Newsletter 05.03.21 - Canal Way Educate Together National School, Dublin 8

Hello from Dermot

We had an online assembly this morning. We made provision for all of our community to attend, however we struggled to admit everyone for some reason. Apologies for those who did not gain entrance. You can find a recording for this assembly on our website –

LINK TO VIEW RECORDING OF ASSEMBLY HERE.

This month’s core value is Citizenship. Citizenship ties in nicely with our national holiday this month, and it is the first year we have citizenship as a monthly core value in CWETNS. We are citizens of our country and we are also global citizens. A good citizen makes strong and responsible decisions about their lives and are responsible for their lives and their community. Citizenship requires honesty, respect, empathy, responsibility and courage.

We are delighted to open our school to the junior classes, and the school is getting on very well. We look forward to opening our school soon for our older classes. Thank you to all the children who are continuing to learn at home and for your continued support.

Have a lovely weekend,

Beir Bua – Dermot

First week back

We had a very successful re-opening for Junior Infants — 2nd Class. It’s wonderful to see children and staff back at school and it’s really great to have such a full attendance. Once the date of March 15th for older classes has been confirmed by the Department of Education and Skills, we will be in touch about 3rd—6th class returning. In the meantime, stay safe.

The new start time of 08:30 – 08:45 is working well. Thank you to all families for getting to school on time! Please remember to wear a face covering in the yard at drop off and pick up and to adhere to distancing guidelines at all times.

Photography Competition

CLICK HERE TO VIEW WINNERS HERE

We had nearly 150 entries and the standard was so high and it was gorgeous to see everyone explore the beauty within their 5km! Our judges were CanalWay staff member Séan and two very talented Canal way parents; photographer Angie Pappas Constable and artist & curator Michelle Browne.

The three judges poured over all of the entries and struggled to pick winners but finally decisions were made. The winners prizes are as follows: a dinosaur planter from Little Green Dublin and a book token for the junior and Senior categories. A one4all voucher and some grownup grape juice for the Adult category! There are also two small runners up prizes for the children’s categories.

Drumroll please!

Our winner of the adult category is PHYLLIS SEALE FOYNES..congratulations! The judges were all instantly taken and moved by this photo of a girl flying over towards a river at night-time. They thought it was a very creative take on the theme and loved the expression of youthful joy and possibility.

A special mention here from Séan who also loved DAIRE’s entry. All of the judges agreed they would love to be in that canoe and were taken by the freedom and the spontaneity of this capture.

The runner up of our Senior Category is CILLIAN. Congratulations Cillian, you captured an iconic Dublin sea and beautiful skyscape!

The winner of the Senior Category is GUS. The judges loved the composition of this black and white shot and were blown away by the varying tones and contrast. They loved how the hard lines of the laneway led up to a tree and felt a sense of hope from it. Séan described this one as ‘slick’!

Runner up of our Juniors category is OMAR. Beautiful composition and very creative! The winner of Juniors is JASPER! Well done Jasper! The judges were unanimous with this choice. Magnificent eye for composition and symmetry. The ripples and reflections on the canal were beautifully captured!

Congratulations to all! Huge thanks to all the outstanding entries…we couldn’t believe how high the standard was! Every photo was fantastic!

Thanks also to our talented judges for their time! We know that you didn’t have an easy job on your hands with all those amazing entries.

Upcoming holidays

St. Patrick’s day school closed

St Patrick’s day is coming up, remember the school closed that day, 17th March only. Once again the parade has been cancelled, but there is a really good offer here https://www.stpatricksfestival.ie/

Spring Holidays

School will close on the 26th March at 11:50am for Junior & Senior Infants and 12:00 for all other classes. We will reopen on April 12th with our staggered arrival time of 08:30 – 08:45am.

Ice Art

In February, our Senior Infants class created amazing Ice Art!

Using rainwater, and objects found in natures such as leaves, flowers and shells, the pupils froze it all in their freezers and the outcome is so lovely!

Wellbeing on CWETNS website

As the level 5 lockdown continues, it’s so important that we look after ourselves and those around us. We have some Wellbeing ideas for you on our website.

Getting to know you… Eavan

What is the funniest thing you’ve ever done?

Honestly, participating in the masterpiece that was our staff performance of Riverdance in the school yard in June 2019 is right up there!

What makes you feel proud?

My family

What makes you happy?

Now more than ever the simple things – a nice coffee, cosy fluffy socks, Friday nights at home with a fire lit.

What’s the best thing that has happened to you lately?

We had our first Christmas where we stayed in our house rather than travelling to family and even though we were a bit sad that we couldn’t do our usual thing we really had the loveliest time.

What do you do when you feel sad?

I talk to my family. I am quite good at crying now too and letting it all out makes me feel better!

What are your hobbies?

Gardening, baking and watching dreadful shows on Netflix.

If they made a movie about you, who would play you?

Drew Barrymore

What will we never see you doing?

A bungee jump or a skydive – never, ever, ever, ever.

What is your least favourite food?

Steak & Kidney Pie – I ate it once on Arranmore Island after a very bumpy boat journey and I’ve never been able to face it since.

Beach or Mountains?

Beach, but I would happily climb a mountain within my 5km if there was one.

What are you afraid of?

Stairs with gaps in between the steps and rodents.

Bottle Cap Drop Off- Wednesday 11/03 8.30-9.45

A parent in Amy’s Senior Infants class is organising a bottle top collection. The bottle tops can be milk, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, ketchup, coffee — any plastic bottle top. This is to help a family in Poland purchase a wheelchair for their son Kamil. He was left paralysed after an accident in a water park.

There will be boxes on the garden benches as you pass through the school on Thursday during drop off. There will be 3 seperate boxes on the benches so please keep your distance when doing so. Thank you!!

PARENTING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

We have been sent this list by a community member and parent. We believe the courses below will be of use to some if not all of our families during the challenges of lock-down and the COVID pandemic. Please consider carving out the time to engage with these if you think they will be of help.

Free online workshops for parents

Supporting your Child’s Mental Health during the Covid crisis
A free workshop with John Sharry for parents of children aged 2 to 12 years.
Monday 8th March 2021 (7-8pm online via Zoom)

With lockdown and school closures, the Covid-19 crisis has disrupted family life and negatively impacted the mental health of young children and their parents. During this workshop, Professor Sharry will provide some practical principles on how you can cultivate your children’s well-being and resilience in the face of these challenges. To book your place, please complete this form.
Supporting your Teenager’s Mental Health during the Covid crisis
A free workshop with John Sharry for parents of children aged 13 to 18 years.
Monday 15th March 2021 (7-8pm online via Zoom)

With the loss of school and the social world that is so important to their development, teenagers have been acutely impacted by the Covid crisis. During this workshop, Professor Sharry will provide some practical principles on how you can cultivate your teenager’s well-being and resilience in the face of these challenges. To book your place, please complete this form.

Parents Plus partner with Parent Line

Parents Plus are delighted to be working in partnership with Parentline to deliver four online parenting courses, which are open to the public, and starting in early April.

The online parenting courses include:

Parents Plus Early Years Course (1-6 year old’s), starting on Monday 12th April, 8 – 10p.m.
Parents Plus Children’s Course (6-11 year old’s), starting on Tuesday 13th April, 7:30 – 9:30p.m.
Parents Plus Adolescent Course (12-17 year old’s), starting on Wednesday 14th April, 7:30 – 9:30p.m.
Parents Plus Parenting when Separated Course, starting Thursday 15th April, 7:30 – 9:30p.m.

All the courses are run over six weeks by accredited Parents Plus Facilitators to a small group of about 15 parents.
The facilitators will also meet with parents individually online prior to the course starting.

Cost
€120 for two parents attending from the same household, which includes the course book. Discounts are also available for parents who cannot afford these costs.

Book your place
For more details and to book your place, visit Parent Line
at www.parentline.ie/courses

You are welcome to share this information with your colleagues, families and services that you work with.

Invitation to attend FREE online introduction

As professionals working with families and young people, we would like to invite you to attend our FREE online introductions to the Parents Plus

Working Things Out Programme: 25th March, 3p.m. – 4p.m.
Early Years Programme: 26th March, 10a.m. – 11a.m.
Children’s Programme: 13th April, 10a.m. – 11a.m.

To attend your FREE introduction, register here

Online Parenting & Mental Health Programme Training

Find out more about each of our evidence based, solution focused programmes, and how they will improve outcomes for the families and young people that you work with here