
September Newsletter
WELCOME
I would like to welcome you all back to another school year and in particular our new 3rd classes and the new pupils who have joined us from other schools. I look forward to working with you and your children over the coming year.
UNIFORM/TRACKSUIT
I would like to compliment you on how well your sons and daughters were turned out in their uniform/tracksuit on their return to school. This is something we pride ourselves on and we really appreciate your support.
School tracksuits are available from Mr. Price in the Blanchardstown Centre and should be worn with a red polo shirt. Pupils are only permitted to wear tracksuits on PE days or if involved in swimming/mini leagues, etc.
BOOKS/EQUIPMENT/ART & CRAFT/PHOTOCOPYING
We ask you to ensure that every effort is made to have your child’s books organised as quickly as possible. If you need to arrange a phased payment, please talk to the class teacher or the school office.
Please make sure also that your child has all the basic equipment necessary for school – pens, pencils, copies, etc. These can be purchased from the school shop.
Any outstanding contributions for art & crafts and photocopying should also be sent to the school this week.
MOBILE PHONES/JEWELLERY
Mobile phones may only be brought to school for emergency purposes (this must be sanctioned by the Principal/BOM) and must be turned off and handed up to the teacher during class time. Jewellery (other than a watch) must not be worn in school for safety reasons. Earrings are not allowed.
ABSENCES/LEAVING THE SCHOOL EARLY
We ask you to inform the school about your child’s absence, preferably through a note in the homework journal. The school is obliged to inform the Education Welfare Board if a child is absent regularly. Please remember that children who leave school before the normal closing time (2.40 p.m.) must be signed out at the secretary’s office. Time missed due to late arrival or early departure is recorded as part of attendance records.
HEALTHY EATING POLICY
We ask that all pupils comply with our healthy eating policy. All pupils will receive an individual morning snack & lunch from Glanmore Foods. Lunch boxes must be used to store all lunches and to bring home empty cartons, etc.
TRAVELLING TO AND FROM SCHOOL
All pupils must use the lollipop ladies or traffic lights when crossing the road.
Pupils in 5th & 6th classes are allowed to cycle to school, provided that they live at least 2km from the school. Bicycles must be locked in the bicycle rack and walked into the school from the lollipop ladies for safety reasons. Pupils in 3rd & 4th classes are not allowed to bring bicycles to school under any circumstances. The school does not accept any responsibility for bicycles. Scooters should not be brought to school.
SECONDARY SCHOOLS
An open information night/enrolment night for 5th & 6th class pupils & parents will be held in Blakestown Community School on Tuesday, September 19th from 7 – 9 p.m. If you wish to send your child to any other secondary school, please make contact with that school regarding registration.
BREAKFAST/HOMEWORK CLUBS
Breakfast club resumes on Monday, September 18th. Homework club resumes on Monday, September 25th. Unfortunately, funding restrictions have impacted on the numbers we can include in these clubs. Your child may have been involved previously but may not be offered a place this year. These clubs are services provided by St. Philip’s, in collaboration with the Educational Opportunities Programme (EOP), which is funded by Tusla. Parents are reminded not to send children to the breakfast club before 8.30 a.m.
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE
If you would like your child to take part in the pupil insurance scheme, please fill out the form given to your child and return it, with €8.40, before Friday, September 29th. Please try to send in the exact amount if you can.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please remember that children under the age of 13 years should not have social media accounts. Unfortunately, there have been a couple of incidents over the past years involving comments about pupils on these sites which have necessitated action by the school and outside agencies and they have taken up valuable learning time to investigate.
We ask for full co-operation on this matter in the interest of safeguarding all pupils.
SWIMMING
Swimming lessons for pupils in 5th class will begin on Tuesday, September 26th in Coolmine swimming pool. The cost is €30 which includes transport to and from the pool and 8 lessons. The full amount is to be paid before the lessons begin.
3rd class swimming lessons will begin after Christmas.
PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
The Parents’ Association will be having their first meeting of the new school year in the Parents’ Room on Friday, September 15th at 9.15 a.m. Any parents who would like to attend and become involved would be most welcome. Their AGM will be held on Friday, September 22nd.
MEETING TEACHERS/PRINCIPAL
If you wish to speak to your child’s class teacher/learning support teacher or the Principal, we ask that you make an appointment in advance so this can be organised and so that teaching time will not be interrupted.
DEIS PLAN
As part of our DEIS plan we will continue to focus on developing oral language in English and time in Maths. We will also continue to focus on improving the attendance of all our pupils.
GOOD NEWS!
We are delighted to announce that all of our windows and doors have finally been replaced over the summer months. They have made a huge difference to the appearance of the school and we look forward to a warmer winter also.
ACTIVITIES
Ukelele: 3rd classes will all be starting ukulele classes later in the month. We look forward to this new venture.
Sports conditioning: 4th classes will be starting sports conditioning lessons on September 21st. These classes will go on for 8 weeks.
Hurling: 3rd classes will be starting Hurling lessons this Thursday. These lessons will continue on Thursdays until the October mid-term break.
It promises to be yet another exciting school year!!
Thank you,
P. Dargan (Principal)