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Holy Family National SchoolNewsletter October 2009 |
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| Welcome to the first newsletter of this school year. Welcome again to all the children in Junior Infants (52) who are attending "big school" for the first time. Welcome back to all the staff and in particular to Ms Maher, a new staff member who replaces Mrs McNelis who has retired after 35 years in the teaching profession, all of which was in Rathcoole. Children and parents will always remember her with fondness and appreciation for her dedication and hard work as a classroom teacher and as a Learning Support Teacher. We wish Evelyn and her husband good health and happiness in their retirement. Mrs McKeon takes over the role of Deputy Principal and I look forward to working with her in that capacity in the years ahead. | |
| School Rules | |
| As we start off another year there
are a few rules which we ask for your co-operation. 1) If you have to drop a lunch or book to your child during the day please leave it at reception and it will be delivered to your child with minimum disruption to the class. 2) Parents or visitors are not allowed upstairs. This is a child protection issue - it has been known for strangers to walk uninvited through a school building. This rule will be strictly enforced in the coming year and I ask parents for their co-operation in this. 3) School starts at 9.00 a.m. When the children are taken in work starts immediately. Please ensure that your child arrives on time. Parents collecting their children from the Infant classes are asked to do so punctually as the Infant teachers are often required to mind other classes. 4) If the morning is wet please time your child's departure from home so that they arrive in school at 9.00 a.m. If they are in earlier encourage them to use the school shelter. 5) Homework is an essential part of school life and has many merits. The following is an estimate of the maximum time which your child should spend on his/her homework:
6) Parents who wish to consult teachers outside of the scheduled Parent/Teacher meetings must do so by making an appointment through the Principal. Do not engage with teachers in the morning when they go to collect their class - put a note in the child's journal for the teacher's attention. 7) Birthday parties etc. for children are to be planned and organized outside of school hours and grounds - invitations to parties are not to be issued during school time. Teachers will not divide up birthday cakes or distribute presents/invitations on birthdays. 8) Mobile Phones: Children do not need mobile phones in school but if they have one it must be switched off at all times while on school grounds. 9) Wearing of school uniform is compulsory. Tops and bottoms must be properly labeled. |
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| School Activities | |
We always place great emphasis in
getting children involved in some sport or physical activity and we intend to
build on that this coming school year. Some are already in place and others
will be introduced through the year.
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| School Closings 2009 - 2010 | |
| Mid-term break ............ 26th Oct.
- 30th Oct. (1 week) Re-opening Mon. 2nd Nov. Christmas Holidays ...... 23rd December @ 12.00. Re-opening Thursday 7th January. Mid-term break ............ 15th - 19th February (1 week). Easter Holidays ............ 29th March - 9th April. Re-opening Monday 12th April. |
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| School Attendance | |
| We have a school policy to promote
good attendance and to inform parents of their responsibilities in order to
comply with the Educational Welfare Act. The full policy is available from the school or
can be viewed on our school website. Last year we identified a problem of a significant number of children missing more than 10 days but less than 20 days in the year mainly due to parents taking their children away on holidays during school time. Children should not miss school unless they are sick or some significant family event is taking place. Children lose out every day that they miss school. |
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| Old Mobile Phones | |
| We are collecting old mobile phones which we will send on to the Jack and Jill Foundation which is a worthy charitable organization. If we collect 300 or more Promethean will donate an Interactive Whiteboard to the school. | |
| School Enrolments for 2010 | |
| We already have almost 100 applications for enrolment in Junior Infants for next September. If you have a child for enrolment make sure you do so as soon as possible. You will appreciate that extra classrooms will have to be put in place to accommodate that number of children. | |
| Pupils Personal Accident Insurance | |
| A total of 167 children have been signed up for Personal Accident Insurance. | |
| Christmas Cards | |
| The Parents Association is organizing the sale of personalized Christmas Cards which will have children's art work on the cover as a fundraiser this December. More information about this soon, but please keep this in mind if you are purchasing Christmas cards this year. They will be very good value and at the same time will raise much needed funds. | |
| Whole School Evaluation | |
| You are aware that a team of inspectors carried out a Whole School Evaluation (WSE) last February. They examined every aspect of school life - quality of teaching and learning, Board of Management, Parents Association etc. They have published a very positive report about the school and the full report will be published on the Department's website in the next few months. | |
| M.Hoban (Principal) |
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