From the Principal's Desk -
Everyone is in for a real treat next week. I love my job but this week has been extra special. As I sit in the office I get to listen to all the performances in the hall. I end up singing or humming a very diverse set of songs all the way home. The performances are getting better and better so by next Wednesday I have no doubt that you will be suitably impressed.
Junior Infants to Rang 2 performance will start at 09:00.
Rang 3 - Rang 6 performance will start at 10:30.
The performances should be over within the hour with a half hour interval to allow for our performers to get a break.
Rang a hAon agus a Dó have been embracing hands on Maths and both classes have been busy baking. I have yet to sample any of the treats but they smelled great coming out of the oven. Thanks to the parents from Rang a hAon who came in to help. It also showed the maturity that a year can bring as Rang a Dó are working as a whole class right now and so far so good.
Next week Rang a 2 agus a 3 have been invited to the Mansion house by James Geoghegan our 356th Lord Mayor and now our TD. The children have been practicing their Gaeilge for the visit as they are due to meet a famous man in a red suit who wants to practice his Gaeilge.
Cad atá uait don Nollaig?
Ba mhaith liom hata agus cotá le do thoil.
Rang a 6 had the final of their Hockey World Cup. The organising team did an incredible job with the competition. The competition was very tight and the third place final was decided on penalties with an amazing goal from Scotland in sudden death securing the win. However after a round of penalties and sudden death in the final we still had no winner. I had to make the controversial decision to go back to the result after the first three penalties. Thailand our second placed team were not pleased about this decision. The winners South Korea were thrilled as they were the underdogs in the final. I felt really pleased that the children were able to overcome the initial disappointment and step away from the result being the factor that meant happiness or sadness and enjoy the fact that they had played really well and had enjoyed the competition.
Rang a 3 agus a 4 had a different kind of day on Tuesday as they went to practice for their peace prom performance on the 1st February which is almost totally sold out. There is a final batch of tickets being released today so if you haven’t secured your ticket yet and would like to go then make sure you do so today. An email was sent to the relevant parents, please contact the office if you didn’t receive it.
We haven’t even mentioned the incredible fair on Sunday last where Rang a Sé showcased their business skills. We are still waiting on a review of the businesses to see which ones were the most successful and what they learned from their entrepreneurial endeavours.
My office had an explosion this morning as the final entries to the recycled art competition arrived and are on display in the window. Worth a look if you have a chance.
Next week we are having the aftershow party and charity fundraiser on Thursday. If you want to make your donation in advance please use the following link.
Friday the school will close at 12:00 and due to the increased traffic we won’t be opening the side gate. All classes will use the back gate.
Have a lovely weekend everyone,
Paul
The Raffle has now been completed. We are glad to say that over five thousand euro raised will be put to very good use. Thank you to everyone involved!
The fair itself was a beautiful community event and the atmosphere was very special. Thank you to all PA elves who put in countless hours of effort to make it such a great day. They also managed to avoid any of the crazy weather we had last weekend which made it a little bit extra special. It was lovely that so many of our past pupils returned to say hello and compare their businesses to the current classes. There was an attempt to recreate a Santa group picture but I didn’t get to see the result.
SVP information
The St. Audoen’s group from SVP supports the south inner city area. There are 7 members in the group all of whom are volunteers. The group meets up with families struggling to survive on the income available to them and give food bags and other financial assistance. Last Christmas the group assisted 134 families including 77 children and teenagers
When people are in real need and have no place else to turn, the St Vincent de Paul is always there.
Who are the Irish Red Cross and what do they do?
The society is organised on a voluntary basis. In Ireland, its activities include mountain rescue, first aid education of the public, the provision of first aid and ambulance services at public events. Outside Ireland, the society provides relief and services in response to natural disasters and in regions of conflict.
Palestine and Gaza
The Irish Red Cross is providing funding to support our partners in the International Red Cross Red Crescent Movement – primarily the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) – to respond to urgent needs and to provide lifesaving assistance. When needed, assistance will be provided to people directly affected by the crisis in the region and in Ireland.
To date, the Irish Red Cross has contributed over €600,000 to assist the PRCS in providing lifesaving assistance across Gaza such as the delivery of food, shelter and as well as health services.
With nearly 800 staff and more than 450 volunteers in the Gaza Strip, the PRCS has reached over 1.8 million people.
If your child is missing forest school or can’t wait for the next session this might be of interest to you.
Each year our Rang a 5 learn or perfect their cycling skills with the cycle right programme. They asked that I share these posters with you. If a bike was on the wish list it might be something to look into in January.
If you didn’t get a chance to avail of the winter flu vaccine this letter from the HSE might be of interest to you.
