Newsletter 3rd and 4th Class, November 2018

We enjoyed a very exciting first half term with lots of interesting and innovative projects undertaken in all of our third and fourth classes. We launched our KiVa anti-bullying programme with a school-wide poster competition and an enjoyable Parent’s evening. We were also overjoyed to receive the prestigious Digital Schools of Distinction Award. The inspector for this described St. Joseph’s as “living proof of effective, democratic and inclusive integration of ICT in everyday school life”. On the day of the inspection Ms. Cunningham’s 3rd class demonstrated their use of Green screen technology as part of their History studies on the Great Famine. The children made their own short film using iPads to tell the story of a family’s struggles during the famine.

Mr. Molloy’s 3rd class designed and built a rocket as part of a science and maths project on 3D shapes. The finished Rocket was on display in the Marshes Shopping Centre.

Ms. Maguire’s 3rd class were Learning about the weather (An Aimsir) in Irish and filmed their own weather reports using the iPads.

Ms. Hennessey’s 3rd class were learning about Ancient

Eygpt. The Ancient Egyptians used hieroglyphics instead of letters. The boys and girls enjoyed writing their names using hieroglyphics.

Mr. Nelson’s 4th class launched the ‘Gaeilge sa Chlós’ initiative to encourage the children to speak Irish in the yard at break time in exchange for raffle tickets and prizes! It was a huge success! Bualadh bos!

Ms. O’Brien’s 4th class have been learning about the artist Romero Britto. Romero is a Brazilian artist who uses vibrant colours and patterns in his pictures to express hope and happiness. Ms O’Brien’s class created their own self-portraits inspired by his work.

Mr. Marks’ 4th Class were studying the Water Cycle in geography and learning about the importance of conserving water.

Third and Fourth classes have an assembly each month and the teachers nominate 3 students for the awards of Student of the Month, Gaelgóir of the Month and Best Homework of the Month. Hopefully your child might win one of these awards during the year!

Next week sees the start of the Mighty Mouth dental health programme for Third Class and students at this level are also looking forward to swimming lessons, which start after Christmas.

Fourth classes are working hard in Maths on multiplication, graphs and two-step word problems. Lots of brain-power needed here!

Students at this level will shortly begin to focus on Narrative Writing – telling a good story!

With just about six weeks to go to Christmas we’ll all be as busy as Santa’s elves, as we prepare for our Christmas Concert in December. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Many thanks to the hardworking teachers in 3rd and 4th classes: Mrs. Maguire, Ms Cunningham, Mr.

Molloy, Ms Hennessy, Mr Marks, Ms. O’ Brien and Mr. Nelson

We want your child to be happy and to flourish in St. Joseph’s school

Some tips and reminders: A good night’s sleep is essential to school success. We advise that

children do not have access to phones/tablets/TV after bedtime Encourage your child to be kind, not bear a grudge, and to stand up

for their friends Communication is very important. Listen and talk to your child Even if you have other children in St. Joseph’s, the final date for

enrolment of new Junior Infants is January 10th, 2019 Think ahead – make sure your child’s name is down in a local

Secondary School. It is never too early to do this. (If you are unsure about schools, come and talk to Mrs Lawlor HSCL)

St. Joseph’s is a KiVa school. This means:

We say NO to bullying Your child will explore some KiVa lessons during school There is a Parent’s Guide to KiVa on

www.kivaprograme.net/parents We have a KiVa team to deal with issues in school If you suspect that your child is being bullied, please tell us as soon

as possible

Let’s work together for the good of our children