Athy Model School

December 2017 Newsletter

Tin Whistle We welcome back Melanie Butler, who is giving tin whistle lessons to 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th  class at present. We would like to thank the Board of Management for helping to make these lessons possible.

1^st and 2^nd Class started Mindfulness and Relaxation on Tuesdays with Pamela Sage and this will continue for 5 weeks. The rest of the school will begin their sessions in April.

Dress Up Day €166 was raised by the pupils and staff on our recent Dress Up Day in aid of Temple Street Hospital. Thank you to everyone who supported this.

Congratulations from all at the Model School to Liz and Geoff Deane on the birth of Ruby.

We welcome Gemma Ross to the school. Gemma is teaching 3^rd and 4^th class for the duration of Mrs. Deane’s maternity leave.

Christmas Service Practice is underway for our School Christmas Service, which will take place on Sun 17^th December at 11 a.m. in St. Michael’s Church. School will take place in the Parish Centre on Friday 15^th  December to enable us to rehearse in the church. Many thanks to the parish for facilitating this.

Guided Reading A big thank you to all who helped with our Guided Reading initiative. This is over for now but we plan to resume in February.

Parent Teacher meetings took place after school during November for Infants, 1^st, 2^nd , 5^th and 6^th. Parent Teacher meetings will take place in January for 3^rd and 4^th but Miss Ross will be available on 19^th December by appointment to meet with parents who wish to have a parent teacher meeting before January.

MS Readathon Our pupils raised an amazing €1015.90 so far  for MS Ireland through the MS Readathon. Well done to all the children who took part and a big thank you to those who supported them.

Projects 5^th and 6^th class completed projects on Feasts and Festivals. The projects are on display in the PE Hall if you wish to view them. 3^rd and 4^th class are also enjoying working on projects about Counties of Ireland  at present and we’re really looking forward to viewing them soon!! Well done to all the pupils for all the team work, effort and research they put into their projects.

Parents Association Christmas Trips We are really looking forward to our Christmas trips. Infants, 1^st and 2^nd class are going to see ‘Santa’s Superheroes’ in the Watergate Theatre in Kilkenny on 8^th Dec. 3^rd to 6^th class are travelling to Dublin on 14^th Dec to see’ Aladdin’  in the Mill Theatre, Dundrum . Thank you to the Parents Association committee for organising both trips.

Gráinne Quinn from the National Parents Association came to speak to the parents in the school on Tuesday 21st November on the topic of Mental Health and Wellbeing of their Children. It was very informative and thank you to the PA for organising it.

School will close on Friday 22^nd  December for Christmas holidays and will reopen on Monday 8^th January. Best wishes for the Christmas season from all of us in the Model School.