September Newsletter 2026

Dear Parents/Guardians,
Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter for the 2026-2027 school year.
I hope that you all enjoyed a lovely break with the glorious weather. I would like to extend a very warm welcome back to school to all of the boys & girls and their families, our Staff, Board of Management, Parents` Association and the entire school community. I wish you all every best wish & blessing for the coming year. A very special welcome to our New Junior Infants and our new families to the school. We wish them many happy years in Clashmore National School. I would also like to give a special mention to our past pupils. We wish them every success as they begin their secondary school journey.

Every Summer we are busy upgrading the school for the benefit of the children and this year was no different! For the entire Summer, the school was a hive of activity and we are absolutely thrilled with the results. There was an extensive lighting upgrade (new sensor lighting) and fire alarm, fire exits & associated wiring upgrade throughout the entire school. The front of school was power-hosed & newly painted. The entire sports hall was painted including the ceiling and kitchenette. The secretary`s office was also painted and is currently being renovated. The outdoor ground murals have been re-painted along with the parking spaces. All hedges were trimmed and the exterior of the building has been cleaned. The school itself was also deep-cleaned over the Summer.

I would like to sincerely thank each and everyone who helped out during these extensive upgrades between staff, members of the Board of Management & their families & members of the Clashmore Community. Without this collective effort, all of this work would not have been possible, so we are extremely grateful. Buíochas ó chroí libh ar fad.
Please note that this is an extra-long newsletter, as it has many reminders and important updates for the coming year.

1. The Staff of Clashmore National School are as follows

• Principal & Special Education Teacher- Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
• 5th & 6th Class Teacher- Mrs. Patricia Keogh
• 3rd & 4th Class Teacher, Mrs. Michelle O`Donovan
• 1st & 2nd Class Teacher- Mr. O`Connell Deputy Principal
• Junior & Senior Infants Class Teacher- Ms. Máire Seward
• Special Education Teacher- Ms. Osborne/Job-share partner Ms. Elaine O`Hara based full-time in Clashmore this year.
• S.N.A (Special Needs Assistant)- Mrs. Siobhán Fitzgerald/Job-share Partner Linda Power
• S.N.A (Special Needs Assistant)- Mrs. Dawn Goulding
• S.N.A (Special Needs Assistant)- Mrs. Michelle Fitzgerald
• Secretary- Mrs. Laura Barron
• Caretaker Mr. Michael Dunne
• Cleaner & Hot-Food Operative: Mrs. Tracey O`Keeffe

2. New Breakfast & Afterschool Services Now Open in Clashmore NS!
We are delighted to welcome Helena O`Meara and her team to the school as they begin the Breakfast & Afterschool Services in Clashmore National School. Please note that enrolment forms are still being accepted and children can be enrolled into the service at any stage.

3. School Secretary
Our School Secretary Mrs. Laura Barron is here on a part-time basis and is contactable at the following times:

• Monday 9:20am-1pm Tuesday 9:20am-1pm Wednesday 9:20am-1pm
• Thursday 9:20-1pm Friday 9:20-1pm

Please note that these times may be subject to change.

4. Supervision
As the new term begins, the Board of Management would like to remind you that the school operates from 9.20am to 3pm. Infants finish at 2pm.  To facilitate the children`s safe arrival to school, your child should arrive at school between 9:10am and 9:20am. There will be supervision in the yard in the morning between 9:10am and 9:20am. To Keep everyone safe, pupils are not permitted to enter the school grounds before 9:10am. Supervision will be provided until 3pm. However, the school accepts no responsibility for children before 9.10am or after 3pm.

5. Access and Road Safety
In order to provide for the children’s safe entry to and exit from school, the following protocol is still in place. Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1st and 2nd classes are to enter and leave the school grounds via the lower pathway on the village side. Senior children from 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th classes are required to use the upper pathway on the Aglish side.

6. Attendance/Pupil Absences
As a DEIS school we will be placing a huge focus on attendance again this year. The importance of attendance cannot be under-estimated. By maintaining a good attendance, children can not only develop academically, but can develop their social skills and friendships but to name a few of the benefits. So please make every effort to ensure your child is in school. If your child is absent, it is mandatory that a reason for the absence is communicated to the school. Equally, we would ask that appointments be made outside of school time and that children are not leaving school early. In addition, please try to avoid taking holidays during term time, as regardless of the time of year children are missing out when they are not in school.

As per our Attendance Policy, the Principal will issue a letter to parents following absences of 10 days, 15 days and 20 days. If a child has been absent for more than 20 days in a school year, then this will have to be reported to Tusla Child and Family Agency and the Children’s Education Welfare Officer may be in touch if there is cause for concern.

7. What to do if you or your child has a problem/concern while in school:
If you or your child has a problem/concern:

1. You must contact the class teacher directly and talk through your concern with them.
2. You can contact the class teacher directly through Aladdin or you can ring the office to schedule a meeting with the teacher.
3. Parents/Guardians should not be contacting the Principal as their first port of call.

 8. A Couple of Reminders:

• Aladdin Connect App: A gentle reminder that Aladdin Connect is our school administration system. Please ensure that you are registered and can log in to this App at all times, as all messages will come through Aladdin. Text messages will only be issued in the event of an Emergency.
• School Books: All school books, workbooks & copies have been provided for the children under the School Books Scheme. Míle buíochas to Ms. Keogh & Ms. O`Donovan & our parent volunteers who organise these books each year. Please note that there are a number of books/readers that are re-used each year. We would ask that the children be particularly mindful and please take care of these books, as any damaged books will need to be replaced.
• Face Cloths: Please ensure that you child has a face cloth in a sealed zip bag to dry their hands each day. We would also ask that this face cloth is changed/washed each week.##
• Labelling Children`s Clothes: Please remember to label all of your child(ren)`s jumpers, as jumpers tend to get mixed up or mislaid.
• Earrings: Please be advised that the children are only permitted to wear stud earrings.
• Return Bin: We are continuing with our Return bin this year. Plastic bottles & cans can be sent into school each Monday. All funds raised will go directly to the school.
• Homework Journals: Please ensure that you have signed your child`s homework journal. Homework pages can be signed for Infants. Homework will not be given in the school until the 7th September.
• School Crests: The iron-on/sow on School Crest is still available to buy from the office at a cost of €5. This is also a Parents` Association fundraiser, so we would greatly appreciate your support

9. Extra-Curricular Activities

• Music Generation: Music Generation will continue in school this year. Junior Infants to Second class will be focusing on Musical Beginnings (songs, rhythm, pitch etc), while 3rd-6th class will be learning to play the Ukulele. Danny Dunford will be the children`s music teacher. This is our 4th year of Music Generation and it one of the highlights of our week. There will be a cost associated with this programme, payable again through Aladdin.
• GAA: I am delighted to announce that Evelyn Morris will be joining us this year to do GAA with all classes. We are greatly looking forward to this.
• Blast Programme: (Bringing Live Arts to Students & Teachers). We are delighted to have been successful in our application for the Blast Programme for the coming year.  This programme gives the students a chance to work with a professional artist on a unique project.
• Tap Programme: (Teacher & Artist Partnership Programme). We are equally thrilled to be the recipients of the Tap Programme also for the coming year. This programme supports & enhances Art education in school & again we will be partnered with a professional Artist. Huge thanks to Ms Seward who applied for both programmes and was successful.
• Say Yes to Languages Programme: The Say Yes to Languages Programme will also be running in the school for a second year. This means that 5th-6th class will be doing 10 weeks of Spanish lessons with a Spanish teacher between Term 2-3.  Each of these programmes are fully funded.
• Green Schools: We are delighted to have been awarded 6 Green School Flags & for the coming year, we will again be focused on the sentiments of these flags for the benefit of our environment.

10. School Fees Total €34.00
Please be advised that the following things will be covered in the €34.00 fee per child:

• Arts, Crafts & Photocopying Fee is €25 per child for the coming year.
• Allianz Pupil Insurance Fee €7: This is 24 hour cover 365 days a year for school activities, social, domestic and leisure activities (including school holidays).
• Fundraiser Fee: There will also be a €2 fundraiser fee for the Christmas Jumper Fundraiser for the Lions Club. Please do not send in any money to the office, as this fee is payable through Aladdin.

11. Child Protection
Please note that Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín is the Designated Liaison Person (DLP) in relation to Child Protection in the school. Mr. Morgan O`Connell Deputy Principal is the Deputy Designated Liaison Person (DDLP). The Child Safeguarding Statement and Child Safeguarding Risk Assessment can be viewed on the wall inside the front door of the school.

12. Medication
In the event that your child requires medication during school hours, you are required to fill out an indemnity form and information form in advance before any medication can be permitted in school. These forms are available on request from the office.

13. Healthy Eating Guidelines
As part of the school`s Healthy Eating Guidelines, Pupils are allowed to bring a small treat on a Friday (e.g. fun size bar/bag of sweets, small home bakes, popcorn or pretzels, chocolate spread or yogurts not containing nuts). There is a total ban on nut and nut products (e.g. Nutella) due to the serious allergies of some pupils. Equally cordial is only permitted with lunch.

14. Foxy Stamps Saving Scheme
To enable the children to gain the experience of saving, in conjunction with Youghal Credit Union, the school runs the Foxy Stamps Saving Scheme. This scheme allows pupils to buy saving stamps from the school at a cost of €1 each Friday and redeem their savings card in Youghal Credit Union or lodge into their account. This will begin in the school on Friday 11th September.

15. Important Dates for your Diary

• 1st October 2026: 60th Anniversary Mass will be held in Clashmore Church at 6:30pm, followed by refreshments back in the school. We would like to extend an open invitation to the entire Clashmore Community to this special event.
• 4th October 2026: 60th Anniversary Walk.
• 14th October 2026: Bingo in Clashmore NS.
• 23rd October 2026: the school will close for the Halloween mid-term.
• 24th & 25th November 2026: Parent-Teacher Meetings will be held in the school.
• 3rd December 2026: 3rd-6th Class will be going to the Panto.
• 10th December 2026: Our Christmas Carol Service will take place in the Clashmore Church at 6:30pm.

• 5th February 2027: PA Quiz.
• 8th May 2027: The First Holy Communion in Clashmore Church at 11am.

Finally, I would like to wish you all a welcome return to school and I look forward to catching up with all of you over the coming days & weeks.

Le gach beannacht uaimse,

Yvonne Uí Fhlaithimhín
Principal of Clashmore National School