Dear Parents,

We have had a very productive ‘Anti Bullying’ week:

• The children have worked within their classrooms on a range of activities to increase their understanding of the role that each of us has to play in reducing bullying within our school. Thank you for supporting our work by discussing the messages at home as evidenced in the many entries into the Anti Bullying competition.

• The Anti Bullying Ambassadors were very busy, judging the competition and preparing their presentation which has been shared on Seesaw. Mrs Donnelly will work with the Anti Bullying Ambassadors to ensure key messages arereiterated after Anti Bullying week has ended, to show the children that it is an ongoing issue that we always need to be working on, not something that we think about only in a designated week.

Book Fair:

I remind parents that the book fair will arrive in school next week as per the post earlier in the week. Mrs Noonan has organised this and has stated that she would be highly appreciative if any parent felt he/she could help out before or after school on Tuesday or Wednesday. If so, please contact uson 028 302 62175. We hope that this might be a nice time for families to pick up a few Christmas presents.

Christmas:
I remind parents once more that assistance can be provided for any family struggling to manage Christmas this year. Please feel free to contact me in the utmost confidence.

Open Night:

Please remind family and Friends re our open evening for  newP1 pupils in September 25. It will take place on Wednesday 27 November  and there will be 2 sessions: 6.00-6.45 & 7.00 – 7.45

And finally:

Best wishes to the P7 pupils who will be sitting paper 1 of SEAG entrance exam on Saturday. We pray that they will be calm and do their best.

I conclude by wishing you a lovely restful weekend,

Yours in partnership,

Mrs Monaghan

First Confession Wednesday 11th December 2024 @ 11.00am St Mary’s Church.

Confirmation. Friday 9th May 2025 @ 6.00pm The Cathedral.

First Holy Communion Saturday 17th May @ 11.30am The Cathedral.

I really need your help parents and remind you:

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.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.

Mrs Monaghan 

At the time of amalgamation it was agreed that funerals of staff of the former schools would not be attended by pupils from the newly amalgamated school. This was to avoid anyone being overlooked due to current staff being unaware of former connections with the schools.

That seemed like an appropriate arrangement at the time. However, having personally attended recent funerals of deceased former staff, I have become uneasy with this arrangement. Therefore, it will be modified as indicated below.

The family of a deceased member of staff of Abbey PS or St Clare’s PS, who retired from either school may request a school representation at their loved one’s requiem mass. If the mass is taking place during school hours and in a local church, we will try our very best to facilitate the request.  Requests may be made via telephone 02830262175.

We cherish the contribution that former staff made to both schools, from which we grew.

Mrs Monaghan