January Newsletter

Term 2   Monday, 12th January: Optional    swimming lessons for Imelda and Chloe’s classes (for 5 Mondays.)Wednesday, 14th      January: Hurling/Football coaching with John Owley and Michael Kinsella (for 6 Wednesdays, weather     permitting.)Tuesday, 20th January:  In-service  meeting for teachers.  Classes finish at 12.30.  Infants can be collected at 12.15.Friday, 30th January:  Schools Quiz, Amber Springs Hotel, 7.15pm.  The school will enter two teams in the event (under 11s & under 13s.)Wednesday, 11th February: In-service meeting for teachers.  Classes finish at 12.30.  Infants can be collected at 12.15. Monday, 16th February: Optional  swimming lessons for Fergus and Jacinta’s classes (for 5 Mondays.) Thursday, 19th and Friday, 20th         February:  School Closed for mid-term break. (Classes finish at the usual times on Wed., 18th February: 1.30 & 2.30pm.)Tuesday, 24th February: Trip to the  National Concert Hall for Grace and Jacinta’s classes.Early/mid March: Seachtain na Gaeilge.Wednesday, 11th March: Staff    Meeting.  Classes finish at 12.30.    Infants can be collected at 12.15.  Tuesday, 17th March: Public Holiday, school closed.Thursday, 2nd April: ‘Singfest’ concert in Wexford Opera House (date and details to be confirmed.)Friday, 3rd April:  End of Term.  School closes at 12.30pm.  School reopens at 8.50am Monday, 20th April.   PTA After-School Activities: Optional Yoga (1.30-2.30pm, for Junior & Senior Infants) and Guitar lessons (2.30-3.30pm, for 1st-6th classes.)  Thursday, 22nd January for 8   Thursdays.  Cost: Yoga €56; Guitar €56.           Enrolment (incl. payment) takes place this Wednesday, 14th January: 8.30-9.00am.  Places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.  Please note that, for PTA      After-School Activities, each child’s parent or guardian must take a turn at supervision.PTA Fundraisers:  Many thanks to everyone for        supporting the recent PTA fundraisers, (sponsored walk, cake sale and school calendar.)  Please note that money for playground markings has been set aside for the     moment – as the builders are due to return to the school in the near future, and could damage the paintwork.Automatic External Defibrillator (AED): Gorey’s ‘Heart Safe’ group recently  installed an AED at the school.  The Board of Management  contributed €500 towards the cost of this life-saving     equipment.  On Wednesday evening a first group of   teachers and special needs assistants will begin training in its use.   Building (Phase 2)  A decision by Wexford County   Council on the planning application for the second/final phase of building works at Gorey Educate Together is due by January 21st.  The tendering process also comes to a close in the next week.  All going well, finalised plans for the new buildings will be put on display in the school by early February.School Calendar: with photos from all the classrooms.  €3 each.  Available from the office.School Council: Following-on from      positive experiences of the Green Schools committees and of whole-school             responsibilities (school broadcasters, milk organisers, playground minders,           gardeners, art curators, lunchtime         receptionists, etc.) some of the children are now        considering becoming ‘school councillors.’  The school council will be asked to gather opinions and make         decisions on a number of practical school matters.       Parental involvement needed: please ask your child to pass on your name to the principal.  (Morning meetings will take place once per month.)Young Scientists:  Keep an eye on our noticeboards and the local newspapers for photos of our 5th and 6th classes at the RDS, along with their project work.  Community notice:    See noticeboard for details of forthcoming draughts competitions (Community Games.)