Hurling coaching has started again for our 1st and 3rd classes. Many thanks to our parent volunteer! (And to our PTA Committee for the hurls and helmets!)

Our fifth and sixth classes held a huge Science Fair. One team qualified for the Regional Final of the ‘Intel Mini-Scientist’ event.

Fergus, Laura, Patrick and Martina’s 4th classes sang at Wexford Opera House as part of the ‘Sing Out Loud’ concert.

Junior infants saw the signs of autumn in Courtown Woods.

We participated in the ‘Global Strike for Climate Action.’

At the beginning of every school year, the class teachers will guide the children through the formation of Class Charters. This process will enable the children to learn that they — and the children and adults around them — have rights and responsibilities. The teachers will actively encourage each child in the class to contribute to their Class Charter. The language used in class charters will be age appropriate. Each charter will state in positive terms the behaviour that is expected in the classrooms, the playground and the school environment.

Maths Week at our school is underway! Photos: Maths Shows for all our pupils in our PE Hall by Bubbly Maths Entertainers!

Marvellous performance of ‘Rock Bottom’ by children in 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes.  Their standing ovation was well deserved!

We marched to Gorey Civic Offices on Friday to call for more action on climate change. The District Manager accepted our letter for the newly elected County Councillors. She also accepted our ‘Bee the Change’ display.

We’re all a little different from one another – in our personalities; our skills and talents; our fears and challenges; our looks… 

In 2010 we worked to gain a better understanding of special needs and the different challenges that some people face. 

In 2011 we looked at gender, and the need for equality and respect for boys & girls, women and men. 

In 2012 the focus was ‘generations,’ and activities included genealogy, generations’ day and a poetry competition. 

In 2013 the school looked at ‘Biodiversity.’  We worked with visitors from Birds Ireland, Marine Dimensions and Green Bee Education. 

For ‘Diversity Week 2014’ the school’s focus was on communication. 

In 2015 we again focused on gender and in 2017 we focused on the UN’s global goals for sustainable development. 

For ‘Diversity Week 2019’ (our eighth such event) we return to the theme of special needs (and learning differences.)              Our aim: to improve understanding of one aspect of diversity, while learning how to show respect, empathy and friendship.             We also aim to ‘activate equality through positive action:’ the event will culminate in a campaign rally & march by the children within the grounds of the school.

Suggested activities:

1. Diversity Week stories/literature  (Choose two or three per classroom.)  (A short reading guide/prompt card can be found inside the front cover of all books.) 

Nathan’s Wish (Cerebral Palsy)

Tru Confessions (Intellectual Disability/developmental delay)

My Name is Brain Brian (Dyslexia)

Mary Marony and the Snake (Speech impediment/stammer)

The Hard Life of Seymour E Newton (learning difficulty)

Yolanda’s Genius (Autism; Giftedness)

Hank Zipper: The World’s Greatest Underachiever (low test scores)

The Bus People (muscular dystrophy, down syndrome, orthopaedic disability, intellectual disability)

Whittington (learning difficulties)

Joey Pigza Loses Control (ADHD)

Joey Pigza swallowed the key (ADHD)

Of Mice and Aliens (Asperger’s)

Bird Boy (Mutism) 

Adam’s Alternative Sports Day (Asperger’s)

Zipper (ADHD)

The Double Digit Club (Blindness)

Crow Boy (Autism)

Susan Laughs (wheelchair user) 

Trevor, Trevor (Autism) 

Knots on a counting rope (Blindness)

Mandy (Deafness)

Sarah’s Sleepover (Blindness)

A.D.D. not B.A.D (ADHD)

Thank you, Mr Falker (reading difficulties)

The Alphabet War (Dyslexia)

It’s Called Dyslexia (Dyslexia)

Big Mama (Wheelchair User)

Harry and Willy and Carrothead (prosthetic arm)

Be Good to Eddie Lee (Down Syndrome)

Willy the Wimp (overcoming perceived weaknesses)

Ben, King of the River (developmental disability) 

Keeping Up with Roo (intellectual disability/developmental delay) 

Looking after Louis [Big Book] (Autism)

• Prepare placards and/or banner and/or chants and/or speeches for rally on Friday 17^th May.                      

Theme:  “respect, empathy and friendship for children with special needs (and learning differences.)”