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Updated 1st of September, 2022

01/09/2022

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 and the new pupils who are entering other classes throughout the school.

A special thank you to our SNAs – Josie, Eileen, Susan, Sam, Niamh, Claire and Eilís and to 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 and Niamh Mac Auley for all their work throughout the summer holidays. Thanks also to the Board of Management and Eoin Loughnan.

This is the 28th year of the Links.

The Links has it’s website, since last school year https://snblinks.com. The Links will be found on this site and 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. The following is just some of the work that has has been done in the school:

*  New signs for yards,
* 1 New 76” television screen for the Resource Room (large). All rooms have now screens in them.
* Entire school deep cleaned – thanks to Cathy and Finbarr. * Former music room converted into a Special Class room by Finbarr. Thanks to Séamus White for his assistance also.

Where is my Child’s Classroom this year?

Permission Notes – e.g. RSE, Swimming, 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.

Please click here to open the folder with all the notes below in it.
Chess Note for Learner’s Chess.
Chess Note for Player’s Chess.
Basketball Note.
Warden Permission Note.
RSE Permission Note for all classes – Juniors – Rang 6
Sciath na Scol notes for Rang 5 and Rang 6.
Swimming Note for Rang 2-3 and for Rang 1 – Rang 6.
Altar Permission Notes.
Allianz Pupil’s Personal Accident Note.

Aladdin Connect

This year we are continuing with the Connect App.

Each day we put up a Principal’s Message. This is a special tab on your Aladdin App. Please ensure that you read this daily. It will only take a few seconds and you will then be up to date with all news. Please also check out our latest Links which has a lot more detail with photos, videos etc.

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 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.

School Fees 2022/2023

Dear Parents, please find the list of fees for the coming year. Music enrolment is only by the App again this year. Guitar Rental: we are changing the guitar rental scheme this year as new instruments will have to be purchased. The new fee is non refundable but is reduced to €25 instead of €50. Closing date for all fees please is Friday 30th of September 2022 (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) + Drama (€2): €14.00 Christmas Magazine 2022/2023: €5.00 (all classes) Elocution (all classes): €8.50 French Lessons Term 1 (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €8.00 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): €49.00 Zumba dancing (Special classes, Junior Infants – Rang 2/3): €6.00

Optional Allianz Pupil Personal Accident Insurance- School hours only: €6.00 Allianz Pupil Personal Accident Insurance- 24 hours: €9.00 Milk Term 1 | September – Christmas 2022 (All Classes): €? Milk Term 2 | January – Easter 2023 (All Classes): €? Milk Term 3 | April – June 2023 (All Classes) | €?

Music Lessons (Optional) Music enrolment for 2022 /2023 Term 1 (these lessons are optional) Please note: your child can only study 2 instruments maximum. Cajon Lessons with Laurie Hedger (Rang 1 – Rang 6) €20 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): €84 Kay O’Flynn: Keyboard (Rang 2 – Rang 6): €84 Kay O’Flynn: Tin Whistle (Senior Infants – Rang 6): €84 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.

ePayments

Dear Parent/Guardian, This year again 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 directives. 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 message 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 requested 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 issued 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.

Booklists for 2022/2023

Click here to download Booklists for 2022/2023.

Soccer Teams

Click here to view 2022/2023 soccer teams

2022/2023 Calendar

Dates for your Diary

• 1st of September 2022: school starts.
• 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 visit the School Website or click here if you would like to check which instruments are suitable for which classes.
• 9th of September: Swimming starts for Rang 2/3
• 1st of October: online enrolment starts for 2023/2024.
• 17th of October: school closed for teacher inservice.
• Parent’s Meetings: Information Meetings for parents in October. It’s possible that these may be done via Zoom or in person. More details later.
• The AGM of the Parent’s Association will be held in October. As above: Details later. At this meeting we will be choosing a mother and father to be members of the Board of Management for the next 4 years.
• October 31st – 4th of November: Mid term break.
• November 17th: Parent / Teacher meetings.
• December 21st: The children get their Christmas Holidays @ 12.00 p.m.
• December 22nd – January 4th: Christmas holidays
• 5th of January 2023: Back to school after Christmas.
• 1st of February 2023: Enrolment / Open Day in SnB. Places are offered to children for 2023/2024.
• 6th of February 2023: School closed, Bank Holiday.
• 15th of February 2023: Final date for accepting a place in SnB for 2023/2024.
• 16th & 17th of February 2023: School closed, mid term break.
• 17th of March 2023: School closed, St. Patrick’s Day.
• 31st of March 2023: The children get their Easter Holidays @ 12.00 p.m.
• 3rd – 14th of April 2023: Easter Holidays.
• 1st of May 2023: School closed, Bank Holiday.
• 15th of May 2023: School closed, holiday.
• 5th & 6th of June 2023: School closed.
• 21st and 22nd of June 2023: Proposed dates for Scoilavision 2023.
• Sixth class party: to be decided
• 28th of June 2023: The children get their Summer Holidays @ 12.00 p.m.

Singer, David Keenan, visits SnB, during Summer School

Summer School

Thanks to all the teachers and SNAs who ran a very successful Summer School again this year. Mrs. Eileen Breen, Ms. Caoimhe Hennessy, Mr. Paul Carmody and Ms. Rachel Hodnett, Ms. Isobel McCarthy, Ms. Eilis McSweeney, Ruth O’Regan, Ms. Margaret Roberts and Ms. Maeve O’Mahony.

Photograph Site

Our photograph site has been replaced by this online Links site. We try to publish as many photos as possible each month in the Links.

School 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).

Signing out: If you need to take your child out during the school day you can sign him out 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.

Advertising

If you would like to book an ad for the coming school year 2022 – 2023 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.

Old Brewery Montessori School

Macbeth the Musical 2022

Photographs by Mark Coombes

Many thanks to everyone who made Macbeth such a marvelous success this year – to the cast and crews, the parents of the cast and crews, our fabulous staff including Noreen and Finbarr, Mark Coombes for his magnificent photographs, John Fitz. for his assistance, Pat O’Grady, Madeline Files and Margaret Deegan, Noreen Minihan for her help with the raffle every night.

Macbeth – The Dressing Room

Clonakilty Park Cinema

Retirements from SnB

Best wishes to Mrs. Mary Buckley Healy (teacher) and Mrs. Josie Files (SNA) who retired from SnB recently.

Mary Buckley Healy came to Scoil na mBuachailli in 2003.

In SnB, Mary taught Rang 1, Rang 3 and SET.  She also job shared for a number of years with Mrs. Elaine Connolly. Mary was always very interested in all the boys and she loved P.E.  She used to take her third class after school for Basketball.

She with Mrs. Connolly organised the Kathleen Russel Poetry Award, which is still going to this day. She started the PenMan of the Week award and was very interested in Handwriting and helped bring “Handwriting without Tears” to SnB. At every musical, with Mrs. Minihan, she organised the raffle.  Mary, we will sincerely miss you here in Scoil na mBuachaillí.  You have been a valued member of staff and a great friend. 

Josie Files

She then applied for an got the job of our first Special Needs Assistant in 2000.

Her first student was a boy called Cal O’Mahony, who she is still in contact with her to this very day.  Josie worked full time until 2010, when in that year she started job-sharing with Susan McCarthy. 

She was heavily involved in music throughout the years – she played at all musicals, in far she played for Macbeth!, Christmas Concerts, First Friday Masses, Holy Communion Masses etc. She, also with Susan, was responsible for purchasing our art supplies.  Every summer they both go through every classroom and make out a list of what needs to be bought for next year. Josie will be sincerely missed in Scoil na mBuachaillí – by the staff, the pupils and the parents.

The Emmet Hotel

What’s going on? … in school and extra-curricular activities.

Basketball 22/23: Basketball training is 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 ‘22/23: will start soon. Classes from Rang 3 – Rang 6 will be participating. This will start in November.

Chess: starts at the end of 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 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 Rang 2/3 starts on the 9th of September.

Wardens – every year Rang 6 act as School Wardens. The scheme is up and running. Thanks to our team of SET teachers who are looking after the wardens again this year. Thanks also to Chris Hinchy for his help again this year.

GAA – Conan O’Donovan on Wednesdays.
Rugby – Finbarr O’Mahony on Fridays starting on the 2nd of September.

Sciath na Scol Competitions – training will start soon.

Classes and Staff for 2022/2023

Special Class: Ms. Gillian Galvin
Special Class: Mr. Paul Carmody
Junior Infants A: Mrs. Marie Forristal
Junior Infants /Senior Infants: Ms. Michelle O’Neill
Rang 1: Ms. Kathryn O’Shea / Ms. Karen O’Regan (Job-sharing)
Rang 1/2: Miss Therese Crowley
Rang 2 / 3: Laura Connolly
Rang 3: Áine McCarthy
Rang 4: Mrs. Marie Hayes
Rang 5: Ms. Carol Ann O’Donovan
Rang 5/6: Mr. Seán Daly
Rang 6: Ms. Niamh Mac Auley

Clonakilty Supply Panel Teachers
Ms. Rachel Hodnett
Ms. Margaret Hayes
Ms. Caoimhe Hennessy

Special Education Teachers:
Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice (Deputy Principal)
Mrs. Elaine Connolly (Reading Recovery Teacher)
Ms. Orla O’Keeffe
Ms. Carol O’Boyle
Ms. Mary Horgan / Ms. Louise O’Sullivan(shared with Rosscarbery Convent N.S.)
Mrs. Eileen Breen O’Riordan / Ms. Áilín Quinlan (Job-sharing)
Mr. David Lynch

Special Needs Assistants:

Mrs. Eileen O’Donovan / Mrs.   Susan McCarthy (Job-sharing)
Mrs. Samantha Aerts
Ms. Niamh Whelton
Mrs. Claire Kavanagh
Ms. Theresa McCarthy
Mrs. Eilish McSweeney

Bus Escorts
Ms. Jean Murray
Mrs. Eleanor Callanan
Ms. Cathy Twomey
Ms. Olena Sirenko

Caretaker:
Finbarr O’Connor

Secretary: 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
Mrs. Ciara Lucy
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

Bateman’s Shoes

13,000 Bottles refilled at the Water Cooler

Congratulations to Ms. Marguerite Bradshaw who filled the 13000 bottle recently.

P.E. / Soccer Timetable

Class	Soccer	P.E.
Junior Infants (Mrs. Marie Forristal)	Not applicable	Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
Junior Infants /Senior Infants (Ms. Michelle O’Neill)	Fridays for Seniors	Tuesdays and Thursdays
Rang 1 (Ms. Kathryn O’Shea / Ms. Karen O’Regan	Tuesdays and Thursdays	Tuesdays and Fridays
Rang 1 / 2 (Miss Therese Crowley	Tuesdays & Thursdays for Rang 1 Mondays & Wednesdays for Rang 2	Thursdays and Fridays
Rang 2/3 (Ms. Laura Connolly)	Mondays & Wednesdays for Rang 2 Mondays for Rang 3	Mondays and Fridays
Rang 3 (Ms. Áine McCarthy)	Mondays	Mondays and Thursdays
Rang 4 (Mrs. Marie Hayes)	Tuesdays	Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Rang 5 (Ms. Carol Ann O’Donovan)	Wednesdays	Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Rang 5/6 (Mr. Seán Daly)	Wednesdays for Rang 5 Thursdays for Rang 6	Mondays and Fridays
Rang 6 (Ms. Niamh Mac Auley)	Thursdays	Tuesdays and Thursdays

Rang 6’s last day in SnB

Many thanks to Ms. Niamh Mac Auley, parents of Rang 6, Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice and all who helped make Rang 6’s last day such a memorable one.

Rang 6’s Graduation

Rang 6’s graduation was a very enjoyable day for the boys . Thanks to Ms. Niamh Mac Auley, Mrs. Elaine Connolly and Ms. Regina Fitzmaurice for organising it.  Thanks to the following who helped out on the day Mrs. Noreen Minihan and Father Fergus Tuohy.
Best wishes to you all and your families for the future.

Rang 4’s Concert

Thanks to Mrs. Marie Hayes for teaching the boys in Rang 4 ukulele during the year. They performed in front of the school. They were marvellous!

Fundraising Blitz raises €4093

Many thanks to everyone who supported our Annual Fundraising Blitz in June. It raised €4093! Thanks to Ms. Orla O’Keeffe for organising the event again this year and to all the staff who helped out on the day.

Class Photos

Debating in Rang 4

Ms. Bradshaw’s last day

Presentations to Finbarr, Noreen and Mr. Harrington from Rang 6

Roots Baby Dara visits Rang 4

Our new Ukrainian Students

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. If your child is absent please use the app to explain the absence on his return to school. This reason is then recorded. In the “Other” section please specify the reason, don’t just tick Other.

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.

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.

Facts of the Month

Gentleman, Lift Off Boy & PenMan of the Year

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: https://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 https://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.

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.
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 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 (run by Bus Éireann) and the bus funded by the parents, 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.

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 Eilíswho prepared the classrooms and Rental Scheme for the coming year.
• Thank you to Finbarr O’Connor and Noreen Collins 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 Tadhg O’Driscoll for sponsoring the Most Improved Language Award.
• Thank you to Regina Fitzmaurice for all her help throughout the summer.
• Thank you to Noreen Minihan.
• Thanks to Charlene O’Toole and Anne Marie and all at Sherpa Kids.
• Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way to open SnB again this September.

Rental Scheme 2022/2023

Rental Scheme – This is the twenty eighth 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.
Over the Moon – online Literacy / Oral Language Programme.
Explorers – an SESE programme.
Twinkl – a teacher’s resource (all classes)
Dabbledoo Music Programme – Infants – Rang 6

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.

“Cent” Box – Thorntree Project

“Cent” boxes will continue this year.
Rang 5 (Ms. Carol Ann O’Donovan) and Rang 5/6(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!

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.

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.

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.