SCOIL COLM NEWSLETTERVolume 4, Issue 2October22nd 2013

Principal: Ms C Ní ChianáinDeputy Principal: Mr O’Donnell

School Closures: The school will close at 2.30pm on Friday, 25th October and reopen at 8.50am on Monday, 4th November.

Welcome to the second edition of this school year’s newsletter. The first term of school is well under way and the school has been a very busy place over the last number of weeks. Teachers and pupils are working hard in their classes and there has been time for active learning too. The recent visit of the Skydome Academy was a huge hit with our boys and classes also continue to be involved with the Polytunnel Project. You can read about all our activities throughout the year in our regular newsletter, which is kindly put together by Brendan Murray, a parent of one of our past-pupils. On Friday, 25th October, we will be holding our annual Halloween Coffee Morning in Scoil Colm. This has become one of the highlights of the school calendar with our pupils (and staff too!) who get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up in fancy dress. I would like to warmly welcome parents, grandparents, family and friends to come and support this fun fundraiser. Further details can be found in the newsletter. Wishing you all a pleasant and safe mid-term. Claire Ní Chianáin

Halloween Coffee Morning, Friday 25th of October

Who? Parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends of Scoil Colm. Bring as many people as you can!Time: From 8.50 am to 10.30am. Venue: The PE hall in Scoil Colm. We would be delighted if you & your son can bring some buns or cakes to share.Cost: €2 tea or coffee. Free refills.Raffle tickets: are 50c for a strip of five, €1 for three strips. Tickets are available from classroom teachers and at the coffee morning. The raffle will be held at 10.15am at the Coffee Morning.

Your support is greatly appreciated.Friendship Week: This will take place in our school from Monday, 11th November to Friday, 15th November.

Reminder: If your contact details (mobile number, address, etc.) have changed, please notify the school office as soon as possible. Thank you.

Page 2 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter

THE CELTS By Ms Forde’s Sixth Class, Room 6The Celts came from Italy, France, Spain and Turkey. They arrived in Ireland 2600 years ago. They wore gold torcs around their necks. We have lots of examples of Celtic design in old manuscripts and books that were drawn by monks e.g. the book of Kells. They lived in big families called a clan. They had their own alphabet called ogham. They played a similar game to chess called fichell. They had hidden paths into their homes. They used iron when their enemies used bronze. The crannogs were built on top of lakes. We made crannogs from cereal boxes. We sketched it first. In groups we collected the materials that we would use to build the crannog. It took us 3 art lessons from start to finish. We learned about the shapes of crannogs. We enjoyed working in groups to make the crannog because we got to help each other and we liked working together and building things. We made the houses out of matchsticks.

The Lean, Mean Hunting MachineSharks are long, big and scaryBut because they are not mammalsthey are not hairy.As they swing their tales side to sidethey are even faster than a whale.When fish swim away or hideThe shark starts to gazewith his good eyes. By Aaron J, 6th class Rm 6

Page 3 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter

SkydomeToday, Tuesday the 15th of Oct, we went to Skydome. It was SUPER! We learned all the symbols in the sky. We also know that the North Star doesn’t move and that the Earth moves around the sun at 100,000 km per hour. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west and we saw how this happens in the dome. The dome was very interesting as there were many facts about the sky and atmosphere. I really enjoyed it.Ryan D, 6th class Rm. 6

SkydomeOn Tuesday the 15th all the school went to the Skydome. When we went in it was very dark. A man called Olly told us about the stars. We saw Pegasus in the sky. Then we saw all the stars. There was a dragon, Virgo and many more. Then we saw the planets. We saw Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Mercury and Venus. They were spinning around. Olly showed us the moon. It was rocky and big. Then we saw the sun. It was very big and yellow. At end Ms. O’ Donovan took our picture and we went out. Owen I, 6th class Rm. 6

Polytunnel Once a week we go to the polytunnel. It was our turn last week. Hubert was showing us a very rare black tomato. We ate sunflower seeds. They were very nice but hard to chew. You have to crack the shell before you eat them. We put sunflower seeds in the plant pots and we are going to grow sunflowers. We get to bring them home when they grow in a few months. We really like going to the polytunnel.By Karl D. and Ian F, 6th Class, Room 7

Page 4 of 4 Parents’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter

Parent-Teacher Meetings: Meetings will take place on Wednesday, 20th November and Thursday, 21st November between 2.30 and 4.30. You will receive notice of your appointment time in the weeks following the mid-term break.

Courses and Classes for Parents 2013/2014Monday Computers 9am – 10.30am

English/Communications 10.30am – 12pmTuesday Art 10am – 12pmWednesday Story-sacks 9am – 11amThursday Knitting and Crochet 10am – 12pmFriday Cookery 9.30am – 11amAdditional courses after Christmas will include First Aid, Child Development, Food and Healthy Choices and Fun Fitness. If you would like to join any of the courses or some more information, please contact Therese in Scoil Colm on 01 4562622.

Maths for FunInterested in helping with some fun maths activities in your son’s class? Contact Therese in Scoil Colm on 01 4562622.

Board of Management News: The last Board of Management meeting was held on 1st October in Scoil Colm. At every meeting, a number of school policies come before the board for discussion and ratification. At the last meeting, the following policies were discussed and ratified:

•Child Protection (policy and reporting procedures): This included a Checklist for Annual Review by Board of Management, which was completed and signed by the Chairperson.•Admissions•School Information Booklet •Planning Diary •Safety Statement •Risk Assessment •Fire Drill

Parking / Car Park: Parking in the school car park is for staff cars only. This measure is taken to limit the number of cars driving in the car park for the safety of our pupils. We ask parents/visitors to please help us to keep our pupils safe by not driving in to the staff car park or parking on the footpath directly outside the front of the school. Thank you.