July 2013 Newsletter
Pupils, teachers and parents alike had a lovely time at the West Glendalough Children’s Choral Festival and Sports in Dunlavin on Friday 7th June. The service was very enjoyable with wonderful singing in the church. The sun shone all day and as usual, it was a great social occasion for all ages. Congratulations to our pupils Jessica Cole who won the Girls Championship, to Craig Deane for winning the Boys championship and to Tim Perry, Jessica Cole and Craig Deane for winning the Clergy Cup Relay Race. Congratulations to Blessington who won the Overall Cup this year and to everyone who won medals on the day. Well done to everyone who came along and took part. Every child gave his or her best and regardless of where pupils finished in their races, it was great to see everyone participating, encouraging others and showing great sportsmanship. A big thank you to all in Jonathan Swift N.S., Dunlavin, for hosting such a well organised and enjoyable event. Have a look here on our website to see some photos from the day.
We had a visit from Garda Sharon from Athy Garda Station on 11th June. She spoke to the older children and then to the younger ones about personal safety, road safety and so on and was happy to answer numerous questions on every aspect of her job!
Our new pupils for the coming school year came to spend an afternoon in the school on 11th June. It was lovely to meet both them and their parents and we look forward to getting to know them over their time in the Model. Thank you to Laura and Beverley for providing the refreshments on the day.
Green Schools We have come to the end of a very successful year. We are on target with our aims that we set out at the beginning of the year. Highlights of the year include Futuristic Friday, Our Day of Action and the Up-cycling competition. This being our 1st year in the Green Schools Initiative, we have really enjoyed the experience. Thanks to pupils, staff, parents and our local community for your help and support.
We held our End of Year Service on Sunday 23rd June, during which we sadly said goodbye to our sixth class pupils- Neza Murenzi, Dan Griffin, Tim Perry, Craig Deane, Samir Alam, Temi Olabode, Chloe Chadwick, Bridin Bradshaw and Jessica Cole. All of 6th class received autograph books, certificates and book tokens. Congratulations to: Jessica Cole who was awarded the Loftus Warren Cup , to Tim Perry who was awarded the Scripture Prize, to Cian Cobbe who received the William Ashmore Plaque , and to the following who received Gold certificates and book tokens for full attendance in the school year to date: Ryan Cooke, Alex Daly, Joe Cole, Caitlin Kenny, Caroline Daly, Anthony Adewuyi, Louise Nhema, Anna and Josephine Olawepo, Jemimah and Joshua Famose, Richard Ogunwemimo, Jordan Umo, Zoe Harper and Jessica Cole. The following received Silver certificates for missing only one school day to date-Tyrone, Kendra and Mischa Adeniranye, Hugh and Isabel Perry, Maita Phairah, Cerys Moody, Taz Chinamasa, Isabel Perry, Clare Cole, Ayomide Owoade, Liam Yek, Lisa and Nelly Badakin, George King, Evelyn Kenny, and Nathan Daly. Well done to you all.
We had to say a very sad farewell to Gwenda Neill at the service. Gwenda will be leaving us on Thursday 27th June. Gwenda has made an outstanding contribution to school life in her two years with us and will be missed by us all. A presentation of a gift and flowers were made to Gwenda on behalf of the Board of Management. We wish her every success in her future teaching career.
Our Annual 6th class Sale was held in the school on Tuesday 25th June. The weather held up and we had a great day. Thank you to the pupils and parents for baking so many tray bakes and to all the local businesses who sponsored the raffle. Thank you to Mrs Cole, the 6th class pupils and their parents, the many past pupils, parents ,parishioners and visitors who supported it and everyone who helped to make it such a success. For the first time ever, over €1000 was raised, 80% of which goes to the Jack and Jill Foundation and the remainder will go towards equipping our Art Room. Well done to all for such a wonderful achievement!
School closes on Thursday 27th June at 12 noon and reopens on Weds 28th August, finishing at 12 noon on the first day to facilitate a staff meeting. (11.30 am for Junior Infants).
We wish everyone a fun, relaxing and safe summer.
Athy Model School is a primary school under the patronage of the Department of Education, with a Church of Ireland ethos. We endeavour to enable each child to acquire a set of moral values based on the ethos of the school.