Nuachtlitir Márta 2010
 

 

 

Dáta Eisiúna:  25 .03.10

 Dear Parents,

 As we approach the Easter holiday period, in this Nuachtlitir we look back over another busy term and also cast an eye forward to the final term of the school year.  Our 6th class pupils made their Confirmation over the last two days.  The Celebrant was the Episcopal Vicar, John Hughes, O.S.A. and he was very impressed with the dignified manner in which the pupils carried themselves. 

 They were a credit to themselves, their families, their parish and their school.  A sincere thank you to all who contributed to a great team effort – our Carmelite Community, school staff, parents and community groups.  There is a huge amount of organisation involved in the two days of Confirmation, with over 180 pupils being confirmed. 

 Aththógáil na Scoile: School Rebuilding Project

In last month’s Nuachtlitir I referred to the fact that St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. and J.N.S were recently included in the list, issued by the Minister for Education and Science, of schools for which capital funding for building has been set aside for 2010/2011.  The following is an update statement from the Boards of Management on this issue:

 On 17 February 2010 the Minister for Education and Science issued a list detailing the schools nationwide that were being included in the Building Funding Programme for 2010/11.  We are very pleased that St. Colmcille's S.N.S./J.N.S. have been included on this list.  This is a very significant step forward on the path toward seeing the much needed and long sought after new Primary School for St. Colmcille's.

 In November 2009, South Dublin County Council gave a decision to grant planning permission for the main redevelopment.  On the 28 January 2010 South Dublin County Council gave a decision to grant planning permission for the temporary move to the Ballyboden St. Enda's site.  A small number of appeals have been lodged and are currently being processed by An Bord Pleanála.

A huge amount of time and energy has been expended on this building project.  Recent developments are very positive.  Sincere thanks to all who have assisted and a particular thanks to all of our national and local public representatives for their support. 

 The Boards of Management hope to be in a position to give a further update before the end of June.

 

Féilire na Scoile: School Calendar

The following are the key dates which will take us up to the return to school on Monday 10 May 2010.

Easter Holidays             School closes Friday 26 March at 12 noon 

Reopening on Monday 12 April at 8.50 a.m.

 Staff Meeting                School closes Friday 30 April at 12 noon.

 May Bank Holiday         School closed 3-7 May (inclusive).

                                    Reopening Monday 10 May at 8.50 a.m.

 Parents are asked to note that as stated in the February Nuachtlitir, both St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. and J.N.S. will recommence after the summer break on Monday 30 August 2010.  Check our school web site www.stcolmcilles.org under the newsletter link for the complete 2010/2011 calendar.

 

Cúrsaí Sábháilteachta: Safety Issues

The Health and Safety of pupils is of paramount importance and to this end we work closely with our local Community Garda, Danielle Cummins.  Garda Cummins spoke at a recent Tionól to our 6th class pupils about the absolute need to avoid becoming involved in loitering around the school grounds or local shopping centre.  This habit of loitering in the afternoons/evenings in large groups leads on to anti-social behaviour.  It has also been explained to pupils that the grounds of the school are private property and are not the local playgrounds.

 Parents are also strongly advised by both Garda Cummins and myself that children should not be congregating in the local shops on their way to or from school.  Going directly to and from school is the best policy for the avoidance of upset.

 Finally, Garda Cummins read my piece in the last Nuachtlitir regarding social networking sites such as Bebo and she has asked me to inform parents that the specified legal age for setting up a Bebo site is 13 years of age.  This automatically excludes the overwhelming majority of primary school pupils.

 Imeachtaí Le Déanaí: Recent Events

·       All parents of pupils who attend Learning Support were afforded an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher on Thursday/Friday last.

·       Our School Choir, Scoil Roc Group and Grúpa Tradisiúnta along with the pupils from Ms. Woods, Mr. Brennan’s, Ms. O’Connor’s and Ms. Ní Fhearghail’s classes enjoyed their recent performances at the Córfhéile.

·       Ms. Fahy’s 5th class gave a great performance at the recent Coirm Festival.

·       Last week was our annual Seachtain na Gaeilge and all the classes contributed their píosaí as Gaeilge at the Tionóil.

·       Our recently constructed extra classroom has been put to good use as classes availed of the extra space for Science Workshops and Art Printing activities.

·       Well done to all those pupils who have attended the 8.25 a.m. Mass for Lent.  A special thanks to all the pupil readers.

·       Our pupil Gardening Group, under the direction of Mr. McGowan, has been hard at work recently on the school flower beds.  Many thanks to one of our grandparents, Joe McLoughlin, who is also bringing his expertise to bear on this work.

·       All the 3rd classes had most enjoyable trips to the Art Gallery and National Museum in early March.

 Cuairt an Aire: Visit of Minister Eamon Ryan T.D.

Our 6th class pupils had a very interesting session recently with Minister Eamon Ryan.  Minister Ryan spoke to the 6th classes about his life and work as a Government Minister.  Our twelve House Captains then addressed questions to Minister Ryan.  Some of these questions were quite searching and Minister Ryan was delighted with the visit and the opportunity to interact with the pupils.  Many thanks to Minister Ryan for giving of his time to visit our 6th class Tionól and sincere thanks also to him for the crucial role he has played in ensuring that St. Colmcille’s S.N.S./J.N.S. were included on the Capital Funding List for school buildings.

 Imeachtaí le Teacht: Upcoming Events

·      The Accord Programme is a Relationships and Sexuality Programme which is held every year for 5th and 6th class pupils.  There will be an Information evening for 5th class parents on Wednesday 21 April 2010 at 8.00 p.m. in the school hall.  All parents of pupils in 5th class are invited to attend.  The Accord Programme for 5th class pupils will be delivered on Wednesday 28 April 2010.

·      The Colours Day to raise funds for the Parents Association will be held on Friday 30 April 2010.  It has been deferred until that date due to the pressure of events this week with Confirmation and related activities.

·      The Easter Mass for pupils in 3rd/4th/5th classes will be held on tomorrow Thursday 25 March 2010 at 11.10 a.m.  Parents are very welcome to attend.

·      Group and individual photographs for Confirmation pupils will be taken tomorrow, Thursday 25 March 2010.

 

Cúrsaí Spóirt: Sports Matters

·       The recent good weather has enabled all our teams get their games underway in the Cumann na mBunscol Competitions.  We have 6 school teams competing with 2 Senior Hurling teams competing in the Herald Cup and Corn Aghais.  Our 2 Camogie teams are competing in the Corn Bhean Uí Phuirséil and Corn Ollie Quinlan, while our 2 Junior Hurling teams are competing in the Corn Oideachais and Corn Harry Conlon.

By entering 6 teams we are affording 120 girls and boys from 4th/5th/6th an opportunity to represent the school and wear the jersey.  With over 50 games to be played against other schools over the coming weeks, the support of parents, particularly through providing transport to games, is absolutely crucial.  Go néirí libh.

·       Our school Badminton squad, coached by Mr. McGowan, consisting of boys and girls, recently travelled to Lucan for a series of games and had a very successful and enjoyable outing.

·       Our school Cross Country girls and boys teams recently competed in the South Dublin Schools Cross Country Championship.  Well done to Áine Duffy, Alicia Fitzpatrick, Aoife Murphy, Olivia Storey, Nathan Benson, Adam Maher, Daniel Stewart and Liam Stafford who represented the school.  A particular well done to Nathan Benson who took 1st place in the Boys Event and to the girls team who won the Girls Team Event.

·       South Dublin County Council recently organised an Inter School Soccer Tournament as part of an Anti-Racism initiative.  Our team of girls and boys won the General Knowledge Quiz run as part of the event.  All team members received Easons Vouchers worth €25 per person.

 ·       One of our 6th class pupils, Clodagh Flood, recently won the All Ireland 100m U-13 Fly Style Schools Swimming Championship.  Clodagh’s success was all the more impressive given that she was competing against many secondary school pupils.  Clodagh represented Ireland last weekend in the International Swimming Championships in Scotland.

 Cúrsaí Meánscolaíochta: Secondary School Matters

Have you made arrangements for a place in secondary school for your child?  Increasing demand for secondary school places locally and nationally makes it essential that you make these arrangements at the earliest stage possible.  Check our school website for a listing of local second level schools.

 Presentation College Terenure, an all girls’ secondary school, is holding an Open Night on Wednesday 14 April 2010, 6.00 p.m. – 8.00 p.m.  Parents and prospective pupils are welcome to attend. 

 Wishing all staff, pupils and parents a Happy Easter.

 Beir bua agus beannacht,

 

_________________________

                     Pádraig Ó Néill (Príomhoide)

 

The next Nuachtlitir will issue on Wednesday 28 April 2010.

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