Newsletter

                                                Holy Family National  School 

                                                            Rathmore, Co. Kerry

                                    Tel. 064/7758492 Mobile: 086/1806018

                                     e-mail hfnsrathmorekerry@gmail.com

                                                                        http://hfnsrathmorekerry.blogspot.ie/

15^th November 2021

Dear Parents,

PARENT/TEACHER MEETINGS

This year Parent-teacher meetings will take place by telephone and teachers will be in touch to arrange a phone appointment. 

First and Second Class are planned for Tuesday 16^th, Wednesday 17^th and Thursday 18^th November.  The teachers will be calling at the arranged time from a private number.

Third, Fifth and Sixth Class are planned for Tuesday 23^rd, Wednesday 24^th and Thursday 25^th November. The teachers will be calling at the arranged time from a private number.

Fourth Class appointments will be arranged for this Thursday 18^th and throughout next week.

Junior and Senior Infant meetings will be after Christmas, but if you wish to get in contact before then please do so by arranging an appointment.

 

Parents in some designated classes sign the pupils’ homework diaries on a daily basis,  once the homework has been completed and checked. I would like to extend this worthwhile practice to all classes so please sign your child’s diary each night. Thank you.

 

PARENTS’ COMMITTEE REPORT 2020/2021

The following are the Members of the Parents’ Committee for the year 2021 – 2022:

Junior Infants               -          Siobhan Carolan

Senior Infants              -          Noreen O’Keeffe 

First Class                    -          Marie Cleverley

Second Class               -          Austin Murphy

Third Class                   -          James Burke

Fourth Class                 -          Eileen Corkery 

Fifth Class                    -          Breda Cronin

Sixth Class                   -          Una Moynihan

B.O.M.                        -          John Kennedy

B.O.M.                        -          Carmel Healy                         

We thank Noreen O’Keeffe, Austin Murphy, Eileen Corkery and Una Moynihan for agreeing to serve for the coming year.  We welcome as new representatives for Junior Infants – Siobhan Carolan, First Class– Marie Cleverley, Third Class– James Burke and Fifth Class – Breda Cronin for this year.  We also take this opportunity to thank very sincerely Emma Buckley, Paula McCarthy, Mary Buttimer and Sheila Rahilly for their dedicated service to Holy Family N.S. 

The function of the Parents Committee is to support the activities of the school and to represent the views of parents and guardians on relevant matters.  The bulk of our activity is fundraising but unfortunately, this year due to Covid 19 our fundraising activities have been curtailed.  The fundraising activities and funds raised for the year 2020-2021 are presented below. We would like to thank everybody for their ongoing support of these activities, and also the many sponsors that provide prizes and assistance.

The Parents Committee funded the visit of Elf Express for Junior and Senior Infants and a link from Siamsa Tíre for the showing of “A Christmas Carol” in December 2020. We purchased goalposts and installed playground markings/games. Funds were also used to help with the formation of the outdoor classroom and sensory area.

 

Activity	Date	Amount Raised           (€)
Clothes collection	September 2020	520.00
Christmas Raffle	December 2020	834.00
School Quiz	March 2021	1500.00
Received remuneration from Christmas Cards -Christmas 2019	June 2021	700.00
Total		3554.00

 

 

 

                    

The Parents Committee had a clothes collection week beginning 19^th October and the clothes were collected on Thurs. Oct. 21^st.  It was very well supported.  Thank you.

CHRISTMAS ANNUALS

It is that time of year again.  The Folens Christmas annuals -   €2.50 each  and  Educate.ie annuals -  €2 each  are available to order in the school. 

Closing date for Folens annuals is Fri. Nov. 19th.  Children can order these if they so wish – no compulsion.

 

CHRISTMAS CARD FUNDRAISER

The Parents Committee are organising a Christmas Card Fundraiser.  Templates of Christmas Cards have been distributed to pupils or if they so wish they can create their own design. If you wish to order a pack please fill the order form and return to the school by tomorrow Tuesday 16^th.  Each pack is €12 and you can pay by cash when returning the order form or we will send a link to your mobile today Monday if you wish to pay by card.  Thanking you.

 

NOVEMBER – A TIME TO REMEMBER

A Prayer Service for All Saints Day November 1^st, led by Fr. Pat, was streamed to all classes from the church.  Our Sixth Class pupils attended and took part in the service.  We also have a lovely tradition here in the school for remembering all those loved ones who have passed.  We put up a Memory tree in the entrance hall.  Each child is given a leaf and they write the name(s) of loved one who has/have passed and decorate it.  It is hung on the tree for the month of November. ‘At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of the Autumn – we remember them.’

PRESENTATION DAY

Second, Third and Sixth Classes will attend Mass for Presentation Day on Wednesday 24^th November at 9.30am.  Pupils from these classes will leave the school at 9.15am.  If the morning is wet please drop the children to the church. 

 

KNOCKNAGREE GAA -  PENNY DINNERS

Knocknagree GAA is looking for your help.  They are collecting food donations and new toys for Penny Dinners on Saturday 20th November in Knocknagree hall 10am to 12noon or contact Noreen 087 949 2957. Your donations are really appreciated and it might make someone's Christmas a little better.

 

LOCAL ST. VINCENT de PAUL FOOD APPEAL

The local St. Vincent DePaul Food Appeal will go ahead from Mon. 22^nd November to Fri. 3^rd December. A large box will be placed in the entrance hall of the school for these two weeks.

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.

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 weekend 11th/12th December at all Churches in the parish. It is their only fundraiser during the year.

 

CHRISTMAS RECORDING

We will be commencing practice on a little festive piece from each class this week. We will record them for home viewing.  We look forward to showing the gifts and talents of the pupils.

 

SCHOOL UNIFORM

Our normal school crested uniform is still required on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Tracksuit can be worn on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to allow for additional washing if you wish.  Occasionally homework vouchers may be given as an incentive to promote the wearing of full school uniform.

 

ABSENCE FROM SCHOOL

Please inform the school each time your child is absent by sending a written note to the teacher.  Return to Education Facility Parental Declaration form is on the blog and it would be good practice if parents filled in this each time your child is absent. 

                                        

TEXT MESSAGES

We have a facility for texting parents.  If you have not received any text message from Holy Family N.S. please let us know.  The text automatically goes to the mother’s mobile phone unless we have been instructed otherwise. 

 

A number of parents have advised that they are not receiving texts from the school.  Aladdin Support has confirmed that there are a number of reasons why some texts will not get through to recipients. These would include the following:

·         Phone being switched off

·         Being out of coverage

·         An incorrect/changed number

·         A mailbox that is full, etc.

We will send a test text message to all families on Tuesday 16^th November at 9am. November. Please contact the school if you have not received a message. We will continue to work with Aladdin on this matter and hopefully it will be resolved shortly. 

 

SCHOOL SELF EVALUATION

We have been working with PDST support advisor (Lisa Geoghegan) on School Self Evaluation.  We are working on improving children’s attitudes to writing as well as adopting a new agreed approach to presentation in writing across the school.  We have introduced a free writing copy from Junior Infants to Sixth Class and the children have been engaging very positively with this activity.

 

INTERACTIVE SMART TVs

We have recently invested in new Smart TVs for the classroom.  These are a wonderful teaching aide.  They are now installed in 6 of our 8 classrooms.

        HALLOWEEN DRESS UP DAY FOR KERRY HOSPICE FOUNDATION

Friday 22nd October was a No Uniform Day in school and the children had great fun dressing up in their costumes.  They also raised €547 towards Kerry Hospice Foundation and this is very much appreciated. Thanking all for their donations.

MATHS WEEK

Well done to all for engaging so enthusiastically with Maths Week before midterm break. Congratulations also to all the pupils who won prizes across all classes. Thanks to Mr Dineen for coordinating it with help from Ms Elaine Murphy and Mr. Moynihan.

SCIENCE WEEK

All the children in HFNS have engaged in science activities last week.  Our young scientists engaged in science experiments both in school and at home. We have seen some amazing pictures and videos of experiments over the week. The senior classes displayed some fascinating experiments virtually to all the classes on Friday.  A huge thank you to all the staff, children and parents for supporting and engaging with Science Week. Thanks to Ms Fitzgerald and Mr O’Sullivan for leading this initiative with support also from Ms O’Mahony.

 

HURLING

Colm O’Brien the Kerry GDA has been visiting the school providing hurling lessons to 1^st and 2^nd classes this term. The children are enjoying practising their skills.

 

FOOTBALL

Vince Cooper the Kerry GDA has been visiting the school providing football lessons to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes this term.  The pupils are improving quickly.

 

RUGBY

Brian O’Dowd of Munster Rugby has been visiting the school providing rugby lessons to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd for 3 weeks in October and is currently giving lessons to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes.  The children are enjoying a flavour of a new sport in Holy Family.

 

MUSIC

Alan Finn and Henry Cronin commenced music lessons in October. Henry Cronin visits the school on Thursdays providing tuition to 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd classes.  Alan Finn visits the school on Mondays providing tuition to 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes.  This is being funded by the Parents Committee.  

CHANGE OF ADDRESS, TEL. NO

If any of your child/children’s details have changed e.g. address, contact details, illness, etc. please contact the school as soon as possible.   Thank You.

 

LEE STRAND

A big thank you to all the pupils who are bringing in the tokens for our homework diaries.  The tokens to be collected are only found on the 100% renewable Lee Strand 1 litre milk carton. Ten tokens are required for each homework journal.  It is a whole school effort and we are asking you to start collecting the tokens from the 1 litre or 2 litre Lee Strand Milk carton so that we can avail of free homework journals for all pupils next year.  

AMBER FLAG

We are excited to announce that we are embarking on a new adventure; we are taking on the challenge of obtaining an Amber Flag!  The Amber Flag is an initiative run by Pieta House, which recognises inclusive environments that supports mental wellbeing.  Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing in H.F.N.S. involves the whole school community working together to create a safe, positive and healthy attitude towards our physical and mental health and overall wellbeing.  Throughout the year, the Amber Flag Committee – comprised of pupils from Senior Infants to 6^th Class, will coordinate events starting with ‘Kindness Day’ which we will celebrate this Wednesday November 17^th.  Keep an eye out for all the random acts of kindness, which the children will be undertaking! Thanks to Ms Casey for leading this initiative. The Amber Flag Committee are as follows: Senior Infants: Katie Fleming & Michéal O’Riordan, First Class: Kayleigh White & Paudie O’Donoghue, Second Class: Cathal O’Sullivan & Abbey Kissane, Third Class: Liam Lawlor & Clíodhna O’Connell, Fourth Class: Ethan Abu & Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Fifth Class: Anthony Cahill & Ava Rea, Sixth Class: Aoibhinn O’Connell & Michael O’Riordan

 

GREEN SCHOOLS 2021 – 2023

We begin work this term towards our 8th Green Flag coordinated by Mr Dineen. Sincere thanks to everybody for supporting Green Schools over the years. Our new theme is 'Global Citizenship Marine Environment'. Although we live away from the coast, the sea is very important to our lives. We hope to raise awareness of Marine Environment issues and to develop a greater 'connection' with the sea. The oceans produce over 50% of the oxygen we breathe, yet 80% of marine litter comes from the land. The following pupils have been elected onto our new Flag 8 Green Schools Committee.

First Class: Kaitlyn Kelleher, Matthew Cahill. Second Class: Laura Breen, Eoghan O'Leary. Third Class: Saoirse O'Riordan, Tiernan O'Callaghan.

Fourth Class: Caoimhe Corkery, Cian Lane. Fifth Class: Aoife Fitzpatrick, Noah Clifford. Sixth Class: Katie Doherty. Alan O'Leary.

 

MISSIONARY MAGAZINES

Thank you to all the boys and girls who help to distribute and collect the subscription for the Far East and Messenger magazines during the year.  Orders are being renewed presently for Messenger (€24) and Far East (€10).   We are asking the boys and girls who distribute the magazines to bring back the renewal subscription envelopes as soon as possible.  Thank you

DATES TO REMEMBER 2021 – 2022

Parent-Teacher meetings – First & Second Classes – 16^th, 17^th & 18^th November.

                                               Third, Fifth & Sixth Classes – 23^rd, 24^th & 25^th Nov.

Knocknagree GAA - Collection of Food donation and new toys on Sat 20th Nov. in Knocknagree hall 10am to 12noon or contact Noreen

                                        087949 2957.

Presentation Day Mass - Wed. 24^th Nov. at 9.30am in the church for 2^nd, 3^rd & 6^th classes

St. Vincent de Paul Food Appeal – will be collected on Fri. 3^rd Dec.

Closed Wed. December 8^th

Closing Wednesday 22^nd December at 12:00 to Wednesday 5^th January, 2022 (Christmas holidays)

Re-opening Thursday 6^th January, 2022

Closed Thursday 24^th and Friday 25^th February (Mid-Term)

Closed Thursday 17^th March (Public Holiday) and Friday 18^th March

Closed Monday 11^th April to Friday 22^nd April (Easter Holidays)

Re-opening Monday 25^th April, 2022

Closed Monday 2^nd May (Public Holiday)

Closed Monday 6^th June (Public Holiday)

Closing Friday 24^th June for Summer Holiday

If during the school year there are any changes to school closure, we will let you know.