Easter Newsletter 2022

Seachtaine na Gaeilge

Rinneamar ceiliúradh ar SnaG le déanaí, agus chríochnaíomar an coicís le "Lá Glas" le haghaidh Muintir na hÚcráine. Í rith na coicíse mghlacamar páirt i go leor gníomhaíochtaí chun ár dteanga agus ár gcultúr Gaelach a cheiliúradh. Bhí tráth na gceist againn, Corp Oideachas as Gaeilge, Tóraíocht Gaeilge, Ceol, Éalaín, Amhráin agus Dann trí mean na Gaeilge.

Ar an gCéadaoin, 16ú Márta, bhí oscailt an lá scoile lán le ceol, spraoí agus damhsa. Bhí paráid againn, agus bhí gach dalta páirteach ann ag feidhmiú a gcuid eachtanna.

Seo físeán gearr dár gceiliúradh: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D_iW8LLnHIwUV0ipmoa0lv3jk00mv_b0/view?usp=sharing

World Book Day

Salesian Primary School welcomed celebrating their love of reading on the 3rd March. Pupils and staff enthusiastically dressed up as their favourite book characters. Best-selling authors Roisin Meaney and Judi Curtin, invited by the Parents Association, chatted with the pupils about the art of writing and entertained them with their storytelling. School assemblies were enjoyed in the sunshine where all the children had an opportunity to admire costumes and an impressive array of reading related classroom activities were organised at all class levels. In Salesian PS we love to read

Reading Books for Pleasure

A new exciting initiative 'Picture Books for Pleasure' was launched on World Book Day. This promotes children of all ages reading for pleasure by providing access to high-quality, carefully written, enjoyable, and beautifully illustrated picture books. Reading for pleasure is a key indicator of a child's future success. Hundreds of picture books have been purchased to be enjoyed by all age ranges. The huge range and richness of themes explored in these picture books encourage a love of reading. This rich reading experience broadens general knowledge while providing different perspectives on others' lives, and wider world issues. This fantastic initiative is supported by The Salesian Sisters' Ministry Fund, for which the school community is very grateful.

Salesian Basketball Team

Congratulations to all the girls who made the final selection for the School Basketball Team.This team will now go on and represent Salesian Primary School in the Limerick City league.

Our first game is against Castletroy, the second against Roxboro and our final game is against Kildimo. Depending on how we play we may play a semi final in UL.

Best of luck girls, we all wish you every success.

Creative Concepts Drama: After School Activity

Speech & Drama exams were held on Monday the 28th of March 2022. The visiting examiner was delighted with both the children, the welcome received at the school and the examination space. Well done to all. Please contact Lorraine Flanagan, Director of Creative Concepts Drama, if you wish for your child to participate in the programme next year. Lorraine Flanagan's contact number is 086-8485229.

Salesian School Choir

The school choir has been very busy rehearsing for their performance in CBOI Peace Proms concert.The girls are thrilled to be performing in the University Concert Hall Limerick on Saturday the 14th May at 7pm. The experience has allowed the choir members to learn a fantastic repertoire of songs. Read more about the Peace Proms and the wonderful work of the CBOI at the following link https://peaceproms.com/ Tickets go on sale for our concert at 9am on April 8th from the Peace Proms website.

Celebrating Engineers Week

March saw the Salesian Primary school celebrate Engineers Week. Engineers Week is a nationwide festival and the main aim of the week is to promote engineering and show the importance of the profession through informative and fun activities. All classes engaged in a whole school 'STEMathon' where the students were challenged to design and build solutions to problems using a combination of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths skills - STEM.

We were delighted to officially reopen our much loved Science Room again and developed our Engineering Skills through design and construction activities and coding our new Beebots. 

Some classes received special visits from Engineers who spoke to the children about STEM in their jobs. A huge thank you to Niall Mullane (Adare Iron Works), Marie Ryan (Architectural Technologist), Andy Potter (Dell), Emma Collins (Intel), Gleeyson Pinto (Modular) and Eberhard Mayerhofer (UL).

The very best of luck to Ms. O' Reilly's 5th class 'Robusters' as they prepare to take part in VEX Robotics after Easter with their amazing robot, Gilbert 🤖

​5th Class Vex Robotics

Ms. O. Reilly's 5th class enjoyed two visits from Engineer Gleysson this week. He was very impressed with the work that they have completed in Robotics. They were so delighted that he could visit our class.

The PIT team has completed making the playing field. It was a huge challenge as it came in many pieces and they had to work together to follow the instructions. The BUILD team also helped the PIT team.

The drivers are busy practising to drive the robot with the controller and working with the rest of the class to devise a game strategy.

The PR team are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the t-shirts that they designed and have named the robot Gilbert. They are also designing posters for the day of the competition.

The coders are now moving on to coding the robot without the controller and the logbook team are preparing their notebook.

6th Class Marathon

Huge congratulations to all of our 6th class girls who for the past 8 weeks have run/jogged/walked a complete marathon of 42 km with their teachers. They began in week one clocking up a total of 2,800m and gradually over the weeks increased this to 7,400m in their last week. What an achievement! The girls are immensely proud of themselves. As well as increasing their fitness levels, the girls learned about the benefits of sport and physical activity in class. Hopefully their enthusiasm for and enjoyment of this challenge will always encourage them to include exercise into their lives.

COVID 19

When to keep your child at home and phone your GP

Do not send your child to school or childcare if any of the following is true.

Your child has:

• a temperature of 38 degrees Celsius or more
• any other common symptoms of COVID-19 - a new cough, loss or changed sense of taste or smell, or shortness of breath
• been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19
• been living with someone who is unwell and may have COVID-19
• an existing breathing condition that has recently got worse

Preparing for the summer weather

In Ireland weather in our final term can be very changeable. We suggest the following to assist your child:

• Children dress in layers that pupils may take on and off easily.
• Consider appropriate coats to wear over layers on rainy days.
• Consider adding additional healthy drinks (water) for your child.

All skin types are subject to burning. Children's skin is particularly delicate. Sunscreen is advisable.

Expectation of parents/ guardians and visitors to our school 

• Mask wearing is a personal choice for members of our community. Good hand hygiene continues to be practiced.
• Parents and staff may request that people will wear masks for any face-to-face meetings. Please respect, people's personal choices.
• There is an expectation of respect to be shown by all in our community. Salesian PS follows the tradition of living, teaching, and learning through loving-kindness and respect as set down by Don Bosco. Parents and Guardians should experience the reality of this, alongside their children. Staff expects to experience the same loving kindness and respect in interactions with each other, you, and your children. 

Infinity

Barry Gallagher, the director of Infinity has donated three visualisers for educational use to the school. Míle buíochas for this valuable resource.

Reading Books for Pleasure

A  collection of stories about where the Salesian Sisters lived, worked and still work. A glimpse into memories. There are a number of copies remaining. If you wish to have your own copy, please email the school This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the Subject line: A Centenary of Memories. Donations to the Salesian Learning Hub, New Road, Kileely are very welcome.

Reminders for Parents

• We urge all parents to ensure that they have access to Aladdin Connect. We will continue to send important information, announcements, and updates to parents via this app. If you haven't already done so please download the app. If you experience any difficulty in doing so. Please contact the school office.
• If your child has been absent from school, please update the reason for their absence via Aladdin Connect.
• If you need to make contact with the school/ collect a child early etc...please contact the secretary in advance so that arrangements can be made for your child to be ready for you when you arrive.
• Keep an eye on our school website for regular updates www. salesianprimary.ie

Parents Association Message

The Parents Association would like to wish all pupils, staff and parents a very Happy Easter and please enjoy the holidays.

Over the last term - we have happily seen restrictions lift and school become even more enjoyable for all.

We again wish to Thank All The Staff at our school for making this term fun filled and safe.

Don Bosco Day, Pyjama Day, Pancake Tuesday, World Book Day, Seachtain na nGaeilge, Engineering Week - our kids have made great memories. The Yards have been very busy and looking very well with bunting and music and happiness.

Our wider school community also celebrated the launch of the Salesian Sisters Book celebrating their tradition in education.

The Parents Association were delighted to add to the children's school experience with the arrangement of 

• World Book Day Authors visit to our school - Roisin Meaney and Judi Curtin . Thanks to the parents who arranged this and worked with the staff to arrange.
• We would also like to thank the Parents who gave workshops for Engineering Week.
• Parents who have supported Sports testing sessions for our children - Thank You.
• And to all Parents who have supported the fundraising initiatives for the new yard equipment - again Many Thanks.

The Parents Association will continue to work with the school and support any initiatives that can go ahead safely.

In the coming term we hope to support

• Senior Infant Maths Fun.
• Book Rental Scheme Work
• Sports Days/ School Tours
• School Walk

Come and help if you can - have a peek into your child's school world - see them in their school world with the friends. See them very happy and safe in our school. Even 1 hour at any event can help us.

All Parents/ Guardians welcome.

Again Happy Easter and Many Thanks to All in our School for all they do during and after school.

Happy Easter.