Scoil na hEaglaise
“Work together, do our best, repect each other”
…………………………………………………………………………….
“Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege,
than the raising of the next generation.”
-C. Everet Koop, M.D.
NEWSLETTER Christmas 2013
Dear Parents / Guardians
We have had a very busy, productive and fun First Term here in Eglish NS. Here is an update on what’s been happening in Eglish NS since September
Bien Venue a Eglish: We were delighted to welcome Guillaume Piton, our Comenius French Assistant to our school in September. We’d like to extend a very warm welcome to Guillaume and his wife Typhanie to our school and community and we look forward to celebrating their new arrival soon.
European Day of Languages: We celebrated the ‘European Day of Languages’(EDL) in September. Each class prepared and performed songs and dances from different European Countries at our Weekly Assembley . As part of our EDL celebration, the students of 4th, 5th and 6th Classes entered a video clip nationwide competition run by Léargas. Our entry entitled ‘Excuse my French’ was chosen as the runner up in the competition and the school received a prize of a €300 voucher for International Books which will help continue our students’ interest in language learning. Congratulations to all involved and many thanks to Guillaume, Typhanie and Mrs. Mulry for helping with the editing of the video clip
Cinemobile: All of the students in 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th Classes had the opportunity to visit the Cinemobile in Ballinasloe in October to take part in a Writing workshop entitled, ‘Fighting Words’. This was a very educational and creative workshop. All of our students left that day with their own story book, parts of which they had written collectively with endings they had written individually.
Active Star: Eglish NS was awarded the Active Schools’ Flag in October. Congratulations to all of our students and staff who worked diligently and creatively towards this achievement. Many thanks to Miss Rourke who coordinated this initiative in our school, to all the staff who helped out and to parents and members of the community who helped make our ‘Active Week’ so successful last May. We celebrated this achievement with an ‘Active Day’ on November 22nd, during which the students made our traditional vegetable soup and brown bread and got involved in plenty of activities.
Reelife Science Project: Many of our students helped create a fantastic project on ‘Genetics’ under the direction of Miss Rourke which they entered in Reelife Science Competition and shared with the rest of the school. It taught all of us a lot about where we have come from.
Go-Games: Our students in the Middle and Senior Room have taken part locally in Go-Games in Hurling and Football during the First Term. The purpose of Go-Games is to encourage all students to have a go.
Yours Sincerely: All of our students from 1st to 6th Class took part in ‘Yours Sincerely’, a letter writing project organised and run by Athlone Education Centre in October. Well Done to all! Congratulations to Emma Mulry, Chloe Martin, Daniel Cosgrove, Laura Glynn, Katie Fitzgerald and Geraldine Corcoran who won MERIT awards. Their letters have been published in a book of children’s letter writing. Congratulations also to Peter Mc Donnell, Cian Cosgrove, Pat Corcoran and Ellen Philomena Martin whose letters were Highly Commended.
Credit Union Art Competition: All of our students took part in the Credit Union Art Competition, ‘Gotta Lotta Colour’. Well Done to all. All our students showed that they ‘gotta lotta talent’ Congratulations to Laura Glynn who won First Place in the 8-10 category, Shannon Martin came Second in the U7 (SN) category and Pat Corcoran in Senior Infants received a Merit award in the U7 category.
School Garden: Many thanks to Guillaume who has been developing our students’ gardening skills by encouraging all our students to get involved and working with them on our ‘School Garden’ in the polytunnel. From the youngest to the oldest, they have been heard humming French songs cheerfully as they go about their outdoor work during some of their lunch breaks.
Doodle for Google: You know the doodles you see when you are googling? All of our students took part in the ‘Doodle for Google’ competition. Two entries from each classroom were chosen to go forward to represent our school. Congratulations to Katie Martin, Jim Martin, Cian Cosgrove, Neil Fitzgerald, Laura Glynn and Katie Fitzgerald.
Confirmation and First Communion: This year 6 students will receive their First Holy Communion in May and 5 6th Class children will receive their Confirmation in April. It is extremely important that parents bring the children to Mass regularly in preparation for these important sacraments, especially the Masses that have been organised specifically for preparation purposes.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6)
Students being collected early from school: It is recommended that you only collect students early from school if absolutely essential. If you must collect your child early from school, it is necessary to inform the Class Teacher of the reason. Each class teacher will have a form that you can sign upon collection of your child. In the interest of students’ safety, if your child is being picked up by someone other than you, the parent, we must receive a note or phone call directly from the parent informing us of relevant information.
Fundraising: On October 26th, we held a Fundraising Walk, ‘Walk down Memory Lane’. Thanks again to all who got involved and helped out in any way. This was a wonderful event and raised €750 for Educational Resources. On our Active Day at School on November 22nd, we raised €76 for Sports Equipment. Our Parents’ Association have been working tirelessly making and selling beautiful Christmas wreaths. Many, many thanks to all who have given of their time and expertise to help support our school. We really appreciate it. This week, we raised €270.64 from our Carol Singing Service outside of Tescos. Thank you to all who attended. It was a lot of fun and you represented the school very well.
Please be reminded, your child’s happiness and all-round educational development is our priority here in Eglish School. If you have any concerns in relation to this, please do not hesitate to let us know. To ensure that these concerns can be dealt with efficiently and in a dignified manner, please follow the steps as outlined in the Complaints Procedure Policy, a copy of which was sent home in September.
Many thanks for your support and ongoing cooperation
Wishing you a very Happy Christmas
‘Le gach dea-ghuí’
Siobhán Fitzgerald, M.Ed. (Principal)