OMAGH INTEGRATED PRIMARY SCHOOL AND NURSERY

NEWSLETTERJanuary 2017

Reminders

We would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.

We would also like to remind parents that:

In the interests of Child Protection parents should call at the at the office if you need speak to or collect a pupil during the day

From Monday 16th January the back gate will be closed between 9.30am and 11.30am. This is a result of a reviewing school Safeguarding Procedures.

Please ensure that your child brings a P.E. kit to change into on day that they have P.E. In the interests of hygiene we cannot allow pupils to borrow P.E. Kits from other classes.

Please ensure prompt collection after school and after school clubs.

It is also important that all pupils are on time for school at 9am. Even a few minutes of lateness each day means that pupils miss out on “Teaching and Learning”.

Remember to phone the school in the morning of a child’s absence and then send a note to their class teacher on return.

If pick up arrangements change, please inform your child’s class teacher.

We are updating our Positive Behaviour Scheme in school. Please read the attached ‘GOOD TO BE GREEN ’leaflet

and go through the information with your child.

Congratulations to the senior choir for getting through to the next stage of the competition – Well done! Thanks to Mrs. Duddy, Mrs. Howe, Mrs. Wilson and Brian for preparing the pupils. The Heat will take place on Monday 30th

January –Share Centre, Lisnaskea. Good luck everyone.

Mr. Bradley

Unfortunately Mr. Bradley is off ill at present. We wish him a speedy recovery. If you have any concerns please speak to your child’s class teacher or Mrs. Taggart.

NEW SCHOOL BUILDING

PATHS PALS

You may have seen the recent billboard advertisements at James Street announcing the launch of the exciting new OMAGH INTEGRATED CAMPUS project. OIC will be formed upon the completion of our new school to be located beside Drumragh Integrated College and offers parents the opportunity to have their children educated ‘from toddler to teen’ in a truly INTEGRATED setting ensuring a seamless continuity between primary and secondary integrated education. As the strapline in the ad says… ”Your child’s future is already here”. A joint website is being developed and a “Cutting of the Sod Ceremony” is to be arranged.

Exciting News! Woodvale Construction started construction of the new school building on Monday 9th January. This has been long awaited and it is the culmination of the hard work of principals (past and present), staff, governors and parents over the past 26 years. The initial stage will include a great deal of groundwork before work begins on the actual foundations. We look forward to the future with enthusiasm. We have always had the view that a building does not make a school (it is the school community that makes OIPS special) but it will help.

Brilliant News

(Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies)

The Year 6 and 7 PATHS Pals have received further PATHS training and are doing a wonderful job. These pupils have volunteered to arrange playground games during all break times. They also help pupils to resolve minor problems and encourage them to use their PATHS strategies when they are feeling upset or annoyed.

The pupils are fantastic ambassadors for our school. They are to be commended on their responsible attitudes and organisation skills.

Nursery, Year 1 and Year 2 pupils where fabulous in their Christmas shows They performed these for the whole school and to their families and friends. Thanks to all of the staff involved with preparing the pupils. Thanks also to Parents’ Council for serving refreshing and creating a real family atmosphere.

Nursery & Y1 Admissions for

September 2017

Parents will currently be considering which school to send their children to and… WE’D LIKE THEM TO CHOOSE

OIPS & Nursery!

Word of mouth is generally the best advertising we can get so we are asking you, as parents, to help promote OIPS & Nursery amongst your friends, family, neighbours and colleagues and tell them about the virtues of our school. Direct them to our school website… www.omaghintegratedps.com

Or ask them to contact the school directly for further information or to arrange a visit.

Child Protection.

Staff at OIPS are always ready to listen to any problems or queries you may have. Sometimes you may have other concerns where you or your children may want to talk in confidence to an appropriate adult. Our Designated Child Protection Teacher is Mrs. McKernan, Year 3 and Deputy Child Protection Teacher is Mrs. Taggart, Year 7.

PARENTS’ COUNCIL NEWS

The Parents’ Council are an extremely enthusiastic, capable and vibrant group of parents. They are currently planning a range of fundraising events for the coming months to raise funds for pupil events, playground equipment and ICT Equipment. There will be more information to follow. Please see attached letter from the Council.

Senior Choir: Monday 2.55pm-4pm

Maiden City Soccer: (Year 6-7 only) 2.55pm-4pm

KS1 ICT Club Group 3: Wednesday 2.55pm-4pm

Gaelic Football: TBC

Year 4 Soccer: Friday 2.55pm-4pm

Sewing Club: Friday: Details to follow.

GOVERNORS

Mr Alan Bradshaw and Mr Garry McCrumlish have decided to step down from their roles as Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board of Governors. They have been founding members of the school and given many years of dedicated service to the governors. We thank them for their hard work and commitment and we wish them well.

Mrs Pauline McKenna has been elected as the new Chair of the Governors and Mr Martin McQuaid has been elected Vice-Chair. We greatly appreciate their commitment to the school.

JANUARY DATES

Wed. 18th: Strike action. School opens at 12.30pm. No supervision until this time. Lunches will not be provided.

Fri. 20th: Joint Swimming Session Year 7 (both classes)

Mon. 23rd: Service of Light @ 7pm in SHC

Thu. 26th: Parents’ Council Movie Night @6.30pm (see flyer)

Fri. 27th: Credit Union Quiz @ 7pm in Sacred Heart Church Hall

School Plays

After-School Clubs

Sat. 28th: AQE and GL Results issued.

Mon. 30th: Senior Choir attend School Choir of the Year Heat.