News at St. Colmcille‟s

St. Colmcille‟s Primary School, Ballymena Parents‟ Newsletter Publish Date: Christmas Term 2008

Issue Number 4

A second year and a second Christmas in St. Colmcille‟s Primary School. It has been a very busy time, not only in the lead up to Christmas but throughout the Autumn term. In September we welcomed forty-seven new pupils to our school and four new members of staff. We trust that they feel very much part of the St. Colmcille family. During the term we said farewell to our school chaplain, Fr Burns, and Mrs Gabrielle Kelly, who taught Year 6 last year. The children have had many opportunities to experience a wide variety of activities, both in extending their academic learning as well as an extensive extra-curricular programme. This newsletter gives a brief synopsis of life at St. Colmcille‟s. I trust that you enjoy reading about our school and look forward to greeting our prospective children and parents at our Open Night in January.

Mr B McKenna - Principal

Fr. Burns Last Opening Mass with St. Colmcille’s

Fr Burns celebrated Mass in the school at the start of the academic year. This occasion was tinged with a little sadness as we were also saying farewell to our school chaplain. As part of the Diocesan clerical changes, Fr Burns was relocated to St Anthony‟s, Larne. On Thursday 11th December Fr Burns made a welcome return to the school when the pupils presented him with a portrait of Slemish Mountain. We thank Fr Burns for his pastoral care during his time as chaplain at St. Colmcille‟s. We wish him every blessing as he continues his ministry.

Last Thursday we said farewell to Mrs. G. Kelly We will miss her invaluable contribution and loyalty to our school community. Although only with us a short time in St Colmcille‟s, Mrs Kelly had, over her 33 years, taught in all four parish primary schools. Mrs Kelly will be remembered as a teacher who spared no effort in anything that concerned the academic and emotional well being of her pupils. Her dedicated teaching and down-to-earth good sense, was a source of inspiration to her students. We wish Mrs Kelly good health and long years of happy retirement and assure her of a warm welcome whenever she visits St. Colmcille‟s.

On the 2nd of October the Year 7 children took part in a celebration of International Culture in the Braid Arts Centre, organised by the Ballymena Inter Ethnic Forum. As part of the celebrations Ganesha and Roshan O‟Donnell played the bag pipes whilst escorting the Mayor Councillor Mills into the hall. Jenny and Joshny Jose performed a Bollywood dance and a number of Year 6 and 7 children performed on the African drums. All of the Year 7 children enjoyed taking part in this musical extravaganza.

After the success of last year‟s community relations programme the children from Years 4 and 5 have been to visit their partner school - Carniny Primary. St Colmcille‟s has also hosted a number of “getting to know you” sessions such as making personal mosaics and creating pupil profiles to share with their new friends. The programme continues throughout the year with many school-based activities planned.

St Colmcille‟s get ready to deliver the food hampers to Ballymena Rotary club who will distribute them to those in need within the area. On behalf of the Rotary Club, St Colmcille‟s would like to extend a huge thank you to all the families of the school who supported this cause so generously.

After last years success with the Road of Hope Shoe Box Appeal St. Colmcille‟s went into action again this year in support of this worthy cause. It is clear that the families of St. Colmcille‟s recognise the need to help others at this time as we had a fantastic response to the appeal with over 189 shoe boxes brought into school. All of the boxes were successfully delivered to Croatia and Bosnia in time for Christmas day. Fiona Kelly, the coordinator of the Road of Hope, together with the school would like to extend our sincere gratitude to all those who responded so generously to the Christmas shoebox appeal.

As part of this year‟s school development plan, teachers and classroom assistants have been undergoing training to further develop their skills in the teaching of reading. The Parent-Teacher Association were delighted to be able to donate £5000 to St. Colmcille‟s to purchase a wide selection of levelled non-fiction books for all the pupils in the school. This has certainly provided the children with a much richer and more diverse range of texts and will undoubtedly help to raise already high standards in reading across the school.

All of the children from Years 1-7 came to school in fancy dress on Wednesday 29th October as part of the Hallowe‟en celebrations in school. As you can see the children went to great lengths to scare the staff and looking at the photographs above, managed to do a good job of it!

St. Colmcille‟s has recently formed a school‟s Eco-council made up of Yr 5-7 pupils. The aim of the council is to ensure that St. Colmcille‟s is as environmentally friendly as possible. With this in mind, the council has undertaken the following steps since September: introduced litter monitors into the playground; organised energy saving teams in each classroom; judged an anti-litter competition; and Cait (secretary), Ellen (secretary), Michael (vice chairperson), Ganesha (chairperson) and Miss Stewart attended an Eco Schools‟ Celebration Day in the Braid Arts Centre. Recently the pupils planted trees and built willow domes at the Ecos centre in Ballymena. The eco-council will continue their work throughout the year ahead.

On the 25th November Maureen McAuley, (NEELB road safety officer) came to teach the Year 1 and 2 children a number of measures to keep safe when crossing the road, including using traffic lights and zebra crossings.

Congratulations to Sophie and Lucy who received 1st Place as well as Emma D and Lydia who were awarded 2nd place with Emma C and Michael Sharpe who gained third place in this years Credit Union Art Competition. This was a great achievement as over 40 schools entered the competition. All of the children received a sum of money and a goodies bag for their efforts whilst all the Year 7 children received tins of sweets for their participation. The winning entries will now be judged as part of the national competition. Well done to all those involved.

This Autumn Term After School‟s Programme has been a great success! This year we have been able to offer Basketball, Netball, Gaelic football, Art, Cooking, French, Choir, and Fundamental Movement (Body and Mind). As you can see from the sample of photographs above, the children not only had a great time but also learnt a number of new and exciting skills. A big thank you to all the teachers and coaches that led each of the clubs. Next terms after school clubs will begin on 16th February and will run to April 3rd, details of which will follow soon.

This group of Year 7 boys took part in the Eoghan Daly Trophy – a 7-a-side soccer tournament. Despite not coming away with any silverware, the boys had a great day at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Five Year 7 boys, namely Anthony, Michael, Paul, Shea and Connaire represented the school in a mixed 5-a-side indoor Gaelic tournament. The competition took place in St. Louis on the 24th November. A total of thirteen schools participated. The boys were great ambassadors for the school. Shea managed to come home with a trophy as he was part of the winning team.

This year the Year 1 teachers and classroom assistants have been working tirelessly to implement the various elements of the revised curriculum, which aims to empower young people to develop their potential and to make informed and responsible choices throughout their lives. The children develop many of their core skills through the medium of play such as literacy, numeracy, decision making, team work and cooperation. As you can see from our photo-gallery the children are not only learning these vital skills but doing so in an innovative and fun way.

Year 3 have been finding out about toys and teddies as part of „The World Around Us‟. They have been comparing toys from the 1900‟s, 1960‟s and today. Thanks to everyone who helped set up their Class Museum full of toys.

Well done to the Year 6 children who received their swimming awards this week. The boys and girls have been attending swimming lessons every Friday afternoon, developing their skills, fitness and having great fun at the same time. Last week each child had to complete a swimming test over various distances and using different swimming styles. They were all delighted to have successfully completed the tests and to receive their awards.

The children in Years 1 and 2 have been learning about people who help us. As part of their project they have invited a number of visitors into class to discuss how they help in the community. Constable Billy O‟Flaherty discussed staying safe as well as stranger danger and Rita Shannon and Martin Duffy discussed what it was like to be a paramedic. The children were able to have a look inside an ambulance and listen to its noisy siren! A big thank you to all those who gave their time to visit Year 1 and 2, and help them with their project.

This year the children from Years 1 - 3, worked very hard to prepare for their Christmas concert. The Year 1 children carefully retold the story of the nativity through song, dance and music. Whilst Year 2 performed The Christmas Robin and Year 3 show-cased The Bossy Fairy. Well done to all the children and of course a big thank you to all the teachers and classroom assistants who helped to make St. Colmcille‟s Christmas concert so special. Here are some photographs of the big event.

Christmas wouldn‟t be Christmas without panto! All the children from the school will have the opportunity to attend a full-scale breathtaking production of. Cinderella in the Braid Arts Centre. It is a great way to finish a fantastic term and indeed 2008!

A group of senior pupils were invited to take part in Radio Cracker‟s Christmas performances. They sang a number of well-known carols and performed a number of instrumental pieces live on the radio. I‟m sure for those that heard it agree that the children did the school and Mrs McDonald proud. Entertainment at Christmas did not stop there, as Miss Stewart brought a group of students to entertain the residents of Kintullagh Nursing Home. It is a great privilege for the children to share their many gifts and talents with others at Christmas time.

The children from Years 4-7 have invited parents, friends and parishioners to their annual Carol Service in All Saints‟ Church on Thursday 18th December at 7.00pm. The children will retell the Christmas story in song, accompanied by the school orchestra, guitars and percussion. The Year 5 children will re-enact the nativity scene, with Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, Angels, Shepherds and of course the Three Wise Men. We hope that as the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations reach their climax, those attending the carol service will have the opportunity to pause and reflect upon the true meaning of Christmas.

Monthly Draw Winners: October Kori Gault The Spring Term Draw Dates: November Michael McDonald 30th Jan, 27th Feb & 27th Mar December Cara Kane

Forthcoming Event: Deal or No Deal – Friday 27th March 2009

New Entrants – Open Night

St. Colmcille‟s invite the parents and children due to start primary school in September 2009 to an OPEN NIGHT on Monday 19th January at 6.30pm. This will give you the opportunity to look around the school and talk with the staff. Application forms for admissions are now available from the school office. Please contact the school by telephone (028 25639970) and an application pack will be sent to you.

Term1 finishes on Friday 19th December 2008 at 12.00noon Term 2 begins for the children on Wednesday 7th January 2009 Mid-term break: 9th – 13th February 2009 School Closed on 17th March 2009 (St. Patrick‟s Day) Term 2 finishes on Thursday 9th April at 12.00noon

The Governors, Principal and Staff wish you all a very holy and happy Christmas and best wishes for the

new year.

Following his ordination to the priesthood, Fr Toland worked as Hospital Chaplain in the Belfast City Hospital from 2000-2006. He was then appointed as Curate to Ballycastle. He served in Ballycastle from 2006 until October 2008 when he was appointed as Curate to Ballymena. We welcome Fr Toland as school chaplain to St Colmcille‟s. We look forward to working with him and can assure him of a warm welcome on his pastoral visits.

In addition to the forty-seven new pupils who started in September, St. Colmcille‟s welcomed new members of staff. Pictured (front row L-R) Mrs Cathy Kane teaching Year 6. Mrs Aine Fraser Special Educational Needs teacher along with teaching Year 3 in the afternoon. (back row L-R) Miss Anne-Marie Murray one of the Year 2 teachers and Mrs Linda Duffy classroom assistant. Miss Padrine O‟ Donnell has just joined the staff as a substitute teacher for Mrs Smith who is on maternity leave.