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​MARY QUEEN OF ANGELS 2, PRIMARY SCHOOL, BALLYFERMOT

Sports Day Winners

Well done to all the boys for participating in all the fun activities over active schools week. Well done in particular to the winning team of the mini World Cup team; Spain. Well done to the winners of the relay race, sprints and the sack race. Finally, well done to the penalty shootout champion and to the keepie uppie challenge winners.

Active Schools Week & Sports Day

The boys had a week packed with activity thanks to the organisation by Ms. O'Brien, Ms. McGarry & Ms. Sweeney. The boys had cricket with Irish Cricketer, rounders and GAA with Ms. McGarry and Mr. Shannon, daily running, sprints and relay races with Ms. Long and an intense workout with our PT in residence Tash (even Mr. O'Shea got involved!). The boys also had mini World Cup matches, a penalty shootout and a keepie-uppie challenge, not to forget sports day races too. A busy but very enjoyable week!

And a treat from Mrs. Whippy to finish off Active Schools Week

Art4Success Progress

Louise from BCFE has been working so hard with the boys over many weeks. Her enthusiasm and dedication has helped to instill a love for art within the boys. They have worked on creating pigeons and pigeon huts from paper construction and focused on the theme of under the sea using sculpey/fimo (like clay). Their work will go towards an exhibition for when they are in 6th class. Here are some of their creations:

Teach the Teacher

The boys have shown how much they enjoy project work over the past few months. They were challenged with designing a 15 minute lesson in which they teach Mr. Shannon and the other boys in the class all about a topic that interests them. The boys did a fantastic job and there may well be a few teachers in the making! We had lessons on caring for horses, horse racing, kimono dragons, white rhinos, volcanoes and even investing. Well done boys!!

A Fun Day Out

Taking advantage of the gorgeous weather, we went on a walk to the playground by the swimming pool and enjoyed some free time in the son. Our walk didn't stop there.....we walked further up the main street and treated ourselves to some tasty treats! Later, when back to school the boys enjoyed their goodies from Tasty Treats and enjoyed ice pops from Pauline before home-time. 

Japan

The boys had a great time learning all about Japan, from it's history and geography, to its art and culture, sports and customs. The boys were so enthusiastic in their learning and were highly motivated in their studies of Japan. They particularly enjoyed the art elements to the Japan lessons - Cherry Blossom trees, designing kimonos, Manga art and Origami.

GAA with Paul in the Gaels

The boys have been so lucky to have external coaches working with the class during school hours. Each Thursday morning, the boys go over to the Gaels for GAA with Paul. The practice their drills and skills before getting into a match. 

Fun in the Sun

Here are a few pictures of the boys enjoying the sunshine. We played a team version of x's and o's adding in throwing skills, we enjoyed a game of monkey tails and then we started our GAA sessions with Paul in the Gaels.

Art4Success with Louise

Creative Schools have provided Mary Queen of Angels 2 with many opportunities. One of these opportunities is Art4Success. This is a locally run programme with Louise, an art lecturer from BCFE. Louise linked in with 5th class after hearing about their involvement with the developments in the local Civic Centre gardens. Louise will complete 4 weekly zoom calls with the boys and develop their engagement with the arts. This process would usually take place in person either in school or down in BCFE, however, this year we are doing it virtually. The boys made comic strips during their first week and will focus on pigeon racing as it has/had a huge presence in Ballyfermot. The boys are enjoying getting creative. Here is some of the work that they started with their comics.

Drama with Trinity College Dublin

As part of our Creative Schools and the contacts we have created, 3rd-5th class have been lucky to have weekly Zoom sessions with Drama students from Trinity College Dublin. Knowing that the boys thoroughly enjoyed learning about trench warfare in World War 1, the Drama students have created a tailor made drama plan for 5th class. The boys played Drama games, got creative through mime, freeze frames and minor motions, met a 'Sergeant' and had lots of fun. This will take place over 4 weeks and will build on what they have done previously.

Easter Wreaths

In the lead up to the Easter break, the boys were busy creating Easter Wreaths put of card. Each of the boys designed their own Easter eggs to attach to their wreath. These colourful creations were on display on the curtain at the back of our classroom. 

World War 1 Art

As part of our remote learning in January, 5th class studied World War 1 in great detail. We went through a timeline of events in the lead up to and during World War 1. The boys enjoyed learning all about trench warfare. We incorporated our History into art by creating artwork depicting war soldiers. Here are a few examples of the boys' work.

5th Class Christmas Carols

The boys of 5th class and their teacher would like to wish everyone a very happy Christmas. A different one it may be, however we have put together two songs and want to keep the tradition of carol singing going. Thank you all for your support and dedication. We hope you have a lovely Christmas. Stay safe :) 

Christmas Light Up Cards

In Science, the boys made circuits to light up a bulb in a Christmas themed lesson. Using copper tape, a bulb and a battery the boys got to add extra character to their Christmas cards. Check out our Rudolphs and Robots in our lit Science lesson!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Christmas in MQA2 is a little different this year. It is the first year in a while since we have not had parents/guardians coming into the school to complete Christmas crafts with the boys. However, with that said, the boys put their determination into making Christmas decorations to be proud of and to showcase at home on their own trees. 
This year the boys worked with lollipop sticks. They glued them together and decorated them to be nutcrackers and snowmen. A nice craft that has effective results. They have made their way to the school Christmas tree until they go home with the boys for the Christmas break.

Climate Change Zoom Workshop

Earlier this year, the boys completed a Green Schools Zoom workshop, and after getting a taste for this new way of learning, they were eager to engage in more workshops. Their second workshop was an art based workshop on the theme of Climate Change, brought to us by our friends in The Ark. They brought us through the elements of the Earth, a journey but through Art. The boys each created images based on water, plants, fire, trees, man-made objects before using pictures to create an image of their new world. Throughout the activity the boys spoke about important topics and issues associated with Climate Change and discussed what can be done in order to help combat this huge, global issue. Here are images of the worlds they created.

Sculpture Dublin Collaboration

Mary Queen of Angels 2 are delighted to announce that they have been listed as a collaborator and contributor to the artistic developments up at the proposed new park beside the Civic Centre. The boys will be working closely with Irish artist Breda Marron. The boys have had 3 occasions in which they have met Breda, discussed plans, suggested ideas for development and brainstormed possibilities for art installations. The first meeting was on site where they spoke through plans and general ideas for the park. The second was Breda's visit to the school where the boys got ideas down on paper. The final session was also in the classroom where the boys got stuck in making clay models, detailing their ideas for an art piece. Breda was fascinated by the ideas of the boys and enjoyed discussing their thoughts in detail and getting an insight into life in Ballyfermot.

Fruit Salad - Sailéad Torthaí

The boys have been learning about healthy eating in Science and we are learning about Bia (food) in Irish. What better than to combine the two for a fun lesson. The boys got to make a sailéad torthaí in their Irish lesson using healthy foods and toppings that are we found are encouraged as part of a healthy and balanced diet. The boys chose their own fruits to be included in their fruit salads and they really enjoyed eating them for their small breaks. An fun activity that can be completed at home with all the family.

Toucans of the Rainforest

The boys have been studying Brazil and have learned so much about the cities and people of Brazil. They have also typed up projects on Brazil on the Chromebooks. The class linked their knowledge of Brazil to their art lesson where they created an image of a toucan in the rainforest. The boys worked with pastel, twistables and watercolours. This eye catching artwork has taken pride and place outside our lovely classroom.

In November, We Remember

As November is remembrance month, the boys in 5th class each dedicated a candle to someone they know who has died. These candles represent the light that these people brought into our lives and are a way of remembering them, especially during this month of remembrance.

Halloween Art & Halloween Dress-Up Day

In the lead up to Halloween, the boys tried out a number of Halloween art activities. Find some of the creations below!

The last day before our mid-term break, the boys had a dress up day. They pulled out all the stocks and had some fantastic costumes. Each of the boys then voted for who they believed to have the best costume. This led to an overall winner and two boys who tied for 2nd place. Great efforts boys!

Visit with Landscape Architect at the Civic Centre

5th class have been asked by the Dublin City Council to be advisors for landscape developments in the green area beside the Civic Centre. They met with landscape architect Suzanne from Dublin City Council and discussed plans for the area. Suzanne asked them for advice and took them through the proposed blueprints for landscaping. The boys had lots of great ideas on how best they can use the space while maintaining areas for nature. During our distanced visit, the boys got the chance to pick some apples from the apple tree.

Fun in the Sun

With great weather comes great times! We soaked up the sun in many activities. We enjoyed football and jumping 'rock, paper, scissors' in the yard, some reading in the sun and also some football rounders in the Gaels. We really enjoyed being out in the fresh air and having a run in the sun!
Over the summer holidays, we were very lucky to have the very talented Anne Marie McGrane come in and paint a mural in the sheds in the school yard. The Creative Schools Committee were the students who came up with the idea and the mural was inspired by the artwork of students from all classes. Originally, it was hoped that students would paint the design onto the shed but with everything that happened, this was not possible. We were delighted that Anne Marie could see the project out and we are so thankful for the blast of colour in our yard. Here are some of the 5th class boys seeing the mural for the first time.

Mé Féin - Myself

As an extension activity from our descriptions of ourselves in the mask unveiling art activity, the boys learned adjectives to describe themselves in Gaeilge. Provided with a list, the boys had to pick 6 adjectives that best describe them and create a rainbow cloud with these chosen words.

Back to School

5th class are in a new room this year. Here is our classroom! Come on in (virtually) and have a look! :)
This year, we had a very different back to school feeling, however that did not stop us from having fun being back together in class again! In our pods we took part in head-to-head games of cup stack with a twist...adding the element of balloons to the mix. The class had fun trying to think of how best to stack their cups using only a balloon...no hands!
We also designed our own masks and we described the person behind the mask. It was a fun art activity with some paper folding included. Here are some of our results: