Junior School News November 2025
Preschool Lower
In Preschool Lower, we have been learning all about the topic of vets and pets. The children were very enthusiastic and enjoyed the role play area pretending to be vets and customers bringing in their pets to the veterinary practice. We learnt how to look after pets and where they live. We also brought in photographs of our own pets to show to our friends in the class.
Preschool Upper Science Week
The Preschool Upper class celebrated Science Week with a range of hands-on activities. The girls explored experiments such as floating or sinking, a Skittles rainbow, psychedelic milk, dancing raisins and a magnetic scavenger hunt. We also put some white roses in a vase filled with water and blue food colouring and observed the petals turning blue throughout the week. The girls enjoyed Science Week so much that we carried it on into a second week. They observed, explored and predicted outcomes. Our Science Weeks were full of discovery experiments and hands-on fun which in turn will spark curiosity and support early STEAM learning.
J3 Trip to Dublinia
On Tuesday, 21st October, the J3W girls had a fantastic day visiting Dublinia. They had so much fun learning all about the Vikings and taking part in exciting hands-on activities.
The girls became archaeologists for the day, digging up artefacts and writing short reports about their discoveries. They also enjoyed creating their own Viking shields, each one unique and full of creativity.
Throughout the guided tour, the girls asked thoughtful questions and showed great interest and enthusiasm for learning. It was wonderful to see how engaged they were and how much they remembered from our work in class.
It was a really enjoyable day, and I’m so proud of how well the girls represented J3W and Alexandra College Junior School.
J5 Update
DreamSpace Ambassadors
This year's DreamSpace Ambassadors, Kate, Amy, Ellie, Lucy, Emily and Grace have gotten off to a fabulous start. They have already completed training on Microbits, internet safety and an introduction to coding. We can’t wait to see all that these girls achieve this year!
J5R Assembly
To celebrate Kindness Day in November, the J5R girls spoke about the value of kindness in our lives and the ripple effect it can have on others. They also reminded us of all the ways we can "choose kind" everyday! Well done, girls!
J5 Trip to Russborough House
On Tuesday 21st of October, the J5 classes set off to Blessington in Wicklow to have some fun at CP Adventure Centre. The girls took part in team building skills, rope climbing, zip lines, orienteering and archery. A great day was had by all!
AIJS Handwriting Competition
Congratulations to Kate (J2W) who won 3rd place and Isabel (J4R) who was awarded 2nd place in the Association of Independent Junior Schools’ Handwriting Competition.
Fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society
Thank you to everyone who supported our recent fundraising events for the Irish Cancer Society. The JACA committee supported our Hallowe’en costume sale and the Student Council collected donations on our dress up day. The total raised was €1,377.40. Well done to everyone who supported this worthy cause and contributed their time and financial support.
Coiste Gaeilge Nua sa Scoil
I mbliana, tá sceitimíní orainn Coiste Gaeilge nua a chur i láthair, a bheidh ag obair go dian chun Gaelbhratach nua a bhaint amach. Tá an grúpa seo lán d’fhuinneamh agus chairdeas agus iad ag iarraidh níos mó Gaeilge a spreagadh timpeall na scoile.
Roimh an bhriseadh Oiche Shamhna, d’eagraigh an Coiste Gaeilge tionól speisialta don scoil - Tráth na gCeist lán spraoi agus comórtais! Bhain gach duine taitneamh as, agus bronnadh duaiseanna deasa Ghaeilge ar na buaiteoirí.
Tá tús iontach curtha leis an mbliain ag an gCoiste Gaeilge - agus níl dabht ar bith ach go leanfaidh siad ar aghaidh ag cur na Gaeilge chun cinn sa scoil!
Christ Church Cathedral Service
On Thursday, 13th November at 11am, eight J4 girls represented the Junior School at a Diocesan Service for pupils and teachers of Primary Schools and Junior Schools in Christ Church Cathedral. The theme of this service was “Care and Unity’. We enjoyed attending the service and representing our school.
Picasso-Inspired Tote Bags Bring Art to Life at School
Students from J2R recently created Picasso-inspired canvas tote bags in art class. After studying Picasso’s portraits and the ideas behind Cubism, they experimented with geometric shapes, unusual viewpoints and bold colours to design their own abstract self-portraits. They then transferred their designs onto tote bags using fabric paint, resulting in a collection of colourful, creative and practical artworks now being proudly used around the school.
Mount Anville Mini-Hockey Blitz
Following mid term break, two of our J6 hockey teams were invited to play the annual AIJS Mini-Hockey Blitz. This event is kindly hosted by Mount Anville School, with the added bonus of a very generous refreshments station in operation throughout the afternoon! This mini-hockey blitz is competitive yet fun for the players, as it has an emphasis on friendly round robin matches and learning how this format works for each team. Each team is included in a particular group section and play their matches therein, with the winners emerging, and then playing off with the other section winners. Our teams played very well in their sections, each played four matches, with one of them just missing out on qualifying for the playoffs. A great afternoon’s fun hockey was had by all. Well done to all our players. A big ‘thank you’ to Emma and Aoife in Mount Anville Junior School and to their great and attentive TY helpers and referees on the day.
AIJS Basketball Tournament
Basketball was to the fore on Wednesday November 12th, as we set off to Castle Park Junior School to participate in the annual AIJS Basketball afternoon.
The basketball squad was:
- Lizzie (J6R)
- Amelia H (J6R)
- Jane (J6R)
- Annabel (J6R)
- Millie (J6W)
- Annika (J6W)
- Zoe (J6W)
The squad ‘management team’ in charge of the team’s gear and first aid bag were Molly D, Cara C and Orla.
Our team played 5 mini-matches in their section with a winner emerging from each to go forward into the playoffs. We finished in seventh position overall, in what was a good sporting basketball tournament kindly hosted by Castle Park. Well done to all our players and manager Molly.
Hope Concert 2025
The Junior School choir performed beautifully at the HOPE concert on the 20th November. It was a wonderful evening, showcasing all the outstanding musical talent in the College. A huge thank you to Ms Fitzgerald for preparing the girls so well and to Mr Wilson for accompanying on the piano. Mr. Cooney, Ms O’ Rourke, Mr. Wilson, Mr. Gutierrez and Ms Foster contributed so much to every part of the evening too. It was a real treat for all of us to be there.






























