Category: Noticeboard

Congratulations and thank you

Today we wished two of our teachers a very happy retirement on their final day of teaching  in 3rd and 4th class. After many years of dedication to hundreds of pupils, Ms. O’Halloran and Ms. Kane said their goodbyes. On behalf of the entire school community we want to say a  huge

They are joined in the picture below by Mrs. Collins and Mrs. Barbara Mc Donagh, both of whom retired during the past year. Congratulations ladies…. You’re off and away!

Child Safeguarding Statement Review

We wish to advise all parents and guardians that the B.O.M.  of St. Brigid’s National School will conduct a review of our Child Safeguarding  Statement and risk assessment at the October B.O.M. meeting.

In recent years, as a society, we have become very aware of the problem of child abuse through neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Each one of us has a duty to protect children and Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2011) notes that teachers, who are the main care givers to children outside the family, are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for signs of abuse.

In response to this, the Department of Education and Skills published Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools (2011) in relation to child protection and welfare. These procedures promote the safety and welfare of all children and are to be welcomed.

The Board of Management of St. Brigid’s N.S. has adopted these procedures as school policy. Consequently, if school staff suspect or are alerted to possible child abuse (neglect, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse) they are obliged to refer this matter to Children and Family Service of the HSE. The HSE will then asses the situation and provide support for the child concerned.

In our school the Designated Liaison Person for dealing with Child Protection is Ms. Nicola Fay.

Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Parents/Guardians are also welcome to look through the procedures and Child Safeguarding Statement of our school here .

Updated Isolation and Symptom Guides from HSE

Updated guidance from the  HSE

Signs of COVID-19 disease:

  • fever of 38.0⁰C or higher without another medical reason (such as chickenpox or a urine infection) OR
  • new cough or difficulty breathing or worsening of an existing breathing problem, OR
  • loss of sense of smell, change in sense of taste, or loss of sense of taste (if your child is able to say this), OR
  • other minor breathing or chest problems in a child who has been in contact with an ill person, is part of an outbreak or is a contact of someone who has COVID-19
  • Other symptoms associated with COVID-19 include fatigue, nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, sore throat, headache, muscle/joint pain, skin rash, nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea, chills or dizziness.
  • Symptoms may present differently in different age groups and with different variants of the virus. Some symptoms may also be confused with common cold, hay-fever or flu. If you have any new acute symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, self-isolate and contact your GP. However, if you or your child’s symptoms are very mild then stay at home, reassess after 48 hours and contact your GP for advice.

Self-isolation – (stay in your room). Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. This includes other people who live in the same house as your child, as much as possible. Self-isolation is for children who have had a test that shows they have COVID-19 and also for children who have some symptoms of COVID-19, but are still waiting for a test or test result.

Restricting movement – (stay at home). Restricting movement means avoiding contact with other people as much as possible. This includes not going to school, crèche or social activities. Restricting movement is for people who do not have signs of COVID-19 but who may be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 because they were exposed to a particular risk.

Isolation quick guide Adults and children from their 13th birthday Isolation quick guide under 13s

 

 

PTA Request for new members

Are you interested in becoming a member of our Parent Teacher Association? 

The P.T.A. committee consists of 10 parents and 5 teachers. The aims of the P.T.A. are to support the school “in offering the best possible learning opportunities to our pupils”, to organise social events for parents and pupils and to fundraise. Members also provide a parental view at School Development Planning meetings and with policy development.

Due to Covid restrictions and the disrupted year we had last year, many members of the Committee have agreed to stay on. However, we have a few vacancies. If you can commit to our P.T.A. for a year, please complete the form your child will bring home today and return it to the office by Friday 8th October

If joining the Committee is not for you, you can add your name to our list of helpers by texting the PTA phone on 086 4523838 indicating that you would like to volunteer as a helper.

Confessions, Communions and Confirmations

In consultation with our new parish priest, Fr. Damian McNeice and the parish team, we are happy to inform you that we have confirmed the dates for First  Confessions (current 3rds),  Holy Communions (current 3rds and 4ths) and Confirmation(last  years 6th). 

 We are looking forward to celebrating these special milestones in the children’s lives.

First Holy Communions for current 4th classes
  • Monday 11th October. 1pm  Ms. Murray’s Class
  • Tuesday. 12th October 1pm Ms. Kane’s Class
  • Wednesday 13th October 1pm Ms. Dooley’s Class
  • Thursday. 14th October  1pm Ms. O’Brien’s Class 
  • All ceremonies take place at 1pm.
  • Communion children will NOT  need to attend school that day.
  • Families should be seated by 12:50.
  • Due to restrictions there is a maximum of 6 per family to include the first communicant.  Seats will be allocated.
  • Adults should wear masks.
  • Nora Doyle will be in the hall after the ceremony to take photographs.
 Sacrament of  Penance  for current 3rd classes
  • Monday 18th October  1pm Ms. O’Halloran’s Class
  • Tuesday. 19th October. 1pm. Mr. Doyle’s  Class
  • Wednesday 20th October 1pm. Ms. O’Neill’s  Class
  • Thursday.21st October  1pm Ms. Molloy’s  Class

Children will attend school as normal and go to the church from their classrooms

First Holy Communions for current 3rd classes

  • Monday 15th November  1pm Ms. O’Halloran’s Class
  • Tuesday. 16th November. 1pm. Mr. Doyle’s  Class
  • Wednesday 17th November 1pm. Ms. O’Neill’s  Class
  • Thursday.18th November 1pm Ms. Molloy’s  Class

We will give more information on arrangements for these dates nearer the time

Confirmations  for last years 6th classes.

Monday 8th November at 7pm : Ms. Doyle’s and Ms.Ní Fhearghail’s  classes.

Wednesday  10th November at 7pm:  Ms. N. Fay’s and Mr. Lowery’s classes

Information and  a selection of prayers have been sent to these classes.

New Guidelines for Parents

The HSE has provided information for parents about the changes to contact tracing and testing for children aged between 3 months and 13 years in early learning and care, school aged childcare, education, primary school sports and social settings. Please  click the link below to read the advice.

CLICK HERE