April 2017
NEWSLETTER
1
STEM-P7 Sentinus F1 Challenge
Over the past number of weeks, Mrs Audrey Boyd (parent volunteer) has been working on an exciting F1 racing car challenge with the P7 children. F1 in Schools is a multi-disciplinary challenge in which teams of pupils design, analyse, manufacture, test, and then race miniature gas powered balsa wood cars. Our pupils have had a brilliant time, designing and building their cars and are now looking forward to participating in the final competition on Friday 7th April at the Showgrounds in Ballymena. In order to enthuse our P6 pupils, they too will attend the competition.
On Friday, the P6/7 children will need to arrive in school at 7:50am for a prompt departure and will return to school by 4:00pm. Children will need a snack and packed lunch and will need to wear a full school uniform. (Please complete the reply slip overleaf-Trip cost £3)
School Sports
We couldn’t be more proud of our football, rugby and netball teams who have had fantastic success in the recent school tournaments. In the case of the rugby and netball, our teams remained undefeated and were only crowned runners-up in the finals of both leagues, when it went to extra time. Our next outing will be a football and netball tournament in Fivemiletown College on 4th May (10:00am-12:15pm-returning for school dinner as normal).
PTA-Cookery Demonstration
Don’t forget, the PTA’s Cookery Demonstration with Chef Adrian is on Thursday 20th April in Corick House (7pm arrival for a 7:30pm start). Thank-you to all of those who have bought and sold tickets. We are really looking forward to what is set to be a very enjoyable evening.
If you are still in receipt of tickets and don’t intend to use them, please ensure they are returned to school on or before Monday 10th April 2017 (all ticket numbers have been matched to the families who received them).
Fitness for Fun Week
Following on from last year’s success, we are going to be hosting a ‘Fitness for Fun’ week from 24-28 April. This will involve the children and staff, starting each day off with afun session of fitness/sporting activities. Whilst the day to day activities will vary, the week of fun will peakwith a whole school trip to Knockmany Forest Park on Wednesday 26 April 2016.
Children will need to be dropped off at the forest park in the morning between 8:30 and 8:50am as opposed to coming to school. Those taking breakfast club will be taken to the forest park by staff. Children will return to school by bus, in time for their lunch. Please complete the consent form for this forest park trip.
Easter Bonnet Parade
On Wednesday 12th April, we will be having a non-uniform day and Easter bonnet parade. Instead of normal homework on 10th and 11th April, the pupils will be asked to spend the time creating an Easter bonnet for Wednesday’s parade. Although school is finishing at 12pm, school dinners will still be provided and pupils will enjoy a special Easter themed lunch with the usual prizes and fun.
(Pupils should bring £1 donation for non-uniform as per usual).
Family Health Initiative Programme
Thank you to all families who were able to support this exciting health initiative. It proved an excellent opportunity for parents to engage in fun activities and learning with their child.
Shared Education
This term, P5 will be participating in a fun programme of learning based, on developing their ICT skills and in particular those associated with the area of coding.
P6/7 Swimming
We have been able to avail of swimming lessons/sports coaching for 6 weeks commencing on Friday 19 May 2017 for P5-7. This will take place at Fivemiletown Youth Annexe and costs £3 per session (total £18). Please return the consent form to the school office.
P6/7 Residential
Just a reminder, that the third instalment of £40 is due for the P6/7 residential trip. Please send your money in an envelope along with the reply slip below (before the end of April 2016). We will collect the fourth and final £40 instalment, next month.
Cycling Proficiency
The school’s cycling proficiency programme will commence on Tuesday 25 April from 2:40-3:45pm for P6/7.It will then run every Tuesday and Friday afternoon until the end of Term 3. If you wish for your child to participate in this training, please return the reply slip overleaf.
Leavers’ Hoodies
Last year we introduced the concept of leavers’ hoodies that were awarded to and worn by our P7 children on their last day of school. These hoodies are priced at £20 and will include the school logo, the title ‘Class of 2017’ and the names of all of the P7 pupils. If you would like to order a hoodie for your child, please complete the reply slip overleaf.
Cash for Clobber
We are incredibly grateful to all parents for the unwanted shoes and clothing that has been donated so far. The closing date for receipt of any unwanted clothing will be Friday 28th April 2017. Just enough time for a good clear out over Easter!
NUT FREE SCHOOL
Just a gentle reminder, that when sending packed lunch or treats into school, we are a ‘Nut Free’ school. Thank you for your support and consideration with this.
Hanging Baskets/Pots/Window Boxes
Following the success of last year’s gardening project we are once again appealing for any unwanted window boxes, pots or hanging baskets that could be filled and sold by the children during this year’s family fun night (date to be confirmed).
If however, you don’t have any pots etc. to donate but would like the children to fill your existing pots/baskets/boxes, then our green fingered entrepreneurs would be very happy to do this also!
Term 3 Extra-Curricular Activities
1.30 pm – 2.40 pm / 2.45 pm – 3.45 pmTUES / Sports Club
£2
(P1/2) / Busy Bodies Club
(Gardening and Craft)
P3-5 or anyone in P6/7 who is not doing cycling proficiency)
No charge / Cycling Proficiency
(Tues and Fri for P6 & 7)
No charge
THURS / Activity Club
£2
(P1/2) / Fitness Fun (Gymnastics/Dance/Multi-Sports)
£2
(9 weeks) / ICT Club
(P5-7)
No charge
CALENDAR
3 April: PTA meeting at 8pm in school
4 April: P5 Shared Education Introductory Day
5 April: Tots’ Time (10:00-11:30am)
7 April: P6/7 Sentinus Trip-F1 Challenge (7:50am-4:00pm with packed lunch required)
12 April: Half Day-12 pm (buses running as normal and an early Easter themed lunch)
24 April: Beginning of ‘Fitness for Fun’ week.
26 April: Whole school walk at Knockmany Forest Park
1 May: Bank Holiday
4 May:Football/Netball Tournament-Fivemiletown College (10:00-12:15pm back for school meal)
19 May: Swimming commences for P5-7
9 June: Sport’s Day
12 June: P7 ‘Love for Life’ transitions programme
28 June: Prize giving-P7 Leaver’s Day (This will be P7’s last day)
Reply Slips – April 2017
P6/7 Residential Trip- Final Instalment
I enclose the final instalment of £40 for my child’s participation in the P6/7 residential trip.
Child/Children’s name(s)
Signed
Cycling Proficiency
I consent to my child (print name)participating in the school’s cycling proficiency programme on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 2:40-3:45pm.
Due to the rural location of our school, it is important to choose one of the following options;
I will deliver and collect my child’s bicycle to and from the school each Tuesday/Friday
I wish for my child to cycle to and from school each Tuesday/Friday
Child/Children’s name(s)
Signed
Date
Term 3-Extra-curricular Activities
Please indicate the extra-curricular activity your child wishes to attend:
NB: Clubs with a charge should be paid for in advance.
Child’s Name / Day / Club / Payment Enclosed / Parent’s SignatureFootball / Netball Tournament – 4th May 2017
I consent to my child (name) ______participating in the football / netball tournament.
Signed (parent) ______
Fitness for Fun Forest Park Trip – Wednesday 26 April 2017
I consent to my child(ren) attending the trip to Knockmany Forest Park on Wednesday 26 April 2017 and will drop them off (if applicable) between 8:30 & 8:50am.
Child(ren)’s Name(s)______
Signed:______
P6/7 Sentinus Trip-Friday 7th April 2017
I consent to my child attending the Sentinus F1 Trip on Friday 7thApril 2017. I will drop them off at school for 7:50am and collect them again at 4:00pm. I will provide a packed lunch as well as £3 to help towards the cost of the trip.
Child’s Name______
Signed:
P5-7 Swimming
I consent to my child attending the 6 week swimming programme, in Fivemiletown Youth Annex commencing on 19 May 2017. I enclose £18 to cover the cost of participation.
Child’s Name______
Signed:
P7 Leavers’ Hoodies
I would/would not like to order a hoodie for my child. I enclose £20 as payment.
Child’s Name:
1
Signed:
1