Happy Christmas to everyone from all our crafty kids in Ratheniska! We will return to school on January 7th at 9.20am for another busy term.

In between making cribs and practising for our upcoming carol service, Rang 6 displayed their musical and dramatic talent to a captive audience of 3rd, 4th and and 5th classes on Wednesday. They worked in groups to produce and direct their own pieces based around the hit musical “The Greatest Showman”. All agreed that that they are indeed a talented bunch!

Juniors, Seniors, 1st and 2nd classes paid our annual pre-Christmas visit to the Dunamaise Theatre in Portlaoise on Tuesday 18th. We looked very festive in our Christmas hats and jumpers as we set off to watch the Talisman Theatre company present their 2018 show. We booed at Slyck and Hoblin, the mischievous goblins and clapped and cheered when Elfie saved the day!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in all the classes this week. The trees are lit, the cribs are in place and everyone is busy crafting as we approach the Christmas holidays. We are also tuning in to Youtube every Friday to listen to Fr Paddy’s messages about the true meaning of Christmas. Following on from this,Rang a Se took a collaborative approach to make a very beautiful stable scene which hangs proudly in the front hall.

Fit Kids in Ratheniska

Junior and Senior Infants have attended Portlaoise Gymnastics Club for the last 6 weeks. We have learned many new skills under the careful eyes of Denis, Sonia, Deirdre and Niamh. We have enjoyed balancing on the beam, doing forward rolls, handstands and lots of floor work and we are certainly looking forward to going back again next Autumn.

For the last few weeks, we all have been busy collecting items such as toiletries and clothing for P.A.T.H. (Portlaoise Action to Homelessness). We filled several boxes which we handed over to 2 volunteers from P.A.T.H. today. Jacinta, from the Parents’Association, who had organised the initiative on behalf of the Parents’Association,  was on hand today to welcome the volunteers to our school and to wish them all the best as they continue their good work. It was a fitting start to the Christmas season!

Sixth Class presented their annual Science Fair to all the boys and  girls last Friday. We were amazed by the flying teabags, enthralled by the spinning copper wire, and amazed by the erupting volcano and all the other exhibits. Well done to all for a wonderful display of experiments.

Head on over to the Gallery Page to see all the photos of the day!

Rang 3 had a very informative visit from some members of the fire service last week. In the run up to Christmas , we had a discussion about fire safety in our homes. We learned how to set up a fire safety home plan and after we had done this, we were all presented with a certificate to show that we know exactly what to do in the event of a fire in our home.

Music, Science, Sound and Recycling came together in 4th Class this week. During Music and Science classes we looked at the topic of sound. We decided that we would make some instruments using cartons, boxes, tubes and lots more! We brainstormed several ideas and were very happy with our musical results!