Weekly Note & Reminders 15th September 2023

From Mr McKernan (Principal, Whole School)

Dear Parents,

The Week Ahead Teaching Assembly - Chunking

During this week’s Teaching Assembly for Forms IV to VI, we explored the ‘Chunking' learning method. This cognitive strategy involves breaking down complex information into smaller, more manageable units or ‘chunks’. The approach is based on the idea that our working memory has limited capacity, and by organising information into smaller chunks, we can process and remember it more effectively During the Assembly, we used the analogy of slicing an apple to make it easier to consume.

To illustrate this approach, we looked at Seamus Heaney's poem 'BlackberryPicking' in a single black text, demonstrating that dividing it into smaller paragraphs, each distinguished by a different colour, made the learning process more manageable.

The pupils then took on the task of reciting smaller sections of the poem individually and in pairs This method helped improve confidence and comprehension By the end of the Assembly, some pupils could recite all three paragraphs, demonstrating the success of this practical learning technique.

This Assembly brought forth several key insights and strategies for effective learning:

Break down large pieces of information into manageable chunks. Use ample white space and different colours for each chunk to make it visually clear

The order in which chunks of information are presented can be rearranged, allowing learners to tailor their learning process to their individual needs and preferences.

Risk-taking should be encouraged in the learning process. This was evident when the pupils confidently recited segments of the poem during the Assembly, demonstrating that stepping out of one ' s comfort zone can foster growth and deeper understanding.

Self-testing while learning is important for reinforcing and solidifying what has been learned

At the end of the Assembly, a challenge was set for the pupils: to learn the entire poem using the chunking method by the end of this week. During next week’s Assembly, we will have the opportunity to hear our senior pupils recite the entire poem, demonstrating the effectiveness of the chunking process and its positive impact on learning

Anti-Bullying Week

Thursday 21st September

Form V Boys Basketball v Ballyroan School @ 2:30 pm (Home). Collection times as normal. Full sports kit required.

Parent Seminar:

"Smartphones and Children’s Mental Health" (Dr Joanna Fortune) 7:00 pm in the Assembly Hall. Tea & Coffee available from 6:30 pm.

Friday 22nd September

FCP Recruitment Drive in Assembly Hall @ 8:45 am Tea and Coffee available from 8:30 am

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

Anti-Bullying Week

Next week is Anti-Bullying Week. This dedicated week provides a platform for our pupils to actively engage in projects and discussions to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone We will share the highlights with you in next week's Newsletter

Seminar: ‘Smartphones & Children’s Mental Health’

I would like to remind you about the upcoming parent seminar on raising awareness about the impact of smartphone usage on young children. We strongly encourage you to attend as this event holds significant importance for the welfare of our children. Dr Joanna Fortune, a renowned psychotherapist and author, will be the keynote speaker, sharing valuable insights and expertise in this area The seminar will take place in the Assembly Hall at 7:00 pm on Thursday, 21st September

Read about Dr Joanna Fortune and her work by clicking HERE

Forest School

During Forest School sessions, the children have been eagerly exploring nature, engaging in hands-on activities, and immersing themselves in the natural environment. Whether building forts with sticks, identifying different plants and bugs, or simply enjoying the fresh air, Forest School lessons have generated a remarkable level of enthusiasm Please scroll through the Photo Gallery below to see the Senior Infants class enjoying Forest School on Wednesday afternoon

Can we please remind parents to send in ALL the required Forest School clothes for your child. The weather can change unexpectedly, even if it appears dry in the morning when coming to school.

Tea Menu

It's a great way to stay updated on the delicious and nutritious meals we offer our pupils who attend after-school care.

Kindness Award

Below is an informative infographic on the Chunking method, created by Todd Blake Finley, Ph D , a tenured professor of English Education at East Carolina University

This week, the Award was presented to Cléo***

From Mr Tindale (Deputy Principal, Whole School)

Student Council Meeting

Today, our elected Student Council members gathered in the Board Room for their first meeting of the Autumn Term. We are excited to work with this group and look forward to listening to their perspectives and ideas. Please take a look at their names and photos on the next page.

From Mr Paddy McDonald (Facilities Manager)

Drop Off & Collection - Reminders

Please take note of the following reminders around drop off and collection:

Under no circumstances should parents park and leave their cars in the Set-down Area. Please park your car in the spaces provided.

Children arriving at school after **** am should enter through the main school entrance so that they can be accurately registered

If arriving through the new pedestrian back gate in the morning, ***

Please use the designated footpaths in the car park and adhere to general safety guidelines

Le gach dea-ghuí

Stephen McKernan

Principal

Artist of the Week

Aleksandr ***

Form I-C has started the new school year learning about the contemporary artist Jeff Koons and his 'Balloon Animal' sculptures The pupils created large, colourful drawings of balloon dogs using markers, pens, and coloured pencils inspired by the artist's sculptures

Theme of the Week

Composer of the Week

Francesca

Irish Phrase of the Week

- Learning

Blackberry-Picking

by Seamus Heaney

Late August, given heavy rain and sun

For a full week, the blackberries would ripen.

At first, just one, a glossy purple clot

Among others, red, green, hard as a knot.

Caccini

Chunking

Foghlaim

Student Council - Elected Representatives

I-C - Eli

I-P - Oliver

II-C - Hugo

II-P - Daniel

III-C - Max

III-P - Lily

IV-C - Bruno

IV-P - Harry

V-C - Euan

V-P - Pierce

VI-C - Marco

VI-P - Oisín

News from the Classroom - Senior Infants (Ms Bradnick)

The Senior Infants children have quickly settled into the new school year and are full of energy We have established an excellent reward system where we fill each other’s buckets with kindness by being helpful around the classroom and trying our best. By collectively filling the ‘class bucket’ with acts of kindness, we earn points and can win a prize at the end of each month.

In our Topic and Art lessons, we are learning all about Autumn and this week, we focused on deciduous trees and owls We learnt that not all trees are evergreen and that deciduous trees do not die during the winter months. We took inspiration from Wassily Kandinsky and used his abstract style to create deciduous trees in the autumn season

Here are some facts that we already know about trees:

·Alana – “Trees have sap coming out of them ”

·Veronica – “Trees get sick too.”

Alex – “Trees help us to breathe ”

·Siddhartha – “Did you know that trees actually give out carbon dioxide at night? I watched it on YouTube once. ”

During our Friday Forest School lesson, we noticed a large number of pine cones on the ground. We collected some and decorated them like owls; some pine cones had spiders inside, but we calmly released them back to their natural environment Learning about owls ignited our curiosity, and we are all eager to learn more about nocturnal and migratory animals in Ireland.

Photos from the Classroom - Senior Infants (Ms Bradnick)

Photos from the Classroom - Senior Infants (Ms Bradnick)

Photos from the Classroom - Senior Infants (Ms Bradnick)

Kindergarten 2 - PE with Mr Nolan

Forest School - Senior Infants

Forest School - Senior Infants

Forest School - Senior Infants

Forest School - Senior Infants

Forest School - Senior Infants

Children’s Rights Projects - Form V-P

Step into the past and discover the rich history of Castle Park

School with our captivating timeline, from humble beginnings in 1904 to the co-educational independent day school it is today.

History Of Our School

TIMELINE

1904

Castle Park was founded as a private school by Mr W.P. Toone with 20 enroled boys.

1938

1940

The School changes its crest to a design representing the family crests of Mr. Toone and Mr. Pringle, along with a castle and an open book symbolising learning

1962

Castle Park School becomes a charitable trust.

1975

Mr. Carter retires, and Mr. Carl Collings becomes headmaster.

The Montessori Department is opened (now The Early Years Department)

The Cricket Pavilion is built, and Mr Toone officially retires.

1953

Mr. Palmer Carter becomes headmaster, and several new facilities, including a pool and dining hall, are constructed.

1967

Castle Park becomes coeducational.

1989

Mr. Toone hands over the School to Mr Donald Pringle

TIMELINE History Of Our School

Castle Park merges with Brook House School and introduces Ross House in honour of Mr Peter Ross New changing rooms and additional classrooms are added.

Mr Collings leaves Castle Park after 15 years as headmaster Ross House is renamed Collings House in his honour.

A decision was made to modernise the School crest to the simplistic current version, which displays the symbolic Castle on an open book.

1991 1994 1998 2008 TODAY

Boarding ends due to reduced demand

2004 2017

The School undergoes a significant renovation, providing state-of-the-art facilities for pupils

Today, with Mr McKernan as Principal, Castle Park School continues to thrive and provide a world-class educational experience.

Interesting Fact:

During the Second World War, an air raid siren was erected in the Tower and the Basement was used as a shelter.

www.castleparkschool.ie

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