November Newsletter 2023

Message from The Chairman of The Board of Management

Dear Children, Staff, Parents/Guardians and Community,
On Thursday 30th November 2023 the current Board of Management of Clashmore NS completes its 4-year term of office. A new Board will be formed and will take up office from 1st December 2023 for the next 4 years. On behalf of the current Board, I would like to take this opportunity to say it was a privilege for all of us to support and work for the betterment of the school community. Among other things, we have upgraded infrastructure, improved internet access, updated and ratified 17 policies, implemented improved financial management and commenced the free meal scheme as part of the DEIS initiative. I would like to thank my fellow Board members for their commitment and their generosity in giving their time over the last 4 years. By taking on responsibility for maintenance, finance, safety, health, and welfare, etc. they have lightened the burden on the Principal, Mrs. Flavin and on Mrs. Hynes as Acting Principal, and allowed them to focus on their core purpose of leading Teaching and Learning. As outgoing Chairman, I wish the new Board of Management every success and blessing in their work.

Yours sincerely,
David Simento
Chairman – Board of Management.

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the November Edition of our Newsletter!
I hope that you all enjoyed a well-deserved break over the midterm. It was wonderful to see all of the children returning to school re-energised and ready for the busy term before Christmas. This edition serves as a small snapshot into the wonderful work and on-going activities in our great school. I hope that you enjoy it!

1. Hot School Meals Programme
We were absolutely thrilled to finally launch our hot school meals programme in school yesterday (21st November). There was a beautiful aroma in the school as Mary O`Rourke (the food operative) and Joan Egan (Area Manager of Glanmore Foods Ltd) distributed the hot food to each classroom. To add to this wonderful occasion, the ice-cream van made a surprise visit to the school to supply dessert for each child. In addition, the children also enjoyed a night of no homework! It was a great day all around!

2. School Attendance
As you are aware from previous newsletters, we are placing a huge emphasis on attendance as part of our DEIS Plan. For October our overall attendance rate was 93.1%. While this is very good, we are hoping to do better for our overall attendance for November. I am delighted to congratulate 1st & 2nd class for the best attendance for the month of October-Well done boys & girls! We are immensely proud of you!

3. Christmas Carol Service 12th December @7pm in Clashmore Church
As our annual Christmas event, we will be having a carol service in Clashmore church on Tuesday 12th December at 7pm. All of our boys and girls and their teachers are busy preparing for this event. We look forward to unveiling these performances on the night & I guarantee a truly unique night for all.

4. School Fundraiser Christmas Market 13th December 2pm-4pm
As you are aware, pre-covid there was always a tradition of entrepreneurship in 5th & 6th class in terms of planning, organising and executing a fundraising event in aid of the school. The boys = and girls in 5th & 6th class have been very busy doing just this, supported by the teacher Mrs. Osborne. We are delighted to announce, our first in-school fundraising event since pre-covid times will be a Christmas Market in the school hall on Wednesday 13th December from 2-4pm in aid of the 6th class end of year hoodies. There will be a myriad of Christmas decorations/items that can be purchased, fun & games on the day & a visit from the North Pole as well as much, much, more! All are welcome & we would be truly grateful if you could come and support this event.

5. Christmas Panto 14th December
All pupils from 1st-6th class will be attending the Christmas Panto in The Opera House in Cork on Thursday 14th December. The children will be viewing Jack & the Beanstalk. We look forward to a fun day out.

6. The Daily Mile Update
In the October Newsletter based on the amount of kilometres ran in school, we were heading back down the Western coast from Donegal! Unfortunately, the weather has been against us since our last update. Nonetheless we have managed to get lots of running in & we have now landed in Carraroe (An Cheathrú Rua) in the Connemara Gaeltacht in Co. Galway. We will continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way over the coming weeks.

7. Music Generation
We were thrilled to begin Music lessons with Music Generation teacher Danny Dunford in September. Since then, the sound of Music in the school each Wednesday has been truly uplifting and the response and engagement by the children to this initiative has been all inspiring. We look forward to many more years of Music Generation in the school.

8. Shoebox Appeal
Many thanks to all of the families who participated in the annual shoebox appeal. As a result of your kindness, children in Africa and Eastern Europe affected by poverty will experience the joy of receiving a gift this Christmas. Míle buíochas libh ar fad.

9. New Board of Management
As you are aware a New Board of Management comes into effect as of the 1st of December 2023. I would again like to express my heartfelt thanks to the current Board members, who have worked tirelessly in a voluntary capacity for the good of our school. I am extremely grateful to David Simento (Chairman), Mary Dee (Patron Nominee), Michelle O`Donovan (Teacher Nominee), David O`Keeffe (Parent Nominee), Jacinta Casey (Parent Nominee), Katie Fleming (Community Nominee), Eddie O`Halloran (Community Nominee). When the New Board of Management is constituted, details will be issued to our school community.

10. Enrolments for the 2024-2025 School Year
Please note that we are currently accepting enrolments for the coming school year. Please contact our secretary Laura Barron for enrolment forms by email clashmorens19@gmail.com or by phone on 024-96404.

11. Parent-Teacher Meetings January 2024
Parent-teacher meetings will take place from 23rd-25th January 2024. Times for these meetings can be booked via Aladdin Connect closer to the date. You will be notified of this again in January.

12. Important Dates for Your Diary

• Wednesday 29th November- School Closure Day to facilitate staff training in the New Primary Maths Curriculum.
• Monday 4th December, The Enrolment Ceremony for First Holy Communion will be celebrated in Clashmore Church at 7pm.
• Friday 22nd December, School closes for the Christmas holidays at 12:00.
• Saturday 20th April First Holy Communion will be celebrated at 11am in Clashmore Church.

I wish you all the very best in the coming weeks with your preparations for Christmas.
Le gach beannacht uaimse,
Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
Principal of Clashmore National School