Dear Parents/Guardians,
We are coming to the end of a first term unlike any other!! The children have settled in so well, are learning, playing wonderful games at playtime, making friends, sharing, having conversations and just enjoying school. Well done to you all.
I would like to say a huge “Thank You” to the school staff who have worked so hard this term. The current situation is not without significant challenges for all of us, both personal and professional. Continuing to keep schools open is a priority for everyone, however, there is a significant shortage of substitute teachers which is a major problem for all schools at present.
Finally, I would like to thank you all for your co-operation and support over the past two months and wish you all a safe Halloween. While the children may not be going out Trick or Treating next week, we plan on having a wonderful day on Friday with our Halloween Dance Off!! Thanks for your support.
Margaret Harnett
Principal.
Dear Parents/Guardians,
Since 2013, the Board of Management of St. Conleth’s Infant School and the Board of Management of St. Conleth’s and Mary’s Senior School have been in negotiations with the Department of Education and Skills for an upgrade of both school buildings which will include the replacement of prefab classrooms, special education building and a new hall for the Infant School. The project has faced numerous delays and issues over the past number of years, having been initially told the project would be completed by 2018.
Last week we were informed that we will be given a date over the next few weeks as to when the project will begin. As a Board, we will continue to keep you informed with regard to any starting dates and arrangements that may need to be put in place.
Thanking you,
Pat Lonergan, Chairman, Board of Management
Seesaw Online Learning Platform
St. Conleth’s Infant School will be utilising SEE Saw should a situation arise where:
- The school or a class/classes are closed on recommendation from HSE.
- Children are self –isolating on recommendation from HSE due to being covid positive or has been deemed a close contact of a person who is Covid Poistive. Evidence must be provided of the Covid positive diagnosis to the school via email copy of HSE text message.
- If schools are closed on recommendation from HSE/DES, teachers may also have child care responsibilities and may engage with See Saw at times other than the normal school day.
See Saw will not be utilised for routine other absences or where children are awaiting teat results
Christmas Shoebox Appeal
Our school is supporting Team Hope’s Christmas Shoebox Appeal. This is an annual campaign where thousands of individuals in Ireland donate shoeboxes filled with gifts to be given to children affected by poverty in Africa or Eastern Europe. It is an opportunity to share a little joy and excitement with children who live in circumstances where these can be in short supply. This year, due to the effects of Covid-19 restrictions, the Christmas Shoebox Appeal has gone online. Every €20 donated will allow Team Hope’s partners in Africa and Eastern Europe to purchase items for shoeboxes locally, which will then be packaged and delivered directly into the hands of children. You can drop donations into the school office or send an envelope in with your child.
To make a virtual box of your own with your child you can visit www.TeamHope.ie at any time and choose the items you would like to add.
Thank you so much for helping us to support this appeal.
What has been happening since our return to school?
Preschool 6A
Our preschool room 6A have settled fantastically into school. We are very busy playing with puzzles, sand, play doh and building blocks. We love listening to stories, working, singing and our favourite – going to the playground. We even went on a big walk to the park to see the ducks. We love being in school!
Junior Infants
Well done to the junior infants on settling so well in to school this year. We have had a very busy term. We have been learning Nursey Rhymes, singing songs, counting, learning our colours and we have even started learning our Jolly Phonic sounds. The children have been making new friends and have had lots of fun playing and learning together. We have really enjoyed all autumn has to offer with Autumn walks, leaf hunts, pumpkin carving and we will be taking part in our Halloween Dance off this Friday. Well done to all the children on working so hard. Have a lovely Midterm break! Stay safe
Senior Infants
Senior Infants have settled back into school so well and have been very busy since starting back school in September. The children have been working so hard, learning lots of new things and having fun with their friends! They enjoyed the sunshine and did some PE outdoors, went on a Autumn walk and looked for signs of Autumn and planted some Spring bulbs, such as daffodils, tulips, crocuses and snowdrops. They also learned some songs, poems and a dance for Mrs. Colleran’s Retirement Assembly. This was a very special day and we wish Mrs. Colleran the best of luck in the next chapter. The children also engaged in Halloween activities such as the Halloween Dance Fest, some Halloween Art and Halloween Dress up! Well done boys and girls! Happy Halloween!
First Class
The first class children have been working very hard and having lots of fun since their return to school. They have been great models for the other students in the school and we are all delighted to be back at school.
The first classes took an autumn walk down to the park or around the school grounds and garden in September. They looked for signs of changes in the environment and had a great time enjoying the outdoors. We also planted spring bulbs in our school garden and we look forward to seeing the flowers in the spring. We celebrated tree day and identified different leaves in our locality.
Each class enjoyed playing with our school Lego for a week. We have many budding engineers in our school!
We had an outdoor assembly with all the first classes. We each recited a poem or sang a song.
Mrs. Colleran’s Retirement
We celebrated Mrs. Colleran’s retirement in school early this month with a splash of green and gold to honour our teacher from Kerry. The senior infant classes celebrated this momentous occasion with a special outdoor assembly where bunting, flags and the children’s art from first class set the scene. The children celebrated Mrs. Colleran’s huge contribution to the school and to teaching throughout the years. Mrs. Colleran has taught in St. Conleth’s Infant School since 2001 and has shared her expertise both in the mainstream classes and in special education where she always fostered and promoted a love of reading and books. We wish her the very best in her retirement and in all her new adventures. Go néirí an t-ádh leat.
School closes on Friday @ 2pm and reopens on Monday 2nd of November. Wishing you a safe and happy Halloween