Mrs T Contemplates Childrens Christmas Plays

 Christmas performances are unique events and although nearly as old as the original itself year on year something fresh emerges. 2013 is no exception.

I have only got to see a selection of offerings. Time and an unusual bust of interest in places in JSS for 2014 have taken me off the circuit but as Kavanagh muses “Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder” My chink was narrow and I think I got a view of the “spirit shocking wonder” and "the newness that was in every stale thin"

The youngest got the show on the road with simple seasonal poems but the wonder of this one was the capacity for language displayed. In less than 5 months in school they had sufficient command of 4 languages to sing songs, do recitations and perform little playlets. I saw another dimension of the concept of Universality. We adults talk about living in the global world. For these 5 year olds it is the reality and they embrace it with staggering ease and charm.

The snippet I witnessed of the 6 year olds was marked by speech. They had definitely got the message of opening the mouth and pronouncing the ends of each word. They transformed the joke-telling scene by the way they told’ em. “What do monkeys say on Christmas morning ? Jungle Bells, Jungle Bells”; every word as clear as crystal despite half of them collapsing with the wit of it all even before the joke was finished.

From the oldest in this building came the sweetest revelation. I was lucky to see the whole novel take on Christmas from beginning to end. It was excellent; acting, scenery, music, dancing choreography, organization. But wonderful as this was, the element that took my breath away was a more subtle aspect of the children. There were a few rare moments when one of them was unsure of a line. No fuss, no panic, no embarrassment, just a direct look at teacher, a nod of the head, a brief Oh Yeah and then on with the show. Again in these cramped beleaguered conditions where there is no room, a spiritual ideal is realized and made manifest , this world is all a play, enjoy it, play your part to the full, help each other and then forget it.

This is the newness and spirit shocking wonder that was revealed by the Christmas performances of 2013. Wasn’t I lucky and wouldn’t the Centre of it all be pleased?! Form 2 Girls performance is available here and more will be posted as we get the videos

Mrs T

Mind Expanding Work from JS Primary

Mrs Telford produced this slideshow highlighting the work done by JSS Primary students on the Brain and Eye.They show excellent understanding of how the brain and eye work. Sit back and enjoy this slideshare of their project work!

Mrs Telford's BLOG May 21st

Popping into classrooms on a daily basis allows you see first hand the excellent work that takes place regularly throughout the school. Today I thought I should seize the day and gather a sample from each class. So keep an eye on the display boards in Northumberland road and check out what is happening. This little exercise set me thinking as to whether you all might like a further update on all that has been happening in JSS in recent weeks. Shakespeare week, voice coaches, golf, enhanced curriculum in 6^th class, cycling and projects all have made an impact in the last few weeks.

Shakespeare week was very satisfying. The creativity in evidence as each class took to the boards (of the Refreshment room) was very good. Learning by heart, learning to perform in front of an audience, learning to project your voice were the fruits of this week along with entertainment from staff and pupils No one will forget Mrs van de Belt's rendering of the Nurse from Romeo and Juliet alongside Mrs McGeough’s Juliet all happening in the Refreshment Room in the company of over a hundred children. Philip O’ Sullivan an actor of some renown took 6^th class girls through a session on how to use voice and body to maximum effect to communicate with the audience.

A scene from  Romeo & Juliet

The Senior Primary classes have also embarked on enriching the 6^th class curriculum with classes in how to coach a team, producing a Newsletter, dancing, constructing a building and learning how to be a mediator. While it has proved very demanding on teachers’ time and energy and also on the pupils, it is proving to be an excellent venture. It will need tweaking for next year but it certainly stretches the abilities of this very able age group.

Cycling is gaining in popularity so also is the need to be safe on the road. The scheme launched by the Dublin City Council is being availed of by 5th class pupils and over a period of 6 weeks they are being tutored in how to be model cyclists.  (We must let George Hook know on Newstalk that with a little help cyclists can be law abiding souls as well!!!!!)

On the sporting front, JSS has joined the ranks of Rory, Graham and Padraig, (well,  that might be a little exaggeration!) and taken up golf. Eight pupils, under the guidance of Mr John Hynes began the first block of sessions where they learn the key skills and also get the chance to compete against other budding golfers.

Our lecture series in Education has proved very vibrant and thought provoking. What is needed most from events such as these is that discussion, dialogue and argument follow in their wake which is exactly what has happened. Do not miss the last in the series which is on nutrition and which takes place on 4^th June in the same venue.

Finally our assembly today was inspiring. Mr Pierce ( parent of two children in Form 1 and 1^st class ) showed us the  video of his row across the channel from Dover to Calais. It is worth seeing. Over 5 hours in the company of 4 other brave sailors setting  a world record, raising  money for Cancer Research and JSS  and doing it all without any hitches is the kind of deed that resilient and universal beings embark on. Well done to all. Click on the screen below to enjoy a glimpse of their heroic journey. 

Listening with attention!

String Quartet Win!

Newsflash!

Our first John Scottus String Quartet took part in a new Music Festival held at Aravon School in Bray yesterday, 6^th June. There were six competitors in the ‘Mixed Ensemble’ contest and the adjudicator was Alan Smale, leader of the RTE Symphony orchestra. Our quartet gave a beautiful performance of ‘Minuet and Trio’ by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart – and were placed first!

Picture shows Aisling Wright, cello, Kiya Ryan, Róisín Wright and Molly Guy Lambton, violins, outside the entrance to Aravon School after their great win!

JSS Fight Night for charity a big success!

Principals Blog