Mí na Samhna                                                                                                                        Dáta Eisiúna:  26.11.09

Dear Parents,

·       Bus returns to the school – 4.00 p.m. (approx)

·       Pupils wear school tracksuits.  Pupils should also bring wet gear, warm coat, hat, scarf and a substantial lunch.

·       No pocket money as there will be no shop facility.

·       We always emphasise to our supporters the importance of good and sporting behaviour.  We would appreciate if you also could have a word with your son/daughter about this.

Best of luck to the girls and boys and well done to their coaches Ms. J. O’Sullivan, Mr. R. Sweetnam, Mr. K. Ashman and Mr. P. Patten on bringing them to the finals.  Click in to our school website www.stcolmcilles.org for updates on the arrangements in the lead up to the games.

Comhneartú: Confirmation

As already communicated to parents, Confirmation for our 6^th class pupils will be held on 23 and 24 March 2010.  Baptismal certificates must be handed in to the class teacher in the case of all pupils who were not baptised in St. Colmcille’s Church, Knocklyon.  There was a very good response from parents/pupils to the introduction of the 'You Shall Be My Witnesses' programme, which is the Parish based programme of preparation for Confirmation.  Confirmation Information Meetings for Parents are scheduled to take place as follows:

Wednesday 20 January 2010 – 8.00 p.m.

and

Wednesday 27 January 2010 – 8.00 p.m.

Cúrsaí Meánscolaíochta:  Secondary School Matters

I refer regularly in the school Nuachtlitir to the importance of parents contacting secondary schools and arranging a place for your child.  This task should have already been completed in the case of all pupils in our school, including 3^rd class pupils.  Parents should not assume that matters will automatically fall into place.  Cutbacks in teacher allocation at secondary level will inevitably lead to a reduction in pupil intake to secondary schools.  Listed below are the details of Greenhills College, a second level boys school.

 Greenhills College, a boys only secondary school, is enrolling now for the academic year 2010/2011.  We offer a broad curriculum of academic and practical subjects as well as a wide range of co curricular and extra-curricular activities.  If you would like to get more information about the college you can contact Mr. J. Sweeney (Deputy Principal) at 4507779 or email info@greenhillscollege.ie.

Oíche Cheoil: Musical Evening

Our School Choir, under the direction of Ms. E. O'Connor, Ms. S. O'Brien and    Mr. J. Gearty, along with the Scoil Roc Group, under the direction of Mr. Casey and the Grúpa Traidisiúnta under the direction of Ms. Woods and Mr. Brennan, will hold their annual Oíche Cheoil on Tuesday 8 December at 7.30 p.m.  Amharclann Naithí, a well-appointed theatre in Ballinteer, has been hired for the evening and a full house is already assured, tickets having been distributed to the families of participating pupils.

Cúrsaí na Nollag:  Christmas Events

·    Fr. Jimmy will bless our school crib on Tuesday 8 December 2009.

·    Each year 6^th class parents and pupils are encouraged to collaborate in making a Christmas Crib.  Each year we have received a great response to this and we look forward to a great range and variety of Cribs again this year.

Ceardlann Matamaitice: Maths Workshop

A Maths Workshop for parents of 3^rd class pupils, presented by Mr. Connolly (Deputy Principal) is being held on Tuesday, 1 December 2009 (8.00 p.m. –  9.00 p.m.)  There are a small number of places still available and any interested parent of a 3rd class pupil is asked to contact Mr. Connolly.  You may put a note in your child's journal.

Blúiríní: Snippets

·         6^th class boys and girls are invited to participate in the Cross Country Training Programme, which will run over the next four weeks.  This will culminate in the annual Knocklyon 2km Cross Country in mid December.

·         The Hallowe'en Mask Display was a huge success with lots of creative and imaginative designs.

·         Congratulations to Ballyboden St. Enda's G.A.A. Club on their massive achievement in winning both the Dublin Senior Hurling and Senior Football Championships recently.  Great to see so many of our former pupils involved.

·         Welcome to Ms. Margaret Drew, the newly appointed Parish Pastoral Worker.  Margaret has been visiting our 6^th classes, conducting a Meditation Programme and is also leading the 'You Shall Be My Witnesses' programme.

Athchúrsáil Fóin Póca:  Recycling Mobile Phones

Mr. McGowan has spearheaded an initiative whereby mobile phones, which are no longer in use, can be brought into school and deposited in the Recycling Box for Mobiles.  If our school collects 500 recycled phones, we are entitled to an interactive board and data projector.  This is a huge and worthwhile incentive.  We have 350+ phones already collected.  Parents might like to get involved and send in any redundant mobiles from home or workplaces to add to our collection.    Phones for recycling can be sent to Mr. McGowan, Room 16.

School Warden Service

Recently due to cutbacks, a number of changes were made to the school warden service.  Following representations, some of the changes were reconsidered /altered.  I have been requested by the Roads and Traffic Department of South Dublin County Council to bring the following to the attention of parents:

"The School Warden was withdrawn from Coolamber Park at the start of the school year due to lack of demand.  However, after representations and suggestions, the Warden from Dargle Wood Pedestrian Lights was redeployed.  During the four weeks that the school warden was deployed to the Coolamber Park junction, an increase in numbers crossing was recorded.  Meanwhile at the Dargle Wood pedestrian lights the positioning of one of the light sets has been altered to improve visibility. It is considered that the facilities at Dargle Wood/ Superquinn are adequate. Pupils and parents are urged to use the School Warden Service at at Coolamber to ensure that the service is maintained".

 Sean Megraw, Roads & Traffic Dept, South Dublin County Council.

As Principal I would like to add that recently I have received reports of pupils crossing at points before the lollipop ladies.  Parents please note.

Nuacht Eile:  Other News

·    The annual Parish Christmas Fair takes place on Sunday next, 29 November 2009.  Many thanks to all for the generous response on the purchase of raffle tickets.  Items for the fair can be delivered to the Iona Centre up to tomorrow Friday.

·    Our thanks to the following for their recent contributions:

-     Carol Carty (parent) for her help with administration work.

-     Gráinne Tyndall (parent) for speaking to 3^rd classes on her work as an author.

-     Martin Breheny (ex-parent) for visiting a 6^th class and speaking of his life as a sports journalist and author.

-     Mary Costello (parent and Board of Management member) for organising a visit to the Science Events in ITT Dublin for Mr. Ruddy's and Ms. Wood's classes.

-     All those parents who have assisted on school tours recently.

-     Our library ladies who give a tremendous service.

-     The Parents Association Officers who organised the visit of a chef to conduct Healthy Eating Workshops with our 4^th class pupils.  Particular thanks to Carol McHugh and Monica Skelly for their help on the day.

-     To a number of friends of the school for recent generous donations.

-     John O'Driscoll (parent) who gave a talk in 3^rd class on the job of Dog Wardens.

-     Ms. O'Gara, Ms. N. O'Sullivan, Ms. McCann and Ms. Woods for decorating the foyer and the school hall for the Book Fair and Parent Teacher meetings.

Cúrsaí Sláinte agus Sábháltachta: Health and Safety Matters

Thankfully we have not been hit with too many cases of the H1N1 virus so far.  The advice from the medical experts in the Pandemic Centre is that the preservation of basic hygiene is of huge importance.  It is vital that pupils have their own hand towel, which should be brought home and washed at the weekend.  We are taking all possible measures to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness in the classrooms. With the onset of winter, pupils have been reminded of the need to be extra careful on their way to/from schools.  Although winter is here, we still encourage pupils to walk to school.  If parents must use a motor vehicle, please adopt the park and stride approach and leave the motor vehicle off campus.

Leabharlann na Scoile: School Library

Our school library, located in the school hall, provides a great service to our pupils.  Staffed by volunteer parents who give an hour or two per week, the library visit by classes stimulates pupils’ interest in reading.  We are all very grateful to the volunteer parents who staff the library.  A few more volunteers would be most welcome to replace a number of volunteer parents who have returned to full time employment.  If interested and if you have an hour to spare please contact the school office at 494 2527.                  

Beir bua agus beannacht,

__________________________

Pádraig Ó Néill (Príomhoide)

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