3RD December 2018
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Please find below a list of recent and upcoming events.
New Language Curriculum In-service: School will be closed this Friday 7th December to facilitate staff in-service on the New Language Curriculum.
Christmas Carols: Parents are welcome to attend the school to watch the children perform Christmas carols and recite some poetry on Thursday 20th December. Children from Infants – 2nd class will be performing from 1:00pm to 1:30pm, then the children from 3rd – 6th will be on stage from ¬¬1:45pm to 2:30pm. Due to space restrictions in the school hall, we would ask that parents only attend the performance of the class that your child is in.
Parish Bazaar: The Parents Council of Kilchreest N.S. are organising the Parish Bazaar on Sunday 16th December. This year the proceeds will be used to help with the required investment needed to purchase new Reading material. Raffle tickets will be distributed shortly and contributions to the annual cake sale will be sought by members of the Parents Association. We thank the Parents Association for their continued support of the school and we ask that all parents help in any way they can.
Parent-teacher Meetings: There was a great attendance at this years’ Parent-Teacher meetings. The school appreciates the interest you take in your children’s education. Studies have proven that when parents and teachers are working together children will make good progress. We encourage you to keep in contact with your children’s teachers.
Book Fair: The Book Fair was run in conjunction with the parent-teacher meetings. Over €1,200 was collected, 50% of which the school will use to help support reading initiatives. Thanks to Ms. Keely for organising the Book Fair. Thanks also to Joby and Assumpta for running the book fair throughout the week.
Team Hope Shoebox Appeal: Once again there was a great response to the Christmas Shoebox Appeal. This is a very worthy cause and makes Christmas special for those children who receive the boxes. Thanks to Ms. Hayes for organising the distribution of the leaflets and arranging for the photo to appear in the Connacht Tribune. Thanks also to Ms. Kelly for organising the collection of the shoeboxes.
Science Week & Maths Week: Thanks to all the teachers for organising activities for both Science week and Maths week.
Teachers’ Gifts: The teachers have asked to remind you that it is not necessary to buy Christmas presents for them. It is an expensive enough time of year for you and teachers do not want you to have that extra expense.
Tin Whistle Lessons: Tin whistle lessons for this term will finish this week. We thank Yvonne for teaching the children and she will return in the second term. You will be able to hear some of the Christmas tunes the children have learned on the day of the carol service.
School Trail: The children from 3rd – 6th went on a local S.E.S.E. trail to Loughrea before mid-term. We thank Gerry Daly for giving his time to impart his considerable knowledge to the children on the day.
School visits:
• We were delighted to welcome members of the Garda Siochana to the school recently to present very special medals of Bravery to the girls who cut their hair in support of their friend, Niamh Davison. It was a fantastic gesture by the girls, Roisín & Gráinne Burke, Gretta and Aida Gallagher, Emily, Lucy and Katie Clarke.
• We were also delighted to welcome Elaine Tannian back to the school on the same day. Elaine spoke to the children about the Charity Cycle she did from Paris to Nice in aid of the Ronald MacDonald House and the Niamh Davison fund. Elaine presented the Davison family with a cheque from her fundraising and she also presented the school with a replica Cycling Jersey to say thanks to the children for helping her with the fundraising.
• The victorious St. Thomas’ County Senior Hurling Champions came to the school to show the cup to the children. It is a fantastic achievement by an exceptional group of players who are such great role-models for the children. We wish them well in the All-Ireland semi-final. We are very proud of all our past pupils who made up the panel of players and management team.
6th class children are going on a trip to Dublin on Tuesday 11th December to visit Glasnevin Cemetery and Dáil Eireann. This is a great opportunity for the children to see two of Ireland’s most famous landmarks. We thank Fr. Roche for organising the trip and funding the cost of the bus and entry into Glasnevin cemetery.
Dates for your Attention:
– Christmas holidays Friday 21st December, children go home at 12.30pm. Bus running as normal.
– School re-opens on Monday January 7th 2019.
Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any queries in relation to any of the above.

Yours sincerely

Francis O’Connor
Príomhoide