Rathmichael School

60s Nite

2010-04-24T07:07:00.000-07:00

They came... after a bit of persuasion.. They saw and liked.. They danced, thanks to the best DJ Peter.. They ate up everything, cheese board included, very posh!!.. They danced and yes, they drank!! and boy, did some dress up.. did I mention they danced!! and then, eventually, they left. Phew, what a night but worthwhile to see so many people enjoying themselves.

Regards, 60's Committee and PTA

PTA Activity

2010-04-11T13:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Thank you all so much for supporting our recent Cake and Bread Sale and raffle for 1 night dinner, B+B in Rathsallagh Country House. Between the two we managed to raise €1,240, this is going to be put towards our computer renewal programme. So well done to everyone.

Our next event is a joint venture with the Parish. On Friday 23rd April we will be having a 60's Disco Nite from 8pm 'til late in the Burton Hall, Rathmichael School. Tickets are €20 includes a light buffet and first glass of wine. Proceeds will be going to the Rector's Discretionary fund, School and Parish. This should be a great night and we look forward to seeing you there.

Regards, Nicola

Easter Cake and Bread Sale

2010-03-11T12:54:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
On Tuesday 16th March the children will be given their cake boxes to bring home and decorate, in what ever style they so choose!!. Please can the decorated boxes be returned on Wednesday 24th March, no sooner! Each class will be judged and the best boy and girl box per class will get a prize.
Could you "fill" the boxes with biscuits, cakes, muffins, buns or breads which we will then sell at our Easter Cake and Bread Sale, starting at 1.15pm School hall on the 24th. Please, where possible, could you home cook the contents... do not forget to use our great Rathmichael Cookbook for fresh ideas.
Attached to the letter will also be 3 Raffle tickets. During the year we received a very kind donation for 1 night dinner, bed and breakfast for two guests sharing at Rathsallagh House Golf and Country Club (www.Rathsallagh.com). We intend to raffle this lone item at the end of our Cake and Bread Sale. Raffle tickets are 1 for €4 or 3 for €10. Please return the stubs with your name on them, along with the money, to your class teacher. If you require more raffle tickets please contact Nicola Ralph 086 6086334 or leave your name with Trish in the office. Imagine for €4 you and a loved one could escape from all the stresses of our busy daily lives.. bliss!!

Thank you for all your support,
Rathmichael School PTA.

Seachtain na Gaeilge

2010-03-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

Dia dhaoibh. Hello there everyone. This week was an Irish week in all schools. We did our best and encouraged the children to speak Irish. Our Assembly today was through Irish. The story, prayers and song were in Irish. After this we had a display of Irish Dancing on the stage from children throughout the school. It was really lovely to see the children in their uniforms performing so well. I never realised there was such talent in the school. Well done to all who participated. A great credit must go to their dancing instructors.
Caroline Senior
Principal

Hello from Mrs. Senior.

2010-03-04T02:00:00.000-08:00

We now have new Interactive Whiteboards throughout the school. This includes our Learning Support/ Resource Teaching department. They have created an air of excitement throughout the school. The technical advances we have made are truly amazing. So many resources are now at the touch of our fingertips. We all are forced to move with the times. We continue to fundraise in order to cover our costs.
Our building work has been completed, much to all our delight. We now work in peaceful conditions. Ms. Dowd had particularly noisy days and is relieved to be able to carry out her work without distraction. We are all thrilled with our new facilities and the resource team are delighted with their new rooms.
4th March 2010

Dublin Gospel Choir

2010-02-24T03:53:00.000-08:00

Dublin Gospel Choir Evening.
On the evening of 12th February our choir joined up with Scoil Mhuire and St. Anne's to sing at the Dublin Gospel Choir Evening in St Anne's Church. It was a super evening and the choirs sang beautifully. Full credit must go to the school choir masters who did a superb job. It is amazing what can be done in such a short period of time. Hopefully more will be heard from the school choirs in the future. Our choir donned new light blue uniforms for the occasion with the school logo on the front. They looked very smart and can be used again for the next event.
I look forward to this .....
Caroline Senior
Principal

Drum Nature

2010-02-12T02:38:00.000-08:00

12th February 2010
Last Tuesday we had Neil Dowling from Drum Nature come out to the school and give 45 minute sessions, using percussion instruments, with each class from 1st – 6th . It was a day for wearing ear muffs and that was not for the cold! Each class thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and it was obvious from my many visits during the day, that the children were totally immersed in what they were doing. Neil had them eating out of his hand. The children could have stayed for a lot longer. All this is very valuable in the children's education.

On a Green note....

2010-02-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

On 26th January Rathmichael was assessed for their 6th Green Flag. This one was for the first phase of Green Homes. Dean Eaton, the Assistant Environmental Awareness Officer, came out and was very impressed by what he was presented with. Our Green School Committee took him through our work.
He writes “ I have to say Rathmichael Parish School has to be one of the finest examples of how a green school programme can benefit a school and the children involved. The 3D Green Home, water butts, planters and graphs stand out and I have made special mention of them in my report.”
We are delighted to say that we will be getting our 6th Flag in the not so distant future. Well done to the children, teachers and parents who helped us along the way.
On a similar note our school has been short-listed for The Green Awards 2010. This is the second time for this to happen. It is a great honour to have gotten this far.
School Motto - “ Our school is green so let's keep it clean”
Caroline Senior
Principal

Padraig Harrington

2010-02-01T06:00:00.000-08:00

Padraig Harrington
On Friday 29th January, 5th Class braved the cold and assembled in St. Anne's Church Car Park in their bright yellow high-viz jackets to meet Padraig Harrington to help promote Lollipop Day in aid of Oesophageal Cancer (which is happening at the end of February). The photoshoot was organised in conjunction with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council's Traffic Department. The cameras snapped and pupils donned pink peaked caps and posed with the Traffic Warden, Marion, who replaced her usual stop sign with a giant lollipop one. Amidst mounting excitement the children awaited the arrival of Padraig Harrington who was as unassuming as he always appears on the television – he posed with the children for photographs and patiently signed autographs and answered questions. Everyone associated with the event commented on how well behaved our pupils were so WELL DONE 5th CLASS! You all deserved your lollipops at the end!
Trish O Neill
Secretary

PTA dates for your diary

2010-01-30T04:43:00.000-08:00

Hi all,
Just to keep you all up to date on future events,

Friday 26th Feb, our annual Table quiz at the Kingston Hotel from 7.30 to 10.00. This is open to our senior classes ie 3rd class upwards. There are 5 people per team max of 2 adults per team, children 16yrs and over count as an adult, and 3 children. Tickets will be sold through the school at the cost of €20 per team. This is always a very popular event so be sure to get your table organised soon. Our wonderful quiz master, Keith, has set up a twitter page for all you twitter fans it is https://twitter.com/RathmichaelQuiz. ... hope I got that right!!
Wednesday 24th March, will be our Easter box competition and cake sale.
Friday 23rd April, we are having a joint 60's night with the parish. This is going to be a great night out for all you disco divas. More information to follow.
Friday 30th April, our annual school disco is to be held. This event is only for 4th class and above.

Take care, regards Nicola

TABLE QUIZ

2010-01-22T04:33:00.000-08:00

Opps,

Thank goodness for Trish, the Table Quiz will start at 7.30pm and not 7pm as I previously wrote!!

Regards, Nicola

COOK BOOK NEWS FLASH

2010-01-19T03:52:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

We are down to the last 20 copies of our cookbook ... first come basis!! Will be on sale before school and at 12md tomorrow, Wed 20th January. Each book is €10.

2010-01-14T04:07:00.000-08:00

A date for your diary from the PTA,

Our annual table quiz will be held on Friday 26th February in the Kingston hotel, Dun Laoghaire form 7pm to 10pm. This event is for our senior classes only -3rd class and above. Further information to follow.

2010-01-13T06:10:00.000-08:00

13th January 2010
We're in, we're out, we're in, we're out!!! A very unsettling way to get back to school. How and ever we're here and all is well. Well done to all of you who braved the elements and came to school last week. Great thanks must go to Peter Williams and Canon Fred Appelbe who helped me to get the school ready for the return. Several kilograms of salt and grit were put down once snow was removed. The paths in the school were in good condition for our first day.
Some may have been disappointed we opened but we felt it was the correct decision. Fifth Class built snowmen much to their delight, under the strand in the curriculum- Construction.
See photographs on our website of their fun in the snow.

2009-12-17T06:11:00.000-08:00

16th Dec 2009
Today we held our annual Carol Service at Rathmichael Church. 1st to 6th Class attended with their parents. We decided upon a more traditional service this year incorporating traditional carols which we felt the children were not so familiar with.
6th Class led the service and it ran very smoothly. This year there was an underlying story throughout. This involved both the story of the Nativity and the story of Scrooge. Caroline Dowd managed to juxtapose both stories together. Congratulations must go to sixth class for their efforts.
The choir sang beautifully under the guidance of our choir master, Valerie Lewis.
Caroline Senior
Principal

PTA update December 2009

2009-12-15T10:44:00.000-08:00

We hope that you all had a great night at the Art and Wine Evening last Wednesday... I know that we, the PTA committee really enjoyed it (even though we were slightly foot sore by the end of the night!) We have really appreciated the positive feedback we have received about the new location! Why the change from the main school hall? Simple, we wanted to show off our wonderful new noticeboards, use our screen and yes, hands up, we did want to protect our newly painted school hall.
Our job is always made easy at this event as the children are the main decorators! true to form, the pupils and all the teachers produced the most amazing originals ever. Each year we think they cannot do better but they do. WELL DONE to all the artists, each of you were fantastic.
It was touch and go as to whether our Rathmichael School Cookbook would appear for it's launch but due to our guardian angel, in the form of Grant, just like magic it appeared and promptly sold out! Thank you to all the parents who supported the cookbook on the evening. To those that did not make it, never fear, we are currently on a re-print and order forms have been sent home which we will fill once stock is back in (this will be before the end of term). As soon as figures are totalled, I will let you know how we did.
Finally, thank you to all the parents who supported the evening. We hope that you enjoyed the art, atmosphere, nibbles and, of course, the wine!
On behalf of the PTA, we wish you all a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
See you in 2010, Nicola.

Mrs Senior's diary 15th December 2009

2009-12-15T10:43:00.000-08:00

On Monday 14th December the school decided to do something for the community. We invited the people who attend the Day Centre in Shankill, the Thursday group from Rathmichael Church , various parishioners and Minister Mary Hanafin to our Infant Play. There was great excitement. The children dressed up with the help of sixth class and performed. The show opened with a community prayer read by Ruth Parker in Sixth Class.This show was superb. Much credit must go to our very talented Infant teachers who put in such time and effort. It always amazes me what can be achieved ina short space of time. The audience loved seeing the children and enjoyed every minute.
After the show tea was served to all who attended. Nicola Ralph, Chairperson of the PTA, helped with this. There was a lovely community spirit. Being part of the community is very important to Rathmichael School.
Caroline Senior
Principal

Mrs Senior's diary 10th December 2009

2009-12-10T12:43:00.001-08:00

Last night we held our annual art and wine evening. This year we decided to use the concourse and stage area. This proved to be a very cosy venue, one to be used again. The atmosphere was terrific. The theme this year was that of Fabric and Fibre. This is a strand from the curriculum. Each class produced some work of art from this strand. There was an excellent display . Photographs were taken and these are available under each class on the website. It isamazing what can be produced but an awful lot of time and effort is required. Geat thanks must go to the teachers and Special Needs Assistants who had a huge input into each item and the displays provided.Another great success!

2nd December 2009

2009-12-02T09:10:00.000-08:00

Dublin Fire Brigade visited our school this week. They focused on our 3rd Class. It is hoped that this will continue and become an annual event. A Fire Engine was driven onto our top playground. The children gathered around as they were shown just how everything was stored and worked. It was made even more facinating because each tool was taken out and shown to the children.
After the children had been taken through the fire engine they returned to the Class where a very interesting talk was given to them. Each child will be getting a pack to take home.
We can learn about these things through books but this is never as valuable as hands on experience. A session we will look forward to from year to year

Assembly
At assembly this week we were very lucky to have three much lauded Rugby trophys amongst us – The Triple Crown Plate, The Heineken Cup and the Six Nations Cup.
Great excitement prevailed. Something the children would not get to see very often. Many photographs were taken.

European Food Day
Sixth Class are doing projects on European countries. Each child had to produce a dish from their chosen country. Canon Appelbe and myself were invited to partake in the feast. It was excellent and enjoyed by the whole class. Well done to Ms. Dowd for organising this. Keep your eyes open for a display in the future.

PTA NEWS ALERT

2009-11-20T09:30:00.000-08:00

To all organised Christmas shoppers!!
Rathmichael School Cookbook will be available prior to Christmas, launch date to be confirmed.

1 book= €10
3 book deal= €25
Excellent gift for family and friends.

Nicola Ralph, Chairperson Rathmichael PTA.

Bulb planting, 5th November 2009.

2009-11-06T08:11:00.000-08:00

Thursday 5th November,

Well done to all the classes for planting their bulbs in aid of Myasthenia Gravis this morning. They all came out bulb in hand, made their hole and planted the bulb…the right way around!!! I have to say a big thank you our team of helpers Corinna Dolan, Marie Flynn, Yvonne Cooper, Wendy Kenny, Ruth Stevenson and Shirley Britz. They not only managed to plant, with the children, around 200 bulbs but also freshen up the various tubs around the school, to Gary who did great work over the last couple of days loosing the soil for us and Ms.Senior who managed to get the bulbs and plants, had a plan of where everything was to go, kept the classes coming out and, as always, got dug in herself…..THANK YOU ALL. Now fingers crossed for a bulb eruption!!

Regards, Nicola

PTA update.

2009-10-29T12:46:00.001-07:00

A quick update from the PTA,

We held a very successful Secondary School evening in the school last night (Thursday 22nd). We hope that you, the parents, found it very informative and you got a chance to ask the various principals any questions you may have had.
Our thanks again to Mr Arthur Godsil and his vice principal Ms Joan Kirby from St. Andrews College, Mr Derek Lowry from Newpark Comprehensive School, Ms Barbara Ennis from Rathdown School and Mr Christopher Woods from Wesley College who gave up their time for us.
Thanks to Ms Senior who kept the evening running smoothly, Mrs Crammond who did wonders on the IT side of things and the PTA who gave up an evening to make teas, coffees and more.
Finally, thank you to all the parents who came and supported the evening…. it was for you and your children’s future education that we did this.
Have a great mid term from the PTA,
Regards, Nicola

Mrs. Senior's diary 21st October 2009

2009-10-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

Harvest time is among us and at this time we bring all Gods gifts to the attention of the pupils. We like to promote the idea of giving in the school and each year we put together a collection of food for the old folks in Shankill. It was lovely to see the children coming to assembly with their gifts. A huge thank you must go to all the parents and children for helping with our harvest. A few, selected from different classes, accompany me down to the Day Centre to deliver our goods. This year we had a warm welcome. They are delighted to meet with the young children and the children had an opportunity to chat with them. The goodies are divided up among those who attend.

PTA update, October 2009 from Nicky Ralph.

2009-10-20T10:08:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

A few lines from the PTA to keep you up to date on our activities.

As you know our AGM was held on Tuesday 16th October. Your committee for the next year is Nicola Ralph, Paul De Freine, John Bolton, Natalija Kocijan and our new members Shirley Britz, Neil Bass, David Bryce and Amanda Clooney, our teacher representative is Ms Armstrong and, as always, Ms Senior is present. May I just take a moment to thank our outgoing committee members, Susan Stuart, Clare Perry, Robert Norwood and Robert Allison. We had a great year and you have set a very hard act to follow..thank you so much.

Ok, out with your diaries as here are our forthcoming events, hopefully in order!

On Thursday 22nd October at 7.30 in the school hall, we are having 4 principals of secondary schools coming to give a presentation about their schools and then answer any questions. We are very grateful to the following principals for giving up their time – Arthur Godsil from St. Andrews,
- Derek Lowry from Newpark Comprehensive,
- Barbara Ennis from Rathdown,
- Christopher Woods from Wesley.
PLEASE avail of this meeting as it is NOT a yearly event and believe me, once your children start primary school, time flies by and now is the time to start getting names down for secondary school waiting lists.

On Thursday 5th November in aid of Myasthenia Gravis, “the Rag Doll illness”, we are supporting the school in bulb planting. Further details to follow, but we will be looking for a number of parents to come forward to help us on that day. Please let any member of the committee know if you are available …many hands make light work.

The launch of our Christmas fund raiser, Rathmichael Cookbook. The PTA is indebted to Susan Stuart, Natalija Kocijan, Shirley Britz and Emma Parker who are bringing this book to life. From what I have heard it is going to be fantastic, full of yummy recipes. May I also thank 6th Class who have managed to secure quite a number of paying adverts…Well done.

On Wednesday 9th December, our annual Art and Wine evening is to be held in the school hall. As always this is a great night, as it gives us a chance to meet socially, admire our children’s wonderful artwork (which you can buy for a nominal charge) and, of course enjoy a glass or two of wine and tasty savouries. Not to mention our raffle where the prizes are already coming in fast and furious…an M+S voucher for €50 and a meal at Harvey Nichols to name but a few. More details to follow but do note that this is an adult only event.

Well, that brings you up to date so far. Keep logging on and remember it is up to us, as parents, to support our school in order to make it a better place for our children.

Regards, Nicola Ralph

Third Class Visit Shankill Library by Ms. Armstrong

2009-10-14T11:13:00.000-07:00

As part of The Children's Book Festival Events, 3rd Class visited Shankill Library to meet author and illustrator Mary Arrigan. Mary helped us to create our own story, 'The Robbery' which showed us how an old bicycle rescued from a skip, a young girl and two adults can be developed into an exciting adventure story.
We then listened to Mary tell us the story of 'An Bhó Fhionn' and she also explained to us how she illustrated this book. Meeting a real-life author and illustrator really brought books and story-telling to life for us.