There was much excitement in the Greaghrahan school community when on Monday 15th November, Krafty Kidz Playschool and Creche, Ballyconnell opened a new After School facility at the school. This is a new venture which we hope will alleviate the difficulty many parents have in sourcing suitable after school care for their children. The one hour club is proving very popular with the infant classes, while the older children are kept busy with activities provided by Diane, Emily and Margaret. Places may be booked by contacting Annette or Elaine ny email at playtime16@gmail.com or on (049) 9526045. A breakfast club may be provided in the future if there is sufficient demand for such a service. 

This Christmas the students have worked really hard and are delighted to present their recorded Christmas performance video. The boys and girls have recorded a number of songs and poems and performed a range of Christmas songs on the ukulele. This link has been shared with parents via our private You Tube Channel.
We are all very excited for Christmas here in Greaghrahan NS and we would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. 

There was great excitement in the school on the Friday before Christmas when the children swapped their school uniforms for pyjamas and boarded the Polar Express for the Greaghrahan NS Christmas Party. After having their tickets stamped it was time to climb aboard to begin the magical journey. The day's activities were based around the theme. The children decorated gingerbread men, completed film and book studies on the movie, wrote a recipe for hot chocolate, performed reader's theatre, and completed writing and art based on the Polar Express theme. All classes had a thrilling ride on the magnificent steam engine which was decorated by the Senior Room. Music and steam engine sound effects enhanced the magical atmosphere for the excited passengers. Of course the day would not have been complete without a viewing of the movie. Giant cookies were provided, washed down with hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and marshmallows. The day ended with a surprise treat from Santa for all who believe! Thanks to SNA Karen, Ms. Smith and secretary Rhona for helping the teachers to prepare this special day for the children. 

Dale Treadwell from Heritage in Schools visited the school on Thursday, 16th December. Dale is the author of a series of children’s wildlife books and a former children’s television presenter. The children had the opportunity to learn about the natural environment through Dale’s popular presentation and field study.

The children all wore their Christmas Jumpers on Wednesday, 15th December to support Temple Street Children's hospital where Senior Infant pupil Kohen Fitzpatrick receives his treatment. Thanks to all our families for your generous donations. Altogether we raised an amazing €720.

The students in the Senior Room were delighted to be presented with a selection box from Mrs Smith in St Mogue's College, Bawnboy. The Transition year students have been working with the Senior Room every fortnight on an Irish language initiative between St Mogue's College and Greagharahan NS. The main aim is to develop the students conversational skills and create an environment where the language can be promoted. We look forward to working with St Mogue's College in the new term.
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The Active School committee organised some successful Christmas themed activities to end the term on a healthy note. The boys and girls looked great in their Santa hats as they completed a Santa vs Grinches game. We had so much fun.

Thanks to the committee for all their hard work.
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As part of our Amber Flag application, all students in Greaghrahan National School are completing Advent Random Acts of Kindness. They are busy completing random acts of kindness each day. Then, they are drawing or writing about these acts of kindness into a blank calendar of their own. The calendar pictured below is a list of suggested acts of kindness that the pupils are adopting. Well done everyone!
Please feel free to share our calendar and keep on spreading the kindness 😊