Following the discovery on Thursday of a structural fault in the prefab currently accommodating 6th class, repairs were carried out on Friday. Following an inspection by a competent professional the problem has been adequately dealt with. Muinteoir Ben’s 6th class will return to their room tomorrow Monday.

Ongoing work will continue to ensure that water cannot further ingress. The Board of Management have written to the Department of Education & Skills stating that the deterioration in the building makes our inclusion on a building list imperative.

Parents wishing to enrol children in Junior Infants for next September are being asked to submit applications for enrolment during the month of February. Enrolment forms are available from the school office or alternatively may be downloaded from www.pilibbarun.com. 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 criteria outlined in the enrolment policy please indicate this on your application. For example if he/she has a sibling in the school already This policy can be viewed on the website.

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.

Planning Permission Granted for New School but Archaeologist to Assess Site

One of the 14 conditions applied last month to the grant of planning permission for Gaelscoil Philib Barún’s new school is that an archaeological impact assessment be carried out by a registered archaeologist. The permission was confirmed this week.

During the construction of the Ring Road in 2001 it appears that a series of small holes identified as ‘miscellaneous excavations’ were uncovered close to the Racecourse Roundabout. The construction of the school will involve excavation of an area close to a feature noted in the Archaeological Survey of Ireland and as such must be preceeded by an assessment of the archaeological impact of such a construction project.

The Design Team will shortly appoint the archaeologist who will undertake this immediately. There will be no delay to the project as a result we are assured.

The addition of Gaelscoil Philib Barún to the DES building list is more pertinent as the funding for the construction of the school cannot be accessed without our inclusion on a building list. The BOM have requested that we be added to the existing 5 year building programme as a matter of urgency.

Details on the monument referred to can be accessed on the Archaeological Survey of Ireland website (using Lookup Monument No.:WA026-083–)

The latest school newsletter (December 2013 and January 2014) is now available on the Newsletters page.

The Parents Association at Gaelscoil Philib Barún wishes to acknowledge the generosity and support of all the local businesses that sponsored our recent School Concerts, including:

• Molloy’s Butchers, Tramore
• Ultan’s Unisex Hair Salon, Waterford
• Banyan Restaurant, Tramore
• Run Amuck, Tramore
• Dooly’s Fish & Chips, Tramore
• Cahill’s Newsagents, Tramore

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the wider school community who gave so generously of their time and money in support of this thoroughly enjoyable event. Well done also the teachers and pupils who put on such a delightful show.

The timetable for the school christmas concerts is now available here.

Next month’s school plays will all be held in the school.

Infants to 1st class will be held during the day and 2nd to 6th in the evening from 16th to 19th of Dec. As there will be limited space parents will be asked to attend their own childrens plays only. All pupils will get to see the plays during the day when special performances will be put on for the other classes. A timetable will be available in the December newsletter.

Red Kettle Theatre company brings its show ‘ The Girl who was Useful’ to Gaelscoil Philib Barún on Thursday the 21st of November. They will perform two shows so all pupils will be able to atend and maybe even get a part in Red Kettles unique interactive show which is a favourite every year they bring a show to the school.

Pupils are asked to bring in €4 for the show. All pupils may attend so there is no need to worry if a child forgets.

Red Kettle Theatre group is a local company which brings interactive plays to all schools in Waterford.

The latest school newsletter (November 2013) is now available on the Newsletters page.

The latest school newsletter (October 2013) is now available on the Newsletters page.