The visit was both educational and exciting, and we are very grateful to the NI Fire Service for taking the time to share these vital safety messages with our pupils. Primary 5 left feeling inspired and much more aware of how to keep themselves and their families safe.
This week, our school proudly took part in Odd Socks Day as part of Anti-Bullying Week. The idea is simple but powerful: wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique and to show that differences should be respected, not ridiculed.
Odd Socks Day is a fun way to start conversations about kindness and respect. By wearing mismatched socks, we remind ourselves and others that it’s okay to be different and that everyone deserves to feel safe and valued.
Bullying can have a lasting impact, and together we can make a difference. Let’s continue to promote a culture of friendship, empathy, and support every day—not just during Anti-Bullying Week.
Thank you to everyone who joined in and made our school a brighter, kinder place!
The theme for Anti-bullying week this year was “Power for good”. P6/7 joined a live lesson where they thought about how they could be an “upstander” instead of a “bystander” and stand up for or help some one being bullied.
Our School Councillors asked for a LEGO Afterschool Club and it has been the perfect place for young builders to explore their creativity and develop problem-solving skills in a fun, supportive environment.
Many thanks for everyone who so generously donated items for the food bank in Ballymoney. We think it is very important to remember that there may be some families, in our area, who need our help.
The Food and Fitness team visited our school to share the Food and Fitness programme. The Dairy Council for Northern Ireland have developed this to help teach children about the benefits of a healthy, balanced diet and an active lifestyle.
Research has shown that outdoor play reduces anxiety and boosts mood through fresh air and physical activity, so it was a delight for our pupils to enjoy time the first ‘white world’ this year. Snow provides unique textures and temperatures, enriching sensory experiences which the children loved exploring.
Many congratulations to Isla and Luke who were winners in this poetry competition. They were invited to a prestigious awards ceremony, at Stormont, where they shared their poems and received their prizes,
Our ‘Poppy Shop’ will be available in school on Thursday and Friday this week, at lunchtime. Click here for prices and details of what is available. Paper poppies are also available (suggested donation 50p).
Latest figures from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey show that 9 in 10 children and 4 in 5 adults are exceeding their recommended daily sugar limits, increasing the risk of lifelong health issues, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and tooth decay.
Making small swaps can make a big difference.
Find out more in these-new short videos on the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel:
Our school councillors, planned, prepared and delivered a very successful scavenger hunt on the last day of this half term. Well done to all the school councillors for the great teamwork and leadership skills you used to make this possible.
Children celebrated all the progress they have made at the end of the first half term with a range of ‘Harvest themed’ activities. Pupils worked in mixed age teams through a carousel of activities, enjoying making chocolate apples, a craft, some line dancing and a more active 'scarecrow run. It was a great day of fun filled, relationship building. Many thanks to all the staff for the extra work they put into organising this.
We were delighted to welcome families and visitors to our school for this year’s Harvest Service.. Our Primary 6 and 7 pupils performed a wonderful assembly on the theme of Respect. We were pleased to welcome Rev. Porter and his family. Rev. Porter shared a special message with the children. The children also enjoyed singing a range of harvest songs for parents and visitors to enjoy. With special thanks to all the staff who helped prepare the pieces with the pupils.
Well done to all the children who earned certificates for completing maps in Reading Eggs and Reading Eggspress and also for achieving their Accelerated Reading Targets - your hard work in school and at home is really paying off!
Congratulations also to our October Headteacher Award winners. This month’s focus was on Being Kind and Caring, Showing Respect, and Great Effort in Reading - fantastic examples of our school values in action!
The Education Authority’s SEND Transformation Team invite you to our online Parent & Carer Engagement Sessions on 15th and 17th October. These sessions will provide and update on SEND Transformation progress to date and, and what this means for you and your children.
To register your attendance to either of our events, please click one of the links below.
P6/7 enjoyed learning new skills with Eimhear, Golf Ireland, during a taster session. We are planning to offer an after school golf club later this term. More details to follow.
Thanks to a grant (NACN) P6/7 have embarked on a series of eight sessions, with Paul, The Big House, looking at ways they can cope when their life is ‘shaken’. The children have all been given a 20 sided dice to use to ‘try out’ which of a range of strategies they prefer. So far they have looked at being creative, talking to God, being active and listening.
It’s great to be part of a team effort and in Rasharkin PS we really value the contribution our pupils make to the work and life of our school. Below are our new School Councillors, Playground Buddies and Digital Leaders who have either been voted on or been successful in their application for a position. We are very grateful to everyone who is willing to accept a position of responsibility and give of their time to serve our school. Well done!
Each day we remind our children of the importance of being thankful for the many good things we have, including our food. In Rasharkin P.S. we do this, by collectively giving God thanks for our food, before we eat at lunchtime. During September we run a competition in school to see who can write the best prayer that we will use each day. This year P1/2 are the proud winners for their collective writing. Well done to al the other finalists, shown below.
