To celebrate Strawberry Season the children learned some interesting facts about the biggest fruit sector in Ireland. Strawberries are sweet and juicy and are  the most popular soft fruit eaten in Ireland. Eating six Irish strawberries accounts for one of our 7-a-day and can be eaten alone as a snack, or used as an ingredient, a topping or a yummy dessert.

Our theme this week focused on Mental Health and Well Being. The children discussed the five ways to well being and the simple actions they can do everyday to feel good and function well: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning and Give. Each child received these five ways in a bookmark from Mental Health Ireland.
During the week the Junior Class took part in some Mindfulness for Children-The Listening Game and Peace Out Guided Relaxation for Children. At the end of the week the children drew a picture of the thoughts in their minds while listening to relaxation music.

The children in the Junior and Senior Classroom in our school garden at break times taking time out to talk to each other using the friendship seats to sit together.

As part of our work with HPS we took part in Active School Week on April 23rd-27th. The focus of this week was on fun and participation and to introduce the children to new ways of being active during the school day. The children began the week with a tennis lesson learning different techniques and teamwork. At break times the children in the Junior Classroom  took part in hula hooping and created an obstacle course on the slope area in order to increase their physical activity every day.  

The Junior Room took part in the National Drop Everything and Read Challenge @12pm on Friday 27th April. Work was put down, computer screens turned off, and everyone was encouraged to pick up a book and to read quietly for 20 minutes. The main focus of the DEAR challenge was to remind children on the importance of reading for pleasure. The children then created their own front cover designs on a DEAR Photo Frame.

The children in the Senior Classroom had the opportunity to learn about Internet Safety. We were delighted to welcome Paul from Monaghan Garda Station who gave us a talk on internet safety and the benefits of the internet for schoolwork. He also called into the Junior Room to say 'hello' and the children were delighted to share their news with him.

The children in the Junior and Senior Classroom examined the amount of sugar content in some of their favourite drinks and treat food by looking at the food labels. They displayed their results in the lunchroom for the entire school community to remember to look at those food labels when buying drinks and treat food in the future.

The children worked in pairs to learn how healthy eating can be fun. We discussed The Food Pyramid in detail and how a healthy lunch should include foods from the four main shelves of the food pyramid. The children talked about their favourite fruits and during our Visual Arts lesson that week we created our own Healthy Fruit Bowls.

The children in the Junior Classroom continue to be active while having fun for 10 minutes, every morning at 10'clock. With exercises being done in the classroom it doesn't matter what the weather is like outside.