Summer Newsletter
St Joseph’s N.S. Parents’ Association.
June 2017
As we are nearing the end of our school year, the committee would like to take a moment to update you all on the activities and achievements since our previous newsletter. Any fundraising undertaken by the Parents’ Association in Sept ’16 – June ’17 is to enable the school to improve its Digital School Status. To do this means updating and maintaining our technology within the school. Further information and photographs can be found on the school’s new website: http://www.stjosephsskibbereen.ie . Please Sign Up for email alerts. Alternatively, you can also be a friend of our “St Joseph’s Girls’ Parents’ Assoc, Skibbereen” on Facebook.
Student Major Achievements :
Credit Union Quiz: 4th Class girls, Ellen, Tara, Fiona & Lucy won 1st place in the Skibbereen Chapter. They then went forward to represent the Chapter in Cork in March and came in 2nd place overall. From there they went on to represent St Joseph’s in the All Ireland Final in the RDS on April 2nd.
Lifetime Lab Science Quiz in UCC., St Joseph’s competed in the Lifetime Lab Primary Science Quiz along with 56 teams. Our 6th Class girls, Saoirse, Aoife and Lily, scored a brilliant 58 points out of 64, to win their category. Overall they were placed 2nd , narrowly beaten( by 1 point) by Glandore N.S.. Our 5th class girls, Ava, Ellen and Mary Elizabeth finished with an excellent score of 55 points out of a possible 64 points. Congratulations to all …… St Joseph’s is very proud of you.
Enterprise Town – Our 5th Class girls attended the Enterprise Town Event in the Sports Centre on Friday 25th Nov to display their Biz World Project. This team won the Biz World programme which was running in St Joseph’s School during the week running up to the 25th November. Each one of the 5th Class students was presented with her Biz World Certificate by RTE Presenter Daithí O Shea.
Christmas Plays – 3rd & 4th Class Christmas Play ‘ Alice in Winterland’ was shortlisted for a Bord Gais Energy Student Theatre Award in the Best Costume Category. The judges noted that the costumes were ‘ very beautiful and really sold the production’. The girls travelled to Dublin on Wednesday 17th May for the awards ceremony. On the day, the girls were ranked 2nd place. All 3rd & 4th class girls had a superb trip to Dublin. En route home Mrs Cáit Uí Raghallaigh treated all the girls to a trip to Mac Donald’s. A great day out for the girls.
Cór Na Óg Concert was on in Drimoleague Church on April 5th. Our 5th & 6th Class students participated along with 13 schools from West Cork. A magical performance could only begin to describe the gala concert. Grace, Mary Elizabeth, Ruby, Kate & Elaine from 5th class put themselves forward to sing with the National Children’s Choir in the National Concert Hall on 27th May 2017. Great honour girls.
Parents’ Association’s Events
Winter Warmer – Winter Warmer Raffle took place in the school on the 8th of December. The lucky winners were :
1st prize ~ Trailer of Wood – Lorraine Heaton-Jones
2nd prize ~ Trailer of Wood – Ava Brownie
3rd prize ~ Hamper by Drinagh – Cliona Herlihy
4th prize ~ Hamper by Fields – Emmet O’ Brien
Sellers Prize ~ Hamper Chocolate – Rebecca Connolly ( 6th Class).
The Parents’ Association would like to thank everyone for their support and generosity. This raffle was a huge success and raised a massive € 2340.
Cake Sale: 9th Dec ’16. A fabulous morning was had at the school. A massive “Thank You” to Laura Collins, who donated a Christmas themed chocolate biscuit cake as 1st prize in our raffle. Prize winners of the raffle were :
1st prize : Sylvia, our Secretary
2nd prize : Molly O Neill (Juniors)
3rd prize : Bella Mullins (Juniors)
4th prize : Ava Collins (2nd Class)
5th prize: Millie Balasa Swanton (2nd Class)
6th prize : Jessie Holmes (6th Class)
€710 was raised of which €200 was donated to the Simon Community Cork Christmas Appeal on behalf of St Joseph’s.
O’Donovan Rossa GAA – had an extremely successful “ Strictly Come Dancing” fundraising night and kindly donated €1000 to our school.
Pop UP Morning in Abbeystrewery – 18th Feb 2017. 10 am – 1pm.
Fantastic day at the Fun morning in Abbeystrewery Hall. Superb spots were donated for a Raffle. €1375 was raised. Once again, thanks a million to everyone who helped and contributed.
St Patrick’s Day Parade : Despite the horrendous weather, it was wonderful to see everyone out in force, to represent the school and walk as ‘Gary & Paul’ in the parade. This year the theme was ‘Local Heroes’. We won ‘ Best Theme’ and were presented with a cheque for €50.
Mothers’ Day Stroll in Lissard – Sunday 26th March 2017
What a way to start Mothers’ Day. The sun shone from early morning. Just under 200 people running / walking/ strolling throughout the beautiful woodlands in the magical estate of Lissard. The only sounds to be heard were ones of chatting and laughing . Superb food by Kalbo’s, Music by Barry Marks. Thoroughly enjoyed by all. We couldn’t have done it without your support. Thank you for your help and support. €750 was raised.
Cake Sale – Friday May 19th 2017 – This Cake Sale was a 6th Class project. They used it to raise funds for their jerseys. Well done girls . Approximately €500 was raised.
1st Holy Communion – Sat 20th May 2017
Holy Communion Gathering – Sunday 21st May 2017
This year the Parents’ Association decided to change the Coffee Morning at the school to Sunday 21st after 11.30 am Mass for the Holy Communion girls and their families. It was a major success. A brilliant crowd of Holy Communion girls attended with their families and grandparents. There was a great relaxed atmosphere. The morning was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The cost of this was covered by the Parents’ Association.
Junior Infants Welcome – Thursday 8th June 2017
6th Class Graduation – Thursday 22nd June 2017.
Clothes Collection – 12th June 2017, Bags can be dropped to the school, at your convenience, prior to this day.
Cork City Sports – Thursday 1st June @ CIT Bishopstown, Cork
Sports Day – Tuesday 20th June
Active Week – 12th June – 16th June 2017 At the minute we are working on organising this week and getting some ‘Sporty’ Skibbereen individuals’ to come and talk/ do activities with the students.
Non Uniform Days –
Friday 28th Feb 2017 – No theme – € 2
Friday 31th March 2017 – Easter Theme
Friday 28th April 2017 – No Theme – € 2
Friday 26th May 2017 – No Theme – €2 ( Missions)
Monday 25th & Tuesday 26th June ‘ 17 – Summer Theme
The Parents’ Association
The Parents’ Association is a group of volunteer parents getting together to work with, and support, our principal, Cáit Uí Raghallaigh, and The Board of Management in fundraising to maintain and improve our school. A new committee was voted in on the night, (A special emphasis was made this year to get parents from every class and hence act as a class representative).
The following Committee Officers took on a 2 year reign and will remain in place for 2017 / 2018 school year.
Chairperson: Julie Fitzgerald (3rd & 6th Class)
Vice Chairperson: Karen Geaney (5th Class)
Secretary: Finuala Collins (Junior Infants)
Vice Secretary: Eugenia Humston (1st Class)
Treasurer: Alison O Neill (Junior Infants)
Vice Treasurer: Kerry Mc Carthy (1st / 3rd & 5th Class)
PRO: Clare Gallagher (5th Class)
Vice PRO: Marge Doolan (Juniors)
Committee Members:
Finuala Mc Carthy (Seniors / 2nd), Lucy Mullins ( Junior), Marie Tobin ( 3rd), Ber Hegarty (3rd & 4th), Maura O Donovan (1st), Ann O Donovan ( 1st)
This year the Parents’ Association was fundraising to enable the school to improve its “Digital School” Status. The school has obtained a grant which enables them to purchase new I-pads. The Parents’ Association is funding the shortfall of €2300.
As you are all aware by now, some fabulous new ‘Playground Markings / Games’ have been drawn on our tarmac this May. The basketball court has been relined, there is a new adventure trail, and a new basketball shooting area, noughts & crosses ( x 2), alphabet jump, and a long jump are the main features, along with freshening up of some existing games. This cost the Parents’ Association the sum of €1305.
New parents are always welcome to join the committee. Our next AGM will be held in Sept / Oct 2017. New parents can join without any pressures re. taking on an Officer Role for the upcoming year. It is a great opportunity work with the school, staff and other parents, professionally and socially. All in all, 2016 / 2017 has been a super year for St Joseph’s and some of it was even fun!!!
Summer Holidays – The School will close Half Day on Tuesday 26th June
We hope everyone has a fabulous Summer Holidays