Dear Parent/Guardian,
There will be a First Aid Course running for parents in the school in the coming weeks. The course will be run over two Fridays (Friday the 27th of January and Friday the 3rd of February.) This course normally costs €45 per person to run but we are able to offer it to parents in the school for €10. 
Each participant will receive a cert that is valid for two years.  This is a positive addition to a CV and more importantly  First Aid skills are something that could make a big difference to someone’s life. 
Places on this course are limited to 12. If you are interested in taking part please return the form below with €10 to myself or your child’s teacher.
If you have any questions about the course please do not hesitate to ask me.
​
Regards ,
Tom Gallagher.
087 3560565.

Congratulations to Jayden from First Class and Nicole from Fifth Class who were the winners of the Science Week competition. Jayden told us that there are seven colours in the rainbow and Nicole told us that Mercury is the closest planet to the sun. We had loads of correct entries. Thanks to all the children who entered.

​Dear Parent/Guardian,
This week is Science week and to celebrate this , the children in the school will be carrying out a lot of experiments and displays throughout the week. We have already had a visit from Professor Noddy who taught us all about different Science experiments. There are a few suitable Science based websites that might interest you and your child during the week that is in it.
www.sciencekids.co.nz
www.primaryscience.ie
www.askdruniverse.wsu.edu
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ksz/science
www.science.ie
We are also running a competition for the children during the week. For a chance to win a prize just answer the following question and return your answer and name to the class teacher. The winning entry will be picked out at Friday’s assembly. All you have to do is answer the following question:
•    How many colours are in the rainbow?
Regards, 
Tom Gallagher.
Home School Community Liaison Coordinator.
087 3560565 /tomgallhscl@gmail.com.

We are having a sponsored fancy dress day on Friday the 28th of October in the school. Each child must bring two euro and all proceeds will go to Temple Street Hospital.

​Dear Parent/Guardian,
There will be a short meeting on Friday the 28th of October in the Library after morning assembly. There we will be discussing the formation of a Parents Association, fundraising ideas for the year, and suitable courses, classes and talks for the year. It would be great to see as many parents as possible for this meeting.
Regards,
Tom Gallagher (HSCL)
0873560565

There will be a talk by Accord for the parents of Fourth, Fifth and Sixth class children in the school on Tuesday the 11th of October at 7 pm. They will be explaining the content that will be taught to the children the following week. Hope to see you all there.
Regards, 
​Tom.

Yesterday we broadcast from our new radio station. The "coiste gaeilge " collected information from the classrooms. We wrote a script and broadcast as gaeilge to the school. Sophie, Jamie, Jade and Casey were fantastic broadcasters. You might see them presenting the news some day. It was great fun.

​Dear Parent/Guardian,
The children in Mr Keogh’s are about to begin a six week yoga programme with Ann Marie O’Connell.  Ann Marie is a qualified yoga teacher with over 10 years experience teaching yoga to people of all ages.
There are many benefits to yoga which include increased energy, improved flexibility and posture, stress relief, improved all round fitness and clearer outlook on life.
There are also 8 spaces for parents available if anyone is interested in taking part. The lessons are beginning on Friday the 23rd of September from 9 o’clock in the morning. Each class lasts for one hour and will run for six weeks. It is great opportunity to give yoga a try, meet other parents and improve your mental and physical fitness. Each class costs two euro. If you are interested in taking part please talk to me in the hall in the mornings.  You can also ring or text me at 087 3560565 or email tomgallhscl@gmail.com.
Hope to see you there.
Regards,
Tom Gallagher, (HSCL).

​Dear Parent/Guardian,
Hello, my name is Tom Gallagher. This year I have taken over the role of Home School Community Liaison Coordinator from John Mangan for both St Joseph’s Co-Educational School in East Wall and St Mary’s National School Fairview. Over the past week I have met quite a number of you in the mornings and hope to meet more over the coming weeks. I have been made feel very welcome in East Wall.
What is H.S.C.L about?
•    H.S.C.L is about bringing parents closer to their children’s education.
•    Providing a link between home and school by visiting homes and bringing information/ assistance about school related events.
•    Offering parents opportunities to take part in a range of self development courses and activities such as yoga, healthy eating, health and beauty. These classes will be organized in the school.
•    Offering parents opportunities to take part in learning activities in the classroom when opportunity arises.

A large part of my job is to visit parents in their homes. I will call on as many as possible to say hello and introduce myself. This term I intend to meet as many parents of the Reception Class as I can. I also try to arrange classes for parents. The purpose of these classes is to cater for the interests and needs of the parents. I will be asking for suggestions/ideas if you have anything in mind? I also intend to organise classroom activities so that parents have the chance to work with the class teacher and children on different projects throughout the year. These activities will include paired reading, art activities and cooperative games. 
If you have any questions or suggestions I would be delighted to talk to you over the coming weeks. I will be in the hall on Tuesday and Friday mornings before school. My office is located beside the hall if you like to meet. My phone number is 087-3560565 and my email address is tomgallhscl@gmail.com. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you are looking for assistance or have any questions about school. If I don’t know the answer I will do my best to find out for you and get back to you. 
I am looking forward to meeting you over the next few months and working together to make you and your child’s time in the school both an enjoyable and educational experience.
___________
Regards ,
Tom Gallagher.