March '22- Whole School News

World Book Day

We celebrated World Book Day on Thursday 3rd March by coming to school in our pyjamas, bringing our favourite books and having extra D.E.A.R. (Drop Everything and Read) times throughout the day. The library bus also came to the school, and it was our first time back onto the bus since before Covid. 3rd – 6th class worked on a diorama project called Book in a Box. Each pupil chose their favourite book and recreated a scene from the book inside a shoebox using recycled and other craft materials. They presented their projects to 1st and 2nd class on World Book Day. There was lots of creative and colourful work on show.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

March 1st to 17th marked Seachtain na Gaeilge. All of the children made a wonderful effort to speak Irish throughout the school day. The teachers gave out ticéidí órga (golden tickets) if they heard the pupils speaking to each other in Irish at break time. At the end of the week, there was a draw and the children that were picked out had extra break-time. 3rd – 6th class also enjoyed an outdoor scavenger hunt in Irish. We also had DEAR time using our Irish library books, which was very interesting!

3rd and 4th class did lots of nice activities for Seachtain na Gaeilge. They learned a poem called St. Patrick’s dream and learned about the life of St. Patrick in history. They made pots of gold and drew leprechauns in art.

We had an art competition in school, as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge, which involved illustrating your favourite seanfhocal (Irish proverb). We celebrated the end of the event with a Seó Gaeilge. 3rd and 4th class performed a dramatic poem and song in Irish and a selection of tunes on the tin-whistle.

Fifth and Sixth class performed a dramaíocht about Naomh Pádriag for the other classes.

Everyone made a great effort to dress up in green for our Lá Glas/Green Day and we celebrated by having a giant céilí in the yard.

Pancake Tuesday

On Shrove Tuesday, all classes got to eat pancakes. We had pancake races using a frying pan and bean bags and there were certificates for the best pancake flippers.

Easter Raffle

Every year, we have an Easter raffle to raise money for charity. Fifth and sixth class have started selling the tickets at break. There is a wonderful selection of Easter eggs on display, and we will have the raffle on the day before the Easter holidays.

Creative Schools

As part of the Creative Schools Programme, 3rd – 6th class had a music workshop with professional musician, Sean Murphy. He was very talented and helped the pupils to compose and record their own rap. We hope to have the recording of this very soon, which we will share on the school website. We are looking forward to participating in more taster workshops and celebrating creativity in the school over the next two years.

Other Activities

Third to sixth class pupils marked International Women’s Day by completing individual projects based on “A Woman I Admire” and Fifth and Sixth classes completed ‘flash’ group projects on inspiring women. Women from our families and also more famous women were all celebrated.

We were delighted to prepare some shoeboxes which were collected and will go to children in the Ukraine. It is very important that we try and help as much as we can.

On Thursday 10th March at 12pm, the pupils in second class made their First Confession in Dromore Church. Fr .Pyburn was the priest for the ceremony. First to sixth class pupils sang in the choir. It was a lovely occasion.

On March 28th, 3rd – 6th class enjoyed a webinar with astronaut, Chris Hadfield, as part of the Inspiring Ireland, Inspiring Students series.

Easter holidays will be coming up soon and Fifth and Sixth class are working hard preparing for their Confirmation on 28th April and have completed projects based on the saint’s names that they have picked.