Industrial Action

As you may be aware, teachers’ and SNAs’ unions are taking industrial action as part of a national pay dispute. This means some staff won’t be doing certain tasks outside their normal hours, for example after school staff training and meetings.  Core teaching and learning in school will stay the same.  In our school, these industrial action measures mean that our formal parent-teacher meetings that we were about to begin to schedule for the last school week in October are now on hold.  In addition, on Wednesday, 14th October and potentially 21st October as well, schools nationwide are likely to close for the day as part of a planned strike.  This is an evolving situation, and we’ll be in contact if any of this changes. 

Nasal Flu Vaccine

As we have for the past two years, the school has arranged for the administration of the nasal flu vaccine during the school day for those families who wish to avail of this at no cost.  The scheduled date for the administration of the vaccines, arranged with Cleary’s Pharmacy, is Monday, 19th October. 

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 from Flu.

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.  You can avail of a free flu vaccine for your child by completing the online consent form in advance.

Click here to book a Nasal Flu Vaccine for your child(ren).

Getting the flu vaccine will protect your child against infection with flu, which can sometimes cause complications in children. Complications of flu in children include: pneumonia, bronchitis and rarely inflammation of the brain (encephalitis).  Vaccinating your child benefits them and benefits their community as children can spread flu to those around them including those who may be older or have underlying medical conditions.

Please read the current HSE children’s flu vaccine information and complete the above online consent form if you wish to avail of a flu vaccine for your child or you can speak to your GP or Pharmacist. If your child has already received a flu vaccine since September this year or has an appointment already arranged, please do not consent for your child to receive a flu vaccine.

There will be a small number of children not able to have the nasal spray flu vaccine because of pre‐existing medical conditions or treatments. They will be identified by the information provided by you on the consent form. If your child falls into this category, they should still be vaccinated against flu with an injected vaccine, unless this vaccine is also not recommended for your child. You will need to contact your GP or Pharmacist and make an appointment to arrange this.

Furthermore, if there is any change in the medical conditions since the completion of the consent form please contact the team by phone (091-562967) or email (clearysgalway@gmail.com).   If you complete a consent form and wish to withdraw consent, you can do so by emailing clearysgalway@gmail.com by 8am on Monday October 19th 2026.  Additionally, if you have any questions or concerns, members of the vaccination team are happy to help.  If we have not received a consent form for your child, they will not receive a nasal flu vaccine in school.

School Closures

A reminder that the school will be closed on Wednesday, 7th October as teachers begin to explore the Wellbeing Specification of the new Primary Curriculum.  For those parents interested in learning more about the curriculum and specifically the Wellbeing Specification, you can find more information on the Primary Curriculum Online website.  Afterschool @ KETNS will offer a one-day camp. 

Other closures related to staff training this year include Thursday, 5th November, Wednesday, 25th November 2026 and Monday, 17th May 2027.  Afterschool @ KETNS will offer one-day camps on those dates.

School Photos Day Rescheduled

As many parents realized, our first curriculum closure happens to coincide with the original scheduled school photos day with County Photos.  We have rescheduled the photos day for Wednesday, 21st October.

Coffee Morning in Aid of Galway Hospice

Sincere thanks to everyone who attended the coffee morning last Friday and for all the generous families who contributed to our collection to support Galway Hospice.  €325.20 was raised!

Camogie Afterschool

Fionnuala is inviting all girls from 3rd to 6th Class to participate in camogie training after school on Thursdays from 14.30-15.30.  There is no charge to participate.

Halloween Fancy Dress

Our final day before the mid-term break, children are welcome to wear costumes for Halloween on Friday, 23rd October.  It is an ordinary teaching and learning day, so please keep this in mind when choosing a costume.  We also ask that nothing resembling a weapon be a part of any costume.  We look forward to an enjoyable day.

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PTA AGM

Our Parent-Teacher Association AGM took place on Monday.  Many thanks to those who attended.  It is important to note the important work the PTA does in supporting our school.  The money raised from the Spring Fair (over €5000 last year), as well as ongoing voluntary contributions from families, have allowed the school to pay for bus transport for a variety of events including all sports competitions, Baboró performances, chess and trivia tournaments, additional excursions last year for the Teddy Bear’s Hospital and Healthy Heroes and the entry fees for all competitions (sports, trivia, chess, etc.).  In addition, the funds raised provided music lessons for junior and senior infants, ukulele lessons for 4th and 5th Class for the past few years and Cycle Right Training for 6th Class without having to pass on any costs to parents.  Last year, we also were able to create three indoor sensory spaces, develop our Nurture programme and begin creating a sensory garden due to the continued generosity of families and their ongoing support of the annual Spring Fair as the central fundraiser for our school.  Therefore, the PTA encourages all families to support their efforts and is grateful for all the volunteers who contributed to the various events this past year.   The minutes of the AGM meeting are below.

Minutes of PTA meeting on 28 September 2026

PTA roles for 2026-2027

Chairperson – Vajiha Muhammed

Vice Chairperson – Claire Mc Donald

Secretary to rotate.

No other persons available to be nominated.

One member of the PTA to attend Junior Infant introduction meeting.

PTA meetings to rotate between Mondays and Fridays. Consider having nametags for open houses and or PTA meetings.

Review of events

Talent Show

It was agreed that most events went well apart from the talent show. If it is to go ahead again this year, designated persons to supervise the children will be required.

Spring Fair – 24 April 2027

  • Date of fair to be advertised well in advance. Promotion amplified and earlier. Bouncy castle to be investigated earlier.
  • Get prizes earlier this year, starting in January. List of sponsors obtained by 1st February.  Print tickets by 1st of March and issued to sell before the Easter break.
  • Maybe have extra incentive to sell extra tickets, top 3 spots with prizes.
  • Make parents aware what the funds from the Spring Fair pay for. Matt to insert it into the newsletter.

Multicultural event 20th of November 6.30 – 8

Groups to be organised on WhatsApp

PTA Role

Draft small welcome letter advising what the PTA does, anyone can reach out to members of the

PTA and their class representatives.

Newsletter/Key dates

Newsletter – add in important dates on each newsletter, upcoming school events (table quiz, graduation etc.)

Add school closures into calendar if possible. Sheet to be done up with list of events can be updated when needed (add in graduation, different events).  Joanna has drafted one for October.

Other matters

Look at organising a pyjama day in March.

Next meeting Friday, 16 October at 9am. Matt to have letters for sponsors ready on that date to start looking for prizes for Spring Fair.