Monthly Archives: October 2017

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Mrs. O’Donoghue’s Retirement Oct 2017

Today in St. John’s, we marked the retirement of Mrs. Therese O’Donoghue with a lovely mass and presentation.  Therese spent all her teaching career here in Kenmare.  Her first appointment as Miss Hassett was in St. Clare’s Convent N.S. in 1983.  She moved to the newly built St. Clare’s Girls N.S. in December 1983 and later to St. John’s N.S. in 2012 where she taught up to the present day.  Mrs. O’Donoghue has a reputation for being a dedicated, hardworking and talented teacher.   During her time in Kenmare she taught all classes and worked in the area of Special Education for the past two years.  She was also a Deputy Principal in St. Clare’s Girls N.S.  All our pupils both past and present, fellow teachers and staff here in St. John’s will certainly miss her but will applaud the enormous contribution she has made to Primary Education in Kenmare.  From all the staff and students, both past and present, Parent’s Association and Board of Management, we wish you a long and healthy retirement Therese! ‘Go neirí an t-áth leat’.


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Dogs Trust Ireland 3rd Class Talk Oct 2017

Today, third class attended a talk in the Carnegie Arts Centre by Dogs Trust Ireland about being responsible dog owners and how to take care of dogs.  Dogs Trust is Ireland’s largest dog welfare charity.  Dogs Trust believe that by educating children, we are enabling the next generation of dog owners to make informed decisions on owning a dog in the future. 

Guest speaker Dawn, discussed being ‘dog smart’ around dogs they are unfamiliar with and the best ways to be safe around dogs.  The pupils got to meet rescued dog ‘Odi’ and they discussed the benefits of adopting a rescue dog. 

Thanks to Dogs Trust Ireland for a very informative and educational talk about taking care of our dogs. 


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Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal 2017

Team Hope is an Irish development aid charity, working with children and their families across Europe, former Soviet Union and Africa.  They deliver over three million shoeboxes annually to children who think they have been forgotten about. 

Once again, St. Johns is taking part in the Christmas Shoebox Appeal and we are looking for your help.  Your child has received brochures on what to do so start collecting shoeboxes and let’s give those less fortunate than ourselves a chance to smile this Christmas.  For more information go to www.teamhope.ie.

Thank you.

 

 


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October 2017 Newsletter

NEWSLETTER – October 2017

Upcoming School Closings:

Closed:  Monday, October 30th – Friday, November 3rd – Mid-term break.

Playground Project:

We are pleased to announce that our new school playground has now been completed and we are delighted with the results.  The playground which is used primarily by the school’s ASD Class will also be timetabled for use by other classes to ensure maximum enjoyment by all the children.  We would like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude to all those who helped fund the playground project including our Board of Management, Parent’s Association, The Irish American Partnership Foundation and the Ring of Kerry Cycle as well as all the parents, children and community members who took part in our annual fundraisers.  The playground is an invaluable asset to our school which we hope will bring joy to all the children.

Erasmus+ Programme:

Our Erasmus+ Programme entitled “Euro Trading, Young Entrepreneurs on the Move” got underway this year with the setting up of our Travel Agency.  Members include Agency Manager, Rachel O’Sullivan, Marketing Officer, Alex Moore, Financial Controller, Elisha Murphy and Company Agent, Gerald O’Sullivan.  The team are working hard to set up their business and manufacture products which will be sold during the upcoming trip to Germany.  To date, they have met with Deputy Mayor of Kerry, Patrick Connor-Scarteen who witnessed the signing of the contracts and received a presentation by local Bank of Ireland Branch Manager, Conor Brosnan who advised them on techniques for setting up a business and how to finance it.  Representing Ireland in Germany will be Darragh O’Sullivan, Gemma Meyer, Sylvia Grebowiec and Gerald O’Sullivan and we have no doubt that they will do a remarkable job in representing our school for our Erasmus+ Project.

Halloween Dress up Day:

As is traditional to celebrate Halloween the children are being given the option of dressing up in their Halloween costume on Friday, October 27th. Children in Junior and Senior Infants may come to school dressed in costume while pupils in 1st – 6th class will get the opportunity to dress up at school.

Prizes will be given in each class grouping for the best costume with preference being given to costumes which are home-made. All pupils are asked to bring in €2 on the day which will be donated to Brú Columbanus which provides accommodation to relatives of patients in Cork hospital including the hospice and especially to relatives of sick children.

Football Jerseys:

Pupils representing St. John’s in School Competitions will now be able to wear our brand new jerseys, shorts and socks.  The new jerseys carry the school name and crest.  Please check our facebook page to see new sports kit. It is hoped that the Parents Association Christmas Card fundraiser will contribute to the cost of this new kit.

 

MsReadathon:

Pupils in First and Fourth class are participating in the MsReadathon at present (October 13th – November 13th).  Children have sponsorship cards and all funds go to MS Ireland. Sponsorship cards and funds will be collected after November 13th.  Many thanks to all the children participating and also to parents and sponsors for all their support.

Dates for your Diary:

Confirmation will take place in Holy Cross Church, Kenmare on Tuesday, February 27th at 3.30p.m.

First Communion will take place on Saturday, May 5th at 10.30a.m. in Holy Cross Church, Kenmare.

Retirement:

We want to wish all the best for a long and healthy retirement to teacher, Therese O’Donoghue, who is retiring on Friday, October 27th.  Therese spent all her teaching career here in Kenmare.  Her first appointment as Miss Hassett being to St. Clare’s Convent N.S. in 1983.  She moved to the newly built St. Clare’s Girls N.S. in December 1983 and later to St. John’s N.S. in 2012 where she taught up to the present day.  Miss Hassett / Mrs. O’Donoghue had a reputation for being a dedicated, hardworking and talented teacher.   During all her time in Kenmare she taught all classes and worked in the area of Special Education for the past two years.  She was also a Deputy Principal in St. Clares’s Girls N.S.  All our pupils both past and present, fellow teachers and staff here in St. John’s will certainly miss her but will applaud the enormous contribution she has made to Primary Education in Kenmare.  “Go neirí an t-áth leat”

Parents Association:

A reminder that the AGM of the Parents Association takes place on Tuesday, October 24th at 8.00 p.m. in the school hall.  At this meeting nominations will also be sought for a fathers representative on the Board of Management.  Where there is more than one nomination a secret ballot will take place. The Parents Association always welcome new members who want to become involved in the work of this active Association.  Once again this year the Parents Association are organising our Christmas Card Project and following mid term pupils will design their personal cards so that printing and distribution of the packs of cards can be organised as efficiently as possible.  The Parents Association are also funding guest speakers and Learn It workshops for all students from Junior Infants to 6th Class.

Team Hope Shoebox Appeal:

Leaflets have been distributed to pupils from 1st to 6th class encouraging them to send a Christmas Shoebox to a child struggling in poverty or with the effects of conflict in eastern Europe or Africa.  In the coming days pupils will also be shown a DVD giving information on what items can be put in the boxes.  The deadline for return of the shoeboxes is November 11th.

WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH ALL OUR PUPILS AND PARENTS A VERY HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN

Le gach dea ghuí,

Denis Courtney,

Principal & Staff.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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BOI Manager Presentation to 6th Class Oct 2017

Thanks to Bank of Ireland Branch Manager, Conor Brosnan who spoke to our 6th Class pupils today as part of our Erasmus+ Young Entrepreneurs Project.  Conor spoke to the classes about what’s involved in setting up a business and producing a product that could be sold in other Erasmus+ participating countries.  Our Erasmus+ Committee along with their colleagues were on hand to find out all they could about how to set up a business as well as the finance and marketing side of the project.  A very informative presentation.  Thanks Conor!


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Kerry Minor Cup Visit October 2017

A big thank you to Donal O’Sullivan Down and Gearóid Fennessy from the All-Ireland Kerry Minor Team who completed a historic four in a row for taking the time out today to visit us.  They brought with them the Tommy Markham Cup which was a fantastic honour for us all.  The pupils and teachers were all delighted to be a part of the celebrations and the lads were great sports to stay around and sign quite a few jerseys!  Thanks also to Andy O’Sullivan and Joann Murphy who accompanied the lads on the visit.


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Neatness Awards October 2017

Today some students who have made a special effort to improve their neatness in handwriting and other areas in school were awarded for their performance.  Good handwriting promotes motor and cognitive skills as well as contributes to reading fluency and activates visual perception skills.  Today, at Assembly, Mr. Courtney presented gifts to these students for making a conscious effort to be extra neat, not only in handwriting but in general areas as well.  Well done all! 


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Irish Dancing Awards October 2017

At Assembly today, Mr. Courtney presented two students with Irish Dancing Awards on behalf of Bernie O’Sullivan School of Irish Dancing.  Bernie chose these two students because of their commitment and enthusiasm to the classes throughout the year and said that effort and attitude are the two most important talents.  Well done to Eva Lane from 3rd Class and Óisín Hanley from 4th Class!  Irish Dancing takes place for all classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in St. Johns. 


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Erasmus+ Travel Agency Oct 2017

Our Erasmus+ Project is now in its second and final year and got underway this September with the setting up of our Travel Agency.  Members include Agency Manager Rachel O’Sullivan, Marketing Officer Alex Moore, Financial Controller Elisha Murphy and Company Agent Gerald O’Sullivan.  Our Committee Members met with Deputy Mayor of Kerry Patrick Connor-Scarteen who witnessed the Committee signing their contracts and we would like to say a big thank you to him for taking the time out to be part of the project.  The Committee Members will now be busy getting the products made and packaged for the upcoming trip to Germany where the products will be sold by some 6th class pupils.  Best of luck all!