Monday 12 September 2011
Dear Parents,
I hope all is settling down well as we move into September and the school year goes into full swing. Hereunder are a range of points for your information.
- A New School Information Board has been installed just inside the Front Gate of the school by the Parents Association. This is in addition to the Board just inside the main door on the right-hand side:- these, in conjunction, with our school website and newsletters, combine to keep you, the Parents, fully informed, and of course the public in general in our community.
- Ms. Caroline Barrett will be the teacher for 2 Class for the duration of Ms. Boland’s maternity leave (‘til next May). Mr. Kieran Curtin will be the 1 Class teacher for the duration of Ms. Sheahan’s absence through illness. I can assure parents that the curriculum will be capably taught by these fine teachers.
- Thank you for not parking across the road from the school, thus ensuring a clear passage for traffic, for the short busy periods of school beginning and ending each day.
- Our Green Schools Committee made up of Mr. Clifford, Mary O’Reilly Ms. Ni Loingsigh and will be busy encouraging us to progress towards the award of Green School Flag status this year.
Extra-Curricular Activities:
- Sciath na Scol Football for Boys and Girls – Training has commenced and matches are looming. The girls have a lovely new playing kit which we acquired through all those newspaper tokens you collected. Best of luck boys and girls. – Tennis lessons after school with Pat McCrann begin shortly (we have a tennis court at the rear of the school).
- An after school Science series of lessons will begin for children shortly. These will be aimed at boys and girls with an inquisitive nature as to the science all around us. “Mad for Science” is the organisation running it and further information re lessons and costs will issue shortly.
- Chess for boys and girls: There are chess tournaments at Primary level- but really it would be great if any Parents with an interest in Chess would put their names down to manage Chess in our school. Don’t be shy in coming forward. Please give your name in to the office.
- Piano: Piano lessons are given in the school, during school hours, on a fee-paying tuition basis by Ms. Marian Early. Information available through the school office.
- Swimming and Gymnastics will take place during term 3 and 4 in 2012.
- Parent/ Teacher Meetings: These will take place on Wednesday & Thursday 23rd and 24th November. The school will close early on both of those days.
- The School Parents Association plays a very important role in the school. The Committee in the past year, ably lead by Róisín Mehigan, had another very successful year of events and functions. It requires commitment and effort, but there is great satisfaction in supporting the school your children are in and helping to provide the best support you can to the children, teachers and fellow parents during the school year.
- Please attend the Parents Association Information night/AGM which will give you an account of its activities in the past year and encourage more parents to give a little of their time in the coming year. This takes place, in school, this Thursday 15 September at 8.30 pm sharp. All parents from Junior Infants to Sixth Class are welcome to attend and hear what is planned for the coming year. This is YOUR opportunity to contribute.
- “Coffee Morning”- an informal social morning for Parents and Friends in the nearby Shamrock Bar. Date and details to be confirmed.
- There are a number of coats and jackets left from the last school year, hanging inside the main front door. Some look brand new! Please take a moment to look through them to see if you can identify your property and take it home with you. This would be much appreciated as otherwise the school will have to recycle them in the Clothes Recycling Bin in the car park.
- Christmas Musicals in Shanbally N.S.! Louise O’Sullivan, a parent in the school with great experience in the music performance area, has put a proposal to the school re the production of a musical “One Bright Night” for the Junior (Junior, Senior and First Classes) side of the school and a musical for the remaining classes “Cinderella with a Twist”. She will be working with the classes each Tuesday. It should be very exhilarating with performances earmarked for December in the Ringaskiddy Community Hall.
- Family Contribution to school: Each year we ask families to make a contribution to the school which is an important way of supporting the many activities we undertake during the school year. The money goes towards many areas e.g. Pupil Personal Insurance, subsidising the school tours and other individual trips organised by classes, visiting artists, folk dancing, Irish Dancing, extra classroom materials and this year the Christmas Musicals. Taking into account the current economic climate we are reducing the contribution request to €50 per family (it was €70 for the last few years). Please send in to Ruth in the office, who keeps a record and issues a receipt. Many thanks for your support.
- Finally- last but not least!
I wish to formally inform all parents and children that I will be retiring from my Teaching Career on the last day of this term i.e. the day of the Christmas Holidays. I don’t know what else to say at this time but I will be in touch further re the retirement. A time of change for all of us!
That’s all for now,
Go raibh maith agaibh.
Liam Shanahan
Principal