Coffee Morning

The school will host our annual Coffee Morning in aid of Galway Hospice tomorrow, Friday, 26th September.  Parents are invited to come to the halla from 8.50 until 10.20 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 consider making a donation to this worthy cause even if you are unable to attend.  Please remember to park responsibly, not causing any traffic obstruction.

Additional School Closure

A reminder that on Monday, 20th October 2025 the school will be closed to facilitate Child Safeguarding Training for all staff members.  Afterschool @ KETNS will be having a one-day camp.  We also will have two additional closures in the Spring (10th March 2026 and 3rd June 2026) to facilitate teacher professional development related to the new Primary Curriculum Framework. 

Flu Vaccine

This year, all children aged 2‐17 years of age will be offered the Influenza (Flu) Nasal Spray vaccine free of charge. Flu circulates in the community during flu season, normally from the beginning of October through to the end of April, and children are more likely than adults to get severe complications of flu. Children who are sick with flu may miss days in crèche, childcare or school and may miss out on their usual activities, such as hobbies and sports.  As well as helping to protect your child from serious complications if they get flu, the flu vaccine reduces the spread of Flu virus to other people, meaning that siblings, parents and grandparents of vaccinated children may also have increased protection.

The flu vaccine is recommended for all children aged 2‐17 years. The vaccine that your child is being offered is called Fluenz. It is a safe and effective vaccine that is given as a nasal spray. Vaccinations will be administered in the school on Monday, October 13th 2025.  You can avail of a free flu vaccine for your child by completing the online consent form in advance.

Information about the nasal flu vaccine in children is available here: nasal-flu-vaccine-fact-sheet.pdf.  Please read the information leaflet and complete the above online consent form if you wish to avail of a flu vaccine for your child. You can find further information at: Children’s flu vaccine – HSE.ie.

Class Meetings

Many thanks to those families who attend the morning class meetings to meet your child’s teacher.  We will be having our regular parent-teacher meetings at the end of October.  Details about how to select an appointment will be sent out in October.  As always, feel free to email your child’s teacher using their first name followed by @ketns.ie or phone the office to request a phone call. 

Drop-off and Collection

Many thanks for all you are doing to keep the drop-off and collection times flowing smoothly.  It is essential that while everyone may be in a hurry, safety is paramount.  There was recently an accident involving a car and a cyclist on Cappagh Road.  While fortunately no one was seriously injured and no child was involved, it is an important wake-up call to be as mindful as possible and to drive carefully and slowly.  As always, please do not park in a way that affects our neighbours including the residents of Garraí Dhónaill, Cimín Mór and Manor Court.  In particular, those families who walk or cycle to school via Manor Court should be sure children are cycling and walking safely as there are blind corners in the estate.  Many thanks for your continued cooperation.

6th Class Visit to the University

Sixth class went to the University of Galway to view a documentary titled Hidden Depths that featured Jude from the class.  They had a fantastic visit.  In addition to the film screening, the class did some activities related to philosophy of nature and philosophy of language and played on the green.

Cumann na mBunscol Competitions

Our first of the Cumann na mBunscol mini-7s blitzes took place yesterday.  Well done to the boys’ Gaelic football team who played yesterday and reached a semi-final.  The girls’ Gaelic football and boys’ hurling teams had their blitzes today. Everyone did a great job and had tremendous fun.