Athy Model School

November 2014 Newsletter

It’s been a busy and fun filled couple of months since we started back to school at the end of August and already the year is flying by. Swimming is now over for 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th classes. They all made very good progress during their six weeks.  Infants, 5^th and 6^th class begin swimming on Mon 3^rd Nov for six weeks.

Our Guided Reading sessions on Tues, Weds and Thurs mornings are going really well. A big thank you to Karyn Cole and Irene Higginson who organised this initiative, and also to the parent volunteers who, along with the teachers, listen to the children’s reading and talk about their books with them. We believe that this small group reading time is contributing significantly to each child’s enjoyment of books and progress in reading.

3^rd and 4^th class, with Mrs Deane, recently ‘harvested’ the crop of potatoes which they sowed with Barbara Cole last spring. They cooked wedges and everyone got to sample them. Many children brought home bags of potatoes to cook at home. We hope you enjoyed the school spuds!

Our school was involved in Athy Wellness Week recently. As part of this, 5^th and 6^th class attended a Sticks and Stones Anti Bullying Workshop in Athy Library on Weds 15^th Oct. The pupils enjoyed this and by all accounts, had a good discussion about the forms bullying can take and how to deal with it.

There was a good turnout for the P.A. A.G.M. on Weds 8^th Oct. All who were there thoroughly enjoyed the talk by Paul Hickey of esafety.ie about internet safety which was entertaining and very informative.

Thank you to all who supported our recent Book Fair. We have acquired some lovely new books for the class book corners as a result of your support.

We would like to thank the Board of Management who paid for the bus to Dublin for 6^th class’s recent trip to Christchurch Cathedral to attend the annual Diocesan Schools Service. The service was lovely and was followed by a visit to Dublinia, the Viking exhibition, as well as a stop at Mc Donald’s on the way home. Well done to 6^th class who were very well behaved throughout!

We had a visit from Jonathan Irwin of the Jack and Jill foundation on Tues 14^th Oct. Jonathan spoke very eloquently to the school about the wonderful and important work of Jack and Jill. He accepted a cheque for €750 from Clare Cole who raised the sum for the charity through having her long hair cut much shorter. Well done Clare!

Infants, 1^st and 2^nd class visited Athy Library on Tues 20^th Oct to meet Dale Treadwell, author and wildlife expert. They got to look at all sorts of bugs close up, even a stick insect. Thank you to the parents who walked with us there and back.

Parent Teacher meetings will start after school the week after the midterm break.

We held our Dress up Day on Friday 24^th Oct. Everybody made a huge effort and the school was filled with all sorts of colourful and scary characters for the day. Thank you to all who brought in donations. The proceeds will go to St. Brigid’s Hospice on the Curragh.

A reminder that we are holding our Open Day on Thurs 6^th Nov at 7 pm. Everyone, whether a parent, a possible future parent, a grandparent or a  parishioner  is welcome to call in that night for a look around, a chat and a cup of tea.

School is closed from Mon 27^th to Fri 31^st Oct for midterm break.