P1/2 OUTDOOR PLAY

On 25th October P1 and P2 had another very exciting Outdoor Play session.  This time the sun was shining and the children had a super time.  The focus for Outdoor Play was 'Planting Spring Bulbs'  Here are some of things we looked at.

• We imagined what the bulbs would look like when they were fully grown - Would they be apple trees or vegetables or maybe even pumpkins?  We will have to wait and see!
• We made harvest soup in the mud kitchen.
• We decorated some leaves and used the parachute to see how they flutter and fly down to the ground in Autumn time.

Taking the classroom 'outside' is an excellent way for children to learn about the world around us in a very hands on way.

LIBRARY VISIT P3 and P4

Today P3 and P4 had the first of three visits to Kilrea Library.  Ann the librarian, gave the children lots of interesting information about the types of books that are available to borrow from the library.  She then showed them around the library and the children were able to borrow some books to take home.  Ann read them a story before they returned to school.  The children are all looking forward to their next two visits after half term.

SCRIPTURE UNION 150 YEARS

We were once again delighted to welcome Rachel Sheppard to our special assembly this morning.  Rachel is the Scripture Union Representative for schools in the Ballymena Area.  Rachel with the help of some our children told the story of Zachariah and John the Baptist. This is the 150th Anniversary of Scripture Union and as part of the celebrations each child in school was given a gift from Scripture Union. P1- P3 children were given 'The Jesus Bible Story Book' and P4 -P7 were given 'The Diary of a Disciple.'

ANNUAL HARVEST HOOLIE

The excitement was building this week for the long awaited Harvest Hoolie, which always proves to be one of the most popular mornings of the year. Dressed in their cowboy/country wear, the children got the chance to do various activities.  They listened to a harvest story and made popcorn, used up lots of energy line dancing and making music, played games, made bird feeders and made chocolate apples. Thanks to all the staff for their help in making this another very successful Harvest Hoolie!

OCTOBER ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Well done to the children who received certificates for October 2017.  The certificates were awarded for  - ' Good Editing in Writing'  - 'Getting on well with others' - 'Demonstrating Independence and Ownership of Learning'

ACCELERATED READING CERTIFICATES

Congratulations to all our Accelerated Readers who achieved their individual targets for this half term.  Certificates were awarded today at a Special Assembly.

CONGRATULATIONS

At our Harvest Assembly three of our pupils received certificates for success in recent music exams.  Andrew and Grace both receive piano tuition in school from Mrs McAleese, and they completed their Grade 1 examination in June.  Sam received violin tuition in school from Miss Nicholl and he also passed his Grade 1 Violin Examination.  Well done to all three children.

ACCELERATED READING CUP WINNER

Congratulations to Robyn P7, who was the winner of the Accelerated Reading Cup for this first half term.  We are delighted with the enthusiasm shown by our pupils as they strive to reach their individual targets.

HARVEST ASSEMBLY

Today we had our Harvest Assembly where we were delighted to welcome many parents and friends to school. Our special guest speaker was Mr Peter Rollins who spoke to us about Ballymoney Food Bank.  Thank you to everyone who brought food items to school to put into the food bank.  We know that many families in the Ballymoney area will be grateful for the items that have been kindly donated.  P1 - P3 sang 'The Scarecrow' and P4 - P7 sang 'Harvest Samba' which reminded us of all the lovely food that we can thank God for at this time of year. Click here to listen to our Harvest songs.

RADAR

On Friday 20th October P6 and P7 travelled with Ballykelly Primary School to RADAR in Belfast.  RADAR stands for Risk Avoidance Danger Awareness Resource.  RADAR is a purpose built interactive education centre which aims to increase children's awareness and knowledge of the dangers that they can encounter at home, on the roads and in society.  RADAR also educates children of the importance of being good citizens especially as they move to bigger schools and have to deal with peer pressure.  The children all really enjoyed and benefitted from their visit to RADAR.  Here are some of the things they learnt

• Road Safety - as a pedestrian and a passenger in a car
• Personal safety - keeping themselves safe from abuse
• Fire safety - focusing on fire in a bedroom
• Internet safety - keeping safe on social network
• Alcohol - underage drinking
• Anti Social Behaviour - how to respect others and be mindful of how their actions can affect others.

SCRIPTURE UNION

Today we were delighted to welcome the Scripture Union team into school.  Rebekah, Laura, Hazel and Lorna held the P1 - P3 S.U. meeting outside, at lunchtime.  Those children attending, enjoyed the games and also the Bible story that the leaders had prepared.  Our P4 - P7 will be given the opportunity to attend the weekly lunchtime S.U. meeting for four weeks commencing next week.  Thank you to the team for their commitment to Scripture Union and to our school.

IN THE FRAME

On Wednesday we had a very exciting morning as the photographer was in school for his annual photo-shoot.  Everyone was looking great.  He took some super individual and family photographs which will be available to purchase in good time for Christmas.

THANK YOU MISS NICHOLL

Today was Miss Nicholl, our violin teacher's last day at Rasharkin Primary School.  We want to thank her for the great start she has given to many violin and viola players in our school over the past number of years.  We have five new violin players starting this year and they are looking forward to working with their new teacher, Miss Bell.

WE LOVE FRIDAY FRUIT

We are very grateful to the team of parents who come in to school each Friday to prepare fruit for our children at break time.  We still need a few parent volunteers to help out.  If you are available for an hour or so, up until 10.30am on a Friday morning, and would like to help out, please contact Karen in the office on 028295 71383 or speak to Laura Calderwood who coordinates the rota.  You would only be on the rota about one Friday per month.  Helping with Friday fruit is also a great opportunity to get to know other parents.

OUTDOOR PLAY

P1 and P2 have been learning about Autumn time.  This week they were eagerly awaiting their outdoor play time which focused on Autumn.  Despite the rain, the children had a great Outdoor Play session.  They made shelters for hibernating animals using leaves, twigs and pine cones.  They explored our garden area which has now been extended.  They made shelters, did outdoor art, used the mud kitchens and made forest phones. 

P6/7 POETRY

This year we are getting the fantastic opportunity of working with local poet, Maura Johnston, as part of the Poetry in Motion project.  Maura will be coming into school to teach us about poetry and how to write our own poems.  We had a great first session writing poems about Autumn Leaves, and we are all looking forward to the next session.