October Newsletter 2024

Dear Parents & Guardians,

I hope this email finds you well. As we approach the Halloween Break I would like to tell you that the children are all well settled into the routine of school life. It has been a busy half term & I hope the children enjoy their time off over the Mid-term break. Please find below a list of recent & upcoming events.

Family Fun Bingo Night

Huge thanks to the fundraising committee of Regina Fahy, Karen O’Sullivan, Veronica O Loughlin, Jamie Storan, Maria Beattie, Jillian Kelly, Laura Devlin, John Naughton, Brian Kelly & member of staff Ms Hannah Flanangan for organising this very enjoyable & successful event last Friday night. A massive amount of work went into making the night so enjoyable for everyone. We are very grateful to all involved. Thank you all for supporting the event & to all the local businesses who gave very generously. The sum raised was €6,381.52. We are delighted with this.

Parents Council

Following the recent meeting of the Parents Council on Tuesday 8th of October the following people were elected as officers of the committee based on nominations from those present:

• Chairperson: Regina Fahy
• Vice Chairperson: Laura Devlin
• Secretary: Karen O’Sullivan
• Vice Secretary: Jamie Storan
• Treasurer: Lisa Tannian
• Vice Treasurer: Sharon Herr
• PRO: John Naughton

Thanks to all of the above for taking on the roles.

Sacraments

The date for First Holy Communion next year is Saturday 31st of May. The date for First Penance is Thursday 27th February 2025.

Maths Week

Maths Week was from Monday 14th October to Friday 18th October. This is always an enjoyable week for the children. We would ask that you continue to give children the opportunity to use Maths in the Environment for example: estimating shopping bills, using measures when cooking, cost of petrol/diesel per litre, identifying shapes & looking at numbers on road signs or in the home.

Explorers Programme

The children from 3rd–6th class went on a trip on Tuesday 15th of October to the Galway Aquarium to complete science experiments & get a tour of the Aquarium. Thanks to Ms Flanagan for organising this.

Congratulations

We pass on our congratulations to the St Thomas’ Camogie team on reaching the County final. We wish them all the very best of luck in the Co. Final vs Sarsfields on Sunday. Please come out & support the girls if you can. Best wishes to the St Thomas’ Senior Hurling team in the County Semi-Final vs Capptaggle on Saturday.

Halloween Costumes

The children will be allowed to wear their Halloween Costumes, if they have them, on Friday 25th of October.

Parent-Teacher Meetings

Parent Teacher meetings will take place on Tuesday 19th & Wednesday 20th of November from 3–5pm on both evenings. A schedule of appointments will be given out in advance of the meetings. If you could please indicate times that would best suit you to the class teachers & we will try and accommodate you as best we can.

School Book Fair

The annual school Book Fair takes place the week starting Monday 18th of November. Parents will be able to view & purchase books on the evenings of the Parent Teacher meetings. Proceeds from the Book Fair go towards the purchase of resources to stock the school library & other literacy initiatives. Thanks to Ms Keely for organising this.

Shoebox Appeal

The children got the Information leaflets for the Annual Christmas Shoebox Appeal. This is a very worthy cause & is always well supported. If you are interested in sending a shoebox, please return them to the school by Thursday 7th of November.

Music Lessons

As per the September Newsletter a reminder that music company Drumadore will be coming to the school for 6 weeks to teach all classes the drums. This will culminate with all classes performing for the parents prior to Christmas. The cost of the lessons are €2100 for the 6 weeks (€350 per day). We are asking for €15 per child & the school will pay the balance. The lessons will commence on Friday 8th of November. We would ask that the money be sent in by everyone prior to the lessons commencing. Thanks again to Ms Kelly for organising this.

School Dinners

Still no communication from the Department on the School Dinners. I will keep you updated if there is any change in the situation.

Boys Football Team

The boy’s football team played very well in their blitzes recently. They made the final of the Mini-7s group blitz in Loughrea & they won a trophy as third place winners in the Garda Football tournament on Thursday 10th October in Gort GAA grounds. It was lovely having the trophy presented to our Captain Alfie Devine by Georgina Dunleavy, member of An Garda Siochana & parent of the school.

School Trail

The children from Infants to 2nd went on their local SESE nature trails around the school environment. Thanks to Ms Martin & Ms Cusack for organising this for their classes. The children had a great day.

Bun & Biscuit Day

3rd & 4th class will be having their annual Bun & Biscuit day on Friday 25th October. Parents of the children in these classes are invited in for a cup of tea & a bun or biscuit at 1:30pm.

School Closures

• Mid-Term Break: Monday 28th October – Friday 1st November
• School reopens: Monday 4th of November

If you have any further queries in relation to any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely,

Francis O’Connor
Principal