Christmas is coming…..:

Hard as it may be to believe, but Christmas is rapidly approaching-and our two main Christmas events are just around the corner.

Supper with Santa takes place on Thursday 13th-tickets are still available-the closing date is WEDNESDAY 28th NOVEMBER!

All children have received a pack of raffle tickets per family-please try and help us to sell as many as possible!

Our Christmas celebrations take the turn of a Carol Service this year, and we are being kindly hosted by the Presbyterian Church-the event will take place on the evening of Tuesday 18th December 2007.

The children in Primary 7 have elected to have a retiring collection in aid of the Rainbow Animal Re-homing Centre outside Eglinton.

Christmas Dinner:

Heather and her team will be whipping up a Christmas Treat for all the children on the same day as Supper with Santa-the annual Christmas Dinner will take place on Thursday 13th December.

Christmas Card Winners:

School Christmas Cards will be on sale next week-the children entered a competition this week and the winners are listed below, winning entries can be seen in the foyer:

Primary 1:

Emma Gamble

Primary 2:

Morgan Stevenson

Primary 3:

Rebecca Lowry

Primary 4:

Courtney Thompson

Primary 5:

Hannah Lowry

Primary 6:

Robert Smyth

Primary 7:

Megan STARRETT

Principal’s Choice:

Rebecca Campbell

PTA MEETING:

There  will be a PTA meeting next Tuesday 27th November at 3 pm to finalise arrangements for Santa’s visit! Members should have received a letter-if not please contact school!

Can we also say a big thank you to the many members who have come onboard the PTA this year!

Transfer test-Tomorrow Morning:

Please remember there should be no children in school tomorrow morning due to the Transfer exams taking place. The earliest children should be in school is 11.15 for a 11.30 start. There will be no buses running on these mornings..

CHILDREN SITTING THE TEST SHOULD NOT BE IN SCHOOL BEFORE 9.30 am 

By Ross Black and William McClintock

Hallowe’en Holidays:

We have our Hallowe’en Holidays next week-school will be closed next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday-resuming on Monday 5th November.  Please keep safe during this holiday!

Shoe boxes:

We have changed the closing date for the Christmas shoe box appeal. It has been changed to the 6th of November. We hope you can support the unfortunate children in other parts of the world.

PTA MEETING:

There  will be a PTA meeting on Tuesday 6th November at 3 pm. We hope some parents who have not been involved in the past will consider getting involved this year. Our PTA does a great deal of good work for our school and we hope as many parents as possible will take part!

GLASSES APPEAL:

In  an effort to support the children in Knockavoe’s charity appeal this term. We are asking families  to donate any old pair of glasses-still in working order-so that they can be collected and given to the in Strabane as a part their appeal for the vision aid campaign in Africa. Knockavoe is a school which many of our former pupils attend and we hope everyone will dust off their old glasses that are filling up old drawers and cupboards.

Transfer test Mornings:

Please remember there should be no children in school on the mornings of Friday 9th and 23rd November due to the Transfer exams taking place. The earliest children should be in school is 11.15 for a 11.30 start. There will be no buses running on these mornings.

Miss Caldwell pick up time:

Miss Caldwell pupils are not getting picked up on time so could we just insure that all children are collected promptly at 2 pm.

Christmas Bus trip:

The now annual Christmas Shopping Trip to Ballymena is running again this year on Saturday 1st December-departing at 8.30 am and returning at 7 pm (approx)-more details can be found on the reverse of this newsletter.

P1-3 Activities:

After we return from our Hallowe’en Holiday the children in Mrs Gamble’s and Miss Caldwell’s classes have some great activities to look forward to. On the Tuesday they will be able to take part in some Jo Jingles sessions, and on the Friday Yogabugs will be returning to school. Times are given below:

Jo Jingles-Tuesdays

Miss Caldwell- 1.20-2 pm

Mrs Gamble- 2-2.40 pm

Yogabugs-Fridays

Miss Caldwell- 1.15-2 pm

Mrs Gamble- 2.05-2.50pm

Permission slips should have been sent home with this newsletter. Please note that there is no charge to parents for these activities.

Pupil of the Month Awards:

              Our first Pupil of the Month Awards were given out in assembly yesterday. Our September Stars are listed below:

Mrs Caldwell’s:

Matthew Gamble

Mrs Gamble’s:

Amy Hepburn

Mrs McCusker’s:

Billy Dougherty

Mrs Crosbie’s:

Robert Smyth

Mr Guy’s:

Shane Stevenson

Toys/Games in school:

Children have been bringing toys   to school, including PSP’s, Nintendo DS’s and mobile phones.  You should not bring these toys to school. If they get broken, school will not be held responsible..

Operation Christmas Child:

This year we are sponsoring operation Christmas child. If one person from each family could  bring in one box to school it would mean  a great deal. The things you are and are not allowed to put into the box are on the leaflet every family was given last week.

Parent Interviews:

All parents have had the opportunity to attend for parent interview this week. If you have not been able to attend, please make arrangements to do so at the earliest possible convenience.

School meals Service:

PLEASE support our School Meals Service. If our dinner numbers drop we will lose our  school kitchen. The dinner menu will be on the back of this newsletter.

School Closure:

Please remember school will be closed on Monday 8th October.

Tesco Sports Vouchers:

We are currently collecting Tesco Sports Vouchers in school-please help us to collect as many as possible!

Website:

Please remember to check out our school website at:

www.donemanaps.com

Text Messaging Service:

We now have our text messaging service up and running-everyone should have received a message on Wednesday reminding them of the school being closed on Monday-if you have not received this text please let us know!

Homeworks:

Please note that homeworks will resume as normal next week.

Coats:

It is getting into the autumn so could you send your child to school with a coat on .

Lateness:

A number of children have repeatedly been arriving late to school-this has been monitored through our new computer system. Please make every effort to ensure your son/daughter is in school ready for 9.15 am.

 Book fair: 

Our usual book fair starts on Thursday 27th September. Books will be on sale at 9am, 10.45 am and 2.50 p.m. Every book you buy helps the school raise funds for new books to be used in school.

PLEASE SUPPORT YOUR SCHOOL! 

Tesco Vouchers:

We hope that you will help us collect as many Tesco vouchers for sports equipment as possible please.

P4/5 Parents’ Meeting:

There will be a meeting in Mrs McCuskers room on Monday afternoon for all the parents of Primary 4 & 5 children. The meeting will allow parents to find out more about the ‘Revised Curriculum’ now being introduced in Mrs McCusker’s class.

Parent Interview Week:

Parent interviews are here again and we hope the times that have been given suit all parents—we would like all notes to be returned by the end of this week.

Homeworks:

We all love doing homework's but please could parents sign  them so that we know that you have checked them.

Charity Collection for Christmas 2007:

This year, for the first time, we will be teaming up with the Samaritans to bring a little happiness into the lives of children across the globe less fortunate than our own. We will be inviting every family to put together a shoebox with different items that will arrive with children in time for Christmas. We will be visited by Mrs Jack on Thursday morning next week to find out more details.

Breakfast Service:

Our breakfasts are available from 8.30 am until 9.15 am. However, breakfasts have to be finished and children ready for class by 9.15. Could parents please ensure children have time to eat their breakfasts and be finished in time-ready to start the day! 

By Jack Buchanan and Newmanda Dunn.

Test Week:
 Our annual test week takes place next week-this year all children from P1-6 will be taking part-Primary 7 children have already completed the new online form of testing throughout the year.
To facilitate this, there will be no written or reading home-works during this time.
P.T.A. Meeting:
 Thee will be a meeting of the P.T.A.-to discuss arrangements for the summer term-including Sports Day, on Thursday 24th at 3.05 p.m.

Face Painting Day-Hearing Dogs For the Deaf:
As one of our supported charities for the year, we have arranged a face painting day for Friday 8th June.
On this day we hope everyone will come to school and pay £1 to have their face painted like a dog-within the confines of our face painters capabilities! If any parents have a hidden talent in face painting, please let us know!

TESCO Vouchers:
Miss Caldwell is hoping to collect some Tesco-Computers for Schools vouchers-if you have any please forward them to your child’s teacher and they will be passed on.
Reminder:
 School will be closed on Monday 28th May.

Cycling Activity:
 Cycling will continue next Wednesday (23rd) and Friday (25th) after school, finishing at 4.30 p.m.
Cricket Result:
The Cricket team took on Bready Jubilee on Monday afternoon in the opening game of the season. They emerged victorious, with a comfortable margin of victory. For a match report, please visit our website.
Football Result:
 Last Friday the football team travelled to St. Columba’s in Newbuildings and came out triumphant in a very closely contested match. A single goal from Robert Smyth was enough to separate the two sides. Special praise has to go to Joe Robinson in goal and Ryan Nixon in defence for their efforts in keeping a clean sheet.

School Photographs:
Our annual school photograph sessions will be held in school on Monday 23rd April-please complete the form on your newsletter with any requests you may have.
Drama begins:
The Drama sessions continue the provision of our extended schools service-they will begin on Thursday 26th April
Science Challenge:
The three children who qualified from the recent challenge will be competing in the Regional Challenge at the Omagh Technology education Centre on Wednesday 25th April
Comenius:
Just to inform parents that there are some upcoming trips for our teachers in the weeks ahead. Mrs Crosbie and Mrs McCusker will be travelling to Lithuania during the week beginning the 7th May, and Mr Guy will be visiting the Czech Republic during the week beginning the 21st May 2007.
Late Arrivals:
We have recently noticed a large number of children arriving late to school in the mornings. This is greatly disruptive not only to the children involved, but also to the rest of their classmates. We would encourage all parents that children should be in school at the latest for 9.15 a.m.-why not come earlier and get breakfast-parents can eat as well!
School Closings 2007/2008:
On the rear of this newsletter you will find a listing of the school closings for 2007-2008. We would encourage parents to book any holidays during this time, rather than during term time.
Website:
We are moving more and more to our website being our greatest source of what’s happening in school-please try and visit
www.donemanaps.com

School Meals:
Parents are reminded of the meals service provided in school-any parent who wishes to discuss the meals service with our cook, Heather Witherow, or even sample the meals provided-should just contact school and this can be easily arranged.

New Safety measures introduced:
In line with wider policy, the Department of education has issued guidance on the transport of children by schools. Whilst we depend greatly on the goodwill of a number of parents for transport to different sporting events etc. we now must ensure that on such occasions we comply with regulations enforced upon us. The central issues arising are:
An unrestrained child is not permitted in the front seat of any vehicle;
Children aged 3 to 11 (inclusive) and under 135cms (4ft 5ins) are required to use an appropriate child seat, booster seat or booster cushion when travelling in cars fitted with seatbelts;
A child may use an adult belt when they reach a height of 135cm or the age of 12;
The driver of the car is responsible if a child under 14 years does not wear a seatbelt or child restraint.
Once the age of 14 is attained, the individual passenger is responsible.

To combat this we are hoping to purchase a supply of booster seats in the next few days, which will be kept in school and used as needed.

www.donemanaps.com

Election & Holiday reminders:
Please remember that, due to the election we will be closed on Wednesday 7th March 2007 and that we will also be closed on Monday 19th March for the holiday.

World Book Day Thank You and Winners:
We had another excellent day on Wednesday-with almost the entire population in fancy dress! All children were winners, but those listed below will receive a special prize for their efforts in assembly next week!

Primary 1:
Jack Dougherty & Ellie Black
Primary 2:
Rebecca Lowry & Andrew Hume
Primary 3:
Courtney Thompson & Joel Faulkner
Primary 4:
Hannah Lowry & Graig Holmes
Primary 5:
Charlene Dougherty & Matthew Black
Primary 6:
Ryan Cochrane & Newmanda Dunn
Primary 7:
Rachel Smyth & Andrew Gamble