Newsletter – September 2017
Welcome
We extend a warm welcome back, to all our girls and boys, for the school year 2017/2018. We especially welcome all our new pupils in Junior Infants this year, Lily, Calum, Lily, Oran, Ellie, Hannah, Orla, Myleene, Odhran, Kyle, Cian and Rosaleen and Paddy who has joined Ms. Maguire ’s 3rd class.
Summer Works at the school
We are delighted with the results of the major refurbishment of Ms. Maguire’s room over the Summer break. An internal wall between two of our smaller classrooms was demolished, creating a large, bright, state of the art classroom. The children and staff are thrilled with the extra space provided. In addition, due to an increase in pupil numbers at the school this year, we will be getting a new teacher in September 2018. The Board of Management are now at the early stages of seeking funding from the Department of Education to build a new wing at the Nenagh side of the school, to include a new classroom for our new teacher. We will update you all accordingly, as this exciting new phase in our School Development plan enfolds.
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. The Parents Association have already extended an invitation to their AGM which will be held in the school hall on Tuesday 3rd October at 7.30pm.Please come along on the night, your participation and support as Parents is both welcomed and appreciated.
Internet Safety Seminar for Parents
Zeeko, is an Irish company, specialising in the challenges we all face, particularly as parents in relation to Internet safety and children. Zeeko will be coming to the school on Tuesday 17th October, to provide internet safety workshops for children from first class up. The workshops will be delivered in an age appropriate manner and will cover topics such as cyberbullying, digital stranger danger, data privacy and inappropriate content. More information can be found on their website zeeko.ie.
In the meantime, children will complete a short survey at school which Zeeko will use to prepare for the event. This survey is anonymous.
This day will also include an afterschool workshop for teachers and staff at the school. In addition, parents are invited to attend a parents meeting that evening. Please find info sheet attached. This meeting will be held in the school hall at 7pm and we strongly encourage your attendance. We would like to thank Tipperary Leader who kindly funded this seminar. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate in contacting your child’s class teacher.
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 InvitesSchool Uniform Together with the Parents Association, we ask that in order to prevent a headlice breakout during the school year, please ensure that long hair is tied up for school. Please continue to check your child’s hair regularly. In the interests of health and safety, class teachers will remind children to tie up long hair.Tin Whistle Communion and Confirmation Dates
- The date for Confirmation is Saturday 12th May at 11am and the date for the First Holy Communion is Saturday May 26th at 11.30am.
- 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.
- Headlice
- 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 and you can continue to use your own discretion here. Shorts/skort must be black or black and white (Kilruane club shorts are acceptable).
- 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.
- 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.
Communion and Confirmation Dates
The date for Confirmation is Saturday 12th May at 11am and the date for the First Holy Communion is Saturday May 26th at 11.30am