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Once again, we sincerely thank you for your kind and generous contributions.
The analysis of the information gathered resulted in the following target for the remainder of this
school year and next year (2019/20):
‘Pupils will experience targeted teaching of vocabulary and spelling in order to promote the transfer of
skills in the areas of the acquisition and use of vocabulary, phonological and phonemic awareness and
spelling, demonstrating progression in the milestones and their written work’
This target has been subdivided into three targets:
• Pupils will increase their use of WOW words – focusing on vibrant, exciting and adventurous
language in their oral language and in their writing.
• Teachers will explicitly teach phonics from Junior Infants to 6th class, following the phonics
sequence in St. Peter’s N.S English Reading Policy (Appendix 3) and Polasaí Gaeilge
Leitheoireacht (Rang 1-Rang 6) (Available on the website).
• Teachers’ planning and preparation document clear and differentiated learning outcomes, which
are based on the analysis of assessment data. Learning objectives reflect a developmental and
incremental approach to progressing pupils learning in relation to phonics, spelling and
vocabulary development.
A full school self-evaluation report has been written up with further detail as to how these targets are
going to be implemented and hopefully achieved in school. A copy of this report has been uploaded to
the website. Please do have a look! The information from this evaluation will be used along with the
WSE and staff collaboration to inform the production of a 3 year School Improvement Plan for St.
Peter’s National School. This will be devised over the coming weeks and parents will be informed of its
completion and publication.
We wish to thank you all for your engagement in the process – there was a great rate of returns in the
parents’ questionnaires. This is extremely valuable information and has greatly informed our planning
for the future. Thank you!
Engineering Day
Engineering Day took place on the 14th of March. A big thank you to Miss Coyle, Claire, Kate and Pip for
leading this day for us.
• Junior and Senior Infants had great fun making exploding volcanoes!
• 1st and 2nd class were very creative making constructions out of spaghetti - hoping they would be
earthquake proof!
• 3rd and 4th class had lots of fun doing the egg challenge – how to drop an egg so it won’t break!!
• 5th and 6th class had a super time creating robots!
The children had lots of fun and I’m sure we have inspired some future Engineers! Have a look on the
website for some great photos of the day!
PTA
Once again this year we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to do a bucket collection outside the
Metallica concert in Slane on Saturday 8th June.
Volunteers are needed for the day, which would involve being there from about 2pm to 8pm. It is a
long day but we believe that if we had enough volunteers we might be able to split it into shifts. We
have never cancelled a PTA fundraising event in the past however since the last letter went out looking
for volunteers we have had only one person volunteer. A list for volunteering has gone up in the office –
please sign up your name if you are free on the 8th of June to volunteer. Without your help – this event
may not go ahead. Once we have gathered some names we may be able to divide the day into shifts.
Two years ago the bucket collection at Slane raised €2240! Therefore, it would be very disappointing if
we have to forgo this opportunity due to lack of volunteers.
Unfortunately it is not possible due to health and safety concerns to have children with you on the day.
So far this year the money raised from bag packing, from the Christmas Fair and from Spooky Walk and
other fundraising events is going towards:
• the provision of some buses for school outings and events
• purchasing of books
• PE equipment
• Science equipment
• Upcoming workshops for the children
Evidently, your time as a volunteer greatly benefits your child and the school community as a whole.
Please sign up as a volunteer in the office or email us your interest to: stpetersdunboynepta@gmail.com
Book Week and Book Fair
The Book fair was a great success – thank you to the PTA for organising it all. The children loved
browsing the books and had great fun choosing their book to bring home. Over € 800 was spent at the
book fair which means we have almost €500 to spend towards school books from Celtic Travelling
books (unfortunately, they don’t supply the Building Bridges Programme). This is a great amount of
money, which will be well spent towards our Literacy resources in school.
Book week was brilliant fun too with lots of different activities organised for each class. The buddy
reading with Junior & Senior Infants and 5th & 6th class is great fun to watch. They really had a great
time and love reading together!
Internet Safety Day
We were very lucky to be invited up to the Gaelscoil to share in their Internet Safety day organised
event on the 7th of February. Children’s lack of education and knowledge regarding the dangers of
Internet usage can cause them to act irresponsibly and disrespectfully online. This online behaviour
can have detrimental affects on a child’s overall wellbeing. With every action online, there is a
consequence. Therefore, this educational event was very information and hugely beneficial for all the
children and teachers alike. It is imperative that children are taught the importance of how to stay safe
online. These workshops were age appropriate covered these themes:
• Online gaming • Cyberbullying
• Peer pressure • Digital footprint
• Social media • Being a Good Digital citizen.
Paula, who facilitated the event, identifies that as parents/guardians we have a responsibility to educate
and inform ourselves about the issues facing our children online. It is imperative we are kept informed
and updated as to how we can best protect our children online. The Gaelscoil organised a parents
information evening following the children’s workshops. There have been numerous positive reports
on the benefits of this evening for parents, which I am delighted to hear!
If you were unable to make it on the night Paula has a Facebook page called Don’t Be Mean Behind the
Screen, which you may like to check out if you would like some additional information about how you
can best support your child online.
A big thank you to the Gaelscoil for facilitating these events and for inviting us along. Also, thank you to
the PTA for making a contribution of €300 towards this event.
Active Flag
A huge thank you to Miss McGovern for her continuous work towards our next Active Schools Flag. She
has organised lots of fun events for all the classes and is currently working on the planning of our Active
Schools Week. If you have any particular skills you would like to share please do not hesitate to contact
Ms. McGovern – we welcome all sorts of activities for Active Week! Active Week will take place during
the week 27th – 31st of May. St. Peter’s N.S Sports and Fun Day will take place on Thursday the 30th May,
during Active Week.
GAA
All children Junior Infants – 6th class are engaging in a 6 week block of GAA lessons. These lessons are
taking place every Monday and they just finished their second session this week. The children are
learning great skills during theses sessions and are enjoying every minute. Teresa from the local GAA
has kindly offered to facilitate these sessions – thank you Teresa, the children are loving it!
Aldi Stickers
Thank you all so much for bringing in your Aldi Stickers! The poster has been filled and has been now
entered into the competition.
Big thanks to Anita for organising the poster for us. The children loved counting the stickers as they
have came in!
HSE Screening
Vaccinations
Big well done to the Junior Infants who were all little superstars. They were very brave having their
vaccinations on the 13th of March.
Sight and Hearing Tests
Reminder to all Junior Infant parents that the sight and the hearing tests will take place on the 28th of
March.
Important dates for your diary!
• 28th March – Sight and hearing Tests (Junior Infants)
• 11th April – School Progress Meeting @ 7.30 pm
• 2nd May – School Open Evening @ 7pm.
• 14th May – Meath and Kildare Diocesan Service attended by 5th and 6th
• 27th May – JI-4th class school tour to Causey Farm and 5th&6th class sports Blitz with the Gaelscoil
• 30th May - Sports Fun day!
• 11th June – Junior Infant (2019-2020) Induction evening for parents @7pm
• 12th June – Junior Infant (2019-2020) Induction day for children and parents @1.30-2.00
• 18th June – 6th class graduation
• 21st June – 5th and 6th class trip
As you can see we are all working very hard in St. Peter’s National School and enjoying all the fun
learning each day is bringing. As always we thank you for your continued positivity and support.
Miss Blennerhassett J