SPECIAL NEEDS

Under the new weighted system for providing for special needs our school has been allocated one full time post.  The weighted system means schools will be allocated resources on their enrolment numbers and this will eliminate the need to have psychological assessments carried out on many children.  The effect of this in our school is that Mrs. Betty Brennan, who until now was shared between four schools for special needs provision, will be based full time in the Convent from now on.  This is a huge improvement and means that children in need will be able to avail of special provision on a daily basis as opposed to twice weekly under the old system.

NEW EQUIPMENT

We took delivery in recent days of a TV/DVD Combi, which was our prize for participating in the Irish Independent Building for the Future project.  In addition Mrs. Jacob’s 5^th class submitted a very interesting project on various aspects of our local heritage for which we were presented with a DVD.

The 42” Plasma screen donated by the Parents’ Council has been fully enclosed by Sean Holden in a wooden cupboard for safety and security reasons.

We also purchased in recent weeks a 200cm overhead screen which will be suspended from the ceiling in the P.E. room.

All of the above equipment helps us to use to the full modern technology in our school.

COURSE FOR TEACHERS

We have made our school available from the 4^th – 8^th July for a course on Multi-Class Teaching, which will be run by the I.N.T.O.  We are happy to facilitate teachers in this way and the I.N.T.O. has expressed its appreciation of being able to avail of such a fine venue.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Congratulations to Tara Collins, Jessie Johnson, Jennifer Mooney, Aoife Ferris, Laura Phelan, Conor Dowling, Mylie Dowling, Jack Dowling and David Holohan who had best school attendance this year.  This is a wonderful achievement and congratulations also to their parents.

SUMMER COURSES FOR TEACHERS

As the children enjoy their first few days of holidays work continues for the teachers until July 8^th.  All the staff will be attending various courses for a week – upskilling themselves for the new school year.  This year teachers are attending Drama, Digital Camera, Music, Circle Time and Environmental Studies.  Attendance at these courses creates a talent bank for the school and benefits the children eventually.

FAREWELL TO THE FIRST CLASS BOYS

Good luck to the following boys who are leaving the Convent N.S. to continue their primary schooling in the Boys’ School Castlecomer.  We enjoyed having them and we hope they will be happy in their new school.

Cián Byrne, David Holohan, Lee Dowling, Paul Tunstead, Killian O’Connor, Conor Dowling and Mylie Dowling.

SPORTS DAY

Our Annual Sports Day took place on Monday 27^th of June.  We were so lucky with the weather – sunshine all day! 

The children enjoyed participating in a great variety of activities.  The Party at the end was very welcome, thanks to Sheila Loughlin for requesting Eurospar to sponsor same.

UNIFORMS & TRACKSUITS

Every child is expected to return to school in September in full uniform and have the school tracksuit. 

At this stage of the year many tracksuit bottoms are without knees so get rid of them!

Our suppliers of the tracksuits are Intosport, Kiltown, Castlecomer Tel: 056 4441652 and Margaret Smith, Castlecomer Embroidery, Kilkenny Road, Castlecomer. Tel: 4440124.

If your child needs a tracksuit for September it is important that you would place your order in time.  Suppliers need about 6 weeks notice so if you need one go immediately and have your child measured.

THANK YOU

Many thanks to the BOM, the Parents’ Committee and to the general body of parents for your support through out the year. 

 QUIET TIME
On Monday 20^th of June the 6^th class girls had a quiet day, which was facilitated by Fr. Kevin Kiernan, a Capuchin priest from Cork.  He worked with them in the morning emphasising God’s love for them, their uniqueness and giftedness as individuals and the importance of respecting and taking care of themselves.  In the afternoon, we prepared the mass.

GRADUATION MASS

On Thursday night the Parents staff and students attended the Graduation Mass.  The theme of the celebration was thanksgiving for the friendships made.  It was a very moving and touching celebration in which every child took part.  After Mass, St. Nuala presented the girls with certificates and souvenir cards. It was an enjoyable night and nice ending to their years in the Primary school.

Farewell Girls:

Áine O’Dowd, Aisling Byrne, Annie Tunstead, Aoife Brennan, Cora Dooley, Emma Mealy, Grace Coogan, Gráinne Byrne, Jennifer Ryan, Katie Molloy, Kim Nolan, Kirri King, Laura Delaney, Leandra Downey, Lisa Kenny, Lynda Holohan, Margaret Anne Brennan, Margaret O’Neill, Niamh Brennan, Niamh Holland, Olive Brophy, Órfhlaith Brennan, Ruth Macauley, Sadhbh Parle, Sarah Hogan, Stephanie Wilkinson.

NEW ENTRANTS FOR SEPTEMBER ‘05

At the moment we have 30 enrolment forms completed for new entrants in September.  27 pupils for Junior Infants, 2 pupils for 1^st class and 1 pupil for 6^th class.  There will be an induction meeting for the Parents of the pupils for Junior Infants on Tuesday 6^th of September at 2p.m.