Dear Parents/ Guardians,
Colour Day thank you for contributing to our Colours Day. 332 Euro was raised for Pieta house 333 Euro was raised for Special Olympics. Many thanks for supporting those worthy two causes.
Parents Association 2530 Euro was raised from the fun run. This money will fund walk graphics for our yard which will look fantastic. The children will get great use out of those. We plan to have a cake sale at the end of May. We would like to thank everyone for their continued support in the supporting the school. Lorna and Maria
Hot School Meals You have to select your child’s hot lunches on a weekly basis. All choices need to be edited before Friday 12 midnight for the following week. If your child wants to opt out and not get a hot meal, please email Carambola at info@carambola.ie to inform them. If anyone has an issue with the menu please contact Carambola.
Please note, that the hot lunch is for big break only so children need to bring a drink and a snack for small break with them to school.
Should you have any questions about the programme, please contact Carambola on 061 500200 or email
School Closures
We will close on Friday 3rd May (normal times) for Mid Term Break and will reopen on Monday 13th May.
We will be closed on Tuesday 28th May for staff training on the New Primary Maths Curriculum and Friday 7th June for European and local elections.
Trocaire Boxes Please return any Trocaire boxes you may have to the school office.
Code of Behaviour We are currently reviewing our Code of Behaviour and are looking for input from our school community. Please find it available on our website here. Please email your views to info@stthomasjns.com before Friday 26th April. All responses welcome.
Special Visitors Our Taoiseach Simon Harris, Minister Heather Humphries, Minister of State Jack chambers, Minister of State Emer Higgins, Barry Andrews MEP, Senator Regina Doherty paid a visit to our school last Monday to launch the hot school meals. It was a wonderful occasion for the school community and we were delighted to welcome our visitors to room 9, Mr. Meehan’s class. Photos available here.
School Calendar 2024/2025 is available here.
Intercultural Week This week children were experiencing intercultural week in school where children learn about different cultures around the world. As part of this, we will hold a dress up day tomorrow, where all children are invited to dress up in their national dress/traditional costume/ own clothes to celebrate diversity and inclusion.
Children entering school The school gates open at 8.40am. Parents/ Guardians are responsible for supervision until the class teachers take the classes in at 9am. We kindly ask that parents stay behind the yellow line at the end of the yard and away from the area along the grass verge at the top of the yard where teachers walk along to bring the classes into the school building. This is for health and safety reasons. We do not want any accidents to happen.
Secondly, it has come to our attention that children feel uncomfortable and by the line of parents/guardians communicating with children on their way into class when in the line with their teacher especially at the junior side of the school. We kindly ask that parents stand back away from the side doors and allow the children to have the time and physical space to enter the school safely and comfortably. May thanks for your assistance in this regard.
Afterschool Clubs
Smiling Soul Kids yoga will start on Tuesday the 16th of April – 30th of April for 3 weeks in Room 19 and again from Tuesday May 14th to Tuesday 11th of June. 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
STEM CLUB Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. 60 Euro for 6 weeks. Thursdays 2.40pm – 4pm. Lego, Coding, Science Experience, Design and Making. Please contact eskerlegoclub@gmail.com
Speech and Drama Club runs in the school on a Monday afternoon from 2.40 -3.45 for 1st and 2nd second classes. A new term will start on Monday 15th of April. To register your interest and find out more information please email eskerdramaclub@gmail.com . Benefits include: Development of oral language and expression skills, Gain confidence speaking to an audience, Develop imagination skills and allow children an opportunity to discover their own creative styles through role play, drama games and oral language activities.
*Clubs are run independently from St Thomas JNS.
May Camp Ms O’Reilly, Mr. Kelly, Ms. Doherty and Ms. Gillen will be running a May camp from the 7th of may until the 10th. The camp will include sports yoga baking art stem challenges science experiments and much more! For More Information please email lucankidscamp@gmail.com
New Drama Classes
Every Tuesday 4-5pm: infants to 2nd class, 5-6pm: 3rd to 6th class. New term beginning in April. €100 per term. These classes are facilitated by fully Garda vetted primary school teachers and they will enable children to develop their social skills, communication, listening teamwork skills and self-confidence through fun and improvisation activities. Spaces are limited, call or text Molly at 0860605401 for more information or to book a space.
Teresa Moynihan
Principal