Science Blast
Science Blast is an excellent science project that the Senior Room take part in on a regular basis. It challenges them to take on a scientific investigation to answer a question that was puzzling them. They hypothesize possible solutions, undertake investigations and come up with results and conclusion that are all presented in May at the Science Blast exhibition in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. It is a tremendous event to be involved in and we will be back again in the future!! In previous years, they have figured out why the Senior Room is so much older than the Junior Room, and also managed to build their very own self-propelled vehicles from recycled materials.
Junior Entrepreneur Programme
Every couple of years we take part in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. The pupils come up with their own business proposals, meet local entrepreneurs, decide on a product and, ultimately, create their own business. The business involves the creation, marketing and selling of their chosen product. In recent years the pupils have sold room signs and created their very own vegan hot chocolate kits. These wonderfully businesses were a great success. The pupils really enjoy the whole process of the JEP programme and learn a great deal from the experience.
Climate Action In Primary Schools
In October 2020, the pupils in the senior class took part in the CAPS project. Artist, Evelyn Sorohan, with the assistance of STEAM Ireland and Clare Education Centre put together a fabulous programme that taught the pupils all about climate change through practical activities and art. The project ran over ZOOM for a course of six weeks and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Some pupils completed art projects to show their view of climate change while the class built a village of the future that included a small wind farm, solar powered vehicles, homes and farms of the future and a shelter for endangered animals.
History Project
Thanks to our local priest Fr. Joe, the pupils embarked on an incredible journey learning all about the amazing stained-glass window in our local church. The pupils contacted people involved in building the church and had a visit from the church’s architect. The untangled the meaning behind the images which gave them an insight into the heritage of the area at that time. They then created their own mosaics to reflect a modern heritage of the area which can now be seen on the school wall. They created a wonderful video to showcase all of their work.
STEPS Young Engineers Award
We love trying to build and make things in Caherea. The STEPS Award challenges pupils to come up with engineering solutions to local problems. Pupils have to identify a problem and then plan and create their solution. We have had environmental solutions such as litter picking drones and energy generating playgrounds, while solar powered tractors and wind, hydro and solar powered cars which aim to reduce pollution in our areas. Recent ideas of speed sensing traffic lights and emergency wrist bands for the elderly are further solutions to some of our local problems. Watch this space!!
Fiddle with Music Generation
We have been fortunate to have taken part in the West Clare Strings Programme with Music Generation for the past few years. The pupils receive a 25 week block of fiddle lessons and it has been wonderful to see their musical talents blossom. They are allowed to take home their fiddles each week to practice and did a wonderful performance at our 60th anniversary celebration.
French with Primary Languages
We have been selected for the Primary Languages Initiative for past number of years. Pupils receive a 6 week block of lessons with our French tutor Rhona Gomez. Their French has improved so much over the years and has given some a real boost before taking up the language in secondary school.
Seashore Safari
Thanks to the Marine Institute of Ireland, the pupils of Caherea had a wonderful day on White Strand investigating marine life. We found so many different creatures and learnt so much about the importance of protecting our marine habitats. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed the sand castle competition too!
Caherea National School 