Good morning – Thankfully the rain seems to be easing and we’re in for another good week. As you’ll know from our school letter that was sent home yesterday, this week is Mental Health Awareness Week. We have faced many challenges since we were last in school on 13th March. Our daily lives have been so very different and we have had to adjust everything. We should take some time, take stock and look after ourselves. While we know how important it is to socially distance, wash our hands and exercise, we must also realise the importance of doing what is right for us. Kindness is the theme for this week and lots of kindness has already been shown in difficult circumstances. By being kind and taking care of our friends and loved ones, we can make them feel happier and it can make us feel happier too. This week get in touch with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Send someone a nice letter or postcard. Lift the phone and call someone, or even better a facetime call. Spread even more kindness. I’ve included a little Kindness Planner and today’s reminder is to be kind to your body.
Today on Newsdesk the article is about the recent sighting of killer whales in Strangford Lough. What an amazing sight. It seems that with everyone staying at home, animals have a little more freedom and we are seeing them in unexpected places. We have two pheasants in school each morning, who greet me at the school doors. I’ve nicknamed them Mrs McDowell and Mrs Rice – they make me smile and when I go looking for them, they are nowhere to be found! There’s a link to a great article on keeping mentally fit on today’s article which is worth a read too.
Junior Newsdesk has a lovely story. The Rainbow Fish finds friends by learning how to share. You can listen to the story and there’s a fun task to complete as well.
Week 2 of Healthy Kidz Virtual Sports Day and the two events this week are the egg & spoon and the high jump. I was practising the egg and spoon last night in the rain. Very tricky!
Useful link to some home activity packs for various age groups on the ThinkUKnow website. This website helps with online safety and they have some easy to follow activities available for primary and post primary children. Just follow the link: https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/Support-tools/home-activity-worksheets/
P5, P6 & P7 will have received their Mathletics log in details via Seesaw over the last few days. We’re glad to see so many of you have already logged in and are doing so well. We are learning how it works as you complete the assigned tasks, so bear with us please.
Thanks to everyone for your great pictures. Philip has been very busy baking this week. Orla is much better at the egg (potato) and spoon than her mum or dad! Aoife’s looking great in her leaver’s jumper too. I've also seen some of your photos on Seesaw, but cannot use these on our website. If you'd like to share pics, please e-mail to: info@stpatrickspssaul.downpatrick.ni.sch.uk
Remember to keep praying for those who are sick or alone and those people who are working so hard to look after them. Pray for everyone who is so busy looking after you and still working to ensure we have everything we need. We are so grateful.
Stay safe.
Today’s joke:
Why aren't koalas actual bears?
They don't meet the koalafications.
