Volume 2, Issue 2 November 16 th 2011 Principal: Ms C Ní Chianáin Deputy Principal: Mr H Maune Welcome Back to Scoil Colm 2011/2012 Parent – Teacher Meetings These will take place on 23 rd and 24 th November (Wednesday and Thursday). School will finish at 2.15pm on these days to facilitate the meetings. Welcome back after the mid-term, I hope you all enjoyed a pleasant break and celebrated a spooky Halloween. We are very much looking forward to the second half of this term in school in the run up to Christmas. The days are getting darker and colder, so we are encouraging our pupils to wrap up well and keep themselves visible when walking to and from school. The first half of this term was very busy and, as you will see from this newsletter, there was a lot going on both in and out of school. Our fundraising Coffee Morning and Fancy Dress was a huge success and the pupils got into the spirit of Halloween with their costumes. Our thanks is due to Ms Caulfield for organising the morning, and also to the staff, parents, sponsors and pupils who volunteered at and supported the event. Due to a reduction in government grants for schools, events such as the Coffee Morning and Fancy Dress are essential in helping us to make up the shortfall in school finances that exists. Every cent raised goes back into the school and assists with us providing the best possible education for our pupils. They deserve the best. I look forward to seeing all in the school for our upcoming Parent-Teacher meetings, and also to meeting the parents of our second and sixth class pupils at the ceremonies in preparation for the First Communion and Confirmation. Kindest Regards Claire Ní Chianáin, Principal We would like to acknowledge our kind sponsors of our Coffee Morning. We would like to thank the following businesses who kindly gave prizes or donations: Arthur’s Court uniform supplier, Brady’s Newsagent, Browne’s Butcher, De La Sole, Ashleaf S.C., Doc Morris Crumlin Rd., Don Keating domestic supplies, Dunnes Stores Ashleaf S.C. & Rathmines, Flemings’ Florist Sundrive Shopping Centre, Glanmore Foods, CJ Fallon, McDonalds Ashleaf, Java Republic Coffee Company, Old County Pharmacy, RB Wallace Ltd, Superdome Bowling Palmerston, Urban Angels beauty salon.

Page 2 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Dragon’s Den By Daniel Dunne. Last month a man came into us and talked to us about Dragon’s Den. He said to us that we had to go into groups and make an invention. There were four in my group; there was me, Shane, Jamie and Victor. We made a graffiti- proof shop shutter. Shane made it up so we all agreed with it. We practiced what we were going to say. We were ready to go on our trip. It was Thursday and we got a private bus. We were there and we had to wait for thirty minutes on the bus. We got off the bus and we went into the building. A lady brought me, Jamie, Shane and Victor downstairs to practice and learn. She said to us the graffiti-proof shop shutter was a brilliant idea. It was time for lunch. We ate our lunch. It was yummy. It was time to meet the Dragons. I was nervous going into the room but I was fine after a while. Finally we got to present our product and they were pleased with what we had done. They divided up to talk about what they thought of it. They came in and gave us our certificates. We were glad. It was time to go home. It was a great day. I would do it again. News By Eoghan, Room 3 Last year we got a green flag for rubbish. This year we are trying to get an energy flag. Next year we’re trying to get the Airtricity Flag. Hurling by Dane, Room 3 We were playing a hurling match. It was very fun. We won our match but the bad thing was I hurt my ankle. Final by Jake, Room 3 On Sunday I went to the FAI cup final. Shelbourne were playing Sligo Rovers but Sligo won. After that I went to my dad’s job and was driving fork lifts in and out of freezing cold freezers. Dragon’s Den By Adam Musleh On the 26th of October, me and my class went to the Dragon’s Den. The bus driver picked us up at 9 o’clock at the school. It took about half an hour to get there. We were a bit early and then we had to stay on the bus for five minutes. Then we went into State Street. I went with my group. There were five of us. A man came to help us with our presentation. Our group were first to go in. We talked about our Motorboard. After all the groups had finished, we got something to eat. Then we went home. It was great.

Page 3 of 4 Students’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter City Jet Tour By Michael Irumire On the 26 th of October, my class and I went to the City Jet hangar. Three boys went with Mr O’Mahony. Some boys went in a van and some boys went in another van. Ms Fallon went to City Jet with us. When we arrived at City Jet we had to go in groups. A man showed us around. We saw where people put their bags, we saw wires and lots of things that are on a plane. Meanwhile the other groups went into the plane. Finally my group went on. Afterwards we had a party. We had lots of fun. City Jet Tour By Victor Godfrey On the week before mid-term our class went on a tour to the airport. Garda Bill and Garda Michael brought a van so they could take us there and three boys went in Mr O’Mahony’s car. It took us about twenty minutes to get there. When we got there we got split up into three groups. Each group got someone to show them around. A man showed us where people put their bags, where they go to the toilet and loads of other interesting things about the plane. Then a group went into the plane first. Ms. Timbs spotted Daniel pretending to be the pilot. Then the second group went and I found Niall on the plane. We sat on a bench and waited and waited and finally we were allowed go onto the plane. First Morgan and I went to where the pilot sits and then we all got a turn to sit where the pilot sits. I saw how many seats there are on a plane. Then we went into another room and got sweets. It was the second best school tour. Roller Blading by Jack, Room 3 This week I am going with my mam and my dad roller blading on Sunday. Then I am going to the art museum and then to the pictures to see Dolphin Tale. Then we will go into Town. My Nanny’s new Dog by Adam, Room 3 Me and my Nanny went to the pet shop. We got a little puppy for € We went home and everyone in the house loved the dog. First day Swimming by Carl, Room 3 My first day of swimming was my classes second. I didn’t really like it because I nearly drowned over my asthma. But I still had fun.

Page 4 of 4 Parents’ Page Scoil Colm Newsletter Shoebox appeal cert and picture of Sean packing up the shoeboxes from Mobile Phone collection The collection of unwanted old phones last year, was a great success. Please send in any unwanted phones into Scoil Colm with your son. These are sent to the Parents’ Room each morning. Remember to ask your siblings, aunties, uncles and neighbours to donate any unwanted phones also. The Parents’ Association are holding a Clothes Collection. Please drop off bags of unwanted clothes on Monday and Wednesday mornings between 9am and 10am to Room 2. Please bring any of the following: clothes, belts, shoes, handbags, ties. No duvets or curtains please. All fabrics must be clean or they cannot be accepted. Thank you. Parents/Guardians, if your mobile number changes throughout the school year, please inform the school office so that our Text-A- Parent and contact details can be updated. Thank You