September Newsletter 2025

Dear Parents & Guardians,

We have all just completed our first month back at school. The children have really settled back into the routine of school life. I would like to bring to your attention some recent & upcoming events in the school.

Communication

As per last year, our monthly newsletters will be emailed to you and they will also be available on the school’s website. Text-a-parent will still be used for more urgent messages. It is important that we have all the correct contact details. If your contact details have changed, please send a note to the class teacher in your child’s homework diary with the updated contact details.

School Photos

County Photos were in the school recently. The proofs and order forms were sent out with your child. If any parent is looking to order via their online portal shop.countyphotos.ie, please note that orders must be placed before Friday 3rd October to avail of free delivery to the school. Orders after this date will incur a delivery charge.

School Lunches

Cold Lunches will commence in the school from Monday 6th October. The Lunch Bag will provide a sandwich and a piece of fruit each day for every child. Orders are placed weekly through The Lunch Bag App. Details have already been sent home. The Lunch Bag recommends still sending healthy snacks for the first break or to supplement the sandwich at big break. In line with our Healthy Eating Policy, treats are only permitted on Fridays.

Wellness Wednesday

As part of our whole-school Wellness Policy, we will continue with Wellness Wednesday on the last Wednesday of every month. Throughout the day, children will participate in mindfulness activities organised by their class teacher, and there will be no homework that evening. Our first Wellness Wednesday took place on Wednesday 24th September.

Buddy Bench

On our school playground, one of the picnic benches has been painted in multi-colours. This bench is for children to sit on if they are looking for someone to play with at break-time. Please remind your children to look out for someone sitting there and to use the bench if they’d like a playmate.

Friendship Week

6th Class will be organising activities to celebrate Friendship Week from Monday 13th – Friday 17th October. They are busy planning to ensure everyone has an enjoyable week.

Maths Week

Maths Week will also run from Monday 13th – Friday 17th October. Children will not have Maths homework that week, so we encourage parents to give them opportunities to use Maths in everyday life — for example: estimating shopping bills, using measures when cooking, checking fuel prices, identifying shapes, or reading numbers on road signs.

Mini-7s Hurling, Camogie & Gaelic Football

It has been a busy month on the sports fields! The Camogie Mini-7s blitz was held on Tuesday 23rd September in St. Thomas’ GAA grounds. The girls performed brilliantly, winning all group games before narrowly losing to Peterswell in the final. Thanks to Ms. Hayes for preparing the team.

The boys’ Mini-7s hurling and football teams both qualified for the finals in their respective codes. The football finals take place on Wednesday 8th October in Annaghdown GAA grounds at 12:15 p.m., and the hurling finals on Thursday 9th October in Kilconieron GAA grounds at 12:15 p.m. We wish both teams the very best of luck!

Secondary School Blitzes

St. Brigid’s College organised a very successful 7-a-side hurling blitz for 6th Class boys on Friday 12th September, where our team captured the cup! Gort Community School ran their Primary Schools hurling and camogie blitzes on Thursday 18th September. Congratulations to 5th & 6th Class pupils Jasmine Murray, Gwen Fahy, Ryan Larkin, and Bassam Gazali who received all-star awards.

Garda Football Tournament

The annual boys’ Garda 7-a-side Football Tournament will take place on Tuesday 7th October in Gort GAA Grounds.

Team Hope Christmas Shoebox Appeal

Leaflets for this very worthy cause will be sent home shortly. Return date for shoeboxes: Monday 10th November.

Food Dudes Week

The school will participate in Food Dudes Week from Monday 13th – Friday 17th October. Children will sample a range of fruits and vegetables throughout the week.

Cycle Safe Lessons

5th & 6th Class children began Cycle Safe Lessons on Tuesday. These will continue for four weeks up to the Mid-term break.

Music Classes

Bodhrán lessons with Adam from Music Generation will begin on Thursday 9th October. The cost per child is €10. Please transfer the fee to the school account or send it in with your child as soon as possible.

Jersey Day

In support of Shane Cooney (St. Thomas’ & Galway player), who is fundraising for a Self Help Charity in Uganda, we will hold a Non-uniform/Jersey Day on Friday 10th October. Please send €3 with your child to support this cause.

Staffing

We welcome Rebecca Forkan to the staff. Ms. Forkan will cover Principal Release Days and EAL for the year ahead. We also welcome back Fionnghuala Seoige, shared SET with the Gaelscoil in Gort.

Trail to Athenry

Children from 3rd–6th Classes went on a History Trail to Athenry Castle on Thursday 25th September. They had a wonderful day learning about Celtic and Norman history. Thanks to Ms. Flanagan for organising the trip.

Reminder Dates

• Friday 24th October – School closed (Presidential Election polling station)
• Mid-Term Break: Monday 27th – Friday 31st October
• Parent-Teacher Meetings: Tuesday 18th & Wednesday 19th November

If you have any further queries regarding any of the above, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Yours Sincerely,
Francis O’Connor
Principal