Junior Infants went on a nature walk to spot the signs of autumn. We collected blackberries along the way. When we got back to the classroom we took apart our blackberries to find the seeds inside.

6th class have been busy improving their reasoning and problem solving skills this week. We used our IZak 9 cubes to solve mathematical problems posed by Mr Conway. We worked together  and discovered that there may be more than one solution to any given problem. When using the cubes, we all agree that it makes Maths more meaningful and fun.To learn more about Izak9, click on this link.

Once again this year, we continue to get to know one another and collaborate in our learning. in 5th Class we thoroughly enjoy our weekly buddy reading sessions with Senior Infants. As well as getting to know some of the boys and girls at the junior end of the school,we know that we are helping them with their reading skills and we are developing our own leadership skills at the same time.

As part of our wellbeing strategy for this week, Rang a Trí took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and went to the ball wall to do some stretches, balances and  warrior poses. We finished off with some breathing excercises before returning to class fully energised for the rest of the day.

In Senior Infants, we have Autumn on our minds. During our Aistear sessions, we  made clay leaves. We made sure that all our leaves had veins before we painted them. We also created sunny sunflowers and crazy crows. We love Autumn!

In Rang a 5, we have been getting into a very positive mindset for the year ahead. We have had discussions about our feelings and how they affect our work in school. We painted and decorated our personal affirmation stones. they are a constant reminder to us that we are just great in 5th!.

In Senior Infants, we know we are special and important! Our names are important too – that’s why the first letter in our names gets a CAPITAL LETTER. We love our names!

As our community gets ready to welcome over 200,000 people to the National Ploughing Championships, we had lots of discussions about what it entails. Some of the senior classes will be looking into the history of the ploughing over the next few weeks. In the meantime, we got creative and decorated the foyer to welcome all the visitors to Ratheniska.

The football season has started and this year the boys take on Ballylinan, Ballyadams, Graiguecullen, Ballyroan and Abbeyleix  The girls will tog out against Ballylinan, Ballyadams, Graiguecullen, Stradbally and Abbeyleix  We wish them all the best and, of course, thank you to Mr. Conway and Mr. O’Mahony for continuing to mentor the teams.