Dear Parents / Guardians,
We hope you are all well. Our news is as follows:
- Farewell Fair: Our Sixth Class are holding their annual ‘Farewell Fair’ tomorrow. They are fundraising to raise money for their graduation hoodies. The fair will involve a now annual bake sale, but in addition to that, the children will have various other items on sale such as books, toys, jewellery etc. Any donations of books in good condition, as well as the donation of baked goods would be greatly appreciated. Please send in any books (no more toys needed) and baked good tomorrow morning, if possible. There will be a nail painting station at the fair. If you would not like your child to get their nails painted, please send a note on Aladdin to their teacher. All children must have coins to buy items on Friday. Items will range between 20c and €2.
- Football: Congratulations to our football team on their outstanding victory over Gaelscoil Cill Dara yesterday, with an impressive final score of 9-9 to 2-2. Their hard work, determination, and teamwork truly paid off! A huge well done to all the players and everyone involved in the win. Next week, the girls will host their final league game against Ballymany. We wish them and their coaches, Ms. Marrinan and Ms. Brogan the very best of luck.
- Swimming: All children in Second, Third and Fourth Classes will begin their block of swimming lessons in Portarlington Pool tomorrow (please see Notice sent to all parents on 6th February and again, on 3rd April). The cost of the swimming has been very heavily subsidised by our Parents’ Association. I want to thank our Parents’ Association for prioritising swimming in their fundraising efforts.
- Cycle Safety Training: Ms. Marrinan’s and Ms. de Faoite’s Sixth Classes will take part in a six-session block of cycle safety training, beginning on Tuesday next, 6th May. The course is aligned to Cycle Right, the National Standard for Cycle Safety Training in Ireland, and is delivered by qualified trainers from the national register. As we are a Green School, An Taisce are heavily subsidising the course, with the cost to pupils reduced to €5. At the end of the course, each pupil will receive a digital certificate of participation. Bicycles and helmets will be provided, but if the pupils wish, they can bring along their own bicycle and/or helmet (not needed for the first day – 6th May). The dates of the sessions are as follows: 6th May, 13th May, 20th May, 27th May 6th June and 10th June.
- Bicycles: We love to see children cycling/scooting to school. There is a covered bicycle shelter to the rear of the school available for the parking of bicycles/scooters. As bicycle/scooters are parked here at the owners’ risk, we strongly advise that they are locked while parked.
- Tag Rugby: Seán Brien, from Leinster Rugby will begin a two-week block of coaching sessions with Ms. Feeney’s and Ms. Gleeson’s First Classes tomorrow. Seán worked with some of our older classes earlier in the year. We look forward to seeing all the new skills the girls will acquire.
- Transition to Secondary School: The home-school liaison coordinator, Nuala Connolly and Guidance Counsellor, Olive Keenan from Ardscoil Rath Iomgháin will meet with our Sixth Class pupils here in the school on Thursday to speak with them about the transition to secondary school. They will answer any questions the girls have. We look forward to welcoming them to the school,
- Code of Behaviour: Our Code of Behaviour is available to view at www.bunscoilbhride.ie . I wish to remind you all that, as stated in our Code, jewellery (with the exception of small stud earrings at the bottom of each ear and a watch) is not permitted at school. Children should not come to school wearing hoop earrings / dangly earrings / earrings that are larger than a small stud, which are in breach of the code and pose a health and safety risk. Please ensure that children are wearing the correct uniform and that long hair is tied up. Mobile phones / electronic devices are strictly prohibited and should not be brought to school. Your cooperation in the implementation of our Code of Behaviour is very much appreciated.
- Library: Our school library has become a vibrant hub within the school, with weekly visits for all classes, allowing all children to take advantage of the huge array of books on offer. It has been well proven that reading regularly increases your child’s reading ability, improves academic ability, nurtures a love of reading for life and helps your child to learn about the world. Please ensure that your child treats the library books well and returns them for exchange as soon as she has finished reading them. A fee will be imposed to cover the cost of lost/damaged books.
- Oral Language: The theme for the month of May is ‘Debating’. All classes will be focusing on this theme for the month and we would ask that you support us at home, by questioning your child, asking her to justify her choices and to support her arguments. Oral arguments that cause your child to have to reason with you and formulate and deliver a response reflecting a point of view are always to be encouraged, even in Junior Infants!
- Dates for the Diary: All dates for the diary for this term are marked on the calendar in the Aladdin Connect app and we would ask you to keep an eye on this. Please note these dates are subject to change. Any changes to events will be recorded via the Aladdin Calendar.
- May Bank Holiday Closure: The school will be closed on Monday next, 5th May. We hope you all have a lovely long weekend.
Kind regards,
Maria Rogerson