Dear Parent / Guardian / Colleague / Board Member,

 

Health Register – In an effort to review our Safety Statement, we are in the process of updating our list of pupils with health concerns / allergies / ailments / medication needs etc. Families initially report this to us by way of the Application Form, upon entry. We regularly send out update requests and would like to do so again now. If your child has a health concern, (big or small) which may or may not be on our records, please log it via this 5-question link. It is important that staff are kept up to date on the health of all pupils and that details are continually updated. Pupil Health Questionnaire

 

Sacrament of Penance – Our Rg 2 pupils received the Sacrament of Penance in Fourmilewater on Wednesday night. Thanks to Fr Michael, their teachers Miss O’Keeffe / Mrs Coffey and also Niamh for the music. A gentle reminder that they will also participate in the 9 am FMW mass this Sunday.

 

Confirmation – Families received a letter from Fr Toomey this week in advance of their child’s confirmation. Please ask your Rg 6 child if you haven’t received it yet. I, also sent an email to Rg 6 parents sharing some details and a letter from Bishop Alphonsus Cullinan. Please be aware that school will remain open for all other families on Confirmation Day, Thursday 30th March.

 

Seachtain na Gaeilge – Our two seanfhocail for the week are,

1. Beatha teanga í a labhairt. – It’s the life of a language to speak it.
2. Beidh lá eile ag an bPaorach. – Power will have another day. (Synonymous with the Deise)

 

TIMMS. – (Trends in International Mathematics and Science Studies.) 4^th Class has been selected randomly to take part in TIMSS, which is an international study of maths and science. TIMSS is carried out on behalf of the Department of Education. We will require the cooperation of Rg 4 pupils and their parents to facilitate this. We will forward information on this project next week. The assessment date is scheduled for Tuesday 18^th April.

 

GAA Coach – Hurling coaching continued today with Katie O’Meara. Our 7 a side boys participated in the annual hurling tournament blitz on Tuesday last. They were unlucky on the day but thanks to Mrs McGrath and Johnny, our bus driver for their assistance.

 

Uniform Exchange – The P.A. has decided to hold this on the last Saturday and Sunday of March at Ballymacarbry Community Centre. Parents are free to give and take uniforms from a table in the foyer between the hours of 10am – 6pm. This is a very worthwhile exercise and any queries can be directed towards Aoife Fenlon McCarthy or any P.A. member.

 

Before school Entry. – Thanks for your much appreciated cooperation on this.

 

Enrolment. – All families who expressed an interest in enrolling their child / children for September have now received the longer application form to complete. Please complete and attach the necessary paperwork and return to the school at your earliest convenience.

 

Let’s Move – As a school, we signed up to ‘Let’s Move Waterford’ in conjunction with Waterford GAA recently. It involves fun-filled family activities for the month of March. Each family was given a card to mark each task as they complete it. Maith sibh if you are working your way through it.

 

School Transport – The Department has released important information in relation to transport for the upcoming school year. If you are considered to be a “new application” please activate the attached link for further information. New applications are considered as:

1. Pupils who will be attending junior infants in primary school or first year in post-primary school for the first time in 2023.
2. Pupils that may move home address or will be attending a new school in the 2023/24 school year.

Closing date is Friday 28^th April. School Transport Information

 

St. Patrick’s Day. – Our school will be closed on Friday next in honour of our Patron saint. We encourage our pupils to dress up in Irish themed costumes on Thurs in advance of this. Preparations are stepping up for our Céilí Mór. Coincidently, the tricolour was first flown in Waterford city by Waterford man, Thomas Francis Meagher on Mar. 7^th 1848, 175 years ago, this week.

 

Is mise,

Michael J. O’ Ryan – Principal.