June Newsletter 2024

Reminder:

• The school tour for all pupils will be to Tannagh Outdoor Pursuits outside Cootehill and a visit to Dartrey Forest on this Thursday 6^th June.

Children need to bring:

• A substantial packed lunch
• Swimsuit or T-shirt & shorts for under the wetsuit
• Full change of old clothes
• Runners that will get wet & dirty
• Plastic bag to hold all wet gear inside kit bag
• Towel & Toiletries
• Sun cream if weather hot
• Coat & hat if weather cold
• LOTS & LOTS of ENERGY!!!!!!!

Please DO NOT bring good/branded clothing, jewellery or valuable

equipment such as cameras or other electronic valuables. Tanagh Outdoor Education & Training Centre is not responsible for personal items.

The tour will cost €25 per child and is now due.  We hope it will be a fun-packed day.

• Next Tuesday 11^th June we will have a joint Sports Day in Ardaghy Community Centre with Drumacruttin NS, Rachwallace NS, Garron NS and Clara NS. We need to be in school at 9.10am – wear sports clothes and runners.  Bring lots to drink and a snack for break time.  School lunches will be served as usual in Ardaghy.  If it rains it will be cancelled as there won’t be enough inside space.
• We will have our BBQ on Thursday 13^th June at 7.00pm.  There will be stations/activities on the night.  These will begin at 7.15 and we will need parents to volunteer to help man the stations.  The BBQ will be served after this.  Food lists went home with your child on Friday, is you didn’t receive yours, please contact Emma McChesney.  Help will also be required to serve food and help clear up afterwards.    Parents, grandparents, past pupils and pupils are all invited. 
• Our new pupils’ Induction Day will be Wednesday 12^th June from 9.20 til 12.00. This will consist of a teddy bears picnic, where the entire classroom may bring a teddy to school that day.  Bring something for break time as they will go home before lunch time.
• School Sports Day will be held on Wednesday 19^th
• Like this year there will be no book rental bills next year. Children may bring a packed pencil case – see list below.  School will provide all school books, workbooks and copies/stationery as school will receive a book grant to cover these expenses this incoming year.  School books must be looked after and returned at the end of the academic year.
• Active school month will be held during the month of June with lots of activities each week.
• All assessments have been completed. Reports will be available after Wednesday 12th June.
• School finishes for summer on Friday 21^st June at 12.00
• We will return to school on Monday 2^nd See holiday list below.

Biodiversity Conference Daniel, Reuben, Joshua, Bethany, Zac and Arianna

On Friday 24^th May we went to The Hillgrove Hotel to a Biodiversity Day.  We left the school at 9.30. the day started off with some information about the 1^st Biodiversity event for kids in Ireland.  Monaghan County Council ran the day.  There were 8 schools involved in the day with 6 students from each school.  We were split into pairs and grouped with another school around 6 different tables – Holly table, Yew table, Oak table, Ash table, Willow table and Hawthorn table.   There were 6 different activities, 5 inside and 1 outside. 

Activity 1 – Learning about bees.  There are 3 types of bees in Ireland – Solitaire, bumble bee and honey bee.  Bees are good for the environment.  We were taught the life cycle of a bee. 

Activity 2 – Freshwater insects.  We collected insects from the water with tubes and put them into separate cups of water.  There were sheets with pictures of insects and we had to figure out what insects we had chosen.

Activity 3 – Painting.  We had to paint a picture of biodiversity on a large canvas.  Joshua painted a large plant with flowers.  These pictures are being brought to the library to teach people about biodiversity.

Activity 4 – Bird Donuts.  We made rings with clay and covered them with bird seeds.  We could use these in our gardens to feed the birds.

Activity 5 – Leaves.  Outside we picked leaves and tried to guess what trees they came from.  The leader outside told us about the different leaves – cherry, Japanese maple, oak, ash, ash and chestnut leaf.

Activity 6 – Wild flower bombs.  These bombs were made out of clay and flower seeds.  We rolled out the clay flat and put some soil into the middle of it.  We sprinkled the wild flower seeds into the soil and folded the clay over the seeds and pinched it round the edges.  Then we rolled it into a ball.  We put the bomb into some newspaper to dry out.  We took them home to throw it into the garden to create a wild flower garden patch.

We made posters about biodiversity and the County Council hope to make the best posters into signs to be shown off around the town.

There were rescued birds of prey on display – 2 barn owls, 1 snowy owl, 1 long eared owl and a golden eagle.  They were all named.  Arianna got to hold a black barn owl.  It is very rare, only 1 in 500,000 in the world.  This is because the mother owl thinks a black baby owl isn’t part of her family and she kicks it out of the nest and it won’t survive.  The wings of the golden eagle were approximately 1 meter each and it wasn’t fully grown. 

If we have any unusual birds/animals in our gardens/farms we should contact the biodiversity group as it may be endangered.

We had a lovely dinner and dessert.  We had a choice of sausage/chicken nuggets/pasta and chips with vanilla ice cream with cookies and chocolate for dessert.

We got a gift box for the school of a bug hotel, a bird house, a magnifying glass and a plant pot with an acorn seed planted in it which will grow into an oak tree.  We personally got a gift bag containing a water bottle, a colouring book, an activity book, a recycled cardboard pen, a pencil and a notebook.  We were back in school for 3.10 after having the best day and having made lots of new friends.

Swimming & the Greenway                   Lucy, Bonnie and Elea

We have enjoyed swimming every Monday this term.  The instructors were great and we learned so much.  Last week we learned the pencil dive.  Some of us couldn’t swim before we started lessons through the school and now over the years we can.  Last week we walked part of the Greenway to the pool.  And next week we hope to walk it again.  The Greenway is safe and we like it because it is so green with the trees and the sounds of the birds.  It is nice to walk with our friends.

Schools Horse Jumping                            Holly

On Saturday 1^st June Holly’s riding instructor hosted the School Jumping at Mullaghmore Tydavnet/Scotstown.  Holly was jumping the 50cm and 60cm and got clear in both.  There were 4girls on the team.  There were 8 teams and the competition was fierce.  Our team come 4^th overall.  Holly come 1^st individually in the 50cm jump on Flashy.  There was ice cream after and it brought a perfect day to an end.

Cavan Monaghan Underage League                Lexi

Lexi plays for Monaghan United U12 Girls team.  In April they won the Monaghan U12 Girls Championship Division League topping the table.  They also won the U12 Championship Shield Cup Final against Kingscourt Harps AFC Whites 3-0.  Well done to everyone involved – such a great achievement!

Clontibret N.S.

School Holiday List 2024-2025

School Will Reopen: Monday 2^nd September 2024

Halloween Half Term: School Closed Monday 28^th Oct – 1^st November

School Will Reopen: Monday 4^th November 2024

School Closed: Friday 22^nd November 2024

Christmas Holidays: School will close at 12 noon on Friday 20^th December

School Will Reopen: Monday 6^th January 2025

St. Brigid’s Day:  Monday 3^rd February 2025

Spring Half Term: School closed on Thurs & Fri 20^th & 21^st February 2025

St. Patrick’s Day: Monday 17^th March 2025

Easter Holidays: School will close at 12 noon on Friday 11^th April 2025

School Will Reopen: Monday 28^th April 2025

School Closed:  5^th May – Bank Holiday

                            2^rd June – Bank Holiday

Summer Holidays: School will close at 12 on Thursday 26^th June 2025

 Stationery List for Senior Pupils – 2024/25

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

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)

Please label everything

         Clontibret N.S. Newsletter                         May 2024

 A big thank you for all your clothes donations – please leave them in by tomorrow, Wednesday as they will be collected early on Thursday morning. This money will go towards transport costs.

• P.T.A. will be held next Tuesday 14^th May.
• The month of May will be our revision and assessment month – SESE, History, Geography and Science assessments will take place every Friday in the Senior Room.
• Swimming lessons are continuing on Mondays. The children are really enjoying the lessons and are making good progress.
• The school tour for all pupils will be to Tannagh Outdoor Pursuits outside Cootehill and a visit to Dartrey Forest on Thursday 6^th

Children need to bring:

• A substantial packed lunch
• Swimsuit or T-shirt & shorts for under the wetsuit
• Full change of old clothes
• Runners that will get wet & dirty
• Plastic bag to hold all wet gear inside kit bag
• Towel & Toiletries
• Sun cream if weather hot
• Coat & hat if weather cold
• LOTS & LOTS of ENERGY!!!!!!!

Please DO NOT bring good/branded clothing, jewellery or valuable

equipment such as cameras or other electronic valuables. Tanagh Outdoor Education & Training Centre is not responsible for personal items.

The tour will cost €25 per child.  We hope it will be a fun-packed day.

• School hot lunches are very popular and working well, although we won’t have any on the day of our school tour.
• Monday 3^rd June – no school: Bank Holiday
• Active Week: 4^th -7^th  P.E. clothes should be worn for the week.
• Monday 27^th May/10^th June – We will walk the Greenway on the way to the Swimming Pool.
• Annual BBQ will be held on Thursday 13^th

Potty Art Workshop                 By Lucy & Zac

On Thursday 18^th April Potty Art came to school.  We had the opportunity to work on a potter’s wheel.  First of all the lady explained what we needed to do.  We took turns to use the wheel and made our pottery pieces in the shape of a cup.  When they were dry we could paint them.  We made small shapes to stick onto them.  We also painted our small shapes which were them stuck on to the cups.  We could also paint images on our pots.  They were left to dry and we could take them home on Friday. 

Amazing Journeys                   By Lucy & Zac

On Thursday 2^nd May, Keady Baptist Church came to school to teach us some Bible stories.  They came early and set up 3 back drops for the stories.  Members of the church dressed up and retold the Bible stories.  We listened to the stories of ‘Adam & Eve’, ‘Noah’s Ark’, ‘Moses’, ‘David and Goliath’ and the ‘Birth of Jesus’.  At the end, we all got to dress up as Bible characters and try Old Testament food.  We didn’t really like the olives but loved the honey, grapes, apples and bread.  We enjoyed listening and watching the bible stories being acted out.  We also got the opportunity to sign a form for a free Bible and Bible activity sheets.

Dates for your diary

Monday 27^th May                 Greenway walk to swimming pool

Monday 3^rd June                   Bank Holiday school closed

Thursday 6^th June               School tour

Monday 10^th June                 Greenway walk to swimming pool

Thursday 13^th June              BBQ

Friday 21^st June                     Summer Holidays school closing at 12.00

Monday 2^nd September       School re-opens for new term

Newsletter 2024

• Welcome Back to the last term, we hope everyone had a lovely Easter and is now ready to settle down for this busy term.
• Before we finished up we had an Egg Hunt which was lots of fun.
• Lá Glas raised €100 for Homeless Ministry in Dublin, thank you very much for donating.
• We have started with our Hot Lunches on Monday which are proving very popular and we look forward to the rest of the week’s choices.
• Swimming lessons have commenced and will continue on Mondays, except for Bank Holidays for the next 7 weeks.
• There will be a pottery Workshop by Potty Art in school on Thursday 18^th April.  Each child will get an opportunity to work on the wheel.  The school will subsidise this activity.  P.E. clothes and runners to be worn on that day.
• Keady Baptist will lead the Amazing Journey presentation will come to Clontibret NS on Thursday 2^nd May.  It uses creative storytelling, colourful displays and Bible characters to introduce children to the key stories and message of the Bible.
• School will be closed on the 6^th May for the Bank Holiday.
• Cash For Clobber will have a collection on Thursday 9th May, after the May Bank Holiday 

          Clontibret N.S. Newsletter

                         March 2024

Upcoming Events:

• Thursday 7^th March – Dress up as a Book Character for World Book Day. There will be a Character Catwalk and Collaborative Art.
• Monday 11^th March – Junior Infant Vaccinations in school.
• 11^th-15^th March – Seachtain Na Gaeilge Activities. Pupils will work in groups and will get rewarded for speaking as Gaeilge – Duaiseanna Spotaí
• 15^th March – Lá Glas                                                                                                                                              Everyone to wear green on that day, we will play games in Irish.  €2 donation each per child for Dublin Central Mission, Homeless Ministry.  Any homeless people they meet are offered tea/coffee/hot soup and sandwiches.  This is run by a Christian organisation and all money raised will help support their work. 
• Monday 18^th March – No school St. Patrick’s Day.
• Friday 22^nd March – School will close at 12.00 for Easter. There will be no hot lunches on that day.  We would like to thank Marissa and the Braeside for their delicious hot lunches since September 2019.  We really appreciated the Friday hot lunches as they were such a treat at the end of the week.
• Monday 8^th April – School Re-opens.                                                                                                                               1^st day of our hot lunches.  Pupils will need to bring a knife and fork, a breaktime snack and a drink every day.  Swimming begins on Monday 8^th in Monaghan Leisure Centre.  We will leave school at 12.20 for our lesson at 1.00.  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 €56/child for the 8 weeks.  The lessons/bus are also subsidised by school funds.  P.E. clothes to be worn on Mondays.  Lessons will run to Monday 10^th June.

Friday Hot Lunches:

8/3                   Pasta Bolognese

15/3                 Sausage in a Bap & chips

Ulster Scots Dancing               By Adam, Bonnie & Emily

We went to Corcaghan Community Centre on Thursday 22^nd March and Wednesday 28^th March with Drumacruttin N.S., to practise Ulster Scots Country Dancing. 

It was fun and we enjoyed it.  ‘Dosie Do’ was one of the dances we learned.  There was lots of skipping and jumping around with our partners.  The dances were sometimes with large groups and sometimes small.  We went around in circles and made arches which others went under and joined a new group but always ended up with our original group.  Last Wednesday we went back to Drumacruttin N.S. and had our lunch and playtime with them.  Some of our school played football with them.  Then we went back to school.

On Friday night 1^st March Drumacruttin N.S.  had a Ceilidh with the Scottish Country dancing in Corcaghan Community Centre.  It was a great night with lots of the dances we had practised with them.  In one dance we had a partner and we had to swing around.  In another one we were in a square of 4 people.  We also did the ‘Dosey Do’ which we had learned.  We went home at 10.30 after a great night.

    February Newsletter 2024

• September 2024 Applications
• We held our Open Afternoon last Thursday afternoon. Continue to spread the word that enrolment is now open in Clontibret NS for next year 2024/25. The closing date for applications is 22^nd
• Mid-term will take place this Thursday and Friday 15^th and 16^th and school will be closed.
• Due to no electricity in Aughnameal next Tuesday 20^th February, school will also be closed.
• World Book Day will be on Thursday 7^th March, when the children will have the opportunity to dress up as their favourite book character.
• Hot Lunches €4 (on Fridays) will continue as usual. Please order and bring in the money on Tuesdays.     

   Menu as follows: 

16^th February – Mid Term

23/2               Chicken Curry & Rice

1/3                 Goujon Roll & wedges

8/3                 Pasta Bolognese

15/3               Sausage and chip

Easter Holidays closing at 12 on 22^nd March.

Dates for your Diary – School Closed

Mid-term break                        Thursday/Friday 15^th /16^th February

No Electric in school                Tuesday 20^th February

St. Patrick’s Day                        Monday 18^th March

Easter Holidays                         School will close at 12 noon on Friday 22^nd March

School will reopen on Monday 8^th April 2024.

Prom Praise                   By Holly and Joshua

On Saturday 3^rd February the Senior Room travelled to the Peace Proms in the RDS (Royal Dublin Society) in Dublin.  We met at school at 9.15 and left at 9.30.  As we arrived in Dublin we saw the River Liffey and lots of different bridges.  When we arrived at the RDS, teacher told me this is where the Dublin Horse Show takes place.  While the parents got a bite to eat, we were practising with the CBOI, which means Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland and a conductor.  When the parents started to arrive, we waited to begin.  Over 2000 children were in the choir. We had to wear white t-shirts with no logos or collars.  We sang over 20 songs such as, “We are one”, “It’s Friday again” and “Pompei”.  There were Irish Dancers and Scottish Dancers and special soloists.  One of them was called Alisha Weir.  It was amazing to be part of such a large choir.  When it was finished we went back to the bus and stopped at Applegreen on the way home where we got food and took videos and got pictures with the Monaghan boxers, the McKenna brothers.

January Newsletter 2024

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

Peace Prom Information

The Peace Prom Concert will be at 2pm on Saturday 3^rd February.  The children will have to participate in a rehearsal at 11.30am so we will leave the school by bus at 9.15am.  Parents are welcome to travel with us on the bus and may go to the local shopping centre during the rehearsal.  Doors for parents will open at 1pm.  Pupils will need to wear a plain white    t-shirt without a logo or collar.  They need to wear dark leggings/trousers and soft shoes/runners.  Every child also needs a pair of sunglasses. 

Children will need a large sensible lunch – Yoghurts/crisps/popcorn/nuts/fizzy drinks are not allowed.   We will stop at Applegreen on the way home.

Children are not allowed to bring their phones.

Concert tickets for parents are €28 each.  Mrs. Crawford has booked tickets so please forward €28 with your name to the school please a.s.a.p.

P.E.

P.E. this term is on Wednesdays with Brian Parker.  Please wear P.E. clothes and runners.

Open Day

Our Open Day will be held on Thursday 8^th February from 2pm for pupils who hope to enrol in September 2024.  Please inform any new families who may be interested in attending the school.

School Closures

Monday 5^th February                                            St. Brigid’s Day

Thurs/Friday 15^th/16^th February                        Half Term

Hot Lunches

Aladdin, The Pantomime            Holly

On Tuesday 12^th December we travelled by bus to Armagh to the Market Place Theatre to see the pantomime Aladdin.  The story had many characters: Aladdin, Princess Jasmin, Genie, the baddie, Widow Twankie, the queen, the Fairy of the Ring and the Policeman.  Aladdin loved Princess Jasmin.  I laughed when Aladdin’s mum and Princess Jasmin’s mum had a roast battle.  My favourite  bit was when the Fairy of the Ring and Aladdin went to the land where Jasmin was, on a magic carpet that went out over the audience, and they met Widow Twankie and the Policemanwho was on a horse called Klip Klop.  The baddie wanted the lamp so he could make the wishes.  Aladdin found the lamp and was granted 3 wishes.  The first wish was that Jasmin would fall in love with him.  It didn’t work as she was already in love with him.  The second wish was that he would become rich and his third wish was that the Genie would be free from the lamp.  Aladdin and Jasmin ended up together.  It was a great pantomime.

Christmas Play                   Bethany, Leah & Lexi

On Tuesday 19^th December we held our Christmas Play in Braddox at 7pm.  A lot of people came, including past pupils.  The Junior Room started with a Christmas poem.  The play was called “Twas the Night Before Christmas”.  The characters were the Elves, the narrators, animals, trees, angels and the Biggins family.  We sang, danced and were very energetic.  When we were finished we marched off the stage.  We had supper and people spent time chatting together.

Movie Morning                       Reuben & Daniel

After the play in school on Wednesday 20^th December we watched Puppy Paws the movie.  In the movie the people didn’t believe in Christmas.  Then the Christmas icicle was melting because they didn’t believe.  Puppy Paws was supposed to be Santa Puppy but he wanted to be normal so he ran away.  He found 5 dogs who didn’t believe in Christmas.  He then showed them the true meaning of Christmas.  The head elf dog and head elf when to look for him.  They found him and he was happy to go home with them and take the 5 dogs with him. 

It was Holly’s birthday and there was cake and drinking chocolate for everyone in school as a treat after the movie.  It was a great day after all the practising for the play.

Christmas Art                     Adam & Joseph B

On the 20^th December we had an art afternoon after our movie morning.  We all worked together – we put our ideas together.  We had a baby in a manger and Santa setting up to get ready for Christmas Eve.  We had the Northern Lights.  Zac sprinkled paint to get a lovely effect of the stars.  Adam made a house for the elves.  They were messing about, Joseph and Lexi made them.  Adam had a garage for Santa’s sleigh, which was hidden.  It was a fun day after our play the night before.

Last Day of Term                            Jack & Joel

On Friday 22^nd December we got our Christmas holidays.  We played some games that morning.   ‘Musical Chairs’, ‘Last Over The Mat’ and ‘Pictionary’ were some of the games.  Then Santa came and brought us all presents.  They were great presents and we were very pleased with them.  We sang Happy Birthday to Joseph McC as he was 12.  We sang to Holly the day before as she also was 12.  We finished at 12 and went home delighted with our presents.

December 2023

Dear Parent,

• Our Christmas School Play is tonight – “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas” at 7.00pm in Braddox Presbyterian Church Hall. We hope to see you all there tonight, as the children have put in so much hard work.  There will be a donation basket at the door for school funds.
• P.E. next term will be with Brian on Wednesdays, so P.E. gear and runners should be worn then.
• Our pupils will avail of funded hot school meals after Easter.
• Christmas jumpers may be worn on Thursday and Friday 21st and 22nd December.          
• School will close on Friday 22^nd December at 12 noon and will reopen on Monday 8^th January 2024.

Aladdin – by Joshua

On Tuesday 12^th December we went to the Pantomime in Armagh.  The characters were Aladdin, Jasmin, Widow Twanky, the Genie, the Policeman, the Baddie – Alkazar, the Fairy Ring and Jasmin’s Mum.  There was also Flip-Flop and Klip-Klop the horses.  There was lots of singing and dancing.  Aladdin was in love with Jasmin but the Baddie wanted to steal Aladdin’s lamp and Jasmin’s mum didn’t think he was rich enough for Jasmin.  My favourite part was when Aladdin and the Fairy were on the magic carpet and they flew out over the audience.   They were trying to find Jasmin so he could marry her.  The Genie granted 3 wishes to Aladdin. The first was the Jasmin would fall in love with him, the second was that he would be rich and the third that the Genie would be free form the lamp.  It was a very funny pantomime and at the end the fairy and Widow Twanky taught us some sign language.

Peace Proms – Abigail, Danielle and Holly

On Wednesday 6^th December we travelled by bus to Dublin for our practice for the Peace Proms.  We are taking part in it on the 3^rd February.  We were there for 2 hours.  There were lots of children there and it was exciting.  Everyone clapped at the singer when she came in with a school to their seats.  We started practicing with “Pompei” and they stopped the song several times to learn the actions.  Some of our favourite songs were “We are one” – The Eurovision song, “The Revolting Children” – from the Matilda musical and “Electric” – Katie Perry.  We got back to the bus and travelled 20 minutes to Apple Green and got something to eat in Burger King.  The food was good and then we went down the road and we were back to school at 4.30.

P.E. with Ross – Joseph, Lenex and Zac

For the last term we had P.E. with Ross who was a past pupil.  He is working with the G.A.A.  We started off with hand/throw passing.  He was teaching us good control techniques (control of the ball).  We had an actual Gaelic game and worked together as a team.  We won some games and we lost some but we had fun.  We would collect the cones that Ross would set out in the middle of the yard between 4 teams.  When the cones were gone, we would take each other’s cones from each team.  If you collected more than 1 cone per team Ross would take them from us.  It was great fun and we enjoyed working as a team with our friends.

‘Twas the Night before Christmas Practices – Arianna, Bonnie, Elea and Lucy

For the past few weeks we have been travelling down to Braddox Church Hall for our Christmas Play practices.  It was great to see the hall and new extension.  It was fun bringing the costumes and having dress rehearsals.  It was cool using the microphones and hearing our voices echo.  We’re having our final practice at 1 o’clock today and then the actual play is tonight at 7.00pm.  Our families are all coming to see us tonight.  We’re excited and also a little bit nervous.  It’s fun doing the actions and our costumes are comfy and pretty.

November Newsletter 2023           (Part 2)

• School will close at 2pm on Wednesday 22^nd November for Parent Teacher Meetings.
• School will be closed on Monday 27^th November for Teacher Training on the New Maths Curriculum.
• On Monday 4^th December at 3.30pm we are having a Breast Cancer Awareness talk.  This is a public health talk which covers important information about breast cancer, facts and figures and early detection.  This is open to all ladies of the community, so feel free to invite your neighbours and friends.  It will last approximately 30/40 minutes.
• The workshop for Peace Prom will be from 12.30 to 2.00pm on Wednesday 6^th December. We should be back at school at 5.00pm.  We will stop at Applegreen on the way home.     The tickets for the Peace Prom have been purchased.  They are €28 each but this money will not be collected until after Christmas.
• We hope to attend the Pantomime ‘Aladdin’ in the Market Place Theatre, Armagh on Tuesday 12^th December. This will cost €15/child to cover the ticket and transport expenses.
• We are excited to inform you that our practices have started for the Christmas Performance which we hope to hold in Braddox Hall on Tuesday 19^th December at 7.00pm. All the pupils will be involved in performing ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’.  We hope the evening will be well supported as parents, siblings, grandparents and friends will be very welcome.
• Thank you so much for collecting so many bags for our fundraising clothes collection. We collected 91 bags in total which was a fantastic effort by 16 families.  I know bags were collected from other friends and family too, so please pass on our appreciation.
• Thank you too for making shoeboxes for the Hope Team. This is a great opportunity for our pupils to help less well off children in Eastern Europe and Africa.  Thank you Maud McChesney for bringing our boxes to the Castleblayney collection centre where Janet Hill and helpers ensure the 2000 boxes they receive each year are suitable for delivery.
• We are participating in Food Dudes over the coming weeks. The Junior Room pupils have received fruit and veg all last week.  All pupils are encouraged to bring a piece of fruit and veg in their lunch every day.  There will be stickers, prizes and certificates awarded for eating the fruit and veg for everyone in the school who participate. 
• We are also teaching the “Stay Safe Programme” throughout the school during November and December.
• We are delighted to have past pupil Ross Lowey back to the school.  He is our GAA coach over the next 5 weeks.  We hope he will keep the children busy and on their toes.
• Chef Mess Roisin is coming to the school on Thursday 16^th November for Science Week courtesy of Monaghan Library to provide a Workshop entitled ‘Eat the Rainbow’.
• Reminder:- If anyone has any toys for Aistear time in the Junior Room, they would be much appreciated.

Hot Lunch Menu – €4 –                                                                                                          Please remember to bring your lunch money to school on the Tuesday.

17/11             Chicken curry & rice

24/11             Mince and potatoes

1/12               Goujon roll

8/12               Chicken curry and rice

15/12             Sausage in a bap & wedges

Dates for you diary

Parent/Teacher Meetings                         Wednesday 22^nd November – School will close at 2pm

Teacher Training                                         Monday 27^th November – School Closed

Breast Awareness                                       Monday 4^th December at 3.30pm for all ladies

Peace for Proms Practice                          Wednesday 6^th December in National Indoor Arena, Dublin – 12.30-5pm

Pantomime                                                  Tuesday 12^th December, Armagh Theatre

Christmas Performance                            Tuesday 19^th December at 7pm in Braddox Hall

Christmas Holidays                                    School closing at 12 on Friday 22^nd Dec and reopening on Monday 8^th                                                                                    January 2024

Peace Proms                                                Saturday 3^rd February 2024

November Newsletter 2023

 Reminder: Board of Management

There will be a meeting in school on Monday 23^rd October at 8pm to vote in a mother and father representative onto the Board of Management.

School Photographs

If anyone still wants to return their photograph orders, please do so by tomorrow.

Ditch the Dark

Wear your brightest coloured clothes to school for Ditch the Dark Day – Friday 27^th October

Hope Shoe Box Appeal

Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal is an annual campaign that delivers gifts straight into the hands of children affected by poverty. Often these shoebox gifts are the only gift that a child will receive at Christmas and the joy that they bring is incredible. A leaflet has been sent home with each family.

Items for your shoe box if you haven’t already filled one and would like to:

Write

Pens or pencils, crayons, paper or copy books, colouring books, markers, sharpeners and erasers.

Wash

Soap (wrapped), hairbrush, comb, toothbrush, toothpaste and facecloths.

Socks, underwear, flip flops, hat, scarf and gloves.

Wow

Cuddly toy, skipping rope, a yo-yo, sweets (that do not go out of date for at least 6 months), small musical instrument, photo of you and your family, toy car, doll, ball and stickers.

Shoe boxes need to be returned to school be Wednesday 8^th November.

This is optional.

 Cash for Clobber

After midterm we hope to have a Clothes Collection for second hand clothes, shoes and household textiles (not duvets or pillows) on Friday 10^th November.  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 Wednesday 8^th.

Toys for Aistear

While you are having a clear out for the Clothes Collection, can I ask if you could pass on any good quality toys which are not being used in your home any more to the Junior Room.  These would be very useful in Aistear time as it would be good to have some ‘new’ toys for the pupils to play with.  These must be in clean and in good condition.

Parent/Teacher Meetings

We plan to hold our Parent/Teacher Meetings on Wednesday 22^nd November.  More information to follow.

P.E.

P.E. will continue on Thursday next term after the Halloween break.  Remember to wear your tracksuits and runners.

Pupil Insurance

Thank you to those who have sent in their Insurance money €5.30.  Some of your Insurance is still outstanding; please forward €5.30 per child asap.

Breast Awareness Talk

On Monday 4^th December  at 3.30pm we are having a Breast Cancer Awareness talk.  This is a public health talk which covers important information about breast cancer, facts and figures and early detection.

This is open to all ladies of the community, so feel free to invite your neighbours and friends.  It will last approximately 30/40 minutes.

Pantomime

We will travel to the Market House Theatre in Armagh to the Pantomime on Tuesday 12^th December.

Peace Proms – Tickets

If the Senior Room parents could let us know how many adult tickets they would like for Peace Proms Saturday 3^rd February.  They go on sale at the beginning of November and we will batch buy them so you may all sit together.  We’ll let you know the price when they go on sale.  There will be a practice on Wednesday 6^th December in the National Indoor Arena, Dublin.

 Hot Lunch Menu – €4 –                                                                                                                                                      Please remember to bring your lunch money to school on the Tuesday.

20/10                        Pasta Bolognese

27/10                        Sausage in a bap & chips

                        Midterm

10/11                        Goujon roll

17/11                        Chicken curry & rice

24/11                        Mince and potatoes

1/12                          Goujon roll

8/12                          Chicken curry and rice

15/12                        Sausage in a bap & wedges

Dates for you diary

Board of Management meeting              Monday 23^rd October at 8pm.

Ditch the Dark                                           Friday 27^th October

Mid Term                                                   Monday 30^th October – Friday 3^rd November

Hope Shoe Boxes                                       Returned by Wednesday 8^th November

Cash for Clobber                                        Returned by Friday 10^th November

Parent/Teacher Meetings                        Wednesday 22^nd November

Peace for Proms Practice                          Wednesday 6^th December in National Indoor Arena,  Dublin

Pantomime                                                  Tuesday 12^th December, Armagh Theatre

Christmas Holidays                                    School closing at 12 on Friday 22^nd Dec and reopening on Monday 8^th January 2024

Peace Proms                                                Saturday 3^rd Febrauay

Alpacas

On Thursday 5^th October the Junior Room travelled by bus with Drumacruttin NS to Glaslough

 to visit the Alpaca Farm. We also saw a 3 legged goat who lost her leg when she was younger.

 Her brother would lie with her during the night for company.  We got to feed and pet them.

• Alpacas live for 15-20 years
• There are 22 colours of Alpacas in the world.
• They don’t eat meat – they are herbivores.
• They live mainly in Peru – South America.

By Jack & Joel.

Clontibret N.S. Newsletter

October 2023

Open Evening Beech Hill College

Beech Hill College are holding their Open Evening on Thursday 28^th September at 6.30pm and 6^th Class pupils are most welcome.  Parents/guardians are advised to park in the grounds of the Cathedral which is opposite the main entrance of the school.  There will be no parking spaces for parents/guardians on the grounds of Beech Hill College.

Photographer

The photographer will be in school next Monday 2^nd October.  Could all children wear full uniform please?

Monaghan Museum

Next Wednesday 4^th October Pauline Tilson from Monaghan Museum will visit the school with a display of agriculture tools

Alpaca Farm

On Thursday 5^th October the Junior Room will visit the Alpaca Farm in Glaslough. 

Castleblayney College STEAM

5^th and 6^th Class will be picked up on Thursday 5^th October at 9.00am and travel to Castleblayney Community College for a STEAM Experience Day – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.   They will enjoy a healthy lunch provided by the school and are not required to bring their school bags.  They will be back at 2.50pm.

Ditch the Dark Day

On Friday 27^th October Clontibret N.S. will celebrate all things light as we have our first ever Ditch the Dark Day.  Everybody is encouraged to wear their brightest clothes as we choose to celebrate the Light.

Clothes Collection

After midterm we hope to have a Clothes Collection for second hand clothes, shoes and household textiles (not duvets or pillows) on Friday 10^th November.  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 Wednesday 8^th.

Toys for Aistear

While you are having a clear out for the Clothes Collection, can I ask if you could pass on any good quality toys which are not being used in your home any more to the Junior Room.  These would be very useful in Aistear time as it would be good to have some ‘new’ toys for the pupils to play with.  These must be in clean and in good condition.

Pupil Insurance 

Thank you very much if you have already paid your school insurance.  €5.30 for school insurance, which covers your child during school hours, is now due. 

Christmas Cards For Schools

Dare I mention the ‘C’ word but we plan to take part in the Christmas Cards For Schools project this year again.  It is a fun and unique way to raise funds for the school.  The children will design their own cards and parents have the choice to order their child/children’s cards and have them before Christmas.  The cards come in packs of 10 cards (150mm x 150mm square)printed with the child’s individual design on the front, the child’s name as the designer printed on the back, along with the school’s name on the back of the card.  A pack of 10 cards will cost €5.50.

Peace Proms

3^rd-6^th Class have been given the opportunity to be part of Peace Proms in R.D.S. Dublin on Saturday 3^rd February 2024.

10 years ago we brought the Senior Room to this and it was an amazing experience to be part of 3000 voice choir.

Peace Proms is a Free resource and choral education project for Primary Schools. The musical programme is tailor made to ensure it is fun and engaging for children, fulfils important educational requirements, is very rewarding to teach, and the end performance is an inspirational and thrilling experience for choirs, teachers, parents and audiences alike! Peace Proms engages children and young people in music and enriches their lives through exceptional musical experiences and performances. Peace Proms celebrates culture and diversity and promotes peace, unity and tolerance through music.

Tickets will go on sale for parents shortly and we will keep you updated.

Important Date for your diary    

On Monday 4^th December  at 3.30pm we are having a Breast Cancer Awareness talk.  This is a public health talk which covers important information about breast cancer, facts and figures and early detection.

This is open to all ladies of the community, so feel free to invite your neighbours and friends.  It will last approximately 30/40 minutes.

Hot Lunch Menu – Please remember to bring your lunch money €4 to school on the Tuesday.

6/10                 Goujon roll

13/10               Chicken curry & rice

20/10               Pasta Bolognese

27/10               Sausage in a bap & chips

                        Midterm                     

10/11               Goujon roll

17/11               Chicken curry & rice

24/11               Mince and potatoes

1/12                 Goujon roll

Dates for Your Diary

Photographer                          Monday 2^nd October.

Ditch the Dark Day                 Friday 27^th October

Halloween Half Term             School is closed Monday 30^th October-Friday 3^rd November. 

                                                School will re-open on Monday 6^th November.

Cash For Clobber                    Friday 10^th November

Breast Awareness                   Monday 4^th December 4^th December at 3.30pm

Peace Proms                           Saturday 3^rd February 2024

********

Friendship Week

Last week was Friendship Week.  On Monday we had to pick a class name out of a bucket.  We had to be nice to that person all day. 

On Tuesday we joined with the Junior Room and we all did Art together.  Our heading was ‘The best ship is a Friendship’. 

On Wednesday we made up a recipe for friendship.  There was a bowl on our page and we added recipes to it.  ‘A pinch of kindness’.  ‘A jug of smiles’.

On Thursday we made cards for the patients in St. Anne’s Nursing Home in Ballybay.  We hope our friendship cards will cheer them up and make them smile.

On Friday we joined with the Junior room and had P.E. together.  We played with them and had a good time.

Holly & Bethany