Premises Update: The proposed permanent school building at Creagh has moved another step closer to fruition – Wexford County Council has granted    planning permission for the development (subject to conditions.)Our school’s Board of Management has formally agreed to relocate to the new site.  (This may happen as early as the coming September.)  The Board has also raised a number of queries with the Department of Education in relation to the design plans, including: facilities for children with special needs, parking and future expansion.  The Board awaits the Department’s reply.The design plans are now on display on the notice board inside the main (red) door.  Comments/suggestions are welcome — please use the mail box beside the notice board.School Photographs: Whole-school and classroom photographs will be organised in the near future (date to be confirmed.)  Parents will be given the opportunity to purchase copies.Voluntary Contributions: A fresh appeal for voluntary contributions was made before the       holidays: all responses greatly appreciated.  Spare standing order forms can be found on the notice board inside the main (red) door.Swimming: The imbalance in the number of younger/older children participating in optional swimming   lessons has necessitated the following reorganisation:  Imelda and Fiona’s classes: 5 Mondays, 7th April—12th May. Andrea, Roisín and Grace’s classes: 5 Mondays, 19th May– 23rd June.Imelda and Fiona’s classes – please pay €30 (in an envelope marked with child’s name and amount) by Friday.  Limited places: first-come-first served.  Participating children should travel to the pool on the bus.  All children who need help with dressing and undressing must be met at the pool by a parent or guardian.(The older children who missed out on one swimming lesson last term will be credited next time around.)St. Patrick’s Day parade: 1000’s of people lined the route and took pleasure in our wonderful piece of street theatre. Many, many thanks for all the planning, preparation and execution.Our school won the ‘Best in Parade’ award!Photographs of the event will soon be displayed around the school.PTA After-School Committee News:  Yoga classes: Junior and Senior Infants 1.30-2.30, 1st-5th Classes: 2.30-3.30.  Cost: €56 for eight weeks.     Guitar lessons: 1st-5th Classes: Cost €56 for eight weeks.  Enrolment: this Thursday, 3rd April at 8.30am in the kitchen.  First-come-first-served.  (Limited places.)PTA Race Night: Preparations continue – all help greatly appreciated .  See school noticeboards for details.  Science Day:  Next Wednesday, 9th April the children will participate in a range of special science activities such as ‘Who stole the cookie?’ ‘Build a Bridge,’ ‘Forgetful Teddy,’ ‘My Reaction Time,’ ‘Electric Quiz,’  ‘BeeBot’ and ‘Guess the Smell.’      Donations of €2 approx. are requested: the children will later present the proceeds to St. Aidan’s Services, Gorey.   Educate Together (National) General Members Meeting: this Saturday, 5th April.  Hilton Dublin Kilmainham Hotel.  See school noticeboards for details.  Please reserve places by tomorrow, April 1st.  (Speak with Raymond or contact the national office.)

Swimming: Lessons for the junior classes are now complete.  Swimming for Junior Infants/Senior Infants/First Class will be offered again during April/May.  Optional swimming for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th classes: Monday, 18th February, 2-3pm.  Cost: €24 for four Mondays, includes one-way bus to Courtown.  Please book and pay before the mid-term break. Hurling/Football coaching continues Wednesday mornings.Fire Safety: Second and third classes were captivated by Tony Kennedy’s recent talk.  Tony works with the local fire service.  He also distributed ‘Safety Team’ packs to the children.  Quiz:  Well done to the two teams who took part in the ‘Schools Quiz’ at the Amber Springs Hotel.A warm welcome to Leela, who joined Andrea’s class recently.

Drama and Bodhrán: next week both after-school classes will run on TUESDAY (as the school is closed on Thursday.)

Preparation for Gorey St. Patrick’s Day parade, Sunday 16th March:  Last year the school had a super entry that was successful on several levels: it was a great piece of street theatre; the preparation got the whole school community, parents, relatives and friends involved; recycled materials were used; and, we won first prize in the group section.

This year the parade’s theme is ‘Festival Music’ and to kick-start the preparations for the school’s entry Music Workshops have been organised.  Jennifer Byrne, a local musician, will work with the children over the next few weeks getting ‘back to basics’ with music.  The music workshops are being funded in part by the PTA and donations.  Extra funds will be needed for this school     community project and we are currently looking at ways to meet this.

The Parent/Teacher Association will hold their Annual General Meeting this Wednesday, 30th January 2008 in the Loch Garman Arms (8pm.)  All parents of children currently attending the school are invited to attend.