Spring Newsletter 2009

Well Done

What a busy start to 2009.

Fr Hugh has been celebrating Masses for the pupils of our First Holy Communion and Confirmation classes. Thank you to all involved in the preparation and support of these ceremonies.

Confirmation

Bishop Walsh will confirm our sixth class pupils on Friday February 27^th 2009 in Killaloe at 3:30pm. School will close at 12 o’clock to facilitate preparations for the ceremony.

The schools photographer, Mr Eamon Andrews will take a group photograph of the Confirmation class with Bishop Walsh immediately after the ceremony. He will be available to take family photographs for those interested afterwards.

On 19^th February next, the Confirmation class will enjoy a day retreat in Glenstal Abbey as part of their preparation for their Confirmation.

Quiz Time Success

The Derg Credit Union Quiz on Friday last, 30^th January, was a great success, with all our teams, comprising of pupils from fourth, fifth and sixth classes doing very well. 37 teams from a total of thirteen schools took part. Congratulations to all our pupils who took part and who acquitted themselves so well on the night. A special well done to Rebekah, Jack, Luke & Eimhin who were only one point behind the winners on the night, achieving second place with a score of 67 out of a total score of 72.

Green School Committee News

A meeting of the Green School Committee took place on Thursday 22^nd January. Thanks to all who attended. It was decided that as part of our litter and waste management theme, we shall collect used batteries at the school. Your support and participation is greatly appreciated. If you have any queries, please contact Ms O’Reilly, our Green Schools Co-ordinator.

Concert

The pupils from third, fourth, fifth and sixth classes have been invited to the St Anne’s College annual musical in Killaloe. Titled “ Back to the Eighties” the concert will take place on Wednesday February 4^th next at 11am. The cost (including bus transport and admission fee) per pupil is €6.50.

Sport

The Marion Keane Basketball Tournament takes place later this term. This is an interschool basketball competition. Ms Horkan and Ms O’Dea have commenced training with pupils from third to sixth classes.

Arrangements are being finalised for hurling/camogie training, tag rugby and tennis for later in the school year.

Tree-Planting

National tree planting week takes place on week beginning 2^nd March 2009. Coillte-Scariff are organising a tree-planting ceremony at the school on Wednesday March 4^th at 1:30pm. We thank them for their interest in our school and we look forward to this tree-planting event.

World Book Day

March 5^th is dedicated World book Day. All pupils will receive vouchers to the value of €1:50 to be used during the month of March if purchasing books. This is a timely reminder to encourage our children’s literacy skills and engagement in reading and related activities.

Healthy Eating.

Ogonnelloe National School adheres to a healthy eating code. This supports parents’ efforts in providing their child/ren with healthy, nutritional lunches.

A special programme is being piloted to encourage healthy eating in children. Our school will be included in this programme beginning on 9^th March.

Called “Food Dudes”, it is a programme developed to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables both in school and at home. It is based on positive role models (the Food Dudes characters), repeated tasting and rewards. More details will follow, closer to that date.

Artist in School

The Parents Association and the school staff, in a joint effort, have been successful in our application to the Arts Council/ Clare Co. Council, to be included in their Artist in School scheme. We plan to have Ms Jane Seymour, ceramicist, work with our pupils, extending their experience of working through the medium of clay. When completed, we plan to hold an exhibition of the children’s work for all to see.

School Absences

The National Education Welfare Board (NEWB) has issued new guidelines to schools. The guidelines remind schools that any pupil absent from school for twenty days or more must be reported to them. They require that schools keep records of all pupil absences, including pupils arriving late to school, pupils leaving early, or pupils being absent for any part of the school day.

We do appreciate when parents/guardians inform the school that their child will be absent, whether in person or by phone. However, in order to comply with the new guidelines, we will need a written note, signed by the child’s parent/guardian, explaining the nature and duration of the child’s absence. This is needed for all absences, whether for part of a day, a whole day or more. These are for the purpose of record keeping, and may be asked for by the Education Welfare Officer, especially in the event of an absence reported to them.

Punctuality

Apart from exceptional circumstance, (i.e. adverse weather conditions or hold up on the road), we will have to insist on a written note from pupils who are late for school, explaining the reason for their lateness. The school bell rings to admit pupils at 9:20am every morning. Classes begin punctually. The practice by some families of persistently arriving late for school adds up to a significant loss of instruction for those children, as well as causing disruption to classes already underway.

Rest assured that every effort is made to ensure that your child is safe while in the custody of the school staff, (9:20am to 3pm). Parents are responsible for their children outside these times.

Dates To Remember

February 16^th & 17^th : Mid-term Break. No school for all pupils

February 27^th Confirmation Day: Early closing at 12 o’clock.

No school for sixth class pupils.

March 16^th School closure No School for all pupils

March 17^th St Patrick’s Day. Public Holiday…no school

April 3^rd Easter Holidays Early closing 12:00pm

School Re-opens: Monday 20^th April @ 9:20am.