Summer '23 Newsletter
School News
Dear Parents and Pupils,
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful summer filled with joy, relaxation, and unforgettable moments. May this break be a time for you to recharge, explore new experiences, and spend quality time with your loved ones. Remember to stay safe and take care of yourselves during this time. I look forward to seeing you all in the upcoming school year. Enjoy your summer!
Ms Diffley, Principal
Go n-éirí an
t-ádh libh!
We bid a fond farewell to teacher Gráinne O'Boyle as she takes up a teaching position in County Carlow. Ms O'Boyle has worked in Scoil Thomáis for 24 years and we think her new school is extremely lucky to get her!
We also wish Ms Quille, Ms Duhig and Ms Ketterick well as they take up jobs in other schools around the country. Thank you for all that you brought to Scoil Thomáis while you were here!
We wish Marie Burke, our dedicated SNA, all the best in her retirement. Marie worked for 26 years looking after the pupils of Scoil Thomáis and we will really miss her.
Congratulations to Ms Moran on the recent birth of her baby! We wish her and her family all the best at this very special time.
Congratulations to Ms Farragher who has been awarded a two-year fellowship at DCU Institute of Education, starting in September 2023. This is a big opportnity for Ms Farragher and we're looking forward to hearing how she gets on!
Scoil Thomáis has been selected through the Public Sector Pathfinder Programme to undergo a deep retrofit. The school was comprehensively assessed to identify suitable upgrade measures and these upgrades will begin in September. The energy upgrade will be delivered in collaboration with the Department of Education which is hoping to use the work carried out in Scoil Thomáis as a guide to help the energy retrofit for all schools built before 2008. Scoil Thomáis is lucky to have been selected for this upgrade, and the staff are all looking forward to improved comfort in their teaching and learning environment!
A special word of thanks to the ancillary staff who work tirelessly for the betterment of everyone in our school - staff, parents and pupils alike. Thank you to Geraldine and Ann Marie in the office, to Mick and Tony our caring caretakers and to Pauline and Regina our cleaners. Scoil Thomáis wouldn't be Scoil Thomáis without your hard work!
Board of Management Report
The Board of Management conducted their annual review of the Child Safeguarding Statement at their most recent meeting in April. They have also updated and approved the school’s RSE Policy.
Digital Learning and Wellbeing are the areas that the school will focus during this school self-evaluation cycle. A report will be issued to the school community on the school website in Term One 2023/2024.
We look forward to opening our ASD Class in September 2023.
The Board of Management has approved the installation of handdryers in the school over the summer months.
In line with DES Guidelines, the free school book scheme will be implemented in Scoil Thomáis
Wellbeing Week 2023
Scoil Thomáis held it's first Wellbeing Week in April. There were lots of activities across the week. Pupils from Junior Infants to Sixth Class really enjoyed the activities oranised.
Parents Association News
A big thank you to everyone who supported our recent School Walk Fundraiser! There was a great turnout on the day and lots of fun was had during the walk and the gathering afterwards in the picnic area. We couldn't have done the walk without the PA and the volunteers on the day who ensured everyone was kept safe on the route. With your help, we are well on our way to purchasing The CUBBIE for our new ASD class opening this September.
Thank you for all of your support for the Fundraiser Lotto so far. Our weekly draw winners have been delighted with their prizes! You can support the fundraiser by visiting
https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/
Sports in Scoil Thomáis
Our Annual Student Teacher Basketball Match took place on Monday 26th of June. This game takes place as part of our fun activities for 6th Class in their last week of primary school. There was great fun had by supporters and fantastic displays of athleticism on the basketball courts. Huge congratulations to the eventual winners - Limerick!
Our Under 12's Girls Relay Team won this years Santry Finals which was a great success for the girls.
Overall our athletics squad performed fantastically this year so well done to all involved for your hard work and dedication to training!
Here are the boys soccer team with with their medals for winning the West Dublin league this year. The boys were a very talented group this year and won all of their games in the group. Thank you to Mr Duffy and Mr Finegan for all the work they did with the team!
6th Class Sports Day culminated in our annual prize-giving ceremony for Scoil Thomáis' sports boy and sports girl. These prizes are awarded to 6th Class pupils who have shown consistent engagement and commitment to our school's sporting culture throughout their time at Scoil Thomáis. This year's awardees were recognized for not only for their outstanding dedication to a range of sports from GAA to soccer, but for their sportsmanship qualities which both prize winners have in abundance! We wish both winners every success in their sporting endeavors at secondary school and in the future - beir bua!
We were all thrilled in Scoil Thomáis when the Senior Boys Hurling and Senior Girls Camogie Teams made it to the Cumann na mBunscol Finals this year - the first time both teams qualified for the finals in the history of Scoil Thomáis. Although neither teams had success on the day, it was a massive achievement for them to make it to Croke Park in the first place so they should be very proud of themselves. Thank you to Mr Freeman and Mr Ryan for their work with the Hurling and Camogie teams this year and here's to more success in the future!
Two of our Junior Infant GAA superstars, Rian and Gavin got a chance to play during a senior Castleknock GAA match recently. They even got to have a photograph taken with fellow superstar Ciarán Kilkenny!
Well done boys!
Classroom News
Ms Diffley made a special presentation to the Chief Librarians and Chess Keepers. These sixth class students have given years of dedicated service to the managing the library and chess in the school. The school is very grateful to them for their hard work, initiative and imagination. They will be sorely missed but, with the skills that they have developed, their new schools will be lucky to have them.
Well done to the winner of our recent Chess Blitz between 5th and 6th Class!
2nd and 5th Class pupils had an interesting anti-bullying talk with Garda Vicky and Garda Cian. We appreciate them coming in to speak to our pupils about this important topic!
This year a very enterprising student from 5th class supervised the construction of multiple Lego projects with the 1st class students in rooms 11 and 12. From sandwich bars to Christmas trees, from Easter bunnies to wise old owls, he displayed a natural ability to teach, organise and support the younger students in the school. As a result of his efforts, Scoil Thomáis now has several more Lego enthusiasts. Well done to everyone involved!
Mr. O’Mahony’s class recently visited Trinity College Genetics Lab. They got to view and complete many interesting experiments such as dissecting a mouse eye and viewing the DNA of a banana – which we were shocked to learn we share 45% in common! They rounded off the trip with a visit to the Book of Kells and an intense frisbee game on the college green. Many thanks to Matthew & Sarah Campbell who very kindly organised and ran the trip for them.
Room 18 enjoyed a visit from two scientists where they learned all about how DNA allows us to identify the cause of some forms of blindness. They also explored different parts of the eye and even got to experience dissecting a cow’s eye!
Room 26 have been busy in the last few weeks coordinating a recycling initiative in the school. Inspired by Aoibhe's Grandad David and the love and care he got in St Francis Hospice, the pupils collected aluminium cans and plastic bottles brought in by pupils from Junior Infants all the way up to 6th Class. There was a lot of sorting and gathering to be done before the Murphy family were able to bring the all of the bags to the Reverse Vending Machine in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. We are thrilled to say that we've raised €500 for St Francis Hospice so thank you to everyone for all of your help in donating plastic bottles and aluminium cans!
The boys and girls in Room 12 helped to paint and plant a tyre caterpillar in the Outdoor Classroom
Pupils from Junior Infants to First Class have been participating in the Art in Health project. They have completed some bright, colourful art work that has been displayed in Blanchardstown Children's Hospital.
Room 7 have been busy all year learning their sounds and letters. They had lots of fun putting their sounds together to make words. Can you read some of the words they made?
Room 13 and Room 24 recently completed a shared art project together. They created fabulous jellyfish and other creatures. The pupils really enjoyed working and learning from each other.
The children in Room 2 took part in a class talent show in April. They showed off their dancing, sporting , musical talent and everything in-between. The children enjoyed learning how they are all special and have unique talents.
Pupils from Room 22 joined up with their 3rd class friends from Room 14 to plant flowers earlier this term. The 6th class pupils designed these lovely procedural flowerpots to support their presentation on ‘how to plant a flower’ as Gaeilge! Maith sibh!
Well done to our Second Class Pupils who received the sacrament of First Holy Communion on Saturday, 6th of May. Our Sixth Class pupils received the sacrament of Confirmation on the 11th of May. We hope all of the families involved enjoyed a special day celebrating together.
Ruth Moloney Art
Exhibition
Castleknock Community Centre is delighted to host local artist Ruth Moloney to display her incredible art work on Friday 30th June, 7pm-9pm
and Saturday 1st July, 11am-2pm.
Everyone welcome!
www.castleknockcommunitycentre.ie/
Happy Summer!
Scoil Thomáis reopens for Senior Infants - 6th Classes
on the 31st of August 2023.
Junior Infants will start on the 1st of September.
Keep up to date with the latest school news on