Scoil Mhuire News
www.scoilmhuireoranmore.scoilnet.ie
Tel. 091 – 794184
Issue 1
Sept./Oct. 2012
Principal’s Message and Welcome
Welcome to our very first edition of Scoil Mhuire News! This is a very exciting time in the life of Scoil Mhuire.
Through this newsletter we hope to give you an insight into all the events occurring during and after school-time.
Our newsletter outlines our sports activities and extra-curricular opportunities, while also informing you about
new developments in our school. We will also have information about our Parents’ Association and other groups
that work on your behalf. Bainigí sult as!
including the painting of classrooms and refurbishment of
existing toilets have been completed.
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Attendance
Principal: Ms. Edel Carney
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Minister for Education
We are very excited about the up-coming visit to our
school by the Minister for Education, Mr. Ruairi Quinn on
Friday, October 19th, 2012. He is very interested in
meeting and greeting the staff and pupils of Scoil Mhuire.
We will extend him a warm Céad Míle Fáilte.
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Assembly Time
We have adopted a thematic approach to assembly time
this year. The theme of our first assembly was ‘new
beginnings’ and the 6th classes prepared the music and
prayers for this. 5th class were responsible for our second
assembly which focused on ‘prayer’. Our thanks to both
classes and their teachers for their attention to detail and
making these occasions spiritual and uplifting for all.
Upcoming themes include Friendship and Advent.
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School Infrastructure
Scoil Mhuire encourages full attendance of all pupils.
Where pupils are absent from school, a written note to
their teacher is required outlining the reason for the
absence. The withdrawal of pupils during school term is
greatly discouraged. Parents are reminded that Scoil
Mhuire is obligated to report to the National Education
Welfare Board (NEWB) students whose absence rates
exceed twenty days during the school year.
Punctuality
We would request that all pupils be ready and waiting in
line with their classmates when the school bell rings at
8:50am. Late comers miss out on the transition to their
classrooms and disrupt the learning of their fellow pupils.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following pupils who achieved
full attendance during their 2011/12 academic school
year. These pupils were awarded a gold star certificate
from the NEWB and a treat from the school.
Oisin Stack
Enosaremen Enaiho
Shane Carney
Abigail Cantrell
Rachel King
Aoife Carney
Elaine Callanan
Hannah Whelan
Sarah Duffy
Ailbhe Folan
Faith Akintunde
Uche Emihian
Precious Adedokun
Orla Loughran
Aoife Loughran
Ehiomen Enaiho
Akouvi Ahiable
Valerie Okafor
Eseosa Enaiho
Megan Ward
Venus Omokhoa
AlannaColleran
Fadilah Lawal
Michael Akintunde
Daniel Lernihan
Cormac Breen
Cathal Penney
Wisdom Ike
Victoria Olawale
Discussions regarding a new school building for Scoil
Mhuire took place in August between the Principal and
the Minister for Education. Planning permission has been
granted for a new prefab and resource room. These are to
be erected in due course. Meanwhile, renovations
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Child Protection
Our Designated Liaison Person (DLP)is our principal, Ms.
Carney. In the event that Ms. Carney is absent, our newly
appointed deputy principal, Ms. Keane, will be available.
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Teacher Consultations
Teachers very much welcome meeting with parents.
However, incidental visits are not possible, as they
infringe on teaching time and teachers are not in a
position to leave their class unsupervised for these
consultations. We would appreciate if the school
office is contacted or use is made of the homework
journal to arrange an appointment.
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Put in your diary!
Midterm break: Monday, October
29th to Friday, November 2nd
inclusive.
Presentation Day: November 21st
2012 school closed at 12 noon
Christmas Concert: December 5th
and 6th 2012 at 7:30pm
Confirmation: April 12th 2013
school closed at 1pm
Communion: May 11th 2013
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Parents’ Association
A newly appointed Parents’ Association Committee
was formed on September 18th 2012:
Chairpersons: Regina Cannon & Emma Ekoma
Vice Chairperson: Margaret Mullins
Secretary: Claire Finn
Assistant Secretary: Florence Ogum
Treasurer: Rachel Trainor
Vice Treasurer: Sarah Comer
Scoil Mhuire Liaison Person: Mary Crowe
Scoil Iósaif Naofa Liaison Person: Dawn Mc Goldrick
Lift off to Literacy
Lift off to Literacy is an intervention that gives
children lots of opportunities to read books at their
own level of competency. The complexity of reading
and writing tasks is gradually increased in line with
the child’s progress. This initiative is part of the
School Self Improvement Plan and Literacy and
Numeracy for learning-style Strategy 2011-2020.
We will lift off following the midterm break.
Fundraising
Our school will be taking part in the CHRISTMAS
CARDS FOR SCHOOLS 2012 PROJECT. This is a unique
and fun way to raise funds for our school. More
information will be available shortly.
Christmas Concert on December 5th and 6th 2012.
Tickets will be sold in advance.
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Healthy Lunches Policy
Scoil Mhuire operates a Healthy Lunch Policy and
discourages pupils from bringing in sweets for their
classmates as this is contrary to our HEALTHY
LUNCHES POLICY. Please see our website for healthy
lunch box fillers. Thank you!
Next meeting on November 13th 2012 at 8pm in staff
room of Scoil Mhuire.
Green Corner
Scoil Mhuire is working towards GREEN FLAG status.
This will take huge cooperation and commitment by
both pupils, parents and staff alike. There is a Green
Display showing the steps of REDUCE, REUSE,
RECYCLE in the school hall for all to see.
The lost property box is emptied every term. Any
contents that remain at the end of each term are
donated to charity. It would be of great assistance if
pupils’ clothes and belongings are labelled to ensure
ease of return where possible.
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I enjoy being back and being able to play with my
friends again.
(4th class pupil)
Well, I missed everything… except the homework!
(5th class pupil)
SchoolGarden
Our SCHOOLGARDEN is entering its autumnal
slumber! Much of the harvest during the summer
was donated to local and city charities. Some lucky
pupils in Scoil Mhuire were fortunate enough to
enjoy the fruits (but mostly vegetables!) of their
labour this week. An-bhlasta!
Activity Corner
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Cúpla focail Gaeilge
Why not use the ‘cúpla focail’ at home. Below you
can find some useful phrases for this season!
An Fómhar atá ann. = It is autumn.
Tá na duilleoga ag titim. = The leaves are falling.
Tá Oíche Shamhna ag teacht. = Halloween is coming.
SEANFHOCAL
:
Tús maith leath na hoibre!
A good start is half the work!
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Weblinks
Check out our SCHOOL WEBSITE www.scoilmhuireoranmore.scoilnet.ie
Other websites you may find helpful!
www.starfall.com
www.mesenglish.com
www.mathsisfun.com
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Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Scoil Mhuire will participate in the Christmas
Shoebox Appeal. This involves children filling a
shoebox with a range of simple gifts which will be
delivered all over the world to children who have
very little. More information can be gained from
www.teamhope.ie
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ChatterBox
Some pupils in Scoil Mhuire were asked what they
enjoy about returning to school this year!
Galway Cross Border Peace Proms
Choir 2013
6th classes are busily preparing for this initiative.
Established in 1995, this peace initiative encourages
inclusiveness and tolerance of others.
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Sports
A submission has been made for an ACTIVE FLAG. As
part of this venture, participation in sports and
healthy exercise is being promoted in Scoil Mhuire.
Please see our Sports Notice Board in the hall for
relevant information!
Skipping Workshop: October 16th/17th.Children
contributed €3 for this initiative. (€2.50 workshop;
€0.50 school kit). Further information on www.skiphop.co.uk
Rugby blitz: Well done to 4th classes for their tip top
tag-rugby performances in Galwegians’ Stadium on
September 25th.
Irish dancing: Every Monday with Christina and
Celine.
Extracurricular
Camogie: Mrs. Jennings and Ruth Flaherty (SNA)
trained the girls during the month of September.
Congratulations to the girls on their performance at
the INTO GAA Mini 7’s camogie competition.
Camogie training for this will commence again in the
summer term.
Speech & drama: Tuesdays with Ailbhe Garvey. Tel:
087-2832091
Story-telling workshop: Pupils from 1st-3rdclasses
attended a Storytelling Workshop on October 9th in
Oranmore Library.
Gaelic football: Training every Wednesday after
school with Ms. Hogan and Orla Payne, assisted by a
transition year student and former student of Scoil
Mhuire, Ciara Crowe. Martin Crowe (parent) assisted
in the very first training session. The team will
participate in INTO GAA Mini 7’s football on
Wednesday October 17th in Craughwell.
Athletics: Thank you Deirdre Kelly (parent) for
coaching the school’s cross country athletics team
and congratulations to all participants in the Cross
Country Finals.
Swimming: This is currently catering for pupils from
6th classes and will continue throughout the year for
4th-6th classes. Fiona Mooney (parent) is the
swimming tutor.
Tennis: This has already commenced for Senior
Infant classes and will continue throughout the year.
Jonathan Klampe coaches in our school every
Thursday.
Camogie: Training has commenced with 2nd and 3rd
classes on Tuesdays. Damien and Angela are
coaching these groups during school hours.
Piano lessons: Mondays and Fridays in the hall with
Aisling McCarthy. Tel: 085-1540346.
Art lessons: Ms. Moloney & Ms. Costelloe teach art
after school. Tues. Junior and Senior infants; Wed
1st-6th classes. Tel: 086-1580096 or 087-2899652
Maroon ‘n’ white day: A big thank you to all who
participated in our Maroon ‘n’ White day on
September 28th. It was a resounding success. Better
luck next year Galway.
Other
Information Night: An information night was held
for Junior Infants on October 9th where supporting
learning was discussed. An information evening for
parents of senior infants will take place on Thursday
October 25th 2012 at 7pm.
Halloween Dress Up Day: Friday October 26th in aid
of Scoil Mhuire. 2 euro per student.
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