
Table of Contents
Welcome back

Welcome back to all pupils, parents and staff of Scoil na mBuachaillí. We hope that you all enjoyed and had a healthy and safe summer break. A special welcome to our new pupils in Junior Infants, in our Special Classes and the new pupils who are entering other classes throughout the school. We now have 3 girls in SnB – Freya, Ella and Tabitha.
A special thank you to our SNAs – Josie, Eileen, Susan, Sam, Niamh, Claire and Theresa and to Thelma, Noreen and Finbarr for helping out with the preparation of the school. A special thanks to Finbarr for all the work he did throughout the school during the holidays. Thanks also to Regina Fitzmaurice for all her work throughout the summer holidays. Thanks also to the Board of Management, Eoin Loughnan.
This is the 27th year of the Links. and for the very first time we are going online – only. The Links has it’s own website http://www.snblinks.com and not only will be Links found on this site we will be posting other news also. If you subscribe on the homepage you will be notified of all posts.
It has been a busy summer for everyone here in Scoil na mBuachaillí. There has been a lot of preparation for getting back to school safely, even the bulk of the work was done last year.
The following is just some of the work that has has been done in the school:
* New signs for yards,
* 3 New 76” television screens in Rang 1, Rang 2 and Rang 4. There are now only 2 classrooms left without screens. These have interactive whiteboards.
* New door in our large resource room. Thanks to Pat O’Sullivan’s, Tim O’Regan and Wescos for their help.
* Entire school deep cleaned – thanks to Cathy and Aquila and Finbarr.
Aladdin Connect

This year we are continuing with the Connect App. As you know you will be able to do many things with this app:
For example:
All messages from the school will in future be sent via the app / email. We will now only rarely send Text Messages.
You can view the school calendar – showing school closures, extra curricular activities etc.
During the school closure (lockdown) parents / teachers used the app to receive and return homework. It proved to be invaluable.
As we are now gone to a Cashless school – you can pay school fees directly via the app or via your computer. You will be able to view your child’s attendance and also send an explanation for your child’s absence via the app. If your child is going to be late, or needs to leave the school during the day, you can now notify us, in advance, using the app.
Parent / Teacher Appointment times will be given out and booked via the app.
Your child’s summer report will be sent via the app and you can view all school reports from 2014/2015.
We have phased out sending out notes to get permission for various activities – going on School Tours, Orienteering etc as there is a Permission facility on the app also. This is now the only way to give permission for different activities.
Parents will now use the permission facility on the app to declare that you have read the Links, rather than signing it and returning it to the school.
The following “notes” will / have been sent home via the Permission App on Aladdin.
Please tick that you have read the note and give permission for the following:
(Please note – they have to be done individually).
Pupil Personal Accident form
RSE Form (Relationships and Sexuality Education)
Sciath na Scol
Basketball
Chess
Swimming
Not all forms are for all classes. You will know it’s for you if you receive it on your app. For example: Chess is only relevant to Rang 4, Rang 5 and Rang 6.

Retirements from SnB
At the of June two of our staff members retired from their positions in Scoil na mBuachaillí – Mrs. Thelma Barry and Mrs. Maire Houstoun.

Thelma Barry has been secretary in Scoil na mBuachaillí for 17 years and has given tremendous service to all the children, parents and stafff over the years.
She knows all the boys, takes an interest in them, the same with all the staff. Over the past 17 years she has been the rock that SnB stood upon. She is always a friendly voice on the end of the phone for parents and staff alike.
She got involved in all activities, during and after school – any fundraising activities, the musicals, pageants, Scoilavision – no matter what was going on, Thelma was there. She is extremely efficient and never forgets anything. She works very hard and is often here well after 4.00 p.m.
Thelma will be sincerely missed by all the pupils, parents and staff of Scoil na mBuachaillí. There are no words to express our gratitude for all you’ve done. Thank you so much.
Maire Houstoun has been a valued member of staff over the past 14 years, an extremely hard worker, an enthusiastic teacher and a great friend and colleague to every here in SnB.
No matter what was going on in the school, Maire would be actively involved – fundraising, raffles for the musicals, helping out the Parent’s Association with Funday Sunday, Tea Party or whatever was going on.
Maire always has a smile on her face and brings positivity wherever she goes. She has brought a smile to all of the boys she has taught over the years and to her colleagues also here in SnB. She always has the interest of the boys foremost in her mind. She stays late everyday – getting ready for the next morning, to ensure that everything is right for her boys. Over the years she has taught Learning Support / Resource and 1st class with her job-sharing partner Ms. Kathryn O’Shea
Maire will be missed by us all and we thank you for your service to SnB.












Calendar 2021/2022

Dates for your Diary

- Music – enrolling for this school year i.e. Kay O’Flynn (guitar, tin whistle, keyboard etc), Adrian Hanly (brass instruments) and Laurie Hedger (drums) is only being done by the Aladdin App. This has been available since July. Please check the school website under M for Music to see appropriate ages/classes for instruments or just click here.
- Parent’s Meetings: Information Meetings for parents in October. It’s possible that these will be done via Zoom / Webinar – Social Distancing will determine everything. More details later.
- The AGM of the Parent’s Association will be held in October. As above: Details later.
- Mid-Term Break: Monday 25th to Friday 29th of October inclusive.
- Parent/Teacher meetings : hopefully Thursday 18th of November.
- Christmas Holidays: Boys will get their holidays on the 22nd of December at 12.00 p.m. Return 5th Jan.
- February Mid-Term Break: 24th and 25th.
- St. Patrick’s Day and ..: Wednesday 17th March and Friday the 18th of March
- Easter Holidays: Friday 8th of April at 12.00 p.m.. Return Monday 25th of April.
- School Closed: Monday 2nd of May.
- School Closed: Friday 3rd and Monday 6th of June.
- Summer Musical: 15th, 16th and 17th of June or the following week.
- Summer Holidays: Tuesday 28th June @ 12.00 p.m.
- Sixth Class Party: to be decided.
Classes and Staff for 2021/2022
Special Class: Miss Therese Crowley
Special Class: Ms. Mary Horgan
Junior Infants A: Mrs. Marie Forristal
Senior Infants: Ms. Gillian Galvin
Senior Infants / Rang 1: Ms. Michelle O’Neill
Rang 1: Ms. Kathryn O’Shea / Ms. Karen O’Regan (Job-sharing)
Rang 2: Mr. Paul Carmody
Rang 2 / 3: Ms. Carol Ann O’Donovan / Ms. Laura Connolly
Rang 4: Mrs. Marie Hayes
Rang 5 A: Ms. Margeurite Bradshaw
Rang 5 B: Mr. Seán Daly
Rang 6: Ms. Niamh Mac Auley
Special Education Teachers:
Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice (Deputy Principal)
Mrs. Elaine Connolly (Reading Recovery Teacher)
Ms. Orla O’Keeffe
Ms. Carol O’Boyle
Mr. Tadhg O’Driscoll (shared with Rosscarbery Convent N.S.)
Ms. Mary Buckley Healy / Ms. Áilín Quinlan
Special Needs Assistants:
Mrs. Josie Files / Mrs. Susan McCarthy (Job-sharing)
Mrs. Eileen O’Donovan
Mrs. Samantha Aerts
Ms. Niamh Whelton
Mrs. Claire Kavanagh
Ms. Theresa McCarthy
Bus Escorts
Ms. Jean Murray
Mrs. Eleanor Callanan
Caretaker:
Finbarr O’Connor
Secretary: Thelma Barry & Noreen Collins
French: Mrs. Celine O’Donoghue
Elocution: Ms. Nora Scannell
Music: Mrs. Kay O’Flynn
Trumpet: Mr. Adrian Hanley
Drums: Mr. Laurie Hedger
G.A.A. Coach: Mr. Conan O’Donovan
Rugby Coach: Mr. Finbarr O’Mahony
Principal: Mr. Barth Harrington
Board of Management:
Mrs. Noreen Minihan (Chairperson),
Mrs. Eileen O’Regan (Treasurer),
Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice,
Mr. Noel White,
Mrs. Eileen Collins (new mother needed in the autumn)
Mrs. Elma O’Mahony,
Mr. Jerome O’Sullivan and
Mr. Barth Harrington.
Parent’s Association:
Chairperson – Mark Griffin
Vice Chairperson – Karen Daly
Secretary – Stuart Sloan
Vice Secretary – Barry Nash
Treasurer – Elaine Dineen
Vice Treasurer – Ann Phair
PRO – Brietta O’Sullivan
Vice PRO – Niamh McCarthy Lyons
Summer School




































Summer School Song – “Too Cool for School”
Click here to hear the song from Summer School, “Too Cool for School”, written and performed by the boys with assistance from their teachers and SNAs. Mr. Paul Carmody is playing guitar. Singers: the boys, Mr. Paul Carmody, Ms. Laura Connolly, Mrs. Eileen Breen O’Riordan, Ms. Rachel Hodnett.
Too Cool for School
by the Boys from Scoil na mBuachaillí July Summer Camp 2021
It’s Tuesday, let’s run away,
I’ve gotta get out of here today,
I’ve got dynamite but keep it quiet,
I’m gonna get out today.
We’ll jump on the bus, the four of us,
Tell the teachers we’ve had enough,
We’ll get ninety nines and we’ll be fine,
So long and goodbye.
Oooh we, we’re flying high,
We’ll keep going until we’re high and dry,
Oh no, I’m not gonna go,
Back to school again.
Advertising
If you would like to book an ad for the coming school year 2021 – 2022 please let Noreen know as soon as possible. The number of ads is limited. Our Links goes to all parents in the school – 10 times a year – at the beginning of each month. Now due to the fact that it’s online many more people will view the Links. The cost is €20 per issue or at a discount of €150 for the entire year! Please ring 8834487 if you are interested.
Scoilavision – a huge success
Thanks to everyone who made our Scoilavision 2021 such a huge success this year. There was a time, when we thought it could never happen. But it all came together in the end. Once our New Music Room was completed, rehearsals began in ernest.
Thanks to John Fitzgerald, Jerry Collins, John Cormican and Finbarr O’Connor for all their help with the New Music room. It’s a fantastic resource.
Thanks to all the backstage crews – sound, lighting, front of house, roadies, tickets, voting and IT, Judges, Presenters, and Producers. Thanks to all the parents of the boys who purchased tickets to view the show and helped out with costumes.
Thanks to Eddie Lyons and his company for their very generous donation, that helped pay for all the new Sound Equipment.
Thanks to Elaine Connolly, Regina Fitzgerald, Niamh MacAuley and Paul Carmody for all their assistance.
A huge thank you to John Fitzgerald who filmed and edited the entire show. … coming in at 6.30 a.m. on the morning of the show. Thanks also to Keith O’Connor for assisting John on the day.




















“Cent” Box – Thorntree Project
“Cent” boxes will continue this year in a different format due to Covid-19.
Rang 5 A (Ms. Marguerite Bradshaw) and 5 B (Mr. Seán Daly) will be in charge of this and will inform you later of how it will be organised. We have been assisting the Thorntree Project since 2015, when we release a Christmas single “Butterfly Child”. Please support this worthy cause, when asked to do so.

Nut Allergy – IMPORTANT!
Quite a significant number of boys in our school are allergic to nuts and for them any contact with nuts or products containing traces of nuts can be dangerous for example NUTELLA or Peanut Butter!!!!
Please be aware of this when organising your child’s lunch and DO NOT allow your child to bring anything containing nuts to school. Your help in this matter is very much appreciated.
Please give your children water to drink coming to school – not sweet or fizzy drinks.

Prizegiving – Photogallery
Many thanks to Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice for organising our Prizegiving this year – it was a mammoth task. Every child in the school got a medal! Some more than one.




























ePayments
Dear Parent/Guardian, This year as last year we are using Aladdin ePayment system for parents/guardians of children in our school.
Our school uses the Aladdin software service for administrative purposes and the ePayment system will give you access from an internet browser on your computer, phone or tablet to make secure payments to the school using your credit or debit card.
The purpose of the ePayment system is to facilitate the easier payment of school money collections for parent/guardians and to eliminate the use of cash and cheques in our school in line with recent central bank direc-tives. Aladdin uses state of the art security to safeguard information entered by you and the school and data is stored and processed in strict compliance with Irish data protection laws.
Going forward, when money is due for any school activity that is relevant to your children, you will receive a text/email/noticeboard mes-sage containing your payment access link. The item will also show up on your App on your phone/ tablet/ computer.
Please do not forward this text/email or share this access link as this link is unique for your family only. The link will bring you to a parent payment page which will contain all payments re-quested for all siblings in a family. There is only one link per family ensuring you have the option to pay all amounts due for all your children in one transaction.
Once you have completed your payment, you will be is-sued with a reference number. You will also receive an email receipt which will contain details of the transaction and reference number. Please quote this reference number in any queries you may have as regards this payment with the school.
We hope that you will find the Aladdin ePayments facility useful and that it is a very successful system for all. The secretary or myself will welcome any feedback or questions you may have. Barth Harrington / Noreen Collins
School Fees 2021/2022
Dear Parents, please find the list of fees for the coming year. Music enrolment is only by the App again this year. Guitar Rental is the same as last year. The fee for Renting the Guitar is €50. At the end of the year we will return the money to you, once the guitar has been looked after. Closing date for all fees please is Thursday 30th of September 2021 (except for Milk and Swimming which are due on their due dates). If you are worried about any of the fees below – please don’t worry! Contact Barth Harrington on 023 8834487 to discuss the matter. |
Art and Craft (all classes): €12.00 French Lessons Term 2 (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €8.00 Photocopying & Printing (all classes): €20.00 Rental Scheme (Rang 1 – Rang 6): €30.00 Swimming (Rang 1 – Rang 6): €47.00 |
Drama (all classes): €2.00 * Elocution (all classes): €7.50 * French Lessons Term 1 (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €8.00 * Zumba dancing (Special classes, Junior Infants – Rang 2/3): €5.00 * * items marked with * will not show up on your Aladdin App if you paid for them last year. |
Optional Allianz Pupil Personal Accident Insurance- School hours only: €6.00 Allianz Pupil Personal Accident Insurance- 24 hours: €9.00 Christmas Magazine 2021/2022: €5.00 (all classes) Milk Term 1 | September – Christmas 2021 (All Classes): €11.16 Milk Term 2 | January – Easter 2022 (All Classes): €10.80 Milk Term 3 | April – June 20202 (All Classes) | €6.84 |
Music Lessons (Optional) Music enrolment for 2021 /2022 Term 1 (these lessons are optional) Please note: your child can only study 2 instruments maximum. Drum Lessons with Laurie Hedger (Rang 3 – Rang 6): €40 Brass Instruments with Adrian Hanley (the instrument will be supplied to the child) (Rang 3 – Rang 6): €150 Kay O’Flynn: Guitar (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €80 Kay O’Flynn: Keyboard (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €80 Kay O’Flynn: Tin Whistle (Senior Infants – Rang 6): €80 Kay O’Flynn: Accordion (Individual lessons): (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €110 Following the surveys we conducted in 2019 with regard to music in our school, the Parent’s Association and the B.O.M. have put aside money for parents who may find the cost of the Music Lessons prohibitive. Please contact Barth Harrington about this on 023 8834487. Also money is available to purchase instruments which can be loaned to children. Many thanks to the P.A. and B.O.M. for this. We purchased 12 guitars for the scheme. These guitars are excellent and will have to be cared for by the boys. A deposit of €50 will be taken and returned at the end of the year, once the guitar has been looked after. |
Noreen’s birthday













Absent from School
This year, as every year, I urge parents to ensure that your child attends school every day, unless he / she is too ill.
Without realising it, these days and others add up over the year and over the child’s school life. These absences do impact on your child’s education. If you are thinking of booking holidays this year, first look at the school calendar and then try to avoid school days. Since 2015 the number of days a child has missed school is now included in the summer Report.
As you may know, we are obliged under the Education Act to notify the Tusla (formally National Welfare Board) when a child is absent from school for 20 days in a school year or if we are concerned about a particular child’s attendance. These absences are notified to Tusla at the end of each term. If your child is absent please send a note or use the app to explain the absence on his return to school. This reason is then recorded.
Taking holidays during the school year
We do understand that holidays are more expensive during the summer months. However if you take holidays before the school closes, your son misses out on many things / events: curricular and extra curricular – e.g. finals of all competitions run during the year, summer musical, prizegiving etc. Please think twice before booking any holiday during the school year. If you are returning from Foreign Holidays Rules, please follow Covid-19 Government guidelines.
PPS Numbers
PPS. Numbers: Please send in your child’s PPS number if you have not already done so. You can also add this yourself on the Aladdin App.
If you cannot find the PPS you can ring 023 – 8821900 and they will be able to locate the number and give it to you over the phone. Noreen will be contacting parents who have not yet sent in their child’s PPS number later in September.
Contact Numbers
If you have moved, changed phone/mobile numbers or changed doctor or emergency contact person or got a new email address – please update these details on the Aladdin App yourself so that we can contact you in case of emergency. You can do this yourself, there is no need to ring in, just change it on the App and we will be notified automatically.
We will no longer be sending texts to parents – we will just use the Aladdin app.
Music Room – Official Opening











Child Protection Policy
Dear Parents/Guardians/Carers,
In recent years, as a society, we have become very aware of the problem of child abuse through neglect, emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Each one of us has a duty to protect children and Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post-Primary Schools 2017 notes that teachers, who are the main care givers to children outside the family, are particularly well placed to observe and monitor children for signs of abuse.
In response to this, we drew up our Safeguarding Statement 2018 and this is available on our school website. These procedures promote the safety and welfare of all children and are to be welcomed. This is published on our school website: http://www.snbclonakilty.com.
The Board of Management of School na mBuachaillí has adopted these procedures as school policy. Consequently, if school staff suspect or are alerted to possible child abuse (neglect, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse) they are obliged to refer this matter to Tusla. Tusla will then asses the situation and provide support for the child concerned.
In our school the Designated Liaison Person for dealing with Child Protection is Barth Harrington (Príomhoide) and the Deputy DLP is Regina Fitzmaurice (Leas Príomhoide).
The following policies can be downloaded from our school website http://www.snbclonakilty.com :
· Safeguarding Statement 2018, Risk Assessment 2018· Risk Assessment Covid-19 2020, Critical Incident 2018, Intimate Care Policy 2018, Mobile Phone Policy 2018, Work Experience Policy 2018, Policy on Administering Medicine 2018, First Aid 2019, Policy / Code of Conduct for External Agencies for Sports and the Arts / One to one Counselling.
Kathleen Russell Poetry Competition Winner
My Dragon by Olan Quirke
I found a dragon last week.
With ultra-pure white scales. It had an injured beak. I decided to name it Pale.
I took him to the vet. But to both of our demise. The veterinarian ran away when she and the dragon locked eyes.
I took him to the zoo, in the hopes that they could fix him too. But to both of our dismay, they also ran away.
I took him home to fix his beak, I gently nursed him for a week. I fixed his beak in the end. Now we live together the best of friends.

Recycling – Green Waste

Over the past few years we have tried – in vain – to recycle our Green Waste and unfortunately it hasn’t worked out, probably because the only waste was fruit.
The Recycling bins have being attracting visitors that we don’t want! Because of this we are asking boys to bring home their apple cores, banana skins (organic waste) etc from now on.
Tin foil and uneaten lunches will be brought home also. Many thanks for your cooperation.
Supervision – Insurance Statement
Although the gate is open before 9.00 am, this is done solely to avoid having the children in danger near the main road. Children who come to school earlier must behave in the yard and walk Not Run – IMPORTANT.
Supervision in the school yard begins at 8.55 am. If wet the children are brought into the school building and supervised. Due to Covid-19 a Wet Morning’s Group will be set up as only a maximum of 25 children can come in to the school in the morning early and be socially distanced safely in the corridor.
The whistle is blown at 9.05 a.m.
Classes / Assembly commence each day at 9.10 am sharp.
Classes end each day at 2.00 pm [Junior and Senior Infants] | 3.00 pm [1st- 6th]
Parents who wish to have their children escorted home should make their own arrangements to have them met at the school.
To meet insurance requirements, no pupil is allowed to remain on in school or school premises after 3.00 pm, unless supervised by a teacher or Sherpa Kids, Polish School or for extra-curricular activities. Because of this we ask that all pupils are collected promptly after school. If you are delayed for any reason please contact the school so that alternative arrangements can be made. Children can wait in the foyer for their parents if you wish.
PLEASE DO NOT ASK YOUR CHILD TO WAIT IN CLONAKILTY PLAYGROUND.
In the case of children travelling by school bus, the school cannot accept responsibility for escorting them from the bus to the school, or from the school to the bus. Parents who feel that their children need to be escorted on these occasions should make their own arrangements to ensure that some escort is provided. The school bus collects the children just outside the school gate. Children are asked to wait just inside the gate until the bus comes. It is important that children behave on the bus at all times.
Due to Covid-19 Supervision on Wet days will be challenging – see FAQs at the end of this document.
Photogallery
7 a side final, Soccer finals, Basketball finals, Kayaking, JEP, Surfing, Pirates and playtime
























Many thanks to ……
- Thank you to Eileen O’Donovan, for covering all the Rental Scheme and Literacy Lift Off Books during the summer.
- Thanks to Eileen, Josie, Susan, Sam, Niamh, Claire and Theresa who prepared the classrooms and Rental Scheme for the coming year.
- Thank you to Finbar O’Connor, Noreen Collins & Thelma Barry who worked tirelessly over the summer holidays on numerous projects.
- Thank you to Eileen O’Regan for the work she does throughout the school year and the summer holidays as Treasurer of the Board of Management. It is an extremely demanding job and this very hard work and commitment is very much appreciated.
- Thank you to Noreen Minihan and all members of the BOM for their continued support.
- Thank to John Lowney for sponsoring the medals for the school Chess Competitions.
- Thanks to Collins Brooks and McCarthy and Co. Solicitors who again sponsored medals for soccer and football this year.
- Thank you to the Parents’ Association for sponsoring the Billy Calnan Music Award and Basketball Competitions.
- Thanks to Galvin’s Bus Company for sponsoring the Orienteering Award.
- Thanks to Aiden and Elaine O’Donovan for sponsoring the Gentleman of the Year Award.
- Thanks to David O’Brien for sponsoring the Best All-Rounder Award.
- Thanks to Liz and Kieran O’Regan for sponsoring the Literacy Lift Off Boy Award.
- Thanks to Eileen and Paudie O’Donovan for sponsoring the Most Improved Chess Award.
- Thanks to Sarah Jane and Peter O’Donovan for sponsoring the Leadership Award.
- Thank you to Regina Fitzmaurice for all her help throughout the summer.
- Thank to Elaine Connolly and Noreen Collins who are our Lead Worker Representatives.
- Thank you to John Fitzgerald and Keith O’Connor for their help with Scoilavision this year.
- Thank you to Noreen Minihan.
- Thanks to Charlene O’Toole and Anne Marie and all at Sherpa Kids.
- Thanks to Séamus White for all his help.
- Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way to open SnB again this September. Our whole aim is to create a “normal school day” for Staff and pupils alike. It won’t be perfect but it will be the best we can do!
Can Can-Paign

All cans gratefully received. Please contact Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice if you have any query re. this matter. Many thanks to Ms. Fitzmaurice.
She and 6th class will also look after the school garden and glasshouse. The money that is collected by this scheme is used in the school garden.
Thanks to Ehan and Ahmadi for looking after the cans this coming year.


Photograph Site
Eight years ago we set up a Photograph Website which can be accessed from our main site or by clicking the link below. The address of the site is
http://www.photos.snbclonakilty.com.
Each year we take many photos but only a few of them can be published in the Links. Maybe now in this new format we can put more photographs into the Links and our posts… we’ll see.
All of the photographs from the month of May and June are now up on the site e.g. 6th class graduation, Scoilavision etc. If this new webiste is popular and successful we may be able to phase out the photosite and use this site instead to publish photographs with the Links, as there is now no limit to the amount of photographs we can publish. We’ll see.
Rules
Mobile Phones / Smart Watches are not permitted in the classrooms, yard or anywhere on the school premises. Parents may at any time use the school phone (023-8834487) to contact children. If children have to bring the phones to school a safe collection point has been organised in the office.
The phone will be confiscated for a week if found in the child’s possession in the school (1st offence). The second time it happens it will be for 2 weeks. After that ….
Ear rings, rings, necklaces or jewellery of any kind (except watches) are not permitted.
The school uniform is as before – grey trousers, grey shirt, tie (which has to be worn) and navy jumper. The school tracksuit must be worn for games’ days i.e. P.E. days, Soccer days, Orienteering and extra-curricular sporting days. All other tracksuits are not permitted. A plain navy polo shirt (available in all drapery shops in Clonakilty) must be worn with the tracksuit. There is no logo on this polo shirt. Tee-shirts etc are not permitted. For fine weather children may wear NAVY SHORTS. No other shorts will be permitted from now on. The polo shirt may be worn with the shorts.
As last year the O’Rahilly Street rear entrance will be locked during the school day for security reasons. The main entrance can be accessed from the playground or by walking up the right hand side of the building (from O’Rahilly Street). Due to Covid-19 parents cannot enter the school building.
Signing out: in the past (pre Covid days) if you needed to take your child out during the school day you had to sign him / her out. Now this should be done on the Aladdin Connect App. It can be done well in advance. When your child returns to the school, ring the buzzer and we’ll direct him to / her to their classroom.
STAFF CAR PARK
For safety reasons the school car park is for staff only.
Please do not walk your child through this car park, it is extremely dangerous. Many of the staff reverse out of their spaces and may not see a small child crossing this area. You can walk from the playground through the main yard to the school.
Healthy Lunches: Please do not put in “sweets or sweet drinks” in your child’s lunchbox.
NUTELLA OR PEANUTS are not permitted. This is for safety reasons. them. Thanks for your cooperation in this matter.
What’s going on? … in school and extra-curricular activities.
Basketball 21/22: Basketball training will start on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the end of September / early October. Thanks to Ms. Carol Anne O’Donovan / Seán Daly / Paul Carmody for assisting again with Basketball this year. This year it have to be run as last year – Tuesday will be for Rang 5 / Thursday will be for Rang 6.
Quizzard ‘21/22: will start in November. Classes from Rang 3 – Rang 6 will be participating. Last year we only managed to do a few rounds, outside in the yard but we are hoping to complete it in the coming year. Cillian Whooley and Pearse Nolan are in charge of the Quiz this year.
Chess: will start in September. Boys in Rang 4, Rang 5 and Rang 6 may participate. It will run on Tuesdays and Wednesday after school. We hope to start before the end of September and end before Easter.
Thanks to Ms. Niamh Mac Auley for her help with the players. Thanks to Ms. Gillian Galvin for her help with the Learners Chess Club.
Soccer Competitions
Senior Infants Soccer
Held on Fridays only
Rang 1
Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Teams are on website.
Rang 2
Held on Mondays / Wednesday – depending on what team you are on. Teams are on the website.
Rang 2/3
Held on Mondays. Teams are on website.
Rang 4
Held on Tuesdays. Teams are on website.
Rang 5
Held on Wednesdays. Teams are on website.
Rang 6
Held on Thursdays. Teams are on website.
Multi-Media Authoring / Video Editing / Computer Lessons / Coderdojo – for Rang 2, Rang 3, Rang 4, Rang 5 and Rang 6 will hopefully start this year. Thanks to Mrs. Margaret Deegan for hopefully teaching Coder Dojo to Rang 2 each week.
Swimming: for Rang2/3 – starts on 4th of September until the 8th of October.
Wardens – every year Rang 6 act as School Wardens. This year we’re not sure what’s going to happen. We’ll keep you informed.
GAA – Conan O’Donovan on Wednesdays.
Rugby – Finbarr O’Mahony on Fridays. Finbarr is starting on September 3rd until the October break.
Sciath na Scol Competitions – we’re not sure what’s going to happen with Sciath na Scol this year. We’ll let you know as soon as we know.
Extra-Curricular Permission Notes – e.g. Chess, Basketball etc
Please note the only way to join up for Chess, Basketball, Sciath na Scol etc is to tick the Permission App on Aladdin. What you find below is just pdfs of the Permission Notes.
Chess Note for Learner’s Chess – Please click here.
Chess Note for Player’s Chess – Please click here.
Basketball Note – Please click here.
Warden Permission Note – Please click here.
RSE Permission Note for all classes – Please click here.
Sciath na Scol notes for Rang 5 and Rang 6. Please click here.
Swimming Note for Rang 2-3. Please click here.
Altar Permission Notes. Please click here.
Allianz Pupil’s Personal Accident Note. Please click here.
P.E. / Soccer Timetable
Class | Soccer | P.E. |
Junior Infants (Mrs. Marie Forristal) | Not applicable | Mondays and Thursdays |
Senior Infants (Ms. Gillian Galvin) | Fridays | Wednesdays and Fridays |
Senior Infants / Rang 1 (Ms. Michelle O’Neill) | Fridays for Seniors Tuesdays and Thursdays for 1st | Tuesdays and Thursdays |
Rang 1 (Ms. Kathryn O’Shea / Ms. Karen O’Regan | Tuesdays and Thursdays | Tuesdays and Fridays |
Rang 2 (Mr. Paul Carmody) | Mondays and Wednesdays | Mondays and Thursdays |
Rang 2 / 3 (Ms. Carol Ann O’Donovan / Ms. Laura Connolly) | Mondays | Mondays and Fridays |
Rang 4 (Mrs. Marie Hayes) | Tuesdays | Tuesdays |
Rang 5 A (Ms. Marguerite Bradshaw) | Wednesdays | Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
Rang 5 B (Mr. Seán Daly) | Wednesdays | Mondays and Fridays |
Rang 6 (Ms. Niamh Mac Auley) | Thursdays | Tuesdays and Thursdays |
First Holy Communion & Confirmation
First Holy Communion (second class 2020) is due to be held on October 3rd @ 1.00 p.m.
First Holy Communion (second class 2021) is due to be held in May 2022.
Confirmation: for Rang 5 (2020) and Rang 6 (2020) is due to be held on the 19th of September, Rang 5 @ 1.00 p.m. and Rang 6 @ 3.00 p.m. This refers to last year’s classes.
Children who were baptised outside of the parish of Clonakilty will have to send in a copy of their Baptismal Certificate (unless you have already done so). Please send in this certificate as soon as you can. Children in other classes who have not sent in their Baptismal Certificate can do so at any time – it will be photocopied and the original returned immediately. For children in Junior Infants it is the ideal opportunity to locate and send in your Baptismal Certificate – we won’t have to ask for it ever again.
Fundraising Blitz
Many thanks to everyone who supported our annual Fundraising Blitz. It raised €2135.00. Many thanks also to Ms. Orla O’Keeffe who organised the events over the 3 days. She was ably assisting by the SET team of Elaine Connolly, Carol O’Boyle, Áilín Quinlan and Regina Fitzmaurice. Thanks to all the teachers and SNAs who helped out.
















Roots of Empathy

Roots of Empathy is an international, universal, evidence-based, classroom programme that has shown dramatic effect in reducing aggression among school children while raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy. Barnardos was chosen as the lead agency to deliver the programme in Ireland in 2011.
The programme has been delivered in a hundred and thirty primary schools around Ireland with a small number of schools in Cork and Waterford already participating. As a result of support from the Tomar Trust, Barnardos is now in a position to roll out the programme in West Cork & Waterford schools. They are currently developing a three year plan to involve schools in Cork and Waterford in the Roots of Empathy programme. We have been chosen as one of the West Cork Schools and will be implementing the programme this coming year. Please note Covid-19 may change these plans.
Rental Scheme 2021/2022
Rental Scheme – This is the twenty seventh year of the Book Rental Scheme. It continues to be very successful with now 100% of the pupils in the school involved.
The price of books has increased over the past few years, so it is very important to take very good care of the books you rent. These books will be needed again next year.
Even though the price of the books have increased, we have not increased the price of the Rental Scheme. Therefore please mind the books.
Parents should check up on these books regularly. Any book that is lost or damaged will have to be replaced by the child. Our new covers must not be used for storing pages etc.
Please watch this.
Please note: If your child receives a book that you consider is in poor condition, please return it to the school and it will be replaced. Any books that are damaged or lost will have to be replaced. The Rental Scheme cannot afford to pay for these books a second time. It is vital that books are looked after so that we can keep costs down.
The Rental Scheme is also paying for
Starlight – an Oral Language Programme for all classes.
Explorers – an SESE programme.
Twinkl – a teacher’s resource (all classes)
Literacy Lift Off books
Please always return these books on time. Unfortunately books for this scheme cannot be bought singly and one would have to purchase a Level in order to get one book – this could cost €100s. Please look after the books your child has been given. It is in your best interest to do so.
Facts of the Month

by Finn McCarthy Rang 5
1 It is physically impossible for pigs to look up into the sky.
2 Abraham Lincoln lost five separate elections before he became US president … don’t ever give up!
3 The fastest recorded raindrop was 18 miles per hour.
4 One quarter of the bones in your body are in your feet.
5 Bats are the only mammal that can fly.
6 Olympic gold medals are not made of gold but of sterling silver.

By Josh Wedlock, Rang 5
1 Did you know that Scotland’s national animal is a Unicorn.
2 In France turning a baguette upside down is unlucky.
3 We all have unique tongue prints as well as finger prints.
4 It would take only 1 hour to drive to space.
5 Slugs have 4 noses.
6 A hippopotamus can run faster than a man.




























Slán from Rang 6
Rang 6’s graduation was certainly a more enjoyable day for the boys – compared to last year, when the Zoom was conducted from the children’s homes.
It was conducted on Zoom again, which meant that many parents could attend – more in fact than in a “normal” year.
Thanks to Ms. Niamh Mac Auley, Mrs. Elaine Connolly and Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice for organising it. Thanks to the following who wished the boys well on the day: Mrs. Noreen Minihan, Monsignor Aidan O’Driscoll and Mr. Mark Griffin.
Best wishes to you all and your families for the future.



FAQs – Covid -19 – Return to school September 2021
1. Will all children be able to come back to school together? Yes. That is the plan at present.
2. Will there be staggered times / days for different classes? No, the plan is that everyone will come back together – all classes on the 1st of September.
3. How will Social Distancing work in reality? The answer to this question depends on what class your child is in. If your child is in either of our Special Classes, Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1st class, 2nd class there is NO Social Distancing requirements. This means that the children can sit together in the classroom and play together in the yard.
It also means that for example all Senior Infants from both rooms will be able to play together in the yard. The same is true for the children in Rang 1 (1st class).
If your child is in Rang 2/3, Rang 4, Rang 5 or Rang 6, there are a different set of rules. These rules are as follows:
- Each classroom is be treated as a stand-alone entity – called a bubble.
- The classroom will then be divided up into groups called PODs.
- These PODs could have as many as 12 children in them or less if feasible.
- All children (including those in PODs, it is advised) will sit 1m apart. This is the reason we had to purchase all the new single desks last year. These desks enable us to achieve this in each of the rooms -2nd / 3rd – 6th.
- On the yard, each Bubble (Class grouping) will go to a specific area and will not interact with another Bubble. This means in reality that the boys in 6th class will only interact with their own classmates. The same is true for those in 2nd/3rd, 4th, all 5th on yard together and 6th. These groups will not mix.
4. Has the school enough Hand Sanitisers? Yes, Hand Sanitisers have already been installed in the following areas:
- Each classroom
- Hall
- Corridors
- Foyer – Secretary’s office
- Yard toilets
- Staff Room
- Resource Rooms (all)
- Photocopier area
Frequency of Hand Hygiene
Pupils and staff should perform hand hygiene:
On arrival at school;
Before eating or drinking;
After using the toilet;
After playing outdoors;
When their hands are physically dirty;
When they cough or sneeze.
Please note that Hand Sanitiser does not work on dirty hands. Therefore, children will always be asked to wash their hands if dirty on several occasions throughout the day.
5. What about in the Bathroom Areas – what’s the situation there? In the bathroom areas there are dispensers with soap, which emulsifies easily in cold water, as per the regulations. Paper towels dispensers have also been installed in all bathroom areas, where there are no hand driers. There are now toilets in all classrooms.
6. What will happen in the morning? At present the plan is as follows:
On normal dry days, children will assemble in the yard in their designated areas. Link to where the classrooms will be in September 2021 – Where will my child’s classroom be? Click here.
If Covid-19 Protocols are still in place, children will be encouraged not to come to school too early on Wet Mornings and then they enter their own classrooms via the Emergency Doors.
A Wet Mornings Group will be set up for parents who have no choice but to drop their child early in the morning. These children will enter the school via the Front door, wear a mask, and sit in a designated spot in the corridor. They will be supervised.
7. Which doors will the children use in the morning, break time and dispersal times?
The children will enter and exit the school by the Emergency Exit doors in each classroom – you can see these exits here Where will my child’s classroom be? Click here.
In the morning the children will be collected from the yard by their teachers and brought to their classrooms. At breaktimes the same applies – the teachers will walk their children to the designated area in the yard and once break is finished will collect them.
At dispersal (home) times, teachers will walk their children out to the yard – some classes to the Playground exit and some to O’Rahily Street.
8. Will break times be staggered?
No. We are very fortunate that over the past few years we have created different areas on the yard, the running track etc and these can now be used to house the various classes safely.
9. What about Yard Supervision?
It will be the same as last year, but again staff will wear masks on Yard duty. Click here to see where your child will go to in the mornings: Please click here to see where your child will be every morning.
Click here to see where your child’s yard will be at breaktimes: Please click here for the link to the pdf file.
10. Will there still be Soccer on the Yard at breaktime?
Yes, this worked well last year. The children sanitised their hands after each match. The only change is that the league will be organised by Classroom / Bubble rather than by class as it was before.
Referees who ref other classes, will be asked to wear masks (provided by the school). Referees who are in charge of Rang 1 / Rang 2 will not enter the pitch area, but remain outside the fence and Ref from there. Referees for other classes will also wear masks and will not enter the pitch but referee from the sideline.
Soccer for Senior Infants won’t start until later in the school term and will be played in the “big yard” on a Friday. These may be refereed by a teacher initially, until the boys/girls get used to the rules etc.
11. What about the school corridors?
There is a one-way system on the school corridors – WALK on the LEFT HAND SIDE. All the corridors have been marked out with Footprints by Sam Aerts SNA, showing everybody where to walk.
It is not envisaged that classes would use the corridor for getting from place to place. The corridor will only be for individuals and small groups.
12. Is there going to be Perspex Screens used in the school?
The whole school is covered in Perspex!!
In each classroom, there will be Perspex Screens on the teacher’s desks. This will allow children to speak to their teacher safely.
In each Resource Room there will be Perspex Screens on the Main Desk – dividing the desk up into 4 areas – allowing a small group to be taught together, safely.
Each year, over the past few years, we have set up Maths groups. This will be set up in Rang 4 this year. The class is divided up into 2 groups – one group of 22 stays with their teacher and the second group of 12 go to a smaller room. This has proved to be extremely successful as each group is small and each child gets more individual attention. Now, this year, the smaller room has to have Perspex Screens installed to ensure the children’s safety.
The staffroom has screens already installed and now even though we will have a Staff of 30 next year, only 4 adults can sit in the room!
Noreen’s Office will have Perspex Screens.
13. Will older children still be allowed to bring in their mobile phones to the school?
Although we don’t encourage children to have mobile phones, children will be permitted to bring their phones to school and as beforehand their phone in. There will be a designated area for phones to be dropped off and collected.
The same rule applies as before, however, if a child does not hand up his phone it will be confiscated.
14. Will children or teachers be allowed to use the school phone?
The simple answer to this is NO. The school phone can only be used by Noreen. They will contact parents for the child but the phone can’t be given to the child.
15. Will children or teachers or SNAs have to wear masks?
There is no requirement on children to wear masks in school. Last school year very very few children wore mask during the entire school day.
Staff, including teachers at primary levels or other staff will be required to wear face coverings. All SNAs will be required to wear face coverings, or in certain situations clear visors, in the classroom.
16. Who is the contact log for and what does it involve?
Every school is required to have a Contact Log. This is for all visitors to the school. Visitors / Noreen will fill in the Log when a person visits the school. It will state
- the person’s name
- contact details including telephone number and email address
- who they met
- purpose of their visit
- time of entry / exit to the building
17. What if my child forgets a book, lunch etc
If your child forgets his lunch etc, there will be a designated drop off area outside the Front door. Parents will be required to put the item in a plastic bag clearly labelled with the child’s name and class.
However, this drop off can only be for emergencies. If a child forgets his gum shield – for example – we won’t contact you about it and he will have to do without it. Visits to the school should only be kept to a minimum. This is to ensure the safety of everyone.
18. Can parents visit the school building?
According to the Response Plan, this should be only for emergency / urgent matters. This is an extract from the Covid-19 Response Plan
Arrangements for necessary visitors such as contractors and parents with be restricted to essential purposes and limited to those who have obtained prior approval from the principal. Prior approval can be obtained by email / phone call to the school. However parents will not be permitted to enter the school building, until the Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted.
19. I am a Junior Infant parent and am worried about my child and dropping him off on his first day?
First of all don’t worry. You will be able to bring your child to the classroom Emergency Door where you will meet the teacher. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to go into the classroom and Social Distancing must be observed outside the room. He will be collected from the same door after school.
We will send all parents a video / plans of the school before the school opens. This will show the classroom, the yards, the corridors etc. Some of these plans are already up above.
20. I am a Senior Infant parent and am worried about my child and dropping off on his first day in Senior Infants?
For the first few days, parents will be able to drop off their child to the classroom Emergency Door. After that they will go to the yard and assemble in their designated area.
21. What is the protocol if we go on holidays to a country that is not designated as a GREEN COUNTRY?
The same rules apply as in the rest of the community. The child will have to self-isolate for 14 days and won’t be permitted to come to school until the isolation is completed.
22. Will Swimming go ahead in September?
The plan at present is for Swimming to start on Friday the 3rd of September. The changes are:
- At present we will be using the bus, but social distancing rules will apply. Therefore, some of the children will walk to the pool and some will take the bus. This will alternate every week. The children on the bus will have to wear masks, santitise getting on and off the bus.
- Children will bring a Swimming Bag with them to the pool. The schoolbag will remain in the school for the weekend.
- Children could wear their swimming togs coming to school.
- Children are not permitted to use the Dressing Room and will get changed on the “Deck”. This may change and all children may be permitted to use the Dressing Room. We will know more in September.
- Children will go home as in previous years, but may exit through a different door. This will be explained later.
23. Will Sciath na Scol / Orienteering go ahead?
Last school year, they did not go ahead. Hopefully these events may happen next school year. The buses will be the biggest obstacle – if social distancing rules still apply on transport.
Buses were not allowed last year and parents could only bring their own children to matches, so it may not be practical / possible for matches to go ahead – in the end, it never happened last year. We are awaiting further clarification for 2021.
24. Will Basketball training go ahead for boys in Rang 5 and Rang 6?
Yes. However, it will be different. Rang 5 will only play with boys in Rang 5 (for example on a Tuesday afternoon) and Rang 6 will only play with boys in Rang 6 (on a Thursday). Balls, equipment will have to be sanitised. This may change later in the year.
25. Will Altar Serving go ahead?
This has yet to be clarified and we will notify you when we know.
26. Who is the Lead Worker Representative in Scoil na mBuachaillí?
Elaine Connolly and Noreen Collins (Deputy) are the Lead Work Representatives.
The Protocol provides for the appointment of a Lead Worker Representative (LWR) in each workplace. The LWR will work in collaboration with the employer to assist in the implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID -19 and monitor adherence to those measures and to be involved in communicating the health advice around COVID-19 in the workplace.
27. Who is the Deputy Lead Worker Representative in Scoil na mBuachaillí?
Noreen Collins is the Deputy Lead Worker Representative.
28. Can children still visit the School Shop to purchase copies, pens etc?
We are hoping that this can continue. We must work out a safe way of doing it. It may happen that children / parents settle their bill at the end of a term rather than children paying for items and looking for change.
29. Will Music Lessons go ahead?
Yes. We hoping to start these in September. There will be changes however:
- Children from the same Classroom / Bubble from 3rd to 6th can only be taken together. No mixing of groups.
- Fees from last year have been refunded to all parents, so that we can start 2021/2022 afresh.
30. Can children still do their jobs in the morning?
Some jobs can still be done, others will have to be put off ‘til later in the year. This will all be clarified to the children when they come to school.
31. Will Literacy Lift Off go ahead in September?
Hopefully all our staff will be vaccinated by the time we return in September. This could facilitate the running of the Literacy Lift Off programme again. We will prioritise the younger classes.
32. What will happen if my child is unable to attend school, due to an underlying condition?
First of all, I will need to know this as soon as possible, so please email me the name of your child / children and your present contact details and I will contact you before the school opens.
There is a plan in place for these pupils. Please find extract below from the Department Guidelines:
There may be some pupils for whom return to school in September may not be appropriate because the relevant public health guidelines indicate they are at “very high risk”. Overall responsibility for ensuring that such pupils receive appropriate support to engage adequately with learning remains with the school in which they are enrolled. Regular and ongoing communication between school and home will be essential to support the pupil’s engagement with their learning and their continuous connection with their classmates and school community. Additional supports will be provided for these pupils from within the staffing resources of the school. It may also be possible to utilise support from teachers who are assessed as ‘very high risk’ and who are available to work from home. Schools will have discretion to manage and redistribute their support resources in order to best meet the learning needs of their pupils, including pupils at ‘very high risk’ to COVID-19.
Under the direction of the school principal the relevant support teacher should:
- Liaise with the relevant class teacher and Special Education Teacher (SET) where relevant regarding curricular content and classwork
- Access relevant learning resources including those produced by the class teacher as well as other externally produced resources such as those on Scoilnet
- Provide the pupil with individualised support for his/her learning; this may include devising of an individual support plan for the pupil in cooperation with the class teacher and, where relevant, the SET
- Increase the pupil’s autonomy, motivation and agency and wellbeing
- Improve the pupil’s capacity to become a self-directed learner
- Support the development of the pupil’s digital competence where necessary
- Avail of the communication / learning platform used by the pupil’s school to ensure ongoing contact between the pupil and his/her school and to facilitate some engagement with his/her class teacher and classmates.
33. Cleaning of the school?
The Department has not decided as yet if they are going to give funding to the school to employ extra cleaners as they did last year. We are hoping to retain our existing cleaners, Cathy and Aquila, who did a fantastic job throughout the year.
34. Will there be adequate signage throughout the school?
Yes, there will. Most of these signs have already been erected and new ones have been ordered.
35. Physical Distancing outside of the classroom and within the school
School drop off/collection?
- Arrangements for dropping off/collecting pupils should be arranged to encourage physical distancing of 2m where possible: for all children 1st – 6th class: these children should be dropped at the school gate. Parents should not walk them into the school grounds.
- All adults have to wear masks / face coverings while waiting to collect your child.
- Walking/cycling to school is encouraged as much as possible.
- There has to be 2m distance between parents/guardians and between parents and guardians and school staff.
- It is vital that congregation of people at the school gates should be kept to a minimum and 2m distancing must be observed. We don’t want the school to be closed down!
- If we can’t achieve Social Distancing at school gates we will have to consider a staggered drop off/pick up times.
36. What happens if there is a suspected case of Covid19 in the school?
Staff or pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
The following outlines how a school should deal with a suspected case that may arise in a school setting.
- A designated isolation area has been identified within the school building. The possibility of having more than one person displaying signs of COVID-19 should be considered and a contingency plan for dealing with additional cases put in place. The designated isolation area should be behind a closed door and away from other staff and pupils. This has been set up in Scoil na mBuachaillí.
- If the person with the suspected case is a pupil, the parents/guardians should be contacted immediately;
- Isolate the person and have a procedure in place to accompany the individual to the designated isolation area via the isolation route, keeping at least 2m away from the symptomatic person and also making sure that others maintain a distance of at least 2m from the symptomatic person at all times;
- Remember that the virus is spread by droplets and is not airborne so physical separation is enough to reduce the risk of spread to others even if they are in the same room;
- A staff member caring for a pupil should wear an apron, a face covering or mask.
- Gloves should not be used as the virus does not pass through skin;
- Provide a mask for the person presenting with symptoms if one is available. He/she should wear the mask if in a common area with other people or while exiting the premises;
- Assess whether the individual who is displaying symptoms can immediately be directed to go home/be brought home by parents who will call their doctor and continue self-isolation at home;
- Facilitate the person presenting with symptoms remaining in isolation if they cannot immediately go home and facilitate them calling their doctor. The individual should avoid touching people, surfaces and objects. Advice should be given to the person presenting with symptoms to cover their mouth and nose with the disposable tissue provided when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in the waste bag provided;
- If the person is well enough to go home, arrange for them to be transported home by a family member, as soon as possible and advise them to inform their general practitioner by phone of their symptoms. Public transport of any kind should not be used If they are too unwell to go home or advice is required, contact 999 or 112 and inform them that the sick person is a Covid-19 suspect;
- Carry out an assessment of the incident which will form part of determining follow-up actions and recovery;
- Arrange for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area and work areas involved. The school has purchased a “fogger” and this was used successfully all last year.
- The HSE will inform any staff/parents who have come into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process. The HSE will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made. The instructions of the HSE should be followed and staff and pupil confidentiality is essential at all times.
37. For the purpose of drop offs, collections for parents …(kids will have no issues here) is it possible to get a school layout diagram, put on the app please.
Yes. Where will my child’s classroom be? Click here. Click to go to a map of the school, showing where the classrooms are / emergency exits etc. This link is also on the Principal’s Daily Message on Aladdin.
38. My question is in regards the school uniforms/tracksuits…..there was rumours of uniforms needing to be washed every night a few weeks back in the hope of slowing down or eliminating covid 19. Is this true?
The Uniform and Tracksuit policy will stay the same as in past years. The wearing of uniforms and tracksuits (on “Tracksuit days”) will signify NORMALITY – and that’s what we all want. I don’t see any reason to wash uniforms every night – for Infants to 2nd there’s no distancing anyway and the rest are 1 m apart in the school building.
39. Can I see an example of what the Designated areas would look like please?
Yes. Please click here for the link to the pdf file. for an example of what the yard will look like. This link is also on the Principal’s Daily Message on Aladdin.
40. Will Sherpa Kids be able to operate this year?
Yes. They will but they have slightly different rules to schools, even though they are operating in schools. They are also hoping to operate a “Breakfast Club” this year. More details will be sent out by Sherpa Kids.
41. Where will my child line up / go to in the mornings?
On dry days the children will go to their designated yard. Please click here for the link to the pdf file and put their bags in the assigned areas. When the whistle blows the children will walk to their LINE UP Yard.
Lines will be separated from each other and in the Senior Classes it may happen that each class will have 2 lines.
42. Where will the classes play at breaktimes – Small breaks and Big Breaks
Please click here for the link to the pdf file to view where the classes will play at big and small breaks. This link is also on the Principal’s Daily Message on Aladdin.
43. A minor thing, I can’t locate the booklist you sent me in June?
Please click here for the link. This link is also on the Principal’s Daily Message on Aladdin and on our school website.
44. Would you have any advice on footwear (shoes) for the infant classes?
If possible, we would recommend that your son wears velcro shoes if he is unable to tie his laces. This would especially apply to children in the infant classes, since teachers, staff members are supposed to be staying 2 metres distant from children (we don’t know how possible this will be – e.g. if a child hurts himself/herself).
45. Going Home at 3.00 p.m. – for discussion
Please note this does not affect Infants as they will go home as normal, collected FROM THEIR CLASSROOM DOOR
ORDER:
- Boys who go on the bus leave first.
- Then Rang 4 and Rang 2 can leave only by the Playground exit.
- Rang 2/3 can leave now at the same time as above but only by the O’Rahilly Street exit.
- Then Rang 1 (straight) and Rang 1 (split) can leave only by the Playground exit.
- Finally Rang 5 A and B and Rang 6 can leave only by the Playground exit
Boys who go on the bus leave first. | 3.00 |
Then Rang 4 and Rang 2 can leave only by the Playground exit. | 3.00 |
Rang 2/3 can leave now at the same time as above but only by the O’Rahilly Street exit. | 3.00 |
Then Rang 1 (straight) and Rang 1 (split) can leave only by the Playground exit. (Line up outside at 3.00 pm.) | 3.03 |
Then Rang 5 A and B and Rang 6 can leave only by the Playground exit. (Line up outside at 3.03 p.m.) | 3.06 |
46. What about if one brother is going one way and the second brother a different way?
This can be arranged, once it is done safely – with the correct social distancing. It worked successfully last year.
47. I heard that there are cameras on the deck in the swimming pool, where children are getting changed?
This has been sorted as follows: All children come to school with togs on. If you forget you can get changed in dressing room. At 2.50 before the children get changed cameras are turned off. It’s possible that we will be able to use the Dressing Rooms again this year and thing may return to normal.
48. If my son / daughter is ill in the morning, what do I do?
If he / she is displaying any Covid symptoms, please do not send your child to school. If you are in any doubt, wait – contact your doctor by phone and then – if all ok, send him/her to school – even if it is late.
49. If my son is ill / absent, what is the protocol on his return to school?
A Return to School Declaration must be completed before he / she returns to the school building. The child will not be left into the building until this is completed. This can only be done on your Aladdin App. It’s simply done in a few seconds.
50. What if my child has to go for a Covid test / or tests positive? Who do I inform?
We would very much appreciate it if you would inform the school 023 8834487 immediately if your child is being sent for a test and then as soon as you hear the results of the test, please inform us again. It might take the HSE quite a while to get around to informing us and in the meantime, we can be getting ready, just in case, the test is positive.
51. Return to School Declaration Forms – what does this mean?
After ever absence (even if it’s not an illness), or after Mid Term breaks, Christmas Holidays, Easter Holidays a Return to School Declaration will have to be completed on Aladdin. It’s only a matter of ticking a box. All staff have to complete a Return to School Declaration also.
Children cannot be allowed to enter the school building without the Completed Declaration.