September/October Newsletter 2012

                      MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL, BIRR.

                 NEWSLETTER  – OCTOBER 2012

 

Welcome to the 1^st monthly newsletter from Mercy Primary School. We hope to send out a newsletter every month, to let the school community know all the activities taking place in the school and in our classrooms.

We are all well settled back in and lots of great work is happening in all classrooms around the school.

Our Academic Mass was held in the church on Friday 28^th September and it was a beautiful ceremony. Well done to all involved!

On Wednesday 3^rd October, we had our Blessing for Junior Infants and Infant Parents’ Information Meeting.

A new Green School’s Committee of teachers, students and parents has been set up for this year. We are working on the Energy Flag. Watch for regular updates and activities during the year.

On September 26^th, 4^th class enjoyed a workshop with Legitimate Bodies Dance. It was great fun and very interesting.

On the 27^th September, 2 hot air balloon pilots came into the school and explained to the girls how the balloons fly and how they work.

6^th class enjoyed taking part in” Mini- Movie Making” in conjunction with Offline Film Festival. It was a fantastic experience for them. They got to visit Birr Theatre and Arts Centre on Thursday 11^th October to view the movies they had made.

During the week Monday 8^th October to Friday 12^th most classes went to Birr library to watch movies and listen to stories in conjunction with Offline Film Festival.  5^th class went on 17^th October.

Maths For Fun is ongoing in 2^nd and 3^rd classes. Huge thanks is due to the parents involved in Maths For Fun for giving their time to the school and the children. We really appreciate it.

On Friday 12^th October , 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd classes were treated to the hilarious stories of Niall de Burca, storyteller. This was held in conjunction with the Slieve Bloom Storytelling Festival. It was a very enjoyable 40 minutes for children and teachers alike!

Also on Friday 12^th, 3^rd class had a Fire Safety presentation and 2 of our dedicated, local firemen came into the class to talk to the children.

 

5^th class had a presentation by WEE recycling company.

Our Junior Infants were immunised on Tuesday 16^th. Fair play to them, they were very brave! J

We have assembly every Thursday morning in the hall for all classes. This is a great opportunity to get together to discuss any issues that have arisen, any activities that are coming up and to pray together for our school and families.

 

There are lots of activities going on in the classrooms and here is a small flavour of what is happening:

Junior Infants went for a nature walk in the park and they saw lots of different signs of nature.

Senior Infants also had an “Autumn Trail” in the park. We are very lucky to have such a valuable resource on our doorstep.

1st class learned lots of songs and poems but the class particularly liked dressing up to act out the poem “Aon, dó, trí, Lucha Beaga Buí”. They really enjoyed learning all about Pop Art.  “Their Julian Opie – Style” portraits can be seen soon on the school website. One of their favoourite lessons was about “The Story of Wheat”, where they could see the flour inside each grain of wheat.

2^nd class had their enrolment mass for First Holy Communion. This was a very important event for the girls and their families and is the start of a big year for them.

3^rd class learned all about the heart, the skeleton and the bones in their bodies.  They did fabulous art called “Pointilism” and learned about the artist who invented it – George Seurat. When you are passing the school, have a look at their hot air balloons hanging  proudly in the windows.

4^th classes did a Leaf Study in the park and pictures of this are up on our website www.mercyprimaryschool.ie

5^th class did  amazing projects on the Digestive System and these are hanging in the school hall. They are also on the website. At the moment they are working on a project of Italy – we’ll tell you more about this next month!

6^th class really enjoyed attending the premiere of their mini-movies. They are also working on local history projects. These will be displayed and presented to other classes in the weeks to come.

Our school is taking part in a WSE – Whole School Evaluation from Monday 5^th November to Friday 9^th November. There will be 3 inspectors in the school during the week and they will evaluate all aspects of our school.

4^th 5^th and 6^th class had 5 weeks Camogie Training Sessions with Hughie Hannon.

4^th and 5^th class are just completing a six week course in Chess with John Alfred.

 

As you can see Mercy Primary School is a hive of activity! Remember, our door is open at all times to you, the parents. We are always looking for volunteers to help out, so don’t be shy!

 

Dates for Your Diary:

• Mid-Term Break from Monday 29^th October to Friday 2^nd November. School re-opens on Monday 5^th November.
• WSE – Whole School Evaluation – Monday 5^th November – Friday 9^th November.
• Thursday 15^th November  –  talk for parents on Cyberbuyllying in P.E. Hall at 7.30 p.m.
• Parent/Teacher meetings will be held on Tuesday 27^th November for 1^st-6^th classes. More information to follow.

 

We wish you all a Happy Halloween.