Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

tullowgns.wordpress.com

22 May 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ Easter Chicks/Bunnies/Baskets

We have been presented with a cheque for €500 from the Easter Chick/Bunny sale.  Well done to Mary Rooney and Susan Brennan for all their hard work in knitting the chicks and bunnies and putting them together.  The money will be used to buy extra resources in classrooms.  A big “go raibh maith agat” to Mary and Susan.

♦ Student Absence

The number of girls with a high rate of absence is increasing every year.  When a pupil is absent for 20 days or more, I am obliged to report this to Tusla – the Child and Family Agency.  In recent years, parents have begun to withdraw children from school well in advance of school closing for summer holidays.  This is not acceptable.  If you intend taking your child out of school for any period of time this must be stated in advance in writing.  Each day that your child is not in school is a lost opportunity for her.

♦ Book Bills

Like last year books for the coming year will be ordered only for those who have paid in advance.  I would urge you to consider paying in instalments between now and the holidays if you think you won’t be able to pay the full amount when the bills are given out in June.

♦ Congratulations to 2^nd class who received First Communion recently.

♦ Music Generation News

Last week 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th & 6^th classes took part in a Music Generation concert in Murphy Memorial Hall.  The girls performed excellently and the concert was greatly enjoyed by all present.

4^th, 5^th & 6^th will perform in the end of year Gala Concert in George Bernard Shaw theatre on Wednesday and Thursday of this week.  They sound absolutely fantastic and will do themselves proud each night.

♦ Lost Property

Since September a huge number of coats, cardigans, lunchboxes etc. have been left in school.  These are available in the main school.  Please check to see if any of your daughters items are missing.

♦  We have been asked by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to notify you of a survey that is being conducted – “Parents Childminding Survey”.  The survey is to ensure that parents views are included in the decision making, shaping the future of Childminding in Ireland.  The link to this survery is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HKLB29W or visit www.childminding.ie or email support@childminding.ie for a copy of the link.

♦ Headlice: Again, we have been informed of the presence of head lice.  Please ensure your daughter’s hair is properly tied up/back to ensure she doesn’t pick up headlice.  This is a constant problem in girls school.  However, the problem can be eliminated if due care is taken – try to prevent the problem by keeping hair tied up.  If infestation does occur, treat the problem immediately.

♦  School Closure

School will be closed on Friday 2^nd, Monday 5^th and Tuesday 6^th June

(Public Holiday & School Holiday)

Signed:- Anne Kennelly

            Principal

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

tullowgns.wordpress.com

 29 March 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 ♦ We had a great response to our postcard campaign – thank you all very much for your prompt return of same.On March 9^th Mrs. Doheny (principal Boys School), Michael Byrne (Tullow SCP) and myself met Mr. Richard Bruton, Minister for Education in Leinster House with Mr. Pat Deering T.D.  We presented the minister with the postcards and he took our concerns re. Tullow’s non-inclusion in the recent round of extra educational supports on board.

It was down to the efforts of Pat Deering T.D. that this meeting took place – he has been fully supportive of the efforts of both schools and has done everything in this power to help us.

On Monday of last week we met with the local area representatives, Ms. Kathleen Funchion T.D., Senator Jennifer Murnane and local councillors William Paton and John Pender.  Again, Mr. Pat Deering also attended this meeting.  All have promised to do what they can on behalf of the two schools.

Where to from here?

We await the publication of the C.S.O. figures from last year’s census.  Hopefully, when we go through those we will have more information to support our case.

♦ Photographs – 6^th Class and Junior Infants

If you wish to purchase photos please return order and payment by Tuesday next April 4^th.

♦ Headlice: Again, we have been informed of the presence of head lice.  Please ensure your daughter’s hair is properly tied up/back to ensure she doesn’t pick up headlice.  This is a constant problem in girls school.  However, the problem can be eliminated if due care is taken – try to prevent the problem by keeping hair tied up.  If infestation does occur, treat the problem immediately.

♦ There was a meeting of the Parents Association last week.  It was decided to ask you all would you consider joining the Parents Association.  It would be great to have each class represented.  This would ensure that Parents voices are heard.  The Parents Association plays a major part in developing school policies.  If you would like to attend the next meeting, Tuesday May 2^nd, please give Fiona your number and email address.

♦ Cyberbullying Workshop takes place on Wednesday 5^th April at 6.45p.m. in Forwards Steps.  Booking in advance is required.  Contact Nicola on 087-7916121 or 059-9180010 to book a place.

♦ Mobile Phones:  Pupils are not allowed to have mobile phones in school.  If a pupil is found with a phone it is confiscated and given to the principal.  The parents/guardians of the pupil is contacted and must come to the school for a meeting with the principal.  Please encourage your daughter to abide by this policy.

♦  National Spring Clean

All classes are looking forward to our annual ‘Spring Clean’ on Thursday 6^th April – weather permitting.  If girls chose to bring in gloves etc. please ensure their names are written on them.

Signed:- Anne Kennelly

            Principal

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

tullowgns.wordpress.com

07 February 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ Catholic Schools Week

Thank you to the Grandparents who visited last week – the pupils really enjoyed your visits.

All classes made St. Brigid’s Crosses which we got blessed at mass on St. Brigid’s Day.

♦ Book Fair

Last year we held a Book Fair in conjunction with Khan’s Bookshop in Kilkenny which was very successful.  This year we will have another on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th February.  Many books will be available at just €1.00.  This is a great opportunity for you and your daughter to buy books at great value.

The children will be brought in their classes to look at the books on Thursday.  Parents are welcome to drop in and browse/buy at any time during the 2 days.  The children will have an opportunity to buy books on Friday.

A percentage of the total sales is given as a book voucher to the school.  This means that the more books bought the more books, in turn, will be added to our library for use by the pupils.

♦ Internet Safety Week

This week is Internet Safety Week.  Please talk to your daughter at home re. this very serious topic.  At school the teachers will be covering different aspects of online safety.  Today, Tuesday 7th is Internet Safety Day.

♦ “Wake Up, Shake Up” – we hope that Thursday morning will be dry so that we can continue with our “Wake Up, Shake Up” activity at 9.20a.m.

♦ 10 @ 10

In conjunction with ‘Operation Transformation’ every primary school child is being asked to partake in a mass physical activity break on Friday, 10th February at 10a.m. for 10 minutes.  We will be taking part – all pupils may wear P.E. gear on Friday.

♦ School Fundraiser

We are selling knitted Easter “chicks”,  “eggs in baskets” and “bunnies” at €2 each as a school fundraiser.  These have been kindly knitted by Aliyah Brennan’s (Senior Infants) granny Mary Rooney and mammy Susan Brennan.  A big thank you to both for their hard work.  All money raised will go towards buying extra P.E. resources.

Signed:- Anne Kennelly

Principal

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

tullowgns.wordpress.com

25 January 2017

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ Catholic Schools Week 2017

Next week we will celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  We will have various activities going on in classes during the week.  Part of the week’s celebration is Grandparent’s Day – Wednesday February 1st.  This is also St. Brigid’s Day which we celebrate every year.  St. Brigid is the patron saint of this diocese and is closely associated with the Brigidine Sisters who founded this school.  On Wednesday all classes will attend 9.30a.m. mass – please ensure that your daughter is in school on time so that we can get all pupils to the church before mass starts.

♦ Last year we held a Book Fair in conjunction with Khan’s Bookshop in Kilkenny which was very successful.  This year we will have another on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th February.  Many books will be available at just €1.00.  This is a great opportunity for you and your daughter to buy books at great value.

The children will be brought in their classes to look at the books on Thursday.  Parents are welcome to drop in and browse/buy at any time during the 2 days.  The children will have an opportunity to buy books on Friday.

A percentage of the total sales is given as a book voucher to the school.  This means that the more books bought the more books, in turn, will be added to our library for use by the pupils.

♦ Lost and found:  There are a number of coats and jackets left unclaimed since September.  If your daughter is missing her coat/jacket please check the lost and found box.

♦  February Mid-Term: School closed Thursday 23rd & Friday 24th

♦  School Closure

We have been informed by the Department of Education and Skills that school will have to be closed on Tuesday February 28th.  This is to facilitate inservice for teachers for the new Primary Language Curriculum which is being introduced to all schools.

♦ Applications for enrolment are taking place at the moment. Forms are available from Fiona.  Closing date is February 10th.

♦ If any parent wishes to start paying towards next year’s book bill, please go to Fiona. Signed:- Anne Kennelly

Principal

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

15 December 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ Our school concert will take place in the Parish Church Tuesday next, (20^th) at 11.30a.m.  The front seats of each row will be reserved for the pupils so I ask you not to sit on reserved seats.  The pupils and teachers have worked very hard for this concert so we are all looking forward to a very enjoyable event.  The concert will finish around 12.30.

 ♦ Our school mass is on tomorrow, Friday at 9.30a.m. in the Parish Church.  Please ensure your child is in school on time that day as we will be going to the Church without delay.  This mass will be an occasion where family members can join in our Christmas Mass celebration.

It would be lovely to see extended family members attend this mass – grandparents – aunts – uncles – cousins.  All are very welcome.

♦ 4^th Class are looking forward to performing for the residents in Glendale Nursing Home tomorrow, Friday 16^th.

♦ The St. Vincent de Paul society have kindly acknowledged the great amount collected at the recent sale – €1554.64.  The Society has asked that , if possible, we support their St. Stephen’s Day (Dec. 26^th) 2k and 5k walk, run or jog in Brother Leo Park, Tullow.

♦ Last day for purchasing Folens Chirstmas Annual is tomorrow, Friday 16^th.

♦ Ms. Murphy won’t be returning to Junior Infants after Christmas.  Their teacher will be Mrs. Madden who has been on family leave.  We thank Ms. Murphy for her hard work and dedication over the last four months and wish her well in her next position.

♦ Christmas Holidays: School will finish at 12 noon on Thursday 22^nd December and will reopen on Monday 9^th January 2017.

On my own behalf and on behalf of the staff and Board of Management I would like to wish each one of you a happy and peaceful Christmas and sincere good wishes for the New Year.

Signed:- Anne Kennelly

              Principal

Scoil Mhuire Lourdes

Tullow, Co.Carlow

05 December 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians,

♦ Early School Closure

On Wednesday of next week, December 14^th, school will finish for all pupils at 12 noon.  This is to facilitate inservice for teachers for the Revised Religious Education Programme being introduced to Catholic Primary Schools.  We apologise for any inconvenience caused.  A text reminder will be sent on Tuesday.

♦ School Closure – advance notice

We have been informed by the Department of Education and Skills that school will have to be closed on Tuesday February 28^th 2017.  This is to facilitate inservice for teachers for the new Primary Language Curriculum which is being introduced to all schools.

♦ School Christmas Concert

We will hold our Christmas Concert on Tuesday December 20^th.  The concert will take place in the Parish Church at 11.30a.m.

♦ Our School Mass is on Friday December 16^th in the Parish Church at 9.30a.m.  Please ensure your child is in school on time that day as we will be going to the Church without delay.  This mass will be an occasion where family members can join in our Christmas Mass celebration.  It would be lovely to see extended family attend – grandparents, aunts, uncles are all very welcome

♦ Thursday next, December 8^th is a Church Holy Day – the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.  We will all attend the 11.00a.m. mass in the Parish Church on that day.

♦ The recent St. Vincent de Paul sale was a great success.  Thanks to everybody who contributed in any way, especially to those parents/students who spent many hours preparing/baking the delicious cakes, biscuits, treats etc.  A special word of thanks to 6^th class and Ms. Finnerty who worked so hard to ensure the success of the sale.  The amount raised was €1,554.64.  Well done!

♦ Brendan Dowling recently donated €300 to the school from his ‘Marathon Fund’.  Brendan does great work for the community in many ways – not least with his fundraising.  On behalf of the whole school community I want to say a huge “Thank You” to Brendan.  We very much appreciate his donation which will go towards paying for

extra-curricular activities for the children.  One of these activities is Gymnastics.  Carolanne is a fully trained gymnastics teacher who will be coming to us on Mondays.  She will be with us for the second term teaching all classes.

♦ Thank you to all who completed the recent “Health Promoting School” surveys.  We will give a breakdown of our findings in a separate newsletter.

♦ Christmas Annuals

Last day for buying annuals is Friday 16^th December.

♦ Christmas Holidays

School closes at 12 noon on Thursday 22^nd December and reopens on Monday 9^th January 2017.

Signed:- Anne Kennelly

                Principal