20th February 2018

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