St. Colmcille’s Boys’ National School, Chapel Lane, Swords, Co.Dublin K67 WP65

(01) 8405132

St Colmcille's BNS

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February 2017

Newsletter, February 2017

Book Fair

Our Book Fair will run from Monday 6 – Thursday 9 March in the school hall. The boys will be taken to the hall to look at the selection of books and are welcome to purchase books.

Enrolment of Junior Infants for School Year 2017/2018

Places will be offered in the coming week. As the demand for places has been greater than the number of places available, there will be a waiting list.

Fun Run

For many years, the biggest single contributor to school funds has been the Sponsored Jog, run in October each year. This year we have decided to have a Fun Run on 14th March (weather permitting) to tie in with our St Patrick’s Day Celebrations and Seachtain na Gaeilge. The boys are asked to seek sponsorship for this fun event. They are welcome to wear some festive attire when participating in the fun run!

Duty of Care / Behaviour in Yard Prior to 8.50 a.m.

This is a reminder with regard to the commencement of the School’s Duty of Care. It is important to bear in mind that parents/ guardians are responsible for their children prior to 8.50 a.m. The boys should arrive in the school grounds between 8.40  a.m. and 8.50 a.m. They should walk directly to their lines and wait until they are collected by their teachers when school begins. Parents or an assigned guardian must remain in the Junior Yard with the younger pupils until they are collected from their lines. We ask the co-operation of parents/ guardians to ensure the safety of our pupils.

Multi-Cultural Evening

Our Multi-cultural Evening returns this year. This much enjoyed event will take place on the evening of Tuesday, 4 April 2017. We would be delighted to have as many parents as possible to bake/ cook for the event. Any donations of prizes for the raffle would be appreciated greatly.

Credit Unions’ Quiz

Congratulations to the boys on our quiz team who performed superbly on Saturday, 11 February and qualified for the Leinster Final of the Credit Unions’ Quiz. The boys answered some really difficult questions and we are very proud of their excellent performance throughout the competition. We wish them the very best of luck in the next round on Saturday, 4 March.

First Penance

Congratulations to the boys in Ms Clarke’s and Ms Flood’s classes who received the Sacrament of First Penance on Tuesday, 7 February 2017.

Post-primary transfer

Well done to the pupils who completed their post-primary assessments recently. We remind parents that Colaiste Choilm operates a waiting list system so it is important to register your son if he wishes to attend that school. Fingal and St Finian’s Community Colleges take applications in the year in which the pupils are in 6th Class.

Parking at entrances to the school grounds

Parents are asked to be mindful of local residents when parking their cars or dropping/ collecting their children. Local residents have again expressed their frustration at being unable to move their cars from their driveways because of other cars blocking them.

Welcome

To Mr Cormac O’ Boyle, Mr Pádraig Doherty and Ms Clare Croke who joined our staff in recent months.

School Website

Why not keep up to date by logging on to www.colmcilles.net !

Student Council

The Student Council would like to remind parents that we are currently collecting mobile phones for Autism Ireland. The phones will be exchanged for much needed computer equipment for our school. Please search at home and ask friends, relatives and work colleagues for their old mobile phones. The class that brings in the most phones wins a class party. Our final date for collection is Friday 7th April.

Congratulations and Best Wishes

Congratulations to Ms Cindy Hickey and her husband, Anthony on the birth of their son, Seán.

Sporting Activities

  • Training for the Athletics, Gaelic Football, Hurling and Soccer teams continues apace, and all are now ready for competitive action in the coming weeks. We extend our best wishes to the players and mentors.
  • Congratulations to the boys on the athletics team who performed superbly in the recent race in Donabate. Training continues every Tuesday after school.
  • We thank Fingallians GFC, the FAI and Mr Niall Mc Guirk for providing coaching for our pupils.
  • The boys in Third Class have begun their eight-week block of swimming lessons. Many thanks to their parents for supporting this very worthwhile initiative.

Review of policies

We will be reviewing a number of school policies in the coming months. Details will be posted on our website www.colmcilles.net.

Food Dudes

Food Dudes is a programme designed to encourage children to eat more fruit and vegetables. It begins on Friday 3 March for classes from J.I. to Second and on 15 March for classes from Third – Sixth. Parents will receive a letter with further details.

Dates for the Diary

Monday 6 – Thursday 9 March              Book Fair

Tuesday, 14 March                            Fun Run !

Friday, 17 March                                  St Patrick’s Day (*school closed)

Thursday, 30 March                          *School closed (Inservice Day for Teachers)

Tuesday, 4 April                                    Multi-cultural Evening

Tuesday, 2 May Ceremony of Light

Thursday, 11 May Confirmation

Saturday, 27 May First Holy Communion

Easter Closure

The school will close at 12.00 p.m. on Friday, 7 April.  (Please note the earlier closing time).

The school will re-open at 8.50 a.m. on Monday, 24 April.

Thanks

To all of our families for your continued support. To our Parents’ Association which has been very supportive of school events and activities and to the parents who assist with transport to Gaelic football, soccer matches and the cross-country races.

Focal Scoir

We thank all members of the school community for their support and co-operation and wish them well as we endeavour to do our very best for the pupils entrusted to our care.

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