Ms McGuinness’s class have been busy doing their Aistear and literacy activities. They are working with sand, play doh, counters to improve their fine motor skills. The role play Doctor’s Surgery was also very popular last week!
In-Service Training
School will be closed on Wednesday 20th November 2019
School Calendar for 2019/2020 is now available to view from the drop down list under the RESOURCES Tab
Carol Service
Thursday 19th December at 12 noon in St. Pius X Church.
All classess will attend. All welcome!
Ms McGuinness’s class have been busy doing their Aistear and literacy activities. They are working with sand, play doh, counters to improve their fine motor skills. The role play Doctor’s Surgery was also very popular last week!
Intel Mini Scientist competition 2019 in St. Pius X G.N.S.
Trevor and Byron (the Intel judges) had the difficult task of judging the competition. After much deliberation they made their final decision.
Runners-up project
“Does environmentally friendly detergent clean as well as normal detergent?”
– Kayleigh , Hannah, Bailee
Winning project
“What is in an onion that makes your eyes water and how can you prevent it?”
– Abigail, Kate, Katie and Sally.
Congratulations to all the 5th class girls who worked tirelessly on their projects over the last few months.
Great excitement in St. Pius X GNS as the Intel Mini Scientist Competition 2019 kicks off!
Mussel dissection workshop in Ballyroan library
On Thursday 7th November 2019, a number of us from the two 5th classes went to Ballyroan library for a science workshop. When we arrived a scientist called Ross introduced himself and questioned us about biology, particularly marine biology which is biology of sea creatures. He told us that we were going to be dissecting mussels. Many of us had eaten mussels so we knew what they looked like. He told us that a mussel is a mollusc. A mollusc can be a slithery slug, an intelligent octopus, a slimy squid or of course a delicate shell fish like a mussel.
Ross produced a plastic bag full of mussels in garlic. As he removed the mussels from the bag, he dipped them in water to remove the garlic before he distributed one to each of us. Ross directed us as we dissected the mussel. He also gave us each a magnifying glass, a knife and a cocktail stick. The external shell is made from calcium. We firstly examined the growth rings on the shell to see what age the mussel was. Cracking open the shell which was on hinges, we were able to see the soft, squishy, yellowy mussel. Ross told us that the silvery, white shimmer inside the shell was mother of pearl which is used to make pearls. We then removed the mussel from the shell. It was attached to it by an adductor muscle. Using a cocktail stick, we removed the outer yellowy squishy skin which is called the mantle. A mussel, we were told, also has a foot, which we removed and observed closely. It looked like a cocoa bean! Instead of lungs to breathe, the mussel has gills. The mussel we learned is a filter fish which means it sucks in water and food and just filters the food it needs such as plankton, and eats that. We also examined the syphon which is like the mouth of the mussel. Finally, we found a little brown substance with tiny green specks. Ross told us it was mussel poo!!!
We`re not sure whether we`re going to eat mussels again However, we really enjoyed this experience and we hope to be great scientists in the future!
Hannah and Katie
Criminal activity detected in 3rd class!!! The girls had a visit from the Guards, showing all the science they use in solving crimes.
Dedicated to providing a caring and supportive environment.
Through positive affirmation, clear communication and a genuine partnership between the home, the school and the community we are dedicated to providing a caring and supportive environment for all our pupils.
Awards & Affiliations
Active Schools Week at St. Pius X Girls’ National School
General Links
St Pius X BNS – Boys’ school website
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Staff Email & Calendar / Office 365 Login
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Junior Infant Applications:
Closing date for 2020 applications – 8th November 2019.
Applications are accepted a year in advance; from 10th January to 10th November prior to the year of entry.
2020 applications will be accepted from 10th January 2019 until 8th November 2019. Forms are available to download or from the office.
Applicants must turn 4 on or before 31st March on the year of entry.
Senior Infant to 6th Class Admissions:
Please complete the relevant form (Sr. Infant to 6th Class) and return to the school with all the requested documentation that is listed on the back of the form.
Applications for 2020 entry open in September 2019.
Applications for the next academic year (2020/2021) will only be accepted from this date.
It is the responsibility of the parent to re-apply each year as applications are not carried forward.
Forms are available to download – There is a drop down list under the ABOUT tab where you will find Policies and Forms.
For more information contact the office on (01) 490 1052 or use our contact form.
