2008 2009 School Letters

Scoil Brighde Naofa,

Northampton,

Newsletter

16th September, 2008

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),

• All are invited to the official opening and blessing of the New Extension on Thursday, 23rd October at 7.30 p.m. Congratulations and thank you to all parents, children, staff and Board of Management for your help, patience and support throughout the project.

• Congratulations once again to the Pre-school and After-school Committee on the highly successful launch of their fabulous new facility. It is a just reward for their foresight and dedication. Go néirí libh.

• Presently, Principals of three teacher schools are allocated fourteen days free of teaching duties in the year to attend to administrative matters in the school. We are lucky to have regular substitute teachers to cover for these and other such days. The few teachers we generally use, know the children well thankfully, and continue class work as normal.

• As you might have noticed, the teacher’s cars are now being accommodated in the car park at the rear of the shelter for your convenience and safety in dropping off and picking up children. Please continue to be aware of the dangers as on any stretch of road. Try to avoid double parking and always, most especially for the younger children, come across the road to guide them back to cars parked on the other side. We will continue as part of our SPHE syllabus to remind the children of road safety matters regularly.

• Please also find attached, a form to fill to receive cartons of milk daily for your child in school. Your child will be given time to drink this carton with their lunch and on finishing the drink, will put the carton in their sealed lunchbox to dispose of at home. It is of course a completely optional service.

• Northampton N.S. Hospice Coffee Party will take place at 1p.m. on Thursday, 25th September. All are invited and we look forward to a good turn out. Spread the word to your friends and neighbours.

• There is a full schedule of football, hurling and camogie matches coming up over the next two months for the INTO Mini 7s. As we will no longer be partnering with Doorus for these we will need as many children as possible from 3rd Class upwards participating up the field. Your encouragement in this would be greatly appreciated. We will bring as many as we can to the matches depending on lifts.

• Please remember that the school grounds are not to be used for play outside of the 9 a.m. to 2.40 p.m. school times.

• It is a good idea now that your children are back amongst a large group again to keep an eye out for head lice. As you know, your local chemist can advise on these matters.

• Please remember that teachers are generally available for short incidental meetings or messages and these are encouraged as part of the teamwork involved in providing the best possible educational facilities for your child. If a more in depth discussion is required, an appointment should be arranged and a brief outline of the subject of the meeting given to the teacher in advance.

• Please see calendar attached!

• Please fill out and return Insurance form for the recommended €8 per child.

Wishing you all a happy academic year 08’ / 09’,

……………………….

Shane McDonagh

October

Mid – term Break

Closing Friday 24th October ( at the usual time! )

Returning Monday 03rd November

December

Closed Monday, 8th December (Planning Day)

Christmas Holidays

Closing Tuesday, 23rd December at 12.00 p.m.

Returning Wednesday, 7th January

February

Mid – term Break – ( Two Days Off )

Closed Thursday, 19th February

Closed Friday, 20th February

March

Closed Monday, 16th March

Closed Tuesday, 17th March ( St. Patrick’s Day )

April

Easter Holidays

Closing Friday, 03rd April at 12.00 p.m.

Returning Monday, 20th April

May

Closed Monday, 04th May ( Bank Holiday )

June

Closed Monday, 01st June ( Bank Holiday )

Summer Holidays

Closing Wednesday, 24th June at 12.00 p.m.

Staff meetings will take place on the dates below. All children willfinish schoolat 1.40 p.m. on these days. Meetings will take place from 1.40 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Tuesday September 30th

Tuesday November 11th

Tuesday January 20th

Tuesday March 3rd

Tuesday April 28th

Tuesday May 26th

Reminders from Northampton N.S.

• Thursday 06th November is the final day for collection of the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes, if you would like to leave yours in at the school.

• Tin Whistle lessons will start back for 1st to 6th classes from this week. There will be six lessons per term for the coming two terms. The cost will be €25 per child or €40 for two children in the same family. Children should have their own tin whistle in each Thursday and should practice a little as part of their homework each evening. Money should be brought in over the next couple of weeks please.

• The Christmas Concert will take place on Thursday, 18th of December at 12.30 p.m.

• On Tuesday, November 11th, school will close for all pupils at 1.40 p.m. to accommodate a staff meeting.

• This year again, we begin our application for our fourth Green Flag. The theme for this module is Travel. Ms. Corless and Ms. Costelloe recently attended an information lecture in Ennis. The Green Schools Travel Officer Roisín Ní Ghairbhith will give a talk to Teachers and Pupils this Thursday, November 6th. We appreciate your continuing support in our quest for this prestigious award. Our Green Schools Committee will keep you on our exploration of The Green Theme.

Scoil Bhrghde Naofa,

Northampton,

Kinvara,

Co. Galway.

20th March, 2009

Dear Parent(s) / Guardian(s),

The day for the launch of the Green Schools walking bus will

be next Friday, the 27th of March. Adults who have already volunteered or those who wish to help in the future with the walking bus should be at the school for 2.20 p.m. on the day. Each child will be given a reflective jacket kindly sponsored by Safety Direct.

Parents who would like further information on the walking bus from the Kinvara side of the school should call Tommy Ivers and from the Gort side, Joe Keane is the contact.

Please fill out the attached slip to keep the school informed on whether you intend your child to be involved in the walking bus.

Also, please find attached, an order form for shower proof tops and bottoms. In some cases, the children may have their own suitable wear or you may just want to purchase either the tops or the bottoms. Having the suitable raingear in the school might allow the walking bus to go ahead on days when the weather is less than perfect. It is also envisaged that children that have the appropriate gear would be allowed out to play even on days when there are light showers.

Have a nice weekend.

Le meas,

……………………….

Shane McDonagh

Kids Regatta Great Outdoors Storm Break Clothing.

Please fill in quantity required!

Price of Jacket is €7

Price of Overtrouser is €7

Age Height in cm

5-6 117 Jacket X…… Overtrouser X……

7-8 127 Jacket X…… Overtrouser X……

9-10 140 Jacket X….... Overtrouser X…...

11-12 152 Jacket X…… Overtrouser X……

26” 157 Jacket X…… Overtrouser X……

28” 163 Jacket X…… Overtrouser X……

I give permission to my child / children

………………………………………………………

to take part in the school walking bus.

Signature of Parent/Guardian …………………………………………….