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Newsletter February 2017
Fundraising Events
A Sincere thank you to those who supported our fundraising events in the run up to Christmas. The following amounts were raised;
Cake Sale: €576
Christmas Flower Demonstration: € 353
Christmas Raffle: € 1480.50
All funds raised have been put towards the upgrading of the school ballcourt area. We have just had JPK replace the fence surrounding the ball court. They also included new built in goals and basketball stands as part of ball court upgrade. While the work that has been done looks great, it is still not complete. Our plans include to tar in around the goals, tarmac a new walkway from the school steps to the new ballcourt entrance. It is hoped to revamp the small garden area adjacent to the ballcourt with the planting of some daffodil bulbs next Autumn. We hope to include the children of the school in a mural project on the curved wall of the garden in the final term of this school year.
S.N.A.G Golf
We intend to have Pat Fahy visit the school for 5 sessions to introduce the children to SNAG – Start New At Golf. The children have already had a taster session on Jan 26th. They will have a further 4 golf sessions on the following dates; Feb 9th, Feb 21st, Mar 9th, March 23rd. We are asking children to bring in ten euros each to cover the cost. We haven’t done anything like golf in the school before, but it’s nice to give the children a chance to try something new.
The Daily Mile
You may have heard the children talking about running/walking for 10/15 mins around the school prior to the Christmas holidays. We have signed up to The Daily Mile initiative in conjunction with Mayo Sports Partnership. This initiative is to get children fitter and healthier encouraging Physical Activity with their goal being to complete a mile of walking/running throughout the school day.
Confirmation
Fifth and sixth class pupils will have their Confirmation Day on Tuesday April 4th 2017 at Kilmaine Church. Mass at 12 noon. The pupils from 5th and 6th classes will attend a retreat day at Ballintubber Abbey in preparation for their Confirmation on March 7th during the school day.
Art Competitions
Pupils from Gortjordan N.S have been very successful in winning some well known Art competitions in recent weeks.
Ciaran Burke, 6th class won the overall prize at Mayo Education Centre before the Christmas. His Christmas card design was printed as Mayo Education Centres Christmas card this year and he was also presented with a tablet.
Rebeeca Flood, 5th class won the overall prize in the Mayo Advertisers Christmas Art competition this year. Her picture was the cover of the Christmas edition of the Mayo Advertiser this year. Ciaran Burke won his age category for 5th and 6th class.
SPHE/RSE
In line with current changes to The Stay Safe Programme and RSE, we have updated our schools RSE and SPHE policy and plan. It is available to view online on our website. The Stay Safe Programme will run in the school during May and June of this year. SPHE follows a two year plan, so The Stay Safe Programme is taught every second Year. Prior to the teaching of the Stay Safe Programme, you will be notified 2 weeks beforehand and a booklet will be sent home. The new Stay Safe Programme is available to view at www.staysafe.ie. There is a parents section and a teachers section on the website. The teachers section gives you the content of The Stay Safe Programme. Please make yourself aware of the topics due to be taught as part of The Stay Safe Programme.