Monday, 27th June 2022
P3 – P5 SCHOOL TRIP
P3/4/5 pupils are off on their school trip tomorrow (Tues) and we hope everyone has a great day. Further info has been issued on a separate note.
DINNER MONEY
Anyone with outstanding dinner monies is asked to pay as soon as possible and no later than Wednesday, if possible.
CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to our School Superspell Champions who participated in the final last week.
P3 – Cathal Harley
P4 – Fergal McCarney
P5 – Aoife McElduff
P6 – Emma Starrs
P7 – Cormac Donnell
Well done to all finalists who contributed so gamely to each very competitive final.
P7 FAREWELL
Our P7’s will have their ‘farewell breakfast’ in school on Tuesday morning. A farewell service for P7’s will be held in the school for P7 parents at 2pm Tuesday afternoon.
UNIFORM EXCHANGE
Please see attached flier for Fintona Forum’s Uniform Exchange which ties in very well with our ongoing commitment to the environment.
THANK YOU MRS TEAGUE
As the academic year draws to a close we wish to place on record our sincere gratitude to support teacher Mary Teague who has provided voluntary maths support throughout the past year – a fantastic and very valuable support service. Thank you Mary.
STAFF CHANGES
At a recent Board of Governors meeting, Mrs Mellon’s request for a career break was approved. As a result, next year’s P3/4 class will be taught by Mrs Meehan who will be very familiar with the pupils and the classroom.
Similarly, Mrs Breen’s current job-share arrangement with Miss Mimnagh will continue next year. Obviously this means that there is now a vacancy for Principal Relief in P5 – P7 and we aim to have this filled for our return in September.
On behalf of the entire school community, we wish Mrs Mellon well for the duration of her career break.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
The school will close on Thursday, 30th June at 12.00pm.
Please note there will be no school dinners available and uniform is not necessary.
We wish all our departing P7’s the very best of luck as they begin their secondary education journey and trust that they will have many happy memories of their years at Sacred Heart PS. To the rest of our pupils we wish you a lovely summer break and look forward to welcoming you back on Thursday, 1st September at the usual time.
Monday, 6th June 2022
CONFIRMATION
Good luck to our P7 students who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on Thursday evening at 5.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church. P7 pupils will have a half-day on Thursday (12.30pm) but all other arrangements will be explained on a separate note. A confirmation practice will be held tomorrow morning but this is for pupils only so parents and sponsors do not need to attend.
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
On a similar theme, we extend our best wishes to our P4 pupils who make their 1st Holy Communion on Saturday afternoon at 12.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church. All pupils and their families are invited back to the school afterwards for light refreshments and a photographer will be present for those wishing to avail of this facility. Further details for P4 parents will be issued on a separate note during the week.
SPORTS DAY
We plan to have our Sports Day on Wednesday morning (8th June).
Please note that this year’s Sports will be held at the GAA Club while our own pitch is under repair. Pupils should wear PE gear to school and we ask that pupils bring a jacket to school in the event of an occasional shower. Please bring a packed lunch as it will be just too difficult to accommodate school dinners on Wednesday. We are happy to welcome parents back to spectate at this year’s Sports Day. Events are planned to commence at 10.00am approximately but obviously we need the weather to play its part!!
ST ENDA’S BLITZ
Good luck to our footballers who will participate in a Gaelic Blitz at Healy Park on Friday morning. Both a boys team and girls team will participate.
DATES FOR THE DIARY
P1/2 Trip Monday 13th June 2022
P3/4/5 Trip Thursday 16th June 2022
P6/7 Trip Wednesday 22nd – Friday 24th June 2022
(More info to follow)
Tuesday, 11th January 2022
WELCOME BACK
We extend a warm welcome back to all our pupils after the Christmas break. We trust that Santa successfully made it to all homes in Tattyreagh and that the season was one of great joy for all families.
NEW ENROLMENT
Application forms for parents planning to enrol their child in P.1 next September are available online at www.eani.org.uk/admissions. Should you be aware of anyone with a child in this age group, please remind them that completed application forms need to be submitted online by Friday, 28th January 2022.
WELCOME
We welcome in to our school community the Ostrowski family. We hope that Marcel, Lukasz and Oliwia enjoy many happy years at Sacred Heart P.S.
MILK
Milk will start again this Thursday (13th) with a cost of £10 per pupil up to Easter. Money should be sent in by Thursday.
SCHOOL DINNERS/FREE SCHOOL MEALS
A gentle reminder that anyone who feels their child may be entitled to free school meals/uniforms can make enquiries to the Meals & Uniform Section at EA (tel. 8241 1496). The criteria for these benefits change continually so it may be well worth an enquiry.
HEADLICE
Just a little reminder at the beginning of our new term to be vigilant as to the possibility of headlice in your child’s/children’s hair. Whilst there have been no recent incidences, it remains important to keep vigilant so as to keep any such cases to a minimum.
Thursday, 21st October 2021 Weekly Note
SAM MAGUIRE VISIT
The school will be having a very special visitor on Tuesday morning (26th) when the Sam Maguire Cup accompanied by some members of Tyrone’s All Ireland winning squad will be popping in for a visit. Sam is on a very tight schedule (9.15-10.15am) so don’t be late! Pupils are all invited to wear Tyrone colours to school on Tuesday.
HALLOWEEN FANCY DRESS
As we break up for our Halloween holidays on Wednesday, pupils are invited to come to school in fancy dress next Wednesday (27th) – we look forward to seeing some very scary sights!
‘TRADE OR TREAT’
A 2nd opportunity to ‘trade’ any unwanted Halloween Fancy Dress costumes will be hosted in the GAA Club from 6.00-7.00pm. Any donations will go towards our P.T.A. but this is also an ideal opportunity to promote the ‘re-use, recycle’ message for our pupils. There are lots of costumes available from infant sizes upwards. Thanks to all who have contributed so far.
HALLOWEEN HOLIDAYS
The school will be closed for Halloween from next Thursday, 28th October – Tuesday, 2nd November, re-opening Wednesday 3rd November at the usual time.
Week beginning 6th September Weekly Note
WELCOME BACK
A big welcome back is extended to all our pupils throughout the school, with a particular welcome to our new recruits. Joining us in P.1 are Sean, Odhran, Eabha, Páidi, Tiernan, Aidan, Finn & Nancy. We extend a warm welcome to all pupils new and ‘established’, we hope and trust that you will have a very enjoyable and rewarding year ahead.
As always we encourage parents to play an active role in their child/children’s education and invite you to contact the teacher concerned should your child encounter any trouble ‘settling in’ or indeed at any time of the year. Whilst things are still somewhat different please be assured that your child’s class teacher remains available to chat by telephone or if necessary, in person via appointment.
UNIFORM
All children are looking resplendent in their new school sweaters and cardigans. May we ask you to take time to ensure that all children’s clothing is labelled so as to avoid any unnecessary confusion.
HEADLICE
This is not always a topic we like to discuss but just a simple reminder to remain vigilant as to the possibility of the presence of lice in your child’s hair.
MONEY
We respectfully ask that any monies being sent to the school be in a sealed envelope, with name and purpose of payment etc. clearly indicated. These envelopes will be placed in a marked tray in each classroom before being picked up later by Nuala. We also ask that weekly payments should be made in one instalment rather than on a daily basis and that payments are restricted from Monday to Wednesday.
DINNERS
Dinners cost £2.60. Payment by cheque for school dinners should be made out to E A Western Region. Any family who feel they may be entitled to Free School Meals can make relevant enquiries to the Education Authority tel. 8241 1496.
MILK
For those children who wish to take milk, the cost for the term which takes us to Christmas is £12.50. Milk will begin on Thursday of this week.
HOLIDAYS
A list of holidays is attached for your convenience. This can also be found on our school website.
AFTER SCHOOL
Our internal after-school facility for pupils in P1 & P2 (2.15 – 3.15pm) is once again operational. Cost for this facility is £2 daily (£1 for any additional siblings).
Unfortunately Wrap Around Care remains unavailable at present. Should this change, we will, of course notify you.
CONSULTATION
Please note that in line with legislative requirements revised policies in Intimate Care and RSE (Relationships & Sexual Education) are now open for consultation until Friday, 10th September ’21. These can be viewed under the ‘consultation’ tab on our school website www.sacredheartprimary.com.
MOBILE NUMBERS
Anyone who may have changed mobile numbers over the summer holiday is asked to notify the school to ensure that our records are up to date and that the school text messages are going to the correct number.
WATER BOTTLES
We ask that all pupils bring a clearly labelled plastic water-bottle to school. Unfortunately, we are no longer in a position to distribute cups as we would have done in the past and children do like to drink water throughout the day.
SCHOOL NOTE
Please note that in an effort to be more environmentally friendly, the school notes will be issued electronically from now on. This will be via the school app and our school website (www.sacredheartprimary.com). Anyone who hasn’t yet downloaded the app should please do so – should you require instructions for this, please notify the school.
TYRONE DAY
To show our support for Tyrone footballers in their quest for All Ireland glory on Saturday, we will be having a Tyrone Day on Friday. All pupils are encouraged to wear red & white colours, face paint, wigs etc. to school on Friday – the brighter –the better!! We ask for a small donation towards SVP.
Obviously, we wish the Tyrone panel every success on Saturday and whilst the school has no past pupils involved we do extend particular best wishes to both Peter Harte and Conor Meyer both of whom completed their Teaching Practice in our school! Tír Eoghain Abú.
WELCOME MISS MIMNAGH
We are delighted to welcome our past pupil, Miss Michaela Mimnagh, back to the school this year. Miss Mimnagh will work with Mrs Breen in a job share arrangement this year and we are delighted that she has agreed to join us. Enjoy your year Michaela!!
Return to School Arrangements (3rd March ’21)
Return to School Arrangements
As you may be aware the N. Ireland Executive have now given some guidance towards a phased return to school and while we may have reservations about some aspects of the planning, we accept that these decisions were taken with the best of intentions and we will manage them as best we can.
As things stand, pupils in P1-P3 will return to school on Monday 8th March albeit for a relatively short period of time. The school will, of course be closed on 17th & 18th March but re-open on the 19th. From Monday 22nd March, P1-P3 pupils will resume remote learning once again until advised otherwise but hopefully this will be in the not too distant future. Pupils in P1 and P2 will finish their school day at the usual time of 2.15pm and P3 pupils will finish at 3.10pm.
Supervised learning remains available for children of Key Workers in P4-P7 in the current format although obviously they will be moving classrooms due to the P3’s return. This supervision is available from 9.00am -3.15pm.
Unfortunately, we can not offer an “After-School” facility for pupils in P1/2 in the short-term as this would constitute mixing “bubbles” with Key workers’ children.
Dinner will be available in school for all pupils.
We ask that all pupils attending on Monday wear their school uniform so as to avoid confusion for the younger pupils.
Obviously, this phased return is far from ideal and will continue to evolve but at least it is a step in the right direction. We shall, of course, keep you updated, when new guidance is issued.
Enforced School Closure (Covid19) Jan 2021
Please be aware that the ongoing increase in Covid19 cases throughout the North has prompted the Minister for Education to delay the re-opening of Primary schools after the Christmas Holidays. School will now re-open on Monday 11th January. We were due to return on Tuesday 5th Jan but the Minister has now asked that schools use this first day to organise remote learning for the rest of the week. Therefore, remote learning will be in operation from Wednesday until Friday largely via SeeSaw and/or Studyladder/LBQ. Should you need any assistance re SeeSaw or password reminders etc or indeed require the loan of electronic devices, please contact the school no later than Tuesday.
The school can offer in-school provision for children of Key Workers (from Wed-Fri) but again we stress that this should only be availed of as a last resort. Should you wish to avail of this provision, we respectfully ask you to email the school at jmcelholm696@c2kni.net no later than Monday morning at 10.00am so that we can establish the level of interest and organise appropriate supervision.
We aplologise for any inconvenience this change of plans may cause but trust that we can rely on your ongoing support as we all battle through these difficult times. Stay safe everyone.
Monday, 31st August 2020 Weekly Note
WELCOME BACK
A big welcome back is extended to all our pupils throughout the school, with a particular welcome to our new recruits. Joining us in P.1 are Aoibheann, J.R., Saoirse, Cormac, Oisin, Cathal, Caitlin, Aine, Anna, Ava, Darcy & Cathair along with Dylan in P.4. We extend a warm welcome to all pupils new and ‘established’, we hope and trust that you will have a very enjoyable and rewarding year ahead.
As always we encourage parents to play an active role in their child/children’s education and invite you to contact the teacher concerned should your child encounter any trouble ‘settling in’ or indeed at any time of the year. Unfortunately we must ask that, unless absolutely necessary, communication is done via telephone to keep external traffic to the school to an absolute minimum.
UNIFORM
All children are looking resplendent in their new school sweaters and cardigans. May we ask you to take time to ensure that all children’s clothing is labelled so as to avoid any unnecessary confusion.
HEADLICE
This is not always a topic we like to discuss but just a simple reminder to remain vigilant as to the possibility of the presence of lice in your child’s hair.
MONEY
We respectfully ask that any monies being sent to the school be in a sealed envelope, with name and purpose of payment etc. clearly indicated. These envelopes will be placed in a marked tray in each classroom before being picked up later by Nuala. These envelopes will be retained by the school as ‘proof of payment’ so it is essential that these are clearly labelled so as to avoid unnecessary confusion. We also ask that weekly payments should be made in one instalment rather than on a daily basis and that payments are restricted from Monday to Wednesday.
DINNERS
Dinners are available in the school from tomorrow Tuesday, 1st September. Cost £2.60.
Payment by cheque for school dinners should be made out to E A Western Region.
MILK
For those children who wish to take milk, the cost for the term which takes us to Christmas is £11.50. Milk will begin on Thursday of this week.
HOLIDAYS
A list of holidays can be found under the ‘information’ tab of our School App.
MOBILE NUMBERS
Anyone who may have changed mobile numbers over the summer holiday is asked to notify the school to ensure that our records are up to date and that the school text messages are going to the correct number.
WELCOME DEBORAH
We welcome along Deborah O’Kane, who joins us as a Classroom Assistant to deputise for Brenda. You’re very welcome Deborah.
WATER BOTTLES
We ask that all pupils bring a clearly labelled plastic water-bottle to school. Unfortunately we are no longer in a position to distribute cups as we would have done in the past and children do like to drink water throughout the day.
THANK YOU
We apologise for the seemingly endless list of do’s and don’ts but appreciate your patience and support in our efforts to get school life back to something resembling normal. Ultimately, we are endeavouring to keep the entire school community safe and thank you for your wonderful co-operation thus far.
P1 Starters 31st Aug. ’20 Arrangements/Timetable
Dear Parent
As you are aware your P.1 child will be commencing school next Monday, 31st August. Normally parents would accompany their child to the classroom for the first few days of their school journey.
Unfortunately, the current Covid 19 pandemic has forced changes to be made to ensure that our social bubbles can be maintained as far as possible. As a result, we are operating a staggered start on Monday morning in order to avoid any unnecessary over-crowding of ‘visitors’ to the classroom bubble. We respectfully ask that you (1 adult only) bring your P.1 child to Mrs Breen’s classroom at the allocated time and leave as promptly as possible before the next group of allocated pupils arrive. We do not wish to cause unnecessary offence, but parents will be asked to leave if overstaying.
Parents will be permitted to bring new starters in to the school up to Friday, 4th September (if necessary) but thereafter P.1 pupils must try to make their own way from the front door. Be assured that there will be plenty of adult support for the earliest days to ensure that our new P.1’s adapt to school life as smoothly as possible.
As mentioned previously, school will end for P.1 pupils at 12.00pm for the first 2 weeks (Fri. 11th). Pupils will be brought to the front door where they can be met by their parent/carer who should wait at the entrance to the school grounds.
Pupils are permitted to bring some fruit/veg for a snack with water/milk as a drink.
All other restart arrangements can be found on our school website www.sacredheartprimary.com but if you have any queries feel free to contact the school on 8224 4614.
I look forward to seeing you and your child on Monday morning.
Your sincerely
Jarlath McElholm
Principal
P.1 STARTERS TIMETABLE
9.00am Saoirse Gormley
Aine McKeown
Oisín McCarney
Aoibheann Donnelly
9.10am Anna Mullan
Caitlin McElduff
Cathal McCusker
John Gilmurray
9.20am Cathair Taggart
Cormac Lagan
Ava Mullan
Darcy O’Neill
- 1 adult per child
- Fruit/veg snack
- Water/milk drink
School Restart Information 18/8/20
What Pupils Should Bring:
P.1/2 – rubber, colouring pencils, markers, pritt stick, tissues
P.3-7 – pritt stick type glue, pencil(s), sharpener, rubber, highlighters, colouring pencils, markers, packet of tissues
(these items will be kept in a plastic wallet in school with your child’s name on it)
- School bags & pencil cases are not needed at this stage
- If your child is bringing a packed lunch please use a hard plastic lunch box as opposed to the softer pliable type
- Initially PE gear should be worn to school on PE days, although your child may slip on a school sweater and tracksuit bottoms when felt necessary. PE days will be confirmed at the start of term.
Other Useful Information
- Sadly, parents are not permitted within school grounds unless by appointment. Our new P.1 starters will be given some degree of flexibility over their 1st few days at school. Your teacher, can of course be contacted via telephone between 3.15 – 3.45pm.
- Unfortunately at this time we cannot offer Wrap-Around-Care. Melanie remains hopeful that this may change in the near future.
- Our ‘internal’ P.1/2 after-school facility for pupils up to 3.15pm will still be available. Cost is £2 daily (£1 for any additional sibling)
- To ensure our protective bubbles remain intact the school doors will not open until 8.45am; this is purely to try to accommodate working parents to some degree – please do not send your child in any earlier than is necessary. Class commences at 9.15am.
- There will be slight changes at home time to enable staggering.
Parents are respectfully asked to observe 2 metre social distancing at the school gate.
CLASSES | FINISH TIME |
---|---|
P.1 – P.2 | 2.15pm |
P.3 – P.4 | 3.10pm |
P.5/P.6/P.7 | 3.15pm |
- Please note that school dinners will not be available until Tuesday, 1st September so packed lunches will be required for Thurs. 27th, Fri. 28th and Mon. 31st Aug.
- Further info about how to pay safely etc. will be issued next week.
- Homework initially will be in electronic form. Parental support for homework remains more crucial than ever, so please try to take time to sit with your child during this time. Anyone in need of devices should contact the school to discuss.
- Please do not send your child to school if they are unwell. If your child complains of feeling unwell, parents will be contacted immediately. Please ensure any change in mobile numbers, work numbers etc. are relayed to school at the start of term.
Please note that this is a guide to how we aim to begin our educational restart. It will be tweaked and modified over time, as we see what things are working or in need of change. Some things will impact significantly on what was once your ‘normal routine’ and for that we apologise. Nevertheless, we appreciate your support as we embark on our journey back to school and a different kind of normal.