OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL, PEARSE ROAD, SLIGO

Scealta
NEWS AND INFORMATION : MONDAY 18th OCTOBER 2010
1. MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL – MS. MARGUERITE STENSON.
Welcome to my first Scéalta. I am delighted to tell you that I am settling in very well to my
new role as Principal. I have had an exciting and busy first month. Thank you for your good
wishes and welcome. I look forward to your continued support in the future. I hope you have
a happy and safe Halloween Break with your children. See you all in November.
2. ATHLETICS:
A great day was experienced at the County Primary School’s Athletics. Our school’s female
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race-walking team won the team event and will represent the school on Saturday 23
October at 1.00 pm in Clary. The girls involved were Caoimhe McGloin, Hannah Monaghan,
Naoise Scott-Ryan and Amy Keenan O’Hara. Michelle McNamara and Chloe Keenan will join
them for the Connaught finals. There were also very impressive performances in the Cross
Country event by Michelle McNamara, Caoimhe McGloin, Shane Egan and Jack Sayers.
Training at Sligo I.T. track every Monday for all those interested (6.00pm – 7.00 pm). €2 per
session run by Sligo Athletic Club.
3. TIN WHISTLE: ♫♫♫♫
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The children in 3 & 4 classes are privileged to have Mr. Seamus McCormack as their Tin
Whistle teacher. Classes take place every Monday. Remind your child to have their tin
whistle with them on that day. Tin Whistles cost €5.00 each. Please give this money to
class teacher if you have not already done so.
4. SCHOOL PHOTOGRAPHER:
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Memory Lane will visit Our Lady of Mercy on Tuesday 30 November. Photographs will be
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taken of Junior Infants and 6 classes only.
5. FIRST COMMUNION – DO THIS IN MEMORY:
Children in First Communion / Penance classes participated in this wonderful ceremony which
is a parish based programme. Well done to all parents who participated and enrolled the
children for the programme of First Penance and First Communion. The next Mass is on
Sunday 31st October @ 10.00am. This is during the Halloween break. It is very
important that you attend.
6. BOOK RENTAL, ART & CRAFT & PHOTOCOPYING MONIES:
Once again many thanks to all who have made the required contributions. We are all only too
aware how difficult it is on families financially in the present climate. We welcome all
contributions. We are receiving very positive feed back about the book rental scheme and
with your contributions we hope to continue to extend the scheme.
7. HEAT & LIGHT:
Many thanks to parents who have made a contribution towards heat & light. We endeavour at
all times to have the school comfortable for the children and staff. We depend on your
contributions however small to do this.
8. PARKING:
If you drop off or collect your child at the rear of the school, please do not obstruct the
entrance to Mercy Secondary
9. APPOINTMENTS:
As always if you have any concerns, questions or queries please make an appointment with
Maura/Peggy at the office to meet teachers and Principal. You will be facilitated as soon as
possible.
10 CHOIR:
The school choir will be participating in the Hallelujah Concert in Dublin on Sunday 12th
December. Parents will be able to purchase tickets shortly. Unfortunately there are no more
choir vacancies. Auditions will take place in the new year.
11. PUNCTUALITY AND ATTENDANCE
It is so important that your child is in school every day and in their line at 8.50 am. Some
children are constantly presenting late for school. Under the area of Child Protection,
depending on the circumstances, it can be considered neglect if a child is continuously late
for school and/or presenting as a poor attendee. EDUCATION IS THE GREATEST GIFT
YOU CAN GIVE YOUR CHILD. PLEASE DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR CHILD’S
EDUCATION.
12. FIRE SAFETY WEEK:
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Some children from 4 classes and 2 classes attended a Fire Safety Day in Sligo Fire
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Station on Thursday 7 . This was a very informative session regarding Fire Safety and all
children enjoyed the day.
13. NATIONAL SPEX DAY:
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3 Classes took part in National Spex Day on October 12 where pupils decorated
cardboard glasses frames. This project promotes awareness of different aspects of visual
impairment. Well done to the winners Kamila Gierszewska & Angel McGinty.
14. ELECTRO MAGNETIC ENGINEERING SHOW:
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5 classes are attending this event in Sligo I.T. today Monday 18 October 2010.
15. ART EXHIBITION:
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Ms. Byrne’s 6 class will be attending an Art Exhibition “Primary Colours” in the Education
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Centre on Thursday 21 October 2010.
16. OLD MOBILE PHONES – FOR IRISH AUTISM ACTION:
Donate your old mobile phone. We now have over 60 mobile phones. Only 40 more and our
school can claim a free laptop. Please keep them coming in. Thanks.

TEAM HOPE SHOW BOX APPEAL:

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2 classes are participating in this project which supports children in developing countries
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around the world. This really is a very worthy cause. So well done 2 classes.
18. SLIGO ROVERS:
The school was honoured by the presence of Sligo Rovers Players with the E.A. Sports Cup
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last week. The cup was displayed in the hall where all children from 1 class to 6 class
decked out in their red and white were assembled. Representing Sligo Rovers were the
Captain, Conor O’Grady, Danny Ventre, Matthew Blinkhorn, Keith O’Dwyer and Dermot
Brannigan. They were formally welcomed and congratulated by the Principal Mrs. Stenson
while Keith O’Dwyer replied on behalf of the guests. A question and answer session followed.
19. ALL STARS:
Congratulation to Charlie Harrison, Captain of Sligo Senior Team who has received an All Star
Award. We are very privileged to have him here every week to coach Gaelic Football.
20. HALLOWEEN:
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Halloween Disco will take place on Monday 25 November in the Southern Hotel (7.00 –
9.00pm). Admission is €5. Please come along. All funds towards the school.

Fireworks:
Fireworks are not allowed on the premises. Please explain this to your child. Any child who
is found in the possession of fireworks will be sanctioned in accordance with the Code of
Behaviour.

Halloween Fancy Dress – Fund Raiser - €2.00 each:

Calling all children to wear fancy dress on Friday October 22nd. Each child who brings in
€2.00 will have their name put in for the Halloween raffle. There will be 2 Halloween Hampers
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raffled – one for Senior Classes (3 – 6 ) and one for Junior classes (Infants – 2 ). Last
year’s Fancy Dress event was spectacular – so get working on those costumes and join in
the fun and frolics while helping your school fundraise.
 21. ST
ADDITIONAL CLOSING ON MONDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2010:
In keeping with our school ethos, Bishop Christopher Jones, the patron of our
school, has requested that the school close for the Feast Day of All Saints on Monday
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1 November. Therefore, your child will not be returning from the Halloween break
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until Tuesday the 2 November.
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The school will be open on Tuesday 7 June 2011 in lieu of this date.
22. FAREWELL TO MRS. FINAN:
Many thanks to everyone who helped with Mrs. Finan’s retirement celebration. She was
absolutely overwhelmed with the kindness, generosity and support shown to her by the entire
school community and has extended her sincere gratitude to all.
13. PARENTS ASSOCIATION NEWS:
The FETAC accredited modules – Food & Cookery and Food & Nutrition have begun and are
taking place in the Parents Room Wednesday mornings. Thank you to all who joined their
children in “Ag Sugragh le Céile”. Remember “Little Steps Being Active Today Make a
Difference to Tomorrow”. Maths for fun is beginning with Ms. Lewis and Ms. Foley’s classes.
The children will learn maths games and take them home to play with them with their
parents / guardians. Ms. Gilligan’s class is organising a Halloween cake sale. Anybody
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wishing to help may join us for baking on Thursday 21 October @ 9.30am in the Parents
Room.
24. BEREAVEMENT:
We express our sincere sympathy to Ms. Anna Murphy on the recent death of her mother
Nappy. Ar dheis go raibh sí.

DATES TO REMEMBER.

MID TERM BREAK EARLY CLOSING SCHOOL CLOSES AT 12.00

NOON FRIDAY 22nd
OCTOBER 2010 AND
REOPENS ON TUESDAY
NOVEMBER 2nd AT 8.50AM.
STAFF MEETING SCHOOL CLOSES @ 12.00 TH
WEDNESDAY 24
PM.
NOVEMBER.
PARENT TEACHER TH
THURSDAY 11
MEETINGS
NOVEMBER FROM 2.45 PM
TO 5.15 PM.
PHOTOGRAPHER TH TH
JUNIOR INFANTS & 6 MONDAY 30 NOVEMBER
CLASS 2010
CHURCH HOLY DAY SCHOOL CLOSED th
WEDNESDAY 8
DECEMBER 2010
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS SCHOOL CLOSES RD
TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER
2010

_______________________
______________________
MARGUERITE STENSON ROSEMARY SHEAHAN
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY PRINCIPAL