Adamstown Castle Educate Together – 15th February 2011 Newsletter
GREEN SCHOOLS
WE HAVE JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN AWARDED A GREEN FLAG. This is a fabulous achievement for such a young school and credit goes to all the children who organised and monitored everything from recycling, composting, anti-litter campaigns etc. Special credit goes to the Green Schools Committee and their co-ordinator Martha for all their work. We will be hosting the Green Flag in late March or early April and hopefully will have an all school celebration to mark the occasion.
CRICKET
The Adamstown Cricket club has asked me to inform you that they enrolling for a junior Cricket Coaching Course. The coaching courses will start on the 20th of February and will cater for children from 8 upwards. The total fee is 10 euro. Contact details: www.adamstown cricket.ie info@adamstowncricketclub.ie ph 0851424525
BASKETBALL
Basketball has commenced as an extra-curricular activity on Thursdays until 3 O’Clock. Caroline and Edel are organising this.
SOCCER
Soccer training will commence on Tuesday the 1st of March for 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes at 2.30. This is organised by the FAI and will run for six weeks. There will also be a soccer blitz for fifth and sixth classes on the 22nd of March in Clondalkin. The FAI will be organising this. Thanks to Robbie, the regional Co-ordinator, for all his efforts in the development of soccer in the Lucan area.
SUMMER CAMP
CPLN would like to invite parents of the school to train as volunteers to participate in the Summer Programme for 2011 in Adamstown. There will be an information meeting in St. John the Evangelist school at 11 am and 8pm on Wednesday the 9th of March. For more information contact Andrea Molloy at amolloy@sdublincoco.ie or Carmen Parades at 01 014508748
MAD SCIENTIST
For your Diary: The MAD SCIENCE IRELAND will be visiting our school on the 16th of March with their show Air Blast. There will be one show for the younger pupils and another to cater specifically for the senior classes.
CHESS CLUB
We will be setting up a lunch time chess club will start in the school on Tuesday after the mid-term and every Tuesday after that.
FESTIVAL OF COLOURS (HOLI)
The festival of light will take place in Tallaght on the 19th March. If you are interested in taking part in a Bollywood dance related to Holi, please contact Mili on 086-3344081.
SCHOOL PHOTOS
The Parents Association will be looking after the school photos this year. We will confirm the dates etc in the next few weeks.
MID TERM
The school will be closed for the Mid-term break from Monday 21st February until to Friday 25th inclusive.
COMENIUS
As you may be aware this school has been involved in a European wide programme known as Comenius. We have recently applied for membership of a partnership under the auspices of the European council which is dedicated to engaging intercultural dialogue between school communities thereby challenging stereotypes and ensuring and ensuring collaboration between school pupil councils, local communities, school staff in our partner schools . Lara has been working on this for the last year or so. It is all very exciting.
ATHLETICS
Unfortunately we were unable to run the athletic trials today, we will try again tomorrow. There will be a cross country race on Thursday on the school football pitches. This will be held at 11 am and will involve approximately 9 schools from the Lucan area. You are welcome to come along and support our runners. This event is organised by st. John the Evangelist NS and Adamstown Castle ETNS.
SCHOOL GARDEN
Diarmuid has purchased a number of plants for planting in the garden. These include: apple trees, mountain ash, holly, and other various fruit plants. First and second classes will be planting these tomorrow.
WEBSITE
The schools has just purchased some internet software (English and Irish) specifically designed for the Irish Curriculum. You can access these games on ilearn.ie website. The user name is 20268H and the password is acetns. There are approximately 80 games overall catering for all class levels. Have fun!!!”
LOST & FOUND
All clothes in our lost and found will be on a clothes rack in the main reception until this Friday 18thFebruary. After that we will be recycling them.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Newesletter February 2011
Newsletter 1/02/2011
STAY SAFE MEETING
In line with our child protection policy there will be a Stay Safe Meeting in the school on Thursday at 7.30. so far we have about fifty responses.
STAFF MEETING
Our last half in half out staff meeting will be held this Friday. Children will go home at 12 for infants and 12.10 for all other children. Under the Croke Park agreement there will be a change to current arrangements for staff meetings. Other arrangements to make up for some of the snow days will be discussed at the meeting. It is envisaged that the Standardised School Year will be more flexible so as compensate for any unforeseen disruptions in 2011/2012.
SPRINGTIME
Today is the first day of spring. Some of you might have noticed a few snowdrops poking their heads up of late. It is fascinating really to see how spring actually moves across the country: generally from the South West to The North East. In fact if you Google ‘The Green wave’ you can track the greening of the continent of Europe through the use of satellite imagery. This is also celebrated in Ireland as Saint Brigid’s Day. Brigid is reputedly to have been born in Kildare, just out the road from us. Christianity of that time superimposed its worship on pre-christian worship. Brigid was also a Celtic Goddess. The name in fact means the ‘exalted one’.
GREEN SCHOOLS
We had our Green Schools Inspection and are waiting for confirmation of success in attaining the Green Flag. Again, I have to say the children were great, one couldn’t but be proud of them. Once we get word, you will be informed and maybe we will have a little celebration.
SOCCER
The FAI (football Association of Ireland) will be doing after school soccer coaching sessions in the school for about six weeks. This will be followed by an Easter Camp and other activities linked to the Europa Cup. I expect that the sessions will happen on Tuesdays after school. There will more on this closer to the time. It is hoped that more girls will get involved this sport.
ATHLETICS
The Athletics event (Cross Country), which was cancelled before the Christmas break, will now be held on Thursday the 17th at 11 am. This is an all Lucan event involving schools from the Lucan area. We will be picking teams in the next week or so.
FOROIGE (YOUTH GROUP)
Foroige is a youth organisation for young teenagers who meet on Thursdays in the school. In fact last Thursday was their first meeting here. This group is the first of its kind in the Lucan area and draws children from all over Lucan. They currently have sixteen teenagers partaking in various activities in the group. I understand these activities involve: sport, cooking, debating, etc. Hopefully we will get them to work on our garden when the weather permits. There are five adult mentors to group. They are still recruiting and would expect to have at least 30 teenagers in the group shortly. If you have any teenagers who would like to get involved you are welcome to contact Jerry at 014514231 or you can come along to have a look for yourself on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm.
MOBILE LIBRARY
South Dublin mobile library is coming to visit the senior Infants at school on Tuesday the 8th of February. If you have a child in senior infants and he/she has a card, please send it in with him/her on the day. If you have a child in another class and would wish to join the library please call in anytime during the day to the library beside Superquinn.
The library service has also changed its times to coincide with the school closing time. You will find it parked outside the school on Mondays after school. Your child can bring his/her library book to school and exchange it in the mobile library.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Today is the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Rabbit. I would like to wish a ‘Happy (Chinese) new year’ to all those who celebrate it. Thanks Judy for the tip off.
CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY
Azlina one of our parents has kindly suggested that they, along with the Parents’ Association, will organise the class & individual photographs this year. The prices suggested are very competitive compared to the commercial companies who have been involved in the school to date; The Parents’ Association will have a share in the profits. You will be notified shortly after the mid-term break.
SCOUTING MOVEMENT
The Scouting Association of Ireland has been in contact with the school with the intention of starting up a scouting group in the building. This group will be open to all children in the Lucan Area. The tentative times are 6.30pm on Friday evenings; More on that later. The contact person is:
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
We will be entering a float in the St. Patrick’s day parade. Dermot is organising this with the Drumming Band. If you would like to get involved please, please contact the school.
ELECTIONS
The election has been called. Please, if you are eligible to vote, make sure you are registered and make that vote count by going along to the polling booth on February the 25th. You will notice a rare breed of animal in the area over the next few weeks; these are known as canvassers. Be sure to ask the hard questions and while you are at it you could also ask them:
1. Do they support the cuts to funding for primary schools even though the funding has never covered the running costs?
2. Do they support the cuts language provision and provision for children with special needs?
EAL teachers, Resource teachers, special needs assistants are being cut.
3. Do they support the increases in class sizes at primary school level?
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Activities on offer at the moment include: Hockey (Grainne, Aoife), Gaelic Football (Dearmuid, Maoliosa), Olympic Handball (Tom, Caroline), Art and Craft ( Martha), Drumming Band(Dermot),Basketball (To start soon), soccer (to start soon). There is no charge for any of these activities except for a nominal charge for art and craft materials. I would like to thank the teachers for giving of their time to organise these activities.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT THE ACETNS
Tae Kwando for children and adults, Irish dancing for children and adults, Bollywood dancing for children, Community Games, Foroige( Youth Club), Scouting(tentative), Cricket, Ballet,
SWINE FLU
Please be aware that Swine Flu has not gone away. Please ensure that your child has a clean face cloth every day
LICE
Please be vigilant and report any evidence
of lice to the school.
ENROLMENT
The final day for enrolment is this Friday the 4th of February.
COMMUNITY GAMES
The school is providing facilities for the Finnstown/Hanstead and Adamstown Community Games. The name is a little long but hopefully it will be abbreviated shortly. This year the focus will be on Basketball for the under elevens and track and field events.
SWIMMING
Swimming has started in the school. Currently 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th are attending lessons in the Clondalkin pool on Wednesday mornings. It is a compulsory part of the physical education curriculum that children partake in aquatics. Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to come along and assist.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
As you may be well aware, there is a severe shortage in second level places in the Lucan Area. There is a new secondary school in the pipeline. This may be an Educate Together Designated second level school. All children in this school and living in Adamstown currently have priority status in the Adamstown Community College, which is a relief as there are many in and around Lucan who cannot get a place in secondary school. Watch this space for further developments.
STAY SAFE MEETING
In line with our child protection policy there will be a Stay Safe Meeting in the school on Thursday at 7.30. so far we have about fifty responses.
STAFF MEETING
Our last half in half out staff meeting will be held this Friday. Children will go home at 12 for infants and 12.10 for all other children. Under the Croke Park agreement there will be a change to current arrangements for staff meetings. Other arrangements to make up for some of the snow days will be discussed at the meeting. It is envisaged that the Standardised School Year will be more flexible so as compensate for any unforeseen disruptions in 2011/2012.
SPRINGTIME
Today is the first day of spring. Some of you might have noticed a few snowdrops poking their heads up of late. It is fascinating really to see how spring actually moves across the country: generally from the South West to The North East. In fact if you Google ‘The Green wave’ you can track the greening of the continent of Europe through the use of satellite imagery. This is also celebrated in Ireland as Saint Brigid’s Day. Brigid is reputedly to have been born in Kildare, just out the road from us. Christianity of that time superimposed its worship on pre-christian worship. Brigid was also a Celtic Goddess. The name in fact means the ‘exalted one’.
GREEN SCHOOLS
We had our Green Schools Inspection and are waiting for confirmation of success in attaining the Green Flag. Again, I have to say the children were great, one couldn’t but be proud of them. Once we get word, you will be informed and maybe we will have a little celebration.
SOCCER
The FAI (football Association of Ireland) will be doing after school soccer coaching sessions in the school for about six weeks. This will be followed by an Easter Camp and other activities linked to the Europa Cup. I expect that the sessions will happen on Tuesdays after school. There will more on this closer to the time. It is hoped that more girls will get involved this sport.
ATHLETICS
The Athletics event (Cross Country), which was cancelled before the Christmas break, will now be held on Thursday the 17th at 11 am. This is an all Lucan event involving schools from the Lucan area. We will be picking teams in the next week or so.
FOROIGE (YOUTH GROUP)
Foroige is a youth organisation for young teenagers who meet on Thursdays in the school. In fact last Thursday was their first meeting here. This group is the first of its kind in the Lucan area and draws children from all over Lucan. They currently have sixteen teenagers partaking in various activities in the group. I understand these activities involve: sport, cooking, debating, etc. Hopefully we will get them to work on our garden when the weather permits. There are five adult mentors to group. They are still recruiting and would expect to have at least 30 teenagers in the group shortly. If you have any teenagers who would like to get involved you are welcome to contact Jerry at 014514231 or you can come along to have a look for yourself on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm.
MOBILE LIBRARY
South Dublin mobile library is coming to visit the senior Infants at school on Tuesday the 8th of February. If you have a child in senior infants and he/she has a card, please send it in with him/her on the day. If you have a child in another class and would wish to join the library please call in anytime during the day to the library beside Superquinn.
The library service has also changed its times to coincide with the school closing time. You will find it parked outside the school on Mondays after school. Your child can bring his/her library book to school and exchange it in the mobile library.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
Today is the Chinese New Year: the Year of the Rabbit. I would like to wish a ‘Happy (Chinese) new year’ to all those who celebrate it. Thanks Judy for the tip off.
CLASS PHOTOGRAPHY
Azlina one of our parents has kindly suggested that they, along with the Parents’ Association, will organise the class & individual photographs this year. The prices suggested are very competitive compared to the commercial companies who have been involved in the school to date; The Parents’ Association will have a share in the profits. You will be notified shortly after the mid-term break.
SCOUTING MOVEMENT
The Scouting Association of Ireland has been in contact with the school with the intention of starting up a scouting group in the building. This group will be open to all children in the Lucan Area. The tentative times are 6.30pm on Friday evenings; More on that later. The contact person is:
ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE
We will be entering a float in the St. Patrick’s day parade. Dermot is organising this with the Drumming Band. If you would like to get involved please, please contact the school.
ELECTIONS
The election has been called. Please, if you are eligible to vote, make sure you are registered and make that vote count by going along to the polling booth on February the 25th. You will notice a rare breed of animal in the area over the next few weeks; these are known as canvassers. Be sure to ask the hard questions and while you are at it you could also ask them:
1. Do they support the cuts to funding for primary schools even though the funding has never covered the running costs?
2. Do they support the cuts language provision and provision for children with special needs?
EAL teachers, Resource teachers, special needs assistants are being cut.
3. Do they support the increases in class sizes at primary school level?
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Activities on offer at the moment include: Hockey (Grainne, Aoife), Gaelic Football (Dearmuid, Maoliosa), Olympic Handball (Tom, Caroline), Art and Craft ( Martha), Drumming Band(Dermot),Basketball (To start soon), soccer (to start soon). There is no charge for any of these activities except for a nominal charge for art and craft materials. I would like to thank the teachers for giving of their time to organise these activities.
OTHER ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE AT THE ACETNS
Tae Kwando for children and adults, Irish dancing for children and adults, Bollywood dancing for children, Community Games, Foroige( Youth Club), Scouting(tentative), Cricket, Ballet,
SWINE FLU
Please be aware that Swine Flu has not gone away. Please ensure that your child has a clean face cloth every day
LICE
Please be vigilant and report any evidence
of lice to the school.
ENROLMENT
The final day for enrolment is this Friday the 4th of February.
COMMUNITY GAMES
The school is providing facilities for the Finnstown/Hanstead and Adamstown Community Games. The name is a little long but hopefully it will be abbreviated shortly. This year the focus will be on Basketball for the under elevens and track and field events.
SWIMMING
Swimming has started in the school. Currently 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th are attending lessons in the Clondalkin pool on Wednesday mornings. It is a compulsory part of the physical education curriculum that children partake in aquatics. Thank you to those parents who have volunteered to come along and assist.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
As you may be well aware, there is a severe shortage in second level places in the Lucan Area. There is a new secondary school in the pipeline. This may be an Educate Together Designated second level school. All children in this school and living in Adamstown currently have priority status in the Adamstown Community College, which is a relief as there are many in and around Lucan who cannot get a place in secondary school. Watch this space for further developments.
Notification of Staff Meeting
Staff Meeting
Our last half in half out staff meeting, for the foreseeable future will be held on this Friday (4th of February). Infants will go home at 12.00 and the other classes will finish at 2.10.
The news letter is now on the blog. I neglected to save the Newsletter yesterday. Please refer to it on the blog at acetns.ie for an update on school information.
Regards,
Tom
Our last half in half out staff meeting, for the foreseeable future will be held on this Friday (4th of February). Infants will go home at 12.00 and the other classes will finish at 2.10.
The news letter is now on the blog. I neglected to save the Newsletter yesterday. Please refer to it on the blog at acetns.ie for an update on school information.
Regards,
Tom
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