An Focal Deireanach – Vol 12, No 3 13th September 2025

Additional School Closure

We have been informed of a school closure that will take place on Monday, 20^th October 2025 to facilitate Child Safeguarding Training for all staff members.  We also will have two additional closures in the Spring to facilitate teacher professional development related to the new Primary Curriculum Framework.  As soon as these dates are confirmed, we’ll inform everyone.

Parent-Teacher Association Meetings

Our first Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) meetings will take place this week.  An in-person meeting will take place in the staff room on Monday, 15^th September at 9.00.  An online meeting will take place on Thursday, 18^th September at 18.30.  The PTA has a important role in developing our school community through considering policies, organising events and supporting fundraising.  All parents are welcome to join us.   

Coffee Morning

The school will host our annual Coffee Morning in aid of Galway Hospice on Friday, 26^th September.  Parents are invited to come to the halla from 8.50 until 10.00 for a cup of tea or coffee.  We welcome any baked donations for the occasion.  A collection will be made that day for Galway Hospice.  Please remember to park responsibly, not causing any traffic obstruction.

Book Rental Scheme

Children in 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Class will be bringing home a book rental contract that lists the books they have been assigned for the school year.  Please sign this and return it to your child’s class teacher.

Class Meetings

You should have received information about the class meetings that are taking place over the next few weeks in the mornings.  The individual parent-teacher meetings will take place towards the end of October.

Fregoli Theatre Visit

We welcomed Fregoli Theatre to the school on Tuesday who presented a performance called The Great Green Gigantic Idea.  1^st to 6^th Class really enjoyed the lively play with an important message about the need for us all to consider imaginative ways to address climate change.  Many thanks to Galway City Council for sponsoring the performance.

Contact Details

A reminder to all parents to check your details on Aladdin Connect to ensure they are up to date.  Changes may be made directly using the app.

Violin Lessons

Music Generation will once again be providing violin lessons during the school day.  Lessons are half an hour a week and taught by Ingrid Nicola, a member of ConTempo Quartet.  The cost is €120 for the year.  Five places are available.  A violin will be provided for each participant.  Please let Claudia know if your child is interested.

Afterschool Clubs

A new term of afterschool clubs will commence next week.  Registration opens Tuesday, 16^th September in person at the office from 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 and Construction for infants which starts at 13.30 and ends at 14.30.  If your child is an infant and attending Superhero Training, you’ll need to arrange for collection of your child at the usual time of 13.30 unless they are attending Afterschool @ KETNS or the Lego and Construction Club. 

Mondays – Choir with Matt and Lisa
1^st – 6^th Class
22^nd Sept until 8^th Dec (no sessions 20^th and 27^th Oct)
10 sessions – €25 to cover music and expenses
This year the choir will be taking a break from Peace Proms. Instead we will participate in local events and plan to participate in a competition in the new year. 

Mondays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál
3^rd – 4^th Class
22^nd Sept until 15^th Dec (no session on 20^th and 27^th Oct)
11 sessions – €90

Mondays – Nutrition and Cooking with Andrew
4^th – 6^th Class
22^nd Sept until 3^rd Nov (no sessions on 20^th and 27^th Oct)
5 sessions – €50
A new session will be advertised in October for more students to participate.

Tuesdays – Dancing with Siobhán
1^st to 6^th Class
23^rd Sept until 16^th Dec (no session on 28^th Oct)
12 sessions – €130

Wednesdays – Lego with Padraic
1^st to 6^th Class
24^th Sept until 17^th Dec (no session on 29^th Oct)
12 sessions – €60

Wednesdays – Rugmaking with Claire
3^rd – 6^th Class
24^th Sept until 17^th Dec (no session on 29^th Oct)
12 sessions – €65

Thursdays – Soccer with Ronan
4^th to 6^th Class
25^th Sept until 18^th Dec (no session on 30^th Oct)
12 sessions – €60

Thursdays – Creative Dance with Miss Laurie
Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1^st Class and 2^nd Class
14.30-15.30
25^th Sept until 18^th Dec (no session on 30^th Oct)
12 sessions – €120
Creative Dance is a combination of SuperHeroTraining, yoga, and contemporary dance forms suitable for girls and boys!

Thursdays – Lego and Construction with Niall
Junior and Senior Infants
13.30-14.30
25^th Sept until 11^th Dec (no session on 30^th Oct)
11 sessions – €55

Thursdays – Chess with Niall
1^st – 6^th Class
25^th Sept until 11^th Dec (no session on 30^th Oct)
11 sessions – €55

Thursdays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál
5^th – 6^th Class
25^th Sept until 18^th Dec (no session on 30^th Oct)
12 sessions – €90

Fridays – Dancing with Siobhán
1^st to 6^th Class
26^th Sept until 12^th Dec (no session on 1^st Nov)
11 sessions – €120

Fridays – Sewing with Arike
3^rd to 6^th Class
26^th Sept until 12^th Dec (no session on 1^st Nov)
11 sessions – €120

Cross-country Qualifiers

Children in 3^rd to 6^th Class went to Cappagh Park for qualifying cross-country races.  Despite a shower, everyone did their best, and congratulations to the children selected to represent the school at the end of the month at the interschool cross-country races.