School will close at 12 noon on Thursday 17 April 2025

and Re Opens on Monday 28 April.

Dear Parents,

Our pupils have been reverently preparing for the Holy Season of Easter – the most important celebration in the Christian calendar. They have listened carefully to the stories detailing the events which led to the death and Resurrection of Jesus. They love hearing stories of Jesus’ life and respond so well.  You may wish to talk to them about these stories at home.

It has been a busy week in school with Easter egg hunts and celebrations for our pupils who have reached their Accelerated Reader target as well as those pupils who were chosen by the Anti Bullying Ambassadors as being living examples of ‘Respect’ in their classes.  Our pupils are working so hard in all aspects of school life and we have been so proud of them this term.  We said a very fond ‘good luck’ to Mrs Mona McArdle, our esteemed colleague, who sets off on her retirement. We wish her good health and happiness!

We thank you most sincerely for your kind donation towards our Easter Raffle – the proceeds of which will go to Trocaire – a fabulous total of £640 was raised!!!  Fr. John joined us at assembly and was delighted with the amount.

School will finish tomorrow at 12noon. We look forward to attending the Mass of the Holy Chrism in Newry Cathedral at 10.30am with our P7 pupils.  We have no doubt they will be excellent ambassadors for St. Clare’s Abbey.

Thank you for your continued support.  Wishing you a Holy, peaceful and relaxing Easter. 

We look forward to seeing our pupils return on Monday 28^th April.

Yours in Partnership,

Mrs Monaghan

All of our staff have to start work before 9.00 am to ensure they are in class for the children.

Increasingly I find that staff are circling the car park unable to find a car parking space.

I am aware that several of our nursery parents are parking between the 8. 45 and 9.00am drop off and this is taking up some of our very limited car parking spaces.

I remind parent that school operate a car drop off system and we do not have enough room to allow parents to wait with their children or walk them to the classes.

The only people able to do this are those who have been granted a parking permit based on their child being a 'blue badge' holder.

Please respect how difficult this situation is and work with us.

Yours in partnership

Mrs Monaghan 

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