An Focal Deireanach – Vol 12, No 16 2nd April 2026

Spring Break

It has been another busy and very successful term in our school.  We hope everyone is having a restful Spring Break, and we look forward to seeing everyone back at school on Monday, 13^th April.

Swimming Lessons

A reminder that swimming lessons commence after the break.  A separate email was sent last week to all families.  A reminder that 1^st and 3^rd Class will have swimming on Tuesdays, and 2^nd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th Class will have swimming on Wednesdays.  The easiest way to pay for swimming is by using the Aladdin Connect App to make an epayment.

Survey for Parents

We are very pleased to begin a process of developing a new programme to enhance our Relationships and Sexuality Education curriculum in the school.  A group of parents, staff members and two researchers with experience related to teaching consent are working together to develop a new programme to develop children’s skills to help them manage relationships through successful communication.  To get the process started, we are asking parents to complete a surveyby Wednesday, 15^th April.  Staff members will also be consulted as well as the children in our school and past pupils too. 

New Term of Afterschool Clubs

A new term of afterschool clubs will take place starting the week of the 20^th April.  Signup will take place on Tuesday, 14^th April starting at 8.40 at the office.  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 Music with Matt and Lego with Niall 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. 

Mondays – Music with Matt
Junior and Senior Infants
20^th April until 15^th June (no sessions on 4^th May, 1^st June)
7 sessions – €35

Mondays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál
3^rd – 4^th Class
20^th April until 22^nd June (no sessions on 4^th May and 1^st June)
8 sessions – €70
Preference will be given to children who are currently members of the club.

Mondays – Nutrition and Cooking with Andrew
4^th – 6^th Class
20^th April until 25^th May (no session on 4^th May)
5 sessions – €50

Tuesdays (mostly!) – Dancing with Siobhán
1^st to 6^th Class
21^st April, 19^th May, 5^th June (note that this is a Friday), 9^th June, 16^th June, 23^rd June
6 sessions – €70

Wednesdays – Lego with Padraic
1^st to 6^th Class
22^nd April until 17^th June (no session on 6^th May)
8 sessions – €40

Wednesdays – Bodhrán with Andrew
1^st to 6^th Class
22^nd April until 17^th June (no session on 6^th May)
8 sessions – €50 for current members; €95 for new members
Preference will be given to those who are current members of the club but a few places are available for new members.

Thursdays – Creative Dance with Miss Laurie
Junior Infants, Senior Infants, 1^st Class and 2^nd Class
14.30-15.30
30^th April until 11^th June (no session on 7th May)
6 sessions – €60

Thursdays – Lego and Construction with Niall
Junior and Senior Infants
13.30-14.30
30^th April until 18^th June (no sessions on 7th and 21^st May)
6 sessions – €30

Thursdays – Chess with Niall
1^st – 6^th Class
30^th April until 18^th June (no sessions on 7th and 21^st May)
6 sessions – €30

Thursdays – Dungeons and Dragons with Micheál
5^th – 6^th Class
23^rd April until 18^th June (no sessions on 7th May and 21^st May)
8 sessions – €70
Preference will be given to children who are currently members of the club.

Parent-Teacher Association Minutes

Spring Fair – Saturday, 25^th April

• Raffle licence: Matt to drop off licence application and print tickets. Parents will need to assist preparing tickets.  Tickets will be distributed after the break.
• Wristbands: Matt to order entry wristbands. €2 per wristband, €5 for family of 4. This will include outside games, 1 free drink per person and a guess at the sweets in the jar.
• Parking: Volunteers will be required to assist with parking.

Pride – The school will celebrate Pride for the first time this year, and the event will take place on Friday the 5th of June. A short age-appropriate lesson to be done in each class to discuss pride and inclusivity. The celebration will take place in the school and parents are welcome to join. WhatsApp group set up for the event. Possible art competition, children to wear bright colourful clothes, and a pride flag to be raised.

Graduation – 6th Class Graduation to take place on 25th of June. Refreshments to be provided by 5th class as is custom.

Policies –Three policies (parental involvement, homework and RSE) to be reviewed before the end of the school year, policies will be discussed with PTA and finalised by the Board.

Next Meeting – 13 April at 9am

Seachtain na Gaeilge

Bhí eachtranna breise ar siúl chun Seachtain na Gaeilge a chéiliúradh.  Bhí Kahoot (trá na gCeist ar an idirlíon) ar siúl.  Bhí Trá na gCeist mór sa halla chomh maith.  Thug Matt cuairt ar gach rang chun ceacht mata a dhéanamh trí mheán na Gaeilge.  Bhí Lá Glas againn agus dioscó sa chlós.  Bhí tionól speisialta againn le ceol, damhsa, rannta agus dannta, agus sheinn an rang bodhrán don scoil ar fad.  Míle buíochas, a Choiste Gaelbhratach!

We had many more activities to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge  since the last newsletter.  Many classes complete a Kahoot (online quiz) in their classrooms.  We also had a big tráth na gceist in the halla.  Matt visited each classroom to teach a maths lesson in Irish.  We had a Green Day where everyone were green clothes, and we had a special disco in the yard.  We ended our celebrations with a special assembly with music, dance, poems and rhymes, and the bodhrán class performed for the school.  Thank you to the Gaelbhratach Committee.

Ag seinm bodhrán ag an tionól

Tráth na gceist mór sa halla

Ag déanamh Kahoot sa seomra ranga

Ag imirt cluiche cártaí i gceacht mata

Na naíonáin bheaga ar Lá Glas

Chess Tournament

Well done to our chess team who recently participated in the Galway City Chess Finals Shield Division.  They placed first and each brought home a trophy.  Their focus was excellent throughout, and they all demonstrated great skill.

Trials for City Sports

We will hold trials for City Sports on Friday, 17^th April at Cappagh Park if the weather is amenable.  All children In 1^st to 6^th Class should be prepared to run that day.

Sixth Class Art Creation

Sixth Class, with the support of Tatiana, have created a beautiful piece of art work combining ceramics and words and drawings to celebrate their time in our school.  Sincere thanks to Tatiana and all the 6^th Class parents who made it possible.  We look forward to hanging in the school for everyone to see.

6^th Class and Tatiana with their beautiful art

Bus Transport Applications

The School Transport Scheme portal, operated by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education and Youth, is now open for applications and payments. The closing date for payments is Friday, 8 May 2026.  Ordinarily children must live 3.2 kms away from the school to qualify.  A group of parents is particularly interested in seeing if a bus service can be established from communities west of the school including Barna, Furbo and Spiddal.  More information is available here.