Well done to Fifth Class who recently completed Stage One of the Cycle Right Training Programme in a six-week block.

This was a very practical, informative and enjoyable learning experience for our students which incorporated off-road and on-road training:

Initially, on our school grounds, our students developed their understanding of ….

• Theory and Rules of the Road training.
• Core bicycle-handling and road-skills training.
  • Starting, stopping, balancing, pedaling and cornering.
  • Turning left and right, including shoulder-checking and signaling.
  • Cycling with other cyclists.
  • Cycling in a simulated road environment.

In their final session in smaller groups, they participated in a trainer-led cycle, guided and directed on correct positioning and decision-making on the road. This also incorporated…

• Recognising potential hazards on the road.
• Where to be on the road, when to look and signal.
• Road signs, road markings, bike infrastructure – how to use them.
• Surfaces and weather.
• Parked cars.
• Junctions and how to approach them.
• Simple roundabouts and how to approach them.

A very special word of thanks to Simon and Pauline Walsh of Atlantic Sports Coaching for their delivery of this programme and also for the lovely rapport they developed with our students. Thank you also to our wonderful Fifth Class for their fantastic engagement over this six-week block.  

We’re certain our involvement in this programme will be of benefit to these students going forward!

Students from our Senior Infants, First and Second Classes attended Road Safety Workshops in Kilmovee recently. This roadshow brought road safety education to life in an engaging, interactive and memorable way through the use of a pretend streetscape mat and props.

The children were invited to carry out everyday road safety tasks and found the experience informative and thought-provoking. Thank you to all at the RSA for this wonderful opportunity.

On Friday last we remembered our first assembly in September and we’re reminded of the progress that has been made by each child. As always, we learned of students who consistently put themselves forward week after week. We appreciate this effort and acknowledge this hard work. We heard of pupils who have made a huge effort to help others who they see having difficulty with a task. We listened to descriptions of both the collective and individual effort that is put into making days more enjoyable for others. We impact each other’s lives as a community here in St. Attracta’ and it is important to make that impact positive.

Our teachers spoke of children who did not always find things easy but who are now able to do the task that was so hard at the beginning. At this time of the year, we see how our children are becoming more independent and that is our aim. We help, we motivate and we nurture this independence, and we are thrilled when we can see it. We were reminded by our teachers that small differences made over a period of time make a big change. We know from our discussions in parent-teacher meetings in recent weeks, that you are also seeing these subtle changes at home. Maith sibh go léir!!

Dates for your Diaries:

On Tueday, December 19th at 7 pm in the CBD Complex we will have our Christmas Musical – The Peace Child. Preparations are advanced in school and we are very much looking forward to this special evening. We hope you can join us!

We had a lovely end to a very busy week on Friday last, as always we as teachers were reminded of all that we should be grateful for. We are privileged to work with so many students who are great examples of all that we aspire to be. Every week it is difficult for us to pick out just one pupil as so many of them show maturity and kindness in their everyday school lives.

We learned of pupils who have been trying so hard to accomplish things that they find difficult. However, for many this hard work and determination is paying off. We were also reminded that even when we are not at our best we can make an effort to push ourselves a little further to achieve our goals. We were told of pupils who daily show care and consideration for others and are always trying to help others out and make things easier for the class and their teacher. 

So much to be proud of. Maith sibh go léir!

We hope you all had a lovely weekend!

On Friday last, we learned of our most recent Students of the Week, all of whom are putting their very best feet forward in advance of this week’s Parent-Teacher Meetings.

We learned of excellent engagement with our new whole school theme Africa, wonderful projects, and of many students who are working so hard in class.

There were similar themes as our teachers commended our Students of the Week. Students who work very hard, try their best, who are going over and above in class and showing great commitment and interest in their work. We heard of students who are team workers, problem solvers and of those who enjoy collaborating with their peers. We also learned of a student who enjoys researching the many topics of interest that arise during the school day. We are very proud of you all and hope that you keep up this great start to the second part of our term!

Finally, well done to Ms.Sloyan, Ms.Peyton and our 5th Class students who led us on Friday morning in a Mass of Remembrance for the departed members of our school community. A special thank you also to Fr. Gerry for his kind words. Ms.Connaghan and Ms.Quinn for leading us in song and to all our students from 1st to 6th who supported 5th Class so well on the morning. Maith sibh go léir!

What a fantastic day in school to finish our half term, we would like to say well done to our students who went to great trouble for our annual Fancy Dress Day here in school. We were amazed at the many creative and imaginative designs.

As always, this would not happen without our parents and this is an opportunity for all of us here in school to say a very special word of thanks, to our Mums/Dads/Guardians who played such a pivotal role in the background. We sincerely appreciate your effort, hard work and support!

We hope you all have a lovely, fun-filled Halloween break and we look forward to welcoming you back to school on Monday, November 6th.

Finally, comhghairdeachas to our wonderful Students of the Week who finished the half term on a high! The themes this week included hard work, enthusiasm, excellent teamwork and leadership skills, positive role models and displaying a kind and caring disposition to young and old. Maith sibh a phaistí!

We had a fabulous night last evening celebrating the amazing talents of our students through the creative project Samhain Lights Walk. This was a project funded by Mayo County Arts Council and led by the talented and enthusiastic Tom Meskell who has been a wonderful friend to our school. We were delighted to get the opportunity to work with Tom again on yet another fantastic project, here the children experienced working with different materials, learned new skills that were creative and showcased their wonderful gifts and talents. Tom was accompanied by the Mayo Art Squad to assemble the beautiful display we witnessed last night. This project was supported also by Mayo County Council.

We would like to sincerely thank Tom and his team for such a beautiful evening. Thank you to Ms.Henry who coordinated the project here in school and to all our parents, students, teachers and community as a whole for coming out and supporting the project in such great numbers. We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did!

Commiserations to our Girls Mini 7’s team who were narrowly defeated in a thrilling game on Wednesday morning after extra time in their County Quarter Final against Carramore NS on a scoreline of 7-3 to 6-3 at Swinford Amenity Park.

Our girls gave a fantastic account of themselves. They played with great heart and spirit as the game ebbed and flowed and can be very proud of their efforts. Unfortunately, they came up just short as extra time concluded.

We were very proud of each of the girls and look forward to preparing for the Cumann na mBunscol competitions later in this school year.

Finally, a special word of thanks to Carramore NS for a very enjoyable and sporting game. We wish them every success as they progress towards their semi-final after the mid-term break.

Our weekly assemblies are a very positive end to our school week where we learn about the many nice things that happen throughout our school.

In recent weeks, we learned how many of our students are setting a great example to others, displaying great leadership skills at a young age. Teachers spoke of the importance of positivity, catching people doing good things and taking time to compliment others!

We learned of students working very hard, sharing, showing patience, always well-behaved and in great form! We heard that some students have learned to wait their turn when answering questions and others who in the past loved to talk/chat have become more patient and understanding.

We heard of students who have faced challenges and others who are now working to their full potential.

Finally, our week ended by hearing of students who are engaging so well with our whole school theme of ‘Space’ and of others who throughout the week displayed a very positive attitude to ‘Gaeilge’ and the presentation in their copies and handwriting’. They have made great progress in recent times setting the bar very high in their classroom. An example for all.

Well done to all our recent students of the week, we’re really proud of the great effort you’ve made. Maith sibh!

Dates for your Diaries:

Halloween Fancy Dress: We will have a fancy-dress Halloween Assembly on Friday, October 27th here in school. Children are invited to come to school in costume. Any fancy dress costume is acceptable on the day! School will finish at the normal time for all classes.