Sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to our collection for Syrian families. The response was fantastic and the children have learnt an important message of empathy towards children who are experiencing severe hardship at this time. The local representative from Arden View, Ms Maria O’ Connor extends her thanks to all those who sent in hygiene packs and bags of clothes. They will now be dispatched to those in need.

Our ten new Ipads have arrived with a GoCabby to charge and store them and they will be used in all classes throughout the year.

Our Bio-diversity committee have got our nature study off to a flying start this term. Children from all classes have been busy planting mange tout  in our new planting troughs at the front of the school and the bulb planting season is also underway. Committee members have introduced Junior Infants to their special bird, the Robin and Senior Infants to their bird, the Blackbird. First Class learn about the Song…

We had a very informative workshop on power foods and choosing healthy options for lunch from Sinéad Bradbury. Sinéad is a nutritionist and she had some key messages. HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND, BIG HEART.She talked about Boom Boom Bananas, Be Brave Brown Bread, Go Go Grapes, Karate Carrots, Amazing Apples, Excellent Eggs and Cool Cucumbers. Bradburys supply our super healthy lunches. Children were given free lunch boxes to take home…

Following on from this we will run the Food Dudes Programme over the next few weeks. The children will be encouraged to try lots of fruit and vegetables at school and at home.

As part of our Active School programme we are participating in the SuperTrooper Fitness programme. Children will get an activity journal and a wall planner to record all the fun games and activities they do at home over the term. Families are encouraged to join in as many activities as possible and the emphasis is on FUN and ENJOYMENT.

The children have been learning about friends and caring for each other in class and in the yard. They are encouraged to look out for each other and play friendship games that they have been taught in class and demonstrated at break times. Favourites this year so far are : Oats and Beans and Barley Grow, Dusty Bluebells, The Tunnel Game, Flush the Toilet and Jack Frost. Lots of paired…

We are delighted to welcome our new tutors this year. Ms Méadhbh Hughes and Ms Sharon Swords will be with us everyMonday and Wednesday to teach music classes in collaboration with class teachers at all levels. We will also have a school choir this year and all children from First Class up are very welcome to join in. Music Generation is funded through very generous sponsorship from U2 and The Ireland Fund, Offaly…

Our Home School teacher, Ms O’Brien is co-ordinating this programme to encourage children to look at the environment through their Maths Eyes.

This term we have dance classes with Trisha McDermott for Senior Infants/First classes, swimming classes in Aura Pool for Second classes and some soccer workshops for Senior Infants/First classes. These classes are all free for the children and are funded through School Completion Funds and DEIS Funds.