This was Science Week and we participated in many exciting science investigations.
The senior room started with an air balloon project to make hovercrafts. It was great fun getting all the equipment needed. We used CDs, sports bottles tops and a balloon. You had to put a balloon on the sports cap. Then you had to blow it up, seal the cap and attach it on to a disc. We had races to see which one went the furthest. On Wednesday, 4th and 5th classes went to the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris with Ms. Presnail to compete in the GMIT “Raft Challenge”. The idea was to construct a raft using only 50 lollipop sticks and 20 elastic bands.  Then the rafts were tested by an adjudicator who also asked questions. Anyone who answered correctly got a fidget spinner. It was a most enjoyable afternoon out. On Friday, we did more investigations such as sticking skewers through balloons and seeing which fruit would sink or float.
Ms. Muldoon’s class made lava lamps. First they measured the correct amount of oil and water. Of course they thought they would mix together but they didn’t. It was very clear to see in the bottle that oil and water don’t mix. Then they put in red food colouring and Alka Seltzer tablets to create the bubbly, warm effect of a lava lamp.
 Ms. O’ Haire’s room did lots of science experiments this week. They sowed cress seeds in cotton wool. They made a skittles rainbow. They soaked an egg in vinegar. They soaked raisins in 7up. They also figured out what items can float in water and can sink.

​This week, a past pupil, Miss Denise Holian came to our school to do observation. Miss Holian was here from 1995 to 2003. She was very kind and was most helpful to us when we were trying to type our project
We all got our parts for the play.  Lucy is the principal and Roisin, Jason, Karl, Maeve, Alan, Niamh and Aishling are all the teachers. We are rehearsing really hard.
A lot of projects were presented this week, they were very interesting.
 

Lucy, Maeve and Roisin

​What a surprise when we walked in today and saw all these Christmas shoe boxes stacked up in the hallway. We always participate in the Team Hope Shoebox Appeal, trying to help children who get nothing at all. There seemed to be a lot. In fact there were 56 boxes....It was so lovely to see how much effort people put into them. Well done everybody!

​Ms. O’ Haire’s class did lovely winter worksheets for their winter display. They drew snow men with hats and scarves and they also drew lots of snowflakes. 

This week we started Power Soccer.  It was great fun. We did lots of activities. It was excellent to see everyone getting active outside. Our new trainer’s name is Martin.

Winter has come and it’s now November, the month in which we remember our loved ones who have passed away. In their memory, Ms. Geraghty’s class made Celtic crosses with their loved one's names on them. We say prayers for them every day.

​Last Wednesday we did the raft challenge. We had thirty minutes, fifty lollipops sticks, twenty elastic bands and our brains to build a raft that could float and carry marbles. The two rafts that carried the most marbles won. Hayley, Grace, Tom, Jack, Stephen and Eóin were the winners.
Great effort everyone!
 
Ms Muldoon’s class did animal projects this week on Irish mammals. They researched information on a lot of mammals including badgers and  pygmy shrews .They typed out our projects and choose suitable pictures. Then the projects were laminated and put on display in the school hallway. One interesting fact from Lauren was that the Pygmy shrew has venomous saliva but the saliva does not harm humans.
 

​We started rehearsing for our Christmas plays. The infants, 1st and 2nd classes are doing one play and the senior room and 3rd class are doing another. The songs are bright and feel good. It’s early days and no parts have been assigned yet.
 
Faith and Hayley