St. Brendan's Boys Primary School

Dear Parents and Guardians,
Just a few bits of information I wish to communicate to our school community on behalf of our Board of Management.
ASD / SEN school accommodation
As you will know from previous emails and newsletters the school has been engaging with the DES to provide new rooms and supports for our pupils and staff.
The application for ASD accommodation has been ongoing since 2019 and the Department of Education have been very supportive of this project.
The Design team involved have finalized their plans at this stage.
Our architect Kenny Lyons and Associates hope to apply for planning permission for these much needed rooms in coming weeks.
We will keep parents and community updated at any developments in this area.
We also have been granted Modular school accommodation to help alleviate the pressure our SEN teachers find themselves facing in terms of rooms. Some teachers are sharing rooms and using school hall for groups which is far from ideal. This modular accommodation will hopefully be in place for January 2023 with site works to commence in coming weeks. There will be no disruption to school classes or yard space during this time thanks to the location chosen. The extra two rooms will greatly enhance our ability to support our students.
DES school evaluation
Our school will welcome DES inspectorate for a 3 day evaluation ( 21st to 23rd November) in the area of SEN provision.
School evaluation is an advisory process where schools benefit from inspector input into best practice in the areas of teaching and learning.
As part of these evaluations there is a pupil focus group / parent focus group and parent questionnaire.
The inspectorate will decide who is involved in these information gathering activities and we will ask parents / pupils on their behalf when selected.
If selected we ask for parent / pupil support in engaging with the inspectorate. The same goes for the online survey which will be open for a week- please take a few minutes to complete if selected.
Parent – teacher meetings
In last newsletter for october we had highlighted the 2 days for PT meetings as Wed 23rd and Thursday 24th November.
Seeing as these are the week of DES evaluation we have moved the dates one week back.
Face to face parent teacher meetings will take place on WEDNESDAY 30th NOVEMBER and THURSDAY 1st DECEMBER.
Teachers will be in contact in coming week to fix an appointment slot that suits parents.
We are delighted to have our face-to-face parent teacher meetings back after covid restrictions for the past few years.
As before we will have tea / coffee and biscuits waiting in the school hall for all parents.
Christmas 2022
We hope to have a busy and fun Christmas Programme again for 2022.
Our fantastic parents association will be running their Christmas draw – details to follow in coming weeks.
Please support this vital fundraiser as these support our I-pads and interactive boards in the school which all greatly support pupil learning.
Kind regards,
Niall Crofton
Principal Teacher

End of year school mass celebration

We held a lovely end of school year mass outside on the front grass last Thursday. Fr Anthony came to school to celebrate the mass with our boys and a huge crowd of parents and family members. The theme of the mass was “ Joy” and it was lovely to be able to gather as a school community together for the first time in 3 years and celebrate the joy that the boys bring to our lives. Thanks to all who were involved in the service especially Majella and her wonderful choir with music who brought joy to our hearts.

Letter for children WHO ARE close contacts Feb 2021

Letter for children who ARE NOT close contacts

3rd- 6th class groups

had a great time earlier today at Birr OEC helping Yanni and the team with their instructor training – thanks for the amazing opportunity guys and for doing so in such a safe way 👍

Another zoom milestone ! 1st ever zoom meeting for parents of junior infants starting in September 😀 Thanks to all the parents who managed to join us and thanks to Ms Hennelly and Ms Ryan for their helpful tips and advice 👍 Roll on September 😃

St Brendan’s PS Birr – Class of 2020
We were so proud to say a huge thank you and congratulations to our 24 boys from 6th class last Wednesday night as they “graduated “ primary school.
In light of NPHET recommendations we held a “ virtual Graduation “ via ZOOM which was a great success.
The boys all wore their special “ Class of 2020 “ hoodies which were purchased for them all by our generous Parents Association and BOM.

All were welcomed the large crowd who logged on with passwords and thanked for adapting to use technology for this event.
Mr Crofton then shared a video montage of their photos from the past 8 years and their great activities from this year ( See our YOU TUBE channel)
The boys and their wonderful families heard some words of wisdom from Ms Lena Grace ( class teacher ) and Mr Niall Crofton ( School Principal).
The boys were thanked for their good example and leadership especially during the COVID19 closure where 6th class boys really engaged with school learning activities through SEESAW.
Their stats for May/June were incredible with 79% engagement and 1657 activities / journal entries. Setting the standard and leading from the front !

Mr Cunningham then shared the reflective and thought provoking story of the Pencil / pencil maker.
The boys then shared some of their best and favourite memories with the virtual crowd which was lovely.
Ms Dani Dunne ( SCP) then congratulated the boys on completing a great transition programme this year and wished them well next year at their new schools.
Finally the boys decided to become the 1st ever class at St Brendan’s to create a TIKTOK movie –
We showed their contributions to great fun and laughter.
All that was left was to wish all a safe and happy summer and we will meet for part 2 of the Graduation in late August ( NPHET allowing of course).
The boys will share their traditions hero projects and speeches with the outside crowd for this long standing tradition that hopefully not even COVID19 can stop !
Best wishes to all our school community for the summer break, NC

https://youtu.be/bCpcFTtrJn0 6th class 2020 – Photo movie of their past years at St Brendans PS

https://youtu.be/1aghRIzTejQ 6th class TIKTOK movie !!!

Niall Crofton
(Principal Teacher)

COVID 19 message to boys 2020

Dear Parents,

I hope this email finds you and your families all safe and well. ( This note was sent to all emails on our aladdin system – please ensure we get your email address)

The current restrictions are now in place until 5th May and this means that for the next two weeks schools will remain closed. We have not been informed of what will happen after this date or of any arrangements for future events such as end of year testing , Junior Infant induction or sacraments of Communion and confirmation. As soon as we are informed we will pass this on to parents immediately.

Following ZOOM meetings with the staff we have made plans for the coming weeks. Teachers will set classwork for pupils and we will share this with parents via the – Distance learning tab- on our school website.

Staff members ( teacher / SNA)  will also try to link personally with every student / family to see how they have been getting on to date and to see how we can support going forwards. They will be ringing from personal phones with numbers blocked to comply with GDPR etc

As a school we are now moving forward in supporting our pupils learning via distance learning.

We now want to try to allow students submit their work to teachers and complete assignments that are set and for this we are going to use the SEESAW APP.

This technology has been approved and recommended by DES and is already in operation for some senior class groups.

The school need each parent to agree via email to using this app ( GDPR) so please follow the steps outlined.

I want to stress that this facility is new to staff , parents and pupils so we aim to start slowly and without pressure on families.

The benefits will be amazing as boys will be able to complete a task ( maths / writing story / reading) and parent can take photo or record and submit it to teacher via phone ( app) . The teacher can then correct, evaluate and reply to the pupil with praise , encouragement an guidance for next task. In order to get the boys motivated you might mention that their end of year reports will mention their home-school work during this period.

Again I would like to reiterate that this school-work is a guideline and if you have a routine in place for your child that works then keep using it. If you need information or help in any way please email the class teacher or SEN teacher- email addresses are on the DL pages on the website outlined above. Some pupils have not collected their school books yet and these can be collected in a safe manner on Wednesday mornings. Please contact me via email / facebook for collection times.

We will be in touch again towards the end of next week with the plan of work for the following week.

In the meantime please continue to stay safe and hopefully we will get back to some form of normality in the near future.

Kind regards,

Niall Crofton

New steps to follow for Distance Learning at St Brendan’s PS Birr

1. Ensure the school has your email address – email secretary@stbrendansps.ie
2. Receive email letter from class teacher about SEESAW GDPR
3. Copy, paste this letter and add your sons name and your name and email back to the CLASS TEACHER
4. Receive SEESAW pupil code from your class teacher
5. Download the FREE – SEESAW app
6. Go to app.seesaw.me
7. Choose “I’m a Student”
8. Type in the code: ?????????? This code expires on ???????? ( You won’t get the code until you email teacher)
9. Each teacher will send home their own code – you just add each student- only download the app once

Finish creating your account using your email address

Niall Crofton

(Principal Teacher)

St Brendan’s PS

Moorpark st.

Birr

Co Offaly

12370C

0579121033

principal@stbrendansps.ie

IMPORTANT – Information in this email (including attachments) may be confidential. It is intended for receipt and consideration only by the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, disclosure, publication or copying of information contained in this email (including attachments) is strictly prohibited. Opinions expressed in this email may be personal to the author and are not necessarily the opinions of the school. If this email has been received by you in error, please notify the sender and then delete the email from your system.

School meals / lunches provision
The Minister is conscious that a lot of boys and families rely on our school lunches for healthy and nutritious food each day.
Therefore GLANMORE foods are delivering FOOD BOXES to the school this WEDNESDAY morning.
The boxes this week will contain – Milk / Bread / Butter / Bananas / Yogurts / cereal bars etc. The value will be of approx €10 for each child who gets school lunches.
In order to ensure no waste we ask parents to TEXT 0866045024 OR email the school / facebook if you wish to opt in for this food box. This will continue for the 2 weeks of the easter holdays and until the school re-opens.
NOTES-
The text number is Ms Ann Hennelly HSCL- Your text will be kept private.
Collections- Please note this week collection will be at the school and Glanmore foods are looking at AN POST delivery option for next week.
Collection for MERCY PRIMARY / ST BRENDANS PS will both take place from our school yard-shed this wednesday morning – drive up yard / collect box / drive out- No contact with any staff / parents or kids.
Collection times yet to be fixed as we await final numbers involved.
The boxes will have non-perishable items going forwards also when suppliers have been set up.
These boxes are for each pupil and are FREE as your son already gets school lunches.
The lunch scheme works to ensure all boys get same lunch opportunity and so we encourage all families to take up the offer of these boxes to ensure the same high take up !
We ask as many families as possible to avail of these boxes- Spread the word to friends and family via social media. You cannot opt in after our delivery list has been created so get in quick !!!
Text the number with your sons ( daughter from Mercy Primary) name / names by 2pm today at latest.
Gardai will allow you to travel to collect. If you cannot collect due to self isolation etc please let us know as we may be able to arrange a SAFE drop to your doorstep.
Thanking you all for your support in arranging this food measure to ensure all our boys and families are supported during this crisis- Keep safe – Niall C and staff

In order to keep everyone safe during the operation of this book collection we ask parents to read the following :

Collection times are staggered:
• 9.30-10.00am – Junior Infants
• 10.00-10.30am- Senior Infants
• 10.30am-11.00am- 1st class
• 11.00-11.30am – 2nd class
• 11.30am-12.00pm- 3rd class
• 12.00pm-12.30pm- 4th class
• 12.30-12.45pm- 5th Class ( Ms Pilkington math group)
6th class have books given out already.
Cairdeas 1 / 2 / MGLD – can be collected at any slot ( some teachers are emailing directly)

Do not come to school if you have been advised to self isolate or have COVID 19 symptoms.
Wash hands / wear gloves before coming.
Front gate of school will be open so just drive up the yard to park outside the PE hall windows.
One adult ( no kids) asked to come up to the hall window and give in the name of pupils and class.
Staff member ( wearing gloves) will collect from table in the hall and hand out the window to you.
We only have a few staff in hall to avoid social gathering so please be patient.
Please pack up and leave then as we want to avoid any social gathering.
Please wear gloves and wash hands when you go home.

A number of staff are in self isolation with themselves or family members presenting with symptoms so the few staff that have volunteered to come in and create / organize packs and distribute packs are much appreciated by the Board of Management and school community.
Thanking you all, Niall Crofton ( school principal)