Sixth Class
​ 2023/2024

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples."

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Active Schools Week
​June 2024

Art Appreciation at The National Gallery
May 29th 2024

The Garden of Remembrance and The G.P.0.
May 29th 2024

Let's Go Virgin Mary, Let's Go!!
May 22nd 2024

Congratulations to the Gaelic team on reaching the final of the Fingal League in May. Although it was not our day, in terms of winning, a great day in Parnell Park was had by everyone. We are so proud of the achievements of the Gaelic team this year. Well done girls and Mr. Neary and Ms. Lyons!

Trip to Emerald Park
May 17th

Ballymun Fun Run
May 8th

Sponsored Walk
May 1st

Creative Writing at Fighting Words
April 24th

On April 24th, we visited Fighting Words in Drumcondra. Fighting Words is an organisation set up by the author Roddy Doyle to encourage young people to enjoy writing. The girls wrote a story introduction together and then continued the story in their own individual writing/drawing. Their introduction was published online and can be found at ​https://www.fightingwords.ie/stories-creative-work/school-stories/unwanted-ghost
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Bake Sale
April 16th

Celebrating Friendship during Wellbeing Week
April 

We enjoyed teaming up with Second Class during Wellbeing Week to make friendship bracelets!

Easter Egg Hunt

6th Class took part in their last Virgin Mary Easter Egg hunt. The Easter Bunny even made an appearance on a sunny March afternoon!

World Down Syndrome Day
March 21st 2024

6th Class were delighted to don some very eye-catching and odd socks on March 21st to celebrate World Down Syndrome Day.

Seachtain na Gaeilge agus Lá Glas 2024
Bígí ag labhairt Gaeilge!

World Book Day
March 7th 2024

To celebrate World Book Day, we visited a local book shop and used our WBD tokens to choose and collect our own books. We spent some lovely time in our school library relaxing with some of our favourite books too!

Lá Sneachta
An chéad lá de Mhárta

 “My body to Ireland – my heart to Rome – my soul to Heaven”
-Daniel O'Connell 

Glasnevin Cemetery 
February 2023

On February 23rd, we visited Glasnevin Cemetery. The girls had the opportunity to share their knowledge about Daniel O' Connell and the 1916 Rising. They visited many graves and heard the stories of many important Irish figures including Daniel O' Connell, Elizabeth O' Farrell, O'Donovan Rossa, Grace Gifford, Eamon de Valera and Charles Stewart Parnell. 

Researching
Project Work
February 2024

In 6th class, we enjoy carrying out our own research topics. We also enjoy working in pairs and using ICT to complete this project work!

Welcoming Spring on February 1st

Anois teacht an earraigh / Now with the coming of spring
Beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh / the days will be getting longer
'S tar éis na Féile Bríde / and after the feast of Bridget
Ardóidh mé mo sheol / I will raise my sail

-Cill Aodáin

More Dancing with Keith

We were so sad to finish our dance lessons with Keith. He was a brilliant teacher and we all had so much fun. We hope he can come back to teach us again soon!

Virgin Mary GNS Science Week
January 2024

In January, 6th class celebrated VMGNS Science Week by taking part in experiments, challenging stereotypes around the idea of 'a scientist' , and by welcoming a working scientist into our class to explain what she does in her lab. A great week was enjoyed by all!

Dance like no one's watching!
January 2024

Keith has been inspiring us to move with his brilliant 'Dance' lessons every Thursday. They have been the highlight of each week for January. So far we have danced 'The Barbie Dance' and to Meaghan Trainor's 'I made you look!' 

A present inspired by History!

Ava received a really cool present for Christmas: a 3-D jigsaw of Croke Park. She brought the finished construction to class in January and was able to point out exactly where our class sat when we were in Croke Park last term!

6th Class Festive Fun

6th Class finished off the year in style with a few surprise visitors. I'm not sure whether the girls were more excited to see Santa Claus or Mr. Shaw! Mr. Shaw bravely volunteered to referee some soccer games and great fun was had. We look forward to seeing Mr. Shaw again in the new year. Click below for a few photos from December.

Christmas Choir Fun
​December 2023

Our extremely talented 5th and 6th class choir welcomed passengers home in Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport on Wednesday, December 13th. The girls were an absolute credit to their families, the school and the entire Ballymun community. They sang their hearts out and I am very proud of them all. A special mention must also be given to all the staff members that helped to make the occasion such a success.
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On Friday, December 15th we sang in The Omni Shopping Centre. Thank you to everyone that supported us.

Anti-Litter Art Competition Winners
​December

Having recently studied the causes and effects of climate change in Science and Geography, 6th Class took part in an 'Anti-Litter' poster competition organised by Dublin City Council. Congrats to all the girls and especially to Rayna, Bethany and Amelia who won 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes. Rayna's anti-litter poster will be displayed all around the community in the new year, so keep an eye out!

6th Class Christmas visit to St. Pappin's Nursing Home

On Wednesday, December 6th, 6th class visited St. Pappin's Nursing Home to wish the residents a Merry Christmas and to sing a few carols. The girls very kindly brought gifts for residents, so thank you to all parents for their generosity. A great morning was had by all and the girls weren't the only ones entertaining as residents joined us in song too!

Editing during the Writing Workshop

Some of the girls have decided to ask their classmates for advice while editing their writing. These two pupils decided to edit each other's work earlier this week.

Working as Historians

During November we have been studying World War II and reading John Boyne's 'The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas'. This work prompted one of our pupils to go digging into her past and she found out that her great-great-great uncle fought and died during World War 1. Not only that, it turns out that Michael 'Dyke' Moran was a professional Irish Golfer too!

November Harvesting from the School Garden

Sixth class have been busy harvesting vegetables from our school garden with Mr. O' Donovan. I've eaten the potatoes and I can confirm that they are DELICIOUS!!

2023 Rugby World Cup 

Congratulations to Kayleigh who predicted that South Africa would win the 2023 Rugby World Cup! Kayleigh was presented with her prize by Clara, who acted as our very own Joe Molloy throughout the RWC. (She kept us all updated on the scores throughout the competition.)

Halloween 2023

On Friday, October 26th we had our annual 'Halloween Dress Up Disco' and pumpkin carving competition. 6th Class really enjoyed their last Halloween celebration here in Virgin Mary GNS.

​History Trip to Croke Park
October 2023

On Thursday, October 26th we visited Croke Park. The girls have been learning about The Great Famine, The Gaelic Revival and The Foundation of the GAA in post famine Ireland in History this year. The tour of the Stadium and Museum was definitely the highlight of the half-term.  

Student Council Elections
October 2023

Sixth Class witnessed democracy in action this week as Student Council elections took place on Wednesday, October 25th. Thirteen names were listed on the ballot paper. Congratulations to Layla Rose and Amelia who were both deemed elected after the first count!

Maths Week
​October 2023

6th Class pupils have been taking part in activities to celebrate Maths Week 2023. On Tuesday, October 17th, we took part in a Mega Maths Quiz with over 500 other schools from across Ireland. On Wednesday, October 18th, some pupils visited DCU to take part in a MathMagic Show. A great time was had by all.

Our Visit to Ballymun Library
​ September 2023

On Friday, September 8th we visited Ballymun Library. We were gifted Dublin GAA activity books and had an opportunity to reacquaint ourselves with the layout of our local library. We love reading and look forward to visiting again very soon. 
You can see more photos of our visit in the slideshow below!