Opening Newsletter September 2023
Dear Parents
Fáilte
Fáilte romhaibh ar ais ar scoil. Welcome back to the new school year. It is great to have all the children back settling into new routines. A particular welcome to our new Junior Infants, Jasper, MJ, Barra, Donnacha & Jimmy. We would also like to extend a big Gurraneasig welcome to Attie, Harry, Jamie, Chloe, Matilda & Kennedy who have recently joined us.
Staffing
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Murray for all his hard work and dedication in his role as acting Principal last year and thanks to all the staff for supporting him during that time. There is all round appreciation for the wonderful job he did
We welcome back Ms White in her role as Junior Room teacher for this year.
School Secretary.
We would like to notify parents of the impending departure of Ursula as school secretary. She has contributed monumentally to our school over the past 14 years. She will be sorely missed. Ms Cindy Wolf will soon commence as the new school secretary.
School Opening hours
09:30 - 15:10 hrs
.09:30 - 14:10 hrs (Junior & Senior Infants)
Please note that children should not be on school grounds before 9.20am. A member of staff will open the school doors at 9.20am
Pupil Absence
Should your child be absent/late/early leaving from school please inform us by email. Schools’ obligations under Tusla (The Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency) guidelines specify that any child with 20 days absence (or greater) have to be reported to Tusla. As a forewarning on approaching that absence level, our school will send a notification to the parents of a child who has reached 15 days absence. Issues concerning illness would not ordinarily be notified to the Welfare Board. The Sign-Out Register will be in operation again this year. Please sign out your child if they are leaving the school early for any reason. This register is located on the desk in the hall.
School Uniform
The official tracksuit uniform is
- Red polo shirt with crest.
- Navy tracksuit with red piping & a crest on the sweater.
- Shoes / trainers are to be plain, dark & flat.
Alternative Option from the tracksuit bottom
- Girls:- Plain navy skirt / pinafore (with red or navy tights or red or navy long socks) or Plain navy trousers / unbranded track bottoms e.g. Dunnes/O’Neill’s (soft shell).
- Boys:- Plain navy trousers e.g. Dunnes/O’Neill’s (soft shell).
- Plain navy shorts may be worn for all during the summer months.
Other than the school crest, no decorations / patterns / other crests or logos please on any item of clothing.
Alternative option to be worn ONLY WITH official school red polo shirt with crest and school navy tracksuit top with crest.
Spare Uniforms are available at the front door.
Department of Education - Free Book Scheme.
The Department provided the school with funding to purchase all Text Books & copies for pupils this year. They are issued to children ‘on loan’ and we ask that they take care of them so they can be re-used next. year. The school still requires parents to contribute towards Art & Craft supplies, photocopying expenses and other sundry costs associated with running the school. The cost of which will remain the same as it has done for the past few years of €45 per pupil per term. These term costs can be transferred to the school account (see below) or they can be dropped into the office.
Allied Irish Bank
South Main Street
Bandon Co. Cork
Account Name: Gurraneasig National School 1 Account
IBAN: IE61AIBK93404607304047
BIC: AIBKIE2D
For reference please put your child’s name & item (Tour, Term cost etc) so we will know to whom the transaction applies.
Teacher Contact
An appointment can be made via the school office or school email address – secretary@gurraneasigns.com to meet the class teacher. We will endeavour to deal with most queries over email/phone this school year. If an appointment is requested with the Principal, please ensure that any relevant issues have first been discussed with the class teacher. As the Principal is a Teaching Principal, appointments may have to be arranged for outside teaching time.
Medical Conditions
Should your child have any medical condition / allergy that could possibly require intervention please furnish the details of the same to Ursula so that we have up to date medical info where appropriate.
Healthy Eating/Allergies
Unfortunately we cannot accept birthday cakes,etc being brought into classes for other children to share due to numerous allergies that children have. Friday remains an individual treat day.
Text-a-Parent
Please ensure that you have given up-to-date phone & email contact details to the school office. Occasionally, parents change their phone/number and forget to inform the school. This is especially true of the mobile number required for our Text-a-Parent service. If there are any important changes in Personal contact details, please inform the school as soon as possible.
Text-a-Parent App
Please download the free TextaParent App to your phone so that school messages and calendar updates can now be sent to the App. https://app.textaparent.ie/get/app
School Water Supply.
The Board of Management has reached a consensus to apply to the Department of Education for a grant to upgrade the school water supply system.
Child Protection Policy
The school’s child protection policy has been updated & is available on the school website.
School Calendar 2023/2024
Please see the attached School Calendar for all School Closures.
Board Of Management.
The school’s Board of Management is coming to the end of its term in November 2023. We will be seeking new Parental Nominees in the near future and would appreciate your attendance at the next Parents Association meeting once a date has been set.
Car parking & One-way system
Our informal one way system works well for the school during our start & finish times. If you don’t know about it, please ask. The one way is used by the parents of the school. Please be considerate to the locals, they are not party to this informal one way system, so be prepared to meet traffic. The local community use the road as normal. Please be aware and DRIVE SLOWLY & CAREFULLY. Always slow your speed in the vicinity of the school. Parents are requested NOT TO PARK IN THE ENTRANCE TO THE SCHOOL on the yellow box, but to park safely in the school vicinity. Please DO NOT PARK ON NEIGHBOURS GRASS. DO NOT BLOCK neighbouring entrances / laneways or any access areas.
Traffic / Speeding
Please be mindful of all others travelling to school. We have some families who walk and cycle to school, which is an Active & Green school activity, that we encourage. Please supervise your children when walking or cycling and ensure they do not progress too far ahead of you. Children should observe the rules of the road and walk or cycle on the correct side of the road. Please use the school path to approach the school gate. Thank you for your continued cooperation in promoting the health & safety of our school community.
Parents Association(PA)
The PA is, year on year, a wonderful support to our school. It works very hard to help make Gurraneasig N.S. a better place for the children. The PA is also a wonderful opportunity for the parents of our school to get involved and feel part of the school community.
PA Committee 2022 - 2024
- Chairperson – Barbara MacMahon
- Treasurer - Peter Verkade
- Secretary - Kelly Furney
- Facebook Page : Gurraneasig Parents
- Email Address : PAGurraneasigNS@gmail.com
- Whatsapp: Let us know if you are not in the group
Pupil Accident Insurance & Parents Association Public Liability Insurance
Please note the PA who organise payment of these invaluable insurance policies have asked that when you are paying your Term costs could you please add on your payment of €10 for these 2 Policies. €8 per child(24-hour cover) for the Pupil Accident Insurance and €2 for the Public Liability Insurance. Ursula will pass it on to the PA.
Payments to school
Some parents prefer to pay school costs etc on line. If you wish to do so, please note the schools bank details below: Allied Irish Bank
South Main Street
Bandon Co. Cork
Account Name: Gurraneasig National School 1 Account
IBAN: IE61AIBK93404607304047
BIC: AIBKIE2D
For reference please put your child’s name & item (Tour, Term cost etc) so we will know to whom the transaction applies.
Upcoming Events
Sacraments
There will be Confirmation and Holy Communion this year in school. Please let your child’s teacher know if you wish your child to avail of these sacraments.
Big Beach Cleanup.
The children will continue the annual tradition of participating in the Big Beach Cleanup 2023 whenever tides & weather align.
District Inspector.
We have been notified by our District Inspector that she will attend the School on Thursday 28th September for the purpose of a curriculum subject inspection. She will meet with a focus group of students to discuss their learning. Permission will be sought from parents and students of selected pupils. We look forward to showcasing the fantastic work that our teachers and students do here in Gurraneasig NS.
Christmas Cards for School Fundraiser
The children will design their own Christmas cards and they will be printed with their name, class and school name on the back. Parents will be able to order them in due course. More details to follow.
Mar focal scoir
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your child all the best for the coming year and hope that they will have a fruitful and happy year with us in Gurraneasig NS.
“Mol an óige agus tiocfaidh sí”.
Is mise le meas
Ms Maeve Tighe
Príomhoide