Nov 07
Dear Parents/Guardians,
In this months newsletter we want to bring you up to date with some of the ongoing events happening in our school community.
Board of Management – Thank you to all those parents who attended our school meeting to elect Parents Nominees to the Board of Management. The full Board has now been elected. The members of the Board of our school for the next four years are as follows:
Patrons Nominees: Fr. Joe Mullan (Chairperson), Ms. Susan Hurley.
Parents Nominees: Ms. Caroline Reilly, Mr. Brendan Rowley.
Teachers Nominees: Mr. Paul Comiskey, Ms. Caroline McWalter.
Community Nominees: Ms. Liz Murphy, Mr. Jim Doran.
We would like to wish the new Board every success in the coming term.
School Facilities – We have put a great deal of effort into improving school facilities in the past few months. The Board funded the building of a new school yard this term. The yard is now complete. It runs along the length of the back of the school and is for the use of children in 1st, 2nd and 3rd class. It means that all the children now have more space to play and let off a little steam at break times.
The school has also carried out an upgrade of the school hall. The hall has been repainted and new light covers sourced for the ceiling. Many thanks to Brendan Clare and EC Hardware for all their assistance with this work. We would also like to thank the Boardman family and Greenclean Ltd for the provision of a skip to clear the stage of damaged or unusable furniture.
Pupil Data Form - As we mentioned in last months newsletter it is important that pupil data such as contact details is updated on a regular basis. Accompanying this newsletter you will find a Pupil Data form. We would ask parents to complete a form for each individual child and return it to us as soon as possible.
One important section of the form is that regarding medical details. No matter what the level of precautions taken accidents will happen in schools. Teachers do not administer medicines without the clear instruction of the Board. In the case of a simple accident they may administer basic First Aid such as the cleaning of a cut, the application of a band aid or the use of an ice pack. However to ensure the best care of your child please read and complete all sections of the form.
Parents Association – In the past month we have received visits from the Garda Mounted division and the Garda Motorcycle unit all organised by the Parents Association. The children really enjoyed meeting the Gardai. The Association was also hugely supportive of Science Month organising prizes from Fingal County Council and supporting the visits of anyoneforscience and Nanofunction.
We would also like to thank the parents involved in the cookery lessons and paired reading sessions taking place in many classes. This parental support is of great benefit to the children in these classes and is very much appreciated by the teaching staff.
Voluntary Contribution - Many thanks to all the families who have made the voluntary contribution organised by the Parents Association, without which the school just could not function. To the small number who may have overlooked the contribution we would encourage all families who have the resources to show their support for the work our association carries out on behalf of our children.
Science Month – Science week took place throughout the country from the 12th to the 16th of November. However in our school Ms. McWalter, with the support of the Parents Association, has organized Science Month with a series of events taking place throughout the school.
The month kicked off with an Energy Awareness competition which encouraged all the children to become a “switch flicker” flicking off any electric lights or equipment which are not in use. Prizes were donated by Fingal County Council and awarded at school assembly on November 16th.
Fifth and sixth class also received a visit from WEEE which demonstrated the benefits of electrical recycling. The school community has recycled a great deal of equipment and received two reconditioned computers in return. Instructors from anyoneforscience.com are visiting the school between November 27th and 30th doing practical science lessons with all classes from 1st to 6th.
Scientist Camilla Kelly from the Nanofunction project in UCD is carrying out a workshop entitled “Fun with a Microscope” with all classes throughout the month
The Irish Wildlife Trust is conducting a Nature Studies programme with our two fourth classes. This programme will carry on throughout the year. We hope to turn it into an annual project involving our fourth classes. Ms. Talty’s 3rd class are attending an energy workshop organized by Sustainable Energy Ireland in Donabate/Portrane Community Centre on November 29th.
As you can see Ms. McWalter and the Green Schools Committee have put huge work into environmental projects. A new Green School Committee is now being formed. If any parent has an interest in this area and some spare time please contact the office to speak with Ms. McWalter.
Music – Ms. Fay will shortly commence a programme of recorder lessons within school time for all children in 1st class. It has been agreed that the Parents Association will part fund the purchase of the recorders for the children. Ms. Fay will then coach the class teachers of these children to introduce recorder as part of their music curriculum. It is planned to roll out this scheme to other classes in the coming years. We will be in further contact with the 1st class parents in the coming weeks.
Sport – Thank you to Ms. Talty and Ms. Ni Chonarain for training the school cross country team which is participating in the Dublin Championships this month. We have over seventy children taking part in the competition. They have trained very well for the past month. Good luck to one and all.
Photo Appeal – In last months newsletter we made an appeal for old photos which we hoped to put on school walls. While we have collected many images to jog the memory we are continuing our appeal and are particularly looking for old First Holy Communion and Confirmation photos which can be copied and put on our walls.
WSE – As some parents may be aware Lusk N.S. underwent a Whole School Evaluation in the last school year. The report has recently been published and may currently be viewed on the Department of Education website. It gives a very positive reflection of the work carried out by all members of our school community, parents, staff and children.
Regards,
Paul Comiskey.
Principal.
Principal: Paul Comiskey, B.Ed., Dip. Ed. Man., M.St.
