Holy Family NS Twitter Account
rss

Newsletter
                                                Holy Family National  School 
                                                            Rathmore, Co. Kerry
                                                            Tel. 064/7758492
                        e-mail hfnsrathmorekerry@gmail.com
                                                                        http://hfnsrathmorekerry.blogspot.ie/
           

                                                                                                30th November 2016
NOTE TO PARENTS

LOCAL ST. VINCENT de PAUL FOOD APPEAL
To help the Christmas appeal of the local organisation of St. Vincent de Paul we have placed boxes in the entrance hall so that non perishable items can be put into them. The boxes will be collected from the school on Monday 12th December.
The following is a list of acceptable items:
Any tinned or dried food, soup, sugar, cereal, porridge, tea, drinking chocolate, pasta, jam, ketchup/sauces, biscuits, cakes, sweets, chocolates, jelly, custard, cornflour, bisto, kitchen paper, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc. etc.

This appeal has been very successful in the past in our school and parents have been very generous. The local SVP organisation does great work in our community and give hampers to families who are in need over the Christmas period.
Their annual Church Gate Collection will be taken up on the weekend of 10th/11th December at all Churches in the parish. It is their only fundraiser during the year.    Thank You.

CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Rehearsals are underway for the Christmas concert ‘Christmas with the Aliens’.  It will take place on Mon. Dec. 19th and Tues. Dec. 20th at 12 noon both days.  We recommend that parents of Jun. Infants, First, Fourth and Sixth classes come to the concert on Mon. Dec. 19th and parents of Sen. Infants, Second, Third and Fifth classes come on Tues. Dec. 20thIf this arrangement inconveniences you in any way, please feel free to come on the day of your choice.   It is the same show on both days so you are welcome on whichever day suits you.

The Parents Committee will also hold a Christmas Raffle at this time.  We will send out more details nearer the appointed dates.


JUNIOR INFANTS PARENT / TEACHER MEETINGS
Parents of Junior Infants will receive appointments for the middle of January when we come back after the Christmas break to meet with Ms. Dillane.


 ‘GAUDETE’ SUNDAY – THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT
 Mass on Third Sunday of Advent Sunday Dec. 11th at 11.30am is a ‘Do this in Memory Mass’ for First Communion Children and Confirmation Children will also be involved in this Mass.   The First Communion children are asked to bring their Candle (which Fr. Pat gave at the Enrolment Ceremony) to the church.   Each child should have their name on their candle. We would appreciate if as many choir members as possible could attend.

Traditionally on ‘Gaudete’ Sunday, the figure of the ‘Baby Jesus’ from the crib is brought to the church on this Sunday to be blessed.  We encourage all families to bring the ‘Baby Jesus’ to 11.30am Mass on Sun. Dec. 11th and Fr. Pat will bless all the figures.   This is a wonderful way to ensure families to have Nativity Cribs at home and helps to focus children on the real, true reason for Christmas; the birth of our Lord Jesus and helping to put Christ back into Christmas.  ‘Gaudete’ Sunday is Joyful Sunday and the pink candle is lit on advent wreaths.

DATES TO REMEMBER
Closed                                      Thursday 8th and Friday 9th December

Special Mass for First Communion and Confirmation Children and blessing of figures of the Baby Jesus           Sun. 11th December at the 11.30am Mass

Christmas Concert -                 Mon. Dec. 19th & Tues. Dec. 20th at 12 noon

Christmas Holidays:
Closing for Christmas holidays on Thursday 22nd December
Closed                                      Friday 23rd December to Friday 6th Jan. 2017
Re-opening                              Monday January 9th 2017

School closed                 Wed. Jan. 11th 2017 – Inservice for new literacy programme