Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School

What are those yellow lines for???

The outdoor term is what some people call this time of year. All our classes will be going on their summer trips  in late June. We have our outdoor Talent Show on Sunday  16th June and the annual SPORTS DAY will be on Friday 7th June. (Some very competitive parents around these days!) Many teachers also bring their classes outdoors to do some action research and outdoor learning.

The summer term is also for academic assessment tests and annual reports. Our new Junior Infants for next September come in to visit the school on Friday 24th May.

We are carrying out an Ethos Evaluation of our school this term. Pupils, Staff, Board of Management and Parents will all be asked to complete a short on-line survey on Survey Monkey. We will give you a code and all one has to do then is go onto ‘Survey Monkey’ and fill in a password or code that we give you. You answer the questions and then we get a summary of all the answers and publish a short report. The chances are we are doing well in some areas and could do better in other areas. (Sounds like a school report card.) This will be an anonomous survey where people can give their opinion (privately) on how we are doing as regards the ETHOS of our school. All Educate Together National Schools are supposed to be Co-educational, Multi-denominational,  Child centred and Democratically managed.

Music-time in Tyrrelstown.

Congratulations to the children who made their Confirmation or First Communion recently. As an Educate Together school we do not teach or instruct in any particular religion but we facilitate any group that wishes to use our rooms and facilities after regular school time. We also have the Learn Together programme which includes learning about all religions and belief systems.

The new path from Belgree is now open and hopefully as many as possible will walk to school. It’s more fun and the exercise is good  for you, they tell me. We are hoping to make progress with the Department of Education and Fingal Council as regards pupil safety and the car parking situation near our school. Hopefully the new secondary school access road from the Hollystown Road side will improve matters. Tyrrelstown GAA club are making a new pitch in front of our school and we should have a large grassed playing area to use on special occasions next year.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR CHILDREN’S NAMES DOWN ON THE WAITING LIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AS YOU MAY NOT GET A PLACE WHEN YOU WANT IT WHEN YOUR CHILD IS READY FOR JUNIOR INFANTS.

Little Stars, the local child care providers, will be offering AFTER SCHOOL (and one pre-school class) facilities in our school from September. Many people use family and neighbours to care for their children and there are also other childcare  providers (e.g. Tigers and Tyrrelstown Montessori) operating in Tyrrelstown.

SCHOOL RESOURCE MONEY! We operate a one payment covers all books, resources, trips etc policy in Tyrrelstown ETNS. New junior Infants pay on enrolment, all others usually pay the first week in September but this year, if it suits you, you may pay in advance of September. Some parents / guardians may be entitled to low income or back to school grants but you have to check with the Department of Social Protection or Health.

hello everyone, I would like to tell you a story ......

A Positive Outlook.

This big!

Nearly ready now.

"I remember one summer in Dublin!"

Hope everyone had a good break and that this coming term will have lots of sunshine!

1. Apologies for the delays on the Friday the children got their holidays. All the schools and pre-schools closed at the same time and the weather was very bad and with everyone trying to get to the school doors there were delays.

2. Opening and Closing times and Car Parking: We have been in regular contact with the Department of Education and Fingal Council regarding the road to the school from Tyrrelstown Shopping centre and our latest attempt to improve the car parking situation has been to make a submission to the Local Area Plan. In the meantime our Board of Management has decided to try a revised car-parking system, which will be brought in with our neighbours in St. Lukes and the Community Centre. Only STAFF, Official DISABILITY pass holders and SETANTA personnel will have access to the carpark at school opening and closing times. Drivers of pre-school children will only have access to carpark at the the pre-school opening and closing times.  Hopefully this arrangement keeps all the children safe. Also, with the better weather more families might walk to school or walk from the shopping centre car parks.

Tá Seachtain na Gaeilge ag teacht agus beidh gach éinne ag caint Gaeilge, ag canadh amhráin gaeilge agus ad damhsa na Baillaí Luimní sa scoil roimh Lá le Pádraig. We should have great fun again this year in the lead up to St. Patrick’s Day (17th march) – which happens to be on  Sunday this year. Besides the quiz, the poetry, the songs etc in the classrooms we will be having a huge Ballaí Luimní dance in the school yard on Monday 11th March (weather permitting – all welcome to watch) and our fantastic whole school  Mórshiúil Timpeall Baile an Tirealaigh (Walk around the Boulevards of Tyrrelstown) again all parents & guardians most welcome to join in the big parade. Why not dress up for the occasion – the theme being ‘Ireland is going Green’. The walk is a SPONSORED WALK in aid of the school and our Student Council will be deciding on what we spend the money on next week.

This year, for our parent-staff social evening we are having an INFORMAL  DANCE EVENING in our hall on Thursday 14th march @ 8.15pm. All welcome to watch, join in the lessons or give a short demo. Great times ahead.

 Upcoming Events:

1. Sunday 10th February. Important Meeting in Community Centre concerning the new Second level School for Tyrrelstown. The meeting starts @ 4.30 pm – and yes it is a Sunday! Prospective parents / guardians may ask questions if they have concerns re enrolment policy, ethos, style of teaching or uniform etc. The meeting is being hosted by the Le Chéile Trust – a Catholic secondary schools patron body. All interested welcome. A new secondary school is due to open in Tyrrelstown in September 2014.

2. 8pm Wednesday 20th February is the date for our PTA organised evening talk / workshop on how to help your children learn in an out of school context. There will be a presentation on the various educational websites, a brief talk on ‘homework’ and assisted real live workshop practice on using those websites. Should be a great evening.

3. Our annual Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish language week) takes place in the weeks before St. Patrick’s Day. This year’s events include the whole school dancing together in a massive “Ballaí Luimní” (Walls of Limerick Irish dance),  a sponsored “Mórshiúil timpeall Baile an Tirialaigh” (Parade around the Boulevards) for pupils and parents alike and an “Oíche Damhsa” (Dance night for teachers, parents & guardians). It should be mighty craic. (Fun!)

4. We had a fantastic visit from the Athenry Junior Orchestra all the way from Co. Galway on Monday 4th February. All our pupils joined in with xylophones, guitars, voilins, tinwhistles, singing and chanting and a great day was had by all. Well done Maeve (our co-ordinator) and Catherine (orchestra leader).

5. Welcome, in advance, to all our new Junior Infants registering for September 2013 at the moment. please note that we operate a FIRST COME enrolment policy and you would be advised to put your childs name on our pre-enrolment waiting lists asap.

Special Activities and Costs this term include:

• Girls Gaelic Football for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes on Tuesdays from 2.30 to 3.30pm. Bring runners and suitable football gear. Coaches are Emma and Karen. If day is wet the football will be indoors.

 *Boys Soccer for 4^th, 5^th & 6^th classes on Thursdays from 2.30 to 3.30pm. Bring runners and suitable football gear. Coaches are Paul and Sean. If day is wet the football will be indoors.

 *Computer Programming Club called “Scratch” for 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd class on Tuesdays.

Laoise is facilitating this new and exciting club. Limited to 14 pupils for first classes!

 There is a registration fee of €5 per activity for each of the above activities.   

• Tyrrelstown School of Music Term 2 starts soon with violin, keyboards, guitar etc.

Steve Graham is the musical director and as this is separate from the school he will send out details very soon.  Classes due to re-start on Wed 23^rd January @ 3.45pm.

 *Swimming lessons for 1^st to 6^th classes start in February. Cost will be €30 for a single child or €20 per child if more than one child in 1^st to 6^th class. No money yet please.

We are also starting the “FOOD  DUDES” healthy eating program in our school next week.  There is no cost to you or the school as the program is a government project. Children will be given different fruit and vegetables to taste / eat and there are some rewards/prizes for reluctant children. This will take place every day for 2 weeks or so and the hope is that children continue to eat the healthy options afterwards and thus make everyone healthier and happier and save the state a fortune in medical costs in the future! If there is some particular fruit or vegetable that your child should not eat/taste please inform the class teacher immediately.

Athbhliain Faoi Mhaise -  Happy New Year to all our pupils, parents and guardians.

We hope you had a nice break over the Christmas and New Year. This term has a Mid-Term Break on Thursday 14^th & Friday 15th February with St. Patrick’s Bank Holiday on Monday 18^th March and the term ending on Friday 22^nd March for two weeks holidays.

Special activities this term include:

• The visit of Athenry Youth Orchestra on 4^th Feb. and Seachtain na Gaeilge -17^th Mar!
• Swimming lessons for all from 1^st to 6^th classes for 6 weeks. Details & costs soon.
• Girls Gaelic Football for 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes on Tuesdays from 2.30 to 3.30pm.
• Boys Soccer for 4^th, 5^th & 6^th classes on Thursdays from 2.30 to 3.30pm.
• Computer Programming Club called “Scratch” for 1^st, 2^nd & 3^rd classes on Tuesdays,
• Continuation of Student Council and Green School committees work.
• Continuation of Catholic Religion classes for 1^st – 6^th classes on Mon. 2.30 to 4pm.
• Tyrrelstown School of Music Term 2 starts soon with violin, keyboards, guitar etc.

Junior Infants for September 2013. We will start the process of offering places next week with an acceptance of place registration date Friday 8^th February. Please remember to put your younger children on our pre-enrollment waiting lists a.s.a.p. as places for brothers & sisters are not guaranteed.

 Well done to our P.T.A. for producing our very colourful newsletter. If you didn’t get one before the holidays just ask your child’s teacher or take one from outside Julies office.

E.mail ptatetns@gmail.com for a copy of the presentation about INTERNET SAFETY.

See the VIDEO of the Christmas Assemblies by e.mailing: tyrrelstownetns@gmail.com

 There will be a meeting about the Second Level School for Tyrrelstown soon and we will be giving the latest information at that meeting. Enrollment policy issues are one issue that will be addressed. Our Board of Management has asked Minister Ruairi Quinn for a review of the recent decision by the Department of Education on the basis that we believe the area would be best served by an inclusive school. The school is due to open in September 2014 and will affect all pupils from 5^th class and lower.

 CHECK OUT “www.scoilnet.ie” for great educational ideas for children. Encyclopedia Britanica is now freely available through ‘SCOILNET’. It’s worth a look!

 Also, CHECK OUT “www.tetns.ie” for latest school information.

                                                                                    Le meas, Maurice Hurley – Principal

John and David play piano.

School closes @ 12 noon on Friday 21st December for the Christmas Holidays.

Back-to-School on Monday 7th January @ 8.40 am.

Well done to all concerned with our end of term Seasonal Assemblies. Everyone seemed to enjoy the 3 assemblies. Special thanks to our P.T.A. for the nice things! The group singing was of a very high standard and our policy of simple but fun assemblies was appreciated by all.

Ho, Ho, Ho.

It's Christmas-time in Tyrrelstown

Thanks also to Mr. S. C. for dropping into our school on Tuesday 18th.

Thursday 20th is our first effort at public carol singing. We are heading to Lidl / Superquinn with all our pupils from 5th and 6th classes for a session of Christmas carol singing in aid of SIMON, the homeless charity.

Our 5th classes also did the staff car wash for SIMON last week with over €200 raised.

Well done to Sean Mc Keon and fellow musicians for organising the Trad for Trocaire session on Thursday 6th December in Jack O Neills. Almost €300 was raised for Trocaire.

        INVITATION

Parents Open Morning Visits & Talks   -  Tuesday 27th Nov.

8.40 to 9.10        Classrooms open for parents to visit.

YOU MIGHT LIKE TO ENTER WITH YOUR CHILDREN, OR DROP IN A LITTLE LATER.

 All class teachers welcome you to have a look at what your children actually do in school on a daily basis.

 *Please note that Karol from 5^th class is on his honeymoon and therefore he himself will not be present.

9.10 to 9.30        Tea/coffee in our staffroom, once again courtesy of  our P.T.A.

 9.30 to 10.           InformationTalks:

                   a. Internet Safety…in the Music Room next to staff room.

                   b. What is an Educate Together school?…in Staffroom.

                   c. Exceptionally Able Children  … in the Visitors Room.

 10am – 2pm         Various in-class talks (throughout the day) by                             parents with titles such as: ‘the work an I.T. person does’,  or ‘scuba diving’ , ‘in the old days’, ‘working in a hospital  / at home / a shop’ etc

8pm            Parents Evening Talk:

                   1.a. Internet Safety (Derek Powell) or

                   1.b  How to help with my child’s education (Maurice)

  2. Open Floor / Follow up to Parents General Meeting -              

Chaired by Prasanna Bandi of our Board of Management.

List of T.E.T.N.S. EVENTS from November onwards for 2012/13:

Sat. 24^th Nov.     Car Boot Sale organized by PTA from 9am to 1pm in the school car-park.

Tues 27^th Nov.   Open Morning class visits 8.40 am to 9.10 am. Parent & Class Talks throughout the day. Followed by ‘Parents meeting’ in hall 8pm as a follow up to the parents AGM.

Thurs 6^th Dec.    TRAD for Trócaire. In Jack O Neills pub in Tyrrelstown – Free admission, drop in if you wish or sing a song / play a tune!

 Fri. 14^th Dec.      Winter Assemblies and refreshments  for 3 groups:

  Infants 9.00 to 10.15am  /  1^st&2nd 10.45 to12 noon  /  3^rd to 6^th from 1pm to 2.15

   Also: Launch of TETNS Newsletter, organised by P.T.A.

Tues 18th Dec.   Visitor from the North for infants (PTA). Monster Quiz for older pupils

Fri 21^st Dec.     Mark the mid-winter solstice with a lights ceremony. Holidays @ noon.

Tues 29^th Jan    Swimming – All children from 1^st to 6^th to attend N.A.Q. for 6 lessons.(Payment will be due in January).

Fri. 1^st Feb.        Start process of offering Junior Infants places for 2012/13

Mon. 4^th Feb      Athenry Youth Orchestra play with T.E.T.N.S.

Fri.  8^th Feb       Parents of current Junior Infants classroom visit 8.45am to 9.15am

Spring Tours     By class groups / various venues to be visited before Easter

Wed. 20^th Feb.   P.T.A. organized talk in hall at 8pm  

11^th to 15^th March      Seachtain na Gaeilge – Events for pupils and parents.

Fri. 15^th March           Annual School Parade around Tyrrelstown boulevards.

March / April             School Ethos Evaluation Survey for whole school community.

Fri.17^th May                 2013/14 New Junior Infant Pupils Visit our school @ 3pm         

Fri 24^th May.                Parents of Current Junior Infant classroom visit 8.45am to 9.15am

Fri 24^th May.                 Annual pupil reports & national assessment data issued.

Friday 7^th June              School Sports Day

Thurs 13^th June             Storyteller Niall de Búrca visits – Fantastic annual school event. Friday 14^th June            Summer outdoor Talent Show @ 1pm and Unveiling of Art Project.

The Start of our 1% Art Project - Getting the children involved. Picture shows Siobhán Rea, our artist.

Our Parents Visiting Day is  fixed for Tuesday 27^th November

There will be open visits to all classrooms from 8.40am to 9.10am, followed by tea/coffee and some topical talks for parents in our meeting rooms. There will also be talks for pupils in the classes given by parents throughout the day. Teachers & PTA members will be in contact looking for volunteer parents to give a little talk to a class about anything that may be of interest to the class in question. We are also having an evening meeting for parents as a follow-on to our October general parents meeting.

The P.T.A. Committee, with Ann Julian as chairperson and plenty of enthusiastic members, have great plans for the months ahead. A new school newsletter will be published and there will be another Car Boot Sale in December. The PTA will also be involved with our PARENTS DAY in late November and the pre-Christmas assemblies and related events.

 The Catholic Parents Group chairperson Dolores Byrne, has asked me to inform parents that the classes are now closed for 2012/13. Confirmation Day is Tuesday 30^th April 2013.

 We had a great Green Harvest Parade before the mid-term break. There were some super-duper homemade costumes on display. Apologies for our poor PA system and lack of rehearsal for the assembly which followed the parade. We’ll do better the next time. It’s part of our Plan, Do, Review and ‘do it better the next time’ approach.

 Our €150 Resource Money is now well overdue from a few parents.  

After school sports clubs: “ZUMBA Style Fitness classes” will be on Tuesdays from 2.30 to 3.30 starting Tuesday, 13^th. Emma O Reilly and Karen Doyle will be the instructors and the lessons will be limited to the first 30 pupils from 1^st to 6^th class who bring in the €5 registration fee. There will be no other costs but the children need to have suitable footwear and clothing for a lively session. Congrats to our senior boys team who have qualified for the Dublin gaelic football (Cumann na mBunscol) semi-final which is on todayThursday @ 2.45pm in St. Margaret’s pitch against Garristown N.S.  You are most welcome to come along and cheer.

 We are in process of applying for our first Green Flag. Keeping the area near the school litter free is a big part of this. Please help out anyway you can.

 CHECK OUT “www.scoilnet.ie” for great educational ideas for children!

Our 1% Art Project is up and running. Siobhan Rea, our artist, is currently meeting all the children from the school to get their input into the design of our mosaics. All children will have the oportunity to be involved in design workshops. An exciting time lies ahead.