Dear Parents/Guardians,
Walk to School Week: Walk to School Week runs from September 19th to September 23rd and is a five-day celebration of walking, encouraging as many students as possible to get active and walk to school instead of driving. It was fantastic to see our pupils, parents and staff walk to school yesterday from the Lord Lucan car park. There were lots of happy faces, smiles and laughter. We are very much looking forward to an even bigger group walking to school on our next WOW day. A big thank you to Ms. Power and the Green Schools group who are driving this initiative in school.
CTYI Ireland: The Centre for Talented Youth, Ireland at DCU provides specialised courses for young people between the ages of 6 and 13 with exceptional academic ability in verbal, numerical or abstract reasoning. These courses are designed to stand outside the mainstream school curriculum but also provide enrichment of this curriculum. If you feel your child would benefit from engaging in such a course, please contact CTY at ctyi@dcu.ie.
Car parking in the School Car Park and on the Church Grounds: Any vehicle that does not have a permit and parks in the School Car Park or on the Church Grounds at school drop-off times (8.30 - 9.15am) and pick-up times (1.15 - 3.00pm) will be liable to be clamped by APCOA. The fine to have the clamp removed is €120. Please note that the school will not be in a position to negotiate on your behalf with APCOA for a waiver on clamping release fees. Click here for more information on parking permits. A car was found to be scratched one day after school last week and we would ask all patrons to please drive safely in and out of the car park to ensure safety for all.
Health and Safety: If your child is bringing a scooter or a bicycle to school, please park them at the bike racks. On wet mornings, where children use umbrellas coming to school, we ask that children give their umbrellas to their parents/guardians and not to bring them into class. This is to prevent slips and falls as a result of the hall and classroom floors getting wet. We would also be grateful if parents could stand back behind the cones each morning and allow a safe distance between you and the class line to ensure the safe travel of pupils to class in the mornings with their teacher. I kindly ask that parents/guardians do not cross and interrupt a class line when they are entering the school/ prefab. This is for child safeguarding and the health and safety of pupils and all members of our school community.
Junior Infant photographs: Tuesday September 27th. The children will wear their full school uniform on the day. If you require a photo with a sibling who is a pupil in St. Thomas’, please inform your child’s class teacher via email in advance. One parent/guardian may attend on the day to ensure the children are well presented for their photos as the teachers and photographers cannot tidy hair etc. due to child protection.
The timetable is as follows (estimated times):
Room 1: Ms. Lawlor 9.15 – 10am
Room 2: Ms. Barnes 10am – 10:45am
Room 3: Mr. Meehan 10:45am- 11.30am
Room 4: Ms. Campbell 11.30am- 12.15pm
Room 5: Ms. Brazil 12.15pm- 1pm
Church notices: St. Patrick’s Church Music Ministry.
Youth choirs return from Tuesday 12th Sept J.A.M. Youth Choir (1st to 6th Class) Tuesdays at 6.30p.m. to 7.00p.m. Cost: Free (we do have a once off registration payment €10.00 per year) J.A.M. choir is a wonderful way for First Holy Communion candidates to participate in the church community during preparation for first holy communion. The choir not only provides music for the liturgy but also an education role to its members. All members will receive classes in basic music theory; learn Tin Whistle along with group singing and performance. The choir will sing on the first and 3rd Sunday of each month at the 10.30a.m. Family mass.
Wigglin’ Worship Parent and Child (Children in pre-school, Junior and senior infants) Tuesdays at 6.00p.m. to 6.30p.m. Cost: €4.00 per class. Parent & child classes expose your child to a variety of musical experiences while you connect with other parents. Classes cover singing, percussion, theory basics and musical playtime. The choir will sing on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the 10.30a.m. Family Mass.
Yours sincerely,
Teresa Moynihan
Principal