December Newsletter

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

December Newsletter

School Blitz Christmas Plays

December 11th Junior Infants in
Well done to all of the girls in 6th class who participated in a school hall.
December 12th All other classes
camogie blitz in Blessington. We are lucky to have such a in community hall.
talented group of girls representing the school in the senior
blitzes this year. Well done to all involved.
Uniform
Please ensure your child wears
appropriate uniform daily.
New Board of Management
Christmas Holidays
The term for our new Board of Management has begun since
School closes Friday 20th at
December 1st. The Board members are as follows: Fr. Eamonn 12.30p.m buses will run at this
McCarthy (Chairperson), Julie Fitzmaurice , Paul Moynihan, time. Re-open on Monday
6th January.
Aoife Bolton, Kate Hussey, Joe O’Neill, David Ayton and
Catherine Higgins. I would like to thank everyone who put Parents Association meeting
Dec 3rd 7.30pm.
their names forward to be nominated for the Board of
Management this term. Many of these members are BOM meeting Dec 3rd 8.30pm.
beginning their 2nd term of management and we as a school
are very grateful for all of their hard work, knowledge and
expertise over the past four years. We look forward to the
new term ahead!

Our New Extension

We are all very excited here at school as we begin our new

school extension. The builders hope to begin work this month.
Due to growing numbers in the school the Department of Education granted permission
and monies to build a new classroom to the front of the building. The Board of
Management also hope to extend our school hall (which is in use as a classroom at

“Success is buried on the other side of rejection” Jerzy Gregory Principal’s favourite quote
present) and build a new staff room to the rear of the school. Next year will be a great
year in Donard National to see the changes to the existing build but the school will have
to prepare for some fundraising events as the Department have refused monies towards
any refurbishments in our hall and staffroom.

The Board of Management have discussed the issue of parking at school and have put
some measures in place for staff parking during the build. The staff car-park will be out of
bounds for the duration of the build but our neighbouring garda station have kindly
offered to allow staff cars to park in the station during the school day. The play school
have also allowed some spaces for staff parking . Even though these measures have been
put in place for our staff members we do expect disruption in relation to parking spaces
are inevitable. We understand that pick up times are very busy at present but ask parents
be patient and take care for the next number of months while building is taking place.

Christmas concerts

Our annual Christmas concert will take place on December 11th and 12th. Junior infants will
perform a short play in the school on December 11th and all other classes will perform
some songs in the community hall on December 12th. This event is the school’s main
fundraiser and we ask all parents to support. If your child’s teacher has not specified a
costume of choice we recommend a Christmas theme dress (e.g Christmas jumper).

On the night we will be holding a raffle. Over the next two weeks we ask all children to
bring in one item towards the raffle that will be used to fill a ‘themed hamper’. The
hampers will be raffled on the night. The themes are as follows

Junior infants (bring in one of the following items): Movie night theme (popcorn, sweets,
crisps, soft drinks, DVD etc.)

Senior infants &1st class (please bring in one of the following items ): Stationary hamper
theme (pencils, markers, paper, rubbers, pencil papers, pencil cases, twistables etc.)

2nd and 3rd class (please bring in one of the following items) ,pamper hamper theme –
soap, socks, deodorant, hand cream, shower gel etc.

4th & 5th class (please bring in one of the following), sweet treat hamper theme – (sweets,
chocolates, soft drinks, crisps, biscuits).

6th class –(please bring in one of the following) – Christmas gift hamper theme – examples
include -socks, mugs, games, card games, Christmas decorations etc.

Please note – do not spend any more than 5 euro

“Success is buried on the other side of rejection” Jerzy Gregory Principal’s favourite quote
Parents association

The parents association will meet on December 2nd. All parents are welcome to this
meeting at 730 pm.

Credit Union Art winner

Well done to Lydia Keogh in senior infants who recently won a prize in the schools art
credit union competition.

School curriculum

Attached to this newsletter are the themed phrases for our Gaeilge school self-evaluation.
Students from each class have been practising these phrases since September. They will
continue to practise these phrases throughout the school year and it is beneficial that they
can practise at home also. The teachers will be studying further themes after Christmas
and we will make these available to parents also.

Head lice

It has come to our attention that there are a number of children infected with head lice in
across the school. We ask parents to follow directions for treatment on the HSE website.
We urge all parents to check their child’s hair daily to prevent the spread. Every parent
must play a part in preventing the spread of headlice as children work together in close
proximity daily. If you suspect a case, please treat immediately.

Swimming Term

6th class will finish their swimming lessons on December 16th. 1st – 3rd class will begin their
swimming lessons on January 13th.

School cinema treat

Over the past number of years the children were treated to a pantomime at Christmas
time. This year we have decided to take a trip away from the school to the cinema in
Naas with the whole school on December 13th. The children from Junior Infants – 6th class
will attend this event.

School holiday closing

This school term finishes on December 20th. The school will close at 12.30 and reopen on
January 6th

“Success is buried on the other side of rejection” Jerzy Gregory Principal’s favourite quote
“Success is buried on the other side of rejection” Jerzy Gregory Principal’s favourite quote