Newsletter October 2012

A new school year has started and a BIG CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE  to our new Junior Infants and their parents and guardians.  We will try to have a good year together in every possible way.

The major work of the summer this year was the building of the shelter for pupils from Junior to First class. This work was completed by Mr. Gerry McCaffrey and cost approximately €4,500. Many thanks to Gerry for a job well done which is much appreciated by all. Thanks also to the Parents’ Association who contributed financially to this project.

The school car park walls and the school gates were painted also. Thanks to those parents who helped and organised this work. The entrance to the school now looks very well.

On returning in September St. Michael’s saw the introduction of tennis lessons. The lessons were offered to all pupils for six weeks and cost a nominal fee of €5. Gus, a qualified tennis coach gave the lessons and was very pleasantly surprised to find a fully marked out tennis court in our all-weather pitch. As he said himself, he doesn’t see many of those when he visits his other schools!! He was an excellent coach and the children thoroughly enjoyed the tennis lessons. Gus is hoping to return in the Summer term to organise a mini tennis tournament with the pupils of the Darley school.

The end of September saw the celebration of  the annual Harvest Mass in St. Michael’s Church. It was a joyful occasion. The church was brightly decorated, and everyone did their part well. A special mention to those children who came to sing in the choir. They sang beautifully aided by Mrs. O’Neill and Ms. Lee.Thanks to Fr. Paul and Fr. Collins, and to everyone who joined us on the night.

October 4th saw a celebration of our interculturalsim in the school. Each class studied a country of nationality of particular students in St. Michael’s. Thus the countries covered were Ireland, Brazil, Italy, Canada, China, Lithuania, Germany and Spain. The children produced art work and posters, and learned dances and songs about the different countries. All were presented to parents on that Friday afternoon and everyone had a good time. Both teachers and parents brought in food of a specific country, and a big word of thanks to those parents who cooked or bought for the occasion. As a pupil in 6th said,’It was the best intercultural day ever’!

Adult lessons began also this term with Mrs. O’Reilly, the Home School Liaison teacher organising ‘Early Learning in the Home’ classes. Coming up soon will be flower arrangement classes for Christmas with Fran McCaul. This is a very popular class so keep an eye on the Parents’ Notice inside the front door of the school for any further information.

Finally the Danceathon took place on October 26th . This is a wonderful fundraiser for the school at which the children and teachers dress up in their Halloween costumes and disco dance for a period of time. A number of parents, in the school for an adult learning class also kicked up their heels for a while! This year the money raised amounted to €2,300 which will be spent on Literacy and Numeracy resources as the Department of Education is stressing the importance of these two subjects at the present.

After Halloween sees the Maths for Fun programme organised with one of the Junior classes, and then in early December rehersals begin again for the annual Christmas Concert which will be held in both the school and St. Michael’s Hall. More news then.