Scoil Eoin Baiste Cailíní Sinsear Belgrove Senior Girls’ School Bóthar Ghort na Mara Seafield Road Cluain Tarbh Clontarf Baile Átha Cliath 3 Dublin 3 D03 T803 D03 T803 Guthán: 833 1888 Telephone: 833 1888 Uimhir Rolla: 17148D Roll No. 17148D
Deireadh Fómhair/ October 2018
A thuismitheoirí / a chaomhnóirí, I hope you have all settled into the new school year. Céad míle fáilte to the parents of ranganna a dó (second class), and to the parents of girls, who have joined other classes .
Board of Management
Our school has a dedicated and hard-working Board of Management, which meets regularly.
The Board has eight members, with equal representation from the Patron, the Teaching Staff, Parents, and the wider community. The term of office is for four years and the current BOM is in place until 30th November 2019. It is comprised of: Patrons’ Representatives: Mr. Owen Wilson (Chairperson) and Fr. Larry White. Teachers’ Representatives: Mrs. Anne McCarthy (Principal) and Mrs. Eva MacNamee. Parents’ Representatives: Ms. Clodagh Farrell and Mr. Tony Fallon (newly elected). Community Representatives: Mrs. Bernadette Hollingsworth (Treasurer) and Mr. Donal Friel.
Parents’ Association I would like to say a very sincere thanks to all of you who work so hard as volunteers on behalf of the school. Contact e mail: [email protected]
Reminder PA Annual Sponsored Walk Friday 26th October 11a.m.
Fancy Dress for the girls Optional Fancy Dress for parents Raise money to enhance your daughter’s education
This will be followed by the prizes for the Annual PA Logo competition the girls participate in each year.
Extra Costs Míle buíochas to all parents who have paid the Booklist Extra Costs so promptly. Some Extra Costs payments are still outstanding and I remind anyone who has not paid these costs yet to try to do so as soon as possible. The total for Extra Costs is €95.00. If possible please pay online – your e mail address is required for this. If by chance your financial circumstances have changed to such an extent that you have a
1 genuine problem regarding this payment, please talk to your daughter’s Class Teacher or to myself. Please note this is a separate payment to the Voluntary Contribution.
Voluntary Contributions On behalf of the Board of Management of the school, I sincerely thank those parents who have also given the Voluntary Contribution to school funds. You will receive an official receipt for this in due course. The Voluntary Contribution requested is €75 (or €100 per family).
PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE – 24HR COVER: In accordance with the policy of the Board of Management of the school, all pupils in the school are included in the Personal Accident Insurance Scheme with 24hr cover. The cost of this is €6.40 and is included in Booklist Extra Costs.
School Lunches We encourage your daughter to have a healthy and nutritious lunch each day including fresh fruit and/or veg. As well as being good for your child’s general well-being, healthy eating also adds to her ability to concentrate at school. Please try to avoid sweet treats or chocolate, and to also include other healthy options (e.g. sandwich, pitta bread, rice- cake, etc.). We do not allow fizzy drinks, crisps or chewing gum or boiled sweets. All unfinished lunches should be brought home. In this way, you will know what your daughter is not eating at school.
Morning Supervision Please be aware that supervision by staff begins in the morning at 8.40am. Remind your daughter to have appropriate rainwear for when the weather changes.
School Uniforms Remember that the regular uniform is regular school wear – in other words, your daughter should not get into the habit of only wearing her tracksuit. If wearing socks only white or navy should be worn with the school uniform please. If wearing leggings only long black or navy ones with matching socks should be worn.
Uniform tracksuits with white polo-shirts are required wear for PE. Please note that suitable flat shoes are required for school wear and trainers (with laces tied properly) are required for PE. When purchasing trainers for PE please ensure that they are suitable for sportswear and not just designer wear.
Please ensure that jumpers, tracksuit tops and jackets etc. are clearly labelled with your daughter’s name. Only minimum, safe jewellery should be worn at school.
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Furniture Grant
Following approval by DES, we have received a furniture grant to replace all the old tables and chairs. Tá cabhair ag teastáil linn anois! – Help needed now! We are looking for a meitheal of volunteers to come to the school between 11am and 3pm on Saturday the 27th of October to remove the old furniture from the classrooms. We would need at least two parents from each class to help. Please contact the parents association to give your contact details and availability. All help much appreciated. FREE FURNITURE! o The old tables and chairs are available on a first come first served basis saor in aisce (for free)! Great for the play room or paint them up for the garden !!!
Clontarf Credit Union Savings Scheme In 2013 we launched a school savings scheme in conjunction with Clontarf Credit Union. The scheme has been a great success and collections began again in September and take place every Thursday. New students to the school have received a letter and application form inviting them to join the scheme. However, if any other student wishes to join the Clontarf Credit Union Savings scheme application forms are kept in the office. Míle buíochas to Malene Brazel who is looking after organising it.
Míle buíochas do na tuismitheoirí a thagann isteach gach Déardaoin chun cabhair a thabhairt linn . (Many thanks to the parents who help run the scheme every Thursday. Should parents/guardians have any further queries please contact Clontarf Credit Union directly at (01) 8331687 or [email protected].
Brat Glas The school is very proud to have four Green flags! We have the pennants on the flag pole (Litter, Energy, Water, Transport). Mrs. MacNamee and Mrs. O’Toole will be heading up the Green School Committee this year. Please see the school website www.belgroveseniorgirls.ie for information and regular updates.
In order to reduce the amount of waste produced by the school, children are asked to bring all wrappers/ uneaten food/ tetra packs (milk or juice cartons) home. We have a skin bin in the yard for recyclable waste – no half eaten apples or sandwiches please! Remind your daughter to eat all of her lunch and to bring home uneaten food.
Spórt na Scoile Please see the school website www.belgroveseniorgirls.ie for information and updates re all school sports -Spórt Na Scoile.
Athletics Portmarnock Cross Country Event 10th October 2018
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Comhghairdeas to all of our athletes after a great performance at the Cross Country Championships in Portmarnock on 10th October 2018.
The under 13s (Ms. Deegan’s Class) came in 2nd place and the under 11s (Ms. Mc Carthy’s Class) brought home gold!
Every single girl completed their race and contributed to the great results. Well done to all the girls who represented our school on the day, listed below. You were fantastic!
Let’s keep up the great running! See school website!
3rd Class
Ms. Brodie Ms. Walsh Ms. O’Driscoll 1. Lily Browne 1. Lily Kenny-Scott 1. Maggie Foley 2. Chloe Connellan 2. Vivienne Lee 2. Ayana O’Callaghan 3. Anna Brabazon 3. Sarah Layden 3. Lucy Sheridan 4. Aoibheann Geraghty 4. Olivia Meikle 4. Ailbhe Murphy 5. Leah Forde 5. Maya Mc Guckin 5. Alison Teeling 6. Lucie O’Keefe 6. Caoimhe Keogh 6. Rachel Morr
4th Class
Ms. Mc Manus Ms. Mc Carthy: GOLD Ms. Davey 1. Keelin Boyhan 1. Sinead O’Keefe 1. Eleanor Kenny 2. Robyn Costello 2. Sophie Salmon 2. Orlaith Kavanagh 3. Mary Drury Byrne 3. Ava O’Donnell 3. Olivia Murphy 4. Feena Corcoran 4. Zoe Stafford 4. Kate Higgins 5. Louise Ferguson 5. Rachel O’Dea 5. Aoibhinn O’Brien
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6. Amelia McKay 6. Jenny Dundon 6. Sarah Patach
5th Class
Ms. Carey Ms. Furness Ms. Barry 1. Ellen Brazil 1. Eva Magner 1. Hannah Mc Carrick 2. Ava Burton 2. Aideen Brunicardi 2. Zahra Mc Keown 3. Elise Cunningham 3. Ivana Jewtushenko 3. Hazel Power 4. Olivia Davey 4. Connie Keating 4. Katie Wright 5. Alannah Campbell 5. Orlaith Hanratty 5. Eve Marie Treacy 6. Pippa Clancy 6. Anna Gallogly 6. Cara Mulligan
6th Class
Ms. Carroll Ms. Deegan:SILVER 1. Elena Forkan Ms. O’Connell 1. Heather Rothwell 1. Mia Canavan 2. Daisy Metcalfe 2. Clíona Walshe 2. Sophie Condon 3. Ríona Kirwan 3. Aoife Ryan 3. Nicole Carroll 4. Mia Hodson 4. Bronwyn O’ 4. Lana Burke Connell 5. Olivia Hogan 5. Isabel Fitzgerald 5. Christina O’ Brien 6. Faye Morrissey 6. Abbie Corcoran 6. Lily Sweeney
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Cumann na mBunscol We had two GAA football teams again this year, Corn Austin Finn team and a league team. Huge numbers signed up to try out for the school football teams. There is a very high standard of football in the school and it was very difficult to pick the teams. Buíochas mór to all the girls who tried out and comhghairdeas to the girls who were chosen. Well done to our League Team who played well in all their matches. Best of luck to our Corn Austin Finn team playing in the final Monday 22nd October in Croke Park. They will be playing Sandymount. GO BELGROVE! Buíochas to the teachers who help with the teams – Caoimhe Carey & Kate McCarthy, to Ger Dinan our GAA coach and also Julie Morrisey, our parent helper who voluntarily gave of her time to attend training sessions and matches.
DUBLIN CHAMPIONS!
We were honoured to welcome the Dublin 2 in a row, All Ireland Senior Ladies Football Champions: Katie Murray, past pupil, Leah Caffrey & Hannah O’Neill with Brendan Martin Cup on Thursday 18th October 2018. Great excitement and girls thrilled as “no obairbhaile”! Áth Cliath Abú!
The Brendan Martin Cup is the name of the Cup that ladies' Gaelic football teams play for in the final of the All-Ireland Senior Ladies' Football Championship, it is the Ladies equivalent of the Sam Maguire Cup. The cup is named after Brendan Martin, a native of Tullamore, County Offaly, who organised ladies' football games in the early 1970s and became one of the first treasurers of the newly founded Ladies' Gaelic Football Association.
We look forward to welcoming the Dublin 4 in a row, All Ireland Senior Mens Football Champion Jack McCaffrey with the The Sam Maguire Cup on Friday 19th October 2018! What a fantastic achievement! Áth Cliath Abú!
The Sam Maguire Cup is named in honour of Sam Maguire, a prominent member of London GAA. Sam Maguire was born in Dunmanway, Co. Cork, in 1879. The Sam Maguire Cup is modelled on the Ardagh Chalice and it was presented in 1928. Kildare was the first county to win the Sam Maguire Cup. The original cup was replaced with an exact replica in 1988. Meath was the last county to win the original Sam Maguire Cup. Meath was the first county to win the new Sam Maguire Cup.
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Active Flag
Belgrove earned their First Active School Flag a few years ago. The flag is awarded to schools who strive to achieve a physically educated and physically active school community. The aim is to encourage schools to be more active. This year our Active Committee is made up of three teachers (Ms. Daly, Ms. Deegan, Ms. Duffy and Ms. Furness) Representatives will be chosen from 5th and 6th class for the committee.
Leabhar Power
The book clubs for 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes resumed again this year. Each group meets once a month in the school library to share ideas on books read. The books for each class grouping are listed on the notice board outside Mrs. McCarthy’s office and are also listed on the school website. Buíochas to the parents who help once a month and to Judith Phelan who collated the volunteer lists, also to Ms. Julie Carroll & Ms. O’Connell.
Alan Early, author of the Father of Lies Chronicles (Arthur Quinn and the World Serpent, Fenris Wolf & Hell’s Keeper) and E.R. Murray, author of The Nine Lives Trilogy (The Book of Learning, The Book of Shadows & The Book of Revenge) will visit the 6th classes on Wednesday 17th October. Marguerite Toney, author of the Kapheus Series will visit the 5th classes on Wednesday 17th October.
See Dublin Book Festival 2018 on 15th to 18thNovember www.dublinbookfestival.com - Children’s Programme
Gairdín na Scoile/ School Garden Buíochas to Olga O’Hanlon and the PA volunteers who held coffee mornings recently: Friday 28th September for 2nd class parents and Friday 5th October for 3rd – 6th class parents. We were very lucky with good weather for the 2nd classes but we had to use the library the following Friday! Thanks to Liz Tierney who oversaw the recent garden tidy up. Please see Parents’ Association blog for further garden pictures.
Garda Visit The 5th classes were paid a visit by local Gardaí, Sergeant Jim Clavin, Garda Ruth and Garda Keith. They spoke to the girls re Show Racism the Red Card. All of the fifth classes attended the FAI Fair Play Soccer Tournament on Wednesday 10th October, with 10 girls from each class participating in the tournament.
Parking and Stopping May we remind you to respect the ‘no stopping’ zone outside the school gates and also to keep our neighbours’ gateways clear at all times. For your daughter’s safety
7 and your own, please always use the small pedestrian entrance gate to the school rather than the wider vehicle entrance. Please remind your daughter to walk across the road with her bicycle or scooter when crossing with the school warden. Fáilte chuig Kathleen Forde, the warden assigned to the junction of Kincora Road and Oulton Road at end of lane. She started on 10th September 2018.
NO PARKING ON THE YELLOW BOX OUTSIDE THE SCHOOL AT ANY TIME OUTSIDE NEIGHBOURING DRIVEWAYS LE DO THOIL
Code of Behaviour Reminder to read over the school Code of Behaviour with your daughter. You should have a hard copy and it is available on the school website. Working together, as teachers, parents and pupils we endeavour to make each girls school experience a positive one. If you require a hard copy please contact the school office.
Cyberbullying As per the Department of Education and Skills document “Anti-Bullying Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools September 2013 & our Anti-Bullying Policy “placing a once-off offensive or hurtful public message, image or statement on a social network site or other public forum where that message, image or statement can be viewed and/or repeated by other people will be regarded as bullying behaviour” Please ensure your daughter fully understands this.
Reminder to parents Class contact names and numbers are collected for very valid reasons re communicating information & that is what they should only be used for. It has been brought to my attention that the information is used for negative reasons in connection with the school or personnel working in the school. We expect the girls to adhere to a code of behaviour and our Anti Bullying Policy. Parents are expected to use social media appropriately in connection with school matters and to lead by good example.
Information Booklet
On our website www.belgroveseniorgirls.ie you will find our “Information Booklet” for parents/guardians on the right hand side. Please read this to familiarise yourself with school procedures.
Beginning of Year Teacher/Parent Talk
Many thanks to all parents/guardians who came to the class information meetings. We hope you benefited from the experience and shared with those who unfortunately could not attend. Buíochas do na múinteoirí for facilitating them. The “Additional Information Sheet” for parents is available on the school website click on the relevant year e.g. Second Class Information. Buíochas mór to Rachel McGaughey for her help with the school website.
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New SEN Model
Department of Education and Skills Circular 13/2017: Circular to the Management Authorities of all Mainstream Primary Schools The new Special Education Teaching model will provide a single unified allocation for special educational support teaching needs to each school, based on the school's educational profile. This single allocation will allow schools to provide additional teaching support for all pupils who require such support. Schools will deploy resources based on each pupil's individual learning need, as opposed to being based primarily on a diagnosis of disability.
Obair Bhaile: Homework Policy Below are the approximate times children should spend on homework: Rang 2: 20 – 30 mins Rang 3: 30 – 40 mins Rang 4: 40 – 50 mins Rang 5&6: 50 – 60 mins It is important that you inform your daughter’s class teacher if she is not managing to complete her homework in the recommended time. You have received a hard copy of our “Additional Information” sheet from your daughter’s teacher regarding guidelines and expectations for the current school year. This can also be viewed on the school website under “Annual Information” and the relevant class for your daughter.
Support for Parents (Re Primary Language Curriculum): Circular 38/2017
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed two information leaflets for parents on the new Primary Language Curriculum: A one-page leaflet answers key questions from parents about the curriculum. A two-page leaflet gives more detail on these key questions parents have about the curriculum.
The leaflets are available in English and Irish at www.curriculumonline.ie. The shorter leaflet might be more helpful for parents for whom neither English nor Irish is their first language.
As part of the Department’s strategy to improve children’s literacy and numeracy skills, the National Adult Literacy Agency developed the website www.helpmykidlearn.ie. This provides some suggestions for enjoyable activities in which parents and their children can engage. Information for parents about resources to support literacy and numeracy in Irish is available from COGG, www.cogg.ie.
As per Circular 39/2018 : We are now in Year 3 (2017/2018) of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) support for the new curriculum. Building on the Oral Language learning from last year, the current focus is on the Reading and Writing strands – infants to second class. Schools may also avail of an additional full-day school closure, as an exceptional measure in the school-year 2018/19. This will facilitate further whole-staff collaborative exploration of the curriculum, with a view to supporting implementation. This date has currently not been decided as we are waiting on advice from the PDST.
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TUSLA (Educational Welfare Services Child and Family Agency)
Established 01/01/2014
It is a requirement for schools to report absences of 20 days or more to TUSLA which now incorporates the National Education Welfare Board (NEWB). Under this arrangement, we must also categorise the reason for each absence, hence the importance of sending in a written note to the Class Teacher explaining why your daughter has been absent, on every occasion. The absence note should be on a separate page, and not in your daughter’s homework journal, because the Class Teacher will have to retain it for reference. There are two mandatory reporting periods in the year: end of December and the end of the school year. Please note that reports are cumulative from the start of the school year. Please see www.tusla.ie for further details.
Ná déan dearmad
Rented Books Please ensure your daughter treats the books she receives from the school with care over the year, as they will be used again by other children. Please LABEL your daughter’s uniform parts. The amount of lost property that builds up over the school year is incredible. Lynch’s of Marino sell iron on labels. Sew on labels can be ordered online. We have some tracksuit tops and a few uniform pieces in the wooden unit beside lost property, so if you need to replace an item please look here first. Should you wish to make a small donation it will be sent to St. John’s Ward, Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin. Please note we do not allow the distribution of party invitations in classes or on the school grounds. Please ensure your after school arrangements are very clear with your daughter before she comes to school. The school phone is for emergencies only. Head-Lice For the sake of all our children and of our parents, please ensure your daughters’ hair is tied back, remain vigilant at all times and check her hair regularly. As a parent/guardian, this is your responsibility.
School Grounds Please do not allow your children to climb on the railings both outside and inside the school gate.
Please do not allow children to play in among our parked cars.
Dog Owners/ Minders
Please clean up after your pet and on the grounds of health and safety, please do not bring your dog inside the school gates, even if you are holding the dog!
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Fáilte: Parents are welcome!
Please remember that parents are welcome to call to the school. However, if you wish to discuss something with your daughter’s Class Teacher or with myself, it is important to make a prior appointment. When calling to the school during the day, even just to drop off a lunch, please call to the main door only and ring the Senior School doorbell. The doorbell sounds in the Secretary’s office. If she is not in the office at the time, please be patient and try again. School Holidays/Laethanta Saoire:
Available on the school website www.belgroveseniorgirls.ie. You can keep up to date with newsletters on our school website and follow us on twitter@belgrovesgns.
Dataí Parent Teacher Meetings
Wednesday 21st and Thursday, 22nd November 2018 (Further details to follow)
Seó Na Nollag
Monday 10th December, Tuesday 11th December & Wednesday 12th December 9.15a.m. (Further details to follow)
Carol Service
Wednesday 19th December St. Gabriel’s Church 12noon.
Sports For All Day
Friday 7th June 2019
6th class Graduation
Wednesday 26th June 2019 at 11.00a.m. Sacramental Dates
First Holy Communion
Parent Meeting: First Holy Communion Programme Meeting was held on
Monday 10th September 8.p.m. Senior Girls’ School Hall Sacrament of First Reconciliation (St. John’s Church 1.30p.m.) Monday 4th March 2019 Ms. Duffy Tuesday 5th March 2019 Ms. Daly Wednesday 6th March 20198 Ms. Mason First Holy Communion: Saturday, 11th May 2019 12 noon Photographs on Monday, 13th May 2019 11
Confirmation
Parent Meeting: Confirmation Programme Meeting was held on
Monday 24th September 8p.m. Senior Girls’ School Hall Reconciliation for 6th classes
March 25th @ 11.30a.m. (Teachers will bring classes)
Retreats: 10-12 Noon Manresa
Wednesday 1st May Ms. Carroll Thursday 2nd May Ms. O’Connell Friday 3rd May Ms. Deegan
Confirmation:We are still waiting for approval from Archbishop’s House for our date for the Sacrament of Confirmation but the proposed date is Thursday 23rd May 2019.
Photographer provisionally booked for Friday 24th May 2019
Thank you for taking the time to read this newsletter, please retain it for reference.
Le gach dea-ghuí don scoil bhliain nua.
Is mise le meas,
Anne McCarthy Príomhoide
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