NEWS | Galway Educate Together National School

Welcome to our News Archive for year 08/09

Galway Educate Together News 25th June 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As another busy school year draws to a close I would like to take a moment to thank all the people who make our school the special place it is. The Parents Association for their constant support for the children of the school. Never once have they said no to anything asked of them. Tree planting, fundraising, the Fifth Class cycling safety, the school garden and Book Fair are only a few examples of the way they helped out in the school this year. From a personal point of view I think the greatest support comes in the interest and enthusiasm they actively show, providing a broad range of educational experiences and opportunities for our children. Next year it would be great to see more parents getting involved and giving some of their time to develop our school community.

The Board of Management continues to put in a huge amount of work behind the scenes. Developing school policies, managing the finances, employing teachers and other staff, educating themselves on relevant legislation and planning for the future of the school are only a few of the onerous tasks these volunteers take on on your behalf. A big part of next year’s plan is to allow the school community to see more of the work of the Board through more communication and consultation. I am also hoping we can reduce the length of meetings to less than 3 hours!

I would also like to thank the staff of the school for all their hard work, dedication and professionalism. I feel very privileged each day coming to work with such a fantastic group of people. The sense of working as a team is strong. Colleagues helping and encouraging one another, supporting each other on the tough days, exchanging new ideas and good practice is all the normal daily routine here. All of our teachers and classroom assistants strive to put the needs of the children first and work extremely hard to ensure they get the best start, both academically and personally, to their school lives. Well done and thank you to you all.

A big thank-you to our school secretary, Ester. She has done a super job in her first year. It was no easy task replacing the much-loved Clare but she has handled it with great sureness, good humour and grace. Thanks also to our cleaners, Caitriona and Josephine and also Caroline who assists bringing some of our children to school.

I would also like to pay tribute and say thanks to all the other people who help out in a myriad of other ways. From listening to children read, assisting with art lessons, coaching soccer, using their private businesses to raise money for the school, helping in the office, minding the garden and the bird-feeders, painting murals and much, much more these quiet heroes teach by example the ideals of selflessness, dedication and giving for the greater good to us all. I cannot name them all but we owe you all a debt of gratitude.

Finally, I wish to say thanks to the children. Somedays school ain’t easy! Sums are too hard, there’s too much homework, learning letter sounds is worse than having a tooth pulled, our friends don’t act like friends and the principal is grumpy! Yet every morning I see smiles and laughter, helping hands and kind words. I see a face light up with joy when suddenly they “get it”. Learning is at the centre of all school life and our children are living it to the full.

Have a great Summer and I look forward to seeing you all safe and sound for another super year in September.

John.

While circumstances may change over the summer, the proposed teaching arrangements for next year are:

Teachers Educational Support
JI – Eimear Costello Deirbhile Ní Scolaí
SI – Linda Howley Noelle Hunt
1st Class – Petrina Kearney Krista Olson
2nd Class – Sinéad Ní Bhradaigh Martina Johnston
3rd Class – Fiona Napthine
4th Class – Sara Falvey Language Support
5th Class – Barry McGuire Sinéad Carroll
6th Class – Marina Hughes Orlaith McCabe

Educational Support
Deirbhile Ní Scolaí
Noelle Hunt
Krista Olson
Martina Johnston

Language Support
Sinéad Carroll
Orlaith McCabe

Our STARS of the week:
JI – Felix O’Neill & Omar Hamman
Last week: Kevin Karundu
SI – Oisin Takaza & Ava McCleane
Last week: Brian Chege
1st – Bella Bredican
Last week: Shivon Karundu
2nd – Last week: Seamus Dewar
Seomra Shona – Last week: Liam Haynes
3rd – Mitsuko Logean
Last week: Mojan Petrovic
4th – Last week: Dawid Hydzik
5th – Jack McGuinness
Last week: Heather Ellis
6th – Lena Wimmer & Nicola Gates
Last week: Eadaoin Foden Mia Camillini

Family Meitheal Day – Sat 27th of June at 12 noon
This is a day we can all get together to tidy up our wonderful school. Bring gloves, paintbrushes, sweeping brushes, etc. There will be mural painting and garden jobs to be done, too. Hope to see you all there. P.S. Don’t forget your sandwiches!!

Graduation Day – 6th Class
Remember the 24th of June, organised by the PTA.

Talent Show
“GETS GOT TALENT” has arrived. Don’t miss out: BE THERE!!
Tonight at 7 – 9pm. We are going to have a FUN evening!

Be careful.
Enjoy your summer!
Looking forward to see you after the summer holidays.

Galway Educate Together News 11th June 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

GETS GOT TALENT ???
It’s happening on the 23rd of June from 7- 9pm. Sign up on the Parents’ board for your star turn: parents and children can both star and are welcome to perform! We will be inviting Junior and Senior Infants to come and sing their class songs, as well as the junior and senior choirs to sing their songs. Hot dogs and refreshments will be available for sale at half time. A raffle will be held at the night, so please donate prizes into the office. We will also need help in the kitchen, please.

SPORTS DAY
This event will take place next Thursday, June the18th, from 9am to 1pm. Parents can drop their children off – and collect them again – at Dangan Sports Grounds. Parents are needed to help at stations and give out fruit and water. Please sign up on the notice board outside the office or turn up on the day. Come and enjoy this energetic day with us!

GRADUATION DAY
Just to let parents of our 6th Class children know that graduation day will be on the 24th of June. Please put it on your calendar.

New Library System
We are planning to get started on the new library system in the last week of June, before the school closes. Please leave your calendar open to come and help during the school day. More information will follow (next newsletter). We would appreciate it if you could give your names in to the office, so that we can get an idea of how many people will be available to help, and plan accordingly.

Cash for Clobber Monday 22nd June
Cash for Clobber is a nationwide clothing and textiles recycling scheme. It encourages children, parents and teachers to recycle and in doing so raise funds for our school. A big THANK YOU to everyone who brought in bags of unwanted clothing for our last Cash for Clobber scheme. We have another collection on Monday the 22nd of June. Items which can be recycled, include; bags & shoes (tied pairs), hats & belts, towels & curtains, bed linen, and general clothing. . Please check your child's schoolbag for Cash for Clobber bags. Additional black bags can also be handed in. This scheme raises valuable revenue for the school and we appreciate your support. Bags can be left at the office as soon as you have them filled.

School reports will be posted out to parents on the 18th of June. Please ensure that we have your correct contact details.

Our STARS this week: Sprint away!!
JI – Kai Logean
SI – Amber Cavanagh
1st – Sahas Thyarala
2nd – Samuel Morcos
3rd – Sean McDonnell
4th – Roberto Prior
5th – Aisling Faulkner
6th – Saoirse McCann, Fern Carreyette, Daróg Smith
Seomra Shona – Grady Milandu

All the lost items will be placed in the foyer from Monday. Please look through it and make sure that you collect any items that belong to you. All items not collected by the last week of school will be given to charity.

Next Thursday, on Sports Day the 18th of June, Mary-Ann will have a bag-packing day at Dunnes Stores in Knocknacarra (at B & Q). The proceeds will go to Dochas Nasamu Children’s Home in Kenya where it is much needed. Please contact Mary-Ann at 086-266 8670: she will gratefully accept any help she can get.

Galway Educate Together News 4th June 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Hi!! Come this way! All our children need to return their school library books… as soon as possible. We are going to do a full audit of books and every book will be re-categorised. We urgently need volunteers to help set up the new computerised system. If you can help at any time during a school day, please phone or come in and leave your name with Ester.

Our STARS this week: You’re great!!
JI – Naroa O’Kane
SI – Reuben Street
1st – Naiose Faherty
2nd – next week
3rd – Luka Malesevic
4th – Eddie Madden
5th – Heather Ellis & Zoran Vercevic
6th – Naoise O’Beirn
Seomra Shona – Brandy Milandu

Please attend the parents’ meeting at 9am in the kitchen – Wednesday, the 10th of June. All welcome. Help is needed for Sports Day and the talent night. We also need to plan the end-of-year social. Please come along.

Tea towels (Junior & Senior) are now in the children’s classes at the bargain price of €4 each! There is one for each child in the classroom. Please buy at least one as the children have worked hard drawing their self-portraits, beautiful works of art!! We have lots to sell, so buy them for presents as well or buy them as a keepsake of such a great year!

Consent Forms - Dental Clinic (2nd – 6th Class)
The dental clinic is visiting the school tomorrow, so please send in your consent form if you want your child to be seen by them.

Talent Show
Don’t forget to practice for our annual talent show, “GETS GOT TALENT”. Date and venue to be announced.

Voluntary Contributions
Attach to this newsletter are envelopes for you again to put in any amount you might be able to contribute towards your child’s education. (If you have paid the full amount, please send the envelope back with “Paid” written on it). Receipts for previous payments have also been given to your child.

Galway Educate Together News 28th May 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Any parents, who haven’t used the bus transport service to the school yet and would like to apply for the next school year, please note:

Get the application forms from me as soon as possible.
Return completed forms to me, or Bus Eireann, before the end of June.
Only pupils who live 3.2 kilometres (2 miles) or more from school are entitled to this service.
For more info, contact the local school transport office at 091-537512 / 537694 or use this link: http://www.citizensinformation.ie (follow the education, primary link until you find the link for school transport).

Parents currently on the school transport list, who will not use this service again, must please let me know. I have amended the existing list: if you have any queries, please feel free to check with me - the sooner, the better.

Thanks,

Ester

Walk on Wednesday
Next Wednesday (3rd June) is WOW-day again, with the two groups departing at 8.30 from the Westwood House Hotel and the Tennis Court at Westside (not the skateboard playground). The children will be wearing high visibility vests and we are asking parents to come and set the example!

Our STARS this week: You’re sailing through!!
JI – Oscar Brehony
SI – Fiona Voisin
1st – Rory McCleane
2nd – Nanako Logean
3rd – Oisin Fleming
4th – Abaigh Donohue
5th – Laragh Taylor
6th – Evelyn Burke, Saidhbh Comerford, Dragos Savacenco
Seomra Shona – Mihailo Kovacevic

Fiddle and Tin Whistle Afterschool Classes
We will celebrate the achievements of our budding fiddle and tin whistle artists with an end of year concert on June 12 at 6pm (room tbc). All are welcome! Leading up to the concert there is a dress rehearsal in the library on Friday between 2.30 and 4pm. Please make sure that your child can attend. If you have any problems with these times/dates please let me know asap. Anna 0866095313

THANK YOU to everyone who took part in the Peace Pole ceremony and who took time out to come along. We enjoyed the ceremony as well as the lovely singing.

School Closure
May 29th & Mon, June 1st – extended Bank Holiday Weekend

Wednesday, 3rd June – staff meeting, school closes at 12 noon

Consent Forms - Dental Clinic
We haven’t received all the completed consent forms from parents of 2nd – 6th Classes yet. It should be in by next Thursday, please. Thanks to 5th Class whose forms have been returned promptly.

Talent Show
Don’t forget to practice for our annual talent show, “GETS GOT TALENT”. Details about the date and venue will be announced later. Give “Britain’s Got Talent” a run for their money!!

Galway Educate Together News 21st May 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Next Tuesday (May 26th) Ringu Tulku Rinpoche, a Tibetan Buddhist Master, will be visiting our school. His visit coincides with the planting of a Peace Pole and we feel very privileged that he has taken the time to be part of this event. The Peace Pole Project is a project that acts as a silent prayer and message for peace on earth. We would love to see as many parents, grandparents and friends of the school here at approximately 1 o’clock for the short ceremony.

The HSE is currently compiling a list of names and addresses of 1st, 3rd and 5th Class pupils in order to facilitate school visits next year for the medical doctor. It is a service provided to the benefit of your children. If you do not wish for us to supply this information, please let us know by next Monday latest.

Our STARS this week:
JI – Rhian O’Callaghan
SI – Luke McManus
1st – Maria Fiona Ngani
2nd – Ailbhe Archer
3rd – Dragan Calic
4th – Jenny Cunningham
5th – Jake Van Leynseele
6th – Sohpie Kinirons & Alex Silke
Seomra Shona – James O’Connor

School Closure
Fri, May 29th & Mon June 1st – extended Bank Holiday Weekend

Book Bank
Please remember that we have a book bank (brown box outside the office) for the collection of all your unwanted, but in suitable condition, children’s books. It’s always welcome and appreciated.

Joint PTA Meeting
Everyone is welcome to the joint meeting at the Huntsman Inn at 8pm tonight. Let’s ‘Educate Together’ (Kilcolgan, Galway & Claregalway) and have a great time!

Consent Forms - Dental Clinic
Last week 2nd – 6th Classes have received consent forms regarding the visit from the dental department of the HSE. Please don’t forget to return the completed forms as soon as possible.

Galway Educate Together News 14th May 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Every year the dental nurse from the Western Health Board visits our school to examine the children’s teeth. It is a valued and free service to all families in the school. The nurse is visiting our school on Friday, the 5th of June and will examine the teeth of children from 2nd – 6th Classes. Please look in your children’s bags for forms (regarding this visit) to be completed and returned as soon as possible

May peace prevail on Earth
Learn a Maori song for peace to be sung at the unveiling of the “Peace Pole”. You are invited to come to the library on the 20th of May (Wednesday) from 10 – 12am, when Anet Moore will lead you into glorious harmony. All welcome.

Help to keep Galway Bay beautiful and join us for The Big Bay Beach Clean! From May 15th –17th teams will be working to clean up litter from 8 different beaches running the length of the bay from Renmore to Silver Strand. GETNS is the official school assigned to work with Galway Atlantaquaria and the Environmental Change Institute at NUI Galway to clean up the Salthill beaches on MAY 17th. Bring your friends and family and meet at Galway Atlantaquaria at 3 pm on Sunday May 17th. All equipment (litter picker-uppers, bin bags, gloves) will be supplied. Come prepared to do a bit of work-you can make a big difference! Please note that all participating students must be accompanied by a supervising adult – good excuse to put ma & pa to work! For more information speak to any member of your Green Schools Committee or contact Sarah Knight on 495061.

All parents are welcome to the joint meeting at the Huntsman Inn at 8pm next Thursday, the 21st of May - with parents from Galway, Kilcolgan and Claregalway Educate Together schools - to plan a summer social event for the 3 schools together. Please come!

Remember our bake sale tomorrow, the 15th of May. This will also be a Crazy Hair and Hat Day - entrance fee €1. The proceeds of this day will be used for cycling training for our 5th Class pupils. Raffle and spot prizes are needed. Chocolate apples, cup cakes, buns, etc. can be brought to the kitchen before 10am. Thanks for your support.

Our STARS this week: We are proud of you!!
JI – Omar Hammam
SI – Kara McCleane
1st – Tom McGuinness
2nd – Bianca Sloane
3rd – Johnny McMahon
4th – Lorcan O Mordha
5th – Emma Steiner
6th – Fern Carrayette & Aoife Picque
Last week: Aisling McGuigan
Seomra Shona – Grady Milandu

Galway Educate Together News 7th May 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The annual standardised testing of children will take place in 1st to 6th Classes on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays over the next 3 weeks. These tests are important in so far as they help us track a child’s performance from year to year. They are also required in order to allocate learning support resources as outlined by the Department of Education. We would ask that you make every effort to have your child at school on these days. The results of the testing will be included on your child’s end of year report. Thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Communion Congratulations to all those children making their First Holy Communion on Saturday at 12 noon in Galway Cathedral. We hope they have a lovely day.

Walk on Wednesday The second WOW-day went ahead with great results. Well done to all who took part. We have to make a rota of all those parents able to walk if we are to continue next year. Please leave your name in the office if you can do this.

School visit – Minister Trevor Sargent, the Green Party minister, is visiting our school on Monday and he will have a look at our organic garden.

Bake Sale:
Get ready for our bake sale on Fri, the 15th of May. This will also be a Crazy Hair and Hat Day - entrance fee €1. The proceeds of this day will be used for cycling training for our 5th Class pupils. Raffle and spot prizes are needed. Please support us by bringing in (to the kitchen) chocolate apples, cup cakes, buns, etc.

This Friday and Saturday (8th & 9th of May) will be a bag-packing day at Dunnes Stores, Westside. The proceeds will go to Dochas Nasamu Children’s Home in Kenya where it is much needed. There is a list on the Parent’s Notice Board on which you can write down your name and telephone number if you can help. Mary-Ann will contact you about the time schedules. Your support is highly appreciated.

Our STARS this week: You’re great!!
JI – Oran McDonnell
SI – Kadiatou Ba
1st – Ameerah Neche
2nd – Oisin Sammon
3rd – Mitsuko Logean
4th – Veronika Simova
5th – Tom Mucha
6th – Ronan O’Flaherty
Seomra Shona – Mihailo Kovacevic

Galway Educate Together News 30th April 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Swimming Committee desperately needs another parent to supervise the swimming bus. All that's involved is taking a roll call and ensuring good behaviour on the short journey to Leisureland. Even someone that can offer to occasionally cover the bus would be an enormous help. Please ring Allan on 0877599249 for details.

Our World Week STARS:
JI – Brady Kondjo
JI – last week: Michael Hydzik
SI – Oisin Takaza
SI – last week: Swiss Ediagbonya
1st – Martha McBrierty
1st – last week: Eva Zekaite
2nd – Cian McCann
3rd – Milla Gordon
4th – Séamus O’Brien
5th – Betty Wright
5th – Last week: Calvin Kelly
6th – Shane Muchai & Aisling McGuigan
Seomra Shona – Liam Haynes
You’re world class!!

Voluntary Contributions
Envelopes regarding the voluntary contributions are going out again today. If you still receive an envelope and you’ve made the full payment, just write “Paid” on the envelope and return it to the office, please. We have received less than half of our pupil’s contributions so far, which makes it very challenging to keep up the quality of education that your children are used to. As we are nearing the end of the school year, we want to encourage you to pay your contribution if
you can.

Walk on Wednesday
6th of May. See information attached.

Parent Teacher Association Meeting next meeting - 6th of May at 9.15am.

School Closures
The school will be closed on Monday, 4th May – bank holiday
The school closes at 12 noon on Wednesday, 6th May – staff meeting

This week is One World Week at our school.
Don’t forget that tomorrow is International Day. The art, craft and food fair will take place in the hall
from 10am – 12:30 pm.
All Welcome to attend.
“ One World … Our School … Let’s Celebrate!”

Galway Educate Together News 23rd April 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The school has been informed that some children have received inappropriate material through their online MSN accounts. You should check that your child’s accounts has not been affected

The school community would like to express their condolences to our learning support teacher, Jacqlyn, on the death of her father during the holidays.

You have been given the photos done by County Photos. Please return all the plastic pockets handed out (even if you haven’t ordered photos) by next Wednesday, because they are collecting it early on Thursday. If you have any queries regarding these photos, please contact County Photos directly at info@countyphotos.net or 071-9633263.

Swimming starts today again. Please settle with Winkie at the pool asap. Thanks.

Reminder: the brown book bank box in the hall welcomes all your children’s second hand unwanted books. These books are always welcome and will be put to good use.

Call for recipies.
We want to make a cookbook for the school which will include pictures from the school calendar. We would like your favourite family recipes and a little background story (if you have one) to feature in this book. Please write it down on a page of A4 paper and give it in to the office.

Talent Show
We hope to hold our 4th annual evening talent show, called “GETS GOT TALENT”, in May. Details will be announced later.
Students and parents: start practising your party piece for this extravaganza!!
Calendars & Tea Towels
Calendars ( 8) and tea towels (6) are available in the office. Please make sure you have one. They will also be on sale next Friday on International Day.

Walk on Wednesday
This will be on again on Wednesday, 6th of May. Parents and children will be meeting no later than 8.30am at the Westside playground and the Westwood Hotel’s car park. Well done on last month’s walk, we had a lovely picture of it in the City Tribune.
Tea/coffee and biscuits in the kitchen after the Walk on Wednesday sounds good, doesn’t it?

Parent Teacher Association Meetings
We will have our next meeting on the 6th of May at 9.15am.
An evening PTA-meeting will be held on the 20th of May in the Huntsman Inn at 8pm where we hope to meet up with the PTAs from Kilcolgan and Claregalway ETs to plan a joint social evening in June, celebrating the summer and raising funds for the three schools.

Congratulations to Martina (teacher) who gave birth to a healthy baby boy during the week!!

Galway Educate Together
One World Week
26th April-1st May 2009

Well it’s that time of year again!!!

Next week we are celebrating One World Week and we are very grateful to the many parents so far who have offered to come in and help in their child’s class or run a stall in the International Food Fair on Friday!

But it’s not too late to help!!! We are inviting as many parents as possible to come in during the week to share the many wonderful cultures we have within our school.

Here are some suggestions of how you could help:

Set up a food stall at our International Food Fair
Teach your child’s class a song or dance
Read or tell a story in a different language or from another country
(we have a new selection of bilingual books in ours school!!!)
Demonstrate a dance or music
Come in and teach your child’s class how to say hello in a different language
Exhibit arts and crafts or another artifacts
Teach your child’s class to cook a special dish
Share a recipe with us for our One World Cookery Book

If you can come and participate in any of the above activities or if you would just like to come and help us celebrate on Friday between 10am-12.30pm you are more than welcome!!!! You can let us know by contacting Anita or Genevieve in the Language Unit or letting your child’s teacher know as soon as possible.

So please come and help us to celebrate! We look forward to seeing you there!!!

Galway Educate Together News 2nd April 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

After every holiday break we have an outbreak of hair lice in at least one class. A well-proofed preventative measure is to mix a few drops of Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil and Rosemary Oil in your hand, wipe it onto the children’s damp hair after washing it (especially at the edge of the neck, ears and forehead) and comb it through.

Do it every time before your child has contact with a group of children (as in Easter camps, the evening before coming back to school, etc). When used sparingly, it lasts a long time and is well worth the effort. It smells a bit (herbal), but after a night’s sleep, the smell is not as obvious.

If, however, you have the unfortunate occurrence of nits and lice in the hair, put any conditioner onto the hair in the evening, and comb through with a nit comb. Do that for a few evenings: the nits get clogged up in the conditioner and it is easier then to get it out of the hair.

Today is World Autism Awareness Day. The teachers have discussed autism in their classes and we are encouraging parents to do the same at home.

Our STARS for this week: You’re great!
JI – Christopher Onuoha
SI – Ailbhe-Lisa Hanney
1st – Dara Casserley
2nd – Ronan Sarkar
3rd – Luke McInerney
4th – Eva O’Callaghan
5th – Anesi Igunma
5th – Last week: Troy Gawley
6th – Saoirse McCann & Alex Muldowney
Seomra Shona – Mihailo Kovacevic

School Closure
The school will close at 12 noon on Friday - Easter Holidays

Thank you to everyone who was involved in making this term interesting and educational. We appreciate the input from all the teachers, parents, children and different organizations. Hope you will be well rested after the break and ready to roll again! GETNS abú!

Enjoy your easter holiday

The school re-opens at 8.50am on...
Monday, 20th April 2009.

Galway Educate Together News 26th March 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

One World Week

It’s that time of the year again! Building on the success of International Day last year, we are organising “One World Week” commencing Monday 27th April. We have more than 40 countries represented in our school. With this in mind, parents are invited to school to share and celebrate all cultures in our school community. The week will culminate with an International Bazaar on Friday 1st May in the school hall.

We are looking for all available parents (and friends!) to come and set up an International Bazaar in the school hall on Friday 1st May. We need colour, costumes, food, music, arts and crafts from your native country. If you would like to be involved in this wonderful event please inform your child’s class teacher by Wednesday 1st April.

We are also inviting parents to share a native song, dance, story or food recipe with their child’s class during One World Week. Please let your child’s class teacher know if you’re available to do something.

If you have any queries please contact Anita or Genevieve in the Language Unit (across from the Principal’s office).

Please support us in organising this wonderful event.

“One World…Our School…Let’s Celebrate!”

PTA corner

There will be a school garden meeting in the kitchen at 9.15am next Wednesday. Anyone with seeds, herbs or rhubarb crowns: your donations of them would be much appreciated, thanks

Our STARS for this week: You’re great!
JI – Jules Poliautre
SI – Liza Merzhoyeva
1st – Cian Flaherty
2nd – Shayan Chege
3rd – Auryn Purtill
4th – Li Lu Savage
5th – Unavailable
6th – Saidhbh Comerford & Evelyn Burke
Seomra Shona – Brandy Milandu

The school will be open next Monday, as usual. (The strike has been called off).

Walk on Wednesday
Keep an eye on your children’s schoolbag for a note regarding our first Walk On Wednesday (WOW day) next Wednesday, 1st of April.

School Closure
The school will close at 12 noon on:
Wednesday
Staff meeting
Friday
Easter Holiday

Galway Educate Together News 19th March 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thanks to everyone who contributed clothing towards Cash for Clobber. The school received €175. We will be doing this again before the summer break. Please keep it in mind when you spring clean!

Remember that a tea-towel or our calendar with those lovely photos of our children will make a perfect gift for granny on Mother’s Day this coming Sunday!!

Our STARS for this week: You’re brilliant!
JI – Oscar Brehony
SI – Miguel Guerra-Gallagher
1st – Thomas Sloane
2nd – Yasmin O’Reilly
3rd – Aindle O’Beirne
4th – Dawid Hydzik
5th – Eve Murphy
6th – Feargal McCann & Adam Finn-Campbell
Seomra Shona – Grady Milandu

Sean the Bear - who is he....Find out? >>>>> Click here

County Photos
The photos will be taken next Tuesday, the 24th of March. There is no obligation to buy the photos, but the proofs (and more details) will be sent home for you to view.

Walk on Wednesday
Keep an eye on your children’s schoolbag for a note regarding our first Walk On Wednesday (WOW day) on the 1st of April. This is a new initiative as part of our Green Schools Travel project. Participating children will walk to school along two chosen routes, departing at 8.30. The children will be wearing high visibility vests and will be accompanied by adults.

Infectious diseases
A few children have been diagnosed with chickenpox in the school this week. Remember to get a medical certificate from your GP stating that your child is free from infection and safe to return to school.

Do not send your child to school with an infectious illness.

Galway Educate Together News 12th March 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The HSE is currently compiling a list of names and addresses of Junior Infant and 6th Class pupils in order to facilitate school visits for the medical doctor. It is a service provided to the benefit of your children. If you do not wish for us to supply this information, please let us know by next Monday latest.

WOW!
The Green School Committee in conjunction with the Parents’ Association are organising our first Walk On Wednesday (WOW day) on the 1st of April. This is a new initiative as part of our Green Schools Travel project. Participating children will walk to school along two chosen routes, departing at 8.30. The children will be wearing high visibility vests and will be accompanied by adults. We will be sending a letter home with further information, showing the planned routes, etc. So keep an eye on your children’s schoolbag!

Aquatics is a component part of the Physical Education Strand of the Primary School Curriculum. Irish Water Safety has developed a course that incorporates all aspects of the Aquatics Strand – called PAWS (Primary Aquatics Water Safety). This programme was specially tailored for primary school pupils and is exclusive to schools. After completing the PAWS Programme pupils will have the ability to swim, interact with others, and most importantly be responsible around water.

On 19th & 26th March the children who attend GETNS swimming will do their PAWS exam at Leisureland. We would like to encourage all swimmers to attend lessons on these dates.

The children have been prepared for this exam by the swimming instructors at Leisureland and by their Class Teacher.

The PAWS syllabus is available to download online at www.iws.ie

‘Frása na seachtaine’ Beannachtaí na féile Padraig ort!

Our STARS for this week: You’ll go a long way!
JI – Maxsim Podcauro
SI – Timoor Nurzharov
1st – Rowan Dowling
2nd – Ailbhe Archer
3rd – Luka Malesevic
4th – Caoimhe Lillis Greally
5th – Jack McGuinness
6th –Alex Silke & Sophie Kinirons
Seomra Shona – Kai Tiernan

School Closure
We won’t have school on Monday, the 16th of March. The school will be open again on Wednesday, because of St Patrick’s Day on Tuesday.

Infectious diseases
Another child has been diagnosed with mumps in the school this week. Remember to get a medical certificate from your GP stating that your child is free from infection and safe to return to school. Do not send your child to school with an infectious illness.

Blankets - Bird Hide
We have already received one white sheet for the planned bird hide, but we need another two, please. Thanks for being so responsive

Galway Educate Together News 5th March 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Congratulations to Orlaith McGabe, 4th Class teacher, who is getting married on Friday.
May your married life be full of joy and lovely experiences.

5th class updated their webpage with another great issue of Get Real! (opens in new window)

There will be a meeting on the 9th of March at 7.30pm for 6th Class students and parents to discuss this year’s overnight activity tour.

Seachtain na Gaeilge
Next week we are celebrating Irish culture and Language in the school. If you think you can help out in any way, please give your name in at the office. Beidh fáilte romhat!

‘Frása na seachtaine’
(Phrase of the week)
Cén mhí atá ann?
Which month is it?
Mí an Mhárta atá ann.
It is March.

Parents Association webpage (opens in new window)

Calling all Diggers!
The Parent’s Association are planting 6 large flowering Cherry trees on Wednesday, 11th of March, from 10am to 12 noon. We need parents with spades to help! Please come along and help your children plant their trees - bought with money from the pyjama day last year.

School camera appeal
Since the winter fair our school camera couldn’t be found. Does anyone have an extra or unwanted digital camera to donate to the school? It is used for recording your children’s events in the school. Kindly contact the office.

Bird hide
One of our parents is going to build a bird hide for our children, so if you have any old white linen sheets you can spare, he’ll put it to good use. Please bring it to the office, thanks

Our STARS for this week:
Keep your heads high!
JI – Isabella Poskrobko
SI – Kara McClean
1st – Bella Bredican
2nd – Jacklyn Prior
3rd – Amy Sammon
4th – Roberto Prior
5th – Jack Counihan
6th – Dragos Savacenco & Alex Muldowney
Seomra Shona – Mihailo Kovacevic

Parents will receive an envelope for voluntary contributions in the first week of each month. Please contribute as best you can. If you have already paid the full amount, please draw a line through your name on the envelope and send it back to the office, just for this month. (For office-records)

Galway Educate Together News 26th February 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As you will be aware we have had confirmed diagnosis of mumps in the school this week. Our school has a very low level of immunisation and the probability of a widespread infection is very high. In light of this it is imperative that you do not send your child to school with an infectious illness.

If your child has an illness such as measles, mumps, chicken pox or the like I would ask that you get a medical certificate from your GP stating when your child is free from infection and safe to return to school. Thank you for your co-operation in this extremely important matter.

Congratulations to Aisling McGuigan who won a prize for the Anti-Litter Calendar 2009 from the City Council.

Bake Sale Thanks
Thank you for participating in the Bake Sale. The Parent Teacher Association raised €600 – we couldn’t have done it without your involvement.

Activity Week Thanks
It’s official: we have the smartest and most creative parents in the world! Thank you for making Activity Week such a big success. The children thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot.

Our STARS for this week:

You are model-students!

JI – Jade Ormond
SI – Reuben Street
1st – Andjela Calic
2nd – Fionn O’Brolcháin
3rd – Alicia Carreyette
4th – Mairéad Dewar
5th – Heather Ellis
6th – Nicola Gates
Seomra Shona – The whole class!

Raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation by recycling. Bring in your old phones, games, CD’s and DVD’s: 6th Class – Krista. Purple poster on wall in school foyer.

‘Frása na seachtaine’
(Phrase of the week)

Gabh mo leithscéal!
Excuse me!

School Closure
Remember that we are having a staff meeting on Wednesday next week again, which means that the school closes at 12.00 noon.

Cash for Clobber
Please bring your bags in as soon as possible. The closing date is next Monday, but we would prefer to have all the bags in by tomorrow, if possible. Clothing in any condition are welcome.

Book Bank
Don’t forget to drop unused second-hand children’s books into the book bank opposite the office. These books are always welcome.

Junior and Senior Infants updated their pages
23rd Feb. 2009

You can view the Junior Infants class page by Clicking Here

You can view the Senior Infants page by Clicking Here

1st Class and the Langauge Unit updated their pages
15th Feb. 2009

You can view the 1st class page by Clicking Here

You can view the Langauge Unit page by Clicking Here

Galway Educate Together News 12th February 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Goodbye Kai!
Everyone in Seomra Shona would like to say goodbye to Kai Tiernan. Kai is leaving GETNS on Wednesday, the 18th of February. He is moving to Dublin with his mum. We will miss you very much! Good luck in your new school.

Mr Lemo Shira, the Kenyan Deputy Ambassador, is visiting our school tomorrow. We are looking forward to meeting him.

Children’s Knitting and Stitching Course

Starting Tuesday 24th February (after mid-term break)
2.30 – 3.30pm
Age group: 2nd – 6th Classes
12 week course
Price €50 (includes all materials)

Sign up for this course and meet course teacher Michelle on 17th & 18th Feb
(Tue & Wed of Activity Week) in foyer, outside school’s office.

Places are limited.
Payment in full must be paid before course begins.
More info on poster on parent’s notice board.

Our STARS for this week: You’re on the roll!!
JI – Annie Chege
SI – Sofiya Dovgoleva
1st – Eve Tiernan
2nd – Ciarán Anthony
3rd – Sadhbh Lynch
4th – Tommie Butler
5th – Aisling Faulkner
6th – Ronan O’Flaherty & Rory Brown
Seomra Shona – James O’Connor

‘Frása na seachtaine’
(Phrase of the week)

Lá Fhéile Vailintín shona duit!
Happy Valentine!

Activity Week – Next Mon to Wed
We still need toilet roll holders, wool and chop sticks (Chinese-type). Thanks to everyone who already brought these items in, but we need more. See you next week: you won’t believe what you’ve got yourself into!!

2nd, 3rd & 4th Class updated their pages - 10th Feb. 2009

You can view the 2nd class page by Clicking Here

You can view the 3rd class page by Clicking Here

You can view the 4th class page by Clicking Here

Galway Eduucate Together News 5th February 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Board of Management is finalising its plan for financing our school. Read more here....

The school website is being developed and there is now a facility for teachers -to tell you more about what is happening in their classes. John has also begun a blog, which he hopes will give you a better insight into our school community. Check it all out The Principal's Desk

Our STARS for this week: You are shining brightly!!
JI- Fiachra Tuite
SI- Kara McClean
Ist- Jake Russen
2nd- Dennis Onuoha
3rd - Laoise Brennan
4th - Louise Mucha
5th - Robert Flynn
6th - Dylan Hall & Eadaion Foden
Seomra Shona - Brandy Milandu

'FrAsa na seachtalne'
(Phrase of the week)

Tabhair dom
Can I have

le do thail?
please?

Bake Sale - Thu
Remember the bake sale next Thu, 12th Feb, from 11 am to 1.30pm. It's just the right time to buy something for the weekend!

Lost & Found
All lost materials (mostly clothes) will be given to charity next week. Please make sure that you look there before Wednesday if your child lost something.

Calendars & Voluntary Contributions
Attached to the newsletter is an envelope to put €8 in for the calendar you received last week. (If not purchased, please send the calendar back to school). We hope that every family will purchase at least one calendar. You can also put your voluntary contribution into this envelope -just mark it separately, please. Thank you for your cooperation: in the end every cent is used for quality education for your child.

6th Class updated their page - 2nd February 2009

You can view the 6th class page by Clicking Here

Galway Educate Together- News 29th January 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Accompanying the newsletter is a calendar. We hope that every family will purchase at least one calendar. (If you do not want it, please send it back soonest.) How can you resist those gorgeous faces, especially staged for you?!

Just added to the website an online Word Search Puzzle (Click Here) - see how well you can do...

Cash for Clobber Scheme
As part of our Green Schools activities, our school will be participating in the Cash for Clobber Scheme. Cash for Clobber is a nationwide scheme, which raises funds for schools by encouraging recycling. All clothing and textiles are recycled locally in Ireland. The scheme is organised by Cookstown Textile Recyclers, which is licensed by the Environment and Heritage Service to collect, process and store textiles.

Materials (which can be collected) include:

All types of clothing
Bags & shoes
Hats & belts
Towels & curtains
Bed linen

The children will be given a tag to bring home on the 23"1 of Feb and the filled bag should be returned by Monday 2nd of March.

Our STARS for this week: You deserve a crown!!

JI- Felix O'Neil
SI - Kosta Ognjenovic
1st- RoryMcCleane
2nd- AlexO'Loughlin
3rd - Quail Zaabar
4th - Dearbhail Comerford
5th - Hannah Russen
6th - Laura O'Malley & Evelyn Burke
Seoinra Shona - Kai

A very feig 'thank you' to 6th Class for running a great hook sale. They collected €157 for Crumlin Children's Hospital. Well done!

3ld Class has finished their Reading Challenge! As a class they have read 800 books (and still counting...) so far this year. Congratulations to 3rd Class on this great achievement!

Activity Week - 16th to 18th Feb
Thank you to all the parents who have already 'signed in'. We are going to have a real fun time with our children. If you haven't put up your name yet, please do so as soon as possible by talking to the class teacher or leaving a note in the office.

School closure
School closes at 12 noon on Wed, 4th Feb, for the staff meeting.

Children's safety
We are asking parents to watch out for their children when they are picked up. Apparently small children are running straight across the street outside the school, without supervision, and straight into the path of drivers. Also, please do not park in the middle of the road to pick up or drop off children: parents are complaining that it causes congestion.

Galway Educate Together News 22nd January 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians

We are missing a lot of our school library books. It will be appreciated if families could check their homes for any school library books lying around, perhaps forgotten. Please send them back to the school asap, so that we can take stock and do our planning. Much appreciated.

Parents Association

Baking Baking Baking Baking Baking
A bake sale will be held on Thu, 12th Feb, from 11am to 1.30pm. Please come along and bring your friends and neighbours. There will be an art competition for the children on the theme of love, judged by a panel of local artists.

If anyone has a set of dining- or office chairs to donate to the Parent’s Room, please do it soon, before we sit down again and land with our feet in the air! The chairs currently being used are falling apart. Of course, you might not have any chairs to donate, but you might like to buy us a lovely new set of chairs. Either way, please contact Sally on 087 779 1227.

‘Frása na seachtaine’ Tá Den TV ar RTE2

Seo hiad réalta na
seachtaine Comhghairdeas!

Our STARS for this week:
Naíonáin bheaga – Naroa Rang a ceathair – Emily
Naíonáin mhóra – Fiona Rang a cúig – Sean Foden (ex-pupil!)
Rang a haon – Racha Rang a sé – Saidhbh & Alice
Rang a dó – Bianca Seomra Shona - Grady
Rang a trí – Nathan

Seomra Shona
Congratulations also to James O’Connor for winning a prize in the Galway Advertiser Christmas Art Competition. He received his prize last Fri in Galway City Library and got his photo taken with the mayor! Look out for that photo in the Galway Advertiser in the coming weeks. Well done!

6th Class are going to do an art activity during our Activity Week. They need loads of empty toilet rolls or kitchen towel rolls. Bring it on!!

Activity Week – 16th to 18th Feb
We are short on parent volunteers to either run activities or help out with them. The
success of this week depends on your involvement. The aim of this week is to provide the children with alternative learning experiences and at the same time give parents an opportunity to play an active part in supporting and encouraging children’s learning. One hour of your time will cover most activities. Everyone has something to teach: come teach it to your children!
Please contact the office or your child’s class teacher directly to offer your time.

Galway Educate Together News 15th January 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome back to all from the Parent Teacher Association. We will meet at 9am in the kitchen on Wed, the 21st January to plan events for this term. Please make time to come along and help out. Happy New Year!

The 6th Class runs the second hand book sale every year. The sale will take place on Thu, the 22nd January. We are still looking for books – children’s books only, please. If you have any unwanted children’s books lying around at home, please bring them to the book bank opposite the office: a big brown box with books painted on it. Thanks.
Recycle - Reuse - READ

Tea towels and calendars featuring the whole school and all students are on sale in the office. Tea towels - with a self-drawn picture of all our lovely GETNS students and teachers - are €6. Calendars, with marvellous photos, are €8. Please help by buying at least one of each as we have lots to sell and all money raised goes to the school for projects for your children! A good deal!

! Congratulations to James O’Connor who won a prize in the Christmas Art Competition !

TV programmes can often be a very useful tool in developing oral language skills in children. Teachers are not always available to record it for use in school. Therefore, we would love it if people with record-able DVD players could record a few episodes of:

Cula 4 TG4 at 2.30pm Mon – Fri
News2day RTE2 at 4.55pm Mon – Fri

Just let Ester know and we’ll provide you with a DVD for recording purposes. We would really appreciate your help with this. Thank you.

‘Frása na seachtaine’ Is maith liomsa Ní maith liomsa

Activity Week
16th to the 18th of February – get involved, talk to the teachers and surprise yourself as well as your children. Your chance to do your thing and be proud of it!

Lost Property
Please make sure that any lost property – jackets, scarves, etc – are collected before the end of January. Lost property not collected will be given to charity after this date.

Caution – please – Caution

Everybody using the road into the school should exercise extreme caution and drive with care – keeping their own safety and the safety of others in mind. Dropping children off and picking them up inside the school grounds are not
permitted. Thanks for your kind cooperation.

Galway Educate Together News 8th January 2009

Dear Parents/Guardians,

A hearty welcome to everyone after the holidays. Some of us came quite willingly, whereas some of us needed to be bribed or threatened to get up so early on such a cold day yesterday, but we all made it to school in the end. We hope that you will have an enjoyable and prosperous new year.

A letter regarding arrangements for swimming lessons is also going out today. Anyone still interested can fill in the consent form (available in the office). The fee is €30 for this term and €50 if you are using the bus service. Winkie will be ready to register you this coming Tue and Wed mornings before school starts. Lessons will commence on the 15th January.

Activity week will take place from the 16th to the 18th of February. As usual we are looking to you, the parents, to get involved and be a BIG part of the teaching and learning that week. If you can cook, sew knit, play music, dance or organize a sporting activity we want to hear from you. Anyone with knowledge in physics, chemistry biology, the environment, bird or animal life, we want you to share it with the children. Any local historians or geographers can provide super learning experiences. If art, drama or writing is your thing, we want you to give that enthusiasm to the children here.

You do not need to give a huge amount of time. An hour or two will see most activities completed. You will have lots of support from the staff and will be given every assistance you need.

This is such an important week for the children. It is a highlight for them and they look forward to it every year. Seeing their parents getting involved in their school means a lot to them. It energizes them and creates a desire for learning.

Without parental involvement Activity Week cannot be successful. Please make the effort to get involved.

Activity Week – Parents and children learning together

****** Be a part of it ******

A reminder for parents to not drive into the school ground at pick-up and drop-off times, please. We appreciate your co-operation.

Galway Educate Together News 18th December 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

As principal, I get a unique overview of our school and see the amount of time, effort and generosity of spirit that so many of you give to our school community. This is given selflessly and without thoughts of praise or thanks. It is done because you all have the same hope, that your children will attend a great school where they will be valued and cared for, a school where they will be happy and make friends. You hope they get a good education and the opportunities and experiences that will allow them to develop into the best person they can be.

We all contribute to this in whatever way we can.

The Board of Management has a huge responsibility ensuring they are compliant with required employment legislation, managing budgets, planning school development and the myriad of other complex and onerous jobs that must be taken care of in order for the school to work well. The majority of the members on the board are parents like yourselves and have the busy lives that you do. How they find the time and energy to make such a commitment is something that never ceases to amaze me, yet they do. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to them for the job they do for our school and your children.

The Parent Teacher Association is the heart of the school. A strong PTA makes for a strong school. Every parent is a member and every parent can contribute in some way to the PTA. The PTA is as much about school spirit as it is about anything else. An involved and interested parent makes for motivated children with an interest in learning and a supported staff with a desire to do the best job they can. Not only have the PTA contributed greatly to the atmosphere of partnership and co-operation that exists in the school but this term they have also raised a significant amount of funds. On behalf of the staff, the children and the general parent body I would like to say a heartfelt thank you. Perhaps some of you might consider getting involved in a more active way as a worthwhile New Year’s resolution.

On your behalf I would also like to pay tribute to our staff. I see how hard they work and how much they care. They share the same hopes for your children as you do. Sometimes it can be pretty challenging to try and assist 28 or 30 children learn the best they can while at the same time guiding and supporting them through all the complexities of growing up. Our teachers and classroom assistants do this with great honesty, dedication and plenty of humour. From my own point of view I feel privileged to work with such a conscientious and caring group of colleagues.

In the end it’s all about the children. That is the shared belief that binds us all together. We have many challenges to face as we continue to set ourselves high standards and seek to provide the best opportunities for the children that we can. Continued co-operation in meeting all the roles and responsibilities required by the school will be the key to achieving success.

In the words of President elect Barack Obama, “Yes we can!” or as Des Bishop says “Is feidir linn!”

Finally, on a personal note I would like to thank the many of you parents and staff who assist and support me in doing my job. I have joked about it with some of you but am being open and truthful when I say that the hours spent in GETNS are among the happiest in my day. I wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday and look forward to many more joyful days in 2009.

School Closure & Reopening
School closes on 23rd Dec at 12h00 and reopens on the 7th Jan at 8h50.
That day will also be the first staff meeting in the new year, so the school will close at 12h00.

Our STARS for this week: You are the best!!

JI – Minnie Gask
SI – Tasneem Zaabar
1st – Fiona Voisin
2nd – Antoine Lannegrand
3rd – Selkie Hennessy Packman
4th – Dominika Antczak
5th – Joshua Marvesley
6th – Aisling McGuigan & Shea O’Brien
Seomra Shona – Mikhailo Kovacevic

‘Frása na seachtaine’ Eid Nollaig Hanukah shona duit
(Phrase of the week) Happy Eid Christmas Hanukah

Have a wonderful time!!!!!

Galway Educate Together News 4th December 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Winter Fair
Do come and support this major event at school on Saturday between 12 and 4pm. The parent’s room and the school’s corridor have been brimming with busy bees this whole week! It promises to be a very interesting afternoon. See you there!

Book Bank
A reminder that second hand books are needed for the book bank. The 6th Class will run a book sale in January. Please leave your unwanted second hand books in the box at the parents’ notice board.

School Closure
School is closed: Mon, 8th Dec – Planning and Development Day.

The Book Fair was a great success! We got over €700 worth of new books for the school. A BIG, HEARTFELT thanks to all the parents and children who participated and especially to the parents who gave so readily of their time to make the fair such a success .

All the photographs in the 2009 school calendar, as well as the ones that didn’t make it are available to buy. All the photographs are half-price for December and all profits go to the school. Visit www.vanessajordan.net and use ‘school’ as a password.

LOST ARTICLES
We are accumulating quite a lot of lost articles. Please have a look in the box outside the office, or in the first bathroom on the way out to the playground. (We may have to donate it to charity if not collected………..!)

Our STARS for this week: We are proud of you!!

JI – Maksim Podcauro

SI – Amber Jordan Cavanagh

1st – Keelin O’Donohoe

2nd – Ronan Sarkar

3rd – Sean McDonnell

4th – Caoimhe Lillis-Greally

5th – Jack Counihan

6th – Daróg Smith & Lena Wimmer

Seomra Shona – Grady Milandu

‘Frása na seachtaine’ (Phrase of the week) Mo sheans >> My turn Do sheans >> Your turn

Galway Educate Together News 27th November 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Winter Fair
Book your table with Ester in the office: €20 for adults, €10 for children. (€10 for every extra table booked)
We need more donations for spot prizes, especially for home baking (box in John’s office). Attached to this newsletter is the poster to put in your car’s back window as an advertisement.

Geography Resources
If you have any photos, souvenirs, traditional clothing, musical instruments, flags (any size!), maps, tour guides lying around at home from any of the countries listed last week, we would be very grateful if you would donate them to school. The collection box is in the hallway (under the parents’ notice board). Much appreciated!

Readathon
The Readathon is on until tomorrow. We would appreciate it if all the sponsors could bring in the money next week. Thanks to everyone who participated and supported it. Rewards will be allocated soon…..

Sponsors are needed for the production of the school Calendar. Please contact Sally on 087 779 1277 if you can help. Thanks

If your cupboards are full of hoarded greeting cards, please bring them to the office tomorrow. We’ll be happy to use them in art.

Our STARS for this week: You’re hot!!

JI – Kai Logean
SI – Lewis Waweru
1st – Karina Kuregenov
2nd – Sarah Robb
3rd – Eoghan Cheung & Mitsuko Logean
4th – James Moore
5th – Tiernán Archer
6th – Naoise O’Beirn & Shashank Thyarala
Seomra Shona – James O’Connor

‘Frása na seachtaine’(Phrase of the week)
Tóg go bog é! Take it easy!

Galway Educate Together News 20th November 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Science Show in Leisureland
The science show, “Exploding Vegetables with Sue McGrath”, is showing at Leisureland on Friday morning, the 21st of November, from 12 noon to 1.00pm. The children from 3rd Class up to 6th Class are involved and will go by bus. If you do not wish your child to attend, please put it in writing and send it to the school.

Are you from or have you visited any of these countries?

America, Romania, United Kingdom, India, Peru, Spain, Norway, Nigeria, Italy, Brazil, France, China.

If yes, you can really help! We are looking to expand our geography resources within the school. The geography curriculum involves learning about countries in Europe and the wider world. If you have any items lying around at home from any of the countries listed above, we would be very grateful if you would donate them to school. There will be a collection box located in the hallway (under the parents’ notice board) across from the office until Friday 28th November for such items. We would appreciate any of the following: photos, souvenirs, traditional clothing, musical instruments, flags (any size!), maps, tour guides…the list is endless.

Help our school – send in any relevant items now!
Thank you

As previously advertised, we will be holding an EGM in GETNS at 8pm on Tuesday, the 25th of November, at which, for the nominal fee of 1 euro, you will have the opportunity to exercise your democratic right to vote on the following motion:

That Galway Educate Together National School Limited request Educate Together to formally take over the role of Patron of Galway Educate Together National School. That should this request be granted (i.e. that Educate Together becomes Patron of the school), then the company known as Galway Educate Together National School Limited (i.e. the Patron Body) would be formally wound down as a company and cease to trade.

We look forward to meeting you….

Michelle O’Brien
Chairperson of the Executive Committee

Our School Development and Planning Day is on the 8th December and the school will be closed for that day.

We are updating our medical files. Could you please inform the school if your child has any medical condition or allergies that you feel we should know about.

Our STARS for this week: Congratulations: keep it up!!

JI – Oscar Brehony

SI – Melissa Njugi

1st – Shivon Karundu

2nd – Nanako Logean

3rd – Bojan Petrovic

4th – Jane Patterson-Etxebarria

5th – Tiernán Archer

6th – Luke Hennesey Driscoll & Aillil Bernede

Seomra Shona – Brandy Milandu

Check out our website (www.getns.ie) for the online monthly magazine GETREAL! (When you’re on the site, go into ‘school life’ and then ‘5th Class’). The September and October issues are up on the website. It is exclusively reported, written and edited by the pupils of 5th Class. http://www.getns.ie/schoollife/5th-class/index.html

School Calendar
Vanessa Jordan, professional photographer, will be taking photos of each class for next year’s school calendar on next Monday, the 24th of November.

Book your table with Ester in the office: €20 for adults, €10 for children.
(€10 for every extra table booked)
The Parent Teacher’s Association needs donations of spot prizes for raffle and spin-the-wheel (box in John’s office), as well as cakes and home baking, jars of jam and chutney, and books and DVD’s. Volunteers are needed on the day, so make sure you are available on the 6th of December! Attached to this newsletter is a poster to put in your car’s back window, please.

Hanging Out
This is a show about what it is like to be a teenager in today’s life. It is on tonight at 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm) and tickets are €18 (at door). The show is produced by the Galway Community Circus in association with Fidget Feet.. Please come and support them.

FUNDRAISING NEWS

Remember you can help raise some funds for the school and still have some fun.

McCambridges have generously donated the proceeds of any tickets sold at our school for their annual Food & Wine fair. The fair will take place at the Ardilaun Hotel from 5pm to 9pm on Thursday 27th of November and is always a great event. Tickets for €12 are available at the office or send the money in an envelope with your child and we will send home the tickets.

Healthy Hair and Beauty Salon are offering half price hair cuts and beauty treatments for all members of the GETNS school community EVERY FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, beginning on the 1st of December. All proceeds from the day will be donated to the school. The salon is located opposite Menlo Park Hotel on the Headford Road. Call Olga on 091 758855.

Our Readathon is going really well with everyone reading loads of books. Our Book Tree must be the leafiest tree in Galway now! Please keep it up and remember to get some sponsorship for all your hard effort.

Galway Educate Together News 13th November 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you for participating in the Halloween Bake Sale and Fancy Dress Party. We raised €370 which will go toward buying books for the classroom libraries as well as games for rainy days.
Another “Thank you” for everyone who came and helped celebrate with Clare’s party. It was a great night for all!
Make sure that you book your table for the Winter Fair on the 6th December.

Healthy Hair and Beauty Salon are offering half price hair cuts and beauty treatments for all members of the GETNS school community EVERY FIRST MONDAY OF THE MONTH, beginning Monday 1st December. All proceeds from the day will be donated to the school fund, so please support and GO GET A HAIRCUT! The salon is located opposite Menlo Park Hotel, on the Headford Road. Call Olga on 091 758855 to book your appointment!’

Book Fair

Thanks to the first parents who volunteered to help. We need more volunteers urgently: please put your name on the list outside the office.

Our STARS for this week: Well done!

JI – Judy Maina

SI – Luke McManus

1st – Lily Forrest

2nd – Uan Murhp

3rd – Eoghan Cheung

4th – Giacomo Degano

5th – Anzor Merzhoyevy

6th – Laura O’Malley & Shea O’Brien

Seomra Shona – Liam Haynes

‘Frása na seachtaine’ Cé leis é? Whose is it?
(Phrase of the week) Is liomsa é. It’s mine.
Ní liomsa é. It isn’t mine.

McCambridges has their annual Food & Wine Fair on the 27th of November, 5pm – 9pm.. All proceeds of ticket sales will go to the schools. Tickets are available in the office.

Their website is: www.mccambridges.com. This will certainly be an enjoyable evening. So come buy your tickets!

“THE GETNS READATHON” is going well. Anyone can still participate and get sponsorship cards. The main thing is to enjoy reading and at the same time help our school. Keep it up!!

Congratulations to all the STARS of the past week:

JI – Jade Ormond

SI – Tiernan Tuite

1st – Fia Poliautre

2nd – Stephen Busby

3rd – Naoise van Leynseele

4th – Rian McKearney

5th – Fionn Downling

6th – Aoife Picque & Fern Carrayette

Calling all readers!! Calling all readers!!

Our first big fundraiser of the year “THE GETNS READATHON” begins next Monday and will run for 3 weeks. We are asking all members of the school community, children, parents, teachers and friends to get sponsorship to read as many books as they can from November 10th to the 28th.

In the younger classes children might read with parents or siblings. In the older classes some children might attempt to read all the Harry Potter books in 3 weeks!! The main thing is to have fun reading and doing something to help our school at the same time. We have a reading tree to keep track of all that’s being read.

When you finish a book you get a leaf to decorate and hang it on our tree in the school corridor. We will be handing out sponsorship cards tomorrow and are looking forward to a huge effort by all to fundraise as much as we can. There will be certificates for all who participate and a draw for some “Thank-you-for-helping-us” prizes.

Let’s get reading!

Our Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on November 26th & 27th. A note regarding preferred timeslots will be sent out next Monday.

Galway Educate Together News 6th November 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

After having such a scary Halloween break, all the children seem to be quite happy to be back in school. It’s the teachers who seem to be in need of another break! Welcome back to all.

Protest Rally - Saturday At 1.45pm Eyre Square

Please support our children and come to the protest rally against the educational cutbacks. Galway Educate Together will meet beside the playground in Eyre Square.

Watch out for our banner. Make a placard at home if you can and bring it along, please. It may rain, so be prepared. We are protesting because the budget cut means that (letter from INTO on parents’ notice board):

- class sizes will increase,
- improvements for children with special needs, as well as children with language difficulties will be delayed,
- substitute cover, book grants, etc. will also be affected!

Our children deserve better!
Parent Teacher Association

The annual Book Fair will be held during the week beginning the 24th of November. This is the only fundraiser that we run for the library. A percentage of the money raised through sales will be donated by the book company to the school library. Deirbhile is looking for volunteers who would be able to give an hour or so of their time to help run the fair.

This help is essential for the fundraiser to be a success. Volunteers are needed for the following times:

Mon 1.20 – 2.20
Tue 1.20 – 2.20
Wed 9.00 – 4.30
Thu 9.00 – 4.30

If you are available to help, please leave your name with Ester in the office, or write your name up on the page outside the office. Your help is much appreciated.

Could children please bring in their shoeboxes next Thu, 13th of November. Collection will take place in the morning. Extra labels and info pamphlets are available in the office (at the door).

Congratulations to all the STARS of the past week:

JI – Jade Ormond

SI – Tiernan Tuite

1st – Fia Poliautre

2nd – Stephen Busby

3rd – Naoise van Leynseele

4th – Rian McKearney

5th – Fionn Downling

6th – Aoife Picque & Fern Carrayette

Calling all readers!! Calling all readers!!

We will be handing out sponsorship cards tomorrow and are looking forward to a huge effort by all to fundraise as much as we can. There will be certificates for all who participate and a draw for some “Thank-you-for-helping-us” prizes. Let’s get reading!

Our Parent/Teacher meetings will take place on November 26th & 27th. A note regarding preferred timeslots will be sent out next Monday.

Galway Educate Together News 23rd October 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Executive Committee (Local Patron) of GETNS will hold an EGM on Tuesday the 25th of November at 8pm in GETNS.

The motion will be as follows:

That Galway Educate Together National School Limited request Educate Together to formally take over the role of Patron of Educate Together National School. That should this request be granted (i.e. that Educate Together becomes Patron of the school), then the company known as Galway Educate Together National School Limited (i.e. the Patron Body) would be formally wound down as a company and cease to trade.

It is important that as many people as possible come to this EGM and vote on this matter. So that every one understands the role of the Executive Committee and the implications of dissolving the local patron and applying for National Patronage will be holding an information evening earlier on the 11th of November. The Executive Committee, the Board of Management and representatives from Educate Together will be available to answer questions. We look forward to meeting you then.
Michelle O’Brien

Hurling will start on the 4th of November, just after the mid-term break. All classes will participate during the school day.

Gaelic Football is currently being offered to 3rd & 4th Classes during the school day. We would like to extend this to all the other classes after Christmas.

The Chess Club will also commence after the mid-term break. Keep an eye out for registration.

The BAKE SALE is tomorrow. Please bake goodies to sell. All children will be going and all items will cost 50c. Junior and Senior Infants are invited to the Junior Party from 1.30 to 2.30pm at the bake sale. (Money raised will go towards buying books and games for the classrooms).

Yes, this is Clare’s special box!
You are reminded about the PARTY tomorrow night from 9pm to 1am
in the Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay. Please remember to bring food to share.

If you would like to give money towards a presentation to Clare, tomorrow is your last day to bring it in to Ester in a sealed envelope and before 1pm, please.

Thanks to everyone who came to the PTA AGM meeting yesterday night. There is great enthusiasm and lots of ideas for raising money. We hope that everybody now realises the seriousness of the school’s financial position. The BOM will keep you all updated after the mid-term break.

Thanks to everyone who worked so hard during this first half-term.
Enjoy the break!

New Pages Added

New pages have been added so that the childrens work can be shown on the website you can access the pages from the above links or by CLICKING HERE

Galway Educate Together News 1st October 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Remember Curriculum Information evenings for Junior Infant / Senior Infant parents next Tuesday evening at 8pm and for 1st / 2nd Class parents on Wednesday evening at 8pm here in the school. We look forward to seeing you all there.

The Parents Teacher Association will have a representative attending at the curriculum nights on the 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th of October. Please put your name down to help them with bake sales, the school garden, painting projects, summer and winter fairs, etc. To this effect a list is also on the parents' notice board where you may put down your name at your choice of interest.

There is a book bank box in the hall for you to dispose of all your second hand unwanted books. Thank you in advance for your contribution, the books are always welcome and will be put to good use.

A parent living in Cartur Mor needs some short term help getting her child to and from school. She is convalescing after an operation and should be able to resume driving shortly. Please contact us at the office if you can help out this family.

We were delighted to welcome back some of our past pupils on Monday for the national launch of a fire safety DVD, by Minister for State, Michael Kitt. The DVD, Tintean Slan, was made by children from this school and Bearna and will be distributed to all primary schools in the country.

Many thanks to the PTA who put on a lovely spread for all our guests. Our celebration of European Languages day was fantastic, with almost 20 children saying "hello" in their own language at our assembly.

Watch out in the paper for some pictures!

Letter from the Executive Committee 25th September 2008

Dear Parents,

On the 9th of September, the Executive Committee (Local Patron) of GETNS voted unanimously to dissolve the Local Patron and to apply to Educate Together for National Patronage. Since then the Board of Management of GETNS has unanimously voted to support the Executive Committee in this endeavour.

The main reasons for this decision are:

Many of the present committee wish to resign and due to lack of interest from the local school community there is no one in a position to take over the running of this committee.
This is a serious situation as the Executive Committee has legal responsibilities under both the Education Act (in its role as patron) and the Companies Act (in its capacity as a limited company). We must have a functioning Patron.
The present Executive Committee feel that the above responsibilities will be carried out much more professionally and effectively by the National Patron Educate Together, who already patron 56 other Educate Together schools around the country. Of the 56, 3 transferred from local patronage in the last year. There are only 14 schools left, including our own, who still have a local patron.
It is expensive to run a local patron. It is costing the Executive Committee up to 1000 euros a year to have our accounts audited, which we are legally obliged to do under the Companies Act. This would be one less bill the school has to pay if our application for National Patronage is accepted.

In order to proceed with our application for National Patronage, we must now seek the support of the wider school community. We will be holding an EGM in late November (date yet to be decided). It is important that as many people as possible attend this EGM and exercise your democratic right to vote on this matter.

So that everyone understands the role of the Executive Committee and the implications of dissolving the local patron and applying for National Patronage, we will be holding an information meeting on Tuesday the 11th of November. We look forward to meeting you then.

Yours sincerely,

Michelle O'Brien
Chairperson of the Executive Committee.

Galway Educate Together News 25th September 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

FIDDLE AND TIN-WHISTLE CLASSES will resume Wednesday Oct 8,h. The registration date is on Sep 30th 2.15 to 3pm in the school lobby. There will also be beginner classes. The Autumn term will run for 9 weeks. The course fee is €120 for Fiddle classes and €100 for Tin Whistle Classes payable at registration.

Please contact Anna Faulkner 0866095313 for more information.

Anyone interested in swimming may still enrol: contact Winkie at mob. 087 9111 353. Just note that the bus taking the children to swimming is full, which will mean that if you enrol your child now, you would have to provide transport.

Pupil Personal Accident Insurance will be available to buy on Monday and Tuesday, 29,h & 30th September from 8.45 to 9.15am. (See form attached). Buy insurance for €5 for school activities only, or €8 insurance for 24 hour cover. Use one form per child: extra forms will be available at the office on Monday and Tuesday. Details about the insurance cover are on the notice board at school.

Parent / Teacher Association Annual General Meeting - to elect this year's committee - will be held on Wednesday, 22nd October, at 8pm in the school hall. Please come and volunteer to help run events for our children. We need two parents from each class to form the new committee.

Please let the office know of any change in your address or contact details. It is in your child's own interest that we can contact you immediately when needed.

In order to prevent confusion, our overly zealous new secretary caused a few parents to arrive earlier at our school this past Wednesday to pick up their children. Apologies for that. Now that the parents involved are really confused, just remember that this coming Wednesday the school closes at 12 noon.

The Student Council elections were held this week in classes from 2 to 6. We would like to thank all the students who put themselves forward for election. The election speeches they made were most impressive and thanks to parents who helped out by discussing the issue at home. The Student Council has a very busy year ahead of it now and you will be hearing about it in newsletter throughout the year.

Our school will be receiving mentoring help from a school in Carsic in England that has a long established Student Council. It is hoped that part of the project will include a visit to each school later in the year. In the meantime we will hold our first Student Council meeting on Friday to elect the officers of the council.

The students elected were;                                 Elected Substitute
2nd Class, Ailbhe Archer & Cian McCann.         Darragh O'Donohue
3rd Class, Milla Gordon & Nathan O'Loughlin         Maria Cunningham
4th Class, Louise Mucha & Jake Tiernan                 Jenny Cunningham
5th Class, Betty Wright & Tom Mucha                         David Robb
6th Class, Alice Cunningham & Ronan O'Flaherty         Evelyn Burke
6th Class, Saidhbh Comerford & Rory Brown         Sophie Kinirons

Last year's School Survey indicated that parents wished to have more information on the curriculum the children are learning in school. This request was repeated at our School Forum in June.

As a first step to developing a programme to answer this need we will host Curriculum Information meetings for each class grouping on the following dates-Junior/Senior Infants October 7th, 1st/2nd October 8th, 3rd/4th October 14th and 5th/6th October 15th from 8pm to 9.30pm on each of the evenings.

The evening will consist of a general overview of the Revised Curriculum, information on the curriculum for each class and information on how each teacher organises their particular class. We are hoping for a big turnout at these evenings as we further develop a better home-school approach to helping the children learn.

Thank you to all who have paid Art&Craft and photocopying money. This money is essential for making sure there are enough resources for the children throughout the year. If you have not paid yet please try to do so by September 30 Please check that you have paid your Book Rental fee also.

Stars of the week

JI Naionain Bheaga:       Oran McDonnell
SI Naionain Mhora:         Brian Chege
1st Rang a haon:             Lily Curley
2nd Rang a do:                Cian Ridge
3rd Rang a tri:                 Maria Cunningham
4th Rang a ceathair:        Abaigh Donohue
5th Rang a cuig:               Betty Wright
6th Rang a se:                  Aisling agus Alice
Seomra Shona:                 liam Haynes

Galway Educate Together News 18th September 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Elections for Student Council will take place next Monday. We would like to thank all those students who are putting themselves forward for election. It is great that they are willing to work hard for others and for our school. Please take the time to discuss it with your child and help them with their election speech.

Please ensure your child has suitable footwear on coming to school each day. Children with unsuitable footwear will not be allowed to participate in movement activities.

Enrolment for Spanish classes will take place in the school lobby on Wednesday, the 27th of September, from 8.30am to 9.30pm.

Remember next staff meeting is Wednesday, October 1st. School will close at 12 noon.

Thank you to all who have paid book rental, art and craft and photocopying money. This money is vital in ensuring adequate supplies throughout the school.

We are looking for board games and other similar type activities for all classes so that the children have good variety of choices for wet play time. We ask that anything you donate be in good condition please.

Friday, the 28th of September is European Day of Languages 2008. To celebrate this we will be doing various activities with the children, but we would also like to involve you - the parents. If you are willing we would love to have you come into the school and read or tell a story in whatever European language you speak. This is an activity the children will love and it will develop our sense of community further. Please contact the office or let your child's teacher know if you would like to take part.

Please take the time next Wednesday, the 24 ' of September, to < school and sign a petition calling for the set up of and Educate 1 Secondary School. This is part of a nationwide campaign. Let' support it!

Galway Educate Together News 11th September 2008

Dear Parents/Guardians,

This week we are saying farewell to Clare, our wonderful school secretary. From the founding days of Galway School Project to the present day Clare has served our school community with great diligence, kindness and generosity of spirit. She has helped out as a parent, served on overy committee and more recently acted as ambassador, mentor, nurse, advisor, carer, nurturer and friend to all, while at the same time fulfilling her ro|e ac school secretary with incredible patience, understanding and conscientiousness.

Her great warmth for people and willingness to assist others is a hallmark of her personality. In many ways she has been the heart and soul of our community, linking together the various groups that make up our school. Always willing to give time to listen and always ready with the kind or encouraging word, she will be missed enormously by children, parents and staff.

We will hold a short assembly at 11am tomorrow to say thank you for all sha has done and anyone who can is welcome to attend. There will be another chance to say thanks and farewell at a later date and the details of this will go out once everything is finalised.

However sad we are at her ler.ving we wish her well for the future. We hope her days are filled with the things that bring her happiness and peace. We hope she will visit often and continue to be a part of cur community. We will be lonely without her but ever grateful for all she has done.

On behalf of everyone at GETNS, past and present, I offer her our deepest gratitude and best wishes for the future

During the first two weeks of October we will be holding information evenings for
parents.

At these meetings we will present you with an overview of the curriculum for your child's class for this year. We will also let you know how you can support your child's learning, how each teacher organises their classroom and how to ensure good home/school communication.

There will also be an opportunity to ask questions relating to other general issues on the night. We look forward to seeing you all there.

The dates for each class grouping is as follows:

Junior and Senior Infants, October 7th at 8pm
1se:2nd Class, October 8th at 8pm
3rd/4th Class, October 14th at 8pm
5th/6th Class, October 15th at 8pm

The office at reception will operate new hours from now until the Christmas holidays. The new secretary's name is Ester Serfontein and she will be there to take messages and answer queries from 9.15am until 1pm from Monday to Friday. Outside of these times you can leave a message on the school answering service.

Welcome to our News Archive for year 08/09

Galway Educate Together News 25th June 2009

Galway Educate Together News 11th June 2009

Galway Educate Together News 4th June 2009

Galway Educate Together News 28th May 2009

Galway Educate Together News 21st May 2009

Galway Educate Together News 14th May 2009

Galway Educate Together News 7th May 2009

Galway Educate Together News 30th April 2009

Galway Educate Together News 23rd April 2009

Galway Educate Together News 2nd April 2009

Galway Educate Together News 26th March 2009

Galway Educate Together News 19th March 2009

Galway Educate Together News 12th March 2009

Galway Educate Together News 5th March 2009

Galway Educate Together News 26th February 2009

Junior and Senior Infants updated their pages 23rd Feb. 2009

1st Class and the Langauge Unit updated their pages 15th Feb. 2009

Galway Educate Together News 12th February 2009

2nd, 3rd & 4th Class updated their pages - 10th Feb. 2009

Galway Eduucate Together News 5th February 2009

6th Class updated their page - 2nd February 2009

Galway Educate Together- News 29th January 2009

Galway Educate Together News 22nd January 2009

Galway Educate Together News 15th January 2009

Galway Educate Together News 8th January 2009

Galway Educate Together News 18th December 2008

Galway Educate Together News 4th December 2008

Galway Educate Together News 27th November 2008

Galway Educate Together News 20th November 2008

Galway Educate Together News 13th November 2008

Galway Educate Together News 6th November 2008

Galway Educate Together News 23rd October 2008

New Pages Added

Galway Educate Together News 1st October 2008

Letter from the Executive Committee 25th September 2008

Galway Educate Together News 25th September 2008

Galway Educate Together News 18th September 2008

Galway Educate Together News 11th September 2008

Junior and Senior Infants updated their pages
23rd Feb. 2009

1st Class and the Langauge Unit updated their pages
15th Feb. 2009