Ulster American Folkpark, Omagh 15/11/12

Sixth class had a wonderful day on Thursday 15th November at the Ulster American Folkpark in Omagh, Co Tyrone. We boarded the coach and left school at a very early 7am and began our journey.

When we reached the folkpark we had a tour. The tour guides showed some some of the cottages and the school. Many of the buildings in the folkpark where located elsewhere in Ireland and were brought to the folkpark and rebuilt brick by brick. The folkpark also contains a replica ship to show how people travelled when emigrating to America. There are also American styled houses where some of the activities took place.

We then got into our groups and started our various activities.Every group had a brilliant guide to help them with their activities.

All the hard work we did during the fun day last month paid off, as the trip was completely funded by the money raised on that day.

On Friday we were then able to link in with our English writing focus for the month of November. All the children wrote a piece of procedural writing based on the activity they did in Omagh.

The Mellon House

One roomed cabin

The School

Inside the school

The Blacksmith Craft

Ulster Farmhouse Cooking in the Mellon House

Printers Devil

Post-boy Workshop

Chemist Assistant

Chemist Assistant: making tooth powder

Pioneer Cooking

American Woodcraft

American Tinsmithing

Early American Textiles

American New World House

Going Wild outside the one roomed cottage

Procedural Writing based on the activities in Omagh.

Brother/ Clonliffe Country Running Wednesday 10th October

All of fifth and sixth class had a very enjoyable day out on Wednesday the 10th October when we went to Santry to the Brother/ Clonliffe Country running competition. 20 boys and 19 girls took part in the races and then the other children went along to support.
A huge congratulations to all the runners who ran the 1km race! A special mention to Ciaran Barry who finished tenth in the boys race.

All the runners and supporters did St Catherine's proud! 

Thank you to Ms Dunne who organised the trip.

The Mooney Show!

Today was a very exciting day in room 13! Today we recorded a piece for the radio show 'Mooney' on RTE Radio 1. The segment aired today at 3:45pm.
Our school was asked if we would be interested in recording a piece for radio about a prisoner of conscience. Amnesty International contacted our vice principal Ms Carroll, who in turn thought of our class! We were delighted to be asked.

We discussed the situation of a teacher from Indonesia called Johan. Johan has been jailed for life for taking part in a peaceful demonstration asking for his home province, Maluku, to be independent from Indonesia.  We talked about human rights and why this is very unfair for Johan and his family. The class wrote letters of support and well wishes which will be sent to Amnesty International and then forwarded on to Johan. Caitlin from Amnesty International was very impressed with the children's letters.

We then recorded our piece for radio. Catriona from RTE told us what we were going to do. She recorded a piece from Ms Carroll and then some more in our classroom. Some of the class read out their letters. It was great to see how radio recordings work outside the radio studio. Here are some photos from today and a link to the radio slot!

 http://www.rte.ie/radio/radioplayer/rteradiowebpage.html#rii=9%3A3400219%3A82%3A24%2D09%2D2012%3A&type=radio

Caitlin from Amnesty International chatting to the class.

Catriona from RTE recording in our classroom.

A very big thank you to Caitlin from Amnesty International, Catriona from RTE Radio and Ms Carroll for her help today! It was a great experience for us all!
Ms O' Neill.