Dear Staff,
I hope that you and your family had an enjoyable summer break and that you are looking forward to the year ahead.
This year we are delighted to be joined by newly appointed teachers: Rachel Kenny (1st class), Alice Norris (2nd class), Donnacha McHugh (3rd class), Sarah Murphy (4th class), Aoibhe Deeley (5th class), Ryan Trainor (5th class), Enda Monaghan (supply panel), Niamh Conefrey (supply panel) and Luke Monaghan (SET).
School Improvements:
We upgraded our fire alarm and our emergency lighting in the main school building over the summer holidays. Any electrical defects were all sorted. We have a team of cleaners in the school this week cleaning any dust that was caused by the work.
Our school caretaker
Throughout the summer much progress has been made on our school grounds. I would like to thank our caretaker, Donie Gaire, for all his hard work.
Free School Books
The Department of Education cover the cost of all school books. All books were distributed to the boys today.
Free Hot Meals
Please remember to pack a lunch box and drink tomorrow.
The Department of Social Welfare cover the cost of all hot meals. Please remember to order your hot meals with Carambola before 5pm tomorrow and continue to bring a drink and a small healthy snack for first break.
Bí Cineálta (Anti-bullying) Policy:
Our new Bí Cineálta (Anti-bullying) Policy can be viewed on our school website.
Code of Behaviour:
Our Code of Behaviour helps to ensure a safe and supported learning environment for all our pupils. During the month of September, teachers will review the school rules with their classes in an age-appropriate way and we will explain the reasons for the current school rules in all classes and at school assemblies. We are happy to report that we distribute much more green cards each year for good behaviour.
Change of address and contact details
All parents can make changes to contact details and postal addresses on the Aladdin app.
Mobile Phones and Smartwatches
Our Parents’ Association (PA) introduced a ‘Voluntary No Smart Phone Code’ for parents during the last school year which was very well received. This voluntary code supports parents to delay the purchase of a smart phone until they finish primary school. We will survey the school again this year so that we can include new parents. Please note the following points:
- Smartphones are not permitted in school. In exceptional circumstances, if a parent believes that a mobile phone (and not a smartphone) is absolutely necessary after school hours to communicate with their child, the parent must write a letter to the school Principal seeking permission and explaining why the child needs a mobile phone on their person. If this is the case, the phone must be switched off during school hours and handed to the teacher before school. The school does not accept any responsibility for the loss or damage of the phone in school.
- Electronic Gadgets: No one is allowed to bring an electronic gadget (smartwatch with internet access, tablets, iPads & etc.) to school at any time. The school has a set of iPads and these are used for educational purposes only with guidance from the class teacher.
- If any member of staff finds a mobile phone in the possession of a child on the school grounds or in the child’s school bag without permission, or if any staff member finds a mobile phone switched on in a school bag, the mobile phone will be taken away from the child immediately and the parent will be required to come to the school office to retrieve the mobile phone.
- If a child is using their smartphone or smartwatch in school to engage in bullying behaviour or is found taking photographs, video or audio footage of either other pupils or teachers, it will be considered as a very serious breach of the Code of Behaviour and the matter will be dealt with in accordance with the school’s Anti-Bullying Policy.
- Children who need to contact home during school hours may do so through the school secretary using the school landline phone only at the discretion of the teacher.
- Any pupil who uses a smartphone, smartwatch or brings an electronic game to school risks having it confiscated and not returned until a parent comes to the school to retrieve the device. The device will be turned off and only returned to the parent/guardian.
School Attendance
We encourage pupils to attend school every day unless they are unwell. We will continue to support pupils with good hand hygiene in school to help keep pupils well. If your child is unwell or cannot attend school, please note the reason for her absence in his school journal or on Aladdin. We are obliged to contact parents by letter if their son misses 20 or more days of school.
New Primary Curriculum Framework and new Primary Maths Curriculum
This school year will see more developments related to the introduction of the New Primary Curriculum Framework including the rollout of the revised Primary Maths Curriculum.
Keyboard Classes
Keyboard classes will run from Monday the 15th of September 2025 after school. Classes start at 1.40pm for infant classes and 2.40pm for older classes. Please read the attached flyer for more information.
I am fortunate to lead a great school with a committed and hard-working staff and well-behaved pupils and I hope that the forthcoming year will bring more productivity and success. Staff engagement and communication is vital to the successful running of our school: please keep in touch with suggestions for improvement and do not hesitate to let me know of any issues arising.
Le dea-ghuí,
Dara Burke, Principal.