SCOIL COLM NEWSLETTER

1. SCOIL COLM NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Issue 3 December 9th2013 Principal: Ms C NíChianáin Deputy Principal: Mr O’Donnell SCHOOL CLOSURES: Friday, 20th December: School will close at 12.20pm and remain closed for the Christmas period. SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY, 6TH JANUARY AT 8.50AM. Greetings from Scoil Colm, The Christmas season is almost upon us and we’re getting into the festive spirit in Scoil Colm. Our school choir have taken part in the Hallelujah Concert in Citywest under the care of Ms Murray, Mrs Perry and Ms Dinan. They had a great time, the audience loved the music and they did an excellent job representing our school. Towards the end of term, the entire school will take part in a prayer and carol service and we will celebrate the successes of the school year so far with the Merit Awards ceremony. Rumour also has it that Santa might make a visit to second class before we break for the holidays! The school has been beautifully decorated once again by our caretaker, Paddy Mooney. Our crib in the lobby looks particularly well and all are welcome to come and visit it. At this time of year, it is important to think of others who are not as fortunate as us. In particular, we think of the victims of Hurricane Haiyan in the Philippines, whose lives and homes were recently devastated. As a result of the initiative of one of our sixth class boys, Clayton, our school raised €381.87 for the relief effort. I would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to all who contributed to the fundraiser. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish our whole school community a happy and peaceful Christmas and New Year. I look forward to welcoming all of you back to Scoil Colm in 2014! Claire Ní Chianáin Christmas Coffee Morning and Bake Sale, Friday 13th of December Who? Parents, Guardians, Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Friends of Scoil colm. Time: 9am – 10am €2 tea or coffee with free refills. We would be delighted if you could bake/bring some cakes/buns for our Bake Sale. Scoil Colm 2014 Calendar will also be on sale on the morning for €3.50 or two calendars for €6. Your support would be greatly appreciated Christmas Prayer and Carol Service: This year, our Prayer and Carol Service will take place in the school hall at 12.45pm on Monday, 16th December. All are welcome to attend and we look forward to welcoming you on the day. Thank you to John and all at RB Wallace for the spectacular Christmas tree at the front of our school.

2. Page 2 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Scoil Colm and the Typhoon On Friday 29/12/13 our school had a fundraiser, the fundraiser for Typhoon Haiyan, in the Philippines. For the fundraiser we had a non-uniform day. On the day we raised 381 euro, which is very good because the goal was 240 euro. It was also very exciting for me because I got to organize and prepare it, I also got to go around the classes, and inform every one. I also got to go around the classes and collect the money. When I was collecting the money it really made my day because it is really nice and generous to give to others, especially when they are in desperate need of basic supplies. With all the money we raised, we are going to get a cheque, and I will get a picture holding it. I am really glad I got to help someone in desperate need, in my Confirmation Year. To everyone who took part, I’m glad that you helped someone. By Clayton W. McG, Room 7 Shoebox Appeal This year, Scoil Colm donated over 34 boxes to the Team Hope annual Shoebox Appeal. Sam Maguire came to Scoil Colm A Poem about School English, Maths and Irish. History and Geography too, Homework, football and writing, And that is basically school. Climbing big brick walls, When a teacher sees you climb, She runs over in case you fall, And makes sure that you are fine. By: Conor L and Gerrard C, Room 4 Our 6th Class learning Pitch and Putt My Weekend At the weekend, I had a match but we lost. But I never got a single shot on their goal keeper. It was 9-0. I went to my Dad’s house on Sunday. We ordered a pizza with ham, bacon and pepperoni. I went to see my cousin and we played Ludo and I won! You have four squares and one dice and if you get a 6 you get a little ball and you have to put it into a small hole. If you can put a ball into the 6 holes, then you win. It was good fun. Jamie D., Room 1

3. Page 3 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Mass On Sunday I went to mass. It was a mass to get ready for our First Holy Communion. I saw Jamie F., Kyle, Eoin, Séan, Noel and Nathan H.S. in the church. I also saw the Christmas tree. It was so big. It was nearly up to the roof. Some children brought up a candle and we said our prayers. When it was over I went back to my house. Peter M.O.S., Room 1 Class of the Month Class of the month is a great prize! My brother is in 6th class and they came 3rd. 3rd class came 2nd. Who came 1st? We did! Yes, 2nd class came 1st! We were so happy that we won. We won by just 1 good note. We won the cup and we will keep it for a month. We also got a Homework Pass because we won. 3rd class and 6th class were so close! Good luck to everyone in Scoil Colm. Nice work! Joshua D, Room 1 • Cycling • Here are some facts about cycling • Cycling is one of the fastest sports in the world. • It is one of the most skilled sports in the world. • You get abs from cycling. • You get stronger when you cycle. • I love to go cycling with my Dad. We go almost every day. Callum, Room 1. My School My school’s name is Scoil Colm. My teachers names are Ms. Murray, Mr. Duffy and Mrs. Fenlon. I play football in the yard. I learn English, Maths, Irish, SESE and lots more. I go to Homework Club. I love my school. We play games on a Friday. I have lots of friends. I learn new things every day. I have lots of fun in my school. My principal’s name is Ms. Ní Chianáin. I go to school every day. Aaron D., Room 1 Halloween Coffee Morning Our Communion Mass On Sunday, we went to mass. I saw Fr. Paul and there were other priests there. Fr. Paul blessed me because I can’t get Holy Bread yet. You have to make your Holy Communion before you can have Holy Bread. I went to mass with my mam. After mass I went home and played a game. Then I went to my Nanny’s house for a few hours. We got a packet of sweets and shared them with my Nanny and Grandad, cousins and my aunt and uncle. I went to Josh’s party in the Roller Disco and it was fun. Adam, Room 1 The Church On Sunday, I went to the church. I saw Jack, Callum, Aaron D and Aaron F in the church. The priest was nice to us. I came with my Daddy. The church looked very nice. After mass, we went home. Nathan Do., Room 1

4. Page 4 of 4 Parents’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter SCHOOL REPORTS: The pupils’ school reports will be sent home in the week before the Christmas break. Thank you. ENROLMENT FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2013/2014 Enrolment has now begun for second class places in the next school year. Information can be obtained by contacting Therese on 01 4562622 or found on our website www.scoilcolm.scoilnet.ie. Please ensure that enrolment forms are returned to the school as soon as possible. Cyberbullying Workshops As part of Friendship Week in Scoil Colm, our fourth, fifth and sixth classes took part in cyberbullying workshops with Paula O’Connor. Coffee Morning 2013 We would like to thank our pupils and their parents and families for the taking part in the fundraising Coffee Morning. We raised €745.30.Ms. Coady’s 3rd class in Room 3 won the fancy dress prizeandMs. Watkins’s 5th class in Room 9 camein second place. Well done to everyone who dressed up. Thank you to all those who contributed by attending and buying tickets. A Big Thank You to all the volunteers who helped out on the morning and brought in food, the staff, Parents’ Association, parents, teachers and pupils. There was a great atmosphere and the pupils thoroughly enjoyed it. We would like to acknowledge our kind sponsors of our Coffee Morning. We couldn’t do it without their help. We would like to thank the following businesses for their sponsorship of the food and beverages and who kindly gave prizes or donations: Glanmore Foods, Java Republic Coffee Company, Deli-licious - Crumlin Village, Tesco - Crumlin Village, Dunnes Stores in the Ashleaf Shopping Centre, Crumlin GAA and Superdome, Palmerstown. • INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: • Here is a list of some of the meetings and training for staff which took place outside of school hours since August 2013: • A full planning day was held. • Monthly staff meetings • School Development Planning Meetings • Continuous Professional Development in Team-Teaching/Support Teaching/Dyslexia/Special Educational Needs • Parent-Teacher Meetings Dublin City Neighbourhood Awards 2013 Congratulations to Mr Mooney, Ms Watkins, Hubert from Walk and the Green Schools Committee from Scoil Colm, who were “Highly Commended” in the Dublin City Neighbourhood Awards 2013. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board of Management, 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