Dear Parents/ Guardians,
WOW Day Shamrock Parade A friendly reminder that our Walk to School takes place this Friday 15th March as part of Seachtaine na Gaeilge. Walking to school leaves us alert for the day ahead. We have been learning in school that ‘Cars make dirty black smoke!’ This is also our Green dress up day so our pupils will be having an early St. Patrick’s Day Parade! We will be leaving the Lord Lucan at 8.30am and we will have DJ Patrick when we arrive in school! Thank you to Ms. Power for organising.
Seachtaine na Gaeilge All children participated in Seachtaine na Gaeilge this week. Children participated in Rince le Rita, Cheolchoirm sa scoil agus cheolchoirm in éineacht le Scoil Áine, Gaeilge le Spraoi agus cluiche Gaeilge sa rang. A big thanks to Marie Linehan and Ms. McGowan for organising Seachtaine na Gaeilge.
Job Vacancy – Secretary
We are seeking a part time secretary for 18.5 hours per week. Please click on the following link for further information https://StThomasJNS.com/News/Job-Vacancy-Secretary/1679118/Index.html . Closing date is Friday 15th March 2024.
Hot School Meals
Each pupil in the school will receive a free hot meal each day following the Easter break. As a result, ‘The Lunch Bag’ service will be ceasing from Monday April 8th. Carambola (https://www.carambola.ie/) is the company who administrate the hot meals programme in our school. Please see information sent out this week via Aladdin regarding its operation and the menu they offer. We will send you a password to log into your Carambola account in due course. 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. Should you have any questions about the programme, please contact Carambola on 061 500200 or email info@carambola.ie .
Hot Food Operator
Carambola are excited to recruit enthusiastic Hot Food Operators to feed our valued clients, the kids in St. Thomas Junior, Esker.
Duties include:
• Distribute hot meals daily to children in a friendly and respectful manner.
• Ensure the work area is always clean and tidy.
• Communicating with school staff as required ensuring professionalism and
politeness are always exercised.
• Maintaining records and returning them to our Food Safety Manager.
• Carry out any other duties that may be required
This is a part-time permanent position.
Essential Criteria:
• Excellent Interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Maintaining the highest standard of personal hygiene.
• Team player with the ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.
Desirable criteria:
• Experience preferable but not essential as full training will be provided.
Hours of work will be 2 hours daily, Monday to Friday and based on the school calender year. Times to be confirmed.
Carambola is an equal Opportunities Employer.
Email expression of interest to florence.furlong@carambola.ie with the school name in the subject box.
Closing date 18/03/2024
School Closures
We will be closed on Monday 18th March and will open on Tuesday 19th March.
We will be closed on Tuesday 28th May for staff training on the New Primary Maths Curriculum.
Easter Raffle
Our Parents Association will hold an Easter Raffle on March 31st. Tickets are €2 per strip of €5 for 3 strips. Tickets will be available from the PA at drop off and pick up. Amazing Easter treats, vouchers and prizes up for grabs. Many thanks to those who donated prizes:
- Two €150 vouchers for Hampton Lodge Equestrian Centre
- €100 Cash prize from Lucan Credit Union
- €50 Woodfire and Wings voucher
- €50 One for all voucher from Philip Doyle
- Easter Hamper from Cllr Shane Moynihan
- Voucher for 8 weeks Karate Classes for Kantanni Karate Do
- Two large Easter eggs, Two €50 Dunnes Vouchers and 2 Bunny balloons from the Parents Association
Thank you in particular to Lorna Kehoe, Maria Strickland, Sandra Minto, Angie Gleeson Lonergan and Suzanne Dwyer and all other volunteers who gave up their time to promote the Easter Raffle at Super Valu last Saturday. Many thanks for all your support.
Fun Run
Our PA will hold our annual fun run on Sunday 14th April at 9.30am in Lucan Harriers Athletic track. It is a 2km run and a great opportunity to get the family together. Registered pupils of St. Thomas’ JNS will receive a t-shirt, medal, and refreshments. Registration will be organised through Aladdin €10 for 1 child and €15 for two or more children. Please register in advance to ensure your child receives his/her t-shirt and medal. It would be lovely to see you all for fun morning! Lorna Kehoe, Chairperson PA.
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.
LUCAN ST PATRICKS DAY PARADE is holding an Art competition. For your chance to win a place for you and your family to sit on the viewing stand for the parade and runner up prizes or art sets, we would love to see your amazing pictures of St. Patrick himself.
SEND YOUR ENTRIES TO info@lucanstpatricksday.org by Monday 11th March at 6pm. Winners will be announced on Tuesday 12th March.
Art Gallery Visit
First Class pupils visited the National Art Gallery last week.
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
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
Easter Camp
“Easter Camp 2nd – 5th April with Ms O’Reilly and Ms Carragher in St Thomas JNS. The Camp will include art, sport and games, construction activities, baking and an Easter egg hunt. It will start at 9.30am and finish at 2pm. Please email eastercampstthomasjns@gmail.com for further information.
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
Teresa Moynihan
Principal