OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL, PEARSE ROAD, SLIGO

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NEWS AND INFORMATION : WEDNESDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2010
1. ENROLMENT: MONDAY, 1st MARCH TO FRIDAY, 5TH MARCH 2010.
Its that time of year again when we think of 6th class leaving and new Junior Infants arriving. The
advertisement for enrolment has been in the Sligo Champion and the Weekender. Evening enrolment
will take place in the school on Thursday March 4th from 7.00 pm to 8.30 pm to facilitate parents working
during the day.
2. TRANSITION PROGRAMME:
Presently the three 6th classes are being prepared for their transition to second level. This is a very
worthwhile programme. The transition from Primary to Secondary can be a daunting experience for
many children. Please discuss the Transition Programme with your child. Mercy Collage have organised
an open meeting in their school regarding transfer to second level. The meeting takes place to-night
Wednesday February 24th at 7.30p.m. Guest speaker is Billy Redmond from the National Behaviour
Support Service. Parents of children from 4th, 5th and 6th classes are welcome.
3. DR. MALONEY:
Dr. Vincent Maloney will visit our school on the evening of Thursday 22nd April at 8.00 pm to talk to the
Parents of 6th class pupils on transition to secondary school and aspects of the Relationship and
Sexuality Programme. On Friday, 23rd April he will be talking to the 6th class pupils only whose parents
attended the talk on the previous evening. A special information letter will be sent out nearer the time.
4. FIRST CONFESSION:
First Confession will take place in St. Anne’s Church at 7.30 pm on Thursday 11 th March. A special
letter will go out to all parents who have children receiving the Sacrament. We ask you to especially
remember these children and their families in your prayers at this very significant time in their lives.
5. HEAT & LIGHT:
Please continue to send in your contribution towards heat and light. Every euro is greatly appreciated.
The Board of Management are extremely conscious of keeping the school warm and comfortable at all
times. Thank you for your continued support.
6.. HEAD LICE:
Be vigilant - check your child’s hair every week. Head Lice seek out clean heads!!!!!!!!!!!!
7. UNIFORMS:
All children are expected to wear full uniform every day except P.E. day.
8. NAME BADGES:
All pupils are issued with name badges at the beginning of each school year. We find the wearing of
name badges to be very beneficial in such a large school as Our Lady of Mercy. We encourage all
pupils to wear them during school hours. Should your child loose or mislay their name badge a
replacement can be bought at the “síopa” for 50c.
9. MERCY DENIM DAY:
Mercy Denim Day took place on 12th February and we raised €530 towards the Interactive White Board
fund. Thank you for supporting Mercy Denim Day. It’s only with your generous support that we can
continue to install Interactive White Boards in our school. At present 6 rooms are fully fitted out and 7
partially fitted out. It is our aim to have an Interactive White Board in all mainstream classes.
10. BOOK FAIR:
The Book Fair will run in our school from March 3rd Wednesday until Friday March 5th. Viewing will take
place on Wednesday 3rd and children can purchase the book of their choice on Thursday 4th and Friday
5th. There will be a late opening for parents on Thursday 4th from 6 - 7p.m. to facilitate parents who are
unable to attend in the day time. There will be a visiting storyteller on Thursday 4th March.
11. WORLD BOOK DAY:
World Book Day is on Thursday March 4th and every child in our school has received a world book day
token, which can be used to offset the cost of many of the books on sale. It can also be used in many of
the bookshops in Sligo. Do take the opportunity this month to expose your child to the joys of reading.
Perhaps you could visit or take your child to visit a bookshop in town.
12. APPOINTMENTS:
All appointments are to be made at the Secretary’s Office. Thank you for your compliance with this
request as it really does help with the smooth running of the school
13. ATTENDANCE:
In accordance with the Education Welfare Act, we are bound by law to submit our Annual Attendance
 Report. You will be visited by an Education Welfare Officer when your child has been absent
(unexplained) for 20 days. Remember – education is the greatest gift any child can receive. Please try
to have your child in school every day for the full day.
14. ENTERING AND LEAVING SCHOOL:
All pupils are asked to enter and leave by their own doors. We would ask parents to lead by example in
this area. It is in the interest of safety and security that we ask you to adhere to this request. Children
are not allowed to enter by front door.
15. AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
After school activities are now taking place. Activities include hip hop, art, multi-sport, animation and
drama. There is an excellent variety of activities this term and all year groups are being catered for.
Healthy body – healthy mind. Well done children.
16. BREAKFAST CLUB:
The Breakfast Club is open every morning 8.30 a.m. – 8.50.a.m. All are welcome.
17. INTERNET:
In light of recent disturbing articles in the media on cyber-bullying, it is advisable that parents take a
keen interest in what websites their children can access at home. Be aware of your child viewing social
networking sites such as Bebo, Facebook, Twitter etc. Please be vigilant.
18. REVISION – REVISION – REVISION:
Easter tests will take place in all classes from 1st – 6th from Monday, March 22nd to Friday, March 26th.
So get to work. Tests will be based on what has been taught in class only.
19. SEACHTAIN NA GAEILGE:
Seachtain na Gaeilge takes place this year from 5th – 17th of March. We have many exciting events
planned including our own in-house Féis. We will be holding a Table quiz and an art competition also so
whatever your child’s talent is they will have an opportunity to showcase it.
The Irish Daily Star will make available many promotions to you and your child during this time:
Monday, March 1st – Irish for Beginners CD.
Monday, 1st – Friday 5th – posters, each day.
Friday, March 5th – “Sult” Irish Language Magazine.
Please take this opportunity to celebrate our Irish culture and heritage with us.
“Ó Labhair an teanga Ghaeilge liom,
A chuid mo chroí is a stór,
An teanga a labhair mo mháthair liom,
In Éirinn ghlas fadó.”
20. G.A.A:
Once again this year, the school is availing of the I.T. Student Coaching Scheme. At present two
students are coaching various classes in the skills of Gaelic Football. Charlie Harrison, captain of the
Sligo Senior Gaelic Team coaches the school boys and girls teams as well as some classes in the
school.
21. MASS:
First Communion classes and Confirmation classes will attend 10 o’clock mass in St. Annes Church on
Friday next February 26th.
22. WINNERS – WINNERS – WINNERS:

Sligo Feis Ceoil - Art Competition:

Meg Herrrity Highly Commended
Mark Buckley 3rd
Rian Pereira 3rd

Prize giving in The Sligo Park Hotel, Sunday March 7th 2010.
Well done to all children who entered this competition and congratulations to the winners on your
achievement. We are very proud of you. Míle Búichos to the teachers who entered their classes in the
competition.
23. PARENT’S ASSOCIATION:
The Parents Association raised in excess of €3700 for school funds from our annual Cake Sale and
Raffle and Christmas Bag Pack. Many thanks to all who supported the fundraising. Our Parents
Association continues to meet on the first Wednesday of every month.
24. CHANGE OF ADDRESS / TELEPHONE NUMBER:
Have you changed your address or telephone number recently? If so please contact Peggy in
the office. If is of the utmost importance to be able to reach people in the case of an emergency.
Ensure that you also leave an alternative contact number with the school for use in the event of
you being unavailable.
25. H.S.C.L NEWS:
The parents from Ms Murphy’s class are helping the children to go out on Maths Trails in the community
 at present. The parents from Ms Lewis’s class are taking part in Art for Fun, each Wednesday. Parents
have a huge role to play in the education of their children. Many thanks to the parents who give up their
time in order to make these experiences possible.
26. CODE OF BEHAVIOUR:
The Child Protection Policy was received and the following policies were ratified by the Board of
Management at a meeting on Monday night last February 22nd.
• Transfer Policy
• Anti Bulling Policy
• Internet Policy
• Intercultural Policy
All polices are available on request from main office. Polices can also be viewed in H.S.C.L. room.
27. EXCEPTIONAL CLOSING:
The Minister for Education has requested that all Boards of Management make reasonable efforts to
make up lost time. The staff were circulated and the following was agreed by the Board of Management:
• That the school development planning day would not take place (that is a day when the school
would normally be closed).
• That no staff meetings will take place during school hours expect for a final end of year meeting
in June.
• That school tours be cancelled for this year.
• That the school will not get involved in any additional activities for the rest of the year.
The Board of Management and staff are confident that all courses and programmes will be completed in
this academic year.
Sports day will go ahead as normal
28. Bus:
Parents if your child travels by bus to school we would like to make you aware that this bus normally
arrives between 9.10 – 9.15 daily. We have spoken to the bus company about this and they have
informed us that this is beyond their control.

ENROLMENT WEEK MARCH 1st TO MARCH 5th 2010

FIRST PENANCE 11th MARCH 2010
BOOK FAIR IN SCHOOL 3rd – 5th MARCH 2010
ST. PATRICK’S DAY SCHOOL CLOSED 17th MARCH 2010
EASTER HOLIDAYS SCHOOL CLOSING 12.00 FRIDAY, 26th MARCH 2010
NOON REOPENS MONDAY 12th APRIL 2010
DOCTOR MOLONEY MEETS PARENTS OF 6TH THURSDAY, APRIL 22nd 2010
CLASS
DOCTOR MOLONEY FOLLOW UP WITH 6TH FRIDAY, APRIL 23rd 2010
CLASS PUPILS
CONFIRMATION ST. ANNE’S CHURCH FRIDAY 30th APRIL 2010
FIRST COMMUNION ST. ANNE’S CHURCH SATURDAY, 15th MAY 2010

_____________________ _______________________
MARY FINAN ROSEMARY SHEAHAN
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY PRINCIPAL