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 2020!
Board of Management
We wish to welcome and thank members of our new Board of Management, which came into being on December 1st.
Chairperson: Joanne Beary
Secretary: Heidi Jordan
Patron’s Nominee: Fr. Pat Burns
Teacher’s Nominee: Tina Hickey
Parent Nominees: Donal Grace (Treasurer) and Sharon Aylmer
Community Nominees: Dan Quinn and Marie Ryan
Open Afternoon for Incoming Junior Infants
Our annual Open Afternoon for the Junior Infants of 2020/21 will take place on Wednesday, 15th January, 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. We kindly ask that our parents share the date for our Open Afternoon should they know of any prospective pupils.
Staff Meeting
All pupils will go home at 1.40pm on Thursday 23rd January due to a staff meeting.
School Closure
School will be closed on Friday 24th January due to teacher training in the new Primary Language Curriculum.
Internet Safety Talk
Ger Brick will present an internet safety talk to senior pupils during school on Monday 27th January.
Catholic Schools Week
Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated in our school from 27th -31st January. The theme for Catholic Schools’ Week this year is “Living in Harmony with God’s Creation.” 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 29th January. This celebration will provide an opportunity for us to thank our grandparents for all the care which they provide. All pupils are kindly asked to bring in a photo of their grandparents/ them with their grandparents by Thursday 23rd January please. We encourage all grandparents to attend and to join us for a cup of tea afterwards.
Sacraments
A date will soon be confirmed for the Sacrament of Penance. Senior pupils will kindly form the choir for this special occasion. First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 25th April in Templebraden Church. We wish our candidates, Micheál, Seán and Nicole, well in their preparation.
School Initiatives
Literacy Lift Off recommenced last week in the junior classroom.
Mata sa Rang will continue in the junior room each Friday whilst IZAK9 will continue in the senior classroom.
Mr Heffernan looks forward to starting spike ball training next week with senior pupils, whilst he also looks forward to preparing a girls team for the indoor hurling tournament. Additionally, we will participate in Spar Fives Soccer tournament!
Our robotics project will begin in the senior classroom later this month.
On the recommendation of the student council/ Amber Flag committee, Friendship Friday will take place every second Friday, as set up by the Active Schools’ Committee.
Creative School Update
We welcomed our creative associate, Andy Spearpoint, back to Garrydoolis on Thursday last. Andy worked with the creative committee which comprises Anna, Caoimhe R., Denis, Aisling and Micheál, in narrowing down their project ideas to just four. These ideas will be revealed later in the week and pupils will be invited to vote on the topic which will become our creative schools’ project this year.
Spike Ball Tournament
Senior pupils will attend the Spike Ball Tournament in Limerick in March. Date and consent form to follow as soon as we receive details regarding this event.
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 late January.
Midterm Break
School will be closed on February 20th and 21st for midterm break.
“Sister Act”
Just as the junior pupils enjoyed a trip to Glen Vets prior to Christmas, senior pupils will head off to Hospital on Friday 28th February to enjoy a performance of “Sister Act” at John the Baptist Community School. The cost per pupil for entry will be five euro and we thank the board who will cover travel expenses. Consent forms will follow.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place during the week beginning Monday 9th 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!
St Patrick’s Day
School will be closed on Tuesday 17th March.
Easter Celebrations
Our Student Council will organise an egg hunt and Easter egg raffle for the pupils. They have also requested that pupils be allowed to wear their own clothes to school on the day of the holidays. School will close for Easter holidays at 12.15pm on Friday 3rd April.
Dates to Remember
Open Afternoon- Wednesday 15th January at 2.50pm
Staff Meeting- 1.40pm close on Thursday 23rd January
School Closure- Teacher training in new P.L.C. on Friday 24th January
Midterm Break- Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February
Seachtain na Gaeilge- Week beginning 9th March
“Green, White and Gold Day”- Monday 16th March
St. Patrick’s Day- School closed on Tuesday 17th March
Easter Holidays- Friday 3rd April (12.15pm close)
School Re-opens- Monday 20th April
Thanking all families for your continued support.
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan
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