Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well as we head into the bank holiday weekend. Our news this week is as follows

• In 2021 St Tolas opened our two special classes – one for pupils with Autism and one for pupils with multiple disabilities. We were also approved a two SEN classroom extension to house these classes in appropriate accommodation. We are finally at the stage of applying for planning permission to build these classrooms and our application was submitted to Clare County Council last week. We are delighted to be at this stage of the project and hope the project can progress from this point in a timely manner.
• School tours have started this week! 2^nd class had a lovely day yesterday as they travelled to Galway to Galway Leisure World and the Galway Aquarium. They had lots of questions about marine life and got to see some amazing creatures. Juniors and Seniors are off to Turoe Pet Farm today. We hope the weather improves for them and that they have a great day out. Tomorrow 3^rd and 4^th classes are going to Adventure World in the University of Limerick to try out lots of activities. We hope they have a great day too.
• Congratulations to our team who qualified for the Paddy Carrig final on Monday evening in Wolfe Tones GAA club. They met a very strong St Conaires side who were victorious on the night but I was so proud of the sporting attitude displayed by our team as they kept playing until the end of the game. Thank you to Muinteoir Maria and Muinteoir Noreen who coached the team on the night.
• Well done to our school band who travelled to Cusack park in Ennis on Tuesday to take part in a celebration of school music with schools from around the county. We were delighted to take part and to see our band representing our school. Thank you to Muinteoir Kate and Muinteoir Alanna for organising this event for us.
• Congratulations to Robyn in 6^th class who was the winner of the recent Earth Day art competition organised by Skycourt Shopping Centre. Well done to Ivy in 6^th class who represented Clare in the Primary game at the Clare v Limerick match last weekend.
• Please see flyer attached re Pixel Portraits event in Shannon Library this Saturday.
• Please see flyer attached re Clare mela event in Shannon Town Park on Monday 2^nd June.
• We thank Muinteoir Aisling for all her hard work and dedication in her time in St Tolas since the start of the year. Tomorrow is her last day with us.  We welcome Muinteoir Lisa back next week.
• St Tolas will be closed to pupils and staff next Monday 2^nd June as it is a public holiday. The school will re-open on Tuesday next at 9a.m.  We wish all our past pupils well who will start their Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams next week. We hope it goes very well for them.

Kind regards, Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well and enjoying the fine weather for however long it lasts. Our news this week is as follows

• Our pupils in Solas and Aoibhneas Special classes are travelling to Cusack park in Ennis today to take part in the first Réaltaí na Clár (Clare Stars) day. We wish them well and hope they have a very enjoyable day.
• Congratulations to the boys and girls who made their First Communion on Saturday last. We were so proud of you all.  Thank you also to the choir and band who provided the music.  Thank you to the Parents’ association and 3^rd class parents who provided the lovely treats and party for the Communion children here in the school after the ceremony. Mile buiochas to Muinteoir Siobhan, Muinteoir Kate and Muintoeir Fiona for all their hard work and to Muinteor Alanna for leading the choir.
• Well done to all the pupils who took part in the first Shannon Schools Athletics competition in St. Senans Rugby club and on the athletics track yesterday. The pupils were fantastic and did themselves proud. Thank you to Muinteoir Lorna, Muinteoir Diana and Sinead who accompanied the pupils.
• Well done to our boys hurling team who took part in the Cumann na mBunscoil hurling competition on Tuesday last in Caherlohan. Although the games did not go their way the boys gave a good account of themselves and had an enjoyable day out. Thank you to Muinteoir Maria and Muinteoir Noreen who accompanied the team.
• Tomorrow pupils from 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes take part in the Paddy Carrig memorial football competition in Wolfe Tones GAA. We have a number of teams taking part and we wish them well. Thank you to Muinteoir Maria for co-ordinating this event on our behalf.
• We are starting our annual Quizbrain of St Tolas today also. All pupils from 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th and 6^th classes take part in the first four rounds with 30 questions asked. The top 20 then go through to two semi-finals with 30 questions per round with the top 5 qualifying for the grand final at the end of June. I wish everyone the best of luck in this year’s competition.
• Our school band have been invited to Cusack park in Ennis next Tuesday to join with school bands from all over Clare to perform a number of tunes. I know our band have worked so hard all year and we hope they enjoy this experience too.
• Next week our school tours also start. Class teachers will let you know the specific details for your child’s tour this year. 2^nd Class are off to the Aquarium in Galway on Wednesday. Juniors and Seniors are very excited about visiting Turoe pet Farm on Thursday and 3^rd and 4^th classes are going to Adventure World in the University of Limerick on Friday next week.

As you can see it is a very busy time of the year in St Tolas!

Kind regards, Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal