Holy Family National School

Newsletter September 2005

   
   
  Welcome back to all our staff and pupils after the summer holidays. As the new school year begins we extend a special céad míle fáilte to the children who are starting school in Junior Infants - at this stage they are all well settled in with their teachers Ms. Murphy and Ms. Keogh - and also to all the other new pupils in various classes.  
   
  School Rules 
  As we start off another year there are a few rules which we ask for your co-operation in implementing.
1) The staff car park is for staff cars only. In the interests of children's safety it is not to be used for dropping off and collecting children.
2) If you have to drop a lunch or book to your child during the day please leave it at reception and it will be delivered to your child with minimum disruption to the class. Parents are not allowed upstairs.
3) School starts at 9.00a.m. When the children are taken in work starts immediately. Please ensure that your child arrives on time. Parents collecting their children from the Infant classes are asked to do so punctually, as the Infant teachers are often required to mind other classes. It is understandable that from time to time a parent will get caught in traffic but persistent lateness is inexcusable and does cause considerable disruption.
4) If the morning is wet please time your child's departure from home so that they arrive in school at 9.00 a.m. If they have to be dropped off earlier encourage them to use the school shelter.
5) Homework is an essential part of school life and has many merits. The following is a rough estimate of the maximum time which your child should spend on his/her assigned homework:
  • 1st Class…........…20 mins.
  • 2nd Class…...........30 mins.
  • 3rd Class…............45mins.
  • 4th Class….....1 hour
  • 5th Class….....1hr. 15 mins.
  • 6th Class….....1hr. 30 mins.

6) Parents who wish to consult teachers outside of the scheduled Parent/Teacher meetings must do so by making an appointment through the Principal. It is not possible for the teacher to give you a fair hearing while he/she has a class to look after. 
   
  School Uniform 
  You are no doubt aware that the proper school uniform is compulsory this year in our school and we would like to thank you as parents for your co-operation in this matter. The navy jumper with crest and grey slacks or the school tracksuit are all acceptable as a school uniform. However we would ask you to ensure that they are wearing tracksuits on the day they have PE, when they are going swimming or if they are playing a match for the school.
We must insist this year that all jumpers, trousers, tracksuit tops and bottoms are properly labeled with the child's name. Labels can be bought in the major stores with your child's name printed and then ironed onto the item of clothing. The name can be written with a marker or even a biro - anything that will identify the pupil's uniform. An enormous amount of time is wasted trying to identify who owns a jumper or tracksuit and it is scandalous the number of uniforms that are left unclaimed around the secretary's office.
We will have a uniform check day on Wednesday September 21st - each uniform and tracksuit will be inspected to see if it is properly labeled.  
   
  School Activities 
 
  • Swimming lessons have started back for 4th, 5th & 6th classes on Monday 26th September in Naas swimming pool. There are 10 sessions between now and Christmas - children in 1st, 2nd and 3rd classes will go swimming after Christmas.
  • Gaelic football for boys…………….Tuesday and Thursday evenings.
  • Gaelic football for girls…………….Wednesday evenings.
  • Gymnastic classes....Thursday evenings: Beginners - 2.45 to 3.40; Advanced - 3.40 to 4.30
  • Modern Dance Class...Tuesday evenings: Infant Classes - 1.45 to 2.30; Senior Classes - 2.45 to 3.45. Enrolments: Tuesday 13th September
  • Irish Dancing Classes………........ details later
  • Tin Whistle classes......................... in school on Fridays. Starting Friday next 16th September.
  • Computer Club…………………… Tuesday evenings: 2.45p.m. - 3.45 p.m. Starting Tuesday September 27th.
 
   
  School Closings 2005 - 2006 
  Mid-term break ............ 31st Oct. - 4th Nov. (1 week) Re-opening Mon. 7th Nov.
Christmas Holidays ...... 22nd December @ 12.00. Re-opening Monday 9th January 2006
Mid-term break ............ 13th to 17th February
Easter Holidays ............. 7th April @12.00. Re-opening Monday 24th April
Summer Holidays .......... 30th June @12.00  
   
  School Attendance 
   
  Under The Education Welfare Act 2000 parents are required by law to ensure that their children attend school regularly and punctually. Last year we drew up a policy to promote good attendance and to inform parents of their responsibilities in order to comply with the above act.

The full policy is available on the school website.  
   
   
     
  Other Newsletters:  April 1997
    October 1997
    March 1998
    April 1999 
    October 1999 
    November 1999 
    November 2000 
    October 2001 
    November 2002 
    October 2003 
    January 2004 
    September 2004 
    March 2005 
       
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