Dear parents,

Pupils' achievements:

Thanks to parents who have accepted the invitation to forward details of their child's extra curricular achievements to the school website. I am enjoying these very much.

One of our P7 footballers attended a Cumann na mBunscol GAA Skills Day in Kilcoo before Easter and has since been selected to represent our school at half time in the Ulster Championship game between Down and Antrim. The game will take place tomorrow in Pairc Esler, Newry. Best of luck, Jude!

Last Sunday the Quiz Team attended RDS Dublin for the all Ireland final of the Credit Union quiz. The questions were very, very challenging and the St Clare's Abbey team performed incredibly well, to the delight of their parents, Mrs Donnelly and myself. We had a lovely day and were so proud of Caitlin, Joseph, Jude and Muhammad.

On Good Friday, Dylan, Sophie, Conall, Lucia, Joseph & Benedict represented our school at the Children's Stations of The Cross celebrated in St Brigid's church. They performed beautifully and really enhanced this special ceremony for all the parishioners. It was a treat to see some of our families in attendance also- Thank You.

Excellence in ICT awards:

On Wednesday we hosted 6 special guests, the judging panel of the above NI competition. Mrs Mc Parland and Mr Clarke- ICT coordinators completed a rigorous application form a few months ago outlining all that we do in ICT in St Clare's Abbey PS. Based on this we were shortlisted and a 2 hour on site assessment took place. We have our fingers crossed that we will get through to the next stages of this very prestigious competition which is open to every school in NI. Thank you to the P4 and P7 pupils who shared their work with the judges and our school Governor Mark Doran- they were most impressive. Thank you as always to the highly dedicated staff of St Clare's Abbey; the ICT coordinators, the teachers who were interviewed as part of the process, and those staff members who work so hard with their children to maximise the gains that ICT offers within learning. As a team we are constantly striving to be the best that we can be, in order to give our pupils the best education that we can. The judges acknowledged this commitment and I am very proud of that.

Parish Family Mass:

This will be held on Saturday 13^th April at 7.30 in St Brigid's church. The liturgy will be led by the St Clare's Abbey boys and girls. Attendance at these monthly masses has been growing over the course of the year and I would love if this one could have a really strong presence of our school families. Primary 4 and Primary 7 pupils and families are especially invited as this will be the final family mass before the date of their First Holy Communion and Confirmation.

Safety in the school car park.

I really need your help parents and remind you:

1. That we operate a 'drop off zone' and a one way system. We have had a few 'near misses as parents have not followed the one way system and have 'cut off' across the flow of traffic, to park in the area beside the canteen. I am very fearful that we will have an accident.
2. That you need to be so careful when dropping off children. Pupils should disembark onto the pavement- not onto the road/ car park side, where cars are busily trying to depart.
3. When driving off from your drop off position' that you need to be mindful of other cars coming up from behind. We have had a few 'near collisions' re this.
4. That buses are being held up when some of you stay too long in your 'drop off' position. I have frequently seen the bus unable to take the bend to get to its drop off position because some of you have left your car unattended or are delaying your departure to make phone calls etc, unaware that your vehicle is blocking the way.

I know that with your support we can make the process safer for our school community.

I wish you a happy weekend and hope to see lots of you in St Brigid's on Saturday evening

yours in partnership,

Mrs Monaghan