October Newsletter
Principal’s Prize: Congratulations to our new junior infants who were the proud recipients of the Principal’s Prize in September. We are so impressed with how well they have settled into school life!
Student of the Week: Each Friday the teachers announce their students of the week. This award is presented for exceptional efforts observed during the week such as co-operation, friendship, positive attitude or hard work. Our recent junior room winners have been Gerard, Conor, Edward, Caoimhe, Ava and Stephen while in the senior room winners have been Peter, Seán, Catherine, Iestyn, Sinéad and Róisín. Well done to all!
School Garden: Sincere thanks to pupils and parents who helped dig the garden beds last month. Since then we have planted lettuce, radishes and spring onions, while we also have indoor and outdoor herb pots, potted bulbs and garlic. Particular thanks are extended to Sally-Anne for her consistent input. We look forward to laying concrete slabs around the garden beds soon.
Friendship Week: We celebrated our first Friendship Week in September. There was a focus on friendship throughout the week with children contributing to a beautiful circle of friends display and friendship tree, composing recipes for friendship, making friendship bracelets for their secret friends and even visiting the Friendship Café!
Sherkin Island Art Competition: Congratulations go to sixth class pupils, Jeremy-John Looby and James Wolfe and also to past pupil, David Wolfe who all won prizes in the Sherkin Island Art Competition which we entered prior to the summer holidays.
Walk for Garrydoolis N.S.: Many thanks go to the pupils, parents and friends of Garrydoolis N.S. who attended our sponsored walk on Sunday, 5th October. We are very grateful to Knockane G.A.A. Club who sponsored the children’s medals, treats and the entertainment. Children enjoyed face-painting, games, a magic show and a disco with Giggles the Clown and her friendly pirate. Thanks also go to the Parents Association who organised refreshments for the adults. We sincerely thank all those who sponsored the children and we are thrilled to announce that so far the event has raised €1221.80. We look forward to updating our sports equipment with these funds.
New Walking Route: In line with our efforts to achieve the Active School Flag, we have a new walking route around our playground. The route is marked with arrows and measures one tenth of a kilometre. It is proving most popular with pupils who enjoy recording their distances travelled.
7-a-side Football: Well done to senior pupils who have represented the school so well at the 7-a-side football tournament over the past few weeks. While we didn’t enjoy success on this occasion, truly great progress and skills development have been observed.
Scholastic Book Fair: The Parents’ Association will run a book fair on Monday and Tuesday next, 20th and 21st October. Books will be on sale in the support room from 2.15-3.15pm on both days and parents are invited to enjoy browsing the books on offer with their children. It is intended that our book fair will provide a lovely opportunity to celebrate the emphasis placed on literacy in our school. A percentage of all sales will be returned by Scholastic in order that the school may upgrade libraries.
Family Mass: Our family mass takes place in Templebraden Church this Sunday, October 19th at 10am. The next family mass will take place on November 23rd.
Parent Teacher Meetings: Our annual parent teacher meetings will take place on the week beginning Monday 3rd November. Parents will receive appointments on Monday 20th October and we would appreciate if you could confirm your ability to attend by Wednesday 22nd. Please do not hesitate to contact us should your appointment prove unsuitable and we will be more than happy to arrange an alternative. We look forward to meeting with you.
Junior Entrepreneur Project: I will attend a related teacher information evening on Tuesday 22nd October after which point I will complete the teacher training. The senior pupils look forward to commencing our J.E.P. in December.
Self-Assessment Learning Folders: All classes have completed preliminary work in setting up their individual folders and we look forward to beginning self-assessment of curricular areas after Halloween.
Confirmation 2015: Our ten candidates will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on Tuesday 14th April.
Parents’ Association: We are sincerely grateful to our Parents’ Association who has recently donated a bicycle rack to the school. Please note that the P.A. will organise a clothes recycling event on Monday 17th November. Additionally, we look forward to their annual Bake Sale which will take place in school at 11am on Sunday, November 30th.
Halloween Celebrations: Our student council have been busy planning Halloween celebrations for Friday 24th October. All pupils are invited to wear fancy dress to school on the day. Pupils will enjoy party games, a movie and also make chocolate apples. There is an additional surprise booked for the morning, as kindly sponsored by our fantastic P.A… so the excitement builds!
Collection of Pupils: As the care of your children is a priority to us please ensure that you inform the teacher if someone other than yourself or a regular minder is due to collect your child(ren). As we are aware at present, we must be extremely vigilant with regard to the children’s safety at all times.
Dates to Remember:
Family Masses- Sunday 19th October & 23rd November
Scholastic Book Fair- Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st October
Halloween Dress Up- Friday 24th October
Halloween Holidays- Friday 24th October (Usual home times)
Clothes Recycling- Monday 17th November
P.A. Bake Sale- Sunday 30th November
Christmas Concert- Friday 12th December
Confirmation- Tuesday 14th April
I would like to thank all families for their continued support during what has been a busy and productive first half term and to wish you all a relaxed and enjoyable Halloween break.
With Kind Regards,
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Heidi Jordan
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