Imagine how cool it would be to build a robot that could grasp a ball or pick something up?  This was something our class wanted to investigate.  In our robotics engineering project, our objective was to create working hands from everyday craft materials that demonstrates how real working hands work.  We began by studying the anatomy of the human hand using this information to guide us in building our robotic hands.  We used materials that are readily available in our classroom such as cardboard, string and straws and busily go to work on a series of designs to help build our hands.  After much testing we finally created a design that functioned as a robotic hand would function.  Our design can pick up and grab objects.  We were very excited with our results.

Although it is not a competition for the primary schools, each project is visited by a judge who questions the class on their work.  The judge then gives a written report based on this questioning.  Our judge seemed really impressed and gave us a fantastic report commenting on the students’ knowledge and enthusiasm for the project.

Sixth Class really enjoyed visiting both the other primary school and secondary school projects.  They saw an amazing 3D space show and visited the “World of Robots” to see the amazing robot Titan.  Overall, a fantastic day was had by all.

• In First Class the pupils made flowers with their grandparents photograph in the centre of them.  The children also made certificates and wrote poems to give to their grandparents.  The pupils created booklets in which they had lots of questions about school life and family life years ago and how it differs to now.  On the back of the booklet each child and grandparent drew their hand – this was a lovely memento of the day.
• In Sixth Class we the pupils were delighted with the opportunity to show our grandparents how much they mean to us.  We loved showing them around our classroom and it was fun to see them sitting at our desks – They didn’t get any homework though.  We presented them with a special poem and shared our favourite memories of them.

Following this there were light refreshments in the hall.

We would like to thank all our grandparents for taking time to come out and join us – we loved having you!

Below are some of the photographs taken on the day.

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The pupils were thrilled to have been accepted to take part this year, following in the footsteps of the Sixth Class pupils of two years ago.  Following a very early start leaving the school at 6 30 am the pupils, accompanied by Ms Hogan and Ms McMahon arrived to the RDS and set up their demonstration.  Along with their class teacher, Ms Lorraine Hogan, Sixth Class demonstrated their project entitled “Fruit Batteries”.  The children enthralled the visitors to the exhibition with experiments and demonstrations of circuits using batteries and using fruit and vegetables.  The class proved they could produce electrical power to light an LED light using a variety of fruits such as lemons, grapefruits, limes and potatoes.  As well as presenting their project the pupils also got to see other presentations from many other primary and secondary schools.  The judges were very complimentary in their report on the high standard of content and knowledge shown by the children.  A great day was had by all and an exhausted group returned to the school that evening.  Sixth Class were proud to walk away with a trophy of participation. 

Well done to all.

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After assembly Garda Chris O Meara, who came out on his day off, gave us a safety talk before we we set off.  Local Sergeant Mark Kelly and Senan Gardiner from An Taisce brought reflective arm bands and jackets for those who didn’t have theirs.  Most of the pupils from 5th and 6th Class took part along with parents Colm Brophy and Aileen Hoyne along with our youngest participant Saoirse.  Ms Hogan and Green School Co-ordinator Mrs Maher also took on the challenge.  Mr Hanamy followed behind to collect the jackets and jumpers that were discarded due to the exercise and good weather.

There was great camaraderie as the pupils cycled, and a healthy competitive attitude - to see who could climb the hills without getting off the bike.  

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Look through the slide show to see how the day was enjoyed by everyone – so much so it may become an annual event!

Thank you to our local Gardaí, An Taisce, parents who took part and also those parents who brought their children’s  bikes to school.

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Then 2nd Class pupils showed their grandparents the new SCRATCH computer programming that they are using on the laptops, and finished with a song by the new Beatles – One Direction, and everyone joined in!

The pupils brought their grandparents to the hall where they served refreshments to their grandparents.

It was a fantastic and interesting day!

We hope you enjoy the slideshow of our ceremony and visitors!

As we seek our Fourth Green Flag we are concentrating on transportation and how to lower our global foot print.  In line with this last Friday 5^th and 6^th Class had a very informative day on bike safety with Senan Gardiner.  We learned how to do the “M Check” on our bikes and how to do the life saver Look before overtaking obstacles or turning.  We had great fun trying to keep between the obstacles with one or two not able to keep their feet off the ground.  The slow bicycle race was also a challenge for some who are more used to going fast.  Danny in 6^th Class kept Senan busy with multiple punctures and as a result 6^th Class learned how to fix a puncture.

Well done to Stephen, Conor, Jack and Luke who came third in the North Tipperary Schools GAA quiz last night.  The boys did us proud as there were a total of 25 teams in the quiz.  Good luck in the next round.

To coincide with World Food Day on October 16^th, students from Co. Offaly participated in the Save the Children World Marathon Challenge.  This event was run in solidarity with children across the globe and served to highlight the difficulty that many have just to survive.

Up to 20,000 children from 45 countries took part in the event.  Teams were made up of  30 – 40 runners who shared out the running of the marathon distance in their various locations.  A total of 14 teams participated in Ireland including 2 teams from Co. Offaly.

The Co. Offaly teams were from Tullamore post primary schools and a primary selection. Four Sixth Class  pupils from our school participated on the primary team which was the only primary selection taking part in Ireland.

First three places in the global event went to teams from Africa, first and second to Kenyan teams and third to a team from Zimbabwe.  Tullamore post primary schools placed 7^th in the global competition and were the first Irish team home.  The primary school team from Co. Offaly finished in 7^th place out of the 14 teams in Ireland.  This was a fantastic result when we consider that many of the primary children were 2 and 3 years younger than children on the post primary teams.  In the global event our primary team were placed in joint 61^st place alongside a public school team from New Deli in India.

Well done Emer, Orla, Laura and Darragh.

This week Sixth Class are learning all about the United Nations. On Friday we are going to hold our own model United Nations conference. Each student is taking on the role of a different country. They will research their country during the week and will represent it at our conference. We’re looking forward to some lively debates!

The United Nations officially came into existence on 24 October 1945, when the UN Charter had been ratified by a majority of the original 51 Member States. The day is now celebrated each year around the world as United Nations Day.

The purpose of the United Nations is to bring all nations of the world together to work for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people. It affords the opportunity for countries to balance global interdependence and national interests when addressing international problems.

There are currently 192 Members of the United Nations. They meet in the General Assembly, which is the closest thing to a world parliament. Each country, large or small, rich or poor, has a single vote, however, none of the decisions taken by the Assembly are binding. Nevertheless, the Assembly’s decisions become resolutions that carry the weight of world governmental opinion.

The Aims of the United Nations:

• To keep peace throughout the world.
• To develop friendly relations between nations.
• To work together to help people live better lives, to eliminate      poverty, disease and illiteracy in the world, to stop environmental      destruction and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms.
• To be a centre for helping nations achieve these aims.

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Sixth Class in Dromakeenan didn’t need a time machine to bring some of their favourite characters to life! The pupils worked hard at researching many interesting personalities, both real and fictional. Each character told their own story and everyone learned something new.

All were encouraged to get creative and many wardrobes were raided to help recreate the correct costumes! Everyone was enthusiastic to get in character and give their presentations.

The entire class were entertained by the iconic sounds of Michael Jackson and enthralled by the silent movie star, Charlie Chaplin. Even Elvis offered some rocking information about his career.

The literary world was well represented by the romantic Jane Austin and Roald Dahl explained how his childhood influenced his writing.

The Celtic Queen Boudicca told of her role in history through rap! Definitely not a woman to be messed with! Sitting Bull brought along some Indian crafts and outlined his people’s struggle with the white man. Anne Frank spoke about her time in hiding in the annexe and shared some photographs of her secret hideout.

Florence Nightingale relived her many days and nights on the hospital wards and showed just how she earned her name, ‘The Lady with the Lamp’.

Other historical figures included Michael Collins, Christopher Columbus, Leonardo da Vinci, Molly Malone, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King and JFK, to name just a few.

We are looking forward to see who might travel through the sands of time to appear in Dromakeenan in the future!