Picker Pals
The junior room signed up to Picker Pals at the beginning of the school year. Picker Pals provides motivation and tools for children, teachers and families to create a better environment for our shared future.
The children have been busy out picking litter throughout the year. We really enjoyed the live zoom monthly meetings along with the six episodes of Picker Pals. The children enjoyed getting to draw some of the characters in the step to step videos along with the kahoot quizes. Picker Pals has been a great success with the children.
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Discovery Science Award
We are proud to say that we have been awarded an SFI Curious Minds Gold Award for our work in STEM throughout the 2022/2023 academic year. We also received the award for the 2021/2022 school year.
In order to achieve this award we were required to provide a log of evidence of children's engagement with STEM in the following areas:
1. Science
2. Technology
3. Engineering
4. Maths
5. STEM Showcase
As well as taking part in hands-on investigations throughout the year the children took part in four main weeks during the year: Science Week, EU Week of Code, Engineering Week and Maths Week.
Science Week
Science Week took place in November. The children took part in lots of hands-on investigations using the Curious Minds Science Week resources. The children worked in groups to design and make a moon buggy. They planned their designs, made the buggy and then evaluated their designs. They also learned about teeth and the importance of a healthy diet. The finished the week by designing and making bug hotels
Coding Week
The children had great fun taking part in an Hour of Code challenge during EU Code Week. They also took part in some Scratch activities and the Senior pupils completed a programme of coding lessons using the Robotify software on their chromebooks.
Engineers Week
Engineers Week took place in March. The children learned all about the importance of engineers for our society and the many different types of engineers that exist. They learned lots about how important engineers are for the production of renewable energy, specifically wind energy. They made their own windmills and then worked in groups to design and make their wind-powered cars. This also tied in with our ongoing work on our Green Flag Energy theme.
The Senior pupils then presented their work to the junior room
and tested their designs for their wind powered cars
We were delighted to have one of our parent - Fredrick Henderson, join us during this week to talk to the children about their career as an engineer. They loved hearing all about his many achievements in engineering and learning about the many different aspects of his job.
Maths Week
Maths Week took place in October. The children took part in lots of different ‘maths-themed’ lessons. They played board games, role-plays at the shop and even measured the ingredients to make milkshakes. They also completed Maths Trails and Maths Eyes challenges.
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Pieta Amber Flag 2022
I am delighted to announce that Inver N.S have been successful in its efforts to gain Amber Flag recognition for our school.
We have been awarded this flag for promoting positive mental wellbeing in our school community through collaborative work with Killaghtee N.S and St. Peter’s N.S and through our own individual efforts. We took part in many enjoyable activities throughout the year such as wellbeing nature walks, wellbeing workshops, lessons, artwork, planting, to name but a few!
One of the highlights of the year (and one of the first goals achieved!) was the creation of our fundraising calendar which included artwork from the three schools (St. Peter’s, Killaghtee and Inver). With Mrs. Maureen Brogan as our Art Co-ordinator, we raised a whopping €1943 for Pieta House. €882 of this was raised by Inver N.S.
While work on the Amber flag was ongoing throughout the year, the pupils all enjoyed a variety of activities as part of Wellbeing Week including Zumba, a Mindfulness Workshop, a Wellbeing Walk to the beach, artwork, planting and making healthy smoothies. We finished off the year with a Celebration day in St. Peter’s N.S., joining with everyone from the partnership’s three schools. A walk to the ‘wee pier’, a treat from the ice-cream van and a presentation of certificates was the perfect way to complete our Wellbeing journey for this year!
The children have benefited hugely by being involved in this great initiative and are very proud of the role they have played in promoting mental health and wellbeing, creating a healthy and inclusive environment within our school and supporting the very important work of Pieta.
