January Newsletter

Post Primary Transfer

Please return completed P7 Post Primary Transfer Forms to school by Monday 6^th February 2017. An early return would be appreciated. Please telephone the school if there are any issues regarding the completion or return of the forms.

Workshops

The next Maths Workshop will take place on Tuesday 31^st January from 7.00pm in the school. The next Literacy Workshop for P1 to P3 parents (Supporting your child at home with phonics with an emphasis on spelling) will take place on Wednesday 22^nd February from 7.00pm.

An Internet & Social Media Safety Workshop for parents, hosted by NSPCC, will take place on Thursday 9^th February from 2.00pm to 3.00pm. Free childcare will be available at our Afterschool Club to attendee’s children.

ParentingNi will host a 6 week Positive Parenting course from Thursday 23^rd February 2017. The course will run from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Free childcare will be available at our Afterschool Club to attendee’s children.

Football Team Victory

Congratulations to St Mary's football team who won the South Down 5-a-side competition at Kilkeel last Wednesday. All the boys played fantastically well. Well done to Ryse Berry and Fionntán Keenan, both boys had an outstanding tournament. Our appreciation to Mr. Devlin for taking the boys to the tournament.

The next round of the EVO league will take place at Cheney Park on Thursday 26^th January from 9.30am. Good luck boys!

Afterschool Club

Children attending the Afterschool Club must be booked in advance via the school office or directly through Afterschool Club. A space cannot be guaranteed for children not booked to attend.

NSPCC Appeal

The magnificent total of £987.75 was collected at the door of our Christmas performances for NSPCC Thank you to everyone for your generosity. A cheque will be presented to the NSPCC on Friday 27^th February 2017.

Cross Country

Well done to our Cross Country team who took part in the final race of the season at the Academy Banbridge last week. A special mention to Wiktoria Juncho, Anne Davis and Niamh Lynch who were the first girls home for St Mary’s. Congratulations to Jonathon McGrath, Carter Gorman and    Cathair Ruddy who were first home for St Mary’s in the boys’ race. Thank you to Mr. Devlin for taking the boys and girls and to Mr. McGrane for organising the teams.

Parking 

Please continue to use St Therese’s car park to avoid congestion on the Scarva Road. There is limited parking in St Patrick’s car park. The drop off arrangements are working well and we would encourage parents to either park in St Therese’s car park, if you wish to escort your child to the school playground,  or use the supervised drop off points in St Patrick’s car park. Clann na Banna car park is designated for staff parking only during the school day. It becomes very congested by 8.30am and parents parking there are putting children

accessing the car park at risk. Please use the drop off arrangements.

Time 4 Me

A counsellor for The Barnardo’s Time 4 Me Counselling Service has now been appointed for our school. Once AccessNI checks are completed the Time 4 Me Service will begin. Further information and details will be issued shortly.

School PTA

Thank you to our PTA for purchase of our new maths scheme for the school. The new Collins Maths Scheme, including digital resources, cost £8,219.99. This was purchased in full by the PTA for use by all our children and staff throughout the school. This year our PTA aims to continue to support the school with the purchase of class based materials and resources to support the delivery of the curriculum. All support with this endeavour is greatly appreciated.

Our annual PTA Coin Drive will take place on Tuesday 31^st January in the school hall. Children are asked to bring any loose change from home on Tuesday. Each class will, in turn, make their own patterns and designs of coins around the hall. The class with the heaviest amount of coins will receive a prize. The coins will be counted and donated to the PTA.

A Valentine’s Day Disco will take place on Friday 10^th February from 6.30pm to 7.30pm for children up to P3 and from 7.45pm to 9.00pm for children from P4 to P7 in the school hall. £3.00 admission.

The next meeting of our PTA will take place on Tuesday 21^st February at 7.30pm. All support is greatly appreciated.

Half Term

School will be closed from Monday 13^th February to Friday 17^th February 2017 (inclusive) for the half term holiday.

School Certificates

Congratulations to Noah Lennon, Ryan Henry, Andy Lennon, Dorina Toth, Lukasz Rak, Joanne O’Hare, Oran Doherty, Maddison Smith, Grace Rea, Nathan Barlow, Zara Cummings, Luca Scappaticci, Eoin Eakins, Eoghan Fitzpatrick, Kate Williamson McCabe, Sally Convery, Ryan Gallagher, Tom Jordan, Brodie McCart, Sarah Hamill, Faye McAlorum, Casey Smith, Adam Devlin, Patryk Bebenkowski, Niamh Lynch and Amy Fullerton  on being awarded a class certificate for good work and excellent behaviour during the week ending Friday, 20^th January.

School Menu

Please check the school website for the monthly school menu.