St. Michael’s & St. Patrick’s N.S.

Cootehall,

Boyle,

Co. Roscommon,

                                                                                                   F52 TV26

Tel. No: 071-9667264   

www.cootehallns.com

 

                18th June 2020.

Dear Parents/Guardians,

 

When we started this school year in September 2019 little did we realise how all would be so different just a relatively short period later. It will certainly be a year that is not forgotten and one where we all learned so many new things some expected and some very unexpected!

This school year has been busy as you will see in our newsletter detailing all we have done as a school before our school closed in March. It is always an interesting read. Our website shows off some of the things we have been doing since March. Have a browse if you get the chance.

 

Please find enclosed in your envelope the following:

  1. School Newsletter
  2. Your child’s report for 2019-20
  3. Board of Management Newsletter
  4. Education Passport for 6th Class Students only

The following information is available on our website.  If you have difficulty accessing this, please let us know.

  1. Uniform details
  2. Book Lists for 2020/2021
  3. Pupil Personal Accident Insurance Information
  4. NCCA Information leaflets for parents/guardians regarding supporting your child’s education

 

If you do not receive any of the above, please let us know at the school.  If you have any queries or questions regarding your child’s school report, please feel free to contact your class teacher by email and they will be in touch.

 

Please note that there is no school calendar formalised at present due to the current circumstances. We are awaiting further guidelines from the Department of Education and Skills and hope to confirm a starting date for the new school year as soon as possible. A full year school calendar will be formalised as soon as is practicable in the new school year. As I am sure you are aware we do not know how our school will open in the new school year and how many will be allowed in the school at a given time, the guidelines for this will come from the Department of Education and Skills. When we have received this information and put its guidance in place, we will let you know how this will work for our school community.

 

The school uniform jumper can only be purchased in the Magnet in Carrick-on-Shannon.  The white polo shirt and uniform trousers, skirt, pinafore, and tracksuit are generic and can be purchased in numerous outlets.  Please note school policy states we have a plain grey trouser, skirt, pinafore, or tracksuit.

 

Homework notebooks are currently being sourced and will be given to all students in the new school year.  It forms an important part in the lines of communication between the school and home.  As well as containing an abridged version of our school behaviour policy the homework notebook will also have absence forms in its centre.  These are used to detail any absence that your child (ren) might have next year.  We are obliged to keep a record of this in the school and we hope this will continue to make it easier for all concerned. We are also in the process of putting these forms online also.

 

The school are asking for a contribution of €40 per pupil.  This amount has remained unchanged for the last 12 years.  This amount goes towards the School Book Rental Scheme, homework notebook, art supplies, photocopying and Pupil Personal Accident Insurance.

We would be grateful if you could send in this contribution in early September to the school secretary.  As a school we are also moving to electronic payments. If you would prefer to send your contribution in this way, we will give you all details in September when we return.

 

Obviously, there are a lot of schoolbooks and school libraries books at home. For the moment we would ask you to keep these safe at home and we will arrange collection at a later date.

 

A strong school community is essential to a good school.   We in the school would like to say thank you to the Parent’s Association and our parents for your help and continued support of the work done in this school. We hope that you are happy with your child (ren)’s experience in our school. We welcome all feedback from you so as we can continue to try and improve our school for our students. We encourage all to become involved with our Parent’s Association so their valuable work can be continued in the school in the future.

 

Congratulations to our students for their efforts, manner, and commitment that they have shown in school and at home this year.  Your engagement with all the teaching and learning in this strangest of school years has been impressive. Our students received many positive compliments from the many people who have been in the school and on our various school trips. We have been immensely proud to be your teachers, it makes our job a little easier with your great attitude! You are a credit to yourselves, your families, school, and community.  Well done, take a bow one and all.

 

For our sixth class who take their next step in Secondary School we wish you success in the future.  It might not have been the finish we all wished for, but rest assured you are all ready for the next step in your young lives. We look forward to learning of your future progress and achievements.  We hope that you have fond memories of your years in Cootehall National School. Continue to give your best effort in your new schools. Show off all the many talents you have. Best wishes and good luck!

 

We would like to express our sincere thanks for the continued help, support and time given by Fr. Brendan, our Board of Management, The Parent’s Association and Ardcarne Community Playgroup. It is great that our school facilities are enjoyed by so many.

 

St. Michael’s & St. Patrick’s National School have an enthusiastic and talented staff.  Thank you to all the teachers, Ms. Martin, Ms. Brennan (X2!), Ms. Conroy, Mr. Conboy, Ms. Gilhooly and Ms. Tansey for your dedicated teaching.  Thank you to our Special Needs Assistants Pauline and Joan for your fantastic work. To Padraig Sweeney, Wayne Frankham, Michael Shanley, Mary Fryer, Martina Fryer and Sean Higgins thank you for your wonderful work this year.  Helena Gilhooly, our school secretary, does a fabulous job in running our school smoothly and efficiently, thank you.

 

Our classes for next year will be as follows

Class Teacher
Junior Infants Ms. Brennan
Senior Infants/First Class Ms. Conroy/Ms. Brennan
First/Second Class Mr. Conboy
Third/Fourth Class Ms. Tansey
Fifth/Sixth Class Mr. Duffy
Special Education Teacher Ms. Gilhooly
Special Education Teacher Ms. Martin

 

The next school year is two months away. We will let you know of arrangements as soon as possible.

Until then we in the school wish the students, parents, staff, and their families a safe, happy, and pleasant summer holiday. Keep safe. Enjoy the break, it was well earned by all! Thank you.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

CIAN DUFFY (Principal)