June 3 2011
Dear Parents,
As we approach the end of another School Year there are a few items for your attention.
- School Tours are on next week with the Junior/Senior Infants heading off on Wednesday 8 June and the rest of the school on Thursday 9 June. Let’s hope for some fine weather this year so the children can really enjoy themselves! You should have received information on the school tours by now so please let the class teacher know if you haven’t. Return payment as soon as possible.
- Our incoming Junior Infants will be sampling school on Monday 27June from 9.30am to 10.45am. We would like to wish them the best of luck and look forward to meeting them on August 31 when school starts back.
- I would like to announce the appointment of a new teacher to the school, Claire O’Connell, who has been allocated one of the Junior Infant classes. Claire is an experienced teacher, currently teaching in a large school in Navan but who is now returning to her home county of Cork! We look forward to welcoming Claire to the Shanbally NS community.
- Please note that school books can be purchased in the school on Thursday 23 June during the school day.
- I would like to give you a timely reminder given the warmer weather we are expecting. Certain flexibility around the school uniform can be introduced at this time of the year i.e. the month of June and also the month of September, given the warm weather we usually get.It is permissible to wear grey polo shirt on school uniform days. Grey pants/skirt can be interchanged with tracksuit shorts which can be purchased in Cahills or some parents have taken to shortening old tracksuits neatly into knee-length shorts. Grey tailored shorts would also be acceptable. No other additions or variations are acceptable. Hoodies in any shape or form, designer or other, are particularly unwelcome and children will be asked to remove them during school hours.
- Safety Issue: It has come to my attention that dogs have been allowed/left untethered in the school grounds around the school finishing time. This causes distress to some children and I am very concerned that this is allowed to happen. Dog owners should ensure their dogs are kept on a leash and not allowed in the school grounds or loose around the school perimeter.
- At our recent staff meeting, our Liaison and Communication with Parents Policy was discussed and it was decided to review it over the next few months. Until such time as the policy has been formalised (including parents consultation) we need to implement an interim rule of no formal scheduled meetings in the morning and for requests for meetings to come directly to the teacher, either through the journal or a note. They should not be channelled through the school phone or office. This also applies to myself as Principal – as there seems to be an increase in the “Can I have a word?” approaches when there are serious matters to be discussed for which I am unprepared.
- The School Family Fun Day is fast approaching on Sunday 12 June. The Parents Association has been busy organising this over the last few weeks and would appreciate help on the day if any parents would like to volunteer their services.
- The best of luck to our Sixth Class students who will enter First Year in their respective secondary schools and a big Welcome to our incoming Junior Infants.
- Congratulations to our Sciath na Scol team who competed recently in the Finals and came in runners-up in the Hurling but had already won in the Football.
- I wish you all on behalf of myself, and all the staff, a happy and safe Summer Holidays. School finishes on Wednesday 29 June at 11.45 for Junior & Senior Infants (+siblings) and 12 noon for the remainder of the school. Children can wear their own clothes on the day.
- See you all back on Wednesday August 31 2011.
Is mise le meas,
Liam Shanahan
Principal