Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Dare to Believe Ambassador
We were delighted to welcome Olympic Irish Athlete Orla Comerford to our school this week. She visited Ms. McDermott’s class who are participating in The Dare to Believe primary school programme. It brings the Olympics to the classroom and inspires students to Dare to Believe in themselves. Children learn about the core Olympic & Paralympic values; healthy mind and body, courage, joy of effort, respect & excellence. A key feature of the programme is an Ambassador visit which creates excitement and inspiration for pupils involved. The pupils were delighted to listen to Orla on her road to success and the challenges she overcame when she lost some of her eyesight in 5th class. She went on to achieve her dream of running for Ireland, competing at the 2016 and 2020 Paralympic Games. Her goal is now set on competing and being more successful at the next Paralympic games this summer in Paris 2024! We’ll be cheering her on, all the way!
Parents Association Subs
Our Parents Association rely on support from our parent body. Each year the PA collect subscriptions of €10 per family in order to support the purchase of resources for our pupils or to support fun events within the school. Subs can now be paid online via Aladdin. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Thank you to all who have already contributed. Please also keep a close eye on the St. Thomas’ PA Facebook page which keeps you up to date on upcoming events.
School Closures
We have been informed that two referendum changes will take place on Friday the 8th March and as the school campus of both schools is used as a polling station we will be closed on that date.
We will be closed on Monday 18th March and will open on Tuesday 19th March.
Pictures from the classes
Ms. O’Malley’s class eagerly engaged in Buddy reading.
Lucan Sarsfield’s GAA
Lucan Sarsfield's GPO Alan has been in with the school and would love to give anyone the opportunity to come and experience the National sport of GAA.
The GAA is a sporting community that helps children develop new friendships, life skills and fundamental movement skills that work on the A, B, C’s (Agility, Balance & Coordination) and R, J, T’s (Running, Jumping & Throwing) to improve a child's Athletic development for sport and for life.
Lucan Sarsfield’s Academy runs every Saturday morning for the ages between 4-7 years old and has teams for boys and girls from U8's all the way up to adult. If this sounds of interest or if you'd like to know any more information, Alan would be delighted to take a call on 087 121 3587
Afterschool Clubs
Smiling Soul Kids Yoga - Kids yoga will start on Tuesday the 27th of February – 12th of March for 3 weeks in Room 19. Available for all classes.
Kids yoga gives children an opportunity to explore body and mind while gaining strength , flexibility and balance through fun positive and relaxing activities. They will benefit from learning life skills, which would help them to cope with stressful situations and build self-esteem and can enhance creativity.
Children will also take part in: Mindfulness and relaxation, Breathing techniques, Art and journaling. For more details and to secure a place please contact Ms.Doherty at smilingsoulkidsyoga@gmail.com
Wellness Easter Camp
Join Ms. Barnes and Ms. Doherty for art, yoga, mindfulness, games, Easter egg hunts and much more. Monday the 25th of March to Thursday the 28th of March. 9:30am – 2pm daily. Price: €90 Email: wellnesscamplucan@gmail.com
Attendance
Schools have an obligation to keep a register of the students attending school. We are obliged to inform TUSLA if a child is absent for more than 20 days in a school year no matter what the reason. We have noticed an increase in the number of children presenting to school late in the mornings. We encourage all children to be in the line for 5 to 9. From Monday, 5th February, if any child is late to school, parents will be asked to sign a late register form when dropping the child to school. It is important that we do everything possible to encourage full attendance. If a child attends school 10 minutes late each day, that’s just short of 1 hour a week. We want to see all children in school for the full school day and we ask for your co-operation in this regard. Míle buíochas.
Teresa Moynihan
Principal