ScoilnahEaglaise
“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 Summer 2014
Dear Parents / Guardians
I hope you are all enjoying the lovely weather we have had recently as we look forward to the Summer Holidays. We have had a fun, fit, fantastic final term here in Eglish NS.
Confirmation and Communion:Congratulations to Geraldine Corcoran, Ciara Cusack, Andrew Lyons and David Martin who were confirmed in St. Cuan’s Church, Ahascragh on May 6th and to Michael Ward, Chloe Martin, Cian Cosgrove, Kate Martin, John Ward and Shannon Martin who received their First Holy Communion in St. Cuan’s Church Ahascragh on May 3rd.
Caring for Carers: and other Art Competitions Congratulations to Laoise Kirwan in 4th Class who won 1st Place in the National ‘Caring for Carers’’ Creative Writing and Art Competition. All of our students have taken part in the ADA (Ahasccragh Development Association) ‘Voices of our Children’ Art Competition.
‘Write a Book’ and ‘ScrÍobh Leabhar’: All of our students took part in the Galway Education Centre ‘Write-a-Book’ and ‘ScríobhLeabhar’ Project earlier this year. Well Done to all! Many of our students received MERIT awards for their books. Congratulations to all of the students in Ms. Rourke’s room for their group ‘leabhar’, “na hAinmhithe”. For receiving ‘Write-a-Book’ and ‘ScríobhLeabhar’ Merit Awards, congratulations to Tom Ward, Abtai Ganbat, Peter Mc Donnell, Shannon Martin, John Ward, Kate Martin, Seán Lyons, Neil Fitzgerald, Laura Glynn, Adam Mulry, Katie Fitzgerald and Ciara Cusack. No doubt, all authors to watch out for in the future.
CRAFTed: The Junior and Middle Room students were very fortunate to have worked with local ceramic artist Frances Kilcommins in association with the Crafts Council of Ireland and Athlone Education Centre. For four Wednesdays we gladly got our hands dirty while Frances worked with the children and staff to create pieces in clay inspired by the fairytales of the Ugly Duckling and the forest and gingerbread house in Hansel and Gretel. Thanks to everyone involved for such a valuable learning experience.
Active Week: From June 9th to June 13th, we enjoyed Active Week. We had a ‘DEAD (Drop Everything and Dance) time’ every day. We ran a ‘Múinteoir Bainisteoir’ tournament daily, our students made healthy snacks every day and we did our walk around Balinamona and Eglish Abbey. To finish it off, we had a fun-filled Sports Day on Friday. How lucky we were with the weather. We got one rain shower during the week but it wasn’t enough to dampen our sporty spirits.
Caretaker: I’d like to extend a very warm welcome to Michael Kelly, our new Part-Time Caretaker.
‘On your Bike’: Bernie Pollock, SNA at Eglish NS recently cycled 25 miles on Saturday, 7th of June to raise funds for Multi-sensory Special Education Needs Resources for Eglish NS. Bernie said that the generosity of neighbours and local people in sponsoring her was overwhelming and 100% positive. She has raised over €1400. Amazing!! Well Done Bernie and congratulations and many thanks to all who contributed and helped out in any way.. Thanks also to Bernie’s husband Nick, who was the navigator for the cycle.
Circuit Training: Many thanks to Miss Carmel Rourke who gave freely of her time and expertise to run Circuit Training for our students every Thursday during the last term. Thank you also to other staff members who helped out.
Blue Star Programme: In recognition of our involvement with the Blue Star Programme, a programme aimed at cultivating a greater awareness of the EU in Primary School Children, we have been awarded our 2nd EU flag this year.
Fond Farewells:We are sad to say ‘Farewell’ to Guillaume, our Comenius Assistant. ‘Merci and Au Revoir’, until we meet again. We wish Guillaume, Typhanie and Elliot the very best in the future. It is with regret that we also say “Farewell” again to Miss Comer who was Learning Support Teacher shared with Caltra NS this year. We wish her well in her next Teaching Position. Unfortunately for us, Mrs. Geraldine Murphy is retiring this year. She will be dearly missed by all in our School Community. I think the following quote is appropriate for Mrs. Murphy’s immeasurable contribution to our school: “One looks back with appreciation to the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child”. We wish Mrs. Murphy the best of health and happiness in her retirement.
Welcome: We would like to welcome Mrs Hilary Hussey to the staff of Eglish NS. We look forward to working with her and sharing many special times at Eglish.
Sensory Garden and Sensory Room; WB Yeats said “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper”. We have created a sensory garden in our school. Many thanks to Guillaume for managing and carrying out much of the work on this project and to all the students and staff who helped out. Come and visit it sometime. Any advice and support on maintaining it is very welcome. Many thanks also to Mrs. Devine who has led the project to create a Multi-Sensory Room in our school which will benefit all of our children and staff. This should be ready for September.
Staff Allocation: The allocation of staff and division of classes for next year is as follows:
Uniform: As the majority of parents who responded to the questionnaires distributed earlier this year indicated that they would prefer to be able to buy the uniforms in more outlets, we have decided to gradually change the uniform to a plain navy tracksuit and white polo shirt. These can be bought in any of the main stores. Students who still have the navy and red uniform can continue to wear this until it’s worn out. This change is being made to facilitate parents and lower the cost of school uniforms.
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 all a super, sunny Summer.
‘Le gach dea-ghuí’
Siobhán Fitzgerald, M.Ed. (Principal)