No doubt many of our young people have asked for some form of internet-enabled technology for Christmas. Here are some key tips from www.thinkuknow to help parents enable their child to enjoy these new devices whilst also protecting them.
What parents can do:
On Monday 9th December P6 and P7 went to a ‘Taster Day’ in Ballymoney High School. They had a very interesting and informative morning as they participated in Science, Music, Home Economics and Technology activities.
SCIENCE - They had to examine evidence left at the scene of a crime. They examined fibres found on a tree, used microscopes to examine hair, and used Bunsen burners to see the colour element in a white powder.
MUSIC - They clapped rhythms and played Jingle Bells on keyboards and drums
HOME ECONOMICS - They designed and then decorated gingerbread men
TECHNOLOGY - They looked at samples of children’s work and then polished keyrings.
Thanks to the staff of Ballymoney High School for organising the Taster Day.
As you all know P6 and P7 children have been working on creating their own digital games using Sketch Nation Create, in their Wheelworks sessions. Their games are now fully finished and playable. The children have done an amazing job and have created wonderful games which they are now able to play and share with each other. This week they got a chance to review each others’ games, using ‘Two stars and a wish’. There were many positive comments about - excellent graphics, good characters, good use of colour, bonus levels and sneaky challenge etc.
We have included some screenshots from a few of their games.
Today we went to Green Pastures to see the pantomime ‘Toy Story’. The children had a super time and were really impressed with the fantastic acting, singing and dancing from all the characters. At the end, we were reminded that God has made us all different. Just like the toys in Toy Story who belonged to Andy, we too are loved by God. Congratulations to the cast of the show for putting on such a great performance for us.
This week, Colin Tinsley from Hope for Youth Ministries has been taking a Lunchtime Bible Club. The children have really enjoyed singing new songs and listening to the Christmas Story.
Best wishes to Emma, Ethan, Sam and Lucy who are all doing their Initial piano exam today. Thanks to Heather McAleese, their music teacher, who has helped them so much to prepare for their exam.
This morning some of our P5 - P7 children went to Ballymena to take part in the live radio broadcast on Radio Cracker. They were introduced on air by Billy Bell. The children sang three pieces, ‘Holly and Mistletoe’, ‘Countdown to Christmas’ and ‘He is Immanuel’. They sang really well and their performance will be available to listen to on Radio Cracker website from 6th December. Thanks to all the parents who came along to support us today. We are really proud of our School Choir.
In Rasharkin Primary School we will be focusing on Anti-Bullying on Wednesday 11th December. The focus of Anti-Bullying Week this year was on the theme ‘Change Starts With Us‘. Whether it is verbal, physical, online or in-person, bullying has a significant impact on a child’s life well in to adulthood.
By making small, simple changes, we can break this cycle and create a safe environment for everyone, where everyone is heard. Because together, we can end bullying.
Change starts here.
Change starts now.
Change starts with us.
To help children remember this important message, children are invited to change their school jumper or cardigan for a Christmas jumper, t-shirt or wear a casual jumper and a Santa hat, or tinsel on Wednesday 11th December. During this day children will be doing some work on this theme in school.
The three pupils chosen to receive Lunchtime Awards for November were. - Lucy P6, Harvey P1 and James P5
November assembly awards were presented for the following achievements ‘Being Kind and Caring’, ‘Honesty’, ‘Great Writing’, and ‘Always Remembering to Choose a Healthy Break’.
Some of our P4 - P7 children have been enjoying Scripture Union at lunchtime, over the past few weeks. Thanks to Bob, Hazel, Laura and Lorna for taking time to prepare and deliver the Bible lessons and activities each week.
Following on from the three joint Art sessions which our P3 and P4 children have had with P3 pupils of St Patrick’s Primary School, parents and friends were invited to an ‘Art Exhibition’ to view the children’s work. This was held in St Patrick’s Assembly hall on Tuesday 26th November. We were delighted that so many parents from both schools attended. Mr Noel McCann, Principal of St Patrick’s Primary, welcomed everyone and explained how Shared Education works. Miss Richmond then spoke about the Art Project, which was on the topic of Autumn.
All the children spoke a few words about their favourite part of the Art Sessions, and about their trip to the Roe Valley Country Park. Refreshments were served and then everyone went to view the beautiful art work that the children had done.
Thanks to Miss Richmond and Mrs O’Ceannubhain for their hard work, coming up with ideas and then setting up the Art Sessions and the Art Exhibition, over the past number of weeks.
During their Wheelworks ICT Session on 14th November, P6 and P7 continued working on creating their games, using Sketch Nation Create. They had to decide on their game type eg. platform, scrolling, multiplayer.
They took photos of their drawings for their:-
Character
Enemies
Power ups
Backgrounds
They then edited their photos to remove unwanted background and to enhance the colour, size etc.
They inserted their character into their games.
Over the past number of weeks, our P4 and P5 children have been enjoying the Sports Taster Sessions with P4 children from St Patrick’s Primary School. The children have had coaching on four sports:- Football/Soccer, Gaelic Football, Quick Cricket and Olympic Handball. Today was their final session and at the end they each received a medal for participating.
A huge thanks to John, Mark, Nigel and David for all their hard work coaching the children.
A sports coach from Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council will be coming into school to provide five Hockey coaching sessions for children in P4 - P7 after school. Wednesday was the first session and the children all enjoyed learning new skills.
In Part B of the Wheelworks Project, the P6 and P7 children will be working to design and make their own digital games on iPads. They will be using the Sketch Nation Create App. During their last session on 24th October, they had to decide on a theme, background, game story, players, enemies and obstacles for their games. They are looking forward to being able to play the games they will create.
October assembly awards were presented for ‘Being Kind and Caring’, ‘Quick Recall of Table Facts’, ‘Great Group Work’, and ‘Lovely Manners’.
Accelerated Reading Certificates were presented to pupils in P4-P7 who reached their Accelerated Reading Target for this half term.
Everyone enjoyed the Harvest Hoolie yesterday. Children were divided into groups and had five harvest related activities.
chocolate apples
harvest craft activity
harvest scavenger hunt
ducking for apples
Harvest games and dancing
Thanks to all the teachers and classroom assistants for organising the Harvest Hoolie.
Congratulations to Joe P7 who won the Accelerated Reading Cup for this half term with an amazing 114 points.
