Building Stomp Rockets
As part of our World Around Us Topic on Flight we worked in groups to make Stomp Rockets. We designed and built and then tested our rockets to see how well they could travel. We then looked at our designs to see how we could improve them.
We learned how to join materials, work co-operatively and perform a fair test.
Hillwalking Week 1 Carnanmorre
Carnanmore. Pupils walked from Watertop farm to Carnanmore in West Torr. We got to visit a peat bog and see a Neolithic tomb with rock art.
This trip had some really bad weather but it did not detract from our adventure. Mrs Mc Carry and some of her family joined us for the walk.
We used the photos from this trip to enter a competition and won ! The money used will go towards more outdoor equipment for outdoor learning at the school.
Week 2 Murlough Bay and Fairhead
On this trip we went to the amazing Murlough Bay and Fairhead. We walked across the top of the cliff to visit Lough Fadden and check out the geese, then walked to the Middle Crag and descended the cliff to the ‘Dingley Dell’. We then went though the secret cave to make our way across the jungle at the bottom of the Small Crag to an old abandoned mine. We then walked out to the carpark and got to see an old Ballum Stone where early pilgrims used to come for cures. We went to the bottom of Murlough and took some time to reflect on the beauty and solitude of the area by finding a quiet space and just listening and looking at the wind and waves. It was one of our best trips.
Week 3 Whitepark Bay and Ballintoy
Whitepark Bay and Ballintoy
The weather was really poor so we visited Whitepark Bay. We went to the caves at the far end of the beach and learned about why early man came to live here. We went into the caves and explored them. Some people found the approach up the wet, mucky track challenging ! Some people were affected by ‘swamp bum’ !
We then went across the beach and looked at some fossils and played in the sea. When we got to the far end of the beach we had to go over a rocky headland and drop down to the Elephant Rock to avoid the tide. We then walked round to Ballintoy Harbour and had a Cave Cookout ! We cooked marshmallows and at Smores. Everyone was wet but enjoyed it.
Week 4 Rockclimbing at Runkerry Head
This week the weather was better and we went to Runkerry Head near the Giant’s Causeway to go climbing and Abseiling. We met Mr Faulkner who gave Mr Kinney a hand running the session. We walked down the Sand Rodden and crossed a river and walked past Runkerry House. We then got into our harnesses and helmets and split into two groups. We got to climb an route called ‘Monster Munch’ and then got to do an abseil above the sea ! It was really exciting. The views of Donegal and Rathlin Island were amazing.
Maths Week
This week for Maths Week we were using the outdoors to explore co-ordinates. We made small 4 Quadrant co-ordinate grids to locate and find co-ordinates.
We also learned how to use co-ordinates to give a location. We used a map of our school grounds to find co-ordinates and complete a score orienteering event. We learned about how co-ordinates are used in real life and how many careers require an understanding of how to use this area of Maths in their daily work.