Spring Newsletter 2023
Looking Back
It was wonderful to be back in the hall for our Christmas Concert. Thank you to Aoife Creaby, our drama teacher, and Michelle Gill, our piano accompanist who helped us with our performances. Thank you to all the parents who supplied cakes, biscuits etc for tea afterwards and a special thank you to parents who helped set up and clear up afterwards.
Parents’ Association
Thank you to Patrick O’Reilly, who is an excellent MC, and Kate, our secretary, who both organised the on-line live Christmas raffle. Thank you for all the generous donations to the raffle, and to those who approached local businesses to donate prizes. The raffle raised €1,400. Monies raised will be used to supplement our digital technology grant to buy more I pads for classroom use and pay for Internet Safety Sessions for pupils and parents.
Stay Safe Programme
All schools must teach The Stay Safe Programme every 2 years. We will be teaching this programme throughout the Spring Term. The Stay Safe Programme is a personal safety skills programme. Its overall objective is to prevent child abuse, bullying and other forms of victimisation. Lessons can be viewed on www.staysafe.ie. The programme develops children's ability to recognise, resist and report risk situations or abusive encounters by teaching children...
• To identify for themselves unsafe or upsetting situations
• Simple rules to help them avoid abuse
• To respect and value the rights of others
• The language and skills they require to seek help.
Safer Internet Day
Two parent webinars are available on Tuesday 7th February, one for parents of younger children and one for parents of teens. An email with a link to register has been sent to all families.
Friendship Week
Friendship Week will take place from 13th to 15th February. During this week we will focus on friendship and resilience. We will have a Friendship Feast on Tuesday 14th February. On this day we will have a Whole School Fun Quiz in the hall and we ask that the children in the Senior Room bring contributions for the feast.
Seachtain na Gaeilge
We will have Seachtain na Gaeilge from Monday 13th to Thursday 16th March. During this week we will place extra emphasis on Gaeilge activities. We will end the week with a Seisiún Gaeilge on Thursday 16th at 1pm where you are invited to a performance of Irish dancing, drama and song.
School Self Evaluation
We continue to evaluate the work of our school and implement a school improvement plan. This year we are focusing on spelling and the use of Ipads throughout the school as a tool to facilitate teaching and learning. We will also update some of our Administrative and Curricular Policies. This year we will be looking at Health and Safety, our Code of Behaviour, Attendance, Critical Incidence, Geography, History and Science. We welcome input from parents and I will share the updated policies with you.
Homework
Homework is set to reinforce your child’s learning. Parents are a vital resource to listen to reading, check spellings and tables and to support a child’s progress. Homework should take approx 45mins in the Senior Room, 30mins in the Middle Room and no longer than 20mins in the Junior Room. Please contact your child’s teacher if you have any queries or concerns. Please, please sign your child’s reading card so that your teacher knows that books are read. This applies to all children from Junior Room to Senior Room. We recommend www.timestables.com . It’s a very user friendly, quick, daily times tables’ drill. Also please ensure that your child has a pritt stick and children from Senior Infants to 6th need headphones.
Arrival
School opens at 9.05 each morning. The optimum time to arrive is before 9.15 so that your child has time to get organised for the day, write down homework, complete corrections and chat with friends.
Lunches
We have a healthy eating policy so please do not give your child fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolate bars or crisps for lunch. We ask that each child has a lunchbox and takes home his/her own lunchtime waste. Everyone is responsible for their own waste.
Be Prepared!
We always endeavour to get outside at break times. Please ensure your child has a waterproof coat, otherwise your child will get wet! Some runners are not waterproof. You may like to keep a spare pair of shoes or boots at school.
Safeguarding Children
The Board of Management is to seek feedback from parents in relation to our compliance with the requirements of the Child Protection Procedures for Primary Schools and our school’s child safe guarding arrangements. Please consider the questions below and if you have any feedback in their regard, please contact the school: school@holytrinityns.com
• Have you any concerns about the safety of children at our school?
• Is there any aspect of the school environment that you feel is unsafe?
• What steps would you suggest the school takes to ensure the children’s safety?
After School Care
From next September After School Care will be available from 1.45pm. More details will follow about this.