Safer Internet Day is an EU wide initiative to promote a safer internet for all users, especially young people. It is promoted in Ireland by the PDST Technology in Education and Webwise, and was celebrated in Ratheniska on 7th February . The boys and girls from 3rd to 6th classes took part in workshops led by our Technology Tutor, Alan from riomhairetech.ie/. The workshops covered the dos and donts of sharing and over-sharing personal information online and the risks of cyberbullying and what to do if it ever became an issue.

Rang a Trí were busy last week learning about Chinese culture and the Chinese New Year. We learned that the New year began at the beginning of February and will last until Feb 15, 2018. We also learned that, every year, it is named after a particular creature. This year, the honour goes to the rooster and we enjoyed creating some nice artwork based on our learning.

A recent experiment carried out by some of the children had our curiosity aroused as we saw white carnations slowly change from white to all the colours of the rainbow. The boys put some food colouring in water and placed the white carnations in the water for a few days. Without it being too scientific, we all learned about transpiration and we are eagerly awaiting the next experiment!

Catholic School’s week was launched in our parish at the end of January. Our school was very ably represented by Shanon at the Mass which was televised from St Peter and Paul’s Church , Portlaoise. As St. Brigid’s Day was in the middle of the week, all classes got into the spirit by learning about  Brigid and her Cloak, the St. Brigid’s Cross and much more.