October Newsletter

Maths Week

A huge congratulations to all the pupils for their success in the Maths Week 2014 Target Board competitions. The junior room came in 7th place in Ireland while the senior room came in 2nd place! The pupils displayed great determination all week and we are very proud of their maths ability!

Parent/Teacher communication

Parent Teacher meeting will take place during the first week of December.

Mid-Term Break

School closes @ 3pm this Friday for Mid-Term Break.

Blue Star Programme

All pupils will participate in the Blue Star Programme in 2014-15. It is an initiative that aims to foster better knowledge and understanding of the EU and how it affects our lives, through classroom projects and activities. The goal of the programme is to foster a strong sense of citizenship and leadership among participants that goes far beyond the school walls of Rahara NS! As part of the project we have invited MEP, Luke “Ming” Flanagan to visit our school to learn about “a day in the life of an MEP”. Mr Flanagan hopes to visit in November, in between his visits to Brussels!

Junior Entrepreneur Progaramme

The senior pupils will participate in the JEP over a 10 week period Jan – March ’15. Pupils will use their creativity to come up with individual business ideas. They come together as a class to choose one idea and then work to turn this idea into reality over 10 weeks.

Policies

The following policies have been reviewed by the BOM and are available to view on our website:

-Child Protection

-Anti-bullying

-Parent/Teacher communication.

The following new policies have been ratified by the BOM and are available to view on the websie:

-SEN (Special Educational Needs)

-Assessment & Record Keeping

Our whole school Music Plan was ratified by the BOM. This plan is available to view in the school office.

Aistear

Mrs McGowan is currently collecting any resources you may have in connection with the theme “Doctors” e.g. blankets, dolls, uniforms, old phones, toy ambulance, doctor sets, etc. Aistear uses different types of play to support children’s learning across the curriculum.

 Christmas Annuals

If you wish to order a Christmas annual for your child please return €2 to school on/before this Friday 24th October.

Swimming

Swimming resumes for all pupils on Wednesday 5th November between 11-12. Parents, if available, are welcome to come to the pool to assist with drying and dressing their child/children. . Staff may assist with drying and changing in exceptional circumstances (e.g. if a child is distressed or becomes ill). Staff dressing/drying pupils in these circumstances must ensure they have another member of staff or another pupil present in these circumstances. Staff will report the drying/ changing to the child’s parents at the first possible opportunity.

Cost of swimming is to be confirmed and parents will be notified as soon as it is available.

BOM

The BOM reiterates that it’s staff cannot accept pupils before 9:20am

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Cash For Clobber

Please return any old clothing, shoes, household textiles and handbags (no duvets or pillows) We hope to exchange the above for cash and be in with a chance to win a €1500 prize. This is a great way to fundraise for our school whilst raising awareness of textile recycling amongst children. “Clobber” may be placed in black bin liners. Our collection date is this Friday 24th October.

Dress up for GOAL

Pupils may dress up this Friday in their Halloween costumes. Please give a donation to GOAL, who are working to help Ebola victims in Serra Leone and Liberia.