Friday 4^th May, Monday 7^th May and Tuesday 8^th May.

Friday 1 June, Monday 4 June and Tuesday 5^th June.

Yoga Classes

Our Year 1 parent, Orla Fitzsimmons, is holding yoga classes every Wednesday from 1pm – 2.30pm at Blackstone Physio and Pilates Studio in Moira. Classes cost £8 a session and everyone is welcome.

New Gate

Please note that the new gate will not be opened until Mrs Peel and Mrs Gracey are on duty at 8.40am. Children cannot enter school until this time. We would ask that if children are being dropped off in the car park and not being accompanied by an adult, please drive up to the gate and ensure that your child arrives safely through the gate.

Red Gate

To ensure that all our pupils remain safe at school, the red gate will remain locked at all times. We would ask all parents and carers to ensure that the gate is closed upon entry.

Car Boot Sale

Unfortunately, the car boot sale scheduled for Saturday 28 April has been cancelled. Parents Council will advise on the next scheduled date.

OWLS CHANGE

Please note that from week commencing 23rd April, OWLS will now take place on a MONDAY.

First Communion

First Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 28 April at 11am at St Patrick’s Church, Magheralin. There will a celebration lunch afterwards at the school between 12 noon and 1pm. All parents and family of the whole Year 4 class are welcome to attend the celebration lunch at the school.. Michael Sinclair will be available to take photographs of all Communicants and their families.

Sacrament of Confirmation

The Sacrament of Confirmation will take place on Saturday 12 May at 11am at St Patrick’s Church, Magheralin.

Family Photos

The photographer will be at the school on Monday 30 April to take all sibling groups and any children who missed the previous session. If anyone objects to their child being included in the class photo, please inform the teacher on Monday morning.

School dinners will not be served and anyone who has already paid for a dinner, can either take a credit or request a refund. Packed lunches are available to order from Gilgood. If you wish to order a packed lunch, please email the office today.

Parent’s Council Meeting

The next Parent’s Council meeting will take place on Tuesday 22 May 2012 at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome.

Lord Mayor’s Parade

Children from Years 5, 6 & 7 are being invited to participate in the Lord Mayor’s Parade on Saturday 12 May. We are also requesting volunteers to participate also in the parade. Further information can be found in your child’s pouch today. Please notify the office as soon as possible if you wish to volunteer.

Sports Day

Sports Day will be held in Moira Demesne on Thursday 31 May. Year 1 – Year 3 will start at 10am and finish at approximately 12 noon. All parents are welcome to return to school for lunch with the children. There will be Hot Food Takeaway vans available at school on the day to provide lunch.

Year 4 – Year 7 parents are welcome to join their children for lunch at school between 12 and 1pm. The Year 4 – 7 children will then travel to Moira Demesne to carry out their sports day activities and will finish at approximately 3pm. Parents may take their children home from the Demesne at 3pm after communicating this with the class teacher.

Sexual Health Evening

The next Sexual Health Evening will take place on Tuesday 22 May 2012. Further details will follow closer to the time.

Summer Fete

Our Summer Fete will take place at the school on Saturday 19 May from 11am to 2pm. Entrance fee is £2 per adult and £1 per child (max £5 per family). Come along and see theBelfastCircusSchooland ride the Rodeo Bulll! There will also be a bouncy castle, face painting on the day along with various stalls. Everyone is welcome.

Swimming Gala

The school will be taking part at the Waves Schools Gala on Wednesday 16 May 2012 at 10am. Teams will be selected from Years 5, 6 and 7 and further details will follow closer to the time.

Year 1 Induction Day

Year 1 Induction Day will be on Friday 8 June 2012. As induction commences at 1.30pm, the School will close at 12.30. Lunches will be available on this day.

End of Year Celebration

There will be an End of Year Celebration on Friday 22 June starting at 10am in the Presbyterian Hall in Moira. All parents and family are welcome.

International Week/Arts Week – Week beginning 14 May.

The school has decided to combine International Week and Arts Week as a means of achieving the International Schools Award and also to enhance Arts development within the school curriculum. We are engaging the services of ArtsEkta which means bonding or unity in the Hindi language.

It is the first arts-based organisation to provide a unique blend of ethnic arts within theislandofIreland.

Each class will be using The Arts to explore different cultures from around the world.

Year 1 – China

Year 2 – Africa

Year 3 – Latin America

Year 4 – Poland

Year 5 – Ireland

Year 6/7 – Sri Lanka

Artists from Arts Ekta will be delivering culture and Art sessions with each class on Monday 14^thMay.

If you have any resources, artefacts, knowledge or expertise that you would be willing to share with the classes please let class teachers know as soon as possible.

Each class will be hosting an open gallery on Friday 18^th May at 2pm to show case their learning and artistic creations to friends and family. (Year 1 & 2 children can be collected as normal at 2pm and visit classrooms with parents)

We are hoping to create a permanent piece of Art as a whole school to remind us of our International Arts Week 2012. We would love to create an International Totem Pole engraved with designs and decorations representing different cultures from around the world and painted by pupils. If you know anyone who could help us with the project please speak to Mrs Bennett or Mrs Auten.

Ardnabannon Outdoor Education Centre Trip

Letters have been issued to all Year 4 children regarding the trip to the Ardnabannon Outdoor Education Centre on 1^st – 4^th May.

Maths Week – Mad About Money

Maths week will take place from Monday 21 May to Friday 25^th May. During this week, there will be specific focus on money in all year groups. Children will carry out numerous activities focusing on financial capability. We are hoping to have a number of visitors to carry out workshops with the children, such as Ulster Bank. If children could bring £1 contribution towards the Math-a-Magician from W5.

Global Dimension Week

Global Dimension Week will take place between 23^rd to 27^th April. During this week, teachers will teach their current topic with a specific global focus.

Y1-2 – On the Farm – They will focus on farming in different climates and look at similarities and differences betweenN. Ireland and other countries.

Y3 – Weather – the children will look at climates in different countries and how people adapt to extreme heat/cold.

Y4 – Titanic – The children will be studying about emigration and for Global Week they will look at where and why people are emigrating today.

Y5 – Tourist Attractions in Northern Ireland - The children will look at statistics showing the different nationalities that visitNorthern Ireland as tourists and they will focus on 3 of the countries to discover what Tourist Attractions are in these countries.

Y6-7 – The Famine In Ireland – The children will ask why and where famine has happened recently and what can be done to help areas in need.

The week shall come to a conclusion with each class giving a 5 minute presentation to the rest of the school during a whole school GLOBAL ASSEMBLY.

Community Art Club

Art Club will be held in School on Saturday 26^thMay from 11.00am – 12.30pm. All children from pre-school age up to 8 years are welcome. Parent helpers are especially welcome!

Sri Lanka Visitor

The visitor from our link school inSri Lankawill now be arriving on Wednesday 16 May 2012. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond her control, she has had to postpone her visit until this time. We would still appreciate parents supporting her visit.

Plant Cuttings

If anyone would be willing to donate cuttings from established plants in their own gardens to help develop some beds in our school, we would be most grateful. Any donations of lavender plants would be gratefully received as we are trying to develop a sensory bed.