April 2015 - Golden National School

Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí
Golden National School
Golden, Cashel, Co. Tipperary.
Tel. 062 72164 Email [email protected] Web www.goldenns.ie Roll No. 17114J
NEWSLETTER - April 2015
Nuachtlitir - Aibreán 2015
Safety Note
I would appeal to and remind all parents to use the pedestrian gate at all times when
entering and exiting the school. It is a serious safety issue and one to which the children are
more than happy to adhere. Please also remind minders and others who may be collecting
your child that this is school policy.
No smoking on the school grounds under any circumstances
Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
Board of Management
The Board of Management of the school meets 4-5 times each school year.
The Board's main function is to manage the school on behalf of the patron
and for the benefit of the students and to provide an appropriate
education for each student at the school. The Board serves for a four year
term. The last meeting of the current Board will be held in Sept/Oct 2015
and a new Board will be put in place in time for the Nov/Dec meeting. The
Board comprises of eight members – two patron’s nominees, two
community nominees, two parents’ nominees and two teacher
representatives. This newsletter is used by the Board of Management to
keep parents informed of school policy and events.
Policies on the website
You are invited to look at the school’s website for lots of items of interest.
Our website also contains many of the school’s important policies. Please
check out the website and should you require any further information
don’t hesitate to contact the school.
WSE
Following the recent Whole School Evaluation carried out by DES inspector
Edel Meaney a written report has been compiled and will soon be posted
on the Department of Education website. In keeping with most other
reports, four main recommendations have been made. The staff have
already held a number of staff meetings on how we might make
improvements in the areas mentioned while new measures to involve the
Parents’ Association will be discussed over the coming weeks and months.
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
Green Schools
Our schools’ second green flag will be presented to Ms. Corbett and three
other representatives of the Green Schools’ Committee at a special
ceremony on the 20th May in Kilkenny. We hope to hold our own flag
raising ceremony in June.
Active Schools
Last week our school held ‘Active Week’ in preparation for our Active Flag.
Activities included: Penalties on the Principal, Activity Morning,
Gymnastics, Zumba Dancing, Teacher/Pupils Hurling Match.
Confirmation
Congratulations to the nine children from our school who were among the
first children of the parish to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation from
His Grace, Archbishop Kieran O’Reilly D.D. this week. Well done also to all
the children who sang so beautifully with the choir on the day. DVDs or
group photos can be ordered by contacting the school should you wish.
First Holy Communion
The First Holy Communion will take place on Sunday, 17th May at 11.00
a.m. in the church. Children receiving their First Holy Communion are
asked to be in the church at 10.30 a.m. Members of the choir are asked to
be there for 10.45 a.m.
The children from 4th class to 6th class have commenced Tag Rugby
recently in conjunction with Kilfeacle R.F.C. A blitz will be held in the
coming weeks.
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
School Tour
This year’s school tour will take place on Wednesday, 3rd June. All classes
will travel to the Glen Activity Centre in Cork. Children will need to be in
school at 8 a.m. sharp. The infants’ plan to be home for 3 p.m. approx.
with 1st – 6th returning at 6 p.m. approx. having visited the Mitchelstown
Caves. The total cost (inc bus) is €30 for 1st to 6th and €25 for infants. More
details to follow.
Hurling
The boys and girls on the under 11 and under 13 squads have been
performing fantastically well over the past number of weeks in the
Cumann na mBunscol competitions. The under 11 team are one match
away from a county final while our second under 11 squad will play a blitz
in two weeks with the winner to qualify for Semple Stadium. Our under 13
team are unbeaten so far but face a number of tricky games in order to
progress. Well done and best of luck to all the children. Special mention to
Mr. Lyng for all his hard work preparing the teams.
Attendance
I would ask that all parents and children make a big effort to make sure
that children attend school regularly. Should something important cause
your child to be absent could you please send in a note of explanation to
your child’s teacher. TUSLA, who are the Education Welfare Board, will be
informed when a child has missed more than twenty days. I would also
discourage parents from taking children out of school early, except in
exceptional circumstances.
Punctuality
It is expected that all children will be on time for school at 9.30 a.m. As you
can imagine, it can be quite disruptive for both the class teacher and
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
students when children arrive in late. It was also something which the
inspector commented on during her recent visit. The school will receive
children at 9.20 a.m. No responsibility is accepted for children arriving
before that time. Details of children arriving late will be recorded on the
school’s attendance record.
Meetings with Teachers
While parent teacher meetings have already taken place, any parents who
would like to speak to their child’s teacher should contact the school to
arrange an appointment.
Entry to School
Could all parents and visitors to the school please use the main entrance at
the front of the school. The other doors are for children’s use only.
Homework
Should your child not be in a position to complete his/her homework could
parents please send in a note of explanation to the teacher. Over recent
weeks and months the amount of children with unusual excuses has
increased. I would ask parents to encourage your son/daughter to
complete all their homework each night.
Healthy Lunch Policy
We ask all parents to please remember that our school has a Healthy
Lunch policy for the good of our children, so please only include a treat
once a week on Friday. If any child has a treat on a non-treat day, we
would ask that it is not eaten and brought home again in their lunchbox.
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
Enrolment for 2015/16
If you have a child for enrolment this coming school year, or know of
someone who does, please be advised that enrolment forms are available
from the school office. They can also be downloaded from the school
website www.goldenns.ie Our enrolment figures have been rising steadily
in recent years and this trend looks set to continue for next year.
School Uniforms
We ask that all children wear their tracksuits on P.E days and the correct
uniform on non-P.E days. This is becoming an issue, particularly amongst
the children in the more senior classes. Please note the following:
Ms. Corbett’s class:
Monday and Friday
Ms. Kelly’s class:
Wednesday and Friday
Mr. Lyng’s class:
Monday and Friday
Mr. Morrissey’s class:
Monday and Friday
Could we implore with parents to put your child’s name on all items of
their uniform. If your child loses something it is extremely difficult to
return it to the owner without a name. The school uniform is now available
from Mr. Mister (formally O’Dwyer’s) in Cashel and Uniform World Outlet
Store in Clonmel. The hoody for next year will have a slightly different
design to the present one.
Uniform Sale
The Parents’ Association are trialling a used uniform sale. If you have any
unwanted uniforms to donate please drop 'clean' clothing into the school
anytime during school hours. The last day for uniforms to be dropped into
the school will be Monday 29th June 2015. Jumpers, Hoodies, Trousers,
Ties, Skirts, Pinafores only. Uniforms to go on sale on Monday 29th June
between 7pm and 9pm.
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
Notes from school
The school regularly sends out notes with the children for various reasons.
For the most part, these will be given out on Mondays and Thursdays. The
school will also text parents when important notes have been sent home.
Change of Address, Phone, Text-a-parent
If you have moved house or changed phone numbers please give details to
the school. Text-a-parent service is used frequently in the school. If you
have not received any text messages from us it means that your number is
not on the list. Again, please contact the school to update your details.
Facebook and Twitter
Please follow the school on Facebook and twitter - @goldenns1937
Children’s Website of the Month – www.starfall.com
School History Book
Copies of the School History Book – ‘Golden Days – A History of Golden
National School’ are still available by contacting the school office on 062
72164.
Calendar 2014 / 2015
3rd Term
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

Communion: Sunday 17th May at 11.00 a.m.
Referendum: School Closed on Friday 22nd May
Bank Holiday: Closed Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd June
Summer Holidays: School Closes on Tuesday 30th June at 12.30
p.m.
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Golden National School - Newsletter April 2015
Calendar 2015/2016
1st Term
 Re-opening
Tuesday September 1st
 Mid-term
Closed 26th October – 30th October,
inclusive
 Parent Teacher meetings Early December
 Church Holiday
Tuesday December 8th
 Christmas Holidays
School closes on Tuesday December 22nd
at 12.30 p.m.
2nd Term
 Re-opening
 Mid-term
February
 Easter Holidays
12.30p.m.
Thursday January7th 2016
Closed Thursday and Friday 18th and 19th
School closes on Wednesday March 16th at
3rd Term

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

Re-opening
Bank Holiday
Bank Holiday
Summer Holidays
12.30 p.m.
Monday 4th April 2016
Closed Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May
Closed Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th June
School Closes on Thursday 30th June at
These dates are provisional and subject to change. Please check the school
newsletter regularly where you will be notified of changes should they
occur
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