Principal’s Prize: Congratulations to sixth class who were the proud recipients of the Principal’s Prize in February.
Student of the Week: As you are aware our Student of the Week award is presented for exceptional efforts observed during the week such as co-operation, friendship, positive attitude or hard work. Our recent junior room winners have been David, Conor and Gerard, while in the senior room winners have been Joan, Sophie and Paddy!
Junior Entrepreneur- Launch of “Garrydoolis N.S.- Then and Now”:
Our junior entrepreneurs proudly launched “Garrydoolis N.S.- Then and Now” on Thursday 19th March. Pupils gave an informative recount of their work over the past ten weeks and we were just delighted that so many family and friends joined us on the day. We wish to thank Susan Bourke, J.E.P. County Manager, who also joined us and was most impressed with our work. A photographer from the Limerick Leader was also present and we hope that our project will be featured in the newspaper shortly. As always, we thank those parents who so kindly helped with refreshments.
Almost one hundred and thirty copies of “Garrydoolis N.S.- Then and Now” have already been sold. Pupils are currently taking further orders. We sincerely thank our families, friends and neighbours for supporting and showing such interest in our venture. We now look forward to attending the J.E.P. County Showcase Day in the Woodlands Hotel, Adare. Due to popularity of the project, there is a necessity to run two showcase days this year on April 20th and 21st. We will let you all know which day we will be going on as soon as we receive our invitation.
Active School Flag:
Dr. Sylvia O’Sullivan from Mary Immaculate College assessed our efforts in becoming an active school on Monday 16th February. All pupils were excellent in recounting the many ways in which we have made our school a more active one and the manner in which our families and members of our community have helped us. Shortly later, we were thrilled to receive confirmation that we had been successful in achieving active school status! We look forward to welcoming Mr. John Delaney, C.E.O. of the F.A.I. to raise our flag on Thursday 30th April at 11.30am. We encourage as many of our families and friends as possible to attend and celebrate this achievement with us.
Work Experience:
We thank past-pupil John-William Ryan who completed work experience with us during February.
Community Games:
Congratulations go to our pupils, and their mentor Riah Hogan, on their recent success in the Community Games Talent Competitions. Well done to Lisa, Sinéad, Claire and Bree who won gold medals in the under 14 group singing and will represent the county in Athlone in August. Congratulations also to Grace, Sinéad, Lillian and Claire who won bronze medals in the under 10 group singing, to Lillian and Sinéad who won bronze medals in the under 10 solo singing and to Claire who won a bronze medal for violin.
Doodle4Google:
We are delighted to announce that Aoife Lee, fourth class, progressed to the final three hundred entries in the nationwide Doodle4Google competition. Well done Aoife!
World Book Day:
World Book Day was celebrated on Thursday 5th March with a whole-school book swap. Senior pupils also shared opinions on their favourite books and all pupils received book tokens.
A Day in the Life of a Post Person:
We say a big thank you to our postman, Mike O’Donoghue, who recently visited to chat to us about his job. This ties in with the INTO handwriting competition which all pupils are currently working on; the theme being “A Day in the Life of a Post Person.”
Confirmation:
We look forward to Confirmation at 11am on Tuesday 14th April in Nicker Church. Candidates for Confirmation and their sponsors, as well as all 3rd and 4th class students singing in the choir, are asked to be seated by 10.45. Confirmation name badges will be given to all candidates leaving school on Monday 13th and it is essential that these are worn to the Confirmation. Please note that the school will not be open on April 14th as our school business is in the church on that day.
Further practices for Confirmation this week are on Wednesday 25th, 9.30-12 and on Thursday 26th, 9.30-12.30. There will also be a practice on Monday 13th April and the timing will be communicated as soon as agreed. I would like to sincerely thank parents for their support and cooperation in facilitating lifts to and from practices.
First Penance and First Holy Communion:
We wish to sincerely thank all parents who contributed to and helped with refreshments on the evening of First Penance. It certainly was a spread to be proud of!
As you are aware, First Holy Communion takes place on Sunday May 31st. Third to sixth class pupils will form the choir on the day and there will be a number of practices in the lead up. Dates for same will again be communicated as soon as agreed upon.
Food Dudes:
Junior pupils are coming to the end of their sixteen day tasting programme, while senior pupils have completed their four tasting days. The programme now focusses on maintenance. After the Easter break, each pupil is encouraged to bring and eat one piece of fruit and veg. daily for lunch. Teachers will keep a record of progress and children will earn certificates of achievement for their efforts in healthy eating.
“Disco Inferno” and Excel Cinema Trips:
All pupils had a wonderful time on their trips on February 27th and we again thank our P.A. for so kindly sponsoring this treat.
Seachtain na Gaeilge:
March 9th-13th saw a celebration of all things Irish in our school. Our Céilí Mór was a huge success with everybody donning the green, white and gold on the day. Pupils performed amhráin and rannta as gaeilge, took part in Ballaí Luimní and Claire and Aoife very kindly played “Maggie in the Woods” for us. There were even green and gold buns afterwards! A poster competition and tráth na gceist were also held in the senior classroom.
Birthday Invitations:
We ask that invitations to birthday parties be distributed outside of school please. While we completely understand that not every child can be invited, distribution of invites in the classroom can cause upset for those children who are not recipients. We thank you for your cooperation in this regard.
School Garden:
We welcome Sally-Anne back this week to help sow our chosen crops. The selection includes sweet corn, green beans, carrots, potatoes, courgettes, strawberries, red onions and rhubarb!
French Student:
The senior pupils look forward to welcoming Valentine Fernandez on April 20th. Valentine is a French student who will attend our school for two weeks in order to improve his English. We might even improve our French!
Parents’Association Recycling:
There is a P.A. recycling event scheduled for Thursday April 23rd. Items for recycling may be dropped in the shed either before or after school on that day.
School Open on Friday 29th May:
As already communicated, there is a change to the school calendar. School will now be open on Friday 29th May to make up for the closure on March 3rd when we were without electricity.
Staff Meeting:
School will close at 1.40 pm for all pupils on Friday 15th May to facilitate a staff meeting.
Standardised Testing:
In line with Department regulations, standardised testing will take place in our school for all classes from first to sixth during the week of May 25th.
Tour:
On June 12th, all classes will travel together to Adventure World in U.L. This is an activity day camp of fun, sporting, adventure activities. The cost will be €27 per pupil and we again thank the P.A. who has kindly agreed to sponsor the bus.
Active Week:
Active Week will take place during the week of Monday 15th June. Pupils should wear school tracksuit during this week. As last year, navy shorts are acceptable should the weather oblige! Families are encouraged to walk/ cycle to or from school, in so far as is safe and practical. Sports Day will take place on Friday 19th at 12 midday and parents are invited to join us.
End of Year Reports:
End of year reports will be distributed on Thursday June 18th. Reports will be handed by class teachers to parents after school. As reports are strictly confidential, parents should send a written note to teachers permitting a minder/ relative to collect their child’s report if they are unable to do so. In the absence of such permission, any report not collected on the 18th will be held by teachers until such time as the teacher meets the relevant parent.
Graduation:
Our graduation ceremony will take place in the senior classroom on Tuesday June 23rd at 1pm to mark the “stepping on” of our sixth class pupils to secondary school and the “stepping up” of our second class pupils to the senior classroom. This will be a lovely occasion to highlight the achievements of our children during their time in the school, to recall their special memories and to hear their hopes for the future. We invite all members of the school community to attend in order to show support and send good wishes to our graduates.
Dates to Remember:
Confirmation Practice- Wednesday 25th April 9.30-12 & Thursday 26th 9.30-12.30
Easter Holidays- Friday 27th April, 12.30 close (School reopens on Monday 13th April)
Confirmation- Tuesday 14th April at 11am
Staff Meeting- Friday 15th May, 1.40 close
Standardised Testing- Week of 25th May
Change to Calendar- School open on Friday 29th May
First Holy Communion- Sunday 31st May 2015
Tour- Friday 12th June
Active Week- Week of 15th June
Sports Day- Friday 19th June
Graduation- Tuesday 23rd June
Summer Holidays- Thursday 25th June, 12.30 close
I would like to thank all pupils for their hard work and all families for their continued support of the school during what has been an extremely busy second term. Wishing you all a happy and relaxed Easter break!
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan
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