Nuachtlitir
Tús na Bliana
6 Meán Fómhair 2018
Dear Parents,
On behalf of the Board of Management and all the staff at St. Colmcille’s Senior National School I would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to everybody as together we begin a new school year. The whole school community looks forward to the year ahead and we pray for God’s blessing on each of us as we learn and grow together throughout the coming year.
I would also personally like to thank pupils, staff and parents for the warm welcome I have received since I returned to St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. Having taught in St. Colmcille’s for twenty six years, I left in 2010 to become Principal of Scoil Naomh Molaise in my native Sligo. I am delighted to be back again and look forward to working closely with everyone in our school community.
On behalf of the Board of Management and all the staff at St. Colmcille’s Senior National School I would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to everybody as together we begin a new school year. The whole school community looks forward to the year ahead and we pray for God’s blessing on each of us as we learn and grow together throughout the coming year.
I would also personally like to thank pupils, staff and parents for the warm welcome I have received since I returned to St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. Having taught in St. Colmcille’s for twenty six years, I left in 2010 to become Principal of Scoil Naomh Molaise in my native Sligo. I am delighted to be back again and look forward to working closely with everyone in our school community.
“Treat Others as You Would like to be Treated”.
The pupils in St. Colmcille’s Senior National School are well-known for the courteous and considerate manner in which they behave towards each other. This spirit permeates the school and is reflected in the golden rule of “Treat others as you would like to be treated”. Thank you to all the pupils in the school who have adopted this motto so readily so that we can all look forward to treating each other well.
The pupils in St. Colmcille’s Senior National School are well-known for the courteous and considerate manner in which they behave towards each other. This spirit permeates the school and is reflected in the golden rule of “Treat others as you would like to be treated”. Thank you to all the pupils in the school who have adopted this motto so readily so that we can all look forward to treating each other well.
New Staff Members:
There have been quite a few changes of staff this year. We say a fond farewell to Ross Maguire, Simone Minogue, Mairead Farrell and Aron Fitzpatrick who have all taken up positions outside Dublin. We welcome Shannon Toner, Elizabeth Whelan, Áine Kennelly, Joanne Mc Cormack, Fiona McMahon, Ciara Nixon, Thomas O’Connor, Rebecca Mc Inerney, Sarah O’Keeffe, and Maurice O’Keeffe who have all joined us for the coming year. Fáilte romhaibh go léir.
There have been quite a few changes of staff this year. We say a fond farewell to Ross Maguire, Simone Minogue, Mairead Farrell and Aron Fitzpatrick who have all taken up positions outside Dublin. We welcome Shannon Toner, Elizabeth Whelan, Áine Kennelly, Joanne Mc Cormack, Fiona McMahon, Ciara Nixon, Thomas O’Connor, Rebecca Mc Inerney, Sarah O’Keeffe, and Maurice O’Keeffe who have all joined us for the coming year. Fáilte romhaibh go léir.
Nuachtlitir via email: A school newsletter is issued on a regular basis and is given directly to the pupils. Please make sure that you see the newsletter as it contains important information and it details all activities taking place in the school. We hope to issue future newsletters via email. We are currently finalising our email database for all parents. If you have changed your email address since registering your child in the school please let the office know.
School Web Site: The school web site www.stcolmcilles.org is another important source of information for parents. The web site also features the school calendar, the up-to-date school newsletter and other items of pertinent information. In the event of possible emergency closures (e.g. due to inclement weather), we attempt to post information on the web site. The web site is updated on a weekly basis, and gives a very good insight into life in St. Colmcille’s S.N.S.
School Uniform/P.E. TracksuitIn St. Colmcille’s S.N.S., we take great pride in our school uniform. Please ensure that your child wears the correct uniform, including black shoes and school tie, at all times, with the exception of the designated P.E. days. On P.E. days the school tracksuit is worn along with navy top. The designated P.E. days are:
6th class - Monday / Thursday
5th class - Tuesday / Friday
4th class - Monday / Wednesday
3rd class - Wednesday / Friday
6th class - Monday / Thursday
5th class - Tuesday / Friday
4th class - Monday / Wednesday
3rd class - Wednesday / Friday
Pupils Absences and the School Journal: The School Journal is specifically designed for St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. Parents are asked to read the journal and use the journal when writing notes regarding your child’s absence from school or requests to take your child out early. Please use the appropriate pages at the back of the journal. A written note must be furnished in the event of your child being absent for any reason.
Missing time on a regular basis from school is a significant factor in poor educational performance. Pupils, however, should not be in school if they are unwell.
Learning Support/Resource
In line with Department of Education and Skills guidelines regarding Learning Support, a variety of models will be in use throughout the school to support our pupils. These include in-class support as well as withdrawal of pupils individually or in small groups. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to discuss further with your Class Teacher/Special Education Teacher.
Missing time on a regular basis from school is a significant factor in poor educational performance. Pupils, however, should not be in school if they are unwell.
Learning Support/Resource
In line with Department of Education and Skills guidelines regarding Learning Support, a variety of models will be in use throughout the school to support our pupils. These include in-class support as well as withdrawal of pupils individually or in small groups. If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to discuss further with your Class Teacher/Special Education Teacher.
Parent-Teacher Communication: If you wish to meet your child’s teacher, you are
asked to make an appointment by contacting Betty or Andrea, our school secretaries. An appointment ensures that classes are not left unsupervised and that you and your child’s teacher have adequate time to discuss issues of concern. Formal Parent-Teacher meetings will be held in November.
Homework: The following is a rough guideline on the amount of time pupils should be spending on homework:3rd class pupils – no more than 30 minutes. 4th class pupils – no more than 40 minutes.
5th class pupils – no more than 50 minutes. 6th class pupils – no more than 1 hour.
If your child has difficulty completing the homework assignments within the recommended time span on a regular basis, parents are requested to let the class teacher know. Homework should be completed in an atmosphere free from distraction and pupils are encouraged to work independently on their homework as far as possible.
asked to make an appointment by contacting Betty or Andrea, our school secretaries. An appointment ensures that classes are not left unsupervised and that you and your child’s teacher have adequate time to discuss issues of concern. Formal Parent-Teacher meetings will be held in November.
Homework: The following is a rough guideline on the amount of time pupils should be spending on homework:3rd class pupils – no more than 30 minutes. 4th class pupils – no more than 40 minutes.
5th class pupils – no more than 50 minutes. 6th class pupils – no more than 1 hour.
If your child has difficulty completing the homework assignments within the recommended time span on a regular basis, parents are requested to let the class teacher know. Homework should be completed in an atmosphere free from distraction and pupils are encouraged to work independently on their homework as far as possible.
Uniform Shop: The uniform shop will each Thursday (1.30 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.). Pupils who wish to purchase uniforms may do so each Thursday during school.
The Return of Money: When returning money for any school activity, parents are requested to send in cash or cheque in an envelope clearly stating your child’s name, teacher’s name, room number and the activity for which payment is being made. Standard envelopes are given to the pupils for the return of money to the school. If paying in cash it would be greatly appreciated if parents could send in the exact amount
Contact Numbers: Please notify your child’s teacher of any changes in contact numbers, addresses etc. so that our database can be kept up to date. It is important to have a backup system in place in the event of your child becoming sick during school.
After School Activities: Pupils and parents will be informed over the coming weeks in relation to after school activities e.g. sport, choir and music classes. Pupils are encouraged to be committed to the activities they undertake. In the event of your child being unable to attend his/her activity on a particular day, we would ask that the relevant teacher be informed beforehand as a matter of courtesy.
Contact Numbers: Please notify your child’s teacher of any changes in contact numbers, addresses etc. so that our database can be kept up to date. It is important to have a backup system in place in the event of your child becoming sick during school.
After School Activities: Pupils and parents will be informed over the coming weeks in relation to after school activities e.g. sport, choir and music classes. Pupils are encouraged to be committed to the activities they undertake. In the event of your child being unable to attend his/her activity on a particular day, we would ask that the relevant teacher be informed beforehand as a matter of courtesy.
Lunches: We have a Healthy Eating Policy in the school and pupils are encouraged to eat healthy nutritious lunches. Please do not give your child nuts, or bars containing nuts, in their lunches as we have a number of children and staff members with severe nut allergies. Friday is our sweet treat day and we all look forward to that!
Mobile Phones: The use of mobile phones during the school day is prohibited. If a child's parents feel that it absolutely essential that their child should have a mobile phone for after-school use:
These procedures are in the interests of all pupils and we thank pupils and parents for their full co-operation in this matter.
- A written note of consent from parents must be given to the child's teacher.
- The mobile phone must be turned off between 8.50 a.m. and 2.30 p.m.
- The phone must be kept in the pupil's bag at all times.
- If a child is found to be in possession of a phone which is not turned off, the Principal/Deputy Principal will contact the child’s parents who will be requested to collect the phone from the school office.
These procedures are in the interests of all pupils and we thank pupils and parents for their full co-operation in this matter.
School Calendar 2018/19: The school calendar for 2018/19 is available on our website
Confirmation Dates:
Our Confirmation dates for this school year will be:
Wednesday 20 March 2019 and Thursday 21 March 2019
We will confirm as soon as possible what classes will be assigned to each day.
Our Confirmation dates for this school year will be:
Wednesday 20 March 2019 and Thursday 21 March 2019
We will confirm as soon as possible what classes will be assigned to each day.
Parents’ Association:
All parents in our school are automatically members of our Parents’ Association. Our Parents’ Association help to build an effective partnership between school and home.
The present Parents’ Association Committee is:
Chairperson: Ms. Barbara Mahon
Vice Chairperson: Ms. Róisín Tallon
Secretary: Ms. Kathryn Gorman
Treasurer: Ms. Michelle O’Reilly
The A.G.M. of the Parents’ Association is scheduled for Wednesday 26 September at 7.30 p.m. in the school hall. Fáilte roimh gach duine.
All parents in our school are automatically members of our Parents’ Association. Our Parents’ Association help to build an effective partnership between school and home.
The present Parents’ Association Committee is:
Chairperson: Ms. Barbara Mahon
Vice Chairperson: Ms. Róisín Tallon
Secretary: Ms. Kathryn Gorman
Treasurer: Ms. Michelle O’Reilly
The A.G.M. of the Parents’ Association is scheduled for Wednesday 26 September at 7.30 p.m. in the school hall. Fáilte roimh gach duine.
Past Pupils/New Pupils:
Good luck to all our 6th class pupils who have just started their secondary school adventure. We wish them every success and they will always be welcome to visit us in St. Colmcille’s.
We would also like to extend a special welcome to all our 3rd class pupils who have joined the senior school this year and also to pupils who have joined us from other schools.
Good luck to all our 6th class pupils who have just started their secondary school adventure. We wish them every success and they will always be welcome to visit us in St. Colmcille’s.
We would also like to extend a special welcome to all our 3rd class pupils who have joined the senior school this year and also to pupils who have joined us from other schools.
Safety Issues:
Please note the following points to help ensure that everyone can approach/leave our school in a safe manner.
Please note the following points to help ensure that everyone can approach/leave our school in a safe manner.
- We ask all our pupils to be vigilant of the road works on the Scholarstown Road.
- We remind everyone to always use the recognised crossing points.
Pupil Personal Accident Insurance:
Please see enclosed with this Nuachtlitir, an application form for Primary School Personal Accident Insurance.
We strongly recommend this insurance policy as it provides accident cover 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for your child. Medical and dental expenses arising from accidents are paid for an unlimited time period, and there is no excess on the policy.
The cost is €9.
If you wish to purchase this insurance please send in €9 in the envelope provided along with the signed application form to your child’s class teacher. Closing date for receipt of payment is Thursday 13 September 2018. If paying by cheque please make cheque payable to
St. Colmcille’s S.N.S., if paying by cash please enclose the correct amount.
Please see enclosed with this Nuachtlitir, an application form for Primary School Personal Accident Insurance.
We strongly recommend this insurance policy as it provides accident cover 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year for your child. Medical and dental expenses arising from accidents are paid for an unlimited time period, and there is no excess on the policy.
The cost is €9.
If you wish to purchase this insurance please send in €9 in the envelope provided along with the signed application form to your child’s class teacher. Closing date for receipt of payment is Thursday 13 September 2018. If paying by cheque please make cheque payable to
St. Colmcille’s S.N.S., if paying by cash please enclose the correct amount.
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This Nuachtlitir will also be available on our website at www.stcolmcilles.org
Le gach dea-ghuí B. McGowan (Príomhoide) |