story received special recognition.

Maith sibh Rang a Cúig agus Rang a Sé !