Autumn/Winter Bulletin 2016
New Principal
On September 1st we welcomed Ms Dignam as Principal of St Kevin’s Girls’ School. She is no stranger to the school community as she has been a class teacher in the school for many years. Her long service history with our school will stand her in good stead in her new position. Ms Dignam is an exceptional hardworking teacher with many strings to her bow. Not only has she developed the musical talents of countless students throughout the years but she has also trained the choir for the sacraments, involved them in The National Children’s Choir and produced many unforgettable musicals. With this long history and vast experience we are sure that she will lead the school in a holistic manner to even greater levels of achievement.
Since taking on her new role she has ensured that the school environment has been improved and enhanced. Beautiful planters have been placed outside the entrance to the school and upgrading of the interior has also taken place. Her hands- on approach is assisting her build strong links amongst the school community. On behalf of the pupils and staff we wish her every success in her leadership role.
New Teachers
We are very pleased to welcome Ms Collins and Ms Norton to our school. Both are very talented teachers and are proving to be a great asset to the school. We wish them well.
National Children’s Choir
Our first practice was on Wed 16th in St. Finian’s N.S. in Newcastle with St. Finian’s, St. Rose’s N.S., Scoil Íosa. It was a great day and the girls were very well behaved as always. The first six songs in the National Children’s Choir have been learned and practised. Well done to all involved.
Carol Service
Work has begun on our carols for the Carol Service which will be on 19th December at 11. All are invited. The Parents’ Association have invited the adults attending back to the Girls’ school hall for refreshments and they have organised a free raffle for all the pupils in the afternoon of the 19th. Many thanks to our ever-supportive Parents’ Association.
Homeless Volunteer Charity
The girls have been asked to bring in shoe boxes for the Homeless Volunteer Charity ‘You Are Not Alone’. They are asked to include gloves, hats, scarves, underwear, socks, shaving items, toothpaste, toothbrush any other toiletry items. Small packets of dry food, chocolate and other easily accessible non-perishable items may also be included. All of these will be distributed by the volunteers to help with the homeless crisis on our streets. Please put these items in a shoebox and mark on the outside what is in the box and if it is for a man or woman. Final date for collection of the boxes will be 9th December 2016.
Peace Proms 2017
The pupils in fifth class in St Kevin’s Girls’School has registered for the Peace Proms 2017. The music packs will be sent out once the parental consent forms have been completed and returned to the organisers.The first concert will take place in the R.D.S. in February.This is a cross border initiative for choirs.
Credit Union Art Competition
The Credit Union organised an Art competition which all classes entered. To our delight we received €100 and many individual winners. Congratulations to the winners: Ava Dale, Sophie Sheridan, Carla O Connell, Elizabete Krivenoka and Beata Baltrukenaite. The Credit Union also organise the annual Quiz for under 11 and 13 in Spring.
Sundries
Many thanks to the vast majority of parents who have fully paid sundries’ money. It is really important that all parents pay the remainder of their bill for sundries as soon as they can as this enables teachers to buy the necessary materials for their pupils. Some bills have to be paid by the school in September so your prompt response is appreciated in this matter.
Entrance Assessment
The entrance assessment for incoming first years in Tallaght Community School took place recently. Kingwood Community School have accepted names for 2017-2018.
Olympic Handball Team The handball trials are underway for three handball teams u11’s and u13’s. The girls will play in the Dublin area IOHA League. The first blitz will take place on the 6th December in Gormanstown.
Do This in Memory
As part of the Communion programme a meeting took place in St Kevin’s’ Boys School hall in October.
Enrolment Ceremony
An enrolment ceremony for 6th class pupils took place on the 6th November. Each pupil wrote a letter outlining why she wished to be confirmed.
Dates to remember
The Ceremony of Light for pupils making their Confirmation will take place in St Kevin’s Church on Tuesday 21st March.
Confirmation will be in St Kevin’s Church, Kilnamanagh at 11 o clock on Tuesday 4th April. The celebrant will be Bishop Eamon Walsh.
Confirmation photographs will be on Wednesday April 5th at 9 a.m.
First Communion will be on 13th May in St. Kevin’s Church, Kilnamanagh at 11 o’clock.
Photographs will be taken on Wednesday 17th of May at 9 a.m.
Christmas Card templates have been completed by all the pupils so we are looking forward to beautifully designed Christmas cards. The pupils loved designing their template. They will be available shortly.
Green Schools
Green schools’ activities continue throughout the school with our fourth class girls carrying out their recycling duties. Our fifth green flag is proudly flying in the school yard. Thanks to Mrs Walsh and her Green School Committee for all their hard work.
Student Council of St Kevin’s G.N.S
A student council has been set up in the school. The members of the council were selected from 3rd to 6th classes. All students formulated the ideas they would like to see implemented in our school in order to benefit the school community and to encourage students’ involvement in the leadership of their school. They hope that their involvement will improve and benefit the school in many ways. Two students from each class have been selected and their term runs for a two month period.
The first students to be elected to the Student Council are
Francesca Callenata Bianca Amazuo Jade Thornton
Megan Powell Kelly Murray Erica Mooney
Elizabete Krivenoka Caragh Smith Abigail O Melia
Kate Guilfoyle Sarah Louise Finn Caoimhe Curtis
Isabelle O Melia Natalia Morawa
Lotto
Thanks to The Friends of Saint Kevin’s for their ongoing fundraising efforts every Wednesday. The lotto is our main source of income and we really appreciate all their dedication and hard work. This week’s jackpot is €300. Thank you to everyone who continues to support our school lotto.
Aistear
The Junior and Senior Infant pupils are enjoying the benefits of the Aistear programme which we introduced some years ago in accordance with Department of Education guidelines. It is designed to develop language skills in a fun and stimulating environment by including cross curricular links to all subjects. The daily trip to the Aistear room is one of the highlights of the school day for all our Infants. This appropriate, stimulating and playful learning environment is very beneficial to the pupils in order to develop language through meaningful interactions and conversations.
Junior Infants
Our two Junior Infant classes have settled into school life very well.
Numeracy and Literacy
All our classes have been working hard on improving their numeracy and literacy skills. Samples of the pupils’ work are on display on the notice boards. The corridors are full of colourful artwork, projects and maths problems for pupils to solve. Samples of the Recount writing genre which was worked on in all classes this term are on display. Our chosen problem solving strategy named RUDE (Read,Underline, Draw, Estimate) is now used with consistency throughout the school. Pupils also ask for a solution to a problem on a daily basis over the intercom. Indeed there was lots of positive feedback from parents during the past few weeks.
Fógraí an Lae
This is an incentive for all pupils to speak in Irish. It happens daily. The pupils outline the weather, some current event and birthday wishes in Irish.
Primary Language Curriculum
Inservice on the New Primary language Curriculum was received by teachers recently. The new Curriculum supports teachers to help children progress in their language learning and development.
Grow in Love
Inservice for the new religion programme was provided for First and Second class teachers.
Literacy Workshops
Two teachers attended exclusive Primary Literacy workshops with keynote speaker and Australian primary literacy expert, Stephen Graham.
One workshop dealt with the topic Explicitly Teaching Writing while the other workshop was on Comprehension and the Guided Reading Lesson. Both talks were excellent.
General Knowledge Quiz
The pupils is sixth class were invited to a quiz in the Boys’ school last week. Next time it will be the Girls’ school who will play host.This is a great way to encourage the pupils’ general knowledge.
Art Gallery Visit
The Sixth class are planning a trip to the National Art Gallery in December. This should be a most enjoyable experience. The pupils are looking forward to it.
Airfield
The pupils in Ms Monahan’s and Ms Crimmins’ third classes spent a thoroughly enjoyable day in Airfield in October. They saw a herd of cows being milked and enjoyed fresh milk which was produced on the farm. They also saw a range of farm animals. The pupils walked through the wood and played in the playground before trying out the musical venue which contained home- made musical instruments. Thanks to the Gardaí in Tallaght who provided the transport free of charge.
Christmas Eve Choir
If any pupil would like to be involved in this year’s Christmas Eve choir in Kilnamanagh Parish Church they are asked to contact jenniferdalton1976@gmail.com or Annette in the Parish office.
School Barrier
There is a new school barrier. This has improved the safety of our pupils in the school car park already. Many thanks to the Parents’association for organising the purchase of a barrier.
Christmas Holidays
School will close at 12 noon on Thursday 22nd December, 2016.
School reopens on Monday, 9th January at 8.50 a.m.