Posted on Tuesday, June 28, 2022Dear Parents & Guardians,
As we close today for summer holidays I would like to thank you all for your cooperation and kindness on this school year. We have had a very busy year, our first full year in school since 2019. We also had major staff changes and a lot of readjustment for staff and pupils. This year has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding years and I am so fortunate to have such a professional, conscientious and caring group of teachers on my staff.
We also received the news in March that we have been designated DEIS Rural. This means that we will be eligible for further supports from curriculum support and there will be extra funding also. We could possibly have school lunches in the coming years, we haven't had proper clarification on that yet. This status has come at an ideal time with an enthusiastic staff willing to take on new initiatives and ideas. Our first target is literacy and we have applied for sustained support from the PDST next year.
I will also be quite busy next year as I will be completing the Graduate Diploma in Special Educational Needs Teaching in NUIG. This is a part-time course with a number of weeks in college. My classroom will be covered by a substitute teacher for those weeks.
After a busy and productive school year, it is important that pupils and staff recharge over the summer. Teachers are not contatable during the summer holidays. Any urgent communications can be directed to [email protected].
For children, it is important for them to switch off for the summer too. Plenty of outside play and if indoors boardgames, LEGO and reading are all very worthwhile. Playing with cousins, neighbours and classmates are very important as they had two years of limited social interaction.
There are many summer camps available locally. I will just highlight two:
- Cúl camps: A lot of our pupils take part in the camp each year. It is very well organised and this year will be held on 18th-22nd July
- Water Safety Weeks: Portumna 4th July, Loughrea 2 weeks 8th August These weeks are usually very good value swimming lessons. For the older kids they will begin their lifesaving training and tests. Contact the email address on the link for further details or ask the lifeguard at either lake.
Best of luck to our 6th class: Amber, Amy, Derek, Joe, Isabelle, Lee and Luke going on to secondary school.
Wishing all our school community a very enjoyable, restful and safe summer.