Have You Downloaded Yet?
Dear Mams, Dads, Pupils and Staff,
As you know, we use the Text a Parent service to keep in touch with you. It is a very useful service for reminders, notifications about special events and in case of emergencies. A new Text a Parent App has been developed. The App is easy to download and is available for both Apple and Android devices.
It would be a huge help to us if everyone would download and use the App. The cost of sending a message to the App is half the cost of a regular SMS message so you can see why it is important to us that as many people as possible start using it. The App may be downloaded from:
https://app.textaparent.ie/get/app
Of course, we cannot send you any message if we do not have your current phone number on our messaging system. Please make sure to let us know if you change your number. We want to keep in touch.

Yours sincerely,
C. O’Reilly – Principal

Attendance Awards
The classes with the best attendance in September and October were First Class and Third Class.

Being Active
We hear a lot these days about how important it is to keep fit. There are many ways to be active and the girls in this school are trying lots of different forms of exercise. Second and Third Classes began their swimming lessons this week. They had great fun and are looking forward to next Monday’s lesson. Sixth Class will begin a six week programme of Yoga lessons on Thursday afternoon.
Fourth Class will shortly begin their Safe Cycling Lessons. This is a 5-6 week programme where the girls learn how to cycle safely. Of course, all the girls have their weekly PE and dancing classes so all in all they are a pretty fit bunch! Well done girls.

Congratulations
A huge ‘Well Done’ from everyone here at the school goes to Ms. Finucane, who completed the Dublin City Marathon during the Hallowe’en Break. Part of Ms. Finucane’s role at school involves promoting healthy living, and she certainly leads by example. Congratulations Ms. Finucane.

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)
As part of its discussion with Waterford City and County Council about the impact of the CPO on the traffic situation in and around the school, the Board of Management has requested a dedicated car park and set down area for parents/guardians and pupils, and a separate parking area for school staff. As you know, the existing car park outside the gate does not belong to the school, and at present staff members have to park on the school yard. This reduces the play area for the children. The Board of Management is very happy with the proposals to date. When the work is underway, there will be some disruption, but the end result should be a positive one. All of the planned work is conditional on the Council’s acquisition of the land so we will keep you informed as time goes on.

Important Note
School will close for all pupils at 2p.m. On Wednesday next, 15th November. This is to facilitate staff training with the Professional Development Service for Schools.

Peace Proms
In March 2018, the girls in Third and Fourth Classes will take part in the Peace Proms Concert at The Hub in Kilkenny. The girls will have the chance to sing with choirs from lots of other schools, and to sing with the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland. We have been notified that our school’s concert will take place at 2p.m. on Sunday, March 4th . If you want to go to the concert yourself, you must buy your tickets through the Peace Proms website, www.peaceproms.com . Tickets are not available for sale through the school. Tickets will go on sale on 17th November 2017. Please be aware that they sell out very quickly. The girls who are in the choir do not need tickets. The girls will need to wear a plain, white polo shirt (no logos) and black leggings or trousers for the concert. We are letting you know this now so that the girls will have plenty of time to be organised. The songs for the concert are lovely and the practising has already begun here at school. There is no doubt that the girls will really enjoy themselves and that they will remember the Peace Proms for a long time to come.

Zumba Fundraising Event
A fundraising event will take place @ FerryFun on 10th November 2017. Proceeds will go to Helping Hands Waterford. The Zumba class for adults will run from 7p.m. To 8.15p.m. and the cost is €10.

Beat the Street
Well done to all the girls who got involved in the Beat the Street programme. All over Waterford, children and adults walked 92,835kms or 58, 022 miles during the six week event. Wow!

Frása na Coicíse
Gabh mo leithscéal – Excuse me