Sinking of the Titanic (April 14)
The Titanic, supposedly unsinkable, struck an iceberg and sank on its maiden voyage in 1912.  Learn about the disaster on Encyclopaedia Britannica Try searching the Irish Times Archive to see how the disaster was reported in Ireland (schools or libraries only). Find out where the passengers were from and in what class they were travelling.

What Do People do During Vaisakhi?

Many people in India celebrate Vaisakhi by dancing, singing, dressing in holiday finery, observing wrestling bouts and enjoying the many parades that take place at this time. Men dance the Bhangra and women dance the Gidda to celebrate this event. People enjoy holiday foods and special treats such as kada prasad (a type of sweet).

The festival holds special significance to Sikhs. Many Sikhs choose to be baptized during this holiday. During the Vaisakhi celebration, processions called Nagar Kirtanalso make their way along the streets singing hymns from a sacred book of worship known as Guru Granth Sahib.

Public Life

Vaisakhi is a Sikh holy day as well as a celebration of the New Year in the Nanakshahi calendar. The date falls around April 13 or 14. Offices, educational institutions and major businesses are closed but some shops remain open and offer discounts. Public transport is also available, particularly to help tourists who are traveling and sightseeing during this time of the year. However, public transport schedules are not definite due to the holiday activities.

Background

Vaisakhi is also called Baisakhi. This harvest celebration takes place annually and harvesters celebrate and rejoice about the New Year and the harvested crops. However, there was added meaning to the celebration in 1699 when the Khalsa Panth (type of religious warrior) organization was established during the Vaisakhi Festival.

The 10th Guru Gobind Singh asked who in a crowd of thousands was prepared to die for the cause of religion. Eventually five men volunteered to give their lives but the Guru Gobind Singh did not kill the men. Instead he baptized them and the men became the first five members of a group called Khalsa. The tradition of Sikh baptism during the Vaisakhi festival originated from this historic event.

Symbols

The Sikh religion commemorates the first five men who comprised the Khalsa with five symbols of “purity and courage” called five Ks. The five Ks include the Kesh (uncut hair), the Kangha (comb), the Katchera (underwear), the Kara (steel ring), and the Kirpan (sword).

Vaisakhi Observances

Note: Individuals can take a limited number of restricted holidays but government offices and most businesses remain open. This system gives individuals the flexibility to take time off to celebrate a holiday within India's vast religious and cultural society.

Please see link below:

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/india/vaisakhi

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

Election of Parents’ Representative –Fathers’ Panel

7^th March 2014.

Dear Parents and Guardians,

A position has arisen for a Parents’ Representative on the Board of Management at St. Luke’sNationalSchool.

The position available is for the Fathers’ panel.

Two nominations have been received– Mr Dare Adefuberu and Mr Rod Clifford. A short personal profile of each candidate shall be provided with the ballot paper.

As more than one nomination has been received  a secret ballot shall be held on Thursday 10^th April – from 8.30a.m. – 4.30p.m. in the Secretary’s office. Please bring a picture identification with you.

Each Family, with a child registered in the school, shall have one, non transferable vote.

Votes will be counted on Friday 11^th April @ 9.30a.m. in the meeting Room @ St Luke’sNationalSchool.

Is Mise Le Meas,

___________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

Sacrament of Confirmation

&

St Luke The Evangelist Church Shop

7^th   April  2014.

Dear Parents,

Many thanks for your attendance and the attendance of your children at the first preparatory Mass for The Sacrament of Confirmation.

The children were wonderful in everyway. They are working hard in their class rooms at the preparations. Please talk to the children regularly about The Sacrament of Confirmation and review their Alive O Book with them.

As part of the preparation you may consider visiting the Church Shop at St Luke’s The Evangelist Church. There are some very appropriate books, items and gifts that you may deem suitable for your children as they prepare for The Sacrament of Confirmation

The Church Shop at St Luke The Evangelist Church is open before and after every Mass on Sunday in the church

Is Mise Le Meas,

___________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

HOLY WEEK MASSES

Holy Thursday Mass:            7.30pm Mass with Bishop Ray Field

17th April                                           

Good Friday:                            2.30pm Stations of the Cross (outside weather

18th April                                permitting otherwise in Church) followed by the Passion.

Easter Saturday:                    Confessions in Church 12.30pm-1.30pm.

19th April                                Mass 9.00pm

Easter Sunday:                       10.00am Mass in Church,11.00am Mass St. Luke’s   

20th April                                NS Tyrrelstown, 12noon Mass in Church.

Scoil Naomh Lucáis

8^th April 2014

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Another term is drawing to a close and Easter is upon us. The children are truly excited and looking forward to the celebration of Easter and all it entails.

To celebrate Easter, Fr Seamus Connell invites you and your family to join him at the Easter Ceremonies, in St Luke theEvangelistChurch, during Holy Week. The dates and times of the ceremonies are identified on a separate flyer.

The Solemn Celebration of the Lord’s Passion begins with the outdoor stations of the cross on Good Friday 18^th April. It would be wonderful for the parish community to support this new approach to the celebration.

On Easter Sunday, 19^th April, Mass will be celebrated @ 11.00a.m. in St Luke’sNationalSchool. All are welcome.

I would like to thank all our families for their support over the second term of the school year.

The high percentage attendance of parents at the Parent /Teacher meetings set a solid foundation for the continuation of a successful school year.

Please review the school website – it is regularly revamped. A Noticeboard is available on the new school website, outlining upcoming events – photographs and videos recount the progress that is taking place on a day to day basis in the new school.

Confirmation & First Holy Communion take place after Easter. Once again the teachers are working wonders in their preparation of the children.

However, it is your day to day support of the teaching staff that ensures a strong partnership in education and assists in providing the children with a meaningful and worth while educational experience.

I am grateful to the Parents’ Association who have dedicated themselves to the school in so many ways throughout the second term.

Please recall those who are more needy than ourselves and give generously to the Trócaire Lenten Campaign. The Trócaire boxes are to be returned after the Easter Holidays.

School re-opens on Monday 28^thApril 2014 @ 9.00a.m.

Casca Shona agus Beannachtaí na Féile oraibh go léir

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

                  _____________________

                 Príomhoide    

Dear Parents,

7th of April is World Health Day !

Please see link :

http://www.who.int/campaigns/world-health-day/2014/en/

Today is World Autism Day.

Please see http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/world-autism-awareness-day

Dear Parent,

We find that children are becoming more sedate in their play time with more & more recreational time being given to screen based entretainment as opposed to physicallly based activities.

Please see http://www.safefood.eu/News/2014/Ready,-Steady,-Bring-Back-Play!.aspx 

Liam Neary

Deputy Principal

Saint Luke’s National School

Punctuality and Attendance Update

31^st  March 2014

Dear Parents,

I wrote to you concerning Punctuality and Attendance on the 21^st of March 2014. I wish to inform you that there has been an improvement in terms of punctuality at Assembly time. Thank you for making the effort to be regularly punctual.

I am delighted to see this improvement in Morning Assembly. It is important now that we continue with our efforts. Please make sure that children are collected promptly at Afternoon Dismissal time.

Starting on Monday 7^th April, a late note will be issued to any child in Infant classes, and a late stamp will be placed in the school journal of any child from 2^nd – 6^th, who  arrives in school after 9.05a.m. or departing the school 15 minutes after dismissal.

It is our hope that, by making parents aware of a late arrival for morning Assembly or late departure from evening Dismissal, that there will be a continued improvement in punctuality.

I will communicate with you again with regard to Punctuality and Attendance after the school has monitored and assessed the situation over a period of time

Is Mise Le Meas,

_____________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

Dear Parent,

We need to be constantly watching out for bullying in the school, in the workplace, in the home. Please see below the link to advice on the matter.

Sincerely,

Liam Neary

Deputy Principal

http://www.barnardos.ie/resources-advice/young-people/teen-help/bullying/what-is-bullying.html

Mother's Day (March 30)
This is the day that we celebrate mothers and motherhood. The day is different in many countries throughout the world. Take a look at our link to see just where and when it is selebrated. In the classroom: Try making Mother's Day cards or writing a piece of poetryabout why you love your mother.

A presentation was made yesterday to Ruairi O'Dualing, from Fingal County Council, of a research and design project produced in collaboration with children from  Tyrrelstown Educate Together National School & Saint Lukes National School. Models and plans were presented by the children on their ideas for the new playground to be built in the park beside the school. I would like to acknowledge the invaluable input from Emma O'Malley , of TETNS , Robert & Anna, (architects) , and the children who loved the input into the design. 

Please see pictures from the presentation at

 picasaweb.google.com/114994391310503348320

Sincerely,

Liam Neary

Deputy Principal

Mother's Day (March 30) This is the day that we celebrate mothers and motherhood. The day is different in many countries throughout the world. Take a look at our link to see just where and when it is selebrated. In the classroom: Try making Mother's Day cards or writing a piece of poetry about why you love your mother.

Earth Hour (March 29) This is a world-wide campaign aimed at saving energy and to show what can be done through what is known as 'collective action', i.e. everyone acting about something together. In the classroom (or at home): Turn off some lights or find some other way to save energy for one hour between 8.30pm and 9.30pm.

Saint Luke’s National School

Punctuality and Attendance

21^st  March 2014

Dear Parents,

Research has established that Punctuality and Attendance are indicative of future performance in school and educational achievement. Pupils who go to school regularly and who are on time are most likely to perform well in school.

Anecdotal evidence indicated that there is an opportunity to improve the attendance and punctuality of children in our school. The school is in the process of preparing a policy on Punctuality and Attendance. If you have any thoughts on this policy please forward them to me in the school by Friday 28^th March 2014.

The school records non attendance, late arrivals at school and late departures from school.

Starting on Tuesday 25^th March a late note will be issued to all children arriving in school after 9.10a.m. or departing the school 15 minutes after dismissal.

It is our hope that, by making parents aware of the later arrival or late departure, that there will be an improvement in punctuality.

I will communicate with you again with regard to Punctuality and Attendance after the school has monitored and assessed the situation over a period of time

Is Mise Le Meas,

_____________________

Mairtín Ó Caomhánaigh

Príomhoide

Saint Luke’s National School

21^st March 2014

Reminder

Mass
Mass in St Luke’s School every Sunday during Lent @ 11.00a.m. All welcome

Liberty Clothes Recycling

Please return the Green Bags, filled with clothes, by Friday 28^th March

Board of Management

Please return written expression of interest for Fathers Panel on the Board of Management by Monday 24^th March to Principal

Trócaire Boxes

Please remember those in need by donating to your Trócaire Boxes – please return the Box by Friday 2^nd May 2014  

Please see link to pictures taken in the school 13/3/2014 !

https://picasaweb.google.com/114994391310503348320/SaintPatrickSDay13314?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNSGuY62t5aAWQ&feat=directlink

Please also see 

https://picasaweb.google.com/114994391310503348320/SaintPatrickSDay201402?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCMjct6zBn-X_sgE&feat=directlink

Liam Neary

Congratulations to our girls GAA team for winning the Dublin 15 league final yesterday. St Luke's won the trophy for the second successive year after a dramatic extra-time victory over Tyrrelstown ET. We are very proud of our girls for all their hard work and team ethic showed this year. Hopefully we have a future GAA star in our mist.

Mant thanks to Ms. Brennan, Mr Lynch & Mr. O'Connor for their dedication to the cause outside of school hours as well as in school.

Please see link below to view photos!

 https://picasaweb.google.com/114994391310503348320/GAASLNSVsTETNS1932014?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCN-g-Mbow_mRcw&feat=directlink 

Mr. Neary

Allanah, Sarah and Lara in Ms Brennan’s 3^rd Class came up with an idea to raise money for Trócaire.  They researched ideas on the internet and decided to hold an Art Competition in our school.  They asked children in 1^st to 6^th class to participate in the competition. Each entry costed €1. Each child had to draw and colour an animal and return their entry to the girls by Tuesday 11^th March to be judged. Ms Collins helped the girls to judge the winners in each class. Each winner received a special goody bag of sweets which the girls prepared themselves. They also gave several runners up prizes of marshmallows and a lovely pencil or pen.  It was a very successful fundraiser. The girls raised a total of €91.11 for Trócaire.

There was one overall winner chosen in each class group and additional runner up prizes. The winners in each class were as follows:

1^st Class –        Ms Gaffney – Nathan B. (1^st Place) and Julia

                        Ms Cullinan – Isabella

                        Ms MacNally – Sarah

2^nd Class –       Ms McDonagh – Chinedum

                        Ms McTaggart – Natalia (1^st Place), Iramhay and Sacha

3^rd Class –        Ms Brennan – Filip and Ivana

                        Ms Burke – Natalia (1^st Place)

4^th Class –        Ms McGearty – Sophie

                        Ms Smith – Ragulan (1^st Place), Niall, Rommy

5^th Class –        Mr O’Connor – Niamh (1^st Place) and Erinn

                        Ms Kirwan – Wyanika and Daniella

6^th Class –        Mr Lynch – David (1^st Place), Nikola and Shivaun