October 2017 Newsletter

Dear Parent/Guardian,
I want to bring the following items to your attention in this October Newsletter:

Welcome Fr. Dariusz & goodbye Fr. Tom

We welcome Fr. Dariuz Plasek as our new School Chaplain. Fr. Dariuz celebrated our back to school mass on
September 22nd and we look forward to working with Fr. Dariusz as he helps to prepare our children for the
sacraments and religious events.
We wish Fr. Tom very well in his new role as Administrator of Quin and Clooney Parish. Fr. Tom was our
School Chaplain for the last 12 years and he was a fantastic support to our school.

Fundraising for our new school

Clothes Collection: We are holding our annual clothes collection fundraiser all during this school year. The main
collection will again be after Christmas. If you are now doing a clear out now and throwing out old clothes or
know of anybody throwing out old clothes we will accept them here at school. Thank you.

Split the Pot: This draw continues to be a fantastic success and congratulations to all our winners. The Jackpot is
nearly always around 400 with the winner receiving up to 200 or more each week. The draw will be on every
Thursday and for 2 a week everyone has a chance to win half the pot taken in each week if your name is pulled
out of the hat. If youre not in you cant win!

Rock Run/Walk 5K: Thanks to the families and children who supported our recent Rock Run and Walk 5k
fundraiser. It was a fantastic success with 156 people taking part and it was a most enjoyable evening in our
school. Congratulations to the prize winners. Thanks to everyone who helped out in making it such a success.

Attendance and arriving at school on time

Pupil attendance is monitored on a daily basis on our school computer system. Since we returned to school on
the 30th of August, we have had an excellent average attendance of 95%. The Educational Welfare Officer has to
be contacted if any child misses more than 20 days.

Children must be in school on time for the 9.00 a.m. bell. It is very important that children are on time every
morning for school. If your child is late they are missing out on school time and interrupting the class.

Parents Association AGM

The AGM will be taking place in November. Some parents need to be replaced on the committee as their
children finished in Scoil Chrost in June. You will be notified soon of the date for the AGM and it would be
great to get some new parents on the committee for 2017/18. Well done to our Parents Association for all the
great work they do for our school.

Parent Teacher Meetings

The Parent Teacher Meetings will take place on Tuesday November 14th and Wednesday November 15th. You
will receive a letter with your day and time.

Green Schools News

This year we are renewing our Travel Flag and the committee of children along with Mr. Fitzgerald & Ms. de
Barra are really busy already working towards this flag. We will be having a Fresh Fuel Free Friday on this
Friday October 27th. The pupil who walks or cycles to school in the best Halloween Costume will win a prize!
School News and Achievements
First Communion Enrolment: Well done to the boys and girls in 2nd class who had their First
Communion enrolment ceremony recently and we wish them and their teachers Ms Behan and Mr.
Fitzgerald well with their ongoing preparations for the First Communion day.
Swimming: Mr. Garry organises a very important programme of swimming lessons for our pupils. 3rd
class and 5th class had a great 6 weeks swimming in Ennis pool. 2nd and 4th class are now taking part in
swimming for the next 6 weeks.
Gaelic Football: Our boys Gaelic Footballers have done brilliant in their competition and have qualified
for the Division 4 County Final which will take place after Halloween on either Nov 7th or 8th. We have
had great numbers at training with Mr.Garry, Mr. Healy, Mr, Crehan, Mr. Griffin & Ms de Barra. Best of
luck in the final.
Walk for the Blind 2017: A group of children from the school along with Ms. Vaughan and Mr. Garry
took part in this walk and played music for this most worthwhile charity event. They were also joined by
Bishop Fintan and the walk took place around the streets of Ennis.
Junior Achievement Programme: 4th class are taking part in this excellent 6 week programme with
Nicola Killeen from Clare County Council. The programme helps the pupils focus on the vast array of
opportunities there are for them to use their talents, imagination and creativity when they grow up. Most
importantly it helps them reach their best potential.

HSCL News
We have had a wonderful first term here in Scoil Chrost R with lots of parents joining us in the classrooms.
We had Fun Science in 3rd & 5th class and we would like to say a huge Thank You to all the lovely
parents who took the time to come in and do some simple and fun science experiments with us.
Gymboree in Junior Infants has just finished also & parents had great fun coming in and enjoying some
songs, rhymes & dance with the children. Thank you to all those parents who joined us for the classes!
The Parents Room has been a hive of activity this term and it is great to see so many parents partaking in
classes and calling in to use the room. During this past term Noelle has been cooking with parents making
muffins, scones, family dinners to name but a few and the feedback has been excellent.
Computer classes for Beginners have been ongoing since September and great progress has been made.
Well done to all!
Keep a close eye on Scoil Chrost R HSCL Activities Facebook page this term & please feel free to like &
share the page. It will keep you up to date with all the activities being run by the school and remember members
of the community can also join in on our courses!
If you would like to get involved in any of our courses or need advice/support on any school related issues please
do not hesitate to call me on 087-6461836.
Ms OConnor

School Website
You can keep up to date with school news on our excellent website criostri.weebly.com
You can follow us on our Twitter page @criostri
Also you can see our Facebook page for parents, Scoil Chrost R HSCL Activities

Important Dates for your Diary

Friday October 27th: Halloween Dress Up day and a Fresh Fuel Free Friday!
Friday October 27th: School closes for Halloween mid-term break.
Monday November 7th: School reopens after Halloween mid-term break.
Tuesday November 14th & Wednesday November 15th: Parent Teacher Meetings.

Thanks for your continued support and I wish you and all the children a happy and spooky
Halloween!!
Yours sincerely

Gearid Roughan
Principal