Thursday Newsletter 02/10/25

Dear Staff,

Subs (€25) and Insurance (€9)

Thanks to all parents who have paid the subs and insurance that was set up as an online payment on Aladdin last week. We have decided to revert to the old system of fundraising this year so we are asking parents to make a one-off voluntary contribution of €25 instead of €100 last year. We do hope to match the remaining balance of €75 this year through various fundraising events such as our ‘Bob-a-Job, Christmas Calendar, Readalong, Cake Sale and other events. Our school secretary set up a payment link for this last week.

Bob-a-Job

All boys received their Bob-a-Job sponsorship card this week. We hope that the boys will receive up to €1 for every job that they complete at home such as: washing the dishes, bringing the dog for a walk, hoovering the house, washing the car, cleaning their bedroom, helping out with the cooking, etc. The boys will note the completion of their chore on their card. We encourage parents to email photos of the boys as they work on their jobs and we will display them on our school Facebook page. The email is info@stmarysbnslucan.com. This year we plan to use the funds raised to revamp our sports hall with fresh paint, new display boards, new furniture and new sports equipment. The closing date for all cards and money will be Tuesday 14th October.

I am delighted to report that photos have been steadily streaming in this week. Hoovering seems to be the favoured chore so far with Rian Donnelly (Mr. Walsh’s second class), Sam Collins (Ms. Deeley’s fifth class), Kostas Alexandru (Ms. Deeley’s fifth class) and Senan Burke (Ms. Killane’s Senior Infants) keeping their homes spotless. Ted Norry (Ms. Killane’s Senior Infants) takes it to another level as he hoovered the whole downstairs on Tuesday and got stuck into his parent’s car on Wednesday. Séimí Clandillon (Ms. Dardis’ Junior Infants) keeps the laundry basket empty and likes to add some softener for that extra fragrance. Jack Abbott (Ms. Kenny’s first class) did a super job tidying up his bedroom. Sam Earley (Ms. Joyce’s Junior Infants) gives his Carambola lunch box a thorough wash each night. Ben Cullen (Ms. Russell’s Oasis class) is quite the horticulturist and waters his plants when he get home, while his brother, Luke Cullen, (Ms. Joyce’s Junior Infants) likes to keep his surfaces dust free. Meanwhile, Jamie Donnelly (Mr. Clandillon’s sixth class) likes to take some time out after a busy day at school by taking his dog for a walk. All the boys can check out some of these photos on our school Facebook page.

Junior Infant Applications for September 2026

We will be accepting Junior Infant applications for September 2026 from the 1st October to the 14th November. Applications can be downloaded from our school website.

Parents’ Association (PA) AGM on Monday 13th October in our school hall at 7.30pm

Our PA AGM will take place on Monday 13th October in our school hall at 7.30pm. This year we are excited to welcome the well-known psychotherapist, Dr. Joanna Fortune.

Dr. Joanna Fortune (see picture below) is an accredited psychotherapist specialising in the parent-child relationship. She is the author of the best-selling 15-Minute Parenting series of books (0-7 years; 8-12 years and the Teenage years) and her 4th book ‘Why We Play’. She is the host of the 15 minute parenting podcast. She has worked with families around a variety of issues. She is a recognised supervisor, trainer and conference speaker in her field. In 2017 she delivered a TED Talk on the topic 'Social media – the ultimate shame game?' She has a weekly parenting column in the Irish Examiner. She is also a regular media contributor to a variety of radio and TV shows. She is the parenting consultant on the weekly parenting slot on Newstalk’s Moncrieff for over 7 years.

Student Council Elections

Well done to all the candidates who put their name forward to represent their class on our student council. The election took place in the hall today and the early exit polls suggested a high turnout. There are some very creative posters that the candidates put together and they all have very good suggestions on how to make the school better for all the boys. Thanks to Ms. Whitney, Ms. Donnelly for organising this event. Please check out the following winners and the runners-up:

Student Council Winners 2025

Free nasal flu vaccine on Wednesday 22nd October

Lombard Pharmacy will provide a free nasal flu vaccine for all boys who have consent on Wednesday 22nd October in our school hall. Please let us know if you did not receive your invitation to make a booking. Hopefully this will help to keep our boys healthy, relieve the pressure on our health care system and hospitals this winter while also helping our school attendance.

Gaelic Football

Well done to our Junior B footballers who beat Scoil Maelrúin on Tuesdayon our school pitch. Our Junior A team put up a good fight against Pius X in Terenure College. Thanks to Mr. Shanahan, Mr. Walsh, Mr. R. McHugh, Ms. Deeley, Mr. D. McHugh and Mr. Trainor for all the time they volunteer to train the boys at lunch time and take the boys to the games after school.

Computer Coding classes after school for Junior Infants & Senior Infant

Computer coding for Junior and Senior Infants will start next week on Thursday 9th October from 1.40pm to 2.40pm for 3 weeks. There are still places available on Thursdays for the third and fourth class boys. Please email eoin@codingclasses.ie or click the following link for more information:
https://codingclasses.ie/products/St-Marys-BNS-Thursday-After-school-Coding-Club-Infants-p785769320

Coláiste Phádraig Open Night – Thursday 2nd October for fifth and sixth class boys from 7 to 9pm

All boys from fifth and sixth class are invited to the Coláiste Phadraig Open Night this evening from 7 to 9pm. All boys in sixth class are guaranteed a place in Coláiste Phadraig. The only condition is that the application must be submitted on time before the 24th October. For more information please call 01-6282299.

Le dea-ghuí,

Dara Burke, Principal.