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.