Memo No. 7 to Parents 12th February 2018
Dear Parents,
‘Anois teacht an Earraigh, ta an lá ag dul chun síniú’………Spring has arrived and the days are stretching! Great to see the brighter mornings and the longer evenings, even if it has come with a bit of snow!! We have had a really busy few weeks since our return to school in January and I am sure you are all looking forward to the short break ahead with no lunches, uniforms and homework etc
The following are just a few notes and reminders as we head into our Mid-Term break on Wednesday:
- School Sponsored Walk:
We have our school sponsored walk tomorrow, weather permitting. The forecast is good but it will be cold, so please ensure that your child comes to school with proper warm/rain-proof shoes and the usual hats, scarves, gloves and warm coats.
I have told the children that they should get people to sponsor them only if it is possible and if their parents allow them, but that it is okay if they cannot or if they are not allowed. We do not want any child or family to feel any form of pressure to get sponsorship or to gather a lot of money.
I have also told the children that they may not be able to raise any money at all, even at home, and this is also okay, but that they must return their sponsorship card even if there is nothing on it, we are obliged to gather all cards as proof of monies collected or no monies collected.
We hope to put some of the money towards a new photocopier , and the rest towards extra classroom resources for Reading, Music, P.E., and Maths especially.
On a lighter note, it is great that the children will get out into the fresh air and get some exercise in a fun way with their classmates…just wrap up well!
- Columba’s on Red FM:
A group of pupils ranging from Junior Infants to Sixth Classes had a discussion with a presenter from Red FM today in school. It was recorded and will be on air tomorrow on the Neil Prenderville show. The idea was to have a spontaneous discussion with young people about a range of issues to get the views of our younger population. The pupils were terrific and will definitely make a name for themselves (and us) as ‘up and coming’ current affairs presenters and performers, well done to those who took part, and please tune in if you can do so tomorrow.
- Ceremony of Light:
We wish our Sixth Class Confirmation candidates well as they celebrate their Ceremony of light tonight in St. Columba’s Church at 6.30 p.m. It is hard to believe that they are ‘coming of age’ so fast! Tonight is a lovely ceremony whereby parents and the school community present the children to the church, to the priest and to God for their Confirmation. We pray that the path of light and goodness will shine for them as they embark on the next stage of their spiritual and personal lives over the next few years. Thank you to all staff members who have helped the children to prepare for this ceremony. Parents and children are asked to be in the church at 6.20 p.m, and don’t forget the important candle!
- Mass in St. Columba’s Church on Ash Wednesday this week:
Our children from 2nd to 6th Classes will partake in the 10 o’clock Mass in the above Church on Ash Wednesday this week. They will provide the music for the Mass. All family members and members of our school community are welcome to join us as we mark the first day of Lent and pray and sing together.
- School Milk:
The new term for school milk begins on Wednesday 21st February after the Mid-Term break. Orla will send out a memo/email re same this week.
- The School Phone App:
Finally, after a delay on the part the providers, our school phone app is almost ready for downloading and use. This will be up and running for the new term immediately after the Mid-Term break.
- 12 o’clock finish on Wednesday for St. Columba’s GNS with Facility for Deaf Children:
Please remember that we finish for our Mid-Term break this Wednesday, returning to school on next Monday, 19th February. To facilitate whole staff training on the new requirements of school personnel in the new legislation on Child Protection, the children in our school finish at 12 o’clock on Wednesday while staff remain in school for the first half of the above training. It is unfortunate that the DES (Department of Education and Skills) could not co-ordinate the date for the Boys and the Girls’ school for this half of the Child Protection training, however, we have managed get the same date for the second half of the training for March 16th, heading into the St. Patrick’s Day long weekend, whereby the children from both schools will finish at 12 o’clock to facilitate staff training together.
Enjoy the short break at the end of the week…. and the sunshine, the snow and all the different weathers we are likely to get!
Karen O’Sullivan (Principal)