Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2025
A huge thank you to all families who took part in this years Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Category - Geography
With the Rugby World Cup being on in Japan, it was a good time to learn more about the history, culture and geography of what is a fascinating country. The children in Rang a Cúig and Rang a Sé learned a lot during class and then were split up into groups to produce projects on various aspects of Japanese life. Below, see the fruits of their labour and learn a thing or two about Japan also!
Clothes and Costumes
Japan has a great variety of traditional clothing.

Did You Know? An obi is a wide sash which is tied around the waist to secure the kimono (a traditional Japanese dress)
Japanese Festivals
Japan holds many festivals each year such as Hinamatsuri, Kodomo-no-hi and a kite-flying festival.

Did You Know? The Dolls Festival or Hinamatsuri takes place on the 3rd of March each year. Children (mainly girls) put special dolls on display in their houses.
Japanese Arts
Japan is home to unique musical instruments and art.

Did You Know? In Japan people often use a hanko or personal seal instead of a signature on important documents.
Japanese Food – Gohan
Japanese cuisine is famous the world over. Raw fish is a common part of the Japanese diet.

Did You Know? Before you start eating it is polite to say, ‘itadakimasu’.
Japanese Theatre
Japan has its own unique theatre, the most famous of which are kabuki, noh and bunraku.

Did You Know? Kabuki, Japan’s most famous theatre, literally means ‘bizarre behaviour’
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is one of the most famous sites in all of Japan. The Japanese believe it is a sacred mountain.

Did You Know? For years, Japanese women were not allowed to climb Mount Fuji. The first Japanese woman to climb it was disguised as a man!
Religion in Japan
Japan’s two main religions are Shinto and Buddhism.

Did You Know? In Japan 80% of people practice Shinto and 70% of people practice Buddhism. This means that many people practice both!
Shinkansen – The Bullet Train
The bullet train, or shinkansen in Japanese, is one of the world’s fastest trains.

Did You Know? The Japanese are testing new technology which will bring the top speed of the shinkansen up to 600kmh! These new shinkansen will be ready in 2027.
Japanese Sport
Sports such as baseball and soccer are very popular in Japan. Martial arts such as karate and kendo are too. The national sport is sumo wrestling.

Did You Know? A sumo tournament is called a basho.
A huge thank you to all families who took part in this years Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal
The week before mid-term, rang a 6 organised a mock presidential election among the students of 4th, 5th and 6th class.
On Wednesday 22nd of October Junior and Senior Infants had a wonderful day Pumpkin Picking at Tinahely Farm Shop.
Our 4th class girls made a bit of history at the annual SLOT Cross Country held on October 1st in Carlow Town Hurling Club.
Rang a 6 paid a visit to Coláiste Bhríde for a taster day recently to give them an idea of what awaits them in secondary school next September.
The children in Ballyconnell NS had lots of fun during Maths Week 2025, which this year, took place from 13th – 17th October 2025!