Take 5 - Keep Learning

Today P1,2 and 3 travelled to Ballymoney Library to enjoy stories and book browsing. This was part of our series of activities based on Take 5, focusing on ‘Keep Learning’. The children saw so many beautiful books and had the opportunity to read them in the lovely surroundings of the library. If you do not have a library card you can call into the library and fill in an application form. It is free to use and great for helping your child to improve their reading skills.

Values Assembly

This week, our P1–3 children lead us in a wonderful assembly all about our core value of “prepare.”

The pupils worked incredibly hard to understand what preparation looks like in school life—whether that’s getting ready to learn, organising materials, practising skills, or supporting one another to be ready for new challenges. Their assembly included a great song, some very clear speaking, great acting and dancing and examples from their own classroom experiences, helping the whole school to think about how being prepared sets us up for success.

A huge thank you to Miss Rowe and Mrs Calderwood for their hard work in guiding the children and helping them share such an engaging and meaningful message with the school community. Their support ensured the assembly was both enjoyable and inspiring for everyone.

Well done, P1–3! We are very proud of you.

Jungle Trip

Celebrating Connection, Confidence & Community: Our Shared Education After‑School Sports Programme

Over the past few months, pupils from our Shared Education partnership have been taking part in a vibrant after‑school sports programme designed to build skills, teamwork, and—most importantly—friendships across school communities. In collaboration with the United Youth Initiative, Ireland, this programme has given young people a space to be active, grow in confidence, and experience the power of working and playing together.

To celebrate the end of the programme, we wrapped up with an unforgettable afternoon at The Jungle NI, one of Ireland’s most exciting outdoor adventure centres.

Many thanks for all who made this opportunity possible.

Golf

We are delighted to share that our school is exploring the exciting Golfway Primary School Programme, part of Golf Ireland’s Unleash Your Drive initiative. This programme introduces children to golf in a fun, active, and fully inclusive way—while also supporting their mental health and overall wellbeing with a ‘mental toughness tool’ each week.

STEM Visit at Cullybackey College

Our P6 and P7 pupils enjoyed a fantastic learning adventure this week as they visited Cullybackey College to take part in their exciting INVO8 Day. The event was designed to inspire creativity, teamwork, and problem‑solving and to offer pupils the opportunity to experience life in a post primary school day. and our pupils certainly rose to the challenge!

There was also plenty of time for fun! Staff from both schools commented on the excellent behaviour, teamwork, and positive attitude shown by all the children.

We would like to extend a warm thank you to Cullybackey College for inviting us and for providing such a memorable and inspiring experience to help the transition process.

Shared Education

We were delighted to be able to offer our pupils, alongside those from St. Patrick’s PS the opportunity to learn about the importance of keeping safe online. Deborah, Thrive academy came into school to deliver the first of four sessions, thanks to funding from ChangeMakers.

Celebrating Our Wonderful Christmas Performances!

This week, our school was filled with festive cheer as pupils from P1–P7 took to the stage for their much-anticipated Christmas plays. What a fantastic way to end the term!
Our youngest performers melted hearts with their delightful production of A Bundle of Joy. Their enthusiasm, confidence, and beautiful singing brought the true spirit of Christmas to life. From the charming costumes to the heartfelt lines, every moment was magical. A huge well done to all the children for their hard work.
The older pupils wowed us with their hilarious and energetic performance of No One Wraps Like an Elf. The play was packed with laughter, catchy lines, and plenty of festive fun. The teamwork and talent on display were incredible, and it was clear how much effort went into making this show such a success.
A big thank you to everyone who helped make these performances possible—our dedicated staff, led by Mrs. R. Calderwood and Miss Rowe, supportive families, and of course, our amazing pupils. You’ve truly made this Christmas season special.

We wish all our families a joyful holiday and look forward to welcoming everyone back in the New Year!

December Assembly Awards

Congratulations to so many of our pupils who have worked hard throughout December to receive awards for reading, maths, kindess and being successful.

NACN Suicide Prevention Grant – Shaken Programme for P6 & P7 Pupils

We are delighted that our school has received funding through the NACN Suicide Prevention grant to deliver the Shaken Programme to our Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils. This innovative programme focuses on building resilience, promoting positive mental health, and equipping young people with practical strategies to manage stress and emotions. Through interactive sessions, pupils learnt how to recognise feelings, develop coping skills, and support one another, helping to create a safe and caring school community. We are proud to be part of this important initiative, ensuring our pupils have the tools they need to thrive both inside and outside the classroom and celebrated with a delightful end of project visit to the Big House.

PeacePLUS Chargemakers Grant: Bringing Young Innovators Together Through Shared Education

We are thrilled to have received a PeacePLUS, Chargemakers Grant which has enabled our pupils to collaborate with their peers from St. Patrick’s PS, in exciting STEM activities delivered by W5, Northern Ireland’s leading interactive science centre. The first session was a special Christmas themed workshop where children worked together to explore science, technology, engineering, and maths in a fun, hands-on environment—building curiosity, creativity, and lasting friendships. This initiative not only sparked innovation but also promoted understanding and cooperation, helping to shape a brighter, more connected future.

P4/5 Shared Education Visit to Warm Hub

P4/5 recently came together with children from St. Patrick’s PS for a morning of festive cheer at the Rasharkin Warm Hub. Guests enjoyed beautiful carol performances by our talented children, who shared the joy of Christmas. Everyone was delighted by a special visit from Santa himself! It was a fantastic way to celebrate the season as a community.

Christmas Dinner

This week, our school came together to enjoy a wonderful Christmas dinner filled with festive cheer! Both pupils and staff tucked into a delicious meal that truly captured the spirit of the season.

A huge thank you goes to our amazing dinner hall and kitchen team, whose hard work and care made the day so special. From tasty food to the joyful atmosphere, they ensured everyone had a memorable experience.

Santa Visits Rasharkin Primary School

We were thrilled to welcome Santa Claus to our school for a very special festive visit! The children had the chance to meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and enjoy a magical moment full of excitement and joy. Thank you to everyone who helps makes this holiday season unforgettable!

Radio Cracker

We’re thrilled to share that our talented school choir recently performed live on Radio Cracker Ballymena! It was an incredible opportunity to showcase the hard work, harmony, and passion our students bring to every note. Their voices filled the Tower Centre with festive cheer, spreading joy to listeners across the community.

A huge thank you to Radio Cracker for inviting us and to everyone who tuned in to support our young musicians.

Table Tennis Afterschool Club

Our recent Table Tennis Club was a fantastic success! Primary pupils had a great time learning new skills, practicing rallies, and enjoying friendly matches. It was wonderful to see so much enthusiasm, teamwork, and sportsmanship on display.

Thank you to everyone who joined in and made the sessions so much fun. We can’t wait to see you at future clubs and activities!

Symptom Checker

If your child is feeling unwell, you can use this symptom checker, developed by Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, to gain a better understanding of what might be happening and where to get treatment.

This will help ensure your child receives the most appropriate care in the right place, at the right time, from the most appropriate team.

P6/7 Shared Education

Our P6/7 pupils had a fantastic experience during the recent Shared Education trip to see the film If as part of the Into Film project. The day was filled with excitement and learning as the children explored themes of imagination, friendship, and resilience through this inspiring movie.