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Junior School News October 2024

Hallowe'en Decorations in Reception

Hallowe'en Decorations in the Junior School Reception Area

Ms. Smith and the Art Captains have entered into the Hallowe’en spirit by decorating the Junior School reception area in a spooktacular style! Thank you to Ms. Smith and the Art Captains as well as Shoshanna and Georgina’s family for donating the sunflowers and pumpkins from Alright Pumpkin. We hope that everyone enjoys the display and has a Happy Hallowe’en!

Chess Queens

Chess Queens in KG Lower
Ms Kenny and Mr O'Connor

The girls in KG Lower have been so excited to be learning all about chess with Mr O'Connor and the J6 chess captains, Emily and Leah. We learned all about the pieces we needed to play chess from the Bishop to the pawns, the rooks to the Queen, to the Knight and most importantly the King. We got to hold all the pieces in our hands. To finish our first Chess Club, we all got pages with different pieces on them which we had the opportunity to decorate and design. We popped our designs into our newly decorated chess folders. We can't wait to learn more and play each other in KG tournaments.

Autumn Senses

Autumn Senses
Ms Kenny and KG Lower

Over the last few weeks, the girls in KG Lower have been learning all about our 5 senses. We went on a special senses walk around our campus, trying to find loud crunchy leaves or see if we could find signs of autumn. Each day we focused on a new sense and completed a special page for our first ever project. We then went on a very enjoyable nature walk. We went with partners and we each had a bag that we filled with leaves and other signs of nature like acorns and pine cones. We brought our nature treasures back to the class and used them to compare the different types of leaves. Some were bumpy, some had lots of spikes and some were very big! We got to use our leaves for some leaf rubbings. We also used our leaves to create gorgeous hedgehogs which are on display near our coat hooks. We have been learning a beautiful song all about autumn too which we sing every day. We love autumn in KG Lower!

J1 is loving all things Autumn!

J1 is Loving All Things Autumn!
Ms. Dower

This month, J1 has been exploring everything autumn and loved it! We’ve explored autumn in so many different ways and it’s amazing to see how much we’re learning while having fun.

In literacy, we’ve been reading lots of books and poems all about the season. From stories about animals getting ready for hibernation to poems about crunchy leaves and chilly mornings, we’re discovering what makes autumn such a special time of year - we even wrote our own acrostic poems!

We’ve also been getting creative with our autumn art projects, using our story 'The Scarecrow Wedding' as a stimulus. 

Maths has been just as exciting! We've been practicing our addition skills, using our answers to uncover hidden pictures of characters from our storybooks on special activity sheets. It’s been a fun and creative way to bring maths and reading together!

In SESE, we’ve been learning all about the changes that happen in autumn. We’ve talked about how the weather gets colder, the days get shorter and how animals like hedgehogs and squirrels get ready to hibernate. We even learned about farmers harvesting their crops to prepare for winter.

Autumn has really come to life in our classroom and we have enjoyed every minute of it!

J2R Student-Led Assembly

J2R Student-Led Assembly
Ms. Gorry

On Tuesday, 24th September, half of the J2R class led a student assembly. The other half of the class will lead an assembly later in the year. The theme of the assembly was character strengths from our Weaving Well-Being programme. The girls explained what self-control, teamwork, forgiveness, humour, love, appreciation of learning, open-mindedness, creativity and love of learning mean. The girls presented their colourful posters and encouraged every girl to be her best self. Well done to the J2R girls. They should be very proud of themselves.

Ms. Gorry

J2W Student-Led Assembly

J2W Student-Led Assembly
Ms. Brady

J2W were delighted to have their first student-led assembly on the 1st of October. Half of the class led this assembly and the other half will lead one later this year. The girls told the story of Oisín in Tír na nÓg and each girl drew a picture of a scene from the story. The girls really enjoyed learning about Oisín and Niamh and telling the story. They all spoke very well and did a great job.

J3 Trip to the Zoo

J3 Trip to the Zoo
J3R and J3W

This term, J3 has been studying different animals and their ecosystems. We are going to construct our own zoos with different habitats suitable to each animal that we are studying.

What better way to plan the layout of a zoo and its enclosures, than by visiting Dublin Zoo?

On a dry, bright morning, J3 headed off on the bus, the excitement was palpable. When we reached the zoo,  J3W headed off with Viktoria on the Rainforest Ranger Tour. We visited the South American House and the Reptile House where Viktoria told us a lot about the different animals and what they needed in their enclosures. We got to ask lots of questions too! While J3R then enjoyed the tour, the other class headed off around the zoo to see lots of different animals.

We came back together for lunch and then afterwards we visited the African Plains to see the giraffes- an animal that many of the girls are studying for their project.  We were lucky enough to meet other zoo rangers and we got to touch a giraffe's tail, feel the weight of a foot bone and even smell giraffe dung!

We came back to school with lots of ideas for our own zoos and we can't wait to get started on the construction of our own enclosures!

J4W Assembly on Friendship

J4W Assembly on Friendship
Ms. Shaw

J4W have been discussing the theme of friendship and all of the qualities that are required for healthy and happy friendships. They did a Friday assembly based on this theme and they sang a song all about friendship ‘as Gaeilge’!

Both J4 classes had great fun pumpkin painting. We amalgamated the class groups for this activity and the girls got very creative with their spooky pumpkins!

 

J5W October Update

J5W October Update
Ms. Roache 

Lighthouses of Ireland

For our class assembly this month, the J5W class took on a huge project about lighthouses. We explored the history of Ireland’s lighthouses and how they have been impacted by technological developments. In groups, the girls each researched one of Ireland’s most famous lighthouses. We discovered the following lighthouses: Hook Head, Fanad Head, Clare Island, Loop Head, Poolbeg, Skellig Island, Fastnet Rock and Baily Lighthouse. They also created their own lighthouses using cardboard and paint.

Monet Art

J5W has been exploring lots of art skills this month. We worked with watercolours to recreate the famous ‘Waterlilies’ painting by Claude Monet. We used a combination of watercolours and oil pastels to create the images.

Enjoying the last of the sun!

J5W have been out and about around the school enjoying the last of the sunshine before the winter sets in. We have been reading Holes by Louis Sachar as our class novel this month!

Gaeilge Coiste

Gaeilge Coiste
Ms. Roache

We would like to introduce you to our Gaeilge Committee for 2024/2025. This year’s Coiste will be run by Elizabeth, Aoife, Holly, Amelia, Réiltín and Jessa. The girls will be completing their first Tionól Oíche Shamhna this week for Hallowe’en.

Black History Month

Black History Month
Annabelle and Harriet, J6W

This week in J6, we created projects for Black History Month. Each group chose a person of colour who made a difference for black people and the world. We learned about Rosa Parks, Nelson Mandela, the Williams sisters, Simone Biles, Marcus Rashford and more. 

Each group presented their projects to the J2 classes and talked to them about the differences made by their chosen person. The J2s were very enthusiastic about our projects, every hand shot up in the air when asked about their learning.

We had a lot of fun learning and presenting our projects to the J2s. The projects are hanging up around the school if you want to have a look.

Creative Tech Classes

Creative Tech Classes
Ms. McGarry

Since September in the Alex Junior School, Creative Tech classes have been in full swing! The KG Upper girls tested out the concepts of forces and motion in science through building LEGO STEAM Park funfair rides. The girls really enjoyed constructing their own seesaws! Meanwhile, in both J2 classes, the students developed their literacy and computational skills side by side as they explored Scratch Junior. Scratch Junior is a block-based programming app which introduces the students to core computer science concepts. The girls learned all about “coding as another language” and created mini stories to express their learning. This week, the J2s learned where the phrase “there’s a bug in my code” came from as they read the wonderful picture book “Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code” with Ms. McGarry. Afterwards, they enjoyed working on animating the story of Grace Hopper finding an actual moth in her computer.

Both J3 classes have been busy learning all about LEGO robotics and Minecraft while J6 students worked in the coding application MakeCode Arcade to create retro-style computer games.

Microsoft Dreamspace Ambassadors

Microsoft Dreamspace Ambassadors
Ms. McGarry

This year Aimee and Orla (J5R) and Molly and Maeve (J5W) will represent Alexandra College Junior School as our Microsoft Dreamspace Ambassadors. Across the academic year, the four girls will join the Microsoft Dreamspace team online every month, along with other participating schools from around the country, to learn more about STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and creative programming. Over the year, the girls will also have to work with different classes in Alex and help with raising awareness of STEM and online safety in the Junior School. We look forward to seeing what wonderful ideas they will come up with!

Holly's Robot (J4W)

Holly's Robot (J4W)
Ms. McGarry

Last week, J4W student and STEAM Captain Holly shared with us her wonderful LEGO creation: Brainy the Robot! Holly had created Brainy out of some recycled materials, LEGO pieces and a marble. Holly demonstrated how she had created her robot and all the different modifications she had to make to it to get it functioning correctly. Brainy rolls across the floor as the marble is underneath and has a lever attached to make sure Brainy does not fall over!

 

Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools

Annual Diocesan Service for Primary Schools
Junior School

A group of J4 students represented Alexandra College Junior School at the beginning of year service for all the junior schools in the Dublin and Glendalough Diocese. On a beautiful sunny morning, the girls joined over 600 other students, teachers and principals in the magnificent surroundings of Christ Church Cathedral. The various rectors and our own Archbishop Michael Jackson led us in prayers, readings and hymns on the theme of Harvest. Everyone received a special blessing for the new school year. It was a very joyful occasion for everyone there.

Music Assembly

Music Assembly
Cara, Helen, Amelia, Holly, Molly, Katie and Zoe (Music Captains 24/25)

On Thursday 3rd October five students played at morning assembly for the Junior School. First up was Ellie on the piano playing ‘Cats in the Kitchen’. Then Holly played Ode To Joy on the violin. It is a familiar piece to us. Ruby was up next giving her first saxophone performance. She played ‘Fandango’. Then Hannah was joined by Mr. Wilson who played an accompaniment while she improvised. Finally, Lola played ‘Mad As A Hatter’ on the violin. We enjoyed all of the performances and we thank the students and their teachers Ms Qiao, Ms. O’Rourke, Mr. Cooney, Mr. Wilson and Ms. Dabek.

October Sports Update

October Sports Update
Ms. Tracey

Mount Anville Home Mini-Hockey Blitz

Earlier this month we welcomed Mount Anville junior teams over to play in a mini-hockey blitz. Sunshine added to the fun as skilful techniques and goals were aplenty! 

AIJS Mini-Hockey Tournament 

We played this challenging, yet fun afternoon tournament in Mount Anville Junior School, on Monday October 7th, under a bright, sunny blue sky! We had two teams representing our school in this exciting yearly tournament.  It is played in a round robin format, with a winner coming through each section going into playoffs.  Our team 2 made it into the semi-final and had a very close match with the eventual winners St. Andrews. Well played girls. Great teamwork everybody!

Mia Meets Tennis Stars

So you know when you see a group of autograph hunters court-side, pens outstretched, calling out with excitement, well our Mia was one of those lucky seekers during the summer in The Queens Tennis Club.  How amazing for her as she got to meet an array of tennis stars. One of them even gave her their towel too!  A great treat and memories made. Well done Mia!

 

Student Leadership 2024/2025

The following girls have been appointed to leadership roles in the Junior School in addition to the girls listed in last month’s Alexpress:

Art Captains

  • J2R: Hana and Astrid 
  • J2W: Juliana and Casey 
  • J3R: Laura and Isabel 
  • J3W: Florence and Charlotte 
  • J4R: Georgia, Alana, Chloe and Maia 
  • J4W: Mia, Emilia and Ellen 
  • J5R: Jane and Juliet 
  • J5W: Jessica and Martha
  • J6R: Anna, Cara and Ellie-Rose 
  • J6W: Lila, Amelia, Harriet and Skye 

Music Captains

  • J5R: Holly 
  • J5W: Zoe 
  • J5W: Amelia 
  • J5W: Katie 
  • J5W: Molly 
  • J6R: Cara 
  • J6W: Helen 

Gaeilge Captains

  • J5R: Jessa and Réiltín 
  • J5W: Amelia and Holly
  • J6R: Aoife 
  • J6W: Elizabeth 

 

STEAM Captains

  • J2R: Stella 
  • J2W: Síun
  • J3R: Bébhinn and Juliette 
  • J3W: Frankie and Remi 
  • J4R: Issy 
  • J4W: Holly 
  • J5R (Dreamspace Ambassadors): Aimee and Orla 
  • J5W (Dreamspace Ambassadors): Molly and Maeve 
  • J6R: Sadhbh 
  • J6W: Rosie

Student Council

  • J1: Juliet and Chloe 
  • J2R: Lara 
  • J2W: Lily 
  • J3R: Doireann
  • J3W: Sabrina 
  • J4R: Aurelia 
  • J4W: Lila 
  • J5R: Emily 
  • J5W: Annie 
  • J6R: Martha 
  • J6W: Zoe 

Green-Schools Committee

  • KG Lower: Chloe and Nesa 
  • KG Upper: Sophia and Shoshana 
  • J1: Eliza and Juliet 
  • J2R: Margaret 
  • J2W: Amelia 
  • J3R: Hannah 
  • J3W: Abigail 
  • J4R: Eileanóra 
  • J4W: Sophia 
  • J5R: Lola 
  • J5W: Aoibheann 
  • J6R: Zahara 
  • J6W: Élise 

French Captains

  • J5R: Alex and Emily 
  • J5W: Zoe and Amelia 
  • J6R: Sadhbh and Ciara 
  • J6W: Elise and Llanka  

Chess Captains

  • J5W: Hannah
  • J6R: Emily and Leah 
  • J6W: Llanka and Síofra