Dear Parents and Guardians,
Christmas is fast approaching and excitement is building among the children. We have had a very busy few weeks and below are a list of recent and upcoming events.

Science Week: Thanks to all the teachers for organising activities in their classrooms this year. We are also grateful to St. Brigid’s Vocational School for allowing transition year students to visit the school and carry out science experiments with all the children. Thanks to Principal Sean Connolly for facilitating this and to teachers Ms. Annette Lamb and Mr. John Brehony for supervising the activities.

Parent – Teacher Meetings: As usual there was a great response to the meetings this year. If any parent was unable to attend and would like a meeting, please make contact with the teacher and a suitable time will be arranged.

Book Fair: The annual Book Fair was very successful again this year. €900 was collected, 50% of which the school was able to spend on books to update our libraries. Thanks to all the parents and children who supported the Book Fair and to Ms. Kelly for organising it. A special word of thanks to our school S.N.A. Joby, for all her hard work that week, particularly the evening of the parent-teacher meetings.

Authors Visit: Renowned children’s author Eddie Lenihan paid a visit to the school as part of our Book Fair. The children really enjoyed his unique brand of storytelling. Thanks to Ms. Kelly for organising this.

Christmas Concerts: A reminder that our Christmas concerts take place on Friday 18th December. Parents/Guardians and Grandparents are welcome to come and attend, see times below:
Infants: 11.00am – 11.50am
1st & 2nd 12.00noon – 12.45pm
3rd & 4th 1.00pm – 1.30pm
5th & 6th 1:45pm – 2.20pm.

Parish Bazaar/Parents Council Raffle: The Parish Bazaar takes place this Sunday from 12.30pm – 5.00pm. Our Parents Council have organised a raffle and tickets have been distributed to all families. On behalf of the school I would like to thank the Parents Council for organising this and ask you to support it. As per their letter we are hoping to use the funds to upgrade our overhead projectors. Please return sold books and money and unsold books to the school as soon as possible.

Presentation of the Irish Flag: Members of the Defence Forces came to the school on Wednesday 9th December to present the school with an Irish flag to mark the celebrations for the 1916 Rising Commemoration. Thanks to Ms. Smyth for preparing Amhrán na bhFiann which was played and sung by the Children.

County Final Success: Congratulations to Ms. Hayes and her Killimor teammates on their recent County Final victory over Ardrahan.
Handball and Table Tennis Leagues: Children from 3rd – 6th have been participating in Handball and Table Tennis competitions at break times over the past few weeks. All are enjoying learning to play the new sports.

New Board of Management: Our new Board of Management officially took up office on the 1st of December. Please find below a list of the people who are on the Board.

Patron’s Nominees: Gerry Mulkern, ( Chairman), Fr. Joseph Roche.
Staff Representatives: Francis O’Connor (Secretary), Mary Kelly
Parents Representatives: Caroline Niland, Vincent Mooney
Community Representatives: Mary Kelly, Geraldine Mahony

We thank all members for agreeing to be part of our Board and look forward to working with them for the next 4 years.

New Language Curriculum: The Department of Education and Skills are currently rolling out a new language curriculum for English and Irish to replace the revised Curriculum of 1999. It will commence with Oral language for Infants – 2nd class beginning in September 2016. The Department are providing in-service for teachers and schools are required to take 2½ days from January – June 2016 to facilitate this in-service. Our first ½day closure will take place on Wednesday 3rd February. The children will go home at 12.30pm on this date. I will inform you of the second date prior to the Easter holidays. If you require any further information on the content of this new curriculum, please go to the Department of Education and Skills Website or the NCCA Website.

Swimming Lessons: Lessons will commence in the new year for children from 3rd – 6th. We will make contact in January with the dates and costs for the lessons.

Bryan Keely – Mary I Student: On behalf of the whole school community, I would like to say well done and thank you to Mary I student Bryan Keely on his recent teaching practice placement in the school. Bryan has been a great asset to the whole school since September and the children have really benefitted from his teaching skills. Bryan has got on very well with his inspectors and he can expect very high grades. We wish him well in his future teaching career.

Team Hope Shoe Box Appeal: There was a great response to the Christmas Shoebox appeal this year. Thanks to everyone for contributing to and helping this very worthy cause.

Clothes recycling: Our next clothes collection is Thursday 28th January 2016. I will send a reminder closer to the date in the New Year.

Dates for your Attention:
Christmas Holidays Tuesday 22nd December- children go home at 12.30pm.
School re-opening Thursday 7th January
Staff meeting Wednesday 13th January- children go home at 12.30pm
Teachers in-service Wednesday 3rd February – children go home at 12.30
Busses will run as normal on all half days.

Finally I would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries in relation to any of the above.

Yours sincerely
Francis O’Connor
Principal.