An Focal Deireanach – Vol 11, No 9 20th December 2024

Winter Break

Sincere thanks to everyone for a very busy but successful first term.  Particular thanks to the children for their continued hard work and creativity, to the staff for their constant dedication and efforts and to the parents for your support and involvement in our learning community.  The school will reopen on Monday, 6^th January.  Enjoy your break and see you in the new year!

Parent-Teacher Association Meeting

Our next Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meeting will take place on Monday, 13^th January at 9.00 in the staff room.  To support participation by as many parents as possible, an online meeting will take place as well on Thursday, 16^th January at 18.30.  Join the meeting using this link: https://meet.google.com/naw-cnzh-hnc.

Closure for Maths Curriculum Professional Development

The school will closed on Thursday, 27^th February to facilitate professional development related to the new maths curriculum.  Afterschool @ KETNS will have a one-day camp at the school.

Afterschool Clubs in the New Year

A new term of afterschool clubs will commence in January.  Sign up will take place on Thursday, 9^th January starting at 8.40.  Parents are asked to pay for the term upfront to secure a place.  We can only accept cash payments for these activities.  All afterschool clubs start at 14.30 and end at 15.30, with the exception of lego for infants which starts at 13.30 and ends at 14.30.  If your child is an infant and attending Creative Movement with Miss Laurie on, you’ll need to arrange for collection of your child at the usual time of 13.30 unless they are attending Afterschool @ KETNS. 

Mondays – Choir with Matt, Sarah and Lisa
1^st – 6^th Class
6^th January until 31^st Mar (no sessions 3^rd Feb and 17^th Mar)
€25 to cover music and expenses for new members only

Mondays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál & Kevin
3^rd – 6^th Class
13^th Jan until 7^th April (no sessions on 3^rd Feb and 17^th Mar)
11 sessions – €80 (first preference will be given to existing members)

Mondays – Gaelic Football & Hurling with Fionnuala
2^nd – 6^th Class
13^th Jan until 7^th Apr (no sessions 3^rd Feb, 17^th Feb, 17^th Mar)
10 sessions – €50

Tuesdays – Dance with Siobhán
1^st to 6^th Class
14^th Jan until 8^th Apr (no session on 18^th Mar)
12 sessions – €130

Wednesdays – Lego with Niall
Junior and Senior Infants – 13.30-14.30
15^th Jan until 2^nd Apr (no session on 19^th Mar)
12 sessions – €55

Wednesdays – Soccer with Ronan
4^th to 6^th Class
15^th Jan until 2^nd Apr
12 sessions – €60

Wednesdays – Lego with Padraic
1^st to 6^th Class
15^th Jan until 2^nd Apr (no session on 19^th Mar)
11 sessions – €60

Wednesdays – Podcasting with Claire
4^th – 6^th Class
15^th and 29^th Jan, 12^th and 26^th Feb, 12^th and 26^th Mar
6 sessions – €45

Thursdays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál & Kevin
3^rd – 6^th Class
16^th Jan until 3^rd Apr (no session on 20^th Feb, 27^th Feb)
10 sessions – €80 (first preference will be given to existing members)

Thursdays – Creative Dance by Miss Laurie
Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1^st Class and 2^nd Class
16^th Jan until 3^rd Apr (no session on 20^th Feb, 27^th Feb)
10 sessions – €100

Fridays – Rugmaking with Claire
3^rd – 6^th Class
17^th and 31^st Jan, 14^th and 28^th Feb, 14^th and 28^th Mar
6 sessions – €60

Miss Laurie is happy to bring Creative Dance to Knocknacarra Educate Together! Creative Dance is a combination of SuperHeroTraining, yoga, and contemporary dance forms suitable for girls and boys aged 6-10!

Choir

Earlier this month the school choir sang at Tesco Knocknacarra.  They raised over €300 for COPE Galway.  Sincere thanks to Tesco for the opportunity!

Tráth na gCeist

Bhí Tráth na gCeist again ar an Déardaoin.  Bhí sport agus spraoi again.  Míle buíochas as an Coiste Gaelbhratach agus comhghairdeas leis na buaiteoirí!  We had an Irish table quiz on Friday.  We all had great fun.  Thank you to the Gaelbhratach Committee for organising it and congratulations to the winners!

Rang a 6 Hoodies

Sixth class were very happy to receive their hoodies and look forward to lots of exciting events over the rest of the school year.

End-of-Term Assemblies and Potlucks

The end-of-term assemblies were all fantastic.  Well done to all the children for such amazing performances.  Sincere thanks to the staff members for all the preparation required to create such fantastic exhibitions of all the learning that has taken place this term.  Finally, thanks to all the parents for attending, sharing delicious food and tidying up so efficiently.