Dates for the Diary
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Generations In Action
The Bealtaine 2012 Calendar of Events was launched today by the County Mayor Cllr. Michael Maher in Claregalway Educate Together National School. The school are taking part in a 'Generations in Action' project where older people in the community work with the 5th & 6th class pupils to create a mosaic for the school. Many thanks to the school for letting us sit in on the project today and showing us around. We got a very warm welcome from the teachers and pupils. The Mayor's chains also proved very popular with the children!!
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
April/May 2012 Update
New School Building The news that we are now listed for a new Building in 2015-16 is very welcome. It is testimony to the work done thus far. We were granted permanent recognition in 2006. This took a lot of work and required the support of our Inspector Michael Baker. The steady increase in pupil numbers and the provision of accommodation as we grew involved meetings, planning and supreme patience on the part of everyone especially students and staff. This year’s Whole School Evaluation contributed in no small part to the decision as the school is held in high esteem in the Department of Education and Skills. Sincere thanks to all who contributed and played huge roles in our growth and success.
Pupil Numbers for September We will have more than 90 pupils on roll for September 2012 (steady increase)
Staffing Changes Welcome to Karen our new fulltime Special Needs Assisstant. After interviews were held Karen was offered and accepted the position. Thank you Karen for the temporary stint as well. We are delighted to have Karen back on the team having lost her when a previous student with special needs relocated to the UK.
Through much work and negotiation we have managed to create a permanent Learning Support/ English as Additional Language post which will be shared with Gaelscoil Riada from September. We will have 4 days. They will have 1 day. Suzanne is happy to do this and we really appreciate her flexibility as it does involve travel. We will also have a permanent Resource post but lose our EAL post. Thus we go forward with 4 class teachers and two support teachers for September. Sadly we lose Jenny as one of the Support team. She has been superb and will be sorely missed. Helen and Sinéad are almost at the end of their stints with us (Maternity Leave cover for Eimear and Hilary). Sadly we say goodbye to two fine teachers. Hopefully our paths will cross again.
Multisport and Spikeball Sessions resumed again after the break and will continue unless notified otherwise. Thank you all for prompt pick ups at the Community Centre.
Spanish Unfortunately due to dwindling numbers Rocio has decided not to go ahead with classes this term. She will be in touch with us again for the Autumn term.
Standardised Tests This year we intend beginning to assess Gaeilge and we plan to give 2nd class an IQ test in addition to the usual Micra T and Sigma T Tests (Literacy and Numeracy). Please ensure that your child is present and on time for the Micra T test and Sigma T test on the 16th and 23rd May and for the Gaeilge Drumcondra Test on Fri 25th of May. This year in line with the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy all reports will have a Sten score and we will forward the amalgamated results to the BOM for analysis. Testing is mainly carried out for whole school planning and to ensure children are achieving at their potential (we monitor that individuals do not drop hugely from year to year). The results help greatly in assessing children who may need support and deciding that some receiving support no longer need it.There will be an explanatory letter attached to each report so don’t worry unduly and please do not transfer anxiety on to the children. Describe the tests as opportunities to show all your child knows.
Open Day May 15th 1-3pm. This is a day when we welcome new parents to Junior Infants. The PA Chairperson describes what is happening in the PA. The class teacher summarises the curriculum. We have a chat with our new parents and show them pictures of what we do. Then we have a quick tour of the school and a song from R Tunes. Healthy snacks are served. All parents who can come to help are very welcome. We really appreciate your time each year and chatting to you is so helpful for new parents.
SMA Family Day Sunday June 3rd. Great day out with dog show, bric a brack, running competitions etc.
PA Several initiatives underway. Keep an eye on the notice board and the PAN ( Parents Association News).
Pyjama Day Super success raising €208 in total. Well done everyone. We have sent the cheque to Educate Together and received a certificate (displayed in the foyer). They were delighted and extended their thanks to all in our community. We rely on ET to work on our behalf.
Whole School Evaluation Awaiting report. We have received results of the parent and pupil surveys which we attach. Thank you to those who took the time to fill in the questionnaire. We as a staff value your feedback and will continue to use questionnaires as a means of gathering data which is always illuminating. We will address areas where possible. One noticeable area of concern is regarding facilities. Facilities will improve with the building of our purpose built school in 2015/16. Another area we intend looking at is seeking your views (recent attendance survey).
Attendance Survey Results Attached are the collated results of our recent Attendance Survey, thanks to Deirdre our secretary. Interesting reading. Thank you for taking the time to send back your questionnaires. Over 60% of our students are not in control of attendance which does indicate a need for parents to work on improvement. 100% of respondents agree there is a link between attendance and pupil progress. The results and your comments will inform our review and our plans for 2012/13
Skipping Mon May 14th Lee from skip-hop.co.uk is coming to give all classes a skipping workshop. Parents and teachers get your runners ready for your session from 3 – 4.30pm. Thanks to Niamh for organising.
PE in the Community Centre In the third term we block book the Community Centre and adjoining GAA pitch for 1st - 6th classes every Thursday. A nominal sum is requested for the bus to and from the Centre. Our DEIS funds subsidise the rest. Thanks to Niamh who co-ordinates this and has put together an impressive timetable of yoga, athletics, orienteering and skipping for the term.
Orienteering Thurs May 17th 4th-6th classes will be orienteering in Renville Woods during school time.Another initiative which is supported from DEIS funds.
Intergenerational Project Tuesday mornings 11-12.30pm. Senior friends of the school have volunteered to work with 5th and 6th class students to create a mosaic for the school. Thank you Peggy, Seamus, Michael, Breda, Eileen and Maureen. We really appreciate your time and support for this exciting endeavour.
Green Committee Well done to everyone and especially to the committee for the achievement of our third green flag. Our Green Committee will travel to the Sheraton in Athlone for presentation on Thursday May the 24th of May. Niamh and Suzanne have done a tremendous job motivating all to keep up our wonderful standards this year.
Student Council The Student Council sent an email to the county manager Martina Moloney to question the sense of having a speed limit sign saying 80km on the road outside the school. Photographs were taken and emailed to Martina. No response as yet.
Website Keep an eye on our website for news www.claregalwayeducatetogether.ie Siobhán updates the site regularly. We have started putting a policy of the month on the website too.
Pupil Numbers for September We will have more than 90 pupils on roll for September 2012 (steady increase)
Staffing Changes Welcome to Karen our new fulltime Special Needs Assisstant. After interviews were held Karen was offered and accepted the position. Thank you Karen for the temporary stint as well. We are delighted to have Karen back on the team having lost her when a previous student with special needs relocated to the UK.
Through much work and negotiation we have managed to create a permanent Learning Support/ English as Additional Language post which will be shared with Gaelscoil Riada from September. We will have 4 days. They will have 1 day. Suzanne is happy to do this and we really appreciate her flexibility as it does involve travel. We will also have a permanent Resource post but lose our EAL post. Thus we go forward with 4 class teachers and two support teachers for September. Sadly we lose Jenny as one of the Support team. She has been superb and will be sorely missed. Helen and Sinéad are almost at the end of their stints with us (Maternity Leave cover for Eimear and Hilary). Sadly we say goodbye to two fine teachers. Hopefully our paths will cross again.
Multisport and Spikeball Sessions resumed again after the break and will continue unless notified otherwise. Thank you all for prompt pick ups at the Community Centre.
Spanish Unfortunately due to dwindling numbers Rocio has decided not to go ahead with classes this term. She will be in touch with us again for the Autumn term.
Standardised Tests This year we intend beginning to assess Gaeilge and we plan to give 2nd class an IQ test in addition to the usual Micra T and Sigma T Tests (Literacy and Numeracy). Please ensure that your child is present and on time for the Micra T test and Sigma T test on the 16th and 23rd May and for the Gaeilge Drumcondra Test on Fri 25th of May. This year in line with the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy all reports will have a Sten score and we will forward the amalgamated results to the BOM for analysis. Testing is mainly carried out for whole school planning and to ensure children are achieving at their potential (we monitor that individuals do not drop hugely from year to year). The results help greatly in assessing children who may need support and deciding that some receiving support no longer need it.There will be an explanatory letter attached to each report so don’t worry unduly and please do not transfer anxiety on to the children. Describe the tests as opportunities to show all your child knows.
Open Day May 15th 1-3pm. This is a day when we welcome new parents to Junior Infants. The PA Chairperson describes what is happening in the PA. The class teacher summarises the curriculum. We have a chat with our new parents and show them pictures of what we do. Then we have a quick tour of the school and a song from R Tunes. Healthy snacks are served. All parents who can come to help are very welcome. We really appreciate your time each year and chatting to you is so helpful for new parents.
SMA Family Day Sunday June 3rd. Great day out with dog show, bric a brack, running competitions etc.
PA Several initiatives underway. Keep an eye on the notice board and the PAN ( Parents Association News).
Pyjama Day Super success raising €208 in total. Well done everyone. We have sent the cheque to Educate Together and received a certificate (displayed in the foyer). They were delighted and extended their thanks to all in our community. We rely on ET to work on our behalf.
Whole School Evaluation Awaiting report. We have received results of the parent and pupil surveys which we attach. Thank you to those who took the time to fill in the questionnaire. We as a staff value your feedback and will continue to use questionnaires as a means of gathering data which is always illuminating. We will address areas where possible. One noticeable area of concern is regarding facilities. Facilities will improve with the building of our purpose built school in 2015/16. Another area we intend looking at is seeking your views (recent attendance survey).
Attendance Survey Results Attached are the collated results of our recent Attendance Survey, thanks to Deirdre our secretary. Interesting reading. Thank you for taking the time to send back your questionnaires. Over 60% of our students are not in control of attendance which does indicate a need for parents to work on improvement. 100% of respondents agree there is a link between attendance and pupil progress. The results and your comments will inform our review and our plans for 2012/13
Skipping Mon May 14th Lee from skip-hop.co.uk is coming to give all classes a skipping workshop. Parents and teachers get your runners ready for your session from 3 – 4.30pm. Thanks to Niamh for organising.
PE in the Community Centre In the third term we block book the Community Centre and adjoining GAA pitch for 1st - 6th classes every Thursday. A nominal sum is requested for the bus to and from the Centre. Our DEIS funds subsidise the rest. Thanks to Niamh who co-ordinates this and has put together an impressive timetable of yoga, athletics, orienteering and skipping for the term.
Orienteering Thurs May 17th 4th-6th classes will be orienteering in Renville Woods during school time.Another initiative which is supported from DEIS funds.
Intergenerational Project Tuesday mornings 11-12.30pm. Senior friends of the school have volunteered to work with 5th and 6th class students to create a mosaic for the school. Thank you Peggy, Seamus, Michael, Breda, Eileen and Maureen. We really appreciate your time and support for this exciting endeavour.
Green Committee Well done to everyone and especially to the committee for the achievement of our third green flag. Our Green Committee will travel to the Sheraton in Athlone for presentation on Thursday May the 24th of May. Niamh and Suzanne have done a tremendous job motivating all to keep up our wonderful standards this year.
Student Council The Student Council sent an email to the county manager Martina Moloney to question the sense of having a speed limit sign saying 80km on the road outside the school. Photographs were taken and emailed to Martina. No response as yet.
Website Keep an eye on our website for news www.claregalwayeducatetogether.ie Siobhán updates the site regularly. We have started putting a policy of the month on the website too.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Intergenerational Project
Senior members of our Community are invited to work with Isabelle Gaborit (Anu’s mum) and 5th and 6th class to create a mosaic. Isabelle is an artist and will provide the expertise, guidance and will access the funds. It will involve 6 one and a half hour sessions on Tuesday mornings. The sessions begin on the 17th of April and finish on the 22nd of May. If you are interested we can plan a meeting with Isabelle to chat about what is involved and to meet the class and their teacher Sinead. Please send in your phone number to the office if you wish to be involved. Grannies, granddads, neighbours, friends all welcome. We only need six to begin so please get back as quickly as possible to ensure you are on the team.
Friday, March 2, 2012
March 2012 Update
Staffing Changes As we predicted we will lose staff next year. We have been hit hard. At the moment it looks like we will lose one of our permanent support posts unless we can locate a school to share with us. The post has been split so the best case scenario is to have one member of staff travel to another school one or two days a week. All schools are desperately trying to hold posts so it is chaotic at the moment trying to find a school who will share with us. We have definitely lost two temporary posts. We have lost the English as an Additional Language post without any accommodation being made for these children. We expected some additional Learning Support Hours for losing this post. We are expected to meet these children’s needs with a shared Learning Support post which is already overloaded. Very disappointing overall. We have also lost another temporary post for Resource. We now have a Resource post for next year and for as long as the hours last. Jenny and Siobhán are still in shock at the bluntness of it all and unless this changes which is unlikely, will not be with us from September. So frustrating when one of the things our Inspector commended highly was the way in which our support team operates.
We have been one of a small number of schools to gain a Special Needs Assistant post. It is wonderful to have the SNA post again. We have been waiting for sanction for this SNA post since last March 2011. Extra eyes on playground duty and an extra pair of hands in the Modular Building. Karen is already making everyone’s workload so much less. We are incredibly lucky to have Karen Mitchell in the post temporarily while we advertise and interview. For new parents who did not meet Karen, we lost Karen when a child with special needs re-located back to the UK. Karen worked in another school since then but was unlucky to have that job fizzle out too. However we are delighted that she was in a position to start in a temporary capacity as soon as we got sanction. Interviews will be held in March.
Flowers Thanks Asta for brightening up our pots at the front step. So quietly done and so beautiful. Notice the leaves on our little tree in the big pot.
Spikeball We have a challenge match in Corrandrum on Wednesday the 14th of March. Excitement is building. Teachers will drop the children to Corrandrum and would appreciate if parents would collect from Corrandrum National School at 4pm on Wednesday the 14th of March. The Claregalway Drama Festival will need the hall during March so Spikeball will be cancelled for a few weeks. It affects all sessions following the match with Corrandrum until after Easter (the Spring Break). Spikeball will resume again after the break and will continue every Wednesday unless notified otherwise. Thank you all for prompt pick ups at the Community Centre.
Activity Week. A very successful three day event. Super ideas. Thanks to everyone for your time and energy. Lots of new energy from parents of Junior Infants. Well done for taking the plunge. We enjoyed the chats in the Staff room too. For those who couldn’t make it this year you are welcome to plan for next year. Have had some exciting ideas run by us already. Well done to all the children too for their excellent behaviour. Check out the pictures Siobhán uploaded to the website. Thanks to all the staff who are still a little dazed after our Evaluation but all chipped in enthusiastically for Activity week and organised the event without a hitch.
Whole School Evaluation Awaiting the report but have been told it takes several months. We are hoping to send out information which the Questionnaires indicated is needed. To begin with see attached letter re RSE and SPHE. Many parents indicated they do not understand how the school manages these programmes. All policies are available from the office- Deirdre is available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and can download all you request.
Snacks and lunches Our school has a Healthy Eating Policy. We encourage giving your child a healthy snack for before first break with a healthy drink. Then for before second break we encourage a bigger healthy lunch and either another drink or a large bottle for both breaks. Please send in spoons if your child eats yogurt. And please peel fruit if your child eats only peeled fruit. Time is set aside to eat and drink before each break. In fact we are outside the recommended times and would have to add this time on to the end of the day were we not using it for watching news as in 1st and 2nd class or listening to Show and Tell as in Infants. In senior classes children are encouraged to be independent about how they eat their lunches and how they manage their time.
Chocolate yogurts and chocolate sandwiches have been appearing in the lunch boxes. We would ask that these be kept for Friday which is Treat day. It is very unfair to all other children at the table if your child eats chocolate sandwiches regularly when other children have them only on a Friday. Treat day is meant to involve a healthy lunch plus one small treat. Please keep it to one small treat. It is very unfair to all other children if your child produces several sugary treats on a Friday. One resourceful parent excludes the treat on the Friday if healthy snacks are brought home during the week- Just an idea if your child is coming home with a full lunch box and refuses to eat what you have prepared for them.
Pyjama Day On the day of our holidays, March 30th the Student Council have planned a fund raiser. All children and staff are invited to wear some item of nightwear and pay for the privilege of wearing it to school. Please ensure children are dressed appropriately. The Student Council undertake two fundraising events each year. The annual Jumble Sale in June and one other fund raiser during the year. Educate Together have requested that all member schools hold an annual fund raiser for vital funds to keep the organisation going. Last year we had already dedicated the funds raised by the Jumble Sale by the time they asked. Happily we were able to support our own local charity Act for Meningitis. Hope you saw the pictures in the Tuam Herald and the Connaught Tribune. This time we’ll be able to help Educate Together Nationally. Shared lunch also welcome on that day. Just a treat your child can share with a few children at his/her table. Home baking very welcome or healthy ideas always welcome for shared lunch. Remember early closing on Friday the 30th of March so you’ll be taking pyjama-clad children home at 12.30pm.
We have been one of a small number of schools to gain a Special Needs Assistant post. It is wonderful to have the SNA post again. We have been waiting for sanction for this SNA post since last March 2011. Extra eyes on playground duty and an extra pair of hands in the Modular Building. Karen is already making everyone’s workload so much less. We are incredibly lucky to have Karen Mitchell in the post temporarily while we advertise and interview. For new parents who did not meet Karen, we lost Karen when a child with special needs re-located back to the UK. Karen worked in another school since then but was unlucky to have that job fizzle out too. However we are delighted that she was in a position to start in a temporary capacity as soon as we got sanction. Interviews will be held in March.
Flowers Thanks Asta for brightening up our pots at the front step. So quietly done and so beautiful. Notice the leaves on our little tree in the big pot.
Spikeball We have a challenge match in Corrandrum on Wednesday the 14th of March. Excitement is building. Teachers will drop the children to Corrandrum and would appreciate if parents would collect from Corrandrum National School at 4pm on Wednesday the 14th of March. The Claregalway Drama Festival will need the hall during March so Spikeball will be cancelled for a few weeks. It affects all sessions following the match with Corrandrum until after Easter (the Spring Break). Spikeball will resume again after the break and will continue every Wednesday unless notified otherwise. Thank you all for prompt pick ups at the Community Centre.
Activity Week. A very successful three day event. Super ideas. Thanks to everyone for your time and energy. Lots of new energy from parents of Junior Infants. Well done for taking the plunge. We enjoyed the chats in the Staff room too. For those who couldn’t make it this year you are welcome to plan for next year. Have had some exciting ideas run by us already. Well done to all the children too for their excellent behaviour. Check out the pictures Siobhán uploaded to the website. Thanks to all the staff who are still a little dazed after our Evaluation but all chipped in enthusiastically for Activity week and organised the event without a hitch.
Whole School Evaluation Awaiting the report but have been told it takes several months. We are hoping to send out information which the Questionnaires indicated is needed. To begin with see attached letter re RSE and SPHE. Many parents indicated they do not understand how the school manages these programmes. All policies are available from the office- Deirdre is available on Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings and can download all you request.
Snacks and lunches Our school has a Healthy Eating Policy. We encourage giving your child a healthy snack for before first break with a healthy drink. Then for before second break we encourage a bigger healthy lunch and either another drink or a large bottle for both breaks. Please send in spoons if your child eats yogurt. And please peel fruit if your child eats only peeled fruit. Time is set aside to eat and drink before each break. In fact we are outside the recommended times and would have to add this time on to the end of the day were we not using it for watching news as in 1st and 2nd class or listening to Show and Tell as in Infants. In senior classes children are encouraged to be independent about how they eat their lunches and how they manage their time.
Chocolate yogurts and chocolate sandwiches have been appearing in the lunch boxes. We would ask that these be kept for Friday which is Treat day. It is very unfair to all other children at the table if your child eats chocolate sandwiches regularly when other children have them only on a Friday. Treat day is meant to involve a healthy lunch plus one small treat. Please keep it to one small treat. It is very unfair to all other children if your child produces several sugary treats on a Friday. One resourceful parent excludes the treat on the Friday if healthy snacks are brought home during the week- Just an idea if your child is coming home with a full lunch box and refuses to eat what you have prepared for them.
Pyjama Day On the day of our holidays, March 30th the Student Council have planned a fund raiser. All children and staff are invited to wear some item of nightwear and pay for the privilege of wearing it to school. Please ensure children are dressed appropriately. The Student Council undertake two fundraising events each year. The annual Jumble Sale in June and one other fund raiser during the year. Educate Together have requested that all member schools hold an annual fund raiser for vital funds to keep the organisation going. Last year we had already dedicated the funds raised by the Jumble Sale by the time they asked. Happily we were able to support our own local charity Act for Meningitis. Hope you saw the pictures in the Tuam Herald and the Connaught Tribune. This time we’ll be able to help Educate Together Nationally. Shared lunch also welcome on that day. Just a treat your child can share with a few children at his/her table. Home baking very welcome or healthy ideas always welcome for shared lunch. Remember early closing on Friday the 30th of March so you’ll be taking pyjama-clad children home at 12.30pm.
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