Active School Activities 2012

On the 11^th of May some 4^th year boys from the C.B.S Secondary School came to our school to facilitate different activities held during Active Schools’ Week 2012. There were four different stations…. GAA, a parachute game, an obstacle course and tag rugby. All the classes took part.
They came back in on the 15^th of May and they did more activities with all the classes again. We loved it, we got a break from class we had an epic time! I really enjoyed the matches that they played with us.
During that same week 6^th class did activities with all the classes too. They did GAA, hurling, disco dancing, skipping and obstacle courses. If a child participated in one of the activities they would get a sticker, they would bring the sticker into their teacher and their teacher would stick it on their sticker chart. The class with the most stickers will receive a trophy; the trophy will be presented later this week to the winning class.

Other various activities took place too throughout the week and various specialist instructors or coaches came in to do Hip-Hop dancing, Zumba, GAA coaching, Tennis, Kick Boxing and Tag Rugby.

At ‘breakfast club’ porridge was offered as well as cereal and toast with loads of healthy toppings. The porridge proved a big hit with all of us and set us up each day for loads of activities.

Everyone really enjoyed school activities week we can’t wait for next year. We are very proud of our Blue Flag and we hope to keep up the good work!! - C.R. 6^th Class.

Click here for a video account of Active Week 2012.
It could take a minute to upload but will be worth the wait!

Room 2 Go Fishing For Crabs!

On Wednesday 2nd of May the children from Room 2 went on an outing to Kat's Strand. The aim of the trip was to explore the natural habitat of the crab and to collect items for sketching. We were blessed with the weather and the sunny excursion was a enjoyed by all.

The boys and girls had been very busy on the lead up to the trip as they are taking part in the CRAFTed Art Project. This is where a local crafts person is paired with a class and assists in the undertaking of a project. The artist working with Room 2 is Phil Stewart. She specialises in textiles but is undertaking a project on drawing with the class.

The children first encountered the crab when Phil brought in some live ones for them to sketch! The children were so interested by the little creatures that we decided to learn more about them and what better way than going to see them in their natural surroundings. We were joined by upwards of ten parents on the day and I would like to take this oppertunity to thank them for their help-without which the trip would not have been as successful. Parents helped us prepare bait to fish for crabs and some of the Daddys even found some baby eels and rag worms for us to look at!

Apart from drawing crabs, the children have also tried drawing their shoes and have experimented with different ways of drawing.

Below you will see a picture of the children drawing at a distance using crayons which are duck-taped to the end of bamboo sticks!!!

The project has been lots of fun so far. There are a few more weeks to go and we plan to exhibit our work at the end so keep an eye out for Room 2's magnificent artwork on display in the school.

Click here for the picrecord of our day at the beach.

Ms. Mac Fadden.

Yard mural by 6th class

On the 20th and 27th of April our class did a mural with art students from the Southend Family resource Centre. The mural was themed on the old Irish legend 'The Children of Lir'. The legend tells the story of a wicked stepmother who turns her stepchildren into swans. The mural shows Conn and Aodh after been transformed into swans as Fionnuala and Fiachra watch on in horror.
When the girls arrived we got straight down to work painting the mural. We think it turned out beautifully...do you?!

We signed our names at the side of the mural. Despite the fact we will not be here next year, this will be a lasting memory of 6th class 2011/12.

Junior Achievement in 6th class

6th class are doing a five week junior Achievement programme. It started last week and we learned about chromatography and forensic science. This week we learned about energy. Next week we are learning about the circulatory system.
Our junior achievement teacher is called DJ Delaney. He is very funny and kind. He is very good at science. We solved our own crime using chromatography. It was really good fun. This week we learned that watts is the unit of measurement when measuring energy. We looked at different household appliances and the amount of energy they use to function. We will all be more energy conscious in the future.

We are enjoying our junior achievement programme so far and we hope to learn more in the coming weeks. 

Seachtain na Gaeilge 2012

With the Faythe School Concerts clashing with Seachtain na Gaeilge the decision was taken to hold a ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge níos déanaí ‘ the week before Easter in the Faythe School. Not to be deterred by the delayed start to SnaG great work was done. Everyday posters were replaced with new Irish ones, extra posters were displayed throughout the premises and pupils who made an extra effort to speak Irish outside  the classrooms were rewarded with a ‘ticéad óir.’ Pop songs such as Galway Girl, Mama Mia, Price Tag, Poker Face and Do Do Run Run were sourced ‘trí mheain na gaeilge’ and sung enthusiastically throughout the week. Irish classic dances  such as ‘Balla Luimnigh’ and ‘Ag Baint an Fhéir’ were augmented by the ‘Cha-Cha Slide’ as Gaeilge and the yard at lunch-time was alive with activity. A list of ordinary phrases, complete with phonetic translations, were sent home and adults encouraged to’ bain trial astu.’

Events culminated on Friday afternoon when a large number of parents joined with children, teachers and Parnell St. native Thomas Byrne, organised by his former neighbour Mrs. Kelly, on accordion for a “Céílí Mór” out In the yard. Luckily the weather held off as Ms. Mullins gave out the instructions for the various dances before Ms. Fitzgerald presented the ‘ticéíd óir’ winners from each class with their prizes.

Mr. Whelan (R.1)	Cian Redmond	Ms. Fitzgerald (R.6)	Leah O’Rourke
Ms. MAcFadden (R.2)	Tomás McLead	Ms. Mullins (R.11)	Julius McMahon
Mr. Murphy (R.3)	Emma Roche	Ms. Conroy (R.12)	Greta Viatkute
Mr. Doyle (R.4)	Eloise Silva	Ms. Griffin-Jones (R.9)	Deimante Danileviciute
Mrs. Kelly (R.5)	Rebecca Rowe	Ms. Cronin (R.15)	Jade Ní Fhoghlú

Click here for a sample of the action from SnaG 2012

School Concert 2012

On the Tuesday and Wednesday a fortnight before Easter, the Faythe School Hall was packed to capacity for the School Concert. This year a ‘maritime’ theme was adopted to reflect Wexford’s, and particularly the Faythe’s, association with the sea and to tie in with the curricular area of S.E.S.E. (Social, Environmental & Scientific Education). The fact that the pupils from the Faythe were enthusiastic participants in the recently finished ‘One Book Project’ – The Spirit of the Titanic made the theme all the more logical.

For the weeks before pupils, teachers, SNAs and both the secretary and caretaker went into overdrive in school while the amount of parents / guardians / neighbours / grannies and granddads who were press ganged into service in making or sourcing outfits and props doesn’t bear thinking about. All was well on the nights as the children performed brilliantly. Two guest performance each night featured the Faythe School Choir under the baton of teacher, Anne griffin-Jones accompanied by Éanna McKenna and percussion teacher extraordinaire Eddie O’Neill who performed with the 5^th and 6^th Classes on alternate nights.
A splendid night’s entertainment was rounded off each evening with the Parents Association Raffle which raised much needed funds for their on-going support of a multitude of activities in the school.  €510was raised in total and your support of the Raffle Sponsors namely Evanna Beauty, McDonalds, Emily Scullion, Subway, St. Mary’s GAAClub, Whelan’s Cleaning Systems, The Book Centre, Burger Mac, Zumba, Omniplex, Whites Tranquillity Spa , is appreciated.  Huge thanks to Nutricia / Danone for supplying the ‘Drumming Outfits.’

TUESDAY NIGHT

Faythe School Choir with Anne Griffin -Jones and Éanna McKenna.

Lar Whelan’s Junior Infants – Rain Drops and Lemon Drops

photo to follow

Kevin Murphy’s Senior Infants – The Ugly Duckling

photo to follow

Ursula Kelly’s 2nd Class – Noah’s Ark

Caroline Mullin’s 3rd Class – Pollution in the Sea

photo to follow

 Anne Griffin-Jones 5th Class – Drumming Mania with Eddie O’Neill.

 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Faythe School Choir with Anne Griffin -Jones and Éanna McKenna.

Doireann MacFadden’s Junior & Senior Infants – “Help! I’m a fish!”

Eoin Doyle’s 1st Class – Yellow Submarine.

Orla Fitzgerald’s 2nd Class – The Octopus’s  Garden.

Rita Conroy’s 3rd & 4th Classes – The Rio Grande and more!

Áine Cronin’s 6th Class – The Drummer Girls

MUGA Gaelic Football Final

Thursday 22^nd March saw a fitting finale of the Faythe Schools Lunch Time Gaelic Football League when eventual winners, Cork, faced off against Kerry in a closely fought thriller.

Since January 100 boys and girls, divided into ten teams competed in a tournament organised and run by teachers Lar Whelan, Kevin Murphy and Eoin Doyle. Running in tandem with the Wexford County Boards GAA Coaching Scheme the tournament was designed to get as many children as possible playing Gaelic Football and the ‘all weather’ pitch in the school is perfectly suited to this end.

Following the group stages where every team played at least four matches and hard fought semi-finals the two finalists emerged. Unfortunately the scheduled final was rained off but a large crowd of parents turned up for the re-fixed final last week.

Jimmy Stafford, Trevor Doocey and Paul Carty from the St. Mary’s of Maudlintown GAA Club who sponsored the competition were also in attendance as was the recently appointed Community Garda, Barry Brennan. Mr. Whelan refereed with Mr. Murphy keeping score with Mr. Doyle in charge of First-Aid if required.

Following a very sporting, hard fought match that saw Cork snatch victory from Kerry with a last minute goal on a 4-8 to 3-10 scoreline the Faythe School Perpetual Gaelic Football Cup was presented to winning captain Emma Busher while the captain of the runners-up, Emily Quigley, was presented with ‘The Player of the Tournament’ trophy.

The winning Cork team were Emma Busher, Kelly Ann O’Farrell, Caoilfhionn Doyle, Tiana Smith, Deimante Danileviciute, Mark Heneberry, Callum Doyle (substituting for Dawid Godula), Klaudia Czuba, Emma Downes (substituting for Evey Roche and Sara Betlejewski while the very gallant Kerry team were Emily Quigley, Katlyn Fitz-Harris Byrne, Caitlin Culleton (substituting for Mary Connors), Claire Downes, Rachel Healy, Luke O’Rourke, Conor Kehoe, Kamile Miranaite, Chloe Fortune and Nicola Pitman McCleod.

The Haka ! - 5 Months Late !!

Sometimes the best laid plans of mice and men come to nil....In other words accidents happen....things that should be done aren't done....this video was made by Ms. Mullins 3rd Class on 21st October 2011 in honour of the Rugby World Cup....
It would be great to be able to blame somebody for not uploading the video but I can't ...it was my fault...

Click here to enjoy a belated HAKA.

ROOM 12 - DESIGNING PAPER BRIDGES

We worked in pairs using only three A4 sheets of paper and our task was to create different models of bridges.
We constructed beam bridges and arch bridges out of the paper.

When we corrugated the paper we discovered that it was much stronger because the bridges that had the corrugated paper were able to hold much heavier loads.

Click here for a slideshow of our work.

Active School - Blue Flag

Last year, under the stewardship of Mrs. O'Loughlin, the Active School committee of Ms. Fitzgerald, Ms. Piper and Ms. Murphy set about doing exactly that. With the help of both staff and students an Active Week was organised in May. The new state of the art MUGA (multi-use games area) facility, our playground equipment and ‘yard game’ markings are all conducive to enhanced physical activity in the school.

In October, DES co-ordinator, Mick O'Callaghan came to school to review the efforts and he was so impressed with the documentation and resources produced that he forwarded the folder to Mary immaculate College of Education, Limerick, to be used in the initial preparation of student teachers as part of their degree courses. A week later he informed the school that a ‘Blue flag’ had been awarded.

The BOM and staff were elighted to have past pupil, and current Irish U-19 Ladies Soccer international, Rianna Jarrett, return to the school to officially raise the flag. Mr. Whelan acted as M.C. for the event during which Ms. Griffin-Jones' 5th Class won the 'Most Active Class Award' while Ms. Cronin's 6th Class received individual tokens for facilitating the lunch-time activities. Mr. Whelan then presented Rianna with a gift from the BOM marking her achievements to date and wishing her well into the future.

 

A fine crowd of parents joined Rose-Marie O’Loughlin and Orla Fitzgerald from the school’s ‘Active School Committee’ Principal, Liam Turner, Councillors Paddy Nolan and George Lawlor (representing the Mayor Cllr. Davy Hynes)as Rianna rose the ‘Blue Flag’ following a countdown orchestrated by Mr. Whelan. After the ceremony many of the parents enjoyed a ‘cuppa’ provided by Mags, Caroline and Shirley from the Parents Council.

The flag remains valid for a period of three years and all in school are looking forward to seeing it fly proudly outside the school beside the Green Flags awarded for environmental initiatives carried out in the school.

Story Time in Room 2

We have really been enjoying Story Time in Room 2. Many parents have already joined us and helped us with fun activities. We can't wait for the next Story Time session!

If any parents are interested in attending a Story Time session please talk to Ms. Mac Fadden (Room 2) or Ms. Duggan (Room 8). Next session Wednesday 8th at 09.10.

St.Brigid's Day in our school.

On the first of February it was St.Brigid's Day. Everybody in our school celebrated, firstly by going to a school mass in Bride Street, and after, by making a St.Brigid's cross. Emma's nanny Ann came in to our class room to show us how to make them. Mr.Murphy brought his senior infants up to our classroom. We paired up and made them together. Mr.Murphy kindly brought in lots of rushes. We all had a wonderful day and the sun was shining so it really did feel like the first day of spring.

             

Click here for Slide Show

                                                       

Our Visit to the Dun Mhuire Theatre

 On Thursday 2nd of Febuary 5th and 6th class went to the Dun Mhuire theatre for the book launch of the  'Spirit of the Titanic'. Many other schools were there too. Every school performed on stage, we sang ' Sailing ' by Rod Stewart.

The author, Nicola Pierce, was also there. She made a small speech about the book. She spoke about how emotional she became when she heard the song ' Nearer my God to Thee'. This was the last song which was played by the band aboard the Titanic before it sank.

The Mayor spoke about how special this book is to the people of Wexford because of its long standing sea faring tradition.

There were people, 'the Titanic Crew', from secondary schools helping out at the event.
We had a terrific day and we can't wait to read the novel.

Green School Committee

On January the 24th, Dara Dever from An Taisce came to visit the school. We are setting up two 'Walking Buses' to promote walking to school, as part of our Green Schools Project on Travel.
Dara, along with some members of the Green School Committe and our parent volunteers did a 'walkability audit' to see how safe the routes the 'walking bus' will take are.

We found lots of positive safety features on our audit, such as pedestrian crossings and wide footpaths.
We also found some things that were not so safe, such as cars parked on the footpath.

Our walking buses will be up and running for our WOW days (Walk on Wednesdays). We are having a trial run with our community guard Thursday the 2nd of February and Wednesday the 3rd February.
We have two routes, one going from Bernadette place, up to Maudlintown, down William Street and up Fisher's Row. The other 'bus' starts on King Street/Lambert place, passes Tesco, goes through the Folly and onto school. Thanks to Mags and Caroline for volunteering to do this, and to their volunteers, Jimmy and Siobhan. If any parents would like to help these buses or start their own please let Ms. O'Connell Room 10 know.

"The School Times" - Junior Achievement '11-12

This year in the Junior Achievement Awards a man called David Codd from Wexford County Council taught us the ‘Our city’ programme. He came into our class every week for a few weeks and in one of the modules we became journalists.

David gave each child a journalist pad and told us that we had one part of a newspaper all to ourselves. We could write about what we wanted to.

When we were finished David made up a newspaper and handed one out to each pupil. They are cool and we all got to bring one home.

We put a copy of “The School Times” on our blog and you can get it and even print it off if you click on the icon underneath this writing and  to make thins even better our class photo appeared in the first "Wexford People" paper of 2012 published on Wednesday 4th January.

Attendance Certificates 2011 / Green Poster Winners

On Thursday 22nd December Ms. Griffin-Jones presided over a lovely ceremony in the Sports Hall where all the students who had 100% Attendance since last September received a certificate to mark their achievement. Each class teacher presented the certificates to the '100%ers' in their own classes.

In all there were 57 students who received certs. The best attenders were 5th class with 13 who missed no days followed by Ms. Mullins who had 10 with perfect attendance.

To finish off the term two pupils were presented with Book Tokens for having designd the Best Green  Posters. This year we are focussing on transport to and from school.

Alannah O'Leary (Ms. Kelly's 2nd Class) was the downstairs winner and Caoilfhionn Doyle from Ms. Griffin-Jones 5th Class.

Very well done to all.

Christmas 2011

The North Pole isn't the only busy place in the world at Christmas time as the Faythe School was in a spin in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
The Choir, under the direction of Ms. Griffin-Jones who was assisted by Ms. Fitzgerald, rehearsed for weeks and the started off the Christmas Season at the Festival of Three Choirs which took place in the School Hall on Tuesday 14th December.
In a show lasting just under an hour, the Faythe School Choir started precedings and were then followed by the Barntown Youth Choir under the direction of Ian Grey. Ian is a past pupil of the school but moved out 'the country' years ago...however he comes into his Mammy's once a week for his tea....and also conducts the South End Family Resource Centre Golden Oldies Choir. It was Ian's second Choir who closed the concert with a selection of Festive favourites. The audience of two hundred people from the locality were enthralled by all three choirs who really gave their all on the night.

On Monday 19th December the Choir again took centre stage at the Swan. Over ten years ago, a local lady, Kathleen Whelan, began a lovely traditional of illuminating a Christmas tree at the Swan and holding a small ceremony to 'turn on' the lights attended by a local clergy man and the children from the locality who attend the Faythe.
Over the years, the traditional has changed ever so slightly. Kathleen is still to the fore but the trees at the Swan are now illuminated and after the Ceremony the children attend a party back at the school....agin organised by Kathleen.

This year the crowd was blessed with the weather and Fr. Brian conducted the ceremony, the Choir sang accompanied on the organ by Éanna McKenna, before retiring to the school for the party organised by Kathleen and her sons Enda and James. A huge debt of gratidtude is due to the Whelan family for establishing and continuing this lovely tradition.

The Choir's final engagement was a more poignant one....taking place at Tesco's Christmas Tree but marking this company's fund raising on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society. In the last two years this company has raised over €40,000 for this worthy cause and this fact was marked by a lovely Prayer Service, conducted this time by Fr. Michael Ó Sé accompanied by the Choir and Ms. Griffin-Jones.
It was brilliant that so many families made the effort to get the girls to, and from, Tesco on such a rainy night. Well done to all!!

A small photovid is available by clicking on the Advent Wreath below.

Christmas Story Book

In December Ms. Kelly's 2nd Class wrote and then illustrated their own Christmas Story Book. After many weeks work invitations were sent out to all parents and guardians inviting them into the school on Tuesday 20th at 1.15pm.
That day was hectic as the children had been down to Bride Street to practice for the Advent Service but had to hurry back to school to prepare the room.
All was fine in the end and a great crowd attended that afternoon when the children proudly read and displayed their work.
After the 'reading' there were a selection of treats for all to enjoy.
The photos of the reading day are part of a 'photovid' available by clicking on the book below.



School Mass - 8th December

Thursday 8th December was one of the windiest days ever. Some people said that it was really hard to walk to school and it was so windy that the Infant Classes did not walk down to Bride Street for 10 o'clock Mass. It was great fun walking down and the wind was so strong at Tesco that you could nearly lean forward and the wind would push you back up standing again!!

"The Prayers of the Faithful"

There were lots of people there for Mass and the Choir was really good. Ms. Griffin-Jones had to play and conduct the first two songs before the organist came for the last few. Ms. Conroy's Class did all the readings and the "Prayers of the Faithful" and they read loudly and clearly.

Fr. Brian told us all how important Mary was and that today is the day when we remember this.

It was a nice Mass.

Safety stations in Wexford County Council

On Tuesday the 29th of November five girls from 5th class and all of 6th class went to visit the new Wexford County Council building.There were three other schools there.We split up into ten groups and every group had a leader from the Vocational College.There were ten stations altogether, each one was about being safe in different ways:

*Fire safety
*Road safety-Cycling,walking,bus.
*Mountain rescue
*Safety in the home
*Water safety
*Safety on a construction site
*Safety with wires
*Knowing the Recovery Position.

At each station we did activities which helped us to learn the safety message.After visiting all the stations we got certificates and a gift bag which included a high visibility jacket.We enjoyed our day and gifts.

                                                                       Photos to follow.....