The swine flu vaccine will be offered to pupils of Gaelscoil Philib Barún on Friday the 12th of February in the school. Forms from the HSE have been distributed to pupils today and should be returned to the school before Friday, 12th February 2010. Further info from the Health Service Executive Website: Swine Flu Vaccine - It Stops with YOU.

Congratulations to our quiz teams who did so well in the Credit Union Quiz held in the Grand Hotel on Monday night. Lumi Kanwei, Síle Bhreathnach, Aleics Ó Riain and Liúc Ó Fuarán beat Holy Cross National School by just one point to win the under 11 competition. We wish them the best of luck in the next round.

The under 13 teams did well also coming third in their category. Some of the questions were really difficult but we all now know the name of William Shakespeare’s wife and the South American State whose official language is Dutch.

Parents wishing to enrol children in Junior Infants for next September are being asked to submit applications for enrolment during the month of February to the school office. Enrolment forms are available from the school office or alternatively may be downloaded here. Applications must have a birth certificate attached.

Those who have pre-enrolled must confirm their application in writing by filling out a new form which they will receive by post. All applications will be processed in March and places will be offered according to procedures outlined in the enrolment policy. If your child’s application falls within a criteria outlined in the Enrolment Policy please indicate same on your application.

Queries about enrolment and education in an all-Irish school can be made to the school office. We will be more than happy to answer any questions.

Tomorrow (Friday, 22 January 2010), the school will hold a no uniform day and cake sale in aid of the Haitian Earthquake victims. The suffering of the people of Haiti has touched us all and the Gaelscoil wishes to help. We ask that a euro be donated for the no uniform day and cakes be brought in for the cake sale.

Some of you may be aware of the proposed Department of Education circular from 2007 which attempted to direct Gaelsoileanna to teach English in the second term of junior infants. This directive was formally withdrawn by the department today, and represents a significant positive development for those committed to immersion education.

You can read more about this issue here.

Following the latest announcement by the Minister of Education and Science regarding school closures due to weather conditions, the school will open tomorrow, Tuesday (12 January 2010) as usual. The snow has melted and we are confident that the school will be warm and safe. If there is any change due to the weather parents will be informed before 8 am Tuesday. Please be careful on the roads and paths.

Gaelscoil Philib Barún will close on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday next week the 11th - 13th of January 2010 following the tonight’s announcement by the Minister of Education and Science closing all schools for health and safety reasons.

We regret the inconvenience this may cause. Details about the reopening of the school will be announced on this website and by text.

Congratulations Morgan ó Leocháin, a fifth class pupil, who has won the Boy Singles U12 event at The Babolat National Indoor Championships which took place from the 27th - 31st December 2009 in David Lloyd Riverview. Morgan plays tennis in the local club in Tramore and is being coached by Willie Reynolds and Billy Bolster. His sister Sinéad, a past pupil, is already an international tennis player.

The Board of Management intends as far as possible to keep the school open during the cold weather. We ask parents to take great care coming to school on icy roads and paths. We understand fully if parents have to keep pupils from school for safety reasons however the school is open to accept those pupils who can attend. Updates on whether the Gaelscoil is opening will be posted on the website and parents will be texted.

Gaelscoil opens as usual tomorrow the 7th of January at 9 a.m. Despite the closure of some schools throughout the country Gaelscoil Philib barún will open as usual tomorrow the 7th.  As already announced there will be a half-day on Friday the 8th.