CBS Primary, Tralee – Parents Newsletter October 2022
Dear Parents
Now that everyone has settled in, we are moving into a part of the year full of activity. We have highlighted Attendance as our number one priority – together, we will work to get every child in for as many days as possible – I have more details below but please remember, we need to work together to make this a success.
We are providing many activities and opportunities for the children over the next few weeks and months – all of the activities listed in this newsletter are free of charge for all children – they are very lucky indeed. Our hope is that not only will it encourage the children to be in school, but it may well ‘plant a seed’ in them that may lead to them taking up these activities outside of the school. The children are full of talents, some of these talents will only be revealed when we give them opportunities to take part in a variety of activities. We are all looking forward to seeing what talents emerge over the next few weeks !!
Denis Coleman
Principal
Every Day Counts
Over the last few years, children have missed many days at school – some were sick, some were in a house where someone had Covid, some were sent home from school with a cough. There were many other reasons, too many to detail here, however, this year, it must be different.
This year, every day, we will closely monitor your child’s attendance so that we can give him or her every chance to be at their best and to make up for time lost. We understand that children can be absent because they are sick or for urgent family reasons but … we will ask you to work with us so that your child is in school for as many days as is possible.
We will organize some prizes for children who have very good attendance as well as those children who have a really good improvement in their attendance.
We are especially asking you to please help with the following:
- Make sure your child comes to school every day that they are able to do so.
- If your child is absent from school, send in a note to your child’s teacher. The notes are at the back of your child’s Homework Diary.
- Please have your child in school before 9.00 – ideally by 8.45 – this will make sure your child settles into class before teaching and learning begins.
- Please do not collect your child before ‘Home Time’.
- Let’s make every day count !!
Health Eating – Healthy Bodies in CBS Primary
Every day, the children have a healthy snack at little break and every day, the children have a hot lunch at big break. The school meals are very popular with the children and it’s so good to get some freshly cooked, hot and healthy food into the children every single day. We hope this also makes life a little easier for all the parents – all we ask is that you send in water, yes only water, with your child each day. There’s no need for fizzy drinks, coloured energy drinks or anything else like that – help us to keep it all healthy in school.
Activities beginning soon
Now that we can resume activities in the school and don’t have to worry about mixing bubbles etc etc, we are ready to begin our Autumn activities with the children. We will start off with a number of new activities for young and old and we hope to build on these over the next few months.
- Music for all– starting on this Friday, and for every Friday until almost the end of the year, every child will have a music lesson. The children in the Infant Classes will enjoy percussion activities, the children in 1st and 2nd will learn how to play a wind instrument and everyone from 3rd up to 6th will have Ukelele sessions. We have teamed up with Music Generation Kerry who will provide the Musical instruments and the Musicians, and you’ll be delighted to know that the Board of Management is happy to cover the cost.
- Gymnastics for our Junior Classes– we will shortly have a series of gymnastics sessions for our Junior Infants up to 2nd On Mondays and Tuesdays, for 6 weeks, the children in these classes will enjoy having a gymnastics coach introduce them to some fun activities. Who knows … it could be the start of something special and some hidden talents might well be uncovered. Again, the Board is happy to cover the cost of these sessions.
- Basketball for our Senior Classes– We are teaming up with the Warriors to bring in a Basketball coach for all those children interested in having a go at Basketball. Daniel Jokubaitis has played in Tralee for the last 4 years and has also played on the Lithuanian National Team. We welcome boys and girls from 3rd – 6th to come along and join in the fun. I will pass on the details to the children when we have finalised the days and times.
- Boxing for 6th Classes – We are delighted to welcome Tralee Boxing Club to our school for the month of October where they will introduce the children in 6th class to the various skills in Boxing. The sessions will focus on agility, balance and coordination as well as boxing techniques – they will take placein the school hall with a visit to the Boxing Club for the final session.
- Gaelic Football – Congrats to the boys and girls on our school senior Gaelic Football team who are playing matches in the Urban North Kerry Leagues. We are very proud of their effort and dedication. Their hard work and true sportsmanship were evident in every training session and match. Many thanks to Mr Moynihan, Mr E O Connor, Mr Smith and Mr B Costello for giving the children the benefit of their time and expertise – the children are very fortunate to have such great coaches looking after them.
Student Council
A Student Council was set up in our school last year by Mr Keith Costello and he has been joined this year by Ms Siobhan Ryle 6th Class teacher. This group has been chosen by the different classes to be their voice in the school. Last year, the Student Council gave some great ideas to us regarding the school playground and, as a result, we were delighted to purchase a large number of games, put new yard markings on the yard and put a climbing wall in the yard. We are already looking forward to hearing what they suggest this year.
Parents Council
We have always had a group of parents, our Parents’ Council, who worked closely with the school to support activities such as 6th class graduation, 1st Communion refreshments in the parish centre, and other busy times such as Christmas and Easter. Unfortunately, during Covid these activities had to be put on hold or adjusted which forced us to limit parent involvement in activities in the school. This group was also a great place for the school to get a sense of parents’ views on different school-related matters. It was never seen, or used, as a source for fundraising – it simply wasn’t their responsibility. Any raffles, quizzes etc. run by the Parents’ Council were only ever to fund activities run by the Parents Council. If you are interested in getting involved can you please give your details to the School secretary and I will organise a meeting in the very near future to meet with those of you who are willing to come forward and help out.
Dates to Remember
Friday 21st October:- School Closed for Staff Training Day
Monday 31st Oct – Friday 4th November:– School Closed for Mid-Term Break
