Shanagarry N.S.

Dear Parents

Dates for your diary

•  April 20^th Photographer will visit the school. You are not under ANY obligation.
• FRIDAY MARCH 13TH is the next collection date for Cash for Clobber.  Bags are to be put on shelves in the port cabin. Please have them in by Thursday March 12^th.
• March 9^th – March 13^th Seachtain na Gaeilge. Children will be involved in lots of activities Tráth na gCeist, Seisiún ceoil agus amhránaíocht, Céilí Mór.
• A group of children from 2^nd-6^th will travel to Kilcreden school on Friday 20^th March to sing and play tin whistle for some other local schools. More details later.
• Hurling Matches 4^th -6^th

1. In Shanagarry on March 19th against (a)  Bartlemy, (b)  Aghabullogue
2. In Vicarstown on April 29th   against  (a)  Vicarstown, (b)  Kilonane                                                        
3. Date not yet decided  against  Rylane

As we have fewer hurlers than footballers we usually manage to transport hurlers by car to their matches. I would appreciate the help of all parents who are free on these dates.You will be asked to fill in consent forms nearer the date.

Tours
Junior and Senior Infants      June 12th                           Tír na Sí  Farm  Watergrasshill
First and Second                     June 23rd                            Let’s Go Activity Day  Cork
Third to Sixth                           June 23^RD                            East Cork Adventure Centre Aghada
(More details later)
The cost of buses for the school tours is covered by the Parents Association. Please continue to give them your support by gathering old clothes etc. For Cash for Clobber, running/ walking in the Cork City Marathon in June or in their other upcoming events.

12pm Half Day March 27^th Easter Holidays
Bus children are to make alternative arrangements as the bus cannot oblige us.

Wednesday June 10th  Cork City sports. This year the running will take place in The CIT Complex Bishopstown as Páirce Ui Chaoimh is under renovation. As usual the committee who meticulously organise this memorable day for the children is grateful for your support of their raffle. Tickets were sent home on Friday 6^th with the eldest child from each family. Please return all tickets sold or unsold to school by Friday March 13^th.

 

Board of Management

The Board would like to thank those families who have made a contribution to the costs involved in running the school. Any outstanding contributions can be made to the office in single or multiple payments. Your support is very much appreciated.

Plans are under way to have the school car park tarred over the Easter break. The cost of this work is being met by a grant secured from the Department of Education.

 

Training is in full swing.  Classes Junior Infants to Second develop their ball skills with Seán Crowley on Wednesday mornings. We are grateful to St. Colman’s for their support in this regard. Two groups made up of classes Third to Sixth develop their hurling or basketball skills on Wednesday afternoon with Mr. Ryan and Ms. O Neill respectively.

Senior classes will soon begin planting and sowing in their section of the garden.

Gymnastics lessons are now finishing up but the benefits of developing core balance and strength combined with agility and flexibility are so important.

We will not have any drumming lessons this term as Éamonn was with us before Christmas of this school year.

The children thoroughly enjoyed their concert night in December. There was a fabulous buzz around the school and I want to whole heartedly thank all parents, grandparents, aunties, and uncles who came to support our budding thespians. This is what the children themselves had to say the following morning when asked what they thought about the whole experience.

‘ I realised I was FABULOUS!’

‘I knew I had the support of all the class and the teachers when I went on stage.’

‘When I was on stage I was brave and nervous at the same time.’

‘I’m braver than I thought I was.’

‘My dad smiled at me and I smiled back.’

 

Parish Links

We had visits from Fr. Joe on the Feast of St. Blaise and on Ash Wednesday. The children gathered each morning of Catholic Schools Week to pray and think about Joy, Love, Justice, Kindness and Truth.

The children are finding out about the little girl Mahlet, who is on this year s Trócaire box. The difficulties in Mahlet’s life are in no small way the result of Climate Change. Most of the extra CO2 in the air is from developed countries but the poorer countries are suffering more because of climate change – CLIMATE INJUSTICE. The children are involved in reducing the waste of energy so as to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air and so in turn slow down the affects of climate change.

The children of second class received the Sacrament of Forgiveness on March 5^th. Thanks to all the children from other classes who gave so generously of their time to play and sing at this ceremony.

        

Please ensure that your child:

Wears a warm coat and hat coming to school

Has a pair of indoor shoes

Has a note to explain absences from school when necessary

 

Parking and Dropping  –  A Reminder

In the interest  of your child’s safety and as a courtesy to other road users I would ask  that the area at the front of school  be used as a SET DOWN AREA ONLY.  If everyone follows this rule there will be a better flow of traffic at the school and our children will be safer.