Scoil Mhuire na mBráithre – C.B.S. Primary Tralee
Newsletter – Nuachtlitir
November /December
Dear Parents,
It’s nearly December already – can you believe it!! The number of “sleeps” left to the big day is getting smaller and smaller. The boys and girls will be on their very best behaviour over the next few weeks because Mr. Smith could be getting a phone call from the North Pole to see if they’ve all been good!
Over the next few weeks, our school will be filled with festive decorations, our beautiful Crib will be on display and preparations for the Christmas concerts have already begun – this has always been a highlight of our school year and we look forward to seeing you all there!
Brendan Smith
Principal
New pupils for September 2024
Many thanks to all of you who have sent in your application forms for next year’s Junior Infants. Please remember, if you / your friends / neighbours / cousins are sending a child, or children, to us next September, forms are available right now from the secretary’s office. The Board of Management will be in touch with parents in January regarding their child’s place for next September.
November – a month for remembering
Each year we come together in our school, in our own special way, one day in November to remember those who are no longer with us. The idea is to help us to keep these people alive in our thoughts and to help us to be able to smile as we remember them. This year our special day took place on Monday 27th November. We lit candles, listened to a story and took some time to remember in a special way family member’s, friends and relatives who are no longer with us.
School Attendance
Since September we have been emphasising to parents and their children the importance of being in school every day. If your child is in school every day, they have a much better chance of reaching their potential.
As part of our school campaign to reward children for good attendance, each child is entered in a raffle for prizes when they complete a full week in school. If they have 4 full weeks attendance, they will have 4 tickets in the raffle. We have already had a raffle for September and October and the children were very happy with their prizes. The November raffle will take place very soon.
We ask that you, the Parents, work with us on promoting good attendance with your child at home and, by sending in notes when children are absent. Thank you for your support so far this year – there is a definite improvement in attendance figures already.
Split the Bucket Draw-Fundraiser
Our Parent’s Council have been extremely busy, and with the consultation of CBS Primary staff they decided on a “Split the Bucket” fundraising draw. The first draw took place on 17th November Live on Facebook from Mr. O’Connor’s classroom, and due to phenomenal demand another 3 draws will take place over the coming weeks (Friday 1st Dec, Thursday 7th Dec and Friday 15th Dec) Thank you for all your fantastic support and this has really added to the excitement amongst the whole school community.
Christmas Concert
We will have our Christmas concerts in the school hall, taking place on Tuesday 19th AND Wednesday 20th December beginning at 12.00 p.m. each day. The priority for our concert, as always, will be to give every child, where possible, in the school an opportunity to be “on stage”. All classes will perform in the concert both days. Our staff will be working very hard with the boys and girls over the next few weeks to have everything ready for a great show again this year!
Entry to the concert will cost €2 each for adults (children are free) – this money will be collected at the door on the way in. The usual raffle will also take place – many thanks to those of you who donated prizes. So, if you need help to get into the festive spirit, come along to the concert – you will not be disappointed !!
In order to assist parents, who are getting time off work to see the concert, we will give you a rough guide to the concert timetable the week before the concerts.
DEIS – Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools
Our school is very fortunate to be included in this Government-funded programme for schools. As a consequence, we have been able to provide lunches for all of the children, every day. However, due to the Christmas concerts taking place in the hall, our school kitchen staff will be providing made-to order sandwiches in the last week of school leading to Christmas. Teachers will be taking orders from the children over the next while in order that every child will receive a lunch.
In the last few weeks, we have also been able to put in place music lessons for every child every Friday, basketball coaching after school and we have other various activities lined up for after Christmas.
All of these additions, and much more, help to make the children’s learning experience a very positive one here in our school. Our Priorities this year will focus on improving attendance and Literacy.
New Modular Building!!
We have a very exciting few months ahead as work is due to begin very early in the new year on our new modular building. Many of you might have read before the summer holidays that the Department of Education granted funding to our school for a number of additional rooms. Over the coming months, you may see evidence of this work starting and we eagerly await the day in which the school community can avail of the new facilities!!
CBS Facebook Page
Again, this year Siobhan Ryle (teacher) has agreed to look after our school Facebook page. She and her helpers have been very busy since September keeping everyone up to date with lots of interesting activities that take place in our school. To ensure you don’t miss anything, I am reminded to ask you, your family and friends to “Like” our page. We hope you enjoy all our wonderful news!
Christmas Annuals
Again, this year we have two different annuals – one published by Folens and one by Educate.ie.
Both publishers have produced 4 different annuals (Jun Sen Infants, 1st/2nd, 3rd/4th and 5th/6th) and they can be bought from the office for €2.80 (Folens) and €2.50 (Educate.ie)
Christmas / Winter Jumper Day
On every Friday in December, all of our school staff and children can wear their Christmas Jumpers – this will help everybody get into the festive spirit.
Christmas Carol Singing!!
Our school choir will be performing Christmas Carols and spreading Christmas cheer on Friday 8th December in the Island of Geese from 5:30-6pm. Please feel free to attend and join in!!
Oh! You Better Watch Out
Every Year, our Parents’ Council work very hard to organise a visit from a person who is very busy this time of year. Last year he made a special visit to the classes via Microsoft Teams. We never know until the last minute whether he can make it or not. Fingers crossed everybody!
Letters to Santa
Our Infant classes are very busy getting their special CBS letters to Santa. In years gone by, the boys and girls have posted their letters in the Post Office and also in the post box outside Tralee Credit Union. The older boys and girls usually act as Buddies on the day. The teachers will be in touch to give you more details in the next few days. As always, a huge word of thanks goes to our very friendly postman Dave Scanlon who will make sure the letters are delivered to Santa on time.
Sometimes, because the girls and boys are so good, Santa even writes back !! This is also a very exciting day in our school – so … girls and boys – let’s be on our best behaviour in school and at home for the next few weeks!
Come, come, come to the Manger
We will have a beautiful crib in our school again this year. In keeping with the custom in our school, the Baby Jesus will be placed in the Manger by youngest child in the school will on the last day of school before the holidays– a short carol service will follow. In the midst of all the hype surrounding this time of year, this is a very special little moment in our school’s Christmas celebrations. If you get a chance, let your child bring you to the manger.
Dates to Remember
School Closed: Friday 8th December
Christmas Concert: Tuesday 19th and Wednesday 20th December starting at 12:00
Christmas Holidays: School closes on Friday 22nd December at 12.00
School reopens on Monday 8th January at 08:45
