Holy Family National School

Rathcoole

March 23, 2010

Dear Parents,

The school closes for the Easter holidays this Friday 26th March at 12.30 p.m. and reopens on Monday 12th April.
Well done to the Parents Association for organising a very successful "Night at the Dogs" recently - it raised a total of €10,205.00. That is a fantastic amount to raise in one night especially in these difficult times and many thanks to all who supported in any way. That money is lodged in the Parents Association Account and will be used exclusively for the benefit of the children.

M. Hoban
Principal.

Márta 15, 2010

A Thuismitheoiri,

Mar chuid de "Seachtain na Gaeilge" beidh Lá Gaelach sa scoil amárach 16ú Márta. Beidh rincí Gaelacha sa halla do na ranganna go léir i rith an lae. Beidh ár morshiúil Lá Fhéile Pádraig ar 1.00 i.n.
Tá fáilte roimh tuismitheoirí páirt a ghlacadh sa mórshiúil ach ní dóigh liom go mbeidh go leor spás sa halla do thuismitheoirí chun páirt a ghlacadh sa céilí. Tá súil againn go mbeidh na páistí gléasta suas - go háirithe i nglas.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh go léir.

M. Ó hÚbáin
Príomhoide.

Dear Parents,

As part of "Seachtain na Gaeilge" we are holding a Lá Gaelach in the school tomorrow 16th March. There will be Irish dancing in the hall for all classes throughout the day. We will hold our St Patrick's Day parade at 1.00 p.m.
Parents are very welcome to come along and join in the parade but I don't think there is sufficient space in the hall for parents to join in the céili. We expect children to dress up - green to be the dominant colour.
Happy St Patrick's Day to you all.

M. Hoban
Principal.

Márta 9, 2010

A Thuismitheoiri,

Ta Seachtain na Gaeilge faoi lán sheoil ag an am seo agus críochnóidh sé le Lá Gaelach Dé Máirt seo chugainn 16ú Márta. Beidh a lán eachtraí ar siúl istigh sa agus taobh amuigh den seomra ranga agus sé an cuspóir atá againn na páistí a spreagadh chun Gaeilge a úsáid chomh minic agus is féidir leo an tseachtain seo agus seachtainí eile.
Chuireamar suas Clár Gaeilge le gnáth-leagain cainte as Gaeilge taobh istigh de dhoras cúl na scoile. Tabharfaimid cóip de na leagain seo do gach páiste chun cabhair a thabhairt daoibhse agus do bhur bpáisti comhrá a bheith agaibh as Gaeilge.
Tá iarsmalann beag de shean-déantáin bunaithe againn freisin de rudaí a bheadh i dtithe in Éirinn fadó - úsáidimid an iarsmalann seo chun cuid dár traidisiún agus cultúr a thaispeáint agus a mhúineadh do na páisti. Tá fíor fáilte roimh tuismitheoirí agus chuile duine cuairt a dhéanamh ar seo agus má tá aon rud agaibh sa bhaile a chuirfeadh le seo b'fhéidir go dtabharfadh sibh dúinn é.

M. Ó hÚbáin
Príomhoide

Dear Parents,

Seachtain na Gaeilge is in full swing at the moment and will culminate in a Lá Gaelach on Tuesday next 16th March. There will be a number of activities in and out of class and the object is to encourage children to use Irish as much as possible this week and other weeks.
We have set up a notice board with everyday expressions in Irish inside the back door of the school. We will give each child a copy of those expressions so that you as parents can help yourselves and your children engage in a conversation in Irish.
We have also established a little museum of artefacts which would be found in a home in times gone by - this will be used to show and teach children part of their tradition and culture. Parents are very welcome to come and visit this and if they have anything at home that would add to this any donation would be most welcome.

M. Hoban
Principal.

March 2, 2010

Dear Parents,

A short note to remind you of The Night at the Dogs in Harold's Cross on Friday next 12th March which is organised by the Parents Association.
Entry tickets with meal are €15.00 for adults and €5.00 for children.
Buster tickets (for those who cannot attend on the night but wish to support) are €10.00 with a chance to win €500.00.
All tickets are available from the school or from members of the Parents Association each morning and evening in the school yard.
A raffle will also be held on the night - any items as a donation greatly appreciated.
Local businesses have been very generous in taking out advertisements especially in these recessionary times.
A little effort from everybody will make this night very successful.
M. Hoban
Principal.

February 22, 2010

Dear Parents,

I wish to remind you that if you have a child due to start school in September 2010 applications for enrolment for our school must be made before this Friday, 26th February. Application forms are available from the secretary's office. After that date places will be allocated in line with the school's enrolment policy. Brothers/sisters of children already enrolled have priority for enrolment but an application form must be filled up and a Birth Certificate supplied.
M. Hoban
Principal.

February 8, 2010

Dear Parents of 6th Class pupils,

This is just a brief reminder note concerning our meeting tomorrow night (Tuesday, 9th Feb at 8.00pm in Holy Family N.S.) at which we will introduce the new Parish Confirmation Preparation Programme 'You Shall Be My Witnesses'. It is envisaged that all the children in 6th class who are preparing for Confirmation will participate in the new programme. Both Fr. Enda and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow night.
Yours sincerely
Sean O'Rourke (Parish Pastoral Worker)

February 3, 2010

Dear Parents,

Swine flu vaccination will be given to those children who have returned completed consent forms tomorrow 4th February. Vaccination starts at 9.00 a.m. in the school hall and children in Junior and Senior Infant classes will receive it first. They should be finished by 10.00 a.m. Children in all other classes will receive it between 10.00 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. These are all approximate times. The children will be observed for fifteen minutes by HSE personnel after they receive their jab. Parents are welcome to come and observe their own children and take them home if there are any problems.

M. Hoban
Principal.

February 2, 2010

Dear Parents,

The School Warden Service is a service provided by South Dublin County Council for the safety of children coming to and leaving school. This is especially necessary for our school because of the location of the entrance which is close to a dangerous bend in the road. The Parents Association are at present lobbying the County Council for the service to be restored at 1.45 p.m. when the Infants are leaving school and for other additional safety measures to be put in place.
I have received notification from South Dublin County Council that the school warden has been verbally abused on a number of occasions by a small number of parents. The school warden has referred the matter to her employers - the Council - and they have been in touch with the Gardai. The Council has now informed me that if it happens again the service will be withdrawn. This would be disastrous for parents and children from a safety point of view.
The Board of Management of this school or I as Principal have no jurisdiction over the School Warden Service but we do empathise with the difficult task that the school warden carries out each day. Parents park their cars where the warden is working and say "I'll be back in a minute". This is illegal parking and I expect the Gardai to act on this. Whatever about the legal niceties this is very dangerous for parents and children and makes the warden's job almost impossible.
I would ask you as parents to co-operate with the school warden and help keep our children safe. The teachers in the school will be talking to the children about road safety and the good service provided by the School Warden. Your co-operation would be much appreciated.

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 26, 2010

Dear Parents,

We are having a "No Uniform Day" this Friday 29th January in aid of The Haiti Goal Fund. Children are asked to make a donation to the fund but there is no obligation involved - usually children donate €2.
All children will go home at 12.30 p.m. due to a staff meeting.

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 22, 2010

Dear Parents,

All the children in the school will go home next Friday 29th January at 12.30 p.m. due to a staff meeting.

M. Hoban
Principal.

January 18, 2010

Dear Parents,

A belated Happy New Year to all of you and welcome back to everyone after an extended Christmas Holidays. I hope the text messaging service worked well to inform you of the school closure and re-opening. All emergency messages are also placed on our website. You can now access our website at the following address: http://holyfamilynsrathcoole.scoilnet.ie/
Swine Flu Vaccination: All pupils today will receive a swine flu information sheet and vaccination consent form. The completed consent form must be returned to the school whether your decision is to consent or refuse consent for your child to be vaccinated.
The first dose of vaccination will take place in the school on Thursday 4th February.

M. Hoban
Principal.

December 16, 2009

Dear Parents,

The school closes for the Christmas Holidays on Tuesday next 22nd December at 12.00 p.m. and will re-open on Thursday 7th January.
Many thanks to you as parents for purchasing our Christmas Cards - over €1,100.00 profit has been made for Parents Association funds. There are still a few packs available for sale in the classrooms.
Old Mobile Phones: We started a collection of old mobile phones during the term for the Jack and Jill Foundation. Our target was 300 - to date we have collected 230. To all who contributed, thank you very much. We are confident that we will reach our target early in the New Year.
Finally, may I take this opportunity to thank you for your support throughout the year and to wish you and your families a very Happy Christmas and every good wish for 2010.

M. Hoban
Principal.

November 19, 2009

	Re Day of Action 24th November 2009
	Dear Parents, As you are aware, there is a day of action planned for Tuesday next, November 24th. Arising from this, the school will not be in a position to accept pupils on that day for Health and Safety reasons. It is not the intention of the Board of Management to interrupt your child's education and we very much regret having to take this course of action. Yours sincerely, James Walsh Chairperson B.O.M.
	Book Fair 2009
	Dear Parents, This year's book fair starts next week. Your child will be told tomorrow when they can look at the books. The school received a commission of €2,960 worth of books for class libraries last year. With the Government Book Grant cancelled, the book fair is our only source of new books. To avoid delays in receiving the books, all books must be paid for during the week after the book fair has left. The book fair is a great way of getting books for our classrooms and encouraging the children to read. Books also make a great Christmas present!

November 17, 2009

Dear Parents,

• Parent/Teacher meetings take place next Monday 23rd and Wednesday 25th November. By now you should have received an allocated time to meet your child's teacher.
• Christmas cards are now on sale in the school. This is a fund raiser organized by The Parents Association which I mentioned in an earlier newsletter. There are 14 cards with envelopes in each pack representing art work from every class in the school.
The cost per pack is €6.00 with 2 packs for €10.00. Numbers limited.
I think you will agree that this is excellent value for money and I would urge you to give it your full support as the money is needed to pay for tin whistle classes, computer classes, educational materials and swimming lessons which are heavily subsidized. Remember all grants have been withdrawn by the Department of Education.

M. Hoban
Principal.

November 3, 2009

Dear Parents,

Swimming lessons for children in 2nd and 6th classes (Ms Dempsey and Mr Manning) start back next Wednesday 11th October for 6 weeks. The sessions will be from 1.30 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. in Tallaght Leisure Centre so the children will be back in class by 2.45 p.m. The children will be accompanied by their teachers and will be taught to swim by 3 qualified swimming instructors. I would encourage all children to participate - this will be the only opportunity for children in those two classes to go swimming this year.
Swimming lessons are heavily subsidised by the Parents Association - €1000.00 last year. The cost per child will be €30.00 payable in advance.

M. Hoban
Principal.

October 19, 2009

Dear Parents,

Two children in the school have tested positive for Swine flu. The advice from HSE is the same as before - if your child has flu like symptoms they should be kept at home and you should call the HSE Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00 for advice.
They should not return to school until 7 days from the onset of symptoms have passed.
All information relating to Swine Flu is available on our website.
Further information is available on the HSE website.

M. Hoban
Principal.

October 15, 2009

Dear Parents,

The Board of Management has decided to purchase a defibrillator for the school and this will be in place after Halloween. It is our fervent hope that this equipment will never have to be used in the school. However, if it has to be used, it is important that it be used properly.
Next Tuesday 20th October all the children will go home at 12.30 so that all the staff can receive training in the use of a defibrillator and also general training in First Aid.

M. Hoban
Principal.

October 7, 2009

Log on Learn your-number & Help us WIN

www.change.ie., the government's climate change awareness campaign has joined with An Taisce Green Schools to run a carbon calculator primary school challenge between now and 23rd. October '09.
Our school has entered this competition and with your enthusiastic help we stand a great chance of pulling off the €500 prize available in the Dublin South County area.
The Holy Family National School has set up as a group on the www.change.ie website. What you have to do is to simply log on to the site, fill in your details and so find out your carbon number.
The more families who log on and register with the Holy Family group on www.change.ie the greater our chance of winning that prize. As our group may include families, friends, relations and any member of the wider community please get as many as you can to log on and join our group.
But hurry as only those who register before 5 p.m. on Friday 23rd. October '09 will be counted.
When logging on please remember:

Login

• The school name is the Holy Family, Rathcoole, County Dublin
• The school email address is hfrathcoole@eircom.net
• The group password is hfrathcoole.

So Log on Learn your number & Help us WIN

October 6, 2009

Dear Parents,

We have organised a Skipping Workshop for children this Wednesday and Thursday for every child in the school from Junior Infants to 6th class in which they will learn a selection of moves - individual, double-dutch, long rope and partner skipping. On Thursday, to finish off the day, there will be a demonstration of the skills learned, performed by children chosen from each workshop. The cost of the day is being funded by The Parents Association. Children need to wear tracksuits and runners to participate. Speed skipping ropes will be on sale on the day at a cost of €6. These are high quality ropes as used by the national display teams.
This Friday 9th October is Goal Jersey Day - children and adults wear their favourite sports jersey instead of their uniform and contribute a small amount (usually €2) to the well known Third World Charity Organisation "Goal". We look forward to seeing an array of colourful jerseys on the day.

M. Hoban
Principal.

September 14, 2009

Dear Parents,

All the children in the school will go home at 12.30 p.m. this Friday 18th September due to a staff meeting.

M. Hoban
Principal.

September 8, 2009

Dear Parents,

A Personal Accident Insurance Policy is now available for individual pupils in our school from the school's Insurance Company-Allianz. The following points should be noted:
• All pupils who are attending our school are covered by insurance from 9.00 a.m. to 2.45 p.m. and children participating in after school activities when they are accompanied by a teacher from the staff are covered by insurance.
• A Personal Accident Insurance Policy provides cover in the form of a series of benefits such as medical and dental expenses. A schedule of the benefits is available from the secretary's office in the school.
• School activities only cost €5.00 per pupil.
• 24 Hour Cover costs €8.00 per pupil.
• I will arrange cover for pupils who have returned the required fees to the school by Friday 25th September 2009.
• After that date it will be up to parents themselves to arrange cover for their children.

M. Hoban
Principal.

September 2, 2009

Dear Parents,

A warm welcome back to all the parents and children after the summer holidays and a special céad míle fáilte to the children who have started in Junior Infants. They are already well settled in with their teachers Ms McKelvey and Ms Meegan.
I'm sure you are all aware at this stage of precautions that are being put in place in schools to help reduce the spread of the swine flu virus. We have taken the precautions as advised by the HSE to schools and colleges.
Dispensers have been put in place in each classroom and at all entrances.
Children are being taught the proper technique to cover their mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing and encouraged to have their own tissues and hand towels.
Hard surfaces such as worktops, door handles and hand rails are routinely cleaned.
If your child has flu-like symptoms they should be kept at home and you should call the HSE Flu Information Line Freephone 1800 94 11 00 for advice.
If pupils develop flu-like symptoms in school they will be isolated from the other children and an eye kept on them until they are collected by their parents. They should not return to school until 7 days from the onset of symptoms have passed.
Further information is available on the HSE website www.hse.ie .

M. Hoban
Principal.

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