Altamuskin’s February News CelebratingCelebrating Success!Success! Our Under 11 team won their section of the Credit Union Quiz on Friday evening. This means that they are now through to the Tyrone Final which will be held in Kelly’s Inn on Sunday 5th March at 2pm. Keep the date free and come along to support our school team! Well done to EVERYONE who went along and represented our Congratulations to our school hurling team who made it to the Allianz Cumann na mBunscol Indoor Hurling: Tyrone Final 2017 for the first time ever! Two groups of 4 were drawn out and a highly competitive series of matches ensued. St. Colmcille’s P.S. Carrickmore were defending Ty- rone and Ulster champions, and they cruised through their Section with a 100% win-record to comfortably book their Semi-Final berth. They were joined by the boys from Gaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh, Stra- bane, as group Runners-Up. After some heroic hurling, the St. Brigid P.S. Altamuskin lads narrowly missed out on a semi-final spot, as did the battling boys from St. Mary’s P.S. Ballygawley. Well done boys...you did us proud! Mid Term The dates that the children are off for Mid Term are: Monday 13th until Friday 17th Returning to school on Monday 20th. Enjoy your well earned break. P A G E 2 Who do I talk to if I’m feeling worried? Encourage your child to talk to their teacher whenever something is worrying them, either at home, or in school. We have given each of them one of these posters for their homework books so they remember who they can talk to when they are feeling worried about something. Mrs Gormley is the Designated teacher for safeguarding and Miss Mc Nulty is the Deputy. Kevin Conroy is the Designated Governor for safeguarding and Fr O Dwyer is the chair of governors. Concussion Awareness a sports team provides a great sense of belonging and encour- The benefits of exercise and sport for ages life skills such as teamwork, goal-setting and self-control. children and young people are well Accidents Happen known. Children who are active have However accidents happen from time to time, on the sports stronger muscles and bones, are less pitch, in the school grounds or even at home and injury can likely to become overweight, have a occur. This month we will be explaining a type of injury called a lower risk of developing some illnesses and have a better concussion to the children. outlook on life. Our message to them is to report to an adult whenever someone Taking Part receives a blow to the head or is displaying any of the signs of Taking part in sport has additional benefits such as improv- concussion show below. ing co-ordination, flexibility and stamina while being part of Indoor Tournaments ers. The girls heat of the Cumann na mBunscol 5 a side The boys heat of the Cumann na mBunscol 5 a side indoor football takes place in the LOUGHVIEW CENTRE, indoor football takes place in the LOUGHVIEW DUNGANNON on in February as well (TBC). Good luck to CENTRE, DUNGANNON on Wednesday 8th Feb- both teams. Bring trainers to play in and a warm coat as it ruary @ 10.15am. We will be competing against can be cold. Cabragh, Roan, Augher, Clogher, Aughadarragh, Caledon, Aughnacloy and Ballygawley amongs oth- How Are You Getting Home? Feis 2017 The Feis runs during March and April. For those that have en- tered, it is another chance to perform for an audience. Not only If there is any change to how your child is being does it develop their confidence, but they are increasing their lifted after school please inform the child’s teach- awareness of pace and tone in their speech. Please ask them to er. The best way to inform the teacher is via a perform their poem at home after they receive it this month. signed note. If a child is lucky enough to be going Just do your best! to a friend’s house for the afternoon it’s important that the school knows who is collecting the child. ALTAMUSKIN’S FEBRUAR Y P A G E 3 Book Fair Lent 2017 This year Shrove Tuesday falls on Tuesday, February 28th and Ash Wednesday on Wednesday, 1st March. It marks the beginning of six and a half weeks of repentance, fasting and abstinence in preparation for Easter. The ashes from the palms (which have been blessed), that have been kept from last year's Palm Sunday, are mixed with holy water The book fair is coming to school this to make a greyish paste. When week. The children will get a chance to people go to church on Ash have a look at the books during the Wednesday, the priest dips his school day. You are invited in to buy thumb in the paste and uses it to books Monday-Wednesday 2pm-3:30pm. make the sign of the cross on each person's forehead. We get commission on books bought!!! Top tips for Safer Internet 1. Talk to your child port – and advise them to they are worried remind about their favourite web- only accept friend re- them to save the evi- sites. Starting a conversa- quests from people they dence and to always tell tion on a positive foot can know in real life. an adult they trust if lead nicely into a chat 3. Remind your child that something upsets them about online safety. showing respect for oth- online. 2. If your child loves to ers online is just as im- 5. There are ways in Communion 2017 use social networking portant as showing it of- which you can help to pre- Date for this year’s sites, teach them about fline. Encourage them to vent your child from see- Communion is 3 June in protecting their personal think before they post and ing inappropriate content St Mary’s Chapel. information by thinking encourage them to show online. Have you consid- about what they are shar- positive behaviour online. ered parental controls and Confirmation 2017 ing and who they are shar- 4. There are lots of ways filtering in your home and Date for this years ing it with. Show them how you can advise your child also on your children’s Confirmation is 26th to use privacy settings, about cyberbullying, if portable internet enabled March in Church of the Immaculate conception and how to block and re- devices? Ballygawley Safer Internet Day is celebrated across the globe on 7th February. Schools, companies, governments are all getting involved to help encourage the safe, responsible and positive use of technology. For par- ents, Safer Internet Day is a great time to have a conversation with their child about staying safe online. The children will be carrying out planned ac- tivities to raise awareness of how to be safe on line. February Menu February Happy St Brigid’s Day! We are going to Mass to celebrate St Brigid’s Day. We hope to see lots of Grandparents to help us celebrate Catholic School’s Week. A big “Thank You” to PD Coaches for providing free transport to and from the chapel! .