{"id":14,"date":"2018-10-10T14:51:10","date_gmt":"2018-10-10T14:51:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ballycahillns.com\/?page_id=14"},"modified":"2025-05-19T22:27:56","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T22:27:56","slug":"senior-room","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/ballycahillns.com\/index.php\/classes\/senior-room\/","title":{"rendered":"Senior Room"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Welcome to the Senior Room<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Welcome to the page for the senior room. This year we have fourth, fifth and sixth classes in the senior end of the school. As we move towards preparing children for the transition to secondary school we try to facilitate the a shift towards independent learning. We give a voice to the children as they gain the skills needed to take charge of their progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We love to get out and about; whether it be heading away on a field trip to explore the resources around us or making use of the great space we have in school. We enjoy taking on projects where the children can really immerse themselves in a topic and while the content becomes more abstract at the senior end of the school we love to make up games and learn through hands on activities wherever possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on to find out more about what we’ve been up to this year so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What We’ve been up to…<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Bike Week<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Text about bike week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar Ovens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cabragh Wetlands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Text to go with Cabragh Wetlands<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FAI 5-a-side<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Text to got with 5-a-side<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit Union School\u2019s Quiz<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Our U13 and U11 teams put their knowledge to the test at the Credit Union School’s Quiz recently. Well done to all who qualified. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Genius Hour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is a recount of the project that one of our 6th class students undertook for \u2018Genius Hour\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We started Genius Hour is September. The Senior and Middle Room had to pick something to do and they had to research what they were doing. Then they had to work on it for a number of weeks for one hour every Friday. All the supplies for the project had to be organised. When the projects were completed the project had to be presented to the class. Everyone took turns and they all turned out excellent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For my project I decided to do Elephant Tootpaste. Elephant Toothpaste is a foamy substance that is made when you mix warm water and yeast and then pour it into hydrogen peroxide and soap. My experiment was a great success; see the video below to see the results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cross Country Recount<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we all anxiously got on the bus for our Cross Country trip, everyone rushed to their seats. Sir went through all the rules, like going to the bathroom in twos and not leaving the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the bus dropped us off outside the gates of the Thurles Crokes Athletics Club, we confidently marched on hoping to bring home a few medals. Our races were some of the earliest so Kate got us warmed up and ready; as soon as we got there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we lined up at the starting line, I felt sick with the nerves. My heart was thumping inside my chest and all I could feel was the butterflies in my stomach. Suddenly, I heard the steward shout, ‘on your marks, get set…’ , and then there was an ear piercing high pitched whistle. Then, I could only hear the screaming parents and teachers and the stampede of 5th and 6th class girls. Before I knew it, I had run the first and second lap and was nearing the finish. My lungs were burning and my feet felt blistered. I felt like I was going to collapse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I crossed the finish line, I was awarded a bronze medal for coming 6th place. I was bursting with pride. The proud pupils who brought home the medals were $@&*$% ( who came third) and &%^*&^ (who came fifth). The fourth class girls, \u00a3@%$^&, %$\u00a3%^ and &^%\u00a3\u00a3@ were also awarded a silver team medal. We all got back on the bus; on the trip home we were informed that we had no homework which made our day even better. As we proudly walked through the school doors, bearing medals, our principal Mrs. Ryan congratulated us. Overall, it was a very memorable and exciting experience and was a very good last primary schools cross country for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Halloween Fun<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bug Hotels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Recount on Bug Hotels by Se\u00e1n <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During construction in art, all of 5th and 6th class made bug hotels. The bug hotels were made from old pallets. First, measured what size we wanted the bug hotels to be. Then, we sawed the wood to whatever lengths were needed. We drilled holes into the wood and screwed the wood to connect the pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I had great fun out in the garden making the bug hotels and using all the different tools; such as the kreg jig and saws. I was happy we got to do the bug hotels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Music Generation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Richie from Music Generation visits every Tuesday to teach us ukulele and guitar. We\u2019re having a great time learning from him; read below to find out more from Senan\u2019s recount.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first day Richie came he taught us the basics, such as, the instruments, strings and chords. He also began the first song. It was \u2018Three Little Birds\u2019 by Bob Marley. It was fairly easy. The second week we were in full flight. We got fairly sick of it after a few weeks but then we started \u2018Riptide\u2019 and that was a lot more fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We then began the School Show. We enjoyed practising the songs. It was so much fun. We then plugged in the microphones and the electric guitar. I enjoyed the electric guitar so much I got my own one. The show was thrilling apart from a few small hiccups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are now practicing \u2018Shake it off\u2019 by Taylor Swift. I\u2019m using my own guitar. We\u2019ve only had one lesson but it\u2019s pretty easy. It\u2019s only three chords!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do the lessons in the classroom. We use the top of the class. It is very exciting; especially when we are all in sync and all the instruments are tuned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Richie is really nice. He plays a lot of instruments such as guitar, banjo, ukulele and many more. He is a very good teacher and makes learning songs exciting and easy by writing the chords on the board and picking easy songs that sound good. The lessons always make our Tuesdays a little less boring and are always good to look forward to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Making a Motor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Useful Resources:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n