Gibson News - Jan/Feb 26

KEY DATES

Monday 2 February – Thursday 5 February – Y1–3 Parent Interviews

Wednesday 11 February – Friday 13 February (inclusive) – Half Term Holiday

Monday 16 March – School Closed

Monday 17 March – School closed for St Patrick’s Day Holiday

Wednesday 1 April – Friday 10 April (inclusive) – Easter Holidays

Year 1 Online Applications

If you know anyone who is considering applying for a Year 1 place for their child and would like a tour of the school, please encourage them to contact Mr Sterritt on ksterritt616@c2kni.net or phoning the school on 02882244552. 

Year 1 Applications must be completed online.  The application procedure is currently open via the online portal and closes on Wednesday 21 January at 12noon.  Please note all applications must upload the child’s Birth Certificate.

After School Activities

After school activities for Year 2-3 pupils from 2.00pm – 3.00pm will run on five Mondays between 26 January and 9 March.  We will provide more details about activities about how to apply in the coming days.

Friday additional activities from 2.00pm – 3.00pm for Year 4-7 pupils will begin on Friday 30 January. Again, further details will be issued in the coming days.

School Dinners

A new school dinner menu begins on Monday 16 February.  This will be posted on our school website and sent out to you via email before this date. 

Due to the increase in school meals prices to £3.10 it is essential that all dinners are booked and paid for prior to the school day commencing.  Any outstanding balance must be cleared by the end of the week, failure to do so may result in your child not being able to avail of school dinners until the balance is paid.

Please also note if your child is entitled to free school meals these also MUST be booked via the online system.

PTA Meeting

Our next PTA Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 20 January at 7.00pm in the school staffroom. We will be reviewing our Christmas activities and planning for Easter events.  New members are welcome.

Year 1 – 3 Parent Teacher Interviews

Our parental consultations are scheduled to take place on Monday 2 February – Thursday 5 February inclusive.  Face to face interviews will last approximately 15 minutes.  This is an important opportunity for you to discuss your child’s progress with their class teacher.  We aim to conduct these each afternoon.  A letter of invite will be sent home in the coming days/weeks regarding this. 

Y7 Transfer Interviews & SEAG Results

All Year 7 parents must complete their application for Post Primary School online.  This opens on Tuesday 27 January and must be completed before Thursday 19 February at 12noon.  Mr Sterritt will meet any parent who wishes to discuss pupil progress, Post Primary placement and the online application process.

SEAG results will be distributed on Saturday 24 January.  Any parent who wishes to discuss their result should email ksterritt616@c2kni.net or phone 07359 710943 (school mobile number) that morning between 9.00am and 11.00am.

Post Primary School Forthcoming Open Days/Nights – please note the following dates:

·         Drumragh Integrated College – Thursday 15 January at 6.00pm

·         Omagh High School – Tuesday 27 January – 1.15pm and 3.15pm

·         Omagh Academy – Thursday 29 January at 6.30pm

School Nurse

The School Nurse will be screening all Year 1 pupils in the school library during the month of February.  Letters giving exact dates and times will be circulated this week. 

Charity Donations

A huge thank you to all parents who contributed to our retiring collection at our Year 4-7 Carol Service.  This raised £1033.91 for Omagh Hospital Cardiac Assessment Unit.

Safer Internet Day

This year’s Safer Internet Day is on Tuesday 10 February.  We will have lots of activities and a special assembly planned for our pupils outlining how to remain safe online.  Please keep an eye on our Social Media channels for further information.

Year 3 Parents Information Reading Workshop

Our Year 3 teachers are running a ‘Reading Workshops’ for Year 3 pupils and parents.  The session will take place at 2.30pm – 3.00pm on Wednesday 21 January.  The aim is to help support your child’s reading development.

School Uniform

A number of parents will be aware that we are planning on making changes to our school PE Kit.  A Year 1 and Year 2 child modelled the proposed new kit at the Y1-3 Christmas Shows.

I plan to have a sample available for parents to view in the school foyer shortly.  The cost for the new top is similar to our existing top (around £20) while shorts are around £13.  A sample picture is included below.

I will be sending out a consultation regarding our school uniform in the coming days and would welcome your feedback regarding the PE Kit and any other changes which you would like to see.  I am also very mindful of keeping costs affordable and do not plan on having any of our uniform branded apart from the PE Kit.

Playground Marking

We are hopeful that the playground markings which your annual parental contribution enabled us to procure will be able to be installed once a little bit of dry weather returns!.

Book Fair

We plan to run a book fair in school from Monday 2 March until Thursday 5 March. Further details will be provided closer to the time.