Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Sacrament of Reconciliation

  Tue 22 Mar 2022

  The boys and girls of P3 celebrated the Sacrament of Reconciliation this afternoon in the Sacred Heart Church. Led by Father Fleck, the ceremony brought together song and storytelling within the overarching theme of forgiveness.

  The P3’s were an absolute credit to themselves, their school and their families, such was the high standard of participation from everyone.

  Gratitude is extended to the P3 class teacher Mrs McPolin for preparing the children so diligently for the Sacrament. Thanks is also relayed to our student teacher Miss Brennan along with classroom assistants Toni, Laura and Marie for their input into the preparation. For the music and singing, we acknowledge the contribution of Mr Doyle and the school choir for their sterling efforts.

  Well done P3!

  

• Science Week - Science in a Box

  Mon 21 Mar 2022

  P6/P7 were the lucky winners of the Science In A Box competition organised by STEAM Education. 

  Last week marked the end of their five lessons. Pupils have engaged in a variety of topics and practical activities based around the human body. They investigated the respiratory, circulatory and skeletal systems whilst also learning about a human's vital signs and delving into the complex world of DNA and genetics. 

  This was a highly engaging programme with the boys and girls now readily able to explore a number of scientific concepts.

  

• Engagement Sessions with Father Fleck

  Mon 21 Mar 2022

  Parents and staff members have had a number of engagement sessions with our Parish Priest, Father Fleck, over the course of this academic year. Discussion topics have centred around the #ListeningChurch and themes surrounding communion, participation, mission and church guidance.

  Another successful meeting was had today and from this, a lot of excellent ideas have arisen in regards to links and initiatives between the school, parish and community.

  One particular theme that merited a lot of discussion was the upcoming Synod, with details available to view at downandconnor.org/synod.

  

• School Update

  Sun 20 Mar 2022

  School reopens tomorrow (Monday) after our extended St Patrick’s Day holiday break. Breakfast Club is operational from 8am with our full After School Club provision resuming as well.

  Just a few points to note:

  - School Pix Company are in tomorrow to take class photos, P1 to P7. All pupils are required to wear full school uniform.

  - Tomorrow marks the start of the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel. Children are encouraged to walk, scoot or cycle to school over the next fortnight.

  - Father Fleck will be hosting a meeting with parents/carers in the school hall tomorrow at 3pm. This is an open forum to discuss the way ahead for the Parish in terms of school, church and community links. Children can be looked after during an After School Club for the duration of the meeting.

  - Our P3’s will celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation in the chapel on Tuesday. The school choir, P4 to P7, will be in attendance and we would request that the children in these classes wear their full school uniform to school on this day and not their PE kit.

  - Our school choir will be singing at Mass this coming Sunday at 11am in Dundrum. All boys and girls in P4 to P7 inclusive are encouraged to attend.

  We look forward to seeing everyone back tomorrow!

  Thank you.

  

• Dundrum GAC First Aid Course

  Sat 19 Mar 2022

  The school were delighted to be able to host Dundrum GAC today as club coaches took part in an accredited First Aid course.

  

• Shoreside Learning

  Wed 16 Mar 2022

  It was off down to the shore today for the P2’s who went on an exciting search for fossils. The boys and girls used their cutting skills to create their own dinosaur feet before they stomped around in the sand leaving huge footprints. Plenty of measurement work then took place with information recorded and shared among the class.

  What a great way to combine Literacy and Numeracy with their World Around Us topic on the amazing landscape that we have in our locality.

  

• Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel

  Wed 16 Mar 2022

  The event has a new name but it still has the same aim. We want to encourage more families to travel to school actively, to help create healthier and happier communities.

  Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel will run for 10 days from Monday 21st March to Friday 1st April. 

  On each day of the challenge schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school.

  We want all children to join in the fun and to understand the health and wellbeing benefits of active travel. We recognise it may be harder for some children to take part.

  Let's all give it a huge effort!

  

• Green Day - Young At Heart

  Wed 16 Mar 2022

  All the boys and girls in Young at Heart joined in the Green Day celebrations as they took part in games and activities in anticipation of St Patrick’s Day tomorrow!

  

• Amazon Jungle Show

  Tue 15 Mar 2022

  Today Catherine Bennett, a Zoologist and Herpetologist, visited school to deliver the amazing Amazon Jungle Show.

  There was a fantastic array of creatures on show including lizards, snakes, frogs, geckos, spiders, scorpions, tortoises, chameleons and millipedes!

  Great discussion ensued in regards to the rainforest, habitats, mini-beasts and the jungle itself. There was also great sensory benefit with touch being heightened in regards to the sticky frog, spiked lizard, hard tortoise shell and soft snake.

  A great experience for everyone!

  

• Science Week - P2

  Tue 15 Mar 2022

  Miss Byrne’s P2 class was a hive of scientific activity today as the boys and girls conducted an experiment as part of Science Week.

  Lab coats and safety goggles were adorned as the pupils planned and carried out their investigation which combined volcanic eruptions and palaeontology.

  Everyone got an opportunity to take part with all the results recorded for good measure. A great team effort!