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We had a very busy September as we settled back in to school life. We attended a rugby blitz in Ballinrobe, cross country in Ballinrobe and Ballina as well as Cumann na Mbunscol mini-7's in Kilmaine. Our junior infants turned their classroom into a Space Station for Space week. As the Rugby World Cup runs in France, we have had some beautiful Powerpoint and poster projects completed on each of the participating countries. Samples of all the above can be seen below.
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Bhí an spraoi ann againn don lá le Phadraig a céiliuradh. Bhíomar ag damhsa, ag canadh agus seinm ceol traidísiúnta don ár thuismitheóirí. Bhaineamr alán taitneamh as ár gcéilí. Féach ar shampla beaga sa clip trasna. *The full videos of each the songs, dances and tunes are on the school's YouTube,. A private link will be sent to parents.* Our 5th & 6th class students were Confirmed on Saturday by Archbishop Duffy. It was a very special occasion and we were delighted to share it with our families and the community. Thanks to Fr. Mike, Trish and our parents for all their work in preparing us for the day.  Looking back
Our students from 3rd & 4th, 5th & 6th classes performed admirably during the Claremorris Credit Union Quizzes, both placing within 10 points of the eventual winners in their respective age groups - a huge thanks to their parents for ferrying the children to and from the event on a Sunday afternoon. Our students from 3rd & 4th and 5th & 6th classes also outdid themselves during the Rugby Blitz in Ballinrobe which was organised by the Connacht rugby initiative. The Connacht rugby initiative sees coaches from Connacht rugby providing free coaching sessions to primary schools in their locality. While taking part was the most important aspect of the blitz it is welcome to highlight that our 5th class team went through the day unbeaten, winning all four of their matches that day. A big thanks to both Ms. McDonagh and Ms. McGinty for ensuring all students made it safely back to base. In a demonstration of manufacturing that her namesake Henry would have been proud of, Ms. Forde provided our students with hands on arts and crafts sessions making St. Brigid’s crosses. All classes brought in reeds and were shown how to construct the famous crosses which were then brought home by the students. Our sixth class students were notable for their absence as they attended the open day in Ballinrobe secondary school. Where they experienced micro lessons in woodwork, metal work and art amongst others. The children were also very impressed with the canteen and the tuc shop in the school as they got a taste for life in secondary school. Enrolment evening took place on the 6th of February and Ms. McDonagh gave a very impressive and comprehensive presentation to parents in attendance that evening. We are looking forward to our new students entering in to the community from September although it is contrasted with heavy hearts as they will replace our outgoing sixth class pupils. In school our 3rd & 4th and 5th & 6th classes have been receiving more of a taste of ICT which is aimed at preparing the students for changes in the secondary school curriculum. While classes were postponed for two weeks due to upgrading of the school wifi network and upgrading of the existing laptops in the school students have been encouraged to continue on with their Google CS first club at home. Furthermore, students from 5th & 6th class have been gaining experience of using HTML to create webpages and have been encouraged to extend their learning by using W3 schools. Students attended mass on Ash Wednesday at 9:10 am and received a blessing from Fr. Mike. Students have made commitments to give up comforts for lent, consequently there should be a huge decrease in sugary foods in the school over the next 40 days. Looking forward With Easter only 5 weeks away students are preparing for St. Patrick’s day parade in Ballinrobe and the school band will be marching around with the other floats as part of the celebrations. The school will close on the 9th of March as staff engage with inservice training. The school wifi has been upgraded and our laptops are now running faster than ever. Consequently it is anticipated that early issues with network connectivity will now dissipate enabling the students to embrace 21st century learning both during and after school hours. Warm regards, Mr. D. Walsh This week..
After-school Computer Science club using 'Google CS first' took place on Monday and Tuesday of this week, 3rd & 4th class and 5th & 6th class took part in the second week of our Computer Science club which will focus on learning how to make video games using Scratch. We are hoping to upgrade our existing wifi network soon and will iron out problems students are having with connectivity in the near future. Huge thanks to Ms. Forde and Ms. Costello for their commitment to this after-school activity. The school had a hugely interesting visit from Connemara national park this week and learned many interesting facts about native animals and birds. The students were indebted to Ms. Forde for booking this event. After-school football took place on Thursday for the boys and girls of 5th & 6th class. While it is 'early-days' we are hoping to provide the backbone to All-Ireland winning male and female Mayo teams in the future. A huge thanks to parent Rosaleen Flynn and teacher Ms. McDonagh for driving this initiative. Junior Infants and Senior infants took home the coveted 'class of the month' during assembly, being rewarded for their wonderful art work and positive contribution to the school environment, especially their creative play during yard time. Another highlight from assembly was Ms. Forde's class' St. Brigid's day drama which told the incredible story of St. Brigid. Furthermore, Ms. Forde demonstrated to the students how to make a St. Brigid's cross and will take her expertise into the classrooms next week. During assembly students were also reminded of the healthy eating policy in the school and we ask parents & guardians and students to ensure that fruit, vegetables and non-fizzy drinks form part of their in-school diet. Furthermore, students from the older classes were praised for their kind contributions towards the junior classes during yard time. It is a great credit to the spirit of Scoil Chomáin Naofa and the Roundfort community that students of all ages are building bridges of respect for one another and creating bonds which will benefit their future. Unfortunately, gymnastics had to be cancelled this Friday due to a roadside breakdown - this date will be made up in the future. However, students from all classes have been spotted running and/or walking around the school all week as part of our active school's initiative which was started by Ms. Brady last September. Teachers and secretary Deirdre Jennings have also been spotted running around the school, admittedly at a more leisurely pace than the students. However, from small beginnings grow great initiatives - after setting ourselves a target of 300 metres on Monday we quickly built up to 900 metres by Thursday and aim to increase this over the coming weeks. Looking forward to the upcoming week: Students from 3rd & 4th class and 5th & 6th class will take part in the Credit Union table quiz this coming Sunday in Claremorris. We wish them all the best and thank their parents for ferrying the young brainiacs to and from the event. Catholic schools week takes place from Monday - Friday of the upcoming week and students, teachers and parents & guardians are encouraged to celebrate the theme of 'family'. More information is available at the following link. Computer Science club for 3rd & 4th class will take place on Monday, with 5th & 6th class in the hot seat on Tuesday. After-school football for 5th & 6th class boys and girls will take place on Thursday at 2:30pm. We are looking at how to accommodate after-school football for 3rd & 4th class and if any parents are willing to help out please contact the wonderful Deirdre Jennings. Warm regards, Mr. Walsh Rugby coaching classes will begin next Monday 15th January at 10am for 5th & 6th classes. The classes will run for four weeks.
School will open as normal tomorrow morning.
Please pay extra care on the roads when travelling to and from your destination. Welcome back to all of the students, parents & guardians, teachers and staff after the Christmas break.
The school website has been updated and we have added new categories for students, parents and teachers. Please have a look around, there is a lot of new material for students to extend their learning. Mr. Walsh will be covering for Mrs. Brady until the end of the school year. We wish Mrs. Brady all the best during her maternity leave and thank her for all of her hard work as acting principal this year. Gymnastics, Rugby, The Sponsored walk and Saint Patrick's day preparations are all on the agenda for the 2nd term. We are all looking forward to an exciting 2018! |
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