October 2013 Newsletter
Teaghlaigh Naofa Times
16//10/13 Vol 5. Issue 3
Board of Management of Holy Family N.S.
The Board would like to thank all those members of the school community who contributed to the development of the school during the past academic year, teachers, parents, Parent Association and the people of Shanagarry. Our school is a reflection of your interest in the education of our young people.
The Board have completed the annual review of the Child Protection Policy. The policy is available for parents to view in the school office.
The Board of Management wish to express its thanks to those families who have paid a voluntary contribution. The Board appreciates your active support of the school especially in this era of cut backs. The payment card system will operate this year and parents may find this useful to spread monthly payment across the school year.
Conna Cross Country Run
Well done to every child from 1st to 6th class who represented our school so well at Conna Cross Country Running. It is great to see our boys and girls supporting and encouraging each other and valuing each other’s efforts. Well done to all who took on this challenge and to Tom Morrison and Aobh Mohally who received medals. We hope to continue with our training and improve our fitness levels. Children may bring/wear runners to school for this training .
Sciath na Scol
The same united spirit can be seen when our footballers are in action. We have played five teams this year and every pupil from 3rd to 6th has taken to the field. Our result on the score board does not reflect the level of commitment and teamwork that everybody has given but we improved with each match and learned from the experience. We played Ballycotton, Glenville, Ballincurrig, Walterstown and Firmount. Thanks again to Dave who generously gives of his time to train the boys’ team and to the parents for your support. We will begin hurling training when the football competitions have finished.
Swimming
Swimming will begin on November 6th to December 11th. Children in the infant room will travel to Aura pool in Youghal with their parent by car. Children 1st-6th class will travel by bus. If parents are bringing infants to the pool they may bring older siblings by car. See the end of this newsletter for consent form.
Green schools
Our green schools committee comprising of chairperson, Lucy Smiddy, secretary James Morrison, their class mates and other class representatives Aobh Mohally, Brian Scannell, Luiza Wysocka and Joanne Ryan have been making great strides towards achieving our 3rd green flag. Our first two meetings have been a hive of activity consisting of elections, surveys and campaign planning.
At present we are analysing and highlighting the problem areas in our school with the intention of devising an action plan. The committee have devised a “switch it off” campaign and have begun a survey to see where we can best conserve energy and save money.
Energy is the second theme we have tackled having been awarded 2 green flags for litter and waste management. As energy is not as visible an issue as waste and litter it is more difficult to moniter but with our enthusiastic committee we should have no problems.
You can help too
- Turn off lights.
- Turn off appliances at the wall.
- Turn down the heat.
- Turn off the taps.
Dates for your diary
Please ensure all Christmas cards are returned to school by Friday 18th
We will meet parents for our first Parent Teacher meeting on October 22nd and 24th. Appointment will start at 3.10. Please fill in the slip at the end of this news letter stating your preferred day. Please return by Friday 18th.
On November 25th children may wear their Halloween costumes to school.
First Holy Communion
Children in second class have begun preparation for their Holy Communion on May 10th. This preparation will continue as the children celebrate a series of ‘Do this in memory of me’ Masses over the coming months.
Staying Healthy and Well
All children from now on should bring a warm coat and hat to school. Our school yard is extremely exposed on windy days and it is important for children to be well wrapped up if we are to take full advantage of any dry days that come our way. Boys and girls who wish to play on the pitch should from now on bring an old pair of tracksuit ends and socks to pull up over their school trousers. Please ensure that your child has a healthy lunch and a pair of indoor shoes.
Literacy and Numeracy
Our focus for last school year was literacy .We have reviewed our practices in relation to all areas of reading, spelling, writing and language. I would urge you to continue with the great work that was done last year in promoting reading at home and praise you child for using the vocabulary ( word of the week) that they have learned in school. As a staff this year we will be focusing our attention on numeracy.
National Tree Week
The children will soon undertake a project of sowing seeds. They will need an empty litre tetra pack carton with the four corners snipped out and filled with clay. We will sow tree seeds in these cartons and in three years’ time these saplings will be given to the children to plant around their local area. Please have tetra cartons of clay in school for Thursday 24th October
The saying goes that the man who plants a flower plants it for himself but the man who plants a tree plants it his grandchildren.
Savings
Saving Stamps are sold in the school office every Wednesday. Children fill their card with 1euro stamps which may be lodged to an An Post Savings account when full.
Lost & Found
The Lost & Found box is full to overflowing with track suit tops, jackets etc. It is located just inside the back door. If you are missing any items please come and look through it to see if any of the items are yours.