Parents' Association 1998
Parents' Association 1998
| Martin Biddle, 8463833 | Daria Verjans-McC. 8462566 |
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| Donal Power, 8462731 | Mary Meade. 8460543 |
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| Geraldine Fitzpatrick, 8461945 | Antoinette Nolan. 8461704 |
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| Celine O'Connell, 8462200 | Terry Treanor. 8463720 |
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| Michael Jordan. 8463529 | Willie Fallon, 8460310 |
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| Teresea Mc Cabe. 8463688 | Barbara Collison, 8462024 |
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Why have a Parents' Association ?
The principal reason for having a Parents' Association is to help parents to get involved in their school.
The aim of a Parents' Association and of the National Parents' Council Primary is :
* To represent the views of parents.
* To inform parents of developments in education and in the school.
* To foster co-operation between parents, teachers and school management.
Do you have a view which you would like represented ?
We would be more than happy to hear from you. (telephone numbers listed above).
CONFIRMATION DAY
On Thursday 26th March the Sixth Class Boys and Girls received the Sacrament of Confirmation in St. Anne's Church. The ceremony was administered with a gentle holiness by Bishop Kavanagh. The boys and girls, accompanied by their families and sponsors, looked exceptionally well in their new clothes. The beautiful fragrant display of flowers was a credit to the dedicated flower-arrangers. The Choir too performed magnificently. All played their part in a truly memorable occasion.
QUIZ MASTERS
St. Helen's took part recently in two Quiz Competitions. Two teams represented us in the Credit Union Quiz. The 1st team won the local Chapter, while the 2nd team came second, also qualifying for the Regional Final - from which neither team progressed. However, our team in the National Parents' Council Cadbury's Challenge Quiz won the North County Dublin Final - 52 teams competed, and represented the school in the All-Ireland Final in the Burlington Hotel on 29th March. Although they did not win, they were wonderful ambassadors for the school and enjoyed the occasion - especially the chocolate !
STUDENT TEACHERS
Students from St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra carried out their Teaching Practice in the school over the last month. These students, who are the teachers of tomorrow, were a welcome addition to the school and all spoke highly of the great school atmosphere, along with the hardworking and enthusiastic pupils. Mr Bryan Wilke from Chico University, California, is also teaching in the school at the moment, and is giving all of us a valuable insight into America and its educational system.
THE DRUMMER
Kevin Brady, the school caretaker, gave an exciting and thrilling performance for the school last month. Kevin, who is an accomplished and renowned drummer, gave an outstanding display and an informative talk on the musical art of drumming. Kevin has toured all over the world and has played with some notable musicians, including the great Jimmy Hendrix. Kevin and Mr Lowe were quite a duet. School Assemblies will never be quite the same again !
EUROPEAN COMENIUS PROJECT
Over the past two years St. Helen's has been part of a European Educational Programme along with schools from Italy, Greece and Spain. The purpose of the current project is to prepare the children to become European citizens, by becoming aware of life in these other countries in comparison to our own. Teachers from the participating countries have visited each others' countries, where they have exchanged projects and ideas on educational, cultural and social matters. The latest 'Project' was entitled 'Diet' which was a study of food habits, traditional recipes, healthy eating and other nutritional information. The children of 3rd, 4th, 5th & 6th classes included graphs, surveys, photographs, drawings, collages and research in their "DIET" Project. Between 10th and 14th of March, Mr Kelly and Mr O'Sullivan represented the school on the latest part of the 'Comenius Project', in Zamora, northern Spain. Both found the trip educationally rewarding and it gave them a great insight into the Spanish school system.
CUMANN NA mBUNSCOL
The Cumann na mBunscol hurling and camogie leagues are in full swing at the moment. It is the first time that we have had large enough numbers playing hurling to enable us to enter two hurling teams. As usual our camogie team is very competitive. We have reached every final except one since we began camogie in 1992, but the surprise packet this year may be our Junior Hurlers who are at this moment unbeaten in their league. Win or lose, however, the pupils are deriving great enjoyment from the games and hopefully are developing skills and attitudes that will benefit them for many years to come.
RECYCLING CAMPAIGN
The St. Helen's aluminium can recycling campaign is asking for more support from the St. Helen's family. Every bag of cans earns 70p for the school sports fund and also teaches the children a valuable lesson on environmental issues. So, please make a big effort to increase the number of cans being sent into school.
SWIMMING CLUB
The Parents' Association continue to organise and run the extremely successful Swimming Club. The course lasts 10 weeks and the children are taught the different swimming strokes. At the end of each term the children get a reward for their hard work, e.g. this term they got an Easter Egg. Keep up the good work - there may be another Michelle Smith out there !
THURSDAY SWIM
The children from Mrs Kelly's Class also attend Swimming lessons once a week in the local Leisure Centre. The children receive lessons from a group of trainee swimming instructors. They enjoy their weekly swim very much and they have made great progress. The individual attention which the children receive has made a huge difference in boosting their confidence.
GLOBE
St. Helen's S.N.S. is as active as ever, collecting data daily from our own weather station. This information is then entered into our computer and transmitted to Colorado, U.S.A., the international headquarters of Globe. Satellite pictures of Western Europe are also printed out and displayed on a weatherboard in the school foyer. As a Globe School we have been invited to the American Embassy to celebrate Earth Day on 24th April. A total of 10 pupils from 4th and 5th Class will attend.
MAGNET SCHOOL
We are delighted to announce that our school has chosen as one of only 49 schools nationwide, to launch the new Information Age Magnet Schools Project. We will shortly be hosting an Information Age Schools Evening for parents. More news anon !
GIRLS FOOTBALL : Champs Again
Our girls team set out determined to retain their Dublin title. In their first match they were very unlucky to lose to Brackenstown. This just made them more determined than ever. They won every other match in decisive manner and justice was done when they comfortably beat Brackenstown in the final in Croke Park before a terrific band of enthusiastic supporters. Two in a row, Dublin Champs, roll on '99 !
BADMINTON
Leinster Schools. Our Boys and Girls teams trained hard for the big day in Baldoyle in February. They fought hard on the day. Both teams won their qualifying section and lost at the semi-final stage. Well done to all concerned.
ATHLETICS
The Dublin Primary school Sports will be held in Santry in late May. The children will participate in long jump, high jump, hurdles, sprints, long distance & relays. The jump & hurdles training is already taking place. Trials & training for the other events will begin after Easter when, we hope, the weather will be better. As usual we hope that as many children as possible will participate.
WELL DONE EVERYONE
At the beginning of February we began collecting Tesco and Esso tokens hoping to reach a target of 9,250, for which we would get an Acorn A7000+ Computer. Despite the difficulties involved everyone made a fantastic effort. Over the weeks the tokens began to come in though really slowly at first. But, as we say in our school, when the going gets tough, the tough get going! All our relations and friends made a contribution until we finally reached our target last Tuesday. Any further tokens collected will not be wasted as they can be used to get software. Everyone can be really proud of themselves. Well done and Thanks.
FEILE DRAMAIOCHTA
Room 17 had a busy term preparing for and participating in the Feile Dramaiochta. The play 'Stobach Dragúin' (Dragon Stew) was written and produced by Mrs Waters and everyone in the class. Our happy Drama photo will always be a reminder that learning Irish can be fun.
P.A.L.
Portmarnock Against Litter (P.A.L) recently launched a major Art competition for all the schools in Portmarnock. Our school was delighted to take part. The competition was part of a broad campaign to heighten litter awareness in Portmarnock. The campaign included talks from past pupils to help the younger members of our community become more litter conscious.
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