January 2023 Newsletter

Happy New Year:

We wish a very happy New Year to all of our families. Pupils have made a great return to school and the start of the second term has certainly been a busy one!

Class Testing:

This week all classes are completing teacher designed tests in maths and English. Senior pupils are also completing tests in Irish. Senior infant pupils will complete the M.I.S.T. on Tuesday 31^st of January.

Catholic Schools’ Week:

Catholic Schools’ Week will take place from the 23^rd-27^th of January in our school. Children will reflect on a thought each day and will complete related activities. All members of our school community are cordially invited to join us on Wednesday 25^th at 1pm in order to celebrate Grandparents’ Day.

P.A. Meeting:

The meeting to discuss the re-establishment of our parents association has been rescheduled for Monday 23^rd January at 7pm in the school.

School Self Evaluation:

This year, we are focussing on both wellbeing and geography in our school self-evaluation. Parents are thanked for their time in completing our wellbeing survey. The results are currently being collated.

Peace Proms:

Excitement is building in the senior classroom as we edge closer to our Peace Proms concert. This will take place in U.L. on Sunday 29^th of January at 7pm. Pupils will travel by bus from the school to U.L. on the evening of the concert. This bus will leave at 4pm as we have a practice session and a break scheduled before the actual performance. As children have lifts home, there will be no bus after the show. If anybody’s situation with lifts home has changed please let me know. Pupils are asked to wear plain white tops and black/ dark bottoms. Lunches should be brought in plastic/ paper bags as no backpacks are allowed. Senior pupils must be commended for the efforts they have put into preparing for what promises to be a most enjoyable experience.

Credit Union Table Quiz:

Best wishes are extended to the two table quiz teams who will represent our school in the upcoming quiz in Caherconlish on Monday 30^th at 7pm. Participants are asked to be at the hall at 6.30pm. Team A has Alfie O’Sullivan, Sean Poff, Daniel Leaden and Sean Connolly, whilst team B has Andrea Connolly, Niamh O’Brien, Caoimhe Grace and Emma Carroll.

Tin Whistle:

We look forward to welcoming tin whistle teacher, Katie, to our school on Wednesday, February 1^st, to commence an eight week block of tin whistle lessons. Pupils are kindly asked to contribute three euros each per lesson and to have their tin whistles at school each day.

Bank Holiday:

School will be closed on Monday 6^th February due to the bank holiday.

Junior Infant Open Afternoon:

Our Open Afternoon for incoming junior infants will take place on Monday 13^th February at 2.45pm. Parents are invited to attend along with children who are due to start school. For parents, this meeting provides a chance to gather some information pertaining to their child starting school, while children get the chance to meet the teachers and to chat and play with their prospective classmates.

Midterm Closure:

School will be closed on Thursday 16^th and Friday 17^th February for midterm break.

Seachtain na Gaeilge:

Seachtain na Gaeilge will be celebrated in our school from 13^th-16^th March. There will be an even greater focus on gaeilge during the week through engagement with scéalta, drámaíocht, amhráin, ealaín, dánta, cómhrá agus cluichí with prizes for Gaelgóir an Lae. “Green, White and Gold Day” will take place on Thursday 16th, whereby all pupils will be invited to wear their colours! We will also enjoy our céilí mór on this day. School will be closed on March 17th.

Daffodil Day Fundraiser:

Our Daffodil fundraiser will take place on Thursday 23^rd March. Pupils are invited to wear yellow to school and may make a donation if they wish. Daffodil pins will be on sale from Monday 20^th also.

Confirmation:

We send very best wishes to those pupils who are currently preparing for Confirmation which will take place in Nicker Church on Friday March 24^th ; Nicole O’Sullivan, Seán Ryan, Micheál O’Dwyer, Denis Looby, Emma Carrol, Niamh O’Brien, Caoimhe Grace and Andrea Connolly. Please be reminded that school closes on Confirmation Day as all teachers attend.

Great Irish Bake:

Pupils are invited to bake some treats for our bake sale on Friday 31^st March. Our bake sale will commence at 11.30am. All funds raised will go to the Children’s Health Foundation. Help is kindly sought in setting up the sale. Please let us know if you are available.

School will close at 12.15pm on this day for Easter holidays.

First Holy Communion:

First Holy Communion will take place in Templebraden Church at 11am on Saturday 13^th May. We send best wishes to those preparing for Holy Communion; Hannah Grace, Thomas Fitzgerald and Tadhg Ryan. We will communicate the date for First Penance as soon as we have it.

Clothes Recycling:

Our next clothes recycling event will take place after the Easter break with drop off day on Wednesday 19^th April.

Family Fun Day:

Please save the date for our Family Fun Day which will take place on Sunday 11^th June from 2-4pm. Work is well underway for what promises to be a most enjoyable community event!

Thanking all families for your continued support.

Kind Regards,
Heidi Jordan