Dear Parents/guardians,
Allianz Pupil Insurance-A reminder to parents that if you wish to avail of the Allianz pupil insurance you can do so via the easy payments tab on the school website. Closing date for payments (Final) is Wed 7th of October. Please make sure that you are using the email and phone number that you provided to the school this year as the school data system is linked with easy payments. If you provided two email addresses/phone numbers you may need to try both options. If you have any difficulties please contact the school. (c.foley@stthomasjns.com)
Thank you-We would like to thank all parents/guardians for their continued co-operation at drop off and pick up times. Wearing a mask and leaving the yard promptly helps to keep us all a little safer. Please keep the numbers down on yard by having one parent only doing the drop/collect. Also I would ask parents to report the reg nos of any parent parking without a school permit in the school carpark. These spaces are needed for children/parents with disability and crèche buses that are dropping a number of children to school.
Punctuality: Please remember that entry to the school for parents dropping latecomers is via the main entrance only. We kindly ask parents not to enter the school via the side doors (apart from wet mornings). It’s also important to remember that being on time is hugely important and that the children miss out on important intervention support if they are regularly late.
Coats and Hats: As the weather is getting increasingly colder, we ask parents to ensure that the children are wearing a coat suitable to the cold and wet weather and that all hats and scarves have pupil names on them.
First Communion: Mr. Maher has been in close and regular contact with Fr. John, the PA and Scoil Áine in relation to organising special days for our past pupils (communicants) and their families in line with government guidance and Diocesan protocols. These will take place after Level 3 restrictions ease and the parents will be informed accordingly. The First Confession ceremony held in September is now available to view on the school website.
Goodbye Mr. Maher: We sadly say goodbye to Mr. Michael Maher this Friday 2nd October as he embraces a new chapter in his life and retires from St. Thomas’ J.N.S. Mr. Maher has been a formidable presence in St. Thomas’ since 1999. Prior to that he taught in St. Kevin’s Boys School in Kilnamanagh D24 where he was very proactive and successful in the areas of ICT and GAA in particular. He made a very positive impact on the pupils he taught there and they still speak so highly of him. During his time in St. Thomas’ Mr. Maher made huge positive changes to the school that not only impacted the staff and pupils but the wider school community. His leadership has been remarkable and he leaves behind a wonderful legacy that will be seen, heard and felt for many years to come. Mr. Maher has impacted so many families and lives in such positive ways, ways that he may not even be aware of. When he came to St. Thomas’ he adopted the motto of ‘Mol an Óige’ for the school (Praise the youth and they will succeed). The sentiment of the phrase was very real and was practised by Mr.Maher throughout every day that he worked in the school. The children were always at the centre of everything that Mr. Maher undertook and developed with regards to teaching and learning, inclusion and development of the child holistically and not just academically. He would expect the very best for them and from the teachers who taught them. This week the children have been very busy presenting special gifts, composing and performing beautiful songs and poems and drawing fabulous pictures for Mr. Maher. He means so much to them all and they really understand the significance of his leaving. The Board of Management, Parent’s Association, staff, parents and pupils will all miss Mr. Maher greatly but change is a part of life and this is the end of an era for us all. We wish Michael the very best of health and happiness in his future and thank him for all he has given to us in time, dedication and generosity of spirit over the last 21 years. Go raibh mile maith agat agus go n-eiri an bóthar leat Mr. Maher.
Welcome Ms. Moynihan: We would like to extend the warmest of welcomes to Teresa Moynihan who will be stepping into Mr. Maher’s shoes as Principal of St. Thomas’ from Monday 5th October. Mr. Maher and Ms. Murray have been in close contact with Teresa over the last number of months to ensure as smooth a transition as possible. Best wishes to you Teresa from all the staff of St. Thomas’.
Lorraine Murray,
Deputy Principal.