Christmas Newsletter 2011

Dear Parents/Guardians,
May we take this opportunity to wish all our Pupils & Parents a very Happy & Peaceful Christmas. Thank you very much for all the interest and support you have shown to us during the last term.

Christmas Holidays:
School Closes at 11.50 a.m. Thurs. 22nd December and re-opens on Monday, 9th January 2012.

New Board of Management.
This Board will run from 1st December 2011 to 30th November 2015.  We wish them well in their work for the school.
Patron's Nominees:

• Mr.Brendan Fitzgerald (Chairperson)
• Fr. Frank Reburn
• School representatives:
• Mr. Steve Prendergast
• Ms. Annemarie Creavin.
• Parents' representatives.
• Mr. Derek Dunne
• Ms. Michelle Cahill,
• Wider Community representatives.
• Ms. Maeve O'Connor
• Mr. Stuart Bourke.

Maintenance Contribution
We would like to express our sincere appreciation to all those who have submitted contributions.
Reminder: We are very aware of the current climate and the difficult position that families may find themselves in.  However, we ask those who have not yet contributed to make every effort to support the school. Payments can be phased to suit everyone's circumstances.
We are very privileged to have such a fine school and we will continue to work, with your support, to maintain and improve the school for the benefit of our children.

Annual Christmas Hampers appeal for St. Vincent de Paul.
Thank you once again for your great generosity this year.  Last Friday the Vincent de Paul van was completely filled with items from the school.  These items will help many families over the Christmas period.

Celebration of Advent
Each morning for the Season of Advent two classes come to the foyer to participate in an Advent Prayer Service. The children sing carols and read prayers surrounded by the crib, the Christmas tree and Santa on his sleigh. A different child opens a new door in the Advent Crib each day to reveal a surprise inside, while another child lights the candles on the Advent wreath.  Thank you to Ms. Hyland for organising these services which help the pupils focus on the real meaning of Christmas.
During Christmas week all the pupils will be going to the hall for Christmas carols and some fun seasonal tunes.

Parents Council:
The Art Competition Raffle took place on 6th December. There was a huge attendance at this event.  The standard of entries was extremely high and the judge had great difficulty in choosing the winners.
An amount of time and energy went in to organising this event, so we thank all the parents who gave so freely of their time.  Thank you also to all the businesses and parents who donated over 50 prizes for the raffle.
As a gesture of thanks to all the children the Parents Council have given every child a selection box for Christmas.

Confirmation & Communion.
Confirmation: 22nd March.
Communion: 12th May.
Reception of the Sacraments is an important occasion for all children.  The teachers are busy preparing the children for these sacraments.  Parental support is also essential.  This can best be given by helping to keep the children focussed on the essence of what the Sacraments are about, by bringing them to Mass, by praying with them and sharing your own understanding of the sacraments with them.

A big thank you to Ms. Gertrude Gill (Pastoral worker) and Fr. Frank for visiting and supporting the children in the preparation for these sacraments.

Accord-Programme for Emerging Young Adults for 5th/6th class.
Dates of this year:
Parents meeting Tues, 7th February at 8.00 p.m. hall.
28th February (change of date) - 4 facilitators with 6th class.
1st March - 4 facilitators with 5th class.
You will receive 2 forms:
(a) Guidelines & Conditions.
(b) Consent.
(c) You will receive details re: fees and forms nearer the time.
OWLS School'- A Nature Awareness Programme.
We are one of the lucky schools in Dublin to  avail of this brilliant and exciting course.  Our third classes are really enjoying it.
This programme is aimed at increasing awareness of the natural environment in young children by using the outdoors as an 'Outdoor Classroom'.  The visits are facilitated by the Education Officer - Andrew Fleming (aka 'mouse') . Andrew was very impressed with the children's enthusiasm while making their bird feeders recently.  We hope these feeders have found their way to your garden to help to sustain our feathered friends during the winter.

Room 11  5th  class go "Al Italia"
It was November 22nd when room 11 was transformed into a corner of Italy.  Students had completed their Italian projects and it was all systems go.  T-shirts were painted in the Italian colours during art, banners were created during computers -  all that was required was the food.  Mrs. Shaw and a number of students brought in food which was cooked in the kitchen by Jane, Darren and a number of other students.
The aroma of garlic bread, pizza, and Italian bread wafted around the corridors.  The students decorated the classroom and laid the tables for the class fiesta.  During this Italian experience students watched a dvd on the cities of Italy.  A great day was had by all.

Chess Success.
We have some very enthusiastic chess players in the school.  Every Tuesday under the watchful eye of their  coach Mr. Tom Fitzpatrick teaches them exciting and complex new chess strategies.
We had a visit recently from St. Andrew's N.S. who  brought 10 players who have recently taken up chess.  Our pupils really enjoyed the competition and chat with their near neighbours.  Well done to all.

News2day Art Competition.
Mrs. Shaw's class recently took part in the RTE News2day Art competition.  Students created a picture illustrating what Christmas might mean to them.
Congratulations to Darren Breen who won a selection box as one of the runner-up prizes.

6th Class 2nd level Applications.
N.B. Our school roll no. is 19627c.


Feet First Friday & Golden Boot Awards
Our Feet First Fridays are proving to be a great success. Each non-uniform first Friday the pupils, parents and staff are encouraged to travel to school in as sustainable way as possible. There is great competition between the classes to win the Golden Boot award. Lots of classes have already had an opportunity to hold the award for one month. As we will be continuing with this initiative until March there will be more chances for other classes in the school to win! Well done everyone and keep walking/ cycling/ park 'n striding! Well done to Ms. Farrell & the Green Committee for all their hard work.

Website
Our new look website went live this month. It includes more images and content. We are pleased with how it looks and are sorting out a few small technical issues still!

Curriculum Music.
In attempting to promote our curriculum music in the school, so far this year, we have purchased an entire new music programme called 'The Right Note' for all year levels.  There are also some exciting new musical instruments and resources being purchased at the moment which we are sure the children will enjoy playing with and learning from! Thanks to Ms. Ireland for organising this programme.

Swimming:
Our 3rd classes have enjoyed a very successful ten week course of lessons in Westwood ,Clontarf. Many of them have learned to swim, while others are in training for the 2016 Olympic Games! ! Our 4th classes have just started their series of lessons. Swimming is part of the Aquatics Programme in the Primary Curriculum and we find the lessons invaluable. Thank you to Ms. Hyland for organising these classes.

Reminder: Children should wear the proper shoes with their uniform - black shoes with school uniform and runners on P.E. days.
All children must bring a wash bag for their own personal use.
Children should not be on the school premises before 8:30 a.m. in the morning.

We wish all our Pupils & Parents/Guardians
a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas.

iPads
Our 6th classes have been very busy exploring new horizons on the I-pads which are now in full use in the four classes.  The children have been engaged in some wonderful interactive educational apps and have explored the internet under the guidance of their teachers.  A big thank you to Ms.Droney for all her help with this project.  Further updates to follow.