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 Coleman will 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 is now on display and preparations for the Christmas concerts have already begun – this has always been a highlight of our school year but it’s been a few years since we’ve had a concert for parents in the hall. We look forward to seeing you all there.
Denis Coleman
Principal
New pupils for September 2023
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 will take place on Tuesday 30th November. We will light candles, listen to a story and remember in a special way family members, 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. We also had a special ‘Pizza Party’ for the classes that are doing very well.
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.
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.
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.
Christmas Concert
This year, for the first time, in a number of years, we will have our Christmas concerts in the school hall. The concerts will take place on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th 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, except for Junior Infants – they will only perform on Friday 16th. 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
Since September, our school is very fortunate to be included in this Government-funded programme for schools. As a consequence, we have appointed a number of extra teachers to support the children, we have appointed Ms Deirdre McDermott as a Home school Community Liaison Teacher, to support the parents, and we have been able to provide hot lunches for all of the children, every day. 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 6 weeks of Gymnastics for Junior Infants up to 2nd Class – the Gymnastics lessons will be provided for 3rd – 6th in the Spring.
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
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 Education.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 €2.20 (Educate.ie) – €5 for both.
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.
Oh! You Better Watch Out
Every Year, our Parents’ Association 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 : Thursday 8th December
Christmas Concert: Thursday 15th Friday 16th at 12.00
Christmas Holidays: School closes on Wednesday 21st Dec at 12.00
School reopens on Thursday 5th January at 8.45 a.m.
