Dáta Eisiúna: 27.09.11.
Dear Parents,
The end of the first month back in school is rapidly approaching and the staff is very pleased with the manner in which the pupils have settled in and are responding positively to the challenges of the new school year.
In the Nuachtlitir sent out on the 23 June last, I explained to parents that the process of vetting/ selecting a contractor to undertake the School Building Project was still in train. This continued over the summer and was brought to a conclusion recently. Below is a statement from the Boards of Management of St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. /J.N.S. on the current position regarding the School Building Project. The Boards of Management will be meeting over the next while to discuss the next stages in the project. Further details will issue to parents in the October Nuachtlitir.
School Building Re-Development Project: Update.
The Boards of Management of St. Colmcille's S.N.S./J.N.S. recently received sanction from the Department of Education and Skills to issue a Letter of Acceptance to the company which has been selected to construct the new school building for St. Colmcille's S.N.S./J.N.S. The Letter of Acceptance has now been issued.
Theconstruction company has outlined that a programme of preparatory work is to be carried out over a number of months prior to commencement of the building of the new school. It is envisaged that this period of preparatpry work will commence during themonth of October 2011.
Boards of Management, St. Colmcille's S.N.S./J.N.S.
Féilire na Scoile go dtí an Samhain: School Calendar to Hallowe'en
Mid-term break 31 October to 4 November 2011(inclusive).
School reopens Monday, 7 November 2011 – 8.50 a.m.
- · No decision has yet been made as to whether or not St. Colmcille’s Senior School will be open or closed on the 27 October 2011 – the day of the Presidential Election. Parents will be informed when a decision has been made.
- Parents are advised that no firm arrangements should be made at this point for the mid-term break in February or for the Easter Break. The Department of Education and Skills informed parents in June 2011 that the 2 week Easter Break is not “set in stone” as days lost beforehand due to unforeseen/prolonged closures may have to be made up at Easter. Also, arrangements which may have to be put in place for the School Building Project could lead to possible alterations to the February mid-term arrangement and to the Easter holiday arrangement. The Boards of Management intend to issue details of any possible alterations before the end of October.
Tionóil na Scoile:
School Assemblies On a weekly basis the pupils from each Year Group come together for a weekly Tionól (Assembly). At this Tionól we celebrate the achievements of our pupils and we also put the emphasis on different aspects of school life. During the month of September we have focused on the importance we attach to showing respect for ourselves, others and our environment. We have also focused on the importance of including all in our community. Our first school Mass of the new school year was held on Thursday last with the theme of “New Beginnings”. Many thanks to Ms. A. Murphy who coordinates the school Mass programme.
Comhairle do Thuismitheoirí:
Advice for Parents In order for pupils to fulfil their potential in school, it is vital that they get sufficient rest, eat proper food and are in a fit state for school. Getting to bed at a reasonable hour is a basic requirement (9.30 p.m. at the latest). I would also discourage parents from allowing their children to participate in ‘sleep-overs’. In addition to the loss of sleeping hours, ‘sleep-overs’ can lead to associated difficulties which are best avoided by children sleeping in their own homes. The use and abuse of social networking sites has been already referred to in the Nuachtlitir sent out in early September. Parents must exercise their parental responsibilities in these matters.
Ranganna Iar-Scoile:
After School Classes After-school activities in a range of areas will commence next week. These classes will be held on the school premises after normal school hours. Enrolment for the after-school classes will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, 28/29 September (2.30 p.m.–3.15 p.m.) If you wish to enrol your child for any particular activity or if you require further information you are invited to come in on the above listed days. Please note that Mr. Gissane, the Gymnastics teacher, will be in the school for enrolment on Thursday 29 September only. For Guitar lessons please call the number listed below. Enrolment for Spanish will take place on Wednesday only (or you may enrol in class on Tuesday 4 October 2011).
Class Class Group Class will take place on: Teacher * External Teacher
Computers All pupils Wed & Thurs Mr. Casey
French All pupils Tuesday Ms. Synnott
Speech & Drama All pupils Wed & Thurs Ms. Glennon/Ms. O’Brien
Gymnastics All pupils Friday Mr. Gissane*
Spanish 5th and 6th Tuesday Mr. Kearns*
Irish Dancing 4years + Thursday Mr. Warren*
Craft Sewing/Knitting 6th pupils Wednesday Ms. Barry/Ms Coyne*
Recorder 4th and 5th Wednesday Ms. Ryan
Hip Hop 3rd & 4th (Girls) Tuesday Ms. L. O’Donoghue*
Art & Craft All pupils Thursday Ms. O’Gara
Guitar: All pupils Wed/Thurs. Group or private lessons after school Fun, acoustic, electric and classical guitar catered for. Limited places available. Nathan Nicholl* 086 331 1215
Lost Property
Lost property will be displayed in the School Hall on Wednesday (28 September 2011) from 2.30 p.m. – 3.15 p.m. Items not claimed will be sent to local charities this week.
Cúrsaí Airgid:
Financial Matters As always, there was an excellent response from parents to the request for Voluntary Contributions and to the payment of requisites. The following is how the money has been distributed:
Art/Craft €7227.00 P.E. €5121.00 Photocopying €6570.00 Music €1707.00 Maths Equipment €2276.00 Science €1707.00 Computers €7227.00 School Equipment €3414.00 Environment €1707.00 Library €1138.00 Class Novels €1314.00 Rental English/SESE €7227.00 As a staff we are very conscious of the economic constraints being experienced by quite a number of people at the moment. We are continually looking at the overall operating plan for the school and we make every effort to keep additional costs to a minimum. We also strive to ensure that activities involving payment are spaced out throughout the year.
Cúrsaí Spóirt:
Sports News We are up and running with the school football season and this season we are fielding 7 football teams in the Dublin Primary Schools League. These 7 teams, boys and girls, afford almost 150 pupils the opportunity to wear the school jersey. The huge commitment of our staff members who give so willingly of their personal time on a voluntary basis is the cornerstone of the programme. Best of luck to all our girls and boys in their pursuit of their own slice of glory.
Other Sports/P.E. activities have also commenced. Almost 100 boys and girls from 3rd class are taking part in the 3rd class Hurling/Camogie sessions held on Wednesdays after school. The Swimming programme for 5th classes and Badminton for 4th classes is also underway. The very successful Cycling programme, run in conjunction with South Dublin County Council, for 5th class pupils, will commence later in the year.
Cúrsaí Ceoil:
Musical Matters Our School Choir for pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th classes, under the direction of Ms. O’Connor and Ms. O’Brien, meet for practice every Monday after school (2.30 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.). Ms. A. Murphy has commenced a folk-group for interested 3rd class pupils. This folk-group meets on Wednesdays at lunchtime. Mr. Casey and Ms. Ryan are preparing the Scoil Roc group for the year’s activities. Plenty to look forward to on the various musical fronts.
- Nuacht Eile: Other News
- · Hopefully all 3rd class parents received the 3rd Class News sheet which was distributed to 3rd class pupils last week.
- · The recent Goal Jersey Day/Up the Dubs Day, organised by Mr. Ruddy’s 6th class, raised €1,070.00 for the Goal organisation which helps people in Third World countries.
- · Our next school Mass is scheduled for Thursday 20 October at 11.10 a.m. Parents are very welcome to attend.
- · Ms. Murphy has a ‘Book Club’ up and running for interested 6th class pupils.
- · Our average daily attendance for the school year 2010/11 was 95.6%. Well done.
- · Following Dublin’s recent great win in the All Ireland Football Final, we are hoping for a visit from the Dubs with the Sam Maguire at some stage in the near future.
- · We would greatly appreciate any donations of unused fabric or wool you may have around the house for our Fabric and Fibre collection. Please send in old curtain fabric, remnants of fabrics, felt or unused balls of wool for knitting. Ms. N. O’Sullivan is the teacher to contact.
- · F. Connolly is looking for any Aive-O Books (Book 5 to Book 8) that you find when tidying up.
Cruinnithe le Tuismitheoirí-Múinteoirí: Parent-Teacher Meetings
Our Parent Teacher meetings will be held on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, 14, 15 and 16 November 2011 (after school hours).
Comhneartú:
Confirmation The proposed dates for Confirmation for the 6th classes are as follows:
Thursday 15 March 2012 - Ms. Corcoran’s, Ms Smith’s and Ms. O’Brien’s classes.
Friday 16 March 2012 – Ms. O’Sullivan’s, Ms. Synnott’s and Mr. Ruddy’s classes
Scoileanna Dara Leibhéal: Second Level Schools
Parents are continually advised to make arrangements for their child’s place in Secondary School at the earliest possible opportunity.
Coláiste Éanna (Secondary School for Boys, located off Ballyroan Road). Enrolment is now open to boys from 4th class onwards. Closing date for receipt of completed application forms for the Academic year 2012/2013 is Friday 14 October 2011 at 3.30 p.m.
Sancta Maria College (Secondary School for Girls, located off Ballyroan Road). Closing date for receipt of completed application forms for the Academic year 2012/2013 is Wednesday 9 November 2011.
Curriculum News
This term as a staff we are focusing on the question of Literacy. There has been quite a degree of attention focused on this matter and concerns expressed about the declining standards of literacy nationally. The question arises as to what parents can do and parents may find the following piece of interest.
Parents as Role Models – Children, when they start school, need as much positive interest and encouragement as possible from parents. The teacher develops the necessary reading skills at school. However, the teaching of reading is a partnership between home and school. The reading climate in the home is crucial. Parents are role models. If children see parents enjoying books, they will want to explore books themselves. It is widely acknowledged that the single most important factor in determining the child’s success in reading is parental attitude. If parents provide suitable reading material, if they buy books as presents, they are supplementing the work of the teacher in the area of reading development in a real and meaningful way. A happy and secure reading environment in the home will give the child a positive attitude towards reading.
Captaein na dTithe: House Captains
Almost seventy 6th class pupils applied for the position of House Captain. The standard of the applications was top class and the calibre of the candidates was outstanding. Well done to all who applied. The House Captains for the coming school year are:
Gartan: Ann Dalton, Seán Mahon Moville: Katie McNelis, Jack Edwards
Doire: Holly McDermott, Eoin McCarthy Iona: Whitney Higgins, Barry Bruce
Kells: Aoife O’Driscoll, Conor O’Donoghue Tír Chonaill: Amy Lawlor, Finn McGarry.
Focal Scoir: Final Word
As always, pupil learning is central to our agenda in St. Colmcille’s S.N.S. All of the activities we provide and participate in are geared towards enhancing the quality of pupil learning. We encourage our pupils to become active participants in their own learning and in particular we encourage them to take full responsibility for their learning. One of my messages to the 6th classes at a recent Tionól was,“If it is to be, it is up to me”.
Beir bua agus beannacht,
Pádraig Ó’Néill (Príomhoide)
The next Nuachtlitir (Deireadh Fómhair /October) will be issued on Tuesday, 25 October 2011.