Dear Parents and Guardians / A Thuismitheoirí agus a Chaomhnóirí,

This is a long one, so get the kettle on and put your feet up!

Dáil Eireann

6^th class had a tour of the Seanad and the Dáil Chamber on Wednesday and met with Fine Gael TD Noel Rock. (See Noel’s tweet on twitter).

Santry Sports (23^rd and 25^th May)

Thank you to Katherine and Jill who have kindly given up their time to organise the teams for Santry. They have provided a great opportunity for children to get fit and spend time with their friends.

Basketball

On Tuesday we had our first ever competitive basketball match against another school.  The boys’ team played Castleknock ET on a lovely sunny afternoon. We played very well and were unlucky to be beaten by 2 baskets. All the boys worked very well as a team and we look forward to the girls’ team match over the next few weeks.

New Language Curriculum

The Department of Education’s curriculum review body, the NCCA, have begun the process of revising the primary curriculum, beginning with oral language in English and Irish from junior infants to second class, followed by reading and writing in both English and Irish in junior infants to second. The focus will then move on to 3^rd – 6^th.  This is being driven by a number of factors – first, research done over the past few years on children’s learning; the introduction of free pre- school years; the changing nature of Irish society, and finally, the recognition that children are diverse in their interests and strengths, and that teaching and learning should reflect this diversity.

I am attaching a two page information leaflet for anyone who wishes to read more – and there is plenty of material available online atwww.curriculumonline.ie

The new curriculum will be phased in over a number of years. It looks as if there will be a training day each year for the next few years, which will be facilitated by subject experts. This will require the school to close for one day each year.

The Department of Education has also asked each school to hold a day’s training before the end of the school year for teachers. As a working parent myself, I know that this is short notice, and I apologise – the materials for the training have only become available recently, and we were reluctant to schedule anything until we were sure it could go ahead.

We are going to do the training on Wednesday the 1^st of June, before the June bank holiday. On this day, teachers will attend the school, but children won’t.

Again, I apologise both for the inconvenience and the short notice, but I do think it is really important that the new curriculum is introduced and planned for properly.

Art Day

Art Day will be on Friday 24^th June.  Thanks to the couple of parents who have volunteered to work with Deirdre.  This will be Deirdre’s 13^th and final year of organising Art Day. We are extremely grateful to her for the huge amount of work and commitment she gives to it. If you want to attend Art Day, it is necessary that you have a role on the day and if you would like to contribute in any way let us know. For example, we need a rota of parents to supervise the door during the day.

Chess

Best of luck to our chess team taking part in the chess tournament tomorrow in NDNSP.

ET CEO Visit

Paul Rowe will visit our school and the new site next Friday 20^th May along with visitors from the UK operation.  He said he is always so impressed with the work going on in our school and wants to show us off!

Lost Property

Fiona (parent) has kindly agreed to display all lost property items tomorrowFriday from 2.30pm.  Please check for missing items.

School Blog

Please visit our school blog set up by Ríona (2^nd class teacher) getns.blogspot.ie

Table Quiz

Coming to the end of term, the PTA have organised a social event/table quiz to raise funds for the resource room and the school garden. The quiz will be held in Na Fianna Clubhouse, Mobhi Road on Thursday 26th May at 7.30pm. It’s a great way to end the school year, meet parents socially and raise vital funds for the benefit of the children. Please book a table now, come along and have a great night out (see poster attached for contact details).

We are also putting a shout out for raffle prizes and anyone who might be able to secure sponsorship of a round of the quiz. Parents may have contacts with companies, employers or local businesses that may be interested in sponsoring a round at the quiz. We are seeking €100 per sponsored round and in return their logo will be printed on their round of questions and the MC will announce the sponsor during the round.

RAKA

The following children were awarded Random Act of Kindness Awards this week:  Clemence Junior Infants, Liam Senior Infants, 1^st, Róise, Naomi, Senan and Ben 2^nd, Barra and Seren 3^rd, Emma, Molly, Katie, Cormac, Tess, Conor, Leah, Noah, Alec, Ruben, Eve and Ewan 4^th, Lorcan, Dan, Yamina, John, Andrew and Oliver 5^th, Joe, Layla B, Joanna, Juliette, Anna, Margot, Cathal, Otilia, Palomi and Layla S 6^th, Devin ALC.

RARA

The following children were awarded Random Act of Respect Awards this week: Alessia Junior Infants, David Senior Infants, Mary Kate 2^nd, Conor, Reece, Daisy and Akanksha 3^rd, Martha and Giulia 4^th, Harry, Ruairdrí, Mark and Éabha 5^th, Alan 6^th, Seán ALC.

Frása na Seachtaine:  Is fear liom / Is breá liom (junior infants to 2^ndclass)

Tá mé ag ithe ceapaire (3^rd to 6^th classes)

Le meas,

________________________________

Róisín Conlon,

Príomh Óide