SEPTEMBER
2004 NEWSLETTER
Welcome back to school and a special
welcome to all the new children
( and parents) starting St.Mary’s
for the first time. We hope they
all enjoy their time here. With
every summer there are changes and
unfortunately this year we are all
saddened with the sudden passing
of Mrs Donnan. A lady who has been
associated with St. Mary's PS for
over 30 years. The school will certainly
seem strange without her. We shall
have a special service to celebrate
the life of Mrs Donnan later on
in the autumn.
A special thanks
to Mrs. Beeks for having the school
looking so well for everyone coming
back and a thank you to every parent
who ensured that their children
looked really smart on Wednesday
morning.
Best wishes for
the year ahead and thank you for
your anticipated support.
REMINDERS:
School is intended to be
a happy and secure place for a child
to be educated in. The following
should encourage this:
We operate an “open
door” policy. However, any parent
wishing to speak to a member of
staff about a serious issue should
do so by appointment.If a pupil
is absent or ill a letter/phone
call is required from a parent or
guardian.
The school has
a discipline policy. This policy
expresses the responsibilities imposed
on pupils. parents and staff for
good discipline and safety in and
around the school. A system of rewards
and sanctions is in place to help
make this policy work.
Good manners is
expected and LISTENING is essential.
A summary of the
policy will be sent out later.
HEALTH
WEEK:
Last year St Mary’s won
an award as a Health Promoting school.
As part of this project we shall
be participating in a Health Week
beginning Monday 13th September.
A number of professionals shall
visit the school to talk to parents,
staff and children. In addition
the children will be involved in
a range of health related activities.
A detailed letter shall be sent
out later in the week. Your support
in the promotion and full participation
of this event would be appreciated.
College of FE shall be organising
maths and English courses using
ICT. There will be an information
session on Tuesday 7th in the school
from 1.45-3pm. The courses are free
and open to all adults(Details in
letter altready sent out).
WATER:
Educational research has
shown that easy access to water
aids concentration and learning
whilst in a classroom. Following
a trial run last term we are encouraging
children to bring in bottlles of
water to class. Research has shown
that tap water is excellent and
that the water should be in non
spill bottles i.e. bottles with
the pull up top. We can label the
bottles in school and they can be
filled up at home each evening.
Keeping them in the fridge overnight
also helps.
NEW PUPILS:
A special welcome to the
following P1 and Reception who have
joined St. Mary’s:
Caitlyn, Caitlin, Kerri, Nicole,
Lauren, Naoise, James, Ronan, Nathan,
Niamh, Jamie, Padraig, Sophie, Chloe,
Cora, Jordan, Daniel and Jonathan
HEALTHY
EATING:
Healthy Eating Breaktimes
take place on Tuesday’s, Wednesday’s
and Thursday’s. On these days children
are only allowed fruit for breaktimes.
Fruit is usually on sale in the
kitchen at breaktime. Thank you
for your support.
CONGRATULATIONS:
Well done to Glasdrumman
Pipe Band on their magnificent achievement
in the recent championships .
RECORDERS:
Children in P4-P7 need
recorders, They can be purchased
for £3.As always P4 will be
given one.
UNIFORM:
If anyone wishes to order
any extra items please make an order
before the end of this week.
There are school bags (£5)
and book bags (£2) still available.
SWIMMING:
Swimming begins on Thursday
morning for P4/P5 in Kilkeel .
Swimming costs £1.
The lessons will continue for 13
weeks.
Please make sure the children have
the correct costume and towel.
The children will not require any
other money.
CLUBS:
Afterschool clubs will
begin on Monday 13th September for
P4-P7children. Netball and Football
will run on alternative Mondays
starting with football. Orchestra
will be on Wednesdays. There will
also be Netball ,Football and other
activities taking place on Friday
afternoons during school time.
START OF YEAR MASS :
Mass will take place in
the school on Wednesday 8th September
at 11:30 am. Everyone is welcome.
FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL SOCIAL NIGHT:
A reminder that the first social
night organised for the year will
take place in The Halfway House
on the 5th November.The Annual Raffle
will also take place that night.
As this is one of the main fund
raisers for the year we hope that
there will be a good attendance.
Raffle tickets shall be issued to
the children shortly. More details
to follow.
PHOTOGRAPHER:
The school photographer
will be in the school on Friday
17th September.If any families wish
to have their pre school aged children
photographed with their brothers/sisters
please come to the school around
9am. Please make sure that your
child/children is wearing their
full uniform.
Thank you.
GUITAR
LESSONS:
P5-P7 children have the
opportunity of learning the guitar
this year. Further information shall
be sent out next week.
HOMEWORK
DIARY:
P4-P7 have homework diaries.
Please encourage your children to
use these. Please feel free to use
them for messages.
TERM DATES:
.
The school will be closed
on Monday 27th September.
Mid term break is on Friday 29th
October and Monday1st November
A school brochure will be sent out
shortly to each family.
Best wishes for
the year ahead
M Madine
