Clashmore
National School
Email:
clashmorens19@gmail.com
clashmorens19@gmail.com
Tel:
+353-24-96404
+353-24-96404
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the Halloween edition of our Newsletter!
I am delighted that all of our boys and girls have settled back into school, particularly our new Junior Infants. As always it has been an action packed couple of weeks full of fun activities. To date the pupils have enjoyed 3 tag-rugby sessions with Waterford Sports Partnership. Pupils from 3rd-6th class have been learning about Stem through the Lego Spike Programme.
1st and 2nd class have been working with beebots and Junior and Senior Infants are currently using balance bikes provided by Waterford Sports Partnership. Once again, all of the children in the school have been partaking in the Daily Mile. This year we are travelling from San Francisco to New York. We look forward to many more exciting activities between now and the mid-term break, as detailed below.
1. School Attendance
As you are aware, as a DEIS school we place a huge emphasis on attendance and we will be aiming to continually improve on our overall attendance. For September our overall attendance rate was 92.2%. However, this figure is down from last year where it was 93.1%. So we will be aiming to improve this as the year progresses. We will however need your help to do so. So please make every effort to ensure your child is in school. Equally, we would ask that appointments be made outside of school time and that children are not leaving school early. In addition, please try to avoid taking holidays during term time, as regardless of the time of year children are missing out when they are not in school.
Please remember that all pupil absences must be logged on The Aladdin Connect App. I would like to congratulate our Junior and Senior Infants for the best attendance for the month of September-Well done boys and girls!
2. Reminders
A gentle reminder to please ensure that all of your child(ren)`s jumpers are clearly labelled with their name. Also, please ensure that your child has a face-cloth in a zipped bag, to dry that they can use to dry their hands. Please remember that we are a Nut-Free School as there are children in the school with allergies to nuts, so no nuts of any sort are permitted e.g. Nutella etc
3. The Summer Stars Programme
The Summer Stars Programme is a wonderful programme run by the local libraries to encourage a love of reading in children. This programme acknowledges the reading efforts of children over the Summer break and children are awarded a certificate and medal. I would like to congratulate and commend all of the children who participated in this scheme from our school. There was a noticeable increase in the participation this year. Maith sibh a pháistí! As always, your local library is a wonderful resource to have on your doorstep and a very effective way of inculcating a love of reading in your child.
4. SNA Appreciation Day & World Teachers` Day
There were two very special events marked in the school recently, SNA Appreciation Day on the 26th September and World Teachers` Day on the 5th October. I would like to sincerely thank the Student Council and the pupils in 1st and 2nd class who made and presented handcrafted pictures to all of our wonderful staff. It was a lovely day in honour of our amazing staff, that finished with some sweet treats!
5. Scholastic Book Fair Monday 14th –Thursday 17th October
We will be hosting the Scholastic Book Fair once again in the school. The fair is beginning on Monday 14th until Thursday 17th October. This event is open to the entire community and will take place in the School Hall from 2pm-3:30pm daily (Mon-Thurs). We hope that you will once again support this event, as there will be free books for the school when you buy at the book fair. We look forward to seeing you all there!
6. Clashmore Parents` Association
The Clashmore Parents` Association will hold their A.G.M on Tuesday 15th October at 8pm in the school. All parents are welcome.
Fundraisers: A gentle reminder that they are still collecting bags of unwanted clothes & all funds raised from the Return Bottle Scheme bins in Clashmore village and in the GAA are going towards the Parents` Association. So please support these endeavours.
7. GAA & Cumann na mBunscoil
Well done to our boys and girls who played their semi-finals of The Cumann na mBunscoil on Thursday 3rd October. While the girls were unsuccessful on this occasion, we are extremely proud of their efforts. Comhghairdeachas to the boys who will now progress to the Western Football Final. The final will be played in Dungarvan GAA grounds on Saturday 19st October at 11am. Guímís gach rath ar na buachaillí.
8. Grandparents` Day 24th October
I am delighted to announce that we will host Grandparents` Day in the school on Thursday 24th October starting at 1pm. We would like to cordially invite all Grandparents to this event. If grandparents cannot attend on the day, the children are welcome to invite a parent or a special friend to the event. Equally if Grandparents have passed away, the children may bring in a framed photo in memory of their Grandparents. We look forward to a truly special day.
9. 5th & 6th Class Fundraiser Friday 25th October
As is tradition in the school, 5th & 6th class will be doing a fundraising event to fund the end of year hoodies for 6th class. This year, they will host a Halloween Party for all children in the school on Friday 25th October. There will be games, face-painting, drinks and treats at the party. All children can bring money along with them on the day. A bun and a drink will be €2. All games will be €1. There will also be prizes on the day. We look forward to a fantastic day.
10. Witches` Walk Friday 25th October
The Boys & girls will be allowed to dress up coming to school on this day. We hope to have our annual Witches` Walk also on this day, weather permitting. Please note that the school will close on this day, at 3pm as normal.
11. Shoebox Appeal
In Clashmore National School we are familiar with the gift of giving and we will be putting this into effect again this year, by participating in the annual shoebox appeal. This is an annual campaign that delivers gifts to children affected by poverty. Since 2010 this campaign has delivered 2.5 million shoeboxes across the world. I would be most grateful if you could please send in shoeboxes by Wednesday 6th November.
12. Parent-Teacher Meetings 26th-27th November
Please note that the Parent-Teacher Meetings will take place on the 26th and the 27th of November this year. Timeslots will be available for parents to book via Aladdin nearer the time.
13. Christmas Concerts/Performances on 17th December at 6:30pm
This year the school will host Christmas Concerts by 1st & 2nd Class and 5th & 6th Class. All other classes will perform some Christmas songs in the school hall. We look forward to some memorable performances from the children.
14. Important Dates for Your Diary
Finally, I would like to wish you all a very enjoyable and restful Halloween,
Le gach beannacht uaimse,
Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
Principal of Clashmore National School