CLUBS AND EVENTS

Some upcoming events and clubs ongoing at the Gaelscoil and Naíscoil.

Clubs= Monday ''Club Spraoi'' hurling/sports club P3-6, Templemore Sports Complex. Tuesday ''Club Ceoil'' music club P1 and 2, ''Club Mata'' math club P3-6. Wednesday Kickboxing P4-6, Computer Club P1-2. Gaelic games every Tuesday P3and4 up to Easter, P1 and 2 in last term.

Upcoming events= Quiz night fundraiser Rocking Chair Friday 18 February 9pm. Trip to Croke Park, Saturday 26 February. Coffee Morning 2 March, Community flat opposite school. St Patrick's parade art workshops both in nursery and primary school up to mid-March.

SUMMER FUN!!

This summer will see the second summer scheme in the Ballymagroarty area to be run through Irish. The summer camp will last from 26th- 30th July, Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm and will cater for gaelscoil children aged from 4 to 10 years through sport, art, trips and all sorts of fun and games.

The Gaelscoil is also looking forward to the official opening, at the end of the month, of the special garden, 'Gairdín An Fhathaigh', built by local volunteers during the school year for the pupils. It is also hoped that the Department of Education will complete the improvement works over the summer period on the school playgroup to make it suitable for the children in the new school year.

This was our first year fully funded and this has certainly made a big difference to our school. We would like to thank staff and friends of the school and most importantly, the families at Gaelscoil na Daróige for their help and support during the last year, and we look forward to seeing you all again in September. Enjoy the summer holidays!

A SPRING IN OUR STEP!

PIC: AFTERSCHOOL'S CLUB- CHILDREN LEARNING HURLING SKILLS

There are two great causes for celebration at the beginning of Spring with the re-opening of the nursery which was badly destroyed by flooding over the Christmas cold snap along with the launch of the after-school's club.

The children will have the opportunity to enjoy fun activities at the club ranging from sport and art to music and an environmental club through the Irish language. The club takes place Monday to Thursday after school, with some special trips being organised occassionally on a Friday also.

The nursery, Naíscoil Mhaol Íosa, re-opens in Febuary after an extensive refurbishment and we are sure that parents and children will be impressed when they see the all the changes.

The school's newsletter for Spring will be added to the comments' section below soon.

CHRISTMAS CHEER!

An exciting month is in store for the children this December. We will be singing as usual in the local Carol Service, travelling to Belfast for the Christmas panto 'An Fathach Santach' (The Greedy Giant), performing our own Christmas Show for parents and of course, having our Christmas dinner at the school.

We have much to celebrate this Christmas. With full government funding through this month, school meals and transport have started and new equipment and books have been ordered in. The Department's latest computers' sytem, C2K, is currently being installed as you read this. We would like to wish everyone associated with our school community a 'Nollaig Shona' merry Christmas and a happy new year.

This month's newsletter can be read by clicking 'comments' below.

CÉAD MÍLE FÁILTE!!

Gaelscoil na Daróige warmly welcomes the new families into our growing Irish language community here in Ballymagroarty and Springtown. The school filled every seat for P1 it was permitted to make available according to space by the department last year. The school's growth has its roots in the success of the nursery which was awarded 21 PEAG places this year and in its packed creche 2 year old programme which also has a waiting list.

Along with an increase in the pupil numbers, a new teacher was appointed over the summer and we are looking forward to her starting at the end of this month. Parents are advised to send in free meal and travel forms as soon as possible and are asked to continue with lunch boxes until the government decision on funding is finalised.

A copy of the text of this month's newsletter can be found by clicking 'comments' below.

FUN LEARNING ON THE FARM

The Gaelscoil's first ever summer scheme came to an end with the children exploring the new organic farm that has been established for families of Irish speaking children in Derry. They were able to learn about, plant and harvest various plants and vegtables as well as feed the hens, ducks and donkeys on site. Plots will be made available for children and families from the Irish Speaking community from this year and it is hoped that it will become an exciting and valuable new resource for Irish Medium Education.

SUMMER SCHEME

The Gaelscoil ran its first ever summer scheme this year, creating a veritable Gaeltacht in the heart of Springtown/Ballymagroarty for two whole weeks. The activities ranged from fun days to cultural trails and from a little farming to educational visits. The first week was enjoyed by the junior end of the school while the older children attending a second week packed with activities through the Irish language.