Shanagarry N.S.

Teaghlaigh Naofa Times               12^th June 2015

Dear Parents

As we head into a very busy last few weeks -here are some dates for your diary.
June 15^th Trocaire, Presentation of prizes to poster competition winners.
Parents Association AGM Tuesday 16^th June
June 17^th at 8pm Parents and pupils of 5^th and 6^th class information evening on R.S.E. Topic of changing and growing
June 16^th and 18^th Parent Teacher Meetings to collect end of year report card
June 18th   David Walsh School Books collection and payment of books pre ordered
June 19^th Open Science Day 1pm-3pm Classes 1^st to 6^th
22 June 6^th Class Graduation evening at 8pm
Tuesday 23^rd June 1st-6^th classes School Tours
Wednesday 24^th School Mass 10.15
Summer Holidays June 24^th at 12pm
School reopens  Tuesday 1st September
 Reminders : Please bring in money for Book Loan Scheme and photocopying so that we can distribute books to the pupils before the holidays. Please bring in a large paper/plastic bag for your child’s loan scheme books to be safely set aside in. If you have missed the date for ordering a school polo shirt, orders will be taken again in September.
Please remember; if you availed of the Allianz Pupil Personal Accident 24hr cover this extends into the summer holidays. Calendar and booklists are available on the website.

Voluntary contributions still outstanding for school year 2014/2015 can still be paid.

Our Parents Association have been working hard all year and I would encourage you all to give them your support.
Well done to all our parents who ran/walked in the Cork Marathon. I would like to thank the parents of the third class pupils who organised and helped out at the Communion teas. The next Parents Association meeting will take place on Tuesday 16^th. I will be able to make this meeting and I hope to see as many of you as possible.

Well done to all our athletes who competed in Cork city sports. A special mention to Sam Walsh, Tom Morrison, Robyn Lee, Ava Mannion, Shauna O Connell, Aisling Fuchs and Abbie Mc Phillips who won trophies in C.I.T.

Sports Day: A sports day was held on the day of Cork City Sports. All of the children had a fun filled activity packed day with obstacle courses and all sorts of races.

It is that time of year again when wish a farewell to our sixth class. They have, as the senior class, been a great example to all other classes and a credit to themselves and their families. Sixth class, we wish you all well and we send you on way knowing that we will in the future be hearing accounts of your great achievements.  A simple graduation ceremony and prayer service will be held for sixth class on Monday 22nd^th of June at 8.00 pm.
All the children have been busy working on the environmental issue of conserving energy and reducing CO2 emissions.  The pupils have been successful in their efforts to win another Green Schools Flag for the school. On May 27^th two members of the Green schools committee, Tara Roche and Aisling Fuchs travelled to the Silver Springs Hotel, accompanied by Ms. Hassett and Mr. Ryan to collect the new flag. A special thanks to Mr. Ryan for his work with fifth and sixth for the Green Schools Flag.
Children in third and fourth, in conjunction with the Green Schools committee, worked on the topic of Climate Justice which was the theme of this year’s Trocaire Lenten Campaign . Working in groups they designed a poster to show what they have learned about Climate Justice. These posters were entered in a national Trocaire competition. I am delighted to say that the group of Keely Fitzgerald, Peter Mc Can, Danielle Kenneally , Daniel Morrissey and Rebecca Tyrrell was  the overall national winning group. Their poster will now be part of the learning pack that Trocaire will publish next year and distribute to ever school in the country. A representative of Trocaire will be in school on Monday 15^th to present prizes.
We also had a visit from Sean Sherlock T.D. Junior Minister for Foreign Affairs and Darina Allen. Minister Sherlock was very impressed with the children’s school garden and their work on climate Justice. He has taken a copy of the winning Trocaire poster to show at a conference on climate change in Ethiopia later this year.

Holy Family N.S. individually and collectively had great success this year at Midleton show. We won the trophy for the school with the most entries along with a lot of rosettes for first, second and third places.

Sr. Claire visited the school on May 13^th and she spoke to the children in each room. She was impressed with their level of engagement with their faith and she affirmed the work being done by the teachers. I would like to thank all of the children who made the effort to come and sing in the school choir for the First Holy Communion. Your enthusiasm greatly adds to the First Holy Communion celebration for 2^nd class children and their families.

The children in classes 3^rd to 6^th had a very beneficial experience of Tai Chai with Kieran Treacy . Over the course of three lessons Kieran helped the children to develop an understanding of their breathing, movement and calming their minds. I was most impressed with the level of maturity the children brought to this work.

We have been successful in an application to Cork County Council for an arts grant. The money from this grant will go towards extending the children’s drumming lessons. The cost will remain the same but the children’s drumming workshops will be doubled in time giving them the opportunity to compose their own drumming pieces.

This is my last newsletter as principal of Holy Family N.S.I would like to thank the children, staff, parents and Board of Management for their energy and commitment to the school over the past four years. I hope you all have a safe, happy and fun filled summer holiday.