February Newsletter
Teaghlaigh Naofa Times 28/02/12 Vol. Issue 4
Board of Management
Dear Parents,
The Patron of our school is Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dr. Dermot Clifford.
The Board of Management is composed of:
Michael Barry and Ber Dunne – two members appointed by the Patron.
Alan Morrison and Katherine Scannell – two parents nominees.
Josephine O’Neill and Noelle Steele – two teachers nominees.
Kitty Daly and Donal O’Brien – two nominees of the wider community.
The current board took office on December 01st 2011 and will serve for four years.
The Board met on Tuesday 21st of February.
Voluntary Contribution
The Board wish to thank those parents who have already made their voluntary contribution to the school
Any outstanding contributions can be made to the office in single or multiple payments. We understand
the difficulties of the present economic climate but we would draw your attention to the fact that the minister has again, only last week, made further reductions to our school budget which he had previously reduced
in Budget 2011.
This trend of reducing school budgets is to continue for the next three years so your support is vital.
Child Protection
The Board of Management wishes to inform you that:
The Board of Management’s annual review of the school’s child protection policy was completed at the Board meeting of February 21st.
This review was conducted in accordance with the checklist set out in Appendix 2 of the Department’s
‘Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post Primary Schools’
Holy Family N.S.
Engineer’s Week
Engineer’s Week is on the horizon and 3rd – 6th classes are looking forward to a visit from
Eamon Morrissey. Eamon will talk about how maths helps in engineering and the classes will also get to have a practical experience of physics in action.
Seachtain na Gaeilge March 12th – 15th
During this week we would encourage you to use the “cupla focal” with your child. There will also be a series of events organised in school – quiz, ceilí & sing along.
Religious Ceremonies
The Communion children will continue the series of “Do this in Memory of Me” Mass in preparation for communion. The next Mass will be on March 11th at 11am.
First Confession
The First Confession will take place on Tuesday March 06th at 7.30pm in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Shanagarry. Second class children are asked to bring their baptismal candles to school prior to
this or else to bring them to the church on the night as candles are needed for the ceremony.
Children from other classes will form the choir for the night and their help is greatly appreciated.
Confirmation
The Confirmation ceremony will take place on March 28th and as stated on the school calendar the school will be open for all other children on that day.
A retreat for Confirmation children will be held in school on March 12th. This is funded by the Parish.
Lenten Prayer Service
Fr. Joe Rohan conducted a lenten prayer service with the pupils from 1st to 6th classes on Ash Wednesday.
Cookery School Days: March 21st and May 23rd
Pupils from 5th & 6th will again this year visit the cookery school. Please ensure that gardeners have a
warm jacket and wellies and the cooks will need an apron. The cost of two days is €15.00 and this includes
lunch on both days.
Drumming
A five week session of drumming with Eamon Cagney will commence on 23rd April. The cost is €10.00
School Tours
School tours have been booked, classes 3rd to 6th will travel to Ballyhass Lakes on June 14th, Classes 1st & 2nd will go to Cork for the Lets’ Go Tour on June 12th and the Infants will travel to Fota on May 30th.
For anyone who wishes to start saving now, – saving stamps are on sale in the office every Wednesday.
We will soon begin to sow our seeds in preparation for the growing season ahead and we also hope to enter a gardening competition. We would welcome the help of any willing hands. Spring is in the air and the hens have started to lay again so don’t forget to buy your eggs! 3 for €1.00, 6 for €2.00 available from the office.
Please ensure your child has indoor shoes. This is important from a safety point of view and also when we practice
our fire drill your child will not have time to put on out door shoes before going out to the assembly point. We practice fire drill once per term.
We have been very busy since our return to school after the Christmas holidays.
We have completed a very beneficial six weeks session of gymnastics with Claire McGuire and we wish to thank her for her enthusiasm and expertise.
Our young hurlers in 1st & 2nd class are to be found on the pitch every Thursday with Daniel. Both levels
of skill and confidence are on the rise and we wish to thank the G.A.A. club for their assistance.
Our older hurlers train on Wednesdays and are now preparing for Sciath na Scol matches, the first of which will take place in mid March.
Three groups of four from fifth and sixth class took place in the Leamlara Muintir na Tire Quiz on 09/02/12. Well done to all who took part.
Enrolment
We are now taking enrolment for September 2012. Please ensure that you have completed an enrolment form and return it to the office by March 15th.
Also to aid future planning, the school would like to have an estimate of the approximate enrolments for future years. If you have a child in your family or know of a child that will be starting school in the next four years, please complete the attached form.
Parents’ Council
The next meeting of the Parent Association is at 8.30pm on Tuesday 06th March 2012. All parents are very, very welcome so please come along.
Confirmation gowns are to be worn by 5th & 6th class pupils being confirmed on 28th March 2012. Confirmation gowns are being rented from Academy Crests Ltd and will be delivered and collected from
the school.
A Book Fair will be held in the school on Wednesday evening 14th March 7-9pm and Thursday afternoon 15th March 2-3.30pm. World Book Tokens can be used at the Book Fair.
A fundraising cake sale will be held on Easter Sunday, 8th of April after 11 o ‘clock Mass. We would be grateful for all your lovely baked donations!
An Internet Safety seminar will be held in the school on Tuesday 17th of April at 7pm. This seminar is provided by the National Parents Council and gives a practical demonstration of the technologies and websites young people are using. The seminar runs for approximately 2 hours. Parents will be introduced
to strategies to help their children be responsible, effective and safer internet users. Please let us know if you are interested in attending the seminar.