Glenageary Killiney N.S. January 2015 Phoebe A very happy New Year to all parents, pupils and staff. Bulb planting Thank you to Aoife Munn from Windyridge Garden Centre who donated bulbs and guided all the pupils in the planting of bulbs on 3rd December. We look forward to a mass of colour in the playground in the Spring. Music concert Second class pupils entertained their parents to a variety of songs on 11 th December. It was fantastic to hear their tuneful playing after only one term learning to play the recorder. Charlotte Wride, Tanya Plunkett, Robin Nash, Alisha Vard (3rd Class), Martha Duignan, Thomas Wride, Mark Speer, Christopher Varian (4th Class) and Anna Hoffman (6th Class) they showed us their expertise on the recorder also. Anna is the pupil who has learned to play the most notes on the recorder since Mr. Barnes came to the school. We are grateful to Mr. Ben Barnes for teaching the pupils and the B.O.M. for funding this music programme for all second class pupils. Ms. Ruby Ashley and two of her pupils Zoe O’Meara & Allie Noonan also treated us to a very enjoyable recital. Mr. Gerry Stafford’s pupils, Juliet Power, Clodagh Nash and Allie Noonan treated us all to a very enjoyable recital at assembly in preparation for a recital with The Bray Concert Band. Drama show The pupils who participate in P.A. organised drama classes entertained us all to a very professional, humorous and articulate series of dramas on 9 th Dec. Thank you to Yvonne Duggan and Lisa McDonnell for their work and to Tracey Macken (our very talented drama teacher). Nativity Services Well done to all the pupils who participated in the Junior and Senior Nativity Services. It was wonderful to hear such enthusiastic singing of old and new hymns. Thank you to the teachers who prepared the pupils, Mr. Hughes for playing the organ and thank you to Rev’d Dowd, Rev’d Olhausen, Rev’d Sines and Rev’d Sloane for joining with us in the services. Santa Visit Junior & Senior Infants were very excited when Santa Claus called in to visit on 11th December. They sang some Christmas songs and hymns for him and reported on their teachers’ good and bad behaviour during the year! ‘Prepare a place’ Bishop’s Appeal for hospital in Gaza & Tiglin Outreach Bus These charities were chosen to be the recipients of the collection at both the Junior and Senior Nativity Services. Thanks to the generosity of families and friends we forwarded €784 to each of the above charities. Music Workshop Mr. Ciaran Smith Thank you to Mr. Ciaran Smith (Levi & Tabitha’s Dad) who brought an extensive range of drums and instruments to school on the last day of term and entertained all classes in an interactive Christmas song, dance and drumming celebration 6th class trip On the last day of term 6th class visited the Natural History Museum, the Moving Crib and I’m reliably informed that the highlight of the trip was eating crepes at the Christmas market at St. Stephen’s Green! New computers We were all extremely excited to receive delivery of new computers just before Christmas. The I.T. company will install and connect a new server, 32 new desktops and new teacher laptops during the week beginning 5th January. The total cost of our upgrade is c. €26,000. We are indebted to the fundraising committee and everyone who supported the fundraising events for the €15,000 raised towards the desktops. Thank you also to Ms. Wolfe and her advisors for all their work negotiating and finalising the purchase and imminent installation. P.E. equipment Another thank you to the fundraising committee for funding (c. €450) 32 new hockey sticks, multi-posts, multi-clips, run & jump steps, stepping domes and basketball nets. Most of these have been delivered and a few are due to be delivered in January. Donation from Holy Trinity Parish We are very grateful to Holy Trinity parish for their donation of €1000 to the B.O.M. This generous donation has been put towards the cost of our expensive I.T. upgrade. W.S.E. –M.L.L. (Whole School Evaluation- Management Leadership and Learning We received notification before Christmas that two Inspectors from the Department of Education & Skills will be conducting a W.S.E.-M.L.L. in our school during the week beginning Mon. 12th January. Parents and pupils will be invited to give their views by means of questionnaires. Exact details will be sent to all as soon as we receive same. Sea Creatures Fifth class are looking forward to the delivery of an aquarium and some sea creatures to their classroom this month. They will be participating in a programme run by Blackrock Education Centre and Sea Life aquarium in Bray. We look forward to them sharing what they learn with all the other classes, teachers and parents. P.M.C.A (Parents Making Children Aware) P.M.C.A. will be facilitating a six week health education programme with 5th & 6th class. This programme addresses the effects of Smoking, Alcohol & Drugs. It teaches pupils communication and assertiveness skills and it addresses how the choices they make will affect their lives. The final week Parents & Guardians are invited to view to the pupil’s projects and dramas. Choir (advance notice) The choir under the direction of Mr. Frank Hughes will sing at the following Sunday services 10.30 a.m. 1st February in St. Matthias’ Church 10.30 a.m. 19th April in St. Paul’s Church 10.45 a.m. 11th October in Holy Trinity Church (Please note the choir will not sing at the official opening of the Carry Hall as had been previously advised due to a shortage of space.) Severe weather conditions (Status Red) In the event of severe weather please check the website. School closures will be indicated on the website by 10.00p.m. the night prior to closure (hopefully this will not be necessary). Should a status red alert be issued during the school day parents will be notified by e-mail. February Newsletter Items for the February Newsletter should be emailed to [email protected] by Wed. 28th January 2015. S. Honner