Frenchpark National School

As previously mentioned we received fantastic news that following our application and assessment last month Frenchpark N.S., in now a Digital School of Distinction.

The Digital Schools of Distinction Award is an award programme launched by Minister Quinn in 2013 which promotes, recognises and encourages best practice in the use of technology in primary schools. This initiative is sponsored by HP Ireland and Microsoft Ireland. As a result of achieving this award, our school has received a wireless colour printer and free printing for the year.

This award recognises the time effort and money in the development of a digital culture in Frenchpark N.S. and the development of pupils digital ability. The use of technology in Frenchpark N.S. is to be seen in each classroom where it helps to enhance the pupils learning and enables them to become lifelong learners. More information at www.digitalschools.ie

We have just heard that we have received our first Blue Star Award. Congratulations to the pupils in the senior room who worked so hard on this programme.

The Blue Star Programme is an education initiative for primary school students across Ireland. The idea of the Programme is to foster better understanding and knowledge of the European Union amongst Irish primary pupils. Students are encouraged to get creative and undertake a programme of tasks and activities in order to introduce participants (pupils, teachers, parents and the wider community) to the EU; what it means and how it works. The pupils carried out a wide variety of projects and work to help them to understand better the role of the E.U. and the various countries that are part of it. They worked on four categories:

1 Historical: This area looked at how the EU started and also the History of Leonardo Da Vinci.

2 Geographical: The study included an in depth study of several European countries including an historical, geographical and cultural look at the country. The projects also featured research of people of interest from these countries and interesting facts about the country.

3 Creative and cultural: The pupils looked at European artists and art and reproduced their own versions of famous paintings. We also had a Europe day and were delighted when Mr. Luke Flanagan M.E.P visited our school to celebrate Europe day with us.

4 Institutional and learning: Here pupils looked at the European institutions such as the European Commission and European Parliament.

More information at www.bluestarprogramme.ie

Ghlac rang a ceathair, rang a cúig agus a rang a sé páirt i Seachtain na Gaeilge i mbliana. Fuair na daltaí teastais an seachtain seo caite de bharr an meid oibre a bhí deanta acu. Bhí áthas an domhain orainn iad a fháil. Bhí siad go hálainn.

4th, 5th and 6th Class with certificates they received last week for work done during Seachain na Gaeilge in March this year.