P.E.

We thank Sharon for continuing basketball during the month of January.  P.E. days will continue to be Tuesdays and Thursdays until further notice.  

We also thank Sarah from Rinka for her gymnastic and dance work last term.  We thoroughly enjoyed her lessons.

Congratulations

We send our congratulations to Bishop David McClay, a former pupil of our school.  He was consecrated in St Anne's Cathedral, Belfast as the new Church of Ireland Bishop of Down and Dromore on Saturday.

P.T.A. Update

Thank you to all those who attended our P.T.A. meeting last week. 

Thanks were extended to everyone who helped with fundraising last term and helped with organising the Christmas party.
 
Money raised since September was used to purchase Mrs Patterson's Interactive Flat Screen and to cover the costs of the Christmas party.  All three classrooms are now fitted with new Interactive Flat Screens.  These are much brighter and clearer than the old ones and will benefit the children greatly. Our fundraising money enables us to provide the children with opportunities and experiences that we would not be able to provide otherwise.  Examples of this in recent years have included - external tutors and coaches, subsidising the buses for swimming and trips, the playground project, keeping book rental costs as low as possible, visiting workshops/speakers, play items and construction toys.  We aim to give the children access to as wide a curriculum as possible and your help is much appreciated. 

P.T.A. information will be sent home in note form or via the school's text message service as we are aware there may have been some parents who did not get information before Christmas - our sincere apologies to anyone who was inadvertently missed.  

The children are loving the new outdoor space.  As it can be a little wet and messy at times, any parent who would like to send spare clothes or waterproof clothing is welcome to do so.

We hope to organise the Tea/Coffee morning on February 29th.  Please get in touch if you can help.

Paul Gallagher, who is dad to Ryan in Senior Infants hopes to organise a fundraising play in the autumn term.  We thank him very much for undertaking this project. More details will follow after the next meeting.

Part of the role of the P.T.A. is to help parents support the children's learning at home.  School is interested in hearing what types of help you feel would be most useful. Some of the suggestions included Internet Safety talks, Stay Safe information, specific courses on Dylexia, Story Sacks or helping with homework.  School will soon send out a questionnaire to hear your views. Please take the time to respond. 

Basketball Posts

You may have noticed that our basketball posts were damaged in the windy weather before Christmas.  We are very grateful to Ian and Michala for making us new backboards and for decorating them with the school logo.  

Dates

Open Day:              Open Day for new Infants will be held on Wednesday 19th February from 2 - 3
Half-term:                School will be closed on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st February
St. Patrick's Day:    School will close on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th March
Easter:                    Last day of term is Friday 3rd April.  School will open again on Monday 20th April
Summer Holidays:  Last day of term Thursday 25th June

Forest School

We hope to take the Infants and First Class to Forest School after the half-term holiday.  Details will be sent home shortly,

Ulster Scots

Tutors from the Ulster Scots Agency will be visiting us over the next few weeks.  These sessions are always fun and each one has a different theme - these include drama, dancing, music and storytelling. 

Reading Volunteers

If anyone would like to join us and help with listening to reading, we would be very grateful.  Please get in touch.

Welcome

We have had several new pupils in recent months.  We extend a very warm welcome to these children and their families.

Board of Management

We thank Alan Mahon for his 8 years of help and service to school as a valued member of our Board of Management and we welcome Lorna Murphy to the Board.  We thank our Board members for their help and support as a new four year term begins. 
Board Members
Chairperson         Canon Russell
Secretary              Dawn Somerville
Teachers' Rep       Ann Gourley
Patron's Rep         Francess O'Connell
Parents' Rep         William Goodwin
Parents' Rep         Lorna Murphy
Community Rep    John Barnett
Community Rep     Emma Pearson

Met Éireann have issued an Amber Weather Warning for wind tomorrow. School will be open as normal but please take care when travelling to and from school.
If this warning is upgraded to Red before morning, school will be closed in accordance with Department of Education guidance. Please make sure to have alternative child care arrangements in place in case a school closure message is issued at very short notice.