School Activities Throughout the Year
On the return to school, we try to make the most of the nice weather and get outside as much as we can. We will regularly set off for a nature walk in the local area. We go blackberry picking and make jam for everyone to enjoy.
At Halloween everyone dresses up and we play lots of traditional Halloween games. As you can imagine we get lots of weird and wonderful creatures arriving at school on this day.
We participate in Science week in November where the focus is on Science Experiments. The pupils research and carry out science experiments individually and in groups. These can range from creating small explosions to making lava lamps!
In December the senior classes create a Christmas Market in the school for pupils and staff. They have lots of fun activities and goodies for everyone to enjoy.
We put on a Christmas Play in Castleconnor Community Centre and invite all the community to attend. All the pupils participate and it’s great to see them enjoy their time on the “big stage”.
In January each year we hold Grandparents’ Day as part of Catholic Schools’ Week. We invite family members of our pupils to join us for some singing, music and a cup of tea afterwards. We love to meet the people the children speak so fondly of in the classroom.
We love to keep Irish traditions alive and make St Bridget’s Crosses with the children on the 1st of February. They arrive with armfuls of rushes in the morning and each take home a traditional Bridget’s Cross at the end of the day.
Another school tradition in spring is making pancakes on Pancake Tuesday. All the pupils get involved and by the end there is a pancake for everyone with the topping of their choice.
The Sacrament of First Confession is usually celebrated for Second Class at the beginning of Lent and Confirmation for Fifth and Sixth Classes in March every second year.
In April, Second Class receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist in St. Joseph’s Church, Castleconnor.
Tarlaíonn Seachtain na Gaeilge i Mí Márta agus bainfimid taitneamh as cluichí, drámaí, damhsa agus ceol tradisiúnta. Bíonn Céilí againn freisin agus cleachtaimid Ballaí Luimnigh, Ionsaí na hIinse agus Cur Crúb ar an Asal. We end the week by marching in the local St Patrick’s Day Parade where the children showcase their traditional music skills.
In the run up to Easter Holidays the Easter Bunny is guaranteed to visit and there is an Easter Egg hunt in the School grounds. We also have an Easter Bonnet Day where all the children come to school wearing the Easter Hats they have constructed.
We arrange swimming lessons, gymnastics and tennis lessons in blocks of 4 to 6 weeks in the spring and summer terms.
We participate in Active School events throughout the year. These include Orienteering, the GAA Coaching scheme, The Daily Mile, Cumann na mBunscol and The Beep test. We especially focus on outdoor games in Active School Week.
As the weather improves, we take regular Nature Walks and local history site tours. We are lucky to be able to arrange a Sea Shore Safari through Leave No Trace Ireland so the pupils can learn all about the sea that surrounds us.
The pupils participate in gardening and cooking throughout the school year. They learn how a small seed can flourish whilst gardening and enjoy the fruits of their labours in the baking sessions.
We arrange a School Tour each year for all classes. The destination and activities vary from year to year and always guarantees a great day for all involved.
We finish out our School year with Sports Day which is a day of fun and games for everyone. The pupils participate in a wide variety of sporting activities, the results are logged and the Junior and Senior Sports Star Shields are awarded. Parents are invited to bring a lunchtime picnic and may even join an egg and spoon race!
