Dear parents/guardians,
Please see the following notices for your attention:
Dátaí Tábhachtacha
Féilire na Scoile
Santa Visit: Santa is visiting our school on Tuesday, 16th December. He should be arriving around 9a.m. Children are encouraged to wear a Christmas jumper to school on the day.
Christmas Holidays: School closes on Friday 19th December. School will re-open on Monday, 5th January 2026.
Tinreamh & Poncúlacht
The overall pupil attendance for the school year to date is 96%.
Please do not drive inside the school gates to drop off/collect children. This applies throughout the school day, if collecting/dropping children to school.
Please inform grandparents/childminders of these important protocols.
Curriculum School Self Evaluation Process – Literacy
School Improvement Plan – Spellings & Phonics
Teachers are continuing to implement and review the agreed changes to classroom practices in the teaching and learning of spellings and phonics across the school.
Alongside this, we are placing a strong emphasis on reading for pleasure through approaches such as choral reading, echo reading, DEAR time, peer reading, station-teaching and buddy reading. It would be fantastic to see this emphasis continued and supported at home as well.
As a parent you can help us by:
- Setting up a specific family reading area in the home. This sends children a dual message that reading is an important value in this family and that everyone in this family, no matter their age, reads.
- Increase the reading for pleasure time.
- Read aloud and thinking aloud. While you are reading to your child, think out loud about the images you see or the questions that may arise. That means explaining the ideas, pictures, questions, and connections that go through your mind as you read a passage.
- Keep the reading material interesting, varied and relevant.
Aifreann an Chéad Aoine
Fr. Eugen led the school in prayer at First Friday mass on November 3rd. All classes from 2nd to 6th attended the mass. Our thanks to Ms. Casey and Ms. Tobin for preparing the music and readings.
Cruinnithe na Tuismitheoirí- Múinteoirí
We would like to thank all parents for their attendance at the recent parent–teacher meetings. Our teachers found the meetings very informative, and we hope you did as well.
If you have any concerns outside of the scheduled parent–teacher meeting time regarding your child’s progress, please contact our school secretary. An appointment can then be arranged with your child’s class teacher or support teacher.
Comórtas Ealaíne
Credit Union Art Competition
Our budding artists came to the fore again this year in the Credit Union Art Competition. Huge congratulations to the children who placed in this year’s competition:
11-13 years
1st place – Juliette Finane
3rd place – Kaila Ryan
Additional Needs Category
11-13 years
Oscar Merriman – 1st place
Jake Lawlor – 2nd place
8-10 years
Hasnain Chishty – 1st place
Carúil Nollag
Ms. Tobin and our teachers will be busy preparing the children for our Carol Service on the 19th December in St. Paul’s Church, Emo. You are invited to attend @ 11am on the day.
Imeachtaí Scoile
Science Week
Our thanks to Ms. Casey and all our class teachers who organised activities for Science Week. There was fantastic learning and fun taking place all over the school and we look forward to the photographs and accounts of their work.
Christmas Choir in Emo Court
We are delighted to have been asked to take part in a Christmas music event in Emo Court between 1-2pm on Sunday 14th December. Our thanks to Ms. Tobin who will be preparing children from 1st – 4th class for the day.
Cúrsaí STEM
VEX
VEX Robotics focuses on educational robotics and enables children to develop their STEM skills.
Through the VEX programme children design, build and programme robots to compete in challenges. Our 6th class children are finalising the design and build of their Vex robot.
Children work in teams and gain experience using Python and C++ programming. This year the children are competing in the game ‘Mix and Match’ using their robot Huey.
The children will partake in Vex Competitions on January 27th/28th.
Coding
3rd and 4th Class pupils have just begun an exciting new coding programme using Code.org. This platform introduces children to the fundamentals of computer programming in a fun, engaging and age-appropriate way. Through interactive puzzles, games and creative challenges, pupils learn key skills such as problem-solving, logical thinking, sequencing, debugging and working step-by-step to complete tasks.
Blúiríní
Garda Visit – Gardaí, Aran Grehan and Ronan Maher, visited our Junior & Senior Infant and 3rd & 4th Class children on 4th November. They spoke to the children about their role as community Gardaí, behaviour in public, road-safety, mobile phone safety and online safety.
Oide Support – teachers recently received in-school support in relation to Digital Technologies.
Our thanks to Mr. Cushen who is coordinating chess activities across our senior classes from 3rd – 6th. All children will be learning to play the game and will have opportunities to take part in a lunch-time chess club going forward.
5th & 6th Class attended the Ógra Live Well Expo 2025 in Mountmellick Community School on November 12th. The event promoted an awareness of mental health, physical health and emotional wellbeing. The children enjoyed a variety of performances and met with a wide range of people that informed and challenged the way they think about mental health within their families and communities.
Siniú,
Noel Costelloe
Príomhoide