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 This directive was formally withdrawn by the department today, and represents a significant positive development for those committed to immersion education.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.

The school will reopen on Thursday the 7th of January 2010 at 9a.m. There will be a half-day on Friday the 8th of January to facilitate a staff meeting. Pupils will be free at 12.30. Further information available on school holidays here.

School calendars for 2010 are available from class teachers. Cost €3. Proceeds in aid of Parents Association.

A food and wine fair in aid of the school and organized by the Parent’s Association and Hickson’s Centra Tramore, will be held in the Grand Hotel Tramore on Wednesday 16th December between 7.30 and 10.00 pm. Gilbeys, Diageo, Edward Dillon and Approach Trade Wnes will be there on the night with cheeses on display as well as home cooking ideas. Tickets €8 available from the school office or from a member of Parents Association. All monies in aid of the Parents Association.

The Goverment is looking to introduce legislation that provides a new definition of constitutes a Gaeltacht area. This is part of a wider strategy document on the Irish language, to be published later today. You can read more about this here.

Whilst this does not directly impact on the Gaelscoil, it is reassuring that the draft strategy does say that there will continue to be a senior minister with responsibility for the Irish language. I believe the current such minister is  John Curran T.D. and that we should include his department in any official canvassing efforts for the permanent school building.

Source: RTÉ News