Dear parents and students,
Spring is in the air this week!
How lovely to see such activity in the yard, as classes play together in the sunshine. The week has brought some changes to restrictions in schools, which are welcome. Children are mixing with other classes, activities are being started up again, assemblies being held and so on. It is, I hope, a sign of things to come!
As mentioned at assembly yesterday, I am very proud of how everyone has coped, and continue to cope with restrictions. You are a credit to yourselves, your families and St Anne’s.
Garden: I’m sure you have seen the wonderful work that has been carried out on the garden at the school entrance. It has created a great sense of space and provided a fitting entrance to the school. I look forward to seeing how it blossoms and grows in the years ahead.
I want to pay tribute to all the members of the PSG who undertook to develop the area, who gave of their time and expertise and who made this happen. To all our students who were involved also- well done and thank you!.
School Calendar: Hopefully everyone has received the text indicating that the school will be closed on March 21st given that March 18th is a public holiday for all. There will be time allocated by DES for some staff training in the coming months also – dates will be confirmed shortly.
Calendar and Events:
We are delighted that the usual school events and celebrations will make a comeback too. School tours will be arranged, sports day will be planned and the celebration of First Communion and Confirmation will take place in May and June.
We are in the process of liaising and timetabling after-school activities and will update you on this next week. Also activities for Seachtain na Gaeilge and Easter.
In-school activities- We are delighted to have Kelly, the GAA coach, working with junior classes and Stephanie, the gymnastics coach, working with senior classes. Lots of activity! We will be arranging playball at the end of the month also. Our trad group continue to practise on Friday mornings and I look forward to the sound of singing and choir coming together in the coming weeks too.
With assistance from the PSG we have been able to open up the library also- it is a joy to see excited faces perusing and choosing books!
PSG: As a new committee starts its term of office, I wish to express my thanks to the outgoing committee. To Lynette Walsh, Luan O Malley and Grainne O Halloran, I say thank you for your amazing work over the past two years. Even with Covid restrictions you still managed to support us all, arrange events for the children and lead the PSG committee throughout. It has been a privilege to work with you. Thanks also to Niall Phillips who stays on as treasurer and to the wider committee for their ongoing support and development of ideas to support and enhance children’s experience in St Anne’s. It is a wonderful community!
I look forward to working with the new committee in the year ahead.
School Planning:
We are in the process of offering places to new junior infants at the moment and we look forward to welcoming them to St Anne’s.
Planning around class arrangements for the coming academic year 22/23, will commence shortly and we will communicate with all relevant classes on arrangements for same.
A few reminders around keeping our children safe:
- Morning drop-off is working well and I thank you for your co-operation with this. Please ensure that children are not on the premises before 9am as supervision is only for the 10 minutes before school starts at 9.10am
- At home time, please note that children cannot go to cars that are on the road, at the gate or blocking the flow of traffic. I ask that parents who are parked wait at the cars and don’t come forward as this blocks the view and adds to congestion of people and cars. Thank you.
- Assessments and reports- Any assessments done by outside professionals should be sent to the Principal or Ms O Connor, SEN Co-ordinator, rather than the class teachers please. Also if teachers are being requested to complete forms, please allow adequate time for them to do so (one week minimum).
Finally, a note to say that the wonderful generosity of the community of St Anne’s is evident again today.
We are delighted to say that the school has raised over €2700 for the people of Ukraine. Well done and mile buíochas! In this Lenten season we offer our prayers for the people of Ukraine, for aid workers and for all who are in need in our own country and throughout the world.
I wish you all a nice weekend
Mary Manley