Academic Calendar 2024-2025

SCHOOL STARTS

Thursday 29th August.

GRANDPARENTS’ DAY

Friday 18th October

MID-TERM BREAK

School closes on Friday 25th October 14:15.

School Re-opens Monday 4th November

PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS

25th November-29th November. Teachers will be in touch nearer the time to organise meetings.

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS

School closes at 12.00 noon Friday 20th December School Re-opens Monday 6th January

SAINT BRIGID'S DAY

Monday 3rd February. School Closed.

MID-TERM BREAK

School closes Friday 14th February at 14:15.

School Re-opens Monday 24th February

ST PATRICK’S DAY

Monday 17th March. School Closed.

EASTER HOLIDAYS & MATHS TRAINING DAY

School closes at 12.00 noon on Friday 11th April .School closed for Maths Training Day Monday 28th April. 

School Re-opens Tuesday 29th April

MAY BANK HOLIDAY

Monday 5th MAY. School Closed.

STANDARDISED TESTING

Thursday 1st May-Friday 23rd May.

JUNE BANK HOLIDAY

School closed Monday 2nd & Tuesday 3rd June 

School Re-opens Wednesday 4th June

ACTIVE WEEK/ MULTI-CULTURAL DAY

Active Week will be from Monday, June 16th-Friday June 20th.

Junior Sports Day Monday 16th Booterstown Park 8:50-09:40.

Senior Sports Day Tuesday 17th Booterstown Park 08:50-10:00

Multicultural Day Friday 21st June 12:45-14:00. School Yard.

GRADUATION CEREMONY

Wednesday, June 25th at 10:00.

SUMMER HOLIDAYS

School closes at 12.00 noon on Friday 27th June

Details regarding Staff Training Days, First Holy Communion, Confirmation & 6th Class Graduation will be shared when we have dates.

  Academic Calendar

 School Calendar

Grotto Place, Booterstown, Co. Dublin A94 AC97
01-2886830
Friday, February 07, 2025
01-2886830
8:35 - 14:15
  01-2886830

School & Class News

Education and Parenting news stories of interest on Classes & Newsletters

MIDTERM BREAK SCHOOL HOLIDAYS: Saint Mary's BNS will close on Friday 25th October at 14:15 and will re-open on Monday 4th November at 08:35. May we take this oppportunity to wish everyone a safe and relaxing Halloween Break. 

GRANDPARENTS' DAY: We would like to invite you to take part in a very special event in our school community on Friday October 18th, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.  We ask you to join us in celebrating grandparents and the very important link which exists between school and family life.  The boys would love to share their experiences of a modern primary school with their grandparents. Light refreshments will be provided in the Staffroom for the duration of the morning.  Pupils from our 6th Class will be on hand to direct our visitors to the classrooms. The schedule for the morning is as follows:

  • 10:20 a.m. - 10:40 a.m          Visit to Senior Infants
  • 10:40 a.m. - 11:00 a.m           Visits to 1st, 3rd  & 4th Classes
  • 11:00 a.m. - 11:20 a.m.           Visits to The Lighthouse, Junior Infants & 2nd Class
  • 11:20 a.m. - 11: 40 a.m.           Visits to 5th and 6th Classes

An email has been sent out with all the details and a reminder will be forwarded again later this week. 

ADMISSIONS/ENROLMENT 2025-2026: The school will commence accepting applications for admission for 2025-2026 from the 30th September 2024. The deadline is 11th November 2024. Applicants will be informed of the decision on 25th November 2024 and the period within which applicants must confirm acceptance of an offer of admission is 9th December 2024. Application are made online on our school website at Application Form.

HEALTH & SAFETY CONCERN: SCOOTERS & BIKES: We have noticed a number of children scooting / cycling at speed on Grotto Avenue and Grotto Place and onto Rock Road even when supervised by an adult.Some children are also cycling/ scooting on the pathways making it very dangerous for pedestrians. Can we please ask you to get your child to discount from their scooter/ bike when on Grotto Avenue and Grotto Place and walk the rest of the way on the path to school.In the morning, if the school gate is not open, we continue to ask that the boys form an orderly queue and  wait calmly until the gate is open. We will continue to get the children to dismount off their scooters / bikes when entering the school grounds and use the bike lane to walk to the scooter / bay.  At the moment only Junior Infants take their bikes/ scooters across the yard to a space near their classroom. 

All classes have been visited  to remind them of this health and safety concern on the local roads and class teachers will continue to remind the boys of same. One school  staff member will continue to supervise the students at the gate, entering and leaving the school  grounds, but cannot supervise them when they are out on the local public roads.  If your child is scooting/ cycling to school may we kindly ask you to please talk to them about this health and safety concern.

JANA's BOOKLAND THURSDAY & FRIDAY 15 & 16th OCTOBER: Jana's Bookland will be visiting St Mary's BNS with a great selection of children's books from Usborne. The book fair will be held on Thursday 17th and Friday 18th October, and I hope you'll join us to explore some fantastic reads with your children. Opening times for parents: Thursday 1 - 2:30 pm  and Friday 8 - 9 am & 1 - 2:30 pm. Jana will be there to help you choose from a wide range of books, suitable for all ages and interests. With prices ranging from €8.50 to €14.50, there's something for everyone, and she accept both card and cash payments. What's more, up to 50% of what you spend will come back to St Mary's BNS in the form of free books for their classrooms and library. It's a wonderful way to support the school while picking out some great new books for your family. Jana looks forward to seeing you there and helping you find just the right book! 

LÉIGH LIOM IRISH GRADED READING SCHEME: 1st to 6th classes will start a new Irish Graded Reading Series called Léigh Liom by Folens over the coming weeks.  Children who do Irish will get one book a week(minimum) to bring home and read with their parents. There is a QR code on the inside cover of each book, that when scanned brings you to all the booklets. You select the colour coded booklet your child is reading and click on audio to hear the text. There is also advice on the inside back cover of each booklet for parents. Support for Parents is also at the following link: Support for Parents: Léigh Liom Irish Graded Reader.  As the reading scheme was quite expensive and will be used by many different students, we ask you to help us ensure that the books are looked after and returned to the class teachers each week in good condition.

PROCEDURES FOR SPORTING ACTIVITIES: Please see link to our Procedures for Sporting Activities which outlines protocols for transport, training, respectful behaviour, accident reports etc. 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LETTER REGARDING ADMISSIONS TO SECONDARY:  The Department of Education recognises that the Admissions Process for post-primary school is an important stage in a child’s education.  In that context, they have produced a letter to parents/guardians with information and advice regarding this process. And it available at this link .Admissions to Secondary: Letter from Department of Education.

NEW PRIMARY MATHS CURRICULUM: INFORMATION FOR PARENTS:  Please see link to the latest Department of Education communication on the Primary Maths Curriculum and The Primary Curriculum Framework. The Redevelopment of The Primary School Curriculum: Continuing the Journey. Please see link to previous parent information note from Department of Education. Information Note on Primary Maths Curriculum.

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT AGREED REPORT 10-10-2024. Please see the link to BOM Agreed Report for 10th October 2024. Agreed Report 10-10-2024.

FRÁSAÍ NA MÍOSA/ GAEILGE/ CONTENT LANGUAGE INTEGRATED LEARNING: Más féidir libh cabhrú le bhúr bpáiste frásaí na míosa a chleachtadh sa bhaile. / If you can please help your child practise Irish these phrases of the month?   1. Cad a tharla? / What happened? 2. Dia Duit / Hello 3. Cé tusa? Is mise... / Who are you? I'm..... 4. Is maith liom mo cheantar...I like my area. 

CSL REPORT Report 8a from the Children’s School Lives study Equalities In Children’s School Lives – The Impact of Social Background, has being launched. This report gives a unique insight into the impact of children's social background on their school experiences using data collected through CSL. The report will be available on their website www.cslstudy.ie  and at the following link. CSL Report 8A. The Impact of Social Background.

DATES FOR HOLY SACRAMENTS PREPARATION & EVENTS  & DETAILS FOR AFTERSCHOOL CLUBS:Please see below. 

Kind regards, 

Noel Scully. Principal. 

AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS: Please liaise directly with liaise with club organiser and not with school administration for costs.

  1. Homework Club: Starting 9th September Monday to Thursday 2:15pm to 3:15pm (3rd to 6th)
    Judy Doyle Information sent to Aladdin CONTACT This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  2. After School Sports- Monday 2:15pm to 3:15pm (1st -4th class only) - Aoife Cartwright CONTACT This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  3. Stage Academy: with Paul Byrom Booterstown. Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. New Term 11th September -27th November. 
  4. Alto School of Music: Starting 9th Monday & Fridays. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  5. Art: Tuesdays starting 17th September to 10th December inclusive – Evelyn Healy
    Junior & Senior Infants 1:15pm – 2:15pm 1st to 6th class 2:15pm to 3:15pm Cost €145 (12 Classes)
    CONTACT: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  6. Johnny's After School PE CLUB: Johnny will be doing his After-School PE Cub for Junior & Senior infants starting on Tuesday 3 September. He will do the school pick up at 1.15 pm and bring the boy's to Booterstown Park. Pick up is from Booterstown Park at 2.15 pm. Please click on the following link to book your place. https://signup.com/go/MaKKrwnHe will be doing our After-School PE Cub for 1st - 6th class starting on Thursday 4th. He will do the school pick up at 2.15 pm and bring the boy's to Booterstown Park. Pick up is from Booterstown Park at 3.15 pm. Please click on the following link to book your place  https://signup.com/go/oLdUFij
  7. Chess: Thursdays starting 12th September to 12th December 2:15pm to 3:15pm (2nd to 6th Class) CONTACT: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  8. Steam Academy: Wednesdays starting 11th September to 18th December Junior & Senior Infants 1:15pm – 2:15pm 1st to 6th Class 2:15pm to 3:15pm.
  9. Spanish Class: Monday 16th September for 12 weeks 1:15pm to 2:00pm (JI & SI) 2:15pm to 3:00pm (1st to 6th Class) CONTACT:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  10. French Classes: Olé School of Languages. Friday Afternoons. Starting 4th October for 10 weeks. Junior and Senior Infants register here. Junior and Senior Infants Registration and 1st-6th classes register here 1st-6th Classes Registration

CONFIRMATION: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2024-2025:

RECONCILIATION & FIRST COMMUNION DATES FOR YOUR DIARY 2024-2025:

A registration email has been sent out to all 6th class parents teachers/ guardians on 25/9/2024. Please complete it if you wish your child to register for Confirmation.

1.REGISTRATION of Candidate closing date of Oct. 21st 2024

 2. CHURCH ‘TOURS’ (by parish volunteers) Sat 23rd Nov at 5pm (before 6pm Mass) OR Sun 24th Nov at 10am (before 11am Mass)

 3.PARENT Meeting: Thurs 9th Jan at 19:30 

4. ENROLMENT MASSES: **Candidates (and families) can attend on Sat 11th OR on Sat 18th Jan, at 6pm 

5. SERVICE OF LIGHT Preparation Sessions: Wed 5th Feb at 6pm 

6. SERVICE OF LIGHT: Wed 12th Feb 6pm

 7. CONFIRMATION Ceremony Preparation Session: Mon 12th May at 6pm

 8. CONFIRMATION Ceremony: Thurs 15th May at 6pm.

9. SUNDAY MASS & HOSPITALITY: Sat 7th June (eve of Pentecost Sunday) 6pm mass, and afterwards in the Pastoral Centre.

A registration email has been sent out to all 2nd class parents teachers/ guardians on 25/9/2024. Please complete it if you wish your child to register for First Communion/Reconciliation.

1. REGISTRATION of Candidates: closing date of Oct. 21st 2024
2. CHURCH ‘TOURS’ 
(by parish volunteers) Sun 12th Jan at 10am (before 11am Mass) or Sun 19th Jan at 10am (before 11am Mass)

3. PARENT Meeting Thurs 2rd Jan at 7.30pm 

4. ENROLMENT MASSES: Candidates (and families) can attend on Sat 25th Jan at 6pm OR Sun 26th Jan at 11am 

5. FIRST RECONCILIATION Preparation Sessions: Thurs 6th Mar at 6pm

 6. FIRST RECONCILIATION SERVICES: Wed 12th March at 6pm

7. FIRST COMMUNION Preparation Session: Wed 21st May at 6pm 

8. FIRST COMMUNION Ceremony: Sat. 24th May at 12 noon 

9. SUNDAY MASS and HOSPITALITY: Sun 25th May, 11am Mass and after St. Mary’s.