| Christmas Newsletter 2023 |
Dear Parents/Guardians
Christmas is coming and we take some time to reflect on this past term. We look forward to a New Year and the completion of the academic school year 2023/2024 We wish to sincerely thank all the members of the school community who has worked tirelessly to keep our school users –children and staff safe.
We would like to thank our caretaker Mrs Doran for her dedication to keeping our school clean and safe each week. Our staff and pupils endeavour to support her by keeping each classroom tidy and rubbish free. We know that by working together we come into a very clean learning space daily.
We are very fortunate to be part of the Green School Initiative and all our school users are aware of keeping our school grounds litter free and clean.
At this time of year, we remember in our thoughts and prayers, people who are sick or bereaved in our community. We remember our loved ones daily. During this season of Advent, we are reminded to prepare and wait for the One who is coming.
At this time of year, we especially reach out with a smile or gesture to include and show our love and support to everyone in our school community.
School Meal Programme
Our school hot meal programme running again this year. We are continuously listening to the requests from the children. During this cold weather these hot meals are very welcome. We encourage the children to avail of these meals and eat them after big break. We would also ask that on a day when you know your child isn’t having a hot meal can you please ensure that they have a packed lunch with them.
Yes to Languages (Modern Language Initiative)
We thank Mrs Caroline Arachequesne for coming and working with Mrs Heslin’s 4th classes. This is an 8-week programme and is very beneficial to our children.
Upcoming Events
Service for Peace this Christmas
On Wednesday December 20th the staff and pupils invite the school and our community to come and join us in praying for peace this Christmas. This event will take place in St Brigid’s church from 11a.m to 1p.m. All are welcome to come and join us as we present this message of prayer for peace through music, storytelling, poetry and song.
Relationship and Sexuality Education (R.S.E)
This programme takes place every second year in February and March for approximately 6 weeks as part of the SPHE curriculum. We will send all families a draft outline of topics to be covered at each class level and how sensitive material will be covered at an age appropriate level nearer the time.
Buddy Reading
Buddy Reading begins in January in school. Ms McGowan and class teachers are making a plan to coordinate classes and it will be up and running when we return to school.
Visitors to school/Controlled Access
Please adhere to the guidelines in relation to collecting children during school time. Please ring doorbell and Mrs McGourty will get your child(ren) for you from the relevant classes.
New Entrants 2024/2025
Enrolment for new Junior Infants is underway and if you haven’t already contacted the school about your child starting in September 2024 we will be taking enrolments from January 8th 2024. Please contact Mrs McGourty @ 0719642315 and an enrolment form will be forwarded to you.
Hallowe’en Dress-Up
Thank you to the parents for cooperating with our Hallowee’n dress up on Friday October 27th 2023.The children were very excited about this and everyone made a great effort. This brought cheer to our school community.
School Attendance
It is important for your child(ren) to attend school every day. Teachers take the roll via our online system Aladdin Connect. If your child is unwell we understand that it is necessary to keep them at home. Please fill in on Aladdin when they return and state reason for absence. If your child is missing 20 days or more a report is sent to TUSLA (Child and Family Agency).
Accelerated Reader Programme
Our AR programme is now in full swing for this term and the pupils are reading, quizzing and reaching targets! This online platform helps encourage independent readers, promotes comprehension skills, rewards readers and helps pupils maximise their reading potential by suggesting suitably challenging reading material. It tracks and shows pupils their progress. We have found it to be very helpful in creating a culture of independent reading in the school and the pupils were very busy reading this term. We encourage you to check in on their great progress by logging in to the parents’ section on ukhosting113.renlearn.co.uk/6936019/Home Connect and using your pupil’s username and password (older pupils will know this – or your child’s teacher).
Books make great Christmas presents too! arbookfind.co.uk is a great resource where parents can pick books that are exactly at the right level (ask your child for their z.p.d [reading range]) for them. The “Advanced Search” tab on this website will help you find books that your child will love and that will help them to develop their reading.
For any assistance with the AR programme or questions, please email drumcongmmk@gmail.com.
Christmas Cards
The children designed their own Christmas Cards again this year. Thank you to everyone who ordered packs. We hope that they bring Christmas cheer to the people who receive them.
School Photographer
Our school photographer arrived on Thursday October 12th and the children have now received their photographs. Thank you for presenting your children so beautifully on the day.
Ballintubber Retreat for 5th and 6th classes
In preparation for Confirmation Ms McGivern and 5th class attended a retreat in Ballintubber Abbey, Co. Mayo on Wednesday December 6th and Ms McHugh and 6th class attended the retreat on Thursday December 7th 2023. All children were given the opportunity to discuss, reflect and meditate and work together in a very sacred and historical place of worship dating back to the 12th century. It was a very enriching experience for all.
Maths Week
Maths Week took place from the 12th -20th October 2023. All classes took part in activities dedicated to mathematical methodologies-bar charts, bar graphs and recording of data and maths trails were designed and carried out by pupils and staff for this event. The message Maths is All Around us and Maths is Fun was the order of the week!!
New Primary Maths Curriculum
Our staff had an in-service training day in the Education Centre Carrick on Shannon on Tuesday November 21st. It was a very informative day and teachers are asked to experiment this year on new approaches to mathematical instruction and allowing children to try out different approaches to problem solving and learning maths.
Science Week November 2023
The children and staff embraced science week which took place from November 13th to November 20th 2023. Many experiments were carried out throughout the school. There was a great buzz around the school and children are developing their scientific and investigational skills in a fun and engaging way.
Catholic Schools Week 2024
This is an annual celebration and it will take place this school year from Sunday January 21st –Saturday January 27th 2024. The theme is “Communities of Service”. We will participate in the daily celebrations at all class levels as this is a week of celebration of Catholic schools reflecting on their contribution to the common good of society.
Credit Union Art Competition
Congratulations to Orla, Avril, Jake and Oonagh who won prizes in this competition. We are very proud of everyone who took part and there was a very high standard this year. Maith sibh go léir.
Student Council
Our committee has come together this term and a new member to the student council was elected from 1st class for this year. We feel it is important to hear from the student body regarding their wellbeing and safety and learning environment.
Preparing for Secondary School
The 6th class visited Ballinamore Community College and we were warmly welcomed by Mr Diarmaid McCaffrey (Principal) and staff on November 15th 2023.
We also had a visit from Mr Cormac Flynn newly appointed Principal of Mohill Community College.
Unfortunately, we missed a visit from representatives from Carrick on Shannon Community school as we were away on retreat to Co. Mayo.
We are awaiting a visit from Principal of Drumshanbo Vocational School.
This is a very exciting time in the lives of our sixth class pupils and we endeavour to support and guide them on this journey in collaboration with you, their parents.
Children of the Eucharist
This programme run by Mrs M McKiernan and assisted by Joan McNulty and Phyllis Doherty continues to run on the second Monday of each month. Children from 2nd class upwards participate and reflect on the presence of Jesus in our lives through Eucharistic Adoration, story and song. We thank these women who give of their time to be of service and support us in the faith formation of our children.
First Penance and First Holy Communion 2024
The Dates for First Penance (Confession)is to be confirmed at a later date.
First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday April 27th 2024 in St Brigid,s church, Drumcong at 11a.m
Sacrament of Confirmation
This will take place in St Brigid’s church Drumcong on Saturday February 17th at 11a.m for the pupils in 5th and 6th class who have choosen to receive this sacrament.
Parent Teacher Meetings
Our parent teacher meetings took place in school on Tuesday November 28th and Wednesday November 29th 2023. We appreciate your time and cooperation and it was beneficial to discuss your child’s progress and identify and clarify items that people had questions about.
If for any reason we did not get to speak to you, please contact your child’s class teacher or support teacher and address any concerns you may have. We would like to remind you that it is important to contact your child’s class teacher if something occurs and discuss any issue that may arise before it becomes a major concern for your child.
Music Generation
We thank Mandy our facilitator from Music Generation for coming each week and teaching the Ukulele to all classes. The children are benefitting musically and emotionally from the instruction on this musical instrument. We appreciate the joy from hearing music and singing come from each class. Thank you to our Principal and board of Management for providing funding for this initiative to be carried out in our school.
Christmas Jumpers
Children can wear their Christmas jumpers during the week starting Monday December 18th until Friday December 22nd 2024 if they wish to do so.
Thank you
Thank you to Micheál Early, Kiltubrid GAA for organising the new goal posts for our school. The children fundraised for these and they are a great benefit to our P.E classes and football games.
School closing
The school will close on Friday December 22nd 2023 @12.30p.m. The first buses will collect children from 12pm onwards. School will reopen on Monday January 8th 2024 @9.20a.m le Cúnamh Dé. If changes occur for pickups on this date, please contact Mrs McGourty or send a message via Aladdin to the class teacher.
We wish you all a very peaceful and Happy Christmas and we look forward to the New Year of 2024.
Le Gach Dea-ghuí
Cathríona Faughnan, Finola McGowan, Olivia McHugh, Fidelma Glancy, Andrea McManus, Rachel Keane, Clare O’Reilly, Gearoidín Ní Chonghaile, Nicola Heslin, Micheál McKiernan, Sinéad Beirne, Ciara McGivern, Orla Mcgovern, David Evans, Geraldine McWeeney, Orlagh Ferguson, Zoe Prior, Bernice Hollahan, Róisín Keane & Christina McGourty.
