Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope you are keeping well as we come to the end of Term 2 for the current school year. Our news this week is as follows

• Thank you to all who supported our Bingo fundraiser in Newmarket-on-Fergus Community hall last Saturday night. Thank to the many families who made the journey out. Thank you to our sponsors who supported us and to all who donated prizes for the raffle. Thank you to all staff who helped organise the night and a special thank you to Muinteoir Alanna who put in trojan work to ensure the night was a success. Finally, we are extremely grateful to Ger and the hall committee of Newmarket-on-Fergus for allowing us to use the hall and for running the night for us. We do not have a final figure yet of how much was raised but will let you know after Easter.
• We had a number of boys and girls’ teams take part in the FAI Clare Schools Soccer competition in Tulla last Tuesday. Despite the atrocious weather our teams did us proud with one of our boys’ teams progressing to the medium size school Clare County finals which will take place in Lee’s Road Ennis in late April. Thank you to Muinteoir Gary for coaching the teams in the past few weeks and giving up his lunchtimes to do so. Thank you to Muinteoir Noreen, Karen and SNA Mary who accompanied the pupils on the day also.
• Well done to the pupils in 6^th class who took part in the Ceremony of Light on Tuesday evening last in Mary Immaculate Church. It was a beautiful and meaningful ceremony and every pupil did a job on the night. Well done to all. Thank you to the boys and girls in the choir who gave up their evening to join their friends in 6^th class and enhance the ceremony with their singing and music.
• We wish Teddie in 5^th class every success as she journeys to Chicago over Easter to take part in the World Irish Dancing Championships. Best of Luck Teddie. It is an amazing achievement to qualify for this competition.
• 6^th class visited Shannon Library yesterday to take part in a presentation entitled “A tour of our Solar System” as part of the Irish Astronomy week. The pupils found this talk very interesting and had some great questions.
• Swimming lessons will start for pupils in 4^th class on Tuesday 14^th April, 3^rd class on Wednesday 15^th April and 2^nd class on Thursday 16^th April at 1.30p.m. to 2.15p.m. each day. Lessons will continue for 6 weeks for these classes. Lessons cost €30 for 6 lessons. The pool charges us for the number of pupils booked even if they do not attend every week. Swimming is part of the Physical Education curriculum and unless there is a medical reason your child cannot attend we advise that all pupils must attend.
• Shannon Library have organised a host of events to take place over the Easter holidays. Please see flyer attached with details and booking details.
• St Tolas will close tomorrow 27^th March at 12p.m. for the Easter break. School will re-open on Monday 13^th April at 9a.m. I wish all pupils, parents and staff a relaxing and enjoyable Easter break.

Kind regards,

Mary Dunlea Fitzgerald, School Principal