October ’14

October

Rap Workshops : We started Rap Workshops with Garry McCarthy from GMC Beats AT the beginning of October. Garry will be working with every class to create a unique rap. The children will write the rap with Garry and he will then mix all eight raps to create a CD. The CD will be on sale nearer Christmas. We are very excited to have Garry back with us again to work on such a unique educational project.

Healthy Eating Week : The first week 0f October was Healthy Eating Week in Scoil Barra Naofa. Lots of lessons and activities were organised by the teachers around the topics of food and nutrition. Various competitions were held and the winners were announced at our assembly. From First Class we had Ana Daly who drew the ‘Vegetable Family’. Ellen Price came up with a healthy lunch box in Second Class. Nicole Dinan in Third Class designed a tomato hero, Anna Kelly in Fourth Class designed a fruit face, Sive O’ Keefe in Fifth drew a healthy and unhealthy face and Daisy Ryan in Sixth Class did a project on Healthy Food. Our Parents Association hosted a fabulous food tasting morning on Thursday where the children had the opportunity to taste a variety of fruit and vegetables. This has become one of the highlights of the year and we do appreciate the time and effort put in by all the dedicated members of the team. They also gave out an impromtu Healthy Eating Question Quiz Sheet to the children from Third to Sixth. Congratulations to the winners – Ben O’ Flynn and James Hassett (Sixth), Liam Corbett and Emily O’ Flynn (Fifth), Lucy Bateman and Ríona Casey (Fourth) and Áine Power and Robyn Murphy (Third). Special Congratulations to Sophia Daly in Fourth Class who was the only child in the school to get all the answers correct ! She was presented with a special prize from Margaret Quane, Chairperson of the Parents Association. The week finished with an assembly on Friday led by Senior Infants who did an Irish poem and performed it brilliantly. Go raibh maith agat, Ms. O’ Brien !

Principal Awards : Well done to the September recipients of this year’s Principal Awards. Congratulations to Barra O’ Brien (First) for Excellent participation in class, Hugo McGuire (First) for Always trying his best, George Pritchard (Second) for Effort with Gaeilge and interest in reading, Katie McCullagh (Third) for Fantastic Art work, Adam O’ Flynn (Third) for Excellent Manners, Sophie Jones (Third) for Improved Punctuality, Abby Hughes (Fourth) for Being helpful and kind to classmates, Abi Roche (Fifth) for Effort and Helpfulness in class, Joseph Murray (Fifth) for Kindness and looking out for classmates, Holly Spriggs and Kacie Brooker (Sixth) for Effort in organising the Travel Flag. Comhghairdeas !

Aistear : Senior Infants began a four week Aistear programme on the theme of ‘The Doctor’s Surgery’. Mr. Murphy, Ms. Murphy and Ms. Moakley will be helping out Class Teachers, Ms. Mulrooney and Ms. O’ Brien and S.N.A. Susan, deliver the programme. The children will be doing a variety of activities including writing, art and craft and play themes during the four week session. We wish them every success !

Maths. Recovery : Good luck to First Class who began a module of Maths. Recovery with Class Teacher, Ms. Ní Bhéara, Ms. Murphy, Mr. Murphy, Ms. Moakley and S.N.A., Audrey on Monday.

Tree Day : Thursday 9th October was National Tree Day and two members of the Green Committee, Kacie and Holly, planted an alder tree outside the school watched by Sixth Class and their buddies. Great things come from small beginnings…..

Student Council : The Student Council had a very productive second meeting. The following items were discussed :

Garden Squad
Christmas Cards
Team Hope
Active Flag
Hallowe’en Dress Up Day and Decoration Competition
Friendship Stop in Yard

Enrolment Mass : Congratulations to Second Class who were enrolled for their First Holy Communion on Sunday 12th in the Sacred Heart Church by Fr. Seán. We wish them well as they begin the journey of preparation for this very special sacrament. Our thanks to Class Teacher, Ms. Flannery, Special Needs Assistant, Mary, and the Parents Committee who organised the Mass.

Slán : Scoil Barra Naofa wish pupils Ellen, Keira and all the family the best of luck as they head off to Australia. They will be sadly missed !

Sciath na Scol : Our boys team made it to the semi-final in Sciath na Scol in White’s Cross where they played Upper Glanmire N.S. They put in a great performance but unfortunately lost out to stronger opposition on the day. Our thanks to Mr. Murphy for training the teams and organising this year’s campaign. Go raibh maith agat !

Folk Dance : On Wednesday 15th our four week module of Folk Dancing concluded with a fantastic whole school demonstration in the halla. Our thanks to Larry and Ita for another great dance experience !

New Sports Kit : A huge thank you to our Parents Association for providing us with a new school team kit for our girls. The kit was officially handed over to the school by outgoing Chairperson of the P.A. Margaret Quane and incoming Chairperson Sonia Joyce. Our two models Aoife and Elena looked amazing. We look forward to showcasing it in our next match !

Launch of WOW Days : On Wednesday 22nd we officially launched WOW days in Scoil Barra Naofa with a sponsored walk around Monkstown. We were thrilled that Alan Cadogan, Cork hurler and former pupil was with us on the day and sent everyone off with some encouraging words about the importance of walking and being active. We now look forward to Nov. 12th – our first WOW day !

Green School Slogan : Well done to Fiadh Kelleher who won our Green School Slogan Competition. Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes voted for their favourite slogan from the top five entries submitted by Fiadh Kelleher, Ben O’ Flynn, Ethan Kelleher, Daisy Ryan, and Joy Desmond. The aim of our slogan was to add on another line and incorporate the vision for our Fourth Green Flag. Our new slogan is…..

Be Clean, Be Green,
Energy Keen,
Save water, don’t be mean,
Let’s walk towards the future dream !

WOW Posters : Congratulations to the winners of our WOW Poster Competition, Sophie Gunn (J. Infs.), Bo Parkes (S.Infs.), Ellen Bruen (First), Lena Garcia (Second), Ryan Nolan (Third), Aoibhinn Fitzgerald (Fourth), Lauren Bradley (Fifth) and Kacie Brooker (Sixth).

Golden Boot Award : Congratulations to Fourth Class who were the winners of our First Golden Boot Award – the award for the class making the best effort to walk, park and stride or cycle to school. Well done !

Hallowe’en Assembly : Our thanks to Ms. Ní Bhéara for getting our Hallowe’en celebrations off to a great start with some festive songs in assembly. The Student Council awarded prizes for the scariest costumes to Lauren McSweeney, Ada O’ Connell, John Hegarty and Ellen Bruen, for the most creative costumes to Seán Dressler, Anna Kelly, Aoibhinn Fitzgerald, Louis O’ Neill and Sally Kelleher, for the best make up to Glen Lyons, Noah White, Billy Hanna and Killian Peterson and for the best use of recycled materials to Sophia Daly, Maya Ryan, Liam O’ Flynn and Sabrina Moynihan. Prizes for Hallowe’en decorations were awarded to Maya Ryan, Nicole Dinan, Aoibhinn Fitzgerald, Anna Kelly, Saoirse O’ Brien and Agnes Garbuz. Comhghairdeas !

Principal Awards : Well done to the recipients of this month’s Principal Awards – Grace Hartigan (First Class) for kindness to others, Caoimhe O’ Brien (Second Class) for improved work and effort, Josh Walsh (Third Class) for football skills and effort, Eoghan O’ Connor (Fourth Class) for a positive attitude and excellent work, Sofia Daly (Fourth Class) for a positive attitude and excellent work, Joy Desmond (Fifth Class) for a great attitude to work, Ada O’ Connell (Fifth Class) for 100% effort in everything, Sally O’ Flynn (Sixth Class) for a fantastic work ethic and Elena Murray (Sixth Class) for enthusiasm and motivation.