Parents' Association Newsletter April 2016
Dear Parents,
Welcome back to the final school term of the year. It’s hard to believe that summer holidays are fast approaching! Having said that, this term is always very busy and this year is no different. The school management and staff have a busy schedule ahead and we too have lots of activities planned to support these initiatives.
Firstly, we would like to say a huge heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to all of you who supported the Parents Association activities by donating €5.00 or more per family. We were delighted with the response to our last newsletter and the €1,425 donated to date. Remember, it’s never too late to contribute, Kay will always welcome donations in the school office!
The following are updates on where we are at with many of our initiatives for the 2015/2016 school year. As ever, we would love your feedback, all comments are welcome and indeed encouraged, so please get in touch. Our Suggestion Box is in the school office.
Health Initiatives
Healthy Eating - In support of the Food Dudes healthy eating campaign in the school, we hosted a ‘Healthy Eating for Families’ Talk with Community Dietician Aislinn Murphy, on February 29th. Parents who attended the event found it hugely informative and really interesting. They also got some new lunch box ideas and samples to take home. To accommodate parents who are not available to attend in the evening, a second ‘Healthy Eating for Families’ Talk will be held in the school on Wednesday, 27th April from 1pm-2.30pm. Feel free to pop out to collect your junior/senior infant children and bring them along. There will be some colouring etc. for them to do!
Nit Awareness – PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILDREN’S HAIR ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
Some parents have been in touch in desperation at this stage, as they are constantly getting notification of Nits in their child’s class. Can we please tackle this as a parent group to keep on top of this situation?
Tip: Pick the same time each week and check all heads, it only takes one unchecked head to continue the cycle!
Education – Encouraging Reading
Award Winning Children’s Author Book Reading
Award Winning Children’s author, Benji Bennett, spent a full day at the school on February 25th, to read to our 12 junior classes. Benji read to the children and brought his amazing ‘Adams Cloud’ books to life through song. He even let them in on the plot of his new book and they gave him their suggestions for the title! The children had a fantastic day and here’s what Benji had to say about his visit to St. Canice’s:
“I must say it was by far the best organised, magical, wonderful and successful visit I have ever had to a school. The kids were amazing and there was such a lovely atmosphere throughout the school. A most enjoyable day, I don’t know how the teachers do it all day I was very tired afterwards, so make sure all the kids know how great Benji thinks their teachers are. Can you also pass on my thanks to all the teachers who prepared the boys and girls for the day by reading the books to them. Thanks too to all the mums and dads and boys and girls who took books home with them I hope they all share a wonderful experience together filled will happy memories.”
Well done to all those involved, this was indeed the start of many more such events at St. Canice’s! As part of the School Book Fair run by Khan’s Books, Kilkenny author Eithne Coen did a workshop with children in our three 3rd classes. The Book Fair was a great success and resulted in lots of new free books for the school.
Cost Saving Initiatives
Confirmation Day Wear
Following feedback from parents, The Parents Association proposed that this years Confirmation Class wear Albs (similar to a graduation gown/robe worn over their own clothes) for their Confirmation Day in April. As with many other schools in Kilkenny, the Albs would be rented for the day at a small charge, in order to avoid any unnecessary expense incurred by purchasing new uniforms for the day. This proposal was forwarded to the Confirmation Committee for discussion and 6th class parents voted against the proposal, so uniforms were worn this year for confirmation.
Family Support
6th Class Induction Night for Students & Parents
In preparation for moving on to secondary school later this year, we are hosting an Introduction To Secondary School evening, for students and parents. The line-up will include secondary school teachers, an educational psychologist, parents and past pupils. With their help, we intend to shatter some myths, share any anxieties and gather some useful information to make the transition to secondary school as smooth as possible for both students and parents! This event will take place on Monday, 30th May and 6th class parents will be contacted directly before the event.
Junior Infants Induction Day
Before we know it, we will be welcoming the incoming group of Junior Infants and their parents to the school. This can be an anxious time for new parents to the school and the Parents Association will provide refreshments for parents and be available to assist them with any queries they might have. We will also run a 2nd hand uniform sale for new students, to ease the cost associated with starting school. This event will take place in June.
Graduation Books
Every year one of the many highlights for 6th class students is preparing their profile and cover design for the Graduation Books, which are presented to each student at their End of Year Mass. The Parents Association produces these books every year and this project will commence shortly.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
We are really lucky to have such diversity in our school and it is a great opportunity for our children to gain a greater appreciation of other languages, cultures and customs other than their own. With this in mind, we are hosting a Cultural Afternoon where we can celebrate the things that can make each culture different, from language to dress to food...the list goes on. The event will take place from 1.30pm on Thursday, 26th May and if you would like to take part or organise for a group of your friends to represent your culture, please come to our planning meeting in the school onMonday, 9th May at 7.30pm or contact Maria Comerford or P.A. member Matt Peters (086)-2390942.
Child Minder Required
A parent has been in touch to request assistance in sourcing a child minder for her children. If you are a childminder or know a childminder who would be willing to share their contact details, we would appreciate it if you would pass on your contact details to us, to try to assist another parent. Simply email your details to angelabrowne10@gmail.com
Communication Updates
As a group, we intend to continue to give you regular updates on what we are working on and activities that we have planned. If you can help out on occasion, or have views on any issues, we’d love to hear them!
We are also considering setting up a Facebook page for school parents, where we can share ideas, promote fundraisers and events and hopefully promote and support parents with family businesses who give the school huge financial support each year. If you would like to get involved in this initiative please get in touch.
Contact Details & Suggestion Box
A list of the members of the Parents' Association, along with the contact details for each class representative is available on the notice board outside Mr. Delaney’s classroom. A Suggestion Box is also located in the school reception. We would encourage you to use either method to contact us and pass on your comments, queries and suggestions.
Many thanks again for your support and we look forward to an eventful term.
The Parents’ Association
Welcome back to the final school term of the year. It’s hard to believe that summer holidays are fast approaching! Having said that, this term is always very busy and this year is no different. The school management and staff have a busy schedule ahead and we too have lots of activities planned to support these initiatives.
Firstly, we would like to say a huge heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to all of you who supported the Parents Association activities by donating €5.00 or more per family. We were delighted with the response to our last newsletter and the €1,425 donated to date. Remember, it’s never too late to contribute, Kay will always welcome donations in the school office!
The following are updates on where we are at with many of our initiatives for the 2015/2016 school year. As ever, we would love your feedback, all comments are welcome and indeed encouraged, so please get in touch. Our Suggestion Box is in the school office.
Health Initiatives
Healthy Eating - In support of the Food Dudes healthy eating campaign in the school, we hosted a ‘Healthy Eating for Families’ Talk with Community Dietician Aislinn Murphy, on February 29th. Parents who attended the event found it hugely informative and really interesting. They also got some new lunch box ideas and samples to take home. To accommodate parents who are not available to attend in the evening, a second ‘Healthy Eating for Families’ Talk will be held in the school on Wednesday, 27th April from 1pm-2.30pm. Feel free to pop out to collect your junior/senior infant children and bring them along. There will be some colouring etc. for them to do!
Nit Awareness – PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILDREN’S HAIR ON A WEEKLY BASIS.
Some parents have been in touch in desperation at this stage, as they are constantly getting notification of Nits in their child’s class. Can we please tackle this as a parent group to keep on top of this situation?
Tip: Pick the same time each week and check all heads, it only takes one unchecked head to continue the cycle!
Education – Encouraging Reading
Award Winning Children’s Author Book Reading
Award Winning Children’s author, Benji Bennett, spent a full day at the school on February 25th, to read to our 12 junior classes. Benji read to the children and brought his amazing ‘Adams Cloud’ books to life through song. He even let them in on the plot of his new book and they gave him their suggestions for the title! The children had a fantastic day and here’s what Benji had to say about his visit to St. Canice’s:
“I must say it was by far the best organised, magical, wonderful and successful visit I have ever had to a school. The kids were amazing and there was such a lovely atmosphere throughout the school. A most enjoyable day, I don’t know how the teachers do it all day I was very tired afterwards, so make sure all the kids know how great Benji thinks their teachers are. Can you also pass on my thanks to all the teachers who prepared the boys and girls for the day by reading the books to them. Thanks too to all the mums and dads and boys and girls who took books home with them I hope they all share a wonderful experience together filled will happy memories.”
Well done to all those involved, this was indeed the start of many more such events at St. Canice’s! As part of the School Book Fair run by Khan’s Books, Kilkenny author Eithne Coen did a workshop with children in our three 3rd classes. The Book Fair was a great success and resulted in lots of new free books for the school.
Cost Saving Initiatives
Confirmation Day Wear
Following feedback from parents, The Parents Association proposed that this years Confirmation Class wear Albs (similar to a graduation gown/robe worn over their own clothes) for their Confirmation Day in April. As with many other schools in Kilkenny, the Albs would be rented for the day at a small charge, in order to avoid any unnecessary expense incurred by purchasing new uniforms for the day. This proposal was forwarded to the Confirmation Committee for discussion and 6th class parents voted against the proposal, so uniforms were worn this year for confirmation.
Family Support
6th Class Induction Night for Students & Parents
In preparation for moving on to secondary school later this year, we are hosting an Introduction To Secondary School evening, for students and parents. The line-up will include secondary school teachers, an educational psychologist, parents and past pupils. With their help, we intend to shatter some myths, share any anxieties and gather some useful information to make the transition to secondary school as smooth as possible for both students and parents! This event will take place on Monday, 30th May and 6th class parents will be contacted directly before the event.
Junior Infants Induction Day
Before we know it, we will be welcoming the incoming group of Junior Infants and their parents to the school. This can be an anxious time for new parents to the school and the Parents Association will provide refreshments for parents and be available to assist them with any queries they might have. We will also run a 2nd hand uniform sale for new students, to ease the cost associated with starting school. This event will take place in June.
Graduation Books
Every year one of the many highlights for 6th class students is preparing their profile and cover design for the Graduation Books, which are presented to each student at their End of Year Mass. The Parents Association produces these books every year and this project will commence shortly.
Celebrating Cultural Diversity
We are really lucky to have such diversity in our school and it is a great opportunity for our children to gain a greater appreciation of other languages, cultures and customs other than their own. With this in mind, we are hosting a Cultural Afternoon where we can celebrate the things that can make each culture different, from language to dress to food...the list goes on. The event will take place from 1.30pm on Thursday, 26th May and if you would like to take part or organise for a group of your friends to represent your culture, please come to our planning meeting in the school onMonday, 9th May at 7.30pm or contact Maria Comerford or P.A. member Matt Peters (086)-2390942.
Child Minder Required
A parent has been in touch to request assistance in sourcing a child minder for her children. If you are a childminder or know a childminder who would be willing to share their contact details, we would appreciate it if you would pass on your contact details to us, to try to assist another parent. Simply email your details to angelabrowne10@gmail.com
Communication Updates
As a group, we intend to continue to give you regular updates on what we are working on and activities that we have planned. If you can help out on occasion, or have views on any issues, we’d love to hear them!
We are also considering setting up a Facebook page for school parents, where we can share ideas, promote fundraisers and events and hopefully promote and support parents with family businesses who give the school huge financial support each year. If you would like to get involved in this initiative please get in touch.
Contact Details & Suggestion Box
A list of the members of the Parents' Association, along with the contact details for each class representative is available on the notice board outside Mr. Delaney’s classroom. A Suggestion Box is also located in the school reception. We would encourage you to use either method to contact us and pass on your comments, queries and suggestions.
Many thanks again for your support and we look forward to an eventful term.
The Parents’ Association