March Newsletter 2023

Dear Parents and Guardians,

It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of Term 2!   The final term is usually a very busy time, filled with assessments, reportings, outdoor learning, school tours, sports & fun days and much more.  

The school roof project is nearing completion.  The Afterschool Facility will be the last area to be addressed.  The builders will be finishing up during the the Easter holidays.  Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation throughout the project. 

Wishing you and your family a very relaxing and happy Easter break.

Le gach dea-ghuí,

Diarmaid

Important Dates

• World Down Syndrome Day - Tuesday, 21st March (more details below)

• Book Fair  - 22nd-29th of March (see below for more details)

• Easter Closing Date - Friday, 31st March at 12 Noon

• Confirmation - Friday, 21st April at 11:30 am (normal school day for Junior Infants-5th Class)

Stay Safe Programme

The personal safety education programme called Stay Safe is taught in Milford NS during this term. The aim of the Stay Safe programme is to teach children personal safety skills so they can look after themselves in situations which could be upsetting or dangerous. It deals initially with common situations which most children will experience at some stage or other, e.g. getting lost or being bullied. The programme also teaches children the safety skills necessary to protect themselves from physical or sexual abuse and emphasises the importance of telling a trusted adult about any problems they have. The Stay Safe programme is part of the Social, Personal and Health Education curriculum which all primary schools are required to implement. Co-operation between parents and teachers is essential to the success of this programme. It is important that parents are aware of the content of the Stay Safe lessons and are able to discuss the lessons with their children. Your child may bring home worksheets which will inform you on the topics being covered in class and how you can reinforce the messages at home. You can familiarise yourself with the content of the Stay Safe lessons at www.staysafe.ie/teachers/resources.htm. Please contact the school if you wish to discuss the programme further.

Fitzpatrick Cup

We completed the annual George Fitzpatrick Memorial Cup Competition in January.  George was tireless in the energy, dedication and service that he put into Milford NS. His influence and example lives on long after him.  Congratulations to all the girls and boys from 4th – 6th classes who took part.  Thanks to all of the parents for coming out and supporting us and for taking the time off work to attend the competition. After three weeks of matches,  Gearóid's team faced Caoileann's team in the final. Congratulations to Gearóid and his team mates on a marvellous victory.  A huge thank you also, to the University of Limerick for the use of the fabulous astroturf facility.   Many thanks, as always, to Mr. Nelligan for the excellent organisation of this very enjoyable and inclusive sporting event.

Fís Film Awards

The Fís film awards took place recently at Dublin City University’s famed Helix Centre and was attended by primary school nominees from all over the country.  It marked a return to a live ceremony for the annual event after the post pandemic period.  The ceremony was streamed live via the Fís film project website on Wednesday the 22nd of February 2023 and it allowed school communities and parents to find out in real time how their fellow pupils, siblings or children were doing at the awards and to cheer them on!

We are pleased to report that Milford NS  managed to scoop an award for the best costume design and the school was awarded with an iPad to help with our future film making.  A huge thank you to Mr. Gallagher for coordinating Fís activities in our school and also to Ms. Fenton, Ms. Fitzpatrick, Ms. Hayes and Mr Daly for organising the trip to Dublin with our 6th Class.  They really had a wonderful day!

Internet Safety Workshops

Many thanks to  Linda O’ Meara and Sandra Larkin for coordinating the cyber safety workshops this year.  Jackie O'Regan (Google) returned to our school on Wednesday and worked with the pupils in 3rd and 5th  Class.   From her experience, she reported that Snapchat is regularly linked with bullying behaviour, over 70% of the content on TikTok is not appropriate for children to view, Grand Theft Auto is an over 18s game that contains highly offensive / inappropriate content and it is very important for parents to monitor very closely and to limit children's access to the internet.  

Scór na bPáistí

Scór na bPáistí: Scór na bPáistí was held in the Community Hall, Askeaton on Saturday, 28th January. Milford N.S was proudly represented by 6th Class pupils in the ballad group, instrumental music, solo singing and recitation. The children performed superbly on the day. We are very proud of their talents and achievements. 

Maith sibh go léir!

Ballad Group: Jessica, Joanne, Breesha, Isabelle and Sadie. Maith sibh go léir!

Instrumental Group: Louis, Isabelle, Caoimhe and Seán.

Maith sibh go léir!

Solo Singing: Breesha. Maith thú Breesha!

Recitation: Seán. Maith thú Seán!

Congratulations to our Instrumental group and our recitation entry who came home with 2nd place medals! Ar fheabhas! Maith sibh!

Many thanks to Deirdre Taylor , Miriam Hannigan and Angela Reidy for organising and preparing the children so well.

Seachtain na Gaeilge (13th – 15th March)

Seachtain na Gaeilge (Irish Language Week) is an International Irish Language festival, celebrating our Native Language and Culture.  We are celebrating our Irish Culture through music, song, dance, art and most importantly, through the spoken word.

A big thank you to piper Philip Doran from the City of Limerick Pipe Band who visited our school on Monday 13th March.  Philip played the bagpipes for all our pupils who really enjoyed seeing & hearing the music  being played in their playground!

Our Lá Glas/Ceolchoirm took place on Wednesday, 15th March.   It was wonderful to see our pupils perform in music, song and dance in front their classmates.  A huge thank you to Ms. Angela Reidy for coordinating the events along with our Team Gaeilge members (Ms. Karen Walsh, Ms. Linda O'Meara and Ms. Siobhán Fenton).

‘Irish is for everyone, Seachtain na Gaeilge is for everyone – Croí na Teanga – It’s You!’

Swimming

The pupils in 4th, 5th and 6th Classes have recently completed their block of swimming lessons for this school year.   Ist, 2nd and 3rd Classes have commenced their lessons.  

Baking Club

A big thank you to Ms. Emma Newe for organising the Milford N.S. Baking Club!  During this 4-week Easter baking club the children are enjoying the experience of baking Easter themed treats.

School Swim Team

Congratulations to the Milford N.S swim team who participated in the Munster Schools' Competition in February.  All at Milford N.S. are very proud of our team's achievements.  Best wishes to Myles and Janani who have qualified to represent the school in the National Championships which will take place on 25th March in the National Aquatics Stadium.  A big  thank you to all the parents who helped out on the day and especially to Ross Anderson (parent) for coordinating everything for the school team to participate in the school. 

Engineers' Week

Many thanks to Mr. Brian Kelly and Ms. Sarah Griffin for organising the STEM Days during Engineers' Week this year.   The pupils really had a wonderful time.  Some of the Engineers' Week activities in all classes included Spaghetti and marshmallow towers, Giant Polydron bridges, Lego road bridges and teddy bear foot bridges!

Castletroy College TY Student Workshops

A team of ten Transition Year students in Castletroy College are working with Mr. Kevin Grant Engineering teacher,in completing a STEM project involving learning how to program using a Micro Bit Chip.  Kevin and the students visited our school in March and worked with our 6th Class pupils.   Our 6th class pupils learnt some basic programming skills, including how to move the cars, display images and sounds using a Micro Bit Chip.   A huge thank you to the students and staff of Castletroy College for organising such  wonderful workshops in our school.

Meitheal

A huge thank you to the parents Eamonn Horgan, Gordon Larkin, Tony Trehy and Alan McMahon who volunteered their free time during February and March to work on our table top replacement project.  We are extremely grateful and appreciative of your efforts.  The pupils in both 4th Classes are delighted to have new table surfaces. Míle buíochas daoibh go léir.

Board of Management

We are pleased to announce that Mr. Gearóid Yelverton has joined our Board of Management as a Parents' Nominee.  Gearóid was elected to the position at our parents' meeting that was held on Wednesday, 15th February.  A sincere thank you to everyone who attended the meeting and to the parents who allowed their names go forward for election. 

Medal Presentation

It was a pleasure to welcome back past pupil, Donnacha O'Dálaigh, to our school.  Donnacha is a member of the Limerick Senior Hurling Squad and took time from his busy schedule to present medals and trophies to our pupils.  We would like to take this opportunity to wish Donnacha the very best in all his sporting endeavours.

School Closures for the School Year 2023/24

We are publishing our holidays dates at this time of the year to give parents an opportunity to book holidays, time off, etc. at an advanced stage.  The dates are available to view on our school calendar (Aladdin App & School Website).  You may also download a pdf of the days from our school website and by clicking here.

Standardised Assessments

Standardised assessments in Gaeilge will take place in April for pupils in classes 2nd to 6th.   Standardised tests in Literacy and Numeracy will take place in May for pupils in classes 1st to 6th.  These tests do not define your child but simply give additional information that we can use to help them to learn.  Along with this information, teachers in our school also use student portfolios, teacher-designed tests and checklists, documented observations and curriculum profiles to help us to get a picture of your child’s progress and to help inform our teaching going forward.  

The results of these assessments will be communicated to you in our end of year reports.   The school is obliged to report a summary of these results annually to the Department of Education for classes 2nd, 4th and 6th.  Please click here to view an information sheet in relation to standardised testing from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).

M.N.S. Down Syndrome Awareness Day 

• On Tuesday March 21st, 2023, there is an international day of celebration for World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD). 

• This year's campaign is called Rock Your Socks! 

• We are inviting everyone at Milford NS (pupils and staff alike) to wear their colourful, funky, fun socks on this day March 21st. 

• Downs Syndrome occurs where there is a replication of the 21st chromosome. Did you know that socks look like chromosomes? That's why we rock our socks on WDSD, just like people with Down Syndrome rock their extra chromosome!

Book Fair - March 22nd to Tuesday, March 28th 2023

Dear Parents,

A Book Fair by Scholastic Publications will be in Milford NS Gym for the above dates. During the week, we will be inviting children to come and view the books on sale. They will have the opportunity to purchase books, if they wish, on Friday 24th and Monday 27th March.

WHY A BOOK FAIR?

We, in Milford NS, aim to promote The Love of Reading and are keen to provide suitable reading material at all levels. We hope, through this year’s Book Fair, to continue to heighten the profile of Reading for Pleasure throughout the school. Running this Book Fair also affords us the opportunity to increase and renew class libraries and literacy/numeracy resources, as the school will receive 60% of the Total Sales in Book Commission. 

The first Book Fair in Milford NS was in 1997. To date, we have earned in excess of €35,000 worth of book stock and classroom resources. 

Members of the Parents Council will preview all books/stationery to determine suitability and value for money.

WHEN CAN THE PUPILS VIEW THE BOOKS?

Pupils, in their class groupings, will view the books on Thursday 23rd of March. They will take note of any book they may have interest in (title and price). Infant classes will be assisted by senior students, Parents Council members and staff. Your child may bring home a slip with details of the books they have expressed an interest in. 

CAN PARENTS PURCHASE THE BOOKS?

Parents of children in all classes will have the added opportunity to view or purchase books on Thursday 23rd March 1:45pm- 3:00pm and 6:00pm-7:00pm. This sale will take place in the School Gym.

While we hope the children enjoy viewing the books, there is no obligation to make a purchase. All children will benefit from the Book Fair, through participation and also through the new library stock/resources we will gain. 

WHEN CAN THE PUPILS PURCHASE THE BOOKS?

The pupils will make their purchases on Friday 24th and Monday 27th March.  If any book is out of stock, it may be ordered (if available), to be delivered the following day. However, it is advised that children should select an alternative book to avoid any disappointment.

PAYMENT

We will accept:

• Cash

• World Book Day Vouchers

• Scholastic Book Fair Gift Vouchers

• Evidence of online payment to Scholastic

Parents can buy gift vouchers online ahead of the Book Fair to avoid handling cash. Vouchers can be purchased online throughout the duration of the book fair. Find out more on  Scholastic gift vouchers page

We hope that the Book Fair will be a great school event and make a positive contribution to reading throughout the school.

Many thanks to all the parents who have volunteered their services as Booksellers, Stewards and Accountants!

For further information on the Book Fair, please visit https://bookfairs.scholastic.ie

Yours sincerely,

Siobhán Fenton     Angela Reidy

Easter Camp

Milford Kids Camp is an activity and sports camp for children aged 5-13 years.  The camp takes place on the grounds of Milford National School for 4 days.  Monday 3rd - Thursday 6th April 2023 from 9:30am to 2:30pm.  The teachers are accepting completed application forms and fees up to Friday 10th March.  Please Click here for brochure.  Email milfordkidscamp@gmail.com for further information or queries.

Homework Club

From September 2023 the teachers running the club  are extending the Homework Club and will now welcome applications from 1st class. The Homework Club will continue to accept  applications from children right up to 6th class. The club runs in term time from Monday-Thursday 2:45pm - 4:15pm.  Click here for the Homework Club Policy. For further information or queries please email mnshomeworkclub@gmail.com.