Dear Parents,

As we move towards the end of September, I would like to thank you all for your assistance in ensuring that the start of the school year has been a positive one and that the children have adapted seamlessly to their new classes, especially those children who are currently awaiting new classrooms. In the meantime as we move towards the mid term break, I would like to bring the following to your attention.

Teacher Inservice Day.

The children will not be in school on this Friday,September 30th as the teachers are required to undertake an inservice on the new Primary Language curriculum. I apologise for the late confirmation. We will follow up this note with a text reminder on Thursday.

School Meals.

The Department of Social protection has provided grant aid towards the provision of hot school meals for all children. We have signed the contract relating to this and are currently awaiting the relevant funding to put this in place. The school board has taken the decision to use a Mayo based provider which will supply the food. Once we get final sanction, all parents will receive a password for the suppliers website which will allow the parents a daily choice of meals for their children. I will keep you updated as information reaches us. I would hope to have this up and running on return from the mid term break.

School Attendance.

School attendance will form a major focus of our school development plan going forward. It is an area which has caused problems in the past and one which prior to the emergence of Covid 19 we had focussed on with some success. However, there has been a serious deterioration in the area over the last couple of years mainly due to the advice around Covid19 infection/Close contact/ self isolation etc. Regrettably, for the duration of the last school year (2021-2022), no pupil achieved full attendance. Even more concerning is that 64% of our pupils missed 20 days or more which necessitated reporting to TÚSLA. To try to manage the situation and to re establish the good attendance patterns of the pre Covid era, we are introducing a number of measures as follows:

 

• Parents will be informed by letter once their child’s absence reaches 10 school days.
• All calls from parents explaining absence will be logged and recorded on the school information system.
• Children arriving to school after 9:15 a.m will have the late arrival recorded in the school office and the school roll amended accordingly.
• Under the DEIS scheme, the school has been granted a Home School Community Liaison teacher who will link up with families to assist with problems around school attendance, retention and other issues.

School Mass.

The beginning of year school mass will take place on Friday 28th October after which the school will close for midterm break. Further information will be available nearer the event.

Calendar Dates

Friday September 30th:                               Staff Training Day

Friday October 28th:                                    School Mass

School closes for Mid Term

Monday November 7th:                               School reopens.

Wednesday December 21st:                         Final day of Term 1

Thursday January 5th:                                First Day of Term 2

Monday February 6th:                                 Spring Bank Holiday

Thursday/Friday February 16th/17th:       Mid Term Break.

Friday March 17th:                                      Public Holiday (St. Patrick’s Day)

Friday March 31st:                                       Final Day of Term 2

Monday April 17th:                                      First Day of Term 3

Monday May 1st:                                          May Bank Holiday

Saturday May 6th:                                        First Communion @11:00 a.m.

Saturday May 20th:                                      Confirmation (Time TBC)

Monday June 5th:                                        June Bank Holiday

Sports News

Congratulations to all of the children who took part in the East Mayo Primary Schools Cross Country running competition. A special mention to our Senior Girls team and to Erin Higgins and Edward Murphy who qualified for the final as individuals. Thanks to Kevin Henry for mentoring the teams.

The boys and girls in the senior classes will take part in the Cumann na mBunscol Mini Sevens competition taking place tomorrow in the Dome at the Centre of Excellence. We wish the children and their mentors, Kevin Henry, Dervla Phillips and Marissa Brett all the best in their endeavours.

DEIS Activities

Swimming continues for the children in Sixth Class until the mid term break. The next swimming block will take place from January 9th for six weeks finishing on February 13th. We hope to be able to provide lessons for the children in 3rd and 4th classes but as yet we have not managed to secure a slot for them due to demand.

Children in second class will undertake a three week course in athletics at Claremorris Athletic Club commencing Monday November 7th as follows:

November 7th, 14th, 21st – Second Class Ms. Watchorn

November 28th, December 5th, 12th – Second Class Ms. Ruane.

These activities including transport to and from the venue are funded under the DEIS scheme. We hope to offer further activities for the children both in school hours and as after school clubs as the year progresses.

School Choir

The school liturgical choir has recommenced and will sing at masses in St. Patrick’s Church on a monthly basis. Thanks to Ms. Freeley and to Ms. Scully for mentoring the children.

With Thanks,

K. Dennedy