On Thursday Feb 12th the children of 4th, 5th & 6th attended a Magical Science Show in GMIT Castlebar. This show was a wonderful opportunity for the children to experience the wonder of science and all its wonder. A number of children were chosen as volunteers to take an active part in the science experiments. There were loud bangs, weird smells and lots of smoke to add to the amazing show. Children got to see how many household items can be used in science experiments and also how science helps us to do amny tasks on a daily basis.
We learned about gravity and how it helps us stay on the ground and not float off into space. We look at balance and how we all like to feel safe and secure. We took part in an experiment involving magnets and looked at the strength of various types.
We experimented with water and its properties. We also look at how gas is all around us. It even come out of us at both ends !!! The children particularly enjoyed an experiment involving Peppa Pig and it showed that all animals produce methane gas! Now that was interesting.
We hope that this show will help our children to get involved in science and become the scientists of the future.
The main points were to enjoy science but to always be safe, use protective clothing/goggles when doing experiment’s and finally to always seek permission from a parent or guardian.

Yesterday afternoon all the teachers mentioned how pleased they were with the efforts of their students throughout the past week. Not alone with our important curricular areas but also with the many extra curricular projects we are involved in.
We learned of great work throughout the classes with our Green School’s project, all our students are preparing very well for our latest application. We heard how Rang 1/2,3/4 are working so hard for the Féile Dramaíochta, Rang 5/6 are focusing on their Junior Entrepreneur project and preparing for Engineering Week which will take place next week. We spoke of the great work that is ongoing in our Junior Classes, this week they had a visiting presenter who was bowled over by the depth of their interest and knowledge and finally well done to Senior Infants and First class who have created their class blog which is just fantastic !! Maith sibh!

Our students of the week this week were chosen for a variety of reasons; consistently working hard in class, listening well and putting their hand up, while respecting others to another student making huge progress across the subject areas in recent weeks.
Others consistently and continuously put themselves forward through their hard work, attention to detail and concern for others and this week it was lovely to see a selection of these students rewarded. We were delighted to learn also of students who have matured greatly, happy to wait their turn, always very conscious and thoughtful of others. These students continue to set a wonderful example in their class grouping.

Well done to each and everyone of this week’s ‘Students of the Week’! As always very much deserved!

Finally two important events that we’ve been asked to remind you about in the coming week.

Community Games

The Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday February 9th at 8 pm in the Sports Complex. The committee have appealed to families that may have an interest in the Annual Track and Field events as it is important to finalise what events will be entered this year.

Story Time

Starting this Tuesday February 10th there will be story time at the library at 4pm. This will continue every Tuesday. All are welcome/

Congratulations to Ms.Sloyan and the girls and boys of Senior Infant and First Class who have created a wonderful class blog.

This blog provides us all with a great opportunity to view and learn about the fantastic work that is ongoing in Ms.Sloyan’s room, where every student is working very hard.

We look forward to following this work on the link below in the coming weeks and month. We hope to have a new home for the blog shortly on our homepage which will make it easier to access. For now just copy the address below to your browser and you will access the blog!

http://seniorfirstcharlestown.blogspot.ie/

Maith sibh!!

On Friday morning last 5th & 6th class attended a creative writing workshop hosted by Fighting Words in the Museum of Country Life in Turlough.

A group of Fighting Words tutors aided by a scribe and illustrator guided the class to write their collaborated masterpiece, curiously entitled “Smelly Elly Strikes Again”. We had a fun filled interactive 3 hours with the group and at the end of the session had composed a very entertaining story.

The children were also encouraged to write further on their own and some amazing imagination was displayed. Once again our children were impeccably behaved and engaged completely during the task. An enjoyable morning was had by all! We can’t wait to read our finished story!

Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh go léir! Happy New Year! We hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year break.
This week many of our students got straight down to business working very hard which we were delighted to see, settling back really well after the holidays. We heard lovely recommendations from each of the teachers about the students chosen, we learned of very helpful and obliging students who always display a happy disposition and a lovely smile.
We heard also of students who are giving more time and care to their work starting the New Year focused and determined to improve.
We were delighted to hear of students who are excellent role models to their classmates and indeed students throughout the school. These students continuously make a great effort to follow the school rules and set a good example to others.

We ended assembly with a great presentation from Ms.Delaney on our Green School’s programme. We thank Ms.Delaney for all her hard work as always with this area. We have a busy time ahead.

Finally a short reminder for all our parents. The next meeting of our Parents Association will take place on Thursday next January 15th at 8 p.m. in school.