Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre – C.B.S. Primary Tralee
Newsletter – Nuachtlitir
March-Márta 2024
Dear Parents / A Thuismitheoirí
March will have to be renamed as the “Multicultural Month” in our school as we plan for displays and performances of our Irish and international cultures in school during the next few weeks. Our school is certainly a place that is rich in talent, but also here at CBS Primary Tralee we acknowledge the idea that, while we are different, we are all the same too!
Brendan Smith
Principal
School Hours of Opening – Am oscailte
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.
Traffic – Tráchta
I would be grateful to all our parents if you would keep the safety of all the school community foremost in your mind when driving and please avoid parking near the school gates. We want to again, say a special thank you to our school caretaker Jerome, for his guidance 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.
Seachtain na Gaeilge – Irish Week
Seachtain na Gaeilge will take place in our school on the 12th -15th of March. The week itself is one of the many important events in our school and an emphasis will placed on the promotion of Gaeilge within our school. Children from Junior Infants right up to 6th class will actively be ag caint as gaeilge throughout the week. Some classes will get the opportunity to buddy up and perform songs, poems and dance as gaeilge for other classes throughout the week with our Raidio CBS service- through the school intercom each day!
On Friday 15th March we will hold our ‘Green Day’ and the whole school will be given an opportunity to dress up in their St. Patricks Day colours for the day to celebrate our ‘CBS St. Patrick’s Day Parade’. Each class can choose to make hats, flags, badges during the week and will have a chance to participate in our Parade with lively musical accompaniment. Our very own ‘St. Patrick’ will lead us through the school corridors where we will make plenty noise, ceol agus craic.
International Week – Seachtain Idirnáisiúnta
The CBS Primary will be ablaze with colour as it celebrates International Week, March 19th-March 22nd. With a rich and vibrant school community, drawn from over 50 countries, we have a lot to celebrate.
Following on from Seachtain na Gaeilge, when we celebrate our Irish culture, during International Week we focus on the other cultures our children’s families come from – their language, geography, flag, music and art.
Children from 1st-6th class will have a drumming workshop, that’s not to be missed.
International Day
On March 21st, we will celebrate the richness of culture in our school with song, dance, music and art. Children are invited to dress in traditional clothes and bring in food which represents their culture.
Otherwise, wear red clothes to celebrate Wear Red Day (International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination).
World Book Day
We celebrated World Book Day on March 7th with lots of activities including storytelling, dressing up as characters from books, children bringing their favourite books to school, making bookmarks, reading stories and getting story books to keep. Classes also visited O’Mahony’s bookshop with their World Book Day vouchers over the last week which was very exciting.
Some classes have made a recent trip to the library to take out books. Over the coming months we hope to get every child signed up for library cards. It is a fantastic resource for the town so do bring your children along. They really enjoy it.
School of Sanctuary
On the 7th of February we were awarded School of Sanctuary Champion Status – the first school in Kerry to receive this prestigious award. A school of Sanctuary is one that is committed to creating a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment that benefits everybody regardless of their colour, creed, ability or disability, but in particular a school that welcomes refugee and migrant students. The team of inspectors who visited our school were given a tour of the school and listened to the children singing songs, reciting poetry and talking about their different countries and cultures. They also witnessed a Gaelic football demonstration and the children dancing. The inspectors were informed of a number of key events that take place in our school every year such as International Day, Africa Day, Red Against Racism Day and coffee mornings for the parents of our Ukrainian pupils. They were also introduced to “Daithi” and “Zorro” – our school’s resident therapy dogs! As a school we are very proud of our diversity, with pupils from 52 different countries represented. This award is something we are incredibly proud of.
Physical Activity
We are making a big push in the school to get our Children more physically active. Physical activity is one of the most important things our children can do for their health. Being physically active can improve our brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles and improve our ability to do everyday activities. Some of the initiatives we are doing in the school include: The Daily Mile, teaching the fundamental movement skills, active classroom breaks, active homework and more fun physical activities. Keep an eye on the school Facebook page!
Volleyball
Last Monday, our school was invited to compete in a Volleyball tournament in Killarney. Boys and girls from sixth class represented our school with great distinction. We had some really exciting games, and everyone had a fantastic day out. Well done to all!
Cross Country Running
Earlier this week we had boys and girls from 3rd-6th class representing the CBS Primary Tralee in cross country athletics. In very wet and extremely demanding conditions, these courageous boys and girls represented themselves, their families and the school extremely well. A special mention to all the parents and the staff members that came to cheer on and support our brave runners on the day.
€2 – Lá Glas/Green Day on Friday 15th of March.
Wear Green for My Canine Companion!
Zorro and Daithí need your support.
Remember your €2
School 5 aside Soccer Team
Next week, boys from 5th and 6th class will be representing the school in the FAI Primary Schools competition. The girl’s competition will take place after the Easter holidays. Here at CBS, we’re all hoping with a bit of luck, the teams can bring some silverware back to the school!!
Confirmation – Lá an Easpaig
The Confirmation ceremony took place on Friday 1st March at 11am. It was a very proud occasion for the entire school community, and the pupils represented the school brilliantly on the day.
First Communion – Comaoineach Naofa
First Communion will be on Saturday 11h May. Over the next few weeks, the boys and girls in second class will be preparing to make their First Confession. Many thanks to the CBS staff members currently helping the children to prepare for the First Confession.
**Key Dates to Remember – Dátaí le Meabhrú**
School Closures Friday 8th March & Monday 11th March
Green Colours Day March 15th
St. Patrick’s Day Sunday 17th (Monday 18th March -School Closed)
International Day/ Wear Red Against Racism Day March 21st
First Holy Communion Saturday 11th May 10:30am St. John’s Church
Easter Holidays
School closes: Friday 22nd March at 12.00
School re-opens: Monday 8th April at 8.45 a.m.
