Dear Parents/guardians,

We hope you are keeping well as at last there seems to be some signs of Spring in the air. Our news this week is as follows

• Our boys’ and girls’ soccer teams made up of pupils from 5^th and 6^th classes took part in the FAI schools competition in Lee’s Rd. in Ennis on Tuesday last. All the teams gave a great account of themselves and represented their school with pride. A special mention goes to Chloe in 6^th class who scored a total of 15 goals on the day! Thank you to Mr. Tyrrell, Ms Hackett and Aoife who accompanied the pupils on the day and also organised coaching over the past few weeks.
• Thank you to all who supported our annual bookfair last week. I know some pupils are waiting on books ordered. The order went in last Friday and we will distribute the books as soon as they come. A big thank you to our student council who helped out at the bookfair on Thursday and Friday and even stayed after school to do so. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you to Ms Riordan for organising.
• Last Friday we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in style with a special Cruinniu Gaelach. Most classes performed a poem/song as Gaeilge and we even had a rap battle (in Irish!) from 6^th class. Maith thú rang a sé.
• On behalf of everyone in St Tolas we extend huge congratulations to Mr. Gary Tyrrell and his wife Aoife on the safe arrival of their new baby son Charlie. I believe his daughter Ada is delighted to be a big sister. I also understand that baby Charlie has decided it is great fun to keep his Daddy awake at night!!!
•  As part of our Agree to Agree project where we are developing an Internet and Technology Use Agreement.  Pupils in 3^rd to 6^th classes filled out surveys recently. I would like to thank the pupils for their engagement  and insight into this important topic. We will be asking parents/guardians to contribute after the Easter holidays.
• We are very proud of our 4 6^th class pupils who have represented St. Tolas in the primary Game this year. This is a series of trials for children to represent their school to play at half time during Clare’s football and hurling championship games. The competition is extremely tough with over 60 competing. Daithi Lynch represented us in hurling, Chloe Mullins for camogie, Lily Cummins for ladies football and Dylan Keane for boys football. They all did themselves, their families and their school proud. Huge congrats to Dylan who was one of the players chosen for the boys football. We wish him all the luck in the world and look forward to seeing him in a Clare jersey at half time on April 21^st in Cusack Park when Clare take on Limerick.
• Just to let you know that the Months Mind Mass for our beloved and greatly missed pupil Dylan Coady Coleman will take place in Mary Immaculate Church on this Saturday 23^rd March at 12p.m.
• St Tolas will close tomorrow at 12p.m. for all pupils and staff for the Easter holidays. I hope that everyone gets a chance to relax and recharge over the break. School will re-open on Monday 8^th April at 9a.m. Beannachtai na Cásca daoibh go leir. (Easter blessings on everyone in our school)

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal