Scoil na hEaglaise

Eglish National School

“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 Easter 2014

Dear Parents / Guardians

We have had a very busy, productive and fun Second Term here in Eglish NS. Here is an update on what’s been happening in Eglish NS since Christmas

‘An t-Asarlaí Ó Oz’: Comhghairdeas to all the team, our wonderful student actors and actresses, our Director, Miss Rourke and all the teachers and SNAs who helped design the set and make the costumes and props for our Scoil Drámaíocht play this year. We had two outings to Inverin, one for the Galway final and the second for the Connaught Finals. In the Galway Finals, we won two prizes, one for the best non-Gaeltacht school and non-Gaelscoil and one for the most inclusive cast, including children with all levels of ability. We won our way through to the All-Ireland Final which was held in Mullingar from the 2nd – 9th of April. This is an unprecedented achievement for our small, non-Irish speaking, non Gaeltacht school. Well Done to all!!

Staffing changes: We were delighted to welcome Bernie Pollock to our staff as SNA in February and very sorry to say ‘Goodbye’ to Mary Glynn as SNA. Mary contributed greatly to the education experiences of many of our students and we wish her the very best in the future.

Credit Union Quiz: Well Done to all the students who prepared for and took part in the Credit Union Quiz on January 31st.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Prize: We won first place (€150) in the Environmental / Green category of the Ballinasloe St. Patrick’s Day Parade this year. Thank you and well done to all who took part.

Cultural Evening in gullane’s hotel: Many thanks to all who supported our Cultural Evening in Gullane’s Hotel on March 26th. This was a great success. We raised €462 which will go towards the cost of our buses this year.

DooDle for Google: Two of our students in Senior Infants: Jim Martin and Katie Martin reached the Semi-Final Stage of the National ‘Doodle for Google’ competition. Well Done!

‘Write a Book’ and ‘Scríobh Leabhar’: All of our students have written books in Irish and English as part of the ‘Write a Book’ and ‘Scríobh Leabhar’ projects organised by the Galway Education Centre.

Tommy Kennedy: We were all deeply saddened by the death of our dear, school caretaker Tommy Kennedy in January. Tommy was a very special member of our school community and gave great service to the school for many years. ‘Ar dheis Dé a raibh a anam.’

Show racism the red card: Students in 4th, 5th and 6th Classes have completed individual and group projects and entered them into the National ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ competition. As part of this, we all signed a School Pledge, which will be displayed on our school noticeboard.

Mini 7s: Our girls and boys from 3rd- 6th Class took part in the Mini 7s, Camogie and Boys’ Football tournaments in March. They put in a tremendous effort and did themselves and the school proud.

sacraments: 6 students will receive their Holy Communion on Saturday May 3rd and 4 students will receive their Confirmation on Tuesday May 6th. The Confirmation Class attended a Retreat in Knock on April 10th. “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6)

Anti-bullying policy: Our Anti-bullying policy has been updated and ratified and is available for all parents to read on request.

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. If any parents would like to help out, even in the smallest way, please contact the school.

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 Easter

Le gach dea-ghuí’

Siobhán Fitzgerald, M.Ed. (Principal)