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More saints...

It's been incredibly busy now as we get deeper into the school year. Class Two have started with the maths main lesson, even as we covered off more saints last week. St Joan, St Margaret (both visited by St Michael) and St Columcille were also touched. The theme of challenge goes on and last week the challenge of times tables and conkers proved very popular in both measures. St Joan on the blackboard. Teddy bears picnic with the gnomes now turned into teddy bears and made a bit more abstract. Although they still played mathematical games and took turns being Mickey Minus, Gilby Giver, Paddy Plus and i can't remember what the division gnome is called. It was literally back to the drawing board with the two times tables and this week they've already started on the three times tables again. The nature table is coming along beautifully with the colours of autumn. The class!!! Showing off their finger knitting. St Margaret's wee hut when she has her dream. St Joan - each child had a sentence and a scene which they drew and wrote out of their own choosing and imagination. In addition to all these lovely pictures, i have not been able to take the great work that the gardening teacher Liz has been doing with them. They had fried tempura vegetables, they had collected

Move along now!

Class two's blog is now closed...we've moved to class three...follow us from there!

Summer celebrations

I apologise for the dreadful quality of the pictures, but the day itself was pretty wonderful. The atmosphere was fantastic, the money taken was decent and the clean up afterwards went smoothly and with loads of help. Thank you to everyone who helped and the kids who played, laughed and made the day simply magic.

Decoration on the notice/seasonal board

The restaurant - its empty! - because everyone was outside eating...

The kitchen - constantly flowing with food, humour and goodwill - and washing up liquid...

Yvonne and Nigel - and tables gracefully groaning with food.

Here are pictures from the art exhibition... this one is based on the graveyards in Holywood - it says Nature takes back what it lost...

Notes on how the project evolved...

Line drawings and architectural study.

Silhouette as part of an installation preparation.

Parents hanging out in the garden.

Manga in the exhibition.

This pinecone is three times the size a human being. It was incredible being in its presence.

At the playground of Playschool

Children hang out at the basketball court

Three billy goats gruff - with potatoes...

Chicks and friends...the Easter festival

What could we say about the Easter Festival this year? It was amazing, as usual. The sun shone and the crowds turned up - and we made more money this year than we did last. So thank you to all who contributed and turned up and spent your dosh. The school really does appreciate every single thing we do get through.


Sarah and family at the cafe...


Now there's a happy bunch...


Yum!


Easter buns, with bluebell fairy and lamb cake...which was raffled. We raised amost £50 at this stall alone.












The entire school is an art gallery of the children's work.




Part of the Easter branches decoration





The colours of the class and age - class 6 - depict the vibrance of the light as it fades in the evening light. Watercolour lends a dreamy feel to it, giving the actual texture of being of that age.




There are no textbooks. Everything is drawn by the student - and researched and written up. As they do this, they realise that everyone is an artist and they are able to incarnate their own individual consciousness through their bodies and therefore relate deeply and meaningfully to others around them in a creative and caring way.


Two selections from the crafts stall...chicks and forget me nots in a recycled tea cup. How the simple is naturally lovely.


No where on planet earth will you see adults get more excited about decorating eggs, i promise!







And kids get quite excited sometimes too!




Here's a depiction of the threats facing the natural world - in this case a panda bear ponders over it's reduced supper.

Our kids relax in the sunshine and snaffle a waffle or two...







Over a few weeks a hut appeared at the foot of the tree. It was at first a bird hide and then became something much more amazing. By the time Easter festival took place, it was untouchable and the kids got to keep the hut.


Our school is beautiful, there is no doubt about that. Not big and brassy or clipped to within an inch of life - but overflowing and organic and nuturing beautiful. And nowhere is it more apparent than in the kindergarten. Thank you to everyone who donated those daffodill bulbs.


Angels look after the bathroom in kindergarten.


Nature table with daffodill fairy and flowers...



Blossoms from Jacinta's garden


Window boxes glow with spring...





Easter chicks being sewn.


Concentration and admiration.


At the hut - and the favourite well loved tree.


The grounds looked spectacular!


Easter baskets with beeswax and grass seeds.


Eggs for the Easter baskets. To all of us who ate our way through dozens of eggs, well done!


Easter baskets being made.


The palm sunday branches with the Easter cock lends a real festive atmosphere to the school.


Another one...


And we can't get enough of them!


Beautiful decorated eggs at the egg dipping stall.


Here we make the Easter branches

Let your friends know about the website and that they can see the festival and its highlights on line. It was magic!