September Newsletter

 

Dear Parents/ Guardians,

 

Welcome back to another school year! Our first “half” week back gave us an opportunity to settle back to the school routine. Happily all of our 38 new infants have made the transition to “big” school with ease. Welcome also to the new families who have settled in the parish and whose children have transferred from other schools. We are delighted to have Ms Kathryn O’ Hanlon on our teaching staff as the new Sen Inf/1st class teacher.

 

School Reports

 

A number of reports from last year remain in the office. If you did not get your child’s/children’s reports please call to the office or send in a stamped addressed envelope. The reports now contain standardised test results for literacy and numeracy from 1st class upwards and are important records of how your child is doing at school.

 

Transport

 

As you are aware there are now 3 morning and 4 afternoon bus runs. With the increase volume of cars dropping off and collecting pupils we have had some confusion regarding where children are being picked up, especially 1st class who are just getting used to a 3pm finish. Please put a note in your child’s homework diary if there is any uncertainty/change in collection arrangements. Teachers bring their classes to the front gate and buses while the Resource and infant teachers are monitoring the back gate on a rota basis. Please come down to the back gate (not the barrier) to collect your child if you are using the pitch. The GAA club are anxious that drivers exercise extreme caution and drive slowly in the GAA grounds. Once children are handed over at the gate parents are responsible for them. The Board of Management are looking into ways of increasing parking facilities at the school.

 

Junior day

 

As of next Monday 12th September Junior Infants will be in school until 2pm

 

New Classroom

 

Our new 6th class room is coming along well with the roof expected to be on this week. We don’t expect to move into it until the midterm break. Meanwhile 6th are managing well in the Hall. We appreciate your cooperation in using the side entrances to get to other rooms. Please ensure that 4th and 5th class children are in by 9.20am as they have to go through the Hall to get to their rooms.

 

Personal Accident Insurance

 

We offer school day and 24hour cover Personal Accident insurance through Brennan Insurance. This is an optional insurance costing €5 or €8 depending on cover selected. Forms will be sent out next Monday( 12th ). Please remember that all cheques should be made payable to “Scoil Mhuire” as a single cheque payment is made to the company when all forms are in.

 

School website

 

We are currently updating our website by increasing space and access . Changes should be up and running in a couple of weeks . We hope to use the website to keep you up to date with activities and news from all classes. www.scoilmhuirecampile.com

 

School Mass

 

Our beginning of year School Mass will be in St. James Church, Horeswood on Sunday October 2nd at 10.30am. This will be followed by the usual refreshments at the school.

 

Parent Association AGM

 

This year the PA will hold its AGM on Wednesday 14th September at 7.30pm here in the school. A talk on Homework by Mr Milo Walsh should be of interest to many parents as you get back to the homework routine!

 

Afterschool sessions

 

Horeswood Community Childcare are now taking bookings for Afterschool sessions. These include a 2pm collection from Scoil Mhuire for bus at 3pm,or from 2pm or 3pm until 5/6pm. For information on activities on offer and rates contact Carrie on 085-1295479.

 

Market Garden!

 

In line with the nationwide interest in ” Grow your Own” produce Mr. Cadogan’s class is sampling the vegetables his class grew last year as part of the Incredible Edibles project. The class cultivated a plot of potatoes, carrots, turnips, scallions, onions and marrows. This week his current class are making vegetable soup and learning about Procedural Writing as part of our literacy programme. Last year’s 2nd / 3rd were awarded a Gold Standard as part of the Incredible edibles nationwide project and will receive certificates for their efforts. We will continue to develop vegetable plots this year.

 

Cyril Squirrel

 

This is National Savings Week! Cyril Squirrel will start up again tomorrow (Weds). Saving stamps cost €1 and parents are advised to keep saving cards and money in a Ziplock type bag to avoid losing either.