February 2002

Staff Changes

Ms Claire Bowe left our school at the start of the mid-term. We thank her for her service in our school. We welcome Ms Jennifer Gray and Mr. Mannix Ryan who have joined the staff recently.

Code of Behaviour

Work on a revised Code of Behaviour has been ongoing for some time. Any comments / suggestions which parents wish to make would be very welcome. These can be forwarded to the principal or to any member of the school staff. Parents and pupils will be furnished with a copy of the Revised Code when it is completed, and it is hoped to have it in place for the last term of this school year.

Infant Enrolment

At this juncture, approximately 70 applications have been received for pupils who will commencing school on 2 September 2002. Successful applicants will be informed before the commencement of the Easter vacation, and parents will be invited to an induction meeting which it is intended to convene on Tuesday, 7 May 2002.

Post Primary Transfer

Most of the pupils in the 6^th Classes have now completed the assessment tests for transfer to post primary schools. On a point of information, parents are advised that Coláiste Choilm (CBS) applies a waiting list policy, and it is important to make application as soon as possible irrespective of what class your son is in at present. Fingal Community College and St Finian’s Community College send application forms to our school in September of each year for our pupils in 6^th Class. If parents wish to send their sons to other post primary schools, they are advised to make contact with these schools, and to obtain information on enrolment policies and other requirements.

Swords: Our Town

This publication has been very well received, and the Fingal Independent referred to it as a “brilliant new book on the history of Swords”. A limited number of copies are still available from the School Secretary at the very reasonable price of €10 per copy.

School Uniforms

We thank the parents who sent in shirts, slacks or jumpers which had become too small for their sons. Donations of school uniforms are always welcome, and may be left with the School Secretary.

Thanks

To Mr. Rennie who sourced some furniture and to Mr. Rock who delivered it
To Mrs. Murray who provided the school with computer hardware

Information Technology

The school’s development plan is at present being reviewed, and it is hoped to increase the number of computers in the IT Room so that there will then be 1 computer per pupil. This will involve expenditure of €19,000, and the Board of Management has received a grant of €14,600. Ways and means of raising the balance are being examined at present, but a donation of €10 per pupil would cover the entire shortfall.

The Tesco Computers for Schools promotion has re-commenced. Last year, the school was successful in obtaining a computer under this scheme. It is intended to collect tokens again this year, and any tokens collected will be received gratefully by the school.

Dates for Diary

Ceremony of Light in St Colmcille’s Church at 1.40 p.m. on Tuesday, 26 February 2002. Parents of pupils for Confirmation are invited to attend
In-Service Days on Monday and Tuesday, 4^th and 5^th March 2002. School Closed
Referendum: 6 March 2002. School Closed.
Relationships and Sexuality Education – 6^th Class pupils, Monday, 11 March; 5^th Class pupils, Tuesday, 12 March 2002. Counsellors from ACCORD will be facilitating these sessions.
Monday, 18 March 2002: Bank Holiday
Confirmation for the boys in 6^th Class in St Colmcille’s Church at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday, 20 March 2002.
First Penance in St Colmcille’s Church at 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 16 April 2002.