February Newsletter

Trócaire

Each year we rely heavily on parental support and contributions throughout the Lenten period. We are acutely aware of the difficulties of the present economic climate but we hope that together we can raise enough money to make a difference.

As in previous years each class and year group will be organising special money raising events throughout March and April in a bid to raise as much money as possible, concluding with a non-uniform/Green day on Thursday 16^th March.

Additional information about the campaign can be found at the Trócaire website at www.trocaire.org. Thank you for your continuing support.

Workshops

The ParentingNi Positive Parenting course continues each Thursday until Thursday 30^th March. The course takes place  from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. Free childcare will be available at our Afterschool Club to attendee’s children.

Gaelic Blitz Victory

Congratulations to St Mary's Gaelic Blitz teams who came first and second at the Downpatrick Blitz before half term. Well done to Ryse Berry and Tyler Gorman, both boys had an outstanding Blitz. Thank you to Mr. McGrane and Mr. Devlin for taking the boys to the tournament.

Afterschool Club

Children attending the Afterschool Club must be booked in advance via the school office or directly through Afterschool Club. A space cannot be guaranteed for children not booked to attend.

Table Tennis

Good luck to our Table Tennis team who play in the Northern Ireland Table Tennis Competition on Friday 3^rd March in the King’s Bowls Banbridge from 10.00am. Good luck boys and girls!

Closures

School will be closed Friday 17^th March for St Patrick’s Day.

Please note school is open on Thursday 2^nd March.

There will be no Table Tennis or Netball on Friday 3^rd March as the Leisure Centre is being used as a Counting Station.

Ash Wednesday

Members of the Parish Pastoral Council will distribute Ashes to all the children of St Mary’s on Ash Wednesday.

Time 4 Me

Mrs Jane McGreary has been appointed our Barnardo’s Time 4 Me counsellor. Over the next few weeks Jane will introduce herself to all the children throughout the school. Children and parents may avail of this service by contacting Mrs Flanagan or Mr O’Hagan.

World Book Day

World Book Day will take place on Thursday 2^nd March. Children are encouraged to dress up as a book character for the day. A £1 donation to the Lourdes Committee is requested.

Safeguarding Policy

Please check the school website for our updated Nursery and school Safeguarding Policies. Please email any comments to the school at info@stmarys.banbridge.ni.sch.uk.

PTA

Thank you to all our children and parents for the fantastic support for the Coin Drive. Over £1,000 was raised from our annual Coin Drive.

A Fun Run/5k/10k for all will take place on Sunday 2^nd April commencing at 11.00am from St Mary’s/St Patrick’s.  Anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact the school office.  Further details are available online. Registration information will be sent home shortly.

Parking 

Please continue to use St Therese’s car park to avoid congestion on the Scarva Road. There is limited parking in St Patrick’s car park. The drop off arrangements are working well and we would encourage parents to either park in St Therese’s car park, if you wish to escort your child to the school playground,  or use the supervised drop off points in St Patrick’s car park. Clann na Banna car park is designated for staff parking only during the school day. It becomes very congested by 8.30am and parents parking there are putting children accessing the car park at risk. Please use the drop off arrangements.

School Certificates

Congratulations to Olivia-Jane McAleavey, Katie McAlorum, Kate Smith, Kayleigh Winters, Clara Cunningham, Anne Davis, Kaitlyn Bagnall, Jim Larkin, Ala Trebunia, Caoimhe O’Rourke, Lily McConnell, Calum Irvine, Patrick Kennedy, Sophie Quinn, Emer Symth, Ross McPolin, Eve Quail, Marika Jablouska, Fiona Norrby, Nicole Lavery, Kasey Hamilton, Peter McCreesh, Filip Kaczmarek, Josh Treanor, Sean Convery, Calvin Shead, Lauren Burns Atkin, Lorcan Cowgill and Ella Montague on being awarded a class certificate for great work and excellent behaviour during the week ending Friday, 24^thFebruary.

Swimming Success

On Sunday 12^th February Alana Burns-Atkin (P7), Lauren Burns-Atkin (P5), Mychaela McEvoy (P5) and Cathal Hill (P4) represented St Mary’s at the National Aquatic Centre, Dublin, in the School in the Irish Minor Schools Championship.

In the 50m Breaststroke, Lauren knocked over a second off her PB and finished 5^th, only missing out on 3^rd place by ½ a second.

Mychaela entered the 50m Backstroke seeded 28^th and managed to knock over 6 seconds off her PB finishing 13^th overall.

In the 50m Breaststroke Cathal did himself and his family proud knocking over a second off his PB and finished 9^th overall.

Lauren entered the 50m Butterfly seeded 7^th and knocked nearly one and a half seconds off her PB, she finished 8^th overall.

Alana took part in the 100 Individual Medley and the 50m Backstroke. In the 100IM she knocked over 6 seconds off her PB, finishing 11^th overall. In the Backstroke she achieved a new PB knocking over a second off her previous best, finishing 22^nd overall.

Unfortunately, this is Alana’s last year representing the School; she will hopefully get the opportunity to represent her post primary school at future Galas.

All the swimmers should be proud of themselves; this was a new experience for some and one that will stay with them for a long time.

A special mention to Madison Cairns, Kate Smith, Jan Boersma and Samantha Burns-Atkin who swam at the Ulster Schools Gala, missing out on qualifying for Dublin by the smallest of margins. St Mary’s has a strong swimming team going forward and hopefully more of the School swimmers will qualify for Dublin next year. Well Done Everyone!

A full report is available on the school website.

School Menu

Please check the school website for the monthly menu.

Please note school meals now cost £2.55 for P1 to P7 children and £2.45 for nursery children.