Happy New Year:
We wish to welcome each family back to school and send very best wishes to you all for what we hope will be a happy, healthy, safe and successful 2018!
Sporting Achievements:
Congratulations are extended to Sinéad McGuinness and Grace Leaden who both earned their place on the Limerick U13 football team. We are very proud to have pupil representatives competing at county level.
Christmas Raffle:
Sincere thanks to all families and businesses who supported our Christmas raffle. An amazing total of 972.50 was raised!
Whole-School Evaluation- Management, Leadership and Learning:
The inspectorate will conduct a W.S.E.-M.L.L. in our school on the 23rd and 24th of January. We look forward to welcoming our divisional inspector to Garrydoolis N.S. and to working with her during this time. We welcome this opportunity to showcase the work being carried out in our school and to reflect on current practice. The W.S.E. Parent Questionnaire was circulated yesterday. It would be much appreciated if you could complete same and return it to the school.
Non-Uniform:
Junior pupils are invited to wear pyjamas and senior pupils are invited to wear their own clothes to school on Friday 26th January. Junior pupils are also reminded to bring in a toy, which they received at Christmas, on this day.
Catholic Schools Week:
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated in our school from 29th January- 2nd February. The theme for Catholic Schools’ Week this year is “Called to be a Family of Families.” During the week, there will be a thought for each day and pupils will take part in related activities and will host Grandparents’ Day at 1pm on Wednesday 31st January. This celebration will provide an opportunity for us to thank our grandparents for all the care which they provide. We encourage all grandparents to attend and to join us for a cup of tea afterwards.
Safer Internet Day:
Safer Internet Day will take place on February 6th and all pupils will take part in related activities.
Open Afternoon for Incoming Junior Infants:
Our annual Open Afternoon for the Junior Infants of 2018/19 will take place on Wednesday February 7th at 2.50pm. Parents are invited to attend along with children who are due to start school. For parents, this meeting provides a chance to gather some information pertaining to their child starting school, while children get the chance to meet the teachers and to chat and play with their prospective classmates.
Sacraments:
The Sacrament of Penance will take place on February 26th at 7.30pm and First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday May 12th in Templebraden Church. We wish our candidates, Gerard, David, Caoimhe, Holly and Aishling, well in their preparation for sacraments.
Midterm Break:
School will be closed on February 15th and 16th for midterm break.
“School of Rock”:
Senior pupils will travel by bus to John the Baptist Community School in Hospital to enjoy a performance of “School of Rock” on Thursday 22nd February. Normal school times will not be affected. The cost of entry per pupil will be five euro and the Board of Management will pay travel costs. Consent forms will be circulated in early February.
Engineers’ Week:
Engineers’ Week, which takes place from February 26th to March 2nd, will be highlighted in our school. Both classes will take part in related activities during this time.
Middle Infant Screening Test (M.I.S.T.)
In line with our standardised testing schedule, the M.I.S.T. will be completed with senior infants in early February.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place during the week of Monday 12th March. There will be an even greater focus on gaeilge during the week through engagement with scéalta, drámaíocht, amhráin, ealaín, dánta, cómhrá agus cluichí. “Green, White and Gold Day” will take place on Friday 16th, whereby all pupils will be invited to wear their colours!
Bake Sale
Our Student Council will organise a bake sale, also to take place on the 16th March at 2pm. Families are invited to bake in preparation for the sale and to drop items to school at 9pm that morning in order that “The Shamrock Bakery” may be ready and open for business at 2pm. This event has been extremely popular over the past two years and we sincerely thank you in advance for your support! Monies raised will fund the purchase of further titles in our graded reading scheme and novels.
St Patrick’s Day:
School will be closed on Monday 19th March.
Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE):
Please note that in relation to the revised Stay Safe programme, topics will be taught throughout the year as follows, rather than in May and June as was the case.
October: Feeling Safe and Unsafe December: Friendship and Bullying
February: Touches April: Secrets and Telling
June: Strangers
Our revised and ratified S.P.H.E. policy will shortly be available to view on our website.
Website:
We encourage each family to check our website regularly. We do our best to update photographs, provide information on projects being undertaken and provide practical information about the practices in our school. Please note that our recently reviewed and ratified Admissions Policy, along with its Application to Enrol Form, may now be viewed. Should any parent wish to gain further information on any of our school policies not posted on the website, please do not hesitate to contact the principal, who will make same available.
Dates to Remember:
Midterm Break- Thursday 15th and Friday 16th February
First Penance- Monday 26th March at 7.30pm
Seachtain na Gaeilge- Week beginning 12th March
“Green, White and Gold Day” and Bake Sale- Friday 16th March
St. Patrick’s Day- School closed on Monday 19th March
Easter Holidays- Friday 23rd March (12.15pm close)
Thanking all families for your continued support.
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan