17th June 2026

Dear parents,

This morning, we will be telling children who their class teacher will be for next academic year. Where possible, classes will go to their new room to spend some time with their new teacher. We are aware transitions can be very exciting for some children, yet a cause of great anxiety for others. We will make every effort to ensure the transition runs as smoothly as possible.

Please understand, summer recruitment is currently underway. There will be at least two rounds of interviews between now and return to school in August. You will see below some teachers cannot be confirmed until after recruitment. I must also be clear this teacher allocation could change.

*Junior Infant parents will receive a text in a few weeks to let them know which class their child will be in.

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June 2026

Here is the start of our Return to School ’26 Blog! You will find out all you need to know in one place. We will update the Blog during this week and over the summer… nearly there!!

Free School Books & Your Child’s Direct School Costs 2025/26:

As part of the Free School Books Scheme, all schoolbooks, workbooks, copybooks, classroom resources, shared books, photocopying, and Art & Craft materials will be provided free of charge to every child in Irish primary schools.

However, there are some additional costs not covered by this grant.

Your child’s annual school costs for the 2025/26 school year will be €52 per child, which covers:

• €6.32 – Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Student Personal Accident Insurance (more info)

• €10 – Text-a-Parent & Aladdin communication tools

• €35.68 – School Tour*

*The €35.68 school tour fee covers the cost of your child’s annual school tour in May 2027. Due to significant increases in bus transport costs we are taking a different approach by collecting for the school tour at the start of the school year to allow for early planning and booking. Thank you for your continued support in helping us provide a rich and well-organised school experience for all our pupils.

Ard Rí CNS is a cash-free school, and we are proud to maintain the highest standards of financial compliance. Way2Pay is a Bank of Ireland online payments application. A Way2Pay bill for the €52 Student Direct Costs will be raised on your account shortly. Please note that there is an option to pay these costs in installments if required.

Each child will require a well-stocked pencil case:

Calendar (click here)

School attendance is very important for your child’s learning and development. Please schedule any family holidays during the official school closures, which are clearly marked in yellow on the calendar. Thank you for your continued support!

Extra Curricular Activities:

We are delighted to bring you a range of extra-curricular activities again next year:

Creative Keyboards are now enrolling for keyboard classes at Ard Rí CNS starting September 2025. For all info and bookings: click here

Primary Pals Homework Club for Junior and Senior Infants will run from 1.40-2.40 and Primary Pals Plus will run from 2.40-3.40, Monday to Friday. For all info and bookings please call Jana on 0863445115

Study Mates Homework Club for pupils 1st to 6th will run from 2.40-3.40 Monday to Thursday. For all info and bookings please email Niamh and Angela on [email protected]

School Bus:

Geoff’s school bus has been confirmed for next year. The bus serves Athlumney, Johnstown, Old Johnstown Village, Limekiln, Baker Hall and Academy Street. Spaces are limited. Please email [email protected] to secure place. 

Enrolment: 

Enrolment has been very strong this year. There are still places available in some classes. Our teacher allocation depends on pupil numbers. If you know of any one looking for a school place or if your child will not be returning to school with us please email [email protected].

School Uniform:

Our supplier is Geoghegans, Trimgate Street, Navan. For full information on our uniforms: click here Our Parent Association also makes pre-loved (second-hand)  uniforms available. LABEL EVERYTHING!