Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre – C.B.S. Primary Tralee
Newsletter – Nuachtlitir
January 2023/ Eanair 2023
Dear Parents
This year promises to be both busy and equally exciting and we hope that 2023 will bring you lots of good health and happiness. Our 2nd and 6th classes are beginning preparations for First Confession, First Holy Communion and for Confirmation which take place on the dates below. Catholic Schools week also began on Sunday 22nd January, thereby also assisting with such Sacramental preparations. We will also be hosting a Grandparent’s Mass over the coming weeks, which I will update the school community about closer to the time. Thanks to all school community members for their ongoing cooperation and support. It is greatly appreciated.
Brendan Smith
Principal
Enrolments for 2023 !! Páistí Nua do 2023
If you have a child coming to us in September 2023, please make sure that we have an application form for your child. Likewise, if your friends / neighbours / cousins are sending their child to this school in September 2023 please remind them to get a form from the secretary. All those who have applied for a place for this September will be contacted in February to confirm their child’s place.
School Hours of Opening – Am oscailte
As we enter the second half of the school year, we would just like to remind everybody of our official hours of opening
School gates open to receive pupils from 8.30 a.m. and bell rings at 8:45 a.m.
Classes take place from 9.05 a.m. – 2.30 p.m. (1.30 p.m. for infants)
All pupils should be in their seats by 9.00 a.m.
School Attendance
Since September, we have been promoting good attendance among the children. We have had a number of raffles for the children who attend for a full week – this has generated excitement among the children, and we will continue with this initiative over the next few months.
For obvious reasons, having children in school each day, on time and for the full day is something that we all should aim for. I am well aware that there are many, many parents whose children have a great attendance record and are always here on time and for the full day, However, at the start of a new year, this is a habit that we will encourage everyone to adopt and co-operation from parents is gratefully appreciated.
Data Protection / Parent Details and consent /pupil Information
We are updating the children’s files at present. If you have changed your address / contact details / phone number, please let the school secretary know.
Uniforms
Our school uniform has many benefits – it is designed to make life easier for parents/guardians in the morning and to bring a sense of belonging to all of the children in our school. As our school uniform/tracksuit and crest are proud traditions of the school, I really appreciate your assistance in ensuring that your child comes to school in either the full school uniform, or tracksuit on PE days. Also, if your child has outgrown his / her school jumper or tracksuit and you don’t need it for a younger brother or sister, we would be delighted if you could send it in to the secretary’s office.
Traffic – Tráchta
As you can imagine, safely dismissing everybody at home time is a challenge. To help us to ensure the children’s safety, I would be grateful to all our parents if you would keep the safety of our children foremost in your mind when driving and please avoid parking near the school gates. We want to especially thank our school caretaker Jerome for his assistance in getting the children across the road safely, at both the morning and after school times. Please avail of his assistance when crossing the road.
Healthy Eating- Healthy Bodies = Healthy Minds!
We ask for your cooperation with our school approach to Healthy Eating. We are very keen to promote a healthy lifestyle in the CBS, something that will help the children to make healthy choices as they grow up. We are all delighted with our school kitchen and the fabulous school lunches, packed with healthy food, that are provided every day. CBS Primary Tralee provides all children with healthy nutritious snacks and freshly cooked hot lunches. The LunchClub App is very easy to use and the children have been encouraged to make sure ‘Food is ordered on Fridays’ for the following week. If you have any difficulties in relation to our school lunches, please get in touch – if we can’t sort it ourselves then we will get in touch with the staff in the kitchen. Children are regularly spoken to in relation to healthy food choices – we ask you to send water in as their drink and to leave any ‘treats’ (chocolate, crisps, biscuits etc) for home.
If you are sending in lunches or additional food, please check the Healthy Eating Policy which is in your child’s diary (just after School Rules). This outlines what a healthy lunch should include and food that should not be included.
Unacceptable food may not be eaten in school and must be taken home.
Sending birthday cakes and treat bags into classes for distribution is no longer permitted.
Parent’s Council
Thanks to the new members of the Parent’s Council who attended their first meeting last Thursday. We greatly appreciate all the support the school receives from the Parent’s Council and we really value all contributions made from parents in our school community. In relation to all the hard work going on in the school, there are always many opportunities for parents (and grandparents, if they’re available) to help out with activities within the school day. If you can give some time, please let me know.
New School Jerseys
The school has recently acquired 40 new school jerseys -20 girls’ jerseys and 20 boys’ jerseys, for the children to wear when representing the CBS Primary School Tralee in a variety of various sporting competitions which will take place over the coming months. These fabulous jerseys were ordered from a Kerry supplier, highlighting the school’s support of local businesses. The children are really looking forward to competing in them in the future!!!
Dates to Remember – Dátaí le Meabhrú
Bank Holiday: Monday 6th February-School Closed
Mid Term Break: Thursday 16th and Friday 17th February- School Closed
Confirmation Date: Thursday 16th March at 12pm in St. John’s Church
First Holy Communion: Saturday 20th May at 10.30 a.m. in St. John’s Church
