Rylane National School Christmas Newsletter 2019

Dear Parents,

It has been a busy few months for all the boys and girls in Rylane National School. I would like to sincerely thank you all for the warm welcome and well wishes I have received since commencing my position as principal on the 2 nd of September. It is a huge honour for me. I am determined to work collaboratively with you all and perform my role proficiently. From Fr. Peadar Murphy P.P. as Chairperson, to all the teachers, ancillary staff, parents and children, I greatly appreciate the support you have given me over the past few months. I will continue to uphold the existing traditions of Rylane National School and aim to develop on these and enhance the school environment in the years ahead. Growing up in a small rural village in Cordal, very similar to Rylane, I understand the importance the primary school has within a small community. I will endeavour to assist Rylane National School to progress and develop over the coming years, providing the children with ample opportunities to learn and grow.

I would like to wish Mary Buckley well in her retirement. Mary has given a long service of teaching and learning to Rylane National School and her achievements will never be forgotten. She has given me huge support over the past few months and I am grateful for her continued help and guidance. I wish her a long, healthy and happy retirement.

As we come to the end of our first term, I would like to acknowledge the remarkable efforts of all our 82 pupils. It has been a term packed full of learning, activities and fun. Every day, the children demonstrate a huge commitment to their school work and this is a great testament to the families who support their child’s school life. The children are at the fore of all our undertakings in Rylane National School and we are constantly striving to assist every child in their journey throughout primary school.

I would like to thank our hard-working, committed and inspiring teachers for their constant dedication and enthusiasm. To Mr. O’ Sullivan, Ms. O’ Connell, Ms. Buckley and Mrs. O’Brien, thank you for your continuous support and guidance. To Noreen our SNA, Danielle our secretary, Eily-May and Jimmy our cleaning staff and David our caretaker, we really appreciate the huge work they do everyday in the school, for the benefit of all the children. We congratulate Mrs. Murphy on the birth of her son, Colm.

I would like to thank the members of the previous Board of Management for their efforts and commitment over the past four years. I welcome our new Board of Management members, Fr. Peadar, Jerh O’ Sullivan, Seán Buckley, Deborah O’ Donovan, Martina Casey, Cal Hartnett and Breeda O’ Brien. I look forward to working with you all in the months and years ahead in helping to progress school development.

The parents of all the children play a huge part in our school environment. Thank you for your continuous support, co- operation and generosity towards all the activities and fundraisers we have had throughout the school year so far. From washing the towels, to helping provide hot chocolate and marshmallows after the Sponsor a Bulb fundraiser, to assisting in the cake sale, your time and efforts are welcomed and appreciated. Thank you to the Gardening Committee parents for providing an opportunity for the children to explore activities in the polytunnel, an invaluable resource to our school.

The Parents’ Association is a crucial component of Rylane National School. Maria Buckley (Chairperson), Anne O’ Sullivan (Secretary) and Louise Barrett (Treasurer) work tirelessly to organise fundraising activities to raise much needed funds for the school. Thank you for the time and effort you give in sourcing resources and assisting in providing opportunities for all the children in the school. Your efforts are really appreciated.

We hope you have an enjoyable, relaxing and safe Christmas. Happy New Year to you all.

Brian Reidy (Principal) New Pupils - We welcomed 7 new pupils into Junior Infants in September and 1 pupil in 4 th class. They have all settled in very well.

Trophy Visits - We had visits from the All- winning footballers in minor and U20, the camogie All-Ireland and also the victorious Ladies Football Team. We were delighted to have past pupils visit and also to have 3rd and 4 th Class teacher Ms. O’ Connell part of the winning ladies team.

Dogs Trust – Donal from Dog’s Trust Ireland came to every class to give a talk about dog welfare.

Football - Scaoith na Scol, 7 a-side in and Non-competitive football blitz in Donoughmore. The teams performed very well in all these competitions recently. Children from Juniors to 2 nd Class are also receiving coaching from Colm Crowley (Games Officer) as part of our GAA 5 Star Excellence Award.

Izack 9 - The children from 3 rd - 6th Class received a workshop based on Problem Solving in Maths

Literacy Lift-Off - We have spent two 6-week blocks in 1 st /2 nd and 3 rd /4 th using our PM readers. This initiative enables children to improve their reading fluency and overall literacy ability.

Halloween Dress Up - in aid of Cork Penny Dinners

Cork Penny Dinners - The pupils in 5 th and 6 th Class were given the opportunity to pick a charity for this school year and they picked Cork Penny Dinners. Their choice was welcomed by all in the school. Caitriona from Cork Penny Dinners came to each class to talk about the work they do. We raised €176 at our Halloween Dress up day and this was donated prior to Christmas.

Aldi Poster – The school sent away 2 Aldi posters consisting of 600 stickers on the 8 th November. Hopefully we will hear soon if we have won some money or prizes. Thanks to all parents who went out of their way to collect those.

Polytunnel Harvesting – The Gardening Committee organised a harvest of the tomatoes in the polytunnel on the 24 th October. Every class got to take part. Some amazing chutney was made which was then raffled off to the children in every class.

Aistear – Children in Junior and Senior Infants love taking part in Aistear every morning. An educational aspect of play, the children enjoy working on phonics, fine motor skills, siopa, handwriting etc.

5th /6 th Class Science – Children in 5 th and 6 th Class were busy experimenting as part of Science class.

Clondrohid Transition Year Show – Children in 5 th and 6 th Class attended the Transition Year show on Thursday 21 st November. Thank you to St. Mary’s Secondary School for the kind invitation.

Theatre Tricks – All the children have taken part in a 6- week block of Drama activities. Thank you to Susan for facilitating this event every Tuesday in the school hall.

Shoe box Appeal - Parents sent over 30 shoeboxes for the Hope Appeal which were collected in late October.

Sponsor a Bulb – On Friday, 6 th December, the children attended the church to celebrate the annual ‘Sponsor a Bulb’ Mass.

The children sang Christmas carols as the lights were switched on the Christmas tree outside the church.

Toy Mass – The Toy Mass took place on Sunday 8 th December. Thank you to all the children and families who donated toys.

Many children will be delighted with the toys which were donated to St. Vincent de Paul.

Cake Sale – The cake sale took place in the school hall on Sunday 8 th December. Thank you to all the parents who baked and helped organise the raffle and the hall on the day.

Christmas Annuals – The Parents’ Association purchased Christmas Annuals for all the children. These were presented to the children in school on Tuesday 10 th December.

Santa/Christmas Walk – A Santa/Christmas jumper walk was held on Monday 16th December as part of our Green Schools Travel Flag Initiative. All the pupils and teachers enjoyed a loop around the village on a beautiful and crisp day. €148 was raised for Penny Dinners.

Carol Singing – All classes took part in singing Christmas Carols in St. Olan’s Church on Thursday 19th December. It was a fitting way for the Christmas celebrations to begin with the sweet voices of the pupils of Rylane N.S. ringing out in St Olan’s church. Thank you to Caitríona for accompanying the children on the piano and the many practices leading up to the event.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL FROM

EVERYONE IN RYLANE N.S.