SCOIL NAOMH BARRA PARENT ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2019
As we come to the end of the first school term and the end of 2019, here’s an update on the PA’s activity this school year and a breakdown of how we have spent some of the money that you helped us to raise.
CASH FOR CLOBBER Clothing Recycling Programme
We ra
n another Cash for Clobber fundraiser on the 24th of September. Lots of you donated old clothes, shoes and bags to the recycling programme. We raised a total of €444 this time so thanks to all who took part.
Witches Walk 2019
The Witches Walk took place on 22nd of October and a total of €2000.50 was raised in sponsorship. The children (and teachers!) looked great in their costumes and some even made it on to the front page of The Irish Times, courtesy of some great photos by Barry Cronin. Thanks to everyone for dressing up and to the parents and teachers who helped out on the day. And thanks to Nives Caplice and the mounted garda unit who oversaw road safety.
National Parent’s Council Talk: Transition from Primary to Secondary School
This talk was held in October and was open to parents of children in 4th, 5th and 6th classes. It was well attended and feedback from parents was very positive. The talk covered the transition to secondary and also the new Junior Cert curriculum. If you missed the talk but would like some information on this subject then visit http://www.npc.ie/images/uploads/downloads/ChildMove.PDF
Jersey Day
To celebrate Ireland playing in the Rugby World Cup we ran a non-uniform day. The children came to school dressed in jerseys or in the Ireland colours. While Ireland didn’t manage a win, there was a good result for the school: we raised a total of €352!
Annual General Meeting
We held our AGM on Tuesday, 22nd of October at 8 p.m. The meeting was well attended. There was a review of the 2018/19 activities and Mr. Minnock also addressed the meeting. Two parents, John Finney and Ciara McQuaid, were elected as parent representatives on the school’s Board of Management on the night. Thanks to Verona Bowens who was a parent rep on the BOM for the last 3 years.
At the first meeting of the PA committee we elected our officers for the coming year as follows: Chairperson: Mary Jane Beckham, Secretary: Carmel Brecknell, Treasurer: Sharon Lynch. Many thanks to Anna Callaghan who stepped down from her position as secretary for all her work over the past 3 years.
As a result of your support we have been able to provide funding to the school for the following:
School Water Fountain
The PA donated €425 towards the cost of the installation of a Drinking Fountain in the school. The children are now drinking filtered water from the fountain and no longer complaining about the taste of the tap water!
Wooden Toys for Infant Classes
The school bought some new wooden toys which the infant classes are using as part of their Aistear play each day. The PA contributed €200 towards the cost.
Bus Transport
The PA is continuing to supplement the cost of transport to and from sporting and other events that the school participates in. So far this year we have paid €2135 towards the cost of buses and we have received €1300 in contributions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Carol Singing at Navan Town Centre
The school choir will perform in Navan Town Centre on Sunday, 15th of December from 2 to 4pm. Thanks to Jackie McCarthy for getting the choir ready and for giving up her time on the day. Thanks also to the parents who have volunteered to collect. All support for the choir from the school community will be very welcome.
Christmas Raffle
The Christmas Raffle will take place on the 18th of December during the Christmas Music Recital at the school. We would like to sincerely thank all of the local businesses who sponsored prizes for our raffle. A full list of the sponsors will be available soon on Aladdin and on our website. Please return all raffle sheets to the school on or before Monday 16th of December.
Pantomime
At the end of January there will be a Beauty and the Beast Pantomime by M&M Theatrical Productions in the school hall. It will take place during school time and there will be a small charge per child. This event is not a fundraiser and the charge will cover the cost of the performance.
Book Fair
We are planning to run a Book Fair in March of 2020. There will be a great selection of books on sale by Celtic Travelling Books and every book bought will help to earn rewards that the school can spend on free books and resources for classrooms and library.
Thank you again to everyone for your continuing support. Please keep in touch with any queries, fundraising ideas or other issues. Contact us at scoilnaomhbarrapa@gmail.com