Science Week:
Last week was Science Week and Robertstown N.S. was very busy.  All classes got active with hands on science activities and experiments in class.  We had the pleasure of three guest speakers, Noel Barbour a aeronautical engineer, Linda Poole a nurse and Sinead and Teresa who taught us all about working with microscopes.  We are working hard to achieve our Discover Primary Science and Maths Award of Excellence this year.

Wednesday 22/11/17:
Girls Basketball training @ 2:40pm to 3:30pm.
There is no Boys Basketball training this week.

6th class are taking part in Intel Mini Scientist competition – Judges are arriving.
Best of Luck to all!!

Friday 24/11/17:
Swimming will continue for 3rd and 4th classes.

Book Fair:
The Book Fair will be open to Parents/Guardians on Tuesday, 21st and Wednesday, 22nd @ 3pm to 5pm.  Books can be ordered and paid for, if we are down to the last copy.

Staff:
Last Friday we said goodbye to Mr. Brennan.  Mr. Brennan has relocated back to Co. Laois.  We send him our best wishes today as he starts his new job.  Ms. Fennelly will teach fourth class for the remainder of the year.

Welcome to Mr. Joseph Hennessy who joins the staff of Robertstown N.S. as a Special Education Teacher Today.
Christmas Grotto:
Plans are progressing steadily for the construction of a Christmas Grotto.  Our Wish List was circulated last week.  Many thanks to the parents and children who have already donate/sent items for the grotto.  We still need lots of decoration, lights and Christmas trees of all sizes.  All donations are appreciated.  We intend that the Grotto will be open on 1st December 2017 and that it will bring Christmas joy to everybody associated with Robertstown N.S.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The Parents’ Association of Robertstown NS have exciting plans for Christmas. Please find attached literature and a wish list relating the building of a Santa Grotto in the school. We hope that this venture will be a magical journey for all involved and allow the pupils of Robertstown to experience the magic of a Christmas Grotto in school.

Please get involved and help in any small way you can.

Regards,

Marion Sherlock,
Principal.

Monday 13/11/17:
Basketball training for 5th and 6th class girls after school, from 2:40pm to 3:30pm.

Tuesday 14/11/17:
There is no Homework Club due to a staff meeting being held after school.

Wednesday 15/11/17:
Basketball training for 5th and 6th class boys after school, from 2:40pm to 3:30pm.

Thursday 16/11/17 to Wednesday 22/11/17:
The school will be having a Scholastic Book Fair.  Details were previously emailed by Ms. Murphy.

Basketball for boys and girls in 5th and 6th classes in Rathcoffey @ 2:15pm.  Leaving the school @ 1:40pm.  Lifts appreciated.
Friday 17/11/17:
Swimming will continue for 3rd and 4th classes.

Basketball for boys and girls in 5th and 6th classes, home game during the school day.
Science Week:
All classes will be taking part in various science lessons, talks and experiments this week.

Wednesday: Noel Barbour (Engineer Officer in Air Corp Communications) will be coming in to speak to 3rd to 6th classes about the use of science and technology in the Defence Forces.

Linda and Helen (Nurses) will be giving a talk to Junior Infants to 2nd classes about the very important work they do.

Friday: Sinead and Teresa of Mason Technology will give a talk to 3rd to 6th classes about the science behind microscope design.

Dear Parents & Guardians,

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Scholastic Book Fair!  The Fair will run for one week beginning next week, from Thursday the 16^th – 23^rd of November.  Children can browse and buy from 9.20 am – 2.15 pm on that week.  The book fair will be held on the corridor outside the hall.    You and your family are invited to visit from 3pm – 5.30pm on Tuesday the 21^st and Wednesday the 22^nd.   We look forward to seeing you.

To celebrate the bookfair children are to dress up as their favourite character from their favourite book on Friday the 17^th, we cannot wait to see this!!

Friday 10/11/17:
Swimming for 3rd and 4th classes will commence.
Book Fair:
The Book Fair will be taking place between 16th of November to 23rd of November 2017.  More information to follow.
Science Week:
Experiments will be taking place during next week, 13th November 2017.  We are looking for any parent/guardian who works in the field of Science/Engineering/Medicine/Maths to come into the school and give a talk to 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes.  You can email Mrs. McCafferey on robertstownnsji@gmail.com if you are interested.
Sunday 10/12/17:
The choir will be singing at the Lighting of the Village Christmas Tree this year.  Time will be confirmed closer to the day.
Hallowe’en Week:
Many thanks to all the parents who organised and assisted with the Hallowe’en activities in the school. The children had great fun enjoying the traditional games in hall. The winners of best costumes were presented with trophies sponsored by the Parents Association at assembly on Friday. All money raised on the day will go towards a new shed where which will store P.E. equipment.
P.E., Strand – Dance:
All classes will work on the strand of Dance during the month of November. At our last assembly of the month each class will perform a short dance for the school. We are really looking forward to this event.
Parking:
Please continue to drive and park considerately at the front of the school. This notice is in the interest of Health and Safety of all members of our school community.

Spooky Witch Walk
Don’t forget to dress up for our Spooky Witch Walk on Friday, 27th October 2017 which is being organised by the Parent Association.  Meeting at the hotel at 8:40am.   Please remember that small children can get scared of very scary costumes.  Please don’t wear any terrifying masks to school.

Children are asked to bring in €2 on the day.  The Parent Association will provide prizes for the best costumes.  All money raised will go towards a shed where we will store our P.E. equipment.
 

Hallowe’en Games
This year the Parent Association have organised for every class to enjoy some traditional fun Hallowe’en games.  Volunteers from the Parent Association will come into school Wednesday and Thursday morning to work with each class during their individual 45 minute slots.  Thank you to all the volunteers for giving your time and effort.  We look forward to lots of fun.
 

Parking
Thank you to all the parents who have co-operated with the request for considerate parking.  Please continue to park considerately and move off as quickly as possible in the morning to free up space for other families.  There has been a noted improvement especially in the mornings.
 

U11 Girls Football:
We are very proud of our U11 Girls football team who played in the Cumann na mBunscoil final in Moorefield last Thursday, 19th October.  Unfortunately they were defeated but played with great determination and skill.  Thank you to their coaches Mr. O’Donoghue and Mrs. McCaffrey for all their input.
 

I.B.M. Grant:
A huge Thank You to Dave Kelly who presented the school with a cheque for €1,900 from I.B.M.  Dave has been working with the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors over last year as part of a mentorship programme.  We are working with Dave from I.B.M. again this year and will continue the anti-bully work.  We hope to buy new technology for school (8 iPads, one for each classroom).  These can also be used by the Anti-Bullying Ambassadors during the weekly meetings.
 

Maths Week:
This was a wonderful success.  The children enjoyed a wide range of Maths activities including Problem Solving, Coding, Mathematical Activity, Board Games, Maths Quiz and Maths Trails over the 3 days.  Many thanks to Mr. Fitzgerald for co-ordinating the week and to all the individual teachers who organised activities with their classes.
 

Green Day:
€166 was raised for the school’s sensory garden during our Green Day.  The children learned all about Biodiversity, which is our next Green Schools Flag.  Well done to all entrants of the poster and poetry competitions.

In accordance with Department of Education & Skills guidelines, and in the interest of Health & Safety of all staff and families, the school will be closed on Monday, 16th October.

Regards,

Mrs. M. Sherlock (Principal).