St. Pius X Boys' National School

Newsletter: December 2007

ST. PIUS X BOYS NATIONAL SCHOOL
Dear Parents/Guardians,
It is hard to believe that the first term is drawing to a close. It has been a hugely successful term on several levels and I would like to congratulate the teachers, the parents , the Board of Management, the Parents Association and particularly the boys for the tremendous work they have done.
Christmas: The school is a hive of activity at present with prepartions for Nativity plays. Please check timetable below for your particular event:
Monday 17th December
Senior Infants Ms. Devenney The Nativity 10.15 a.m. G. P Room
Junior Infants Ms. Grennan All Things Christmas 11.30am G. P. Room

Tuesday 18th December
Senior Infants Ms. Pleamonn The Nativity 10.00 a.m. G.P. Room
1st Class Ms. Elliott The Snowman 11.15 a.m. G.P. Room
2nd Class Ms. Mooney Scrooge 2007 1.00 p.m. G.P. Room

Wednesday 19th December
4th Class – Mr Gough The Nativity 10.00 a.m. G.P Room
1st Class – Mr Dillon The Nativity 11.15 a.m. G.P. Room

Thursday 20th December
3rd Class Mr Robinson Scrooge 2007 10.00a.m. G.P. Room
Junior Infants Ms. Breathnach All Things Christmas 11.30 a.m. G.P. Room

Carol Service
Our school carol services will take please on Thursday 20th December.
Junior Carol Service 10.00 a.m. Hall
Senior Carol Service 11.15 a.m Hall
Our MC for this will be Ms Anne Purcell who has done trojan work putting the children through their paces.

Vincent de Paul
Ms. Valerie O’Nuallain would like to express her gratitude to everybody who contributed so generously to the annual collection. Such generosity will go a long way towards making this a happier Christmas for many families. This is a very worthy cause and the Society is extremely appreciative of your donations.

Children’s Welfare
We would like to remind parents that school is open to receive children from 9.00 am. We cannot accept responsibility for children prior to this. In the case of school absences the NEWB is notified when children are absent for 20 + days.

School Choir
The school choir is busy preparing for the Carol Service and Feiseanna in 2008. The choir will be travelling to the Navan Choral Festival in the New Year.

Hurling
We played well in a match against St. Joseph’s Terenure this week having enjoyed two Junior friendlies prior to that. On our return from holidays we will get straight back into training for the competitions of the new season.

Interactive White Boards
At this stage all 8 of our interactive whiteboards are up and running in our classrooms. Our teachers are delighted with them and already they can see the great benefits of the boards. Our pupils are also impressed with them and they are also making fantastic use of them! These boards are a wonderful facility, allowing us to access resources across the curriculum, which facilitates a hands-on interactive education.

Science
We are delighted to tell you that four 4th class boys - Liam Kearns, Lorcan O’Brien, Brian Moore and Peter Lynch – have been chosen to display their science project “Science at the Theme Park” at the BT Young Scientist Exhibition in the RDS on Thurs 10th January. The boys have been working really hard on the project over the past while. Feel free to come and visit them at their own stand in the RDS.
As part of our science programme the rest of 4th class will attend the BT Young Scientist Exhibition to see the fantastic science projects and shows. Science week was a great success this year with all classes enjoying various science workshops. Check out our website to see some of the activities which took place.

Nollaig Shona agus Ath-bhlian faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.
Dermot Lynch
PRINCIPAL, B.N.S.

SCHOOL CALENDAR 2007/2008

Christmas Holidays – Friday December 21st - Close at 12 noon

School re-opens Monday 7th January 2008 at 9.00 a.m.

Mid Term Break – School Closed Thursday 14th February – Friday 15th February (inclusive)

Easter Holidays - Friday 14th March – Close at 12 noon

School re-opens Monday 31st March 9.00 a.m.

Mid Term Break: Monday 5th May to Friday 9th May inclusive.

Monday 2nd June – School Closed – June Bank Holiday

Summer Holidays – Monday 30th June - Close at 12 noon