School Bulletin No. 1 (2025-2026)

• We welcomed twelve junior infant children who joined the school with us in September.
• We had six weeks of gymnastic classes this term for all the children.
• The Sciath na Scol football campaign began also in September.
• Music lessons for all classes with Brian resumed as did the after - school classes for those children involved.
• The Éire Óg hurling and football club celebrated the 40^th anniversary of winning a county final. To mark this occasion, the club produced a video and Marty Morrissey and a cameraman visited the school as some of the players involved in the final were past pupils. The children entertained the visitors in the community hall and everyone greatly enjoyed the afternoon.
• We said farewell to our Principal, Gerard O’Donoghue as he retired after 45 years dedicated to education. He spent the last 18 years of this in Scoil Naomh Muire. We had a very pleasant concert in the community hall where the children of all classes entertained Gerard and members of his family and friends. Presentations were made by members of staff, the Board of Management and the Parent’s Association. The day was rounded off with a lunch in the Lee Valley Golf Club. We wish him well for a long, happy and healthy retirement.
• The children in Junior Infants received their booster vaccines.
• John Crowley visited the school and administered the flu vaccine to the children who registered for it and to any member of staff who wanted to avail of the service.
• Members of the Éire Óg ladies football team visited the school. They brought with them the cup they won in the County Senior Final. Among the team members were five past pupils of the school. They are a wonderful example for our pupils and we are justifiably proud of their achievements.
• Children from 3^rd to 5^th class took part in the West Muskerry Cross Country competitions.
• In October we celebrated Maths week in school. Each day a Junior and Senior “Problem of the Day” was displayed in the halla for all the children to try to solve. At the end of each day the answer box was bursting with suggestions from the boys and girls across the school. At the end of the week we held an assembly to share with one another what we had been learning about in Maths class that week. From data, shape and space to number patterns and problem solving. It was wonderful to see and hear about all the learning taking place across the school.
• We had a wonderful array of colourful people in school for our “dress up” day for Halloween. Also, a huge thanks to all who generously supported our fund-raiser for The Hope Foundation on that day.
• The Quaid Gallery came to the school and took photos of the children in Junior Infants and 6^th class on their own and with their siblings.
• The children who will receive their First Communion in May had their enrolment ceremony in early November.
• During Science Week, the children took part in a variety of hands-on experiments, including colour-changing chemical reactions, the skittles experiment, and building simple circuits. Pupils also observed how the gummy bear sweets expanded in different liquids. It was a week full of curiosity, discovery and excitement as pupils explored the wonders of science.
• The school took part in the Food Dudes again this year.
• Parent/teacher meetings were held over two afternoons one week.
• Members of the “Bright Eyes” educational outreach programme for schools visited, and gave a very interesting talk and presentation to the children from 2^nd to 6^th class
• Swimming classes in the Leisure Centre in the Castle Hotel in Macroom began in early December. These will continue for six weeks to the end of January. We’re very grateful for our male volunteers who give their time to help with the supervision during these outings.
• Thanks to all who once again gave such great support for our annual St. Vincent de Paul collection of non-perishable goods.
• The 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th class children took part in the M.S. Readathon. Over all they read 500 books and were 5^th in the country for the number of books read during the readathon, with the 3^rd & 4^th class placed 3^rd overall in the country. Well done to all involved and hopefully they will keep up the reading throughout their lives.
• The Parents Association ran a very enjoyable and well supported Christmas Carnival in early December. It was a lovely community event and a great start to the Christmas season.
• We hope everyone who attended our Christmas shows enjoyed the events. A great amount of work went into the preparation by pupils and staff. Our thanks to all parents who assisted in any way with the smooth running of these.
• The new school website should be up and running early in the new year. The calendar of events for the next term will also be given out to all families when we return early in Jan.
• We intend to run a Christmas fund-raiser for Féileacáin and Children’s Health Ireland. The children may wear their own clothes or Christmas jumpers/outfits for the next three days. The fundraiser and the amount donated is completely voluntary. The request will go up on Aladdin shortly.
• We are hoping for a visitor from the North Pole before we close for the holidays.
• The school will close at 12.00 noon on Friday Dec. 19^th and will re-open on Monday Jan.5^th.
• Finally, may we wish everyone a very happy, safe and enjoyable Christmas break.