November Newsletter 2025

• All the children are working very hard at learning their lines, song lyrics and dance moves for this year’s Christmas play which will be held on Wednesday 17^th December at 7pm in Braddox Hall. Thank you parents for helping to provide some props and costumes.

1. If anyone has any large robust Christmas decorations that could help to set the scene in Santa’s Toy Factory please send them into school.
2. If anyone has any Elf-like pyjama sets or suits that would also be appreciated.
3. We hope to serve some tea/juice and shortbread, mince pies and biscuits/buns after the show. We will need some volunteers to help serve the refreshments please.

Please invite friends, family members, grandparents or any potential new families and their children along for the evening.

• The flu vaccine will be administered in the school to pupils who agreed to receive it next Tuesday 25/11/25 at approximately 11.45am.
• The pupils were fantastic at demonstrating their Science experiments as part of Science Week last Thursday. They also were very productive at making and programming their Lego models to move in different ways. We have also started making the VEX Robotics which are on loan from Monaghan Co. Co.

• Big Congratulations to Lexie who has made the CMUL Cavan Monaghan Underage League U12 Girls Academy Team for 2025/26. This is a fantastic achievement as only 22 girls from Cavan and Monaghan are selected for the Academy and we wish her every success.

• Christmas Card project update – Your child will have their sample Christmas card in their school bag today. Please take a few moments to review the information below regarding the online process.

Order Deadline: The deadline to place your order is the 22nd of November. Please note that this is a school order and won’t be processed until after the above date.

Processing Time: Kindly be aware that there is a processing time of 10 to 12 working days for all school orders. We appreciate your patience during this period.

Tutorial: Before placing your order, we strongly recommend watching the tutorial available on our website. It will guide you through the ordering process and answer any questions you might have.

Name Changes: If there are any name changes that need to be made, please make sure to update them before placing your order. Once the order is placed, changes cannot be accommodated.

• Pupil Insurance is now overdue. If this is still ourstanding please forward it to school asap €5.30 per child.
• The school photographer will collect the photo orders on Thursday this week, 20^th November, so return your orders before then.
• Clothes Collection – Please spread the word we are having a clothing collection at the end of term. Bages of clothes may be left into school from Monday 15^th December. The collection will take place early on Friday 19^th December.  This year we are using a new company – Below is a reminder of what we can accept;

Clothes

Paired Shoes

Handbags

Hatslts

Scarves/Ties

Bras/Socks

Belts

Jewellery

Towels, bedding (duvet covers, pillows etc) and curtains are not accepted.  

A donation is given to Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice to support the work there.

• Parent/Teacher Meetings will take place at the end of January.
• Healthy Eating Policy – Following the review of the Healthy Eating Policy No biscuits, sweets, crisps or chocolate of any kind is allowed in lunch boxes on any day of the week. Treats will be given out on special occasions i.e. Christmas and Easter holidays. For healthy lunchbox ideas see the links Safefood-Lunchbox-Leaflet.pdf or www.National Dairy Council – Healthy Lunchbox Ideas.

Ancient Egypt

In History we are learning about ancient Egypt.

• Egypt is a country in Egypt.
• The Egyptians were good farmers, they grew onions, beans and lettuce. They caught fish in the River Nile.  They were able to survive on all they grew.
• Work was hard for the Egyptians as the had to move large blocks every 3 minutes to build pyramids. They took 30 years to build.
• Egyptians built a mythical creature called a sphinx. It was the largest sculpture in the world.  It had a lions body and a pharaoh head.
• The Pharaohs were the kings/leaders in Egypt.
• They were rich with gold thrones, jewellry and their sarcophagus/coffin was also made of gold.
• The servants, animals and belongings of the pharaoh was kept in the pyramid as Pharaohs thought they would be useful in the next life.
• In the pyramids the had lots of trap doors so that thieves couldn’t find the treasures buried with the Pharaohs.
• Tutankhamum was the most important Pharaoh as he was found with all his treasure.

By Elea and Ethan

                         June Newsletter 2025

• 10^th June 6^th class transition into Secondary School Workshop
• 10^th June PTA meeting at 7pm
• 13^th June CEF – Andrew & Beulah
• 13^th June Walk along the Greenway to Swimming Pool
• 17^th-20^th June Active Week including Sports Afternoons
• 20^th June Senior visit to Combi-Lift Factory
• 23^rd June BBQ at 7pm
• 24^th June 6^th Class Outing to Clogherhead
• 25^th June Whole School Fun Activity Day
• 26^th June 11am – 6^th Class Graduation Day
• 26^th June 12 Noon School Closing for Summer Holidays
• 27^th August Re-opening at 8.40am

2025/26 School Day

School Door will open at 8.40am

Classes will begin at 9.00am

First Break 10.40-11.00am

Lunch Time 12.30-1.00pm

Infant Day Ends 1.30pm

School Day Ends 2.30pm

Please do not arrive before 8.40am

Please collect pupils promptly at 2.30pm

School Calendar 2025-2026

School Will Reopen: Wednesday 27^th August 2025

Halloween Half Term: School Closed Monday 27^th -31^st October

School Will Reopen: Monday 3rd November 2025

Christmas Holidays: School will close on Friday 19^th December

School Will Reopen: Monday 5^th January 2026

St. Brigid’s Day:  Monday 2nd February 2026

Spring Half Term: School closed on Thurs & Fri 19^th & 20^th February 2026

St. Patrick’s Day: Tuesday 17^th March 2026

Easter Holidays: School will close on Friday 27^th March 2026

School Will Reopen: Monday 13^th April 2026

School Closed:  4^th May – Bank Holiday

                            1^st June – Bank Holiday

Summer Holidays: School will close on Friday 19^th June 2026

 Stationery List for Senior Pupils – 2025/26

10 – HB pencils (keep some at home until they are needed)

Rubber, sharpener, ruler, protractor, colouring pencils/twistable crayons, scissors &

Pritt stick.

Blue pen, red pen, calculator (5^th & 6^th class only)

A4 Plastic document folder (they are usually made of card) for worksheets

2 Folders with 40 plastic pockets

Please label everything

Stationery List for Junior Pupils – 2025/26

10 – HB pencils – that do not break easily when sharpened (keep some at home until they are needed)

Pencil case, rubber, sharpener, Twistable crayons & Pritt stick

Ruler (1^st & 2^nd class)

Junior Pupils – Please label everything

In the event of a toileting accident please send a full change of clothes, jumper, t-shirt, trousers, underwear and socks in a sealed bag with your child’s name on it.  It will be kept in the school office, in the event of a toileting accident.

Updates

School Tour Friday 23^rd May.

Could all children be dropped at the castle at 9.20am and we will walk them to the Adventure Centre.  They can be collected there at 2.45pm.  All children are asked to bring weather appropriate clothing, swim gear for wearing under a wetsuit as they will be getting wet, shoes to wear in the water, sun cream, and a packed lunch. Put on sun cream before the children come to Muckno please.  The Junior Room do not need swimwear but bring a change of clothes (in case a change of clothes is needed).

Sponsored Walk

The weather was excellent for our sponsored walk and we all thoroughly enjoyed the evening.  A total of €1500 has been raised with recent fundraising (Sponsored Walk and Cash for Clobber).  Well done everyone!

BBQ

Please provisionally book Monday 23rd/Tuesday24^th June for the annual BBQ.  If the weather is not suitable for Monday 23^rd we will postpone til Tuesday 24^th.

Holiday

The school will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 2^nd June.  School will close for summer on Thursday 26^th June at 12.00.

Next year’s calendar is below.

Clontibret N.S.

School Calendar 2025-2026

School Will Reopen: Wednesday 27^th August 2025

Halloween Half Term: School Closed Monday 27^th -31^st October

School Will Reopen: Monday 3rd November 2025

Christmas Holidays: School will close on Friday 19^th December

School Will Reopen: Monday 5^th January 2026

St. Brigid’s Day:  Monday 2nd February 2026

Spring Half Term: School closed on Thurs & Fri 19^th & 20^th February  2026

St. Patrick’s Day: Tuesday 17^th March 2026

Easter Holidays: School will close on Friday 27^th March 2026

School Will Reopen: Monday 13^th April 2026

School Closed:  4^th May – Bank Holiday

                            1^st June – Bank Holiday

Summer Holidays: School will close on Friday 19^th June 2026

Newsletter 2025

• 5 A Side soccer competition for Senior Pupils is being held in Gortakeegan on Monday 31^st March from 10am til 12.30pm returning to school at approx. 1.00pm. Pupils should bring a snack and water.  We will have our hot lunches when we return to school.  Football boots and tracksuit bottoms/shorts are required. School P.E. tops are supplied by the school.
• We are planning an Educational School Trip next Thursday 3^rd April to W5, Belfast. Pupils need to bring a large healthy packed lunch.  Full school uniform to be worn.  No more than £5stg allowed for the shop.  Pupils need to be at school for 9.00am and we will return to school at 3.45pm approx.
• The Junior Room will travel to Monaghan Fire Station on Wednesday 9^th April at 10am. They will hear all about the job of a fireman.
• We are planning a Sponsored Walk on Thursday 1^st May at 6.30pm in Rossmore Park. Sponsorship cards are in school bags today.  Pupils should bring their own drinks and snacks.  Hot chocolate will be supplied at the end of the walk.  All ages are very welcome to join us. 
• Swimming lessons commence on Friday 2^nd May, leaving the school at 12.20am and returning at 2.30pm approx. (for 7 weeks). We will have no swimming on Friday 23^rd Junior and Senior Infant children may be collected at the pool after the lesson at 1.50pm.  All lessons must be paid for in advance.  It will cost €49/child for the 7 weeks.  The lessons/bus are also subsidised by school funds.  P.E. clothes to be worn on Fridays.  Lessons will run to Monday 20^th June.
• Cash For Clobber will have a collection on Friday 2^nd May, after the Easter break. Clothes may be left in earlier that week as they may be collected early that morning.

• New School Opening Hours Proposal for September 2025                                                                                                                                   School will open at 8.40am, Classes will start at 9.00am.  The school day will finish at 1.30pm for Junior and Senior Infants                  1^st -6th classes will finish at 2.30pm.
• Afterschool – could money be brought into school at the beginning of the week please

Dates for Your Diary –

Monday 31^st March              5 A Side Football – Senior Pupils

Thursday 3^rd April               Whole school trip to W5

Wednesday 9^th April           A visit to the Fire Station – Junior Room

Friday 11^th April                  School closes for Easter at 12.

Monday 28^th April               School will reopen

Thursday 1^st May                Sponsored Walk in Rossmore Park

Friday 2^nd May                    Cash for Clobber

Friday 2^nd May                    Swimming begins for the term

Monday 5^th May                  School closed – Bank Holiday

Monday 2^nd June                 School closed – Bank Holiday

Thursday 26^th June             School closes at 12 for summer

 Clontibret N.S. Newsletter                  March 2025

Upcoming Events:

• Tuesday/Wednesday 4^th/5^th March – Maths Evaluation by Inspector in the school
• Thursday 6^th March – Belated Pancake Thursday

                                 World Book Day-Activities in the school

                                 Visit by Engineer from Combi Lift for Engineer Week

• Friday 7^th March – Bonnie, Aaron and the Senior Room pupils will feature in a zoom meeting with Rhys McClenaghan that will be transmitted across classrooms in Ireland as part of the Olympic Dare To Believe Classroom Project
• 10^th-14^th March – Seachtaine Na Gaeilge Gníomhaíochtaí-Activities
• Wednesday 12^th March – PTA Meeting at 7.30pm in the school –                                                                                                              Special speaker Laura Ward will provide information about the new Anti-Bullying Bí Cinealta Policy to be introduced in all schools in September 2025                                                                                                                                                                                                              Other items to be discussed:-                                                                                                                                                                                        A Fundraising idea for outdoor play equipment                                                                                                                                                     Introduction of Earlier Opening Time in September              
• Monday 17^th March – School closed St. Patrick’s Day
• Ongoing – TAP Music Project with Craig McComish
• Ongoing – We are delighted to have begun ‘Say Oui to French’ – Introduction to the French language and cultural life of France with Madam Margaret Finn
• Daily – We hope to start off each school day during Lent with a Lent Prayer Assembly written by Jacqui Wilkinson DCU RE Lecturer – Prayer Journey Through Lent
• 31^st March – 5 Aside Soccer competition with FAI in Gortakeegan, Monaghan. Tracksuits and runners to be worn
• Thursday 3^rd April – Educational Trip to W5 in Belfast Leaving school at 9.20am sharp and returning at 3.45pm.  €12 per child.  Children will need to bring their own lunch.  School uniforms to be worn
• Friday 11^th April – School will close at 12.00 for Easter. There will be no hot lunches on that day 
• Monday 28^th April – School Re-opens
• Swimming begins on Friday 2^nd May in Monaghan Leisure Centre. We will leave school at 12.20 for our lesson at 1.00pm.  Junior and Senior Infant children may be collected at the pool after the lesson.  All lessons must be paid for in advance this year.  It will cost €49/child for 7 weeks.  The lessons/bus are also subsidised by school funds.  

      January Newsletter 2025

Welcome back to school. We trust everyone enjoyed their Christmas holiday and had a fun family time.

Dates for your Diary

• Parent Teacher Meetings from 2pm on Thursday 30^th
• School will be closed on Thursday 6^th February at 12pm for Bí Cinealta Planning for school staff – New Anti Bullying Policy Planning.
• School closed Monday 3^rd February – St. Brigid’s Day
• Open Day on Thursday 13^th February at 2pm. Parents of Junior Room are welcome to attend to help promote school with new parents.
• TAP – Music and Literacy Project every Tuesday afternoon with Craig McComish in February and March.
• School closed Thursday 20^th and Friday 21^st February for mid-term.

December Reports

The Pantomime

On Wednesday 4^th December we went to Rapunzel the Pantomime in Armagh.  We were the first to arrive and we were in the front seats.  First, they introduced Jack and he was a prince.  They danced around the stage.  Then the mother and the cow came in.  the mother picked someone from the audience and that was Siobhan.  The mother asked her name and thought it was Susan and called he r that throughout the show.  The mother had ordered a Chinese and it took ages to arrive and asked Siobhan/Susan had she taken it.  When it eventually arrived, she apologised to Siobhan.  The witch had locked Rapunzel in a tower because she needed her hair to heal her if she didn’t feel well.  Rapunzel wanted to see the floating lights because it was on her birthday.  They were in honour of the lost princess who was Rapunzel but she didn’t know that.  The witch had stolen the mother’s money and Jack had found a map while looking for the money.  he found Rapunzel in the tower.  He climbed the tower but Rapunzel thought he was a monster and knocked him out with a frying pan.  She also put a spell on him from the witch’s spell book.  The spell left Jack scared and he ran home, Rapunzel followed him and this was the first time she had left the castle.  She realised he wasn’t going to hurt her.  The witch was angry when she saw Rapunzel had the spell book and tried to get her back into the tower.  The witch was chasing Rapunzel, Jack, the mother and the cow around the stage.  They came down into the audience and gave us high 5s.  they put the spell book into the well.  Jack fell in love with Rapunzel.  They went in a boat and sang a slow song.  The fog around them was also around us.  They put the witch in the well and we all laughed and cheered.  The mother and cow laughed at us laughing and cheering.  There was a baking competition where they could win their money back.  The king wanted milk and they squirted milk at the king with a nerf gun.  They aimed it into his mouth. 

At the end of the show they called out December birthdays which included Ovie, Reuben and Rebekah. 

It was a great day and we really enjoyed it.  We are thankful to the teachers for planning such a good day.

By Bonnie and Elea 

Carol Service

On Sunday 15^th December we held our Carol Service in ST. Colman’s Church of Ireland.  the congregation sang ‘We Three Kings’, ‘Silent Night and ‘O come all ye Faithful’.  The minister opened in prayer.  We moved to the stage – Daniel and Leah were 2 camp leaders (narrators) in our play and they spoke from the lectern.  We sang ‘Down by the Fireside’.  Reuben, Leah, Aaron and Joshua spoke.  A group of girls sang ‘So be Still’.  Joel, Aaron, Jack, Joshua, Bethany and Daniel spoke.  We then sang ‘Counting our Sheep from the Hillside’.  Daniel, Leah, Bethany, Aaron, Lexi, Adam, Arianna, Elea, Bonnie, Lucy, Reuben and Joel continued with the story of the Nativity.  ‘We’re on a Journey’ was sung when the Junior Room were the travellers going to see Jesus in Bethlehem.  The Senior Room were the inn keepers.  We continued to tell the story of Jesus birth.  We finished with ‘Down in Bethlehem’.  The minister finished with a prayer.  We went to the hall for tea/orange/apple juice and biscuits.  Our parents enjoyed the service.

By Arianna and Jack

The Talent Show

On Thursday 19^th December we had a talent show in school.  The pupils that participated were Lexi, Bonnie, Lucy, Elea, Aaron, Arianna and Bethany.  Lucy and Aaron played guitar.  Lucy played and sang ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Snow is Falling’.  Bonnie played the piano.  Arianna played clarinet.  Bethany played the trombone.  Elea sang ‘Christmas Hallelujah’.  Some sang along with us.  Lexi did tricks with her football.  We enjoyed taking part.  Everyone clapped and cheered and we made two teachers cry with happiness.   At the end we all got sweets.

By Lucy and Elea

Christmas Party

On Friday 20^th December we had our Christmas party.  We played some games like ‘Musical chairs’, ‘Last over the mat’ and ‘Musical statues’.  We got crisps, a chocolate bar and juice.  If you won a game you also got a bar.  Santa came and gave us presents.  Everyone enjoyed the day and we finished at 12 for the Christmas holidays.  As we were going home Mrs Cosgrove gave us a candy cane and a chocolate bar.

By Joel and Zac

December 2024

Dear Parent,

• Congratulations to Ms Hall on her wedding on Friday and becoming Mrs Mayne.
• We will travel to the Christmas Panto, Rapunzel in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh next Wednesday 4^th December at 10am. We will leave the school at 9am sharp. The cost is €10 per child, this should be sent to school asap.  The children may bring a snack for break and we will be back to school for our hot dinners.
• The Christmas Carol Service is St. Colman’s church of Ireland will be held on Sunday 15^th December at 3.30pm. Children should be at the church by 3.20pm.
• E. will be on Wednesdays until Christmas, including the 4^th December. P.E. gear and runners should be worn then.
• Christmas jumpers may be worn on Thursday and Friday 19^th and 20^th
• School will close on Friday 20^th December at 12 noon and will reopen on Monday 6^th January 2025.

Agri Aware

On the 5^th November 2024 Alma from Agri Kids, John from Irish Rural Link and a farmer called Donal came to our school to tell us about Farm Safety and we were the first school she was speaking to.  At the start of the morning she told us that there are about 100400 farms in Ireland and they feed about 50 million people every year.  Then Alma told us about the PTO (Power Take Off) shaft.  They are one of the most dangerous things on the farm because if it is moving and you touch it, your body will get caught in it and it will pull you with it.  This is why you need a guard for it.  She also told us about the slurry tank and agitator.  When you are mixing the slurry tank you need to make sure that all of your animals are out of the shed and that you stand well away from it because of the fumes.  She told us that bulls and cows are really dangerous.  Bulls drag their feet on the ground to signal that they are going to chase you.  She told us that her Dad called it ‘revving the engine’.   Donal had brought his T6 New Holland to show us the blind spots on a tractor, that the driver can’t see.  Alma also told us that you should be aware of animal body language because when you are petting a dog you shouldn’t squeeze them because they will feel threatened and scared.  She told us a poem which told us one hand is enough and two are too rough. 

By Daniel

Farm Safety

On the 5^th November 2024 Alma from Agri Kids, John from Irish Rural Link and a farmer called Donal came to our school to tell us about Farm Safety.  Alma told us that there were 100437 farms in Ireland and they feed 50 million people a year.  The PTO shaft is dangerous because it is like a hoover, it will suck up anything that comes too near to it.  You have to be aware of slurry pits as they send poisonous fumes when the farmer is mixing them that can make you sick.  Bulls are dangerous as they will start pawing at the ground when they are going to charge at you.  If you want, you can get a ring in their nose so you can put a rope through the ring to bring it about the farm safely.  Cows are 7 times more dangerous that the bull because the cow is more subtle than the bull and it will protect its calf from people.  Signs are important on a farm as they tell people what we can and can’t do.  Green means you can, red means you can’t, blue means you must do it and yellow is a warning.  Tractors are very dangerous on farms because of their blind spots and how big their tyres are.   You have to be aware of animals’ body language.  If a horse’s ears are down it means they’re tired and if they are straight up that means they are happy. Be aware of them if they are straight backwards as this means they’re scared.  Alma told us a poem that says one hand is enough and two hands are too rough.

By Aaron

Agri Kids

Alma came to the school on the 5^th of November from Agri Kids.  She talked about farm safety dealing with animals and machinery.  She told us about the blind spots on tractors and said to be very careful around them.  She showed us all the different signs and different colours of warning signs.  Yellow means warning, red means danger and you mustn’t do it and blue means you must do it and green means you can do it.  There are about 100437 farms in Ireland.  Irish farms can feed 50 million people. 

By Adam

On 5^th November 2024 John, Alma and Donal came to talk about farm safety.  Alma told us that there are 100437 farms in Ireland.  She said that the PTO, bulls, cows and tractors are the most dangerous.  PTO stands for Power Take Off and when you turn it on it spins really fast and if you touch it, it will really hurt you.  Cows are seven times more dangerous than bulls.  Bulls start scraping their feet along the ground and then it charges.  But a cow just charges straight away!  People that are driving tractors have blind spots.  If you stand too close to a tractor the driver may not see you because that’s his blind spot.  If you are petting your dog only pet it with one hand because two hands are too rough.  Don’t hug your dog too tight as they don’t like it.  There are four warning signs yellow, blue, red and green.  Yellow means warning, blue means do, green means can do and red means can’t do.  Did you know that you have to be 7 or older to be a passenger in a tractor and you have to wear a helmet on a quad at all times on the farm?  A horse uses its ears to talk.  If a horse is twitching its ears it is listening.  If its ears are back it is mad, if its ears are dropped she is tired.  When their ears are up they are alerted.  Slurry tanks are also quite dangerous and the smaller the animal poop the smellier the slurry.  If the air under the slurry gets trapped it may block all your senses of smell so don’t get too close to slurry or you might fall in.

By Lucy

Our pupils’ pictures have hit local and national papers.

  Here’s the run down so far:

• Wicklow News
• Lmfm
• Kildare Now
• Leinster Leader
• Dundalk Democrat
• Farmers Journal (Online and print)
• Wexford Weekly

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

November Newsletter 2024

Dates for your diary

Tues 22^nd Oct                       Junior Room trip to the library

Wed 23^rd Oct                       5^th & 6^th Class trip to Beech Hill

Fri 25^th Oct                           Ditch the Dark Day – wear your brightest most colourful clothes

Mon 28^th-Fri 1^st Nov          Mid-term – School Closed

Mon 4^th Nov                         Return to school

Mon 4^th Nov                         Return Shoeboxes for Team Hope Appeal

4^th & 5^th Nov                        Cash for Clobber – bags of clothing may be left into school for   collection on Wed 6^th Nov (early)

Tues 5^th Nov                         Visit by Agri-Aware Rep. The AgriKids™ Farm Safety Ambassador programme is an all-school approach to farm safety education. It enables all primary school children to collectively engage, educate and be empowered on the topic of farm safety.

Mon 18^th Nov                      School closed. Teacher Training – Maths curriculum

Fri 22^nd Nov                         School closed.

Sun 15^th Dec                         Carol Service in St. Colman’s Church of Ireland at 3.30pm

Changemakers – 7^th -18^th October 2024

On Monday 7^th October Richard Truell came into our school.  He is a County Councillor from the Ballybay Clones area.  He became a County Councilor to make a difference.  He goes to lots of meetings.  He helps to get new equipment for playgrounds.  He helps get roads and houses fixed.  He has to get votes by going to people’s houses.  They meet twice a month.  He finds it frustrating when jobs take too long.  He spends 30 hours a week doing council work.  He is making a difference by helping people in Monaghan.           By Elea

On Thursday 10^th October Bishop Ellis came into our school.   When he came in we asked him questions like ‘Did you have any job before becoming a Bishop?’ and ‘What is your favourite part of the job?’  he answered these questions and said he used to be a Secondary School Science Teacher.  He also said he didn’t want to stop teaching but God was calling him to become a minister.  His favourite part of being a Bishop is going to different schools and meeting the students.  He is in charge of 30 Rectors in 75 churches.  He had one job he hated.  This job was a market gardener.  He had to go out in the rain making holes in the dirt, planting seeds and cutting cabbages.  He has been a Bishop for 4 years now.  He got ordained 35 years ago.  When he was a child he went to Sunday School all the time.  When he was old enough he started to help out and teach Sunday School.  He had a few jobs before he became a Bishop.  By Bethany

On Monday 14^th October Richard Lowey came in to talk to us about his trip across Route 66.  It took 10 days and he had one day off.  He had to train at Templemore Garda Training HQ in co. Tipperary.  The way he got the idea was because he always wanted to do Route 66 and wanted to raise money for Irish Children’s Hospitals.  There were about 100 people involved. He was nervous about not coming home safely but he was excited about going to do it.  He travelled across America by motorbike – it was a Harley Davison.  The journey was from Chicago to L.A.  It was about 3000 miles.  He said he travelled about 300 miles a day.  He saw a car in the Guinness World Book of Records with 36000 stickers.  He made a couple of new friends on the journey.  He said one guy crashed into a car and took the front bumper off.  Richard raised over €9500.                          By Reuben

On Wednesday 16^th October Bertha Wallace came to visit our school to tell us about her amazing sunflower field based in Co. Monaghan.  This was the first sunflower field ever in Co. Monaghan and it was very popular.  She got this idea from a man who was at a Board Meeting and he mentioned a sunflower field and said it would be a good idea to raise money for charity.  Her goal was to raise €10,000.  The charities she chose were Monaghan and Cavan Palliative Care and Braddox Presbyterian Church.  She chose Monaghan and Cavan Palliative Care because they don’t get any payment from the Government and she wanted to help pay bills for sick families.  She chose Braddox Church because they took out a loan to build their new church hall extension and they didn’t have enough to pay off their loan.  To set up their ground to grow the sunflowers Bertha and Robert had to firstly plough the field and Robert picked all the stones.  After all the stones were gathered she got a man to sow the field with about 130,000 seeds.  Then just after 2 weeks sealant had to be sprayed over it to stop weeds from growing and stop insects from eating them.  Then she just had to watch them grow.  She was nervous about them being ruined with the weather.  It took 3 months for them to grow.  They were so surprised when on the first Friday they raised €10,000 and at the end they raised over €50,000.  People came from all over the country.  This was Monaghan Cavan Palliative Care’s biggest ever donation.  The field was open for 3 weeks.                                    By Leah

 On Monday 21^st October Brian Carleton visited our school to talk about the residential campsite for Portuguese children.  C.E.F. is a Bible organisation that tells children all over the world about the Bible.  It stands for Child Evangelism Fellowship.  27 other people were there. Brian arrived on Sunday.  There were loads of builders, plumbers, road workers and one electrician.  The first thing they did was pray.  They read the Bible before breakfast.  Brian had loads of jobs like digging, brick paving and erecting solar panels on the roof.  Everything was revamped.  New kitchen, redecorated bedrooms, a new car park and plenty of other improvements were added to the facility. Brian has made a difference by spreading awareness about C.E.F.  and giving kids a better place to stay in Portugal.            By Joseph

Internet Safety

On Thursday 17^th October a lady came to speak to us about Internet Safety and Online dangers.  She explained what she was going to speak on and asked us to write down what we did on the Internet in our spare time.  She showed us some apps and told us of the dangers of them.  We are to make sure they are suitable for our age.  We should not pretend to be older than we are.  She told us not to post anything bad, nasty, mean, rude or inappropriate on our Social Media platforms as this will always be with us.  It will be like a bill board in front our homes where everyone can see it, even if we delete it.  This could damage or future career.  Employers can check over our posts even if we have cleared anything inappropriate and this may lead to us not getting the job that we really wanted.  She taught us some actions, if someone we didn’t know tried to contact us – STOP communicating, BLOCK them and TELL our parents/teachers or a trusted friend.  Imagine a stranger walked up to you when you were with some friends and asked you some private questions.  You wouldn’t talk to them.  You would tell your parents or teachers or someone you could trust.  This is how you should treat your phones.  We should make sure we have a strong password on our phones and change it every couple of months. 

We all thought she was very interesting and helpful.  Much of what she told us was all new to us and we are very grateful that she taught us so much about the dangers of the internet.                                            By Lexi and Bonnie

Clontibret N.S. Newsletter

October 2024

Dates for Your Diary

Wed 2^nd Oct         School Photographer at 9.30am

7^th-18^th Oct             Changemakers in Our Community Fortnight

Mon 7^th Oct           Visit by Cllr Richard Truell

Thurs 10^th Oct        Visit by Bishop of Clogher, Rev. Ian Ellis

Wed 16^th Oct          Visit by Bertha Wallace – Sunflower Field

Thurs17^th Oct         Online Safety Workshop for Senior Pupils

Mon 21^st Oct          MMR Vaccine for J.I. at 12pm

Tues 22^nd Oct         Junior Room-Monaghan Library-Draw Along Adventure with Gerry Daly

Wed 23^rd Oct          5^th & 6^th Class-Beech Hill College Musical “We will Rock You”

Fri 25^th Oct            Ditch The Dark-Dress up in your brightest coloured clothes.  This is our 2^nd year celebrating all things bright.

                                  “I am the Light of the World”  John 8:12

28^th Oct-1^st Nov     Midterm Break

Tues 5^th Nov          Agri-Kids Farm Safety Talk

Wed 6^th Nov          Cash For Clobber – Clothes collection of second hand clothes, shoes and household textiles (not duvets or pillows).  Please ask friends and family members to help out so we can have as large a collection as possible.  It’s a good time of year to have a clear out.  Clothes can be brought into school from Monday 4th.  All money raised is used to buy resources for the school, where all children benefit.        

Thurs 7^th Nov        Parent Teacher Meetings

Mon 18^th Nov        School Closed for Primary Maths Inservice Training

Wed 20^th Nov        Nasal Flu Vaccine J.I.

Fri 22^nd Nov          School Closed

Wed 4^th Dec           Pantomime visit – Rapunzel in Market Place Theatre, Armagh

Sun 15^th Dec          Carol Service at 3.30pm in St. Colman’s Church, Clontibret

Fri 20^th Dec            School will close for Christmas at 12pm

Dyan Mill Farm Caledon

On Friday 27^th September the Junior Room travelled to Dyan Mill Farm. We

had our lunch break before our tour began. It was very interesting as there were

so many animals to see. 

 We got to hold baby rabbits, snakes, lizards, bearded dragons and chinchillas.

 We saw wallabies, alpacas and chickens.

There was a stick insect which was too delicate to touch. 

We got to feed goats, deer and calves, which were fed with large milk bottles.

There was a pig that would do tricks and we fed it grapes. 

There were colourful parrots that climbed around their cage.                         

We watched the tortoises and meercats. 

As a treat before we went back to school we played in a ball pit in a trailer

and played in the park.

We had a great day out.

By Tara, Olivia, Emily and Jake

Clontibret N.S. Newsletter                        September 2024

Welcome

We are delighted to welcome everyone back this term and a special welcome to Rebekah, Jamie, Seth and Ovie.  We hope and pray that they will settle in quickly and enjoy many happy days in our school.

• If your child is not taking the school hot lunch, we would encourage you to send healthy lunches to school. Some healthy snacks that we encourage include wraps, pasta, sandwiches, bread sticks, rice cakes, crackers, yoghurts, fruit, vegetables, cheese, water, diluted orange juice or milk (which can be stored in the fridge).  No sweets, biscuits, chocolate, crisps or fizzy drinks Monday-Friday please. A small treat is allowed on Friday. 
• It is important that all pupils go outside to play every day at lunch time. All children should bring coats so they may go outside on damp days.  A child may only stay inside if they have a note from home. 
• Please remember to wear the full school uniform and attach names to jumpers as sometimes they can be misplaced.
• Infants should be collected at 2pm, all 1^st-6^th class children should be collected at 2.50pm. Children may arrive at school between 9.00-9.20am.
• P.E. will be on Fridays. P.E. clothes should be worn then. 
• Pupil insurance cover is limited to School Related Activities Only and still costs €5.30 per pupil. This is a ‘compulsory’ basis whereby all pupils are covered during school hours/school activities. We have used this insurance cover for several years and we feel it the best cover out there at the moment for school pupils. Please forward this to the school asap.
• Please find an Internet Acceptable Use Policy sent home today, read through it with your child/children and make your child aware of the importance of Internet safety and netiquette. All 3^rd-6^th class pupils should sign the policy and return the form ASAP.  A parent should also sign the form.  Parents sign on behalf of Junior Infants-2^nd class pupils.  Please also sign the publication consent form at the bottom of the page.  PLEASE RETURN THE CONSENT FORM ASAP as pupils will not be allowed to use the ipads if they have not returned a signed form.  This form must be completed in September every year.
• Please also find the consent form for the school for school outings and events. This also needs to be returned ASAP.
• The Department of Health and the Office of the Chief Medical Officer have advised that: Children should stay at home if they are unwell.  The best way to keep all viruses out of school is to stay home if you are unwell and until your symptoms have substantially resolved for 48 hours.                     We will continue the following in school:                                                                                             Maintain a good standard of hand hygiene                                                                                       Adhere to good respiratory etiquette                                                                                                        Ensure good ventilation arrangements                                                                                                    Continue to maintain good levels of cleaning
• Primary Curriculum Day for New Maths Curriculum – Teacher Training Day – school closed on Monday 18^th November

PLEASE NOTE:

The Principal has to inform Tusla if a child missed more than 20 days during the school year.  Please ensure that your child attends school as much as possible.