ST COLUMBA’S PRIMARY NEWS
Edition No: 239 September 2010

Diary Dates
Wednesday 08 Sept - Swimming begins for Y5 AND Y7
Friday 10 Sept - Ballot for Eco School committee
Wednesday 15 Sept - Action Renewable Presentation
Mon 4 Oct –Fri 8 Oct - Book Week
Fortnight beginning Mon 11 Oct - INCAS for Y4/Y5/Y6/Y7
Week beginning Mon 25 Oct - Parent teacher conferences
Fri 29 Oct – Tues 2 Nov - Halloween Break

WELCOME BACK

Reception
Kim Hamilton
Mae Langan
James Bogle
Ella Brown
Cormac Casey
Kyle McShane

Year One
Lewis Harper
Ethan Kelly
Paul Keys
Ella Lamont
Dara Langan
Emily McCrossan
Maeve O’Neill
Kate O’Reilly
Billy-Jo Bogle
Rebecca Bogle
Ethan Devanney
Daniel McDaid

Year Three
Patricia Carlin

Year Six

Eunan Boyle
Clodagh Connolly
Grainne Doherty

SCHOOL MASS

As Fr. McGoldrick is leaving this week and will not be back until the end of October, we will have the school mass to celebrate the beginning of a new school year when he returns.

P.E. CLASSES

Mrs Nangle’s class Tuesday & Thursday Y5 Thursday Y4 Wednesday
Miss Mc Cool’s class Tuesday & Thursday Y6 Tuesday Y7 Monday
Rec/Y1/Y2/Y3 pupils should come to school wearing their PE kit under their school uniform. All other pupils should bring their PE kit in a bag for changing before and after PE lessons. Parents should ensure that all items of clothing are clearly marked with the pupils’ names and classes as items of clothing get mislaid. No jewellery, including watches should be worn on these days as this is against Health & Safety regulations in schools. Pupils should wear plimsolls for PE and in school at all times

MUSIC LESSONS

Mr Michael Bradley resumed singing lessons on Tuesday 7th September. If any parent wishes to pay £7.00 for the term or £20.00 for the year they should contact Ciara at the office. Otherwise the weekly cost per child is 50p. Every child receives singing lessons. Our Christmas pageant will be performed in the Alley Theatre this year on the 14th and 15th December. Every pupil will be involved in the singing in this production.

MUNCHBOX CHALLENGE

In the coming school year our school will be participating in the Munch Box Challenge. We will be working together with the Health Promotion Department Western Trust to promote healthy eating habits and improve the oral health of our children through the implementation of the challenge. (A healthy lunch box initiative) This challenge will affect all pupils who eat packed lunch. The Board of Governors are committed to the introduction of this challenge, however we recognise that without the help of parents, reaching the aims of this initiative would be difficult. We do feel that our children benefit from the Munch Box Challenge long term and trust that you will support us in implementing this initiative. Pupils should not have crisps or bars for lunch.

ATTENDANCE

Notes for Absences: It is important that pupils who are absent from school for the whole day or part of the day must bring a note explaining the reason for the absence. These notes are requested by Department of Education. If your child’s attendance falls below 85% and/or unauthorised absences occur frequently, the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) will be contacting the parent. You will see from the list of holiday dates attached that we have endeavoured to give parents various opportunities to take their children on holiday throughout the year when the school is closed.

SWIMMING PROGRAMME
The annual Swimming Programme begins on Wednesday 8 September. Swimming is a compulsory element of the Primary Curriculum for PE in KS 2. The programme will run for 20 weeks. The cost for the bus will be paid from the school budget. The cost per child for the 20 weeks is £36.00 if paid in full now or £2 per week.
On swimming days pupils should ensure that:
i) They have their appropriate swimming gear etc with them
ii) No jewellery should be worn to school
iii) Aerosols or glass bottles are not permitted in the swimming pool’s changing rooms
iv) If, for any medical reason, a pupil cannot participate in swimming on a particular day, the parent should send a note to the principal.
v) In the interest of safety, good behaviour in the pool and changing rooms is essential. The instructors will not tolerate misbehaviour. Any pupil who misbehaves will not be permitted to return to the lessons.

EXTENDED SCHOOLS PROGRAMMES
After school programmes resume next week beginning on Monday 13 September.

Y7 Mon, Wed & Thurs Numeracy Mrs Cronin
Y4 Wednesday Games Mr Lafferty
Y5 Monday Gaelic Mr Lafferty
Y6 Monday Literacy Mrs Maguire
Y6 Wednesday Cookery Mrs Nangle
PARENTS Monday Jolly Phonics (6 weeks) Mrs Nangle
Y4 Monday ICT Miss Mc Cool
Y5 Wednesday Drama Mrs Maguire

JOLLY PHONICS PROGRAMME
Mrs Nangle will be facilitating the Jolly Phonics programme for parents on Mondays for six weeks starting next Monday 13th September from 3-4pm in the school. The feedback from parents about the programme last year was very positive and parents stated that they felt better equipped to support their children with phonics and reading at home. Parents who would like to attend the programme should complete the slip attached. Any parent who has a child in the school may attend the programme.

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Halloween - 29 Oct – 2 November
SDD 1 - 29 November
Christmas Holidays - 23 Dec – 4 January
Mid Term Break - 14 Feb – 18 Feb
St. Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday - 17 March
SDD 2 & 3 - 18 March – 21 March
Easter Holidays - 21 April – 29 April
May Day Bank Holiday - 2 May
SDD 4 - 3 May
INSET Day 5 - 30 May
SDD 5 - 31 May
Summer Holidays - 30 June