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.
