Parent Info

 

2012 Newsletters

 

Newsletter 8

Monday, May 28^th, 2012.

Dear Parents,

1.            First Communion Class: Our 2^nd class received their First Communion last Saturday, May 19^th. It was a great occasion for the children and their families, and as always the children were a credit to their parents and their teacher. Congratulations and well done to all 25 and to Yeoyeol Park in 3^rd Class and to Ms Finnegan, who prepared the children so well, and to Ms Doyle and the 3^rd and 4^th Class choir for the lovely sweet singing. A big thank you also, to Ms Yvonne Bolton for her musical accompaniment. Our secretary Mrs Bray did a great job on the Communion booklet and we thank her for all her help in preparing for the special day.  A big thank you to the Parent group who made the commitment to prepare the children and organise the liturgies for the chosen Sundays throughout the year. Thanks to the Parents Association members who provided the lovely refreshments in the hall after the ceremony. Mile buíochas to Fr Howard for his assistance and support throughout the year, and to Tony Byrne, our sacristan.

 

2.            5th and 6^th Class Confirmation Retreat took place on April 19^th in St Patricks Church, commencing with Mass and followed by two input sessions with two Catechists, organised by Fr Howard. The morning was very successful and the students spoke very positively of the experiences.

Graduation Mass for 6^th Class takes place on Tuesday, June 26^th at 9.45am. This is also our end of year Mass, and all parents are invited to attend.

 

3.            Annual Science Fair: Our Annual Science Day took place on April 18^th for all classes from 3^rd to 6^th. The fair was a resounding success again this year, thanks in no small way to the hard work and dedication of the children and their teachers in preparing, researching and delivering the projects for the benefit of the other classes, parents and wider community. We are very proud of the interest with which they approach the fair every year.

Primary Science: In conjunction with the Science Fair we entered the Discover Prmary Science Awards again this year. Congratulations to 3^rd – 6^th Class Pupils who have received our 3rd Primary Science Award for Excellence in Science and Maths. Thanks to all the teachers involved and to Ms Erika Doyle for co-ordinating the project all year. The plaque will be on display shortly.

 

4.            Great News re Green Flag: On Friday last Ms. O’Brien accompanied by 3 members of the Green Schools Committee travelled to Dublin to receive our Third Green Flag, the theme of which was Water Awareness. Congratulations to Ms. O’Brien and all the dedicated committee members and to all our pupils, who really do all they are asked and more to improve the environment of the school in conjunction with the Green Schools initiative. Our own flag raising ceremony will take place in late June.

 

5.            New Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.

As part of the governments new initiative to improve the national standards in Literacy and Maths, all schools are now obliged to give more teaching time to English and Maths. This provides us with a dilemma as to what to put less time into. Because Swimming classes take 2 hours each week per class group and because of the increasing costs to parents and the school,  The Board of Management have decided not to offer Swimming for the next school year. While we see great value in giving children the opportunity to learn this very important skill, we wish to be in a position to be able to continue to offer learning opportunities more closely related to Literacy and Numeracy. We would encourage parents to continue to provide opportunities for their children to learn to swim, where at all possible.

Also as part of the new Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, we are required to report scores on Standardised tests in 2^nd, 4^th and 6^th Classes. It has always been our practise to issue these results for all classes and we will continue this, but the layout of our School report must reflect some new elements. Jun Infants, and 4^th to 6^th Class will receive a new style report, and all other classes will use an amended version of the old reports.

Furthermore as part of our Numeracy planning for the next 3 years we will be sending home a short survey for all parents to fill in, to get your thoughts on your child’s experiences with the learning of Maths. This will be issued early in June.

 

6.            School Excellence Awards: Congratulations to Ms O’Brien, Ms Doyle and Ms Doran who received an award recently for Excellence in Literacy. The School Excellence Awards is an initiative which promotes and recognises primary schools in the South East region committed to excellence. It also creates a network of teachers in the region committed to their ongoing continuing professional development.

 

7.            Schoolbook Lists 2012-2013

Following the success of our Book Rental Scheme last year we are planning to continue it this year. We will purchase all school books for the school for next year. These will be distributed in class in September. The way the system works is that there will be a flat fee covering all costs of books, some art materials, photocopying, diaries and some copies. We have costed it out and it represents a considerable saving to all families. There will be a reduction for families with 2 or more children. Parents will only have to purchase some copies and pencils which will be itemised in a note going home with school reports. The fees will be as follows:

€80 for 1 child families

€150 for families of 2 pupils

€220 for families of 3 pupils

€300 for families of 4 pupils

 

8.            Class Allocation for 2012-2013: Unfortunately for our school, we will be losing a teacher this September due to small intake last September. This has implications for the distribution of all classes and will mean we will have more multi-grade classes for next school year. When deciding on the division of classes the Principal, in consultation with the teaching staff, takes account of several factors.

May I assure all parents that

• children will be taught a programme suited to their needs.
• all children will be taught by a highly skilled and competent professional.
• every classroom in the school is made up of a wide range of ability levels.
• friendships will not be adversely affected.

 

9.            Friendship Week: takes place from June 11^th – 15^th.

The aim of the week is to ensure that all children can learn and play in a safe and caring environment, and to remind each other that we all make a contribution to creating this atmosphere in our school.

An Anti-Bullying Workshop was offered to 6^th Class on Wednesday, May 15^th, from 10am to 12.30pm.The workshop produced some good feedback for the pupils, and we hope they will use what they have learned to recognise and deal with instances of bullying in the future. The same workshop will be offered to our 5^th class next month.

 

10.          Cookery Classes: 5^th and 6^th Class had a very special treat on May 2^nd and May 9^th, when they got to bake their own cakes and decorate them beautifully with the assistance and expertise of Mrs Haskins. They thoroughly enjoyed themselves and hopefully got a taste of the pleasure to be gained from cooking and baking. Thanks to Gina for making it so enjoyable for all the pupils involved.

 

11.          Violin Lessons for 1^st and 2^nd Class are continuing on Mondays with Ms Yvonne Bolton. A recital for parents of both classes will take place on Monday, June 18^th at 1.30pm.

 

12.          School Uniform: Please make the effort to continue to dress your child in grey t-shirt and school jumper for school. During the hot weather we do allow the children to wear shorts, but we would ask that you try to buy plain navy or grey shorts in keeping with our uniform.

 

13.          Football Blitz for 1^st and 2^nd takes place in Dr Cullen Park tomorrow Tuesday May 29^th from 10am to 12.30pm. Pupils and their teachers will travel by bus to the venue.

5^th and 6^th Class Football Blitz has been organised between Ballon NS and Rathoe NS from 1pm -3pm on Tuesday June 26^th. Any parents available to drive the students up and back would be much appreciated.

 

14.          Leinster Victory: Congratulations to the great Leinster team who took the Heineken Cup for the third time last Saturday! Well done to local hero Seán O’Brien who we hope to congratulate personally when he visits the school shortly.

2^nd to 6^th Class are getting opportunities during lunch time at the moment to keep up their Tag Rugby skills. Mrs Maher runs games every big break with different class groups. Sincere thanks to Meave for her great interest.

 

15.       Parents Association News

This year our Annual Fun Day will be held in the school on Sunday the 1st July 2012. Please refer to the attached note to this newsletter regarding assistance in organizing the event and volunteers on the day.

Thanks to all the volunteers that helped out with the tea / coffee in the hall after the recent First Holy Communion and to everybody that provided goodies, cakes, etc. Congratulations to all children who made their communion on the day. (Submitted by Tom Brophy)

 

16.          Summer Camps:  We have received various brochures for Summer Camps during July & August. If interested please call into the office.

 

17.          School Tour information has already reached you and we have a steady stream of monies arriving.  Please have all tour monies to class teacher by Friday June 8^th at the latest.

 

18.          County Photos: All families received proofs of photos last week.  If you wish to order please have envelopes and monies back to class teacher by Friday June 8^th.

 

19.          Community Games: Congratulations to Kirstie Maher – 6^th Class who took the Gold Medal in Art at the National Community Games Finals in Athlone at the weekend.  Well done also to the Jacinta & Jessica Byrne, Chanise Doyle who did very well in the Choir Competition, and to Kyron Maher who came 5^th in Art.

 

Diary Dates to the end of year:

May Dates

29^th – Football Blitz 1^st & 2^nd Class – Dr Cullen Park

31^st – School Closed – Referendum

June Dates

1^st –6^th -  School Closed

7^th – School Re-opens at 9.20am

7^th – Leagues begin

13^th – Vaccinations for Junior Infants

14^th – Teddy Bear Picnic

19th – Sports Day

21^st – School Tours

26^th – Football Blitz 5^th & 6th

26^th – Graduation Mass

27^th – Awards

28^th – Official Opening

29^th – School closed for Holidays at 12noon.

 

 

Le meas

Bláthnaid McDermott

Principal

 

Click here to view Newsletter 1

Click here to view Newsletter 2

Click here to view Newsletter 3

Click here to view Newsletter 5

Newsletter 6 – 8th February

Newsletter 7 -16th March

Newsletter 8 May 28th