Latest News
Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in St Colmcille's PS
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Carrickmore Youth Centre: Jumping Clay programme
Fri 05 Mar 2021Carrickmore Youth Centre are offering a new 4 week Jumping Clay programme for young people aged 5-8 years old online via zoom. Over the course of the 4 week programme young people will take part in fun, engaging and creative online sessions where they will enjoy making and moulding jumping clay figures.
The aim for this programme is to encourage young people to become more creative and to focus on positive well-being and mental health.
There will be two groups for this programme with alternative time slots to choose from. This programme will be starting on Friday 12th March:Session one from 5.30 - 6.30 pm and Session two from 7 - 8 pm.
Please note there are limited spaces available for this programme and applicants with be accepted on a first come, first served basis.
If you would like to register your child/young person for this programme, please complete the registration form using the following link;
https://ruddye.wufoo.com/forms/carrickmore-youth-centre-jumping-clay-programme/<https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fruddye.wufoo.com%2fforms%2fcarrickmore-youth-centre-jumping-clay-programme%2f&c=E,1,jDqHC04n9dasf-0oCOYiJwrrNJwTJPqIC24jLwP5QmMbkOnuxKXHROqfDWhTdCPpT4vmahUFKg6n3U5DL5WE-RGC0_bKd97NAbA89sxNbAY,&typo=1>
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March newsletter available
Mon 01 Mar 2021Please use this link to access the latest newsletter.
https://www.stcolmcillescarrickmore.co.uk/stream/newsletters/full/1/-//
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Parents’ Survey: Remote Learning, Key worker support and Engage programme: Summary
Mon 01 Mar 2021A special thank you to all the parents who responded to our second online survey about Remote Learning, Key worker support and Engage programme. As a school, we took stock of the views of different partners during the first lockdown and put revised strategies in place to support the children through remote and connected activities since January.
Please see the summary of parents’ responses to the recent survey. We really appreciate the many positive statements about parents’ appreciation for the commitment of staff for remote learning, keyworker support and the Engage programme. The survey represents a very strong endorsement of the:
- school’s remote learning strategy,
- targeted nature of individualised programmes of work for children of different abilities,
- balance between pre-prepared written packs and online guidance and tutorials via Seesaw,
- high quality communication between teachers and parents,
- creative strategies used to keep children motivated,
- support for keyworker families as well as SEN and children with special circumstances,
- consideration for underachieving children through the engage programme.
The survey also highlights that:
- Internet connectivity remains a significant issue for over 27% of our families. This has increased from 12% in the first survey. Perhaps this is because expectations have increased or we are using video links more which exposes the extent of the connection issues locally,
- access to devices remains an issue for 20% of families, however, this has decreased from 31% in the previous survey,
- parents report that 63% of children are coping well with the restrictions of the lockdown, this is lower than the previous survey when 79% were coping well with the restrictions.
- over 50% of parents feel that their children require less help from them during this second lockdown because of the support from teachers,
There was praise also for the quality of teachers’ feedback and different views about the potential for ‘live’ sessions. There is a longing for the return to face-to-face’ teaching by everyone and a number of suggestions about how we can further improve our online learning strategies should the period of remote learning be extended.
There were many supportive comments from parents with the following words used frequently: outstanding, amazing, excellent, fantastic, supportive, well-though out, phenomenal, brilliant and absolute professionalism.’
There was praise also for the quality of teachers’ feedback and different views about the potential for ‘live’ sessions, a longing for the return to face-to-face’ teaching, are a number of suggestions should the period of remote learning be extended.
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Remote learning Packs: Collection Fri 5th February
Thu 04 Feb 2021Dear parents
Return of completed work and collection of 3rd pack: Congratulations to you and your children for completing the second pack of work. Having checked the returned packs and uploaded work, it’s clear that with your help and staff support, the children are progressing really well through their work. We encourage you to continue with this fantastic effort until 5th March. We ask that you:-
- Please place the completed worksheets and reading books in your child’s labelled ‘Pack 2’ folder and return to the teacher’s ‘Return box’ on Friday 5th February and.
- Collect the 3rd set of learning packs. We’d appreciate if you would use the suggested time for collection:
Surnames
Time slots
Surnames
Time slots
A to F
1.00 pm to 1.45 pm
P to S
3.15 pm to 4.00 pm
G to L
1.45 pm to 2.30 pm
T to Z
4.00 pm to 4.45 pm
M to O
2.30 pm to 3.15 pm
After 4.45 pm, packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.
- Foundation Stage & KS1: Please return and collect packs at the covered area in the playground.
- Key Stage 2: Children return previous pack and collect the new packs in the child’s classroom using emergency doors, where they can select additional ‘Accelerated Reading’ books. KS2 teachers will send further details via seesaw.
Engage programme: Children participating in the Engage programme have enough work in their packs to keep them busy until after the Mid-term break. Mrs Corey is supporting this group via Seesaw and small group sessions.
Fitness with a football and Movement and Music: We would like to thank An Charraig Mhor GFC for funding a four-week programme of online PE Classes for P2 - P7 children in the school.
- Children can participate in lessons in "Fitness with a football" on Tuesdays from 9th Feb with Rory Burns.
P2-P3:- 10.00 am - 10.30 am; P4-P5:- 10.40 am- 11.10 am and P6-P7:- 11.20 am- 11.50 am.
- "Movement and Music" on Thursdays from 11th Feb led by Erin Kelly.
P2-P4:- 10.00 am - 10.45 am and P5-P7:- 11.00 am- 11.45 am.
- Parents will be informed about the links to the sessions through seesaw on Monday 8th Feb.
Mid-term Break: Everyone deserves a well-earned Mid-term break from Mon. 15th to Fri. 19th Feb, we ask that the children complete Week 1 of their new pack, take a week’s break then recommence remote learning on Mon 22nd Feb.
Provisional dates for Sacramental Celebrations in St Colmcille’s Church 2021
Sat. 15th May at 11.00am - First Holy Communion and Sat. 12th June at 1.00pm and 3.00pm – Confirmation.
Post-Primary Admissions: Applications for admissions to Post-Primary can be completed online this year from 1st to 16th March. Information is available at https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions/post-primary-admissions-guide
Parents’ Feedback Survey
I'm seeking parents’ views about remote learning and the keyworker support scheme. I’d particularly like to know what’s going well, what challenges you face and what you'd like to see improved in relation to: Internet connectivity; Access to computer/ iPad etc; Challenges associated with remote learning and the use of Seesaw. You will receive a message with a direct link to the survey. If you have difficulty accessing the link, please contact me and an alternative link will be provided. If you have more than one child in the school, please complete a separate survey for each child.
In the interim, keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times. If you would like further clarification on any aspect of the school’s provision, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Peter Cush
Principal
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Remote learning Packs: Collection Fri 22nd January
Wed 20 Jan 2021Dear parents
Return of completed work and collection of 2nd pack: Congratulations to you and your children for completing the first pack of work. Anecdotal feedback suggests that the vast majority of children are progressing well through their work. Staff are responding terrifically to this model of facilitating learning, supporting children at home remotely and key worker children in the school. We encourage you to continue with this mammoth effort.
We ask that you
- Please place the completed worksheets and reading books in your child’s labelled ‘Pack 1’ folder and return to the teacher’s ‘Return box’ on Friday 22nd Jan and.
- Collect the 2nd set of learning packs. We’d appreciate if you would use the suggested time for collection:
Surnames
Time slots
A to F
1.00 pm to 1.45 pm
G to L
1.45 pm to 2.30 pm
M to O
2.30 pm to 3.15 pm
P to S
3.15 pm to 4.00 pm
T to Z
4.00 pm to 4.45 pm
After 4.45 pm, packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00 pm.
Foundation Stage & KS1:
Please return and collect packs at the covered area in the playground;
Key Stage 2:
Children return and collect packs in the child’s classroom using emergency doors, where they can select additional ‘Accelerated Reading’ books. KS2 teachers will send further details via seesaw.
Engage programme:
We are providing some additional learning opportunities for some children through the ‘Engage’ programme which is supported by Mrs Corey.
Admissions:
Please remember that the closing date for admissions is Thursday 29 January 2021.
To apply go online on the Education Authority’s (EA) website: https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions
Catholic Schools’ week:
The theme of Catholic Schools’ week which begins on Sunday 24th January is ‘Communities of Faith and Resilience’. This lockdown has certainly tested both our faith and resilience. I’d like to thank Mrs Donnelly for organising a special online assembly which will be broadcast on Monday 25th January. Further details will be sent via Seesaw.
In the interim, keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times. If you would like further clarification on any aspect of the school’s provision, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Peter Cush
Principal
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REMOTE LEARNING
Wed 06 Jan 20216th January 2021
Dear parents
It is with deep regret that we enter the second period of lockdown and acknowledge that this is a stressful time for everyone especially those trying to balance work and caring responsibilities with home-schooling. The guidelines from DE are changing daily but we will provide updates as the circumstances change. We aim to support your children through this period by building on the many positive aspects of the previous period of remote learning. To that end, we will:
- Provide fortnightly printed packs with clearly labelled Literacy and Numeracy work for each day and Nursery children will receive weekly activity suggestions from Miss McElduff;
- Share Reading books to specific year groups which will be exchanged each fortnight;
- Post weekly schedules of work and daily instructions on Seesaw;
- Support children through new concepts using tutorials and video messages, as appropriate;
- Be available each day from 9.00am to 3.30pm via Seesaw for online support.
- Respond to children’s work with praise and ideas for further learning.
- Support keyworker children who have no alternative provision and vulnerable children. These children should bring their learning packs and packed lunches to school every day. School transport for key workers’ children is available at present but this may change.
- Provide additional learning opportunities for children with Specific Literacy difficulties through the ‘Engage’ programme.
We ask that parents:
- Collect the first set of learning packs from the school on Friday 8th January from the covered area in the playground. To facilitate social-distancing, we have allocated times for collection:
Surnames
Time slots
A to F
9.00 am to 10.00 am
G to L
10.00 am to 11.00 am
M to O
11.00 am to 12.00 noon
P to S
1.00 pm to 2.00 pm
T to Z
2.00 pm to 3.00 pm
Open session
3.00 pm to 5.00 pm
After 5.00pm, packs will be available in the school's reception hall until 9.00pm.
- Share your child’s progress at home via photos and videos;
- Return worksheets and reading books to the school at the end of the two-weekly block when collecting the next work pack;
- Don’t stress or worry if your child isn’t engaging well with the work sent home or if you feel we are bombarding you with work that you don’t have time to look at.
- Look after yourselves and minimize stress as much as possible.
In the interim, keep safe and thank you for your continued support in these most challenging times. If you would like further clarification on any aspect of the school’s provision, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Peter Cush
Principal
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Minister announces revised plans for reopening schools in January
Thu 31 Dec 2020Dear parents
I hope you and your families had a happy and peaceful Christmas and I wish you a safe, healthy and prosperous new year.
This morning, Thursday 31st December, the Education Minister announced revised plans for the reopening of schools after the Christmas break. As a result of this revision, St Colmcille's arrangements for the new year are as follows.
- Primary 1 - 7 & Rang 1 - 7 pupils will be taught remotely on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th January and will return to school for face-to-face teaching on Monday 11th January.
- The school's Nursery and Naíscoil Cholmcille will open as usual on Thursday 7th January;
- We will accommodate vulnerable children and the children of key workers on Thursday 7th & Friday 8th January.
The Department of Education has provided clarification about the definition for key worker and vulnerable children (see lists below this letter) and the level of support provided.
- A child of a key worker has been defined as a child for whom at least one parent is a key worker.
- Children who qualify as vulnerable or key workers' children will be in school for 'supervised learning'. This is not face-to-face teaching; this is being supervised and doing the same activities as children who are at home.
If you feel that you or your child falls into either of these categories and you would like to avail of support on Thursday 7th and Friday 8th Jan. please send an email to me at pcush286@c2kni.net before 10.00 am on Monday 4th Jan outlining:
- Parent's name/s
- Child/children's names and classes
- Reason for applying for key worker/vulnerable children support. e.g.
- Parent is key worker because ......
- Child has a Statement of SEN.
We aim to ensure that children are supported with minimal disruption to their education while safeguarding our whole school community. Teachers will also be contacting you with specific information about the arrangements for their classes.
Best wishes
Peter Cush
Principal
Definition of key workers:
- Health and Social Care. This includes doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, social workers, home carers and staff required to maintain our health and social care sector;
- Education and childcare. This includes pre-school and teaching staff, social workers and those specialist education professionals who will remain active during the Covid-19 response;
- Public safety and national security. This includes civilians and officers in the police (including key contractors), Fire and Rescue Service, prison service and other national security roles;
- Transport. This will include those keeping air, water, road and rail transport modes operating during the Covid-19 response;
- Utilities, and Communication. This includes staff needed for oil, gas, electricity and water (including sewage) and primary industry supplies to continue during the Covid-19 response, as well as key staff in telecommunications, post and delivery, banking and waste disposal;
- Financial Services - This includes staff needed for essential financial services provision (including but not limited to workers in banks, building societies and financial market infrastructure);
- Food and other necessary goods. This includes those involved in food production, processing, distribution and sale, as well as those essential to the provision of other key goods (e.g. hygiene, medical, etc.);
- Retail. This includes those workers who have been working throughout the pandemic in food retail, for example, and will now extend to those working in other retail businesses permitted to operate by the Executive from June 2020;
- Other workers essential to delivering key public services such as the National Crime Agency; and
- Key national and local government including those administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the Covid-19 response.
Vulnerable Children: What is the definition of “vulnerable”?
The term “vulnerable” encompasses those children who are in need of protection, or in need, as defined by the Children (NI) Order 1995. Children in need may include those:
- A child who has an assigned social worker because he or she is a child in need, in need of protection (or on the child protection register) or is a looked after child.
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A child in need includes young carers, children with disabilities, and children living in families where there is domestic abuse, substance abuse, and / or mental health difficulties.
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A child who is receiving support from, or has been referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).
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A child who has a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN), a child who is accessing EOTAS, or a child who normally accesses Education Nurture Units.
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A child who is ‘on-the-edge’ of receiving support from children’s social services.
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A child who is in need, including in need of protection, but whose need is not known to statutory services.
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A child who is not known to statutory or voluntary and community support services but who is vulnerable because their family is under increased pressure due to Covid-19 related circumstances.
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A child who has been placed for adoption.
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A massive £4,600 raised with £2,300 presented to St Vincent de Paul: WELL DONE EVERYONE
Thu 31 Dec 2020Well done to everyone who participated in this year’s special event. We’ve now walked, ran, skipped or cycled around the coastline of Ireland multiple times to raise funds for St Vincent de Paul and school funds. A massive £4,600 was raised with a cheque for £2,300 being presented to SVP representatives; Mrs Marie Donavan and Miss Brigid Kerr and a similar amount going to school funds. We'd like to thank Mrs Donnelly for her imagination in organising of this event.
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COVID-19 update
Fri 18 Dec 2020Dear parents
The school's first case of pupil with Covid 19 was confirmed today, Friday 18th December 2020.We have informed all parents whose children have been identified as 'Close contacts' of the pupil.
What is a Close Contact?
Close contacts are people who had direct face to face contact within one metre of a person who has tested positive for any length of time, including a face to face conversation, being coughed on or having direct physical contact (skin-to-skin). People who spent more than 15 continuous minutes within two metres of the infected person are also close contacts.
If your child has been identified as a close contact, please read the letter using the link below.
https://www.stcolmcillescarrickmore.co.uk/covid-19-confirmed-case-letter-to-parents/
Unfortunately, children who are close contacts should stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the last contact with the case, which is up to and including 25th December 2020. This is not the Christmas we had hoped for but we pray that we will all get through this difficult time.
For more information, about Covid 19, please use the link below
https://www.stcolmcillescarrickmore.co.uk/covid-19/
In the event that your child, who is a pupil at St. Colmcille's, should test positive for COVID-19 up to Sunday 20th December 2020 or if you have any concerns you would like to discuss about Covid 19, please email me at pcush286@c2kni.net marking your email 'URGENT COVID-19' and I will make contact with you.
Wishing you and your families a safe, happy and peaceful Christmas, with God’s blessings for 2021.
Peter Cush
Principal
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Omagh Library: Christmas Rhythm & Rhyme
Wed 16 Dec 2020Omagh Library presents Christmas Rhythm and Rhyme by Zoom on Wed 23rd December at 11.00am.
Staff in Omagh Library would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy (and healthy) New Year.
Unfortunately we will be unable to hold our traditional Christmas Stories and Rhymes this year but we can host a Christmas Rhythm and Rhyme via Zoom – for any parents / carers of under 4s who are interested in joining the fun please contact us for the zoom details. It will take place next Wed, 23 Dec, at 11:00am.
We are open again for book browsing as well as computer access, so please drop in and choose your Christmas reading from the plentiful supply of new books just in. Or if you prefer, contact us for Book and Collect and we will gather together a bundle of books from the authors / genres you like. Contact us by telephone 028 8244 0733, email omagh.library@librariesni.org.uk, or private message us on Facebook @omaghlibrary.
