Newsletter No. 2 25th October 2016
Dear Parents,
IMPORTANT information re this week.
Children wear school tracksuits on Wednesdays for Staff v Pupils Challenge as part of Active Schools Week. Please note that a photographer from the Evening Echo will be in the school taking photos for a Kidz Zone feature. Also
PLEASE RETURN SIGNED ALLERGY FORM.
Halloween Dress-Up
This Friday, in keeping with tradition, all children can dress up in Halloween costumes. I’d ask that scary masks not be worn as they can frighten some of the younger children.
Here is a reminder of the general school calendar (Holidays and Closures) for 2016-2017 (additions in bold)
School Calendar for 2016/2017:
- Monday October 31st to Friday November 4th inclusive, school is closed for mid-term. Finish at usual times e.g. 1.30 for Juniors/Seniors and 2.30 for rest of school.
- Thursday November 10th Sciath na Scol Finals in Mayfield GAA club at 11am v Enniskeane. (see below)
- Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th November Parent Teacher Meetings. School will finish early on those days, at 12.30 for (Jrs/Seniors+Siblings) + 12.45 for the rest of the school.
- Thursday December 22nd School closes early (11.45/12 noon) for the Christmas break and will reopen on Monday January 9th 2017.
- Thursday February 23rd and Friday February 24th School is closed for mid-term.
- Thursday March 16th and Friday March 17th School is closed for an extended St. Patrick’s Day break.
- Tuesday March 28th School is closed for a full day Professional Development Workshop on the Primary Language Curriculum. All teachers will be attending the Cork Education Support Centre that day.
- Friday April 7th School closes early (11.45/12 noon) for Easter break and will reopen on Monday April 24th.
- Monday May 1st closed for Bank Holiday
- Saturday May 13th 2017 First Holy Communion
- Friday June 2nd and Monday June 5th School is closed for an extended June bank holiday.
- Thursday June 29th 2017 School finishes early (11.45/12 noon) for summer holidays.
Parents Association
- PA Meeting tomorrow night, Wednesday 26th, for Committee to discuss upcoming events (7.30pm start)
- Halloween Cake Sale on Friday 28th. In keeping with the new Nut Allergy procedure please ensure all baking/ shop bought items are nut free/ nut flour free e.g. peanut/ almonds/ walnuts/ cashew etc. Please make sure you read the note that was sent home yesterday when you are planning your baking/shopping for the cake sale. It would be helpful if children brought labelled Tupperware/plastic containers for bringing their cakes home. Parents who bring in goods should also label their plates etc.
- Wednesday November 9th is the date for the Clothes Recycling Drive. All clean, unwanted clothes, bags, shoes (pairs only), bed-linen, curtains etc. are accepted.
- Sciath na Scol
Congratulations to both our teams who competed recently in the semi-finals of their respective competitions. Our young girls’ team contested the game fiercely, displaying great heart and were unlucky to meet an older, more experienced Clondrohid team.
Well done to our boys’ team who beat Berrings to qualify for the Sciath na Scol final which will now take place on Thursday November 10th in Mayfield GAA Club at 11am v Enniskeane.
Arrangements:
We are discussing what classes can be brought to the game by bus. Details including cost of these arrangements will be sent home on Monday, November 7th. The remaining classes will attend school as normal that day. Parents may wish to bring children from these classes to the game themselves. These children should be signed out as per normal procedure.
Acknowledgements
- All in Shanbally NS are very proud of the great achievement of the Shamrocks Junior Football Team in reaching the County Final last Sunday. It was wonderful to see the great support offered by all in the school community, typified by our Green/White Day last Friday. In the next few weeks the players are due to visit us here in school with the South East Cup. We look forward to their visit.
- Last Sunday morning, our 2nd Class Communicants began their preparation for their First Holy Communion with a lovely Enrolment Mass. Thanks to all who helped prepare them including class teacher, Margaret Ryan, student teacher, Aoife Hogan and musical accompaniment by Claire O’Connell, Deputy Principal.
- Last Saturday’s Musical Melodies fundraiser for Shanbally Church was roof raising in its melodiousness. A special word of praise for wonderful mezzo soprano and parent, Louise O’Sullivan.
- Thanks to all the children and parents who helped out on the evening of our Open Night and made it the success it was. They were a credit to the school. We are now accepting enrolments for 2018 and beyond if you need to enrol a child or know of someone interested.
- We are very appreciative of the generous donation from BioMarin of two 50inch screens and laptops to the school.
- Thanks to Aidan O’Mahony who was instrumental in our Active Schools Week. It was an amazing, fun-filled week of sport and activity, including excellent skipping workshops with Mark McCabe.
- Blood Donation Clinic on today between 4pm and 7.30pm at the Ringaskiddy Ferry Terminal.
- Best wishes to our teaching colleague, Sinéad Ní Loingsigh, who is getting married over the mid-term. Congratulations to Sinéad and Kevin.
Is mise le meas,
David Nolan
Principal