It’s hard to believe we have come to the end of our first term already! Everyone has settled back into school life, including our newcomers who you will be introduced to inside this jam-packed Newsletter which showcases the busy start to the year we have had here at Offaly School of Special Education!
One of the big news stories this term, is the announcement of a new pilot programme for in-school therapy supports for special schools which unfortunately does not include our school. I urge you to get behind the campaign to have this decision overturned. There is strength in numbers so the more support we can gather the more likely we will get a positive outcome. I hope to see you all at the meetings on Tuesday 5th of November. Until then, enjoy the midterm break…. Best regards
Therapists in Special Schools Alliance
In response to the exclusion of O.S.S.E. from the government’s pilot programme for in-school therapy supports for special schools, a group of parents have come together under the heading of Therapists in Special Schools Alliance. They have joined forces with parents from Kolbe Special School in Portlaoise and together they have been drawing attention to this terrible injustice in the following ways:
o They captured over 1000 signatures on a petition - https://tinyurl.com/nhecxhde
o They secured radio coverage on Midlands 103 on a number of occasions
o They met with Carol Nolan - independent TD in Laois-Offaly. Carol is a schoolteacher and a disability advocate. She has visited our school and is fully supporting their campaign.
o With the help of Carol Nolan, they secured a meeting in Leinster House where two members of staff from OSSE were in attendance and highlighted the many reasons that we must have regular in-school therapies.
In addition, national media have reported on their plight and their efforts have been very effective to date. We believe you need to be brought up to speed and advised how you too can help, especially in light of the forthcoming General Election.
We can make a difference if we stand together.
Green Schools
Students from all classes have been very busy working on the Green Flag Programme. Together they have created a very impressive array of displays in line with our programme goals……
RED & SILVER CLASSES created a general waste bin, a compost bin and recycling bin
YELLOW CLASS created a wonderful piece to represent our move away from paper communications to Aladdin.
GREEN CLASS created some litter bugs to represent a litter pick which was completed in September.
ORANGE CLASS created a lunch box with rubbish enclosed to represent how we send our rubbish home to reduce waste in the school
PURPLE CLASS created a bug hotel from water bottles to represent how we are re-using water bottles in the school.
The pupils are pictured here helping to keep their community litter free by carrying out a litter pick in Lloyd Town Park, around the school grounds and in the Spollanstown area.
SNA Appreciation Day
The first ever SNA Appreciation Day was held on Thursday the 26th of September. As a token of appreciation for the wonderful work our SNA’s do each and every day, we held a Gift Hamper Bonanza and treated them to Tea Party with delicious cream buns! As you can see it was smiles all round from this amazing bunch!
Summer in September!
Our Purple Class enjoyed fun and games on the lawn on a fabulous sunny day in September.
Two New Students!
Introducing our two new pupils this term, Mila and Annalisa. We are delighted to welcome the two of them and their families into our school community. They have settled in great and have made lots of new friends
Autumn Activities
Pumpkin Hunting Game!
Guess what the Green Class made? Scary lollipop apples! So spooky and yummy!
These creative kids went shopping for pumpkins, enjoyed pumpkin carving and decorated some Halloween themed cookies!
Autumn Activities
From going on nature walks to, making cool cookie spiders and creative pumpkin art, these kids have been enjoying all that Autumn has to offer!
Autumn Activities
Elijah on our Autumn nature hunt in Charleville forest
Conor finding a pumpkin on our ‘Pumpkin Hunt’ in Charleville forest
Jessica with her scarecrow minus the head
Azaan finding a pumpkin during on our ‘Pumpkin Hunt’ in Charleville forest
Lorcan drawing a face on his scarecrow
Milestone Birthdays!
The main man Emmett celebrated his 40th Birthday! What a wonderful occasion it was. A friend to all , Emmett is the backbone of our team, and we were all so happy for him on his milestone birthday.
Happy 18th Birthday to Morgan! Here he is enjoying the birthday wishes from friends!
Halloween High Jinks
Our staff made a great effort dressing up for Halloween – here is a selection of photos of some of the spooky and frankly scary looking individuals lurking around the corridors of O.S.S.E this Halloween!
Halloween Party
At The Sacred Heart School
Once again, our students were invited to attend a Halloween Party at The Sacred Heart School in Tullamore. They all had an absolute ball. Here’s a little snippet of their day….
