Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT

  Fri 17 Jul 2020

  Help us take natures pulse by joining the Big Butterfly Count.

   

  The Big Butterfly Count survey is aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment simply by counting the amount and type of butterflies (and some day-flying moths) we see.

   

  How to take part...

   

  * Download the handy butterfly ID chart or free app for iOS and Android to identify and record the butterflies you spot.

   

  * Between Friday 17 July and Sunday 9 August choose a place to spot butterflies and moths. Watch for 15 minutes. Then record which species you see.

   

  * Add your counts here on the website or via the app and look at our fascinating interactive map to see how your data is contributing to conservation science and research.

   

  Find our more at https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

  

• LIBRARIES NI SILLY SQUAD SUMMER READING CHALLENGE

  Wed 08 Jul 2020

  Libraries NI is calling on children to become part of their Silly Squad for the digital Silly Squad, Summer Reading Challenge 2020.

  
  The Challenge is going online this year. Silly Squad is a celebration of funny books, happiness and laughter and is a free, exciting way to keep young people aged 4 - 11 years reading during the summer months.
  The Challenge will be delivered through a fun, immersive and safe online platform and children can sign up for FREE here​... https://summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/

   

  The aim is to encourage children to challenge themselves to read any number of books which makes them happy, in digital or print format, an eBook borrowed from the Libraries NI online catalogue or books they already have at home.

   

  Throughout the summer there will be online activities, videos, quizzes, games and rewards to unlock along the way. Every child who completes their own Challenge will receive a downloadable certificate.

  

• Free School Meals/Uniform Allowance 2020/21 Online Application from today.

  Wed 08 Jul 2020

  Claimants who are currently in receipt of support for the 2019/20 year should have received a pre-populated form for the 2020/21 year which must be completed and returned as soon as possible. 

   

  New applicants will be able to apply online via EA website from today, Wednesday 8th July, on the following link https://freeschoolmealsanduniforms.eani.org.uk/

   

  If you are unable to apply online, please download a form from... https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/Meals%20and%20Uniform%20app%20for%20website%202021.pdf

  Guidance Notes...https://www.eani.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-07/Meals%20and%20Uniform%20Notes%20for%20website%202021.pdf

   

  Please endeavour to complete and return your application as soon as possible with any supporting documentation as it may take up to 6 weeks to process your application.

   

  

• CHILDRENS' STORYTIME WITH LIBRARIES NI

  Mon 06 Jul 2020

  Another fabulous selection of Children's Storytimes this week with Libraries NI, tune in from 2.30pm - 3.00pm every weekday.. https://bit.ly/lnichildrensstories

   

   

  

• Free School Meals/Uniform Allowance 2020/21

  Mon 06 Jul 2020

   

  Claimants who are currently in receipt of support for the 2019/20 year will shortly receive a pre-populated form for the 2020/21 year which must be completed and returned as soon as possible. 

   

  New applicants will be able to apply online via EA website from Wednesday 8th July.

   

  Please endeavour to complete and return your application as soon as possible with any supporting documentation as it may take up to 6 weeks to process your application.

   

   

  

• NEW SCHOOL DAY GUIDANCE

  Tue 30 Jun 2020

  Dear Parents and Guardians,

   

  Please see our current plans for our new school day beginning in August 2020. Please note this document is subject to change. https://www.stcolumsprimaryschool.co.uk/new-school-day-guidance-august-2020/

   

  We wish you all a relaxing, safe, restful and enjoyable summer break.

   

  Thank you to all our families, PTA and wider school community for all their support and good wishes throughout a very different school year. We really appreciate it. 

   

  Best wishes to Miss Plant who is leaving us. Many thanks for the contribution she has made to life at St. Colum’s and we wish her well for the future. We will miss her! 

   

  To our Primary 7 class... what a great bunch... best wishes to them as they continue their adventures in their new schools. Work hard and dream big! 

   

  Looking forward to seeing you in August.

   

  Take care. Keep Safe.

   

  Mrs McCullagh & Staff of St. Colum’s

  

• FIRST HOLY COMMUNION – A Note For Parents

  Sun 28 Jun 2020

  FIRST HOLY COMMUNION – A Note For Parents

   

  With the resumption of Sunday Masses we have the possibility of attending to the children who have been prepared for the reception of their first Holy Communion. If your child was ready to make their First Holy Communion last May, please choose one of the Sunday Masses and a date (starting 1st August), and contact Fr. Austin. Fr. Austin will get back to you and confirm or adjust your arrangement.

   

  Due to the current restrictions on the number who can attend Mass (50) please restrict your guest list to a maximum of ten. The number of children at each Mass will also have to be restricted to three.

   

  Contact details for Fr. Austin McGirr PP

  t: 0287083 2534

  e: pp@portstewartparish.co.uk

• RESULTS OF CONSULTATION ON FRAMEWORK DOCUMENT "for the return to the public celebration of Masses and the sacraments”

  Sun 28 Jun 2020

  The Irish Bishops issued a framework document “for the return to the public celebration of Masses and the sacraments” and our diocese has put it out for discussion in clergy conferences, Parish Pastoral Councils and the NI executive.

   

  The result of the consultation is as follows. Our first priority is the obligation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all people. The obligation to attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days remains suspended. You are discouraged from attending Mass more than once a week. We have our Covid-19 Committee of seven who have met. We will have public Mass for 50 parishioners recommencing next Saturday 4th July at 5.00pm, Sunday at 10.00am and 7.00pm. Weekday Mass will continue according to the schedule below from Monday 6th July. If you wish to attend any Mass please book beforehand by contacting the PP by phone, or by email. There can be no “block booking” (“we’ll be there every Saturday at 5”). Members of the same household are permitted to sit together without the need to observe 2 metre distancing. Please follow the direction of the stewards (we have eleven). Regarding the toilets being open during Mass: please notify the PP if you think you will have need of the toilet during Mass. A steward will always be available to open in an emergency. The toilet will remain closed for five minutes after use and otherwise remain closed.

   

  Due to the spread of droplets there will be no singing at Mass. Our projector will be used for the words of the Gloria and Creed, so there will be no need for missaletes. In order to keep the length of the celebrations to a minimum Priests are advised by the bishop to keep the Prayer of the Faithful and homilies short. During the distribution of Holy Communion, the celebrant will wear a visor. Holy Communion will only be distributed in the hand. We can leave the church by both doors, just as we can enter by both doors. Please observe social distancing outside before and after Mass.

   

  Despite all these terms and conditions those involved in these decisions are delighted that we’re taking this step towards normality and are able to welcome back our faithful and patient parishioners to the summit and source of our religious life. 

   

  Please contact Fr Austin(pp@portstewartparish.co.uk) or Emer O’Keefe (portstewartpastoralcouncil@gmail.com) if you can volunteer as a steward or as a member of the cleanup squad (we have six). A big thank you to all who volunteered. Your generous gift of commitment and time is greatly appreciated.

• COLLECTION OF BELONGINGS AND LOST PROPERTY

  Fri 26 Jun 2020

  Pupil belongings, books and lost property will be available for collection from the Assembly Hall next week, WEDNESDAY 1ST JULY - FRIDAY 3RD JULY, 10am-1pm. Please observe social distancing guidelines when collecting.📚👕👖👗🎒👞👟⚽🏐🎻🎺 😀

• FRIDAY ART CLASS WITH ADRIAN MARGEY

  Wed 24 Jun 2020

  Final Friday Art Class of the term at 10am this Friday, 26th June, with Adrian Margey Art.🖌🎨🖼 Most suitable for ages seven and up!

   

  Join in on Adrian's Facebook page or if you miss it in the morning, catch up later on on Adrian's YouTube channel.

  
  We can't wait to see your paintings of The White Rocks, Portrush.📷 Please send photos to our page or email to stcolumsoffice186@c2kni.net