September Newsletter

Mrs Mechelle Harshaw

The Board of Governors, staff and pupils of St Mary's Primary School extend their deepest heart-felt sympathies at the sad and untimely passing of Mechelle Harshaw. Our esteemed and much loved colleague, was a member of our school staff for more than 20 years, working with children from P1 to P7. She will be greatly missed by us all. We extend our thoughts and prayers to her husband, children and extended family circle.

School Closures

School will be closed for children from Monday 31^st October to Friday 4^th November (inclusive) for the midterm break. A full list of school dates is available on the school website.

Coffee Morning

A Coffee Morning, organised by our PTA, will take place in the Parish Centre on Monday 12^th September from 9am - 10am. All parents are invited to attend, especially our new parents in P1 and pre-school to meet members of our PTA and members of staff. Hosting it in the Parish Centre means parents/grandparents with prams are able to attend and parking is plentiful. If successful these mornings will continue on a fortnightly basis.

Our PTA AGM will take place on Tuesday 13^th September from 7.30pm. All parents are welcome to attend.

Football League

Good luck to the school football team who will take part in this year’s first EVO 7-aside tournament at Cheney Park on Thursday 29^th September. Good luck!

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.

First Penance

First Penance for our P4 children will take place on Thursday 20^th October at 6.30pm in the Church of St Therese. Children should be seated by 6.25pm. First Communion is confirmed as Saturday May 13^th at 11.00am in St Therese.

FASD Awareness Day Raffle

Raffle tickets are now on sale to mark Feotal Alcohol Syndrome Awareness day on Friday 9^th September. Prizes have been kindly donated by parents for this worthy cause. The raffle will take place at assembly on Friday.

Afterschool Clubs

Michael Feeney’s Gaelic coaching will commence on Tuesday 13^th September for P2 to P3 from 1.45pm to 2.45pm and for P4 to P7 pupils from 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

Paul Evans EVO soccer coaching will begin on Wednesday 14^th September for P2 to P3 from 1.45pm to 2.45pm and for P4 to P7 pupils from 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

Irish Dancing will commence in the canteen on Tuesday 13^th September for P2 to P3 from 1.45pm to 2.45pm and for P4 to P7 pupils from 2.45pm to 3.45pm.

Friday Clubs

Friday Clubs for P5 to P7 children will begin on Friday 16^th September.

Netball and Table Tennis will take place in Banbridge Leisure Centre from 2.00pm to 3.45pm.

Football will take place at St Patrick’s from 2.00pm to 3.30pm. Please note, Down GAA coaches will be leading the Friday sessions.

Indoor Bowls Club, The Fabulous Food Club and Art and Craft Club will take place in school from 2.00pm until 2.45pm.

Children are requested to bring £1 each Friday to cover the costs of facilities.

Parent Teacher Meetings

Parent Teacher Meetings will take place on Tuesday 25^th October from 4pm to 7pm and Thursday 27th October from 4pm to 8pm and on Monday 31^st October from 9.00am. Appointments will be issued in due course.

St Therese Youth Club

St Therese Youth Club is urgently looking for volunteers. It has been running for 8 years but is unfortunately in need of additional adult support.

If you can spare a few hours a week/month please contact Geraldine on 07713627742 or email geraldinem.mcguigan@hotmail.co.uk.

Daily Mile

Our Daily Mile continues this year. Please ensure that your child brings a bottle of water to school daily.

School Menu

Please check the school website for the monthly school menu which is updated at the beginning of each month.

School Certificates

Congratulations to Peter McCreesh, Gianna Scappaticci, Dylan Thompson, Olivia-Jane McAreavey, Darragh Moles, JJ McGrath, Joseph McCorry, Jasmine Groves, Oran Devlin, Caoimhe Casey, Joanne O’Hare, Curtis Cummings, Victorija Paberza, Darragh McDowell, Lennan Bell, Oisin Quinn and Holly McDowell on being awarded a class certificate for good work and excellent behaviour during the week ending Friday 2^nd September.