Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well despite the poor weather conditions we have had at times this week. Our news this week is as follows

• We have been celebrating International Dot day in some classes this week. This is based on a story called The Dot by Peter Reynolds. This book dares us make a mark and see where it will take you. First Class have produced beautiful pictures all starting with making a mark. Well done First Class!
• Can you please make sure your child has a coat coming to school in the morning. The weather is quite unpredictable at present and some pupils were wet through when they arrived at school the other morning.
• The Child Protection Procedures for Primary and Post primary schools (revised 2023) were published by the Department of Education at the end of August. The Board of Management will be reviewing and updating our Child Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment. If any parent has a comment or query in relation to this matter please contact the school office. Our current Safeguarding Statement and Risk Assessment is available on our website at www.tolasns.com and we will let you know when the updated document has been approved by the Board of Management and uploaded to the website.
• Pupils from 1^st to 6^th classes have been taking part in training and selection for the East Clare Cross Country competition taking place next week. There has been great enthusiasm for the training and I understand that the team selection will be made this week. Thank you to Ms O’ Neill and Ms Cleary who have given up their lunchtimes to train the boys and girls.
• Well done to 6^th class who preformed a haka for us at Cruinniu last Friday as Gaeilge. They put on a performance that rivalled even the mighty All Blacks!!!   Keep up the great work 6^th class.
• Juniors have been working hard on learning their sounds. While I was in the classroom the other day they sang many of the rhymes that they have learnt to help them remember their sounds. This is vital work the pupils will need to get started on decoding words and learning to read!
• Can you please make sure that your child has sufficient drinks to last them through the day.  It is not possible to refill drinks bottles in school as it is disruptive to teaching and learning. We thank you for your co-operation in this matter.

Kind regards, Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal