NUACHTLITIR NA GAELSCOILE (2)

8/10/’13

  1. LÁ NA nGEANSAITHE / GOAL JERSEY DAY: This Friday, October 11this GOALJersey Day. As always, we encourage the children to wear whichever sports jersey they choose and to make a contribution to GOAL, the very worthwhile charity which does so much good work in poorer countries. If your child does not own a football jersey or is not in a position to borrow one, the school tracksuit will do fine on the day. A donation of €2 is suggested but whatever suits your circumstances will be welcome. Please put in an envelope marked GOAL - there is no need to include the child’s name as it is an anonymous contribution. Go raibh maith agaibh.
  2. LÁ NA gCRANN: National Tree Day is being celebrated throughout the country this week and, as usual, we will be giving the children from all classes the opportunity to explore nature at this time of year. Buachaillí agus cailíní from Naíonáin Bheaga agus Mhóra (Infant Classes) will spend time with their múinteoirí in the school gardens and surrounds while other classes will visit local woodland areas such as Oak Park (Rg. 1); Clogrennan (Rg. 2); Oakvale (Rg. 3); AltamontGardens (Rg. 4); Ducketts Grove and Ballinkelly Woods (Rg. 5) and Mullaghreelan Woods and Castledermot High Cross (Rg. 6). All classes from Rg. 1 – Rg. 6 will require buses, the cost of which will be covered by the school, thanks to the continuing and generous support from Cairde Contributions. (Envelopes for these contributions will begin after the Hallowe’en break). All children, with the exception of the Infant Classes, will require boots/old shoes and coats for their trips. Their múinteoirí have already let each group know which day they will be going.
  3. BLÁTH GRÉINE: Comhghairdeas le Rian Ó Labhraí, Rang 3 who won the local competition for growing the tallest sunflower, measuring over 10’. Rian was delighted to be awarded a €50 Sports voucher for his gardening achievement.
  4. FÉILE AN FHÓMHAIR: The annual bi-lingual autumn festival is well underway by now and will continue until October 11th. Páistí from the Gaelscoil are taking part in a variety of ways – Comórtas Ealaíne/Art Competition; Aoí-Chainteoir sa leabharlann/Visiting author in Carlow Library; Spraoi-cheist dhátheangach/Bilingual Fun quiz to mention a few. Our junior classes will also be treated to a puppet show ‘as Gaeilge’ which is being staged by our art teacher, Jean Robertson, and members of her after school classes here in the Gaelscoil.
  5. CEARDLANNA SCÉALAÍOCHTA/STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS: Páistí from Rang 6 have begun a series of storytelling workshops, exploring the ancient tradition of composing and reciting stories to an audience. We are delighted to welcome Aideen McBride to work with the buachaillí agus cailíní for these workshops. We look forward to hearing the older children telling their own stories to the younger classes, as would have been done in Ireland through the generations. As well as being very enjoyable for all and a lovely way to boost self-confidence and creativity, this ties in with out School Improvement Plan, focusing on the enrichment of language.
  6. CLÁRÚ/ENROLMENT for First Holy Communion children will take place in Askea Church tomorrow, 9th October at 7:30 p.m. An information meeting for Confirmation candidates will take place in the Gaelscoil on November 12th at 8 p.m.
  7. CÚRSAÍ SPÓIRT: Both our boys’ and girls’ teams have reached the semi-final stage of the Cumann na mBunscol football competitions and are hoping to reach the finals which will be played in Tinryland GFC on Saturday, October 19th. Ádh mór oraibh go léir, a pheileadóirí! We wish them the best of luck! Rang 5 agus Rang 6 are also enjoying weekly sessions of Tag Rugby with Wesley Whitten of Carlow Rugby Club.
  8. SKIP HOP: We will have two days of skipping fun next week (Monday and Tuesday) when every child in the school will have the opportunity to take part in workshops here in the school. They will learn a selection of moves including individual moves, double-dutch, long rope and partner skipping. The second day culminates with a demonstration of skipping skills performed by children chosen from each workshop. This demonstration will take place from 2:20 – 3 p.m. on Tuesday – please come along to see it for yourself and bring the junior children to see it if possible. The aim of the workshops is the promote health, fun and fitness, while introducing traditional skipping games back into the school playground – a specific area of the playground will be designated for this. This is another valuable opportunity which is possible only because of the parental contributions and fund-raising.
  9. TEAM HOPE: This charity is again running the annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal, ensuring that children in some of the world’s underdeveloped countries also have a little present on Christmas morning. Details are outlined in the enclosed leaflet and extra leaflets may be had from Oifig na Gaelscoile/School Office if required. This is a lovely chance for children to think of others less fortunate then themselves and to share a little with them. The Halloween break is an ideal time to assemble the boxes, which will be collected form the school the following week.
  10. OICHE SHAMHNA/HALLOWEEN: With the month of October now underway, many of the páistí (agus múinteoirí!) are thinking about costumes they might wear on the day we break for midterm, October 25th. As it is tradition here in the Gaelscoil, everyone is invited to dress in Halloween costume on that day. There’s no pressure to buy an outfit – those put together at home can be very creative and lots of fun! As always, fake blood is not allowed, but face paint is fine should your child so wish. Parents are also invited to join in the fun and dress up. Traditional Halloween games will take place in school on that day.
  11. AONACH NA LEABHAR: Our annual Book Fair will take place in Halla na Gaelscoile from November 6th – 13th. A wide variety of books will be available for sale. The fair will be open to parents from 9 - 9.30 each morning and also from 1:45 – 2:15 and 2:45 – 3:30 each afternoon during that week. A great bonus for the school is that we will get books to the value of 60% of sales during that week, a welcome addition to our main school library and class libraries.
  12. ÉADAÍ BREISE: A little reminder to return any items of clothing which may have been borrowed from the school due to ‘accidents’ etc. Quite a few items have been borrowed recently and may be needed by another child. Go raibh maith agaibh.
  13. CLUB FICHILLE: We are considering the possibility of running a Chess Club for interested buachaillí agus cailíní from Rang 2 – Rang 6. This would take place as an after school activity on Fridays, from 3 - 4 p.m. The benefits of playing chess are well documented, with research showing how it benefits brain development, especially in the area of Maths. A charge of €5 per session will apply. If your child is interested, please let us know through Oifig na Gaelscoile.
  14. PÁIRCEÁIL : Sincere thanks to the vast majority of parents and minders who observe the parking rules, especially regarding the bus bays. These are to be kept free at all times in the mornings and at 3 p.m. and are not to be used, even for a drop off. A reminder of the unofficial one way system also, turning left into Ashgrove and exiting via the Éire Óg roundabout. Go raibh maith agaibh.
  15. SEOMRAÍ CODLATA:It has come to our attention that a few children seem tired and sleepy in school, making it very difficult for them to focus on their work. As we know, child psychologists recommend that there should be no televisions or technology of any kind in children’s bedrooms, as they have a direct impact on the quantity and quality of sleep the child gets. We trust that you will support your child in this matter.

A reminder that the Gaelscoil will be closed for the Halloween break from 28th October – 1st November inclusive.

Le gach dea-ghuí,

An Múínteoir Aingeal (Príomhoide)