Teaghlaigh Naofa Times September 2012
03/09/12 Vol 2. Issue 1
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Failte romhaibh go léir ar ais. We hope you all had a very enjoyable summer with family and friends. A very warm welcome to our Junior Infants and their families. We also welcome the pupils who have joined other classes. We hope that you will all feel very welcome in Holy Family N.S. and enjoy your time with us.
We wish last years sixth class the very best of luck as they head on to secondary school and we hope they’re not missing us too much!
Work continued over the holidays. The school has been cleaned, the grass has been kept in check and the hedge will be cut in the next few weeks. We greatly appreciate the help of all involved.
We are looking forward to meeting and working with you all over the coming year.
Le gach dea ghui
Josephine O Neill
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1. * Pupils Accident Insurance:
Allianz will again this year offer Personal Accident Cover to each pupil. This will cover you for injuries that may occur in school, at home or at other after school activities should you choose to avail of the second option. Parents who have dealt with Allianz over the past school year have reported Allianz to be very customer friendly and prompt in sorting claims.
School Activities only €5.00 per pupil or 24hr €8.00 per pupil.
2. *Code of Discipline:
For the safety and well being of all pupils each class teacher will go through the school rules over the next week. A full copy of the schools Code of Discipline may be viewed in the school office. The shortened version of the rules is attached for you to go through with your child. This can then be signed and returned to school by Monday September 10th.
3. Gaeilge:- Your child will be learning following sentences. An bhféadfainn imeacht to dtí an leithreas? May I got to the toilet? An bhféadfainn mo chóta a fhail? May I get my coat? Encourage your child to adapt these to home life eg An bhféadfainn féachaint ar an teilifis? An bhfeadfainn imeacht to dti teach (friends names)
4. Healthy Lunch:- For those who may not be aware we promote a healthy lunch policy in Holy Family N.S. Each child is encouraged to bring a piece of fruit/ vegetable, a sandwich – possibly made with brown bread- and a natural drink. I have been very impressed with the array of healthy foods filling the lunchboxes. Next week, the company who provide our school milk will supply milk free of charge to any child who wishes to avail of this promotion. You may order school milk for the next term by filling in and returning the attached form with payment.
Please ensure that all drinks are brought to school in resealable bottles and that these bottles are carried in a separate container away from school books.
5. Tin Whistle:- Thursday afternoons 1st – 6th class. Remember your tin whistle.
6. Saving Stamps:- €1.00 stamps for sale every Wednesday morning. Saving cards are retained in school, On completion of the card it can be lodged to a An Post Deposit Account. We encourage children to develop the habit of saving.
7. * Swimming:
Starting Wednesday 3rd October a bus will operate from school to bring children to the Aura pool in Youghal but it is advised that Junior Infants would be transported by car by their Parent/Minder. The bus will leave school at 1.15pm and return at approx 3.25pm so all children attending swimming need to be collected by parents on swimming day.
Please ensure that ALL ITEMS OF UNIFORM ARE CLEARLY LABLLED especially TRACKSUITS which can easily be misplaced on swimming day.
8. Polo shirts may be ordered through Bridie in the school office, Cost: €10.00.
9. Track Suits:- Wednesday is track suit day for everyone from Junior Infants – 6th Class.
10. Centre for Talented Youth:- If your child scored a STEN of 9 or 10 (see report card) they may qualify for participation in an 8 week course run in Cork. Courses vary in cost from €20.00 – €230.00. Application form in the school office or www.dcu.ie/ctyi
11. Contact Details:- If any of your contact details have changed please advise the school secretary.
12. Indoor shoes:- Please make sure your child has INDOOR SHOES to wear inside the school.
13. Education Welfare Act 2000 – Each school is obliged to keep a register of children absences throughout the year. The school is obliged to notify the National Education Welfare Board if a child is absent for 20 days or more in a school year. Please ensure your child has a note to explain the reason for their absence from school as this will form part of the schools report to the N.E.W.B..
14. First Holy Communion Meeting: – A meeting for the parents of the First Holy Communion pupils will take place in the school on Wednesday 12th September at 8.00pm.
15. Photocopying:- The amount for photocopying is now due €30.00 per child, family of 3 or more €75.00.
16. Voluntary Contribution:- The voluntary contribution of €50.00 per family is also due. Following a Parents Association meeting it was agreed that the “Yellow Card” system will again be used to help in tracking instalment payments and as receipt of payments. Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.
Well done to our gardeners who came third in a gardening competition sponsored by Ballymaloe Cookery School. The prize money will be spent on our garden and we look forward to enjoying more fresh salads from the garden over the coming year. Fresh organic eggs will again be sold from the school office at €2.00 per half dozen.