Dear school community, Wednesday 18th April 2018
IMPORTANT ADVANCE NOTICES:
School photos – Please return form & fees in envelope provided by tomorrow Thursday 19th April.
The school will be closed for all pupils on Friday 4th May for staff training. This training is mandatory for all school personnel in the implementation of the 2017 Children First National Guidance for the protection & welfare of children and the 2017 DES Child Protection Procedures for Primary Schools. The school is permitted to close for one school day during to facilitate this training.
An NPC talk will take place at the school on Monday May 21st 7.30-9.30pm “Supporting parents to support their children’s mental health and wellbeing”. All parents welcome.
Our school Sports Day will take place on Thursday 14th June. Further information to follow.
6th Class graduation will take place on Thursday 28th June this year.
Update from Sinead
We extend congratulations to Louise Nelson, first class teacher on the birth of her son Oscar. Chloe Fox is teaching first class for the remainder of the term and we welcome Niamh Cassidy as support teacher for infants.
Also, congratulations to Adele Kelly who has been appointed as Assistant Principal 1 in the school. Adele joins the in-school management team made up of Deputy Principal Mary Dee, Paula Ryan, Eileen Power and Eamonn O’Hanrahan.
We are pleased that we will gain 2 further mainstream teachers from September. This enables us to split the current 4th class to make two 5th classes from September.
As always, and in line with school policy all classes with 2 streams will be reformed. In splitting the classes, we will consider gender, age, additional needs and language needs. Please view the class formation policy on our school’s website for further information.
Therefore, the current junior infants, senior infants, 1st classes, 2nd classes and 3rd classes will be reformed and the current 4th class will be split for the first time. For those classes there is an optional form attached to this newsletter please note on this form any particular circumstances that we may not be aware of and return to your child’s class teacher by this Friday 20 April. There are paper copies of this form available from front reception.
5th classes will remain as their current classes for 6th class.
You will be informed of your child’s class in advance of the summer holidays via an email/communication. It is not possible to move pupils between classes. As teacher recruitment takes place during the holidays and can be subject to change, you will be informed of class teachers during the summer holidays,
And finally, I will be taking some parental leave this term, Mary Dee will be Acting Principal during my absence commencing on Monday 14 May for the remainder of the term.
Kind regards Sinead
New Post Primary School for Wicklow Town due to open September 2019.
Last week the Minister for Education and Skills announced the government’s plan to establish 42 new schools over the next 4 years. Included in the list is a new post primary school for Wicklow Town that will cater for 600 pupils. The patronage of this new school has not yet been decided.
In order for Educate Together to be considered as Patron of this new school there will be a period of public consultation and expression of interest from families. This is a very significant opportunity for the establishment of an Educate Together Second Level school in the town and we will keep you posted on all updates. Please read the announcement at the link here
https://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2018-press-releases/PR18-04-13.html
Are you planning to move school in 2018? – If your circumstances are changing and your child/children will not be returning to Wicklow Educate Together in September, please inform the school immediately to allow us to accurately forecast for school year 2018/2018.
Friendship Fortnight – This week the children have been enjoying Friendship Week, where classes have been engaged in lessons to explore and enhance friendship. Some classes have incorporated World Autism Day into their activities, as we missed this due to Easter break. Our very own radio station, Friendship FM, will make a return to the airwaves and will broadcast internally next week! Classes are invited to make contributions to this, along the theme of friendship, and we look forward to hearing their contributions!
Extra-Curricular Term 3 – Thank you to everyone who registered for term 3 of our extra-curricular programme. If you received a place but haven’t yet completed your registration form please complete and return to the school office or email it to [email protected] no later than Friday 20th April.
Reminder, extra-curricular fees must be paid in full by Friday 27th April.
IBAN – IE34AIBK93361905417550 BIC – AIBKIE2D
**Please ensure when making payment that you quote ECA and family name as the payment reference.**
Chess – we have a large group of children registered for Chess this term and would like to advise parents that during tomorrows class we will be assessing each child’s level to decide which of the three chess classes they will join for term 3. This term Eamonn, Brian and Joe will be our Chess coaches.
If you would still like to register for a place in term 3, contact [email protected] by Friday 20th April. Full list of classes, days, times, fees and availability listed below.
| Activity | Day | Time | Fee | Availability |
| Science | Monday | 1.30 | EUR 49.00 | Limited places |
| Science | Monday | 2.30 | EUR 49.00 | Full |
| Soccer | Monday | 2.30 | EUR 42.00 | 1 space |
| Guitar | Monday | 2.30 | EUR 56.00 | 1 space |
| Yoga | Monday | 1.30 | EUR 50.00 | 2 spaces |
| Playball | Tuesday | 1.30 | EUR 55.00 | 1 space |
| Playball | Tuesday | 2.30 | EUR 55.00 | Limited places |
| Sally’s Sewing Club | Tuesday | 2.30 | EUR 48.00 | 2 spaces |
| Alan’s cookery class | Tuesday | 2.30 | EUR 70.00 | Full |
| Athletics | Wednesday | 1.30 | EUR 56.00 | Limited places |
| Athletics | Wednesday | 2.30 | EUR 56.00 | Full |
| Drama | Wednesday | 1.30 | EUR 49.00 | Full |
| Drama | Wednesday | 2.30 | EUR 49.00 | Full |
| Sugarcraft | Wednesday | 2.30 | EUR 80.00 | Limited places |
| Art | Thursday | 1.30 | EUR 56.00 | 3 spaces |
| Art | Thursday | 2.30 | EUR 72.00 | Limited places |
| Irish Dancing | Thursday | 1.30 | EUR 64.00 | 1 space |
| Irish Dancing | Thursday | 2.30 | EUR 64.00 | Limited places |
| Chess | Thursday | 2.30 | EUR 48.00 | Spaces |
What’s Happening at WETNS – We have had a very busy March and April here at the school and the children have enjoyed a variety of activities and trips. We would like to share some of these with you and we would like to thank all those who organised these activities and who volunteered their time.
- Hilary from Bridge Street Books came in to read stories to the Junior and Senior Infants as part of our World Book Day activities.
- Wicklow Tennis Club spent a morning with us giving tennis lessons to 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th
- Damien Leonard joined us this week to complete a robotics workshop with 5th and 6th class and will return next week to continue this workshop which the children really enjoyed.
- The TY students from Colaiste Chill Mhantain spent a number of mornings doing sports with 6th
- Brian’s 3rd class attended Fighting Words in Glencree.
- 4th class visited Wicklow Gaol before Easter and today attended a Tug of War Competition.
- 1st and 2nd class had the opportunity to try Cricket for a number of weeks before Easter.
- A team of senior pupils took part in a GAA blitz in Greystones.
- For the first time, a number of WETNS children participated in the Chess Leinster League.
Rugbytots – Saturday mornings at Wicklow Educate Together N.S.
Rugbytots weekly play sessions on a Saturday morning enable boys and girls aged 2-5 years old develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. Our classes are action packed with races, obstacle courses, skills practice such as throwing, catching and of course kicking. We are delighted to offer a 10% discount to families in the school, use promo code WETNS10. Enrol or find out more at www.rugbytots.ie or text us on 0838185726 to organise a FREE trial class
Lost Property – Missing a coat, fleece, cardigan or jumper? Our lost property rail is overflowing! Please take a minute to go through the rails and reclaim any items lost during the year.
Parent Request – Qualified SNA required for special sweet social little girl with ASD and Apraxia who attends Wicklow Educate Together. 8 hrs per week at professional pay rates. Set pattern of work hours needed for consistency but negotiable as to days selected. Hours would commence afterschool for 2 x 3 hrs with other 2 hrs flexible. Duties would include communication and homework support and general fun/life skills development. Location negotiable. Hours will be ongoing throughout year with optional extra hours if interested on occasion. Could work in home or community environment. Original commitment of 6 months preferred. Please contact Orlagh on 0860689740 for more information. Thank you.
Parent Request – Suicide or Survive (SOS) is a charity (CHY16442) working for suicide prevention and good mental health for all. We are holding our 4th Annual SOS Shankill 120 cycle on Saturday, 26th May, 2018, and we’re calling all cyclists to join us on your bike to raise awareness for suicide prevention and much needed funds for our innovative, life-changing programmes – for more information http://www.suicideorsurvive.ie/ We have two routes to choose from 120km from Shankill to Arklow and return or 60km from Shankill to Kilpeddar and return. Register now at www.tinyurl.com/SOScycle or call us on 1890 577 577 . In addition, all cyclists will receive an SOS Branded Cycling Jersey and complimentary breakfast at registration, refreshments and snacks at the halfway stop-off to re-fuel for the return cycle on both routes, and free evening BBQ, live DJ and fun late into the evening – all with thanks to our wonderful sponsors (Brady’s Pub Shankill, Grove Pub Kilpeddar & Arklow Sports & Leisure Centre).
Please keep up to date with information from Wicklow Educate Together NS which is available through weekly newsletter, texts to parents, school wide notices, notes in bags, homework diaries & school website wicklowetns.com. Wicklow Educate Together N.S. is not on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media. For any queries, questions or feedback please approach your child’s class teacher in the first instance or the school office Fran or Lisa (0404 62786) email [email protected] Please contact Sinead school principal for any further clarification or information on [email protected] Please note that we will only promote school sanctioned events or those that benefit a registered charity in our newsletter.
We would like to remind all parents/guardians that our enrolment policy is on a first come first served basis and would ask that you complete pre- enrolment forms for all younger siblings as early as possible. Our pre- enrolment form is available on our school website https://wicklowetns.com/
Please click on the Pre-Enrol tab and complete the Enrol Now form and submit.