Dear Parents/Guardians,

 We extend a warm welcome to our new parents/guardians as their child/children begin their educational journey with us here in St Tolas. Welcome back to all our existing parents/guardians as we start a new school year. I would like to wish all our pupils, staff and parents every success as we return to school.  Our news this week is as follows

• We were delighted to meet out new Junior Infant pupils and get to know them. Juniors will finish at 12p.m. for the first two weeks and then will finish at the infant day time of 1.40p.m. The pupils have been enjoying playtime, songs, rhymes and stories and will adapt to “big school” over the coming days and weeks. We wish them every success. We also welcome some new pupils in the other classes too and we hope their time in St Tolas will be enjoyable.
• The school opens to receive pupils every morning at 8.45a.m. Pupils enter the building via their assigned door/entrance. The doors will be closed at 9a.m. when the bell rings and classes start.  If your child arrives after this time please go to the main entrance at the school office. In the evening pupils exit via their class assigned door/exit.
• As a number of pupils in our school have severe allergies we operate as a nut free school. Just a reminder that chocolate spreads contain nuts as do many other treats. We respectfully ask that pupils would not bring these foods to school. We also operate a healthy eating policy for all pupils. Sweets, crisps, fizzy drinks, chewing gum are not allowed. Pupils may bring a small treat to school on Friday (e.g. a small biscuit bar etc.) We appreciate your co-operation in this very important matter.
• As there were some changes to teaching staff during the summer see table below re assigned classes.  We welcome back Ms Sarah Meyers and extend a warm welcome to Ms Anne Finn who has joined us this year.

Juniors – Ms Amanda Corry; Seniors – Ms Maria Hehir; Seniors – Ms Alanna Hansbury

1^st Class – Ms Lorna O’Neill; 1^st Class – Ms Sarah Meyers;2^nd Class – Ms Siobhan Kelleher; 3^rd Class – Ms Maeve Clancy

4^th Class – Ms Kate Flynn; 5^th Class – Ms Lisa Hackett; 6^th Class – Mr Gary Tyrrell;

Solas Special Class – Ms Noreen Vaughan; Aoibhneas Special Class – Ms Fiona Burke

SET – Ms Clare Fitzsimons; SET – Ms Edel Halliday; SET – Ms Ciara Cleary; SET – Ms Karen Riordan/Diana Fleming;

SET – Ms Lorraine Connolly/Ms Erin McGuane; SET (part-time) Ms Anne Finn

• Can you please ensure that your child’s jumper/cardigan/tracksuit top is labelled so that it can be returned to your child if they take it off when they are warm. It is also a good idea to label coats as they too can go missing.
• If your contact details – mobile phone number, address or email has changed during the summer please contact the school office on 061 362894 as soon as possible so we can update our records.
• Scheduled parent/teacher meetings will take place later in the school year. If you wish to speak to your child’s teacher at any stage in the year please contact the school office and we can arrange a mutually convenient time. We look forward to working with you to best support your child throughout the coming school year.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal