December 2001

Mrs. Camilla Nolan

Mrs. Nolan, our school secretary, will be transferring to St Colmcille’s GNS on a full-time basis with effect from 1 January 2002. We thank Mrs. Nolan for her many years of devoted service to our school and wish her well in her new full-time position.

Local History Book

It is with great pleasure that we announce the publication of a local history book entitled Swords. We congratulate the boys in last year’s 6^th Class who compiled the book and Mr. Pat Mc Guinness who designed it. Its publication has been made possible by the generous sponsorship of Hertz, Organon, Swords Laboratories and Modus Media. The book will make an ideal Christmas present and is available at a price of £8 from the Secretary’s Office.

Uniforms

At various stages during the year, requests are received for school uniforms. If there are uniforms for our school which children have outgrown, it would be very much appreciated if they could be donated to the school by leaving them at the Secretary’s Office.

Code of Behaviour

The school’s Code of Behaviour is at present being re-drafted, and the main emphasis will be placed on affirming good behaviour. If parents have suggestions/comments with regard to a revised code of behaviour, they can be sent to the Principal before the end of this term.

Lining Up Prior to Assembly

In view of the comments from a number of parents with regard to the behaviour in the lines of some of the pupils, it is important to reiterate that the school’s duty of care for the pupils does not commence until 8.50 a.m. and that parents /guardians are responsible for the boys prior to this time.

Cars in School Grounds

In spite of frequent requests in Newsletters, in the School Handbook and at advisory meetings, a small minority of parents continues to drive into the school grounds, especially at 1.30 p.m. On Monday, 10 December 2001, a very serious accident was narrowly avoided, and it cannot be emphasised enough that this practice of driving into the school is endangering the safety of the pupils. In view of the fact that previous requests have been ignored by this small minority, the Board of Management has instructed that the main gates be locked at various periods of the day.

Sporting Activities

Cross-Country: Our three teams performed with great distinction in the recent events, and we congratulate the boys and their trainers.
Gaelic Football: Coaching has continued throughout the term, and we thank Shane Maxwell and Fingallians for providing this service for our pupils. We have been reliably informed that we can expect great things from the school’s football team this year.
Soccer: Soccer trials have been held, and the school team has been entered in the Primary Schools’ League.

Information Technology

Every class room in the school now has a computer, and has also been connected to the Internet. We thank the parents and teachers who have made this possible. This development provides the pupils with the opportunities to access information, but it is also important that they be protected from encountering unsuitable material. In view of some difficulties which arose during the past month, there is now a very strict policy that the pupils can only access the Internet under supervision of their teachers. Donations of unwanted PCs are always very much appreciated.

Thanks

To Mrs. Lawler who has provided the school with computer software.
To the Parents’ Association for organising the Book Fair and forthcoming events such as the Magic Show and a visit from Santa.
To Mr. & Mrs. McCarthy who donated monitors and keyboards.

Christmas Arrangements

The Christmas vacation will commence at 12.00 on Friday, 21 December 2001. The school will re-open at 8.50 a.m. on Monday, 7 January 2002.

We take this opportunity to thank every member of the school community for their support and co-operation throughout the year, and to wish them a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.

Nollaig shona agus athbhliain faoi shéan agus faoi mhaise daoibh go léir.