Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: TUESDAY Community of Learning
Tue 26 Jan 2021Today we think about our school as a Community of Learning.
We learn many things in schools. We learn about things like maths, science, music and art. We learn spellings and tables. But we also learn how to be a good friend. We learn how to be helpful and kind. Jesus’ Golden Rule is to treat others as you would like to be treated.
Today we learn to be the best we can be, being kind to ourselves, others and the world around us.
Lord, help us to live like you taught us to.
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COMPETITION TIME: Design a Reusable Bag for LIDL
Mon 25 Jan 2021Would you like to see your design on a reusable shopping bag?
To celebrate the announcement of Lidl Northern Ireland’s new range of 100% recycled plastic shopping bags, they are calling on young creatives nationwide to exercise their imaginations and submit a drawing of what one of the R’s of Sustainability means to them, under the theme reduce, reuse or recycle.
STEP 1: GET THINKING! Get thinking about what you are going to design. Remember you need to use the theme “reduce, reuse and recycle”
STEP 2: GET CREATIVE! Let your creative streak run wild and come up with a bright and colourful design that will stand out from the crowd
STEP 3: GET SUBMITTING! Make sure all your details are filled on the entry form and upload it to the competition page before Sunday 28th February 2021 on www.lidl.-ni.co.uk/shopping-bags
And don't forget to send us a photo of your design too... to your teacher via Seesaw, via a message on our Facebook page @stcolums or email to stcolumsoffice186@c2kni.net. We can't wait to see them!
Good luck everyone!
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK: MONDAY Communities of Faith
Mon 25 Jan 2021Today’s theme is about being a Community of Faith. When we think of the school, we think of a community of people. A Catholic school is a special community where we learn about God’s love for us and the way Jesus teaches us to live. We learn to show God’s love to others by being kind in our thoughts, words and actions.
Lord, help us to live like you taught us to.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK, 24th - 31st JANUARY
Mon 25 Jan 2021Today, Sunday 24th January, marks the beginning of Catholic Schools Week 2021. During this week we celebrate the unique contribution that Catholic schools, both primary and post-primary, make to supporting each other and living out Jesus’ message of the gospel.
This year’s theme is 'Catholic Schools: Communities of Faith and Resilience'.
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Access to WiFi and IT Devices for Disadvantaged Pupils
Wed 20 Jan 2021Under the current DE Scheme to provide Devices to Disadvantaged and Vulnerable Children, there has been additional provision made to support pupils to access learning opportunities from home using WiFi.
If you do not have access to WiFi or you require a digital device to access learning from home at this time, please complete the short online form https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-yeCOETeDkaBkAVAK4mNqKo8xt2B-ORItI5da9xtfAFUN1VQMUZOVFRTUURBWUVDS1VSTEg3WE1HVi4u to register your interest.
Priority in the first instance will be given to children who are eligible for Free School Meals in Primary 4 and Primary 7.
Additional priority may be given to pupils in one or more of the following categories:
- Special Educational Needs
- Newcomer, Refugee children
- Look After Children
- Children who are considered vulnerable.
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Children's Liturgy sheet for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sun 17 Jan 2021LOOK the Children's Liturgy sheet for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.⛪🙏
#ChildrensLiturgy #YoungChurch
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Learning Pack Collection on Monday 18th January, Primary 3 - Primary 6
Fri 15 Jan 2021Learning Packs for Primary 3-Primary 6 may be collected between 10:30am and 11:15am on Monday 18th
January from class entrance gates.As before, please wear a face covering and social distance when collecting these for your children.
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FREE SCHOOL MEAL PAYMENTS
Tue 12 Jan 2021Free School Meal Payments
A payment will be made to the parents/ guardians of all children, including vulnerable children and children of key worker, who are entitled to Free Schools Meals for the period 4 January – 22 January.
The payment will be made into your nominated bank account on Friday, 15th January.
If EA does not have a nominated bank account, a cheque will be issued to you.
A date for further payments will be confirmed.
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LOOK the Children's Liturgy sheet for Sunday 10th January
Sun 10 Jan 2021LOOK the Children's Liturgy sheet for Sunday 10th January 2021. The Baptism of The Lord.
#ChildrensLiturgy #YoungChurch
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Arrangements for School Week commencing Monday 11th January 2021.
Fri 08 Jan 2021Arrangements for School Week commencing Monday 11th January 2021
How do I access supervised Learning in school?
Parents are required to complete an online form prior to your child’s first attendance at supervised learning next week. It is necessary to complete this online and submit your return. http://https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=-yeCOETeDkaBkAVAK4mNqKo8xt2B-ORItI5da9xtfAFUNFUzMTdOOUxEQTJZVzYwNlYxRlZNVzNaNy4u
We can only accept children of keyworkers or children who are deemed vulnerable into the school.
You must use the “Supervised Learning” Club on our SchoolMoney site to book your child into sessions for the week. AM/PM/Full day bookings are available. The booking must be made before 11.00pm each night to allow for the management of staff. We do not wish to bring staff into work unless it is essential that we do so.
What is “supervised learning” and who will be supervising?
Children will be supervised in one or more groups. They will complete the same activities in the course of the day as their peers at home. Children will be supervised by classroom assistants. Teachers will generally not be available for supervision in order to protect the online support they are giving all children. In accordance with DENI guidance there will be no face-to-face teaching at this time.
What does my child need to bring with them?
A warm coat for going outdoors. Snacks and drinks. A packed lunch. Their home learning pack and if possible, their own device for logging on to remote learning. These devices will be brought home each evening. The device should remain in the classroom throughout the day. We cannot accept responsibility for any damage which may happen so we ask you to remind your children to take good care of these devices. No-one else will have access to your child’s device except if they need adult assistance in logging on. You should ensure your child has their logon details for Seesaw, Bugclub or MyOn. Supervisors may not have easy access to these. Supervisors will assist your child log onto their online platforms each morning so they may access the remote learning as set by the class teacher.
Vouchers will be provided by the Education Authority to parents for any child eligible for Free School Meals therefore we have been advised by the Education Authority that there will be no canteen service.
What are arrival and pick –up times?
Those children who are attending school for supervised learning should arrive at 8.40am. Children P4-P7 should be dropped off and picked up from Gate A, adjacent to the assembly hall. P1-P3 children should arrive and be picked up from Gate B, the small pedestrian gate at the front of the school. Supervision will end each day at 1.40pm for children of P1 and P2. Supervision will end each day at 2.40pm for children from P3-P7. If you are a keyworker and you are collecting a child at 1.40pm it is advised that you take any older siblings home at that time too.
How do I get my next learning pack?
Learning Packs for P3-P7 may be collected between 10.30am and 11:15am, Monday 11th January from class entrance gates, P2 from front porch. As before, please wear a face covering and social distance when collecting these for your children.
General Information.
Teachers will be available to remotely to support your child’s learning for the duration of the school day. It may not always be possible to get back to you straight away so we would appreciate your patience. Please do not expect a response to queries outside of school hours as teachers have planning and assessment to attend to. It is neither practical nor necessary for teachers to mark and comment on every single piece of work your child uploads to SeeSaw.
Should any family have difficulty completing the work please contact the class teacher rather than remaining without support. We will do what we can to help you.
We are very aware of the logistical difficulties home learning can pose for parents. We acknowledge the possible pressures in some households as sibling vie for the use of technology. Please do not put yourself or your children under undue stress to complete activities. This time too shall pass. We want to support you wherever we can but guidance is sparse form the Department of Education and technological support from us to you is further limited this time by the fact that we need keep our iPads in school at present.
Breakfast Club will not resume until further notice. Stepping Stones will contact parents directly regarding their opening arrangements for their After School Club.
If you have any issues regarding your child’s well-being at this time please do not hesitate to contact kmccullagh955@c2kni.net or telephone 02870833010.
Thank you for all the messages of support teachers have received from parents. I thank my teaching staff and non-teaching staff for the long hours they have already put in from the start of the week . They too need to have regard for their mental health and work/life balance. This is a difficult and anxious time for everyone but if we all keep your children central in our minds and hearts we should not go too far wrong.
I would also like to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of our classroom assistants who are stepping up at this time to provide all supervised learning in school and extend my good wishes to all those who are at home isolating at this time.
Keep Safe Everyone,
Mrs Mc Cullagh
Principal
