Final Term:
The last term is usually one of the busiest times in school with a large number of events going on such as sporting events and school tours. It is very important that pupils maintain their efforts and good behaviour right until the end of the year. Parents can help in this regard with the careful monitoring of homework ensuring that it is fully completed and signed in the usual manner.
Attendance:
As stated on many occasions, attendance in the school is generally excellent. It is essential however that after any student is absent that the teacher is furnished with a written note. This can be kept on file in the school. Should any pupils miss 20 days, we are obliged to notify the National Educational Welfare Board.
Green Flag:
We are delighted to report that the school received word this week that it has been awarded the Green Flag. This is reward for the huge amount of work put in by a large number of people this year. The Green School Committee led the way and I’d like to pay particular tribute to the adults who participated so actively as part of it. All the staff in the school expended a huge amount of effort both in and out of the classroom and we were fully supported by parents.
But the biggest congratulations have to go to the pupils for all the cleaning and recycling that they carried out throughout the year. The whole idea of the exercise is to encourage and develop life – long habits and behaviours and we certainly believe that many of our pupils have realised the importance of these aspects of being a member of our local community.
Class Arrangements for Next Year:
There will be two class splits for next year. The current Junior Infants will be split with 10 pupils being in the Junior Infants/ Senior Infants classroom and the remaining 5 pupils will be in the Senior Infants/1st classroom. All parents of pupils involved are being informed with a note attached to this newsletter.
The second split will be with the current 2nd class. They will be split the same as before with the oldest eight being in the 3rd/4th classroom and the rest in the 2nd/3rd classroom. Again a note has been attached to confirm this with parents involved. There will be a meeting for parents of children in these classes next Wednesday from 7:00 – 7:30 in the school to inform parents of the book lists for the coming year.
The growth of our school to 5 classroom teachers has been of great benefit to all concerned, in particular the pupils. It allows more individual time to pupils as instead of being in classes of 32; this is reduced to numbers that are far more advantageous between 20 and 25. All studies show that this is of benefit, particularly in the Junior end of the school.
Communion/Confirmation:
The dates are as follows for both days – Communion, Saturday the 17th of May at 11:00, Muff Church. Confirmation – Sunday the 25th of May at 3:00.
6th Class will have their annual retreat in the Parish Centre, Kingscourt on Tuesday 13th May from 9:30 to 1:00. The cost is €5 per pupil.
Please note any remaining Trocaire boxes can be left into the school office.
Standardised Tests:
These will take place the last two weeks in May and the first two weeks in June. They examine progress in areas of English, Maths and Irish.
Parents Association:
There will be a meeting next week and details will follow shortly.
Sport:
The fine weather has been of great benefit to all the recent sporting events in the school. We had two soccer teams involved in the Cavan Soccer Blitz this week. Our boys team under Mr Payne performed extremely well winning one, drawing two and losing one. Our girls team under Ms. Campbell managed to win three and draw one, thus qualifying from their group. They lost out in the semi – final but a chance meeting with “The Voice” winner Brendan McCahey on the way home seemed to make up for it. Well done to all involved.
Our girls’ Gaelic football team begin their competition in the next couple of weeks. We are also hoping to organise a blitz for the boys involving other schools before the end of the month.
In school Brendan McCormack continues to help out with Gaelic training. This has allowed for up to 45 pupils getting involved in training each week on Tuesday. We would remind parents that the wearing of a gum shield is now required. These can be bought in the school for €2.
There will be a team going to the School Relay Athletics Championships next week also.
Meanwhile swimming continues each Monday in Kells. The quality of the coaching here is excellent with very experienced coaches. Also the cost is kept down due to the funds of the Parents Association who help subsidise the visits.
Community Games Quiz:
Well done to students from our 6th class who won the recent county final and have now qualified for the All Ireland Competition in Athlone.
Children’s History Book: On behalf of the 5th and 6th class we would like to thank the huge support the book has received from all those in the local community. There are still a small amount of copies left on sale if anyone is interested.
Calendar: Below is a list of the remaining dates of closure for the coming term:
May Bank Holiday – school closed May 5th
Friday, May 23rd – school closed for elections
June Bank Holiday – School closed Friday 30th May & Monday 2nd June
Summer Holidays – School closing Friday 27th June