PJP Halloween Newsletter 2024

The Student Council expressed a keen interest in bringing some festive fun to PJP School. They wanted to make it as fun as possible and decided not to make it competitive. There was no charge to bring in a pumpkin. The corridors and classrooms came to life with all of the wonderfully painted and carved pumpkins.

The Minions Pumpkins were wonderfully created by Cillian (Ms Cahill's 5th Class). They have brought so much joy to everyone who has visited the office this week well done Cillian and well done to everyone who took part in this wonderful artistic challenge!

Well done to all of our 5th Class students who received a Mathematician Certificate during Maths Week. It was great to see them all dressed up for Hallowe'en fun in school today!

October is Dyslexia awareness month! Lots of students in our school have dyslexia and we know that dyslexia is a big word to describe how some children find it hard to learn to read, write and spell.

If you want to learn more about Dyslexia there are some good books available to read to and with children to help them understand dyslexia such as “Tom’s Special Talent” by Kate Gaynor (for ages 5-9) and “It’s Called Dyslexia” by Jennifer Moore-Malinos (for ages 8-12). Both of these books are available to buy from Dyslexia Association of Ireland (DAI).

“Dyslexic Brains Learn Differently” is a lovely book about dyslexia. It was written by children for children, and has been created by the students of the Reading Class at Ennis National School, Co. Clare (aged 10-13 years, with severe dyslexia). In the book, each of the ten children tells their own unique story, from discovering that they have dyslexia to learning how to cope with it. It illustrates their many talents and abilities. There are information pages for parents and families, including recommended websites and apps. The book is available from www.ennisns.ie.

“Dyslexia: A Teenager’s Guide” by Sylvia Moody is a great book for teenagers to read themselves or perhaps with their parents. It helps young people to understand their dyslexia, their learning profiles, and suggest learning strategies which may help. It gives young people the tools to self-manage their dyslexia.

There are also lots of videos to watch including:

• https://youtu.be/gbWspi2_A1Q See Dyslexia Differently with intro by Don Wood
• https://youtu.be/IEpBujdee8M Nessy video on what it’s like being dyslexic.
• https://youtu.be/qAqtb-GrlNI Dyslexia and Me presentation made by 9-12 year olds
• https://youtu.be/5iKyunrK41s Dyslexia and Me presentation made by 12-16 year olds
• https://youtu.be/_CehY6TsoLc Hidden Potential, a short film produced in Ireland on dyslexia.

• https://youtu.be/MMMXtZXLrUA Jamie Oliver talks about being made by dyslexia

Hi, I am Fiadh,

I was Diagnosed with Dyslexia when I was eight and in 2nd Class.

Dyslexia is my superpower.

Dyslexia is a disability.

Dyslexia makes it hard to read and write.

I learn in a different way which helps me with all my problems.

I've brought in some stuff that helps me with my Dyslexia.

Thank you for listening to me about Dyslexia.

BOW FOR THE CROWD!

By Fiadh McDonagh Fox

Free Parent Digital Health Talk ( https://kidscoderclub.ie/events/)

GIRLS SENIOR GAELIC FOOTBALL TEAM by Anna and Corissa

On Wednesday the 18th of September our girls senior Gaelic football team played Portmarknock’s St.Marnock school on the Naomh Mearnog pitches.

We all left school at 1.15pm because we needed to be up at the pitches at 1.30pm. Once we arrived we started off with a warm up of stretches and kick passing to a partner.

After that the teachers (Ms. James and Ms. Carr) called us in to tell us who our captain would be for the next few games. We were delighted to find out that it would be Ellie Osbourne as we knew she deserved it. Then they called out the starting team. The players that were going on put on their gumshields and gloves and ran on to the pitch ready to go. Then the referee blew his whistle and threw the football in.

From the start we got possession and even managed to get a few scores but it was challenging as their line of defense was very strong and physical. We barely noticed time go by until the referee blew his whistle signalling half time. At this point we were up by a few scores.

After everyone got a quick drink, we jogged over to the teachers. The teachers announced the subs and told us that we were doing well. They gave us tips to help us do even better. Then the referee called us in and we got ready to go again.

In the 2nd half we increased our effort levels and applied all the tips and tricks the teachers gave us. In the end, we won by a good few scores and shook hands with the other team as they had also played well. We were all delighted to win our first match and we couldn’t wait for the next!

Our girls’ next match was a tense yet exciting game. We were to play Castleknock’s St. Patrick N.S. A few of the girls on the team had played them before and knew it would be a tight match. At 1.50pm on Monday the 23rd of September, we were all ready to head to Broomfield for the game.

We arrived at Broomfield at 2.00pm. We did similar stretches to the previous game but this time we changed our ball work. We got into groups of 5 and the first person in the group would bounce and solo up 10 metres to reach the cone and kicked it to the next person in the group. This would help us with our accuracy and soloing for the match.

At 2.15, Ms. Carr and Ms. James called us in to tell us the team. Then the referee blew his whistle and we all ran on nervous but excited.

From the beginning we knew it would be a tight game. We had equal possession but they managed to put more over the bar and even score a goal. As the game went further on we caught up on scores and at half time they were only up by a point.

We all got a drink first and then the teachers called us in. They told us that we did really well to comeback in that half and to keep that work rate up. Then the referee called us in and we ran back on.

The second was just as tough as the first. With two minutes to go they were up by two points. We struggling to get the ball out of our defense. With the last play of the game it looked like the game was over when Kayla Costello brilliantly intercepted a pass and soloed it down to the forwards. She made an excellent pass to Abbey Roche, who continued the play to Clodagh Sheedy. Clodagh quickly passed to Anna Relihan, who blasted the ball at the goal, but it was saved by the keeper. It rebounded back to Anna, who took a shot, but once again rebounded back to her. This time, our captain, Ellie Osbourne caught it, for the third time we had a shot but was saved by the keeper. We were not going to give up. Ellie took one last shot. The crowd roared as the ball hit the back of the net. The players all cheered and hugged Ellie as the referee blew his final whistle. Pope John Paul II had beaten St. Patrick N.S. the final score was 1.7 to 2.3 to us.

Our third and final group match was against Holy Family from Rivervalley we knew we had to win this to come top of our group and progress to the next round.

On the 25th of September at 12.10, we left for the St Finian’s pitches. We arrived at 12.25. It was raining quite heavily so we had to warm up quickly.

Instead we did our own warm up mainly lead by Isobel Harvey, Clodagh Sheedy and Ellie Osbourne but everyone contributed their own stretch.

At 12.55pm the teachers called us in. They told us the team players and that we just had to play like we did in our past two games. We would work hard and never drop our heads. AT 1.00pm everyone went in for the throw in.

At the start we had equal possession but we managed to get more scores on the board. Half way through the first half we got our first 45. Anna Relihan and Clodagh Sheedy had a trick up their sleeve. As Anna was about to take the 45, a coach named Niall called Clodagh over to him. Holy family thought that Clodagh was coming off as a sub. Once Niall was finished talking, Clodagh stayed in the wing and called for the ball. Then Anna made the pass to Clodagh who managed to pass it back. Then Anna scored a goal with her left foot.

At half time we got a drink and the teachers called us in. They subbed some people and told us to keep up the good work. Then the referee called us in for the second half.

In the second half we kept the work rate up and didn’t drop our lead. We battled through the whole game and we were rewarded with a win. We were all delighted to know that we were through the group stage. We celebrated even more when the referee called us over and told Clodagh Sheedy she was girl of the match. The final score was 8.3 to 1.2 to us.

We would like to wish Ms Garland all the best as she begins her maternity leave today. We are delighted to wish Ms Carroll well as she will be the new class teacher in Room 19. The boys and girls will be in very capable hands.

We are also very pleased to welcome Ms O'Connor into the 4th Class SET role. Ms. O'Connor is new to our school and we wish her well as she joins the PJP Staff.

PJP look forward to welcoming Ms Hannon back to school in November and thank Ms Conneely for her work to date with the students in Room 15.

The teacher shortage is well publicised at the moment and we will always do our best to find qualified substitute teachers to cover sick leave etc... Ms. Markey is always keen to have her substitute list as full as possible so please do let the office know if you would be available for subbing!