The excitement and anticipation of the toy show was palpable in school today! The children have been busy getting their roles and participating in early rehearsals for Christmas plays this week.

Despite all of this excitement, as always, we were delighted with the lovely comments from teachers on the hard work and great attitude displayed by children in all classrooms. Our students of the week earned their accolades due to continued efforts in areas of difficulty, being super role models to younger students, compassionate toward others and constant enthusiasm in class. We heard of students who are consistently diligent and always well mannered, and also a student who shines in his enjoyment of music.

Ms. Munnelly has been working with 2nd and 4th Classes over the past number of weeks on the wonderful program “Weaving well-being”. Today, at assembly, both classes treated us to a display of some of the aspects of their learning. We were so proud to hear their raps and songs about positivity in life and overcoming the challenges that face us all. The children highlighted the strengths that they all possess and the tools of resilience that they now know how to implement. It was a very strong and inspirational message for everyone and we all enjoyed their performances immensely. Many thanks to both classes and Ms. Munnelly for their fantastic work.

Bainigí taitneamh as an deireadh seachtaine!

2nd and 3rd Class had great fun this year enjoying many activities as part of Science Week. We organised skittles in a circle on a plate, and poured water on them, what formed was a really cool rainbow! This is one you can try at home!
Also, we took part in an Egg drop challenge, whereby children made their own design to hold a raw egg dropping from different heights!

Science Week in St.Attracta’s

All classes throughout our school actively took part in activities and experiments to expand their scientific knowledge and enjoyment.
Classes form 2nd to 6th took part in the annual Bebras challenge which involves solving problems and riddles and is very enjoyable.
5th and 6th class also took part in the build a Bridge competition which was also a great success.

Well done again to all the classes who took an active part in Science Week 2018!

Finally, a reminder of Mayo Science festival in GMIT this Sunday(18th) from 11:30 am, book tickets early to avoid disappointment!

Today we remembered our first assembly in September while looking at all the faces in front of us, and we are reminded of of the progress that has been made by each child as they anxiously await the announcement of the student of the week. 

As always we learned of students who consistently put themselves forward week on week. We always appreciate this effort and acknowledge this hard work. We heard of pupils who have made a huge effort to help others who they see having difficulty with a task. We listened to descriptions of both the collective and individual effort that is put into making days more enjoyable for others. We impact on each other’s lives as a community here in St. Attractas’s and it is important to make that impact positive.

Our teachers spoke of children who did not always find things easy but who are now able to do the task that was so hard at the beginning. At this time of the year we see how are children are becoming more independent and that is our aim. We help, we motivate and we nurture this independence, and we are thrilled when we can see it manifest. We were reminded by our teachers that small differences made over a period of time makes a big change. We know from our discussions in parent teacher meetings this week, that you are also seeing these subtle changes at home. 

Maith sibh go léir. Have a great weekend.

We were delighted to have two finalists earlier in the Mayo Science and Teachnology Festival’s ‘Design a Bridge Competition’ in Ballina.

Our teams had to design their bridge using 25 flexible straws and three feet of masking tape. Both did us proud and learned so much in the process!

A special word of thanks to all the students in Ms.McDonagh’s Fifth Class and Mr.Rushe’s Sixth Class who participated in the project and especially to those who qualified for Ballina this afternoon. Maith sibh!

Inniu an 13ú Samhain tá na daltaí ó Rang a Cúig are taking part í Gaeilge24. This is part of a challenge which was put to schools around Ireland – to speak Irish for 24 hours organised by Conradh na Gaeilge. 32,000 people from 340 schools in every county took part.

We got maroon coloured T-shirts that said “Labhair gaeilge liom inniu” (I spoke Irish)
Fuaireamar léinte T-léine marbh a dúirt “Labhair mé Gaeilge inniu”

We also got little booklets as well with phrases you can say at home, school, talking to your friends and in the shop. Fuaireamar leabhráin beaga chomh maith le habairtí a d’fhéadfá a rá sa bhaile, sa scoil. Ag caint le do chairde agus sa siopa.

Everyone participated in this event and tried their best to talk Irish constantly.
Ghlac gach duine páirt san imeacht seo agus rinne siad a ndícheall chun Gaeilge a labhairt i gcónaí
At the end of the day we also got arm bands. Ag deireadh an lae, fuair muid bannaí láimhe freisin.

This was a good Challenge for the children to do and a really good way to increase their Irish vocabulary. Is dúshlán maith é seo do roinnt páistí a dhéanamh agus bealach an-maith é a mhéadú ar a gcuid foclóir Gaeilge.

Déanann gach duine sár iarracht Gaeilge a labhairt sa ráng, sa chlós lena muinteoirí agus lena cháirde freisin.

Go raibh míle maith agat do na páistí agus na tuismitheoirí don iarracht.

It was back to reality this week with all classes settling very well to work after their mid term break. At assembly we lived up to the motto to be the best that we can be. All through our classes we heard from teachers that our children have been working so hard, improving in areas that have in the past presented a difficulty and performing random acts of kindness .

This is a wonderful to hear and it is a great example to us all that it is easy to do something for somebody else, simply because it’s a nice thing to do. We heard of children who have been working on particular areas of improvement. Things that are easy for some are much more difficult for others.

We are delighted to award children for their efforts to improve. We are always proud of our children here, but it always adds to our appreciation of them when we hear that they are being kind, generous and happy in their everyday lives in school.

Maith sibh go léir. Táimid fíor bhródúil asaibh.

Dates for your Diaries:

On Wednesday and Thursday next November 14th/15th we will have our Parent Teacher Meetings. For the students of 1st to 6th Class , school will end at the earlier time of 2.45pm on both of these evenings.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Well done to this week’s ‘Students of the Week’. As with previous weeks it was lovely to hear so many positive comments from the teachers and these students can be very proud of their week’s work.

This week all those chosen worked very hard, displaying excellent organisational and listening skills. These skills are so important, not alone in the classroom but also out in the yard. A lovely comment regarding one of our winners this week was that this pupil ‘never falls out with anyone’ setting a great example always.We heard of another student who begins and ends each day with a lovely smile on their face.
We had a recommendation for showing great ‘leadership in class ‘ and another for working so hard with their class and homework exercises while making a huge effort to ensure they understand what is being asked. We heard of those who are displaying greater self belief and confidence in their own abilities and others who have made a huge effort particularly with the important subject of Maths.

We’re delighted with the hard work that is ongoing throughout the school with many of our teachers saying so many pupils were in very close contention this week! Well done everybody keep up this great work! Maith sibh.