1 June 2017

Dear Parent/Guardian

Allergies / Medical Needs

A number of children within the school are allergic to nuts and or eggs. As an anaphylactic reaction to these foods can be potentially life threatening we ask that all parents ensure that no nut products (e.g. Kinder eggs/ bars) or egg (such as egg sandwiches) be brought into the school.

To lessen the risk of choking please do not send hard lollies (e.g. Chupa Chups ) into school and ensure grapes are cut into halves.

Bring and Buy Sale

Our annual Bring and Buy sale will be held at the beginning of June. We would be grateful for any donations including unwanted gifts, toiletries, costume jewellery, fancy dress costumes, toys, books, DVDs and games in good condition. Please bring donations to either site as soon as possible. All money raised from the sale will be donated to charity.

Thank You

Thanks to all who brought in paint.  If anyone else has any oil based colours that they no longer require please bring in.

Maths’ Games

If anyone has any maths’ games which the school could use during June and would like to donate them please leave at either site.  Thank you.

Grammar for the Month       

I could have done my homework, because I had the time

I would have done my homework and learnt how to make words rhyme

I should have done my homework and been real good therefore

I might have got a star for learning more and more.

Song for the Month                Arthur McBride

Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
Now mark what followed and what did betide
For it bein' on Christmas mornin'…

Oh, me and my cousin, one Arthur McBride
As we went a-walkin' down by the seaside
Now mark what followed and what did betide
For it bein' on Christmas mornin'
Now, for recreation, we went on a tramp
And we met sergeant Napper and corporal Vamp
And a little wee drummer intending to camp
For the day bein' pleasant and charmin'

"Good morning, good morning, " the sergeant he cried
"And the same to you, gentlemen, " we did reply
Intending no harm but meant to pass by
For it bein' on Christmas mornin'
"But, " says he, "My fine fellows, if you will enlist
Ten guineas in gold I'll stick to your fist
And a crown in the bargain for to kick up the dust
And drink the king's health in the morning

"For a soldier, he leads a very fine life
And he always is blessed with a charming young wife
And he pays all his debts without sorrow or strife
And he always lives pleasant and charmin'
And a soldier, he always is decent and clean
In the finest of clothing he's constantly seen
While other poor fellows go dirty and mean
And sup on thin gruel in the morning"

Irish for the Month

Amharc amach an fhuinneog

Ark amack an in yog

Look out the window

lá galánta atá ann agus feicim

la gal aunt a ta ann agus feic im

it’s a great day and I can see

duilleoga glasa ar na crainn

Dill yuga glassa ar na cran

green leaves on trees

an ghrian ag soilsiú

an grain egg sol shoe

sun shining 

spéir ghalánta ghorm

spare galunta gor im

lovely blue sky

Dinner Money

Please be advised that dinners have to be paid by the school on a weekly basis to the Education Authority.  As any outstanding money has to be taken from school funds we would ask that all dinners are paid for either daily or weekly.

Free School Meals

The number of pupils who are on the free school meals’ register affects the school budget. If you are in any doubt as to whether you are entitled to free dinners please complete a Free School Meals’ form which is available from the office in the Tirkeeran site, even if you do not wish your child to actually take dinner.

Important notice

Garvagh Kitchen will not be providing hot dinners on Election Day, Thursday 8^thJune.  Sandwiches can be pre-ordered up to Tuesday 28 February using the slip below.

Lunch on Thursday 8^th June will consist of a chicken or cheese sandwich together with milk, a piece of fruit and a biscuit costing the usual price of £2.55 or free for Free School Meals’ pupils.

………………………………………………………………………………………….

Please return not later that Tuesday 6 June

Please order the following lunch option for my child / children on Thursday 8 June

Name _________________________ Class _____          Chicken Sandwich

                                                                                             Cheese Sandwich

Name _________________________ Class _____          Chicken Sandwich

                                                                                             Cheese Sandwich

Name _________________________ Class _____          Chicken Sandwich

                                                                                             Cheese Sandwich

Name _________________________ Class _____          Chicken Sandwich

                                                                                             Cheese Sandwich

Enclosed £_______________

Milk Money

Milk for the academic year, September 2017 to June 2018, costs £36.60, i.e. 183 days @ 20p.  Milk will not be provided on half days, i.e. Friday 22 December 2017 and Friday 29 June 2018.  Due to confusion in previous years where children have been taking milk without their parent’s consent, milk will be ordered only for those children whose parents complete and return, with payment, the slip below. 

Dates for Term Three

Lidl Surprises

At the suggestion of a parent our school is requesting support for a grant application to regenerate our two outdoor play areas from Lidl.  Forms can be accessed from http://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/en/lidl-community-works-form.htm.  We have enclosed an example of what a completed form may look like.  The following could be used in the ‘why do they deserve funding’ box.

St Patrick’s & St Joseph’s is a primary school with two sites approximately three miles apart.  In 2009 with the help of the local community they created two excellent ‘Super grounds multisensory learning areas’.  These areas have been well utilised since.  They are deserving of funding because the school would now like to include additional seating areas for members of the community to revamp the pond areas and supply new water based play resources.  Not only would this improve the appeal and use of these areas for the existing 177 pupils and their families but it would also make the areas more attractive to preschool children and retired members of the community.

The closing date is Sunday 25 June so we urge you and your friend/s to complete a form as soon as possible.