Weekly Note & Reminders 16th November 2023

Castle Park School

Weekly Note & Reminders 16th November 2023

From Mr McKernan (Principal, Whole School)

Wednesday 16th

Dear Parents, Teaching Assembly

Yesterday morning, at our Senior Assembly, we explored the theme of 'Getting Unstuck', focusing on the importance of ‘fluid thinking’. Using the analogy of a car stuck in 2nd gear, desiring to shift into 3rd but sensing a state of being 'stuck', we highlighted the idea that shifting gears and altering our perspective is synonymous with fluid thinking. Our conversation explored how this transformation could lead to increased success and happiness in our endeavours. Several of our pupils bravely shared personal stories about areas in their lives where they felt 'stuck’. As a group, we brainstormed solutions to help each other 'move up a gear’.

We concluded the Assembly with an assignment for our pupils: to actively listen to our ‘internal voice’ declaring that you are 'stuck' in certain aspects of your lives and recognise that this narrative is merely a story; we are not 'stuck' on anything. We must resist succumbing to that limiting voice and, instead, overpower the ‘can’t do’ with ‘can do’ — ultimately changing our mindset for the better.

Remembrance Assembly Last Friday morning, our Prep Pupils, Teachers and Staff gathered in the Assembly Hall to honour and remember those who died in World War I. Led by Mr Meade, our Remembrance Day Assembly focused on the brave past pupils who fought in the Great War. A total of fifty-six staff and pupils served in World War I, and sadly, twenty-five of them lost their lives. Harold Boyd, the first pupil to enrol in our school in 1904, boarded at Castle Park after travelling by ferry from England.

Tragically, he lost his life in Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915.

Among the names on the Castle Park Roll of Honour are Captain Sidney Cowan and Captain Philip Cowan, both heroes who perished in aerial combat. The youngest Castle Park pupil to lose his life in the First World War was 2nd Lieutenant Sydney Vernon Young, who was killed at the tender age of eighteen in September 1918.

The Week Ahead CAT4 (Cognitive Ability Tests) Hamper Collection Week 1

Monday 20th November Junior Commendation Assembly (I, II & III)

Tuesday 21st November Senior Commendation Assembly (IV, V & VI)

Wednesday 22nd November Teaching Assembly (IV, V & VI)

Thursday 23rd November Visitor: A Steps Engineer visiting the School to speak to Form III

Friday 24th November Prep School Assembly

Sunday 26th November

In a moment of reflection, we observed a minute’s silence, remembering not only those who served in the past but also those affected by conflicts today.

Pupils from our Form VI class then paid tribute in our Remembrance Garden by laying a wreath in honour of the past Castle Park pupils who gave their lives for their country.

As we concluded the Assembly, a powerful message remained: wars do not solve problems, and the path to a brighter future lies in peace and dialogue.

You can find details of all fixtures/events/activities on the Parent Portal Calendar

Science Week This week is Science Week, and we are delighted to take advantage of this opportunity to highlight and appreciate the wonders of science. With a packed schedule of events, the Science Room has been buzzing with various activities, including welcoming guest speakers (many of whom are parents), participating in online Science Shows, and carrying out interesting experiments. In our Early Years Department, our youngest pupils have been exploring the world of science through hands-on experiments and interactive activities.

We look forward to hearing all the news from Science Week next Thursday when Ms Prendergast shares her 'News from the Science Room'.

Wednesday 16th

Week Beginning Monday 27th November Hamper Collection Week 2 Parents invited to SwimCamp Lessons

Monday 27th November Junior Assembly

Tuesday 28th November Special Assembly: Poetry Recital

Wednesday 29th November Guest Speaker - Ms Eimear - ‘AI - How it works and how it attempts to mimic the human brain’.

Dress Rehearsal Form IV Plays

Form III Plays

As you read this Newsletter, our Form III classes are stepping onto the stage with their two exciting plays, 'Redd' (III-C) and 'Anything You Say Your Majesty' (III-P). We wish them the best of luck and look forward to sharing the highlights with you next week.

From Ms Kennedy (Assistant Principal, Early Years) Forest School Clothing

Thursday 30th November FCP Mentor Meeting @ 8:45 am

Please ensure that your child has warm clothing for their Forest School session. The wooded area can become quite cold, and it is essential to ensure that the children stay warm. Currently, some children are wearing lightweight, waterproof trousers and jackets unsuitable for the colder weather. Your understanding in this matter is greatly appreciated.

From Mr Hilman & Mr Nolan (Sports Department) Sports This Week Our Form VI boys played and won competitive basketball games against St Michael’s College yesterday. We would like to congratulate all of our pupils for their outstanding performances in their respective fixtures this week. Well done, everyone!

Friday 1st December

FCP Coffee Morning @ 8:45 am Prep School Assembly You can find details of all fixtures/events/activities on the Parent Portal Calendar

From Mr Hilman & Mr Nolan (continued) Boys’ Hockey We would like to remind all boys in Forms II to VI that they are now participating in hockey during their PE classes, and it is necessary for them to have shin pads and gum shields for their games lessons.

Theme of the Week

From Mr Meade & Ms Culshaw (Form V Teachers) Form V’s Personal Development Day The recent Form V Personal Development Day focused on fostering collaborative learning skills. The day began with a nutritious breakfast in the Dining Hall. The year group then split into their respective House Teams to participate in a schedule of activities.

In the Sports Hall, each House had to demonstrate teamwork by reassembling and correctly ordering newspaper pages that had been randomly thrown on the floor. A Treasure Hunt followed with clues based on the class novel ‘Under a Hawthorn Tree’, the history topic ‘The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand’ and some mathematical challenges.

Following this, our pupils demonstrated their engineering skills by constructing free-standing structures using newspapers.

Getting Unstuck with Fluid Thinking

Composer of the Week

As the day ended, the pupils reflected on the collaborative skills they had used during the various activities, emphasising the importance of effective cooperation.

Le gach dea-ghuí Stephen McKernan Principal Mr McKernan Sings ‘No Man’s Land’ at our Remembrance Assembly

Turlough O'Carolan

Please click ‘Play’ below to view the video.

Accompanied by our Director of Music, Ms McKiernan, on piano, Mr McKernan sang a moving rendition of 'Willie McBride’ (‘No Man’s Land’).

The poignant lyrics of this song tell the tale of a young Irish man killed in WWI in 1916.

Artist of the Week Charles - IV Before the holidays, the Form IV class crafted collagraphs and used them to produce unique prints. Focusing on creating layers of textures in prints, the pupils were asked to create an image of a castle to represent the beautiful surroundings of our school and its’ location by the sea.

Irish Phrase of the Week

Dearcadh -Mindset

Quote of the Week “Whatever we plant in our subconscious mind and nourish with repetition and emotion will one day become a reality.”

– Earl Nightingale

The ‘Colling’s Award’ - Introduction

From Mr Tindale (Deputy Principal) & Ms Geraghty (Curriculum Director) This week, Form VI pupils were introduced to the 'Colling's Award.' Named after Mr Carl Collings, a former Principal of Castle Park School, this award is an integral part of the Form VI academic year. During their Graduation Ceremony in June, graduating pupils will be presented with a bespoke medal to honour their achievements during their final year.

The 'Colling's Award' reflects aspects of High Performance Learning, character attributes, well-being, and broader life skills that will help our pupils succeed in secondary education and beyond.

The specific areas in which pupils must participate or demonstrate certain skills and attributes are listed below: Personal Development Day - focuses on collaboration and communication, with a particular emphasis on leadership.

Charity/Community Fundraising Events - being responsible for planning and leading a school-wide fundraising event. In addition, pupils will engage in discussions, debates, and decision-making processes to select a charity to support before organising the event.

MOTUS Workshop - pupils will participate in a three-morning well-being workshop led by psychologists who specialise in working with children to support their mental health.

'Science Blast' - pupils will work in groups to complete a detailed project, which will be presented to an external adjudicator at this year's ‘Science Blast’ in the RDS. A Personal Endeavour - pupils will individually present, discuss, or perform something they engage in outside of school to their peers. This can include activities such as sports or involvement in the performing arts.

Language Proficiency - in a language other than English or Irish.

Performing Arts - involves full participation in the School Musical and leading their houses in the Inter-House Singing Competition.

The Colling's Project - involves completing a detailed, independent project that will be presented to the class using the public speaking skills taught through the 'Mighty Oak' training.

A Writing Portfolio - comprising several pieces of exemplary work from their years at Castle Park School.

Outdoor/Adventure Activities - are predominantly completed during the residential trip to Killary Adventure Centre in Donegal.

News from Form II - Ms Ridge & Ms Balak

Form II had an enjoyable and eventful excursion to Pine Forest Art Centre last Thursday. The nature walk and crossing the bridge from Dublin to the Wicklow mountains were particular highlights. Along the way, the children learned about the different trees and mosses that grew in the area and the fascinating history of Irish bears and wolves that roamed the region long ago. Adding to this unique experience, the group crossed over the roof of a badger's sett and then energetically ran uphill back to the Arts & Crafts Centre. The day concluded with craft activities focused on the theme of nature. It was a wonderful day, and we were fortunate to have crisp and clear weather.

Over the last two weeks, the class has been learning to collect data and use it to compile block graphs. The pupils enjoyed reading each other's graphs and answering questions about their contents.

In English class, they have been learning about the correct use of the dictionary and building on their ability to quickly find and understand spelling words. Additionally, they learnt two poems, ‘Lark’ and ‘Newt’ by Robert MacFarlane, from the ‘Lost Words’ poetry book; they look forward to reciting them at a Special Assembly on Tuesday, 28th November. Form II was also excited to begin their cursive handwriting books this week.

In Irish, they have been working on ‘Ar Scoil’, building vocabulary and enjoying role-play activities.

The children are completing their Solar System projects in Social Studies, and in ICT class, they have enjoyed developing their PowerPoint skills and starting a touch-typing program.

LARK

NEWT

Little astronaut, where have you gone, and how is your song still torrenting on?

‘Newt, oh newt, you are too cute!’

Aren’t you short of breath as you climb higher, up there in the thin air, with your magical song still tumbling on?

Right now I need you, for my sadness has come again and my heart grows flatter – so I’m coming to find you by following your song, Keeping on into deep space, past dying stars and exploding suns, to where at last, little astronaut, you sing your heart out at all dark matter.

Emoted the coot to the too–cute newt, ‘With your frilly back and your shiny suit and your spotted skin so unhirsute!’

‘Too cute?!’ Roared the newt to the unastute coot. ‘With all this careless talk of cute you bring me into disrepute, for newts aren’t cute: we’re kings of the pond, lions of the duckweed, dragons of the water, albeit, it’s true – he paused – ‘minute’

Photos from Form II - Compiling Block Graphs

In the Adventure Playground with Form II

In the Adventure Playground with Form II

Photos from Form II Trip - Pine Forest Art Centre

Photos from Form II Trip - Pine Forest Art Centre

Photos from Form II - Pine Forest Art Centre

Remembrace Day - 11th November

Form V - Personal Development Day

Form V - Personal Development Day

Form V - Personal Development Day

Kindergarten 2 Book of the Month - ‘The Colour Monster’ Our ‘Book of the Month’ for November is ‘The Colour Monster’ by Anna Llenas. The children have been learning all about their feelings and emotions, and they each had the opportunity to make their own colour monster.

Kindergarten 2 Book of the Month - ‘The Colour Monster’

In the Art Room with Form I Making Clay Coil Pots

In the Art Room with Form I Making Clay Coil Pots

In the Art Room with Form I Making Clay Coil Pots

In the Art Room with Form I Making Clay Coil Pots

In the Art Room with Form III

‘Castle Park’ by Alannah (III-P)

ICT with Form IV

ICT with Form IV

Form V - WWI Newspaper Articles

Form V - WWI Newspaper Articles

Role-play in the Language Room with Form VI

Role-play in the Language Room with Form VI

Role-play in the Language Room with Form VI

Form VI Reading with Form I