Please see below for latest email sent to parents. If you are not receiving these emails, please let the school secretary know.
Comenius Project “Celebrating Europe”
We had a very busy and fun time with visiting staff and children from our partner schools in Europe, Norway, Germany, Estonia, Spain, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Slovakia on Friday 14th March. Members of 6th class did an outstanding job taking groups on a tour of the school, when each class put on a short performance for each group, such as poetry and singing. We had a tree planting ceremony in the Shrine grounds to commemorate this visit. There was a ‘Taste of Knock’ showcasing our traditions in singing, music, Irish and Séan Nós dancing, at which we had a great attendance from parents and families. On the Saturday the groups visited the Shrine grounds and museum to get an understanding of the importance of Knock and the story of the Apparition. We then went onto to Westport where some climbed Croagh Patrick, others cycled some of the Greenway, and the rest of us explored Westport and did some shopping. We ended the day with a taste of traditional Ceol agus Craic! All our visitors had a wonderful time and were very impressed with our school, especially how well behaved and welcoming all the children were. They took particular interest in all the information boards around the school, a testament to all the hard work undertaken by everyone. A big thank you goes out to all those involved – the children, staff, Parents’ Association, Grainne Kelly, Ann McLoughlin and everyone who made this visit such a big success.
Knock Pantomime
A group of about 30 children from the school performed in the Knock pantomime recently. They performed 3 songs – The Bare Necessities, Tomorrow and My Favourite Things. Thanks and well done to all the children who took part and represented the school very well. Thanks also goes to the members of the choir who managed to also attend the last ‘Do This in Memory of me mass’. They had a very short turn-around time from finishing their performance at the pantomime and then singing at the mass.
Scór na bPáistí
Well done to the children who represented the school in the East Mayo Scór na bPáistí competition. The competition was held in Kilmovee on Wednesday 26th March and the children involved in the ballad group, figure dancing, set dancing, solo singing and séan nós dancing successfully qualified to the County Scór na bPáistí finals in Breaffy House Resort on Saturday 5th April. We wish the group the very best of luck! A very big thank you must go to Mrs Coyne, for all her hard work in preparing for these performances and also for all the work she does with the choir, Scór, and other singing and musical performances throughout the school. Thanks also to Gráinne Frayne and Ann McLoughlin.
Cuman na mBunscol
The football teams will be playing in the divisional competition over the next few weeks. The first match will be on Thursday 3rd April in the Connaught Centre of Excellence, Bekan. The cost of the bus is €4 please.
Hurling Coaching
Hurling coaching for 3rd class boys and the senior hurling team from 4th to 6th class will commence weekly from Wednesday 2nd April, for approximately 6 weeks. Please remember to bring all training gear requirements.
Enrolment
All those parents wishing to enrol their children into the school for September 2014 should ensure all application forms are returned to the school by 11th April.
NPC (National Parents Council) Traveller Parent Group
The NPC Traveller Parent Group is a Special Interest Group within NPC representing the interests of Parents of children from the Traveller Community. Being part of a special interest group allows parents to explore the particular issues pertaining to their group and to exchange information and ideas to further benefit the education and wellbeing of their children. Traveller parents are invited to a meeting of the NPC Traveller Parent Special Interest Group, which will be held on Thursday 17th April in Pavee Point, 46 North Great Charles Street, Dublin 1 from 11am until 12.30pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss issues of relevance to you and your child in their primary education. If you would like to attend this meeting it is essential that you let NPC know in advance. You must register your attendance with Michelle on 01-8874488 or e mail mdavern@npc.ie before Monday 14th April 2014. This information is also available on the school information board and the school website.
Fundraising
Cake Sale
We will be having our annual cake sale in aid of Trócaire on Friday 4th April. We would be grateful to receive any donations of cakes & confectionery for this sale, which can be brought in when school starts on the day. Pupils from 5th and 6th class will host the sale from approximately 10am and it will run throughout the day until 3.30pm.
The Irish American Partnership
We received a donation of $1,000 (approx €700) from The Irish American Partnership, which encourages Irish Americans to support education and economic development in Ireland. The IAP has over 5,000 active members throughout the United States and over the past twenty years they have been responsible for over $20 million in grants provided to Irish education. This money will go towards purchasing books for the school. This donation comes with particular acknowledgement to Partnership member James Kilbane of Illinois.
Football Kits
The new football kits have now arrived and the teams look forward to wearing them. Thanks, again goes to Sean Sweeney for his valiant fundraising campaign.
Printed Blinds
The new blinds are now up in Ms Horkan’s classroom. Once again, thanks to the Parents’ Association for their generous donation. There are photos of the new blinds on the school website.
Cash for Clobber
Once again, thank you to everyone who donated bags to our Cash for Clobber campaign. We raised a whopping €485!! This will be used towards sport in the school. Well done to everyone, with particular thanks to Kate Gleeson, who co-ordinated this campaign.
‘Knock’s Got Talent’
Our bi-annual talent show will take place on Thursday 10th April. Performances will be Part 1: 10-11.30am, break for lunch and Part 2: 12-1.30pm. Order of performance and further details will be issued nearer the Show.
School Policies
We are currently reviewing and updating our school policies on Anti-bullying and Visitors to the School. These policies will be up on the school website under School Policy section shortly. They will be presented to the school Board of Management at the next board meeting and we would welcome any feedback from parents by 4th April please.
Mini Mini Fun Run
The Mayo Sports Partnership along with the Transition Year students of Davitt College, Castlebar are delighted to announce an exciting new fun free event for Primary School children in County Mayo called the Mini Mini Fun Run. This event is taking place on the day of the 5th annual Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon on Sunday 5th May (bank holiday weekend). More information is available on the school website, on www.mayosports.ie and on posters around the school.
School Closure Dates
The school will be closed on the following dates:
Easter holidays: School finishes as normal at 2pm/3pm on Friday 11th April and is closed from Monday 14th to Fri 25th April. School re-opens on Monday 28th April
May Bank Holiday: Monday 5th May
Local & European Elections: Friday 23rd May
June Bank Holiday: Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd June
Summer Holidays: last day of term is Thursday 26th June
Hip Hop
A six week course of Hip Hop classes re-commences on Tuesday 7th May for children from all classes. The cost will be €2 per child per week please.
Holy Communion
First Holy Communion for 2nd class pupils is on Saturday 10th May at 11am in the Old Church.
Kenny Folliard Memorial Cup
Our football team will once again participate in this cup match on Friday 30th May in Aghamore. Further details will be advised once arrangements have been finalised.
Summer Camps
We will post details of any summer camps we receive to the school website and any flyers etc will be located in the vicinity of the school office. Should you be interested, please watch out for these.