This week we learned that fire needs three things to burn: heat, fuel and oxygen. The flame is the heat and the wax is the fuel. We used different size jars to investigate the oxygen. We calculated the volume of the jars by filling them with water and measuring it in a graduated jug.  Then we lit 5 tealights and covered each with a jar. The last tealight was our control. We timed how long it took for the candle to use up the oxygen trapped in the jar and extinguish the candle. As we predicted, the candle in the smallest jar (the one with the least volume) went out first. 

Today, the Senior Room took part in the GAA Go Games Football Blitz in Coláiste Naomh Cormac. There were a number of local schools taking part and we played in several matches. It was organised by the TY students and we had a great day out. 

In class today, each child created their own mini garden. They began by designing a unique house and a scarecrow, which they then attached to the back of a plastic tub. Next, they filled their tubs with compost and lawn seed. To complete their gardens, the children placed their scarecrows in the freshly sown lawn and gave it a good watering. Everyone is now looking forward to watching the grass grow — and having fun cutting it once it’s ready!

The boys and girls took part in their Cumann na mBunscol Hurling Blitz today. They played three matches in total and showed fantastic teamwork and enthusiasm throughout. We are thrilled to share that the children have qualified for the Cumann na mBunscol final in Birr! Well done boys and girls – we’re very proud of you!

In the Senior Room, we've been learning about Aboriginal culture in history. Our Art for the past two weeks has been inspired by Aboriginal culture. We worked together and made 'The Rainbow Serpent' - each person coloured and designed a section which we put together to make a really colourful piece. We also drew and used a dot-painting technique to make tortoises. 

Congratulations to Seán, who proudly represented our school at Parnell Park during the half-time
game of Dublin v Offaly. It was a fantastic experience, and Seán played brilliantly.
Well done Seán!

This week in Science, we investigated heat conduction. We put a knob of butter and a bead on three spoons - a wooden spoon, a metal spoon and a plastic spoon. The butter on the material that conducts heat the best would melt first. Which one do you think it was? Yes, metal is the best conductor of heat. In fact, we found that the butter did not melt on either the wooden spoon or the plastic spoon even after 30 minutes in the hot water. 

All pupils are taking part in Hip Hop dance lessons every Friday. The children are really enjoying creating new dance routines, and it’s fantastic to see everyone getting involved and having fun. 

The Junior Room has been learning all about worms and the important role they play in our environment. To deepen their understanding, the children created two wormeries. They had great fun building them, carefully layering soil, sand, organic matter, and water. The boys and girls are now excited to observe the worms in action and see how they help improve the soil.

They boys in 5th and 6th class joined Scoil Mhuire & Chormaic today for another match and... .they won again! Well done boys :) 

This week in Science, the Senior Room investigated heat convection. We had two jars, one with cold water (blue) and one with hot water (red). First, we put the cold water on top of the hot water and we found that they mixed. Then, we put the jar of hot water on top of the cold water - this time they did not mix. This is because hot water is less dense than cold water - hot water rises and cold water falls. 

​Just before we finished up for the Easter holidays, all the boys and girls took part in a fun-filled Easter egg hunt that took place throughout the school. The event created a joyful buzz as children searched high and low for hidden treats. It was especially lovely to see the older pupils taking on a caring and responsible role, helping the younger children navigate the hunt and making sure everyone had a chance to find something special. The school was filled with laughter, teamwork, and excitement, and it was clear that all the children thoroughly enjoyed the activity.

For the past two weeks, the senior room have been making Easter decorations using saltdough. We made the dough with flour, salt and water. We had to knead it and then cut out shapes. We left it to dry (which took quite a while) before painting and decorating. I'm sure you'll agree that they turned out really well! Happy Easter from the Senior Room!

Today, the boys and girls from the Junior Room proudly hosted a special Show and Tell event for the students in the Senior Room. During the event, the Junior Room children enthusiastically presented their science projects, showcasing all the hard work and creativity they had put into their experiments and displays. They were delighted to share their learning, and it was clear they took great pride in explaining their projects to the older students.

Today, all pupils had an exciting day at the Explorium Science and Sports Museum. They enjoyed exploring a variety of hands-on Science experiments and participating in fun sports activities. It was a day filled with learning, excitement and plenty of laughter as the children engaged in both educational and athletic challenges.

Pupils from the junior room were fully engaged in the Scratch project and showed great excitement as they explored the programme. With support from the older pupils, they learned how to create and animate their names on backgrounds of their choice. The children especially loved bringing each letter to life with movement and sound. It was a fun and collaborative learning experience for everyone involved.

​In class, we have been learning about money in an exciting and interactive way. Today, the boys and girls had a fantastic time playing money games. They not only had lots of fun but also gained valuable knowledge about handling money through engaging activities.

Pupils from 5th and 6th class took part in the Most Enterprising Student Awards in the Tullamore Court Hotel today and organised by Offaly County Council. They developed their own businesses, made posters to showcase their displays and brought in their work for sale. They had a wide range of goods including potatoes, kindling, eggs, key holders, cakes and buns, sweets, loom band bracelets, candles, bookmarks, knitted bags and lemonade. 

Today, the boys from 5th and 6th played their first Cumann na mBunscol hurling match of the season alongside Scoil Mhuire agus Chormaic. They played a great game and they won. Well done boys!

Today, we learned that sound is a type of energy. It makes vibrations which can cause movements. In our experiment, we used food colouring to make salt blue which is easier to see. We put a wireless speaker into a bowl and secured the top with paper and an elastic band. We placed the coloured salt on top and turned on the music in the speaker really loud. The salt vibrated and danced on top of the paper! We joined in too and had a mini disco this afternoon!

Spring is the big theme at school right now, and to celebrate, we’ve created beautiful art pieces to decorate the walls. Each piece reflects the vibrant colors and fresh energy of the season, bringing a joyful and lively atmosphere to our school.

The boys and girls in the Junior Room were delighted to showcase their Science work to the Senior Room. All the projects they had been working on throughout the year were on display for the Senior Room to explore, with the Junior Room children confidently explaining their work. The young scientists were very proud of their displays and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with all the boys and girls from the Senior Room.