January Newsletter
Welcome to Mercy Primary School’s first newsletter of 2014. It has been full steam ahead since we came back and January has been a hectic month!
We started back on January 6th – Little Christmas, and took 1st class to 6th class to mass. Lots of the other schools were there and it was a lovely mass.
On the 7th of January gymnastics started for all classes and it will continue for 6 weeks. It is wonderful to see the progression of the children and how flexible and skilled they become over the 6 weeks.
Our music classes with Mrs Kennedy are continuing and the choir are practicing very hard for the Peace Proms Concert which will be held on Saturday March 1st in The Hub, Kilkenny.
Story Sacks started on January 13th in 1st class and we would like to thank all the parents who volunteered to help out.
On January 27th County Photos visited the school and we look forward to seeing all the lovely photos that were taken of the girls.
Catholic Schools’ Week took place from January 27th to February 2nd. We started the week with 2 beautiful prayer services led by Sr. Bríd. There was beautiful art work carried out and wonderful displays made on what it means to us to be part of a Catholic school. On Thursday 30th January we held a special mass and celebration for Grandparents’ Day. It was a great day and everyone enjoyed it immensely. Take a look at the website – www.mercyprimaryschool.ie and see some of the photos from the day. We are proud of our Grandparents and want to show them how important they are.
Our very hard working and dedicated Parents’ Association ran a fundraising table quiz in Kelly’s Bar on Friday 31st January. It was a very enjoyable evening and well done to all who organised the quiz and to all who supported it.
Lots of activities have been going on in the classrooms this month. Here is a flavour of what the children are learning.
Junior Infants are having great fun with Mrs. Feehan doing gymnastics. We really enjoyed Ready Set Go Maths games week. Many thanks to all the parents who came in. See photos on website. We completed the Belfield Infant Assessment Profile with Ms. Cooney, so Parent Teacher meetings will be arranged soon providing feedback on their assessment.
Senior Infants learned all about the Chinese New Year and made beautiful colourful lanterns and masks.
1st Class took a leap into the New Year with very enthusiastic gymnastics! They made beautiful weavings to mark St. Bridget’s Day. Liz called from Offaly SPCA and collected all the animal food which the children brought in. All the girls are thoroughly enjoying learning new yard games and playing with the new equipment.
2ndClass started Gymnastics in PE and are enjoying it very much. We learned about Road Safety in SPHE. We learned the importance of wearing high visibility clothing when out on the road, walking or cycling. Each child received a high visibility armband and a certificate from the RSA (Road Safety Authority). The girls learned all about ‘Homes’ in SESE. They also interviewed their grandparents about their homes when they were growing up and discussed the similarities and differences between the houses. In art class the children made a model of their own house.
3rd Class started learning all about division. They selected two additional representatives to serve on the Green Schools Committee. The girls learned all about the benefits of healthy eating. They painted Jonah and the Whale and learned lots about whales.
4th Class are flying at gymnastics class on Tuesdays! We learned all about the amazing adventures of Shackleton and Crean. What fantastic Irish explorers they were. We did projects in groups and really enjoyed doing them. We learned to ‘yodel’….. yes, yodel!!
5th Class celebrated Nollag na Mban in style by going to mass, sharing a meal and much more fun activities. It was a fabulous way to finish the Christmas season. Gymnastics are going great. We are really improving on our cartwheels and forward rolls on the equipment. Catholic Schools Week was a great success and we really focussed on our devoted grandparents. We also started weaving in religion – it represents our journey of faith in life. We started on our Write-A-Book projects – watch this space!! Congratulations to the four girls in our class who took part in the Credit Union Quiz. They came 3rd. Well done.
5th/6thClass sketched portraits of their grandparents and learned a poem about grandparents. With help and support from Mrs Murray they made a selection of colourful felt dolls representing our community which was displayed in the church for our special mass for grandparents. 6th Class girls also made and painted a wonderful big banner Fan the Flame that will be used for their Confirmation celebrations. We are having great fun learning all about our solar system.
6th Class learned some new tunes on the tin whistle – Rathlin Bog and the Kerry Polka and also learned the words of the Offaly Rover all of which were performed at the special celebration for Grandparents Day. The girls also did portraits of their grandparents.
HSCL UPDATE
We kicked off the New Year with a Sugar Craft Class with Syzmon Kozakiewicz who showed us how to make beautiful roses for special occasion cakes.
Once again a great turnout for Grandparents Day. Many thanks to all the wonderful bakers in Birr for their delicious cakes and buns. It was a memorable day for all.
‘Science For Fun’ has just started in 4th Class and they are having a great time investigating and experimenting with eggs and flying rockets! Thanks to the parents who volunteered.
Baking Class: This month Gráinne taught us how to make healthy falfazels and of course a delicious apple cake for dessert. Mmmm
1st Class participated in Storysacks. Many thanks to all the parents who volunteered to help out with our story ‘Bear Snores On’ and activities. It was a special week in 1st Class and they loved having you visit and help out.
Fruit Scheme: Is continuing successfully throughout the school with thanks to all our wonderful volunteers.