Year: 2019

Traffic Management
Please remember that the drop-off zone in the mornings is only designed for you to drop and go. If you need to get out of your car at all or if you need to wait for any reason, please use the designated parking spaces. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Now that winter has arrived there can be more cars at the school in the mornings and evenings. We remind you of the need to be patient and considerate to ensure safe and convenient parking for all. If you are using the ‘overflow’ car park to the rear of the school in the evenings, please drive slowly and be vigilant. Thank you.

Football News
The Cumann na mBunscol competitions have finished for another year. A big thank you to Mrs. Connolly and Mrs. Sukprasert for their help with the girls team. They played well and had some success but ultimately didn’t make the latter stages this time. Fortunately our boys had a great year and deserved their victory in a fast and high-scoring final against Clonaghadoo. A big thank you to Pat Hickey and Paul Julian for their help this year; a great team effort and while not the most important thing, it’s very satisfying to win from time to time! Maith sibh a bhuachaillí – Baile Uí Laigheanáin abú!

Halloween Hike
Thank you very much for your support for the recent hike. Unfortunately there was heavy rain on the day but the children got to parade around the school and a great time was had by all. There were some wonderful homemade costumes! A total of €2,684.53 was raised. Thank you very much for your support.

Staff News
A ceremony was held in the school recently to mark the retirements of Ms. Geraldine Curran and Mrs. Catherine Browne. Pupils, staff, representatives of the Parents Association and the Board of Management attended. Both teachers had worked in the school for eighteen years and we will miss them greatly. We thank them for their dedication to the pupils in their care and wish them an enjoyable and healthy retirement. They have been replaced by Mrs. Stephanie Moriarty (who would have otherwise been redeployed and is currently on maternity leave) and Ms. Eleanor Lacey. Congratulations also go to Mrs. Julian on the recent birth of her daughter!

Attendance & Punctuality
It is important to use the ‘Record of Absence’ notes towards the back of the Student Journal if your child has been absent or is going to be absent from school. This is the best way to inform your child’s teacher who needs to know the reason for any absence. Please ensure that your child is on time for school in the mornings and if s/he needs to leave early do let us know in advance . Thank you for your cooperation.

Cycling to and From School
If your child cycles to school, please remind him/her to cycle on the left, wear a helmet and to be safe and considerate of other users on the road. Thank you.

Reminder: Important Dates
First Penance                Thurs.   13^th February      7:00 p.m.
Confirmation                Sat.       21^st March        11:00 a.m.
First Communion          Sat.      23^rd May           11:30 a.m.

Football News
Our boys will play in this year’s Cumann na mBunscol Roinn 2 final against Clonaghadoo. The match will be this Thursday 24^th in O’Moore Park with throw-in at 2:30. The football panel will travel to the match by bus. Because we’ll be treating them to refreshments afterwards, they won’t return to the school until approximately 5 – 5:30 p.m. If you wish to travel separately or collect children early on the day from the school you’re welcome to come and support us. It would be convenient if you could collect children at 1:15. There is usually an admission charge for adults on the day. If you wish to bring a child from school, please let the teacher know in advance. The boys have played really well this year whatever the result, though naturally we’d like to finish with a win. Go n-éirí libh a bhuachaillí!

Drop Off Zone
Please remember that this area in the mornings is only designed for you to drop and go. If you need to get out of your car at all or if you need to wait for any reason, please use the designated parking spaces. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Halloween Hike
As in previous years we will be dressing up for Halloween, this year on the morning of Friday October 25^th.  This year we will be ‘hiking’ from the school down to the old school and back. If the weather is bad we will do it indoors as in previous years. You should have received a sponsorship card and we would be very grateful for your support as always.

Reminder
School will be closed on Wednesday this week for teacher inservice in Portlaoise and school will close at the usual times on Friday for the Halloween break.

Important Dates
First Penance                Thurs.   13^th February      7:00 p.m.
Confirmation                Sat.       21^st March        11:00 a.m.
First Communion          Sat.      23^rd May           11:30 a.m.

Cycling to and From School
If your child cycles to school, please remind him/her to cycle on the left and to wear a helmet. Some are cycling on the wrong side of the road on the way home and sometimes 2 or 3 abreast. This is unsafe and we want all our road users to be safe! Some advice from the Road Safety Authority:

• Never cycle in the dark without adequate lighting – white for front, red for rear
• Always wear luminous clothing such as hi-vis vests, fluorscent armbands and reflective belts so that other road users can see you
• Wear a helmet
• Make sure you keep to the left. Always look behind and give the proper signal before moving off, changing lanes or making a turn
• Follow the rules of the road, never run traffic lights or weave unpredictably in and out of traffic
• Maintain your bike properly – in particular, your brakes should work properly and your tyres should be inflated to the right pressure and be in good condition
• Respect other road users – stop at pedestrian crossings; don’t cycle on the footpath
• Watch your speed, especially when cycling on busy streets and going downhill
• Steer well clear of left-turning trucks: let them turn before you move ahead

Homework Club
Homework club will finish this Thursday 17^th October for the Halloween break and resume on Monday, 4^th November.

Drop Off Zone
Please remember that this area in the mornings is only designed for you to drop and go. If you need to get out of your car at all or if you need to wait for any reason, please park elsewhere. Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Lost Property?
There is still some left, please come and have a look in the front porch. Please check that your child’s name is on their property. Thank you.

Halloween Hike
As in previous years we will be dressing up for Halloween, this year on the morning of Friday October 25^th.  This year we will be ‘hiking’ from the school down to the old school and back. If the weather is bad we will do it indoors as in previous years. Please see enclosed sponsorship card and we would be very grateful for your support as always.

Reminder
School will be closed on Wednesday, 23^rd October for teacher inservice in Portlaoise and school will close at the usual times on Friday, 25^th October for the Halloween break.