6th Class are participating in the Laois Primary Schools Debating which is taking place via Zoom this year. The class will also be involved in an in class debating league.

We are looking for the biggest and smallest conkers which any child can bring in. Rather than a school championship this year, we will be having individual class championships from 3rd to 6th Class.

The Parents Council School Calendar will go on sale next Monday. The cost is €7 per calendar. A link has been set up on the Aladdin app and all payments must be made through this. Calendars will be handed out to children in their class each Morning following payment received.

GAA Training takes place every Friday morning for 4th and 5th Class for the next 4 weeks.

We hope all the boys and girls in 3rd Class have a lovely day tomorrow at their First Holy Communion.

It is safe to say that we are all glad to be back to school and to an increased  level of normality. Sincere thanks to our pupils, parents and staff who have all adapted to and supported our changed times, routines and practices which are designed to minimize the spread of Covid19.

After a successful re-opening our attention now turns to keeping our school open, which means keeping the school Covid free. To try and ensure this our school is depending on our community to act responsibly and follow public health advice. Naturally many parents have concerns and have contacted the school wondering whether their child should attend if they have a runny nose, cold etc.. The HSE have issued advice to parents in this regard which you can access by clicking on the following links assets.gov.ie/85215/1dd58586-510f-4caf-b5fd-9e135b278262.pdf  and assets.gov.ie/85240/b99f1628-cb2c-42b2-a94b-8715b5b54ae3.pdf 

Where a child presents with one of the Covid symptoms (high temperature, new cough, breathlessness, loss of sense taste/smell) or informs staff that they are unwell, parents will be contacted to collect the child. In such situations a child should only return to school when they are symptom free. 

With all of us being more cautious there will inevitably be higher levels of absence from school this year. The school understands this and while monitoring of attendance will continue, parents should not become concerned unless contacted by the school.

Hopefully by working together we can keep our school Covid free and therefore open for the full school year. We appreciate the efforts made by parents to date and ask for your continued support in the weeks and months ahead. If you have any query at any stage please do not hesitate to contact us.

Our new junior infants have settled into school really well and the last fortnight has flown by. From next Monday 14th September the junior infants home time will change from 12.00 to 13.30. Parents should remember that this means they will have a longer day and a second lunch-time which may require bringing a bigger lunch. Our thanks to the junior infant parents for having their children so well prepared for school.

Parents should stay in touch with the school over the coming months if they intend to apply for a junior infant place for September 2021. Our junior infant enrolment normally takes place every November with places allocated in line with our enrolment policy. However the Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018 enacted this year has brought about changes which are likely to impact on our school's normal November enrolment. 

Our school has drafted a new Admissions Policy in line with the new Education Act through consultation with pupils, parents, staff and the wider community. This draft has been forwarded to Bishop Denis Nulty, our school patron, for approval. Once approved this new Admissions Policy will supersede our current enrolment policy. The diocese have indicated that approval of all the schools Admission Policies in Kildare & Leighlin will take time and that school enrolment for September 2021 may need to be delayed until January 2021. Our school has asked for clarification  on this timeline from the diocesan office and we will update parents on the expected commencement date for enrolment once received.