Dear parents and students,
I hope you all had a lovely midterm break.
I wish to update you on some school events and some dates for the calendar, as follows:
Additional School Closures:
Children from 6th class will receive the sacrament of Confirmation on Friday March 3rd at 2pm. Those receiving Confirmation will be informed re times and procedures for the day.
All other classes (infants -5th) will finish at 1pm on that day, Friday March 3rd, in order to facilitate a staff meeting and to allow ample parking for the Confirmation ceremony
(those involved in choir for the ceremony will be given a separate note re arrangements)
Please note, that per Department of Education requirements, the school will be closed on Friday March 10th (full day) also, to facilitate staff in-service on the new Primary Language Curriculum.
All other closures are outlined on the school website.
PSG School AGM
The PSG School AGM will take place on Tuesday next, February 28th at 7.30pm. The PSG committee will send details and reminders out via their own Whats App groups.
May I take this opportunity to thank the committee and volunteers for their work over the past months. The support of the PSG makes a great difference and is seen in so many wonderful events that are run throughout the year. I am truly grateful for all this support and I know that the children of St Anne’s benefit from your commitment and enthusiasm.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
Seachtain na Gaeilge is almost upon us and a number of activities are planned around the school. Lá Glas (dress in green) will be on Thursday March 16th; beidh tráth na gCeist, céilí, agus comortaisí eile ar siúl freisin.
As parents, we encourage you to use Gaeilge with your child whenever you can. We all want to show them that Irish is a language that is alive and to keep a positive attitude towards the learning and use of the language. Some links below may be of use:
https://snag.ie/en/games/ A site dedicated to Seachtain na Gaeilge events and resources. These games are probably known by children in English- why not give them a go in Irish?
http://www.TG4.ieis perhaps the most widely used and accessible of the resources available for engagement with the Irish language. The cartoons for children and age appropriate shows, are not only shown on television, but they are available to view of the TG4 player. The app is easily downloaded to devices, along with the Cula4 app we currently use on school iPads
We hope to develop some programmes for parents to be involved in Irish in school going forward and will update you on these soon,
Library and Reading Events:
Our recent Book Fair was a great success – it is wonderful to see such excitement in choosing and buying books and of course to see such interest in reading. The school receives a percentage of takings back in books for the library. Thanks to the PSG for their support in maintaining our library and in selling at the Book Fair.
We were fortunate to have had Book Clinics running in the school while the Book Fair was going on. This was facilitated by Children’s Books Ireland and a number of children had consultations with the Book Doctors about favourite books.
We will also be involved in the Junior Juries programme for the 2023 KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards, also run by Children’s Books Ireland- see their website for the list of nominated books. Copies will be available in school.
A reminder also that World Book Day is on Thursday March 2nd next. Class teachers will arrange events for their own classes and will notify you of same.
Violin Rental.
How lovely to hear violin music wafting through the corridors every Thursday.
Many thanks to all who sent back requests for rental of violin. There was a big response to this! I have given some out already and am hoping to source some further instruments soon. The second round of rental will be after Easter. Hopefully, all will get an opportunity to bring one home.
Should you wish to purchase a violin for your child Maria suggests the following:
Thomann Website: Stentor SR1500 Violin Student (with relevant sized shoulder rest Wolfe Forte Secondo).
Please do contact us if you wish further clarification on this.
School Shop:
Well done to 2nd class who are running a school stationery shop- it has proven to be very popular. It’s great to see the ‘calculations’ being done and the use of Gaeilge in asking for items. Well done all!
School Clubs and Competitions:
I am delighted that there is such interest in setting up clubs in St Anne’s. Students from the senior classes have organised a number of events recently and more are arranged for the coming months. The entries for the Valentine’s Art competition were very impressive! (see below)
Car Park Reminder!
I urge all to be mindful of others when coming into the car park please.
Please do not leave cars on the road, at the gate or in the way of others and come to collect children. This results in a hold up for everyone. It would be useful to remind other minders of this too ie if relatives are collecting children. Children are asked to cross at pedestrian crossings only and to wait until cars are stationary before getting into them.
Each day the car park clears within a few minutes and we encourage all to be patient.
Entry to school:
As you know the opening time for St Anne’s is 9.10am. Children may come to the hall from 9am onwards and supervision for this additional 10minutes will be in place
Please note that there is NO SUPERVISION before 9am. So I ask that children do not arrive before that time. With a number of children congregating on the path, there can be misbehaviour and accidents can occur.
Other Plans and Projects:
Sixth class will be working with a team from Music Generation (Kildare) on composition of film score. It is hoped to broadcast this around March 24th– we will update you when plans are finalised.
Third classes will be starting a project with Junior Achievement Ireland soon.
GAA continues with Kelly.
Playball for classes infants to 2nd will commence in March. Swimming sessions for 4th and 6th classes will be coming up soon (notes to follow on these to relevant classes).
As we begin the season of Lent, I wish all families every blessing. To all our students in 6th class who are preparing for Confirmation, I wish you a joyful day and may the Holy Spirit guide you in the years ahead.
Enjoy the spring days ahead!
M Manley
