This week Primary 5 have been learning about “The Celts,” with help from Una Walsh. They completed art work that they hung this morning on the May Tree outside the Community Centre. This is to highlight the Celtic “Bealtaine” season that starts tomorrow, 1st May.
We would like to thank Una for her time this morning and the online collab on Wednesday where she spoke to the children about Celtic history, particularly in South Armagh. The children learnt so much about the history of this unique area from her and they can’t wait to visit Mullaghbawn’s very own Celtic Roundhouse at Bluebell Glamping when it opens back up.
St Mary’s pupils and staff would like to thank Business in the Community Northern Ireland for their kind donation of 10 devices through the Digital Access Drive.
The devices were used by our families during our recent learning from home.
Pictures from our KS2 Assembly last Friday. Well done to all those who were awarded Pupil of the Week. We had a lot of recipients for awards! Some for engagement and going that extra mile in our Lockdown Virtual Classes and others for their attitude and application to work now that we are back in our real life classes.
We will post the Foundation and KS1 pictures tomorrow.
Firstly, apologies we were not able to go ahead with lessons as planned last Monday. We received at late notification an email from the EA Music Service stating that their Tutors where not allowed into schools, this week that decision has been reversed. So lessons will resume on Monday, 19th April for those pupils now in P5 and P6 and who were involved last year.
Please have your child bring their instrument and music folder into school on Monday. Lessons will take place in the Assembly Hall in the morning. Anyone who has decided to drop out and who has a school instrument please return it ASAP as it may be needed for someone else.
Finally, best wishes to Clare our strings’ tutor and all the children taking part, we look forward to the sound of music filling our corridors once more!
I wish to thank you for the dedication and commitment you have shown in following the programme of online learning provided over this past number of months. I am very aware of the emotional impact that home learning has had on many and the provision of such learning has had on staff. Hopefully we have reached the end of this arrangement and can progress towards a more normal future.
Following on from the announcement by the Education Minister, Peter Weir on Tuesday 16th March, I write to remind you of procedures and protocols for the return of all children to school on Monday 22nd March.
In relation to returning to school we must continue to observe guidelines to reduce the threat of any further outbreaks of the COVID-19 virus
School Day
Four drop-off and pick-up points will remain:
Nursery car park for a Nursery child and older siblings
Front on the school for Year 1& 2 children and older siblings
Main school car park for Year 3 & 4 children and older siblings
Ti Chulainn car park where children can enter school grounds at the green house entrance for year 5, 6 and 7 children.
We will be asking children to come into school between 8.45 am and 9.30 am. This should allow the children to filter into school.
Classes will operate in Social bubbles as far as possible. Dinners times will remain as normal but only those taking school dinners will eat in the Dining Hall, where pupils will be seated in their class bubbles. Normal procedures for Nursery dinners will remain, were Nursery pupils will be served dinner in their own Classroom.
Break times and lunchtimes will be arranged in a manner that will ensure that just members of that class are playing together in a Social Bubble in the playground, each class will be assigned a separate play area.
We will continue to insist that children wash their hands at key times in the school day – when they come in, at break-time, before lunchtime, after lunchtime and before home-time.
We will be working within the Social Distancing advised by the Education Authority.
Normal pick-up times will be maintained:
1.30 pm for Nursery
2 pm for P1- P3
3 pm for P4 – P7
Pupils uniform, school bags and homework
Pupils can attend school in uniform or PE kit. They should not bring in school bags but can take in a pencil case which is to remain in school. Pupils cannot be sharing their equipment with others. Pupils should bring in a packed lunch in a lunch box or bag and a water bottle.
Cash handling in school
Payments should be placed in a sealed envelope and submitted to the class teacher by your child.
Visitors/parents to the school
There will be no visitors/Parents permitted into the school until further notice.
School Dinners.
All payments should be made on the first day of the week. £2.50 for Nursery and £2.60 for all other children.
Afterschool clubs and activities
There will be no after-school activities or games until further notice.
After school supervision is available from 2- 4 pm for those who need to avail of this service. For Nursery children 1.30 to 2 pm £1
We are delighted to welcome Niamh Fahey, Ireland and Liverpool footballer,
to St Mary’s tomorrow, Monday 15th March @2 pm for a virtual Q+A session with KS2 pupils.
Niamh has won over 25 caps for Ireland and was named FAI Women’s Senior International Player of the Year. She is currently Liverpool Ladies Captain having previously played for Arsenal and Chelsea.
Niamh has represented her county playing for Galway Ladies. She helped them win their first All-Ireland Senior title in 2004. Niamh also has an All Ireland club medal playing for Parnells in London in 2012.
Thanks to Miss Niamh Murphy for organising this very special event and to Niamh Fahey for taking time from her very busy training schedule to meet our boys and girls. During the session pupils will have the opportunity to ask Niamh questions.
The session will start at 2 pm, a Collaborate link and details will be posted into Google Classrooms tomorrow morning.
A very special Monday afternoon treat for everyone – parents and grandparents are welcome to join.
Our Primary 5 children were so lucky to get an opportunity to take part in a virtual art lesson with Sinead Campbell from, “The Art and Design Factory Online Art Classes for Kids.”
It was such an enjoyable hour for both pupils and teachers alike and a fantastic opportunity to showcase the children’s artistic skills. They were so proud of their work and upon looking at these finished pieces, I am sure you will agree that we have future artists here at St Mary’s PS!
Safer Internet Day 2021 “Together for a better Internet”
Each year in St Mary’s we recognise the importance of Safer Internet Day by hosting Parents’ and Pupils’ workshops.
So this year we are asking families to take time to explore the Internet Safety tab on our school website where you will find links to information and stories related to this year’s theme “Together for a better Internet”
And why not check out tomorrow’s C2K Newsdesk story line made famous by ex president Donald Trump “Fake News”
The Ring of Gullion ,“Dragons in the Hills” Project have teamed up with local artists to bring an exciting art competition for all classes to take part in. The theme is: “Reptiles, Amphibians and Habitats”, it’s a great excuse for everyone to get outside, have a explore of some likely habitats,- ponds, marshy ground, stone walls, … Why not take some photos, and then once back indoors get experimenting with different media, paint, pastels, collage – choose the piece you are most happy with and submit a photo via the link given below!
All work must be submitted by 17th March There are some great prizes up for grabs!
The boys and girls in Primary 5 have been very busy during the month of December working on their Christmas poem. Unfortunately, this year we did not get to perform our Nativity in the chapel like we normally do. Everyone looks forward to it each year but hopefully this little production can make up for it in some way. I am so proud of their efforts and I am sure you will be too!
Merry Christmas and a happy new year from all 29 boys and girls and myself. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays.
