St Mary's NS Knockbridge

Newsletter No 2
October 2011

Greenschools' Committee

Our new Greenschools’ committee for 2011-2012 has been formed and has already had its first meeting to elect the officers. We will soon begin to implement the seven steps to prepare us for our fourth green flag on the theme of Travel. Ms. Susan Doorley who is the Greenschools’ Education Officer with An Taisce visited the school to undertake an environmental review. During the course of the 2 year programme, we hope to reduce the number of cars on our roads by encouraging car-pooling, walking or cycling, where it is safe to do so. Our committee will keep you updated of any and all new initiatives. Of course we will be maintaining and improving on the hard work carried out for our Litter and Waste programme along with our Energy and Water conservation campaigns.

Board of Management 2011-2015

The 4 year term of the current BOM will come to an end on the 30 November 2011.
The Board consists of eight members:
2 direct nominees of the Patron, the Principal teacher (Mr. McDonnell), a teachers’ representative, 2 elected parent representatives (one being a mother and the other a father), and a further 2 members, agreed and proposed by the existing 6 members. At a meeting to be held on Wednesday 9 November the Parents and Friends Association will elect two representatives from the parent body.

Parents & Friends Association

The first meeting of the current school year will take place next Wednesday, 12 October at 8pm in the school. The Parents & Friends Association plays a vital role in assisting the school during major events such as Holy Communion, the Sports Day, the Sponsored Walk and the Family Fun Quiz. These events are great for the school community and raise considerable funds for the school. At the meeting we will have the chance to discuss the fundraising efforts of the last 12 months and prepare for up and coming events, especially the blessing of the new school hall on Friday, 28 October.
All are welcome, especially new faces!

Parent-Teacher Meeting 2011/12

The Parent-Teacher meeting will take place in November. This year’s meeting will take place after school hours in November. As in previous years, appointments will be timetabled. Further details will follow.

CTR Clothing Collection

Once again we had a great response to our clothing collection. We managed to collect 143 bags. We would like to thank everyone who helped towards this collection. Another collection will take place in the new year. Details will follow accordingly.

Up-Coming Educational Events

There are a number of educational events planned for the coming school year. These will be part subsidised by the school. However, we would ask for a contribution of €5 per child or €9 per family to facilitate these. Please forward this to the school office or the class teacher.

Fri, 7th Oct Educate Me present ‘Rainforests of the World’.

Fri, 18th Nov Astronomy Ireland-an exciting interactive presentation on Science.

Mon, 28th Nov to Fri 2nd Dec;
Book Fair – The perfect opportunity for parents to encourage reading and purchase the ideal Christmas gift.


Fri, 2nd Feb M&M Productions present ‘Robin Hood’.

Fri, 2nd March Ian Patterson shows ‘Birds of Prey’.

Labels
We would like to remind all Parents/Guardians to please label all items of clothing clearly as already some children are having difficulty identifying their own garments.


Football

Congratulations to the boys 7 a side football team who were victorious in a blitz recently in Dundalk and go through to the semi-final stage of Sciath Mhic Raoise. The girls will begin their campaign against Tallanstown, Blackrock, and Haggardstown next Tuesday. We wish both teams the best of luck. We also pass on our best wishes to the Brides’ minors who will contest the County final on Sunday week. Most of the team have gone through Knockbridge NS and we are very proud of their achievement this year.

Openings/Closures 2011-2012

Monday, 31st Oct. – Friday, 4th Nov. Mid-Term Break
School Re-opens on Monday 7th November

Thursday, 8th Dec. Holy Day
School Re-opens on Friday, 9th December

Thursday, 22nd Dec. Christmas Holidays
School closes at 12pm. The school will re-open on Monday 9th January 2012.

Thursday, 16th Feb– Friday, 17th Feb Mid-Term
School Re-opens on Monday, 20th February.

Monday 19th March. Bank Holiday
School Re-opens on Tuesday, 20th March.

Friday, 30th March @ 12pm Easter Holidays
School Re-opens on Monday, 16th April.

Monday, 7th May Bank Holiday
School Re-opens on Tuesday, 8th May.

Monday 4th June. Bank Holiday
School Re-opens on Tuesday 5th June.

Tuesday, 26th June @ 12pm Summer Holidays

Religious Ceremonies

Tuesday, 15th November, 2011 @ 7pm Ceremony of Light
Tuesday 7th February, 2012 @ 7pm First Confession
Saturday, 12th May, 2012 @ 11.00am First Holy Communion
Confirmation TBC (School will be closed on this day)