February Newsletter

Donard N.S.
Donard Co. Wicklow Upcoming Events
T: 045404884 Website: www.donardnswicklow.com

February Newsletter

Peace Prom
Our 4th, 5th and 6th class participated in the Peace Proms choir in the RDS
on Saturday the 2nd February. This was a spectacular show where 2500
B.O.M meeting 26th February
children from different schools performed songs with a full orchestra. The
children sang superbly and great credit is due for all the practising they P.A. meeting 26th February
did over the past number of weeks. A massive congratulation goes out to 7.30p.m.
all the children involved. Also a huge thank you to Ms. Higgins for
preparing the children for the event and to Ms. Naughton and Mr. O ‘ Enrolment
Cathasaigh for giving up their Saturday to accompany and sing with the February 2019
children.
Confirmation Parent meeting
Candle light walk 11thFebruary

The annual candle light walk took place on Sunday February 3rd. This was
a beautiful event organised by Catherine Walshe. A huge thank you to Mid-Term Break
Wed. 20th, Thurs 21st& Fri 22nd
Catherine and all that participated in the walk. The funds raised from the
February
walk have been donated to our school. The total amount raised was
400euro. We are very appreciative of this.
Book Fair
Also before Christmas we were delighted to receive a donation from the 7th – 14thMarch
past foroige club in Donard. The organisation was closing their club and
donated outstanding amounts in their account to the school. Again we are School Closed Curriculum Planning
very grateful to accept this amount. As we hope to start our build of new day 19th March.
classroom and renovations to the school this year, every donation is
First ConfessionTues 5th March
greatly appreciated.
Donard Church
Credit union quiz First Holy Communion May 11th
The annual credit union quiz took place on Monday the 4th of February in Confirmation May14th
Hollywood. Well done to all of the students who represented Donard at
the quiz. The teams were as follows : Caoimhe Moore, Molly Bryne,
Caoimhe Flood,Matthew Doyle, Sineád Flood, Noel Andrews, Ellen O’Friel Please ensure your child wears
Molly O’ Hara, Cillian Wright, Cathal Mc Namara, Alex Costello,Toirse appropriate uniform daily.
Scully, Darragh Hussey, Lucy Gannon, Nicky Bolton and John Tyrrell.

Principal’s Quote

‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement nothing can be done without hope and confidence’ Helen Keller
Mid- term
Reminder to all parents that our February mid-term is from 20th, 21st and 22nd. The school will be
closed on these dates.

Stay Safe programme and Child Protection.

As part of child safeguarding in schools it is mandatory to cover the ‘Stay Safe programme’ with the
subject area SPHE. The teachers will begin teaching the Stay Safe programme starting from the
beginning of March. Our Board of Management will also undertake our Child Protection annual
review at the next Board of Management meeting. Please note that our Child safeguarding statement
is available from the office to view.
It is a legal requirement that any personnel that teach, help out or tutor in our school are garda
vetted. Therefore any parents that are willing to help out with activities in our school should be garda
vetted. If there are parents willing, vetting invitation forms are available in the office. We would be
very grateful if you could undergo this process.

Enrolment
Enrolment for junior infants takes place this month until the last day of the month February 28 th.
Enrolment forms are available in the office.

Coding
We have continued with coding this term and the 4th -6thclass. The children are preparing for a
nationwide coding competition and have been using problem solving skills to create new games
during these lesson. The school have also invested in 5 more laptops for the lesson which has been a
great addition to the class.

GAA 5 star Centre

We are continuing to be as active as ever in Donard national school and are still involved in running
twice a week with Mary Kelly. We also are taking part in a new initiative called the GAA 5 star
initiative. The initiative aims to support and recognise primary schools that provide pupils with 60
minutes of moderate to vigorous gaelic games a week. We hope to be recognised as a GAA 5 star
centre by the end of the year. We also welcome Roisin Toomey who is our school’s new club school
link officer and will help the children.

ALDI Schools promotion

For anyone that shops in ALDI there is a promotion giving schools a chance to win 50000euro and lots
of other prizes. With every 30euro you spend you will be given a rugby sticker which can be dropped
into the school and stuck on our large Aldi Rugby poster. For every 300 stickers collected the school
are in with a chance to win 50000 towards the school’s playing facilities. The promotion is valid from
January 28th – April 7th.

Parent/Teacher Meetings
Teachers will hold an optional 2nd parent teacher meeting for any parents that wish to meet with
them about their child from 25thFebruary-1stMarch. Likewise if a teacher would like a meeting they
will be in contact at this time.

Prevention of Bullying
Seán Fallon will give a talk to teachers next Wednesday13th after school regarding ways to prevent
Bullying in schools. There will also be a talk for parents Wednesday 13th at 7.30p.m. in Valleymount
N.S. which will compliment the talk for the parents on the same day. We ask as many parents as
possible to attend.

Sister Maureen from Archbishops House will visit the school on Wednesday 6th. she will chat with the
children about the ‘Grow in Love’ programme and the teaching of religion in our Catholic school.

Principal’s Quote

‘Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement nothing can be done without hope and confidence’ Helen Keller