MARCH 2016 NEWSLETTER
Thanks
We wish to extend our sincere gratitude to the many parents and children who attended funeral Mass for little Kornelija; her family were overwhelmed by the support shown to them. We wish to thank in particular our school choir and all those who participated in the Mass. It was a truly dignified service. Many of you have asked about making donations and we will be fundraising in Kornelija’s memory in the third term. Please continue to remember her family in your prayers in their time of sadness.
Congratulations
· Congratulations to the children and staff who helped to make Grandparent’s day such a memorable event. There were many delightful displays of children’s work recognising the important role grandparents have in their lives. A big thank you to all those who attended and to our kitchen staff for the lovely refreshments. We raised £210 for the British Heart Foundation
· Congratulations to all the children who participated in the Belfast Speech and Drama Festival, held in the Lyric Theatre. Many thanks to the parents who provided transport and supported the boys and girls in learning their poems. We were delighted that Mount St Michael’s had a winner in each of the seven competitions we entered; many children were also placed second, third or Highly Commended. A special note of congratulations to Clare and Odhran O’Kane, Eoghan McParland and Sara Donnelly who performed at the Gala night on Saturday.
· Congratulations to the P7 Sports Hall Athletics squad who won the recent event held in the Antrim forum. A number of the squad members have been selected to represent the Borough Council at the Northern Ireland Sports Hall Athletics Championships in April. Those selected are:-
Dara Martin, Caolan Hughes, Shane Martin, Joe McCormick, Tony McCann and Alyssa Bryson
· Congratulations to our Cheerleading squad (P7) who took part in the cheerleading event in the Antrim Forum on Friday, 26 February. Many thanks to their coach, Claire Mullan, for all her support with the group’s preparations. The children were fantastic. We were delighted that so many parents were able to join us on the day.
· Congratulations to our P1B children on their wonderful prayer service on Friday, 26 February. Many thanks to Father Boyle for leading the service and to all the parents who attended. P1A will hold their prayer service on Friday, 4 March.
Awards for February
Friendship Awards
KS 1 - Ryan Tumelty and Caitlin McKeown
KS 2 – Katie O’Neill and Connor McKillen
KS 1 Class Cup – P3A
Pupil of the Month
P1A - Colleen Anderson
P1B - Ellie Robb
P2A - Nojus Navierauskas
P2B - Daniel McAreavy
P3A - Oskaras Grauslys
P3B - Ryan McPeake
P4A - Ciara Robinson
P4B - Eoghan McParland
P5A - Odhran Rogers
P5B - Siobhan McGale
P5C - Aoibhin Carey
P6A - Orlaith Murray
P6B - Lauren Hurrell
P7A - Tony McCann
P7B - Dara Martin
Golden Awards
P4A - Patryk Pajak
P4B - Cassie Totten
P5A - Joel Robb
P5B - Kiera Lemon
P5C - James Doherty
P6A - Eva Scott
P6B - Sean McKeown
P7A - Ugne Adomaityte
P7B - Ruth McMorrow
The School Day
School begins at 9.00 a.m. and children should arrive punctually. Arrival on time is important to reduce disruption to lessons and allow children to settle quickly to their learning. Supervision is provided from 8.45 a.m. only and children, therefore, will not be permitted to enter the school building before 8.45 a.m. unless they are attending the Breakfast Club. Supervision is available in the Breakfast club for £1 each morning. Thank you for your support.
Child Protection
As you may know Mrs Downey has returned from maternity leave and resumes her role as Designated Teacher for child protection. Mr Lavery is the Deputy Designated teacher. Any concerns of a child protection nature should be reported to either Mrs Downey or Mr Lavery.
Library Visits
P4 and P6 classes will visit the local Randalstown Library over the coming weeks, giving them an opportunity to discover and use the resources available there.
Wednesday, 2 March - P4B
Friday, 4 March - P6A
Parent Teacher Meetings
Parent teacher meetings will be held during the week beginning 21 March. The school will close at 12 noon all that week and will finish for Easter on Thursday, 24 March at 12 noon. Please note there will be no school buses all this week.
Festivals
Best wishes to all the children participating in the Ballymena Festival this week. They have worked very hard preparing their poems - as has Mrs. Corr. We are very appreciative of her continued support.
Shared Choir
We wish all the children, from both Mount St. Michael’s and Central Primary Schools, all the very best as they participate as a shared choir in Ballymena Music Festival on Tuesday, 1 March. We know that our children have really enjoyed the experience.
Jungle Book
We intend to put on a performance of the Jungle Book in the week beginning 18 April. As such we hope to hold auditions for P7 children in the coming week. We would also be very appreciative of any parents who would be willing to support the production by assisting with costumes, props etc. If you can help, please contact Mr Lavery or one of the P7 teachers.
School Books
Please check at home for school books, particularly reading books, as a significant number are missing. Thank you.
World Book Day
We intend to celebrate World Book Day (Thursday, 3 March) by inviting children to dress up as a favourite character from a book, fairy tale or nursery rhyme. The P6 Book Day Team is preparing a Book Table Quiz for children in P6 and P7; they will also visit classes in Foundation and Key Stage One to read stories by author Brian Gogarty. Brian will visit the school on Wednesday, 9 March.
Advice to Parents Regarding Computer Games
During our recent e-safety presentations in the school, it has become apparent that a significant number of children have access to playstation and / or Xbox games which have an 18 rating. This includes children from P1 through to P7 and, in particular, many of the boys were able to describe playing “Call of Duty” and “Grand Theft Auto”. Given the level of gratuitous violence and inappropriate language in these games, we strongly recommend that they are removed from the children in the best interests of their well being.
Dates and Events
First Confession P3 - Tuesday, 15 March at 7.00 p.m.
Service of Commitment P7 - Saturday, 23 April at 6.30 p.m.
First Holy Communion P4 - Sunday, 22 May at 11.00 a.m.
Confirmation P7 - Thursday, 26 May at 11.00 a.m.
Please note that the school is closed on Monday, 4 April for staff training.
- We plan to celebrate our national Saint, St. Patrick, with a Culture day on Friday, 18 March. Children may come to school dressed in green that day. School will finish for all pupils at 2.10 p.m. as normal.
- Primary 1 classes visited the airport to celebrate the end of their theme “Going Places” on Monday 29 February (P1A) and Tuesday, 1 March P1B).
- The boys Hurling and Girls Football teams will participate in All County Finals on Tuesday, 8 March in the North Centre, Ballymena.
- Mr. Devenny will be taking some P7 boys to participate in the Fair Trade 5-a-side soccer blitz in the Antrim Forum on Wednesday, 9 March.
After Schools Activities
Wednesday P6/7 Hurling at Tir Na Og
Thursday - GAA Boys Gaelic and hurling P7 (Tir Na Og)
Tommy Jackson Soccer school p4, 5 and 7 – there are still some spaces available.
P6 soccer
Minecraft Club P5
Friday - Guitar (Mr. McCombe)
School Closures
· Thursday, 17 March - School closure
· Easter Holidays - School closes at 12.00 noon Thursday, 24 March
and re-opens on Tuesday 5 April. Please note there will be no canteen facilities on Thursday, 24 March
Head Lice
Please remember to check your child’s head regularly and treat when necessary.
Allergies / Medical Problems
Please ensure that the school is aware of all allergies / medical problems which may affect your children whilst they are in our care. The information should be put into a sealed envelope for the attention of the class teacher. If your child requires medicine during school hours and you wish the child’s teacher to dispense it, please make sure the medicine is in its original box, with clear instructions and written permission.
Attendance
Good attendance is vital for your child’s progression and development in school. If you are experiencing difficulties getting your child to school, please contact the class teacher to discuss the issues and work towards their resolution. If your child is absent for any reason, please contact the school on the day(s) of absence, either by telephone or email, so the teacher is aware that the child will not be on school premises that day. Please also send a note with the child on their return to school.
If a child’s attendance falls to 85% you will be contacted by the school. Where attendance falls below 85% it will automatically come to the attention of the school’s Education Welfare Officer who is in regular contact with school staff.