St Brigid’s Church of Ireland National School Parents’ Association

The St. Brigid’s Parents’ Association the (PA) would like to welcome you to our section of the school website. If you have any queries about the activities mentioned below or there is something further you would like to know please email us at stbrigidspa@gmail.com

The PA coordinates a range of after school activities and initiates projects which aim to promote the education, interests and well-being of the pupils – our children – of St. Brigid’s.  The PA has a good communication with parents, the school and its board of management.

The PA holds its Annual General Meeting during the first term of the school year. The PA also meets regularly with the teachers throughout the year. A Newsletter is emailed to parents each term, ad hoc emails are sent to disperse important information or request the assistance of parents.  PA projects are developed in consultation with the school and Board of Management.

This webpage provides you with information relating to:

·       Parents’ Association activities

·       Parents’ Association events

·       Additional non-PA activities

·       General consent

·       The communication process Committee members and our email address

Parents Association Activities

Physical Education and Music classes are run during school hours for all classes. This is paid for out of the Parents’ Association subscriptions received each year.

French classes are run during school hours for 1^st to 6^th classes. This is billed as a specific item within the Parents’ Association subscriptions.

After School Activities

The following activities have been set up and are coordinated by the parents, on a voluntary basis, through the PA.  The cost to run the activities is divided amongst the participants. All after school activities require parental supervision and a rota is done up each term.

Swimming lessons are run at Glenalbyn pool each Wednesday from 2.00pm through all terms.  The 45 minutes lessons are provided by qualified swimming instructors and the pool is booked solely for St Brigid’s. Swimming is offered to children in Senior Infants to 6^th class.

Hockey is run from September to Easter in St Raphaela’s School at the top of

on an astro pitch by 3 coaches and assistant coaches as required.  Normally two mixed teams are entered into a boys and girls league run by the Leinster Schools. This year, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th class were entered into an alternative league primarily for fun and to get the children playing as much as possible.  Our school hockey is also joined by All Saints N.S.

Cycling for Safety is run from February to April on Mondays.  The course involves six 45 minute practical lessons (at the school). Bikes and Helmets are provided. The course covers signaling, shoulder checking, correct positioning on the road, overtaking parked cars, etc. There is an emphasis on safety through control of the bike and traffic awareness.The children each receive a well-deserved certificate on completion of the course. This course will be run annually if there is sufficient demand for places. Most of our current 4^th, 5^th and 6^th class students have completed the course.

Playball is a sports program available to Junior infant, Senior infant and 1^st class pupils after school on

Fridays. The 50 minutes sessions are delivered by qualified playball instructors with the aim to provide children with the opportunity to develop a host of necessary social, educational and personal skills through sport in a fun, positive, energetic environment. Playball is run through all terms.

Rounders is run in the summer term (term 3) after school on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2^nd class upwards on the church field in front of the school.  This game is based on softball/baseball.

Annual events

☺    The PA hosts a social gathering for parents in October/November each year.  The event is a great opportunity for parents to get to know each other.

☺    In December each year a Panto outing is enjoyed by the children, teachers and accompanying parents.

☺    Mulled wine and mince pies is served by the PA after the school Carol Service.

☺    The school Show is held around Easter each year.  The children present a combination of song and dance and are abuzz with excitement at the end of their performance.

☺    The school Sports Day is held in June each year. The sports day is team based and covers a range of activities for each team to complete.

☺    A Disco is run for 3^rd to 6^th class students in June. A Junior Disco has been introduced for Junior Infants to 2^nd class. Both events are very popular.  

☺    A Swimming Gala is held at the end of the swimming term in early June to rewards the efforts of the year’s lessons.

☺    A Swimming Pool party is held in Dunstaffnage, the home of ex-students, during June.

Additional non-PA Activities

Drama is run through all terms on Wednesday evenings in the school GP room.  There are two groups: Juniors from 6.15 to 7.15pm and Seniors from 7.15 to 8.15pm.  The children’s nativity service has included a themed play from both drama groups on Christmas Eve each year. There is also a drama show at the end of the summer term

A Chess Club is run in the school by the Resource and Language teacher after school on Mondays.

Also within the Parish there are Ladybirds, Brownies, Guides, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and other activities. More information can be found about these activities in the Parish Newsletter.

General Consent

Previously, PA activities required consent forms to be filled out and collated before each activity could commence.  The PA has introduced a General Consent Form to cover all activities run by the PA for the school year.  You will need to fill out a general consent form for your child/children before they can participate in any PA run activities or events.

Communication

The PA has established a parent contact list which enables efficient text/email communication with all parents. If your child/children join the school you will have the opportunity to register your telephone/email contact details on the list.

You will also have the opportunity to register your interest to volunteer for school events. Once registered, you will be notified of upcoming events and volunteer requirements and have the opportunity to be involved. This is an effective way to rapidly get to know parents, other children and integrate.