Home School Community Liaison
My name is Anita McGinn and I am the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) in Holy Family National School.
The HSCL recognises parents and guardians as the primary educators of their children. The aim of the HSCL is to promote partnership between home, school and the wider community to ensure each child is supported to reach their full potential and ensure a positive learning experience.
Some activities undertaken by the HSCL are:
Home Visits. A chance to talk over any questions or concerns you may have.
Organisation of in-school activities and classes for parents/guardians.
Advising and supporting parents/guardians on education related issues.
Encouraging cooperation between home, school and community groups.
Supporting transitions from pre school to primary and from primary to post primary.
Thank you!
Our first term has been a wonderful success.
I would like to thank all parents and guardians for getting involved in our school activities.
Thank you to the infant parents/guardians for attending the ‘Starting homework' talk. It is lovely getting to know all our new pupils and their parents/guardians.
Thank you to everyone involved in our Cycle Bus for their help on Thursday mornings.
Thank you all for supporting the school book fair and thank you to the amazing Parents’ association for suggesting the Christmas Cards for school.
Some dates for November
Team Hope
Team Hope shoe boxes are due back in school on November the 5th for anyone who would like to fill a box.
Pilates
Pilates classes for Parents/Guardians are starting in November. Pilates is a great way to exercise and build core strength. Please wear comfortable clothes and runners and bring some water. If you have a yoga mat please bring it along.
Starting Monday the 3rd of November from 11.30-12.15 and running for 5 weeks (no class Monday the 11th of Nov.). One of our parents, Caroline McGurl, will run the class. Thank you, Caroline! Classes are free of charge for parents/guardians.
Christmas Cards
Our Fantastic Parents' Association is running the Christmas Cards for schools fundraiser again this year. It is a lovely chance for the children to see their Christmas art work professionally printed onto a Christmas Card. Every child will receive a sample card for you to look at before deciding whether or not to buy a pack. There is no obligation to buy.
Ag Súgradh le Chéile
Donegal Sport Partnership will run their amazing Ag Sugradh le Chéile programme with our Senior Infant class. Ag Sugradh le Cheile is a fantastic initiative encouraging children to explore games to play without the need for expensive equipment or resources. Parents/Guardians and family members (over 18) are invited to come to school for the session (lasting approx. 1 hr). Date and time to follow!
A very special thanks to everyone who welcomed me into their homes, chatted on the phone or called to see me in school.
If you would like to contact me my phone number is 083 0094276 or email [email protected]
Wishing you all a safe and happy Hallowe'en Break,
Anita
Countdown to Christmas
We had a fantastic response to Our Team Hope Shoe Box appeal. Thank you so much to everyone who helped with the campaign whether by donating a box, sorting, packing or helping with transport. It was great to see so many boxes leave our school for children all over the world.
Thank you to everyone who supported the Parents' Association Christmas Card fundraiser. The children enjoyed having their designs printed and every child received a card to keep.
It was lovely to have a chat with so many parents/guardians at our parent meeting evenings. Thank you to everyone who called by for a coffee and a sweet!
Our Christmas jumper donation/exchange had a great response. We are having our Christmas jumper day on the 19th. If anyone still needs a jumper please pop into the school. We might have just what you need!
We had a fantastic Ag Súgradh le Chéile session with Donegal Sport partnership. Thank you to the facilitators and to all the parents/guardians for attending. It was great to have almost as many Dads as Mums. The children just love to see you in school.
Our Pilates classes with Caroline were fantastic. Caroline manages to make every class a fun and enjoyable way to exercise. Hopefully we will have Caroline back in 2026.
I am really looking forward to some festive cheer when Annette comes on the 11th to make our Christmas logs. Glue guns at the ready!
Wishing you all a happy and healthy Christmas and a peaceful New Year.
Grandparents' Day and First Confession
It was lovely to have so many grandparents at our Grandparents' Day celebration. The children in second class prepared beautiful art work and sang songs to celebrate their grandparents and to thank them for all they do. We also remembered the grandparents who couldn't be with us on the day and said a special prayer for them during Mass.
Second class also celebrated the Sacrament of Penance this term. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and guardians who joined us afterwards for our classroom tea party.
St Brigid's Crosses
Third class hosted our annual St Brigid's day celebration. Parents, grandparents and aunties came to help make a varirty of different crosses. From gathering rushes, to attending on the day, so many people were involved in keeping this lovely tradition alive.
Second class also celebrated the Sacrament of Penance this term. Thank you to all the parents, grandparents and guardians who joined us afterwards for our classroom tea party.
St Brigid's Crosses
Third class hosted our annual St Brigid's day celebration. Parents, grandparents and aunties came to help make a varirty of different crosses. From gathering rushes, to attending on the day, so many people were involved in keeping this lovely tradition alive.
Pancake Tuesday
Thank you to our fabulous Parents' Association for organising a pancake for every child on Pancake Tuesday. It was such a lovely treat for the children to enjoy first thing in the morning. It set us all up for a great day ahead!
Thank you to our fabulous Parents' Association for organising a pancake for every child on Pancake Tuesday. It was such a lovely treat for the children to enjoy first thing in the morning. It set us all up for a great day ahead!
Fresh Today Tasting Morning
Joe from Fresh Today hosted a food tasting morning with an information session for parents/guardians.
Parents/guardians had an opportunity to learn more about the hot meals provided and to sample dishes just out of the oven! It was wonderful to have parents and grandparents in school for lunch.
The children also sampled the new meals. Thank you to Joe and Tatyana for all their hard work.
Hip, Hip, Horray Month.
March is Attendance awareness month in Holy Family. All classes are taking part in our Hip, Hip, Horray campaign to celebrate good attendance. The children receive a certificate and prize on a day when the class has full attendance. Hip, Hip Horray! We're all here today! Mrs Lewis also has a secret reward organised for after the Easter holiday so watch this space!
Senior Infants are taking part in our attendance colouring competition to remind us all that every day in school counts.
Our Shoes
We have had an amazing response to this year's Our Shoes campaign. Thank you for all the sports shoes donated. The shoes will be collected on April and sent to townships in Africa. The Our Shoes website has videos and further information if you would like to find out a little more about the work the charity is involved with.
March is Attendance awareness month in Holy Family. All classes are taking part in our Hip, Hip, Horray campaign to celebrate good attendance. The children receive a certificate and prize on a day when the class has full attendance. Hip, Hip Horray! We're all here today! Mrs Lewis also has a secret reward organised for after the Easter holiday so watch this space!
Senior Infants are taking part in our attendance colouring competition to remind us all that every day in school counts.
Our Shoes
We have had an amazing response to this year's Our Shoes campaign. Thank you for all the sports shoes donated. The shoes will be collected on April and sent to townships in Africa. The Our Shoes website has videos and further information if you would like to find out a little more about the work the charity is involved with.
Parent/Guardian Pilates class
Caroline is running a Pilates for Well Being session on Monday the 23rd of March from 1.00-1.45. If you would like to attend please wear comfortable clothes and runners, bring water and if you have your own yoga mat you might like to bring it along. Looking forward to a great class!
Caroline is running a Pilates for Well Being session on Monday the 23rd of March from 1.00-1.45. If you would like to attend please wear comfortable clothes and runners, bring water and if you have your own yoga mat you might like to bring it along. Looking forward to a great class!