May Newsletter 2023

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to our May Newsletter. I hope that you and your families are all keeping well and that you are enjoying this glorious weather. Hopefully it is a sign of what`s to come. As you will see from this edition, we have had a jam-packed month of activities both academic and extra-curricular. Míle buíochas to all of the staff who organised, co-ordinated and supported the many activities/initiatives this term as detailed below. I am extremely grateful. On another note, our wonderful secretary Breeda O`Keeffe is retiring from the school this Summer. We wish her every health and happiness in her retirement and we sincerely thank her for her hard-work and dedication to Clashmore National School. She will be greatly missed.

1. Comhghairdeas-Congratulations!
Congratulations and well done to our Camogie Team on their triumph in the Cumann na mBunscoil Final last Thursday 25th May in Abbeyside. We are extremely proud of the girls for this wonderful achievement. Maith sibh!

2. Parents` Association Fundraisers
I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all of those involved in The Parents` Association. They have been working extremely hard in their fundraising endeavours for the school this term. We greatly appreciate your hard-work and efforts here in Clashmore National School. Many thanks to all of the pupils, parents and the wider community who attended the Parents` Association Quiz last Friday night 26th May in May O`Rourke`s. It was a great night enjoyed by all. A gentle reminder that the Parents` Association are still collecting any unwanted clothes. Clothes can be dropped to the school between 9:10am-9:20am daily. The Clothes Collection will continue until the 11th June. Please note that all funds raised will go towards funding the cost of the buses for the school tours.

3. The Food Dudes
The Food Dudes Programme will be running in school this week (Mon 29th May-Fri 2nd June). We are delighted to have the scheme return to the school once again and we are excited to see what tasty fruit and veg treats will arrive this week!

4. Green Schools Activities

• WOW Day (Walk on Wednesday): We held our first WOW Day this year on Wednesday 17th May. We were heartened that so many of the children made the effort to walk with us from the grotto in Clashmore up to the school. We are all very aware of the effects of climate change. As a Green School, we are delighted to be doing our part. We hope to organise another WOW Day for June.
• Green Schools Art & Colouring Competition: Congratulations and well done to all of the children on their amazing creations for the Green Schools Art & Colouring Competition. This competition focused on the theme of Global Citizenship and the children really outdid themselves with their efforts. Maith sibh a pháistí!
• Collecting Water Samples: Last Friday 26th May our Green Schools Committee participated in collecting water samples as part of The Fresh Water Watch Initiative with Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council. This initiative is a global project where communities from around the world monitor, protect and restore their local freshwater resources. Our Green Schools Committee were invited to accompany members of Clashmore and Kinsalebeg Community Council to test levels of nutrient run off in our local river. This was a lovely opportunity for us to become global citizens and it links nicely in with our current Green School Flag.

5. Radio Programming with Youghal Community Radio
We are extremely fortunate to have Youghal Community Radio coming to the school for a 6 week block to 3rd & 4th class and 5th & 6th class to explore and make a radio programme with both streams. We look forward to listening to their radio programmes. You will be notified in advance of the date and time of the airing of these programmes.

6. Gymnastics & GAA
The children are currently enjoying 6 weeks of gymnastics lessons. Lessons will conclude on the 7th June. We are delighted that Mary O`Rourke is still with us each Thursday for GAA coaching. Please note that the children will not need any helmets or hurleys for the remainder of the school year, as Mary will be focusing on football skills and fun games.

7. The Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme
Following the announcement by Minister Norma Foley of the Free Primary Schoolbooks Scheme in March, as of September 2023 all schoolbooks, workbooks and copybooks will be provided by the school for each child for free. We are in the process of finalising this scheme and additional information will be issued in the coming weeks.

8. Aladdin E-Payments
Our Aladdin e-payments is now up and running. Please note that the School App will no longer be used for payments to the school. It will however, still be used for sending messages until the end of the current school year.

9. Recruitment
We are currently recruiting for a part-time secretary.
Please see educationposts.ie for further details.

10. The Stay Safe Programme & Standardised Testing
Each class are being taught The Stay Safe Programme this term. The Stay Safe programme is a personal safety skills programme designed specifically for Junior Infants through to 6th class. The programme seeks to enhance children’s self-protective skills over a series of lessons. In addition, we are currently in the process of conducting standardised tests in English and Maths to pupils in classes 1st-6th class.

11. Planned Half-Day Closure
Please note that the school will close at 12:00 for all pupils on Friday 2nd June to facilitate staff curricular training.

12. Junior Infant Induction Day
Our Junior Infant Induction Day will occur on 14th June at 2:15pm. We look forward to welcoming all the new incoming Junior Infants and their parents to the school on that day.

13. Apple Green Art Competition
The children were absolutely thrilled to receive all of the prizes presented to them as part of the Apple Green Art Competition fundraiser for Barretstown. I wish to sincerely thank Colette Whelan and her team for their generosity.

14. School Tours
This year, the following school tours have been planned for the children.
You have been notified of the cost of the school tour. This can be paid via Aladdin.
We would be most grateful if all school tours could be paid by 16th June.

• 6th June: Junior & Senior Infants: Fota Wildlife Park
• 6th June: 1st & 2nd Class: Fota Wildlife Park
• 20th June: 3rd & 4th Class: Let`s Go Summer Camp
• 21st June: 5th & 6th Class: Dunmore East Adventure Centre

15. End of Year Mass
Our end of year mass will be celebrated on Thursday 22nd June at 10am in Clashmore Church. We would like to extend an invitation to all parents/guardians to this mass.

16. Important Dates

• Monday 5th June: June Bank Holiday Closure
• Friday 23rd June: School closes for the Summer holidays at 12:00

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