Dear Pupils and Parents,
I hope you all had a nice Easter holiday. We were very lucky to have such wonderful sunny weather for virtually all the break. This gave everyone a chance to get out into the fresh air.
Of course it is very important for children to get out and play. The importance of play for children’s learning and wellbeing cannot be over emphasised. All children enjoy play. It doesn’t need to be very structured and organised – let the imagination run riot! Making ‘cakes’ and ‘farms’ etc. ,from mud at the bottom of the garden may not be the cleanest of activities but it is very beneficial to the child - and it is also very enjoyable!
We have also during the holidays, had a great opportunity to be with our immediate family. Perhaps in years to come this is a time we will look back on as a happy opportunity to build strong lasting relationships with our nearest and dearest. Of course, it is hard being apart from our grannies and granddads and other members of our extended family, but we know that we are doing this for the best of reasons - to ensure that they, and all in our community and country, are able to stay safe and healthy.
The health and wellbeing of our pupils is our main concern at this time. School work is secondary to this, and it must not become a cause of worry for them or for you, their parents. Remember, all children and their families are in the same position. Children are resilient and they will bounce back. Once it is deemed safe for them, and for society as a whole, they will return to school and we, their teachers, will help and support them, resuming work from where it stopped.
The teachers in Scoil Mhuire have put some more educational activities together for our pupils for the coming week.
We realise that you cannot replicate the classroom setting at home but you can encourage your child/children to engage with some learning each day. Please view the work the teachers have put up on the website as a guideline. You and your children can dip into it as it suits your child. Some structure is important in a child’s life and we would encourage pupils to do some educational activity each day, no matter how small.
And of course, I cannot over emphasise the importance of reading, for a child’s educational achievement. Please read to your child – no matter what age s/he is – all children love to be read to! Also, encourage your child to read for enjoyment. If you do not have an adequate supply of books at home at the moment there is a wealth of books available on-line (you will find links to these sites on this website).
Again, remember we are encouraging our pupils to use their ‘Special Copy Book’ for all the learning activities they do during this time. You do not need to print out all (or any of) the items that the teachers have put in their ‘Home learning’ activities. By copying the activities (or parts of them) into their copies the children are practising their handwriting and copying skills as well as doing their bit to ‘save the planet’!
I wish you all health and happiness for the days ahead. Stay safe and well and make the most of your precious time together!
Le gach dea-ghuí,
Eleanor Ní Dhuibhir
Príomh Oide.
