As part of our on-going Green School initiative we hosted special Energy workshops for Senior Infants and First Class recently. Our pupils learnt about energy efficiency and environmental awareness through participation in various experiments and activities. They met Guzzler the energy eating alien and helped him to stop wasting so much energy! They also saw how energy can transfer from one object to another, which was great fun! Thank you to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) for organising the workshop and a special thank you to Feargal our facilitator.

The ethos of Forest school is based on a fundamental respect for children and young people and their capacity to investigate, test and maintain curiosity in the world around them. It believes in children’s right to play; the right to access the outdoors (and in particular a woodland environment.); the right to access risk and the vibrant reality of the natural world; the right to experience a healthy range of emotions, through all the challenges of social interaction, to build resilience that will enable continued and creative engagement with their peers and their potential.

Our Third Class is planning to visit the forest once every two weeks and will explore various aspects of the Primary School Curriculum through a thematic approach. Our theme for September was ‘Habitats’. On our first visit to the forest we examined a variety of habitats – on trees, under rocks, in holes. We also conducted a tally of all of the animals and creatures that we saw.

Our theme for October is ‘Rivers’. Last week we designed rafts. We experimented with different materials, built our rafts and then raced them in the river in the forest! We also measured capacity using various containers. We look forward to watching the forest change with the seasons over the coming months!

Our school would like to thank the Lord Mayor for visiting both of our school sites, enabling all of our children to meet him. Our Junior Infants made the Lord Mayor a special chain of office, which he wore as he left our school. We hope he keeps it as a souvenir of his visit and that it gives him fond memories of Rochestown ETNS!

Le dea-ghuí,

Alan.

I hope that everyone is safe after today. The Department of Education and Skills has announced that all schools are to remain closed tomorrow (Tuesday). The following is the announcement from the DES:

“Schools to Remain Closed Tomorrow – Tuesday 17 October 2017

Following careful consideration by the National Emergency Coordination Group, the Department of Education and Skills, has decided that all schools will remain closed tomorrow.

This decision was primarily taken in the interests of child safety and on the basis of information available in what is a developing situation.  While it is recognised that some schools may not be as badly impacted as others, the information available at this time indicates that over 350,000 businesses and homes are already without power, and severe winds continue to cause damage across the country as the storm progresses. Many regional and local roads are closed due to fallen trees.

It is also the case that school authorities will in very many cases not have had an opportunity to check their buildings and confirm they are safe, have power and water, and that routes to the school are safely open.

It is recognised that the decision to close schools will have a major impact on families and on the workforce. However, this decision has been taken in the interests of safety for children and to provide clarity for everyone concerned.”

I will email all of our school community tomorrow when I receive further information from the Department.

Le dea-ghuí,

Alan.

The pupils, staff and families of Rochestown ETNS are all very proud of David’s achievements. He is an inspiration to all of us. Everyone at our school would like to wish David and the rest of the Irish team the very best of luck over the coming week or so. Go n-éirí libh!

The children had individual ropes and learned how to count and skip in time. It was very challenging not looking at our feet all of the time! We would like to thank Lee for visiting our school and showing us some skipping skills. We look forward to practising some of these skills in our PE lessons this year. Here are some of our Second Class enjoying skipping!

We recently celebrated Red Day in support of the Cork Camogie team. We were delighted when they were victorious against Kilkenny in the All-Ireland Final. Congratulations to everyone involved – we are very proud of you!

Here are some of our Senior Infants enjoying Red Day!

The day culminated in an Award Ceremony where many of our parents and family members were able to attend as well. Our school received three awards in 2016-17: our second Green Flag, an Active School Flag, and a Plaque of Excellence in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). The pupils were very excited when the flags were unfurled!

I would like to thank all of our parents and family members for their support throughout the year. I would also like to acknowledge our wonderful staff – teachers, SNAs and secretary. Finally, a big well done to all of our pupils on how they have grown and developed since September. We are all very proud of you!

I look forward to seeing everyone again on Thursday, 31st August.

Le dea-ghuí,

Alan.