Senior Room School Tour to Dublin

Yesterday the Senior Room went on their school tour to Dublin.

They had an early start to the day boarding the train at Rathmore station at 7.57am. We hopped aboard full of excitement for the day ahead!

We arrived in Heuston Station, Dublin before 11am. We got off the train to bustling crowds of travelers and commuters all going about their day. We headed out the door and to the Luas and bus stops outside. We had our change ready for the bus and paid the driver by putting the change into the box and telling him that we were going to the city centre. We headed up the stairs of the double decker so that we could see the sights of the city as we drove through.

We arrived at Nassau street and made our way on foot to Kildare Street where we stopped at our first destination of the day - The National Archaeological Museum. We were very excited about our trip because we had learned about Bog Bodies, The Ardagh Chalice, The Tara Brooch, Egyptians, Brian Boru and the Battle of Clontarf, Celts, and much more! The museum is full of treasures  that are over 2000 years old!

After that, we walked up to St. Stephen's Green. It was a beautiful day so we stopped to sit on the grass and eat our picnic lunch and enjoy the sunshine.

We continued our day by returning to Kildare Street and Leinster House. We were met by Michael Healy-Rae at gate. He shook each of our hands in turn and welcomed us in.

He brought us to a lounge where he treated us all to a mineral and a chocolate bar. He told us some fantastic stories and kept us all entertained! After that we walked up a very impressive staircase and he showed us into the public gallery where we could see some ministers debating in the Dáil Chamber. The Ceann Comhairle sat at the top with his Clerks. At one point there was an argument, and  the Ceann Comhairle had to step in and bring order back to the Chamber. We spotted Michael Noonan and James Reilly in the Chamber.

Michael Healy-Rae left us there and we were joined by a guide from the Dáil called Brendan. He was from Dublin and nearly kicked some of us out for wearing Kerry jerseys!!

He brought us around the different places in the Dáil, showed us paintings of all the former Taisigh, a replica of the original proclamation paper - signed by President Sean T O'Kelly, the rooms of the Seanad (which had a very impressive ceiling) and a painting of Austin Stack.

We had a great time but it was time to return home. We went to SuperMacs where we had pizzas, or chips and burgers and then headed back to Heuston Station. We boarded the train for home at 5.05pm and were back in Rathmore Station at 8pm, exhausted but happy after our days adventures.

Pizza Perfect!

The Senior Room were very busy today with Marianne Cronin, making pizza from scratch. We started with the tomato sauce. We made tomato sauce by frying up some onions and basil. We then added in tins of tomatoes and some herbs and let the magic happen. The sauce came to the boil, and then we let it simmer to reduce and thicken.

Once the sauce was thickened, we used a blender to blend the mixture and make it smooth. We spooned the tomato sauce onto the pizza bases and spread it around. 

After that, we added cheese to each pizza. Then came the fun part - adding our favourite toppings!! We had plenty to choose from - pepperoni, ham, onions, mushroom, peppers, chicken tikka, sweetcorn, tomatoes and bacon. We added more cheese on top again. 

Finally, the pizzas were put into the oven to cook. Our perfect pizzas were ready! We used a pizza slicer to cut the pizza into slices and it took us 10 minutes to gobble up 3 big pizzas between 9 of us! 

We can't wait to see what Marianne has in store for us in two weeks time!! 

Adjectives we used to describe our pizzas were: amazing, tasty, fantastic, spicy, scrumptious, delicious, yummy, mouth-watering, indescribably delicious! 

Snow Day in Shrone NS

Pupils were delighted this morning to wake up to a blanket of snow covering Shrone.

They got straight to work building snowmen before starting a snowball fight!! We were all very cold but happy going back inside.

Unfortunately  the snow has started melting so there will be very little left by the time we all get home! 

Click Here for a link more photos!

Santa Claus

In school this month Aaron and Carina made a papier mache Santa Claus. Carina blew up 2 balloons. One for his body and one for his head. They stuck strips of newspapers all over the balloons using glue. They did that 6 times. They then put on 2 layers of plain white paper. Aaron painted the body red and his head skin colour. Carina then made hands using paper and stuck them on the body. When the paint was dry they made a belt and stuck it around his body. Aaron stuck cotton wool on santas jacket and Carina helped Aaron glue Santa's beard, eyes and nose on. They finished Santa by making him a hat.  Carina then made a chimney for Santa. Aaron had great fun making Santa and now wants to make an elf! 

Kerry Rose visits Shrone NS

Newly crowned Kerry Rose, Mary Hickey, visited Shrone NS yesterday to raise our Green Flag and our JEP flag. She also unveiled our LEAF award and Discover Primary Science and Maths Award of Excellence.

Mary was presented with some gifts from the pupils, such as a tomato plant representing the Green School,  a Sea the Facts book to represent the JEP flag and a handmade hama bead token in a rose design.

The Senior Room had written speeches about each award and spoke very well in front of the audience of parents and the school community.

The girls serenaded the Rose with the Rose of Tralee tune on the tin whistles.

Everybody was treated to icecream afterwards and Mary, the Kerry Rose, signed autographs,  posed for photos and chatted to everybody. We all had a great day! 

We wish Mary all the best in the Rose of Tralee.

Kieran's reply from Wayne Rooney!

After yesterday's excitement when the post arrived, we were surprised again today when Sheila the postwoman arrived delivering a letter to Kieran!

As part of our letter writing project before Christmas, Kieran had chosen to write to soccer player Wayne Rooney. He was thrilled today to receive a reply from the man himself - with an autographed picture postcard!

Kieran commented "My hands are shaking, I feel like jelly - I'm speechless!"

So far we have had responses from Treasa Murphy (Radio Kerry), Kate Middleton (Duchess of Cambridge) and now Wayne Rooney (Manchester United). We are eagerly awaiting responses from some other well known personalities!

Having a Whale of a Time!

Everybody in Shrone National School from Junior Infants to Sixth class are really enjoying our swimming lessons. Here we are impatiently waiting to get ready for swimming at Killarney Sports and Leisure Centre! Next week is our last week but we've really enjoyed the 6 weeks of swimming...everybody has moved up one level since last year so we're very proud of ourselves!