Newsletter 7/4/2022
Change of details: If you have changed address, phone number or email recently, it is essential that you inform the school via the office info@stthomasjns.com or on 01-6282691. Updated details are needed in order to ensure smooth communication.
Park Run: The St. Thomas’ JNS FUN RUN was a wonderful success. It was heart warming to see the joy on the faces of all our participating pupils, parents and teachers and a great opportunity for parents to get involved in such a great community event. The weather was also on our side which always helps. Again, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to the Parents’ Association who organise all these events for our pupils. The effort and time involved cannot be underestimated. The PA are always looking for extra help and support and it is a great opportunity to meet new friends. You can reach out via the St. Thomas’ PA Facebook page St. Thomas' JNS Facebook We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Pat from Griffeen Junior Park Run and all the volunteers who really helped to make the event a success while keeping everyone safe and of course we extend thanks to the Lord Mayor of South Dublin Peter Kavanagh who gave of his time and presented medals to the pupils. This really helped to add to the sense of occasion. Enjoy some highlights below.
Griffeen Junior Park Runs: If you and your child/children enjoyed the Fun Run, you may like to make it a weekly event? The Junior Fun Runs take place every Sunday in Griffeen Park at 9:30am and is a sure way to shake off any cobwebs, improve your fitness and wellbeing while also meeting some new friends. You can register for the Junior Park Runs on www.parkrun.ie/griffeen-juniors. Parking at Lucan shopping centre is advised.
Credit: Photographer Pat McCabe
Note from Ms. Moynihan
Massive congratulations and well done to Chairperson Elaine Moylan and all members of our Parents' Association on organising the school's participation in the Griffeen Junior Parkrun last Sunday. Well done to all who participated. The children thoroughly enjoyed it as well as the many families and staff members who attended. It is wonderful to see lots of smiling and happy faces in those photos above. We have a wonderful school community here at St. Thomas' JNS and I'm sure, no doubt, that there will be many more activities like this in the future. Thanks to the Mayor, local councillors and the Garda Siochána for their support. Well done to all of you for supporting our Parents' Association and our school. Míle buíochas.
Upcoming Closures 2022
Easter Holidays: School closes on April 8th @ 11:50am for infants and 12pm for 1sts/2nds. School will reopen on Monday 25th April.
May 2nd Bank Holiday and May 3rd school closure
May 20th- Half day for compulsory Primary Language Curriculum training for St. Thomas’ and Scoil Áine. Junior and senior infants will finish at 11:50am and 1st/2nds will finish at 12pm.
June 6th Bank Holiday and 7th School closure.
Intercultural week: Monday 4th-8th April. The school has been buzzing with learning, music and excitement this week with all our intercultural events and visitors. Pupils will have the opportunity to dress up in international/Irish dress on April 8th (day of Easter Holidays). We also welcomed a visitor from Trocaire (Niall Quillinan) who spoke to our second classes on Wednesday 6th April. He taught the children all about Thandekile, Zimbabwe and the effects of climate change.
Easter Egg Raffle: The Easter Bunny has arrived early and dropped in 40 Easter Eggs to us. We will have a raffle today whereby a boy and girl in each class will win an egg each.
Cake Sale in aid of the Irish Red Cross/Ukraine Crisis. The staff had an internal staff cake on Wednesday 6th April in aid of Ukraine and the Irish Red cross. It was very well supported.
Coffee and Chat Afternoons
Adamstown Youth and Community Centre (AYCC) and Adamstown Women’s Group are hosting coffee and chat afternoons for Ukrainian families. Come along and meet with other families!! Date: Every Saturday. Time: 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm Where: Adamstown Youth and Community Centre Station Road, Adamstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin Free Event!! Children very welcome!! Coffee/Tea, light refreshments will be provided. Activities for children.
Wellbeing/Amber Flag: A message from Ms. Finnegan and Ms. Doherty: We are delighted to announce that we will be having a Wellness week which will run from Wednesday the 4th until the Friday the 6th of May. This week will be packed with lots of nice activities for everyone to enjoy. Each day we will dedicate some time to positive well-being for both staff members and pupils.
The children will be invited to scoot or cycle to school on Wednesday the 4th of May. ***Please be aware that there are limited spaces to leave your bikes/scooters at the front of the school and that they are left at your own risk. Therefore, we ask that parents/guardians take home scooters/bikes after the children arrive at school. Next year we will have a brand new bike shed to cater for such days. Our Wellbeing committee will arrange to have photos taken of pupils arriving to school on wheels! At a closer date a timetable outlining the activities for the week will be published.
Lost property-If your child has lost an item of clothing please check the lost property box at Maureen the secretary's office. All unclaimed items will go to charity this Friday 8th April.
Wishing you all a lovely Easter Break and we will see you all on Monday 25th April.
Lorraine Murray
Acting Principal