Thursday, February 28, 2013

School Note Feb 28th 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28-2-2013.

Dear parents,

                     I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                      Yesterday, we had a visit from Helen Rooney who works with the Environmental section of Limerick County Council. This visit was part of the assessment process for our second Green Flag. She met with the members of the Green School committee and also studied all the data on energy consumption, garbage weight, etc. She was given a tour of the school and noted the many displays and also the  activities that are ongoing throughout the year. Ms Rooney will now study our Green School file and we look forward to her verdict. Well done to Mrs Hodgins, coordinator and everybody involved.

                      The DES has asked me to draw your attention to a new website called www.helpmykidslearn.ie

                    Yesterday two teams from Third and Fourth Class played in the Limerick City Cumann na mBunscol indoor hurling tournament in Old Christians GAA club. The school is currently hosting two students from Mary Immaculate College who are specialising in PE. For four weeks, the children in Fourth and Sixth Classes will be benefiting from their expertise.

                 Next week is Book Week and next Thursday March 7th .is World Book Day. Please read to your child at every opportunity.

                   The closing date for accepting a place in the Junior Infants class for 2013-2014 is tomorrow Friday March 1st at 3 pm. Please return completed forms if you have not already done so.

Gach dea-ghuí

 

____________

Joe Lyons

Principal

 

Thursday, February 21, 2013

School note February 21st 2013

21-2-2013

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                     The children in Sixth Class presented a cheque for €450 to Mr. Peter Ireton of Bóthar last week. The money, which will provide a cross-breed cow to a family in Africa, was raised by Sixth Class pupils who organised a Fun Day in December. Mr Ireton put on a very informative presentation on the work of Bóthar for the class.

                    All the pupils in Fifth Class have completed a six week programme of swimming lessons in the leisure centre in Askeaton. Sixth Class completed a similar programme before Christmas.  

                   As part of the school's Literacy policy, Third Class are currently engaged in a Peer Tutoring Reading project called Succeeding in Reading. Thanks to Ms Day, Ms Hayes and Mrs Fitzgerald for all their work in coordinating this project.                

                    The next meeting of the school's Parents Association will take place on Monday next February 25th at 8.30 p.m. in the school. All are welcome.

                       Evelyn Adams has been in contact to say that the Ballybrown GAA Juvenile Club registration night will be held tomorrow,  Friday 22nd February at 8p.m.. in the GAA Club.  Registration fees are €10 per hurler - max of €25 per family.

                      I would like to remind parents to make an appointment if you wish to meet your child's teacher. This applies to Learning Support Teachers as well as mainstream.

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

______________

J. Lyons

Principal

 

                       

 

Monday, February 18, 2013

School Closure

School closed for midterm Thursday and Friday February 14th and 15th.

Thursday, February 7, 2013

School note February 7th 2013

 

7-2-2013.

Dear parents,

                    I wish to bring the following to your attention.

                     The Board of Management of the school invited the officers of the Parents Association to meet with them on Tuesday night to discuss issues of concern to parents and to discuss how the Parents Association can work with the Board for the good of the school. It was a very worthwhile meeting. It is intended that such a meeting will take place annually, at the first Board meeting of each calendar year.

                    Thank you to all the parents who completed the survey on Maths. About 60% of families replied. The thought and effort that went in to many of the responses is most gratifying. Ms Hayes has been sifting through the forms and we will use the responses to shape our school policy on Numeracy. The school has recently purchased a set of books on teaching fractions for classes from First to Sixth.

                      Congratulations to the Sixth Class pupils. All 31 have received places in the secondary school of their choice. They will shortly be embarking on a new phase in their lives.

                     Mrs Hodgins, who is the Green Schools Co-ordinator, is busy preparing the school’s submission for our second Green Flag. The theme for this flag is Energy. Our submission involves the entire school community as we have been monitoring energy usage over a two year period.

              Last Friday, which was St Bridget’s Day, the children in Ms Day’s class had a visit from a thatcher, Mr Jim Halpin, who showed them how to make St Bridget’s Crosses. It was a great experience for the children.

              The Office of the Ombudsman for Children has recently published a report titled ‘Dealing with Bullying in Schools’. It may be viewed using the link

http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Education-Reports/Action-Plan-On-Bullying-2013.pdf

              I would like to thank all the parents who have co operated with parking while the construction of the Resource Centre goes ahead. However, some parents are parking in bus areas, disabled parking spots and the yellow box in front of the school gate. This has caused serious problems. It is also important to leave a clear area between the Staff parking area and the car parks as children have to walk across this space. Thanks to parents who are availing of the Church car park.

           I wish to remind parents that school will close on Thursday and Friday of next week for mid term break.

 

Gach dea-ghuí,

 

 

_____________

J. Lyons

Principal.