At our assembly today, 3rd & 4th class taught us about Turlough O'Carolan, Ireland's most famous composer. The children have made mini-projects about Turlough explaining about his life and the many famous compositions that he composed. These projects will be displayed on the wall in the main corridor of the school for the rest of the children to read and learn more about this famous Meath man! We also listened to a rendition of one of his most famous compositions,'Plantxy Irwin'.
Next, we discussed our Code of Behaviour, what the expected behaviours are in our school yard, school corridors, classrooms and towards each other. We spoke about our whole school strategies of 'Wise Speech' and 'Restorative Practice Questions' which are both are being used to promote and restore positive relationships in our school. We discussed the core values in our school which are respect, honesty, kindness and inclusion.
The children were informed about where they will be going on their school tours this year. Juniors to 2nd class will be going to Causey Farm and 3rd to 6th class will be going to Navan Adventure Centre.
We are hoping to renew our Amber Flag this year. Ms Kearns and Ms Griffin, together with our new Amber Flag committee will lead us in this initiative. An audit will be conducted on what we have been doing already to promote and maintain positive mental health in the school. Members of the Amber Flag committee were presented with their badges.
We discussed our Creative Schools initiative. We presented our Creative Schools Committee with certificates for their involvement so far. Each class informed us about what creative item they constructed when Valerie, our Creative Schools associate, visited us during the last half-term. Valerie will return to our school in March for the next step in moving forward in being a more creative school.
We celebrated 2nd class making their sacrament of reconciliation earlier this week. They sang the song 'Zacchaeus' for us. We recognised the preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation that is taking place in 6th Class presently. We discussed the name they have chosen for their Confirmation and why.
We will celebrate Friendship Week next week. We acknowledged the completion of the Fun Friends and the Friends for Life programmes by 1st class and 5th class this year. Children from 1st and 2nd class showed us three books based around the theme of friendship that they have been reading and discussing in class. These books will be on display at the front of our school in our library for any child who is interested to take and read at their leisure.
We spoke briefly about World Book day which officially takes place on 7th March but will be celebrated in our school on the 14th March instead to coincide with the book fair that will be visiting our school. The children will have the opportunity to dress-up as their favourite book character on this day.
Ms Kennedy spoke about the 'Say Yes to Languages' programme that she is teaching to all classes. Some of the children engaged in role play speaking French to each other. Junior and Senior Infants counted to 5 in French and demonstrated their knowledge of colours in French for the rest of the school.
Finally, we spoke about the season of Lent that is upon us now. We discussed the three aspects for Lent: giving something up, doing something new and praying more.
