Dear Parents / Guardians,
We hope you all had a fabulous summer. Our news is as follows:
- Mercy Day: We will celebrate Mercy Day on Thursday 24th September. As Bunscoil Bhríde is a Mercy school, Mercy Day is a very important day in the calendar of our school. We are proud of our strong Mercy tradition and ethos. All classes from Second to Sixth will go to Mass at 10am. Children in all classes will learn about Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Mercy order and will hear of how the Mercy Sisters brought education to Rathangan. We might even get the night off homework to celebrate!
- Whole School Assembly: We will hold our first whole-school assembly in our halla on Mercy Day. This will be led by Ms. Coughlan’s Sixth Class and Ms. Gleeson’s Senior Infants. Each class will get the opportunity to lead our assemblies this year, which take place at the end of every month, and at which we get to hear all of the news from around the school, enjoy class performances and celebrate the birthdays from the month.
- Ukulele lessons: We are very excited to roll out ukulele lessons again this year to our Fifth and Sixth Classes. We will have two teachers from Music Generation; John and William, visit our school every Tuesday and Wednesday for the year, to engage Ms. De Faoite’s and Mr. O’Sullivan’s Fifth Classes and Ms. Coughlan’s Sixth Class in a 45-minute lesson on the ukulele. Our Board of Management have purchased the ukuleles, and our wonderful Parents’ Association are heavily subsidising the lessons. We are asking for a small donation of just €15 per child to cover the lessons for the whole year. Payments can be made via the Money tab on Aladdin Connect.
- Tin Whistle: All children from Second to Sixth Class are engaging in tin whistle lessons with their teachers during the first term. We ask that you support their progress by encouraging them to practise at home and ensuring they have their tin whistle at school every day.
- School Photographs: ‘County Photos’ (school photographers) will be at school on Monday next (21st September) to take individual photos of all children in the school and class group photos of both our Junior Infants and our Sixth Class girls. Photographs with siblings will also be facilitated. All photograph proofs will be sent home for parents to view and there is no obligation for parents to make any purchase. Please let us know if you do not wish for your daughter’s photograph to be taken.Please see attached information flyer from County Photos.
- 24-hour Accident Insurance: Friday 30th September is the final day for receipt of payment for Allianz Pupil Personal Accident Insurance. This is an optional fee of €10 and provides 24-hour cover for medical and dental expenses arising from accidents occurring at home or at school. We would strongly recommend that all parents pay this insurance. Many of our parents have benefitted from having the policy in the past. If you ever incur any fees in relation to an accident e.g. fee for a trip to A&E, let us know and we will provide you with the necessary forms to recoup all expenses. Payment can be made via the e-payments system on the Aladdin app (this is a safe and secure means of payment). You must also return the completed form to the school. Let us know if you are having trouble accessing the e-payments via the app.
- Football: Our U-11 footballers have been in action over the last two weeks putting in great performances against Scoil Phadráig Naofa, Athy and Monasterevin National School. While the teams were very evenly matched, we were unfortunately narrowly beaten on both occasions. The girls showed great determination in each game and their skills have improved with each game. We look forward to playing Newbridge Educate Together next Wednesday at 12pm in Newbridge (Newbridge Educate Together). This will be the final game of the group stages. Fingers crossed it will be third time lucky for the team! Training will continue after school on Tuesdays from 2.30pm-3.15pm for 5th and 6th class girls until mid-term break. Thank you to Ms. Marrinan, Ms. Brogan and Mr. O’Sullivan who are kindly volunteering their time to coach the girls.
- Homework Journals: All children from First to Sixth Class have homework journals this year. Please ensure that you check your daughter’s homework every evening and sign her homework journal. It is only by home and school working together that we can ensure the very best outcomes for all of our pupils.
- Flu Vaccine: The HSE are offering all children aged 2-17 years the flu vaccine free of charge. The Team at Rathangan Medical Centre will be here at school with us on Tuesday 6th October to administer the vaccine. The nasal flu vaccine is optional and your child won’t receive it unless a consent form is completed. The consent forms will be available through an online link, which will be sent in the coming days, along with further information on the flu vaccine.
- Uniform: Please ensure your daughter wears the correct school uniform. Our Uniform Policy can be found on our school website at www.bunscoilbhride.ie .
- Code of Behaviour: Our Code of Behaviour is available to view at www.bunscoilbhride.ie . I wish to remind you all that, as stated in our Code, jewellery is not permitted at school (with the exception of small stud earrings at the bottom of each ear and a watch). Children should not come to school wearing hoop earrings / dangly earrings / earrings that are larger than a small stud, which are in breach of the code and pose a health and safety risk. Please ensure that children are wearing the correct uniform and that long hair is fully tied up. Your cooperation in the implementation of our Code of Behaviour is very much appreciated.
- Party Invitations: As it may not always be possible to invite all children from your child’s class to birthday parties, we would ask that all children refrain from handing out invitations in school. This can instead be done outside of the school, in order to avoid upset to children not invited.
- Dates for the Diary: Please check out the calendar tab on the Aladdin app. A number of new dates for this term have been added. Please continue to keep an eye on the Calendar over the coming weeks and months, as all new dates will be added as new events are confirmed.
- Curriculum inservice school closures: The Department of Education have notified us of further school closure days to facilitate teacher inservice in the new Primary Curriculum. All new dates have been added to the Aladdin Calendar and can be found on our website at https://www.bunscoilbhride.ie/school-calendar-2026-27/
- Rathangan Library Event: Please see attached flyer detailing a free children’s workshop in Rathangan Library on Saturday.
- Rathangan Tennis Club: Please also see attached flyer regarding tennis lessons at Rathangan Tennis Club.
Kind regards,
Maria Rogerson