Newsletter – September 2016

Welcome
We extend a warm welcome back, to all our girls and boys, for the school year 2016/2017. We especially welcome all our new pupils in Junior Infant this year, Siún, Laura, Liam, Sarah, Conn, Mark, Caoimhe, Nessa, Oisín, Cian, Seán, Conor, Katie, Jack and to Pádraig who has joined Ms.Ryan’s 2nd class.

Parent/Teacher Communications
The Principal and staff operate an ‘open door’ policy regarding parent/teacher communications. Working together, we can provide the very best for your child. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your child’s education, or indeed if you have any worries or concerns that you would like to share with us, we both welcome and encourage you to do so. We ask that you make an appointment with your child’s class teacher through our school secretary. In that way your child’s teacher can give you their full attention. In addition, formal Parent teacher meetings will be held later in the school year.

Office Hours
Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday , 9am -2pm. If you have a telephone query or you wish to call to the office in person, or pay a bill, we ask that you do so within the times outlined above. The office and telephone will be unattended outside of these times as all staff must prioritise their pupils and their teaching duties.

Payments to the office
Please continue to forward any outstanding back to school payments to the school office (Book rental, art and craft, school Insurance, swimming etc ) As usual, we ask that all payments made to the office are in an envelope:
• With your child’s name clearly written on it
• Detailing what the payment is for (book rental, insurance, swimming etc)

Birthday Invites
Just to remind you all, we ask that Birthday Invites are not distributed in school. Young children in particular can become quite upset if they haven’t been invited. We ask for your continued co-operation in relation to this matter.

School Uniform
Tracksuit days will be Thursday and Friday as usual. Full school uniform must be worn Monday to Wednesday. If your daughter chooses to wear a skirt/pinafore we ask that she please wear grey or black socks or tights. Some children are still opting to wear shorts or skort. Shorts/skort must be black or black and white (Kilruane club shorts are acceptable).

Tin Whistle
Tin Whistle classes for 1st to 6th classes resumed during the month. As usual your child’s class teacher will collect €1 weekly (per child) to go towards the cost of the lessons.

Enrolment Ceremony/Communion Date
An Enrolment ceremony for the sacrament classes (2nd & 6th) will be held in Kilruane church on Saturday 15th October at 6pm. Parents are invited to attend together with their son/daughter. The date for the First Holy Communion is Saturday April 29th at 11.30am. Confirmation date is yet to be finalised.

Drama Classes
As you are aware the children have been enjoying weekly drama classes on Wednesdays with local drama teacher, Joanna Parks. These classes are fully funded by Tipperary County Council Artist in Residency Scheme and will be running for ten weeks. Joanna will also incorporate some art and craft and creative writing activities into her lessons. The broad theme for the drama lessons is Biodiversity, with particular emphasis on the bogland environment surrounding our school, all tying in with our journey towards our fifth Green Flag.

Cross Country Championships
Congratulations to all the boys and girls who represented our School at the Cross Country Championships in Thurles yesterday. Each and every one of them put in an outstanding performance. A special mention for Darragh O’Leary who came first in his race and for Eoin O’Neill who came third, the 3rd / 4th class boys team who were awarded third place and the 5th/ 6th class girls team who came second. A big thank you to Ms.Maguire for guiding the after school training sessions and to Mrs O’Meara for her assistance.