Bunscoil Rís Edmund Rice Senior School

School will reopen after the school holidays on Thursday.

We look forward to seeing all our pupils, parents & staff.
Supervision for bus pupils will start when they arrive.
All pupils walking or being dropped can arrive from 8.45am each day.

Breakfast Club will run from Thursday also from 8.45am each morning.

Like previous years pupils should arrive and walk around to their class entry/exit door.

Entry & Exit Doors:
3rd Class: Side door nearest the main gate
4th Class: Main school door
5th Class: Side door nearest basketball court
6th Class: Door around the back of the school.

Finish Times:
3rd & 4th Classes: 2.25pm
5th & 6th Classes: 2.30pm

Please drive carefully, park carefully, drop on the Bawnmore Road please and if possible get your children to walk to school. Gerry.

Please find below class equipment list for the coming year.
3rd Class Equipment List 2022-23
4th Class Equipment List 2022-23
5th Class Equipment List 2022-23
6th Class Equipment List 2022-23

School Calendar 22-23

N.B. School closing, Tuesday,June 27th at 12pm. (Error on posted dates)

On Friday June 11th we had ‘Crazy Hair Day’ in Bunscoil Rís.

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Each child was asked to bring in one euro and the proceeds went to the local charity Wexford People Helping People. This charity operates on donations from all around the county to help those who really need it. This year has been very tough on people and we were delighted to have this day to help raise funds. The boys and girls made a great effort with their hair and donations…well done!!

Please see below the allergens list for Fresh Today. Please be mindful that we are a NUT FREE school.

Allergens – DEIS

Allergens – HOT

The hot food lunches have been a great success so far in the school. The children are thoroughly enjoying the variety of food that comes in every day. You can change your child’s food order each week by logging on and using the details we have given to every child. In order for the lunches to change for the following week, you must change it by Thursday. Try to choose a different hot lunch each day for your child as a balanced and varied diet is best.

Pupil Parent Return to School Form

 

                                     

https://www.eoincolfer.com/

 

 

                           

Lots of World Book Day, Ireland Activities. Just copy and paste.

https://padlet.com/Comhar2016/1ujn9hqg3og73kv8 

 

                                         

 

World Book Day Website

https://www.worldbookday.com/reading-recommendations/

 

                         

Acrylic paintings

Don on YouTube

This month we went back to online learning due to new lockdown restrictions. The children and staff have adapted brilliantly to this and we are very proud of everyone who has engaged so far. Each morning we host Zoom meetings for each of our classes for one hour. They are hosted by the class teacher and an SET teacher. The children and their teacher discuss the work for the day, teach mini lessons and also correct work. It is an opportunity for teachers to check in with each student and to continue teaching the curriculum, as best as possible. School work is uploaded daily to Class DoJo and then the children share what they have done with their teacher using Portfolio on Class DoJo. Children are also logged into Mathletics. Here they work on their Maths daily and independently. Every Friday we have also successfully held a whole school assembly on Zoom where over 250 students and staff have logged on.

Below is a sample of just some of the work the children have completed this month.

 

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RETURN PLAN    

Covid 19 return

Bunscoil Rís will be running a FREE flu vaccination clinic for all pupils in the school after the Halloween break. There will be a consent form going home with your child today. If you want your child to be vaccinated you MUST return the consent form to the school by this FRIDAY 23rd October.
Flu is one of the biggest causes of short term absences from school and the best way to prevent related illnesses is by getting the flu vaccine each year.
I am attaching, below, information about how the vaccine is given to children.

Any questions feel free to call Niamh Foskin on 086 8276511.

Childrens-Flu-Vaccination-Leaflet-WEB

Bunscoil Ris Edmund Rice Senior School Letter For School Clinic and Consent Form

Fluenz Tetra Patient Information Leaflet

Return 2 School:
We are working hard to get the school ready for the return of our pupils and staff next week.

We want to keep the school a Covid free zone.

Maximise Distance, Minimise Contact.

Hand washing & Sneezing Etiquette:
It is really important that children arrive at school clean and that they wash their hands before they leave home. They will wash hands first thing on arrival and several times during the school day.

Practice washing and sneezing properly at home!!

Staggered Start:
To avoid crowding we will have a staggered start for a number of weeks. For the first 2 days there will only be half the school in attendance as we need to give them important information about how the school day will run for them.

Thursday 27th:
School only for 3rd & 4th classes
• 3rd class times 9.30am – 1.45pm
• 4th class times 9.15am – 2.00pm

Friday 28th:
School for 5th & 6th classes only
• 5th class times 9.00am – 2.15pm
• 6th class times 8.45am – 2.30pm

From Monday 31st:
All classes in school with different start times.
• 3rd class times 9.30am – 1.45pm
• 4th class times 9.15am – 2.00pm
• 5th class times 9.00am – 2.15pm
• 6th class times 8.45am – 2.30pm

Each class will enter & exit through a designated door that we will show them.

We hope to extend the school day for all classes as we get better at entering and exiting the building.

Important Notes:
1. Children have the option to wear a mask, some tissues bring some sanitiser but are not allowed to share. No sharing of any equipment allowed. Staff will be wearing a mask or a visor in school.
2. Pupils should only arrive at correct times only.
3. No dropping off early.
4. Brothers & sisters from the same family can enter school with the oldest child and go straight to their class. Same for collecting.
5. No breakfast club to start with.
6. School lunches will be delivered as normal in school.
7. School uniform or school tracksuit to be worn each day alternating daily.
8. All school pens/pencils/books will stay at school. we won’t be giving any written homework to start with, might be more active homework.
9. Adults are asked not to enter the school and must make an appointment. Masks to be worn.
`10. Please do not send your child to school if they are sick. This is really important this school year.
Parents will be contacted to collect their child if the child feeling unwell at school.

Our Return 2 School Plan is a work in progress and we will update you again and again as we get closer to opening.

Email Return2School@bunscoilris.ie if you have a question/comment.

Sorry for the long list but we want everybody to be safe.
Looking forward to working with you in the next school year.
Gerry.

This will be so important at our school this year during the school day, every day.

Click in and have aread over our Cpvid 19 Policy Statement.
Planning is ongoing for return to school on Thursday 27th & Friday 28th August.

School book fees now due for next year €50 per pupil. This is the last increase in fees.

Pupil Insurance €6 & €9, day & 24h cover. Great cover, well worth paying.

Please pay all expenses online at https://www.ecomm-pay.com/bunscoilris GM.

School office will close from today & will reopen on Monday August 10th.

Confirmation Update:

Confirmation ceremonies for our 6th classes will be on the following dates in September. All dates are Saturdays, 11am.
Ms Brazil Sep 5th
Ms Foskin Sep 12th
Ms Whelan Sep 19th
Mr Ring Sep 26th
Please pass on the word to 6th class parents & pupils. We will have more information later in the summer.

Day 3

 

 

Day 2: Technology and Engineering

 

Today is technology and engineering day. Below are some activities for you to try. You don’t need to do all the activities, just pick an activity that you will enjoy.

 

Activity 1: Build a flag from Lego

 

https://ideas.lego.com/projects/197f7275-43c1-443d-9914-5e7f4b69619a

Build a flag from Lego

 

This experiment is great fun and everyone at home can join in. Try build a flag of any country with Lego.

Above is a picture of the American flag. Check out the video above for some ideas. We would love to see your creatures. Send photos to your teacher on Dojo 🙂

 

 

Activity 2:

Pyramid Catapult

 

You can make your catapult from any items you can find at home. Watch this video for some ideas. You may not have all the materials listed in the activity below.

 

 

 

 

Materials

10 lollipop sticks

5 Skewers

3 straws

1 cup

1 rubber

 

Instructions: https://www.instructables.com/id/Pyramid-Catapult/

1. Cut 2.5 straws into quarters. Pinch the straw piece and insert a craft stick. Repeat until there are 3 straw pieces and 3 sticks connected end-to-end.Fold the shape into a triangle and connect the ends together.Peel off a length of tape from the roll without severing it. Wrap the entire perimeter triangle in tape as you peel it off of the roll.

   Repeat 2 more times to create a total of three triangles. Arrange them in a trapezoid pattern and tape the edges together in at least two places. Fold the outer two triangles upwards to form the pyramid. Tape the edge together to keep the pyramid shape intact.

2. Lay 5 skewers flat and neatly lined up. Keeping the skewers flat, wrap tape around the skewers in at least two places. Tape a craft stick to the centre of the skewer bundle to reinforce it.Insert the pointed end of the three middle skewers into the remaining 1/2 straw piece. Tape it on.Lay the skewer bundle inside the catapult and align the straw with the front of the pyramid. Tape the straw to the front edge of the pyramid. This will create a flexible joint which will allow the catapult arm to move up and down.

   Attaching the arm to the catapult frame requires a lot of dexterity. Encourage your students to take turns helping each other with this step: one person holds the pieces in place while the other tapes it.

3. Place a piece of tape at a perpendicular angle on the back of the catapult arm. Hold a cup near the top of the arm and wrap the ends of the tape to the sides of the cup. Be sure to leave some of the skewers exposed at the top of the catapult arm. Use more tape to secure the cup to the catapult arm.
4. Place one hand inside the pyramid frame and firmly press on it. Use the fingertips on the other hand to press down on the end of the catapult arm. Pull back, then release by allowing your fingertips to slide off of the skewers.

 

 

 

Here are some more engineering activities for you to try out

• Design and build a roller coaster. …
• Construct a LEGO camping lantern. …
• Make a snack pulley. …
• Create mazes for hexbugs. …

 

Here are some websites with even more ideas:

https://www.steamsational.com/technology-activities-for-kids/

https://www.bigdiyideas.com/35-fun-diy-engineering-projects-kids/

https://www.wikihow.com/Build-a-Spaghetti-Bridge

https://tryengineering.org/teachers/lesson-plans/

 

 

 

This week is STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) week.  We have some fun and engaging experiments for you to try at home.

As this is a short week and we get our holidays on Thursday the activities are divided into three days. Today we will be exploring the world of science. Tomorrow we will be constructing some items for technology and engineering day and Wednesday we will investigate mathematics.

We hope you all have fun trying out our exciting activities with someone at home. Enjoy and make sure to send on your pictures and videos to your teacher. We love to see how you are getting on!

 

Day 1: Science 

Parental guidance is advised for all experiments.

Experiment 1:

How to do a Volcano Science Experiment

Maybe try this experiment outside, not to destroy the kitchen 🙂 

 

Materials:

• 50ml Vinegar
• 2 tablespoons of Baking Soda/Bicarbonate Soda
• Food colouring (optional)
• Pint glass/large glass

Instructions:

1. Place 3 to 4 tablespoons of baking soda into the glass jar.
2. Add a few drops of food colouring to ½ cup vinegar. Pour vinegar over the baking soda and watch it fizz.
3. You can also create a hollow mountain structure from paper mache, cardboard, or clay and place a cup containing the baking soda inside. Leave the top open as the volcano’s vent. Pour the vinegar into the vent and over the baking soda and watch the miniature volcano erupt.

Hypothesis(Explanation):

Bicarbonate of soda is a compound of sodium, hydrogen, carbon and oxygen.

These compounds break up when they come in contact with vinegar. The carbon and oxygen separate to form a gas, carbon dioxide.

 

Experiment 2:

Vinegar Pops

 

Materials:

• Ice Tray
• Vinegar
• Food Colouring (optional)
• Baking Soda

Instructions:

1. Fill up ice tray with vinegar. Add food colour if you desire.
2. Put ice tray in freezer for four to six hours.
3. Pop out your Vinegar Pops and dip them in a plate of baking soda.
4. Wait a few minutes and watch the bubbling begin.

Hypothesis(Explanation):

When you have an acid (vinegar) and a base (baking soda) mixed together there is a chemical reaction. That chemical reaction releases carbon dioxide and results in the bubbling.

Extra Experiments:

1. If you did try it with food colouring, try doing it without it and vice versa.
2. Add lollipop sticks to the ice trays when you freeze the vinegar. Does it work better, worse, or the same?
3. Try doing the experiment with citric acid instead of vinegar. Some examples of citric acid would be lemon or lime juice.

 

 

Experiment 3

Make it Rain

 

Materials:

• Glass jar
• Ceramic plate
• Hot water (parental guidance with this part)
• 6/8 ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Pour the hot water into the canning jar.
2. Cover the jar with the ceramic plate face up.
3. Wait 3 minutes to continue to the next step.
4. Put ice cubes on the plate.
5. Now observe your homemade water cycle. You will see the formation of cloud/water vapour in the bottle.

Hypothesis (Explanation):

The cold plate causes the moisture in the warm air, which is inside the jar to condense and form water droplets. This is the same thing that happens in the atmosphere. Warm, moist air rises and meets colder air high in the atmosphere. The water vapour condenses and forms precipitation that falls to the ground as rain or snow.

Extra Experiments:

1. Do two separate experiments at the same time. Have all the variables controlled except for the temperature of the water. Have one hot and one cold. How does it affect the experiment?
2. Try using a paper plate instead of a ceramic plate. Which one worked better? Could the results have anything to do with absorption? Or not?
3. Now think on a bigger scale, the world scale. Draw a picture of your experiment, but draw it to reflect what happens in the world’s water cycle.

 

We would love to see how your experiments went. Send your teacher some photos on Dojo.

 

Here are some more websites for you to explore the world of science.

Websites:

https://www.steamsational.com/science-experiments-for-kids/

https://www.steamsational.com/volcano-science-experiment/

http://www.sciencefun.org

 

Ms. Rowsome and Ms. E. Kavanagh. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Social Distance Sports Day 2020!

So, this is a sports day with a difference. You have to use household equipment if you don’t have the real sports gear! Change it to suit yourself if you need to. We understand the weather is poor with showers today so try your best. Also take a look back at the other activities from the past four days and try them if you haven’t given them a go. We had Zumba on Monday which is perfect for indoors.

1. Obstacle course. If you have somewhere outdoors, set up an obstacle race, you can use anything. Make one course and time yourself against your family, neighbour or friend…. keep apart between races.
2. Javelin throw. Individual, measure distance. If you don’t have a javelin, throw a wellie, a shoe…. anything you like!!!
3. Egg and spoon. For social distancing , you could time individual runs.
4. Sack races. Use bin bags if they are big enough!
5. Three-legged race. This can only be done with a family member, due to restrictions.
6. Baseball pitch. Get a child/adult to pitch the ball and see who can hit it further. You can use the tennis racket if you prefer.
7. Bean bag balance. You choose how many race at once while balancing beanbags. You can also decide the distance. Put bean bag, or book on your head, see how far you can get!!! Speed it up as you get better!! This can also be done on a timer for distance/safety.
8. Sprints. Divide in to whatever size group you like to race between the markers.

For mindfulness today, we want you all to have a movie night with your family. Watch a family favourite and spend some time together. Build a fort with blankets and cushions and create your own home cinema. Have some foods you like and treat yourself, such as, popcorn or a chocolate bar. Yum!

Have a great day everyone and we hope you had a fantastic week. The activities will stay on the homepage here for the summer if you want to try any of them out. The hurling challenge video by Diarmuid O’Keefe is on Class DoJo and the school’s Facebook page.

Ms. J Kavanagh and Ms. Waters