Dear Parents and Guardians/A Thuismitheoirí agus a Chaomhnóirí,

Daffodil Day

A fantastic response to the Daffodil Day last week and we raised a total of €650 for the Cancer Society of Ireland, well done everyone!

Active Yard is Back!

The Active School committee got feedback from each class on what games or activities they would like to do in the yard. Then the yard monitors helped set it all up! At the moment, basketball and bench ball are being organised in the yards, as well as playground games for infant classes, Children are also enjoying playing with hoola hoops and skipping ropes. Lots of fun all round and a big thank you to our 2nd and 6th class pupils who are doing wonderful work as the yard monitors!  See photos below.

Green Schools

The Green Schools committee are looking for parents to volunteer to help with our outdoor green areas. The volunteers would help classes to plant seeds in their raised beds after Easter and help the committee to maintain the upkeep of the school garden.  If you would like to volunteer or would like more information you can email Pádraig at [email protected]

Lego

As part of our involvement with Creative Schools some of our classes will be designing and creating using lego. If you have any lego at home that is no longer being used, we would really appreciate a donation to help us out. Donations can be left with Nicky at the office.

GAA Teams

Our school Gaelic football has finished for this year.  We are delighted to be back to school sport and both teams were absolutely fantastic, and we are very proud of them. We will have school hurling teams after Easter. Please could the children who were involved with the teams return their kits to Jill so they can be organised and ready for the hurling teams.

Welcome back ECAs 

Please find below the link for ECA registration. Demand is high so don’t delay. Get your applications in ASAP. The ECA timetable and descriptions of classes are provided for you to pick from. Looking forward to another great term of ECAs.

PLEASE NOTE JUDO IS NO LONGER AN OPTION.

It has been replaced by Athletics and Games with our very own Lisa Madden. Please see the updated timetable and sorry for any confusion.

https://forms.gle/XzQaAJGQijG8mQWo6

Yours in Fun!!!

The ECA committee

GET Walking PTA Fundraiser

We would like to give everyone an update as we are nearing the halfway mark of our GET Walking PTA fundraiser and also provide the route for the last walk on Sunday 3rd April.

We have walked a total of 1,354km with Aisling’s 1st Class blazing away in 1st place !! We have also raised €840 so far !! You should all be so proud of this, it’s amazing progress for a few days’ work.

The route on Sunday has been agreed as route #2 from the 3 sample routes we sent out, but it will start at 2pm at the playground in Albert College Park and not at the school gates (see map below). The walk is approximately 4.5km, but please be mindful, of course, how far your kids can walk on the day. We will walk the route and return to the playground to celebrate the kids achieving so much in the week where there will be some fruit and goodies to celebrate.

If anyone has any questions, please reach out to your PTA representative

Lost Property

Items of clothing in the lost property will be available to retrieve outside the school on Thursday 7^th and Friday 8^th April after school

Reminder:

School Closed on Friday 8^th April at 12pm and re-opens on Monday 25^th April 2022

Frása na Seachtaine:

“Seo peann” – “Here is a pen”

“Gabh mo leithscéal, seo duit” – “Excuse me, here you go”

Le meas

Róisín Conlon

Príomhoide

Active Yard Games

ECA Timetable

Descriptions of Classes

Science

Christine Campbell, Anyone 4 Science

Welcome back to another term of fun hands-on science. This term we’re excited to offer two science classes, so that children can be split up further by age and the experiments can be targeted to their age, stage and learning level. At the science club, we take subjects usually studied at third level and introduce them to the children through a range of age-appropriate hands-on activities. Some examples of topics covered are this term are; Food Science and Human Digestion

Junior Soccer

Keith Lyons, KL Football Coaching

Is your child interested in football? Maybe they have been wanting to start? At KL Football Coaching, we look to combine teaching of football skills/techniques while having lots of fun. We aim to provide a positive learning environment for boys & girls of all levels to help improve their football ability. We have experience in helping children build confidence, help make new friends & improve life and motor skills. Football Association of Ireland accredited coaching. Class will meet in GETNS and Keith will have use of hall if weather does not permit football outside.

Please note: Soccer is open to children of all abilities and experience, boys and girls! If you love soccer, come join us for fun and skill building sessions!

Drama

Padraig McCarthy, Teacher GETNS

Teacher Padraig is running a Drama class with our junior group and with a Iittle difference. Padraig looks to put a ‘move and groove’ class together where children are encouraged to exercise but without having to engage in competitive sports. It allows children to exercise in an environment where there is no winning or losing, and encourages physical activity to those who do not like playing traditional sports.

Senior Speech and Drama

Rebecca Sanders, Teacher GETNS

Teacher Rebecca is running a Speech and Drama class with our senior group, developing the childrens’ confidence through games and small group and pair exercises, moving on to small group scene work and monologues.

Athletics and Games

Lisa Madden, GETNS Teacher

This club will focus on a range of athletics activities & games to develop fitness and enhance agility, co-ordination and balance. The focus will be on fostering an understanding and appreciation of athletics in a fun, positive and engaging environment. Opportunities will be provided for children to challenge themselves and improve their performance in a range of running, jumping (hurdles, high

Wellbeing Warriors

Daniel Brophy, Teacher GETNS

Teacher Daniel is introducing Wellbeing Warriors. This is a new ECA for the school. Wellbeing Warriors is a therapeutic programme delivered over the term for some of our older children. It looks to promote wellbeing and self-esteem in the children. It is fun, creative, and interactive, and allows for groups of mixed ages and abilities, with each programme being tailored to the needs of the children participating. The programme is intended for those children who may have been through or are having adverse childhood experiences (ACE’s), those who are lacking confidence, children who require a nurturing approach, those who are involved in transitions, children involved in the social care arena, or for those who need support in boosting their self-esteem and confidence, and building upon their resilience.

Arts and Crafts

Colm Campbell and Maeve Bates, Teachers GETNS

Arts & Crafts club is back! The club allows children to develop their creative sides in a fun and relaxed way. Each week, children create a new work of art which they get to bring home to wow their friends and family. The classes cover a variety of arts and craft activities including drawing skills, painting techniques, construction, mixed media and art appreciation. The cost for the club includes the supply of resources for all activities, so all children need to bring is enthusiasm and a smile. Note: Some art/craft activities may take two weeks to complete to allow for paint to dry, glue to set, etc.

Chess

David Fitzsimons, Teacher GETNS

Our very own International Chess Master David runs this thriving Chess Club every Friday. Chess is clearly enjoyed by many children at school and the game has huge educational benefits.

Music – Ukulele and Guitar

Gerard Corcoran, RNS School of Music

It is lovely to welcome to GETNS Gerard Corcoran, the founder of RNS School of Music. Ger, who has a background in music education and teaching, and has over 10 years’ experience of teaching guitar and Ukulele, works with students of all ages, and loves to incorporate fun games and activities in to his lessons. Ger is also a songwriter and performer, having recorded some of his own compositions.

Both his Ukulele and Guitar lessons are designed for complete beginners or for those who might have someone experience with the instrument already. So, if you think your child might like to be the next Rory Gallagher, then this might be a good start!

Please note: students must have their own instrument and tuner, but Gerard is happy to advise.

Dance

Donna Moran, Fit Kids/Fit Teens

Irish Hip Hop Master Champions, Fit Kids/Fit Teens dance classes are back! All of the boys and girls attending will learn the latest Hip Hop and Breakdance moves, and can take part in a little show for parents and guardians to enjoy at the end of term. FKFT classes have been described as a ‘movement’ for children. They not only learn the latest dance styles to current chart songs but gain confidence, balance and fitness while having fun. Donna and her crew FKFT placed second on TV3’s Ireland’s Got Talent in 2018, and are in high demand for workshops around the country. Donna and the infamous Raw Edge Crew have represented Ireland in The World Hip Hop Championships, made the Semi-final of Sky One’s Got to Dance, and are regularly seen on TV or performing at charity or corporate events. The Fit Kids/Fit Teens classes have a real party feel to them, where the aim is to motivate everyone to dance, stay fit and healthy in a fun way!

GET Walking PTA Fundraiser – Map of Walk

Easter Basketball Camp  with TR Academy