Blessington Educate Together

November 2007

Assemblies

 

Our weekly assemblies themes are based on Educate Tog ether�s Ethical Education Curriculum. So far this term we have learned about Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Light and Eid, the Islamic celebration that marks the end of fasting during Ramadan. Some of the children�s work is on display in the entrance area of the school. Some mothers visited us to share their celebration of the Jewish New year. There was Chala bread and we enjoyed apples and honey as we learned about how Rosh Hashanah is celebrated. Halloween was tremendous fun with many fantastic costumes on display.

 

 

 

Each week in assembly, we also celebrate individual efforts with Shining Star awards and we recognise special effort in speaking Irish with our Realt na Seachtaine award. There is always great excitement and a real sense of achievement for all.

Fundraising Events

 

The Parents� Association have organised the following fundraising events:

 

Race Night, Thursday 6th December, West Wicklow Pub, 8pm

 

Bag Pack in SuperValu 13th December

 

Christmas Songs 8th or 9th December, Main Street Blessington

 

Ongoing Coin Collection: pots will be sent home to store any loose change. Once a month we will ask you to empty these into the Target bucket in the School.

Class news

Junior and senior Infants

 

It has been a very busy term for the youngest members of B.E.T.N.S. All the Junior Infants have settled in brilliantly and the Senior Infants did a wonderful job at helping them to find their feet during the first few months. We have enjoyed nature trails, printing and clay, a visit from Garda Ray (�the tallest man in the world� was the general consensus of the class)

 

The class band is progressing well and is eagerly rehearsing for their debut performance. A Christmas number one is not out of the question either!

We had a great autumn hunt around the grounds and our art work is

4TH, 5TH and� 6TH Class

On the 6th of November, the senior class went to the RDS Science Live and we learned about robots. We all learned lots of things and facts about robots. The first things we learned were about robots senses and also the way that they a lot of things like people. The people who were doing the demonstrations asked questions and the children answered. One of the men asked for some helpers, one from every school that was there. One BETNS student was picked to help and had to do a demonstration. She had to clap her hands when the robot came to her. We learned about a robot that could clean the floor and about some that could walk. We all had a great time.

Garda Ray Returns

The children were delighted to welcome back Garda Ray this term, who visited us on two occasions, talking to the children about bullying, strangers and road safety.

Student Council

 

Empowering children to make a difference through positive action is a core element of the Educate Together Ethical Curriculum, which includes strands such as understanding democracy, decision-making processes, social inclusion and equality. Children are encouraged to actively contribute to our schools development by means of the Student Council. The outgoing councillors did a wonderful job in representing the ideas and opinions of the pupil�s. Through the Student Council the children raised money for People In Need with Halloween Fancy Dress and have helped decide on resources for the school. It�s election time again and Rosemary�s class are busy on the campaign trail. Democratic elections take place on November 29th.

Book Fair

A big thanks you to everyone who helped out and supported our book fair. Our commission of 550 euro will be spent on books for our class libraries.

Thank you

Thanks to all the kind help in tidying our gardens and the help with maintenance around the school. The Ancillary Grant from the Department of Education is not sufficient to pay for a caretaker so we are reliant on those who give so generously of their time.

School production

We are busy rehearsing for our school musical on December 12th. There are songs are being learned, the stage is being designed by the children.�������� ������������

The play will be at 7pm. We hope to see many of you there, it promises to be a great show!

Welcome to new pupils

A big welcome to our new pupils in the older classes who joined us this year. We are delighted to have them.

Sport at B.E.T.N.S

 

G.AA. training continues this year with thanks to Diarmuid from Kilbride club donating his time.

We will soon be starting our Spike ball training with the senior class. The Volleyball association of Ireland is running a schools� league that will begin in the New Year.

Swimming lessons for the senior class will begin after Easter in the new pool in Tallaght. The lessons will take place on Thursdays during the school day with a coach taking the class to and from the pool. We hope to extend the lessons the middle class next year.

Voluntary Contributions can be returned to the school secretary at any time. The contributions are essential for funding resources and maintenance of the school.

After school activities

 

Le Club Francais continues this year on MondaysTous le monde va tr�s bien!

 

Scripture classes take place on Tuesdays. Some pupils from second class are busy preparing for communion , while some of sixth class are working towards their confirmation in 2008.

 

Wednesday�s swimming club is open to all. The coach takes the children to Balrothery pool and anyone interested in enrolling their child should contact a member of staff.

 

Once again the support of parents is crucial in organising these activities. If you have an idea for an after school club, please talk to Rosemary.

Red Lane Blessington, Co. Wicklow

Tel: 045-865281

Email: admin@educatetogether-blessington.ie