Principal’s Newsletter 2 : October 23rd 2017

Dear parents,

a few notes for you and some more dates for your diary. The recent bad weather played havoc with us all and I hope everyone managed to stay safe and get through it. Hopefully as we approach mid-term things will improve and the children can enjoy their time off.

Summary of School Calendar 2017/2018

Term 1

Mid-Term Break               Closing Friday 27^th October                                                         

                                         Re-opening Monday November 6^th

Nativity Play                     Thursday December 14^th at 6.30pm

Christmas Holidays          Closing early Friday 22^nd December

                                         Re-opening Monday 8^th January

**********************

Term 2

Mid-Term Break               Closed Thursday 15^th + Friday 16^th February

Bank Holiday                   Monday 19^th March for St. Patrick’s Day

Easter Holidays               Closing early (11.45/12) Friday 23^rd March

                                         Re-opening Monday 9^th April

**********************

Term 3

Confirmation                     Thursday April 26th

Discretionary Days             Closing Friday May 4^th

                                            Re-opening Monday May 14^th

First Holy Communion     Saturday May 19^th

Bank Holiday                        Monday June 4^th 

Summer Holidays                 Closing early (11.45/12) Friday 29^th June

School Drop-Off & Collection

• Gates are open by 8.35 a.m. If pupils arrive before then with the gates locked, they must wait at the front or side gate until opened by the Principal or a Teacher. The Board of Management accepts no responsibility for unsupervised children in the morning.
• Children are requested to follow our “Meet and Greet” policy as they line up in their appropriate class lines. Official supervision begins at 8.35am.
• All children should be on time in the morning to enable them to participate in the line-up of classes at 8.50 a.m. to hear various school announcements etc.
• Parents are welcome to accompany their children in the mornings. To develop independence and self-management skills, we would encourage children, from an early age, to enter and prepare for class independently

The normal hours of finishing are

(i)            1.30 p.m. for Junior and Senior Infant classes.  

(ii)           2.30 p.m. for 1st to 6th classes

                             Parents can wait at the front or side gate for their children. If some parents would like to come in from 2.25 pm, that’s acceptable too.

• All children should be off the school premises by 1.35 p.m. (Juniors + Seniors) or 2.35 p.m. (rest of school) as the BOM do not accept responsibility for children after these times.  If there is a genuine reason for being late, this should be explained to the Principal. If a phone call is made ahead of time, Ruth in the office will inform the class teacher who will assist in making arrangements until the parents arrive.
• No responsibility will be taken for children who are collected at 1.30pm and who remain on school grounds after that time. Please note that children are not allowed anywhere on the grounds at this time. We respectfully request that all children stay off the grass areas and do not climb railings under any circumstances as it may distract from teaching that may be taking place outside at the time. At the 2.30 p.m. finish time children awaiting collection should remain on school grounds outside main door. No responsibility will be taken for children who leave the school grounds after 2.30p.m.
• Car-pooling is encouraged and has huge benefits.

I would like to remind you to

• please observe the no parking signs, cones and the yellow box
• please don’t obstruct the footpath & entrance to the carpark as children are then forced to walk onto the road to get around the cars blocking the walkway.
• please be mindful of reversing cars as children who run ahead of parents are unaware of the danger.
• we try to operate the carpark in a one entrance, one exit manner i.e. entering closest to the school and exiting nearest to the shop. This helps make the carpark safer and operate better for all.

Halloween Dress-Up

This Friday in keeping with tradition, all children can dress up in Hallowe’en costumes. There is no obligation to do so as we know some children don’t like dressing up. I’d ask that scary masks not be worn as they can frighten some of the younger children. We look forward to seeing what children (and staff) come in as!

School Shop

As in past years if students need copies, pens etc. there is a small shop in the school that has a supply of the copies, pencils etc. that we recommend. Copies cost 40 cent, pens 20c etc. During the day students get permission to access the school shop with permission from their class teacher.

Enrolment

Following our recent Open Night, we are turning our attention to our enrolment for 2018-2019. If you have a child for enrolment for these or other years please let us know if you haven’t already.

Parents Contribution

It was our intention to request the traditional voluntary family contribution at this time but given the recent financial challenges brought about by the recent adverse weather and resulting hardships, we will send home a request for this contribution after mid-term. In this request we will clarify aspects of the Allianz Pupil Personal School Insurance.

Credit Union

A reminder that the Credit Union is here every Tuesday and children are welcome to join at any stage.

Penny Dinners

As we get organised for Christmas and think of those who need assistance in our community, we will be collected boxes (shoe boxes may do!) for Penny Dinners (a Cork Charity).

We will be collecting these boxes in the Halla until November 17^th 2017.

Thank you.

Note of condolences

We would like to offer our sincere condolences to staff members who recently lost family members.

Thank you and best wishes to everyone for the coming mid-term.

David Nolan

Principal