School Activities & Programmes
Below you will find a small sample of what occurs in our wonderful school.
Extensive School Grounds & Space
As this map of our school and grounds demonstrates, our school has truly excellent facilities which includes a surfaced yard, basketball pitch, football pitches and an all-weather pitch (see bottom right of Senior School - darker green).
We have a mutually beneficial arrangement in place with Baldoyle United FC who have use of our grounds at agreed times and, in return, care for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities to the highest possible standard.
As a priority, our young boys and girls get to enjoy extensive access to these state-of-the-art facilities.
The boys and girls use these grass areas for lunch time when the weather permits.
We have a mutually beneficial arrangement in place with Baldoyle United FC who have use of our grounds at agreed times and, in return, care for the maintenance and upkeep of the facilities to the highest possible standard.
As a priority, our young boys and girls get to enjoy extensive access to these state-of-the-art facilities.
The boys and girls use these grass areas for lunch time when the weather permits.
Sports
To say we are passionate about sports in St. Laurence's NS is an understatement! We recognise the critical importance of physical activity and team play in the lives of our young boys and girls and encourage their participation at all levels. We coach Football & Hurling, Soccer, Basketball, Trackside Tennis, Table Tennis, Boxing, Irish Dancing and Athletics and our school takes enormous pride in our continued sporting achievements over the years.
Visit our Hall of Fame to learn more about our awards and click on the links below to directly access these club/association websites. We are lucky to have great sporting clubs on our doorstep - Na Dubh Ghall GAA, Baldoyle United FC, and Suttonians RFC to name a few. |
Football
Football
Football match on the School Pitch (Senior Building)
Athlethics
Athletics
Marathon Kids
Basketball
Basketball
Basketball match in the School court (Senior Building)
Tennis
Tennis
Tennis in Bayside Parks Tennis Club
Soccer
Junior Soccer Leagues
A very exciting Junior Soccer League is played every year r League. Traditionally boys and girls from 3rd and 4th play, and are managed by boys and girls from 6th. The teachers help to organise such a successful tournament, and a special thanks to Baldoyle Utd. who sponsored the medals and plaques.
Make sure to check out the gallery for photos down through the years
Make sure to check out the gallery for photos down through the years
Literacy
Power Hour
Our school implements a Power Hour literacy programme for all classes from Senior Infants to Second Class. This is an intensive intervention programme that gives children the opportunity to read and write at their own level of competency and gradually increase the complexity of what they a can achieve in reading and writing.
Through carefully planned literacy activities the children are equipped with decoding and comprehension skills to aid their progression to becoming independent readers. It helps to make the children constructive learners. It teaches them ‘how’ to problem-solve independently. An emphasis is placed not just on reading the words, but also on fluency, comprehension, punctuation and intonation when reading.
There are many positive benefits to this type of approach to literacy. The children are given more opportunities to express themselves orally. Quieter children find their voices in a small group setting and children learning English gain confidence. The teachers have a chance to assess individual needs and to get to know the children better. Small group supervision of writing and phonics/spellings encourages the children to focus and to take more care with their written work.
Our support teaching team will work in-class in collaboration with the class teacher to deliver the programme Monday to Thursday for a duration of one hour per day. This hour is known as Power Hour.
During the programme the children read to two teachers every day. We use PM Readers for this programme. The children work in small groups at different literacy stations. The groups rotate so that each child will practise four specific areas of literacy every day.
These stations are:
The children bring home their books from Power Hour for homework for the duration of the programme. We encourage you to continue to read to your child for pleasure and to continue to encourage them to enjoy books in their free time.,
Through carefully planned literacy activities the children are equipped with decoding and comprehension skills to aid their progression to becoming independent readers. It helps to make the children constructive learners. It teaches them ‘how’ to problem-solve independently. An emphasis is placed not just on reading the words, but also on fluency, comprehension, punctuation and intonation when reading.
There are many positive benefits to this type of approach to literacy. The children are given more opportunities to express themselves orally. Quieter children find their voices in a small group setting and children learning English gain confidence. The teachers have a chance to assess individual needs and to get to know the children better. Small group supervision of writing and phonics/spellings encourages the children to focus and to take more care with their written work.
Our support teaching team will work in-class in collaboration with the class teacher to deliver the programme Monday to Thursday for a duration of one hour per day. This hour is known as Power Hour.
During the programme the children read to two teachers every day. We use PM Readers for this programme. The children work in small groups at different literacy stations. The groups rotate so that each child will practise four specific areas of literacy every day.
These stations are:
- Familiar book (working on pace, fluency, expression and comprehension).
- New book (working on pace, word attack skills, problem solving with text).
- Phonics/ Word games.
- Writing skills.
- Independent station.
The children bring home their books from Power Hour for homework for the duration of the programme. We encourage you to continue to read to your child for pleasure and to continue to encourage them to enjoy books in their free time.,
Aistear
Aisear (2009) is the curriculum framework for all children in Ireland from birth to six years. It describes the types of learning that are important for children at this stage in their lives. Aistear is a guide for planning exciting, engaging and fun learning experiences and activities for children in daycare and sessional services, in infant classes in primary schools and in childminding settings. It also offers lots of practical ideas to parents for how they can help their children learn through everyday activities and routines.
Reading Buddies
The school is currently involved in a Reading Buddy initiative where each child in the senior school is paired with a child or children in the junior school. The aim of the initative is that friendships are formed through a communal love of books.
Junior Juries
Established in 2005, the Junior Juries is a unique programme for schools and libraries, designed to encourage awareness and enjoyment of the annual book awards. All young reading groups from across the country are invited to take part in Junior Juries. Participating classes and book clubs make their own selection of suitable titles from the books shortlisted for the awards in March. At the end of this process each group is asked to collectively vote for their favourite book.
The winner of the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Award will be announced in May as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin.
The winner of the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Award will be announced in May as part of the International Literature Festival Dublin.
School Libraries
Our students visit the beautiful libraries in both the junior building and senior building. They spend the time browsing the shelves and choosing which books they want to read for that week and bring home.
Sometimes the pupils visit the magnificent Baldoyle Library. We encourage active readership amongst our young students so they will gain a life-long love of reading. If you have reading suggestions you think they would enjoy, please contact us with titles and we will post these suggestions to this page.
Sometimes the pupils visit the magnificent Baldoyle Library. We encourage active readership amongst our young students so they will gain a life-long love of reading. If you have reading suggestions you think they would enjoy, please contact us with titles and we will post these suggestions to this page.
Flags
Green Flag
Amber Flag
On the 6th of May 2021, St Laurence’s N.S was awarded an Amber Flag for our efforts to promote positive mental health and well-being in our school.
It is well documented that positive mental health and well-being enables young people to lead fulfilling lives. Home and family are recognised as the primary source of nurturing and support for children. However, mental health and well-being are recognised as everyone’s concern. It involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and the many others involved in day to day life of the child. Positive mental health for children is part of their overall health and is inextricably linked with well-being.
In order to promote positive mental health and well-being we decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. This involved the whole school community coming together in order to create a safe, positive, and healthy attitude towards our general physical and mental health and well-being.
Our Aim: To Promote Positive Mental Health at School
It is well documented that positive mental health and well-being enables young people to lead fulfilling lives. Home and family are recognised as the primary source of nurturing and support for children. However, mental health and well-being are recognised as everyone’s concern. It involves the whole school community, parents/guardians and the many others involved in day to day life of the child. Positive mental health for children is part of their overall health and is inextricably linked with well-being.
In order to promote positive mental health and well-being we decided to take part in the Amber Flag Initiative. This involved the whole school community coming together in order to create a safe, positive, and healthy attitude towards our general physical and mental health and well-being.
Our Aim: To Promote Positive Mental Health at School
The Visual Arts
Art
We love art in our school! We have an Artist of The Month Initative where the boys and girls create art inspired by famous and child friendly artists.
Music
Our boys and girls enjoy singing and experimenting with all types of musical instruments.
Our 3rd Class pupils have partaken in the St. Mary's Secondary School Transition Year musical in previous years playing orphans and elves and munchkins and what not - great fun for all!
Many of our pupils are in the St. Laurence O'Toole church choir and sing at the 11.00am Family Mass every Sunday.
Every Christmas the entire senior building performs a Christmas Carols service in SuperValu, Sutton to raise funds for charity.
The children love the opportunity to perform in public and this event signals the true start of the Christmas season for many of our families.
6th class sang carols for the children of St. Micheal's House while 4th class sang Christmas Songs for the elderly in La Verna.
Our 3rd Class pupils have partaken in the St. Mary's Secondary School Transition Year musical in previous years playing orphans and elves and munchkins and what not - great fun for all!
Many of our pupils are in the St. Laurence O'Toole church choir and sing at the 11.00am Family Mass every Sunday.
Every Christmas the entire senior building performs a Christmas Carols service in SuperValu, Sutton to raise funds for charity.
The children love the opportunity to perform in public and this event signals the true start of the Christmas season for many of our families.
6th class sang carols for the children of St. Micheal's House while 4th class sang Christmas Songs for the elderly in La Verna.
Coding & ICT
iPads, Laptops & Chromebooks
We have class sets of iPads, laptops and Chromebooks in both buildings. The boys and girls love integrating technology into their day to day school lives.
Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world.
As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. |
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Subject Weeks (Maths/Science/Reading etc.)
Maths Week
Maths week is celebrated every year in the middle of October. The children have great fun engaging in mathematical activities and games throughout the week. The children put great effort into designing Maths Week posters which were on display throughout the school.
Children participate in maths games, maths stations, answered mathematical puzzles and riddles as well as participate in various indoor and outdoor maths trails around the school.
Pre Covid 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes attended the 'Murderous Maths' presentation by Kjartan Poskitt in the Helix and DIT. Kjarten is the author of the 'Murderous Maths' series of books (link). It is an interactive workshop full of mathematical trucks and it is very enjoyable. 6th class also had the opportunity to visit Microsoft and participate in the 'DreamSpace Experience'. The aim of this digital skills experience is for the children to be inspired by technology at an early age giving them critical thinking and problem solving skills.
On Friday of Math's Week, all children dress up in clothes that have a mathematical theme and there no doubt there are some very imaginative costumes every year. Also on Friday, the children in the junior building engage in various maths stations and board games in the hall.
A very enjoyable week for all! Keep an eye on the gallery for regular photos of Math's Week.
Children participate in maths games, maths stations, answered mathematical puzzles and riddles as well as participate in various indoor and outdoor maths trails around the school.
Pre Covid 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes attended the 'Murderous Maths' presentation by Kjartan Poskitt in the Helix and DIT. Kjarten is the author of the 'Murderous Maths' series of books (link). It is an interactive workshop full of mathematical trucks and it is very enjoyable. 6th class also had the opportunity to visit Microsoft and participate in the 'DreamSpace Experience'. The aim of this digital skills experience is for the children to be inspired by technology at an early age giving them critical thinking and problem solving skills.
On Friday of Math's Week, all children dress up in clothes that have a mathematical theme and there no doubt there are some very imaginative costumes every year. Also on Friday, the children in the junior building engage in various maths stations and board games in the hall.
A very enjoyable week for all! Keep an eye on the gallery for regular photos of Math's Week.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week around St. Patrick's Day 17th March) is an international Irish language festival and one of the biggest celebrations of our native language and culture that takes place each year in Ireland and in many other countries.
The festival gives an opportunity to everyone to enjoy Irish, whether you are a fluent speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal, with a calendar of entertaining and fun events for every type of interest and every age group.
Voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools, libraries, and music, sports, arts and culture organisations organise events for Seachtain na Gaeilge in their local area.
Irish is for everyone, Seachtain na Gaeilge is for everyone – Bain Triail Aisti – Surprise Yourself!
Find out more about Seachtain na Gaeilge here.
All things Irish are celebrated in St. Laurence's NS throughout the year, with a special focus during this action-packed period. Irish cultural activities performed in the school include:
The festival gives an opportunity to everyone to enjoy Irish, whether you are a fluent speaker, learner or have a cúpla focal, with a calendar of entertaining and fun events for every type of interest and every age group.
Voluntary and community groups, local authorities, schools, libraries, and music, sports, arts and culture organisations organise events for Seachtain na Gaeilge in their local area.
Irish is for everyone, Seachtain na Gaeilge is for everyone – Bain Triail Aisti – Surprise Yourself!
Find out more about Seachtain na Gaeilge here.
All things Irish are celebrated in St. Laurence's NS throughout the year, with a special focus during this action-packed period. Irish cultural activities performed in the school include:
- Irish language competitions
- Céilí Dancing
- Irish Music
- Tin whistles
- Irish story telling
Science Week
The offical Science Week runs in November in Ireland, however we run our own Science Week after Christmas every year.
Last year we celebrated Science Week year from April 26th - 29th and a lot of fun was had in both buildings.
Many different experiments were carried out in all classrooms such as making volcanoes and explosions, making slime, making butter, using magnets, checking heart rate and investigating forces! A lot of STEM challenges were carried out both at home and at school where children built rafts, built bridges, made parachutes and built towers from spaghetti and marshmallows!
Lots of classes went outdoors and engaged in a 'Five Senses Hunt' or 'Science Hunt' and both buildings took part in a 'Science Table Quiz'. In the Junior Building all classes had to navigate the crime scene and investigate who took 'Sammy Science's' lunch!!!
Ms. Foley kindly shared with us daily videos of her chicks hatching much to the children's delight! We were all very surprised when two black chicks were born! We were also very lucky to have a visit from Robyn's (Senior Infants) mother. She brought in her six tortoises for the three Senior Infant classes to see. She gave a little talk about the tortoises and it must be said we learned a lot!
There was also of course a daily science riddle and many classes got to watch fascinating experiments by Phil Smyth (RTE Hub) and some videos from ESB Science Blast. 3rd class had an informative talk on animal welfare with the DSPCA and 5th and 6th had a virtual experience with the National Museum of Ireland on 'Cool Fossils and Facts'.
A very enjoyable week was had by all, which helps us to achieve the STEM Award Check out the Gallery for photos of this amazing week.
Last year we celebrated Science Week year from April 26th - 29th and a lot of fun was had in both buildings.
Many different experiments were carried out in all classrooms such as making volcanoes and explosions, making slime, making butter, using magnets, checking heart rate and investigating forces! A lot of STEM challenges were carried out both at home and at school where children built rafts, built bridges, made parachutes and built towers from spaghetti and marshmallows!
Lots of classes went outdoors and engaged in a 'Five Senses Hunt' or 'Science Hunt' and both buildings took part in a 'Science Table Quiz'. In the Junior Building all classes had to navigate the crime scene and investigate who took 'Sammy Science's' lunch!!!
Ms. Foley kindly shared with us daily videos of her chicks hatching much to the children's delight! We were all very surprised when two black chicks were born! We were also very lucky to have a visit from Robyn's (Senior Infants) mother. She brought in her six tortoises for the three Senior Infant classes to see. She gave a little talk about the tortoises and it must be said we learned a lot!
There was also of course a daily science riddle and many classes got to watch fascinating experiments by Phil Smyth (RTE Hub) and some videos from ESB Science Blast. 3rd class had an informative talk on animal welfare with the DSPCA and 5th and 6th had a virtual experience with the National Museum of Ireland on 'Cool Fossils and Facts'.
A very enjoyable week was had by all, which helps us to achieve the STEM Award Check out the Gallery for photos of this amazing week.
Book Week
In Book Week the children take part in a range of different activities to foster and promote literacy within the school.
- On Monday the children in both school buildings take part in ‘The Big Book Quiz’.
- Tuesday’s activity sees the children of the senior school building go on a book trail.
- The centrepiece of our week is when the children and teachers will dress up as their favourite book characters and take part in our monthly Reading Buddy programme.
- Many more activities take part during the week too
Junior Entrepreneur Programme
The Junior Entrepreneur Programme (JEP) was created to allow every primary school pupil in Ireland the opportunity to embrace entrepreneurship as part of their formative education.
JEP departs from traditional teaching, allowing the teachers become facilitators, letting pupils think freely and understand what entrepreneurship really means. Children use their creativity to come up with individual business ideas, they come together as a class to choose one idea and then work as a team to turn the idea into reality over a 12-16 week period. They meet with a local entrepreneur to hear their story and ask questions. Many children have expressed surprise that such exciting enterprises are on their doorsteps. Their questions and reports on these visits reveal incisive questions and deep understanding of important activity in their locality.
Through the JEP curriculum, games and learning aids, pupils get a clear picture of what creating a business is all about. Every step mirrors strands in the primary school curriculum. This means that pupils are not wasting their time or being distracted from important learning. Instead, they’re learning new life skills as well as their core subjects
JEP departs from traditional teaching, allowing the teachers become facilitators, letting pupils think freely and understand what entrepreneurship really means. Children use their creativity to come up with individual business ideas, they come together as a class to choose one idea and then work as a team to turn the idea into reality over a 12-16 week period. They meet with a local entrepreneur to hear their story and ask questions. Many children have expressed surprise that such exciting enterprises are on their doorsteps. Their questions and reports on these visits reveal incisive questions and deep understanding of important activity in their locality.
Through the JEP curriculum, games and learning aids, pupils get a clear picture of what creating a business is all about. Every step mirrors strands in the primary school curriculum. This means that pupils are not wasting their time or being distracted from important learning. Instead, they’re learning new life skills as well as their core subjects
FUSE Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme
St. Laurence’s National School is proud to be a partner in Dublin City University’s FUSE Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme.
FUSE is the first research-based Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme designed to comply with UNESCO’s Whole Education Approach to tackle bullying and online safety in schools. It is based on 25 years of research on bullying prevention and intervention and is designed to support the wider SPHE/RSE/Wellbeing curricula in schools. FUSE consists of a suite of student-led workshops and resources which FUSE teachers can deliver in the classroom.
At the heart of FUSE is the aim of building capacity in schools themselves to tackle bullying and online safety issues and to empower children and adolescents to understand their own behaviour, be able to recognise bullying and online safety risks and be confident in how to report and seek support when they need it.
We are delighted that our 4th and 5th classes have been participating in this programme for the past two years particularly given the emphasis and importance of online safety now that children are relying more on smartphones and other digital devices for educational and social purposes
FUSE is the first research-based Anti-Bullying and Online Safety Programme designed to comply with UNESCO’s Whole Education Approach to tackle bullying and online safety in schools. It is based on 25 years of research on bullying prevention and intervention and is designed to support the wider SPHE/RSE/Wellbeing curricula in schools. FUSE consists of a suite of student-led workshops and resources which FUSE teachers can deliver in the classroom.
At the heart of FUSE is the aim of building capacity in schools themselves to tackle bullying and online safety issues and to empower children and adolescents to understand their own behaviour, be able to recognise bullying and online safety risks and be confident in how to report and seek support when they need it.
We are delighted that our 4th and 5th classes have been participating in this programme for the past two years particularly given the emphasis and importance of online safety now that children are relying more on smartphones and other digital devices for educational and social purposes
Get Up Stand Up Programme
The 6 th classes are taking part in the Get Up, Stand Up programme. This is a social skills programme which was created by NEPS psychologists to help young adolescents.
The overall goal of this programme is to as help the young person to develop strategies and skills to help him/her to cope with some difficult situations he/she may face. Everyone experiences times at school when things can be difficult. One of the messages we want students to get is that there are strategies which are available to help them get through life more easily. Topics covered include friendships, dealing with feelings, dealing with intimidation and teasing, learning to solve problems and making decisions, resilience and
coping.
We hope that the students will use the skills learned in this programme to help them cope with the transition to Secondary School.
The overall goal of this programme is to as help the young person to develop strategies and skills to help him/her to cope with some difficult situations he/she may face. Everyone experiences times at school when things can be difficult. One of the messages we want students to get is that there are strategies which are available to help them get through life more easily. Topics covered include friendships, dealing with feelings, dealing with intimidation and teasing, learning to solve problems and making decisions, resilience and
coping.
We hope that the students will use the skills learned in this programme to help them cope with the transition to Secondary School.
After-School Clubs/Activities
There are a number of different After-School activities run in the school for 1st-6th class directly after school. These clubs are run by teachers of the school and a small fee is charged.
Details can be gotten below or from your child's teacher and regular communication is distrubuted directly to pupils (please do not contact the school secretaries as you will recieve inaccurate information as this is not part of the secretaries roles)
Details can be gotten below or from your child's teacher and regular communication is distrubuted directly to pupils (please do not contact the school secretaries as you will recieve inaccurate information as this is not part of the secretaries roles)
Junior Building
After-School Clubs
Please contact each teacher individually for more information on the club.
Mondays
Club Gaeilge—Ms. McInerney
This club is ran by Ms. Mc Inerney who is currently studying for a masters in the teaching of Irish. The aim of the club is to promote a positive attitude towards the Irish language through sports, art, games and other activities. They will learn new words and phrases while taking part in fun activities. Despite the high demand for this club last year, I will only be running one day a week this year and places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Wednesdays
Technology/STEM—Mr. Murphy
This club will focus on the foundations of coding, technology and STEM. Throughout the year pupils will use iPads, coding robots such as BeeBots, and Chromebooks as they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively. Pupils will use apps such as Scratch, Scratch Jr and Minecraft. Mr. Murphy has completed a M.Sc in eLearning and has vast experience with teaching pupils of all ages in coding, computational thinking and STEM.
Dance– Ms. Hanley
Ms. Hanley will run dance classes every Wednesday. The classes will consist of hip-hop and zumba fitness dancing. The aim is to develop motor skills in a fun and creative way. They will learn different dances each week and will be given the chance to make up their own dance routines, working as a team. Numbers in this class are limited and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Thursdays
Varirty Club—Ms. Johnson & Ms. Faughnan
Ms. Johnson & Ms. Faughnan will run a variety club on Thursdays.
Mondays
Club Gaeilge—Ms. McInerney
This club is ran by Ms. Mc Inerney who is currently studying for a masters in the teaching of Irish. The aim of the club is to promote a positive attitude towards the Irish language through sports, art, games and other activities. They will learn new words and phrases while taking part in fun activities. Despite the high demand for this club last year, I will only be running one day a week this year and places are allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Wednesdays
Technology/STEM—Mr. Murphy
This club will focus on the foundations of coding, technology and STEM. Throughout the year pupils will use iPads, coding robots such as BeeBots, and Chromebooks as they learn to solve problems, design projects, and express themselves creatively. Pupils will use apps such as Scratch, Scratch Jr and Minecraft. Mr. Murphy has completed a M.Sc in eLearning and has vast experience with teaching pupils of all ages in coding, computational thinking and STEM.
Dance– Ms. Hanley
Ms. Hanley will run dance classes every Wednesday. The classes will consist of hip-hop and zumba fitness dancing. The aim is to develop motor skills in a fun and creative way. They will learn different dances each week and will be given the chance to make up their own dance routines, working as a team. Numbers in this class are limited and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.
Thursdays
Varirty Club—Ms. Johnson & Ms. Faughnan
Ms. Johnson & Ms. Faughnan will run a variety club on Thursdays.
Senior Building
Afterschool Club (Senior Building)
Afterschool Club runs every Monday, Wednesday & Thursday in the Senior Building. This club is open to children from 3rd to 6th Class. Please email the teachers directly for any information
Homework Club
Homework Club runs every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Senior Building. The club is open to children from 3rd to 6th Class from 2.45pm to 3.45pm. Children get a chance to have a snack after school and play games and do activities when homework is finished. The club costs €5 a day.
Contact Mr Gallagher by email on [email protected] . Class teachers and the school office will be unable to take correspondence on the club.
Contact Mr Gallagher by email on [email protected] . Class teachers and the school office will be unable to take correspondence on the club.
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