More Christmas Art 2019
Christmas Newletter 2019
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Just a few mentions of what our school has been doing for the past four months:-
- School Walk
Sunday October 6th was the date of our annual school walk. The Board of Management would like to thank all those who helped to make the school walk a success again this year, those who attended on the day, those who helped out on the day and all who contributed so generously. To date, the contributions have amounted to €2,373.00. Any outstanding money is still welcome.
- Confirmation
We have 18 students for Confirmation this year. The students celebrated their Enrolment Ceremony on the weekend of November 16th/17th. The date for the Confirmation ceremony, which will take place in Kilfinny Church, is Tuesday April 28th at 11.00am.
- Parent / Teacher Meetings
We held our parent/teacher meetings on October 22nd and 23rd. We would like to thank all those who attended.
- Sports
- One October 21st the 3rd class boys travelled to NCW to compete in a soccer tournament. They won 2 games and lost 1.
- The school is taking part in the Active Flag for Schools Campaign. Students in Mr. Wallace and Mrs. Lawlor’s class have to complete 538 laps of the schoolyard, which equates to the distance from Croagh to Madrid. We are presently waiting for an Active School Flag assessor to visit our school.
- Rathkeale & District Credit Union
We were delighted to see so many fantastic entries into this year’s Rathkeale & District Credit Union Art competition entitled ‘Walk of Life’. Unfortunately, we had no winners this year.
- Christmas Shoe Box Appeal
Our contribution to the Christmas shoebox appeal was 61 shoeboxes. 9,988 Shoeboxes from Limerick are being sent to the Ukraine and Burundi. Well done to all.
- Visits
Over the past term we have had a couple of visitors to our school:-
- As part of her work experience for transition year, we welcomed back past pupil Clodagh. Clodagh was here every Monday and we thank her for all her help during her time with us.
- We also had Mr. Maher, a Mary I student for the week of October 7th to 11th. Mr. Maher is undertaking a Masters. We wish him well with his studies.
- In early October, we welcomed the local gardaí. They will return later in the year to speak to the senior class.
- To celebrate National Science Week, all the students from 2nd class upwards travelled to a Science Show in St. Anne’s National School. It was a most enjoyable trip.
- Christmas Outing
Both students and staff really enjoyed a wonderful trip to see ‘Santa’s Fairy Tale Christmas’ in LIT on Thursday December 12th. The students were very well behaved and are a credit to their families.
- Nursing Home
The children from 3rd to 6th class visited the Adare & District Nursing Home on Wednesday to play music and sing Christmas carols for all the residents and staff. Thanks to all the parents who accommodated the late collection time on the day.
- Music
We wish to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. Anglim our music teacher. We thank him for all his time in preparing the students for their music exams and his continued involvement in all events in the school such as Confirmation/Communion masses, visit to the nursing home, recitals, etc.
- Date to Remember
The school will be closed on Friday January 24th 2020 to accommodate staff training.
- School Reminders
- If, for whatever reason there is a change in your contact details or in the person collecting your child(ren) from the school, this must be given in writing to the class teacher beforehand.
- Healthy Lunches – Children are encouraged to have healthy lunches at all times. If a parent wishes, children may have a treat on Fridays. Junk food does not help concentration.
- Uniforms– The school encourages neat uniform dress at all times. Please, please put names on jumpers and coats!
- School Premises – Board of Management would like to state that parents are responsible for their children who are on the school premises before 9.00am or after 2.40pm.
- Notes for Absences – Please remember to give a note to your child when he/she is returning to school after being absent, in accordance with The Educational Act 1998. Also notes are required if you want your child to leave during the school day or if they will be arriving at a later time than 9am.
- Please remember that no parent can take another person’s child from the school without written notification to staff in advance.
- School Gate – Important – We request your co-operation in keeping the school gate clear at all times. This is necessary on Health & Safety Grounds.
- The teaching staff are unable to accommodate incidental visits. If you need to discuss any issue with any staff member, we kindly ask that you make an appointment in advance. Our secretary Sinead is in the office Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays from 9.00am to 1.00pm.
- Christmas Closure
School will close on Friday December 20th for the Christmas Holidays. School will reopen on Monday January 6thth 2020 at 9am.
- The staff of Croagh National School would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Christmas and to thank you for your co-operation in 2019. Guím beannachtaí na Nollag ar gach duine agus athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
Signed: ___________________
Mrs. Lawlor
Principal
End of Year Newsletter June 2019
June 21st 2019
Dear Parent/Guardian
Firstly, may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and cooperation throughout the year. Just to bring you up to date with what has been happening in our busy school over the past few months.
Religious Ceremonies
- First Holy Communion Ceremony took place on Saturday May 18th. It was a beautiful Mass. Special thanks to Mr. Anglim who played at the ceremony along with the students who made up the choir.
- Our Graduation Mass took place in Kilfinny on Wednesday last June 20th. Well done to all students.
Music
- We would like to thank Mr. Anglim for all his work over the past year. All the children from 3rd to 6th completed their RIAM music recorder exam on May 15th and received honours and distinctions.
- We held our annual music recital last Wednesday June 19th. Unfortunately, the rain arrived before all the performances were over and we all had to dash into the school. Thanks to all the family and friends that came to enjoy the children’s wonderful musical talents.
NCBI Recycling Collection
- We had one clothing collection. We were delighted to receive a cheque for €212. The money raised is given to our Green Schools committee for improvements to our school.
GAA coach
- We would like to thank Mr. Lordan for his role as GAA coach. He has very kindly given up his own time to help with training and transporting the children to all their games.
Sport
- Active Flag
We continued with our laps. We ran to Huddersfield FC, Brighton FC and Croke Park. Each lap of the basketball court measured 79 m. Each child ran over 100 laps for each destination.
All classes were involved in the Skool-a-Hoop competition. All pupils were skipping, hoola hooping and got fit for our Easter Fun Day. The winner in First class skipped 71 rotations and in 6th class the winner skipped 258 rotations. All pupils excelled with skipping. There was a vast improvement. The Hoola Hoop winners did not let the hoop touch the ground for minutes at a time. The Active Flag continues in Term 3 and for next school year 2019/2020.
- Hurling
We had a coach, Mr. O`Dea for 3 weeks in February, this was provided by the GAA. It a huge success and the pupils enjoyed his visits.
Mr. Lordan, our coach, started with us in March coming on Thursdays. He is teaching the students the vital skills of hurling. We would like to thank our local GAA for this wonderful service. We hope to resume this scheme in the new school year.
- Soccer
The boys and girls took part in the FAI schools competition, which took place in Seanchoill in Corbally. Both teams represented the school very well. They enjoyed their day out. We were delighted when our girls became Limerick Champions and qualified for the Munster Finals.
The Munster Finals were played on May 30th again in Seanchoill in Corbally. The girls played fantastic soccer and were beaten in the final with a late goal from the opposition. The girls are a credit to our school and even though they were disappointed, they were proud of their achievements to get so far in the competition. Well done girls.
- Indoor Hurling/Camogie
- Students from 3rd, 4th and 5th class played in the hurling blitz in NCW. The boys played very well but were beaten by a very strong Mahoonagh outfit. The girls played Templeglantine but were unlucky not to progress out of their group.
- Colaiste na Trocaire invited us to participate in their annual hurling blitz which was held on May 28th.
- Well done to all the boys and girls for representing their school in all sporting outings.
Visits
- In late February, past pupil Tara spent one week on work experience in our school as part of her TY year.
- We were all thrilled to have the inspirational Joy Neville visit our school on February 11th.
- On March 1st we had a visit from Mr. Brick who spoke to the students in 5th & 6th class about internet safety. Brick also spoke to students in 2nd class to 4th class about the MoMo app. This was very beneficial for both students and staff.
- March 6th, we had the HSE Dr. in the building to carry out the Junior vaccinations.
- May 10th we had our annual visit from Ms. M. Murphy who covers the sensitive issues of the RSE program with students from 5th and 6th
School Tours
- The school tours were very enjoyable this year.
- Juniors, Seniors and 1st travelled by bus to Dreamland Indoor Fun Centre in Limerick on Wednesday June 12th.The children enjoyed some varied play and lunch. On our way home we also stopped off at the Adare Playground for some more fun play.
- 2nd to 6th class travelled to Active Kingdom in Tralee on June 11th. They had a fantastic day of fun, games and activities. 5th and 6th class were able to cover the fee with their profits from their JEP project.
- All the students were very well behaved on both dates and were a pleasure to take out of the school.
Staffing
- We are delighted to have Mr. Wallace stay with us for another year as Miss Murphy extends her career break to continue her studies.
- Miss O’Sullivan will be returning in August after her maternity leave. We wish to sincerely thank Miss Dillon for her wonderful contribution to our staff and we wish her well in her future career.
- Due to departmental allocations, we are sadly losing our SNA Ms. Condon. We thank her for all her contribution to our school and wish her well in her future career.
Croagh N.S. School Improvement Plan: Literacy
- During the school year 2018 to 2019, the staff evaluated English reading fluency within the different classes. This was assessed, using a wide variety of appropriate measures. The staff with the help of a facilitator discussed the outcomes, and strategies were put in place to implement, monitor and improve our targets.
Thank You
- We wish to extend our sincere thanks for all the parents and friends who supported our Junior Entrepreneur Project. The students did all the work themselves from choosing the material, editing the booklet and finally selling it. We have 7 that remain unsold- well done to all who helped and supported. A special thanks to Ms. Power in the office for her invaluable advice and support.
- Thank you to the staff of Rathkeale & District Credit Union for their continued support to our school and out student saving programme.
- Once again, we would like to thank Domhnall of O’Gairbhi’s Book Shop in Rathkeale for offering our parents the facility of purchasing items from the booklists for the forthcoming year.
6th Class
- We wish all the exiting pupils from 6th class the very best of luck next year in their new schools.
Go neirí an bóthar libh, Brian, Declan, Donna, Laura, Maeve, Sarah. Shalom and Patrick.
The staff and I would like to wish you all a very sunny, safe
and enjoyable summer holidays.
Mrs. Lawlor
Newsletter June 2018
June 22nd 2018
Dear Parent/Guardian
Firstly, may I take this opportunity to thank you all for your continued support and cooperation throughout the year. Just to bring you up to date with what has been happening in our busy school over the past few months.
Religious Ceremonies
- Confirmation took place on Thursday the 3rd of May in Croagh Church. Bishop Brendan Leahy celebrated the Mass. We would like to give a big thank you to all those who helped in any way and especially all of the class who had various jobs on the day.
- First Holy Communion Ceremony took place on Saturday May 19th. It was a beautiful Mass. Special thanks to Mr. Anglim and our guest organist Sarah who played at both ceremonies.
- Our Graduation Mass took place in Croagh on Wed last June 20th. Well done to all students.
Music
- We would like to thank Mr. Anglim for all his work over the past year. All the children from 3rd to 6th completed their RIAM music recorder exam on May 15th and received honours and distinctions.
- We held our annual music recital last Wednesday. Thanks to all the family and friends that came to enjoy the children’s wonderful musical talents.
Discover Primary Science
- The school received a Discover Primary Science & Maths Award of Excellence for the work the children completed in science, technology, engineering and maths.
- Thanks to everyone who supported our Science Day in May.
Lenrec Recycling Collection
- We again had a couple of collections of old clothes/mobile phones. The money raised is given to our Green Schools committee for improvements to our school.
GAA coach
- We would like to thank Mr. Dee for his role as GAA coach. He has very kindly given up his own time to help with training and transporting the children to all their games.
Sport
- On February 26th Mr. Wallace and Mr. Dee took a male and female team to the FAI Schools Soccer Tournament in Corbally. Both teams played very well and progressed to the next round to be held on April 12th. Unfortunately, the boys failed to progress further in the competition but the girls won out their group and progressed to the Munster final, which was held in Tralee on May 9th. Again the girls played really well. They won 3 out of their 4 matches to secure a place in the final. Clare proved to be a tough team. It was a very exciting game but again the opposition got a late goal to secure the win. It was a fantastic achievement to get so far in the national competition. Well done to all the players. Thanks to Mr. Wallace and Mr Dee for all their time and effort.
- On March 14th our boys competed in the boys indoor 5 a side hurling school league held in NCW. They won their first match against Ballingarry but unfortunately lost against Mahoonagh in the semi-final.
- On March 15th our girls competed in the girls indoor 5 a side camogie. They won their first match against the Gaelscoil but again were unlucky not to win their semi-final against Templeglantine.
- Our girls camogie team participated in the Division 2 camogie blitz held in Mick Neville park on May 21st. They played very well but didn’t come out the winners on the day.
- Our boys hurling team took part in the Division 2 11 a side hurling league. They played Feenagh/Kilmeedy and Dromcollogher. They played very well with one win.
- Coláiste na Trocaire invited us to participate in their annual hurling blitz which was held on May 30th. The boys played very well and beat Ardagh in the final to win the Shield.
- Well done to all the boys and girls for representing their school.
Visits
Over the past term, we have had a couple of visitors to our school.
- March 5th we welcomed our Mayor to our school. He donated a lovely oak tree to our school and planted it in the front green area close to the church. It is growing well.
- We would like to thank the Mayor who took time out from his busy schedule to raise our 4th Green Flag on Wednesday June 20th. The Mayor was very generous to treat all our pupils to the ice-cream van.
- Past pupil Sarah spent one week of work experience in our school as part of her TY year. She also assisted during Confirmation and Holy Communion.
- Thanks to Mr. Geary who called into the school on April 13th to speak to the children about his career in engineering.
- April 27th we had a visit from Ms. Behan for our school religion inspection. All went very well.
- May 29th saw our yearly visit from Ms. M. Murphy. Ms. Murphy covers the sensitive issues regarding the RSE program with 5th and 6th
- Rachel from the RSA visited the school on June 21st to remind children about road safety.
Green Schools
- Angela, the An Taisce Green Schools Co-Ordinator visited the school on a regular basis to work with the committee. As you may already know, we have been successful if securing our 4th green flag which covers the topic of Travel.
- Thanks to all the green-schools committee, the students and their families for helping us to achieve this flag. All the ‘Walk on Wednesday’ paid off!
School Tours
- Juniors & Seniors travelled to Stonehall Farm in Curraghchase on Wednesday June 13th. They were given a tour of the farm, met the animals and had play time in the indoor play area.
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd class travelled to a cookery school in Annacotty where they baked muffins, pizza and tried their hand at icing some cupcakes. They had some playtime in Manor Fields Park in Adare on the way home.
- Students in 4th, 5th and 6th travelled to Clare on June 21st. They had a guided tour of Ardnacrusha Power Station followed by some water fun and hot food in the Lakeside Hotel in Killalloe.
Staffing
- We extend our thanks to Mr. Wallace after his year with us. We wish him well in his future teaching roles.
- We look forward to the return of Ms. Tobin after her career break while she furthered her studies.
- Miss Murphy will be taking a year out next year to become a full time student herself. So on behalf of the school community I wish her the very best as she completes her doctorate. While we will all miss her terribly we will be looking forward to her return.
6th Class
- We wish all the exiting pupils from 6th class the very best of luck next year in their new schools. Go neirí an bóthar libh Ann Marie, Billy, Faye, Keelin, Maurice, Owen and Sarah.
The staff and I would like to wish you all a very sunny, safe and enjoyable summer holidays.
Mrs. Lawlor
Travel Challenge
As part of the Green School Initiative, a big travel challenge was held. Pupils participated in a Park and Stride Project to raise awareness of walking as an environmentally friendly way to travel to school. Well done to everybody who participated in park and stride, car pooling and walking.
Mobile Farm
We were delighted to have some beautiful animals to visit us on March 21st. Thanks to Billy who organised this very exciting event.
Tree Week
We were delighted to have Mayor Stephen Keary visit the school during tree week. The mayor planted a beautiful oak tree on the school grounds and a commemorative plaque records the event for the future. The children were delighted to receive a gift of a tree that they can plant and care for at home.
Mother’s Day
The children decided to show their appreciation for their mothers and made some beautiful cards.
St. Valentine’s Day
Students used their creativity to make some beautiful Valentine’s Day cards and crafts.