Newsletter 20 – Feb 9th, 2024
Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Spring has sprung! We are officially in Spring since the 1st of February, although it seems that the weather doesn’t know it.
Did you know that February to April is Astronomical Spring which relates to the phase on the Earth’s orbit of the Sun and Meteorological Spring relates to the warming weather and is considered March to May? Regardless, the days are getting longer, and daffodils and other flowers are appearing, so it is most welcome.
Parking – A reminder that parking is not permitted at any time at the entrance to Trafalgar Court. A number of the residents in Trafalgar Court have been blocked in/out at drop off time in the morning and at collection time in the evening due to illegal parking. Your cooperation in this matter is appreciated.
Communication Policy – The new Board of Management discussed and ratified our Communications Policy at its first board meeting on Tuesday 6th February. The Communications Policy will be available to view on our school website under Policies in the coming days.
Gaeilge – Frásaí na Seachtaine # 19 – This week’s phrase is: “Suigh sos/Seas suas/Suigí síos/Seasaigí suas (Sit down/Stand up)
Birthday Greetings ––Celebrating birthdays at our school this week and next week are Saatvik Gupta (9yrs), Lauren Sotto Murray (9yrs), Oisín Connaughton (11yrs), Nora Gonzalez Guridi (11yrs), Christopher O’ Connor (12yrs), Aleksander Siwiec (12yrs), Alan Joshy (11yrs), Robyn Scally (11yrs), Taline Mikhaeil (9yrs), Eoin Finn (8yrs), Oisín O’ Brien (10yrs), Georgia O’ Gorman (12yrs) and Saoirse Faye Nolan (10yrs) We wish them all a very happy birthday and best wishes for the year ahead
The PA need your help – The Fundraising Committee are gathering prizes for our Summer Fundraiser in May. If you have any unwanted Christmas gifts you would like to donate, can you drop them to the office please? Thank you in advance for your support.
Wellbeing Day – All of the classes have been working really hard to promote wellbeing within their own classrooms since September. As part of the Amber Flag Initiative, we celebrated our first Wellbeing Day at St. Brigid’s on Wednesday 7th February. Junior Infants to 3rd Class did yoga in the hall with Jo. They really enjoyed learning about and trying out different types of breathing and yoga poses. 4th Class to 6th Class had a mindfulness session with Jennie. They explored the idea of a busy mind and created mindful bottles. We hope to make our Wellbeing Day an annual event.
Let’s make every school day count. School Attendance this week was slightly down on last week at 92.3%.
Entrance Exams for St. David’s – Friday 9th February – 12.00pm-2.30pm.
Lent 2024 – Lent begins next Wednesday February 14th, coinciding with Valentine’s Day and runs until March 28th , the day before Good Friday and three days before Easter.
Paired Reading Initiative for 6th Class – Room 16 will go over to St. David’s Library on Monday 19th February to work with the TY students on a novel of their choosing. This will be the first of three visits for Room 16.
Health and Safety
- Vision and Hearing Tests for Junior Infants will take place at the school on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd February.
- Internet Safety Talk – Garda Maria Curtis will give an Internet Safety Talk to 5th and 6th on the 22nd February.
Confirmation Family Reconciliation Service – All families presenting for Confirmation are invited to a Reconciliation Service in Kilcoole Church at 6pm. There will be three Reconciliation Services, so candidates and the families can come on a night that suits them best. The dates for the designated services are Wed 21st Feb, Wed 28th Feb and Wed 1st March. This is a general reconciliation service, there will not be individual confessions at this service.
First Confession for 2nd Class – This will take place on Thursday 22nd February at 5.30pm in Kilcoole Church. Please remember to bring your child’s Baptismal Candle (or any candle if the Baptismal Candle is not available)
Primary Maths Curriculum (PMC) School Closure Date – The school will be closed on Wednesday 13th March to facilitate Inservice training for teachers in the new Maths Curriculum. This closure has been sanctioned by the Department of Education.
Planned School Closures for Term 2
- Monday 12th February to Friday 16th February – Midterm Break
- Wednesday 13th March – Primary Maths Curriculum Inservice for teachers
- Monday 18th March – St. Patrick’s Day Public Holiday
- Friday 22nd March – Last day of Term 2
- Monday 8th April – School reopens for Term 3
Hope you all have a lovely Midterm Break.
Kind regards,
Máire Costello
Principal