OUR LADY OF MERCY PRIMARY SCHOOL, PEARSE ROAD, SLIGO

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NEWS AND INFORMATION : TUESDAY 12TH APRIL 2011

1. Note from Principal,

Dear Parent/Guardian
Spring is definitely in the air in Our Lady Of Mercy. It is difficult to keep up with the hugh range of activities your
children have been involved with recently. Seachtain na Gaeilge, Spring Bonnet Competition and St. Patrick’s Day
Parade ---- have filled the corridors of our school for the past few weeks. Our second term will be drawing to a
close on Friday and what better way to round it off than coming to the Easter Disco next Sunday in The Southern
Hotel.
We had a bumper enrolment this year and we look forward to welcoming all the new junior infants to our school.
As we begin the final term, I ask you to continue encouraging your children to work hard.
I wish you all a very Happy Easter.

________________
Marguerite Stenson
Principal.

2. NO UNIFORM DAY & EASTER RAFFLE:

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There will be a No Uniform Day on this Friday 15 April. All children are asked to bring in €1. for No Uniform Day.
Proceeds of which will go to school funds. Easter Raffle on Friday. Prizes – Hampers – Tickets available €1 from
class teacher.
3. FEIS SCOIL MHUIRE NA TRÓCAIRE:
During Seachtain Na Gaeilge, our school held its annual Feis with competitions in Irish dancing, Art, Recitation,
Choral Speaking, Singing and a Table Quiz. It was a huge success with a large number of entries in each event.
Prizes were given in all categories and cups were presented to two overall winners who displayed high levels of
competencies in many areas. The winner of “Corn Bn Úi Fhionáin” was Michelle McNamara from 6th class,and
Corn Clochar na Trócaire was won by Erin Kenehan in Senior Infants. They will keep the cup for one year.
Congratulations to all children who took part and added to the enjoyment and success of our Feis. Maith sibh.
4. JUMBLE SALE:
Jumble Sale raised €1,530.00. Sincere thanks to pupils, staff, parents and friends who supported. We divided this
money equally between our two chosen projects (a) Sr. Kathleen Rooney, Mutomo Hospital, Kenya and (b) Ms.
Anne Smith’s project in a school in Tanga, Tanzania. Money was delivered personally – no administration costs.
All money was acknowledged and receipted.
St. Teresa.
5. FIRST CONFESSION:
First Confession took place on March 10th 2011. Congratulations to all the children who were so well prepared for
this momentous occasion.
6. FIRST COMMUNION:
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First Communion will take place on Saturday, 28 May 2011 in St. Anne’s Church and 2 classes are very busy
preparing for this.
7. CONFIRMATION:
All parents have got a schedule of events. Commissioning of Faith Friends took place in St. Anne’s on Sunday last
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@ 12.30 Mass. This will be followed by Faith Friends on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 12 , 13 and
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14th in school from 8.00 pm – 9.00 pm. The Confirmation ceremony takes place on Friday 20 May 2011.
8. ENROLMENT:
Our enrolment took place on the week of 14th March. This year we invited parents to come along and see our
school in action. We hope all the parents and new infants enjoyed their visit. We look forward to seeing all the
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new infants again on Wednesday 17 May from 1.00 – 2.00 pm where they can meet all their new class mates.
9. TRANSFER PROGRAMME:
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Presently the 6 classes are preparing for their transition to second level. This is a great programme for your child
as the move to secondary school can be a very daunting experience. Please discuss the Transition Programme
with your child
10. ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY:
Remember all absences must be explained with a note or a phone call to the school secretary. Letters of
Communication have been sent to parents of children who have missed 12 days or more of school this school
year. Children who have 20 days or more unexplained absences will be referred to the Educational Welfare
Officer. Please ensure that your child is in his/her line at 8.50 a.m. every morning and that your child uses his/her
yard door. Late arrivals are disruptive to the class and it can be embarrassing for your child if he/she is regularly
late for school.
11. DR. MOLONY:
Dr. Molony will visit our school on Thursday 12th May to speak with parents of 6th Class students re Relationships
and Sexuality programme and transition to 2nd level. On Friday 13th he will speak with 6th Class students, only
those whose parents were present at the Thursday night presentation.
12. SCIENCE EQUIPMENT:
We have recently purchased new science equipment and posters which we are looking forward to working on.
13. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE:
We hope you all spotted us in the parade! Well done to all the boys and girls who represented the school so well
in this year’s parade. Many thanks to the teachers who prepared the art work and who helped out on the day.
14. SPORT:
Gaelic Football:
Gaelic coaching will continue after Easter for some of the other senior classes. Mercy Gaelic Team will be
competing with other schools in the area after Easter.
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All 3 & 4 Classes will be going to Calry (weather permitting) tomorrow Wednesday for a fun day of blitzes.
Soccer
Congratulations to the girls soccer team who took part in the FAI 5 aside competition
Basketball:
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Coaching continues every Thursday. The 3 classes and some of the 4 class children are very fortunate to avail
of the gym facilities in the Mercy College and also the skills of their All-Star coach – Sean McGloin.
Sports Day:
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There will be another fun filled Sports Day this year on the 10 June. Watch this space!!!!
15. PARENTS ASSOCIATION:
Easter Disco:
The Easter Disco is taking place on Sunday April 17th at 6.00 pm in the Sligo Southern Hotel. Please make sure to
get a ticket as all funds raised will support the cost of the upcoming Communion and Confirmation parties. Anyone
who would like to help on these days can contact Sandra in the H.S.C.L. Room.

H.S.C.L.
Irish classes, art and design and parenting classes are all continuing each week. Please make sure to donate
uniforms that are still in good condition. There are a number of girls cardigans in excellent condition should
anyone need them.
We are holding a “Messy Playday” for Junior Infants on 6th May and welcome any help preparing for the event and
on the day.
16. Congratulations:
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Congratulations to Meg Herrity (6 class) who won a prize in Sligo Feis Ceoil for her art work. Well done Meg.
17 Census 2011
Ms. Keavney’s Class were delighted to welcome Keith McLoughlin, our local census enumerator, who gave a very
informative and interesting talk on the 2011 Census. Check out our school blog www.mercypssligo.scoilnet.ie
18 School Blog
Check out RTE News today as the children involved in Ms Leydon’s Class Blog won the national prize for the best
blog in the country and will be featured in the next few weeks TV STARS!!!!
19 National Council for Curriculum & Assessment
Our Lady of Mercy was delighted to welcome a co-ordinator from “The National Council for Curriculum and
Assessment” to the school recently. Our School has been selected to be involved in the drafting of next Primary
Curriculum. Some children from 1st Class and 6th Class were interviewed and the information gathered. It is a
great honour to be involved in the future of Irish Education. .

DATES TO REMEMBER.

NEW INFANTS TO WEDNESDAY 18TH MAY 2011 1.00pm – 2.00pm

VISIT THE SCHOOL
DR. MOLONEY MEETS PARENTS OF 6TH CLASS 8.00pm THURSDAY 12TH MAY 2011

DR. MOLONEY FOLLOW UP WITH 6TH CLASS FRIDAY 13TH MAY 2011.
PUPILS
CONFIRMATION 11.00 AM IN ST.ANNES FRIDAY 20TH MAY 2011.

FIRST COMMUNION 11.30 AM IN ST. ANNES SATURDAY 28TH MAY 2011.

SCHOOL CLOSURES SCHOOL CLOSED @ 12.00 NOON 15TH APRIL & REPOENS TUESDAY 3RD
(EASTER HOLIDAYS) MAY 2011.
JUNE BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND MONDAY 6TH JUNE 2011
SUMMER HOLIDAYS SCHOOL CLOSES THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2011.

______________________ _______________________
MARGUERITE STENSON ROSEMARY SHEAHAN
PRINCIPAL DEPUTY PRINCIPAL