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Newsletter 12.1.18

Newsletter

12^th January 2018

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

Happy New Year!

Welcome back everyone – it has been lovely to see the children back at school this week and ready for an exciting and very busy term of learning.

News this week

We welcomed a group of 25 student teachers from Towson University in Maryland, USA on Monday. The group are in Ireland to learn about our education system and had time to visit just one school as part of their visit. They were very impressed the children’s learning and learning what is the same and what is different between schools in Ireland and America.

On Tuesday, our school choir went to the National Indoor Arena in Blanchardstown to meet up with other choirs and have a rehearsal for their upcoming ‘Peace Proms’ concert. The children were beautifully behaved and sang really well. They have been working so hard and we can’t wait to see them in action in their concert at the RDS on Saturday, 3^rd February. Parents – if you haven’t booked your tickets yet – please book this weekend as they are selling fast!

Flu Season – Advice

You will know that there are several strains of flu going around. We are reminding children this week to wrap up and stay warm, to wash their hands regularly and to sneeze or cough into a tissue or their elbow to prevent infection spreading. Please continue to remind your child of these things at home.

Applications for Junior Infants 2018

We are now accepting applications for new Junior Infant children for September 2018. Applications must be received by Friday, 9^th February 2018 and we will be in contact with families as soon as we can after that to confirm places. Like last year, we only have space to open one class of 22 children. All children applying must be 4 years old by 30 April 2018.

Upcoming Holidays

Please note this is quite a short term. We have just two days in February for mid-term (15 and 16 February). We are closed on 19^th March for the St. Patrick’s Day Bank Holiday.

We close then for two weeks Easter holidays from Friday, 23^rd March and re-open on Monday, 9^th April.

Please note too that we have a full week for mid-term in May (7^th-11^th May inclusive). It is a great time to get cheaper flights as not all schools are closed. If you are considering a trip away or need to return home to renew passports or visas, this is a good time to go!

We finish for the year on Friday, 29^th June.

Please make sure these dates are in your diary and that holidays and visits to family etc. are taken during this time only. Children should be in school on all other days.

Dates for your diary

19 January – Parents’ Association training

26 January – 5^th Class to the Ark

3 February – School Choir sing at Peace Proms concert in RDS at 2.00 p.m.

15-16 February – Mid-Term Break (two days)

22^nd February – Green Schools Expo

16^th March – Confirmation Ceremony

19^th March – Bank Holiday

23^rd March – Last day before Easter Holidays

Attendance and punctuality

Best attendance this week was in Ms. Lougheed’s 3^rd Class – well done children!

We see a large number of children arriving to school after our official start time of 8.50 a.m. Some children come to school at 9.00 a.m. every single day – missing 10 minutes each day and nearly an hour of learning every week.

We know that some mornings the traffic is bad or something happens to delay you. We understand that occasionally, every once in a while you may not get here on time. But this should not happen every day. It is a small change to your morning routine to ensure you get here on time.

The gate opens at 8.40 a.m. and all children should be in their line in the yard when their teacher comes outside at 8.50 a.m. Arriving after this time means you are late. Please make a New Year’s Resolution to get here at the right time every day.

Our thanks to the children and families who are ready and waiting at the gate every single morning at 8.40 a.m. – keep it up!

Incredible Years

Our ‘Incredible Years’ parent course will be starting again next week. It is a great opportunity to learn more about how to support your child at home. If you are interested in learning more, please talk to Síle and she will give you all the details.

We will be hosting the sessions here at our school and will be joined by parents from Georges’ Hill Primary School too. Ms. Graham will be leading the sessions this term with Anne-Marie, the Home-School teacher from Georges’ Hill.

Parents’ Association

As you know, our new Parents’ Association began working together at the end of last year. They are still very open to new members and would really appreciate any support a parent or carer can give – big or small! They are having a training session next Friday, 19^th January at 10.30 a.m. here at school with a lady from the National Parents’ Council and would be delighted to see new (and old!) faces there. You can ask Síle for more information and she can introduce you. Don’t be shy – they’re a very friendly and welcoming group. We look forward to seeing you there!

And finally…

Have a lovely weekend – see you Monday!

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 22.12.17

Newsletter

22^nd December 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

News this week

It’s been a super busy week at school, but one full of joy and sparkle! On Sunday, families of our Junior and Senior Infants and 1^st and 2^nd Class choir joined us at St. Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road for the annual Parish Carol Service. The children sang beautifully. And a special thank you to Kevin and Thaneshree who stepped in at the last minute to read the Christmas story clearly and confidently.

On Tuesday, five of our older classes went to see a play in Marino College.

On Wednesday, 1^st and 2^nd Class went see a performance of ‘Tracks in the Snow’ at the Ark Cultural Centre.

Thank You

At this time of year it is important to say thank you to all those who have helped and supported us this term.

Thanks to our staff – they are an amazing team, so full of energy and enthusiasm for what they do. Our children are so lucky to have such exciting learning opportunities planned for them each and every day. We wish you all a very happy holiday and hope you get lots of rest!

To our parents and carers – your support each day allows us to do our jobs to the very best of our ability. We couldn’t do it without you! Thank you for the gifts and kind words you have shared with us this week. It means so much.

To our Board of Management, our volunteers, our fellow professionals – thank you for giving us your time and commitment.

Dates for your diary

Monday, 8 January – Re-Open at 8.50 a.m.

9 January – School Choir to Peace Proms Rehearsal

26 January – 5^th Class to the Ark

3 February – School Choir sing at Peace Proms concert in RDS

Staff News

We are saying farewell to Ms. McDevitt today as she leaves for her maternity leave. We hope to have news of her new arrivals in the New Year. We hope she gets lots of rest before then!

Ms. Lennon, who has worked with us already quite a bit this term, will be supporting Ms. Todd and Junior Infants from January.

And finally…

Our entire staff wish every child and family and every member of our community a very happy holiday and a happy Christmas to those who celebrate. Enjoy it!

We will see you on Monday, 8^th January at 8.50 a.m.

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 15.12.17

Newsletter

8^th December 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

News this week

Ms. Todd’s Class and Ms. McBride’s Class visited the Ilac Library on Monday to share stories with Julianna, our ‘Reader in Residence’. 1^st Class even spotted one of the first LUAS cross-city trams on Parnell Street!

On Wednesday, 1^st Class visited the ‘Moving Crib’ on Parnell Square.

Also on Wednesday, a group of our older girls took part in a Girls’ Soccer Blitz in Dalymount Park. The girls represented the school really well and were all awarded certificates. They have been practising with our coach from Dublin City Council’s Health and Wellbeing team after-school each week and their hard work really paid off. The blitz was organised as part of the #GettingAllGirlsActive programme.

Lots of parents and carers joined us for more Christmas Art on Wednesday – thank you so much for joining us.

On Thursday, our Senior Infants headed off to Imaginosity for a day full of adventures. Have a look on our Twitter account @stmarysdorsetst to see them in action in the doctor’s surgery, the post office, the television studio and a car garage – to name but a few! A great day was had by all.

Attendance and punctuality

Well done to Ms. Graham’s Class who had the best attendance this week.

Parents’ Association – Cake Sale and Raffle

I’m delighted to let you know that the raffle and cake sale last week raised over €500 for Temple Street Children’s Hospital. An amazing achievement! Thank you to all the parents and carers who contributed.

Parish Carol Service

All families are invited to the Parish Carol Service on Sunday at 3.30 p.m in St. Joseph’s Church. Our Infant classes and the 1^st and 2^nd Class Choir will be singing. Please do join us!

Dates for your diary

17 December – Parish Carol Service at 3.30p.m. in St. Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Rd.

19 December – 3^rd-6^th to Marino Theatre

20 December – 1^st and 2^nd to the Ark

22 December – Close for Christmas Holidays at 12 noon

8 January – Re-Open at 8.50 a.m.

We look forward to all the excitement and festivities next week! Have a lovely weekend.

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 8.12.17

Newsletter

8^th December 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

News this and last week

Last Wednesday, Ms. Collins’s 2^nd Class visited the markets on Moore Street as part of their learning about food. They made some very healthy fruit snacks with their purchases.

Last Friday, 5^th and 6^th Class visited Liberty Hall for a special launch of Jeff Kinney’s new ‘Diary of Wimpy Kid’ book. These books are hugely popular with our children and it was a fantastic opportunity for them to meet the author himself. Thank you to Julianna, our Reader in Residence, who organised this visit.

On Tuesday this week, our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors and members of our Student Council attended a special training day to learn about being an anti-bullying ambassador. The children learned lots and were great representatives of our school.

Yesterday, Senior Infants visited the ‘Moving Crib’ on Parnell Square. The children were able to spot all the different characters from the Christmas nativity story. We’re looking forward to their performance of ‘Prickly Hay’ in a few weeks.

Also yesterday, 6^th Class went to Cineworld to see the film ‘Wonder’. The children have been reading the book ‘Wonder’ by R.J. Palacio this term and were really excited to see it brought to life. Ms. Kilkenny tells me there were quite a few tears!

Boxing Showcase

We were very proud of our team of boxers from 5^th and 6^th Class who represented our school at an inter-school tournament at the National Boxing Stadium on Wednesday. They remembered all the skills they learned and won lots of medals! Their classmates in 5^th and 6^th Class also went along to support them.

Their coach, Paul Quinn, sent us a message to say: “they were terrific and showed real character and skill. Congratulations to all, and thank you for supporting the programme”. Well done children and thank you to Ms. Kilkenny and Mrs. Fay for supporting them.

Christmas Art

Ms. Todd, Ms. Marron, Ms. McBride and Ms. Sheridan’s Classes have completed their first week of Christmas Art. It takes place on Wednesdays from 9.00 a.m. until 10.00 a.m. in each class and parents/carers are invited to come in for the hour to work on special Christmas Art projects with their child.

Thank you to all the parents who came along this week. We hope to see lots more there again next week!

Parents’ Association – Cake Sale and Raffle

Our Parents’ Association have been busy this week organising a great cake sale and raffle. There are loads of lovely sweet treats to be had and I know it will be a big success. All money raised is going to Temple Street Childrens’ Hospital. Thank you to Dean, Babita and the team at Spar, Mountjoy Street who have donated so many items to the hampers in our raffle. Thank you to all the families who brought in cakes and treats for the sale. And special thanks to Laura Mulligan and Ludmila Paskova who have been leading our parents’ group and putting the whole thing together. Congratulations on your first event!

News2Day Visit

The team from RTÉ’s ‘News2Day’ programme may be visiting in the next week or two to speak to our Young Interpreters about their work. They may also film in other parts of the school. We don’t know yet which children will be included but we would like to ask your permission for your child to be filmed. The programme will be broadcast on RTÉ Television. If you do not want your child to be included, please let us know by Monday.

Battery Boxes

WEEE would love your help to collect as many waste batteries as possible for a Christmas Battery Box Appeal for the LauraLynn charity. Recycling batteries is part of our Green Schools Programme.

Primary Language Curriculum Training

Last week, the whole teaching team had a day of training with the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST) in Drumcondra Education Centre. The training was for the new primary language curriculum for both English and Gaeilge.

We have already begun to work with different parts of the curriculum in Infants-2^nd Class and the focus of our training yesterday was on Reading and Writing. Our teachers will continue to use the new curriculum to help their planning of English and Gaeilge in your child’s class.

Child Protection Training

This week, our staff have completed an online training course so that we are ready for new Child Protection guidance which begins on Monday. The updated ‘Children First 2017’ guidelines will help us to ensure we keep all children safe from harm.

Parish Advent News

We had lovely prayer services for Advent with Fr. Pat and Fr. Martin this week. We lit the first purple candle on our Advent wreath. We have special kindness advent calendars of kind things we can say or do in this special time before Christmas. This morning, the Catholic children went to Mass in the church.

Attendance and punctuality

Well done to 5th Class with top attendance of 96.6% last week.

Dates for your diary

6/13 December – Christmas Art with parents

14 December – Senior Infants to Imaginosity

17 December – Parish Carol Service at 3p.m.

19 December – Infant Christmas Performance

19 December – 3^rd-6^th to Marino Theatre

20 December – 1^st and 2^nd to the Ark

21 December – 1^st-6^th Christmas Performance

22 December – Close for Christmas Holidays

8 January – Re-Open at 8.50 a.m.

Cold Weather

As the weather gets increasingly colder, please remind your child to wrap up warmly. We still have children coming to school without a coat! We don’t want anyone to get sick – so please ensure your child has a coat. If they have a hat, scarf and gloves, please show them how to put these in a pocket or sleeve so they don’t get lost and with the smaller children, practise taking them on and off by themselves.

Wrap up warm – it’s going to be a cold weekend!

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 24.11.17

Newsletter

24^th November 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

REMINDER – Next Thursday, 30^th November – school is closed so that teachers can attend a training day on the new Primary Language Curriculum.

News this week

On Tuesday, 5^th and 6^th Class were invited to visit Belvedere College. The students in Belvedere have developed a very exciting urban farm and were showing us all of the vegetables they are growing using hydroponic systems – it’s very exciting! We hope some of their top tips will help us with our new school garden.

Our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors were on the look-out for children being kind, especially by including others in their play. Lots of children were named in assembly today from each class but it was Isam from 4^th Class who took our lovely bear home for the weekend – well done!

Parent Teacher Meetings

Thank you to the many parents and carers who attended our parent-teacher meetings this week. It was lovely to see so many happy and proud faces leaving the building. Our teachers were so pleased to share good news about the children’s learning with you and to hear your thoughts about how they are getting on. If you weren’t able to make it, please talk to your child’s class teacher and we will do our best to find a new time. Our door is always open. If you want to follow up on anything that was said at your meeting or have some more questions, please just ask, we’re happy to help.

Attendance and punctuality

Well done to 6th Class with top attendance of 98% this week.

Green Schools

Our Green Schools’ team have made a special online quiz all about recycling. They want as many families as possible to take part. You can find the quiz here:

https://goo.gl/forms/gUKzueJD5NnaSlqM2

If it looks a bit too long to type – go to our website or Twitter account @stmarysdorsetst and click on our quick link.

Ms. McBride’s 1^st Class won our tidiest classroom award this week and our compost bin has never been busier! Well done to our Green Schools’ team for all their hard work. We hope to apply for our first Green Flag for Litter and Waste next week!

Time to Read Launch

We were delighted to host the launch of the ‘Time to Read’ programme with Business in the Community on Tuesday. We will have a group of volunteers coming to school once a week to read with eight lucky children in 2^nd Class. The launch was attended by parents, carers, children and volunteers and we’re very excited to get started!

Incredible Years’ Parent Programme

Ms. Brophy and Ms. O’Callaghan have been away this week at a training course for the ‘Incredible Years’ Parent Programme’. We hope to run this course for parents and carers from January. We get lots of positive feedback from parents and carers who have taken part. Please talk to Síle, our Home-School teacher if you are interested.

Dates for your diary

30^th November – School Closed for Staff Training in New Language Curriculum

3 December – Family Mass at 11.45 a.m.

17 December – Parish Carol Service at 3.00 p.m.

14 December – Senior Infants to Imaginosity

20 December – 1^st and 2^nd to the Ark

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 17.11.17

Newsletter

17^th November 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

News this week

Monday was World Kindness Day and our children’s team of Anti-Bullying Ambassadors shared some ideas with children at assembly to help them show kindness. The children were encouraged to smile, wave and give high fives to their friends to be kind. The Anti-Bullying Ambassadors were taking note of these acts of kindness all week and one child from each class was chosen to go into the draw at assembly today to bring home our kindness bear. Saila from 1^st Class was named as our kindest child this week – well done Saila!

Our Junior Infants were very brave on Tuesday when they had their vaccinations. They have their very own doctor’s surgery in their classroom this term, so they knew exactly what to expect!

Our 5^th and 6^th Class have been taking part in boxing sessions with our local boxing club and Dublin City Council’s Health and Wellbeing team. Some children have been selected for a special inter-school ‘Gold’ programme. We are very proud of them. Thank you to Mrs. Fay and Ms. Kilkenny who have been supporting the children each week.

Parent Teacher Meetings

We will be holding our annual, formal parent-teacher meetings next week. You should by now have received a date and time to meet with your child’s class teacher. It is a great opportunity to talk about how your child is getting on at school. Please do your very best to attend. If you are unable to attend at the time you have been given, please let your child’s teacher know well in advance so they are not left waiting for you. We will do our very best to accommodate everyone.

Project with DCU Institute of Education

Over the last few weeks, we have been working with student teachers from DCU Institute of Education who have visited classrooms across the school to support reading. 5^th and 6^th Class have done paired reading with Senior Infants, while other classes read poetry and take part in reader’s theatre. Our visiting teachers have been so impressed with the children’s engagement and commented especially on their manners and good behaviour – well done children!

DESSA – Empowering Parents’ Programme

We are delighted to be hosting the ‘Empowering Parents’ Programme’ run by a group called DESSA, who work with families with children with special educational needs. The course helps parents to find out more about the supports available for the children. It is funded by ABC Grangegorman and the first three weeks are taking place in Presentation Primary, Georges’ Hill. The final three weeks will take place in our school. If you are interested in taking part, please talk to Síle, our Home-School Community Liaison teacher.

Attendance and punctuality

Well done to Ms. Marron’s Senior Infant Class who have 100% attendance this week.

6^th Class and Ms. Collins’s 2^nd Class weren’t far behind with 99% – well done to all!

Dates for your diary

21/22 November – Parent-Teacher Meetings

21^st November – Time to Read Launch

21^st Nov – 5^th/6^th to Belvedere Urban Farm

30^th November – School Closed for Staff Training in New Language Curriculum

14 December – Senior Infants to Imaginosity

20 December – 1^st and 2^nd to the Ark

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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Newsletter 10.11.17

Newsletter

10^th November 2017

Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,

I hope you all had a lovely mid-term break. It’s been lovely to see the children back at school. Don’t forget you can keep up with all our news by looking at our Twitter account: @stmarysdorsetst.

News this week

It’s been a busy week with lots of teachers out at training events. Ms. Brophy has been learning all about the Maths Recovery programme for 1^st Class, while Ms. O’Donovan and Ms. Marron have been training in the ‘Incredible Years Classroom DINA programme’ for Senior Infants. This is funded through the ABC Grangegorman.

We were delighted to start two new clubs this week. A girls’ football club run by Dublin City Council’s Health and Wellbeing team and a cooking and gardening run by Marina, one of our volunteers who is linked with Jamie Oliver’s ‘Food Revolution’.

Class Photographs

The Parents’ Association have received lots of interest in the class calendars. Thank you to the families who have paid. The photographs will be taken on Monday or Tuesday next week. Look out for a text reminder for your child to wear their full school uniform on that day.

First Communion – Enrolment Ceremony

The children making their First Holy Communion this year will have their special ‘Enrolment Ceremony’ at our Family Mass on Sunday at St. Joseph’s Church, Berkeley Road. The children will be leading the liturgy of the Mass. We hope to see lots of families there.

Green Schools Action Day

Thanks to our Green Schools team, our teachers and all the children for a fantastic Green Schools Action Day in October. Lots of parents/carers came along to support us and I think we all learned a lot about how to look after our environment and how to reduce, reuse and recycle in our school and in our homes.

Sponsored Disco

I am delighted to inform you that we raised €1,010 at our annual sponsored disco in October. Our thanks to all our generous sponsors. The children did a great job, dancing ‘til they dropped at the disco!

Attendance and punctuality

Well done to 6^th Class who have 100% attendance this week.

We are still seeing lots of children arriving after 8.50 a.m. in the morning. Please make every effort to ensure your child is in school on time each morning.

Dates for your diary

14^th November – Junior Infant Vaccinations

Week of 20^th November – Parent-Teacher Meetings

21^st November – Time to Read Launch

21^st November – 5^th/6^th Class to Belvedere Urban Farm

30^th November – School Closed for Staff Training in New Language Curriculum

Best wishes,

Éadaoin Kelly

Principal

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