January Newsletter II

Learn Together news:  Some of our  Learn Together lessons are about to follow a South African theme – and the South   African Ambassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Ms. Priscilla Jana, has accepted the Board of Management’s invitation to share in the experience!  Ms. Jana will visit the classrooms on Monday, 2nd March.   Details to follow…. Board of Management reports:  The practice of preparing a report for families and staff on individual Board meetings has resumed.  Please see the new Board of Management page on the school website: www.goreyeducatetogether.ie.  (Reports will also be posted on the Board’s mailbox on the ground floor hallway.)   School Bus/Transport Grant:  Paddy Fortune from Bus Éireann was in contact with some families recently.  His work involves (a.) calculating the  distance that families live from the new school building, should they wish to apply for a grant towards their transport costs, and (b.) preparing possible routes for a new school bus service.  [He is working from a complete pupil list.]The school office will make the application form for the transport grant available to all families near the end of the school year (the child’s attendance is noted on the form.)  [Minimum travel distances  apply: usually the family must live more than 3.2 km/2 miles from the school.]Any news about a bus service will issue in due course.  (Please note that a bus service was first mooted almost 3 years ago!) ICT update:  Great progress has been made in equipping the school with new computer equipment.  A server is now in place, along with some new PCs and our first interactive whiteboards.  Many thanks to parents Colin, Michael and Val for their        voluntary evening and weekend work – sourcing the best deals (no ‘middle-men’ involved) and putting everything together.  Voluntary work has saved the school thousands of euro vs. the quote received from a for-profit company last September.  More equipment is being priced at the moment.  Fundraising news:  During December Gorey Educate Together NS, along with 71 other newly-built schools, received a Department of Education grant towards ICT (computer)   equipment.  Amount: €40,000.  This means that our Board of Management can set-aside much of the €18,000 raised by the Parent Teacher Association during the last school year.  (The €18,000 would have been spent on our computer equipment – now it is likely to be used for projects relating to the new [2009] building or playground.  Discussions on its eventual use to follow….)

Wednesday, 28th January:  Educate Together Secondary School Project,  handover of petition (6000+ signatures) to Minister for Education and Science.  Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street entrance, 11.45am.  All are welcome: see www.educatetogether.ie for details.  Thursday, 29th January: PTA After-School Guitar lessons continue until Thursday, 19th March.Friday, 30th January:  Schools Quiz, Amber Springs Hotel.  The school will   enter two teams in the event (under 11s & under 13s.)  Supporters are also      very welcome to attend.  Quiz begins at 7.30pm sharp; team members need to register at 7.15pm.Wednesday, 4th February: PTA Table Quiz in McGovern’s Bar, Main Street, Gorey, 8.30pm.  (Adults only.)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.Monday, 2nd March:  Visit to the classrooms by Her Excellency Priscilla Jana, South African Ambassador to Ireland.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’ concerts in Wexford Opera House.  Two performances: 12.30pm and 8pm.  Friday, 3rd April:  End of Term.  School closes at 12.30pm.  School reopens at 8.50am Monday, 20th April.   

Wellies: “When can we play on the grass?”  From Monday (depending on the weather,) the children will have the option of playing on the grassy area to the rear of the building for some of their breaks. (Not the steepest parts!)  Wellies are advised (or, for the older children, a second pair of shoes/runners) – these  can be left in school. (Muddy wellies or shoes may not be worn in the classrooms)  The   children are being given this option now, as when the builders return in a few weeks time, that entire area is likely to be fenced off.  Please ensure that wellies are big enough for infants to pull on/off with ease.