March/April Newsletter 2025

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Welcome to the latest edition of our newsletter. It is hard to believe that we are approaching the end of our second term! As always, the past month and a half have been one of the busiest yet, as you will see below between Seachtain na Gaeilge, chess tournaments, various blitzes, the Youghal Radio course, a WOW Day, Music Generation, The Discover Opera Programme, our open day and various visitors to the school to say the least!

With so many activities ongoing, I would like to pay particular tribute to our wonderful boys & girls who always do their best & are wonderful ambassadors for the school—whether they are inside or outside the school. Well done boys & girls. Equally, I would like to sincerely thank our wonderful staff for their dedication and hard work on behalf of the school. We are extremely grateful.

1. School Attendance – ‘Everyday Counts’

Being a DEIS Rural School, school attendance remains one of our main focuses.
A gentle reminder that attendance matters for your children, so if they are well, they should be in school.
The overall attendance rate for the month of March was 93.7%, an increase of 1.1% on last year.
Comhghairdeas to 1st & 2nd class who won Class of the Month for Attendance for March & 5th & 6th class who won it for April. Maith sibh a pháistí!

2. Seachtain na Gaeilge 1st–17th March

• Monday 10th March: The school was immersed in Irish for the first 20 minutes of the day.
• Wednesday 13th March: We had our Lá Glas & Céilí Mór.
• Thursday 14th March: Infants–2nd Class had a Tóraíocht Taisce (Treasure Hunt).
• Friday 15th March: Musician Michael Hickey played the accordion. Pupils performed Irish dancing & tin whistle. Later, 3rd–6th class took part in a Tráth na gCeist (Quiz).

It was a wonderful week enjoyed by all.

3. Clashmore National School Parents’ Association

• Annual quiz on Friday 7th March raised €1625 in The Old Still.
• Clothes Collection raised €600 with a €60 donation to LauraLynn Charity.

Funds will go toward new iPads. Many thanks to all supporters and the Parents’ Association.

4. School Facebook Account

The school Facebook Account launched the week of 7th March and received positive feedback from parents.

5. Sacraments

• 5th March – First Penance Service with Ballycurrane NS. Thanks to Fr. Guiry.
• 24th March – Confirmation for 5th & 6th class by Bishop Cullinan. A special day for all.

6. Extra-Curricular Activities

• 6th March – World Book Day: Pupils dressed up and brought favourite books.
• 10th March – Final swimming lesson for 3rd–6th after 6 weeks.
• The Daily Mile: Students have reached St. Louis, 3307km travelled—1500km to New York City!
• The Blast Programme: Jnrs–2nd class completed ceramics lessons with Adele Stanley.
• 26th March – Visit from Adam King and family, who spoke about writing a book.
• 27th March – Visit from a ‘Pirate’ via The Heritage Council, all about Irish pirates.
• 28th March – Youghal Radio course began for 3rd–6th class, including podcast production.
• Children are training for Finisk Valley Athletics Competition in May.
• 9th April – Ficheall Tournament for 5th & 6th class in Ballinameela.
• 2nd April – Hurling Blitz in Ardmore for 2nd–4th class.
• 10th April – First ever Tag Rugby Blitz in Dungarvan for 5th & 6th class.

7. Open Day

Held on 9th April with great attendance. Thanks to the Parents’ Association for refreshments.

8. Bí Cineálta Policy to Prevent & Address Bullying Behaviour

New policy being finalised. Thanks to all who gave feedback in the parental surveys. Draft will issue in the last term.

9. Enrolments for the 2025–2026 School Year

Please contact Laura Barron for forms: clashmorens19@gmail.com or phone 024-96404.

10. Important Dates for Your Diary

• Friday 11th April – School closes at 12:00 for Easter Holidays
• Monday 28th April – School reopens
• Monday 5th May – Bank Holiday
• Tuesday 6th May – Early closing at 12:30pm for staff meeting
• Saturday 24th May – First Holy Communion at 11am in Clashmore Church
• Monday 2nd June – Bank Holiday

Finally, I would like to wish you & yours a very happy and restful Easter.

Le gach beannacht uaimse,
Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
Principal of Clashmore National School