SCOIL COLM NEWSLETTER

1. SCOIL COLM NEWSLETTER Principal: Ms C NíChianáin Deputy Principal: Mr O’Donnell Volume 2, Issue 4 February 12th 2013 Closures: The school will be closed on Thursday, 14th February and Friday, 15th February for our mid-term break. It will re-open on Monday, 18th February at 8.50am. Dear Friends It’s hard to believe that the month of January is over as the second term of school is in full swing. The boys are very much looking forward to our non-uniform day on Pancake Tuesday, 12th February. In just a few weeks, our Parents’ Association will be holding our Annual Fair on Sunday, 24th February from 11.00am to 3.00pm. I would like to warmly invite all of you to join us on the day in our school hall. We look forward to seeing you there. The school is a busy place at the moment. In addition to teaching and learning, preparation is now well under way for Confirmation and First Communion. Our fifth classes are taking part in cycling safety classes. Just a few weeks ago, an excellent cyber bullying workshop was held for our fifth and sixth classes. My thanks to all who are involved in school activities. Wishing you all a relaxing mid-term break. Claire Ní Chianáin SCOIL COLM ANNUAL FAIR Please come along and help us raise money to buy Computers and Printers. The Fair will take place on Sunday the 24th of February, between 11am and 3pm. There will be a Hotdog stand, Cake and Candy Stall, Clothes Stall, Book Stall, Bric &Brac, Face painting, Wheel of Fortune raffle prizes every 15 minutes and lots more!!! A special draw will take place for 2 JLS and 2 OllyMurs tickets at 2.45pm on the day. Tickets to enter this draw cost €5 and are on sale now from the class teachers or Ms Devaney.

2. Page 2 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Cycling Safety Lessons For the last week we have being going to cycling lessons. There was a man called Mike who helped us. We got cool bikes. We had to wear helmets. Mike made us go around in circles and then we cycled to a white line. Then we had to go through cones and put our hands out to signal to the drivers behind us. Before our first lesson, Mike told us about bikes and the way we had to wear our clothes so there are no hazards. It’s a lot of fun. By Karl O’B, Room 6 Claire NEED PICTURE FOR HERE Look who got one of our Shoeboxes!!! Mirsha is from Gjokova, Kosovo. He received a Team Hope Christmas shoebox on his 12th birthday, 9th December 2012. He was SO HAPPY!! By Jack, Room 4 “Create a Comic” Competition Winners Here are Dane, Jake and Nathan from fourth class who won the “Create a Comic” competition. Well done, boys! Barred games Ms Ní Chianáin, the principal of our school has banned all portable games. When we go out now, all we can do is play football. Ms Ní Chianáin used to say that it’s ‘our responsibility’ but now she has banned them, because of recording issues. She probably means that some games have cameras on them. I think she should let them in because some people don’t like playing football. I like playing football but I don’t like when the ball gets kicked over. But it is true- you shouldn’t be taking pictures of kids in school or on other premises. Mark, Room 7 Coming back to school On the 8th of January I remember getting up and feeling nervous. I put on my uniform and then I walked to school with the boys on my road. When we were walking I was thinking if people were going to talk to me again, but when I got into the yard people were coming over to me. My friend Aaron said welcome back to me. I felt so happy to be back. My teacher Ms Murray welcomed me back nicely. When I went home I felt so happy to be back in Scoil Colm. James, Room 7 Our Trip to the Ark Our class went on a trip to the Ark yesterday. Here is how it went. We went to see the play ‘A Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. It was fantastic and brilliant. There were two actors in it, Bob and Scrooge. They used lots of props and hats and scarves. Scrooge was haunted by three spirits, the spirit of Christmas past, their uncle and the spirit of Christmas in the future. I was sitting beside Sam and Patryk. The play lasted 45 minutes. I felt good after it. By Josh, 3rd Class

3. Page 3 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Santa’s Visit To Scoil Colm By Matthew, Room 1 In December, Santa came to Scoil Colm one afternoon. He brought a box of chocolates for everyone. Second Class and Third Class went to see him in the yard. The Second Class girls came from St. Agnes’ too. He came on a sleigh with one reindeer. His elves came to help him. We had a lot of fun. Cyber-Bullying Workshop – Reports from Room 8 A lady came to our school to talk to us about cyber bullying. She asked us how many of us had PlayStation or Xbox or both. Then she asked us who had Facebook, Twitter or MSN. She asked us who had mobile phones . Then she said here are a few tips- Never give access to your Facebook or MSN or Twitter or PlayStation or Xbox. She said never give away information of your address or your mobile number or your age. By Niall, Room 8 5th and 6th class went to room 6 and a woman came in and talked to us about cyber bullying. She gave us good tips about staying safe on the internet. You should always save messages and emails on your device. You never give your exact location or your phone number. SO BE SAFE. By Sean, Room 8 On the 16th of January a lady came to talk to our class and the other classes on the top floor so there were lots of people. She was taking about cyber bullying and told us not to be on ask.fm and if we are getting bullied we should tell someone and to get help. She told us to be safe when we are on the internet and to save pictures or messages so we can show people. By Craig, Room 8 About a month ago a woman came into us to talk about cyber bullying, Facebook, twitter and mobile phones. She said that we must be careful on the Internet because once you say something and post it you can never take it back. First she said ‘who has a phone?’ and everybody’s hand went up. Then she asked ‘who has the internet on their phone?’ and only about three hands went down. Then she asked us about gaming consoles such as Xbox 360 and ps3 and everybody had one and when she asked about online gaming almost half the class’s hands went down. So that proves that almost everyone has access to the internet. She told us all about people that have killed themselves because of this. It was very sad. She also told us to never give away your number or address. By Cian, Room 8 On the 16th of January a women came in to warn us if we are on Facebook, Twitter, and ask.fm and online on PlayStation or Xbox because people could pretend they are somebody else. She gave us tips on cyber bullying, like keep messages and to take screen shots. By Jake, Room 8 On the 19th of December, we did a play called ‘Alas in Blunderland’. There were 3 different plays- Snow White, Goldilocks and Cinderella. I was in Cinderella. We also sang a song at the end. 2nd class said a poem, 3rd class performed a play with songs and 6th class sang a Christmas song. It was the best play I was in and I was really proud that I put in a good effort. Thanks to Ms. Ní Chianáin for setting it up. Thanks to Ms. Murray, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Timbs for helping us to rehearse the play. Aaron J, Room 7 Wheelchair Access I think there should be more ramps for disabled people in public places. If there was a disabled child in this school- how could he come upstairs? Luckily, there are two ramps at the back but we should have a ramp at the front also. There needs to be a special group for mentally challenged people and disabled people and their families. I really hope people read this notice! P.S. I think there should also be vending machines in our school!! Jarid, Room 7 Our school had a play on the 19th of December. Ms. Murray, Ms. Clarke and Ms. Timbs helped us with rehearsals. We spent all afternoon rehearsing but it was good fun. Some of the characters were the 3 wolves, Goldilocks, 3 bears, Harry Huntsman, the Ugly Sisters and many more. It was called ‘Alas in Blunderland’. My nanny and my Grandma came to see me. Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Seville made the costumes. Some of the teachers also brought in costumes. Mrs. Butler and Mrs. Seville made pictures and billboards. They can draw class paintings! We had a dress rehearsal before the main show. Jarid Kenny was the narrator. There were about 200 people there and I would like to say a big thanks to Ms. Ní Chianáin for setting it up and to all the teachers. Kevin, Room 7

4. Page 4 of 4 Parents’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Dublin Bus I wrote a poem for the Dublin Bus competition. It was about rules on Dublin Bus. I worked on the poem for an hour. I loved it. I went to the City Council because I won this prize. There was food and drinks there and I got to see my picture. I even got loads of calendars and could see my poem in the calendar! Paul McGrath was there. He is a famous footballer. I went with my mam and my sister. I saw Joanna there. She is the manager of Dublin Bus. She made a very good speech. When I went home, I watched the Dublin GAA game. My poem is now on a large poster inside the school. I am very proud of it. Robert, Room 7. Well done to all the pupils in the four teams who took part in the Credit Union Quiz. Date for First Penance 2nd Class, Tuesday 12th of March at 1:15pm. Parents, if your mobile number changes throughout the school year, please inform the school office so that our Text-A-Parent and contact details can be updated. Thank You School Website www.scoilcolm.scoilnet.ie Please use our website for information in relation to important school dates. Trócaire: Once again this year, the pupils of Scoil Colm and their families will support the Trócaire campaign. Boxes have been sent home with your children. Please give whatever support you can. • INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: • As a result of the Croke Park Agreement, we would like to keep you updated with the following information: • Between September 2012 and February 2013: • Our monthly staff meeting has taken place outside school hours. • School Development Planning meetings have taken place outside school hours. • Stay Safe and First Aid training for staff have taken place outside school hours. • I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff, parents and other members of the community at Scoil Colm for the many hours of their own time which they give voluntarily to activities that enhance school life for our pupils, such as training teams, supervising pupils, after-school programmes and clubs, accompanying pupils to events/matches, attending training courses, etc. Their contribution is very much appreciated. • C Ní Chianáin Principal