Principal’s Prize: Congratulations to senior infants and second class who were the proud recipients of the Principal’s Prize in April and May.
Student of the Week: Well done to our recent junior room winners who have been Anna, Aishling Butler, James Carroll, Stephen, Lucy and Saoirse, while in the senior room winners have been Claire, Leah, Lillian, Sinéad, James Wolfe and Catherine.
R.S.A. Speaker: Eileen Cunningham from the R.S.A. visited both classrooms on 16th of April to speak about issues relating to safe travel.
French Student: The senior room hosted a French student from 20th-30th April. Valentine joined us in order to improve his English and to gain experience of the Irish education system. While he was with us, we improved our French! We said “bon voyage” to Valentine by hosting a French breakfast and gifting him with an Ireland rugby ball and a sliotar.
J.E.P. Showcase Day: Senior pupils attended the J.E.P. Showcase Day in The Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Tuesday 21st April. They received certificates of achievement and the J.E.P. flag and plaque.
P.A. Recycling: The P.A. held a clothes recycling event on Thursday 23rd April and raised €532.40.
P.A. E.G.M.: The P.A. also held an E.G.M. on Thursday evening 23rd April to vote on whether or not to change their constitution to enable the P.A. committees to run in line with the school year. Parents voted in favour of changing the constitution in this regard.
Raising of our Active School Flag: On Thursday 30th April, we welcomed Mr. John Delaney, C.E.O. of the F.A.I. to raise our Active School Flag. Pupils gave a wonderful account of all the work put into achieve the flag. All present were then treated to refreshments and Mr. Delaney spoke to the children about the importance of dedication and hard work in one’s life and the benefits of involvement in sport. We thank him sincerely for his generosity of time and spirit.
“In My Own Shoes”: Mary Dillon presented “In My Own Shoes” (relationships and sexuality education) to fifth and sixth class pupils on Wednesday 6th May.
“Strawberry Days” and Jack’s Honey Farm: In line with our experiment on strawberry pollination entitled “Strawberry Days”, all pupils visited Jack Ryan’s Honey Bee Farm on Tuesday 12th May. They learned much about the life of the bee and were treated to a tour of the grounds. We sincerely thank Jack and Marie Ryan for their kindness during our visit.
Feast of Our Lady of Fatima: Three ladies from the local Legion of Mary group visited on Wednesday 13th May and gave a presentation in both rooms on Our Lady of Fatima. Pupils were also gifted with rosary beads and miraculous medals, for which we are most grateful.
Ceoltas Ceoltóirí: Two representatives from Ceoltas Ceoltóirí also visited on Wednesday 13th. We are delighted to announce that all pupils will benefit from a ten week block of lessons beginning at the end of September and will present an instrumental performance prior to Christmas. One of the representatives from Ceoltas played the accordion for the classes during the visit and taught a new tin whistle tune to senior pupils. The visit was most enjoyable!
Seven-A-Side Hurling: Senior pupils recently took part in the seven-a-side hurling tournament. They represented the school excellently and a great progression in skills development was observed. We thank Breda and David McGuinness for their help with hurling training.
Confessions: Fr. Burns heard confessions of pupils from second class upwards on Friday 29th May.
First Holy Communion: Congratulations to Stephen who celebrated his First Holy Communion on Sunday 31st. Thanks go to Ms. Hickey and to Fr. Burns for their work in preparing him. Well done also to all pupils who sang so beautifully in the choir.
Standardised Testing: In line with Department regulations, standardised testing took place for all classes from first to sixth during the week of May 25th. Aggregated scores for 2nd, 4th and 6th classes will be reported to the Department in line with regulations.
Bealtaine Art Competition: Entries have been submitted for the Bealtaine Art Competition run by St. Anthony’s Nursing Home. We eagerly await the results!
Non Uniform Day: Pupils are invited to wear their own clothes to school this Friday, 5th of June and are asked to contribute €2 each. All proceeds of this fundraiser will go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of our colleague Mary Harty.
Tour: All pupils will visit Adventure World in U.L. on Friday 12th of June. This is an activity day camp of sporting, adventure activities. The cost is €27 per pupil. Children should wear their school tracksuits, bring a healthy packed lunch, an extra drink and some money for McDonalds. The bus will depart from the school at 8.45am and return at 4.30pm. We request that all consent forms and fees are in by Thursday 11th June. We thank the P.A. who has very kindly agreed to sponsor the bus.
Active Week: Active Week will take place during the week of Monday 15th June. We remind you that pupils should wear school tracksuits during this week. We look forward to lessons in taekwondo, soccer, Irish dancing and yoga!
Sports Day: Sports Day will commence at 12 midday on Friday 19th of June. All parents/ neighbours are welcome to join us!
End of Year Reports: Just a reminder that reports will be distributed after school on Thursday18th of June. In line with Department and NCCA regulations, the education passport is being used to transfer information on sixth class pupils to their new secondary school.
End of Year Liturgy and Graduation: Our end of year liturgy will take place at 1pm on Monday 22nd June in the senior classroom. This will present an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the past academic year and to send good wishes to our two second class pupils who are “stepping up” to the senior room and to our five sixth class pupils who are “stepping on” to secondary school. We look forward to welcoming you all to this celebration!
Senior Pupils’ Trip: Thanks to family and local support, senior pupils made a healthy profit of €467.50 following sales of “Garrydoolis N.S.- Then and Now”. A vote was held and it has been decided to use the money for an additional trip. On Wednesday 24th June, they will travel by bus to the Excel Cinema in Tipperary and enjoy lunch afterwards in Supermacs. Senior pupils have also ordered two resources as a gift to the junior classroom from their profits. Huge well done!
School Self-Evaluation: Our Board of Management has approved our updated three year improvement plan. This updated document will be added to our website in the coming week.
Anti-Bullying Review: The Board of Management has also completed the annual review of our anti-bullying procedures and its implementation.
Calendar and Booklists: The 2015/16 school calendar will shortly be circulated with booklists/ school fees.
Enrolment for 2015/16: We look forward to welcoming five new junior infants on August 31st. We also welcome Rebecca Davison who joined senior infants this week!
Tracksuit Orders: Please note that tracksuit orders will be delivered during school on September 2nd and pupils will be given all orders to take home on the day. Any balances outstanding may be paid to class teachers after receipt of orders and these will be passed to our supplier Carmel. Any queries in relation to orders should be discussed with Carmel (email carmel@allseasonssport,ie or call 086 3872928).
Dates to Remember:
Non-Uniform Day – Friday 5th June
Tour – Friday 12th June
Active Week – Week of 15th June
Collection of Reports – Thursday 18th June
Sports Day – Friday 19th June
End of Year Liturgy and Graduation – Monday 22nd June
Senior Pupils’ Trip to Tipperary – Wednesday 24th June
Summer Holidays – Thursday 25th June, 12.30 close
Garrydoolis 2014/15- What a Year!
I wish again to extend sincere thanks to all who have helped to make 2014/15 such a happy and successful year at Garrydoolis N.S. Sincere thanks go to both the teaching and ancillary staff for their consistent hard work and exacting standards. I wish to particularly thank Ms. Hickey for her unstinting dedication. The support and generosity of the parent community must also be acknowledged, as well as the support of our Board of Management.
Most importantly, I wish to thank pupils for their hard work, respect and kindness throughout the year. The pupils of Garrydoolis N.S. have represented themselves in an exemplary manner at all events during the year, and indeed on a daily basis. We are utterly proud of them all!
May I wish each and every family a happy, relaxed and fun summer break. I look forward to greeting you all again, refreshed and rejuvenated, on August 31st!
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan
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