School Newsletter-March 2021

On March 1^st we were delighted to welcome back the pupils in Junior Infants up to Fourth Class. All of the recommendations to reopen safely were followed and the Covid-19 protocols were revised with each cohort. Children were thrilled to meet each other again after a long absence and the classrooms were talkative places on that first day back! We were equally happy to see the return of Fifth and Sixth Class pupils on March 15^th. Again it was obvious how delighted the students were to be reunited with each other. We thank parents for their efforts once again during the period of distance learning. We wish all of our pupils a happy and productive time for the remainder of the school year!

We welcomed past pupil Miss Ruth Duffy to the school to complete her placement as part of her Second Year college requirements. Ruth is attending St. Patrick’s, Drumcondra which is a college of Dublin City University. We were delighted to have her with us for placement, during which time she taught Second, Third and Fourth Classes. Children enjoyed the engaging lessons which Ruth prepared, and we wish her well as she continues her studies.

We brought Daffodil Day to school on March 26^th, the last day of term, with a non-uniform day and an aim to wear as much yellow as possible. Children were asked to make a donation of two euro to the Irish Cancer Society. Funds raised ensure vital services and support for people affected by cancer. A sealed bucket for donations from members of the community was also placed at the bus-stop. The day was a huge success, both in terms of money raised and the feel-good factor which the initiative engendered. Some children arrived to school in the morning with daffodils and other flowers, a lovely start to a joyous day. Everyone embraced the yellow theme, with some pupils being particularly imaginative in their interpretation of how to wear and use the colour! Staff members also donned clothing in various hues of yellow. Easter eggs were awarded to children who had the most creative and eye-catching yellow outfits and adornments. In the junior classes, prizes went to Corey Duffy, Talia Reid, Danny and Carly Egan and twins Lucy and Lily Devlin. Sean Hunt, Keith Regan, Cillian Boyle, Alex Egan and Gemma Rush were also winners from the senior end of the school. Older pupils completed thirty four exercises outside to celebrate the thirty fourth year of Daffodil Day in Ireland. Four hundred and fifty euro was raised in total. Many thanks to everyone who helped to make the day so enjoyable and who contributed to this well-deserved cause!

The Aistear theme in Ms. Waldron’s class was, ‘The Garden Centre’. The children engaged in activities such as planting, using craft materials to create flowers and gardens and role-play in the garden centre. Role play involved acting out various scenarios and building and designing gardens. A favourite activity was ‘messy play’, in the compost pit using garden tools. During this time it was obvious that the benefits of structured play are endless and children really relished Aistear activities upon their return to school.

Teachers all revised the Easter Story with their classes. As it is the second year without the opportunity to attend the Easter Ceremonies, parents were asked to try to watch some of them online and to talk to their children about the various traditions associated with this special time in the Liturgical Year.

There was one winner since the lotto resumed. Well done to Patrick Regan on having the lucky number!