Welcome back to school!
All pupils and families are very welcome back to school. I would like to extend a very special welcome to our two new junior infants, Hannah Grace and Tadhg Ryan. We send best wishes to all associated with our school for what we hope will be an extremely happy and successful academic year.
A Few Reminders
Communication
At Garrydoolis N.S. we encourage communication and the sharing of ideas and opinions. Should a parent wish to meet his/her child’s class teacher he/she is most welcome to do so. Parents can arrange an appointment through the school secretary, by writing to the teacher, via email at garrydoolisns@gmail.com or by mentioning it to the teacher when collecting their child.
In the event of an emergency during school holidays/ outside of school hours, contact with the principal/ school authorities may be made via email. The phone answering service is also operational, should you wish to leave a message.
Uniform/ P.E. Day
Children are expected to wear their full uniform to school each day. Heeled and wedged shoes are discouraged. The school tracksuit should be worn only on PE day which will be each Monday and Friday during the first half term (day may change during GAA seasons). Pupils in the senior classroom are kindly requested to each have a pair of maroon football socks, football boots and gum shield for our participation in the football seven-a-side tournament. Junior pupils should each have a gum shield for rugby and football. We always recommend that children keep a spare pair of socks in schoolbags as they may prove useful on wet days. We expect tracksuit orders to arrive to the school from All Season Sports this week. Pupils should wear tracksuits as of this Friday for P.E.
Healthy Lunches
Pupils are encouraged to bring a healthy lunch to school in line with our healthy eating policy. Treats such as fizzy drinks, chocolate, crisps and sweets should be avoided. Pupils are welcome to use the fridge in the support room should they wish to bring a beaker of milk. Please ensure that drinks bottles are labelled. In the event of a birthday or special occasion, parents are welcome to provide treats for their child to distribute amongst classmates, should they so wish. Equally, teachers may choose to present a treat as acknowledgement of an achievement. As we all become increasingly aware of the importance and benefits of healthy eating habits, we encourage your support in this regard.
Reduce our Rubbish!
In connection with our green schools project, we would ask that all pupils continue to take lunch rubbish home in their lunchboxes in an effort to reduce rubbish levels in the school. We thank pupils and parents for their continued cooperation with this endeavour. This year we continue to work towards our sixth green flag!
Birthday Invitations
We ask that invitations to birthday parties are distributed outside of school please.
Explanation of Pupil Absences
As you are aware, teachers have a strict obligation in tracking pupil attendance at school. At Garrydoolis, we are exceptionally lucky to have such an exemplary pupil attendance record. We kindly ask that parents provide either a verbal or written explanation to their child’s teacher in the event of absence from school.
Traffic
We wish to remind parents/ minders that, due to our school’s location, drivers are requested to refrain from turning their cars outside of the school building. We would also ask that out of respect to our neighbour, the private driveway adjacent to the school would not be blocked by school traffic. Pupils are reminded to wear high vis jackets to school each day and parents are kindly asked to accompany pupils to the gate in the mornings and to collect them there at home times. The safety of all of our pupils and their families is of the utmost importance to us and we thank you for your co-operation in this regard.
Social Media
The Board of Management wishes to remind parents that social media is not a platform through which negative feedback or negative personal opinions relating to our school should be shared. We have very clear and open communication procedures and encourage parents to use same. Unfortunately, a negative comment was posted on social media in late June causing much upset to staff, board members and indeed some parents. Much time was given to this issue and the board are satisfied that it was fully investigated and that best practice and procedures were adhered to.
A Wonderful Summer of Hurling!
Congratulations to all of our Tipperary supporters who recently celebrated their team winning the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Under 20 Hurling Finals. Fantastic results indeed for all of our Tipp supporters! Well done also to our Limerick supporters on their team’s Munster Final win… and we can’t forget Wexford’s tremendous defeat of Kilkenny on Leinster Final Day!!
Creative School
We are delighted to have been successful in our application to take part in the Creative Schools’ Project during this academic year. We hope to review our school policy and to further enhance our practice across all aspects of arts education.
Junior Infant Timetable
Junior infants will go home at 12 midday during their first two and a half weeks at school. Therefore, junior infants will start to go home at 1.40p.m., as normal, on the week beginning September 16th.
Treetops Montessori
Best wishes are extended to Tracy Hourigan, owner of the Treetops Montessori and Afterschool, as she begins the year in her fabulous new facility in Old Pallas. Please note that Tracy is picking up for afterschool from Garrydoolis N.S. at the infant collect time of 1.40pm. Should you wish to make further enquiries please contact Tracy on 086 8718028
Staff Meeting
A staff meeting will be held on Friday 13th September. Please note that school will close at 1.40p.m. on the day.
Student Council
The elections for student council representatives will take place in the senior classroom on Wednesday 4th of September. As in previous years, five members of the senior class will be elected to represent students during this school year.
Homework Survey
At Garrydoolis N.S., we are continuously reviewing and evaluating our educational practice. This year, we wish to examine homework in our school and we welcomed the views of parents, staff and students on our homework practice. Please find an associated survey attached to this newsletter. Your time in completing same and returning to class teachers by Wednesday 11th is much appreciated. Meanwhile, pupils in the senior classroom will complete a related questionnaire.
Download: Homework-Survey-for-Parents [MS-Word] | Homework-Survey-for-Parents [PDF]
Sammy Stamps
Garrydoolis N.S. Sammy Stamps Saving Scheme will recommence on Wednesday 11th September. Stamps will be sold to pupils on Wednesdays this year.
Sponsored Walk for “Eve the Warrior Princess”
Our newly elected Student Council will have a busy first few weeks organising what we hope will be a lovely celebration for the family, friends and local community of Baby Eve Creamer. As you may be aware, Eve, little sister of senior infant pupil Ayryn, suffers from a very rare skin condition. In honour of this little warrior, we plan to host a sponsored fancy dress walk at 10am on Saturday morning 28th September. Children are invited to dress up as warriors, superheroes or princesses, should they so wish, and refreshments will be served at school following the walk. Sponsorship cards will be distributed shortly.
Parents Association
Annual AGM will be held in the school on Thursday 12th of September at 8pm. All parents are most welcome. Your support and sharing of opinions and expertise is vital to the success of our school. Therefore, we look forward to working together in the best interests of our pupils.
Bag Pack Fundraiser
Please be reminded that our bag pack will take place in Dunnes, Tipp Town on Saturday 26th of October. Parental support is crucial if this event is to be a success, so we kindly ask parents to consider giving an hour or two on the day. Past pupils and friends of our school may also wish to lend a hand. It would be appreciated if you could please make teachers aware as soon as possible of your availability to help out. A draft timetable will then be formulated. We thank you most sincerely in advance for your time and support!
Sports
We look forward to commencing preparation for the seven-a-side football tournament prior to Halloween. Senior pupils will also take part in spike ball training with a view to entering the tournament again later in the year. We look forward to welcoming Jim Kissane back for rugby coaching for all classes on Monday 9th September. Jim will be with us for four weeks. All pupils must have gum shields please and a change of socks on these days. Junior pupils should bring a change of footwear in case the field is damp, whilst senior pupils must have football boots. We kindly ask for a contribution of €2 per pupil towards the cost of each session.
Tradtime
We also look forward to welcoming Tradtime back to our school. Sessions will commence on September 16th and will run for six weeks. The total cost of these lessons will be covered by our Creative Schools grant.
Wellbeing Wednesday
In line with our promotion of wellbeing and positive mental health, pupils will complete a related activity in school each Wednesday.
Projects and Initiatives
Projects to be undertaken in our school this year include the Green Schools’ Flag, the Amber Flag, Super Troopers and Food Dudes. Meanwhile, senior pupils will also start robotics and prepare a project for Science Blast. Literacy Lift Off, Maths Blast and Cluichí agus Craic will all recommence.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent teacher meetings will take place during the week commencing Monday 21st October. Appointments will be distributed nearer the time.
Christmas Show
Please note well in advance that this year’s Christmas show will take place on Friday 13th December. Our dress rehearsal will take place on Thursday 12th.
“Aladdin”
All pupils will travel by bus to the University Concert Hall to see a performance of “Aladdin” on Wednesday 18th December at 10am.
Dates to Remember
- Student Council Elections – Wednesday 4th September
- Homework Surveys Deadline – Wednesday 11th September
- Sammy Stamps recommences – Wednesday 11th September
- Parents’ Association AGM – Thursday 12th September at 8pm
- Staff Meeting – Friday 13th September, school will close at 1.40p.m.
- Walk for Eve the Warrior Princess – Saturday 28th September at 10am
- Maths Week – Week of 14th October
- NCBI Clothes Recycling Collection – Monday 14th October
- Parent Teacher Meetings – Week of 21st October
- Halloween Holidays and Dress Up – Friday 25th October
- Bag Pack in Dunnes – Saturday 26th October
- Friendship Week and Science Week – Week of 10th November
- Christmas Show Dress Rehearsal – Thursday 12th December
- Christmas Show – Friday 13th December
- “Aladdin” – Wednesday 18th December
- Christmas Holidays – Friday 20th December, 12.15pm close
With thanks to all families as we commence another busy year at Garrydoolis N.S.
Keep up with news and photos on our website www.garrydoolisns.com
Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan
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