Newsletter 28th March 2011

Dear Parents,
SECONDARY SCHOOL: Adamstown Community School recently held an open night for those in fifth class who are thinking of enrolling. I would ask parents of children in fifth class to consider carefully where they intend to send their children when they finish here. You might not be aware that there is an acute shortage in Secondary School places in the Lucan area. We were in this position regarding primary school places in 2007 where the Adamstown Schools had to take in children from junior infants to sixth class so as to lessen the pressure in Lucan. Over the next few years there will not be enough secondary school places for those children leaving primary school.
In Adamstown we are fortunate in that the board was able to secure a priority place on the enrolment policy of the Adamstown Community School for the ACETNS: this was done under the SDZ (Strategic Development Zone) plan for the Adamstown Area. Those children who are attending this school and resident in Adamstown are first on the list for admission to the Secondary school; those who are attending this school and not resident in Adamstown are also very close to the top. Most primary schools in Lucan do not have priority status for a secondary school and are put at a disdavantage in that they may not be able to secure places in any secondary school in the Lucan area. Moreover, there is a 'first of family' stipulation on the enrolment policy which essentially means that should eldest of your family not attend the Community school then it may prove very difficult for their younger siblings to gain admission when their time comes.
The policy is very particular and complicated, so please go on their website and read it before you make any decision. This policy could change at any time given the pressure from other schools in Lucan.

BOOKFAIR: The Bookfair continues until Wednesday of this week. Thank you to all who have supported this fair. Our school benefits from every purchase made by you; through this approach we are able to supplement our libraries. I would also like to thank the teachers who are running this fair.

ATHLETICS: The boys will be running in the Griffeen Park on the 7th of April in the first Cross Country Event organised by South Dublin County Council. Parents are welcome to come along and support the teams.

HOCKEY: The Girls from 3rd, 4th 5th and 6th will be involved in a hockey tournament on the 7th of April in the Weston Hockey Grounds. As with the

SOCIAL CREDITS: There will be Workshop on the 7th of April for members of the Educate Together Schools in Lucan in the Adamstown Community School at ten am. This is an exciting initiative by South Dublin County Council to promote volunteerism through the social credit approach which was developed in Wales and England. Adamstown Castle ETNS has organised with the other ET schools in the Lucan Area to start this in the schools with the view to opening out to the wider community of Lucan. Please google 'Timebanking' or have a look at justaddspice.org for more information. If you are interested in coming along please leave your name with Deirdre in the office. Representatives from the schools will also be travelling to Wales in April to view a number of projects there

SWIMMING: Swimming has been a great success to date. I am delighted with the children and their behaviour and I would like to thank those parents who have come along to assist us. Second class is now doing lessons followed by first class after Easter. The school has subsidised the lessons to the tune of approximately 2000 euro per class.

SCHOOL TOURS: PLEASE NOTE THESE ARE PROVISIONAL DATES

Junior/senior infants Infants: 3rd June to Reynold's farm from 9 to 1.20

1st and 2nd Classes: 31st May to Dublin Zoo from 9.30 to 2.30

3rd to 6th Classes: 1st of June Baltinglas Outdoor Education
8.00 to 5.30


TESCO: We are collecting tesco vouchers so please send them in.

ESKER/ADAMSTOWN CUP: Soccer will take place on Monday the fourth of April and Thursday the Seventh of April from 3.15 to 4.15. This is a soccer blitz involving six team with one from Adamstown.

South Dublin Soccer Seven-a-side Blitz : Well done to our senior boys and girls in the recent competition. This was a great competition involving teams from all over the South Dublin Region. Unfortunately, we didn't win the cup but did very well nevertheless. Thanks to Robbie in the FAI and South Dublin Co.Co. for organising this event.

FOOTBALL LEAGUE: Where I come from we call it soccer! However, the Lunch time football league continues on Mondays and Wednesdays at big break: Chelsea and Barcelona are top of the table.
LUCAN HARRIERS:Lucan Harriers are holding their Annual Open Sporst Day at the Athletic track (Across from Superquinn) on Saturday the 9th of April starting at 2pm. All are invited from the under 9 to under 20 years of age to participate in sprints, middle distance shot putt long jump and relays. Cost of entry is 5 euro or 10 eoro per family.

DRUMMING BAND: Well done to the school Drumming Band who represented the school in the St. Patrick's Day Parade and thank you to those parents who came along to help.