Parents,
We are approaching the last few weeks of the school year and as always at this time of the year there are lots of events happening!
Our 50th Anniversary Celebrations are launched with a Mass at 10am on Sunday June 14th in Shanbally Church to which past pupils, staff, neighbours, current families and all friends of Shanbally NS are cordially invited. This Mass will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of our transition to the current school building in 1965.
Following Mass, we will hold a special unveiling ceremony of the original 1890 stone plaque which will be put on permanent display. Our next door neighbor Betty O’Flaherty rescued the stone plaque in the 1970s and kindly gifted it back to us. She will have the honour of unveiling this memorial. We will then proceed to our school Halla where teas/ coffees will be served by our Parents Association and guests can view all photographs and the roll books dating back to 1890, a unique and hugely valuable source of social history. This exhibition will be open until 1pm on the day.
A week of special celebratory events will follow. On Monday June 15th, author Alice Taylor will visit the school and read from her well known and loved book “To School Through the Fields”. Alice will also assist in the burying of a time capsule. This time capsule will include significant items such as children’s work, current local information and our 50th Anniversary History Book as mentioned below.
We are planning a Balloon release, to be released by our Junior and Senior Infant pupils. Our 6th class is putting on a school play, The War of the Buttons, in Ringaskiddy Community Centre on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th June at 7.30pm. Former principal, Liam Shanahan will share memories, stories and songs about our school.
Our current 6th Class will have their Graduation Ceremony on Thursday June 18th 2015 at 7.30pm and all the school will participate in a fun Sports Day the following day, Friday 19th.
Our recently released “Shanbally NS- Celebrating 50 years and More! 1965-2015” will also be on sale, retailing at €20. Our rescheduled Golf Classic will proceed on Monday June 29th in Monkstown Golf Club.
Time-line to the end of the year
Friday 12 3rd/ 4th School Tour
6th Class Rehearsal in Ringaskiddy (Parents to drop at 8.30am)
Sunday 14 50th Anniversary Mass at 10am (All welcome)
Reception in School from 11 to 1 (as outlined above)
Monday 15 Swim 7 postponed to 22nd– 3rd & 4th
Meeting with 3rd + 4th class parents re confirmation (see below)
Tuesday 16 6th Class Play in Ringaskiddy at 7.30pm
Wednesday 17 Visit of Shamrocks GAA u16 Minor Team 2014
6th Class Play in Ringaskiddy at 7.30pm
Thursday 18 6th Class Grad. Outing and Night
Friday 19 Introductory session incoming Junior Infants
High Street Books Sale/ School Uniform Sale
School Fun Sports from 9.30am assisted by PA
ALL BOOK RENTAL BOOKS TO BE RETURNED FOR PROCESSING PLEASE
Monday 22 Swim 7 3rd and 4th
Wednesday 24 PA RAFFLE at 1.15pm
Thursday 25 Drowning Prevention Week – Jrs- 2nd presentation at 9am (tbc) and 3rd – 5th at 9.45 (tbc)
Jumping the Line at 1.15pm
PA Presentation to Mrs. Barry at 1.30pm
Friday 26 Close early for Summer Holidays
Our 6th Class Play “War of the Buttons” is being performed on Tuesday and Wednesday (16th and 17th June) at 7.30pm in Ringaskiddy Community Centre. We ask parents to please confirm their intention to attend via the note already sent home. It’s a show not to be missed!!
Confirmation 2016 Children of our present Fourth and Fifth Classes are scheduled to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation in the next school year. A couple of months ago a number of parents approached the school and Fr Sean to raise some issues related to Confirmation and to explore questions like when and how the Sacrament of Confirmation is celebrated. We have discussed some of the points the parents raised with our school staff but we feel it is important that all the parents of Fourth and Fifth Class children would have an opportunity to share their views on the matter. For this reason we would like to invite you to a short meeting in the school at 7.30 p.m. next Monday night, 15th June 2015, to discuss it together so that we are in a position to plan for the year ahead.
Communion 2015 I would like to acknowledge the effort and time put in by a lot of people to ensure a memorable and wonderful First Communion ceremony and day for the children. It’s hard to mention everyone but I’m going to try anyway. Thanks to the Parent’s Committee, Fr. Con + Fr. Seán, Gertie, Pat, Helen, Pat & Alan McCarthy, John Twomey, Finbarr Flaherty, Dave O’Neill, Mark O’Flynn, Parent’s Association, parents of 1st and 3rd, Richard Murphy & Pat the Baker, Trish Coleman, the school choir, all the staff and in particular class teachers Mary Sheahan & Margaret Ryan, SNA Mary O’Reilly, Karen O’Donovan who covered Mrs. Ryan’s class until December, Claire O’Connell, and finally the children of second class.
Cork School Sports We had a very successful day yesterday at this annual event bringing home a number of medals and the boys even won a plaque for being best in their section. Congratulations to everyone selected and for giving it their best yesterday. Thank you to the teachers and to Richard Murphy and John Sheehan who helped in the training leading up to the day.
Staff Allocations for the next school year are in the process of being finalised and will be announced before the end of the school year. Book lists will also issue in advance of the HSB Sale next week. School reports are being prepared at the moment and are due to be posted out to parents. Please advise Ruth in the office if you have moved house in the last school year so that your correspondence information can be updated.
ALL CHILDREN TO WEAR FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM NEXT MONDAY FOR PHOTGRAPHS for our 50th CELEBRATIONS. After Monday children are free to interchange school uniforms with school tracksuits as the weather allows.
Thank you and best wishes for a safe and enjoyable summer break.
David Nolan
On a final note…
All in Shanbally NS extend best wishes to Miss Kelly (3rd Class) as she recovers from a cycling accident. Ms. Joanne O’Sullivan will take the class for the remainder of the year.
Update 7