Welcome back to school!
All pupils and families are very welcome back to school! I would like to extend a very special welcome to our four new junior infants, Conor Egan, Billy Kirby, Liam Traynor and Adam Fitzgerald. We send best wishes to all associated with our school for what we hope will be an extremely happy and successful academic year.
Welcome Ms. Shannon
We extend a very warm welcome to Ms. Fiona Shannon who will teach senior pupils this year. We also look forward to welcoming Ms. Ann Treacy who will cover principal admin days.
Summer Works
This summer saw our new outdoor classroom installed and related grounds work completed. We are thrilled with the dimensions and look forward to putting it to very good use. Additionally, our floors were professionally cleaned and polished over the summer and our wonderful cleaner Michelle completed a deep clean of all areas. Thanks are extended to Davy who tidied up our garden beds and to Denis who installed our beautiful outdoor posters.
Covid 19 Procedures
In the classrooms, we will continue with handwashing before eating daily and regular hand sanitising. We kindly ask that, as last year, each child has a small sanitiser for personal use during table top activities. CO2 monitors will be in use in each classroom and windows will be open. Appropriate etiquette regarding coughing and sneezing will continue to be reinforced. Should a child present with any signs of Covid 19, we kindly request that he/ she is not sent to school.
Sacraments
We look forward to celebrating the sacraments of Confirmation and First Holy Communion this year. Ms. Hickey will prepare Communion candidates, while Ms. Jordan will prepare the candidates for Confirmation.
Smart Moves
Ms. Jordan will complete the “Smart Moves” programme with fifth and sixth class pupils during the first term. The programme covers topics including friendships, problem solving, worry, relaxing, having a laugh and responsibilities. While applicable to all stages of life, “Smart Moves” is aimed at the time of transition from primary to secondary school and looks at some of the key issues which can arise at this milestone moment. The “Smart Moves” programme is presented by Childline to support young people through this time of change and to strengthen their resilience. Relevant parents will receive further information in the coming days.
Homework
This year, we are delighted to see the return of the homework diary for classes first to sixth. Junior and senior infants will continue to receive their homework on a weekly sheet. We kindly ask that homework journals are signed every night and that the written homework is returned daily. There will be no homework given for the first two weeks back to school.
Junior Infant Timetable
Junior infants will go home at 12 midday during their first two and a half weeks at school. They will be escorted to the big gate for collection. Therefore, junior infants will start to go home at 1.40p.m., as normal, on Thursday 15th September.
Staff Meeting
A staff meeting will be held on Friday 9th September. Please note that school will close at 1.40p.m. on this day. This will not affect the new infants who will still be on the 12 midday pick up.
Student Council
The formation of our student council will take place in the senior classroom on Thursday 8th of September. As in previous years, five members of the senior class will be elected to represent students during this school year. All pupils interested in being part of the student council will be asked to prepare a presentation/ speech outlining their ideas. As last year, the names of all interested candidates will then be put into a hat and five will be chosen at random to form the council.
Upcoming Projects
Junior pupils will begin the Scratch Programme, whilst at whole school level we will work towards our seventh green flag based on Global Citizenship and Energy, as led by Ms. Jordan. We will continue Mata sa Rang and Maths Blast activities across the school this year and Literacy Lift Off in the junior classroom. Ms. Shannon looks forward to restarting robotics in the senior classroom, as well as leading the Discovery Primary Science and Blue Star Flag programmes.
Friendship Week will be celebrated during the week beginning September 19th, whilst we will mark Tree Day in early October. Maths Week will be enjoyed during the week beginning October 17th and Science Week during the week beginning November 14th. We certainly will be busy!
Treat Friday
As last year, pupils may bring a small treat to school every second Friday. This Friday, 2nd of September, is the first “Treat Friday.”
Wellbeing Wednesday
In line with our promotion of wellbeing and positive mental health, pupils will complete a related activity in school each Wednesday.
Tracksuit Days
For the moment, pupils are kindly asked to wear their school tracksuits on Mondays and Fridays. Senior pupils are asked to bring their football boots, gum shields and gloves, if desired, to school to commence GAA training on this Friday, 2nd September.
Sponsored Walk
We look forward to completing a sponsored walk on Wednesday, October 26th. Senior pupils will walk the ring of Knockane, whilst junior pupils will complete a shorter route. Further information will follow nearer the time.
Christmas Show
We look forward to the reintroduction of our Christmas Show this December; Covid permitting. Further information to follow!
One Hundred and Fifty Years
Next June marks the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of Garrydoolis N.S.; the first pupil having been enrolled on the 1st of June 1873. To mark this milestone event, pupils will take part in a whole-school project during the year focussing on what life was like in Garrydoolis, and indeed in Ireland, one hundred and fifty years ago, as well as what they predict it will be like one hundred and fifty years into the future! This significant project will be showcased at a day of celebration during the third term, at which time we also hope to organise a family fun day to celebrate the anniversary of our school. We look forward to sharing details of our project and our plans during the year.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent Teacher Meeting will take place for all classes during the week beginning November 28th.
Peter Pan
All pupils will travel to see Peter Pan in Universtiy Concert Hall, Limerick on Tuesday, December 20th.
A Few Reminders
Communication: At Garrydoolis N.S. we encourage communication and the sharing of ideas and opinions. Should a parent wish to meet his/her child’s class teacher he/she is most welcome to do so. Parents can arrange an appointment by writing to the teacher, via email at garrydoolisns@gmail.com or by mentioning it to the teacher when collecting their child. In the event of necessary contact during school holidays/ outside of school hours, contact with the principal/ school authorities may be made via email. The school email will be monitored up to 3.30pm on school days. Any messages received after this time will be dealt with on the following school morning. The phone answering service is also operational, should you wish to leave a message.
Uniform/ P.E. Day: Children are expected to wear their full uniform to school each day. Heeled and wedged shoes, as well as dangly earrings, are discouraged. The school tracksuit should be worn only on each Monday and Friday. We always recommend that children keep a spare pair of socks in schoolbags as they may prove useful on wet days. Tracksuit orders were distributed to pupils on the first day back. Pupils should wear tracksuits as of this Friday for P.E.
Healthy Lunches: Pupils are encouraged to bring a healthy lunch to school in line with our healthy eating policy. Treats such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and sweets should be avoided. Pupils are welcome to use the fridge in the support room should they wish to bring a beaker of milk. Please ensure that drinks bottles are labelled. In the event of a birthday or special occasion, parents are welcome to provide treats for their child to distribute amongst classmates, should they so wish. Equally, teachers may choose to present a treat as acknowledgement of an achievement. As we all become increasingly aware of the importance and benefits of healthy eating habits, we encourage your support in this regard.
Reduce our Rubbish! In connection with our green schools project, we would ask that all pupils continue to take lunch rubbish home in their lunchboxes in an effort to reduce rubbish levels in the school. We thank pupils and parents for their continued cooperation with this endeavour. This year we continue work on our seventh green flag!
Birthday Invitations: We ask that invitations to birthday parties are distributed outside of school please.
Explanation of Pupil Absences: As you are aware, teachers have a strict obligation in tracking pupil attendance at school. At Garrydoolis, we are exceptionally lucky to have such an excellent pupil attendance record. We kindly ask that parents provide a written explanation via the school email to their child’s teacher in the event of absence from school.
Traffic: We wish to remind parents/ minders that, due to our school’s location, drivers are requested to refrain from turning their cars outside of the school building. We would also ask that out of respect to our neighbour, the private driveway adjacent to the school would not be blocked by school traffic. The safety of all of our pupils and their families is of the utmost importance to us and we thank you for your co-operation in this regard. We kindly ask all families to adhere to social distancing advice at drop off and collection times.
Dates to Remember:
- Student Council Elections – Thursday 8th September
- Staff Meeting – Friday 9th September, school will close at 1.40p.m.
- Friendship Week – 19th September
- Maths Week – 17th October
- Halloween Holidays and Dress Up – Friday 28th October
- Science Week – Week beginning 14th November
- Parent Teacher Meetings – Week beginning 28th November
- Peter Pan in UCH – Tuesday 20th December
With thanks to all families as we commence another busy year at Garrydoolis N.S. Keep up with news and our latest photos on our website garrydoolisns@gmail.com
Kind Regards,
H. Jordan
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