Volume 2, Issue 4
February 12th 2013
Closures:
The school will be closed on
Thursday, 14th February and Friday,
15th February for our mid-term
break. It will re-open on Monday,
18th February at 8.50am.
Principal: Ms C Ní Chianáin
Deputy Principal: Mr O’Donnell
Dear Friends
It’s hard to believe that the month of January is over as the second term of school is in full swing. The
boys are very much looking forward to our non-uniform day on Pancake Tuesday, 12th February.
In just a few weeks, our Parents’ Association will be holding our Annual Fair on Sunday, 24th February
from 11.00am to 3.00pm. I would like to warmly invite all of you to join us on the day in our school hall.
We look forward to seeing you there.
The school is a busy place at the moment. In addition to teaching and learning, preparation is now well
under way for Confirmation and First Communion. Our fifth classes are taking part in cycling safety
classes. Just a few weeks ago, an excellent cyber bullying workshop was held for our fifth and sixth
classes. My thanks to all who are involved in school activities.
Wishing you all a relaxing mid-term break.
Claire Ní Chianáin
SCOIL COLM ANNUAL FAIR
Please come along and help us raise money to buy
Computers and Printers.
The Fair will take place on Sunday the 24th of February, between
11am and 3pm.
There will be a Hotdog stand, Cake and Candy Stall, Clothes Stall,
Book Stall, Bric &Brac, Face painting, Wheel of Fortune raffle prizes
every 15 minutes and lots more!!!
A special draw will take place for 2 JLS and 2 Olly Murs tickets at
2.45pm on the day. Tickets to enter this draw cost €5 and are on
sale now from the class teachers or Ms Devaney.
Page 2 of 4
Students’ Page
Scoil Colm Newsletter
Cycling Safety Lessons
For the last week we have being going to cycling lessons.
There was a man called Mike who helped us. We got cool
bikes. We had to wear helmets. Mike made us go around in
circles and then we cycled to a white line. Then we had to
go through cones and put our hands out to signal to the
drivers behind us. Before our first lesson, Mike told us about
bikes and the way we had to wear our clothes so there are
no hazards. It’s a lot of fun.
By Karl O’B, Room 6
Claire
NEED PICTURE FOR
HERE
Look who got one of our Shoeboxes!!!
Mirsha is from Gjokova, Kosovo.
He received a Team Hope Christmas shoebox on
his 12th birthday, 9th December 2012.
He was SO HAPPY!!
By Jack, Room 4
Coming back to school
On the 8th of January I remember getting up and
feeling nervous. I put on my uniform and then I
walked to school with the boys on my road. When we
were walking I was thinking if people were going to
talk to me again, but when I got into the yard people
were coming over to me. My friend Aaron said
welcome back to me. I felt so happy to be back. My
teacher Ms Murray welcomed me back nicely. When I
went home I felt so happy to be back in Scoil Colm.
James, Room 7
“Create a Comic” Competition Winners
Here are Dane, Jake and Nathan from fourth class
who won the “Create a Comic” competition. Well
done, boys!
Barred games
Ms Ní Chianáin, the principal of our school has banned
all portable games. When we go out now, all we can do
is play football. Ms Ní Chianáin used to say that it’s ‘our
responsibility’ but now she has banned them, because
of recording issues. She probably means that some
games have cameras on them. I think she should let
them in because some people don’t like playing
football. I like playing football but I don’t like when the
ball gets kicked over. But it is true- you shouldn’t be
taking pictures of kids in school or on other premises.
Mark, Room 7
Our Trip to the Ark
Our class went on a trip to the Ark yesterday. Here is how it went. We went to see the play ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles
Dickens. It was fantastic and brilliant. There were two actors in it, Bob and Scrooge. They used lots of props and hats and
scarves. Scrooge was haunted by three spirits, the spirit of Christmas past, their uncle and the spirit of Christmas in the future. I
was sitting beside Sam and Patryk . The play lasted 45 minutes. I felt good after it.
By Josh, 3rd Class
Page 3 of 4
Students’ Page
Scoil Colm Newsletter
Santa’s Visit To Scoil Colm
By Matthew, Room 1
In December, Santa came to Scoil Colm one afternoon. He brought a box of
chocolates for everyone. Second Class and Third Class went to see him in the
yard. The Second Class girls came from St. Agnes’ too. He came on a sleigh
with one reindeer. His elves came to help him. We had a lot of fun.
Cyber-Bullying Workshop – Reports from Room 8
A lady came to our school to talk to us about cyber bullying.
She asked us how many of us had PlayStation or Xbox or both.
Then she asked us who had Facebook, Twitter or MSN.
She asked us who had mobile phones .
Then she said here are a few tipsNever give access to your Facebook or MSN or Twitter or
PlayStation or Xbox.
She said never give away information of your address
or your mobile number or your age.
By Niall, Room 8
About a month ago a woman came into us to talk about cyber
bullying, Facebook, twitter and mobile phones. She said that we
must be careful on the Internet because once you say something
and post it you can never take it back. First she said ‘who has a
phone?’ and everybody’s hand went up. Then she asked ‘who
has the internet on their phone?’ and only about three hands
went down. Then she asked us about gaming consoles such as
Xbox 360 and ps3 and everybody had one and when she asked
about online gaming almost half the class’s hands went down. So
that proves that almost everyone has access to the internet. She
told us all about people that have killed themselves because of
this. It was very sad. She also told us to never give away your
number or address.
By Cian, Room 8
Wheelchair Access
I think there should be more
ramps for disabled people in
public places. If there was a
disabled child in this schoolhow could he come
upstairs? Luckily, there are
two ramps at the back but
we should have a ramp at
the front also. There needs
to be a special group for
mentally challenged people
and disabled people and
their families. I really hope
people read this notice!
P.S. I think there should also
be vending
machines in our school!!
Jarid, Room 7
5th and 6th class went to room 6 and a woman
came in and talked to us about cyber bullying.
She gave us good tips about staying safe on the
internet. You should always save messages and
emails on your device. You never give your exact
location or your phone number. SO BE SAFE.
By Sean, Room 8
On the 16th of January a lady came to talk to our
class and the other classes on the top floor so
there were lots of people. She was taking about
cyber bullying and told us not to be on ask.fm
and if we are getting bullied we should tell
someone and to get help. She told us to be safe
when we are on the internet and to save pictures
or messages so we can show people.
By Craig, Room 8
On the 16th of January a women came in to
warn us if we are on Facebook, Twitter, and
ask.fm and online on PlayStation or Xbox
because people could pretend they are
somebody else. She gave us tips on cyber
bullying, like keep messages and to take screen
shots.
By Jake, Room 8
On the 19th of December, we did a play called ‘Alas in Blunderland’. There were 3 different
plays- Snow White, Goldilocks and Cinderella. I was in Cinderella. We also sang a song at the
end. 2nd class said a poem, 3rd class performed a play with songs and 6th class sang a
Christmas song. It was the best play I was in and I was really proud that I put in a good effort.
Thanks to Ms. Ní Chianáin for setting it up. Thanks to Ms. Murray, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Timbs for
helping us to rehearse the play.
Aaron J, Room 7
Our school had a play on the 19th of December. Ms. Murray, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Timbs
helped us with rehearsals. We spent all afternoon rehearsing but it was good fun. Some of
the characters were the 3 wolves, Goldilocks, 3 bears, Harry Huntsman, the Ugly Sisters and
many more. It was called ‘Alas in Blunderland’. My nanny and my Grandma came to see me.
Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Seville made the costumes. Some of the teachers also brought in
costumes. Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Seville made pictures and billboards. They can draw class
paintings! We had a dress rehearsal before the main show. Jarid Kenny was the narrator.
There were about 200 people there and I would like to say a big thanks to Ms. Ní Chianáin
for setting it up and to all the teachers.
Kevin, Room 7
Page 4 of 4
Parents’ Page
Scoil Colm Newsletter
Dublin Bus
I wrote a poem for the Dublin Bus competition. It was
about rules on Dublin Bus. I worked on the poem for an
hour. I loved it. I went to the City Council because I won
this prize. There was food and drinks there and I got to
see my picture. I even got loads of calendars and could
see my poem in the calendar! Paul McGrath was there.
He is a famous footballer. I went with my mam and my
sister. I saw Joanna there. She is the manager of Dublin
Bus. She made a very good speech. When I went home, I
watched the Dublin GAA game. My poem is now on a
large poster inside the school. I am very proud of it.
Robert, Room 7.
Well done to all the pupils in the four teams who took
part in the Credit Union Quiz.
Date for First Penance 2nd Class, Tuesday 12th of March
at 1:15pm.
Parents, if your mobile number changes throughout
the school year, please inform the school office so
that our Text-A-Parent and contact details can be
updated. Thank You
School Website
www.scoilcolm.scoilnet.ie Please use our website for
information in relation to important school dates.
Trócaire: Once again this year, the pupils of Scoil Colm and their families will support the Trócaire campaign.
Boxes have been sent home with your children. Please give whatever support you can.
INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:
As a result of the Croke Park Agreement, we would like to keep you updated with the following information:
Between September 2012 and February 2013:

Our monthly staff meeting has taken place outside school hours.

School Development Planning meetings have taken place outside school hours.

Stay Safe and First Aid training for staff have taken place outside school hours.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, parents and other members of the community at Scoil
Colm for the many hours of their own time which they give voluntarily to activities that enhance school life for
our pupils, such as training teams, supervising pupils, after-school programmes and clubs, accompanying pupils
to events/matches, attending training courses, etc. Their contribution is very much appreciated.
C Ní Chianáin
Principal