Even though we are on holiday, I felt I needed to congratulate the children in the Senior Room who took part in the Peace Proms concert in Letterkenny yesterday.  They sang and performed their songs with energy and enthusiasm and I hope those parents who were able to join us were as proud of them as I was.  We were treated to a wonderful afternoon's entertainment by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland and hopefully it was an experience which the children will always remember being part of.  For those who were unable to join us and those whose children were not involved this year, I know that you will join with me in saying 'Well done' to all those who took part and thank them for their singing, for their outstanding behaviour, for representing our school so well and for making us so very proud,

Thank you also to Cathrena and Anne McMahon, without whom it wouldn't have been possible to organise this trip.  Thank you also to Niamh Currid for her help with the singing and music.

Have a look at the photographs in the Gallery.

Peace Proms Concert

We had a dress rehearsal for our concert today. We have been working very hard and hope that we will have a great audience in Letterkenny on Saturday.
Here is a little preview of some of our songs.  We thought it would be nice to share them with everyone.

Unihoc

We send our sincere thanks to Muriel and Ezra for the time, effort and money put into organising our Sponsored Unihoc last Thursday.

Thank you also to those who helped out on Thursday night and those who contributed food/drink etc.

Pictured here are the Junior Infants at the Medal Ceremony on Friday morning.  More pictures to follow soon.

Basketball

The children will be having basketball coaching sessions with Kevin Sinclair on Tuesdays for the next number of weeks.

Hallowe'en Break

School will be closed for the week beginning Monday 28th October and will open again on Monday 4th November.

Phototographer

The photographer will visit school on Thursday.  Burgundy uniforms to be worn please.

National Tree Day

We planted a cherry blossom tree to celebrate National Tree Day.  We are looking forward to some lovely flowers in spring.  Thank you to Kee's in Laghey for their support and thank you also to Ezra for collecting and transporting the tree to school for us. There are lots of photographs in the Gallery and on both Mrs Patterson's and Mrs Gourley's page.

Fundraising Bag Drop

Clothes etc. can be sent into school any time before October 21st.  This would be the perfect opportunity to have a clear out before Christmas.

Christmas Cards

Having mentioned Christmas, you will be aware that the children have been designing Christmas cards in school in the past couple of weeks.  These cards will be professionally printed and we are hoping that lots of mums, dad and grannies will buy some to help raise money for school.  The cards will be available in packs of 10 and each pack will contain only your own child's card.  Packs will cost €10.

Shoeboxes

Shoeboxes for this year's appeal should be returned to school before Monday 4th November.

Peace Proms Concert Arrangements

The children in 4th, 5th and 6th Class will be travelling to Letterkenny on Saturday 26th October for the Peace Proms Concert.  The concert itself will start at 2 p.m. but we have a full rehearsal with the orchestra before that.

The bus will be leaving school at 10.45 a.m. and the children will need a packed lunch (preferably in disposable bags/containers as we will have no storage area in the auditorium).

The children will need long sleeved white school shirts as we will be wearing ties.  The children should wear their navy school trousers/skirts and black shoes.

We should be back at school at approximately 5.45 p.m. (we may be slightly delayed as apparently I have promised to bring them to K.F.C. as a reward for their hard work and excellent singing).  

I hope that many of you will come to Letterkenny on the day to watch the children. It is probably the biggest event we have ever taken part in.  It promises to be a fantastic afternoon and the children deserve your support for the hard work they have put into preparing.  

Hallowe'en

The children may dress in costume or in their own clothes on Friday 25th October for a donation of €2 to school funds.  Friday 25th October will be our last day before our half-term break. School will close at 3 p.m. and will open again at 9.20 a.m. on Monday 4th November.

Childline Breakfast

Thank you for your support of our Cheerio's Childline Breakfast morning.  The total raised on the day was approximately €165. 

A lot of cereal was consumed and a great morning was had by everyone.  

Thank you to Mrs Gourley and Mrs Patterson for doing the shopping and organising the event.

Unihoc


We are looking forward to seeing you in the Community Centre on Thursday 17th October at 5 p.m. The girls attending G.F.S. will have plenty of time to play their games and eat before going up to school for their meeting.



Fundraising Quiz and Quiz Sheets

A quiz has been organised by the Hilltown W.L.O.L. on Saturday 9th November in Ballintra District Hall at 8 p.m. Both parents & pupils alike can attend; there will be prizes for the winning teams in both the adult & children categories. Some parents may remember attending this event last year. Proceeds on the night will be donated to our school and Kilbarron National School. We very much appreciate the efforts being made to raise money for us again and I would hope that there will be plenty of support for the event from our school community.

10 Christmas Carol Sheets have also been sent home with each family.  The completed sheets and money can be returned to school or directly to Nan Leslie. 

Last year we received €1252 for our school funds.  This was a very welcome boost to our funds.

Money found

A sum of money was found on the footpath outside school last week.  It can be claimed in the office.

Table Quiz 

This Friday (11th October) there will be a Table Quiz held in the Bay Bush Bar at 9 p.m. in aid of those travelling to Niger with the Charity 'Lift'. 

Photographs

Thank you to Michaela Parry for sending in some fantastic photographs of Sports Day and the End of Year Show.  They can be seen in the Gallery.

Just a quick update to let you know about some of the things happening in school over the next few weeks.

Cheerios Childline Breakfast Morning

Although we are trying hard to raise funds for ourselves this year, we also believe that it is important to support other causes.  We will be holding a 'Cheerios Breakfast Together' morning on Tuesday 8th October.  Cereal and milk will be provided for the children in return for a donation of €2 (or whatever you would like to donate) .  The children will need to bring their own bowls and spoons!  

All proceeds will go directly to Childline.  For more information, you can visit their website here.

Famine Interactive Workshop

We will be taking part in an interactive workshop on Wednesday 9th October.  The workshop will explore the events of the Irish Famine and will involve the children in performing a play.

Tree Day

This year's Tree Day is Thursday 10th October.  We hope to add to the trees we planted last year.  

Shoebox Appeal

We hope that many of you will contribute to this year's Shoebox Appeal.  Last year, school donated 38 shoeboxes to the Team Hope Appeal.  It would be great to beat this total this year.  For more information about what to put in the boxes and where they go, please visit the Team Hope website.

Unihoc

We are looking forward to this year's Unihoc which will be held in the Community Centre on Thursday 17th October at 5 p.m. 

School Photographer

The photographer will be in school on Thursday 24th October.  Little brothers and sisters (or even Mammy and Daddy) are most welcome to come in and have their photograph taken too....just let me know in advance so that I can organise times for this.

Peace Proms Concert

On Wednesday 2nd October, the children in the Senior Room took part in a rehearsal for the Peace Proms Concert.  They deserve much credit for the effort they put into singing and  for how well they knew the songs after only four weeks of practice.  We are now very excited about the concert and would love as many parents and friends to come along and support us.  It promises to be a wonderful occasion and one which I think the children will always remember being part of.

Harvest

Thank you to Mr Barnett for his onging work in the school garden and harvesting this year's crop. Thank you also to Mrs Gourley for arranging the crops in church for the Harvest Thanksgiving service.