November 2017 Newsletter
30th November 2017
Dear Parents & Guardians,
Please find below 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 the Principal of St. Brigid’s Vocational School, Sean Connolly, and two of his staff, 1st class parent Ms. Tannian and Mr. Maher, for organising TY students to present experiments to all the children in the school. The children really enjoyed seeing the various aspects of science first hand.
Some photos of the children doing the experiments were taken by the secondary school teachers on the day. These are for use on their school website. If you do not want your child’s photo to be used on the St. Brigid’s Vocational School website, please indicate it in your child’s homework journal before Tuesday 5th December.
Parent-Teacher Meeting: 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 class teacher and a suitable time will be arranged.
Book Fair: The annual Book Fair was very successful again this year. €846 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. Keely for organising it. A special word of thanks to Joby for all her hard work, particularly on the evening of the Parent-Teacher meetings.
Team Hope Shoebox Appeal: There was a fantastic response to the Christmas Shoebox appeal this year. A total of 108 boxes were collected. Thanks to everyone for contributing and helping this very worthy cause. Thanks also to Ms. Hayes for organising the distribution of leaflets and to Ms. Kelly for their collection.
Christmas Concerts: The date for this year’s Christmas Concerts is Wednesday 20th December:
Times: 11:30 – 12:00 Infants
12:15 – 12:45 1st & 2nd class
1:00 – 1:30 3rd &4th class
1:45 – 2:30 5th & 6th class
Congratulations to our past pupils Adam and Sean Fahy of St. Brigid’s Vocational School for their participation in the Formula One Racing team project this year. We were also very proud to hear that Adam achieved the top marks in the country for Engineering in the Leaving Cert last year.
Parents Council Christmas Bazaar: The Parish Bazaar takes place on Sunday 10th December. The Parents kindly organised a raffle and tickets are being sent home today. We would ask that all families make a special effort to sell the tickets as the funds are much needed to help with the day to day running of the school. We would ask that the tickets be returned to the school on Wednesday 6th December.
A Cake Sale will also be organised on the day and we would ask as many of you as possible to assist with baking.

Teachers Gifts: I have been asked once again to remind you that it is not necessary to buy Christmas presents for teachers. Teachers really appreciate your kindness and generosity but appreciate that this is an expensive enough time of the year for parents.
Tin Whistle Lessons: Lessons for this term will finish next week. We thank Yvonne for teaching the children and she will return in the second term.
Rugby Coaching: Children from 3rd – 6th have been receiving coaching from Connaught Development officer, Nicole Fowley for the last number of weeks.
Hurling Coaching: Children in 1st and 2nd have been receiving coaching from Kevin Molloy for the last number of weeks.
Local History Talk: There will be a talk in the school tonight about the local involvement in the Land-League. The talk is on at 8pm and will be given by Gerry Daly.
All are welcome to attend. It is a nice opportunity for 5th and 6th class children as they have been learning about the Land League recently.

Dates for your attention:
– Christmas Holidays Friday 22nd December; children go home at 12:30pm
– School re-opens Monday 8th January
The school website is updated regularly and the monthly newsletter is available to view on the site.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any further queries in relation to any of the above.
Yours sincerely
Francis O’Connor
Principal.