Nuacht Litir Samhain/Nollaig

Learning Zone

Forensic Science

Students in 4th 5th and 6th classes enjoyed participating in forensic science workshops with funding provided by the Parents Association. The girls had the opportunity to collect and examine different pieces of evidence from a crime scene. The girls used their detective skills to find out information about the culprits. They examined their fingerprints, footprints and DNA. They used this information to eliminate different suspects. In the end, they uncovered the real criminal! The girls got to ask lots of questions about working on crime scenes and examining evidence!

STEM

First class took on the Spaghetti & Marshmallow Tower Challenge this month. They had to explore the design process: thinking, doing, prototyping and iteration and had great fun with their creations!

School Garden

All classes have been busy planting spring bulbs e.g. different tulips, hyacinths, daffodils. Students are learning how to clear out and weed their garden patch. Ms Flynn & Noel, in collaboration with Jesson Garden Centre, will be organising the planting of a selection of vegetables in the coming weeks.

Sixth Class Tour

The girls from 6th class attended an exhibition called "The Recovered Voices Tour." The tour focused on the people involved in World War One and how the war impacted their lives. It encompassed the nature of the First World War and the stories of nurses, doctors, prisoners of war and ordinary soldiers. The girls made the trip over to Collins Barracks on the Dart and then the Luas. After the tour, the girls got to enjoy their lunch in Croppies Acre before returning to school. Thank you to our parent volunteers who accompanied on this fabulous tour!

Fourth Class Killester History Trail

Ms McKenna's fourth class recently went on a walking history tour of Killester where they paid particular attention to centenary celebrations of the Killester Garden Village. Students engaged in a lot of research prior to their trail and enjoyed discovering just how big The Demesne is, noticing it's signposting throughout the area! Ms Flynn's fourth class hope to have their trail in the coming weeks and are currently collaborating with the Killester WW1 Memorial Campaign on the celebration of it's centenary.

Accord

Fifth and sixth class students recently engaged in workshops with Accord. Important topics such as body changes for boys and girls, feelings & emotions and birth and new life were explored. All classes were fantastic in their engagement. Well done girls!

All Things Active

Festive Fitness Fun Day

On 14th December all classess will take part in some Christmas themed activities which will include "Santa's Postbox Frisbee", "Icicle Hockey", "Jingle Bell Jumping" and "Snowball Shooting!"

Playground Equipment

We have installed some new playground equipment in the junior yard- school bus and climbing tunnel- courtesy of the Parents Association. Thank you! There's huge excitement now that they are ready to be played with!

Marathon

The girls from sixth class have been taking part in the marathon kids programme for the past 8 weeks. The girls have been running a minimum of 5 laps a day in order to build up to their 42km target. The girls showed incredible determination and finished on Tuesday with only 5km to go. The girls then had the opportunity to go to May Park where they ran their last few laps. They were met by parents and students from 5th class who stood on the sidelines and cheered them on. We are so proud of the girls and this amazing achievement! Well done to all involved.

Important Information

Updated Policies

The following policies have been reviewed and ratified by the Board of Management:

• Acceptable Usage Policy including Instagram Policy
• Attendance Strategy
• Irish Exemption Policy

Health & Wellbeing

There are two illnesses in particular that are widespread throughout the school at the moment- the vomiting bug and a respiratory virus. While we continue in school to practice hand hygiene and ventilation, we ask parents not to send their child to school if they are showing any symptoms whatsoever of the above illnesses.

Sixth class students will be engaging in Motus Mental Health Workshops before the Christmas break. These workshops will include a parents webinar which will take place on Wednesday 14th December. Details will be shared in the coming weeks and we encourage all sixth class parents to attend the webinar.

Student Council

As a new initiative this year, the student council have been creating their own news videos. These news segments have been designed and created entirely by the students, for the students, under the supervision and encouragement of Ms Kinahan & Ms Shiels. We thought we would share their latest news video with you:

Parent's Association

• Christmas Raffle & Santa's visit to the school will take place in school in Tuesday 20th December. Tickets are available on Aladdin Connect in "money" section.
• School Lotto- play HERE
• We are in the process of registering with Benevity which is a platform that many companies/businesses use for giving & volunteering. We will send notification once registration is complete.

Christmas Performances

Senior Infants

Senior Infants will perform "A Wriggly Nativity" for their parents on Friday 16th December at 11am in the school hall. They have been practicing (and wriggling) a lot and are very excited to perform!

Junior Infants Christmas Concert

Junior Infants will perform a Christmas Concert for their parents on Friday 16th December at 9am in the school hall (after wake up shake up). They too have been working, learning words and actions to their songs and are excited to perform!

Peace Proms

Third and fourth classes will make their way to the National Arena on Thursday December 8th to join hundreds of other primary schools in rehearsing for their big performance in February. They have been working very hard on their extensive repertoire!

Choir

The choir (5th & 6th class) are delighted to be performing at our schools Carol Service! In the past this has been a very special event and opportunity for the school community to come together. The concert will include instrumental performances, soloists, acapella groups and we've even roped some parents and teachers into this year's concert! We welcome you all to attend.