We have compiled a list of useful websites which you can use with your children while they are not in school. The document is under ‘FOR PARENTS' LINKS: SUGGESTED WEBSITES FOR HOME LEARNING.
Today, Judith from Cancer Focus Northern Ireland came to speak to our children about ways that they can keep their bodies healthy.
Many thanks to everyone who donated money for Cancer Focus. A cheque of £100 will be sent to Cancer Focus NI, who were most grateful for our support.
P1 and P2 heard the story of Genevieve the Goat. The main focus was on making healthy food choices. Eat five portions of fruit and vegetables per day, choose to drink milk or water and take lots of exercise.
P3 and P4 focused on the importance of taking daily exercise. They were encouraged to look for easy ways to become active.
P5 were food detectives. They looked at the amount of fat, salt and sugar in different foods. Choosing healthier foods and living healthier lifestyles are good ways of preventing cancer.
P6 and P7 were taught about the harmful effects smoking can have on the body.
As this situation changes rapidly please continue to check the Public Health Agency website for the most current recommendations.
P4 - P7 have been enjoying Archery in their after school sports sessions.
We were delighted to receive a grant from British Science Association which enabled us to bring staff from the Armagh Planetarium with their Space Dome. The visit happened yesterday 12th March. Each class got the opportunity to enter the Space Dome and go on a journey through the cosmos. Images were projected onto the roof of the dome and the Education Team guided the children to planets such as Saturn and Mars. As space travellers, they got to land on the moon and the children got lots of information about the first lunar landing in 1969. They also saw how the different star formations are in the shapes of animals. Some parents visited the dome after school. A huge thanks to the two girls from Armagh Planetarium for bringing the dome to school.
As the final part of their topic work on ‘Fairtrade’, P6 and P7 took assembly on Wednesday 11th March.
The children told the rest of the school how and why Fairtrade was started. They also encouraged us to buy Fairtrade products. When we buy Fairtrade products, we are supporting the communities producing goods like coffee, chocolate and bananas. This means that workers are getting a fair wage, children are not being used as child labour and the communities have more money for food, health care, medicines and schools etc.
Earlier in the week Mrs Laura Calderwood helped the P6 and 7 children to make Krispie buns, using Fairtrade chocolate and Krispies. As a special treat, the children were able to buy Krispie buns or Fairtrade bananas for their break yesterday.
P6 and P7 have been learning all about Fairtrade in their World Around us Topic. Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, as part of ‘Fairtrade Fortnight’, are hosting a Fairtrade Bake-Off for P6 pupils, to be held on Friday 6th March. All the bakes have to be made using Fairtrade ingredients. Mrs Wright decided to have a Bake-Off for any P6 and P7 pupils who wanted to have a go. As you can see from the pictures, we had some delicious cakes and buns, which were enjoyed by both pupils and staff.
The final of the competition is for P6 pupils. Susanna and Demi were chosen to represent our school at the final.
Today, 6th March, Susanna and Demi, who were the winners of the P6 class Fairtrade Bake-Off, went to the Bake-Off final, which was held in the Council Headquarters in Coleraine. The children had to use Fairtrade ingredients in their ‘bakes’. There were lots of really lovely entries. Susanna had baked Chocolate Brownies and Demi had Krispies buns, both of which were delicious. Although they did not win, the judges were really impressed by their bakes and their knowledge of Fairtrade products.
At the final, Luis who is a Fairtrade representative from a Colombian Fairtrade Coffee Cooperative, spoke to the children about Fairtrade and the benefits to their local community.
On Thursday 5th March, we had a special World Book Day celebration. The children all came to school wearing their pyjamas, and some of the younger children brought their teddy bears to school. The P6 and P7 children brought bedtime story books, and they read these to P1 and P2 children and also the children from playgroup. Throughout the day, P1 and P2 had activities based on books, with special emphasis on the book ‘Hairy Maclary’. P3 and P4 had a book swap and a team book quiz as well as making Pictograms of their favourite books. They also told the rest of the class about their favourite book. P5 had various class activities and they did their ‘Daily Mile’ wearing their pyjamas.
A special thanks to Mrs Laura Calderwood who helped the children to decorate Fairy cakes, which were kindly donated by Tesco Ballymoney.
Today, Ryan, Tom and Alfie went to the Primary STEM Challenge 2020 which was held in Ballymena. The challenge for the teams was -
Build a lighthouse which will warn local shipping of the danger of rocks close by. The lighthouse must have a light which is capable of being switched on and off.
The boys had to design the lighthouse and then build it using only card and masking tape. As you can see they did an excellent job.
The following links give you some more information that the Public Heath Agency have produced for schools to share with regard to the Coronavirus. In summary, the importance of good hand washing and using a handkerchief for coughs and sneezes, which is then disposed of in a bin immediately, is emphasised.
Advice on COVID-19 for places of Education
Giant Sneezes Poster - What’s in a sneeze?
Horrid Hands - The importance of good hand washing.