2021-22 Term One Newsletter Christmas 2021
Slán le Mrs Browne.
On October 1st we said ‘slán’ to our colleague and teacher Mrs Teresa Browne. Mrs Browne started her teaching career in 1983 in St Joseph’s NS, Ballybrown, Co. Limerick. She taught next in Ballyguiltenane NS, Glin, Co Limerick and then came to Dromclough NS in January 2003. The pupils presented Mrs Browne with a piece of slatecraft, a planter of winter flowers as well as photographs of the whole school & of her Senior Infant class. The Parents Association presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was a joyous but nostalgic occasion. We wish Mrs Browne a long and happy retirement
News from the classrooms
Junior Infants
We welcome the new Junior Infants to our school. They have all settled in very well since September. They have been very busy and have been excellent at keeping all the new rules and regulations.
They have had a very busy and exciting first term in school. They have started learning the letter names and sounds and are learning to read some tricky words. They have enjoyed learning all about Autumn. They made beautiful clay hedgehogs and hid them in the leaves to hibernate. During science week, they learned all about why we wash our hands to keep us safe from germs.
They have been learning all about winter and designed some wonderful winter jumpers to keep warm. They have been very busy preparing art work and songs to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. They are really looking forward to Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.
On October 1st we said ‘slán’ to our colleague and teacher Mrs Teresa Browne. Mrs Browne started her teaching career in 1983 in St Joseph’s NS, Ballybrown, Co. Limerick. She taught next in Ballyguiltenane NS, Glin, Co Limerick and then came to Dromclough NS in January 2003. The pupils presented Mrs Browne with a piece of slatecraft, a planter of winter flowers as well as photographs of the whole school & of her Senior Infant class. The Parents Association presented her with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. It was a joyous but nostalgic occasion. We wish Mrs Browne a long and happy retirement
News from the classrooms
Junior Infants
We welcome the new Junior Infants to our school. They have all settled in very well since September. They have been very busy and have been excellent at keeping all the new rules and regulations.
They have had a very busy and exciting first term in school. They have started learning the letter names and sounds and are learning to read some tricky words. They have enjoyed learning all about Autumn. They made beautiful clay hedgehogs and hid them in the leaves to hibernate. During science week, they learned all about why we wash our hands to keep us safe from germs.
They have been learning all about winter and designed some wonderful winter jumpers to keep warm. They have been very busy preparing art work and songs to celebrate Jesus’ birthday. They are really looking forward to Santa’s visit on Christmas Eve.
Senior Infants
In a great start to the year, we won science boxes for both senior infant classes from Lismore Heritage Education. We investigated mixing baking soda and vinegar to make our Halloween pumpkin ooze green bubbly goo as well as other interesting experiments throughout the term.
We took part in a Clayotic workshop with artist Louise Swords through Listowel library. They provided a special clay and a video tutorial. The theme was Dr. Seuss’s story The Cat in the Hat. We made the cat, 33 of them! The moral of the story was that we should try to be more sensible like the fish and less like the very entertaining yet unpredictable cat.
Ms. Geraghty celebrated her wedding in October and both senior infant classes made a special card for Ms. Geraghty and her husband’s special day.
For the first three weeks in November we had two final year student teachers in our classes. Ms. Brosnan and Ms. McElligott. The children really enjoyed all their lessons.
Ms. Harmon’s senior infant class took part in the Poetry Ireland Listowel Poetry Town schools’ competition. The class won an award and a substantial prize for our poem ‘Our Town’. Each child won a One4All voucher to the value of €50! We were the only winners in the county of Kerry.
Read our poem below.
Our Town
The Square is busy.
The Square is bright.
The cars are stopped at the traffic lights.
People shopping in our town.
Traffic going up and down.
Beep, beep, wave hello,
This is our lovely Listowel.
In a great start to the year, we won science boxes for both senior infant classes from Lismore Heritage Education. We investigated mixing baking soda and vinegar to make our Halloween pumpkin ooze green bubbly goo as well as other interesting experiments throughout the term.
We took part in a Clayotic workshop with artist Louise Swords through Listowel library. They provided a special clay and a video tutorial. The theme was Dr. Seuss’s story The Cat in the Hat. We made the cat, 33 of them! The moral of the story was that we should try to be more sensible like the fish and less like the very entertaining yet unpredictable cat.
Ms. Geraghty celebrated her wedding in October and both senior infant classes made a special card for Ms. Geraghty and her husband’s special day.
For the first three weeks in November we had two final year student teachers in our classes. Ms. Brosnan and Ms. McElligott. The children really enjoyed all their lessons.
Ms. Harmon’s senior infant class took part in the Poetry Ireland Listowel Poetry Town schools’ competition. The class won an award and a substantial prize for our poem ‘Our Town’. Each child won a One4All voucher to the value of €50! We were the only winners in the county of Kerry.
Read our poem below.
Our Town
The Square is busy.
The Square is bright.
The cars are stopped at the traffic lights.
People shopping in our town.
Traffic going up and down.
Beep, beep, wave hello,
This is our lovely Listowel.
Rang 1
Rang 1 were delighted to welcome student teacher Ms. Carmody, who stayed with us for five weeks in Oct/Nov. We learned lots and had so much fun in her lessons. Thank you Ms. Carmody!
We all enjoyed Halloween this year. All children (and teacher!) dressed up and took part in a Halloween party in the hall, kindly organised by Ms O’Shea and the student’s council. It was great fun!
Rang 1 enjoyed Science Week this year. We made big and small paper helicopters and compared how fast they fell to the ground. We also made straw rockets that we ‘launched’ across the classroom. Lastly, we put Mentos sweets in a bottle of 7up/Coca-Cola and watched the eruption!
On Friday 26th November the children in First class made homemade cookies. We mixed all the ingredients together, shaped the dough into Christmas trees and gingerbread men and cooked them in the oven. Then we decorated them with smarties and chocolate. A yummy treat, just in time for the Late Late Toy Show!
Rang 1 were delighted to welcome student teacher Ms. Carmody, who stayed with us for five weeks in Oct/Nov. We learned lots and had so much fun in her lessons. Thank you Ms. Carmody!
We all enjoyed Halloween this year. All children (and teacher!) dressed up and took part in a Halloween party in the hall, kindly organised by Ms O’Shea and the student’s council. It was great fun!
Rang 1 enjoyed Science Week this year. We made big and small paper helicopters and compared how fast they fell to the ground. We also made straw rockets that we ‘launched’ across the classroom. Lastly, we put Mentos sweets in a bottle of 7up/Coca-Cola and watched the eruption!
On Friday 26th November the children in First class made homemade cookies. We mixed all the ingredients together, shaped the dough into Christmas trees and gingerbread men and cooked them in the oven. Then we decorated them with smarties and chocolate. A yummy treat, just in time for the Late Late Toy Show!
Rang 2
Rang 2 had a very enjoyable science class when we went hunting outdoors for bugs. We found many bugs and there was huge excitement when we discovered real frogs in our school field. We began sewing in September and produced lovely displays. We hope to start knitting next term.
Congratulations to Brían Hurley and Rubymay Quilter who participated in and were successful in both the Munster Dancing Championship and The World dancing competition in Scotland.
We performed the Nativity for Christmas and all the children took part in narrating and singing.
We are very proud of the colourful and creative snowmen that we made to celebrate Christmas and winter. (see the photo below)
Rang 2 had a very enjoyable science class when we went hunting outdoors for bugs. We found many bugs and there was huge excitement when we discovered real frogs in our school field. We began sewing in September and produced lovely displays. We hope to start knitting next term.
Congratulations to Brían Hurley and Rubymay Quilter who participated in and were successful in both the Munster Dancing Championship and The World dancing competition in Scotland.
We performed the Nativity for Christmas and all the children took part in narrating and singing.
We are very proud of the colourful and creative snowmen that we made to celebrate Christmas and winter. (see the photo below)
Rang 3
Rang 3 received their First Holy Communion on Saturday the 18th of September. A lovely day was had by all.
We also had hurling with Giles in Term 1. We practised and developed our hurling skills and enjoyed it very much. In class we learned the skills of tag rugby and played some small sided games. When the weather improves we hope to take to the field to refine our technique!
We began learning the tin-whistle this year and are working on a Christmas medley at present.
In Visual Arts, we were busy discovering about Pointillism, making Halloween silhouettes, learning about the Colour Wheel and more recently, we have been creating various Christmas pieces using clay, paint and chalk.
During December, we have also been taking part in Literacy Stations with our teachers and we are developing our reading and comprehension skills in small groups.
Last week we built Roman aquaducts as part of a STEM activity and this week we will test them.
Rang 3 received their First Holy Communion on Saturday the 18th of September. A lovely day was had by all.
We also had hurling with Giles in Term 1. We practised and developed our hurling skills and enjoyed it very much. In class we learned the skills of tag rugby and played some small sided games. When the weather improves we hope to take to the field to refine our technique!
We began learning the tin-whistle this year and are working on a Christmas medley at present.
In Visual Arts, we were busy discovering about Pointillism, making Halloween silhouettes, learning about the Colour Wheel and more recently, we have been creating various Christmas pieces using clay, paint and chalk.
During December, we have also been taking part in Literacy Stations with our teachers and we are developing our reading and comprehension skills in small groups.
Last week we built Roman aquaducts as part of a STEM activity and this week we will test them.
Rang 4
Rang 4 had an enjoyable first term in school. Both groups – Glas agus Buí – completed projects where we learned a lot. Mr. Enright’s class explored Co. Kerry in Geography while Mrs. Reidy’s pupils worked on History projects based on their locality (see the photo below)
We took part in an interactive Kahoot quiz during Science Week using tablets. We also participated in a workshop where pupils had to build towers to hold up a bag of rice using only A4 paper. It was great fun as you can see in the photos below.
Rang 4 had an enjoyable first term in school. Both groups – Glas agus Buí – completed projects where we learned a lot. Mr. Enright’s class explored Co. Kerry in Geography while Mrs. Reidy’s pupils worked on History projects based on their locality (see the photo below)
We took part in an interactive Kahoot quiz during Science Week using tablets. We also participated in a workshop where pupils had to build towers to hold up a bag of rice using only A4 paper. It was great fun as you can see in the photos below.
We welcomed a new pupil to the class. Wiktoria has settled in very well. She is learning to speak English and has made very good progress. She has made lots of new friends too.
We introduced a new game to our P.E. lessons – Olympic Handball. The pupils took to it from day one and have become very competitive. They have developed a good understanding of the ball skills and problem solving skills needed to be successful in playing. Many have even enquired about joining a club in the future!
We introduced a new game to our P.E. lessons – Olympic Handball. The pupils took to it from day one and have become very competitive. They have developed a good understanding of the ball skills and problem solving skills needed to be successful in playing. Many have even enquired about joining a club in the future!
Rang a 5
Rang a 5 have been working very hard since September and we have been very busy.
For Science Week we built catapults and brought them to the halla to test their accuracy and record how far they can throw objects. We had a STEM ‘Paper Chain’ challenge in class where we had to make the longest chain possible using only one A4 page. We also made STEM Pasta Towers. This was very challenging, but great fun.
We have played lots of sports so far this year. We have been focusing on Tag rugby, Basketball and Football, along with our fundamental movement skills of running and dodging. We learned to play chess and a card game called ‘Split’. We celebrated Halloween in the halla, playing games and doing different exercises.
We just finished recording our Christmas video. We practised loads and had lots of fun singing, playing music, reciting poems and learning about Christmas around the world. We did lots of art in class and we made a crib for Christmas using clay, shoe boxes and straw.
Rang a 5 have been working very hard since September and we have been very busy.
For Science Week we built catapults and brought them to the halla to test their accuracy and record how far they can throw objects. We had a STEM ‘Paper Chain’ challenge in class where we had to make the longest chain possible using only one A4 page. We also made STEM Pasta Towers. This was very challenging, but great fun.
We have played lots of sports so far this year. We have been focusing on Tag rugby, Basketball and Football, along with our fundamental movement skills of running and dodging. We learned to play chess and a card game called ‘Split’. We celebrated Halloween in the halla, playing games and doing different exercises.
We just finished recording our Christmas video. We practised loads and had lots of fun singing, playing music, reciting poems and learning about Christmas around the world. We did lots of art in class and we made a crib for Christmas using clay, shoe boxes and straw.
Rang 6
Maths & Science Week 2021
The 6th classes really enjoyed this year’s Maths Week by taking part in an online target board activity, competing against schools all over Ireland and getting onto the top 10 Leaderboard. We also baked Halloween cupcakes and completed maths trails throughout the week. During Science Week, the 6th classes had the opportunity to do Scratch by completing a number of online scratch coding workshops. We also engaged in webinars throughout the week on bats and a meteorology talk with Joanna Donnelly. We finished off the week by showcasing a number of interesting science experiments in the classroom.
Congratulations to Steve Reidy Rang 6 who came 4th in the 100m sprint in the National Finals of Community Games at Carlow IT Sports Campus.
All the pupils in 6th class wrote lovely poems about their own locality for the Listowel Poetry Town Award. Among them were poems with titles such as The Nature of Mountcoal, The Fields of Rathea, My Home Place Lixnaw and The Park of Listowel.
Gaelic Football
5th & 6thclasses had football skills sessions during Term 1 with John Dillon North Kerry GDA. We really enjoyed these games in the field and basketball court.
Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar 2022
Dromclough pupils from 4th, 5th & 6th classes participated in the Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar art competition. Congratulations to Charlie Henderson Rang 5 whose prizewinning picture will be featured in the 2022 Road Safety Calendar for the month of July.
Maths & Science Week 2021
The 6th classes really enjoyed this year’s Maths Week by taking part in an online target board activity, competing against schools all over Ireland and getting onto the top 10 Leaderboard. We also baked Halloween cupcakes and completed maths trails throughout the week. During Science Week, the 6th classes had the opportunity to do Scratch by completing a number of online scratch coding workshops. We also engaged in webinars throughout the week on bats and a meteorology talk with Joanna Donnelly. We finished off the week by showcasing a number of interesting science experiments in the classroom.
Congratulations to Steve Reidy Rang 6 who came 4th in the 100m sprint in the National Finals of Community Games at Carlow IT Sports Campus.
All the pupils in 6th class wrote lovely poems about their own locality for the Listowel Poetry Town Award. Among them were poems with titles such as The Nature of Mountcoal, The Fields of Rathea, My Home Place Lixnaw and The Park of Listowel.
Gaelic Football
5th & 6thclasses had football skills sessions during Term 1 with John Dillon North Kerry GDA. We really enjoyed these games in the field and basketball court.
Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar 2022
Dromclough pupils from 4th, 5th & 6th classes participated in the Kerry County Council Road Safety Calendar art competition. Congratulations to Charlie Henderson Rang 5 whose prizewinning picture will be featured in the 2022 Road Safety Calendar for the month of July.
Comhghairdeas
Congratulations to Mrs Bennett on the birth of her baby daughter Rosanna in September.
Congratulations to Ms Geraghty Senior Infants and Ms O’Shea Rang 5 who both got married in October. Their respective classes made beautiful surprise wedding cards for their teachers to celebrate the two occasions.
Christmas performances
Each class has recorded a special Christmas performance for parents and families. They range from a Christmas prayer service, poems & songs to Christmas carol instrumental music and storytelling. Each teacher has put them on the class Seesaw app. They will also email to you a link to send to family to see the videos on our school YouTube. These videos are not public and can only be viewed through the link.
Christmas art
Pupils in 2nd, 5th & 6th classes have drawn beautiful nativity pictures in chalk which will be on display over the Christmas season in Irremore Church.
Be sure to visit the church to see them
Christmas Raffle
Each class held the annual Christmas raffle on Friday 17th December with all proceeds, €520, going to the local St Vincent de Paul society. Míle buíochas to all the pupils and families who generously donated prizes. This event generates a lovely sense of festive excitement among the pupils. Every class had a great variety of prizes and every pupil won a prize. They were all delighted too to receive a surprise Selection Box on the day. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir don tacaíocht do SVP.
Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir agus rath Dé oraibh don bhliain nua
Congratulations to Mrs Bennett on the birth of her baby daughter Rosanna in September.
Congratulations to Ms Geraghty Senior Infants and Ms O’Shea Rang 5 who both got married in October. Their respective classes made beautiful surprise wedding cards for their teachers to celebrate the two occasions.
Christmas performances
Each class has recorded a special Christmas performance for parents and families. They range from a Christmas prayer service, poems & songs to Christmas carol instrumental music and storytelling. Each teacher has put them on the class Seesaw app. They will also email to you a link to send to family to see the videos on our school YouTube. These videos are not public and can only be viewed through the link.
Christmas art
Pupils in 2nd, 5th & 6th classes have drawn beautiful nativity pictures in chalk which will be on display over the Christmas season in Irremore Church.
Be sure to visit the church to see them
Christmas Raffle
Each class held the annual Christmas raffle on Friday 17th December with all proceeds, €520, going to the local St Vincent de Paul society. Míle buíochas to all the pupils and families who generously donated prizes. This event generates a lovely sense of festive excitement among the pupils. Every class had a great variety of prizes and every pupil won a prize. They were all delighted too to receive a surprise Selection Box on the day. Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir don tacaíocht do SVP.
Nollaig Shona daoibh go léir agus rath Dé oraibh don bhliain nua
