NEWS LE TTE
NEWSLETTER November 2011 November 2011 Volume 5, Issue 1
St. Brigids National School Killygarry
St . B rig id s N at i onal Sch oo l K illy garr y
Inside this issue:
Inside this issue :
Welcome Back!
Welcome Back!
Welcome back to all the pupils of St. Brigids National School after the Christmas Halloween Holidays. Hope youyou had We hope had an an enjoyable break. enjoyable break. This newsletter has been put together for all parents to This newsletter has been inform you of all the up and put together for all parents coming events that the to inform you of all the up school are participating in and coming events that the during this term. The big school are participating in event this term is the Christover the next few months. mas Concert and Retirement All the events mentioned Function for Ms. Kennedy in will take place between now the Hotel Kilmore on Thursand the Easter Holidays. All day 15th of December at families will be receive a 7:00p.m. further newsletter after In this listing the you will Easter newsletterevents and find information in term. activities for the lastrelation to Cumann na mBunscol, our new Astro-Turf Pitch and car park. In this newsletter you will find information in relation Our school Child Protection Policy has been upto Healthy Eating, Sporting dated and the check- Fair. Events and the Book list has been completed and signed by the Board of [Link] management The staff of the school would like to The Parent Teacher meetthank all the parents and ings will be taking place relatives who collected a between now and Christhuge amount of Tesco mas. Some meetings may Sports for Schools Tokens take place later than others and for those who are curas teachers aim to get to rently collecting the Superknow their pupils abilities Value Tokens. Over the past better. A number of student number of years the school teachers have been in the has received a wide range school this term so the of sports equipment thanks teachers would like more to the active involvement of time before they arrange the parents of the school certain parent/teacher meetand the wider community. ings.. PARENTS ASSOCIATION A number of new policies A new Parents Association have been formulated in the committee has been set up school including a policy on and the chairperson is Ms. Mary Mc Intyre for of Medithe Administration a second consecutive year. The Parcine. This policy will be cirents Association had in the culated to all parents their Annual weeks. coming General Meeting on Tuesday the 11th of October in the school. The Parents Association are BOARD OF MANAGEMENT holding a Horse Race Night A new Board 4th of April on Friday the of Manage- in ment is currently been set the Meadow View, Cavan. up and details to follow. Further is due to take office on the 1st of December 2011. The Parents Nominees were elected prior to the To celebrate St. Brigids Day Parents Association A.G.M. all pupils are asked to bring A rushes on Wednesday in presentation was given by the school principal on the 30th of January to make role and function of will crosses. The crosses the Board of Management. A then be blessed at a mass in sincere word Friday 1st of the school onof thanks to the outgoing Board of ManFebruary. agement for all their help and support to the school over the past four years.
Green Flag Healthy Eating
G.A.A.
Goodbye Ms. Kennedy Other Sporting Events 2
Calendar of Events New Teaching Staff More up and coming Events Christmas Concert Out and About
3 3 4 3
New Board of Book Fair Management
Valedictory Mass for Ms. Kennedy
Funding granted from the International Fund for Ireland
Enrolment
Ongoing Projects
around our Outdoor Classroom and would ask parents to provide some shrubs and plants for our new garden. Astro-Turf Pitch The new astro-turf pitch has been installed and all pupils are timetabled to use it during the week. Car Parking A new staff car park has been built at the front of the school to cater for visitor car parking during the school day. Parents are asked not to park here as it will block the set-down area.
New Outdoor Classroom to be built soon.
The closing date for enrolOutdoor Classroom ment of all new pupils to the The school is hopschool for September 2008 ing to build an Outdoor is the 14th of March 2008. Classroom over the coming months as part of our Green School Programme. This All parents who wish to enspace will be able to cater rol their child in St. Brigids for a full class of pupils. We National School must conhope to put in a garden tact the school at 049-
Car parking facilities have improved.
New Traditional Irish Music Group in Killygarry N.S.
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St. Brigids National School
Green Flag
St. Brigids National School received its second Green Flag in May and it was raised at the school sports day. The school has now received a Green Flag for:1. 2. Recycling Energy Conservation spells of weather. It can also be used to water our flowers and plants which are grown in our classrooms. We are currently monitoring our water usage in the school. Double flush buttons have been installed on all the toilets and thermostatic valves have been put on all the sinks. The Energy Conservation team ensure the taps are all turned off in the classrooms. All taps in the toilets have push buttons to ensure minimum water usage. The staff and pupils continue to reduce, reuse and recycle in the school to maintain their first green flag. We continue to conserve energy and in the new school extension there are sensors on the lights which turn the lights on when you enter the room and turn the lights off as soon as you leave the room.
We are now working on conserving water in the school. We have just installed a rain butt to our new school building which gathers all the water from the roof of the school. This water can be used to water our lawn and plants during dry
G.A.A.
Hurling Hurling training for all boys and girls in third and fourth class has begun on the new astro-turf pitch on a Monday morning from 9-11am. The Cumann na mBunscol Hurling matches will not begin until after the Easter Holidays. Congratulations to the schools hurling team who won the Division 1 Cumann na mBunscol Hurling League in June after winning the Division 2 final in the previous year of 2010. Gaelic Football The school boys Gaelic Football Team played really well in the Cumann na mBunscol Division 3 League before the Halloween break. The first team that the boys played was Ballyhaise N.S. This game was played on the 3G Pitch at Breffni Park and ended in a draw. The second game took place in Drumgoon G.F.C and was against Dernakesh N.S. The boys team then played Drumkilly N.S. in Kilnaleck but were beaten by a small margin. Thank you to Mrs. Prior and Miss Neylon for training the boys football team and for coaching them at their matches. Girls Gaelic football matches will not take place until after Easter. Training will begin when the weather improves. Andrew Mc Govern has been coaching third to sixth class pupils from September to October on the astro-turf pitch.
Goodbye Ms. Kennedy
We are very sad to announce the retirement of Ms. Kennedy. Ms. Kennedy has been teaching in St. Brigids N.S., Killygarry since 1985. For the past 26 years Ms. Kennedy has worked tremendously hard in enabling her pupils to achieve their full potential. Ms. Kennedy had a great interest throughout her teaching career in pupils with special educational needs. She encouraged every child to work to the best of their ability and she made it possible for her pupils to experience success and achievement in their learning. Ms. Kennedy always enjoyed outdoor life and she instilled this love in her pupils. You would regularly find Ms. Kennedy and her pupils outside in the school garden planting new flowers that they had grown in the classroom, sowing seeds and tending the vegetables. Ms. Kennedy also enjoyed the arts particularly music and teaching her pupils how to play the tin whistle or how to knit. She had a great interest in history and geography and loved hearing about her pupils travels with Busy Bee. She enjoyed watching her pupils presenting their projects or producing beautiful art work. Every year Ms. Kennedy brought the school pupils to the relay racing, cross-country running and the swimming gala. Ms. Kennedy is a wonderful teacher who will be sadly missed.
Volume 5, Issue 1
Page 3
Events Gone By...
Wednesday 7th September Gymnastics began for all pupils in the Junior Classes Friday 16th September Fifth and Sixth class pupils visited the sisters of the Holy Rosary Convent in Cavan. Thursday 22nd September Boys Gaelic Football Match on the 3G Pitch in Breffni Park against Ballyhaise N.S. @ 3:00p.m. Tuesday 27th September Boys Football Match against Dernakesh N.S. in Drumgoon G..F.C. @ 2:00p.m. Thursday 29th September Ms. Keaneys class made pizzas. Friday 30th September Miss Wynnes and Ms. Kennedys Class won a Pizza Party for good behaviour on yard and in the classroom. Tuesday 4th October Boys Gaelic Football match against Drumkilly N.S. in Kilnaleck G.F.C. at 3:15p.m. Wednesday 5th October Mrs. Dunnes class went to the Library to listen to a story teller. Tuesday 11th October Mr. Terry Leddy, Diocesan Advisor, visited all the classes in the school All teachers were trained in CPR and Defibrillator use from 2p.m. to 5p.m. Elections of Parents Nominees to the Board of Management at 7:30p.m. AGM of the Parents Association at 8p.m.
More Events
Thursday 13th October Kathleen Mc Cabe visited the school to talk to the pupils about the charity Children Helping Children Miss Wynnes class went to the Ann Frank exhibition in the Anglo Celt Office. Friday 14th October The fifth class pupils visited the elderly in Esker Lodge. Wednesday 26h October Sean Agnew came first in the Cavan Lions Club Peace Poster Art Competition. Friday 11th November 119 Shoe Boxes were sent to pupils in Eastern Asia as part of the Shoe Box Appeal. Tuesday 15th November Parent/Teacher Meetings began. Wednesday 16t h & Thursday 17th November Samba Classes begin for all pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class Wednesday 16th November Cross-Country running in the Rugby Club in Cavan. Friday 2nd December Mass in St. Brigids Church @ 11:30am for Ms. Kennedy to mark her retirement. Thursday 15th December Christmas Concert and Retirement Function for Ms. Kennedy in the Hotel Kilmore at 7p.m.
New Members of Staff
St. Brigids National School is delighted to welcome two new members of staff to our school this year. Miss Sharon Smith will be returning to our school to teach third class. Miss Smith will begin on the 5th of December. Miss Neylon will begin teaching Mrs. Keaneys class from the 21st of November as Mrs. Keaney will be going on Maternity Leave. We would like to wish Mrs. Keaney all the very best for the months ahead. Miss Aoife Smith will begin teaching Language Support on the 21st of November to replace Miss Neylon. Miss Smith will be teaching in one of the . resource rooms in the new school extension The staff and Board of Management would really like to welcome all the new teachers to the school and we are sure that they will receive the full support and co-operation from all the parents and the whole school community.
St. Brigids National School Killygarry Co. Cavan Phone: 049-4362144 Fax: 049-4362144 E-mail: [Link]@[Link] Website: [Link]
Car Parking at the school gate.
The Board of Management would like to make you aware of their efforts in trying to ensure all pupils are kept safe at the school gate at home time. The Board requested from the county council that flashing beacons be installed outside the schoolgates, ramps to be built on the approaching road to slow the traffic down, road to be widened to facilitate heavy traffic and a one way system to be put in place and signage to demonstrate this. All our efforts proved unsuccessful. To date the Board has moved staff cars to the rear of the community centre, has built a new set down area to the front of the school and has built a new car park for visitors to the school. There are 167 pupils in the school with almost 120 cars arriving at the school every evening. Currently the cars are all gone within 8 minutes and we are delighted with how well the set down area is working. Parents are asked to collect their child at the top gate and drive off straight away please.
Mass for Ms. Kennedy
The pupils of St. Brigids National School are preparing for a Valedictory mass for Ms. Kennedy which will take place on Friday 2nd of December in St. Brigids Church, Killygarry @ 11:30am. Friends and members of Ms. Kennedys family will be invited to attend. TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC Ms. ONeill and Miss Neylon will be starting a Traditional Irish Music Group from Thursday between [Link]p.m. Musicians are welcome to join and bring along their music instruments. The children will perform at the Christmas Concert for all parents and guests.
New BoM
The new Board of Management for 2011-2015 is almost set up. The first meeting of the new Board took place on Wednesday 17th November in the school. The purpose of this meeting was to nominate two community members to go on the Board. The Patron now has to appoint and approve the Board. NEW SCHOOL EXTENSION
Headlice
Christmas Concert
Further Information
A number of cases of headlice Our Christmas Concert will take have been reported to the class place in the Hotel Kilmore on Thursteachers and school principal this day 15th of December at 7:00p.m. year. This can turn into a very This concert will be combined with serious problem if not treated ima retirement function for Ms. Kenmediately. The school has connedy. There will be a voluntary tacted a number of chemists in contribution on the night as it is relation to putting a pack together costing a substantial amount of The new school extenfor parents to enable you to treat money to pay for the Hotel Kilmore sion is now completed. each headlice case effectively. The and the refreshments being served. We now have three new pharmacy on Railway Road has Past pupils, parents and members resource rooms, a new put a pack together for us that will of the community are invited to staff room and a new cost 9 and consists of a comb, attend on the night. We look forPrincipals office. The shampoo and a repellent. ward to seeing you there. current staffroom will now be the school ofCumann na mBunscol fice. The library has The pupils of St Brigids N.S. will be participating in a number of Cumann been moved to the new na mBunscol events (hurling, Gaelic Football, Go Games and the I.N.T.O. resource room to leave Skills Based Competition) throughout the year. You should check out space in the G.P. room. Cavans Cumann na mBunscol Website to see the teams that we will be playing against this year at [Link] Team building school tours to outdoor adventure centers Write a Poetry Book whereby all pupils will have their poems published in a book. SCHOOL SHOP The school shop will open next week from 8:50am9:00am and there are pencils, crayons, erasers, pencil sharpeners, glue sticks, copies, homework diaries and many other items on sale. The pupils can bring in money for any items they wish to purchase. DISCOVER SCIENCE AWARD Mrs. Mc Cabe is co-ordinating the Discover Science Project this year. PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR There is a monthly award scheme running in the school whereby on the last day of each month different classes will win an award for excellent behaviour on yard. Septembers prize was a Pizza Party, Octobers prize was a Cinema Party and this months prize is a NonUniform Day and a Homework Pass.
INTERNATIONAL FUND FOR IRELAND The school has secured substantial funding from the International Fund for Ireland to work on a joint crosscommunity project with Billis N.S. Up to now all pupils from junior infants to third class have met up and worked on projects together. Junior Infants to second class have participated in a joint arts project consisting of art and crafts, music, dance and drama. Our third class pupils have made scarecrows and have had harvest parties in both schools before the Halloween break. Below are just some of the projects that both schools will be involved in over the next two years. Music projectall pupils to learn to play samba instruments. Musical involving both schools to take place in a theatre.
TEXT A PARENT All pupils were given a form to give to their parents to fill up with any change of telephone number or address. Any parent who is not receiving text messages is asked to contact the school immediately to ensure your details on the school database are up to date. AFTER SCHOOL COMPUTER CLASSES The school hopes to get involved in the Computer Club for Girls (CC4G) Project if we can get some laptops for our new computer lab. This will take place one evening a week after normal school hours.
