Last Updated on Sunday, 10 February 2013 19:34

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the February edition of Rainbow News.

We had a busy month in January with our ‘ice’ theme. The snow came in abundance and we brought some indoors to investigate what happens when cold things get warmed up! We made ice balloons, ice-cubes, ice-cream and ice glasses, fluffy snowmen and snowwomen Then  we made milky drinks. Our favourites were strawberry milkshakes and hot chocolate. We made bird cake for the bird table to feed the small birds out in the cold. We completed the RSPB ‘little school’s bird watch’. We found out the names of some garden birds. The blue tit is our favourite.

   'playing in the snow and ice with polar bears and seals'

 During the monthe of February. we begin our 'People who help us' theme. We are changing the house corner into a VETERINARY surgery, a hospital and then a dental surgery.. There will be a follow up visit from the dental nurse.

• Story of the month is The Little Red Hen.  

• Colour of the month is red.

• Shape of the month is the heart.

• Rhyme of the month is ‘Miss Polly had a Dolly.’

We are introducing a Road Safety element into outdoor play. The local lollipop person will be coming to talk to the children about the job. We will be looking at how people keep us safe when we are out and about and role playing as police officers, fire fighters, paramedics and creating a building site with an emphasis on safety.

 At circle time this month we are focusing on the theme of ‘Kindness’ as part of our Emotional Intelligence programme. We have been talking about kind and unkind hands. We also are finding out kind words to say to each other. Talk to your child about how it feels when someone is kind (or unkind) and how to be a kind friend.

Tuesday 12th February is ‘Pancake’ day.

The children will be making,cooking and tasting their own pancakes.

 Parents are encouraged to check on their child's head regularly for head lice and treat if necessary. We have a leaflet available called 'Once a week, take a peek'. For more information, a copy of the head lice policy is avaiable on request.

 Mid-Term Break -18th -22nd February.

Parent teacher interviews for Morning group on Monday 4th March.

Parent teacher interviews for afternoon group on Monday 11th March.

                         Songs and rhymes for February.

Miss Polly had a dolly

Miss Polly had a dolly who was sick, sick, sick, sick.

So she phoned for the doctor to be quick, quick, quick.

The doctor came with his bag and his hat.

He knocked on the door with a rat-a-tat-tat!                                                   

He looked at the dolly and he shook his head;

And he said “Miss Polly –put her straight to bed”.            

He wrote on a paper for a pill, pill pill.

“I’ll be back in the morning –yes I will, will will”.

Doctor Foster

Doctor Foster went to Gloucester in a shower of rain. 

He stepped in a puddle, right up to his middle-          

And never went there again.

 Once I saw a little bird                                                                                    

Once I saw a little bird go hop, hop, hop.

And I said little bird won’t you stop, stop, stop!

I went over to the window to say “how do you do”?

But he shook his little tail and away he flew!          

 Twinkle , twinkle, traffic light

Twinkle, twinkle Traffic light, standing in the corner bright.

When it’s green it’s time to go.

When it’s red it’s stop you know.

Twinkle, twinkle traffic light, standing in the corner bright.

Five little Fire fighters

Five little fire fighters all in a row,

One, two, three, four, five they go.

Hop on the engine with a shout; Quicker than a wink the fire is out!                                                

(4,3,2,1-repeat with decreasing numbers)

 The Boa Constrictor song

Oh I’m being eaten by a Boa Constrictor, a Boa Constrictor, a Boa Constrictor,

Oh I’m being eaten by a Boa Constrictor, and I don’t like it one little bit!

Oh no! He’s up to my toe.

Oh gee, he’s up to my knee.

Oh fiddle, He’s up to my middle.

Oh heck, he’s up to my neck.

Oh dread! He’s up to my..... (GULP!)                                                                                            

Try this as you say the rhyme---(Hands together touching only at the base of

the palms. Touch tips of fingers in sequence beginning with the thumbs)

Thank you for your continuing support.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs C. O’Hare (Nursery teacher).

Mrs L. Connolly (Nursery assistant)

Last Updated on Tuesday, 08 January 2013 19:14

Dear Parents,                     

Welcome back to a new year! It is great to see all the children back after their Christmas break. They enjoyed all the Christmas preparations and had fun making, creating, cooking and singing. The term ended with a successful Christmas party. Our trip to see Santa in Downpatrick was memorable. The images can be viewed on the website-www.stpatricksps.co.uk-click on ‘gallery’.

Here are some of the things your child will be involved in during the month of

The theme of the month is Winter and we will be observing the changes in the weather, doing our RSPB bird watch,

looking after the birds during the cold spell and finding out about polar bears, seals and penguins.

The story of the month is

 The colour of the month is white.

The shape of the month is square.

The rhyme of the month is ‘The North wind doth blow’.

 At circle time we are focusing on the virtue of ‘Self Worth’ as part of our Emotional Intelligence programme. We will be finding out what makes us so special and thinking about all the things we are good at. Take time to find out what makes your child feel good about themselves and how important they are in the world.

 Here are our rule reminders for the Nursery;

We are good listeners.

We always walk indoors.

We use kind hands, kind words and kind feet.

We share, tidy up and look after our toys.

The children are helping each other to follow the rules to keep everyone safe and be alert at all times and places.

The total for our ‘Wildlife Garden’ garden has grown to a staggering £666.00. Thank you for your generosity. We will be purchasing some equipment and plants in the New Year. The Unit got a ‘Bronze’ wildlife award last year. We are striving to obtain a ‘Silver’ award with this year’s group. We will keep you informed of our progress.

  ‘Monkeynastixs’ is coming to Nursery!

There is a fitness programme called ‘Monkeynastix’ currently running in the main school. This has been extended to the Nursery unit. If you would like to find out more--There will be a demonstration in the Main School hall for the morning group on Friday 11^th January at 10.40am.The afternoon group demonstration is at 1.40pm.

  *All parents/guardians welcome to attend with the children demonstrating the equipment*

We are getting ready for the ‘Big School’s Big Garden Bird Watch’ at the end of the month.

More details to follow soon.

If you would like more information go to www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

Songs and Rhymes for January.

The north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow;

And what will the robin do then poor thing?

He’ll sit in a barn, to keep himself warm,

And tuck his head under his wing, poor thing.

Five fat Polar bears (to the tune of ten green bottles)

Five fat Polar bears sliding in the snow;

Five fat Polar bears sliding in the snow;

And if one fat Polar bear fell and hurt his nose;

There’d be four fat Polar bears sliding in the snow.  

Four fat Polar bears.........etc  

Five little penguins

Five little penguins went fishing in the sea.                                         

They slid on the ice and they went wheeee.....!

One little penguin bumped his head,

His mummy then sent him straight to bed.

Four little penguins...etc

Here we go round the Mulberry bush

Here we go round the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush, the mulberry bush,

Here we go round the mulberry bush on a cold and frosty morning.

This is the way we wash our face x3

on a cold and frosty morning.

This is the way we comb our hair x3                                                               

on a cold and frosty morning.

This is the way we brush our teeth x3

on a cold and frosty morning.

This is the way we put on our coats x3

on a cold and frosty morning.

 Baa Baa white sheep, have you any wool?

No Sir, no Sir, no bags full. None to mend the jumpers, none to mend the frocks. And none to mend the little boys with holes in their socks!

 Winter on the farm

It’s Winter on the farm, It’s cold and wet,

Let’s feed the animals, lets feed the animals.

It’s Winter on the farm, it’s cold and wet;                                     

Let’s feed the animals now.

And we’ll tramp, tramp, through the mud, mud, mud,

Yes we’ll tramp, tramp, tramp through the mud, mud, mud.          

Thank you for your continuing support and best wishes for 2013.

From Mrs O’Hare and Mrs Connolly.

Last Updated on Sunday, 16 December 2012 20:33

Christmas Edition

December 2012

Dear Parents,

The children enjoyed the ‘Light and Dark’ theme in November .They enjoyed getting dressed for bed and getting off to sleep under warm blankets. We used torches when the lights were switched off and read bedtime stories.

Here are some of the things your child will be involved in during the month of

The Theme of the month is Christmas.

The story of the month is ‘The First Christmas’ 

The colour of the month is Green.

The shapes of the month are stars.    

The rhyme of the month is  ‘Little Jack Horner’.       

The house corner has a cosy fire and stockings hung up ready for Santa. You can warm your hands in front of the fire and listen to some Christmas carols on the CD.

At circle time we are focusing on the virtue of Generosity

 as part of our Emotional Intelligence programme.

Talk to your child about how to share and help others who are in need. Talk about how we give and receive presents at Christmas time. Think of all the ways we can be generous and share our time with the elderly and the lonely. 

We are focusing on our next rule-

We share, tidy and look after our toys.

We are learning how to share with others and wait for our turn.

We know where to put the toys at tidy time now and we are trying very hard to look after them all and handle them with care.      

The shop has been turned into a Christmas  Gift shop. You can choose a large or small gift for someone special at Christmas. You can wrap your own present and put it under the tree. We are writing letters to Santa and posting Christmas cards in our special Christmas Post Box.

The Santa visit  to Downpatrick for the afternoon group was on the Tuesday 4^th December - 12.30-3.00pm.

The Santa visit for the morning group was on Wednesday 5^th December - 9am-11.30am. The children all enjoyed the bus trip and meeting Santa in person.

The total for our ‘Wildlife Garden’ garden has grown to a staggering £666.00. Thank you for your generosity. We will be purchasing some equipment and plants in the New Year.

Open Day for new Nursery intake for 2013/2014 was on Thursday 6^th December from 2.00pm -3.00pm. Admission forms available at the secretary's office.

We are having a second visit to the library for a  Christmas Musical event.

The afternoon group will visit on Tuesday 11^th December at 2pm.

The morning group will visit on Thursday 13^th December at 11am.

*Please ensure that your child wears a coat/hat every day as the weather is getting colder.* 

Open day for the new Primary 1 intake in St. Patrick’s is on Monday 17^th December at 2.15pm.

There will be a Christmas Party for both groups on Thursday 20^th December.

The weekly snack money covers the cost for the Christmas party treats.

*The children may come wearing their ordinary clothes on that day.*

Christmas Holidays

 -the unit is closed on Friday 21^st December at 11.00am.

Nursery re-opens on Tuesday 8^th January 2013.

Songs and Rhymes for December.

(Some old and some new songs to sing along with your child)

Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat.

Please put a penny in the old man’s hat.

If you haven’t got a penny, a halfpenny will do.

If you haven’t got a halfpenny –then God Bless you!

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way. Oh what fun it is to ride in a one horse open sleigh;

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,

Hooray for dear old Santa Claus, hooray for Christmas day!

Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.

The little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay;

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

Little Jack Horner, sat in a corner, eating his Christmas pie.

He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said-

What a good boy am I!

Santa Claus----an action rhyme

I’ve seen a Santa jolly and fat. (hold arms out in front of tummy)

He strokes his beard this way and that. (pretend to stroke beard)

He puts his pack into his sleigh (pretend to put packages into sleigh)

Then off he goes—up, up and away. (swing arms upwards)

Christmas pudding, Christmas pudding, (tune of Frere Jacques)

Piping hot, Piping hot,

Let’s put on some ice-cream,

Eat the lot, eat the lot.

Merry Christmas (tune of Farmer wants a wife)

1.Christmas time is here, Christmas time is here,

Merry Christmas everyone, Christmas time is here,

2.It’s time to trim the tree, It’s time to trim the tree,

Merry Christmas everyone, it’s time to trim the tree.

3.It’s time to wrap the gifts, It’s time to wrap the gifts,

Merry Christmas everyone, It’s time to wrap the gifts,

3.Santa will soon be here, Santa will soon be here,

Merry Christmas everyone, Santa will soon be here.

Merry Christmas everyone and thank you for all your support in 2012.

Wishing you and your families a very Happy New Year!

From Mrs O’Hare and Mrs Connolly.

Last Updated on Sunday, 11 November 2012 18:53

November Rainbow News

Dear Parents,

The children enjoyed the Autumn theme in October and created lots of pictures. They played the role of the Farmer and cared for the toy animals. Everyone looked amazing in their Halloween outfits at the sharing party. The chocolate apples on sticks the children made were enjoyed by all.

Here are some of the things your child will be involved in during the month of

The Theme of the month is Dark and Light.   

The story of the month is Owl Babies.      

The colour of the month is brown.

The shape of the month is circle.        

The rhyme of the month is ‘Wee Willie Winkie.’         

The house corner has a night time theme where the children are invited to get ready for bed complete with slippers, dressing gowns, teddies, bedtime stories and bedding.

At circle time we are focusing on the theme of Forgiveness as part of our Emotional Intelligence programme.

We are focusing on our next rule-

We use kind hands, kind feet and kind words.

Talk to your child about how to be a good friend and what to do if someone hurts you. Talk about how we use our hands to help and not to hurt others. We use kind words like ‘Please’ and ‘Thank you’. Talk about why it is important to say sorry.

The shop has been transformed into a cafe and the children are encouraged to role play as a customer, waiter, waitress, chef and cook.

The children were involved in their first FUNDRAISER on the 27^th October. They all completed their TRIATHALON to raise funds for our ‘Wildlife Garden’. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and the funds are still coming in. We will keep you informed of our progress.

The Dental Nurse Marion Milligan is visiting the Unit on Wednesday 7^th November for the afternoon group and Thursday 8^th November for the morning group. She will talk to the children about healthy foods and oral hygiene.

We are visiting the local library and hearing some seasonal stories being read by the staff. The morning group will visit on Monday 19^th November at 11am.

The afternoon group will visit on Tuesday 20^th November at 2pm 

Songs and Rhymes for November 

Late at Night (to the tune of Frere Jacques)

Late at night, late at night,

Who, who, who; who, who, who.                                                                      

I can hear the owls call, way up in the tree tall,

Who, who, who; who, who, who.

Wee Willie Winkie.

Wee Willie Winkie, runs through the town.                                            

Upstairs and downstairs in his nightgown.

Rapping at the windows, peeping through the locks;

Are all the children in their bed?

It’s past eight o’clock.

Twinkle, Twinkle little star

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.                                          

Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

When the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon;

When you show your little light, twinkle, twinkle through the night.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are.

I see the moon

I see the moon, the moon sees me,

God bless the moon and God bless me.

Ten in the bed

There were ten in the bed and the little one said, ’Roll over’, roll over; So they all rolled over and one fell out....there were nine in the bed .................etc

Thank you for all your continuing support,

Mrs Colette O’Hare---   Nursery teacher

Mrs Lisa Connolly  ---Nursery Assistant