Attention, Parents of children in 2nd & 3rd Class

November ’24 Dear parents, I would like to update you on our progress, re-arranging the 2nd and 3rd Classes. A partition wall has been built and electrics are installed. We are waiting for final-fix carpentry and paint. Furniture is being delivered in the next few days. It will be a lovely room. Most importantly, we are delighted Múinteoir Ailis has been appointed to teach the class. Ailis has been working with the children in 2nd and 3rd Class for the last few weeks. The children will know her well. We will open the new learning space as soon as it is ready. We have reviewed your feedback, the feedback of class teachers and the special education team. We have come up with a plan to make minimum impact and have greatest benefit to the children. Here is an outline of the next steps: Maria and Edel’s 2nd & 3rd multi-grade class will be divided Maria and Edel will teach their current 3rd Class plus 8 children who will move from Jack’s class Ailis will teach in the new room. Ailis will teach the children currently in Maria and Edel’s 2nd Class plus 8 children who will move from Ruth’s 2nd class Tomorrow, I will call the parents of the 16 children who will be moving class. We will announce next steps to the children and bring them together in their new cohort. Some children will be happy and excited about the move and some children will be anxious and sad. These are all natural reactions to change. We know the change is for the greater good and we must...

Smashing Pumpkins Festival 2023

It has been another great year at the Annual Ard Rí CNS Pumpkin Carving Festival. We had a bumper crop of over 170 pumpkins and the theme of categories was broader than ever. We had Day of the Dead, Mexican Style, Minions, Monsters Inc., Star Wars, Sesame Street, Pokemon, Multi-Sports, Classic Carving, Farmyard, Skyscrapers and Country Landscapes, Harry Potter, ‘Spa Day’ Pumpkins and plenty of other very scary and very pretty designs. Well done everyone! We hope you all had fun taking part in this family-based challenge. While this competition is not about the winning; 6 merits have been selected. We will formally announce these awards tomorrow. Happy Halloween everyone! Enjoy the...

Election of Parent Nominees to the Board of Management

Dear Parents/Guardians, Further to invitation in October Newsletter, I would like to formally invite all parents to attend the Parent Association Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 24th of October at 7pm in the school. During the AGM there will be an election held where two parents will be selected to join the school Board of Management for the next 4 year term- from December 2023- November 2027. No expertise or experience is required – all you need is the desire to do the best for our school. The process will be as follows: Darragh Roe, as Secretary to the Board, will act as the patron’s representative. At the meeting nominations shall be invited for both a mothers’ panel and a fathers’ panel. Parents may self-nominate and each nominee must be seconded by a person in attendance at the meeting. If there is only one nominee for either panel, the nominee shall be deemed to be elected. If more than one nomination is received for either of the panels, a secret ballot shall be held at the meeting. Two tellers shall be appointed. Each person voting shall have one, non-transferable vote for each panel. The votes shall be counted in public. The election shall be determined on the highest number of votes (i.e. the first past the post system). In the event of a tied vote between nominees the election of the nominee(s) shall be determined by the drawing of lots. However, where the ballot has been conducted at a meeting and where agreed by the majority of voters present and voting therein, the election of the nominee(s) shall be...

Sacramental Preparation

Ard Rí CNS is a multi-denominational school. There is no sacramental preparation at Ard Rí CNS during the school day. Roughly half of our pupils receive the Catholic Sacraments of Penance, Communion and Confirmation. These children attend after-school classes in St Oliver’s Church, Blackcastle. We work in co-operation with Fr Sebi, the Catechetical Volunteers in St Mary’s Parish and our own Catholic parents to support our Catholic children receive their sacraments. The Parish Catechetical Programme (PCP) will begin in the coming month. PCP prepares children in schools, which are not under the patronage of the Bishop of Meath for the Sacraments. It is a 2-year programme to prepare for the Sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion or for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Parents of children in 2nd Class or above are welcome to register their children for Year 1 of the programme to prepare for the sacraments of First Penance and First Holy Communion. Children in 4th Class or above may apply now for Year 1 of the programme to prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation. Enrolment forms can be collected from the parish office or the school office. If you return the form to us we will pass them on to Fr Sebi directly. If your child has completed the Year 1 of either programme you can now register for the year 2 of the Programme to prepare for the Sacraments of First Penance & First Holy Communion or for the Sacrament of Confirmation. Those wishing to join Year II of either programme must apply for admission. Enrolment forms can be collected from the parish office or the school office. If you...

Return to School ’23

August 2023 Dia duit gach duine, The return to school is just around the corner. Preparations are now well underway. Teachers are working hard planning and busy organising their workspaces for the new year. Let’s go! I want to provide you with some quick reminders and updates: School reopens for all pupils on Wednesday 30th August. Classes Senior Infants to 6th start at 9am. Any new pupils joining Senior Infants to 6th come to the school at 9.15am on Wednesday so we can direct you to your new class. New Junior Infants are in school from 10am to midday on the Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. ‘Drop and Go’ and ‘Park and Walk’ will work as before from day one. The green gates will open at 8.50am. No parents to pass the green gates please. Children will line up with their classmates on yard and enter their classrooms all together at 9am with first lesson commencing immediately. Be aware there are some building works taking place at the Rugby Club. We are putting the final touches on recruitment and teacher allocation. There are a few changes to class teachers. We will notify affected classes directly in the coming days. If you have not already done so; please make €25 payment for Music Generation and Accident Insurance as soon as possible. You will receive a Way2Pay link shortly. School uniform is available through Geoghegans, Trimgate Street. Your child will need a good size school bag, a well stocked pencil case, a lunchbox for a healthy lunch and a reusable water bottle. LABEL EVERYTHING! Extra Curricular Activities: We are delighted to bring...

Rest in Peace Nahyan

Good morning everyone, I am writing because I have a little bit of sad news to tell you all. Our little friend Nahyan, from Senior Infants, died over the weekend. Nahyan was sick for a long time. He had a very rare disease in his brain. Nobody knows why Nahyan had this disease. When he was a little boy Nahyan’s mum Raviha, called him Warrior because he was a brave fighter. He fought the disease with all his strength. Whenever Nahyan was feeling strong he would come to school. Nahyan’s dad Naveed greatly appreciated the fundraising for treatment carried out by the school, the Bravery Award Nahyan received and Nahyan’s birthday celebrations in Huckleberry’s Den. He told us Nahyan loved the school and his teachers but most of all Nahyan loved the warm welcome he received every morning from the children in his class. He minded all the cards and gifts he received from his school friends. They were very special to him. He always wore the coolest clothes and hats and everyone loved to see him coming and to spend time with him. Nahyan’s family are Muslim. They have very strong faith and Nahyan had been on pilgrimage to the Holy City of Mecca twice in his life. Nahyan’s family prayed with him every day and they believe he has gone straight to heaven. The Ard Ri Community have been invited to attend Nahyan’s funeral. Nahyan will repose at the Mosque in Clonskeagh from 12midday. Any pupils who attend can gather (in full uniform) at the Mosque at 1pm and we will perform a Guard of Honor as...

New Entrants- September 2023

Our first day at Ard Rí CNS 2023 Rang Niamh Junior Infants ’23 Rang Rachel Junior Infants ’23 Well done everyone, All our Junior Infants have had circle time, done some lovely coloring-in, eaten their lunch and played with their friends on yard. They have all been doing really well. Well done to our mums and dads for being very brave also (LOL!). Just before 12 o’clock we will introduce you all to Shelley and Ciara from our Parent Association. They have a welcome letter for you and a little present for all the children to congratulate them on their first big day at school. Happy days, Darragh and all the team at Ard Rí August 2023 Hi everyone, I hope everyone is excited about starting school at Ard Rí CNS on Wednesday 30th August. There is not long to go now. Please read the information below. Our office is now open. If you have any questions please call (087) 1341007 or email [email protected]. If, for any reason, your child will not be coming to Ard Rí please let us know immediately. From September 2023, schoolbooks for children in primary schools, will be provided for free. The books will be ready for your child when they start school. The total cost to parents for school year 23/24 will be €25 per child. You will receive a notification to pay your bill through Way2Pay in the coming weeks. This money will directly pay for:• €18.20 Music Generation (28 music lessons)• €6.80 Pupil Accident Insurance Our school calendar for 2023/24 is now available on our website: click here Our school uniform supplier...

Staffing Arrangements 23/24

August 2023 I am very sad to announce our Deputy Principal, Emer will not be returning to teach at Ard Rí CNS. Emer and her family have made the decision to return to her native Carlow. Emer will be greatly missed by the whole team here at Ard Rí. Since joining the school in 2014, Emer has made a huge contribution to the development of the CNS ethos, not only at Ard Rí but right across the model as she worked on the national GMGY co-ordinator group. Emer has put all her passion and energy into Special Education Teaching at Ard Rí and will leave a lasting legacy of best practice for assessment, teaching and learning right across the school. Emer was always great fun to work with. We all wish her and her family the very best of luck in her career and life in Carlow. Teacher recruitment is still on-going at Ard Rí. Please have a look at the updated table and changes to teacher allocation below: Múinteoir Laura will be teaching in Senior Infants Múinteoir Claire will be teaching in 5th Class Múinteoir Sarah will be teaching in 4th Class Múinteoir Cailín will be teaching in 6th Class Múinteoir Catherine Duplaa will join the Special Ed team Year 22/23Year 23/24NotesIncoming pupilsNiamh Donnachie Junior InfantsIncoming pupilsRachel Junior Infants Niamh Junior InfantsLaura Senior InfantsNo change in cohortLaura Junior InfantsAngela Senior InfantsNo change in cohortAngela Senior InfantsWilma 1st Class No change in cohortAilis Senior InfantsGráinne 1st ClassNo change in cohortRachel 1st ClassRuth 2nd ClassNo change in cohortWilma 1st/2nd ClassEdel & Maria 2nd/3rd Class No change in cohortRuth 2nd ClassJack...

School Reports- June ’23

Dear Parents & Guardians, School Reports will launch on Aladdin early this afternoon. If you need support to access the report just let us know. Your child’s report is a broad account of their progress during the school year. The report is written by your child’s class teacher and where relevant your child’s Special Ed teacher. It will take account of your child as a learner, their social and personal development and their progress in the curriculum. The report will take account of your child’s strengths and achievements, areas for development and will offer some suggestions how to further support your child’s learning. You can find more ideas on how to support your child’s learning on the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) website (click here) From First Class and up you will see your child’s Standardised Test results. Standardised tests in English reading and maths measure your child’s achievement compared to other children in the same class across all schools in Ireland. Standardised Tests only take a snapshot of your child’s performance on one day. They are an indicator. Teachers are constantly assessing children both formally and informally. Teachers use a broad range of evidence when completing the report. NCCA have more information on how to interpret your child’s Standardised test score (click here) Pupil Voice is recorded in the report under ‘My learning in school’. It is a lovely opportunity to capture the child’s reflections on the year at school and often what their targets are going forward. Please review the report. If you spot a mistake or want to give any feedback email the office...

Ard Rí Blog (ed. 9)

Last week was action-packed, crammed with fun activities and experiential learning. Here are some of the highlights. First Holy Communion Congratulations to the children who received their First Holy Communion in Navan Parish on Saturday. Children are prepared to receive the Catholic Sacraments through the Parish Catechetical Program (PCP) and attend lessons after school. Bringing the children to these lessons and helping to teach them requires consistent dedication from the children’s families. Well done and I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Ard Rí Grand Prix And it was go, go, go at Balreask Old for another year of the Ard Rí Grand Prix. We had well over 300 bikes and scooters for this much anticipated event. Community Garda Sabrina was on hand, as always to remind the children about road safety and most importantly to check everyone was wearing their helmets. Boys and girls rallied around our track and a super time was had by all. 4th Class School Girls Blitz 10 girls from Ard Rí CNS were among over 100 4th Class girls from local schools who took part in a football blitz at Simonstown Gaels Football Club. It was a real festival of football, with great skills on display. I want to pay a special tribute to the girls who were trying football for the first time. I hope this positive experience will encourage you to play sport into the future. Maith sibh ar fad. Junior and Senior Infant School Tour to Newgrange Farm I think everyone remembers their Junior and Senior Infant school tours. Excitement was at fever pitch as over 100 children headed...