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September ’08
October ’08 November
'08
December '08
January '09
February
'09 March
'09
April '09
May '09
June '09
September
’08 Newsletter
Welcome to another school year! I extend a special welcome to the
new boys and their parents. I hope that your time with us will be
enjoyable. I ask that all our pupils do their best throughout the
year and that parents continue to support the work of the school.
NEW TEACHERS
We welcome three new teachers this year – Christine Coughlan is from
Tipperary and teaches 5th class, Damien Pitt is a Wexford man
teaching 4th class and Deirdre Hogan is also from Wexford and is
teaching 2nd class.
PUPIL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
You have an opportunity again this year to take out insurance, at a
reasonable cost. There are two types of cover-
School Activities only, €5
School and Leisure Activities – 24 hour, €8.
An insurance form accompanies this letter. Completed forms (cut off
section only) can be put in an envelope with the pupil’s name, room
number and amount of money on the outside. Forms will be accepted up
to and including Friday 26th September.
PHOTOCOPYING AND ART
Each year we ask for a contribution of €20 per pupil to assist with
the high cost of photocopying and art materials. To date this has
raised €3,300 for the 2008/2009 school year. Thanks to everybody who
has contributed already. We would appreciate it if the remainder of
the money could be paid by Wednesday 17th September.
CHANGES TO THE SCHOOL UNIFORM
The changes to the school uniform – black shoes and the crest
embroidered directly onto the jumper – have greatly improved the
appearance of the uniform. Thank you for accepting and implementing
the changes.
ATTENDANCE
The beginning of a school year is a good time to take stock of your
son’s attendance. It is so important for him to attend school as
much as possible. I have used the following quotation on a number of
occasions to bring home the importance of regular attendance.
“It is important that parents realise that patterns of
non-attendance are habit- forming. In other words, a child who
misses school regularly in primary is more likely to go on missing
school in secondary and is also more likely to drop out of school.”
Eddie Ward, Chief Executive of the National Educational Welfare
Board (NEWB).
I am appealing to you to ensure that your son attends school as much
as possible. You are not doing him any favours by allowing him to be
absent when he is in a position to attend.
PUPILS’ MOBILE PHONES
“Except in exceptional circumstances, pupils having and/or using
mobile phones in school and in all school related activities is
discouraged. If there is a genuine reason for a pupil to have a
mobile phone in school a parent may apply in writing to the
principal for approval. If approval is given, parents will be asked
to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of the terms. If a pupil has a
mobile phone in school without permission the phone will be held by
the school principal for collection by a parent”. Extract from the
school’s Mobile Phone Policy.
STAFF
MEETINGS
Staff Meetings will generally be held on the last Thursday of each
month. There are usually some exceptions each year. The full list
appears in the School Closures section of this newsletter. The first
Staff Meeting for this school year will take place on Thursday 25th
September with school closing at 1.50 p.m.
HEALTHY EATING POLICY
I ask that you be mindful of the content of the school’s Healthy
Eating Policy. Details can be found on the school’s website, where
you will also find suggestions about what to include in your son’s
lunchbox. Copies of the policy and the “Healthy Lunches for
Children” leaflet are also available from the school secretary, Mary
Goodison.
MILK
The boys have the opportunity to get a small carton of milk (189ml)
each day in school. The cost for this term is €11 or a payment of
€27.30 can be made for the full year. The scheme will start on
Monday 15th September and money can be paid up to and including
Friday 19th September.
FUN RUN
Our Annual Fun Run will take place on Friday 3rd October.
POSITIVE DISCIPLINE
I’m sure that you are aware of the school’s positive discipline
policy. If you would like to check the policy you can do so on the
school’s website or you can request a copy from the school
secretary. I would like to remind you pupils need to have 85% or
more of their positive discipline stamps to be eligible for the
school tour and the end of year B.B.Q. and activity day.
SCHOOL
CLOSURES
September
Thurs. 25th school closed at 1.50 p.m. - Staff Meeting.
October
Thurs. 23rd school closed at 1.50 p.m.- Staff Meeting.
Mon. 27th Oct. – Fri 31st Oct. – Mid Term Break.
November
Thurs. 27th school closed at 1.50 p.m.- Staff Meeting.
December
Thurs. 18th school closed at 1.50 p.m. - Staff Meeting.
Tues. 23rd Dec. – school closed at 12.45 p.m. for Christmas
Holidays.
SCHOOL
WILL RE-OPEN ON WEDNESDAY 7th JANUARY 2009.
January
Thurs. 29th school closed at 1.50 p.m.- Staff Meeting.
February
Mon. 16th Feb – Fri 20th Feb. – Mid Term Break.
Thurs. 26th school closed at 1.50 p.m. - Staff Meeting.
March
Mon. 16th -Vacation Day.
Tues. 17th - St. Patrick’s Day.
Thurs. 26th school closed at 1.50 p.m. - Staff Meeting.
April
Fri. 3rd - school closed at 12.45 p.m. for Easter Holidays.
SCHOOL
WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY 20TH APRIL.
Thurs. 30th school closed at
1.50 p.m. - Staff Meeting.
May
Mon. 4th – School closed—Public Holiday.
Thurs. May 28th school closed at 1.50 p.m.—Staff Meeting.
June
Mon .1st – Public Holiday.
Thurs. June 25th school closed at 1.50 p.m. –Staff Meeting.
Tues. 30th June – school closed at 12.45 p.m. for Summer Holidays.
Jos. Furlong
11th
September 2008.
October ’08
Newsletter
FUN RUN
‘08
Fun Run ’08 was another great success. Everybody – pupils and staff
– made a marvellous effort at dressing up. The best dressed classes
were:-
1s t- €50 prize - 3rd Class - Ms. Casey.
2nd – €40 prize – 5th Class – Ms. Ruddock.
3rd - €30 prize - Room 11 - 6th Class-Mr. Cummings.
4th - €25 prize - Room 1 - 4th Class-Mr. Howard.
To date €8,801.11 has been
collected in sponsorship. Thank you for supporting the school yet
again. We have set Tuesday 14th October as the deadline for the
receipt of Fun Run money. I ask that you encourage your son to
return his card and money on or before that date.
WEBSITE
We have neglected our website over the past number of months.
However, that is about to change! Liam Turner has updated two areas
for us. He has set up 4 galleries of photos which were taken at the
Fun Run. They look great and I encourage you to take a look. Our
2008/2009 school calendar is also in place – indicating closures and
special events in the current school year. After mid-term break Liam
will be working with some staff members with a view to maintaining
and updating the website on a regular basis.
DEPUTY PRINCIPAL
One of our longest serving teachers, Ms. Eileen Casey, has been
appointed to the position of Deputy Principal. We all wish Eileen
well in her new role.
SCHOOL UNIFORM
You will recall that last May we notified parents about the changes
to the school uniform. The vast majority of the boys are wearing the
full uniform. However, there are some boys who are not wearing black
shoes. Black runners or any other colour shoes are not part of the
school uniform. If your son does not have black shoes I would
appreciate it if you could attend to this as soon as possible.
STAFF MEETINGS
As the last Thursday in the month will be during Mid-Term Break, the
meeting will be held on the previous Thursday, 23rd October. School
will close at 1.50 p.m.
MID TERM BREAK
Mid Term Break is not too far away. School will be closed from
Monday 27th to Friday 31st October, inclusive. We will re-open on
Monday 3rd November.
PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS
The Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on Thursday 13th and
Thursday 20th November. In line with the Department of Education and
Science guidelines, school will close at 2.35 p.m. on each of those
days. The class teacher will arrange appointment times prior to the
meetings.
2nd & 6th CLASSES
First Confession/Penance will take place on Thursday 26th March in
Bride Street Church at 7.30 p.m.
First Communion will take place on Sunday 24th May in Bride Street
Church at 10.30 a.m. All the boys and their families will be invited
to the school, after the ceremony, for refreshments.
The boys in 6th class will have a choice of days for their
Confirmation ceremony.
Saturday 9th May 11.00 a.m. Bride Street Church.
Sunday 10th May 12.30 p.m. Rowe Street Church.
SCHOOL CHOIR
The boys in the school choir have a busy schedule at the moment.
Tomorrow, Friday 10th October, the choir will perform in Ard
Aoibhinn and Dawn House as part of World Mental Health Day and
National Choral Singing Day. On Saturday 25th October they will
perform with three tenors in a concert in Whites Hotel. Tickets are
currently available at the hotel.
After mid-term break we will be holding auditions in 4th and 5th
classes to recruit new members. We will be entering the annual Lyric
F.M. Christmas competition this year. The boys will also be
preparing to sing at a school mass on December 8th, the First
Confession, First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies and the
A.I.M.S. Music Festival in New Ross.
Jos.
Furlong 9th
October 2008.
November
’08
SCHOOL
CHOIR PERFORMANCE
The boys in the school choir performed during The Three Tenors
concert in Whites Hotel during the Opera Festival. It was a great
experience for them to sing in front of an audience of 400 people.
They sang very well and received great applause on the night. Thanks
to choir director Eanna McKenna for his work with the boys. A
special work of thanks also goes to Cyril Murphy who accompanied the
choir on piano.
We will be auditioning for new choir members on Thursday of this
week, November 6th. This will be for boys in 4th and 5th class.
ATTENDANCE
Please keep your son’s attendance in mind. The attendance rates for
the months of September and October were 96.8% and 94.9%. These are
very high figures. Traditionally there is a drop in attendance
levels during November and December. I ask that you make every
effort to have your son attend school as much as possible.
FUN RUN ‘08
The final figure for this year’s Fun Run is a record amount,
€10,566.15! Thanks again for your support. However, it is the boys
who deserve the biggest “Thank You” for the fantastic effort that
they put into collecting sponsorship.
ENROLMENT IN SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS
I advise that parents give thought to which second level school you
would like your son to attend. There are three second level schools
for boys in Wexford town. I have detailed relevant information
below. You could phone the school to request an enrolment form or
access the form on-line.
C.B.S. Secondary 9141391
www.wexfordcbs.org
Enrolment forms can be completed on line.
Wexford Vocational College. 9122753
www.wexfordvocational.com
The form can be printed, completed by hand and forwarded to Wexford
Vocational College.
St. Peter’s College 9142071
www.stpeterscollege.ie
The form can be printed, completed by hand and forwarded to St.
Peter’s College.
USED CLOTHING COLLECTION APPEAL
This year we have decided to help an Irish Charity, “Dóchas Nasamu”,
to raise money for its work in an orphanage in Kenya. All you need
to do is drop off the following items at the school-
Used clothing
Household textiles-curtains, towels, bed linen
Used footwear
The bagged items can be left in Rooms 5&6 of the Old Building up to
3 p.m. on Wednesday 12th November.
PARENT / TEACHER MEETINGS
This year’s meetings will take place on Thursday 13th November and
Thursday 20th November. In line with Department of Education and
Science guidelines school will finish 15 minutes early each day,
i.e. 2.35 p.m. The teachers will be notifying parents this week in
relation to the meetings which will be held on Thursday 13th
November. We ask that you confirm your appointment time in writing.
We see the formal Parent/Teacher meetings as being very important.
The meetings will involve a sharing of information between teachers
and parents, which in turn will be to the benefit of the pupils in
our care. I would like you to make every effort possible to attend.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
We have been participating in Operation Christmas Child for the past
number of years. We are again encouraging as many boys as possible
to put items together to make a nice gift for very needy children.
Last year our boys were responsible for sending 120 gifts to
children who are less well off. Leaflets containing all the details
are being distributed with this newsletter. The project is co-ordinated
by Samaritan’s Purse. You might like to check the website,
www.samaritanspurse.ie . We ask that all shoeboxes be brought to
school by Tuesday 11th November.
STAFF MEETING
This month’s Staff Meeting will take place on the last Thursday,
November 27th. School will close at 1.50 p.m.
Jos. Furlong, Principal, 4th November ‘08
December
’08
PARENTS’
COUNCIL CHRISTMAS RAFFLE
The Christmas Raffle and the voluntary Contribution Collection are
the two sources of income for the school’s Parents’ Council. The
money raised will benefit the pupils. Even though we are in
recessionary times the business people of the town have been very
supportive by donating prizes for the raffle. We are still receiving
offers of prizes, some of which are listed below:-
Christmas Hamper, MP3 Player, two prizes of €100 cash, Juice
Extractor, Paul Maloney Pottery Hamper, €25 Voucher, Electric
Lawnmower, Sunday Lunch for Two, €50 Voucher, Bottle of Wine,
Wexford Hoodies, Meal for Two, George Foreman Grill.
The tickets for the Christmas Raffle will be distributed on Thursday
of this week, 4th December. Each boy will receive two books of
tickets. Boys with brothers in the school will receive one book
each. Tickets cost €2 or €5 for a book of 3. The boys do most of the
work of selling the tickets and they will be entered into the
sellers’ draws which will be held in each class. The Parents’
Council will fund the prizes – 57 Selection Boxes!
DECEMBER 8TH
School will be open on Monday next, 8th December. In the Catholic
Church’s calendar this is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. We
plan to mark the feast day by attending mass at 11.15 a.m. in Bride
Street Church. Parents and other family members will be very welcome
to join us. We have pupils of different faiths in the school. If it
is your wish for your son not to attend the mass please notify us,
in writing, of your intention.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
At the two-hour Staff Meeting in November we commenced work on
reviewing the school’s Code of Behaviour. All teachers will again be
meeting outside of school time prior to this month’s Staff Meeting
when the Code will again be the focus of our work.
STAFF MEETING
As the last Thursday of the month will be Christmas Day the December
Staff meeting will take place on Thursday 18th December. School will
close at 1.50 p.m. on that day.
OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD
The boys responded very well again this year with a total of 115
boxes being collected. Thank you for encouraging the boys to help
young people who are less well off.
ATTENDANCE
Attendance for the month of November was very good, 94.5%, an
improvement on November ’07. Another notable figure was the
attendance on Friday last, November 28th. I have indicated on a
number of occasions that Mondays and Fridays tend to have the
highest levels of absence. Last Friday was a welcome exception.
There were just 7 boys absent, throughout the school – the best
Friday attendance since 12th September.
I hope that we can build on the good attendance of the past three
months. I appeal to you to make every possible effort to have your
son attend on all 17 days that the school will be open in December.
EDUCATION CUTS – BUDGET ‘09
Last week you would have received information in relation to the
education cuts. I would like to remind you about the National
Protest in Dublin on Saturday next, 6th December and about making
contact with the public representatives. Further information is
contained in the letter.
TEACHERS’ UNCERTIFIED SICK LEAVE
From Jan. 7th 2009 there will be no substitution cover for
uncertified sick leave. The Minister for Education and Science Mr.
Batt O’Keeffe, in an attempt to justify the education cuts, gave
details of teachers’ uncertified sick leave throughout the country.
In 2007/2008 there were 11 uncertified sick leave absences by
teachers in our school. There are 14 teachers and school was open on
181 days.
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
School will close on Tuesday 23rd December at 12.45 p.m. for
Christmas Holidays. The new term will commence on Wednesday 7th
January 2009.
Thank you for your continued support for the work of the school. I
wish you and your family a very enjoyable Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
Jos. Furlong, Principal, 2nd December 2008.
JANUARY ’09 NEWSLETTER
SCHOOL CHOIR
Congratulations to the boys who are members of the school choir and
their musical director, Eanna McKenna on their success in the Lyric
FM Carols for Christmas competition. The boys recorded Winter
Wonderland and they won the Primary Schools Section! This was a
great achievement.
Prior to Christmas the boys made a return visit to Ard Aoibhinn
where they sang carols.
PARENTS’ COUNCIL RAFFLE
The Christmas Raffle raised €2,900. A sincere thanks to the sponsors
of the prizes, to the boys for selling the tickets and to you for
buying them!
STAFF MEETING
This month’s staff meeting will be held on Thursday 29th January. To
facilitate this school will close at 1.50 p.m. This will be a
two-hour meeting with the school’s Code of Behaviour being the
topic.
PUNCTUALITY
The boys are aware that I have been monitoring and recording the
names of those who arrive late to school. I ask that you make every
effort possible to have your son in school on time. The gates open
at 8.30 a.m. each morning and the boys are supervised in the yard
(or in classrooms if wet) until the bell rings at 9.10 a.m.
I accept that there can be genuine reasons for boys being late. If
such a situation arises a brief note of explanation is required. I
encourage you to send your son to school, no matter how late it is.
I would much prefer to see a boy in school, having arrived late,
than for him to stay at home all day.
SCHOOL CLOSURES THIS TERM
February Mon. 16th – Fri. 20th Mid Term Break
March Mon 16th Vacation Day
Tues. 17th St. Patrick’s Day
April Easter Holidays will commence at 12.45 p.m. on Friday 3rd
April.
School will re-open on Monday 20th April.
CREDIT UNION QUIZ TEAMS
Congratulations to the 16 boys who have been selected to represent
the school in the Credit Union inter-schools quiz on 2nd February.
The team members are:-
UNDER 11
UNDER 13
A. Conor Walsh Rm. 16
Capt. A. David Dempsey Rm. 10
Capt
Dylan Breen Rm. 9
Aaron Scahill Rm.
11
Cillian Deane Rm.
16 James Kavanagh
Rm. 11
Brian Mitchell Rm.
9 Conor Bolger Rm.
17
B. Ben Walsh Rm. 1
Capt. B. Lee Dryburgh Rm. 11
Capt.
Adam Carroll Rm.
17 Lee Kavanagh Rm.
11
Matthew Creane Rm.
1 Hwan Lee Rm. 11
Caolan Kehoe Rm.
16 Brionn Coffey
Rm. 10
HAND-HELD ELECTRONIC GAMES
We have always been willing to allow boys to bring hand-held
electronic games to school e.g. P.S.P. and Nintendo D.S. I would
like to remind you that the school cannot accept any responsibility
for damage or loss. The boys will be fully responsible.
As parents I would ask you to be aware of material which is being
brought to school. I firmly believe that children should play games
or watch videos that are age appropriate. There is no place in a
primary school for material rated over 18 or over 16. I ask for your
assistance in ensuring that your son only brings age appropriate
material to school.
I will be monitoring what the boys bring to school. If inappropriate
material is found the device and game will be confiscated. Parents
will be notified in writing and asked to call to the school to
collect the items.
Jos. Furlong Principal,
22/1/09
FEBRUARY ’09
NEWSLETTER
SCHOOL CHOIR
The achievement
of the school choir, in winning the Lyric FM Primary Schools’
Competition, was recognised by Mayor Ted Howlin last month. The
Mayor honoured the boys with a Mayoral Reception. He presented the
school with a plaque, which is on display in the entrance hall of
the school.
CREDIT UNION
QUIZ
The Credit
Union Quiz was held on Monday 9th February and four teams
represented the school. We had a team finish in second place in
each category. The under-13 team-David Dempsey, Aaron Scahill,
James Kavanagh and Conor Bolger-lost out to Blackwater N.S. after a
tie-break round of questions. One of the under-11 teams finished
just two points behind the winners, Screen N.S. Our boys who
finished in second place were Conor Walsh, Ben Walsh, Cillian Deane
and Brian Mitchell. Well done to all our boys who represented the
school.
SHAMROCK
For the past
few years we have been aiding the work of Wexford man Br. Bernard
Hayes in Zambia. Money raised has been used to provide education
for children in Shimangalu. Each boy will be asked to take a card
to record orders of shamrock which will be delivered to the school a
few days prior to St. Patrick’s Day. The cards will be distributed
after mid-term break.
SACRAMENTS
First
Confession – Monday 30th March 7.30 p.m. Bride Street
Confirmation
-Saturday 9th May 11.00 a.m. Bride Street
-Sunday 10 May 12.30 p.m. Rowe Street
First
Communion-Sunday 24th May 10.30 p.m. Bride Street
BOOK FAIR
The school’s
annual Book Fair will be held on the week beginning Monday 9th
March.
STAFF MEETING
This month’s
staff meeting will take place on the last Thursday of the month, 26th
February. School will close at 1.50 p.m. on that day.
PARENTS’
COUNCIL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION
The school’s
Parents’ Council assist us in many ways during the school year. The
members organise just two fund-raising ventures each year-the
Christmas Raffle and the Voluntary Contribution. This year’s raffle
raised €2,900. Just after mid-term break the Voluntary Contribution
envelopes will be distributed. Families are asked to make a
contribution of €30. This figure has remained the same for many
years. Because so many people contribute the amount of money raised
averages €4,500 each year. We greatly appreciate receiving this
money. For the past couple of years some families made very
generous gestures contributing more than €30.
If the funding
from Government was sufficient we would not have to engage in
fund-raising. However, you will be aware that the vast majority of
schools in Ireland find it necessary to raise extra funds. As in
previous years the Voluntary Contribution money will be used to fund
the high cost of financing I.T. in the school.
FAMOUS VISITOR
Liam McCarthy
visited the school today! We were delighted to have the All Ireland
Hurling Trophy, the Liam McCarthy Cup and the boys really enjoyed
seeing it and having their photos taken. Thanks to Mr. Cummings for
organising this.
Jos. Furlong,
Principal, 11 Feb. ‘09
MARCH ’09 NEWSLETTER
PARENTS’ COUNCIL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS
€2,640 has been contributed to date by parents.
We are very grateful to those who have made contributions. If you
have yet to contribute you can still do so over the next few days. A
reminder that the money collected will be used to fund the school’s
I.T. costs. There will be a draw for the boys who return voluntary
contribution envelopes, with four prizes of €5 in each class. These
draws will take place on Monday 9th March. The acknowledgements will
be sent home after this date.
We depend on this extra money, paid by you, the parents of our
pupils. Again, I make the point, if the government funding of
schools was sufficient we would not have to engage in fundraising.
BOOK FAIR
The annual Book Fair will take place in the
school next week. The boys will have the opportunity to view the
books on Monday 9th or Tuesday 10th March with purchasing taking
place on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Parents will be welcome to
visit the Book Fair, in Rooms 5 & 6 of the Old Building, on the
purchasing days. As part of World Book Day the boys will receive a
voucher, valued at €1.50, which can be used at the Fair.
One of the aims of our annual Book Fair is to encourage reading. A
further aim is to increase the stock of books in each Class Library.
The school receives a 60% commission in free books, based on the
book sales.
CODE OF BEHAVIOUR
You will be aware that the teachers have been
working on the school’s Code of Behaviour, both during and out of
school time. During this week and next the opinions of the boys will
be sought in relation to the school rules, rewards and punishments.
The teachers will continue to work on the code at this month’s staff
meeting. Consultation with parents will take place once we have a
draft code prepared.
STAFF MEETING
School will close at 1.50 p.m. on Thursday 26th
March to facilitate the holding of the monthly Staff Meeting.
SHAMROCK
The boys received cards last week to record
Shamrock orders. A reminder that all profits from the sale of
Shamrock will aid the excellent work of Br. Bernard Hayes with less
well off children in Zambia. I ask for your assistance in
encouraging the boys to return the cards with some orders. We must
place our order on Monday 9th March. Ideally, we would like as many
cards as possible to be returned tomorrow or Friday.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Monday 16th March – Vacation Day
Tuesday 17th March – St. Patrick’s Day
Friday 3rd April – School will close at 12.45 p.m. for Easter
Holidays.
R.S.E.
Relationships and Sexuality Education has been
provided in the school for the past few years. R.S.E. is one element
of Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E.)
It is planned to continue the programme next week, between Monday
9th and Friday 13th March. Over the next couple of days you will
receive information on the content of the lesson for your son’s
class. The lessons for 5th and 6th classes have been set as
follows:-
Wednesday 11th March – 5th & 6th classes
Wednesday 18th March – 6th classes
The teachers of the remaining classes will decide on an appropriate
time and date.
Jos. Furlong, Principal, 4th March 2009.
APRIL ’09 NEWSLETTER
PARENTS’ COUNCIL VOLUNTARY
CONTRIBUTIONS
Thank you to the parents who made voluntary contributions recently.
The amount raised to date is €3,850. The money will assist with I.T.
expenses for this year. The boys received acknowledgement slips last
week to pass on to parents. If you didn’t receive a slip check with
your son or phone the office. Parents who would like to make a
voluntary contribution can still do so.
ATTENDANCE
Over the past number of years I have highlighted the importance of
regular school attendance. I ask the you continue to be mindful of
ensuring that your son attends school as much as possible. In the
latest returns forwarded to the National Educational Welfare Board I
reported 8 pupils for absences of 20 days or more in this school
year to date.
SHAMROCK
Thanks to the boys, once again, for selling in excess of 1,250
shamrocks last month. As a result €1,900 was raised to aid the work
of Br. Bernard Hayes in Zambia. We were delighted to see coverage of
the fund-raising in the local papers.
NEW SCHOOL CLOSURE
A school Development Planning Day will take place on Friday 8th May.
The school will be closed to pupils on that day. The teachers will
continue to work on the school’s Code of Behaviour.
BOOK FAIR
The Annual Book Fair was another great success. It encouraged boys
to keep up the reading habit and it resulted in the school receiving
free books to the value of €1,280. These books will be added to the
class libraries.
STAFF MEETING
This month’s staff meeting will take place on the last Thursday of
the month, 30th April. School will close at 1.50 p.m. on that day.
EASTER HOLIDAYS
School will close at 12.45 p.m. on Friday 3rd April for Easter
Holidays and will
re-open on Monday 20th April.
ART EXHIBITION
We are delighted to announce an exhibition of children’s art to be
held in our school on Thursday 7th May. To show the pictures off to
their full potential we are having them framed and catalogued for
display, creating our own school gallery. Every boy will have a
picture displayed and family and friends will then have the
opportunity to purchase the framed pictures. Visual arts plays an
important role in school life and with this exhibition we endeavour
to raise the art experience to a new level and promote self esteem.
It will be a big event in the artistic life of the school this year
and together we can make it an occasion to remember. Invitations
will be sent to each family closer to the exhibition date.
SUPERVALU VOUCHERS
The boys collected a total of 15,618 vouchers and the order for
additional sports equipment was placed last week. Ms. Crosbie’s 2nd
class proved themselves to be the best collectors and won a prize of
€50 for the class. Mr. Pitt’s 4th class won €40 for being the second
best collecting class. Ms. Hogan’s 2nd class boys earned €30 for
coming third.
TESCO TOKENS
We will be accepting Tesco Tokens again this year. Over the years we
have added to our I.T equipment as a result of participating in this
promotion. The choice of equipment on offer is wider this year – I.T.,
Sport, Science, Visual Arts and Music. Tokens will be available
until 7th June 2009.
ENROLMENT IN SECOND LEVEL SCHOOLS
In the November newsletter I drew attention to the fact that it’s
never too early to enrol your son in the second level school of your
choice. Below find a repeat of information in relation to second
level enrolment.
C.B.S. Secondary 9141391 www.wexfordcbs.org. Enrolment forms can be
completed on line.
Wexford Vocational College. 9122753 www.wexfordvocational.com.
The form can be printed, completed by hand and forwarded to Wexford
Vocational College.
St. Peter’s College 9142071 www.stpeterscollege.ie. The form
can be printed, completed by hand and forwarded to St. Peter’s
College.
BOOK RENTAL – 2009/2010
We will be operating a Book Rental Scheme in the next school year.
This will result in a reduction in what parents have to spend on
school books. The Book Rental Scheme will apply to the core text
books. It will still be necessary to purchase workbooks. As the
pupils will be writing in these books it won’t be possible to re-use
them. Full details of the Book Rental Scheme will be sent home in
May.
Jos. Furlong, Principal, 1st April 2009
MAY ‘09
BLESSED EDMUND RICE
Tuesday 5th May was the feast day of Blessed Edmund, the founder of
the Christian Brothers. All classes marked the occasion by attending
a prayer service or a mass. Br. Kinsella organised the prayer
services for us.
ART EXHIBITION
Our first ever pupils’ Art Exhibition will be held in the school on
Thursday 7th May. We are all looking forward to this event. Pupils
will bring home an invitation for parents today and we hope that you
will be in a position to attend during these times: 1.30 – 3.00 p.m.
7.30 – 9.00 p.m.
JOHN SPILLANE
Singer/songwriter John Spillane visited the school last week. He
performed for the two 4th and the two 5th classes. The teachers and
the boys had learned some songs from John’s album, “Irish Songs We
Learned in School”. They really enjoyed the performance and singing
along.
FRIDAY 8TH MAY
A reminder that school will be closed on Friday 8th May for School
Development Planning.
CONFIRMATION
We wish our 6th class boys well for the Confirmation ceremonies this
weekend. Saturday’s ceremony, 9th May, will take place in Bride
Street Church at 11.00 a.m. The following day confirmation will take
place in Rowe Street Church at 12.30 p.m. The boys and their
teachers, Ms. Coady and Mr. Cummings have put a lot of time and
effort into the preparation for the big day. I also appreciate Fr.
Aodhán’s work with the boys on the journey to this weekend. As part
of the preparation the boys visited the birthplace of Blessed Edmund
Rice in Callan, Co. Kilkenny.
CHOIR
May will be a very busy month for the choir boys. They will sing at
both Confirmation Ceremonies on 9th and 10th May. On Thursday 14th
May they will perform two songs with John Spillane on the stage of
Wexford Opera House. Following this they will make final
preparations to take part in the AIMS Music Festival Competition in
New Ross. Their final engagement will be the First Holy Communion
ceremony. They will have earned their reward of a trip to Leisure
Max!
STAFF MEETING
The monthly Staff Meeting will again take place on the last Thursday
of the month. School will close at 1.50 p.m. on that day, Thursday
28th May.
NEW SCHOOL CLOSURE
The school will be used for voting in the Local and European
Elections on Friday 5th June. As a result the school will be closed
on that day.
STANDARDISED TESTING
Our annual testing of English and Maths will take place on Tuesday
26th, Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th May. I ask that you make
every effort to have your son attend school on those days in
particular.
Jos. Furlong, 6th May 2009
June '09
BOOK RENTAL
The organisation of the Book Rental Scheme is well underway. All the
boys who will be with us next year received details of the rental
scheme. Participation is optional. However, we need to receive a
form in relation to each pupil indicating whether or not your son
will be participating. It is important that we receive these as soon
as possible. To assist us with the organisation of the scheme I ask
that all forms and money be returned on or before Thursday 18th
June.
The Parents’ Council has purchased a book covering machine which
will help to prolong the life of the books. We are very grateful for
this support. There will be quite a lot of books to be covered and
we are asking for people to volunteer to assist us with the task.
The job will be very easy with the book covering machine, but it
will take time. An hour of your time would be a great help. If you
feel that you would be available please contact the school
secretary, Mary Goodison, giving your name, contact number and when
you would be available, school time or evening time.
If you would like to help us to get the Book Rental Scheme off to a
good start you can do so by donating your son’s books, which are on
the rental list, to the school. The initial set up costs will be
substantial and we would appreciate receiving as much assistance as
possible.
B.B.Q. DAYS
The sport & B.B.Q. Days are a reward to the pupils for their good
behaviour. The dates are as follows:-
Friday 19th June-2nd, 3rd & 4th classes.
Monday 22nd June-5th & 6th classes.
Parents and other family members will be very welcome to attend.
Members of the Parents’ Council take on the task of cooking the food
and they would appreciate some assistance. If you are in a position
to help out please contact Mary in the office.
2009/2010 SCHOOL YEAR
School closures 2009/2010
September
Thursday 24th- Staff Meeting-school closed at 1.50 p.m.
October
Thursday 22nd-Staff meeting-school closed at 1.50 p.m.
Mon 26th-Fri 30th-Mid Term Break.
November
Thurs 26th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
December
Thursday 17th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
Tuesday 22nd-school will close at 12.45 p.m. for Christmas Holidays.
SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN ON THURSDAY 7TH JANUARY 2010
January
Thursday 28th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
February
Monday 15th-Friday 19th-Mid-Term Break.
Thursday 25th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
March
Wednesday 17th-St.Patrick’s Day
Thursday 25th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
Friday 26th-school will close at 12.45 p.m. for Easter Holidays
SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY 12TH APRIL 2010
April
Thursday 29th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
May
Monday 3rd-Public Holiday
Tuesday 4th-Vacation Day
Thursday 27th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
June
Monday 7th-Public Holiday
Thursday 24th-Staff Meeting-school will close at 1.50 p.m.
Wednesday 30th-school will close at 12.45 p.m. for Summer Holidays
STANDARDISED TEST RESULTS
The test results are now available, on written request, from the
class teacher.
ORPHAN RELIEF
Orphan Relief is a Wexford based charity which is helping to educate
children in an orphanage in Liberia, West Africa. Established by
Wexford photographer Pádraig Grant it has Eoin Colfer as its patron.
Last month the boys attended a presentation about the orphanage and
life in Liberia. We are in recessionary times here in Ireland but we
are still much better off than many people around the world.
We have decided to take on a small fund-raising project for Orphan
Relief. We plan to hold a Bring & Buy sale on Thursday 25th June. We
are asking you to donate items, which are in good condition, for
sale. The boys will remind you about the event next week.
SUMMER WORK
We plan to continue with upgrading the school premises during the
Summer months. The work will be carried out mainly in the New
Building-light fittings, ceilings, furniture and floor coverings. We
have also applied for funding for cavity wall insulation.
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Thursday 25th June-school will close at 1.50 p.m. for the monthly
staff meeting.
Tuesday 30th June-school will close at 12.45 p.m. for Summer
Holidays.
THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR WILL COMMENCE ON MONDAY
31ST AUGUST.
6TH CLASS FAREWELL CEREMONY
Our sixth class boys’ final day in school will be Friday 26th June.
They and their parents will attend a Farewell Ceremony, commencing
at 1.30 p.m.
Another year has flown by! I thank you all for your continued
support which we do appreciate here in the school. I wish you and
your family an enjoyable Summer.
Jos. Furlong, Principal, 11th June 2009
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