SCOIL BARRA NAOFA

Newsletter28th November 2017

A Chairde,

The entire school community is looking forward to one of the highlights of the PA’s calendar every year – Santa Sunday. I look forward to seeing families there this Sunday 3rd Dec from 2pm to 5pm. Thank you all so much for your support in the run up to it – I know many parents have donated hamper prizes, spot prizes, clothes for Buy Your Dress, as well as volunteering their time and energies to help with the preparations! Míle Buíochas to you all.

Thank you in advance to Kathryn Jones (Chairperson) and the entire Parents’ Association Committee and the many volunteers who have already and will be working tirelessly on behalf of the school community in ensuring that Santa Sunday is, as always, a wonderful day out for the entire school and wider community! So spread the word – the fun and games and chance to meet Santa is just around the corner! Thank you all!

Mise le meas,

Ciara Ní Bhuaigh agus Foireann na Scoile

CONCERN JUNIOR DEBATING COMPETITIONComhghairdeas to our fantastic debaters, Sixth Class pupils, Ryan Nolan, Annamarie Harley and Cathal McCarthy who beat Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig on Friday 17 th

November in a tough Concern Junior Debating Competition opposing the motion ‘ To tackle Climate Change we should all become vegetarians’. Maith Sibh!

UPCOMING DATESFriday 1st Dec 7:30pm School Choir Performance (Church)

Sunday 3rd Dec 2pm-5pm Santa Sunday (PA)

Friday 8th Dec SCHOOL CLOSURE Feast of Immaculate Conception

Thursday 21st December 11am (approx.) School Christmas Carol service

Friday 22nd December 12midday Closure for School Christmas Holidays

Monday 8th January 2018 8:50am Re-Opening for Term 2

TUNING-UP WORKSHOPThe Aurora Flute and Harp Duo will conduct two informal and educational music workshops in Scoil Barra Naofa on Thursday November 30 th. In these fun and interactive workshops, the musicians will help the children discover the history and background of their instruments and demonstrate how they work. Their performances of music and themes from the classical and contemporary eras as well as music from the movies and musicals will emphasise the importance of stories in music throughout the ages. We look forward to a great musical experience.

(Part of Cork County Council’s Arts in School Programme)

3 RD CLASS GAA BLITZ Well done to our 3rd Class Boys’ and Girls’ Teams who represented us so well at the recent GAA Blitz, which were held in Riverstick Community Hall. Many thanks to Mr. Murphy, Ms Flannery, Jacqui and Anna who travelled with the teams.

LIFE TIME LABS ENERGY WORKSHOPFourth, Fifth and Sixth Classes took part in a very interesting, interactive Energy workshop last Friday hosted by Fergal from the Lifetime Lab. and SEAI. The session was much enjoyed by all. Go raibh maith agat, Fergal!

6TH CLASS: JUNIOR ENTREPRENEUR PROGRAMMECongratulations to Sixth Class pupil, Jack Campbell, whose Junior Entrepreneur ‘Multi Box’ product was the winning entry last Friday. Comhghairdeas! Our thanks to dragons Nicky Moynihan, Therese Flannery and Diarmuid Murphy who gave so willingly of their time. Well done to the other pupils who pitched their products so well. Great creativity and ingenuity was displayed by all. Our dragons had a difficult job! Maith sibh go léir!

HEALTHY EATING WEEKTwo weeks ago we all enjoyed Healthy Eating Week in Scoil Barra Naofa. It was a fantastic week of activity, with a great food tasting morning on Thursday organised by our Parents’ Association. The PA provided a fabulous healthy lunch for all the pupils and staff.

Special thanks to Parents: Lisa Hanna who donated melon, cheese and grape hedgehogs, Fionnuala Langford who donated wholemeal pasta and couscous salad, Jill Lyons who donated avocados and hot smoked salmon and Kathryn Jones who donated the banana bread.

We also appreciate donations from the following : Glenilen Farm – natural yoghurt on its own and with raspberries and blueberries, Centra Rochestown – a selection of their own brown bread, scones and cooked chicken, Super Valu, Carrigaline – apples, oranges, carrots, melons, blueberries, baby tomatoes, Ramen – Lunchboxes and Dr. Cormac O’ Dubhghaill, GP Practice – €100 donation towards the purchase of healthy foods.

Our thanks to Niamh Gunn who carried out a Healthy Eating session with Fifth Class which was much enjoyed by all the children. Míle buíochas to Ms. Mulrooney and Ms. Matthews who organised the event for us.

NPC SEMINARAll parents are invited to attend a free event organised by the National Parents Council. This information evening & seminar aims to train parents on supporting their children's mental health & wellbeing. It will be held in Vienna Woods Hotel, Wed 6 th December at 7:30pm.

FRÁSAÍ NA SEACHTAINESeo leanas frásaí na coicíse seo!

Gach rang Méanranganna Na hArdranganna27ú Samhain

Cad atá uait?What do you want?_____, más é do thoil é.

Cad atá ag teastáil uait?What would you like?Tá _____ ag teastáil uaim.

Cé mhéid atá ar ____?How much is a _____?

A ______, please. I would like a ___.4ú Nollaig Nollaig Shona duit.

Happy Christmas!Gurab amhlaidh duit.Many happy returns!

Tá sceitmíní áthais orm.I am excited.Tá Daidí na Nollag ag teacht.Santa is coming.Tá na laethanta saoire ag teacht.The holidays are coming.

PHOTOGRAPHSA gentle reminder to those wishing to order the photographs taken by Christine McCarthy that this week is the final opportunity to order. Please return the order to your child's class teacher or the office by Friday. Christine can be contacted directly on 0872180112 if you have an questions or requests. Thank You!

CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS IN AID OF PIETA HOUSE

Our 4th & 5th Class school choir, along with four other Monkstown Choirs will be performing at choral event in aid of Pieta House, this Friday night 1st December at 7:30pm.

Tickets are now on sale in the school office. Tickets are €10 per person. If you cannot make it on the night & wish to support this wonderful cause, donations will also be accepted in the office. Míle Buíochas.

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON for YOUR CHRISTMAS FAMILY TRADITION …

5 Sleeps to Go…  Santa comes to… Scoil Barra Naofa, THIS Sunday 3rd Dec, 2pm- 5pm 2017

Preparations continue this week and all donations and help are really welcome.

Santa will be the headline ticket as always. He is really excited to meet all the

boys & girls, especially the new Junior Infants & their families.

2017 Special Attractions are “BUY MY DRESS” - a High Fashion event with lots of interesting pieces to choose from.

“FAMILY ROCKS” is an amazing opportunity for your child to make a memorable Family portrait – it will be a terrific Christmas Gift to last a lifetime.

The usual Raffle, Second Hand Book stall, Cake stall, Toys and Games stalls will be full of surprises.

Looking forward to seeing the entries to the edible decoration competition, prizes will be given to the most creative in each of the three groups: (Jnrs, Snrs, 1st),

(2nd,3rd,4th), (5th,6th). All entries will be sold, with teas and coffees, on the day.

Entry cost is €5.00 per family.

Please support your school and all proceeds will go towards setting up afunctional kitchen for the children to learn to cook, thus promoting healthy

foods and living from a young age.

Happy Christmas fromSBN Parents Association

DONATIONS FOR SANTA SUNDAYYour help is still needed for the following items:

HAMPERS: Chocolates, Bottles of Wine, Cosmetics, unwanted gifts to make up hampers for our monster raffle.

BOOK STALL: 2nd hand books for all ages BRICK A’ BRACK STALL: Toys in nearly new condition, Jigsaws with all

pieces, Good quality Unwanted gifts. NO SOFT TOYS/TEDDIES BUY YOUR DRESS: Any good quality nearly new clothing (with or without

tags) required. (See below for more details). Items can be dropped to the office before / after school.

ALL OF THE ABOVE CAN BE DROPPED OFF TO THE SHED AT THE SIDE OF THE SCHOOL AT DROP OFF AND COLLECTION TIMES WEEK BEGINNING Monday

27th November.

FOOD STALL/COFFEE SHOP: All breads, cakes, buns, etc (home baked or bought) for our tea/coffee stand on the day.

COOKERY COMPETITION: Christmas themed HOMEMADE cakes/buns etc for entry into the competition. Please write name, class and all ingredients on your entry.

ALL FOOD STUFF may be dropped to the school on Saturday 2nd December between 2-3pm.

VOLUNTEERS: This day is our biggest event in the school year. As you are aware it needs alot of setting up and of course the clean up afterwards

We need help to set up the grotto, the stalls, coffee shop on SATURDAY 2nd December 1-3pm and also for clean up on SUNDAY evening 5-7pm.

MANY HANDS MAKE LIGHT WORK.

Please contact Kathryn Jones (0872725730) or Lisa Hanna (0879150004) to confirm when you can help.

THANK YOU!!!!