Newsletter 21.10.16
Newsletter
21st October 2016
Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,
News this Maths Week
This week was national Maths Week and we have been involved in lots of activities in school and the local community to celebrate our love of Maths!
On Monday, Ms. Calvey’s Class visited the Ilac Library to have a look at some lovely books that are all about Maths. On Tuesday, 2nd Class were invited to a very special workshop about ‘Bubbly Maths’ at St. Patrick’s College, DCU. Have a look at the photos on our Twitter page @stmarysdorsetst. Also on Tuesday, 3rd Class had a look at an exhibition of maths photos in Cabra Library while 6th Class visited DIT Grangegorman on Wednesday for some problem-solving challenges.
Today, all classes from 1st to 6th walked to the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin to complete a very special Maths trail designed by Ms. O’Callaghan. The children worked with partners from other classes to find the solutions and there was even time for a picnic lunch. We’re sure everyone will sleep well tonight after all that exercise!
Sponsored Disco
Today you will also receive a letter about our annual Sponsored Disco which will take place next Friday, 28th October. We ask the children to raise money for the school for their dancing and they may dress up if they wish. Each child has a sponsor card to complete and we will collect money at the end of the week. Please support us if you can and we look forward to a very exciting day next Friday!
Active Schools Flag
You will remember that last year, we were working hard to be an ‘Active School’ and in June we had a visit from the accreditation team for the ‘Active Schools Flag’. We have received a lovely report from them this month and they are very impressed with the work we have undertaken so far.
They said ‘the activities in the yard were impressive’ particularly in a small space. They thought ‘the students were an absolute delight, particularly the committee members who were confident, enthusiastic and vocal about their likes, their dislikes and their involvement’. They said ‘the good humour, the sense of fun and that willingness to engage with the activities’ was everywhere in the school and they thought Ms. O’Callaghan was doing a fantastic job leading us all and getting everyone excited about being active.
Our job now is to show that we can continue to be active for a sustained period of time and we hope to be flying our Active flag very soon!
Dates for your diary
28th October – School closes for Mid-Term Holiday
7th November – School re-opens at 8.50 a.m.
28th November – School closed for children due to Primary Curriculum training for staff
Attendance and punctuality
Our winners this week are 4th Class with a fantastic 100% attendance record – every child was in school every day – well done! Not far behind were 6th Class on 98.4%, 2nd and 3rd Class on 97% and 1st Class on 96%.
Have a lovely weekend,
Éadaoin Kelly – Principal
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Newsletter 14.10.16
Newsletter
14th October 2016
Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,
News this week
It was a busy start to the week with 2nd Class setting off on Monday morning to Liberty Hall where they heard Roddy Doyle, a famous Dublin author, reading from his new children’s book. The children were able to ask Roddy questions and were very impressed with his book.
Also on Monday, 5th and 6th Class were invited to the launch of the Vendee Globe Challenge, an international boat race around the world. They met the Irishman who will take part, Enda, and asked him questions about the journey. Laya and Kian were interviewed for UTV Ireland and appeared on the news that evening! They were very enthusiastic about their support for Team Ireland and we were very proud – well done!
Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair has arrived and we have already seen lots of interest from families. The children were super excited to meet ‘Clifford the Dog’ who visited classes yesterday. Clifford’s books are among the many titles available. The Book Fair will be open each day before and after school until Wednesday morning.
Family Mass
Thank you to all the families who came along to the lovely Family Mass we had last Sunday. The next family Mass will take place on Sunday, 13th November at 11.45 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church on Berkeley Road.
Wellbeing and Mental Health Awareness Week
In our assembly on Monday we talked about keeping healthy and remembering that we have to take care of our mental health as well as looking after our bodies by eating well and exercising. We talked about the five steps to wellbeing – connecting with family and friends, being active, learning new things, giving to others and taking notice of the world around us and appreciating it.
Maths Week
Next week is Maths Week and we have several classes taking part in events in the local area as well as in school and online. Look out for more information on our Twitter page @stmarysdorsetst.
Dates for your diary
12th-19th October – Book Fair
17th October – Ms. Calvey’s Class to Ilac Library
18th October – 2nd Class to Bubble Workshop
18th October – 3rd Class to Cabra Library
19th October – 6th Class to DIT Grangegorman
28th October – School closes for Mid-Term Holiday
7th November – School re-opens at 8.50 a.m.
Sunday, 13th November – Family Mass at 11.45a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church
28th November – School closed for children due to Primary Curriculum training for staff
Attendance and punctuality
Our very special attendance cup was awarded to 6th Class today who had 99.2% attendance this week, closely followed by 4th Class with 99.0%. Well done!
Let’s hope the rain stays away for the weekend. Best wishes,
Éadaoin Kelly
Principal
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Book Fair
The Scholastic Book Fair came to visit this week. A whole selection of books were available for children and families to buy. We even had a special visit from Clifford the Dog – his books were very popular choices!
Launch of Roddy Doyle’s new book
2nd Class were invited to the launch of Roddy Doyle’s new children’s book at City Hall today. The children even got to hear Roddy reading an excerpt.
Roddy Doyle reading from his new book #roverandthebigfatbaby to 350 children in Liberty Hall @MacmillanKidsUK @CormacKinsella pic.twitter.com/0Zf8QSGHVA
— Dublin UNESCO (@DublinCityofLit) October 10, 2016
Launch of Vendee Globe Challenge
5th and 6th Class were invited to attend the launch of the Team Ireland Vendee Globe Challenge where they met Enda O Coinin, who is about to embark on a solo sailing challenge around the world.
The children were able to ask Enda questions and see the boat. They were even interviewed by UTV Ireland!
The children appeared on @UTVIreland this evening showing their support for Enda #TeamIreland @teamirelandvg @chqdublin @VendeeGlobe pic.twitter.com/F248DD84G4
— St. Mary's Primary (@stmarysdorsetst) October 10, 2016
Newsletter 7.10.16
Newsletter
7th October 2016
Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,
IMPORTANT – DATE FOR YOUR DIARY
PRIMARY LANGUAGE CURRICULUM
You may remember from last year that all schools in Ireland are receiving training on a new Primary Language Curriculum. This new curriculum is for the teaching of English and Gaeilge (Irish language) in the younger classes.
All teachers will attend a training course on Monday, 28th November 2016. The school will be closed for children on this day. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Book Fair
From Thursday next week, we will have a Scholastic Book Fair in the Hall. There will be a selection of books available for families to buy. We encourage all families to share books at home and this is a great way to build a collection. They also make fantastic birthday or Christmas presents.
The Book Fair also raises money for the school. As for every €1 you spend, the school gets 60c to buy books for our own class and school libraries.
Please come along and support us by buying a book if you can.
News this week
3rd and 4th Class had a wonderful time at the ‘Music in the Classroom’ concert at the National Concert Hall on Tuesday. The children sang with the RTE Concert Orchestra and listened to some beautiful music.
Family Mass
Our first Family Mass for this year is this Sunday, 9th October at 11.45 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church on Berkeley Road. Everyone is welcome.
After-School Homework Club run by Crosscare on Wellington Street
The after-school club that runs every day in Wellington Street, near SPAR, are looking for children who would like to attend. The club has places for children aged 6-8 and is open from 2.00 – 5.00 p.m. It costs €20 per month. You can call into the club to collect an application form.
Dates for your diary
Sunday, 9th October – Family Mass at 11.45a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church
10th October – 5th and 6th Class to ‘Vendee Globe Challenge’ on River Liffey
12th-19th October – Book Fair
28th October – School closes for Mid-Term Holiday
7th November – School re-opens at 8.50 a.m.
28th November – School closed for children due to Primary Curriculum training for staff
Attendance and punctuality
Our top attenders are Ms. O’Donovan’s Junior Infants and 5th Class who are joint-winners on 98.2%. A whisker away from them are 3rd Class on 98.0%. Well done to all!
As it starts to get a little bit colder, please make sure your child has their coat each day and for the younger ones, make sure they can take it on and off themselves.
Have a lovely weekend!
Éadaoin Kelly
Principal
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3rd and 4th Class visit National Concert Hall
3rd and 4th Class are very excited for 'Music in the Classroom' concert @NCH_Music @rte_co today! pic.twitter.com/5GMoDmg6Yt
— St. Mary's Primary (@stmarysdorsetst) October 4, 2016
Excitement building at the National Concert Hall! @NCH_Music @rte_co pic.twitter.com/cwOMYSKnXw
— St. Mary's Primary (@stmarysdorsetst) October 4, 2016
Aistear in Action!
In our Infant classes, we know how important it is for children to learn through play. Our teachers use the ‘Aistear’ framework to plan lots of opportunities for children to develop their language and communication skills. Have a look at Ms. O’Donovan’s class in action!
Newsletter 30.9.16
Newsletter
30th September 2016
Dear parents, carers, staff and friends,
Meet the Teacher
We had a wonderful turn out at our ‘Meet the Teacher’ meetings this week. Each class held their own meeting and we thank every parent who came in to hear about the learning taking place in your child’s class this year.
If you couldn’t make it, you are very welcome to come and talk to your child’s teacher at a time that suits you, or we can send any information shared home to you. Please just ask if you’d like an appointment.
News this week
Our Senior Infants had a super day on Tuesday when they went on a local visit to the Post Office and shop. The children have been learning all about these places in their classrooms. Each child wrote their own letter and put it in an envelope. They then walked to the post office and met Postmaster Sean. He gave every child a stamp for their letter and they posted them in the post box outside.
The final stop on the visit was to Spar on Mountjoy Street where they stopped for a chat with Ryan’s mum who works there.
Our thanks to Postmaster Sean at Berkeley Road Post Office and to the staff at Spar for their warm welcome. You can see the photos from the visits on our Twitter page @stmarysdorsetst or on the website, www.stmarysprimaryschool.ie
Family Mass
We will be having our first Family Mass for this year on Sunday, 9th October at 11.45 a.m. in St. Joseph’s Church on Berkeley Road. Everyone is welcome to join us, particularly 5th and 6th Class who will lead the liturgy and children in 2nd Class who will make their First Holy Communion this year.
Dates for your diary
4th October – 3rd and 4th Class to National Concert Hall for ‘Music in the Classroom’
9th October – Family Mass at 11.45a.m.
12th-19th October – Book Fair
28th October – School closes for Mid-Term Holiday
7th November – School re-opens at 8.50 a.m.
Attendance and punctuality
5th Class are the winners again this week with an unbeatable 100% attendance record – well done! Close behind them were 3rd Class and Miss O’Donovan’s Junior Infants with 99% – super! As a school, we met our target of 95% for the month of September so well done to everyone – let’s keep it up for October!
We are seeing a lot of children arriving between 9.00 and 9.15 a.m. each morning. School starts at 8.50 a.m. and children should be in the yard ready to go. If they are arriving late, they are missing the start of the morning’s learning and interrupting the class who have already begun. Please support us by bringing your child to school on time each day.
We will be cheering on the Dublin football team as they take on Mayo in the All-Ireland re-play on Saturday. Let’s hope the weather stays dry. Up the Dubs!
Éadaoin Kelly
Principal
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Senior Infants visit the Post Office!
Today, the Senior Infant classes visited our local post office and met Postmaster Sean! Each child had their very own letter to post and had to buy a stamp. They also popped into Spar on the way back and met Ryan’s mum who works there!