Letter Archive | Gardenfield National School

Thank you to all the parents who accompanied the summer school tours this year. Your availability makes these types of outing possible and your support is much appreciated!

Una Higgins, Jacinta Clune, Michael Banks, Anita Ainsworth, Mary Waugh Bacchus, Fintan Costello, Tamara Morrin, Freda Kelly, Mags Costello, Lisa Heffernan & Karen Hardiman.

Sixth Class Graduation Mass

The Sixth Class Graduation Mass was read on 21^st June by Fr. Pat Farragher. The children prepared so well for the liturgy of the mass, decorating the gym with their beautiful artwork and Confirmation fabric hangings and practising for the choir. A large number of parents and extended family attended and it was a beautiful prayerful occasion. A big thank you to the children from other classes who participated in the choir, the music really added to the whole occasion. Thank you to the Parents’ Association who presented each child with a class photograph and to Ollie Hynes who photographed the children. They also served refreshments on the night and gave the children treats. Ms. Reddington also presented the children with a framed photograph which was taken on their Esker retreat. I would like to thank Ms. Reddington for all her excellent work with Sixth Class it is very much appreciated by pupils, parents and staff alike.

Sports Day

A very successful and enjoyable Sports Day was held on Monday 27^th June. A surprise treat was provided by the Parents’ Association when the ice cream van arrived. The cones went down very well!

Summer Reading Challenge

Tuam library have informed us that this year’s summer reading challenge will begin on Friday 1^st June and run until Wednesday 31^st August. All children aged four and upwards are invited to participate. Children register at the library from 1^st July and receive incentives such as stickers, wristbands, etc. Children are encouraged to read ten books during the summer when they have plenty spare time. It is a free for all children to join the library and library events are also free. A range of activities such as storytelling and arts and crafts will also take place over the summer which all children are welcome to attend. Children who partake in the summer reading challenge maintain or improve their reading levels during the summer holidays so it is very worthwhile !!!

School Holidays 2016/2017

The school holiday calendar is attached.

Uniform and School Crests

The PE polo shirt and tracksuit top are required to have the school crests on them 2016/2017. The National Schoolwear Centre have them available currently. Stitch/ iron on crests are available for purchase in the office at a cost of 2.50 per crest. It is highly recommended that they are stitched on to avoid them peeling off.

Book Rental Scheme

A sincere thank you to all the children, parents Freda Kelly, Margaret McHugh , Ruth Collins, Mrs. Mary Meehan ( S.N.A.) and Mrs. Patricia Langan( S.N.A.), Corinne Cleary, Machaela Donnellan, Alice Kelly , Kevin Kelly, Michaela Melia, Casey O Grady, Farah Collins, Erin Dunleavy, Sarah Mannion, Goda Krikstanaite, Hannah Mills, Emma O Toole, Róisín Fahy and Jamie O Grady who organised and covered all the Book Rental Scheme text books for September. They have been covered with cardboard and a plastic cover, which makes them very robust for usage and will keep them in excellent condition. Many hours have been spent by all involved for which we are very grateful. Each book has been named and numbered and nothing additional may be put on the plastic cover by the student. They will be given out on our return to school.

Transport

We are very grateful to all the parents who provided transport to various school trips, practices, debates, musicals and matches during the year. Your help has enabled the children to participate in a wide variety of activities that would be cost prohibitive without your support. So thank you to Lynn O’Toole, Rajni Thomas, Denise McDonagh, Colette Ryan, Mary Waugh-Bacchus, Nancy Banks, Susie Fahy, Catherine Cooke, Marie Murphy, Maurice McDonagh, Wolfgang Claus, Lorraine Cleary, Michael Banks, Ursula Heffernan, Jacinta Clune, Margaret McHugh, Sharon Mullan, Sinead O’Connor, Kevin Waugh-Bacchus, Claire Noone, Rory O’Connor, Damien Cooke, Joan Higgins, Liam Brandon, Niamh O Connell, Tamara Morrin, Dawn Auchmuty, Finbar Mannion, Ruth Collins, Pat Fahy, Giedrius Krikstanaite, Eamon Mills, Majella O Flaherty, Ollie Hynes, Sharon Donnellan, Sharon Mullins, Becky Whiltshire, Martina Cryan, Joanne Beresford, Jennifer Del Valle, Ray Canney, Richard Coady, Antonia Teahon, Bernard Mullan, Marie Morgan and Clodagh Brinn. If anyone has been inadvertently omitted we apologise in advance!

Committees

We would also like to express our gratitude to the parents who were on the ‘Do This In Memory’ committee for the First Holy Communion and “You Shall Be My Witness” for the Confirmation. Your help, coordination and support were very much appreciated by the children, staff and priests. A big thank you also to Mrs. Mary Melia who liaises with the school about The Children’s Mass. Your participation in the spiritual life of the school is very important to enhancing the children’s experience of God in the life of the school.

Parents’Association and B.O.M.

A word of thanks to our Parents’ Association who contribute so much to the life and sense of fun of the school throughout the year by organising the Christmas Party, refreshments for special occasions, the ice cream van on Sports Day and various other events. Thank you for supporting their fund raising activities which have enabled them to supply so much educational equipment to the school this year. This equipment benefits the children greatly and enhances the quality of education provided here. They are always very willing to support and lend a hand to anything they are asked to do, without whom lots of things and events would not be possible. Thanks also to the B.O.M. who do lots of great work behind the scenes to keep the school well maintained and running smoothly.

Croke Park Hours

Teachers do an additional 36 hours under the Haddington Road Agreement. The breakdown is as follows:

Wet morning supervision : 5 hrs

Parent teacher meetings and preparation: 5hrs

Policy review : 3 hrs

Staff meetings : 18 hrs

Individual teacher planning : 5 hrs

Book Lists

Each child has been provided with a book list and each list will be also available on the school blog. gardenfieldns.scoilnet.ie/blog

The School Staff

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our excellent, hardworking teachers for all their work throughout the year and Mr. Dunne our Deputy Principal. Their commitment and professionalism in all they do makes a lasting impression on their pupils, for which I am very grateful. I would also like to thank Mrs. Meehan and Mrs. Langan our S.N.A.s and Mrs. Evelyn Kenny ( secretary) for the huge contribution they make to the school also.

Finally to all the children, well done on working hard and being so cooperative throughout the year and to your parents/guardians who have been so supportive. We hope you have a very enjoyable summer. Bain taitneamh as na laethanta saoire agus feicfidh muid sibh arís ar an gcéad lá de Mheán Fómhair.

Ní neart go cur le chéile.

Le gach dea- ghuí,

Mise le Meas,

Áine Uí Bhré

Príomh Oide

B.O.M. Report 2015/2016

Thanks were expressed to the outgoing Parents’ Association :Una Higgins, Andrea Claus, Freda Kelly, Antonia Teahon, Eamon Mills & Keith Mitchell.

A new Parents’ Association was elected as follows:

Ollie Hynes – Chairperson

Mags Costello & Lynn O Toole – Joint Secretary

Peter Kane & Bernard Mullins – Joint Treasurer

Nancy Banks – Parent, school and B.O.M. Liaison Officer

A list of fund raising activities were approved of by the Board.

Thanks were expressed to the outgoing B.O.M : Tony Hester, Fr. Francis Mitchell & Fr. Pat Farragher, Catherine Cooke, Mark Giblin, Margaret Waldron, Denise Gleeson – Mc Donagh, John Dunne and Áine Uí Bhré.

The Parents’ Association were consulted regarding the method of B.O.M. election.

The new B.O.M. was elected as follows:

Tony Hester – Chairperson

Áine Uí Bhré – Secretary

Tony Mc Grath – Treasurer

Keith Mitchell – Health and Safety Officer

Catherine Cooke – Parent Liaison Officer

Denise Gleeson- Mc Donagh

Regina Uí Éagáin – Staff Representative

Fr. Pat Farragher – Patron’s Representative

The B.O.M. applied to upgrade the treatment plant and percolation area under the ‘Summer Works Scheme’ under category 3. Funding was only provided in 2016 for categories 1 & 2 but our application is still active for next year’s allocation.

Extra CCTV cameras were installed in the school.

Enrolment applications were processed.

Usage of gym for after school activities were approved of ie. Take a Bow & Dance Technics.

Policies were reviewed and ratified. Policies ratified have been communicated to parents by letter.

School finances have been certified and approved of by the Board.

The Board has approved of the in service education days engaged in by the teachers throughout the year.

Scoil Ceathrú na nGarrdhanta, Gardenfield National School, Tuam, Co. Galway H54 RW56

Tel: +35393 24081

Email: gardenfieldoffice@gmail.com

Web: gardenfieldns.scoilnet.ie/blog

Throughout the length and breadth of the country all educational institutions from pre-schools to higher education establishments celebrated Proclamation Day on Tuesday 15^th March, as part of the “Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme”.

A much anticipated “Proclamation Day” commenced in Gardenfield N.S. with the raising of the National Flag by the youngest and oldest pupil in the school. The flag had been presented to the school on 5^th November by C.S. Seamus Gannon.

The 1916 Proclamation was read by members of the teaching staff followed by the reading of The Proclamation for a New Generation. It reflects the values, ideals and aspirations of the generation of 2016 and was written by the pupils for the Centenary Celebrations. Amhrán na bhFiann was played and sung by the pupils and adults present.

A cross curricular approach was adopted by the school for the celebrations which culminated on Proclamation Day. Students had undertaken history projects about the 1916 Rising and also had investigated if any of their relatives had been involved. Other classes engaged in a project that traced their family tree back to 1916. The fruits of their labours were on display on the day. Art, music and dance also played a large part in the celebrations. The school windows were festooned with flags, harps, shamrocks and portraits of the seven signatories. A concert of music & dance interspersed with historical content was performed by the pupils, specially prepared for Proclamation Day.

Bhí béim ar an gcultúr Gaelach mar cheiliúradh ar an bhfís a bhí ag ceannairí an Eírí Amach d’Eírinn agus ról na Gaeilge agus an chultúr in imeachtaí 1916. Freisin bhí Lá Forógra i Seachtain na Gaeilge mar sin bhí formhór na n-amhrán as Gaeilge. Rinne na páistí rincí Gaelacha agus sheinn said portanna ar a bhfeadóga stáin chomh maith.

Irish language, music and dance were integral parts of the performances. The concert included Óró Sé do Bheatha Bhaile which Padraig Pearse penned to a popular tune and concluded with “Grace” based on Joseph Plunkett and Grace Gifford’s marriage in Kilmainham Gaol hours before he was executed.

The staff of Gardenfield N.S. hope the “Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme” has inspired its pupils to remember the past with pride and be proud of its culture and language in the years ahead.

23^rd June 2016

Dear Parents,

Sports Day

Unfortunately Sports Day had to be postponed on Wednesday due to the weather. It will be held on Monday 27^th June. All parents are welcome to attend and it will commence at 11am. The Parents’ Association are holding a No Uniform Day to coincide with Sports Day and request that each child brings in €2. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Classes 2016-2017

The following are the classes for the academic year 2016-2017:

Junior Infants – Ms. Lambe

Senior Infants – Ms. Ryan

1^st class – Ms. Egan

2^nd class – Ms. Walsh

3^rd/ 4^th – Ms. Daveron

4^th/5^th – Mr. Kirrane

5^th/6^th – Ms. Reddington

Holidays

The school calendar will issue shortly. We close for summer holidays on Thursday 30^th June and will return to school on Thursday 1^st September.

Digital Schools of Distinction Award

Therese Farrell will visit the school on Tuesday 28^th June to assess the children’s IT skills. The children and teachers have done a tremendous amount of work for this award and we hope all goes well on the day.

Mise le meas,

Áine Uí Bhré

Principal