Dáta Eisiúna 25.10.11
Dear Parents,
It is great to report that the preparatory work required prior to commencement of the building of the new school has started. It is envisaged that this period of preparatory work will continue for some time. Please see the statement (back page of this Nuachtlitir) from the Boards of Management of St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. and J.N.S.
The Hallowe’en break is approaching and the pupils are fully engaged with the seasonal activities that occur at this time. Many thanks to Ms. N. O’Sullivan, our Visual Arts Coordinator, and Ms. H. McCann for their work on the Hallowe’en display in the foyer and the organisation of the other events. Our local Community Garda, Pat Tarrant, has spoken to all the pupils at Tionóil recently on the theme of safety at Hallowe’en. He referred to the dangers associated with fireworks, bonfires and also dealt with the need for pupils to be conscious of their own personal safety. Parents are advised to be vigilant with regard to the above matters. Pupils were also reminded that congregating on the school grounds in the evenings is not acceptable. The school grounds are not an amenity area.
Cruinnithe le Tuismitheoirí : Meetings with Parents
The annual Parent/Teacher meetings will be held from Monday 14 November to Wednesday 16 November 2011 inclusive. Please note that these meetings will be held after school hours on the above listed dates. Parents will receive a note with a designated time from their child’s class teacher. These notes will issue the week prior to the meetings. The Parent /Teacher meetings provide a great opportunity to exchange information. If there is any particular talent or interest area that your child has, please let the teacher know about it. If you have a particular concern regarding any aspect of your child's progress and wish to meet your child's teacher outside of the usual Parent/Teacher meeting, you are asked to contact Betty, our school secretary, and a mutually convenient appointment will be arranged with your child's class teacher. The co-operation of parents in maintaining the appointment protocol is much appreciated. As parents will understand, it is not possible on Health and Safety grounds for teachers to leave their classes unsupervised.
Aonach na Leabhar: Second Hand Book Fair
Our annual Second Hand Book Fair will be held in conjunction with our Parent/Teacher meetings during the week beginning 14 November 2011.
Pupils are asked to bring in good quality books and these will be sold at a nominal price. I’m sure that all families have lots of good quality books which they can recycle into the school population. In the run-up to the Book Fair Week we will be organising a series of events to promote pupil interest in reading.
As mentioned in the September Nuachtlitir, in St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. we are focusing on Literacy this term. Parents have an enormously important role to play in inculcating an interest in reading in their children. The following piece Approaches to Reading at Home may be of interest to parents.
1. Read little and often – don’t overdo it.
2. Find a quiet place – away from distractions like TV, computer etc.
3. Make sure that table/chair are comfortable.
4. Be enthusiastic and interested.
5. Be patient.
6. Make the reading session fun and enjoyable.
Féilire na Scoile: School Calendar
St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. will be open on Thursday next 27 October 2011, the date of the Presidential Election. St. Colmcille’s J.N.S. will be closed on that date.
Hallowe’en School closed Monday 31 Oct to Friday 4 Nov’11.
Reopening on Monday 7 November at 8.50 a.m.
Christmas School closes Thursday 22 December 2011.
Reopening on Monday 9 January 2012 at 8.50 a.m.
Please note the changes to the dates of the February Mid-Term Break and the Easter Break as a consequence of the Building Project. See details in the Boards of Management statement. The full school calendar for 2011/12 is available on the school web site www.stcolmcilles.org
Cúrsaí Ceoil: Music Matters
Our school musical groups are all now in full flow. A folk group for 3rd class pupils is an additional element this year. The members of the 3rd class folk group meet with Ms. Murphy at lunchtime every Wednesday. The annual Oíche Cheoil (Musical Evening) is scheduled for 20 December 2011. Further details will follow closer to the date.
Imeachtaí le Déanaí: Recent Events
Our 3rd class pupils recently enjoyed the presentation on “School Yard Birds”. Our thanks to three of our parents, Aisling Stewart, Laura Duff and Margaret Creedon, who delivered this presentation.
Welcome to Brother Dave, a Carmelite Deacon, who has commenced working with our 6th classes on “Lectio Divina”, the study of passages from the Bible. These sessions are held in the Meditation Room in the Iona Centre.
All of our 4th classes benefitted from their recent walking tour of Knocklyon. Many thanks to our knowledgeable guide, Tomás Maher.
By the end of term all of our 5th classes will have had their tour to the National Gallery and the visit to the Georgian House, No. 29 Fitzwilliam Square. Particular thanks to those parents who accompanied the classes on tour.
Almost 200 girls from 4th, 5th, 6th classes participated in the trip to Sancta Maria College recently. They all enjoyed the insight into the activities on offer in a Secondary School. Parents of girls in 3rd to 6th class inclusive are asked to note that there will be an Open Evening for parents and pupils at Sancta Maria College on tomorrow evening Wednesday 26 October from 7.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Cúrsaí Spóirt: Sports News
A very busy school football season is now approaching its concluding stages. Our Senior Boys are in the semi-final of the Corn Kitterick. Our Senior Girls are at the quarter final stage of the Corn Austin Finn and our second Senior Girls team has performed brilliantly to reach the quarter final stage of the Corn Irish Rubies. Our school has fielded seven teams in the Cumann na mBunscol football leagues and over 150 pupils have lined out and represented the school. Hopefully one (or more) of our teams will make it to a Croke Park final.
Blúiriní Eile: Other News
Last week was Maths Week in our school and Mr. Connolly, as always, put together a very varied programme for the week. There was huge interest in the daily Maths Quiz slot on the school intercom.
Open Day at Templeogue College (Boys Secondary School) on Tuesday 15 November 2011 from 1.45 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. Application forms for boys currently in 5th class will be available from Templeogue College after 15 November 2011.
Almost 100 girls and boys from 3rd classes have participated in the Hurling/Camogie sessions held on Wednesdays after school. Thanks to Mr. Murphy, Ms. Ní Reachtabhra and Ms. Walsh, who have coordinated these sessions. Also great to see our ex-pupil and current Dublin player, Shane Durkin, who gave of his time to come along every Wednesday to coach the pupils. The Transition Year students, girls and boys, from St. Colmcille’s Community School were also a huge help.
Great to see that our former pupil, Shane Jennings, was selected to travel to New Zealand recently as part of the World Cup squad.
In conjunction with the Presidential Election on Thursday, our 6th class pupils will be holding their own Presidential Election on the day. It will be interesting to see whether their verdict will mirror the national outcome!
We hope to have the Sam Maguire Trophy in our school on Thursday 24 November 2011.
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.
School Traffic Warden Service: South Dublin County Council intends to appoint a number of Relief School Wardens in the Knocklyon and Ballyroan area. Application forms and details are available from Recruitment Section, Human Resources Department, South Dublin County Council, County Hall, Tallaght, Dublin 24. (Closing date for return of applications is 12 noon on Friday 28 October 2011).
School Building Re-Development Project Update
25 October 2011
Work has commenced on the required preparations for the commencement of the building of the new school. It is now planned that, if the work proceeds according to plan, the temporary accommodation for St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. at the Ballyboden St. Enda’s G.A.A. Club grounds, off the Green Route, will be ready for occupation on Monday, 20 February 2012. It is planned that St. Colmcille’s J.N.S. will also be relocating to the current senior school building on that date.
The Boards of Management have decided that in order to facilitate the move, both schools will close for a full week for the Mid-Term Break, from Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February 2012 (inclusive). Consequently, both schools will have their Easter Break shortened. The Easter break will commence at the end of school on Wednesday 4 April 2012, with the schools reopening on Monday 16 April 2012.
The above arrangements are obviously subject to the project progressing without delays which may occur due to unforeseen circumstances.
The Boards of Management have also decided, following consultations with parents and staff, that when the schools move to the alternative accommodation, the school opening/closing times will be as follows:
Junior School - Opening at 8:40 a.m.
Junior School - Closing 1:20 p.m. Jnr/Snr Infants and 2:20 p.m. 1st and 2nd classes
Senior School - Opening at 9:00 a.m.
Senior School - Closing at 2.40 p.m.
Supervision will be provided for 10 minutes before the opening time of each school.
The Boards of Management will issue a further update later in this term.
Boards of Management
St. Colmcille’s S.N.S./J.N.S.
Focal Scoir: Last Word
Both myself and Mr. Connolly (Deputy Principal) are very pleased with the excellent progress of the overwhelming majority of our pupils. They have worked hard since the end of August and hopefully pupils, staff and parents will enjoy a well deserved mid-term break.
Beir bua agus beannacht,
Pádraig Ó Néill (Príomhoide)
The next Nuachtlitir will issue on Wednesday 30 November 2011.