Volume 2, Issue 3 December 14 th 2011 Principal: Ms C Ní Chianáin Deputy Principal: Mr H Maune Dear pupils, staff, family and friends, As we near the end of this school term, I would like to like to take this opportunity to wish our whole school community a very happy and healthy Christmas with every best wish for We have had a very successful first term in Scoil Colm and I have regularly visited each class and seen first-hand the work that goes on. It gives me great pleasure to report that huge progress is being made by our pupils and I congratulate them for their success. This is in no small way due to the dedication of our teachers and I would especially like to thank them, together with the remaining staff members of our school, who make every effort to ensure that our pupils are getting the best possible education in the best possible school environment. I would also like to thank the volunteers who give some of their free time to the many successful projects that run in our school, such as the breakfast club, paired reading, the school shop and the Parent’s Association. Without their support, these projects could not run and I very much appreciate their efforts. For many years now a custom of children giving presents to teachers at Christmas has developed. Our teachers appreciate the generosity of parents and children in this practice. The current economic climate, however, has put some of our children under circumstances of real strain. We feel that the custom of giving teacher a Christmas present adds to this burden and we would like to ask parents not to do so this Christmas. We all love to be appreciated and would be delighted to receive a Christmas card but would prefer that no other token be offered. Thank you all for your continued support of Scoil Colm and we look forward to seeing our pupils in January for the start of a new term. Kind regards, Claire Ní Chianáin SCHOOL CLOSURES: Thursday, 22nd December: School will close at noon and remain closed for the Christmas period. SCHOOL WILL RE-OPEN ON MONDAY, 9TH JANUARY AT 8.50AM. Thank you to RB Wallace for the spectacular Christmas tree at the front of our school and for the donation of the beautiful crib in the lobby area. Reminder: Please help us to keep classroom interruptions to a minimum so that we can maximise the amount of teaching time that your son receives. Parents/visitors can help us with this by making appointments to meet teachers outside of school hours where necessary. Appointments can be made through the office or a note in the homework journal. Bernard McDonnell with The President

Page 2 of 4 Student’s Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Our Cinema Trip by Cian, Room 6 On Tuesday my class and I are going to the cinema to see a Japanese film called Arrietty. It is about a young boy that sees little tiny people living in his garden. It is kind of like The Borrowers. The film is on the 13th December at a.m. I think it will be great. I can't wait for it. Bodhran Lessons by Shane, Room 6 I am joining the bodhran this week. Thirteen boys are doing it on Tuesdays in St. Agnes'. The thirteen boys will go over at 6pm until 7pm. A world champion will be teaching us. I can't wait. Our Christmas tree, by Jonathan, Room 4 When the builders were fixing the roof they got us a crib and they put up a Christmas tree. It’s around 25 feet tall. It’s at the front door. It’s nearly the same size as the green flag and the green flag is tall. Castles, By Owen, Room 4 My news is, we are going to make castles next week. We are going to need cardboard boxes and paint. We are going to break up into three groups of four.We have to take turns to make the castle. When were done making the castle we have to paint it in a colour that we like. Then we have to let it dry. When it is dry we will put our name on it. I can’t wait to see it. Well I can’t wait for the snow. Miss Ní Chianáin is keeping the school happy and the teachers are doing their best. We are getting 2 weeks off. I hope the kids in the hospital are having a good Christmas too. Thank you Miss Ní Chianáin for everything; you are the best and I am having a good Christmas. By Kevin, Room 4 Santa’s Play Land, By Reece, Room 3 Last Sunday I went to Santa’s Play Land and there were bouncy castles and a well with bubbles coming out of the top. The Santa’s play and was in the Ambassador. I went with my sister and uncle and his girlfriend. We went into Santa we got pictures with him. We got presents off him.

Page 3 of 4 Student‘s Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Christmas, By Mark, Room 4 Christmas is more or less two weeks away. I can’t wait. Yesterday I put up my Christmas tree. Hopefully, I get good presents on the day. Every time I ask my mother for something she says, we will see. My dream presents are the Nintendo 3ds and a Remote control car. Last Year, I got a Nintendo Dsi Xl. The only reason I want it is because I broke my Dsi Xl. Do you know the way people go to the cinema and see movies in 3d, on the 3ds you can see 3d (obviously) but without any glasses, like the way you see them in the cinema. Some people say that the 3d is very bad, but I saw it and I think that is good. Christmas Market, By Noble, Room 3 I went to the Christmas Market. It was good. I saw my friend Carl he was there before me. Carl got a muffin for playing the double bass. We played chasing with my brother and my friend and my friend and my brother’s friend. My brother fell down and hurt his leg. I bought a hotdog. It was delicious and then I went home. Smoothies, By Eoghan, Room 3 Last Friday we made smoothies. The teacher asked for bananas and we didn’t know what we were doing. My friend Ryan said I think we are making smoothies so Ms. Murray told us to line up! We went to the parent’s room to make smoothies. Boxing Match, by Cameron, Room 3 On Friday 2nd of December I had a boxing match in the Green Isle Hotel. It ended in a draw. I won a big trophy and Ms. Murray put my poster on the door. When I met Santa Claus, By Sean, Room 3 One day in Dundrum shopping centre me and my family went to see Santa Claus. We went in I told him what I wanted so did my sister. He gave us a present and a hug. I opened it when we went out. He gave me Lego Knights. I was so happy! Ho ho ho! Michael D Higgins is coming to Crumlin On the 12th of December Michael D Higgins is coming to Crumlin and I am playing percussion with Jake and Bernard. We are playing St. Anthony Choral Presidential and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Noble is playing viola and Carl is playing double bass. We are not getting homework and we are getting served pizza. My little sister is singing and my mam got invited. We have to wear our red t-shirt and three days later we have another concert and it’s my mam’s birthday. By Devin, Room 3 The Christmas tree in the lobby is nice. Mr Mooney put it up with some helpers. The builders made a crib for the lobby. I like it because it is about God. Brad, Room 5

Page 4 of 4 Parent’s Page Scoil Colm Newsletter First Communion: Reminder: The next “Do This In Memory Of Me” mass will take place on Sunday, 18th December at 11.00am. Rosary College Christmas Fair: This will take place in Rosary College on Friday, 16th December from 11.30am to 1.30pm. Rainbows Programme: We are delighted to be in a position to offer the Rainbows Programme to boys who have experienced the death of a close relative, parental separation or other painful changes in their family. This is a 12-week peer support programme which we are planning to start in January. If you would like your son to take part, please contact Ms. Devaney at or leave your name with the school office. Christmas Carol Service – This will take place in the school hall in Scoil Colm on Thursday, 22nd December at All are welcome to attend. Christmas Raffle We are running a “Twelve Days of Christmas” raffle. There will be a prize every day until Thursday December 22nd. We have some great prizes including; Smyth’s vouchers, a hurley, teddies, wine etc. Tickets are 50c for one strip or 3 for €1. Death Notice: The staff and Board of Management would like to offer their condolences to the family and friends of Kevin Farrell, who taught in Scoil Colm in the early 1990s. May he rest in peace. Mr Mooney put up lots of Christmas decorations in the lobby and in the corridors. The builders who fixed the roof put up a tree outside in the garden. It has lights and a star on it. They put a crib outside the office. It has everything in it: Mary and Joseph, the shepherds, 3 wise men, 1 donkey and 2 sheep. Jamie, Room 5