SHARED EDUCATION SCRATCH PROJECT

As part of our Shared Education project with St Patrick's, the P6/7 classes are getting the opportunity to improve their computer coding skills using the Scratch Program. With the expert help of Ms Geraldine Timaney, they have been learning how to create "sprites" and use programming "blocks" to make simple animations and games.  We are looking forward to learning more new coding skills in the weeks ahead.

OUTDOOR MATHS P3

Primary 3 have been learning about Capacity in Maths classes this week with Mrs Millar.  On Thursday they put on their wellies and headed outside to carry out some very wet investigations! They had team games where they filled a bigger water container using smaller containers.  They then used containers such as plastic cups, yoghurt pots, jam jars and margarine tubs, as units of measure, to see how many units it took to fill up a large  jug with water.  They had to estimate first, and then measure and record their findings. 

INOV8 SCIENCE EVENT

On Friday 20th P6/7 attended the INOV8 Science Event at Cullybackey College. The children were given resources to create their own speed karts.  Once the karts were made, the teams were able to race them down the race track.

THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Mrs Henry's P4 and P5 classes took our assembly this week.  Mrs Henry told the story of the Good Samaritan.  The children had prepared a modern day version of this parable to share with the rest of the school. It was set on a Hawaiian surfing beach where the annual surfing competition was being held.  Boastful Brian, who had won the title for the past five years, was beaten into second place by a newcomer called Timid Tim.  Boastful Brian pushed Timid Tim off his board, stole his trophy and left him lying injured on the beach.  Some joggers, businessmen, teachers and posh ladies all walked past Timid Tim.  All were too preoccupied with themselves to help Timid Tim.  Then a gang of kids wearing hoodies came to Timid Tim.  They helped him up and gave him money for the bus to get home.   The P4's and 5's then sang, 'I want to be like Jesus'. This parable reminded everyone to be kind and helpful to people.  Thanks to Mrs Henry and her class for such a great assembly.

TESCO VISIT

Once again we are delighted that Tesco have organised the 'Farm to Fork Trails' for schools. Over the next few weeks all of our children will get the opportunity to visit Tesco Ballymoney, focusing on different aspects of the food we buy and eat.  The P1 and P2 children visited Tesco on Tuesday. Their trail was the 'Healthy Living Trail'. The children got the chance to see the sugar content of different foods, sample healthy snacks, go on a scavenger hunt for fruit and vegetables and they finished off with a lovely healthy snack and were given a goodie bag each. We want to say a special thank you to Jackie and Angela from Tesco Ballymoney for looking after us so well.

P1 & P2 - PEOPLE WHO HELP US

P1 and P2 have been learning about people who help us at home, in school and in the community.  In the playroom they have a health centre.  The children have all enjoyed practising being doctors and receptionists

Welcome to Rev. Blue

Today we had our first Assembly for 2017.  We were delighted that the new minister of Rasharkin Presbyterian Church, Rev Jeffrey Blue had agreed to come along to talk to the children.  We welcome Rev Blue to this area, and thank him for his willingness to support our school. He reminded us that if we follow Jesus, we should not hide it, like 'Wally' hides in the pictures, - we should show others by how we behave and by the good things we do in school and at home.

FARM SAFETY

Back in September we found out that Stephen from P5, and Robyn from P6 had won prizes in the 'Farm Safety Poster Competition'. We have just received the new 2017 'Avoid Harm on the Farm' calendar. Stephen's poster is featured in February 2017 and Robyn's in December 2017. This calendar is delivered to all schools in Northern Ireland. Well done Stephen and Robyn.

IT'S PARTY TIME

It's official - we are almost finished for Christmas and to celebrate we have been having Christmas parties.  A big thank you to Vivian Morrison and Allison Ritchie for organising the parties for the children.  They all had a brilliant time.  We also had a visit from Santa which again was very exciting for everyone.

SANTA -THE NORTH POLE

P1 - P3 have been busy writing their Santa letters over the past couple of weeks.  They were excited to go to Fullans Eurospar to post their letters- hopefully they will arrive in good time for Christmas!  At Fullans Santa gave all the children a gift.

THE MUSIC ROOMS

Two of our pupils are currently having music lessons in school with teachers from 'The Music Rooms'. On 15th December some of the teachers came to school to teach us about, and to demonstrate different types of stringed, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.  The children all really enjoyed the demonstrations and had a brilliant time singing along to the Christmas songs played by the band.  If anyone is interested in lessons with The Music Rooms please contact school after Christmas.

ACCELERATED READING

Congratulations to all the children who received certificates for reaching their Accelerated Reading Target for the past half term.  Our cup winner for reaching his target and having the highest percentage accuracy in the quizzes taken, was Samuel in P7. Well done to everyone who continued to read so many books amidst the busyness of the Christmas season.

DECEMBER ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Congratulations to all the children who received certificates for December 2016.  Certificates were awarded for - 'Being Kind', 'Excellent Drama Skills', and 'Being a Safety Hero'. Missing from the photos are Flora - P1/2 - Excellent Drama Skills and Cameron P4/5 - Being a Safety Hero.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT

Congratulations to all the boys and girls who performed so well at the Christmas Concert.  I think you will all agree that they were amazing.  Thanks to our violin and viola players and P5 to P7 for their singing of Silent Night and Jingle Bells in Spanish.  P1 - P3 performed 'Hey Ewe', which was very entertaining but also told the nativity story.  P4- P7 performed 'Kissing the Shuttle'.  This was a play sponsored by Ulster Scots which told the story of the linen industry.  We were amazed by the acting, dancing and singing skills of all our children.  Thanks to Ryan from Class Act Drama who helped the children prepare for this play.  Well done everyone for giving us all such a great night's entertainment.

CRAFT FAIR

A massive thank you to the Parents' Association for  once again organising the Craft Fair which was held on Friday 9th December.  We had a wonderful evening and raised over £1000 for School Funds.  There are so many who worked tirelessly to make this evening the success that it was -  those who organised, advertised, donated prizes and supplied food, those who helped on the night and of course those who attended the Craft Fair.  It would be impossible to individually thank everyone, so if you helped in any way, please be assured that we as a school appreciate everything you did.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD

Friday 9th December was our Christmas Dinner. Thanks to the Leaney kitchen cooks for providing such a delicious dinner and desserts for the children and staff of our school.  Thanks to Louise for setting up the hall and also for serving Christmas dinner, along with Janet, to so many of our children.  

While the children were waiting for their dinner, they decorated their tablecloths with some very artistic Christmas drawings.  We were delighted that Mrs Howe called into school with her new baby girl.  Mrs Howe had the hard task of deciding which table had the best decorated table cloth.

BALLYMENA ACADEMY CONCERT

On Tuesday 6th December P6 and P7 went to Ballymena Academy for a special Primary School Christmas Concert.  They enjoyed listening to the Chamber Choir and also joining in some Christmas Songs.  They also got a chance to listen to some of the sections within the school orchestra. Thank you to the teachers and pupils of Ballymena Academy for their kind invitation to attend this event.

NOVEMBER ASSEMBLY AWARDS

Congratulations to all the children who received certificates for November 2016.  Certificates were awarded for - Good Listening Skills', 'Good Ideas in Art', and 'Good Technology Skills'.

PETER PAN FINDING NEVERLAND

This morning P4- P7 went to Green Pastures Church to see the Christmas Pantomime, 'Peter Pan Finding Neverland'.  The children really enjoyed the performance. There were over five hundred children and adults there. Comments from the children when they came back to school - 'It was brilliant', ' I enjoyed everything about it'.  Thanks to Mrs Henry for organising this outing.

New Outdoor Play Toys

Thanks to all parents who collected Sainsbury tokens earlier this year.  Through the Sainsbury's Active Kids Scheme, we have been able to get some new outdoor toys for our children to use at break and lunch time.  Some of the new toys include Ankle Skips, Katcha Kups, Foam Fliers, Scoop Sets and Skipping Ropes.  The children are really enjoying using these toys and it is a great way for everyone to keep active.