June Newsletter 2024

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the final edition of our Newsletter for the 2023-2024 school year.
As this school year comes to a close, I would like to express huge gratitude to the entire school community both inside and outside of the school who have contributed to the success of our great school- our wonderful staff, The Board of Management, The Parents` Association and the entire parent body. I am extremely grateful. This year has been exceptional for many reasons. Here are some highlights from the current school year.

1. Attendance
As you are aware we have been working very hard on improving our overall attendance, as part of our DEIS Plan. I am delighted to announce that we have a significant improvement in our attendance from an average of 92.3% last year to 94% this year. This a wonderful achievement-well done to all. Congratulations & well done to 1st & 2nd class who won Class of the Month for May- Maith sibh a pháistí!

2. Sports in the School this Year
We have engaged in a range of sports this year.

• GAA- Hurling, football & Camogie
• Soccer
• Cycling (5th & 6th Class)
• The Daily Mile
• Tag Rugby
• An Athletics Day with Waterford Sports Partnership
• Local Athletics
• Swimming 3rd-6th Class
• WOW Days- Walk on Wednesday

3. Extra-Curricular Activities this Year

• A Witches` Walk
• Christmas Carol Service
• Seachtain na Gaeilge- Events & Céilí Mór
• Pottery Lessons for Jnrs-2nd Class with Cora Cummins
• Food Dudes
• An Action Day for our 6th Green Schools Flag which we were awarded this year
• Re-vamping of our Out Door Mural- A joint venture with a Waterford Walls Artist
• Visits to the New Out-Door Classroom located near St. Mochua`s Well

4. New Things in the School This Year

• The Hot Meals began in the school
• The Scholastics Book Fair took place
• We had our first ever Christmas Market
• Water Testing & A Beach Clean Up in co-operation with members of The Clashmore Kinsalebeg Community Council
• Our Student Council was established
• An Iron-on/sow on School Crest is now available for the first time!

5. School Policies/Plan that have been completed or Reviewed.
All of these are available from the School Office upon request.

• The Child Protection Policy
• The Anti-Bullying Policy
• The Critical Incident Policy
• The Code of Behaviour
• The Homework Policy
• The Remote Teaching & Learning Plan
• The Healthy Eating Plan
• The History Plan
• The Digital Literacy Plan

6. Blast Application Approved
For the first time ever, we made an application to Blast for funding for the creative Arts Curriculum. I am delighted to announce that we have been successful. As a result, Jnrs- 2nd class will be doing pottery lessons fully funded in the 2nd term next year. Many thanks to Ms Seward for making the application on our behalf.

7. Student Council News!
Our new Student Council have been working extremely hard since they were established in May. To date they have approved the iron-on school crest & they surveyed all pupils in the school. For the coming school year, they hope to run A Comic Club each Monday for pupils during break time & A `Fun Friday` twice a month where pupils can play music during break. They also hope to run a soccer blitz in the school next year. I would like to commend them on the very successful Quiz that they ran yesterday in the school for all classes. It was a wonderful event, that may turn into an annual event. Well done to our Student Council.

8. Clashmore National School Parents` Association
I would like to extend my most sincere gratitude to The P.A for all of their hard-work and dedication in supporting and funding initiatives in the school. Equally they have provided refreshments & goodies for all of our events this year.

This year alone, they have funded the following:

• The cost of the bus to The Panto
• The purchase of The Christmas Annuals
• The buses for the school tours in Jnrs to 4th class
• The purchase of New Board Games for Wet days in school, please note that €250 was raised through the `No Homework Night` Fundraiser for these.

9. School Tours
This year, the following school tours were enjoyed by the pupils.

• 19th June: Jnrs-2nd Class: Leahy`s Farm
• 13th June: 3rd & 4th Class: Cuskinny Adventure Centre
• 19th June: 5th & 6th Class: Dunmore East Adventure Centre

10. Sports Day-17th June
We held our annual Sports Day on Monday 17th June in Clashmore GAA pitch for the first time ever. Thankfully the sun was shining that day and it was a great success.

11. Junior Infant Induction Day- 17th June
We also held our New Junior Infant Induction Day on Monday 17th June. We look forward to welcoming all of our new Junior Infants and their families to the school, when we return in August.

12. Arts, Crafts & Photocopying Fees for 2024-2025 School Year
Please be advised that the Arts, Crafts & Photocopying Fees will be increased to €22.50 per child for the coming year. Please note that there has been no increase in these fees since pre-Covid.

13. Primary School Free Books Scheme
The Primary School Books Scheme is still in effect this year, thus the school will provide all schoolbooks, copybooks and workbooks for the children. Parents will only be required to purchase their child`s Stationery Lists which were sent home yesterday. Please note that the school will close at 12:00 today Friday 21st June for the Summer holidays.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a happy and healthy Summer break and I look forward to seeing you all again when the school re-opens on Wednesday 28th August.
Le gach beannacht uaimse,
Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
Principal of Clashmore National School