Newsletter September 2015

Senior Room

Reading packs

Pupils will receive an English graded reading pack and 2or3 Irish readers, fortnightly. These should be read at home, as paired reading with an adult. Pupils must complete a Book Review from one of the English books every fortnight.

 Please return any reading packs that may be at home, as there are still a number missing.

School Self Evaluation

 Numeracy:

The staff of Rahara NS analysed the 2015 standardised Maths tests for 1-6th classes and compared these to the test results for 2014. The results showed and average improvement of 9% in the pupil’s problem solving scores. This is a fantastic achievement and we are very proud of our pupils. We will continue to target problem solving in numeracy this year. Pupils from 1st – 6th will have weekly problem solving homework cards. We promote the use of collaboration at home to discuss Maths.

Furthermore, the pupils will engage in problem solving through Maths games each Monday from 2-3pm. We hope this will improve the pupil’s attitude to Maths in Rahara NS.

Staff

Ms O’Reilly will undertake a part-time Post Graduate Diploma in Special Education Needs this year. She will attend lectures in NUIG from 10th – 23rd September. Ms Haley Irwin will cover her leave.

 Mrs Costello will attend an IPPN Principals Seminar in Dublin this Wednesday 9th September. Ms. Irwin will cover the day.

Absences

We are obliged to inform (Tusla) the statutory Educational Welfare services of the child and family agency, if a child has missed 20 days or more in the school year. If your child cannot attend school please provide the school with a written note outlining the reason for the absence. For further information see www.tusla.ie

Headlice

Please check your child’s hair for headlice. If there is lice present, please treat and comb your child’s hair. If you ever find headlice please inform the staff, asap and we will ask parents to check their child’s hair.

Book Rental Scheme

Please ensure all book rental scheme books are covered to protect the books.

Lunches

We have a strict healthy eating policy in place in Rahara NS. This can be viewed on our website www.rahara.com One small treat is allowed on Fridays only.

Sport

Tennis lessons have resumed on Mondays for September.

Hurling will resume on Tuesdays and Gaelic football on Wednesdays. Please ensure your child wears plain grey/navy/black tracksuit bottoms and runners on sports days. Pupils must wear gumshields during Gaelic training on Wednesdays. (These can be purchased in SportsWorld for under €5.)