Thursday Note 24th Nov 2022

November 24th, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are well this week. Our news is as follows

  • On Monday last we had Maureen Griffin (forensic psychologist) visit the school to facilitate a workshop for 3rd/4th class pupils and 5th/6th class pupils on keeping safe online. Maureen spoke with the pupils re the benefits of the internet but also some of the challenges that our pupils may face. The pupils were excellent and very engaged with the presentation and it was quite interactive. Maureen had the following advice for parents of St Tolas pupils
  1. The majority of pupils indicated that they are able to download an app to their device with no code/password required from parents. As the Digital Age of consent in Ireland is 16, parental involvement is central to ensuring the app is age appropriate. Maureen recommended that all families should activate Family Link or Family Sharing to control App download and use and as an extra security for our pupils. I have attached guides explaining how to activate both Family Link and Family Sharing.
  2. The majority of pupils indicated they know someone else’s password including Mam or Dad’s. Knowing other people’s passwords may expose our pupils to age-inappropriate content unless controls are activated. Pupils sharing their own passwords with friends etc can leave them vulnerable too.
  3. Many pupils indicated they have access to devices in their bedrooms and are using them in some cases late into the night. This is having an adverse impact on sleep. Maureen would recommend that devices are not left in bedrooms at night and restrict media use for at least an hour before bed.
  4. A number of pupils indicated they have muted chats in games as they did not know the person. It is great to see our pupils doing this.  It is recommended that pupils stick to a “known friends” list when they are playing online and they should know the people they play with online in real life. 
  5. The majority of pupils indicated they have seen adult content online (e.g. gambling ads in free games). It is vital that parents activate parental controls and use a safe searching option.
  6. Some pupils in both sessions indicated they have played games rated 16/18plus. All games have a PEGI rating system and as parents you can check Common Sense Media to help you understand the content of games and their age appropriateness. Here is the link https://www.commonsensemedia.org/
  • Tomorrow is the last day to order Christmas annuals. They cost €2.20 and can be paid for via Aladdin or in the school office.
  • Our Parents’ Association have organised a cake sale for tomorrow at 1p.m. here in the school. Donations of cakes/buns/biscuits can be made tomorrow morning. Please label your tin/container so we can return it to you after the cake sale.
  • The Parents’ Association are holding their A.G.M here in the school next Tuesday evening at 7.30p.m. All parents/guardians are welcome to attend.
  • Wolfe Tones GAA have provided a coach to come into schools in Shannon to focus on fundamental movement skills and some skills development. Our coach is Caiman Deegan and he will be here on Wednesdays to work with Juniors-3rd classes for a half hour per class.
  • Finally we will be doing some Christmas performances this year after not being able to do so for the past two years. Juniors -3rd classes will do a class performance. 4th-6th classes will perform some of the song and dance routines they are learning as part of Peace Proms. As Peace Proms is taking place in January we would not have the time to rehearse an additional performance for these classes. We hope that parents/guardians can attend this year and we will have dates for you next week.

Kind regards, Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal


Social Media: Challenges for Parents

November 17th, 2022

Dr. Maureen Griffin, forensic psychologist and Director of MGMS Training Ltd will deliver a presentation ‘Social Media: Challenges for Parents’

This presentation will cover what is currently popular; what the potential dangers are and offer practical advice on how to protect ourselves and our children online.

Issues such as social networking sites & chatting apps; Live streaming; gaming; grooming; sexting; screen-time & sleep; and cyber-bullying will be addressed.

Date: Monday 21st November 2022

Time: 7.30pm

Location: Online Webinar via Zoom (link will be sent to parents on Monday 21st November)

Enquires to: office@tolasns.com or phone 061 362894


Thursday Note 17th Nov 2022

November 17th, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well this week. Our news is as follows

  • On Monday next 21st November we will have Maureen Griffin visit the school to deliver two workshops on Keeping safe online to pupils in 3rd/4th class and then to pupils in 5th/6th class. She will also deliver a workshop aimed at parents online on Monday evening at 7.30p.m. This webinar is open to ALL parents/guardians in St Tolas – not just those whose children are in the senior classes. I would urge at least one parent to attend the webinar as navigating the online world safely and giving our children the tools to protect themselves is a vital life skill.  Maureen is an internationally renowned forensic psychologist. She delivered workshops and seminars in the school a few years ago and was excellent. Please see flyer attached from Maureen outlining the areas covered in the parent webinar. The zoom link will be sent out to all parents on Monday next.
  • The Parents’ Association have organised a cake sale to take place next Friday 25th November here in the school at 1p.m. Donations of cakes/buns etc will be accepted on Friday morning. Please come to the front entrance of the school to drop them off. This will be our first cake sale since Covid and I know the pupils will be delighted to see the return of a cake sale.
  • Pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes went to the University of Limerick on Monday last for a practise for their Peace Proms concert which will take place in January.  We were very proud of our pupils who represented the school so well and they were even commended by the conductor on how well they knew their songs! Keep up the great work. The songs sound amazing already and wait until they have perfected the dance moves too!!!
  • Congratulations to Eve Bowen and Dylan Keane who represented St Tolas in the Clare Schools Cross Country Championship in Lees Road in Ennis on Tuesday.  They both ran in very competitive races with Dylan placing first in the U10 boys race and Eve placing 16th in the Over 10s girls race.  We are incredibly proud of them in St Tolas.
  • On the run up to Christmas there may be toys that are no longer needed by children.  Aoibhneas class would gratefully appreciate Duplo lego or Mega Bloks if you are no longer using them.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal


Thursday Note 10th Nov 2022

November 10th, 2022

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are well this week. Our news is as follows

  • Next Monday 14th November pupils from 4th, 5th and 6th classes will go to the Sports Arena in the University of Limerick for a practise for the Peace Proms  Choir event. The pupils have been busy learning the repertoire of songs for the Peace proms concert which will take place in UL in January. Our school choir will be joined by school choirs from all over the west of Ireland and they will be accompanied by the Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland.  Our choir are doing very well learning the songs and they sound fantastic. I hope they enjoy their trip on Monday and we are already looking forward to the concert itself.
  • Can you please make sure that your child has enough drinks to last them for the school day. Some pupils might need two drinks. Water is the best option.
  • The Parents’ Association are having an informal meeting this evening at 7p.m. here in the school. All parents are welcome.
  • Just a reminder that pupils are not allowed to use their phones at school or on the school grounds. If you need to contact pupils please contact the school office. Similarly if pupils need to contact their parents we will do so for them through the school office. If you deem it necessary for your child to bring their phone to school it must be powered off and left in their schoolbag for the day. We understand that for some pupils they may need their phone in the evening particularly if they are walking home or going to a minder but it cannot be used during the school day or while the pupils are on the school grounds at hometime. We thank you for your co-operation with this matter.
  • Juniors have started their phonics this week and are working very hard. Their theme in Aistear is the builder and they are learning all about this important job. Well done Juniors!
  • 1st class started the fit4class programme in Physical Education this week. Over the next number of weeks they will learn a number of games and keep active in a fun way.
  • We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who have donated to our gofundme page to raise funds to kit out our sensory room in our Aoibhneas Multiple Disability Class . To date over €10,000 has been raised and we delighted with this.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal