If your child is due to start pre-school or primary school in September 2021, you can apply online between 12.00 noon on 7 January 2021 and 12.00 noon on 29 January 2021.

Please note that places are not allocated on a first come, first served basis and applications will only be considered after the closing date. Further information is available on the EA website under the Admissions section at https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions

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LOOK the Children's Liturgy sheet for the Second Sunday of Christmas. 🙏⛪

Dear Parents,

I hope you all had a peaceful Christmas and I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

I am sure you are all aware of the announcement made by Mr Weir on Thursday 31st December that Primary Schools are to remain closed until 11th January 2021. This is not the start any of us would have wished for at the beginning of a new term, however, we all recognise that the health and safety of the children, staff and all of our families is paramount.

Direction was slow in coming from the Executive to principals, after 6.30pm last night to be precise, so this last minute decision making has been far from ideal. I wish to reassure you that the school will be open on Tuesday 5th January in accordance with guidance:

• The first day of the normal school term will be used to prepare for the rest of the week.
• Primary school pupils will be taught remotely until Friday 8 January, after which they will attend school for face-to-face teaching.
• Childcare settings including those attached to schools, pre-school facilities, nurseries and special schools will be open as usual;

• Schools will accommodate vulnerable children and the children of key workers from January 5th 2021 for supervised learning.
 

Further clarity on the definition of key workers and children who are deemed as vulnerable can be found on separate document Am I a key worker, is my child vulnerable ... https://primarysite-prod-sorted.s3.amazonaws.com/st-colums-primary-school/UploadedDocument/2e5265069fdb4500882df09f3d233c62/am-i-a-key-worker-is-my-child-vulnerable.pdf

Furthermore we recognise that this is a particularly stressful time for parents and children who may be preparing for GL or AQE assessments and we want to assure you we will continue to support those pupils online or in face to face learning as appropriate. Please contact me directly via email to discuss a way forward. (kmccullagh955@c2kni.net)

In order to manage the logistics of this I would appreciate if those of you who require to send your child/children to school for all or a part of next week, would reply to a text message I will send out on Saturday morning, as I can then compile a list of expected attendees.

As the guidance has indicated Monday 4th January is to be used by teachers for planning and preparation for the week ahead.  I will contact you all again on Monday to notify you of the arrangements for online/blended learning. I will keep you informed of any further developments. In the meantime we will all work together to support your children and hopefully look forwards to welcoming them back in person the following week. 

Yours faithfully

Mrs KS McCullagh
Principal

Happy New Year to our school community for a new year of health and happiness. Many thanks for all your help and support in 2020.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

Best wishes to our school community for a happy, peaceful Christmas and a New Year of health and happiness! 🎄 We hope Santa was good to everyone! 🎅

Dear Parents,

As the Autumn term 2020/21 draws to a close I would like to thank all of you, children, Staff and the Board of Governors of our school for your understanding, cooperation and on-going efforts this term to support and keep our children safe throughout this challenging time. It has been a delight to see the children responding with such confidence and enthusiasm to a “new normal” in our school. They have shown tremendous resilience in the face of this pandemic and everyone here at St. Colum’s has been doing their utmost to support them.

I commend all Staff on their tireless efforts to adjust and adapt to a new style of classroom management, teaching and learning. They have been fastidious in their efforts to ensure the children have been kept as safe as possible throughout this term whilst engaging with them in new learning experiences.

The classrooms have been buzzing with Christmas activities, decorations and music throughout December. We even had a surprise visit from Santa who very generously delivered a lovely gift for each child in the school. The children from P1-P5 were chatting with Santa at the North Pole today using Zoom and I hope he makes a visit to all of your homes on Christmas Eve.

Pope Francis said “God never gives someone a gift they are not capable of receiving. If he gives us the gift of Christmas it is because we all have the ability to understand and receive it.”

Let us all remember the true meaning of Christmas as told to you all in the Carol Service P5-P7, The Nativities and songs from classes P1-P4, and our Joint Carol Service with Portstewart Primary School.

On Behalf of the Board of Governors and all Staff in the school I wish all our families a very safe, blessed and Happy Christmas and look forward to welcoming everyone back safely on 5th January 2021 to a new term.

Mrs K S Mc Cullagh,

Principal

Congratulations to all our PTA Christmas Raffle Winners. We hope you enjoy your prizes (we will deliver them bu end of the week). Many thanks to everyone for your support for this fundraiser, raising £1085 towards PTA funds.

And a huge THANK YOU to all those who donated raffle prizes.

PTA Christmas Raffle Prizewinners

Adrian Margey Print… Maiya McCann

Moores Pamper Hamper... Maitui Marlow

Homemakers Voucher… Dea Mollova

Fidela Coffee Hamper… Nuala McCorriston

Mens Grooming Set… Sofia McAlorum

Morellis Voucher… Niamh McGowan

Doodles Craft Hamper… Jarlath Harley

Amazin’ Grazin’ Hamper… Eleanora Margey

Roe & Co Whiskey… Roise Harper

Joey Dunlop Print… Jude Mullan

Bayliss & Harding Set… Schira McGoldrick

Candle Set… Alex White

Wine & Crackers… Jamie McAlorum

Handbag and Toiletries… Erin Corrigan Murphy

Reed Diffuser… Ellen McAlary

Soaps… Grace Trolan

Bath bombs… Grace Trolan

Crackers & Selection Box… Alice McLaughlin

Bumper Sharpies Pack… Caroline Richards

REMINDER TO ALL PARENTS AND CARERS

REMINDER:  Term ends this Friday, 18th December.

School will finish at 11:50am for P1, P3, P5, P7 and 12noon for P2, P4, P6.  And it's a non-uniform day! 

Please note there will be no Break Hatch on Friday. 

It's almost time for the PTA Christmas Raffle!

Tickets cost £5 each and are available from THE SHOP on SchoolMoney.

Draw will take place on Wednesday 16th December.

PRIZES include...

Adrian Margey Limited Edition signed & framed print
(54x43cm incl. frame)

Moore’s Pamper Hamper worth over £250
(includes perfume, skincare, home fragrance)

Homemakers Voucher £50

Fidela Coffee Hamper

Morelli’s Voucher £20

Joey Dunlop Print by Nigel Allison

Male Grooming Set

Amazin' Grazin' Bake at Home Pack

Doodles Art Hamper

Fragrance Set
 

And more!

If you have any difficulties accessing SchoolMoney, please contact the office on 02870833010.

Many thanks for your continued support.

St. Colum's PTA