Non-Uniform Day:
The student council of Garrydoolis National School would like to thank all students for making our non-uniform day such a success. We raised 92 euro which was spend on materials for Tree Day.
Principal’s Prize:
The Principal’s Prize for September went to second class in recognition of the kindness and friendship shown to their new junior infant classmates. This month the prize went to fourth class for their hard work and focus and for the manner in which they work as a team and regularly help each other. Congratulations to both classes!
7-a-side football:
Well done to the senior class who took part in the 7-a-side football tournament. As we know, such competitions are not all about winning and all the children involved must be highly commended for the wonderful team spirit, enthusiasm and effort shown.
Participation in the matches against Caherelly, Cappamore and Barna certainly afforded us the opportunity to further develop our skills, as have our many busy training sessions with Seán Herbert. Sincere thanks also to all of our dedicated supporters and particularly to David McGuinness for his input and encouragement at matches.
National Tree Day:
On Thursday 10th October all classes celebrated “La na gCrann”. Four window boxes were planted with heathers, pansies and violas and can be seen at the front of our school. Also, individual pots were planted with acorns and we look forward to seeing the results of this experiment in the spring!
Maths Week:
Maths Week took place on the week beginning October 14th. In order to raise children’s awareness of the maths contained in our surroundings, both the junior and senior classes took part in maths trails within the school grounds. Children were divided into teams and worked collaboratively to collect the required information which ranged across the various strands of the maths curriculum.
Sammy Stamps Savings Club:
Many thanks go to the Parents Association, particularly to Fiona Bourke, for introducing the Sammy Stamps Savings Scheme to the school. So far, the scheme has been a great hit with the children and our savings patterns are tracked on the trend graph which is displayed on the corridor and updated weekly by the student council.
Table Quiz:
Sincere thanks go to all of our families and indeed members of our wider school community who supported our annual Board of Management fundraising table quiz. A great night was had by all in The Idler Bar on October 18th and we are delighted to announce that €1040.30 was raised; funds going towards the essential upgrade of our classroom computers.
Particular thanks go to Tom and Mary O’Donnell for the use of their premises and also for their donation of first prize and to Knockane GAA for their donation of second prize. Our gratitude must also be expressed to Pat Cronin and Fergal Grace for organising and hosting the quiz, to all individuals and businesses who donated raffle prizes and to all those who prepared food for the night and took part. The event really was a tribute to the wonderful spirit connected with the school.
Green Schools Update:
Our green team have been busy making sure that not a drop of water is wasted in the school! They wish to thank all families who took the time to complete and return their water consumption survey. The senior class have been busy learning about the water cycle!
School Mass:
Our third school mass of the year will take place in Templebraden Church on Sunday 17th of November.
Parents Association:
Just a reminder that the Parents Association will soon be running the Setanta Book Club. They will also host a bake sale, coffee morning and raffle on Sunday morning, November 24th and your support is hugely appreciated.
“Aladdin”:
As a special treat, places have been booked for all pupils at the U.C.H. panto in University of Limerick on December 18th. This year’s panto is “Aladdin” starring Twink. It is felt that this performance will have something to offer all children from junior infants right up to sixth class. Tickets for the show have been secured at an early bird rate of 14 euro per child and our Parents Association has very generously offered to cover the cost of the bus. Parents may begin to pay this entrance fee to the class teacher at their convenience after Halloween.
Christmas Annuals:
Parents may order the Folen’s Christmas annuals for children after the Halloween break, should they so wish. Titles include “Súgradh” for infants, “Spraoi” for 1st and 2nd classes, “Siamsa” for 3rd and 4th classes and “Sonas” for 5th and 6th classes. The cost of each annual is 2.70 and we ask that this is paid to the class teacher before Wednesday 6th November so that our order may be placed before the deadline.
Christmas Concert:
Please note that this year’s Christmas Concert will take place on Friday 20th of December.
School Self Evaluation:
We thank all parents who returned the oral language questionnaires. Your feedback was most helpful. In November, conversation stations will begin in each class. A buddy reading and discussion initiative between the junior and senior children will also commence.
“A Day in the Life of a Garrydoolis Pupil Sixty Years Ago”:
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Mary Coleman, past pupil of the school and retired principal of Shronell N.S., who visited the senior classroom on Wednesday and treated us to a trip back in time, describing school life and the local history. The children found Mary’s presentation to be absolutely fascinating and we thank her for sharing her knowledge and experiences.
Halloween Celebrations:
A great day has been had by all today as we enjoyed dress up, games, treats and a movie to celebrate the huge amount of work covered over the past two months and the arrival of the Halloween holidays.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all families once again for their vast contributions over the past eight weeks. The time has absolutely flown by! I hope that all pupils enjoy a well-deserved rest over the coming week and return brimming with the same energy and enthusiasm to face the second phase of the term.
Best wishes,
Heidi Jordan (Principal)
Hi All
Was delighted to come across your school news letter on my computer.It brought back old memories of when I attended back in the day
I was particularly interested in the old school photos and wondered if you have any of my time at the school which was from 1955/6 to 1965/6 period. I would have been in the same class as Liam Ryan Joe ballineety/ Templebraden Jenifer Colman ( master Colmans daughter) T. O. Meara and many others during this period.
I have no photos of us as children of that period and there must be some somewhere.
I went on to further academic studies in the Social sciences, qualifying as a Socialworker here in England in the field of child protection again working in partnership with schools before taking early retirement in 2007 due to my Wife’s poor health.
I have memories of my youth and attendance at the school where were approx 90 children on the Roll Call.
Would be so happy if there were any old photos of myself in as I do not have any.
My address is: 11 Renison Rd,Bedworth, Warwickshire, CV12 0DS ( near Coventry)
Thank you for your attention and keep up the good work.
Best of Luck
Eddie Joe Whelan (Knockane)