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Clonburris N.S.
Our Lady Queen of Apostles
Newsletter June 2017
Learn, Believe, Achieve!

The school is forty years old and we moved into the present building in 1978. I began my own career that year and hope to retire this summer. Since those early days I have taught mainstream as well as resource. I have been Principal for the past 8 years. Looking back, I have nothing but fond memories of my time here. This is largely due to the support I have had from a very hard working staff. As you know, the team of teachers at this school work very hard to achieve high academic standards. The teachers also provide a high level of pastoral care in looking after the needs of the children. They are always willing to volunteer their time and talents in looking after the extra curricular activities after school hours. The teachers are supported by the SNA’s who look after the special needs of the children. We are lucky to have such a caring team of SNA’s. I am also indebted to Patricia, our school secretary who has the enormous task of looking after the administrative needs of the school. Our caretaker, John, goes out of his way to ensure that the school building and environment are maintained to an impeccable standard.
The parent body of Clonburris combined with the Board of Management and Parents Association, have developed a wonderful community spirit over the years and I will always be grateful for the support they have shown me. The children reflect that sense of community as they develop into young teenagers. It is a testament to the school that past pupils return with the next generation. Our school motto is “Learn, Believe, Achieve” and with the help of the teachers and parents we endeavour to live out this motto. In conclusion, I would like to thank most sincerely the staff, parents and pupils for the huge support they have given me during my time in Clonburris.
Aideen Ryan

Mary Lavelle has been teaching in Clonburris since 1983. She has taught mainstream and resource. She has been Deputy Principal for the last four years and I would like to thank her sincerely for all the extra duties she has fulfilled as part of that role. She is an excellent teacher and has gained the respect of her pupils who she cares for both educationally and in a pastoral way. She has spearheaded many educational initiatives in the school which has benefited both staff and pupils. She is held in high regard by the parents who have had their children taught be her. As a colleague and friend, her dependability, efficiency and loyalty has made her a very valued and popular member of staff. For the past eight years she has produced our Annual Christmas Pantomine. The preparation for this show is enormous and she has to organise twenty one class items over three nights for over 560 children. For the past nine years she has worked as resource teacher for children with Special Needs. Her kind nature means that she is a very empathetic and understanding teacher. Mary is a teacher who approaches her work with great enthusiasm. She supports every aspect of school life and her enthusiasm filters down through the staff to the children. On a personal note, Mary has been most supportive as Deputy Principal. We have worked really well together and aside from her professional contribution—Mary is a friend for life. Though she will be greatly missed by all, her initiatives will continue to help the children of Clonburris for many years to come. On behalf of all the staff, parents and pupils we wish her long and happy retirement.

Clonburris N.S.
Our Lady Queen of Apostles
Newsletter June 2017
Learn, Believe, Achieve!

Frank Roebuck started teaching in Clonburris in July 1978, the first day we opened our new school. He has taught both mainstream and Learning Support during those 39 years. As a native Clondalkin man, Frank took great satisfaction from becoming synonymous with Clonburris N.S. and its activities within the local community. He has been an excellent teacher who has set high standards for his pupils and encourages them to strive to reach their true potential. He has special responsibility for the promotion of Irish in our school and every year organised Seachtain na Gaeilge and the Cheolchoirm with great success. He is a very popular member of staff and is held in high regard by both parents and pupils. Frank has always had a great interest in sport. During his years, he has voluntarily managed and trained teams both during our lunchtimes and after school in football, hurling and soccer. Along with former teacher Mr. McNamara, Mr. Murray and Mr. Power he has brought school teams to the Finals in Croke Park on 20 occasions, with an unbelievable record of 17 wins. These are regarded as important events in the history of the school and are well remembered by all. Many of those players went on to play for Dublin at Minor, Under 21 and Senior level, most notably current Dublin manager Jim Gavin and our own Mr. Murray. He has also led teams to success in the South Dublin Co. Games and Round Towers leagues, Blitzes and the F.A.I South Dublin Soccer leagues. However, though winning is nice, Frank placed more emphasis on children’s participation in sports and physical activities. He is the instigator of our very popular Active Schools week and his expertise is evident in many sporting aspects of Clonburris. He is someone who will be greatly missed and on behalf of all of the staff, parents and pupils we wish him a long and happy retirement.

Ed Power started teaching in Clonburris in 1982. He has taught mainstream and Learning Support. He is an excellent teacher and has passed on a great love of reading and general knowledge to his pupils. He organised monthly table quizzes for the older classes thus enabling the children to broaden their educational experience. He is a conscientious, patient person, impressing us all with his general knowledge on a wide variety of topics. He has gained the respect of his pupils down through the years and is held in high regard by the parents who have had their children taught by him. His great sense of humour has made him a very popular member of staff. His wit was also evident in his script writing skills when he wrote his own scene each year for the Christmas Pantomime. Ed is an accomplished musician and shared his musical talent through teaching the tin whistle to many classes. He has acted as choir master for many years and most of you will have heard the fruits of his work at both First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies. As a Kilkenny cat he has been the envy of the staff for many years as he has gone to Croke Park to see Brian Cody and his team take home the Liam McCarthy cup. Past pupils who were here in the 1980’s will fondly remember him helping to coach hurling teams, including the last Clonburris team to reach a final in Croke Park, back in 1985. He is someone who will be greatly missed and on behalf of all staff, parents and pupils we wish him a long and happy retirement.

Clonburris N.S.
Our Lady Queen of Apostles
Newsletter June 2017
Learn, Believe, Achieve!

New Primary Language Curriculum
The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) has developed two information leaflets for both English and Irish for parents on the new Language Curriculum. They are available online at www.curriculumonline.ie. There is also a section on support material which parents might find useful. The website www.helpmykidlearn.ie also provides enjoyable activities in which parents and children can engage. Information for parents about resources to support literacy and numeracy in Irish is available from www.cogg.ie. Also see our own website www.clonburrisns.ie
for these and other useful links.

Sponsored Walk We had great weather for our sponsored walk and raised €5,526. Well done to everyone who supported us, both on the day and in helping to contribute towards our main fundraiser. Míle Búiochas

Dates for your Diary
Summer Holidays: Fri 30th June Close at 12pm
School Reopens : Thurs 31st August

Cross Country Finals
Pupils from 3rd-6th attended the Cross Country Finals in Corkagh Park on May 11th. Over 3,000 pupils from South Dublin took part! A huge thanks goes to Alison Silke and Paula Carty of South Dublin County Council who organise the cross country events. Thanks also to Ms. Kinlough, Mr. O’Malley and Ms. Morley who have trained Clonburris pupils and to the parents who helped supervise the races. The boys and girls had a great day and performed really well. Large numbers attended training sessions this year. It’s great to see such an interest in physical activity and we look forward to next year’s races!

Santry Athletics
Our first year entering the Santry Athletics at Morton Stadium was a great experience! Five pupils from 5th and 6th entered the 600m event on May 22nd and forty pupils from 3rd-6th took part in the 100m sprints and 4 x 100m relay on May 30th. The majority of our pupils had not run in lanes before but did really well in the events. Congratulations to Jack Kelly in Mr. Murray’s 6th class who brought home gold medals to Clonburris for the 600m and 100m races! Thanks to Mr. Murray for organising training and the event and to Ms. Lanigan, Ms. Morley and Mrs. Curran for helping with supervision. We hope to continue participating in these athletic events in future years.

Clonburris N.S.
Our Lady Queen of Apostles
Newsletter June 2017
Learn, Believe, Achieve!

HSCL HOME/SCHOOL/COMMUNITY LIAISON
While you have a child attending Clonburris we would love for parents and guardians to be involved and participate in Clonburris too. Drop into school, or get in touch on 083 8490219 and ask for Ms. O Malley, or email HomeschClonburris@gmail.com.
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
**Parent classes, June 2017 **

Find Your Inspiration Our 5th classes attended the closing ceremony for this project in Maynooth University. They got the opportunity to visit the chemistry lab and participate in various experiments making lava lamps and ice cream cone volcanoes. They also watched a movie about earth formation in a relaxing dome. The project has given pupils a strong idea of what subjects to choose in secondary school to help them on the path to college. Thank you so much to Ms Morley and Mr Shannon for all their hard work throughout the year. Check out the photos on the school website too www.clonburrisns.ie

ONE BOOK – Junior Infants: The Junior Infants classes and their teachers have been reading the book Elmer the Elephant. They have been doing lots of activities about Elmer and will display their work in the hall. Date for ceremony TBC
ONE BOOK – Senior Infants: The Senior Infants classes and their teachers have been reading the book Handa’s Surprise. They have been doing lots of activities about Handa and will tell Mrs Ryan the story in their own words at our One Book ceremony on Wednesday, Jun 21st at 12.50pm. We invite all Senior Infants parents to attend this exciting event.

Junior Achievement – Working it Out event: This great event will be run in Clonburris school hall. The hall is set up in stations by Junior Achievement and Janssen volunteers and allows 5th and 6th class groups to use Maths for sporting activities.

Parents Music club ended the year with a performance in the school on Tuesday, May 30th. It was a great demonstration of school spirit to see the Children and Parents groups singing together on stage. A huge thank you to Mr Leech and all the dedicated members of the group.

Thank you to all the parents who attended Adult education classes this year. It is your participation that ensures we are funded for further classes. Thank you also to those parents that volunteered for classroom activities throughout the year. We need your help to run Maths for Fun and Lego club among others. Thank you to the Parents Association for selling the uniforms. They will be back selling in September.

Gardening group in Clonburris Course
***Thursday, Jun 15th and Jun 22nd, 1.15pm to 2.20pm *** Come along and help us tidy and brighten up the school garden. Meet at HSCL room. We are painting the flower boxes and welcome anyone who wants to get involved.